Display device and driving method therefor

Abstract

A modular display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise: a display unit including at least one display module; a storage for storing at least one instruction; and at least one processor for executing the at least one instruction. The at least one processor can calculate the load of a full screen on the basis of input image data, calculate a peak gain for output image luminance on the basis of the load, calculate the heating level of the at least one display module on the basis of the peak gain, and control the peak gain on the basis of the heating level of the at least one display module.

Description

Display device and driving method thereof

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a modular display device and a method for driving the modular display device.

[0002] With the advancement of digital technology, various types of electronic devices, such as smart TVs, smartphones, tablet PCs, electronic notebooks, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wearable devices, are being used. In particular, these various types of electronic devices can be implemented as display devices that output images to a display panel based on input data.

[0003] Recently, modular display devices combining multiple sub-display devices have been developed. Modular display devices consist of multiple sub-display devices (e.g., multiple display modules), each capable of displaying a segmented image that divides a single overall image. Accordingly, modular display devices can display an entire image on a large screen formed by the multiple sub-display devices.

[0004] When displaying an image based on input data, the display device can adjust the gain, which controls the brightness of the image, to prevent display performance degradation due to unnecessary power consumption and heat generation. For example, when the image load is high, the display device can lower the brightness of the image by reducing the gain, and when the image load is low, the display device can increase the brightness of the image by increasing the gain.

[0005] Meanwhile, modular display devices may display different split images for each sub-display device depending on the arrangement and number of sub-display devices. Consequently, performing a uniform gain adjustment based on the entire image in a modular display device may result in display quality degradation due to unnecessary gain adjustment. Therefore, a technology is needed to perform gain adjustments in modular display devices that take into account the arrangement and number of sub-display devices.

[0006] Various embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a display device and a method of driving a display device that efficiently controls heat generation of a display unit by determining a heat generation level based on each display module rather than collectively determining a heat generation level based on the entire screen, and adjusting a peak gain by considering the arrangement and number of display modules.

[0007] A modular display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a display unit including at least one display module, a storage for storing at least one command, and at least one processor for executing the at least one command. The at least one processor may calculate a load of a full screen based on input image data, calculate a peak gain for output image luminance based on the load, calculate a heat generation level of the at least one display module based on the peak gain, and control the peak gain based on the heat generation level of the at least one display module.

[0008] In one embodiment, the at least one processor can predict whether the at least one display module exceeds a reference operating temperature by calculating the heat generation level for each of the at least one display modules. The at least one processor can execute a gain limiting algorithm when the at least one display module is predicted to exceed the reference operating temperature based on the heat generation level.

[0009] In one embodiment, the at least one processor can extract an average picture level for the entire screen from the input image data, and calculate the load of the entire screen based on the average picture level.

[0010] In one embodiment, the at least one processor can calculate a normal gain that minimizes the output image luminance based on the load, and can calculate a max gain that maximizes the output image luminance based on the load.

[0011] In one embodiment, the at least one processor can extract a high-brightness region of the at least one display module based on the peak gain, and calculate the heat generation level based on a size of the high-brightness region.

[0012] In one embodiment, the high brightness region may have a brightness in the range of 1000 nits to 2000 nits.

[0013] In one embodiment, the at least one processor may execute a gain limiting algorithm that controls the peak gain when the size of the high brightness region exceeds 20% to 25% of the size of the at least one display module.

[0014] In one embodiment, the at least one processor can control at least one of a max gain hold time, a gain control slope, and a gain limit based on the heat generation level of the at least one display module.

[0015] In one embodiment, the gain limiting algorithm may decrease the maximum gain hold time as the number of the at least one display module including the high brightness region increases.

[0016] In one embodiment, the gain limiting algorithm may increase the gain control slope as the number of the at least one display module including the high brightness region increases.

[0017] In one embodiment, the gain limiting algorithm may decrease the gain limit as the number of the at least one display module including the high brightness region increases.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least one processor can extract at least one high-brightness area included in the at least one adjacent four display modules, calculate a scatter plot of the at least one high-brightness area, and calculate the heat generation level of the at least one adjacent four display modules based on the scatter plot.

