Display device and scanning method thereof

Abstract

This display device comprises: a display including a plurality of LEDs arranged in a plurality of lines; a scan IC for scanning the plurality of lines in which the plurality of LEDs are arranged; and a controller, wherein the controller applies a control signal including a plurality of clock sections having different frequencies to the scan IC, and the scan IC non-sequentially scans the plurality of lines when the control signal is received from the controller.

Description

Display device and scanning method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device for scanning LEDs and a scanning method thereof.

[0002] Thanks to the advancement of electronic technology, the spread of various display devices using LEDs is also increasing.

[0003] For display devices using LEDs, multiple LEDs are sequentially scanned in line units to emit light.

[0004] This method is called sequential scanning. Sequential scanning is a common driving method for displays that use LEDs as pixels, but it has the problem of causing flicker.

[0005] There are problems such as users feeling visual discomfort when they visually perceive the flickering phenomenon of the display device.

[0006] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device includes a display including a plurality of LEDs arranged in a plurality of lines, a scan IC for scanning the plurality of lines on which the plurality of LEDs are arranged, and a controller, wherein the controller applies a control signal including a plurality of clock periods having different frequencies to the scan IC, and the scan IC, upon receiving the control signal from the controller, scans the plurality of lines non-sequentially.

[0007] The scan IC sequentially scans the plurality of lines, and the controller generates and applies the control signal to the scan IC, in which a first clock section among a plurality of clock sections having different frequencies and a second clock section among the plurality of clock sections are alternately arranged according to a preset scan order, so that the scan IC non-sequentially scans the plurality of lines, and the frequency of the second clock signal included in the second clock section may be higher than the frequency of the first clock signal included in the first clock section.

[0008] The first clock signal is repeated a preset number of times in the first clock period, the second clock signal is repeated a preset number of times in the second clock period, and the scan IC, when the first clock signal is received, applies a first scan signal to one line among the plurality of lines based on the first clock signal while the first clock signal is continuously repeated the preset number of times, and when the second clock signal is input after the received first clock signal is continuously repeated the preset number of times, applies a second scan signal to a next line among the plurality of lines based on the second clock signal while the second clock signal is continuously repeated the preset number of times, and the time for which the first scan signal is applied may be equal to or greater than a threshold time capable of turning on a plurality of LEDs among the plurality of LEDs included in each line among the plurality of lines, and the time for which the second scan signal is applied may be less than the threshold time.

[0009] The controller includes a first clock generation circuit that generates the first clock signal, a second clock generation circuit that generates the second clock signal, a multiplexer (MUX) circuit, a counter circuit, and a register in which information about a preset scan order is stored, and the counter circuit transmits a sequence signal corresponding to the information stored in the register to the multiplexer circuit, and the multiplexer circuit can multiplex the first clock signal and the second clock signal based on the sequence signal to generate the control signal.

[0010] The controller may include a register in which information about the preset scan order is stored, a counter circuit for outputting a sequence signal corresponding to the information stored in the register, and a variable clock generation circuit for selectively outputting the first clock signal and the second clock signal based on the sequence signal.

[0011] The information about the preset scan order stored in the register is one of sequential driving information for sequentially scanning the plurality of lines and non-sequential driving information for non-sequentially driving the plurality of lines by a preset number of lines among the plurality of lines, and the information about the scan order may be updateable.

[0012] The controller sequentially scans odd lines among the plurality of lines and then applies the control signal to the scan IC for sequentially scanning even lines among the plurality of lines, and the control signal may be sequentially arranged with the first clock section corresponding to a line to be scanned among the plurality of lines and the second clock section corresponding to a line to be unscanned among the plurality of lines.

[0013] The controller sequentially scans the plurality of lines by hopping a preset number of lines among the plurality of lines, and then applies the control signal to the scan IC to sequentially scan the remaining lines by hopping the preset number of lines among the plurality of lines, wherein the control signal sequentially arranges the first clock section corresponding to a line to be scanned among the plurality of lines and the second clock section corresponding to a line to be unscanned among the plurality of lines, and the preset number may be one of 2 to 4.

[0014] The scan operation section for the entire plurality of lines includes a first scan operation section for some of the plurality of lines and at least one second scan operation section for another part of the plurality of lines, and the controller applies the control signal to the scan IC for scanning the plurality of lines by hopping in units of at least one line among the plurality of lines during the first scan operation section, and then scanning the remaining lines among the plurality of lines by hopping in units of at least one line among the plurality of lines during the at least one second scan operation section, and the control signal may be sequentially arranged such that the first clock section corresponding to a line to be scanned among the plurality of lines and the second clock section corresponding to a line to be unscanned among the plurality of lines are the first clock section.

[0015] One scan operation section for the entirety of the plurality of lines includes a first scan operation section for some of the plurality of lines and at least one second scan operation section for another part of the plurality of lines, and the controller can adjust the scan order differently for each of the first scan operation section and the second scan operation section.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a scanning method of a display device including a display including a plurality of LEDs arranged in a plurality of lines and a scan IC for scanning a plurality of lines on which the plurality of LEDs are arranged, the method comprising the steps of: applying a control signal including a plurality of clock periods having different frequencies to the scan IC; and allowing the scan IC to non-sequentially scan the plurality of lines based on the differently applied control signals.

[0017] The above scan IC sequentially scans the plurality of lines, and the step of applying the control signal to the scan IC includes the step of generating the control signal in which a first clock section among a plurality of clock sections having different frequencies and a second clock section among the plurality of clock sections are alternately arranged according to a preset scan order, and the frequency of the second clock signal included in the first clock section may be higher than the frequency of the first clock signal included in the second clock section.

[0018] The first clock signal is repeated a preset number of times in the first clock period, the second clock signal is repeated a preset number of times in the first clock period, and the scanning step includes: when the first clock signal is received, applying a first scan signal to one line among the plurality of lines based on the first clock signal while the first clock signal is continuously repeated the preset number of times; when the second clock signal is input after the received first clock signal is continuously repeated the preset number of times, applying a second scan signal to a next line among the plurality of lines based on the second clock signal while the second clock signal is continuously input the preset number of times; and a time for which the first scan signal is applied may be greater than or equal to a threshold time capable of turning on a plurality of LEDs among the plurality of LEDs included in each line among the plurality of lines, and a time for which the second scan signal is applied may be less than the threshold time.

[0019] The step of generating the control signal may include a step of generating the first clock signal and the second clock signal, respectively, and a step of generating the control signal by multiplexing the first clock signal and the second clock signal based on information about a scan order stored in a register.

[0020] The step of generating the control signal may include a step of controlling a variable clock generation circuit based on information about a scan order stored in a register to generate the first clock signal and the second clock signal.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a non-sequential scan operation of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a control signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a detailed configuration of a controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a variable clock generation circuit included in a controller according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a sequential scan operation and a non-sequential scan operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating various non-sequential scan operations according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a scanning method of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] The terms used in the various embodiments of this disclosure have been selected from widely used, current terms, taking into account the functions of this disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the overall content of this disclosure, rather than simply their names.

