Compensation method and compensation system for display device using multiple camera

Abstract

The invention relates to a compensation method and a compensation system for a display device using a plurality of cameras. In a compensation method for a display device using a plurality of cameras, test data is provided to the display device to cause the display device to display a test image, a first photographing command is provided to the plurality of cameras at the same time, the plurality of cameras respond to the first photographing command, and the test image is displayed on the display device. Shooting the test image during the first exposure time to obtain a first shot image, obtaining a shooting time point difference among the plurality of cameras based on a distance between dark lines in the first shot image, providing a second shooting command to the plurality of cameras at a time point with the shooting time point difference, and responding to the second shooting command by the plurality of cameras, the test image is captured during a second exposure time different from the first exposure time to obtain a second captured image, and compensation data for the display device is generated based on the second captured image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a compensation method and a compensation system for a display device, and more particularly, to a compensation method and a compensation system for a display device using multiple cameras. Background Art

[0002] Even if multiple pixels included in a display device are formed through the same process, the multiple pixels may have different brightness or blotches due to process variations or the like. To remove these blotches and improve brightness and color uniformity, the following brightness and color coordinate correction may be performed: capturing an image displayed by the display device, generating compensation data based on the captured image, and writing the compensation data into the display device.

[0003] Meanwhile, to perform brightness and color coordinate correction on a display device having a large-sized display panel (e.g., an in-vehicle display device), multiple cameras may be used to facilitate capturing an image displayed by the display device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a compensation method capable of eliminating or reducing inspection / compensation errors caused by a shooting time point deviation between multiple cameras.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a compensation system capable of eliminating or reducing inspection / compensation errors caused by a shooting time point deviation between multiple cameras.

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

[0007] To achieve an object of the present invention, in a compensation method for a display device using multiple cameras according to an embodiment of the present invention, test data is provided to the display device to cause the display device to display a test image, a first shooting command is provided to multiple cameras at the same time point, the multiple cameras respond to the first shooting command and capture the test image during a first exposure time to obtain a first captured image, a shooting time point difference between the multiple cameras is obtained based on a distance between dark lines in the first captured image, a second shooting command is provided to the multiple cameras at a time point having the shooting time point difference, the multiple cameras respond to the second shooting command and capture the test image during a second exposure time different from the first exposure time to obtain a second captured image, and compensation data for the display device is generated based on the second captured image.

[0008] In an embodiment, the multiple cameras may be arranged to respectively correspond to multiple panel regions obtained by dividing a display panel of the display device in a direction orthogonal to a scanning direction.

[0009] In an embodiment, a plurality of cameras may be arranged to correspond to a plurality of panel regions obtained by horizontally dividing a display panel of a display device, respectively.

[0010] In an embodiment, a first exposure time may be shorter than a frame time of the display device, and a second exposure time may be the same as the frame time.

[0011] In an embodiment, a first exposure time may be shorter than a frame time of the display device, and a second exposure time may be an integer multiple of the frame time.

[0012] In an embodiment, to obtain a shooting time difference, the shooting time difference may be calculated based on a driving frequency of the display device, a resolution in a scanning direction of the display device, and a number of pixels arranged between dark lines in the scanning direction.

[0013] In an embodiment, the shooting time difference is calculated using the mathematical formula "CTD = PXN / (DF*VRES)", where CTD may represent the shooting time difference, PXN may represent the number of pixels arranged between dark lines in the scanning direction, DF may represent the driving frequency of the display device, and VRES may represent the resolution in the scanning direction of the display device.

[0014] In an embodiment, the plurality of cameras may include a first camera arranged to correspond to a left half-panel region of the display panel of the display device and a second camera arranged to correspond to a right half-panel region of the display panel of the display device.

[0015] In an embodiment, to obtain a shooting time difference between the plurality of cameras, the shooting time difference may be calculated based on a driving frequency of the display device, a resolution in a scanning direction of the display device, and a number of pixels arranged between a first dark line in a first captured image generated by the first camera and a second dark line in a first captured image generated by the second camera in the scanning direction.

[0016] In an embodiment, to provide a second shooting command to the plurality of cameras, the second shooting command may be provided to the first camera at a first time point, and the second shooting command may be provided to the second camera at a second time point delayed by the shooting time difference from the first time point.

[0017] In an embodiment, the display panel of the display device may be horizontally divided into a left panel region, a middle panel region, and a right panel region, and the plurality of cameras may include a first camera arranged to correspond to the left panel region, a second camera arranged to correspond to the middle panel region, and a third camera arranged to correspond to the right panel region.

[0018] In an embodiment, to obtain the difference in shooting time points between multiple cameras, the first shooting time point difference between the first camera and the second camera can be calculated based on the driving frequency of the display device, the scanning direction resolution of the display device, and the number of pixels between the first dark line arranged along the scanning direction in the first captured image generated by the first camera and the second dark line in the first captured image generated by the second camera, and the second shooting time point difference between the first camera and the third camera can be calculated based on the driving frequency, the scanning direction resolution, and the number of pixels between the first dark line arranged along the scanning direction in the first captured image generated by the first camera and the third dark line in the first captured image generated by the third camera.