[0019] In one embodiment, the at least one processor may execute a gain limiting algorithm that controls the peak gain when the sum size of the at least one high-brightness region included in four adjacent at least one display modules exceeds 20% to 25% of the size of the at least one display module.

[0020] A method for driving a modular display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include an operation of calculating a load of a full screen based on input image data, an operation of calculating a peak gain for output image brightness based on the load, an operation of calculating a heat generation level of at least one display module based on the peak gain, and an operation of controlling the peak gain based on the heat generation level of the at least one display module.

[0021] In one embodiment, the operation of calculating the load of the entire screen may include the operation of extracting an average picture level for the entire screen from the input image data, and the operation of calculating the load of the entire screen based on the average picture level.

[0022] In one embodiment, the operation of calculating a peak gain for the output image luminance may include the operation of calculating a normal gain that minimizes the output image luminance based on the load, and the operation of calculating a max gain that maximizes the output image luminance based on the load.

[0023] In one embodiment, the operation of calculating the heat generation level of the at least one display module may include the operation of extracting a high-brightness region of the at least one display module based on the peak gain, and the operation of calculating the heat generation level based on a size of the high-brightness region.

[0024] In one embodiment, the operation of controlling the peak gain may execute a gain limiting algorithm for controlling the peak gain when the size of the high-brightness region exceeds 20% to 25% of the size of the at least one display module.

[0025] In one embodiment, the operation of controlling the peak gain may control at least one of a max gain hold time, a gain control slope, and a gain limit based on the heat generation level of the at least one display module.

[0026] In one embodiment, the operation of calculating the heat generation level of the at least one display module may include the operation of extracting at least one high-brightness area included in four adjacent at least one display modules, the operation of calculating a scatter plot of the at least one high-brightness area, and the operation of calculating the heat generation level of the at least one of the four adjacent display modules based on the scatter plot.

[0027] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the display device and its driving method of the present disclosure can efficiently control heat generation of the display unit by determining the heat generation level on a per-display-module basis and adjusting the peak gain in consideration of the arrangement and number of display modules. Accordingly, the display device and its driving method of the present disclosure can prevent unnecessary peak gain control and minimize reduction in overall image brightness and display quality due to peak control.

[0028] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain from the following description. In other words, unintended effects resulting from implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a block configuration of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a display unit included in a display device according to one embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed block configuration of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0032] Figure 4 illustrates an operation sequence of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a display module including a high brightness region according to one embodiment.

[0034] Figure 6 illustrates the change in peak gain based on a gain limiting algorithm according to one embodiment.

[0035] Figure 7 illustrates the change in peak gain based on a gain limiting algorithm according to another embodiment.

[0036] Figure 8 illustrates an operation sequence of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates four adjacent display modules including a high brightness region according to one embodiment.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components. Furthermore, in the drawings and related descriptions, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates a block configuration of a display device according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a display unit included in the display device according to one embodiment.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, a display device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display unit (110), storage (120), and a processor (130).

[0041] The display device (100) can display an image through the display unit (110). Here, the image to be displayed may be an input image received from an external device (e.g., a set-top box, a computer, a server, etc.), or may be an image pre-stored in the display device (100).

[0042] The display unit (110) can display an image based on input image data. The display unit (110) can include at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n). Each of the at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) of the display unit (110) can display a segmented image that is a segmented image. For example, the display device (100) of the present disclosure can be named as at least one of a modular display, a modular screen, a tiled display, a wall display, and a video wall.

[0043] Each of at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) may include a sub-processor, a driver IC, at least one pixel composed of a plurality of light-emitting elements of different colors, and a power supply. For example, the sub-processor included in at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) may receive input image data from the processor (130). The sub-processor may determine input image data corresponding to at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) based on identification information set in the at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n).