[0031] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

[0032] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0033] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0034] In this disclosure, 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, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0035] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0036] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0037] Terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0038] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0039] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0040] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings below.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, a display device (100) may include a display (110), a scan IC (120), and a controller (130).

[0043] The display device (100) may be a device that outputs an image through a display (110). The display device (100) may be implemented as a TV, but is not limited thereto, and may be applied to any device having a display function, such as a video wall, a large format display (LFD), a digital signage, a digital information display (DID), a projector display, etc. Alternatively, the display device (100) may not only be implemented as the various independent devices described above, but may also be implemented in the form of a display panel or module applicable to such devices.

[0044] The display (110) can be implemented as various types of displays such as LCD (liquid crystal display), OLED (organic light-emitting diode), LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon), DLP (Digital Light Processing), QD (quantum dot) display panel, QLED (quantum dot light-emitting diodes), μLED (Micro light-emitting diodes), Mini LED, etc.

[0045] Meanwhile, the display (110) may be implemented as a touch screen combined with a touch sensor, a flexible display, a rollable display, a 3D display, a display in which multiple display modules are physically connected, etc.

[0046] In the various disclosures below, the case where the display device (100) includes multiple light-emitting elements such as LEDs is described.

[0047] In this case, the display (110) may include multiple LED lines. Multiple LEDs may be arranged in each line. The display device (100) may scan all LEDs in units of lines. In the present disclosure, scanning in units of lines refers to an operation of simultaneously scanning and emitting light from multiple LEDs arranged in a single line, but is not necessarily limited thereto and may also include a case where scanning is performed in units of multiple lines.

[0048] The LEDs included in each LED line may include multiple sub-LEDs that represent different colors. For example, each LED may include three sub-LEDs, such as R, G, and B, and a sub-pixel circuit.

[0049] The scan IC (Scan integrated circuit) (120) is configured to scan multiple LEDs in line units. The scan IC (Scan integrated circuit) (120) can apply a scan signal to each LED line according to a control signal provided from the controller (130).

[0050] The controller (130) is configured to control the operation of the display (110). The controller (130) can generate a control signal that causes the above-described scan IC (120) to scan each of the plurality of LED lines. The controller (130) can be electrically connected to the scan IC (120) and apply the generated control signal.

[0051] For example, the controller (130) may be a timing controller. A timing controller refers to a device that generates and manages clock signals and timing signals. The above-described control signal may be formed of a clock signal generated by the timing controller. Specifically, the control signal may be a clock signal of a single frequency, but is not limited thereto, and may be a signal in which clocks of various frequencies are alternately arranged according to a preset scan order. The preset scan order and control signal will be described in detail in the following section.

[0052] When the controller (130) generates a control signal and applies it to the scan IC (120), the scan IC (120) can scan a plurality of LEDs included in the display (110) line by line based on the control signal. When the scan IC scans a plurality of LEDs non-sequentially, the flicker phenomenon described above can be significantly improved. Non-sequential scanning means not scanning a plurality of LED lines sequentially. For example, when there are n lines in the display (110), if scanning the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, nth lines in that order is called sequential scanning, non-sequential scanning can be performed by first scanning odd lines such as 1st, 3rd, and 5th, and then scanning even lines such as 2nd, 4th, and 6th, or by hopping and scanning two or more lines. The non-sequential scanning method can be set in various ways, and this will be described in detail in the following section.

[0053] To achieve non-sequential scanning, the scan IC itself must be designed for non-sequential scanning. However, since sequential scanning was common in conventional display devices, many conventional scan ICs were also designed for sequential scanning.

[0054] If the scan IC (120) is an IC designed to sequentially scan multiple LEDs in line units, the controller (130) can perform non-sequential scanning by applying a control signal including multiple clock sections having different frequencies to the scan IC (120). Such a control signal may alternatively be referred to as a mixed clock.

[0055] The scanning operation of this display device (100) is described in detail in FIG. 2 below.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a display device according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] According to FIG. 2, the display (110) may include a plurality of LEDs (11-1, 11-2) arranged in a plurality of lines (10). In the following description, for convenience of explanation, an identification symbol for an arbitrary LED is indicated as 11.

[0058] The display (110) may include a plurality of horizontal lines (10) and a plurality of vertical lines arranged in one direction.

[0059] In FIG. 2, a plurality of horizontal lines (10) are connected to a scan IC (120) and a plurality of vertical lines are connected to a driver IC (140). However, this is not necessarily limited to this, and depending on the design of the display (110), the vertical lines may be connected to a scan IC (120) and the horizontal lines may be connected to a driver IC (140).

[0060] In FIG. 2, the display (110) includes a plurality of LEDs distributed in a matrix form, and the entire LEDs are arranged according to 12 horizontal lines (10-1 to 10-12) and 7 vertical lines. However, this is arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of explanation, and the number of horizontal lines and the number of vertical lines may vary. That is, depending on the number of output pins of the scan IC (120) or the size of the display (110), the display (110) may include a variety of horizontal lines (10), vertical lines, and LEDs. The horizontal lines (10) may be alternatively described as gate lines, scan lines, etc., and the vertical lines may be alternatively described as data lines, drive lines, etc. Alternatively, for distinction, the horizontal lines (10) may be described as a first line, and the vertical lines may be described as a second line. In the present disclosure, the term "line" may refer to both a horizontal line and a vertical line, but for convenience of explanation, the following description will be based on the case of the horizontal line (10).

[0061] The scan IC (120) can be connected to each line (10) included in the display (110).

[0062] The scan IC (120) may include an input pin that can receive a control signal from the controller (130) and an output pin for controlling the scan switch of each line according to the control signal.

[0063] According to FIG. 2, the upper scan IC (120) is connected to the 6th line (10-1 to 10-6) from the 1st line from the top of the display (110), and the lower scan IC (120) is connected to the 7th line (10-7 to 10-12) from the 12th line (10-7 to 10-12) from the top of the display (110). When the number of lines (10) exceeds the number of lines that can be scanned by one scan IC (120), as shown in FIG. 2, multiple scan ICs (120) can divide and scan the entire line (10).

[0064] In this way, FIG. 2 illustrates two scan ICs (120) including six output pins on a total of twelve lines (10-1 to 10-12), but is not limited thereto, and may include a variety of scan ICs (120) depending on the number of lines (10) included in the display (110) and the number of output pins included in each scan IC (120).

[0065] The controller (130) can generate a control signal and apply it to the scan IC (120). When the controller (130) is connected to a plurality of scan ICs (120) arranged in a row, the same control signal can be applied to a plurality of scan ICs (120).

[0066] The control signal is a signal that causes the above-described scan IC (120) to scan multiple lines (10). The control signal can determine the order in which an electrical signal, i.e., a scan signal, is supplied to each of the multiple LED lines (10). The scan IC (120) can scan the multiple lines (10) line by line according to this control signal.

