Display device

Abstract

This invention provides a display device including a light source module and a processing circuit. The light source module includes a plurality of normal light-emitting diode (LED) units and a target LED unit. The processing circuit is coupled to the light source module. The processing circuit is used to select at least one normal LED unit and adjust at least one of the duty cycle and current value of a pulse width modulation signal used to drive the at least one normal LED unit to compensate the target LED unit. The at least one normal LED unit is adjacent to the target LED unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display device. Background Technology

[0002] Display devices using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source module can be applied to automotive systems. In some cases, due to LED malfunction, the brightness of the light source module may be insufficient, resulting in unclear displays. However, for automotive systems, preventing drivers from overlooking image information on the screen is crucial. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate for the reduced brightness of the light source module caused by malfunctioning LEDs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a display device that can compensate for abnormal light-emitting diode units to clearly display images.

[0004] The display device of this invention includes a light source module and a processing circuit. The light source module includes a plurality of normal LED units and a target LED unit. The processing circuit is coupled to the light source module. The processing circuit is used to select at least one normal LED unit and adjust at least one of the duty cycle and current value of the pulse width modulation signal used to drive the at least one normal LED unit to compensate the target LED unit. The at least one normal LED unit is adjacent to the target LED unit. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a designated area of ​​a light source module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the adjustment of the working cycle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the adjustment of the current value according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 5 These are icons displayed on a display device as shown in embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0010] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element symbols are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0011] The following embodiments are provided to illustrate the present invention in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the provided embodiments, and the provided embodiments can be appropriately combined. The terms "coupled / coupled" or "connected / connected" as used in the specification (including the claims) of this application may refer to any direct or indirect connection means. For example, "the first device is coupled to the second device" should be interpreted as "the first device is directly connected to the second device" or "the first device is indirectly connected to the second device through other devices or connection means." Additionally, the term "signal" may refer to current, voltage, charge, temperature, data, electromagnetic waves, or any one or more signals.

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a designated area of ​​a light source module according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the designated area 134 includes a damaged area. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display device 100 includes a processing circuit 110, a driving circuit 120, and a light source module 130. The processing circuit 110 is coupled to the light source module 130. The driving circuit 120 is coupled to the processing circuit 110 and the light source module 130.

[0013] The driving circuit 120 includes multiple LED drivers 120_1 to 120_N, where N is an integer greater than 2. The light source module 130 includes multiple LED units 132 arranged in an array. Each LED unit 132 includes one or more light-emitting diodes. The driving circuit 120 is used to output a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal S1 to drive each LED unit 132 to emit light.

[0014] In this embodiment, the processing circuit 110 can be a timing controller integrated circuit (IC), and the LED drivers 120_1 to 120_N can be LED driver ICs with local dimming function. The light source module 130 can be used as a backlight module.

[0015] The processing circuit 110 can automatically detect whether any LED unit is abnormal and locate the abnormal LED unit on the light source module 130. The processing circuit 110 collects error information from LED drivers 120_1 to 120_N. The error information includes the status of the LED unit, such as open circuit or short circuit, and its location.

[0016] For example, the processing circuit 110 can detect whether an LED unit 132_5 in region 134 is open-circuited or short-circuited via the drive channel Ch_2 of the LED driver 120_2, and locate its position. Once an LED unit 132_5 is open-circuited or short-circuited, the processing circuit 110 determines that the LED unit 132_5 is a damaged area. The processing circuit 110 selects at least one normal LED unit 132_1 to 132_4 and 132_6 to 132_9, and adjusts at least one of the duty cycle and current value of the PWM signal S1 used to drive the at least one normal LED unit to compensate for the abnormal LED unit (target LED unit) 132_5. The normal LED units 132_1 to 132_4 and 132_6 to 132_9 are adjacent to the abnormal LED unit 132_5. Therefore, the processing circuit 110 compensates for the abnormal LED unit 132_5 using at least one of the normal LED units 132_1 to 132_4 and 132_6 to 132_9.