[0044] In one embodiment, at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) may be assigned identification information (e.g., ID) corresponding to each display module. For example, ID 1 may be set to the first display module (110-1). The subprocessor included in the first display module (110-1) may determine first input image data corresponding to ID 1 among input image data and transmit the first input image data to the driver IC. In this case, the driver IC of the first display module (110-1) may convert the first input image data into a first data current (or voltage) that is analog data, and supply the first data current (or voltage) to at least one pixel to display a first image corresponding to the first input image data. Similarly, the second to nth display modules (110-2, …, 110-n) can display the second to nth images corresponding to the second to nth input image data based on identification information (e.g., ID) corresponding to each display module.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the display unit (110) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n). For example, the display unit (110) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of display modules (e.g., 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-4, 110-5, 110-6, 110-7, 110-8, 110-9) that are physically connected to form one display. In FIG. 2, the at least one display module is illustrated as being configured in a 3*3 arrangement (e.g., 9 units), but the arrangement and number of the at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) of the display unit (110) of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Here, at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) may be named at least one of a sub-screen, a sub-module, a tile, and a cabinet, depending on the embodiment.

[0046] At least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) may include at least one pixel. At least one pixel may include a plurality of sub-pixels (e.g., a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED). For example, the plurality of sub-pixels (e.g., a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED) may be micro LEDs. Here, the micro LED may be an ultra-small light-emitting element that emits light by itself without a color filter and is an LED having a size of about 5 to 100 μm. For example, at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) may be an LED display module including a plurality of micro LEDs.

[0047] Meanwhile, at least one pixel may be electrically connected to a driver IC. In addition, the driver IC may be electrically connected to a timing controller and may control the light emission of at least one pixel under the control of the timing controller. For example, the timing controller may transmit input image data for controlling at least one pixel to the driver IC. The driver IC may convert the input image data into analog data for controlling at least one pixel and may output current or apply voltage to at least one pixel according to the analog data. At least one pixel may emit light based on the current output by the driver IC or the voltage applied by the driver IC. To this end, at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) may include a power supply (e.g., a Switched-Mode Power Supply, SMPS) for supplying power.

[0048] Meanwhile, the above-described micro LED display module is only one embodiment of at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n), and at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n) of the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms such as OLED (organic LED), AMOLED (activematrix OLED), QLED (quantum dot LED), etc.

[0049] The storage (120) can store an operating system (OS) for controlling the operation of the display device (100) and commands or data related to the operation of the display device (100).

[0050] For example, the processor (130) can control a plurality of hardware or software components of the display device (100) using various commands or data stored in the storage (120). For example, the processor (130) can load commands or data received from at least one of the other components into volatile memory and process them, and store various data in non-volatile memory.

[0051] Storage (120) may be implemented as various types of storage media. For example, storage (120) may be implemented as a non-volatile memory device such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), or flash memory, or a volatile memory device such as Random Access Memory (RAM), or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0052] The storage (120) can store output luminance information for each grayscale according to brightness information of the input image data. Here, the grayscale may be data that digitizes the brightness of each pixel included in the input image data into an integer. For example, an 8-bit image can be expressed as a grayscale level of 0 to 255. Meanwhile, the integer corresponding to the brightness of each pixel can be expressed as a grayscale value, a brightness value, a brightness code, etc., but for the convenience of explanation, it is collectively referred to as a grayscale value hereinafter.

[0053] In addition, the brightness information of the input image data may be the average picture level (APL) per frame of the input image data. For example, the APL may be the average grayscale value for pixel data of one frame of the input image data. The display device (100) may display a relatively brighter image as the APL is higher, and may display a relatively darker image as the APL is lower. Meanwhile, the brightness of the image may also mean various characteristics of the pixels included in the image of the display device (100), such as the maximum grayscale value and the most frequent grayscale value other than the APL.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the output luminance information for each grayscale may be output luminance information for each grayscale of input image data considering the power consumption of the display device (100). For example, the display device (100) may limit the output image luminance according to the brightness of the input image data in order to output an image within the maximum power consumption (or average power consumption). For example, the display device (100) may limit the output image luminance by applying a peak gain to the output luminance information for each grayscale.