[0019] In an embodiment, to provide a second shooting command to multiple cameras, the second shooting command can be provided to the first camera at a first time point, to the second camera at a second time point delayed by the first shooting time point difference from the first time point, and to the third camera at a third time point delayed by the second shooting time point difference from the first time point.

[0020] To achieve another object of the present invention, a compensation system for a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of cameras arranged to correspond to the display device; and a test device that provides test data to the display device to cause the display device to display a test image, provides a first shooting command to the plurality of cameras at the same time point to cause the plurality of cameras to capture the test image during a first exposure time to obtain a first captured image, obtains the difference in shooting time points between the plurality of cameras based on the distance between dark lines in the first captured image, provides a second shooting command to the plurality of cameras at time points with a difference in shooting time points to cause the plurality of cameras to capture the test image during a second exposure time different from the first exposure time to obtain a second captured image, and generates compensation data for the display device based on the second captured image.

[0021] In an embodiment, the first exposure time can be shorter than the frame time of the display device, and the second exposure time can be the same as the frame time.

[0022] In an embodiment, the first exposure time can be shorter than the frame time of the display device, and the second exposure time can be an integer multiple of the frame time.

[0023] In an embodiment, the test device can calculate the difference in shooting time points based on the driving frequency of the display device, the scanning direction resolution of the display device, and the number of pixels arranged along the scanning direction between the dark lines.

[0024] In an embodiment, the test device calculates the shooting time point difference by using the mathematical formula "CTD = PXN / (DF * VRES)", where CTD can represent the shooting time point difference, PXN can represent the number of pixels arranged between the dark lines along the scanning direction, DF can represent the driving frequency of the display device, and VRES can represent the scanning direction resolution of the display device.

[0025] In an embodiment, the multiple cameras can be a first camera arranged to correspond to the left half-panel area of the display panel of the display device and a second camera arranged to correspond to the right half-panel area of the display panel of the display device. The test device can calculate the shooting time point difference based on the driving frequency of the display device, the scanning direction resolution of the display device, and the number of pixels arranged between the first dark line in the first captured image generated by the first camera and the second dark line in the first captured image generated by the second camera along the scanning direction. The test device can provide a second shooting command to the first camera at a first time point and provide a second shooting command to the second camera at a second time point delayed by the shooting time point difference from the first time point.

[0026] In an embodiment, the display panel of the display device can be divided into a left panel area, a middle panel area, and a right panel area along the horizontal direction, and the multiple cameras can be a first camera arranged to correspond to the left panel area, a second camera arranged to correspond to the middle panel area, and a third camera arranged to correspond to the right panel area. The test device can calculate a first shooting time point difference between the first camera and the second camera based on the driving frequency of the display device, the scanning direction resolution of the display device, and the number of pixels arranged between the first dark line in the first captured image generated by the first camera and the second dark line in the first captured image generated by the second camera along the scanning direction, and calculate a second shooting time point difference between the first camera and the third camera based on the driving frequency, the scanning direction resolution, and the number of pixels arranged between the first dark line in the first captured image generated by the first camera and the third dark line in the first captured image generated by the third camera along the scanning direction. The test device can provide a second shooting command to the first camera at a first time point, provide a second shooting command to the second camera at a second time point delayed by the first shooting time point difference from the first time point, and provide a second shooting command to the third camera at a third time point delayed by the second shooting time point difference from the first time point.

[0027] In the compensation method and compensation system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first shooting command can be provided to a plurality of cameras at the same time point to obtain first shooting images, a shooting time point difference between the plurality of cameras can be obtained based on the distance between dark lines in the first shooting images, a second shooting command can be provided to the plurality of cameras at the time points having the shooting time point difference to obtain second shooting images, and compensation data for a display device can be generated based on the second shooting images. Accordingly, the shooting time point deviation between the plurality of cameras can be eliminated, thereby eliminating or reducing errors during inspection / compensation.

[0028] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and various expansions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a compensation system for a display device using a plurality of cameras according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a compensation method for a display device using a plurality of cameras according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display panel divided into a left half panel region and a right half panel region.

[0032] Figure 4 is a diagram for describing an example of a first exposure time.

[0033] Figure 5 is a diagram for describing an example of calculating a shooting time point difference between a first camera and a second camera based on the distance between a first dark line and a second dark line.

[0034] Figure 6 is a diagram for describing an example of providing a second shooting command to the first camera and the second camera at the time points having the shooting time point difference.

[0035] Figure 7a is a diagram for describing an example of a second exposure time, and Figure 7b is a diagram for describing another example of a second exposure time.

[0036] Figure 8a is a diagram showing an example of an image formed by combining shooting images when shooting commands are provided to the first camera and the second camera at the same time point, and Figure 8b is a diagram showing an example of an image formed by combining shooting images when shooting commands are provided to the first camera and the second camera at the time points having the shooting time point difference.

[0037] Figure 9 FIG. 0 is a block diagram of a compensation system for a display device using a plurality of cameras according to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 10 FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a compensation method for a display device using a plurality of cameras according to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 11 FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display panel divided into a left panel region, a middle panel region, and a right panel region.

[0040] Figure 12 FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing an example of calculating a first shooting time point difference between a first camera and a second camera based on a distance between a first dark line and a second dark line and calculating a second shooting time point difference between the first camera and a third camera based on a distance between the first dark line and a third dark line.

