Display device and control method therefor

Abstract

A display device is disclosed. One or more processors execute one or more instructions to: identify an input frequency corresponding to an input image and an output frequency of an output image corresponding to the input image; identify, on the basis of the output frequency, a backlight frequency for driving a backlight unit; when a preset event is identified, compare the output frequency and the backlight frequency; if the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different from each other, change the output frequency of the output image on the basis of the backlight frequency; and display the output image on a display panel on the basis of the changed output frequency.

Description

Display device and control method thereof

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a display device and a control method thereof for preventing a flicker phenomenon.

[0002] With the recent development of smart TVs, the number of users watching various content videos based on various input sources or applications is increasing.

[0003] Accordingly, when a specific event occurs, such as when the input source changes or another application is executed while watching a broadcast, a problem has been pointed out that a flicker phenomenon occurs on the display panel due to the difference between the driving frequency of the existing output image and the driving frequency of the output image changed based on the specific event.

[0004] A display device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a display panel, a backlight unit that provides light to the display panel, a driver that drives the backlight unit, a memory that stores one or more commands, and one or more processors.

[0005] According to one or more embodiments, the one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, identify an input frequency corresponding to an input image and an output frequency of an output image corresponding to the input image, identify a backlight frequency for driving the backlight unit based on the output frequency, and when a preset event is identified, compare the output frequency and the backlight frequency, and when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different, change the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency, and display the output image on the display panel based on the changed output frequency.

[0006] According to one or more embodiments, the one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, change the output frequency of the output image to a frequency identical to the backlight frequency if the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different, and display the output image on the display panel based on the changed output frequency.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments, the preset event comprises at least one of an input source switching event, an application launch event, or a picture quality adjustment event.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, the one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, identify whether the preset event is the image quality adjustment event if the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different, and change the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency if the preset event is not the image quality adjustment event.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, the one or more processors, by executing the one or more commands, change the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency when the preset event is not the image quality adjustment event, and display a UI for identifying whether judder occurs through the display panel.

[0010] According to one or more embodiments, the one or more processors, by executing the one or more commands, display a UI for connecting to a service center through the display panel when judder is identified in the output image based on a user input received through the UI.

[0011] According to one or more embodiments, the one or more processors, by executing the one or more commands, transmit judder occurrence information to an external server when judder is identified to have occurred in the output image based on a user input received through the UI.

[0012] According to one or more embodiments, the one or more processors include a main processor, a display processor, and a frame rate converter, wherein the main processor compares the input frequency corresponding to an image output from the display processor and the output frequency of an image output from the frame rate converter, and if the input frequency and the output frequency are the same, compares the output frequency and the backlight frequency.

[0013] According to one or more embodiments, the one or more processors, by executing the one or more commands, provide a UI for selecting a flicker free function through the display panel, and when the flicker free function is selected through the UI, identify whether the preset event has occurred.

[0014] According to one or more embodiments, a method for controlling a display device includes the steps of: identifying an input frequency corresponding to an input image and an output frequency of an output image corresponding to the input image; identifying a backlight frequency for driving a backlight unit based on the output frequency; comparing the output frequency and the backlight frequency when a preset event is identified; changing the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different; and displaying the output image based on the changed output frequency.

[0015] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed by a processor of a display device, cause the display device to perform an operation, the operation includes: identifying an input frequency corresponding to an input image and an output frequency of an output image corresponding to the input image; identifying a backlight frequency for driving a backlight unit based on the output frequency; comparing the output frequency and the backlight frequency when a preset event is identified; changing the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different; and displaying the output image based on the changed output frequency.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation process of a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a case where the input frequency and the output frequency are different from each other according to one or more embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a case where the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different from each other according to one or more embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an output frequency change process according to one or more embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a UI display process for indicating whether judder occurs in a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a UI display process according to judder occurrence of a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a UI display process for executing a flicker-free function according to one or more embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining a method of controlling a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0027] 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.

[0028] In this disclosure, expressions such as “has,” “can have,” “includes,” or “may include” indicate the presence of a corresponding feature (e.g., a component such as a number, function, operation, or part), and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0029] The expression "at least one of A and / or B" should be understood to mean either "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0030] The expressions “first,” “second,” “first,” or “second,” etc., used in this disclosure can describe various components, regardless of order and / or importance, and are only used to distinguish one component from another, but do not limit the components.

[0031] When it is said that a component (e.g., a first component) is “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with / to” or “connected to” another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled to the other component, or may be connected through another component (e.g., a third component).

[0032] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this disclosure, terms such as "comprise" or "consist of" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] In the present disclosure, a "module" or "part" performs at least one function or operation and may be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software. Furthermore, multiple "modules" or multiple "parts" may be integrated into at least one module and implemented as at least one processor (not shown), excluding any "modules" or "parts" that need to be implemented as specific hardware.