[0055] The processor (130) can control the overall operation of the display device (100). Specifically, the processor (130) can drive an operating system or application program to control hardware or software components connected to the processor (130) and perform various data processing and calculations. In addition, the processor (130) can load commands or data received from at least one of the other components into volatile memory and process them, and store various data in non-volatile memory.

[0056] To this end, the processor (130) may include at least one of a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a controller, an application processor (AP), a communication processor (CP), and an ARM processor. In addition, the processor (130) may be electrically connected to a plurality of sub-processors of at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n), and may transmit and receive various data such as input image data and control data to and from the sub-processor.

[0057] The processor (130) can obtain brightness information of the input image data. Here, the brightness information of the input image data may be the average picture level (APL) per frame of the input image data as described above. That is, the processor (130) can obtain the average grayscale value for at least one pixel included in the image. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the brightness information of the input image may be various information that affects the power consumption of the display device (100) when outputting the image. For example, the processor (130) can obtain brightness information of the input image according to various criteria, such as the maximum grayscale value among multiple grayscale values ​​of the input image, the maximum grayscale value for each of R, G, and B, the mode grayscale value, the mode grayscale value for each of R, G, and B, and the maximum brightness information of the image.

[0058] A processor (130) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can obtain a target luminance corresponding to brightness information of input image data. Here, the target luminance may be an output image luminance corresponding to the brightness information of the input image. For example, the processor (130) can obtain the output image luminance as the target luminance based on information about the output luminance for each grayscale corresponding to the average picture level (APL) of the input image data. For example, the processor (130) can determine the target luminance based on the arrangement and number of at least one display module (110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-n), and control the peak gain to limit the output image luminance to the target luminance.

[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed block configuration of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0060] According to FIG. 3, the display device (100) may include a display unit (110), storage (120), a processor (130), a content receiving unit (140), a communication unit (150), a control signal receiving unit (160), and an input unit (170). Among the configurations illustrated in FIG. 3, a detailed description of configurations that overlap with those illustrated in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

[0061] The display unit (110) can provide various content screens that can be provided through the display device (100). Here, the content screen can include various contents such as images, videos, text, music, etc., an application execution screen including various contents, a GUI (Graphic User Interface) screen, etc.

[0062] Meanwhile, the display unit (110) may be implemented as a display of various types, such as a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, an LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), a DLP (Digital Light Processing), etc. In addition, the display unit (110) may be implemented as a transparent display that is implemented with a transparent material and displays information. In addition, the display unit (110) may be implemented as a self-luminous display, such as an OLED (organic light-emitting diode).

[0063] Meanwhile, the display unit (110) can be implemented in the form of a touch screen that forms a mutual layer structure with the touchpad, and in this case, the display unit (110) can be used as a user interface in addition to an output device.

[0064] The storage (120) may be implemented as an internal memory such as a ROM or RAM included in the processor (130), or may be implemented as a separate memory from the processor (130). In this case, the storage (120) may be implemented as a memory embedded in the display device (100) or as a memory detachable from the display device (100) depending on the purpose of data storage. For example, data for driving the display device (100) may be stored in a memory embedded in the display device (100), and data for the expansion function of the display device (100) may be stored in a memory detachable from the display device (100). Meanwhile, in the case of memory embedded in the display device (100), it may be implemented in the form of non-volatile memory, volatile memory, hard disk drive (HDD), or solid state drive (SSD), and in the case of memory that can be detachably attached to the audio output device (100), it may be implemented in the form of a memory card (e.g., micro SD card, USB memory), external memory that can be connected to a USB port (e.g., USB memory), etc.

[0065] The processor (130) controls the overall operation of the display device (100) and the signal flow between internal components of the display device (100), and can process data. For example, the processor (130) may be a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the operation of software (e.g., an operating system (OS) and application programs) stored in the display device (100).

[0066] For example, the processor (130) can load software stored in a non-volatile memory device into a volatile memory device and drive it, and control the display device (100) by a user command received through the input unit (170) or the driven software.

[0067] Additionally, the processor (130) may include a graphic processor (Graphic Processing Unit, not shown) for graphic processing corresponding to video. The processor (130) may be implemented as a System On Chip (SoC) integrating a core and a GPU. For example, the processor (130) may include a single core, a dual core, a triple core, a quad core, and multiples thereof.