[0041] Figure 13 FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing an example of providing a second shooting command to a first camera, a second camera, and a third camera at time points having a first shooting time point difference and a second shooting time point difference.

[0042] Figure 14 FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 15 FIG. 25 is a block diagram of an electronic device including a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the same components in the drawings, the same reference numerals are used, and repeated descriptions of the same components are omitted.

[0045] Figure 1 FIG. 34 is a block diagram of a compensation system for a display device using a plurality of cameras according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring Figure 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, a compensation system 100 for a display device 200 may include a plurality of cameras 120 and 140 and a test device 160. In an embodiment, the compensation system 100 may generate compensation data for the display device 200 by performing spot correction or brightness and / or color coordinate correction on the display device 200.

[0047] A plurality of cameras 120 and 140 may be arranged to correspond to the display device 200 to capture an image displayed by the display device 200. According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 may include a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor, or may include a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the display panel of the display device 200 may be divided into a left half panel region LHPR and a right half panel region RHPR along a direction (e.g., horizontal direction) orthogonal to the scanning direction (e.g., vertical direction), and the compensation system 100 may include a first camera 120 arranged to correspond to the left half panel region LHPR and a second camera 140 arranged to correspond to the right half panel region RHPR as the plurality of cameras 120 and 140.

[0048] The test device 160 may provide test data TDAT to the display device 200, and the display device 200 may display a test image based on the test data TDAT. In an embodiment, for all pixels of the display device 200, the test data TDAT may represent the same color level, but is not limited thereto.

[0049] In addition, the test device 160 may provide a first shooting command CMD1 to the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 at the same time point. The first shooting command CMD1 may instruct each of the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 to perform a shooting operation with a first exposure time ET1. In response to the first shooting command CMD1, the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 may capture the above-mentioned test image displayed by the display device 200 during the first exposure time ET1, and provide a first captured image CI1a and CI1b (or image data regarding the first captured images CI1a and CI1b) to the test device 160. For example, the first camera 120 may capture the above-mentioned test image displayed in the left half panel region LHPR, thereby providing the first captured image CI1a regarding the left half panel region LHPR to the test device 160, and the second camera 140 may capture the above-mentioned test image displayed in the right half panel region RHPR, thereby providing the first captured image CI1b regarding the right half panel region RHPR to the test device 160.

[0050] The test device 160 may obtain the shooting time point difference between the multiple cameras 120 and 140 based on the distance between the dark lines in the first captured images CI1a and CI1b. Here, the shooting time point difference may represent the difference between the time points at which the multiple cameras 120 and 140 initiate the shooting operation (caused by time deviation on the transmission line, operation time deviation (or delay time deviation) of each of the cameras 120 and 140, etc.) in the case where the test device 160 sends a shooting command at the same time point. In an embodiment, the first exposure time ET1 may be shorter than the frame time of the display device 200 (i.e., the reciprocal of the driving frequency of the display device 200). Since each pixel row of the display device 200 does not emit light when performing the scanning operation (or data writing operation) for the pixel row, the first captured images CI1a and CI1b captured during the first exposure time ET1 shorter than the frame time may have dark lines corresponding to the pixel rows after the scanning operation is performed during the first exposure time ET1. In addition, the positions of the dark lines in the first captured images CI1a and CI1b may correspond to the time points at which the multiple cameras 120 and 140 initiate the shooting operation, and the distance between the dark lines in the first captured images CI1a and CI1b may correspond to the shooting time point difference between the multiple cameras 120 and 140. For example, in the case where the time point at which the first camera 120 initiates the shooting operation is later than the time point at which the second camera 140 initiates the shooting operation, the first dark line in the first captured image CI1a of the first camera 120 may be located below the second dark line in the first captured image CI1b of the second camera 140. In this case, the test device 160 may obtain the shooting time point difference between the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 based on the distance (or number of pixels) between the first dark line and the second dark line along the scanning direction (e.g., vertical direction).

[0051] In an embodiment, the test device 160 may calculate the shooting time point difference based on the driving frequency of the display device 200, the scanning direction resolution of the display device 200 (or the total number of pixels arranged along the scanning direction), and the number of pixels arranged between the dark lines along the scanning direction. For example, the test device 160 may use the mathematical formula "CTD = PXN / (DF * VRES)" to calculate the shooting time point difference. Here, CTD may represent the shooting time point difference, PXN may represent the number of pixels arranged between the dark lines along the scanning direction, DF may represent the driving frequency of the display device 200, and VRES may represent the scanning direction resolution of the display device 200.

[0052] In addition, the test device 160 may provide a second shooting command CMD2 to the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 at time points having the above-described shooting time point difference. The second shooting command CMD2 may instruct each of the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 to perform a shooting operation with a second exposure time ET2 different from the first exposure time ET1. In an embodiment, the second exposure time ET2 may be substantially the same as the above-described frame time of the display device 200, but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the second exposure time ET2 may be an integer multiple of the above-described frame time of the display device 200. In response to the second shooting command CMD2, the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 may shoot the above-described test image displayed on the display device 200 during the second exposure time ET2, and provide second shooting images CI2a and CI2b (or image data regarding the second shooting images CI2a and CI2b) to the test device 160. For example, the test device 160 may provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the first camera 120 at a first time point, and may provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the second camera 140 at a second time point delayed from the above-described first time point by the above-described shooting time point difference. In this case, the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 may initiate a shooting operation for shooting the second shooting images CI2a and CI2b at the same time point.