[0067] The display device (100) may further include a driver integrated circuit (IC) (140). The driver IC (140) is connected to the display (110) and may supply power to each of a plurality of LED lines (10) according to the control signal described above.

[0068] Specifically, when the scan IC (120) scans the first line (10-1), the driver IC (140) can supply power to each of the plurality of LEDs (11-1) included in the scanned first line and turn them on. At this time, the plurality of LEDs (11-2) included in the second line (10-2) are in a turn-off state (11-2). After a certain period of time, when the scan IC (120) scans the second line (10-2) based on a control signal, the driver IC (140) can turn on the plurality of LEDs (11-2) included in the second line (10-2).

[0069] That is, a plurality of LEDs (11) are formed in a matrix form on a substrate, and a wiring layer including wiring for connecting the anode electrode and the cathode electrode of each LED (11) is formed on the substrate. Within the wiring layer, horizontal line wiring for electrically connecting the plurality of LEDs in a horizontal direction in units of lines and vertical line wiring for electrically connecting the plurality of LEDs in a vertical direction in units of lines are formed. The scan IC (120) applies a scan signal for turning on the transistor switch in each LED through the horizontal line, and the driver IC (140) applies VDD and VSS to each LED through the vertical line. When the transistor switch is turned on by the scan signal while VDD and VSS are applied, the LED at the intersection of the horizontal line and the vertical line emits light.

[0070] Meanwhile, as described above, when one LED (i.e., pixel) includes multiple sub-LEDs (i.e., sub-pixels), the horizontal and vertical lines connected to one LED can be applied to each sub-LED through separate lines provided for each sub-LED.

[0071] As described above, the scan IC (120) can be designed to sequentially scan multiple lines (i.e., 10-1 to 10-6 or 10-7 to 10-12), but the controller (130) can control the scan IC (120) to scan non-sequentially by applying a control signal including multiple clock periods having different frequencies.

[0072] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a non-sequential scan operation of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0073] According to FIG. 3, the scan IC (120) can scan each line (10) of the display (110) based on a control signal applied from the controller (130).

[0074] When the display device (100) includes two scan ICs (120), the two scan ICs (120) can scan the 12 lines (10) included in the display (110) in six steps.

[0075] Unlike as shown in FIG. 3, when each scan IC (120) sequentially scans each line (10), each scan IC (120) scans the first line (10-1, 10-7) in the first step, scans the second line (10-2, 10-8) in the second step, scans the third line (10-3, 10-9) in the third step, scans the fourth line (10-4, 10-10) in the fourth step, scans the fifth line (10-5, 10-11) in the fifth step, and scans the sixth line (10-6, 10-12) in the sixth step.

[0076] The controller (130) applies the above-described control signal to the scan IC (120) designed to operate in this manner, thereby controlling each scan IC (120) to scan each line (10) non-sequentially. FIG. 3 illustrates a case where odd lines are scanned first and then even lines are scanned.

[0077] Specifically, each scan IC (120) scans the first line (10-1, 10-7) in the first step, scans the third line (10-3, 10-9) in the second step, scans the fifth line (10-5, 10-11) in the third step, scans the second line (10-2, 10-8) in the fourth step, scans the fourth line (10-4, 10-10) in the fifth step, and scans the sixth line (10-6, 10-12) in the sixth step.

[0078] If the section in which all lines are scanned once is called a scan operation section, and each scan IC (120) scans each line (10) non-sequentially, one scan operation section can be divided into a first scan operation section (200) including the first to third steps among the six steps, and a second scan operation section (300) including the fourth to sixth steps. In the first scan operation section (200), the scan IC (120) scans odd-numbered lines (10-1, 10-3, 10-5, 10-7, 10-9, 10-11), and in the second scan operation section (300), the scan IC (120) scans even-numbered lines (10-1, 10-3, 10-5, 10-7, 10-9, 10-11). Here, the first scan operation section (200) and the second scan operation section (300) may each be referred to as a cycle. Here, one cycle means an operation section in which the scan IC (120) applies a scan signal to all lines (10) once according to a control signal. The scan signal will be described in detail in the following section.

[0079] For example, when scanning odd lines (10-1, 10-3, 10-5, 10-7, 10-9, 10-11) and then scanning even lines, the entire scan operation section includes two cycles: the first cycle that scans odd lines (10-1, 10-3, 10-5, 10-7, 10-9, 10-11) and the second cycle that scans even lines.

[0080] For example, when a scan IC (120) non-sequentially scans multiple lines (10) included in a display (110), since the adjacent line (10-2) is scanned half a period after the multiple LEDs of the first line (10-1) are turned off, a flicker problem that may occur in a sequential scan method can be improved.

[0081] FIG. 3 illustrates a case where a display device (100) includes two scan ICs (120) and each scan IC (120) scans six lines, but this is merely an example, and the display device (100) can implement various non-sequential scan operations depending on the number of lines (10) and scan ICs (120) included in the display (110).

[0082] Meanwhile, the display device (100) may include a scan IC for non-sequential driving. The scan IC for non-sequential driving may non-sequentially scan a plurality of lines (10) included in the display (110) based on a clock signal having a constant frequency.

[0083] On the other hand, even when the display device (100) uses a scan IC (120) designed for sequential driving as described above, it is possible to non-sequentially scan multiple lines (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, the controller (130) can implement non-sequential scanning by applying a control signal multiplexed with different clocks to the scan IC (120). Therefore, the flicker phenomenon can be improved without the need to separately provide a scan IC for non-sequential driving. As a result, it is possible to improve image quality while increasing compatibility with existing display components and reducing the manufacturing cost of the display device (100).

[0084] FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining control signals according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0085] The graph (400) illustrated in Fig. 4a represents the magnitude of a control signal (410), a scan line voltage (420), and a sequence signal (430) over time. Here, the magnitude of each signal represents a voltage. The scan signal applied to each line, i.e., the scan line voltage (420), changes over time based on the control signal (410), and the control signal (410) changes over time based on the sequence signal (430).

[0086] The controller (130) may generate a sequence signal (430). The sequence signal (430) may include information about a preset scan order. The sequence signal (430) may be in a form in which high and low values ​​are alternately repeated based on the preset scan order. Here, the preset scan order may be the order in which the scan IC (120) scans each line (10).

[0087] The controller (130) can output a control signal (410) based on a sequence signal (430). Specifically, the controller (130) can output the control signal (410) based on a low-frequency clock signal of about 1 MHz while the sequence signal (430) remains in a High state. On the other hand, the controller (130) can output the control signal (410) based on a high-frequency clock signal of about 20 MHz while the sequence signal (430) remains in a Low state. In FIG. 4A, the frequency of the low-frequency clock signal is indicated as 1 MHz, and the frequency of the high-frequency clock signal is indicated as 20 MHz, but the numerical values ​​of the frequencies may be set differently.

[0088] In this way, the controller (130) can output a control signal (410) including a plurality of clock intervals having different frequencies. Each of the plurality of clock intervals can be either a first clock interval or a second clock interval.