[0034] In this disclosure, the term user may refer to a person using an electronic device or a device used by the person.

[0035] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings below.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0037] The display device (100) may be implemented as various types of display devices such as a TV, monitor, kiosk, tablet PC, electronic picture frame, mobile phone, LFD (large format display), Digital Signage (digital signage), DID (Digital Information Display), video wall, projector display, etc. However, in some cases, it may be implemented as an image processing device (e.g., set-top box, one connected box) that is connected to the display device and provides images.

[0038] The display device (100) can receive at least one input image from an external device or server and display the input image. For example, the display device (100) can receive an input image from an external device through an interface such as HDMI, DP (DisplayPort), VGA (Video Graphics Array), or DVI (Digital Visual Interface). For example, the display device (100) can receive an input image from an external server through a communication interface.

[0039] According to one embodiment, a display device (100) may be implemented to include a display panel (110), a color filter (20), and a backlight unit (120) as illustrated in FIG. 1. The display panel (110) may include a plurality of pixel elements, and the backlight unit (120) may be implemented to provide light to the display panel (110).

[0040] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) can identify the driving frequency of the input image and drive the backlight unit (120) based on the driving frequency of the input image. However, while the output image is displayed on the display device (100), if the input signal is changed, a flicker phenomenon may occur on the display screen due to the difference between the output frequency of the display panel (110) corresponding to the changed input signal and the backlight frequency at which the backlight unit (120) is driven.

[0041] Flicker refers to a flickering phenomenon that occurs when the brightness of light on a display screen continuously changes as the display screen changes rapidly. For example, the flickering phenomenon may occur due to a difference between the output frequency of the display panel (110) and the backlight frequency driven by the backlight unit (120), which causes the brightness of light to change.

[0042] The display device (100) may experience a flickering phenomenon during the process of repeating on / off the light provided by the backlight unit or the pixels themselves. For example, in the case of an LED display requiring a backlight unit, a flickering phenomenon may occur on the display screen during the process of repeating on / off the light provided by the backlight unit.

[0043] Below, various embodiments for preventing the flicker phenomenon are described.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0045] According to FIG. 2, the display device (100) includes a display panel (110), a backlight unit (120), a driver (130), a memory (140), and one or more processors (150). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the display device (100) may be implemented in a form in which some components are excluded, or may be implemented in a form in which other components are further included.

[0046] The display panel (110) is a component for displaying a screen in the display device (100). The display panel (110) may be implemented as a display including a self-luminous element or a display including a non-luminous element and a backlight. The display panel (110) may be implemented in various forms such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), a QLED (Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diode), a MicroLED, etc. The display panel (110) includes a plurality of pixels, and each pixel may be composed of a plurality of sub-pixels. For example, each pixel may be composed of three sub-pixels corresponding to a plurality of lights, for example, red, green, and blue lights (R, G, B). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in some cases, in addition to the red, green, and blue sub-pixels, cyan, magenta, yellow, black, or other sub-pixels may also be included. The display (110) may also include a driving circuit that can be implemented in a form such as a-si TFT, LTPS (low temperature poly silicon) TFT, OTFT (organic TFT), etc.

[0047] The backlight unit (120) outputs light. In one example, the backlight unit (120) may irradiate light to the display panel (110) from the back surface of the display panel (110), i.e., the surface opposite to the surface on which the image is displayed.

[0048] The backlight unit (120) includes a plurality of light sources, and the plurality of light sources may include, but are not limited to, linear light sources such as lamps or point light sources such as light emitting diodes. The backlight unit (120) may be implemented as a direct type backlight unit or an edge type backlight unit. The light source of the backlight unit (120) may include one or two or more types of light sources from among a light emitting diode (LED), a hot cathode fluorescent lamp (HCFL), a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL), an ELP, and an FFL.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the backlight unit (120) may be implemented with a plurality of LED modules and / or a plurality of LED cabinets. In addition, the LED module may include a plurality of LED pixels. According to one example, the LED pixels may be implemented with a blue LED or a white LED, but are not limited thereto, and may be implemented in a form including at least one of a red LED, a green LED, or a blue LED.

[0050] The driver (130) is configured to drive the backlight unit (120). For example, the driver (130) may drive the backlight unit (120) according to a local dimming method or a global dimming method. In general, the local dimming method divides the input image into the number of backlight blocks, calculates a value for driving each backlight block through input data of each image area matching each backlight block, and individually controls the backlight lighting time for each image area. On the other hand, the global dimming method calculates a value for driving the backlight unit through input data of the entire image area, and collectively controls the backlight lighting time of the entire screen.