[0068] The processor (130) may include multiple processors. For example, the processor (130) may include a main processor and a sub processor operating in standby mode.

[0069] The video receiving unit (140) may be implemented as a tuner that receives broadcast video, but is not limited thereto, and may be implemented as various types of communication modules that can receive various external videos, such as a Wi-Fi module, a USB module, and an HDMI module.

[0070] Additionally, the image may be stored in storage (120), in which case the display device (100) may adjust the pixel-by-pixel gradation, output luminance, and light quantity of the image stored in storage (120) and output it according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0071] The communication unit (150) can transmit / receive images. For example, the communication unit (150) can receive audio signals in a streaming or download manner from an external device (e.g., source device), external storage medium (e.g., USB), external server (e.g., web hard), etc. through a communication method such as AP-based Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi, Wireless LAN network), Bluetooth, Zigbee, wired / wireless LAN (Local Area Network), WAN, Ethernet, IEEE 1394, HDMI, USB, MHL, AES / EBU, optical, coaxial, etc.

[0072] In addition, the communication unit (150) may receive output luminance information for each gradation according to the brightness information of the image from an external server (not shown). For example, the display device (100) may receive information from an external server and store it in the storage (120), and of course, may update previously stored information based on the information received from the external server. In addition, the display device (100) may also obtain weights used to obtain a correction effect from the server.

[0073] The control signal receiving unit (160) can receive a control signal transmitted from a control device (e.g., a remote control). For example, the control signal receiving unit (160) can include a light receiving unit for receiving an IR (Infra Red) signal. For example, the control signal receiving unit (160) can receive a control signal by performing communication according to a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

[0074] The input unit (170) can be implemented with various buttons provided on the main body of the display device (100). The user can input various user commands, such as a turn on / turn off command, a channel change command, a volume control command, a menu check command, etc., through the input unit (180).

[0075] A display device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can adjust the gradation, output image brightness, and light quantity of input image data according to various embodiments of the present disclosure in response to user input to a control signal receiving unit (160) and an input unit (170). For example, the display device (100) can operate in at least one mode among a maximum output mode (or outdoor mode) that increases power consumption of the display device (100) when outputting an image, a standard mode, and a power saving mode (or indoor mode) that reduces power consumption of the display device (100) when outputting an image.

[0076] FIG. 4 illustrates an operation sequence of a display device according to one embodiment, FIG. 5 illustrates a display module including a high luminance area (HLA) according to one embodiment, and FIG. 6 illustrates a change in peak gain based on a gain limiting algorithm according to one embodiment.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 4, the display device (100) can calculate a load of the full screen based on input image data (operation 410). The display device (100) can calculate a peak gain for output image luminance based on the load (operation 420). The display device (100) can calculate a heat generation level of the at least one display module based on the peak gain (operation 430). The display device (100) can control the peak gain based on the heat generation level of the at least one display module (operation 440).

[0078] According to an example, in operation 410, the display device (100) may calculate the load of the full screen based on input image data. For example, the display device (100) may extract an average picture level (Average Picture Level) for the full screen from the input image data. The average picture level may be an average grayscale value for pixel data of one frame unit of the input image data. For example, the display device (100) may calculate the load of the full screen based on the average picture level. The load may be a value that quantifies the total amount of brightness that the display device (100) should output based on the input image data. For example, the higher the average picture level, the greater the load of the full screen, and the lower the average picture level, the smaller the load of the full screen.

[0079] According to an example, in operation 420, the display device (100) may calculate a peak gain for the output image luminance based on the load. The peak gain is a weight for adjusting the output image luminance, and may include a normal gain that minimizes the output image luminance and a max gain that maximizes the output image luminance. For example, the display device (100) may calculate a normal gain that minimizes the output image luminance based on the load. For example, the display device (100) may calculate a max gain that maximizes the output image luminance based on the load.

