Display apparatus

Abstract

A display apparatus, according to one aspect of the disclosed invention, comprises: a substrate; a plurality of dimming blocks arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on the substrate, and each comprising a plurality of light-emitting elements; a plurality of drive elements for driving two or more dimming blocks among the plurality of dimming blocks; and at least one processor for controlling the plurality of drive elements, wherein the plurality of drive elements each drive two or more dimming blocks disposed in mutually different columns, and the at least one processor may control the plurality of drive elements so that the plurality of dimming blocks disposed in the same row are driven together.

Description

display device

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device including a liquid crystal panel and a back light unit (BLU).

[0002] In general, a display device is a type of output device that converts acquired or stored electrical information into visual information and displays it to the user, and is used in various fields such as homes and businesses.

[0003] A display device includes a backlight unit (BLU) that provides light to a liquid crystal panel, and the backlight unit includes a plurality of point light-emitting elements that can independently emit light. The light-emitting elements include, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

[0004] Among these, local dimming technology in the backlight unit of an LED TV is a key technology for improving the display's contrast ratio. A local dimming system divides the display screen into multiple zones, independently controlling the current for each zone based on the input image. Consequently, current is reduced when the input image is dark, and increased when the input image is bright, effectively improving the contrast ratio.

[0005] In a sequential driving system (Active Matrix, Passive Matrix), it is common to arrange dimming blocks driven by one driving element in the same column for sequential driving. However, depending on the arrangement of dimming blocks on the substrate, the number of dimming blocks that can be driven by one driving element may decrease, thus increasing the number of driving elements required.

[0006] One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a display device in which dimming blocks driven by one driving element are arranged in different columns to reduce the number of driving elements, and dimming blocks arranged in the same row are driven together to prevent deterioration of image quality.

[0007] The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0008] A display device according to one aspect of the disclosed invention comprises: a substrate; a plurality of dimming blocks arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on the substrate, each dimming block including a plurality of light-emitting elements; a plurality of driving elements driving at least two of the dimming blocks among the plurality of dimming blocks; and at least one processor controlling the plurality of driving elements, wherein each of the plurality of driving elements drives at least two dimming blocks arranged in different columns, and the at least one processor can control the plurality of driving elements so that the plurality of dimming blocks arranged in the same row are driven together.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the appearance of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the structure of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a liquid crystal panel included in a display device according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a back light unit (BLU) included in a display device according to one embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining that a plurality of light-emitting diodes of a backlight unit according to one embodiment are divided into dimming blocks.

[0014] Figure 6 is a control block diagram of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0015] Fig. 7 is a drawing showing an example of the arrangement of dimming blocks driven by each conventional driving element.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an example of the arrangement of dimming blocks driven by each driving element of an improved structure according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 9 is a drawing showing the number of driving elements required according to the arrangement of the dimming blocks driven by each driving element.

[0018] Fig. 10 is a drawing showing how a dimming block is driven in a conventional driving manner for an improved structure.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing that dimming blocks of the same row are driven together according to one embodiment.

[0020] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely preferred examples of the disclosed invention, and there may be various modified examples that can replace the embodiments and drawings of this specification at the time of filing of this application.

[0021] Additionally, the same reference numbers or symbols presented in each drawing of this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

[0022] In addition, the terminology used in this specification is used to describe embodiments and is not intended to limit and / or restrict the disclosed invention. The singular expression includes plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "comprises" or "has" and the like are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0023] Additionally, in this specification, when it is said that a configuration is “connected” or “coupled” with another configuration, this includes not only cases where it is directly connected or coupled, but also cases where it is indirectly connected or coupled.

[0024] Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", etc. used herein may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any item among a plurality of related listed items.

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the appearance of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a display device (10) is a device that processes an image signal received from the outside and can visually display the processed image. Hereinafter, the display device (10) is exemplified as a television (TV), but is not limited thereto. For example, the display device (10) can be implemented in various forms such as a monitor, a portable multimedia device, a portable communication device, etc., and the form of the display device (10) is not limited as long as it is a device that visually displays an image.

[0028] In addition, the display device (10) may be a large format display (LFD) installed outdoors, such as on a building rooftop or a bus stop. Here, the outdoors is not necessarily limited to outdoors, and the display device (10) according to one embodiment may be installed in any indoor location where a large number of people may enter and exit, such as a subway station, shopping mall, movie theater, company, or store.

[0029] The display device (10) can receive content including video signals and audio signals from various content sources, and output video and audio corresponding to the video signals and audio signals. For example, the display device (10) can receive content data via a broadcast reception antenna or a wired cable, receive content data from a content playback device, or receive content data from a content provider's content provision server.

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display device (10) may include a main body (11) and a screen (12) that displays an image (I).

[0031] The main body (11) forms the outer shape of the display device (10), and components for displaying an image (I) or performing various functions may be provided inside the main body (11). The main body (11) illustrated in Fig. 1 has a flat plate shape, but the shape of the main body (11) is not limited to that illustrated in Fig. 1. For example, the main body (11) may have a curved plate shape.

[0032] The screen (12) is formed on the front of the main body (11) and can display an image (I). For example, the screen (12) can display a still image or a moving image. In addition, the screen (12) can display a two-dimensional flat image or a three-dimensional stereoscopic image using the parallax of the user's two eyes.

[0033] The screen (12) may include a liquid crystal panel that can pass through or block light emitted by a back light unit (BLU), etc.