[0051] The driver (130) may be implemented in a form that includes a driver IC. For example, the processor (150) may be implemented as a DSP and may be implemented as a single chip with a digital driver IC. However, it is of course possible that the driver IC may be implemented as separate hardware from the processor (150). For example, if the light sources included in the backlight unit (120) are implemented as LED elements, the driver IC may be implemented as at least one LED driver that controls the current applied to the LED elements. According to one embodiment, the LED driver may be placed after a power supply (e.g., a switching mode power supply (SMPS)) and may receive voltage from the power supply. However, according to another embodiment, the voltage may be applied from a separate power supply. Alternatively, the SMPS and the LED driver may be implemented in a module form that is integrated into one.

[0052] The memory (140) can store at least one command, data, program, etc. required for the operation of the display device (100). For example, the memory (140) can store preset event information, such as a picture quality adjustment event. For example, the memory (140) can identify an output frequency corresponding to an input frequency and store it.

[0053] The memory (140) may be implemented in the form of memory embedded in the display device (100) or in the form of memory detachable from the display device (100) depending on the purpose of data storage. For example, data for driving the display device (100) may be stored in a memory embedded in the display device (100), and data for the expansion function of the display device (100) may be stored in a memory detachable from the display device (100).

[0054] In the case of memory embedded in the display device (100), it may be implemented as at least one of volatile memory (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD)).

[0055] The memory (140) may be implemented as a single memory that stores data generated from various operations according to the present disclosure, but is not limited thereto, and the memory (140) may be implemented to include multiple memories that each store different types of data or each store data generated at different stages.

[0056] One or more processors (150) control the overall operation of the display device (100). Specifically, one or more processors (150) may be connected to each component of the display device (100) to control the overall operation of the display device (100). For example, one or more processors (150) may be electrically connected to the display (110) and the memory (140) to control the overall operation of the display device (100). One or more processors (150) may be configured as one or more processors.

[0057] One or more processors (150) can perform operations of the display device (100) according to various embodiments by executing one or more commands stored in the memory (140).

[0058] The one or more processors (150) may include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), a Many Integrated Core (MIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. The one or more processors (150) may control one or any combination of other components of the refrigeration device, and may perform operations related to communication or data processing. The one or more processors (150) may execute one or more programs or instructions stored in a memory. For example, the one or more processors may perform a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure by executing one or more instructions stored in a memory.

[0059] When a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes multiple operations, the multiple operations may be performed by one processor or by multiple processors. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to one or more embodiments, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by the first processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first processor (e.g., a general-purpose processor) and the third operation may be performed by the second processor (e.g., an artificial intelligence-specific processor).

[0060] One or more processors (150) may be implemented as a single core processor including one core, or may be implemented as one or more multicore processors including multiple cores (e.g., homogeneous multicores or heterogeneous multicores). When one or more processors (150) are implemented as a multicore processor, each of the multiple cores included in the multicore processor may include an internal processor memory, such as a cache memory or an on-chip memory, and a common cache shared by the multiple cores may be included in the multicore processor. In addition, each of the multiple cores (or some of the multiple cores) included in the multicore processor may independently read and execute a program instruction for implementing a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, or all (or some) of the multiple cores may be linked to read and execute a program instruction for implementing a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] When a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one core among the plurality of cores included in a multi-core processor, or may be performed by the plurality of cores. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to one or more embodiments, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first core included in the multi-core processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by a first core included in the multi-core processor, and the third operation may be performed by a second core included in the multi-core processor.

[0062] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor may mean a system on a chip (SoC) in which one or more processors and other electronic components are integrated, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, or a core included in a single-core processor or a multi-core processor, wherein the core may be implemented as a CPU, a GPU, an APU, a MIC, a DSP, an NPU, a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Hereinafter, for the convenience of description, one or more processors (150) will be referred to as a processor (150).

[0063] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) may operate a Flicker Free function to prevent the above-described flicker phenomenon. The Flicker Free function refers to a function for adjusting the output frequency and the backlight frequency to prevent the flicker phenomenon. Flicker Free is not limited thereto and may be referred to in various ways, such as a flicker suppression mode, a flicker prevention function, and a flicker zero, but in the present disclosure, it is generally referred to as Flicker Free.

[0064] The processor (150) obtains current information for driving the backlight unit (120) based on the input image, and drives the backlight unit (120) based on the obtained current information.

[0065] According to an example, the processor (150) may obtain current information for driving each of a plurality of backlight blocks and drive the backlight unit (120) based on the obtained current information. For example, the processor (150) may control and output at least one of the current information for driving each of a plurality of backlight blocks, for example, the supply time of current (or voltage) (hereinafter, dimming duty) or the intensity of current. Here, each of the backlight blocks may include at least one light source, for example, a plurality of light sources.