[0053] The test device 160 may generate compensation data for the display device 200 based on the second shooting images CI2a and CI2b, and write the above-described compensation data into the display device 200. The above-described compensation data may be data that enables the display device 200 to have uniform brightness and / or color coordinates. On the other hand, in the case where the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 initiate shooting operations at different time points, even if the entire area of the display panel of the display device 200 emits light with substantially the same brightness, the brightness of the shooting images obtained by the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 may be different. Therefore, the compensation data generated based on the thus obtained shooting images may have a compensation error. However, in the compensation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second shooting command CMD2 may be provided to the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 at time points having the above-described shooting time point difference, and the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 may initiate a shooting operation for shooting the second shooting images CI2a and CI2b at the same time point. Therefore, the above-described compensation data generated based on the second shooting images CI2a and CI2b may not have the above-described compensation error. That is, in the compensation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described shooting time point deviation between the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 may be eliminated, thereby eliminating or reducing errors during inspection / compensation.

[0054] Figure 2It is a flowchart showing a compensation method for a display device using multiple cameras according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an example of a display panel divided into a left half-panel region and a right half-panel region. Figure 4 It is a diagram for describing an example of a first exposure time. Figure 5 It is a diagram for describing an example of calculating the shooting time point difference between a first camera and a second camera based on the distance between a first dark line and a second dark line. Figure 6 It is a diagram for describing an example of providing a second shooting command to the first camera and the second camera at a time point with a shooting time point difference. Figure 7a It is a diagram for describing an example of a second exposure time. Figure 7b It is a diagram for describing another example of a second exposure time. Figure 8a It is a diagram showing an example of an image formed by combining captured images when shooting commands are provided to the first camera and the second camera at the same time point, and Figure 8b It is a diagram showing an example of an image formed by combining captured images when shooting commands are provided to the first camera and the second camera at a time point with a shooting time point difference.

[0055] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In a compensation method for a display device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 may be arranged to correspond to the display device 200. In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 3 , the display panel 220 of the display device 200 may be divided into a left half-panel region LHPR and a right half-panel region RHPR along a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. The first camera 120 may be arranged to correspond to the left half-panel region LHPR to capture a test image displayed in the left half-panel region LHPR, and the second camera 140 may be arranged to correspond to the right half-panel region RHPR to capture a test image displayed in the right half-panel region RHPR. Here, the above scanning direction may be the direction in which the scanning signal travels. For example, the above scanning direction may be the vertical direction, and the direction orthogonal to the above scanning direction may be the horizontal direction.

[0056] In step S310, the test device 160 may provide test data TDAT to the display device 200 to cause the display device 200 to display a test image. In an embodiment, the test data TDAT may represent the same color level for all pixels of the display device 200, and the above test image may be an image corresponding to the above same color level, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] In step S320, the test device 160 can provide a first shooting command CMD1 indicating that shooting operations will be performed with a first exposure time ET1 to the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 at the same time point. In step S330, in response to the first shooting command CMD1, the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 can shoot the above-mentioned test image during the first exposure time ET1 to generate first shot images CI1a and CI1b, and the test device 160 can obtain the first shot images CI1a and CI1b from the first camera 120 and the second camera 140. For example, the first camera 120 can start shooting the above-mentioned test image displayed in the left half-panel region LHPR from a certain time point during the first exposure time ET1 to generate a first shot image CI1a of the left half-panel region LHPR, and the second camera 140 can start shooting the above-mentioned test image displayed in the right half-panel region RHPR from a time point different from the above-mentioned certain time point during the first exposure time ET1 to generate a first shot image CI1b of the right half-panel region RHPR.

[0058] In an embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, the first exposure time ET1 can be shorter than the time of one frame interval of the display device 200 (i.e., the frame time FT). On the other hand, since each pixel row of the display device 200 does not emit light when performing the scanning operation (or data writing operation) for the above-mentioned pixel row, the first shot images CI1a and CI1b taken during the first exposure time ET1 shorter than the frame time FT can have dark lines corresponding to the pixel rows after the above-mentioned scanning operation is performed during the first exposure time ET1. For example, the first shot images CI1a and CI1b can have dark lines extending in the above-mentioned horizontal direction.