[0080] According to an example, in operation 430, the display device (100) can calculate the heat generation level of the at least one display module based on the peak gain. As shown in (a) of FIG. 5, the at least one display module can include a high brightness area (HLA) of a predetermined size. The display device (100) can extract the high brightness area (HLA) of the at least one display module based on the peak gain. For example, the high brightness area (HLA) can have a brightness in the range of 1000 nit to 2000 nit. For example, the high brightness area (HLA) can output a full-white image.

[0081] The display device (100) can calculate the heat generation level based on the size of the high brightness area (HLA). For example, the display device (100) can identify the size of the high brightness area (HLA) included in at least one display module. The display device (100) can calculate a higher heat generation level as the size of the high brightness area (HLA) increases, and can calculate a lower heat generation level as the size of the high brightness area (HLA) decreases.

[0082] The display device (100) can predict whether the at least one display module exceeds a reference operating temperature by calculating the heat generation level for each of the at least one display modules. The reference operating temperature may be the highest temperature at which the at least one display module can display a normal output image. For example, the display device (100) can determine that the at least one display module exceeds the reference operating temperature when the size of the high brightness area (HLA) exceeds 20% to 25% of the size of the at least one display module.

[0083] In one example, at operation 440, the display device (100) can control the peak gain based on the heat generation level of the at least one display module. The display device (100) can change the output image luminance by controlling the peak gain within a range between the normal gain and the max gain. For example, the display device (100) can control at least one of the max gain hold time, the gain control slope, and the gain limit based on the heat generation level of the at least one display module.

[0084] The display device (100) may execute a gain limiting algorithm when the at least one processor predicts that the at least one display module will exceed the reference operating temperature based on the heat generation level. For example, the display device (100) may execute a gain limiting algorithm that controls the peak gain when the size of the high brightness area (HLA) exceeds 20% to 25% of the size of the at least one display module.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 6, the display device (100) can calculate normal gain and max gain for output image luminance based on input image data, and control peak gain based on the heat generation level of at least one display module.

[0086] In one embodiment, the input image data (e.g., Comparative Data) of the first time point (t1) may include a full-white image. Since the input image data of the first time point (t1) includes a full-white image, the entire image of the display unit may exceed the reference operating temperature. The display device (100) may set the peak gain to the normal gain as the entire image exceeds the reference operating temperature. As the peak gain is set to the normal gain, the output image luminance may be minimized and the heat generation level may be maintained below the reference operating temperature.

[0087] In one embodiment, the input image data (e.g., Test Data) of the second time point (t2) may include a high brightness area (HLA) having a brightness in the range of 1000 nit to 2000 nit. The display device (100) may control the peak gain based on the size of the high brightness area (HLA). For example, when the size of the high brightness area (HLA) is 20% to 25% or less of the size of the at least one display module, the display device (100) may set the peak gain to the maximum gain.

[0088] For example, when the size of the high brightness area (HLA) exceeds 20% to 25% of the size of at least one display module, the display device (100) can change the output image brightness by controlling the peak gain in a range between the normal gain and the max gain. For example, the display device (100) can control at least one of the max gain hold time (MGHT), the gain control slope (GCS), and the gain limit within a range that does not exceed a reference operating temperature. For example, the max gain hold time (MGHT) may be a time for which the max gain is maintained by the gain limit algorithm. For example, the gain control slope (GCS) can be the difference between the Max Gain and the Gain Limit divided by the time it takes to go from Max Gain to the Gain Limit. For example, the Gain Limit can be the minimum gain required to maintain the output image luminance at the target luminance.

[0089] In this way, the display device (100) of the present disclosure determines the heat generation level based on each display module rather than collectively determining the heat generation level based on the entire screen, and adjusts the peak gain by considering the arrangement and number of display modules, thereby efficiently controlling the heat generation of the display unit.

[0090] Figure 7 illustrates the change in peak gain based on a gain limiting algorithm according to another embodiment.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 7, the display device (100) can calculate a normal gain and a maximum gain for output image luminance based on input image data, and control a peak gain based on the arrangement and number of at least one display module including a high luminance area (HLA). For example, the gain limiting algorithm can be changed depending on the arrangement and number of at least one display module including a high luminance area (HLA).