[0066] Specifically, the processor (150) can control the brightness of the light sources included in the backlight unit (120) by pulse width modulation (PWM) with a variable duty ratio. In addition, the processor (150) can control the brightness of the light sources of the backlight unit (120) by varying the intensity of the current as needed. Here, the pulse width modulation signal (PWM) controls the ratio of turning on and off the light sources, and the duty ratio (duty ratio %) can be obtained according to a dimming value input from the processor (150).

[0067] According to one embodiment, the processor (150) may identify an input frequency corresponding to an input image and an output frequency of an output image corresponding to the input image. For example, the processor (150) may identify an input frequency of 60 Hz based on an input image received from an external device and identify 60 Hz, which is the same as the input frequency, as the output frequency.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the processor (150) may identify a backlight frequency for driving the backlight unit. For example, when using a backlight dimming method, the processor (150) may identify the backlight frequency based on the output frequency of the input image. For example, the backlight frequency may be n times the frame rate of the input image (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1). Here, the value of n may be a value set during manufacturing or a value set by the user. In some cases, the value of n may also be obtained based on the type of image or the characteristics of the panel. However, for the convenience of explanation, it is mainly assumed below that n = 1, that is, the dimming frequency is 1 time the output frequency. For example, when the input image is output at 60 Hz, the backlight unit (120) may be driven at a backlight frequency of 60 Hz, which is 1 time 60 Hz. In other words, it is assumed that the input frequency, the output frequency, and the backlight frequency are the same unless there is a special event.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the processor (150) may compare the output frequency and the backlight frequency when a preset event is identified. The preset event may include at least one of an input source switching event, an application launch event, or a picture quality adjustment event. This is because the output frequency may be set to a default value due to an unexpected event, which may cause flickering due to a mismatch with the backlight frequency.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the processor (150) may change the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency if the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different. For example, if the processor (150) determines that the output frequency has changed to 50 Hz due to an input source switching event, the processor (150) may change the changed output frequency based on the backlight frequency. In this way, the processor (150) may adaptively change the output frequency to prevent flicker caused by unexpected events.

[0071] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0072] According to FIG. 3, the display device (100) includes a display panel (110), a backlight unit (120), a driver (130), a memory (140), one or more processors (150), a communication interface (160), and an operation interface (170). The one or more processors (150) include a main processor (151), a display processor (152), and a frame rate converter (153). A detailed description of the configurations illustrated in FIG. 3 that overlap with the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 will be omitted.

[0073] The communication interface (160) includes a circuit and can communicate with an external device (mobile device or server). For example, the processor (140) can receive data or information corresponding to an input image from an external device or server connected via the communication interface (160), and can also transmit various data or information to the external device.

[0074] The communication interface (160) may include at least one of a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module, a wireless communication module, an NFC module, and a UWB module (Ultra Wide Band). At this time, the wireless communication module may perform communication according to various communication standards such as IEEE, Zigbee, 3G (3rd Generation), 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 5G (5th Generation), etc.

[0075] The operation interface (170) is configured to receive user operations. The operation interface (172) may include various buttons, a touch screen, etc. provided on the display device (100).

[0076] The main processor (151) controls the overall operation of the display device (100). The main processor (151) can control the overall display operation. The main processor (151) can obtain information about the input frequency, the output frequency, and the backlight frequency from the input and / or output of the corresponding module (or chip) or module, and can compare whether the frequencies are the same based on the obtained information. For example, the main processor (151) can obtain the input frequency of the input image output from the display processor (152) and the output frequency of the output image output from the frame rate converter (153), and compare the obtained input frequency and the output frequency. For example, the main processor (151) can compare the output frequency for the output image and the backlight frequency used for driving the backlight of the driver (130).

[0077] The display processor (152) is configured to process data for an input image. The display processor (152) can process data and images for the input image based on input signals received from an external device. The display processor (152) can adjust the resolution, color, contrast, etc. of the screen, and process images and / or videos in real time to display them on the screen. For example, the processed images and / or videos can be provided to the frame rate converter (153). The display processor (152) can identify an input frequency based on an input signal corresponding to the input image.

[0078] The frame rate converter (153) is a configuration for converting or adjusting the frame rate of an image. The frame rate converter (153) can convert an input frequency corresponding to an input image based on a picture quality adjustment event.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) can transmit information about an output image output from a frame rate converter (153) and an output frequency to a TCON (Timing Controller). The display device (100) can control each of the R, G, and B pixels based on the output frequency for the output image through the TCON. At this time, the TCON can control the driving frequency of each pixel based on the output frequency and display an output image corresponding to the input image through the display panel (110).

[0080] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation process of a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) may receive an input signal corresponding to an input image from an external device or server via the display processor (152) (S411). For example, the display device (100) may receive an input signal including image data, resolution, screen ratio, audio data, and frequency information for the input image.