[0059] In step S340, the test device 160 can calculate the shooting time point difference between the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 based on the distance between the dark lines in the first shot images CI1a and CI1b. In an embodiment, the test device 160 can calculate the above-mentioned shooting time point difference based on the driving frequency of the display device 200, the scanning direction resolution of the display device 200, and the number of pixels arranged along the scanning direction between the above-mentioned dark lines. For example, as Figure 5As shown, when the first captured image CI1a generated by the first camera 120 has a first dark line DL1 and the first captured image CI1b generated by the second camera 140 has a second dark line DL2, the test device 160 can calculate the above-mentioned shooting time point difference between the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 based on the distance DIST between the first dark line DL1 (or the dotted line extending from the first dark line DL1) and the second dark line DL2. In an embodiment, the test device 160 can use the mathematical formula "CTD = PXN / (DF * VRES)" to calculate the above-mentioned shooting time point difference. Here, CTD can represent the above-mentioned shooting time point difference between the first camera 120 and the second camera 140, PXN can represent the number of pixels arranged between the first dark line DL1 (or the dotted line extending from the first dark line DL1) and the second dark line DL2 along the above-mentioned scanning direction (for example, the vertical direction), DF can represent the driving frequency of the display device 200, and VRES can represent the scanning direction resolution of the display device 200 (or the total number of pixels arranged along the scanning direction). For example, when the above driving frequency is about 60 Hz, the display panel 220 has 1000 pixels arranged along the above scanning direction, and 200 pixels are arranged between the first dark line DL1 and the second dark line DL2 along the above scanning direction, the test device 160 can calculate the shooting time point difference as "200 / (60 * 1000)", that is, about 3.33 ms.

[0060] In steps S350 and S360, the test device 160 can provide a second shooting command CMD2 indicating that shooting operations are to be performed with a second exposure time ET2 different from the first exposure time ET1 to the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 at time points having a shooting time point difference CTD. In an embodiment, in step S350, when the first dark line DL1 as shown in Figure 5 is located below the second dark line DL2, the test device 160 can provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the first camera 120 at a first time point, and in step S360, provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the second camera 140 at a second time point delayed by the above shooting time point difference from the above first time point.

[0061] For example, as shown in Figure 6As shown, in the case where the test device 160 sends the second shooting command CMD2 at the same time point (or in the case where the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 receive the second shooting command CMD2 at the same time point), since the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 may have different delay times LT1 and LT2 from the above-mentioned same time point to the time point of initiating the shooting operation CAPTURING, the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 may initiate the shooting operation CAPTURING at different time points. However, in the compensation method for the display device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the test device 160 may provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the first camera 120 at the first time point TP1, and provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the second camera 140 at the second time point TP2 that is delayed by the shooting time difference CTD from the first time point TP1. In this case, the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 may initiate the shooting operation CAPTURING at the same time point, and continue the shooting operation CAPTURING during the second exposure time ET2. In an embodiment, as Figure 7a shown, the second exposure time ET2a may be substantially the same as the frame time FT of the display device 200. In another embodiment, as Figure 7b shown, the second exposure time ET2b may be an integer multiple of the frame time FT of the display device 200. On the other hand, Figure 7b shows an example where the second exposure time ET2b is three times the frame time FT, but the second exposure time ET2b is not limited to Figure 7b the example.

[0062] In step S370, in response to the second shooting command CMD2, the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 may start shooting the above-mentioned test image during the second exposure time ET2 from the above-mentioned same time point to generate the second shooting images CI2a and CI2b, and the test device 160 may obtain the second shooting images CI2a and CI2b from the first camera 120 and the second camera 140. In addition, in step S380, the test device 160 may generate compensation data for the display device 200 based on the second shooting images CI2a and CI2b, and write the above-mentioned compensation data into the display device 200. The above-mentioned compensation data may be data that makes the display device 200 have uniform brightness and / or color coordinates.

[0063] On the other hand, as Figure 8aAs shown, in the case where the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 initiate shooting operations at different time points, even if the entire area of the display panel 220 of the display device 200 emits light with substantially the same brightness, the brightness of the captured images CC1a and CC1b obtained by the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 can be different. Therefore, although the display panel 220 has uniform brightness, the image CMI formed by combining the captured images CC1a and CC1b obtained by the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 represents non-uniform brightness. As a result, the compensation data generated based on the combined image CMI may have a compensation error. However, in the compensation method for the display device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the second shooting command CMD2 is provided to the plurality of cameras 120 and 140 at the first time point TP1 and the second time point TP2 having a shooting time point difference CTD, the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 can initiate a shooting operation of shooting the second captured images CI2a and CI2b at the same time point as described above. Therefore, in the case where the entire area of the display panel 220 emits light with substantially the same brightness, the second captured images CI2a and CI2b can represent substantially the same brightness. As a result, the above-mentioned compensation data generated based on the image MI formed by combining the second captured images CI2a and CI2b may not have the above-mentioned compensation error. That is, in the compensation method for the display device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned compensation error caused by the shooting time point difference CTD between the first camera 120 and the second camera 140 can be eliminated or reduced.

[0064] Figure 9 FIG. is a block diagram showing a compensation system for a display device using a plurality of cameras according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Refer to Figure 9 , the compensation system 400 for the display device 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of cameras 410, 430, and 450 and a test device 460. Except that the compensation system 400 includes the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 as the plurality of cameras 410, 430, and 450, Figure 9 the compensation system 400 may have substantially the same configuration and substantially the same operation as Figure 1 the compensation system 100.

[0066] The display panel of the display device 500 may be divided into a left panel region LPR, a middle panel region CPR, and a right panel region RPR along a direction (e.g., horizontal direction) orthogonal to the scanning direction (e.g., vertical direction). The first camera 410 may be arranged to correspond to the left panel region LPR to capture a test image displayed in the left panel region LPR. The second camera 430 may be arranged to correspond to the middle panel region CPR to capture a test image displayed in the middle panel region CPR. And the third camera 450 may be arranged to correspond to the right panel region RPR to capture a test image displayed in the right panel region RPR.