[0034] A plurality of pixels (P) are formed on the screen (12), and an image (I) displayed on the screen (12) can be formed by light emitted from each of the plurality of pixels (P). For example, an image (I) can be formed on the screen (12) by combining the light emitted from each of the plurality of pixels (P) like a mosaic.

[0035] Each of the plurality of pixels (P) can emit light of different brightness and different colors. To emit light of different colors, each of the plurality of pixels (P) can include sub-pixels (PR, PG, PB).

[0036] The subpixels (PR, PG, PB) may include a red subpixel (PR) capable of emitting red light, a green subpixel (PG) capable of emitting green light, and a blue subpixel (PB) capable of emitting blue light. For example, red light may represent light with a wavelength of approximately 700 nm (nanometer, one billionth of a meter) to 800 nm. Green light may represent light with a wavelength of approximately 500 nm to 600 nm. Blue light may represent light with a wavelength of approximately 400 nm to 500 nm.

[0037] By combining the red light of the red subpixel (PR), the green light of the green subpixel (PG), and the blue light of the blue subpixel (PB), light of various brightness and colors can be emitted from each of the plurality of pixels (P).

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the structure of a display device (10) according to one embodiment, and FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a liquid crystal panel included in a display device (10) according to one embodiment.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, various components for generating an image (I) on a screen (S) can be provided inside the main body (11).

[0040] For example, the main body (11) is provided with a back light unit (BLU) (100) which is a surface light source, a liquid crystal panel (20) which blocks or passes light emitted from the back light unit (100), a control assembly (50) which controls the operation of the back light unit (100) and the liquid crystal panel (20), and a power assembly (60) which supplies power to the back light unit (100) and the liquid crystal panel (20). In addition, the main body (11) may include a bezel (13) for supporting the liquid crystal panel (20), the back light unit (100), the control assembly (50), and the power assembly (60), a frame middle mold (14), a bottom chassis (15), and a rear cover (16).

[0041] The backlight unit (100) may include a point light source that emits white light. In addition, the backlight unit (100) may refract, reflect, and scatter light to convert the light emitted from the point light source into a uniform surface light. In this way, the backlight unit (100) may emit a uniform surface light toward the front by refracting, reflecting, and scattering the light emitted from the point light source.

[0042] The backlight unit (100) is described in more detail below.

[0043] The liquid crystal panel (20) is provided in front of the backlight unit (100) and blocks or passes light emitted from the backlight unit (100) to form an image (I).

[0044] The front surface of the liquid crystal panel (20) forms the screen (S) of the display device (10) described above, and the liquid crystal panel (20) can form a plurality of pixels (P). The plurality of pixels (P) of the liquid crystal panel (20) can independently block or transmit light from the backlight unit (100). In addition, light transmitted by the plurality of pixels (P) can form an image (I) displayed on the screen (S).

[0045] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal panel (20) may include a first polarizing film (21), a first transparent substrate (22), a pixel electrode (23), a thin film transistor (24), a liquid crystal layer (25), a common electrode (26), a color filter (27), a second transparent substrate (28), and a second polarizing film (29).

[0046] The first transparent substrate (22) and the second transparent substrate (28) can fix and support a pixel electrode (23), a thin film transistor (24), a liquid crystal layer (25), a common electrode (26), and a color filter (27). The first and second transparent substrates (22, 28) can be made of reinforced glass or transparent resin.

[0047] A first polarizing film (21) and a second polarizing film (29) are provided on the outer sides of the first and second transparent substrates (22, 28). The first polarizing film (21) and the second polarizing film (29) can each transmit a specific polarization and block (reflect or absorb) other polarizations. For example, the first polarizing film (21) can transmit polarization in a first direction and block (reflect or absorb) other polarizations. In addition, the second polarizing film (29) can transmit polarization in a second direction and block (reflect or absorb) other polarizations. At this time, the first direction and the second direction can be orthogonal to each other. Therefore, polarizations that pass through the first polarizing film (21) cannot directly pass through the second polarizing film (29).

[0048] The color filter (27) may be provided on the inner side of the second transparent substrate (28). The color filter (27) may include, for example, a red filter (27R) that transmits red light, a green filter (27G) that transmits green light, and a blue filter (27G) that transmits blue light. In addition, the red filter (27R), the green filter (27G), and the blue filter (27B) may be arranged parallel to each other. The area occupied by the color filter (27) corresponds to the pixel (P) described above. The area occupied by the red filter (27R) corresponds to the red subpixel (PR), the area occupied by the green filter (27G) corresponds to the green subpixel (PG), and the area occupied by the blue filter (27B) corresponds to the blue subpixel (PB).

[0049] The pixel electrode (23) may be provided on the inner side of the first transparent substrate (22), and the common electrode (26) may be provided on the inner side of the second transparent substrate (28). The pixel electrode (23) and the common electrode (26) are made of a metal material that conducts electricity, and can generate an electric field for changing the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules (115a) that constitute the liquid crystal layer (25) to be described below.

[0050] A thin film transistor (TFT) (24) is provided on the inner side of the second transparent substrate (22). The thin film transistor (24) can be turned on (closed) or turned off (open) according to image data provided from the panel driver (30). In addition, an electric field can be formed or removed between the pixel electrode (23) and the common electrode (26) depending on the turning on (closed) or turning off (open) of the thin film transistor (24).