[0082] The display device (100) can identify an input frequency for an input image based on an output image of the display processor (152). For example, the display device (100) can identify an input frequency of 60 Hz based on an input image driven at 60 Hz.

[0083] For example, the display device (100) can identify the output frequency for the output image output from the frame rate converter (153). For example, the display device (100) can identify 60 Hz, which is the same as the input frequency, as the output frequency when the frame rate is not converted through the frame rate converter (153). On the other hand, it goes without saying that an output frequency different from the input frequency can be identified when the frame rate is converted through the frame rate converter (153).

[0084] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) can compare the input frequency and the output frequency (S412) to determine whether they are the same frequency (S413). The display device (100) can compare the input frequency and the output frequency and determine whether they are the same. For example, the output frequency for the output image identified by the display device (100) through the frame rate converter (153) may be different from the input frequency for the input image identified through the display processor (152).

[0085] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) can identify whether the output frequency has been changed based on a picture quality adjustment event when the input frequency and the output frequency are different from each other (S414). When the display device (100) identifies that the input frequency and the output frequency are different based on the picture quality adjustment event, the display device (100) can transmit the output frequency for the output image output from the frame rate converter (153) to the driver (130). Thereafter, when the output frequency is changed to a default output frequency based on the occurrence of a preset event other than the picture quality adjustment event, the display device (100) can compare the output frequency with the backlight frequency.

[0086] On the other hand, if the input frequency and the output frequency are different even though it is not a picture quality adjustment event, the display device (100) can re-identify the input frequency based on the input signal corresponding to the input image and compare the re-identified input frequency and the output frequency.

[0087] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a case where the input frequency and the output frequency are different from each other according to one or more embodiments.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) may output an output frequency by multiplying the frame rate of an input image by n based on a picture quality adjustment event. According to one example, the output frequency may be n times the frame rate of the input image (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

[0089] The display device (100) can output n frames, which are identical to each frame section of the input image, by multiplying the frame rate of the input image by n. The display device (100) can output n frames, including a new frame including an average value for the position of each frame of the input image, by multiplying the frame rate of the input image by n.

[0090] For example, when the input frequency for the input image is 60 Hz, the display device (100) can double the driving frequency of the input image to adjust the image quality of the input image. Accordingly, the display device (100) can identify an output frequency of 120 Hz, which is twice that of 60 Hz.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5, the display device (100) can identify an input frequency (510) of 60 Hz output from the display processor (152). The display device (100) can identify frame 1 (530-1) and frame 2 (540-1) corresponding to an input image driven at 60 Hz. When the display device (100) receives a user input based on a picture quality adjustment event, the display device (100) can double each frame (530-1, 540-1) corresponding to the input image. The display device (100) can double each frame (530-1, 540-1) of the input image and identify an output frequency (520) of 120 Hz, which is twice the input frequency (60 Hz).

[0092] The display device (100) can output frame 1-2 (530-3) including the average data value of frame 1 (530-1) and frame 2 (540-1) among multiple frames of the input image for image quality adjustment. For example, when the display device (100) receives an input image of a soccer ball flying, the display device (100) can output frame 1-2 (530-3) including the average value of the position of the soccer ball in frame 1 (530-1) and the position of the soccer ball in frame 2 (540-1). Accordingly, the display device (100) can change the frame rate of the input image by outputting frame 1 (530-1) corresponding to the input image to frame 1-1 (530-2) and frame 1-2 (530-3).

[0093] Likewise, the display device (100) can output frame 2-2 (540-3) including the average value of frame 2 (540-1) and frame 3 for frame 2 (540-1). Therefore, the display device (100) can output frame 2 (540-1) of the input image by changing the frame rate of the input image to frame 2-1 (540-2) and frame 2-2 (540-3). For example, the display device (100) can output n frames that are identical to frame 1 (530-1) by multiplying frame 1 (530-1) corresponding to the input image by n.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) may perform normal operation when the input frequency and the output frequency are identified as the same frequency (S413:Y) and when the output frequency is converted according to the image quality adjustment event (S414:Y). For example, the display device (100) may transmit the output frequency output through the frame rate converter (153) to the driver (130).

[0095] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) can identify a backlight frequency output from the driver (130) based on the output frequency. According to one example, the display device (100) can identify a backlight frequency having the same frequency as the output frequency through the driver (130).

[0096] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) can identify whether a preset event has occurred (S415). Here, the preset event may be at least one of an event in which an input source is changed, an event in which an application is executed, and an event in which a picture quality adjustment event is excluded.

[0097] According to one embodiment, when the display device (100) identifies that a preset event has occurred, the display device (100) can compare the output frequency and the backlight frequency (S416). Through the comparison (S416), the display device (100) can identify whether the output frequency and the backlight frequency are the same (S417).

[0098] If the display device (100) is identified as having different output frequency and backlight frequency (S417:N), it can identify whether the preset event is a picture quality adjustment event (S418).