[0017] Specifically, the processing circuit 110 can compensate for the abnormal LED unit 132_5 based on the following formula (1):

[0018] x i '=x i +α i ×x5 (1)

[0019] Where x5 is the operating cycle or current value of the PWM signal S1 used to drive the faulty LED unit 132_5; x i 'This is the compensation duty cycle or compensation current value of a normal LED unit, x' i This refers to the normal operating cycle or current value of an LED unit, where i = 1–4, 6–9; parameter α i It is an adjustable gain value. Therefore, the brightness of at least one normal LED unit can be enhanced to compensate for the brightness of the abnormal LED unit 132_5.

[0020] For work cycle compensation, the compensation work cycle x i The value shall not exceed the maximum value set by the LED driver IC. For example, the PWM signal S1 can be a 16-bit digital signal, and the PWM value shall not exceed the maximum value of 65535. The maximum value of 65535 is not intended to limit the invention.

[0021] In this embodiment, PWM_DC = (PWM_V / PWM_MAX) × 100%, where PWM_DC is the PWM duty cycle, PWM_V is the PWM value, and PWM_MAX is the maximum PWM value.

[0022] For current compensation, the compensation current value x iIt also does not exceed the maximum value set by the LED driver IC. For example, each drive channel of LED drivers 120_1 to 120_N supports a maximum current value of 60 mA, and a compensation current value x i The maximum current value is 60mA. The maximum current value of 60mA is not intended to limit the invention.

[0023] In one embodiment, four adjacent LED units 132_2, 132_4, 132_6, and 132_8 (first part) arranged above, below, left, and right of the abnormal LED unit 132_5 (first arrangement) can be used to compensate for the abnormal LED unit 132_5. In another embodiment, four adjacent LED units 132_1, 132_3, 132_7, and 132_9 (second part) arranged above, below, left, and right of the abnormal LED unit 132_5 (second arrangement) can be used to compensate for the abnormal LED unit 132_5. In yet another embodiment, eight adjacent LED units 132_1 to 132_4 and 132_6 to 132_9 surrounding the abnormal LED unit 132_5 can be used to compensate for the abnormal LED unit 132_5. The number and position of the normal LED units used to compensate for the abnormal LED unit 132_5 are not intended to limit the invention.

[0024] exist Figure 1 In the first arrangement, a first pixel spacing P1 is included between abnormal LED unit 132_5 and normal LED unit 132_4. In the second arrangement, a second pixel spacing P2 is included between abnormal LED unit 132_5 and normal LED unit 132_1. The second pixel spacing P2 is greater than the first pixel spacing P1.

[0025] Regarding the hardware architecture, the processing circuit 110 can be a processor with computing capabilities. Alternatively, the processing circuit 110 can be designed using a hardware description language (HDL) or any other digital circuit design method familiar to those with common knowledge in the art, and can be a hardware circuit implemented using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Furthermore, sufficient teaching, advice, and implementation instructions regarding the hardware architecture of the processing circuit 110, the driving circuit 120, and the light source module 130 can be obtained by referring to common knowledge in the related art.

[0026] In this embodiment, the display device 100 may be an electronic device with display function, touch sensing function, and / or fingerprint sensing function. In this embodiment, the display device 100 may be, but is not limited to, a smartphone, a non-smartphone, a wearable electronic device, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, and other portable electronic devices that can operate independently and have display function, touch sensing function, and / or fingerprint sensing function. In this embodiment, the display device 100 may be, but is not limited to, a portable or non-portable electronic device in a vehicle intelligent system. In this embodiment, the display device 100 may be, but is not limited to, a smart home appliance, such as a television, computer, refrigerator, washing machine, telephone, induction cooker, table lamp, etc.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the adjustment of the working cycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 3 The PWM value is marked on the corresponding LED unit. Assuming LED unit 132_5 is detected as abnormal, the eight normal LED units 132_1 to 132_4 and 132_6 to 132_9 surrounding the abnormal LED unit 132_5 are used to compensate for the abnormal LED unit 132_5. The processing circuit 110 sets period gains α1 to α4 and α6 to α9 for the normal LED units 132_1 to 132_4 and 132_6 to 132_9, and calculates the compensation duty cycle x based on the set period gains α1 to α4 and α6 to α9. i '.