[0051] The liquid crystal layer (25) is formed between the pixel electrode (23) and the common electrode (26) and is filled with liquid crystal molecules (25a). The liquid crystal can exhibit an intermediate state between a solid (crystal) and a liquid. The liquid crystal can exhibit optical properties according to changes in the electric field. For example, the direction of the arrangement of molecules constituting the liquid crystal can change according to changes in the electric field. Therefore, the optical properties of the liquid crystal layer (25) can vary depending on the presence or absence of an electric field passing through the liquid crystal layer (25). For example, the liquid crystal layer (25) can rotate the polarization direction of light around the optical axis depending on the presence or absence of an electric field. Accordingly, the polarized light passing through the first polarizing film (21) rotates its polarization direction while passing through the liquid crystal layer (25) and can pass through the second polarizing film (29).

[0052] On one side of the liquid crystal panel (20), a cable (20a) for transmitting image data to the liquid crystal panel (20) and a display driver integrated circuit (DDI) (30) (hereinafter referred to as a 'panel driver') for processing digital image data and outputting an analog image signal are provided.

[0053] The cable (20a) electrically connects between the control assembly (50) / power assembly (60) and the panel driver (30), and can also electrically connect between the panel driver (30) and the liquid crystal panel (20). The cable (20a) may include a flexible flat cable or a film cable that can be bent.

[0054] The panel driver (30) can receive image data and power from the control assembly (50) / power assembly (60) via the cable (20a). In addition, the panel driver (30) can provide image data and driving current to the liquid crystal panel (20) via the cable (20a).

[0055] In addition, the cable (20a) and the panel driver (30) may be implemented as a single unit, such as a film cable, a chip on film (COF), a tape carrier packet (TCP), etc. In other words, the panel driver (30) may be placed on the cable (20b). However, this is not limited thereto, and the panel driver (30) may be placed on the liquid crystal panel (20).

[0056] The control assembly (50) may include a control circuit that controls the operation of the liquid crystal panel (20) and the backlight unit (100). For example, the control circuit may process a video signal and / or an audio signal received from an external content source. The control circuit may transmit image data to the liquid crystal panel (20) and dimming data to the backlight unit (100).

[0057] The power assembly (60) may include a power circuit that supplies power to the liquid crystal panel (20) and the backlight unit (100). The power circuit may supply power to the control assembly (50), the backlight unit (100), and the liquid crystal panel (20).

[0058] The control assembly (50) and the power assembly (60) may be implemented as printed circuit boards and various circuits mounted on the printed circuit board. For example, the power circuit may include capacitors, coils, resistors, processors, etc., and a power circuit board on which these are mounted. In addition, the control circuit may include memory, a processor, and a control circuit board on which these are mounted.

[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a backlight unit (100) included in a display device (10) according to one embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining that a plurality of light-emitting diodes of the backlight unit (100) according to one embodiment are divided into dimming blocks.

[0060] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a backlight unit (100) included in a display device (10) according to one embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining that a plurality of light-emitting diodes of the backlight unit (100) according to one embodiment are divided into dimming blocks.

[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the backlight unit (100) may include a light source module (110) that generates light, a reflective sheet (120) that reflects light, a diffuser plate (130) that uniformly diffuses light, and an optical sheet (140) that improves the brightness of the emitted light.

[0062] The light source module (110) may include a plurality of light-emitting elements (111) that emit light and a substrate (112) that supports / fixes the plurality of light-emitting elements (111).

[0063] A plurality of light-emitting elements (111) may be arranged in a predetermined pattern so that light is emitted with uniform brightness. The plurality of light-emitting elements (111) may be arranged so that the distance between one light source and adjacent light sources is the same.

[0064] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of light-emitting elements (111) may be arranged in rows and columns. For example, a plurality of light sources may be arranged so that an approximately square is formed by four adjacent light sources. In addition, one light source may be arranged adjacent to four light sources, and the distance between one light source and the four adjacent light sources may be approximately the same.

[0065] Additionally, depending on the embodiment, multiple light sources may be arranged such that three adjacent light sources form an approximately equilateral triangle. In this case, one light source may be arranged adjacent to six light sources. Furthermore, the distance between one light source and the six adjacent light sources may be approximately equal.

[0066] However, the arrangement of the plurality of light-emitting elements (111) is not limited to the arrangement described above, and the plurality of light-emitting elements (111) can be arranged in various ways so that light is emitted with uniform brightness.

[0067] The light-emitting element (111) may employ an element that can emit monochromatic light (light of a specific wavelength, for example, blue light) or white light (for example, light mixed with red light, green light, and blue light) in various directions when power is supplied. For example, the light-emitting element (111) may include a light-emitting diode (LED). The light-emitting diode may be implemented in various sizes, and may include, for example, a mini LED and / or a micro LED.

[0068] The substrate (112) can fix a plurality of light emitting elements (111) so that the positions of the light emitting elements (111) do not change. In addition, the substrate (112) can supply power to each light emitting element (111) for emitting light.

[0069] The substrate (112) may include a synthetic resin and / or reinforced glass and / or a printed circuit board (PCB) that fixes a plurality of light-emitting elements (111) and has conductive power supply lines formed thereon for supplying power to the light-emitting elements (111).

[0070] Additionally, the substrate (112) may include a plurality of sub-substrates (112').

[0071] The reflective sheet (120) can reflect light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements (111) forward or in a direction close to the forward direction.