[0067] Hereinafter, refer to Figures 9 to 13 to describe the operation of the compensation system 400.

[0068] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing a compensation method for a display device using multiple cameras according to other embodiments of the present invention, Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display panel divided into a left panel region, a middle panel region, and a right panel region, Figure 12 is a diagram for describing an example of calculating a first shooting time point difference between the first camera and the second camera based on the distance between the first dark line and the second dark line and calculating a second shooting time point difference between the first camera and the third camera based on the distance between the first dark line and the third dark line, and Figure 13 is a diagram for describing an example of providing a second shooting command to the first camera, the second camera, and the third camera at time points having the first shooting time point difference and the second shooting time point difference.

[0069] Refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , in the compensation method for the display device 500 according to other embodiments of the present invention, as Figure 11 shown, the display panel 520 of the display device 500 may be divided into a left panel region LPR, a middle panel region CPR, and a right panel region RPR along the horizontal direction. The first camera 410 may be arranged to correspond to the left panel region LPR, the second camera 430 may be arranged to correspond to the middle panel region CPR, and the third camera 450 may be arranged to correspond to the right panel region RPR.

[0070] In step S610, the test device 460 may provide test data TDAT to the display device 500 so that the display device 500 displays a test image. In addition, in step S620, the test device 460 may provide a first shooting command CMD1 indicating that shooting operations are to be performed with a first exposure time ET1 to the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 at the same time point. In step S630, in response to the first shooting command CMD1, the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 may shoot the above test image during the first exposure time ET1 to generate first shooting images CI1a, CI1b, and CI1c, and the test device 460 may obtain the first shooting images CI1a, CI1b, and CI1c from the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450.

[0071] In steps S640 and S645, the test device 460 may calculate the shooting time point difference between the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 based on the distances between the dark lines in the first shooting images CI1a, CI1b, and CI1c. In step S640, for example, as Figure 12 shown, when the first shooting image CI1a generated by the first camera 410 has a first dark line DL1, the first shooting image CI1b generated by the second camera 430 has a second dark line DL2, the first shooting image CI1c generated by the third camera 450 has a third dark line DL3, and the first dark line DL1 is located below the second dark line DL2 and the third dark line DL3, the test device 460 may calculate the first shooting time point difference between the first camera 410 and the second camera 430 based on the driving frequency of the display device 500, the scanning direction resolution of the display device 500, and the distance DIST1 between the first dark line DL1 in the first shooting image CI1a generated by the first camera 410 and the second dark line DL2 in the first shooting image CI1b generated by the second camera 430 (or the number of pixels PXN1 arranged between the first dark line DL1 and the second dark line DL2 along the above scanning direction). In addition, in step S645, the test device 460 may calculate the second shooting time point difference between the first camera 410 and the third camera 450 based on the above driving frequency, the above scanning direction resolution, and the distance DIST2 between the first dark line DL1 in the first shooting image CI1a generated by the first camera 410 and the third dark line DL3 in the first shooting image CI1c generated by the third camera 450 (or the number of pixels PXN2 arranged between the first dark line DL1 and the third dark line DL3 along the above scanning direction).

[0072] In step S650, step S652, and step S654, the test device 460 may provide a second shooting command CMD2 instructing to perform a shooting operation with a second exposure time ET2 different from the first exposure time ET1 to the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 at time points having the above-mentioned first shooting time difference and second shooting time difference. In step S650, in the embodiment, when the first dark line DL1 as shown in Figure 12 is located below the second dark line DL2 and the third dark line DL3, the test device 460 may provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the first camera 410 at a first time point. In step S652, the test device 460 may provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the second camera 430 at a second time point delayed by the above-mentioned first shooting time difference from the first time point. And in step S654, the test device 460 may provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the third camera 450 at a third time point delayed by the above-mentioned second shooting time difference from the first time point.

[0073] For example, as shown in Figure 13 , when the test device 460 sends the second shooting command CMD2 at the same time point, since the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 may have different delay times LT1, LT2, and LT3, the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 may initiate the shooting operation CAPTURING at different time points. However, in the compensation method for the display device 500 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the test device 460 may provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the first camera 410 at a first time point TP1, provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the second camera 430 at a second time point TP2 delayed by the first shooting time difference CTD1 from the first time point TP1, and provide the second shooting command CMD2 to the third camera 450 at a third time point TP3 delayed by the second shooting time difference CTD2 from the first time point TP1. In this case, the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 may initiate the shooting operation CAPTURING at the same time point and continue the shooting operation CAPTURING during the second exposure time ET2.

[0074] In step S660, the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 may start capturing the test image during a second exposure time ET2 from the same time point in response to a second capture command CMD2 to generate second captured images CI2a, CI2b, and CI2c, and the test device 460 may obtain the second captured images CI2a, CI2b, and CI2c from the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450. Further, in step S670, the test device 460 may generate compensation data for the display device 500 based on the second captured images CI2a, CI2b, and CI2c and write the compensation data into the display device 500. The compensation data may be data that enables the display device 500 to have uniform luminance and / or color coordinates.