[0028] In this embodiment, the periodic gains α1, α3, α7, and α9 of LED units 132_1, 132_3, 132_7, and 132_9 are set to 0.125 (second gain value), and the periodic gains α2, α4, α6, and α8 of LED units 132_2, 132_4, 132_6, and 132_8 are set to 0.25 (first gain value). In this embodiment, the processing circuit 110 can set different gain values ​​for normal LED units. In this embodiment, the processing circuit 110 can set the same gain value for normal LED units. LED units can be set to the same or different gain values; the set gain value is not intended to limit the invention. Compensation PWM value x i The compensation for LED unit 132_5 can be calculated according to formula (1).

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the adjustment of the current value according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 4The current value is marked on the corresponding LED unit. In this embodiment, it is still assumed that LED unit 132_5 is abnormal. The eight normal LED units 132_1 to 132_4 and 132_6 to 132_9 around the abnormal LED unit 132_5 are also used to compensate for the abnormal LED unit 132_5. The processing circuit 110 sets current gains α1' to α4' and α6' to α9' for the normal LED units 132_1 to 132_4 and 132_6 to 132_9, and calculates the compensation current value x based on the set current gains α1' to α4' and α6' to α9'. i '.

[0030] In this embodiment, the current gains α1', α3', α7', and α9' of LED units 132_1, 132_3, 132_7, and 132_9 are set to 0.01, and the current gains α2', α4', α6', and α8' of LED units 132_2, 132_4, 132_6, and 132_8 are set to 0.02. The compensation current value x... i The compensation for LED unit 132_5 can be calculated according to formula (1).

[0031] Figure 5 These are icons displayed on a display device as shown in an embodiment of the present invention. (See also...) Figure 5 Icon 501 shows an example of all LED units 132_1 to 132_9 displaying normally, and icon 502 shows an example of LED unit 132_5 displaying abnormally. Icon 503 shows an example of LED unit 132_5 being compensated. The brightness of at least one normal LED unit 132_1 to 132_4 and 132_6 to 132_9 can be enhanced to compensate for the brightness of the abnormal LED unit 132_5.

[0032] In summary, in the embodiments of the present invention, the display device is used to improve the problem of unclear display caused by insufficient brightness of the light source module due to LED malfunction. The display device can be applied to in-vehicle systems to improve safety and prevent drivers from ignoring important image information on the display device.

[0033] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1.A display device, comprising: a light source module comprising a plurality of normal light-emitting diode (LED) units and a target LED unit; and a processing circuit coupled to the light source module and configured to select at least one normal LED unit adjacent to the target LED unit and adjust at least one of a duty cycle and a current value of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal used to drive the at least one normal LED unit to compensate for the target LED unit. 2.The display device of claim 1, further comprising: a driving circuit coupled to the processing circuit and the light source module and configured to output the PWM signal to drive the at least one normal LED unit. 3.The display device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit sets a cycle gain for the at least one normal LED unit and calculates a compensation duty cycle based on the set cycle gain. 4.The display device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit sets a current gain for the at least one normal LED unit and calculates a compensation current value based on the set current gain. 5.The display device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of normal LED units are selected to compensate for the target LED unit, and the processing circuit sets different gain values for the plurality of normal LED units. 6.The display device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of normal LED units are selected to compensate for the target LED unit, and the processing circuit sets the same gain value for the plurality of normal LED units. 7.The display device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of normal LED units are selected to compensate for the target LED unit, and the processing circuit sets a first gain value for a first portion of the plurality of normal LED units and sets a second gain value for a second portion of the plurality of normal LED units, wherein the first gain value is greater than the second gain value. 8.The display device of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the plurality of normal LED units is adjacent to the target LED unit in a first arrangement, and the second portion of the plurality of normal LED units is adjacent to the target LED unit in a second arrangement different from the first arrangement. 9.The display device of claim 8, wherein the first arrangement comprises a first pixel pitch between the target LED unit and the normal LED units, the second arrangement comprises a second pixel pitch between the target LED unit and the normal LED units, and the second pixel pitch is greater than the first pixel pitch. 10.The display device of claim 1, wherein the target LED unit is an abnormal LED unit, and the abnormal LED unit is an open circuit or a short circuit. ​

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