[0072] A plurality of through holes (120a) are formed in the reflective sheet (120) at positions corresponding to each of the plurality of light-emitting elements (111) of the light source module (110). In addition, the light-emitting elements (111) of the light source module (110) can pass through the through holes (120a) and protrude forward of the reflective sheet (120).

[0073] For example, during the assembly process of the reflective sheet (120) and the light source module (110), a plurality of light emitting elements (111) of the light source module (110) are inserted into a plurality of through holes (120a) formed in the reflective sheet (120). Therefore, the substrate (112) of the light source module (110) is positioned at the rear of the reflective sheet (120), but the plurality of light emitting elements (111) of the light source module (110) can be positioned at the front of the reflective sheet (120).

[0074] By this, a plurality of light emitting elements (111) can emit light in front of the reflective sheet (120).

[0075] A plurality of light-emitting elements (111) can emit light in various directions in front of the reflective sheet (120). Light can be emitted from the light-emitting elements (111) toward the diffusion plate (130) as well as from the light-emitting elements (111) toward the reflective sheet (120), and the reflective sheet (120) can reflect the light emitted toward the reflective sheet (120) toward the diffusion plate (130).

[0076] Light emitted from the light emitting element (111) passes through various objects such as a diffuser plate (130) and an optical sheet (140). When the light passes through the diffuser plate (130) and the optical sheet (140), some of the incident light is reflected from the surfaces of the diffuser plate (130) and the optical sheet (140). The reflective sheet (120) can reflect the light reflected by the diffuser plate (130) and the optical sheet (140).

[0077] A diffusion plate (130) can be provided in front of the light source module (110) and the reflective sheet (120), and can evenly disperse light emitted from the light emitting element (111) of the light source module (110).

[0078] As described above, a plurality of light-emitting elements (111) are positioned at various locations on the rear of the backlight unit (100). Although the plurality of light-emitting elements (111) are positioned at equal intervals on the rear of the backlight unit (100), unevenness in brightness may occur depending on the locations of the plurality of light-emitting elements (111).

[0079] The diffuser plate (130) can diffuse the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements (111) within the diffuser plate (130) to eliminate the unevenness of brightness caused by the plurality of light-emitting elements (111). In other words, the diffuser plate (130) can uniformly emit the uneven light of the plurality of light-emitting elements (111) to the front.

[0080] The optical sheet (140) may include various sheets to improve brightness and uniformity of brightness. For example, the optical sheet (140) may include a diffusion sheet (141), a first prism sheet (142), a second prism sheet (143), a reflective polarizing sheet (144), etc.

[0081] The diffusion sheet (141) diffuses light to ensure uniformity of brightness. Light emitted from the light-emitting element (111) is diffused by the diffusion plate (130) and can be diffused again by the diffusion sheet (141) included in the optical sheet (140).

[0082] The first and second prism sheets (142, 143) can increase brightness by concentrating light diffused by the diffusion sheet (141). The first and second prism sheets (142, 143) include prism patterns in the shape of triangular prisms, and a plurality of these prism patterns are arranged adjacently to form a plurality of band shapes.

[0083] The reflective polarizing sheet (144) is a type of polarizing film that can transmit some of the incident light and reflect the other part to improve brightness. For example, it can transmit polarized light having the same direction as the predetermined polarization direction of the reflective polarizing sheet (144) and reflect polarized light having a different direction from the polarization direction of the reflective polarizing sheet (144). In addition, the light reflected by the reflective polarizing sheet (144) is recycled within the backlight unit (100), and the brightness of the display device (10) can be improved by this light recycling.

[0084] The optical sheet (140) is not limited to the sheet or film illustrated in FIG. 4, and may include a wider variety of sheets or films, such as a protective sheet.

[0085] The backlight unit (100) includes a plurality of light-emitting elements (111) and can output surface light by diffusing light emitted from a plurality of light sources (111). The liquid crystal panel (20) includes a plurality of pixels and can control the plurality of pixels to allow each of the plurality of pixels to pass light or block light. An image can be formed by light passing through each of the plurality of pixels.

[0086] At this time, the display device (10) can perform local dimming to vary the brightness of light in each area of ​​the backlight unit (100) in conjunction with the output image so as to improve power consumption while increasing the contrast ratio.

[0087] For example, the display device (10) can reduce the brightness of the light of the light emitting element (111) of the backlight unit (100) corresponding to the dark portion of the image in order to darken the dark portion of the image, and can increase the brightness of the light of the light emitting element (111) of the backlight unit (100) corresponding to the bright portion of the image in order to brighten the bright portion of the image. As a result, the contrast ratio or brightness ratio of the image can be improved.

[0088] The display device (10) divides the backlight unit (100) into a plurality of blocks, and independently controls the current for each block according to the input image. The image transmission of the display device (10) is performed through a method of local dimming operation for each frame, and the current operation is controlled according to the number of blocks of light-emitting elements (111) divided within the backlight unit (100).

[0089] As a result, the display device (10) can effectively improve the contrast ratio by lowering the supply current to the dimming block in the dark area of ​​the input image and increasing the supply current to the dimming block in the bright area of ​​the input image.