[0099] Returning to FIG. 4, the display device (100) may change the output frequency based on the backlight frequency (S419) when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different due to an unexpected event other than a picture quality adjustment event (S418:N).

[0100] Returning to FIG. 4, according to one embodiment, when the display device (100) changes the output frequency based on the backlight frequency, it can identify whether judder occurs on the display screen (S420). Judder refers to a phenomenon in which an image does not move smoothly but appears choppy when a constant frame rate is not maintained or the interval between frames is irregular. Judder is not limited thereto and may be referred to in various ways, such as stutter, frame skipping, and frame jitter, but will be collectively referred to as judder in the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different from each other according to one or more embodiments.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) may identify a backlight frequency different from the output frequency based on a picture quality adjustment event. For example, a driver (130) that obtains an output frequency of 60 Hz from a frame rate converter (153) may output a backlight frequency that is n times the frame rate of the input image for picture quality adjustment of the input image.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 6, the display device (100) can output an output frequency (610) of 60 Hz through a frame rate converter (153). The display device (100) can output a backlight frequency (620) of 120 Hz, which is twice the frame rate of the input image, through a driver (130).

[0103] In one example, the display device (100) may increase the frame rate of the backlight frequency by n times when receiving user input for image quality adjustment. In one example, the display device (100) may increase the frame rate of the backlight frequency by n times when executing an application within the device based on resources and data corresponding to the executed application.

[0104] The display device (100) can adjust the frequency at which the backlight turns on / off by increasing the frame rate of the backlight frequency. For example, the display device (100) can adjust the brightness, resolution, contrast ratio, or overall quality of the display screen by adjusting the frequency at which the backlight turns on / off.

[0105] Depending on the picture quality adjustment event, the output frequency and backlight frequency may be different, but in this case, no flicker phenomenon occurs, so additional control may not be necessary.

[0106] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an output frequency change process according to one or more embodiments.

[0107] According to one embodiment, when an unexpected event occurs and the output frequency is set to a default value, and thus the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different, the display device (100) can change the output frequency of the output image to the same frequency as the backlight frequency. The display device (100) can display the output image on the display panel (110) based on the changed output frequency.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) can identify whether an event that has occurred is a picture quality adjustment event if the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different. If the event that has occurred is not a picture quality adjustment event, the display device (100) can change the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 7, when a preset event occurs, the display device (100) can identify whether the occurred event is a picture quality adjustment event.

[0110] The display device (100) may set the output frequency to a default value when an event (710) other than a picture quality adjustment event is identified. For example, when executing a first application, the display device (100) may set the output frequency to a default value based on resources and data corresponding to the first application. For example, when entering a Home UI preset within the device after executing a second application, the display device (100) may set the output frequency to a default value based on resources and data preset in the Home UI. For example, when entering the Home UI while outputting a video corresponding to a European broadcast, the display device (100) may set the output frequency to a default value set in the Home UI.

[0111] For example, let us assume that the output frequency of the image output from the frame rate converter (153) is 60 Hz, and that the output frequency is set to the default value of 50 Hz according to a preset event, such as an input source change from a first input source to a second input source or an application being executed. In addition, let us assume that the backlight frequency is 120 Hz, which is twice the output frequency, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0112] In this case, the display device (100) can identify that the output frequency (720) of 50 Hz and the backlight frequency (730) of 120 Hz, which are set as default within the device, are different, and can change the output frequency (720) based on the backlight frequency (730). Accordingly, the display device (100) can change the output frequency (720) to a driving frequency of 120 Hz, which is the same as the backlight frequency.

[0113] The driving frequency of the output frequency may change in real time due to various variables, such as when the input image changes, when the frequency corresponding to the input image is a variable frequency, or when the driving frequency changes according to a picture quality adjustment event. On the other hand, the backlight frequency is a frequency output from the frame rate converter (153) through the driver (130), and the rate of the frequency may change according to the input output frequency, so the number of variables that cause the frequency to change may be smaller compared to the output frequency. Therefore, the display device (100) may change the output frequency based on the backlight frequency when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different due to a preset event other than the picture quality adjustment event.

[0114] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a UI display process for indicating whether judder occurs in a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the display device (100) may display a user interface (UI) for identifying whether judder has occurred through the display panel (110). The display device (100) may display a UI for identifying whether judder has occurred on the display screen. When the display device (100) receives a user input from the user indicating that judder has occurred on the display panel, the display device (100) may identify that judder has occurred on the display panel (110).

[0116] Referring to FIG. 8, the display device (100) may display a UI (810) to identify whether judder has occurred at the lower right corner of the display screen. The UI display location is not limited thereto and may be located anywhere within the display screen. The display device (100) may display a UI (810) to identify whether judder has occurred on the display screen along with text such as "Flicker Free function is operating. Is there any screen tearing or shaking? YES (center connection) / NO."