[0089] The control signal (410) may be a signal in which a first clock section corresponding to a line to be scanned among a plurality of lines and a second clock section corresponding to a line to be unscanned among a plurality of lines are sequentially arranged.

[0090] Specifically, the first clock signal included in the first clock period may be the low-frequency clock signal described above, and the second clock signal included in the second clock period may be the high-frequency clock signal described above. The amplitudes of the first clock signal and the second clock signal may be the same.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 4a, the first clock period and the second clock period are alternately repeated.

[0092] Hereinafter, it is assumed and explained that each of the first clock signal and the second clock signal represents a signal for one cycle. The frequencies of the above-described first clock signal and the second clock signal are merely examples, and the controller (130) may output the first clock signal and the second clock signal of various frequencies other than 1 MHz and 20 MHz, as long as the frequency of the first clock signal is slower than the frequency of the second clock signal.

[0093] Here, the number of repetitions (or number of rising edges) of the first clock signal included in one first clock period and the number of repetitions of the second clock signal included in one second clock period may be equal to a preset number.

[0094] In Fig. 4a, for example, if a first clock signal (1 MHz) is repeated 20 times in one first clock interval, a second clock signal (20 MHz) may be repeated 20 times in one second clock interval. Accordingly, the duration of the first clock interval may be 20 times longer than the duration of the second clock interval. The number of repetitions of each clock signal is merely an example, and the controller (130) may output a clock signal for each interval according to a different set number of repetitions.

[0095] Accordingly, while the sequence signal (430) remains in a High state, the controller (130) can apply a first clock signal having a lower frequency than the second clock signal to the scan IC (120) as a control signal (410), and while the sequence signal (430) remains in a Low state, the controller (130) can apply a second clock signal to the scan IC (120) as a control signal (410).

[0096] The scan IC (120) can sequentially apply a scan signal to each line (10) based on a control signal (410) applied from the controller (130). Specifically, when a first clock signal is input, the scan IC (120) can apply a first scan signal to a first line (10-1) among the plurality of lines based on the first clock signal while a preset number of first clock signals are continuously input. Then, when a second clock signal is input after a preset number of first clock signals are continuously input, the scan IC (120) can apply a second scan signal to a second line (10-2) among the plurality of lines based on the second clock signal while a preset number of second clock signals are continuously input. That is, when a clock signal included in each clock section is input, the scan IC (120) can count the number of clock signals and apply a scan signal to one line (10) among the plurality of lines until the preset number is reached. When a clock signal is applied a preset number of times, the scan IC (120) can apply a scan signal to the next line, and repeat this process.

[0097] Meanwhile, the time at which the first scan signal is applied may be longer than the threshold time at which the scan signal can be applied to each line (10) to turn on multiple LEDs. On the other hand, the time at which the second scan signal is applied may be shorter than the threshold time. The threshold time may be the time at which the voltage applied to the switch within each LED reaches the threshold voltage. Therefore, if the scan signal is applied less than the threshold time, scanning will not be performed even if the scan signal is applied to the corresponding line.

[0098] As described above, even if the scan IC (120) is designed to sequentially apply scan signals to each line and operates in that manner, in order for the plurality of LEDs included in each line (10) to turn on, the scan IC (120) must apply the scan signal to one of the plurality of lines (10) for a certain period of time or longer. If the scan IC (120) applies the scan signal to one of the plurality of lines (10) for less than a certain period of time, the plurality of LEDs (11) included in that line (10) cannot be turned on and remain in a turn-off state. Therefore, non-sequential driving becomes possible.

[0099] For example, if a control signal is generated as illustrated in FIG. 4a, odd-numbered and even-numbered lines can be scanned non-sequentially, as in the scan order illustrated in FIG. 3. The scan line voltage (420) illustrated in FIG. 4a represents a voltage provided to each line. When the scan line voltage (420) is High, it indicates that the LED (11) of the corresponding line is turned on (11-1), and when the scan line voltage (420) is Low, it indicates that the LED (11) of the corresponding line is turned off (11-2).

[0100] Specifically, when the controller (130) first applies a first clock signal included in the first clock period to the scan IC (120), the scan IC (120) can apply the first scan signal to the first line (10-1, 10-7) for a time longer than the threshold time. At this time, the driver IC (140) supplies power to the LED included in the vertical line to be emitted. Accordingly, the LED located at the intersection of the vertical line to which power is supplied and the first line (10-1, 10-7) can be turned on. When the controller (130) outputs the first clock signal a preset number of times, the scan IC (120) no longer applies the first scan signal to the first line (10-1, 10-7).

[0101] Then, the scan IC (120) can receive the next second clock signal after the first clock period. The scan IC (120) can apply the second scan signal to the second line (10-2, 10-8). In the case of Fig. 4a, the scan IC (120) applies the second scan signal to the second line (10-2, 10-8) for a time less than the threshold time based on the second clock period of the control signal. Therefore, even if the driver IC is supplying power, the LED (11) included in the second line (10-2, 10-8) is not turned on but is in a turn-off state.

[0102] Afterwards, the scan IC (120) can receive a control signal (410) of the next first clock section after the second clock section. The scan IC (120) can apply the first scan signal to the third line (10-3, 10-9) during the first clock section. Similarly, since the first scan signal is applied to the third line (10-3, 10-9) for a time greater than the threshold time, the LED (11) included in the third line (10-3, 10-9) can be turned on. Thereafter, when the scan IC (120) receives a control signal corresponding to the second clock section, the above-described process can be repeated. Accordingly, the display device (100) can perform a non-sequential scan operation. Meanwhile, as described above, the sequence signal includes information on a preset scan order. The controller (130) outputs the control signal (410) based on the sequence signal (430). Specifically, the control signal (410) may be configured in a form in which the first clock period and the second clock period are alternately arranged according to a preset scan order so that the scan IC (120) scans multiple lines non-sequentially.

[0103] Based on Fig. 4a, the sequence signal (430) is in the form of a low section and a high section that alternately repeats. In the first cycle of Fig. 4a, the odd-numbered clock sections (i.e., 1, 3, 5) become the first clock section, which is a low-frequency section, and the even-numbered clock sections (i.e., 2, 4, 6) become the second clock section, which is a high-frequency section. Accordingly, the first, third, and fifth lines are sequentially turned on, and the second, fourth, and sixth lines are in a turned-off state.

[0104] In the second cycle, the first clock interval and the second clock interval are implemented in reverse. That is, the controller (130) configures the 1st, 3rd, and 5th clock intervals as the second clock interval, which is a high-frequency interval, and configures the 2nd, 4th, and 6th clock intervals as the first clock interval, which is a low-frequency interval.

[0105] The clock intervals corresponding to the boundaries of each cycle can overlap with low frequency or high frequency. For example, the 6th clock interval, which is the last of the first cycle, becomes the second clock interval, which is a high frequency interval, and the 1st clock interval, which is the first of the second cycle, also becomes the second clock interval. Accordingly, the length of the Low signal corresponding to the corresponding clock intervals in the sequence signal becomes longer than the other Low signals. For example, it can become approximately twice as long. In addition, the 6th clock interval, which is the last of the second cycle, becomes the first clock interval, which is a low frequency interval, and the 1st clock interval, which is the first of the third cycle, also becomes the first clock interval. Accordingly, the length of the High signal corresponding to the corresponding clock intervals in the sequence signal becomes longer than the other High signals. For example, it can become approximately twice as long.