[0090] For local dimming, the plurality of light-emitting elements (111) included in the backlight unit (100) may be divided into a plurality of dimming blocks (200). For example, the plurality of dimming blocks (200) may be arranged in 5 rows and 12 columns, for a total of 60, as illustrated in FIG. 5. As another example, the plurality of dimming blocks (200) may be arranged in 5 rows and 4 columns, for a total of 20. However, the number of dimming blocks (200) is not limited to the above example.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5, each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200) may include at least one light-emitting element (111). The backlight unit (100) may supply the same driving current to the light-emitting elements (111) belonging to the same dimming block (200), and the light-emitting elements (111) belonging to the same dimming block (200) may emit light of the same brightness.

[0092] In addition, the backlight unit (100) can supply different driving currents to light emitting elements (111) belonging to different dimming blocks (200) according to dimming data, and the light emitting elements (111) belonging to different dimming blocks (200) can emit light of different brightness.

[0093] Each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200) may include, for example, N*M light sources arranged in an N*M matrix form (N and M are natural numbers). An N*M matrix means a matrix having N rows and M columns.

[0094] Since each light emitting element (111) includes a light emitting diode, each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200) can include N*M light emitting diodes.

[0095] A plurality of dimming blocks (200) may be arranged on the substrate (112). That is, N*M light-emitting diodes may be arranged on the substrate (112). Alternatively, a plurality of dimming blocks (200) may be provided on each of a plurality of sub-substrates (112') included in the substrate (112).

[0096] Figure 6 is a control block diagram of a display device (10) according to one embodiment.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 6, the display device (10) may include a content receiving unit (80), an image processing unit (90), a panel driver (30), a liquid crystal panel (20), and a backlight unit (100). At this time, the backlight unit (100) may include a dimming driver (170) that performs local dimming and a driving element (300) that drives a light-emitting element (111). This driving element (300) may be disposed on the upper surface of the substrate (112) or on the lower surface of the substrate (112).

[0098] The content receiving unit (80) may include a receiving terminal (81) and a tuner (82) that receive content including video signals and / or audio signals from content sources.

[0099] The receiving terminal (81) can receive video signals and audio signals from content sources via a cable. For example, the receiving terminal (81) can include a component (YPbPr / RGB) terminal, a composite video blanking and sync (CVBS) terminal, an audio terminal, a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) terminal, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) terminal, etc.

[0100] The tuner (82) can receive broadcast signals from a broadcast reception antenna or a wired cable, and extract broadcast signals of a channel selected by the user from among the broadcast signals. For example, the tuner (82) can pass broadcast signals having a frequency corresponding to a channel selected by the user from among a plurality of broadcast signals received through a broadcast reception antenna or a wired cable, and block broadcast signals having other frequencies.

[0101] In this way, the content receiving unit (80) can receive images including video signals and audio signals from content sources through the receiving terminal (81) and / or the tuner (82), and can output the input images input through the receiving terminal (81) and / or the tuner (82) to the image processing unit (90).

[0102] The image processing unit (90) may include at least one processor (91) that processes an input image (image data) and a memory (92) that stores / remembers data.

[0103] The memory (92) stores programs and data for processing video signals and / or audio signals, and can temporarily store data generated during processing of the video signals and / or audio signals.

[0104] Memory (92) may include non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and flash memory, and volatile memory such as S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory, S-RAM) and D-RAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0105] At least one processor (91) can receive an input image including a video signal and / or an audio signal from a content receiving unit (80), decode the video signal into image data, and generate dimming data from the image data. The image data and dimming data can be output to the panel driver (30) and the dimming driver (170), respectively.

[0106] At least one processor (91) can provide dimming data for local dimming to the backlight unit (100). The dimming data can include information about the brightness of each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200). For example, the dimming data can include information about the intensity of light output by the light-emitting elements (111) included in each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200). That is, the dimming data can include information about the magnitude of current supplied to the light-emitting elements (111) included in each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200).

[0107] At least one processor (91) can obtain dimming data from image data decoded from a video signal.

[0108] At least one processor (91) can convert image data into dimming data in various ways. For example, at least one processor (91) can divide an image (I) by image data into a plurality of image blocks. The number of the plurality of image blocks is equal to the number of the plurality of dimming blocks (200), and each of the plurality of image blocks can correspond to a plurality of dimming blocks (200).

[0109] At least one processor (91) can obtain luminance values ​​of a plurality of dimming blocks (200) from image data of a plurality of image blocks. In addition, the processor (91) can generate dimming data by combining luminance values ​​of a plurality of dimming blocks (200).

[0110] For example, at least one processor (91) can obtain a luminance value of each of a plurality of dimming blocks (200) based on the maximum value among the luminance values ​​of pixels included in each of the image blocks.

[0111] One image block includes a plurality of pixels, and image data of one image block may include image data of a plurality of pixels (e.g., red data, green data, blue data, etc.). At least one processor (91) may calculate a luminance value of each pixel based on the image data of each pixel.

[0112] At least one processor (91) can set the maximum value among the luminance values ​​of each pixel included in the image block as the luminance value of the dimming block corresponding to the image block. For example, the processor (91) can set the maximum value among the luminance values ​​of the pixels included in the first image block as the luminance value of the first dimming block, and can set the maximum value among the luminance values ​​of the pixels included in the second image block as the luminance value of the second dimming block.

[0113] At least one processor (91) can generate dimming data by combining the luminance values ​​of a plurality of dimming blocks (200).

[0114] In this way, at least one processor (91) can decode the video signal acquired by the content receiving unit (80) into image data and generate dimming data from the image data. In addition, at least one processor (91) can transmit the image data and dimming data to the liquid crystal panel (20) and the backlight unit (100), respectively.