[0075] As described above, in the compensation method for the display device 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the second capture command CMD2 is provided to the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 at a first time point TP1, a second time point TP2, and a third time point TP3 having a first capture time point difference CTD1 and a second capture time point difference CTD2, the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 may initiate a capture operation of capturing the second captured images CI2a, CI2b, and CI2c at the same time point. Accordingly, in the compensation method for the display device 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention, compensation errors caused by the first capture time point difference CTD1 and the second capture time point difference CTD2 between the first camera 410, the second camera 430, and the third camera 450 may be eliminated or reduced.

[0076] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Reference Figure 14 , a display device 900 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a display panel 910 including a plurality of pixels PX, a scan driver 920 that provides a scan signal SS to the plurality of pixels PX, a compensation data memory 930 that stores compensation data CMPD, a data driver 940 that provides a data signal DS to the plurality of pixels PX, and a controller 950 that controls the operation of the display device 900.

[0078] The display panel 910 may include data lines, scan lines, and a plurality of pixels PX connected to the data lines and the scan lines. In an embodiment, each pixel PX may include a light-emitting element, and the display panel 910 may be a light-emitting display panel. For example, the above light-emitting element may be an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), a micro light-emitting diode, a Nano light Emitting Diode (NED), a Quantum Dot (QD) light-emitting diode, an inorganic light-emitting diode, or any other suitable light-emitting element. In another embodiment, the display panel 910 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, or any suitable display panel.

[0079] The scan driver 920 may generate a scan signal SS based on a scan control signal SCTRL received from the controller 950, and may sequentially provide the scan signal SS to the plurality of pixels PX in units of rows. In an embodiment, the scan control signal SCTRL may include a scan start signal, a scan clock signal, etc., but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the scan driver 920 may be integrated or formed in the display panel 910. In another embodiment, the scan driver 920 may be implemented as one or more integrated circuits.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a compensation system (e.g., Figure 1 compensation system 100 or Figure 9 compensation system 400) may use a plurality of cameras to generate compensation data CMPD for the display device 900 by performing speckle correction or brightness and / or color coordinate correction on the display device 900, and the compensation data memory 930 may store the compensation data CMPD generated by the above compensation system. Even if the above plurality of cameras have different delay times, the above plurality of cameras may initiate a shooting operation at the same time point to generate a captured image, and the compensation data CMPD may be generated based on the captured image generated by the shooting operation initiated at the above same time point. Therefore, the compensation data CMPD may not have a compensation error caused by the difference in shooting time points between the above plurality of cameras.

[0081] The data driver 940 may generate a data signal DS based on the data control signal DCTRL and the corrected image data CDAT received from the controller 950, and provide the data signal DS corresponding to the corrected image data CDAT to a plurality of pixels PX. In an embodiment, the data control signal DCTRL may include, but is not limited to, an output data enable signal, a horizontal start signal, and a load signal. In an embodiment, the data driver 940 and the controller 950 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). In another embodiment, the data driver 940 and the controller 950 may be separately implemented as individual integrated circuits.

[0082] The controller 950 (e.g., a timing controller) may receive input image data IDAT and a control signal CTRL from an external host processor (e.g., a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Application Processor (AP), or a Graphics Card). In an embodiment, the control signal CTRL may include, but is not limited to, a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, an input data enable signal, a main clock signal, etc. The controller 950 may correct the input image data IDAT based on the compensation data CMPD stored in the compensation data memory 930 to generate the corrected image data CDAT, and may generate a data control signal DCTRL and a scan control signal SCTRL based on the control signal CTRL. In addition, the controller 950 may control the data driver 940 by providing the corrected image data CDAT and the data control signal DCTRL to the data driver 940, and may control the scan driver 920 by providing the scan control signal SCTRL to the scan driver 920.

[0083] Figure 15 is a block diagram of an electronic device including a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Reference Figure 15 , the electronic device 1100 may include a processor 1110, a memory device 1120, a storage device 1130, an input / output (I / O) device 1140, a power supply 1150, and a self-emissive display device 1160. The electronic device 1100 may further include various ports that may communicate with a graphics card, a sound card, a memory card, a USB device, etc. or communicate with other systems.

[0085] The processor 1110 may perform specific calculations or tasks. 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.

[0086] The memory device 1120 may store data required for the operation of the electronic device 1100. For example, the memory device 1120 may include non-volatile storage devices such as EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), Flash Memory, PRAM (phase change random access memory), RRAM (resistive random access memory), NFGM (nano floating gate memory), PoRAM (polymer random access memory), MRAM (magnetic random access memory), FRAM (ferroelectric random access memory), etc. and / or volatile storage devices such as DRAM (dynamic random access memory), SRAM (static random access memory), mobile DRAM, etc.

[0087] 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 input devices such as a keyboard, a keypad, a touchpad, a touch screen, a mouse, etc. and output devices such as a speaker, a printer, etc. The power supply 1150 may supply power required for the operation of the electronic device 1100. The self-emissive display device 1160 may be connected to other components via the above-mentioned bus or other communication links.

[0088] The self-emissive display device 1160 may store compensation data that eliminates or reduces compensation errors caused by the difference in shooting time points between multiple cameras. Therefore, the self-emissive display device 1160 may have uniform brightness and / or color coordinates based on the above-mentioned compensation data.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 1100 may be any electronic device including a self-luminous display device 1160, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a digital TV, a 3D TV, a personal computer (PC), a home electronic device, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a digital camera, a music player, a portable game console, a navigation device, etc.