[0106] In the above, the case where the scan IC (120) scans odd-numbered lines and even-numbered lines non-sequentially by distinguishing them according to the control signal (410) has been described. However, this is merely an example, and the same principle can be applied to other cases where scanning is performed according to various orders. The specific scan operation will be described in detail in the section below.

[0107] Meanwhile, the controller (130) may generate a control signal of a different form than that including multiple clock periods as described above, in order for the scan IC (120) to scan multiple lines (10) non-sequentially.

[0108] The graph (400') illustrated in Fig. 4b represents the magnitude of a control signal (410') and a scan line voltage (420) over time. The controller (130) generates a control signal (410') and applies it to a scan IC (120), and the scan IC (120) can scan a plurality of lines (10) non-sequentially based on this control signal (410').

[0109] Each of the plurality of clock periods included in the control signal (410') may, unlike the control signal (410) of FIG. 4A, include a pulse signal instead of a plurality of clock signals. That is, the controller (130) may generate a control signal in which a plurality of different pulses are alternately arranged and apply the control signal to the scan IC (120) so that the scan IC (120) scans a plurality of lines non-sequentially.

[0110] Here, each pulse may correspond to one of the first pulse and the second pulse with different times for which they are maintained in a high state (hereinafter, pulse width). Here, each pulse may be a signal with the same duty cycle but different clock frequencies. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first pulse and the second pulse may be a signal with the same clock frequency but different duty cycles. Here, the case where the controller (130) generates a control signal with two pulses is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the controller (130) may generate the control signal (410') using three or more pulses with different frequencies.

[0111] Specifically, the first pulse is a signal whose pulse width is greater than or equal to a critical time, and the second pulse is a signal whose pulse width is less than or equal to the critical time. Here, the critical time is distinguished from the threshold time described above in Fig. 4a. The critical time refers to the minimum duration that must be input in a High state in order for the scan IC (120) to turn on a plurality of LEDs (11) included in each line (10). When the scan IC (120) receives a High state input for a time greater than or equal to the critical time, it can apply a scan signal to the corresponding line (10) for a time greater than or equal to the threshold time. In this case, the plurality of LEDs (11) included in the corresponding line (10) can be turned on.

[0112] For example, in FIG. 4b, when the controller (130) applies the first pulse corresponding to the first pulse to the scan IC (120), the scan IC (120) can receive a signal in a high state for a time longer than the threshold time and apply a scan signal to the first line for a time longer than the threshold time. In this case, a plurality of LEDs included in the first line can be turned on.

[0113] When the scan IC (120) receives a signal in a High state for a pulse width from the controller (130) and detects a falling edge and a rising edge, the scan signal can be applied to the next line. That is, when the controller (130) applies a second pulse corresponding to the second pulse to the scan IC (120), the scan IC (120) receives a signal in a High state for a time less than the threshold time and can apply a scan signal to the second line for a time less than the threshold time. In this case, a plurality of LEDs included in the second line cannot be turned on.

[0114] Next, when the controller (130) applies a third pulse corresponding to the first pulse to the scan IC (120), the same operation as when the first pulse was applied is repeated, so that the LED included in the third line can be turned on.

[0115] Although FIG. 4b describes the case where odd lines are scanned and even lines are scanned (1, 3, 5, 2, 4, 6), the present invention is not limited thereto, and the controller (130) can generate various control signals (410') in which first pulses and second pulses are alternately arranged so as to scan each line (10) according to various orders (e.g., when odd lines are scanned after even lines, when the interval between scanned lines is 2 or more).

[0116] In this way, the controller (130) can generate a control signal (410') according to a preset scan order. That is, it generates a first pulse for the order of lines to be turned on, and generates a second pulse for lines not to be turned on, so that the scan IC (120) scans each line (10) according to a preset order.

[0117] The controller (130) can apply the control signal (410, 410') to the scan IC (120) to cause the scan IC (120) to scan each line (10). The scan IC (120) applies the scan signal to each line (10) only during the time that the clock signal included in each clock section is input a preset number of times. Alternatively, the scan IC (120) can apply the scan signal to each line (10) for a time greater than or less than a threshold time depending on the time that the pulse signal included in each clock section remains in a High state. Accordingly, the plurality of LEDs (11) arranged for each line (10) on the display (110) can be turned on non-sequentially for each line (10) based on the order in which the first clock section and the second clock section are alternately arranged.

[0118] Meanwhile, the controller (130) can generate a control signal (410) using various internal circuits for the above non-sequential scan driving.

[0119] Figure 5 is a drawing for explaining the detailed configuration of a controller according to one embodiment.

[0120] According to FIG. 5, the controller (130) may include a MUX (131), a counter circuit (132), a register (133), a first clock generation circuit (134-1), and a second clock generation circuit (134-2).

[0121] The multiplex circuit (131) can generate a control signal (410) by multiplexing the first clock signal and the second clock signal based on the sequence signal (430).

[0122] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the multiplexer circuit (131) may correspond to a 2:1 MUX. The multiplexer circuit (131) may receive a first clock signal generated by a first clock generation circuit (134-1) and a second clock signal generated by a second clock generation circuit (134-2), respectively, and may receive a sequence signal (430) through a control line. The multiplexer circuit (131) may select a signal to be output from among the first clock signal or the second clock signal depending on the current state (High or Low) of the sequence signal (430). Accordingly, when the multiplexer circuit (131) selects and outputs the first clock signal, it may output the first clock signal the number of times previously set. When the multiplexer circuit (131) selects and outputs the second clock signal, it may output the second clock signal the number of times previously set.

[0123] Meanwhile, even when the controller (130) generates a control signal (410') in which the first pulse and the second pulse are alternately arranged, the multiplexer circuit (131) can selectively output the first clock signal or the second clock signal based on the sequence signal (430). When the input sequence signal (430) is in a High state, the multiplexer circuit (131) can generate a first pulse having a pulse width greater than or equal to a threshold time, and when the input sequence signal (430) is in a Low state, the multiplexer circuit (131) can generate a second pulse having a pulse width less than or equal to a threshold time.

[0124] Information about a preset scan order can be stored in the register (133).

[0125] Information about the scan order can be set in various ways and may be changed by the manufacturer of the display device (100). Specifically, information about the scan order stored in the register (133) may be set as sequential drive information for sequentially scanning a plurality of lines (10) and non-sequential drive information for non-sequentially driving a plurality of lines (10) in units of a preset number of lines.