[0117] Returning to FIG. 4, according to one embodiment, when the display device (100) receives a user input indicating that judder has occurred, it can automatically connect to a service center and transmit a judder occurrence event to an HSM (Hardware Security Module). An HSM is a hardware security module that provides core security functions of electronic devices and collects user requirements to provide solutions based on those requirements.

[0118] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a UI display process according to judder occurrence of a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0119] According to one embodiment, if the display device (100) identifies that judder has occurred in the output image based on a user input received through the UI, the display device (100) may display a UI for connecting to a service center through the display panel (110). If the display device (100) receives a user input for connecting to a service center, the display device (100) may automatically connect to the service center and transmit judder occurrence information, including whether judder has occurred, when judder has occurred, and how often judder has occurred, to the service center and HSM.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 9, the display device (100) may display a UI (910) for service center connection at the lower right of the display screen. Like the UI (810) for identifying whether judder has occurred, the UI display location is not limited thereto and may be located anywhere within the display screen.

[0121] The display device (100) can display a UI (910) for connecting to a service center on the display screen with text such as 'Do you want to connect to a service center? YES / NO'.

[0122] According to one embodiment, when the display device (100) identifies that judder has occurred in the output image based on a user input received through the UI, it may transmit judder occurrence information to an external server.

[0123] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a UI display process for executing a flicker-free function according to one or more embodiments.

[0124] According to one embodiment, a flicker free function may be a function that can be set / changed according to user input to prevent flicker phenomenon caused by a difference in driving frequency.

[0125] For example, the display device (100) may display a UI for selecting whether to activate the flicker-free function through the display panel (110). When the flicker-free function is selected through the UI, the display device (100) may activate the flicker-free function, identify whether a preset event has occurred as described above, and change the output frequency based on the information described above.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 10, the display device (100) can display a UI (1020) for selecting a flicker-free function from an image setting menu (1010) through the display panel (110). When the display device (100) receives a user input for executing the flicker-free function from a user, the display device (100) can identify an input frequency, an output frequency, and a backlight frequency for an input image. In addition, the display device (100) can identify whether a preset event occurs, and when it is identified that a preset event other than a picture quality adjustment event has occurred, the display device (100) can change the output frequency to the same frequency as the backlight frequency based on the backlight frequency.

[0127] However, the flicker-free function is not necessarily activated based on user input, and may be a function set as a default during the manufacturing of the display device (100). Alternatively, the flicker-free function may be automatically activated or deactivated when a specific event occurs. For example, the flicker-free function may be automatically activated when the input image is a specific type of image. Alternatively, the flicker-free function may be automatically deactivated when there is no user reaction to the UI (810) even though the UI (810) illustrated in FIG. 8 has been provided a preset number of times or more.

[0128] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining a method of controlling a display device according to one or more embodiments.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 11, in operation 1110, the display device (100) can identify an input frequency corresponding to an input image and an output frequency of an output image corresponding to the input image.

[0130] In operation 1120, the display device (100) can identify a backlight frequency for driving the backlight unit based on the output frequency.

[0131] In operation 1130, the display device (100) can compare the output frequency and the backlight frequency when a preset event is identified.

[0132] In operation 1140, the display device (100) can change the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency if the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different.

[0133] In operation 1150, the display device (100) can display an output image based on the changed output frequency.

[0134] The method of identifying the input frequency and output frequency corresponding to the input image and, when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different, changing the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency has been specifically described in the various embodiments described above, so a redundant description is omitted.

[0135] The control method described in FIG. 11 can be performed by a display device (100) having the configuration of FIG. 2 described above, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and can also be performed by a display device having various configurations.

[0136] The various embodiments described above may be implemented as a single embodiment, or at least one embodiment may be combined with each other in whole or in part and implemented together in one device.

[0137] According to the various embodiments described above, when the flicker-free function is executed, the output frequency of the output image can be controlled to prevent the flicker phenomenon even when an unexpected event occurs.

[0138] Meanwhile, the various embodiments described above may be applied to a product as an embodiment alone, but at least some of the contents may be implemented in combination with other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0139] The various embodiments described above can be implemented as software including instructions stored in a machine-readable storage medium that can be read by a machine (e.g., a computer). The device is a device that can call instructions stored in the storage medium and operate according to the called instructions, and may include an electronic device (e.g., a display device (100)) according to the disclosed embodiments. When an instruction is executed by a processor, the processor can perform a function corresponding to the instruction directly or by using other components under the control of the processor. The instruction may include code generated or executed by a compiler or interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium can be provided in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' means that the storage medium does not contain a signal and is tangible, but does not distinguish between data being stored semi-permanently or temporarily in the storage medium.