[0090] Industrial applicability

[0091] The present invention can be applied to any display device and an electronic device including the display device. For example, the present invention can be applied to any electronic device including a display device, such as a TV (Television), 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 device, etc.

[0092] The above has been described with reference to embodiments of the present invention, but those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the appended claims.

[0093] Explanation of reference numerals

[0094] 100, 400: Compensation system

[0095] 120, 140, 410, 430, 450: Camera

[0096] 200, 500, 900: Display device

[0097] 220, 520, 910: Display panel

[0098] 920: Scanning driver

[0099] 930: Compensation data memory

[0100] 940: Data driver

[0101] 950: Controller

Claims

1. A compensation method for a display device using multiple cameras, comprising: providing test data to the display device to cause the display device to display a test image; providing a first shooting command to the multiple cameras at the same time point; the multiple cameras responding to the first shooting command and shooting the test image during a first exposure time to obtain a first captured image; obtaining a shooting time point difference between the multiple cameras based on a distance between dark lines within the first captured image; providing a second shooting command to the multiple cameras at time points having the shooting time point difference; the multiple cameras responding to the second shooting command and shooting the test image during a second exposure time different from the first exposure time to obtain a second captured image; and generating compensation data for the display device based on the second captured image.

2. The compensation method according to claim 1, wherein The multiple cameras are arranged to respectively correspond to multiple panel regions of the display panel of the display device that are divided along a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction.

3. The compensation method according to claim 1, wherein, The multiple cameras are arranged to respectively correspond to multiple panel regions of the display panel of the display device that are divided along the horizontal direction.

4. The compensation method according to claim 1, wherein the first exposure time is shorter than the frame time of the display device, and the second exposure time is the same as the frame time.

5. The compensation method according to claim 1, wherein the first exposure time is shorter than the frame time of the display device, and the second exposure time is an integer multiple of the frame time.

6. The compensation method according to claim 1, wherein, The step of obtaining the shooting time point difference includes: calculating the shooting time point difference based on the driving frequency of the display device, the scanning direction resolution of the display device, and the number of pixels arranged along the scanning direction between the dark lines.

7. The compensation method according to claim 1, wherein The shooting time point difference is calculated using the mathematical formula "CTD = PXN / (DF * VRES)", where CTD represents the shooting time point difference, PXN represents the number of pixels arranged along the scanning direction between the dark lines, DF represents the driving frequency of the display device, and VRES represents the scanning direction resolution of the display device.

8. The compensation method according to claim 1, wherein The multiple cameras are a first camera arranged to correspond to the left half panel region of the display panel of the display device and a second camera arranged to correspond to the right half panel region of the display panel of the display device, The step of obtaining the shooting time point difference between the multiple cameras includes: calculating the shooting time point difference based on the driving frequency of the display device, the scanning direction resolution of the display device, and the number of pixels arranged along the scanning direction between a first dark line in the first captured image generated by the first camera and a second dark line in the first captured image generated by the second camera, and The step of providing the second shooting command to the multiple cameras includes: providing the second shooting command to the first camera at a first time point; and The step of providing the second shooting command to the second camera at a second time point that is delayed from the first time point by the shooting time point difference.

9. The compensation method according to claim 1, wherein, The display panel of the display device is divided into a left panel area, a middle panel area, and a right panel area along the horizontal direction. The plurality of cameras include a first camera arranged corresponding to the left panel area, a second camera arranged corresponding to the middle panel area, and a third camera arranged corresponding to the right panel area. The step of obtaining the shooting time point difference between the plurality of cameras includes: The step of calculating a first shooting time point difference between the first camera and the second camera based on the driving frequency of the display device, the scanning direction resolution of the display device, and the number of pixels between a first dark line arranged along the scanning direction in the first shooting image generated by the first camera and a second dark line in the first shooting image generated by the second camera; and The step of calculating a second shooting time point difference between the first camera and the third camera based on the driving frequency, the scanning direction resolution, and the number of pixels between the first dark line arranged along the scanning direction in the first shooting image generated by the first camera and a third dark line in the first shooting image generated by the third camera, and The step of providing the second shooting command to the plurality of cameras includes: The step of providing the second shooting command to the first camera at a first time point; The step of providing the second shooting command to the second camera at a second time point that is delayed from the first time point by the first shooting time point difference; and The step of providing the second shooting command to the third camera at a third time point that is delayed from the first time point by the second shooting time point difference.

10. A compensation system, as a compensation system for a display device, includes: A plurality of cameras arranged corresponding to the display device; And A test device that provides test data to the display device to cause the display device to display a test image, provides a first shooting command to the plurality of cameras at the same time point to cause the plurality of cameras to shoot the test image during a first exposure time to obtain a first shooting image, obtains the shooting time point difference between the plurality of cameras based on the distance between dark lines in the first shooting image, provides a second shooting command to the plurality of cameras at time points having the shooting time point difference to cause the plurality of cameras to shoot the test image during a second exposure time different from the first exposure time to obtain a second shooting image, and generates compensation data for the display device based on the second shooting image.

Images