[0126] Here, the preset number means the line (10) interval at which the scan IC (120) scans each line to turn on the LED (11) when the scan IC (120) non-sequentially scans each of the plurality of lines (10). For example, when the scan IC (120) scans each line (10) according to the steps illustrated in FIG. 3, the LED (11) is turned on at one line interval, so the preset number corresponds to 1. In addition, the non-sequential driving information may include various driving information, such as non-sequential mode information for driving by hopping in units of two lines, non-sequential mode information for driving by hopping in units of three or more lines, and non-sequential mode information for driving by random hopping.

[0127] Meanwhile, information about the scan order stored in the register (133) can be updated. That is, depending on the purpose of the display device (100), the sequential driving information stored in the register (133) can be updated to non-sequential driving information, and the non-sequential driving information stored in the register (133) can be updated to sequential driving information. In addition, different driving information can be stored in the register (133) over time for one display device (100). For example, for testing before product launch, sequential driving information can be stored in the register (133), and after testing the image quality when scanning in a sequential driving manner, it can be changed to non-sequential driving information and then launched.

[0128] When the driving information stored in the register (133) is changed, the sequence signal output from the counter circuit (132) also changes, and as a result, the clock period of the control signal output from the controller (130) also changes in various ways.

[0129] Meanwhile, the counter circuit (132) is connected to the multiplex circuit (131) via a control line as described above and can transmit a sequence signal (430) corresponding to information stored in the register to the multiplex circuit. As described above, the multiplex circuit (131) can select one of the first clock signal and the second clock signal based on the sequence signal (430) and output it as a control signal (410).

[0130] The first clock generation circuit (134-1) can generate a first clock signal, and the second clock generation circuit (134-2) can generate the aforementioned second clock signal. The controller (130) can output a control signal (410) using the first clock signal and the second clock signal. The frequency of the second clock signal is set to a higher frequency than the frequency of the first clock signal.

[0131] Meanwhile, the controller (130) may generate a control signal (410) using two clock generation circuits as described above, or may generate a control signal using one clock generation circuit.

[0132] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a variable clock generation circuit included in a controller according to one embodiment.

[0133] According to FIG. 6, the controller (130) may include a variable clock generation circuit (135). The variable clock generation circuit (135) may selectively output a first clock signal and a second clock signal based on a sequence signal (430). Similarly to how the controller (130) generates a control signal using the two clock generation circuits (134-1, 134-2) described above, the counter circuit (132) may output a sequence signal (430) corresponding to information about a preset scan order stored in the register (133) and apply the sequence signal to the variable clock generation circuit (135).

[0134] The variable clock generation circuit (135) can output a first clock signal when the state of the applied sequence signal (430) is High, and can output a second clock signal when the state of the sequence signal (430) is Low. When the variable clock generation circuit (135) outputs the first clock signal or the second clock signal, the first clock signal or the second clock signal can be output repeatedly for the above-described preset number of times. In this case, the signal output by the variable clock generation circuit (135) becomes the control signal (410).

[0135] Meanwhile, even when the controller (130) generates a control signal (410') in which the first pulse and the second pulse are alternately arranged, the variable clock generation circuit (135) can selectively output the first clock signal or the second clock signal based on the sequence signal (430). The variable clock generation circuit (135) can generate a first pulse having a pulse width greater than or equal to a threshold time when the input sequence signal (430) is in a High state, and can generate a second pulse having a pulse width less than or equal to a threshold time when the input sequence signal (430) is in a Low state.

[0136] The variable clock generation circuit (135) can apply the control signal (410, 410') as described above to the scan IC (120), and the scan IC (120) can apply the first scan signal or the second scan signal to each line (10) included in the display (110) based on the control signal (410).

[0137] As described above, the controller (130) can cause the scan IC (120), which is originally designed to sequentially scan each line (10), to scan each line (10) in a desired order by using two clock generation circuits (134-1, 134-2) or a variable clock generation circuit.

[0138] Meanwhile, in the above, a control signal including two clock periods, such as the first and second clock periods, is illustrated and described, but the number of clock periods included in the control signal may be three or more.

[0139] FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a process of switching from a sequential scan operation to a non-sequential scan operation in a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0140] According to Fig. 7a, the upper graph (500) represents a case where the controller (130) applies a clock (510) of a fixed frequency to the scan IC (120), so that the scan IC (120) sequentially scans each line (10) included in the display (110). As described above, when sequential driving information is stored in the register (133), the scan IC (120) can perform sequential driving. In this case, referring to each line voltage (520), the multiple LEDs (11) of each line (10) can be sequentially turned on from top to bottom in the order of arrangement of each line (10).

[0141] The lower graph (400) shows a case where each line (10) is scanned in a different order from the above order through the aforementioned control signal (430). As described above, when the sequential driving information stored in the register (133) is updated with non-sequential driving information, the scan IC (120) can implement non-sequential driving even though it is designed for sequential driving. In this case, referring to each line voltage (420), the multiple LEDs (11) of each line (10) can be turned on according to a preset scan order that is different from the arrangement order of each line (10).

[0142] Meanwhile, the display device (100) can selectively perform sequential driving or non-sequential driving as needed. Here, sequential driving and non-sequential driving can be described as a first mode and a second mode, respectively. For example, in the process step of the display device (100), the scan IC (1 20) needs to sequentially scan each line (10) in order to detect LED element defects, etc. In this case, the inspector can input a control command to change to the first mode for performing sequential driving through an external device connected to the display device (!00). The external device can change to the first mode by inputting sequential driving information into the register (133) or selecting sequential driving information from among a plurality of driving information pre-stored in the register (133). After passing the process step, the inspector can also change to the second mode by changing the driving information of the register (133) to non-sequential driving information or selecting non-sequential driving information from among a plurality of driving information pre-stored.

[0143] In addition, even when the display device (100) is operating in the second mode, it may be necessary to switch to the first mode and operate in some cases. For example, when the display device (100) is operating in a non-sequential driving mode and the user wishes to change to a sequential driving mode or another non-sequential driving mode, the user can change the driving information of the register (133) by manipulating the setting menu or the like.

[0144] Meanwhile, according to FIG. 7b, even when the controller (130) generates the control signal (410') through the first pulse or second pulse described above, the display device (100) can perform a sequential scan operation and then switch to a non-sequential scan operation.

[0145] In the upper graph (500'), when the controller (130) applies a first pulse to the scan IC (120) at regular time intervals, the scan IC (120) can sequentially scan each line (10) included in the display (110). As in the case of Fig. 7a, when sequential information driving information is stored in the register (133), the scan IC (120) can perform sequential driving.

[0146] The lower graph (400') shows a case where each line (10) is scanned in a different order than the above order through the aforementioned control signal (410'). Even in this case, non-sequential driving can be implemented using a scan IC (120) for sequential driving.

[0147] That is, the controller (130) can scan each line (10) non-sequentially by applying a special control signal (410, 410') including clock signals of different frequencies (first clock signal and second clock signal) or pulse signals having different pulse widths (first pulse and second pulse) to the scan IC (120) designed for sequential driving based on the sequence signal (430).