[0092] The display device (100) can predict whether the at least one display module exceeds the reference operating temperature by calculating the heat generation level for each of the at least one display modules. The display device (100) can execute a gain limiting algorithm when the at least one processor is predicted to exceed the reference operating temperature based on the heat generation level.

[0093] In one embodiment, the gain limiting algorithm can reduce the Max Gain Hold Time (MGHT) as the number of the at least one display module including the high brightness area (HLA) increases. For example, comparing FIGS. 6 and 7 , when the number of the at least one display module including the high brightness area (HLA) increases from 1 to 3, the gain limiting algorithm can minimize heat generation in the display unit by reducing the Max Gain Hold Time (MGHT).

[0094] In one embodiment, the gain limiting algorithm may increase the gain control slope (GCS) as the number of the at least one display module including the high luminance area (HLA) increases. For example, comparing FIGS. 6 and 7, when the number of the at least one display module including the high luminance area (HLA) increases from 1 to 3, the gain limiting algorithm may increase the gain control slope (GCS) to control the peak gain to quickly reach the gain limit, thereby minimizing heat generation in the display unit.

[0095] In one embodiment, the gain limiting algorithm may reduce the gain limit as the number of the at least one display module including the high brightness area (HLA) increases. For example, comparing FIGS. 6 and 7 , when the number of the at least one display module including the high brightness area (HLA) increases from 1 to 3, the gain limiting algorithm may reduce the gain limit, thereby minimizing heat generation in the display unit.

[0096] FIG. 8 illustrates an operation sequence of a display device according to one embodiment, and FIG. 9 illustrates four adjacent display modules (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-4) including high-brightness areas (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) according to one embodiment.

[0097] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the display device (100) can calculate normal gain and maximum gain for output image luminance based on input image data, and calculate heat generation levels for each of four adjacent display modules. The display device (100) can control peak gain based on the heat generation levels calculated for each of four adjacent display modules.

[0098] According to an example, in operation 810, the display device (100) can extract at least one high-brightness area (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) included in at least four adjacent display modules. For example, the display device (100) can group the at least four adjacent display modules (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-4) into one display module group (110'). The display device (100) can extract at least one high-brightness area (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) having a brightness in the range of 1000 nit to 2000 nit from the display module group (110').

[0099] For example, in operation 820, the display device (100) can calculate a scatter plot of at least one high-luminance region (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4). For example, the display device (100) can calculate a scatter plot by quantifying the distribution of at least one high-luminance region (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) in the display module group (110'). For example, as in (a) of FIG. 9, when at least one high-luminance region (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) is concentrated, the display device (100) can determine that the scatter plot of the high-luminance region (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) is low. For example, as in (b) of FIG. 9, when at least one high-luminance area (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) is widely distributed, the display device (100) can determine that the dispersion of the high-luminance area (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) is high.

[0100] According to an example, in operation 830, the display device (100) can calculate the heat generation level of the at least one adjacent display module based on the scatter diagram. The display device (100) can calculate the heat generation level of the display unit (110') based on the sum size of at least one high-brightness area (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) and the scatter diagram of the at least one high-brightness area (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4). For example, the heat generation level may increase as the sum size of at least one high-brightness area (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) increases. For example, the heat generation level may increase as the scatter diagram of at least one high-brightness area (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) decreases.

[0101] According to an example, in operation 840, the display device (100) can control the peak gain based on the heat generation level of the at least one of the four adjacent display modules (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-4). For example, the display device (100) can execute a gain limiting algorithm for controlling the peak gain when the sum size of the at least one high-brightness area (HLA1, HLA2, HLA3, HLA4) included in the at least one of the four adjacent display modules (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-4) exceeds 20% to 25% of the size of the at least one display module. That is, even if the size of the high-brightness area included in each of at least one display module is less than or equal to 20% to 25% of the size of at least one display module, if the combined size of at least one high-brightness area exceeds 20% to 25% of the size of at least one display module and the dispersion of the high-brightness area is low so that the high-brightness area is concentrated, the display device (100) can execute a gain limiting algorithm that controls the peak gain.