[0115] That is, at least one processor (91) can decode an input image input through the content receiving unit (80) into image data, and can generate dimming data corresponding to the input image from the image data. At this time, the dimming driver (170) of the backlight unit (100) can control the driving element (300) by converting the dimming data received from the image processing unit (90) into a dimming signal indicating the amount of current to be supplied to each light-emitting element (111) of the dimming block (200).

[0116] In this way, at least one processor (91) can divide a plurality of light-emitting elements (111) into a plurality of dimming blocks (200) and control the supply current for each dimming block (200) based on a dimming signal corresponding to an input image.

[0117] At least one processor (91) according to one embodiment can control the dimming driver (170) so that, when a plurality of power lines are provided, the plurality of power lines supply a driving voltage in a time-division manner according to the embodiment.

[0118] For example, if there is a first power wire that supplies power to each of odd-numbered rows of an array of a plurality of dimming blocks (200) and a second power wire that supplies power to each of even-numbered rows of an array of a plurality of dimming blocks (200), at least one processor (91) can time-divisionally control the supply of voltage through the first power wire and the second power wire. Specifically, at least one processor (91) can control the dimming driver (170) so that power is alternately supplied to the first power wire and the second power wire.

[0119] The liquid crystal panel (20) includes a plurality of pixels that can transmit or block light, and the plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix form. In other words, the plurality of pixels can be arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

[0120] The panel driver (30) can receive image data from the image processing unit (90) and drive the liquid crystal panel (20) according to the image data. In other words, the panel driver (30) can convert image data, which is a digital signal (hereinafter referred to as “digital image data”), into an analog image signal, which is an analog voltage signal, and provide the converted analog image signal to the liquid crystal panel (20). Depending on the analog image signal, the optical properties (e.g., light transmittance) of a plurality of pixels included in the liquid crystal panel (20) can change.

[0121] The panel driver (30) may include, for example, a timing controller, a data driver, a scan driver, etc.

[0122] The timing controller can receive image data from the image processing unit (90) and output the image data and a driving control signal to the data driver and the scan driver. The driving control signal can include a scan control signal and a data control signal, and the scan control signal and the data control signal can be used to control the operation of the scan driver and the operation of the data driver, respectively.

[0123] The scan driver receives a scan control signal from the timing controller, and can input-activate any one of a plurality of rows in the liquid crystal panel (20) according to the scan control signal. In other words, the scan driver converts pixels included in any one of a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns into a state capable of receiving an analog image signal. At this time, pixels that are input-deactivated other than pixels that are input-activated by the scan driver cannot receive an analog image signal.

[0124] The data driver can receive image data and a data control signal from the timing controller, and output the image data to the liquid crystal panel (20) according to the data control signal. For example, the data driver can receive digital image data from the timing controller, and convert the digital image data into an analog image signal. In addition, the data driver can provide an analog image signal to pixels included in any one row that is input-activated by the scan driver. At this time, the pixels that are input-activated by the scan driver receive the analog image signal, and the optical properties (e.g., light transmittance) of the input-activated pixels change according to the received analog image signal.

[0125] In this way, the panel driver (30) can drive the liquid crystal panel (20) according to the image data. As a result, an image corresponding to the image data can be displayed on the liquid crystal panel (20).

[0126] The dimming driver (170) can receive dimming data from the image processing unit (90) and drive the backlight unit (100) according to the dimming data. Here, the dimming data can include information about the brightness of each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200), information about the brightness of the light-emitting elements (111) included in each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200), or information about the size of the current supplied to the light-emitting elements (111) included in each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200).

[0127] The dimming driver (170) can convert dimming data, which is a digital signal (hereinafter referred to as “digital dimming data”), into an analog dimming signal, which is an analog voltage signal, and provide the analog dimming signal to the dimming block (200). The driving element (300) can adjust the amount of current supplied to the light emitting elements (111) included in each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200) according to the analog dimming signal, thereby changing the intensity of light emitted by the light emitting elements (111).

[0128] In particular, the dimming driver (170) may not directly provide an analog dimming signal to all of the plurality of dimming blocks (200), but may sequentially provide an analog dimming signal to the plurality of dimming blocks (200) in an active matrix or passive matrix manner.

[0129] As previously described, a plurality of dimming blocks (200) may be arranged in a matrix form in the backlight unit (100). In other words, a plurality of dimming blocks (200) may be arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns in the substrate (112), as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0130] The dimming driver (170) can sequentially provide an analog dimming signal to dimming blocks belonging to each of a plurality of rows or sequentially provide an analog dimming signal to dimming blocks belonging to each of a plurality of columns.

[0131] For example, the dimming driver (170) can input-activate dimming blocks belonging to one row among the plurality of dimming blocks (200) and provide an analog dimming signal to the input-activated dimming blocks. Thereafter, the dimming driver (170) can input-activate dimming blocks belonging to another row among the plurality of dimming blocks (200) and provide an analog dimming signal to the input-activated dimming blocks.

[0132] The display device (10) may include a dimming driver (170), a plurality of driving elements (300), and a plurality of light-emitting elements (111).

[0133] Each of the plurality of dimming blocks (200) includes a plurality of light-emitting elements (111), and may include a predetermined number of light-emitting elements (111). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, it may include nine light-emitting elements (111) (provided as light-emitting diodes).