[0148] Meanwhile, as previously described in FIG. 3, the controller (130) may sequentially scan odd lines (10-1, 10-3, 10-5, 10-7, 10-9, 10-11) among the plurality of lines (10) and then apply a control signal (410) to the scan IC to scan even lines (10-2, 10-4, 10-6, 10-8, 10-10, 10-12), but may also apply the control signal (410) to the scan IC (120) to scan in various patterns by changing the preset number.

[0149] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating various non-sequential scan operations according to one embodiment.

[0150] According to FIG. 8, the controller (130) can apply a control signal (410) to the scan IC (120) to sequentially scan a plurality of lines (10-1, 10-4, 10-7, 10-10) by hopping in units of a preset number of lines and then sequentially scan the remaining lines (10-2, 10-5, 10-3, 10-6, 10-8, 10-11, 10-9, 10-12) by hopping in units of the preset number of lines. Here, hopping in units of a plurality of lines means that the scan IC (120) scans one line, skips a preset number of lines, and then scans the next line.

[0151] At this time, the scan operation section for the entire plurality of lines (10-1 to 10-12) can be divided into a first scan operation section (600) for some (10-1, 10-4, 10-7, 10-10) of the plurality of lines (10-1 to 10-12) and at least one second scan operation section (700-1, 700-2) for other some (10-2, 10-3, 10-5, 10-6, 10-8, 10-9, 10-11, 10-12) of the plurality of lines (10-1 to 10-12).

[0152] In this case, the controller (130) may apply a control signal corresponding to the scan operation section as described above to the scan IC (120). Specifically, the control signal may be a signal for scanning a plurality of lines (10-1, 10-4, 10-7, 10-10) by hopping at least one line unit during the first scan operation section (600), and then scanning the remaining lines (10-2, 10-3, 10-5, 10-6, 10-8, 10-9, 10-11, 10-12) among the plurality of lines by hopping at least one line unit during at least one second scan operation section (700).

[0153] Specifically regarding the first scan operation section, when the scan IC (120) scans the first line (10-1, 10-7) and then scans a specific line (10-4, 10-10) by hopping in units of a preset number of lines, there may be cases where the next line to be scanned in this manner does not exist. In this case, the operation from when the scan IC (120) scans the first line until it scans the specific line (10-4, 10-10) is referred to as the first scan operation section (600).

[0154] Specifically regarding the second scan operation section, the scan IC (120) first scans the next line (10-2, 10-8) of the line (10-1, 10-7) scanned for the first time in the first scan operation section described above. Thereafter, by hopping in units of a preset number of lines, a specific line (10-5, 10-11) is scanned, and if the next line to be scanned in this manner does not exist, the scan IC (120) scans the next line (10-2, 10-8) described above, and the operation until the specific line (10-5, 10-11) is scanned is referred to as the second scan operation section (700-1).

[0155] Thereafter, the scan IC (120) first scans the next line (10-3, 10-9) of the line (10-2, 10-8) scanned for the first time in the preceding second scan operation section (700-1). The scan IC (120) scans up to a specific line (10-6, 10-12) in the same manner as in the preceding second scan operation section (700-1). In this case as well, the operation until the scan IC (120) scans the next line (10-3, 10-10) described above and scans the specific line (10-6, 10-12) can be defined as the second scan operation section (700-2).

[0156] Until the second second scan operation section (700-2) ends, the scan IC (120) scans all lines (10-1 to 10-12). In this case, the scan operation section for the entire line consists of the first scan operation section (600) and two second scan operation sections (700-1, 700-2). Thereafter, the same first scan operation section and second scan operation section can be repeated according to the control signal (410) applied to the scan IC (120).

[0157] However, as illustrated in FIG. 3, there may be a case where the scan IC (120) scans odd-numbered lines (10-1, 10-3, 10-5, 10-7, 10-9, 10-11) in the first scan operation section (200) and scans even-numbered lines (10-2, 10-4, 10-6, 10-8, 10-10, 10-12) in the second scan operation section (300). In this case, there may be only one second scan operation section (300) in the scan operation section for the entire line.

[0158] As another embodiment, if the preset number is 3, there may be up to three second scan operation sections in the scan operation section for the entire line. If the preset number is 4, there may be up to four second scan operation sections.

[0159] In this way, the controller (130) can apply a control signal (410) to the scan IC (120) by arranging the first clock period and the second clock period in various ways so that the scan IC (120) scans each line by varying the preset number. Information about the preset number can be temporarily stored in the register (133), and the preset number can be updated to a different number.

[0160] As the preset number is set in various ways, the scan IC (120) can scan each of the multiple lines (10) in various patterns, thereby increasing its usability.

[0161] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, the controller (130) may apply a control signal to the scan IC (120) to scan multiple lines (10) by hopping at least one line unit during the first scan operation section and the second scan operation section. That is, the controller (130) may output a control signal to cause the scan IC to scan at different intervals between lines (10) for each scan operation section (600, 700).

[0162] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, the controller (130) can adjust the scan order differently for each of the plurality of scan operation sections. Here, each of the plurality of scan operation sections may mean one scan operation section for the entire line (10-1 to 10-12) described above.

[0163] For example, in the case of the scan operation illustrated in Fig. 8, the preset number corresponds to 2. In the first scan operation section, the controller (130) applies a control signal to the scan IC (120) so that the scan IC (120) hops and scans in units of the preset number of lines.

[0164] Thereafter, in the second scan operation section, the controller (130) can output a new control signal by adjusting the scan order differently. The new control signal may be a signal output by adjusting the preset number from 2 to 3.

[0165] When a new control signal is applied to the scan IC (120), the scan IC (120) sequentially scans the first line (10-1, 10-7) and the fifth line (10-5, 10-11) in the first scan operation section. Thereafter, the scan IC (120) sequentially scans the second line (10-2, 10-8) and the sixth line (10-6, 10-12) in the first second scan operation section. Thereafter, the scan IC (120) scans the third line (10-3, 10-9) in the second second scan operation section. Finally, the scan IC (120) scans the fourth line (10-4, 10-10) in the third second scan operation section.

[0166] After the second scan operation section as described above, in the third scan operation section, the controller (130) can adjust the scan order again to be different from the second scan operation section. The controller (130) can repeat this process thereafter.

[0167] In this way, the controller (130) can solve the flicker problem in various ways by adjusting the scan order differently for each of the multiple scan operation sections, thereby increasing the usability of the display device (100).

[0168] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a scanning method of a display device according to one embodiment.

[0169] According to FIG. 9, the display device can apply a control signal including multiple clock intervals having different frequencies to the scan IC (S910). Since the control signal including multiple clock intervals having different frequencies has been described in the various embodiments described above, a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0170] The scan IC can non-sequentially scan multiple lines, each having multiple LEDs arranged, line by line based on a control signal (S920). Here, the scan IC is an IC designed to sequentially scan multiple LEDs line by line. When a control signal is applied to such a scan IC, the operation of non-sequentially scanning each line based on the control signal has been described in the various embodiments described above, so a redundant description will be omitted.

[0171] The scanning method of FIG. 9 can be performed by a display device having a configuration similar to that of FIG. 1, FIG. 5, or FIG. 6, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may also be performed by a device having a different configuration.