[0102] In this way, the display device (100) of the present disclosure can efficiently control heat generation of the display unit by determining the heat generation level on a per-display-module basis and adjusting the peak gain in consideration of the arrangement and number of at least one display module.

[0103] Accordingly, the display device (100) of the present disclosure can prevent unnecessary peak gain control and minimize reduction in overall image brightness and display quality due to peak control. However, since this has been described above, a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0104] Electronic devices according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document may take various forms. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. Electronic devices according to the embodiments of this document are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0105] The various embodiments of this document and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, each of the phrases “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among those phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as “first,” “second,” or “first” or “second” may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as “coupled” or “connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0106] The term "module" used in various embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0107] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program) including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., built-in memory or external memory) readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device). For example, a processor of the machine (e.g., an electronic device) may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction called. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily in the storage medium.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in the present document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0109] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims

1. In a modular display device (100), A display portion (110) including at least one display module; Storage (120) for storing at least one command; and At least one processor (130) for executing at least one instruction, At least one processor of the above, Calculate the load of the full screen based on the input image data, Based on the above load, the peak gain for the output image luminance is calculated, Calculating the heat generation level of at least one display module based on the peak gain, Controlling the peak gain based on the heat generation level of at least one display module; Display device.

2. In paragraph 1, At least one processor of the above, By calculating the heat generation level as a unit of at least one display module, it is predicted whether the at least one display module exceeds the reference operating temperature, Based on the above heat level, when the at least one display module is predicted to exceed the reference operating temperature, a gain limiting algorithm is executed. Display device.

3. In paragraph 1, At least one processor of the above, Extract the average picture level for the entire screen from the input image data, Calculating the load of the entire screen based on the average image level; Display device.

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, At least one processor of the above, Calculate the normal gain that minimizes the output image brightness based on the above load, Calculating the max gain that maximizes the output image brightness based on the above load, Display device.

5. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, At least one processor of the above, Extracting a high brightness area of ​​at least one display module based on the peak gain; Calculating the heat generation level based on the size of the high brightness area. Display device.

6. In paragraph 5, The above high brightness area is, Having a brightness range of 1000 nit to 2000 nit, Display device.

7. In paragraph 5, At least one processor of the above, When the size of the high brightness region exceeds 20% to 25% of the size of at least one display module, a gain limiting algorithm for controlling the peak gain is executed. Display device.

8. In paragraph 7, At least one processor of the above, Controlling at least one of the max gain hold time, the gain control slope, and the gain limit based on the heat generation level of the at least one display module. Display device.

9. In paragraph 8, The above gain limiting algorithm is, The greater the number of said at least one display module including said high brightness region, the more the maximum gain maintenance time is reduced. Display device.

10. In paragraph 8, The above gain limiting algorithm is, The greater the number of said at least one display module including said high brightness region, the greater the gain control slope. Display device.

11. In paragraph 8, The above gain limiting algorithm is, The greater the number of said at least one display module including said high brightness region, the lower the gain limitation. Display device.

12. In paragraph 1, At least one processor of the above, Extracting at least one high-brightness area included in at least one of four adjacent display modules, Producing a scatter plot of at least one high-luminance region, Calculating the heating level of at least one of four adjacent display modules based on the above scatter plot, Display device.

13. In paragraph 12, At least one processor of the above, When the sum size of the at least one high-luminance area included in the at least one of the four adjacent display modules exceeds 20% to 25% of the size of the at least one display module, a gain limiting algorithm for controlling the peak gain is executed. Display device.

14. A method for driving a modular display device, An operation that calculates the load of the full screen based on input image data; An operation for calculating a peak gain for output image luminance based on the above load; An operation of calculating a heat generation level of at least one display module based on the peak gain; and An operation for controlling the peak gain based on the heat generation level of at least one display module, method.

15. In paragraph 14, The action that produces the load of the entire screen above is: An operation of extracting an average picture level for the entire screen from the input image data; and Comprising an operation of calculating the load of the entire screen based on the average image level. method.

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