[0134] A plurality of driving elements (300) can receive an analog dimming signal from a dimming driver (170) and supply driving current to a plurality of dimming blocks (200) according to the received analog dimming signal.

[0135] Below, the arrangement of the plurality of dimming blocks (200) driven by each of the plurality of driving elements (300) is improved, and the driving method is changed accordingly.

[0136] Fig. 7 is a drawing showing an example of the arrangement of dimming blocks driven by each conventional driving element.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 7, as an example, a plurality of dimming blocks (200) may be arranged in five rows and four columns on the substrate (112), for a total of 20 dimming blocks. In addition, the substrate (112) may include a plurality of sub-substrates (112'), and these 20 dimming blocks (200) may be arranged on each sub-substrate (112').

[0138] In the arrangement of these dimming blocks (200), in the case of a system for sequential driving (Active Matrix, Passive Matrix), multiple dimming blocks (200) arranged in the same scan line, i.e., the same row, must be driven together, so it is common to arrange them so that one driving element (300) drives multiple dimming blocks (200) included in one column.

[0139] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, one driving element (300) can be arranged to drive four dimming blocks (200) arranged in four rows and one column.

[0140] In this arrangement, when a plurality of dimming blocks (200) are arranged in five rows and four columns on a substrate (112) as shown in FIG. 7, each of the four dimming blocks (200) located in the lowest row is driven by one driving element (300).

[0141] In this example, although one driving element (300) can drive four dimming blocks (200) arranged in one row and one column, due to limitations in arrangement, only one dimming block (200) is driven.

[0142] For this reason, depending on the arrangement of the plurality of dimming blocks (200) on the substrate (112) and the arrangement of the plurality of dimming blocks (200) driven by each of the plurality of driving elements (300), the number of driving elements (300) may unnecessarily increase.

[0143] Accordingly, the number of driving elements (300) is reduced by applying an improved structural arrangement, thereby simplifying wiring and reducing costs.

[0144] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an example of the arrangement of dimming blocks driven by each driving element of an improved structure according to one embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the number of driving elements required according to the arrangement of dimming blocks driven by each driving element.

[0145] As described above, in order to prevent an unnecessary increase in the number of driving elements (300) when one driving element (300) is arranged to drive a plurality of dimming blocks (200) arranged in the same column, each of the plurality of driving elements (300) may be arranged to drive at least two or more dimming blocks (200) arranged in different columns.

[0146] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, one driving element (300) can be arranged to drive four dimming blocks (200) arranged in two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns.

[0147] That is, each of the plurality of driving elements (300) can supply driving current to four dimming blocks (200) arranged in two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns.

[0148] In this arrangement, when a plurality of dimming blocks (200) are arranged in five rows and four columns on a substrate (112) as shown in FIG. 8, six driving elements (300) are required, so the number of driving elements (300) required can be reduced compared to a case where one driving element (300) drives four dimming blocks (200) arranged in four rows and one column.

[0149] In addition, one driving element (300) may be arranged to drive six dimming blocks (200) arranged in three adjacent rows and two adjacent columns. That is, each of the plurality of driving elements (300) may supply driving current to four dimming blocks (200) arranged in three adjacent rows and two adjacent columns. In this case, four driving elements (300) are required, and thus the number of driving elements (300) required to drive the plurality of dimming blocks (200) on the substrate (112) may be further reduced.

[0150] By arranging the plurality of driving elements (300) in this way to drive the dimming blocks (200) arranged in different columns, the number of required framing elements (300) can be reduced.

[0151] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a dimming block being driven in a conventional driving manner for an improved structure, and FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a dimming block of the same row being driven together according to one embodiment.

[0152] Hereinafter, a description will be given assuming that one driving element (300) of an improved structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is arranged to drive four dimming blocks (200) arranged in two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns.

[0153] Fig. 10 shows that according to a conventional sequential driving system, one driving element (300) drives one row of dimming blocks (200) at a time.

[0154] In this case, as shown in Fig. 10a, it can be seen that the multiple dimming blocks (200) included in the first row are not driven together, and the dimming blocks (200) arranged in the first row and the first column and the dimming blocks (200) arranged in the first row and the third column are driven first.

[0155] Afterwards, as shown in FIG. 10b, the dimming blocks (200) arranged in the first row and second column and the dimming blocks (200) arranged in the first row and fourth column can be driven.

[0156] Afterwards, the dimming blocks (200) arranged in the second row and the first column and the dimming blocks (200) arranged in the second row and the third column can be driven, and then the dimming blocks (200) arranged in the second row and the second column and the dimming blocks (200) arranged in the second row and the fourth column can be driven.

[0157] When the dimming block (200) is driven in this manner, multiple dimming blocks (200) included in the same row may not light up at the same time, which may result in deterioration of the image quality.

[0158] Therefore, in order to prevent such image quality deterioration, multiple driving elements (300) can be controlled so that multiple dimming blocks (200) arranged in the same row are driven together.

[0159] That is, among the multiple dimming blocks (200) arranged in two rows and two columns to be driven by one driving element (300), two dimming blocks (200) arranged in the same row can be driven to light up simultaneously.

[0160] According to this driving method, multiple dimming blocks (200) arranged in one row as shown in Fig. 11a can be driven together.