[0172] Additionally, the various embodiments described above may be implemented independently of each other, or may be implemented in whole or in part in combination with various other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0173] Meanwhile, the methods according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure described above can be implemented only with a software upgrade or a hardware upgrade for an existing display device.

[0174] Additionally, the various embodiments of the present disclosure described above can also be performed through an embedded server provided in the display device or an external server of the display device.

[0175] In addition, each of the components (e.g., modules or programs) according to the various embodiments described above may be composed of a single or multiple entities, and some of the corresponding sub-components described above may be omitted, or other sub-components may be further included in various embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, some components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single entity, which may perform the same or similar functions as those performed by each of the corresponding components prior to integration. Operations performed by modules, programs or other components according to various embodiments may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively or heuristically, or at least some operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or other operations may be added.

[0176] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. In the display device, A display comprising a plurality of LEDs arranged in multiple lines; A scan IC for scanning a plurality of lines on which the plurality of LEDs are arranged; and including a controller; The above controller, A control signal including multiple clock periods having different frequencies is applied to the scan IC, A display device in which the scan IC, when receiving the control signal from the controller, scans the plurality of lines non-sequentially.

2. In paragraph 1, The above scan IC sequentially scans the plurality of lines, The above controller, The control signal is generated and applied to the scan IC so that the scan IC scans the plurality of lines non-sequentially, in which a first clock section among a plurality of clock sections having different frequencies and a second clock section among the plurality of clock sections are alternately arranged according to a preset scan order. A display device, wherein the frequency of the second clock signal included in the second clock period is higher than the frequency of the first clock signal included in the first clock period.

3. In paragraph 2, The first clock signal is repeated a preset number of times in the first clock period, and the second clock signal is repeated a preset number of times in the second clock period. The above scan IC When the first clock signal is received, a first scan signal is applied to one of the plurality of lines based on the first clock signal while the first clock signal is continuously repeated the preset number of times, When the received first clock signal is continuously repeated the preset number of times and the second clock signal is input, a second scan signal is applied to the next line among the plurality of lines based on the second clock signal while the second clock signal is continuously repeated the preset number of times, The time at which the first scan signal is applied is a threshold time that can turn on a plurality of LEDs among the plurality of LEDs included in each line among the plurality of lines, and A display device, wherein the time at which the second scan signal is applied is less than the threshold time.

4. In paragraph 2, The above controller A first clock generation circuit for generating the first clock signal; A second clock generation circuit for generating the second clock signal; MUX circuit; counter circuit; and A register in which information about the above-described scan order is stored; The above counter circuit, Transmitting a sequence signal corresponding to the information stored in the register to the MUX circuit, The above MUX circuit is, A display device that generates the control signal by multiplexing the first clock signal and the second clock signal based on the sequence signal.

5. In paragraph 2, The above controller, A register storing information about the above preset scan order; A counter circuit that outputs a sequence signal corresponding to the information stored in the register; and A display device comprising a variable clock generation circuit for selectively outputting the first clock signal and the second clock signal based on the sequence signal.

6. In paragraph 4, Information about the preset scan order stored in the above register, One of sequential driving information for sequentially scanning the plurality of lines and non-sequential driving information for non-sequentially driving the plurality of lines with a preset number of lines among the plurality of lines, Information about the above scan order is available on the display device, which can be updated.

7. In paragraph 2, The above controller, After sequentially scanning odd lines among the plurality of lines, the control signal for sequentially scanning even lines among the plurality of lines is applied to the scan IC, A display device in which the control signal is sequentially arranged with the first clock section corresponding to a line to be scanned among the plurality of lines and the second clock section corresponding to a line to be unscanned among the plurality of lines.

8. In paragraph 2, The above controller, The control signal for sequentially scanning the plurality of lines by hopping a preset number of lines among the plurality of lines and then sequentially scanning the remaining lines by hopping a preset number of lines among the plurality of lines is applied to the scan IC, The control signal is sequentially arranged such that the first clock section corresponding to a line to be scanned among the plurality of lines and the second clock section corresponding to a line to be unscanned among the plurality of lines are sequentially arranged. A display device, wherein the above preset number is one of 2 to 4.

9. In paragraph 2, The scan operation section for the entire above multiple lines is: A first scan operation section for some of the above multiple lines and comprising at least one second scan operation section for another portion of the above plurality of lines, The above controller, After scanning the plurality of lines by hopping in units of at least one line among the plurality of lines during the first scan operation period, the control signal for scanning the remaining lines among the plurality of lines by hopping in units of at least one line among the plurality of lines during the at least one second scan operation period is applied to the scan IC, A display device in which the control signal is sequentially arranged with the first clock section corresponding to a line to be scanned among the plurality of lines and the second clock section corresponding to a line to be unscanned among the plurality of lines.

10. In paragraph 2, One scan operation section for the entire above multiple lines is, A first scan operation section for some of the above multiple lines and comprising at least one second scan operation section for another portion of the above plurality of lines, The above controller, A display device that adjusts the scanning order differently for each of the first scan operation section and the second scan operation section.

11. A scanning method of a display device including a display including a plurality of LEDs arranged in a plurality of lines and a scan IC for scanning a plurality of lines on which the plurality of LEDs are arranged, A step of applying a control signal including a plurality of clock periods having different frequencies to the scan IC; and A scanning method, comprising: a step of the scan IC non-sequentially scanning the plurality of lines based on the above-mentioned authorized control signal.

12. In paragraph 11, The above scan IC sequentially scans the plurality of lines, The step of applying the above control signal to the scan IC is: A step of generating the control signal in which a first clock section among a plurality of clock sections having different frequencies and a second clock section among the plurality of clock sections are alternately arranged according to a preset scan order; A scanning method, wherein the frequency of the second clock signal included in the first clock interval is higher than the frequency of the first clock signal included in the second clock interval.

13. In paragraph 12, The first clock signal is repeated a preset number of times in the first clock period, and the second clock signal is repeated a preset number of times in the first clock period. The above scanning steps are: When the first clock signal is received, a step of applying a first scan signal to one of the plurality of lines based on the first clock signal while the first clock signal is continuously repeated the preset number of times; A step of applying a second scan signal to a next line among the plurality of lines based on the second clock signal while the second clock signal is continuously input the preset number of times after the received first clock signal is continuously repeated, The time at which the first scan signal is applied is a threshold time that can turn on a plurality of LEDs among the plurality of LEDs included in each line among the plurality of lines, and A scanning method wherein the time at which the second scan signal is applied is less than the threshold time.

14. In paragraph 12, The step of generating the above control signal is: A step of generating the first clock signal and the second clock signal, respectively; and A scanning method, comprising: generating the control signal by multiplexing the first clock signal and the second clock signal based on information about the scan order stored in the register.

15. In paragraph 12, The step of generating the above control signal is: A scanning method comprising: a step of controlling a variable clock generation circuit based on information about a scan order stored in a register to generate the first clock signal and the second clock signal.

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