[0140] Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method according to the various embodiments described above may be provided as included in a computer program product.

[0141] Specifically, a non-transitory readable storage medium or a computer program product storing computer instructions for causing an operation to be performed, including a step of identifying an input frequency corresponding to an input image and an output frequency of an output image corresponding to the input image, a step of identifying a backlight frequency for driving a backlight unit based on the output frequency, a step of comparing the output frequency and the backlight frequency when a preset event is identified, a step of changing the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different, and a step of displaying the output image based on the changed output frequency may be provided.

[0142] The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or online through an application store (e.g., Play Store™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily created in a storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0143] In addition, computer instructions or programs for performing the control method of the display device according to the various embodiments described above may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer instructions stored in such a non-transitory computer-readable medium, when executed by a processor of a specific device, cause the specific device to perform processing operations in the device according to the various embodiments described above. A non-transitory computer-readable medium refers to a medium that stores data semi-permanently and can be read by a device, rather than a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, cache, or memory. Specific examples of non-transitory computer-readable media may include a CD, DVD, hard disk, Blu-ray disk, USB, memory card, ROM, etc.

[0144] 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 skilled 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, display panel; A backlight unit that provides light to the above display panel; Driver that drives the backlight unit; memory for storing one or more instructions; and comprising one or more processors; The one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, Identifying an input frequency corresponding to an input image and an output frequency of an output image corresponding to the input image, Identifying a backlight frequency for driving the backlight unit based on the output frequency, When a preset event is identified, the output frequency and the backlight frequency are compared, If the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different, the output frequency of the output image is changed based on the backlight frequency, A display device that displays the output image on the display panel based on the changed output frequency.

2. In paragraph 1, The one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, If the above output frequency and the above backlight frequency are different, the output frequency of the above output image is changed to the same frequency as the above backlight frequency, A display device that displays the output image on the display panel based on the changed output frequency.

3. In paragraph 1, The above preset events are: A display device comprising at least one of an input source switching event, an application launch event, or a picture quality adjustment event.

4. In paragraph 3, The one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, If the above output frequency and the above backlight frequency are different, it is identified whether the above preset event is the image quality adjustment event, A display device that changes the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency when the above-described preset event is not the image quality adjustment event.

5. In paragraph 4, The one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, A display device that displays a UI for identifying whether judder occurs by changing the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency, through the display panel, when the preset event is not the image quality adjustment event.

6. In paragraph 5, The one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, A display device that displays a UI for connecting to a service center through the display panel when judder is identified in the output image based on user input received through the UI.

7. In paragraph 5, The one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, A display device that transmits judder occurrence information to an external server when judder is identified to have occurred in the output image based on user input received through the UI.

8. In paragraph 1, One or more of the above processors, main processor; display processor; and Includes a Frame Rate Converter; The above main processor, Comparing the input frequency corresponding to the image output from the display processor and the output frequency of the image output from the frame rate converter, A display device that compares the output frequency and the backlight frequency when the input frequency and the output frequency are the same.

9. In paragraph 1, The one or more processors, by executing the one or more instructions, Provides a UI for selecting the flicker free function through the display panel; A display device that identifies whether the preset event has occurred when the flicker-free function is selected through the UI.

10. In a method for controlling a display device, A step of identifying an input frequency corresponding to an input image and an output frequency of an output image corresponding to the input image; A step of identifying a backlight frequency for driving a backlight unit based on the above output frequency; When a preset event is identified, a step of comparing the output frequency and the backlight frequency; A step of changing the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different; and A control method comprising: a step of displaying the output image based on the changed output frequency; 11. In paragraph 10, The step of changing the output frequency of the above output image is: A control method, comprising: a step of changing the output frequency of the output image to the same frequency as the backlight frequency when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different.

12. In paragraph 10, The above preset events are: A control method comprising at least one of an input source switching event, an application launch event, or a picture quality adjustment event.

13. In paragraph 12, The step of changing the output frequency of the above output image is: a step of identifying whether the preset event is the image quality adjustment event when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different; and A control method comprising: a step of changing the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency when the above-described preset event is not the image quality adjustment event; 14. In paragraph 13, A control method further comprising: a step of displaying a UI for identifying whether judder occurs by changing the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency, if the preset event is not the image quality adjustment event.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed by a processor of a display device, cause the display device to perform an operation, wherein the operation is: A step of identifying an input frequency corresponding to an input image and an output frequency of an output image corresponding to the input image; A step of identifying a backlight frequency for driving a backlight unit based on the above output frequency; When a preset event is identified, a step of comparing the output frequency and the backlight frequency; A step of changing the output frequency of the output image based on the backlight frequency when the output frequency and the backlight frequency are different; and A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising: a step of displaying the output image based on the changed output frequency.

Images