[0161] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 11b, a plurality of dimming blocks (200) arranged in two rows are driven together, so that a plurality of dimming blocks (200) arranged in different rows can be driven sequentially.

[0162] By controlling multiple dimming blocks (200) arranged in the same row to be driven together and multiple dimming blocks (200) arranged in different rows to be driven sequentially, image quality deterioration can be prevented.

[0163] A display device according to one embodiment includes: a substrate; a plurality of dimming blocks arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on the substrate, each dimming block including a plurality of light-emitting elements; a plurality of driving elements driving at least two of the plurality of dimming blocks; and at least one processor controlling the plurality of driving elements, wherein each of the plurality of driving elements drives at least two dimming blocks arranged in different columns, and the at least one processor can control the plurality of driving elements so that the plurality of dimming blocks arranged in the same row are driven together.

[0164] According to the present disclosure, by arranging dimming blocks driven by a single driving element in different columns, the number of driving elements is reduced, thereby simplifying wiring and reducing costs. Furthermore, by driving dimming blocks arranged in the same row together, image quality deterioration can be prevented.

[0165] The at least one processor can control the plurality of driving elements so that the plurality of dimming blocks arranged in different rows are sequentially driven.

[0166] The at least one processor may control the plurality of driving elements so that the plurality of dimming blocks arranged in the first row are driven together, and then control the plurality of driving elements so that the plurality of dimming blocks arranged in the second row adjacent to the first row are driven together.

[0167] Each of the above plurality of driving elements can drive four dimming blocks arranged in two adjacent columns and two adjacent rows.

[0168] Each of the plurality of driving elements can supply driving current to four dimming blocks arranged in two adjacent columns and two adjacent rows.

[0169] Each of the above plurality of driving elements can drive six dimming blocks arranged in two adjacent columns and three adjacent rows.

[0170] Each of the plurality of driving elements can supply driving current to six dimming blocks arranged in two adjacent columns and three adjacent rows.

[0171] The above driving element may be placed on the upper or lower surface of the substrate.

[0172] Each of the above plurality of dimming blocks may include a predetermined number of light-emitting elements.

[0173] A display device according to one embodiment includes a substrate including a plurality of sub-substrates; a plurality of dimming blocks arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on each of the plurality of sub-substrates, each dimming block including a plurality of light-emitting elements; a plurality of driving elements driving at least two dimming blocks among the plurality of dimming blocks; and at least one processor controlling the plurality of driving elements, wherein each of the plurality of driving elements drives at least two dimming blocks arranged in different columns, and the at least one processor can control the plurality of driving elements such that the plurality of dimming blocks arranged in the same row are driven together and the plurality of dimming blocks arranged in different rows are driven sequentially.

[0174] According to the disclosed invention, by arranging dimming blocks driven by a single driving element in different columns, the number of driving elements is reduced, thereby simplifying wiring and reducing costs. Furthermore, by driving dimming blocks arranged in the same row together, image quality deterioration can be prevented.

[0175] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0176] Computer-readable storage media include all types of storage media that store instructions that can be deciphered by a computer. Examples include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical data storage devices.

[0177] The disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the attached drawings as described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in forms other than the disclosed embodiments without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. Substrate; A plurality of dimming blocks arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on the substrate, each dimming block including a plurality of light-emitting elements; A plurality of driving elements for driving at least two dimming blocks among the plurality of dimming blocks; and At least one processor controlling the plurality of driving elements; Each of the above plurality of driving elements, Driving at least two dimming blocks arranged in different columns, At least one processor of the above, A display device that controls a plurality of driving elements so that a plurality of dimming blocks arranged in the same row are driven together.

2. In paragraph 1, At least one processor of the above, A display device that controls a plurality of driving elements so that the plurality of dimming blocks arranged in different rows are driven sequentially.

3. In paragraph 2, At least one processor of the above, A display device that controls a plurality of driving elements so that a plurality of dimming blocks arranged in a first row are driven together, and then controls a plurality of driving elements so that a plurality of dimming blocks arranged in a second row adjacent to the first row are driven together.

4. In paragraph 1, Each of the above plurality of driving elements, A display device driving four dimming blocks arranged in two adjacent columns and two adjacent rows.

5. In paragraph 4, Each of the above plurality of driving elements, A display device that supplies driving current to four dimming blocks arranged in two adjacent columns and two adjacent rows.

6. In paragraph 1, Each of the above plurality of driving elements, A display device driving six dimming blocks arranged in two adjacent columns and three adjacent rows.

7. In paragraph 6, Each of the above plurality of driving elements, A display device that supplies driving current to six dimming blocks arranged in two adjacent columns and three adjacent rows.

8. In paragraph 1, The above driving element is, A display device placed on the upper or lower surface of the above substrate.

9. In paragraph 1, Each of the above multiple dimming blocks, A display device containing a predetermined number of light-emitting elements.

10. A substrate comprising a plurality of sub-substrates; A plurality of dimming blocks arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on each of the plurality of sub-substrates, each dimming block including a plurality of light-emitting elements; A plurality of driving elements for driving at least two dimming blocks among the plurality of dimming blocks; and At least one processor controlling the plurality of driving elements; Each of the above plurality of driving elements, Driving at least two dimming blocks arranged in different columns, At least one processor of the above, A display device that controls a plurality of driving elements so that a plurality of dimming blocks arranged in the same row are driven together and the plurality of dimming blocks arranged in different rows are driven sequentially.

Images