Display device and method for controlling same

Abstract

A method for controlling a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving location information of at least one dead pixel; receiving pixel data for each pixel of an input image; analyzing the local characteristics of the received input image; and compensating for only data of at least one pixel belonging to a specific region on the basis of the analyzed local characteristics and the location information of the at least one dead pixel.

Description

Display device and control method thereof

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention are directly or indirectly related to display devices. More specifically, for example, they are applicable to the field of image correction technology for improving panel yield.

[0002] A display panel refers to a screen or device used to visually display information in electronic devices. Developed with various technologies and applications, display panels are utilized in smartphones, TVs, computer monitors, automotive displays, electronic signage, signage, and more.

[0003] Types of display panels include LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), AMOLED (Active-Matrix OLED), MLED (Micro-OLED), and OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon).

[0004] For example, in the manufacturing process of OLEDoS panels, there is a problem where the brightness of some pixels (or subpixels) is displayed at a level that is perceptible to the user, so the entire subpixel (or some subpixels) of the pixel are intentionally turned off as dead pixels, making it difficult for the user to visually perceive them.

[0005] However, if the number of such dead pixels exceeds a certain threshold or occurs in a specific pattern, the entire panel is deemed defective, which leads to a decrease in the yield of the panel manufacturing process.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention aims to improve the yield of various display panels by solving the problems of the aforementioned prior art.

[0007] For example, the aim is to minimize the impact of dead pixels by intentionally changing the pixel values ​​around them.

[0008] A control method for a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the aforementioned technical problem comprises the steps of: receiving location information for at least one dead pixel; receiving pixel data for each pixel of an input image; analyzing the local characteristics of the received input image; and compensating only the data of at least one pixel belonging to a specific area according to the analyzed local characteristics and the location information for at least one dead pixel.

[0009] At least one pixel belonging to the above specific area includes, for example, a dead pixel.

[0010] The above-mentioned compensating step further includes, for example, a step of adjusting the pixel value to correspond to zero (0) in the case of a dead pixel belonging to the above-mentioned specific area.

[0011] The above-mentioned compensating step further includes, for example, a step of determining a subpixel arrangement structure around a dead pixel by referring to memory, and a step of determining the location of the specific area according to the determined arrangement structure.

[0012] The above compensation step further includes, for example, a step of determining the part of the input image excluding the black image as the location of the specific region.

[0013] The step of receiving location information for at least one dead pixel may further include the step of capturing an input image having 255 gray values ​​using a camera, the step of determining the location of the dead pixel based on the capture result, and the step of setting so that no current is applied to the determined dead pixel.

[0014] A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first receiving module for receiving location information for at least one dead pixel, a second receiving module for receiving pixel data for each pixel of an input image, and a controller for analyzing the local characteristics of the received input image and compensating only the data of at least one pixel belonging to a specific area according to the analyzed local characteristics and the location information for at least one dead pixel.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by improving the problem of image quality degradation caused by defects in the panel occurring during the manufacturing process of various display panels, there is a technical effect of ultimately improving the yield of the display panel.

[0016] In addition, in addition to the effects of the invention explicitly described herein, technical effects that can be inferred by a person skilled in the art from the specification and drawings also fall within the other scope of the rights of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a dithering technique according to the prior art.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the dithering technology according to the prior art in more detail.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the main components of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention in more detail.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process for changing a compensation area using a subpixel arrangement structure around a dead pixel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process for changing a compensation area using local characteristic information of an image around a dead pixel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a drawing for comparing the prior art and an embodiment of the present invention when there are no dead pixels in the display panel.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a drawing for comparing the prior art and an embodiment of the present invention when dead pixels exist in a display panel.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 10 illustrates a pixel structure of a display panel to which the present invention can be applied.

[0027] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention that compensates for dead pixels.

[0028] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention that compensates for dead pixels.

[0029] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention for determining the priority of pixels requiring compensation among pixels surrounding a dead pixel.

[0030] Also, FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention for determining the priority of pixels requiring compensation among pixels surrounding a dead pixel.

[0031] Throughout the specification, identical reference numbers denote substantially identical components. In the following description, detailed descriptions of components and functions known in the art may be omitted if they are not related to the core components of the invention. The meanings of the terms described in this specification should be understood as follows.

[0032] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0033] The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings for explaining embodiments of the present invention are exemplary, and therefore the present invention is not limited to the depicted details. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0034] Where terms such as 'comprising,' 'having,' 'consisting of,' etc. are used in this specification, other parts may be added unless 'only' is used. Where a component is expressed in the singular, it includes cases where it is included in the plural unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0035] In interpreting the components, they are interpreted to include a margin of error even in the absence of a separate explicit statement.

[0036] In the case of describing a positional relationship, for example, when the positional relationship between two parts is described using expressions such as 'on,' 'upper,' 'lower,' or 'next to,' one or more other parts may be located between the two parts unless 'immediately' or 'directly' is used.

[0037] In the case of an explanation of a temporal relationship, for example, when a temporal sequence is explained using 'after', 'following', 'next', 'before', etc., it may include cases where the sequence is not continuous unless 'immediately' or 'directly' is used.

[0038] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0039] The term “at least one” should be understood to include all combinations that can be presented from one or more related items. For example, the meaning of “at least one of the first item, the second item and the third item” may mean not only the first item, the second item or the third item individually, but also all combinations of items that can be presented from two or more of the first item, the second item and the third item.

[0040] The features of each of the various embodiments of the present invention may be combined or combined with one another, either partially or wholly, and may technically enable various interlocking and operation. Each embodiment may be implemented independently of one another or may be implemented together in an associated relationship.

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a diagram for schematically explaining a dithering technique according to the prior art. First, with reference to FIG. 1 below, a dithering technique according to the prior art will be briefly explained.

[0043] Dithering technology refers to the process of rearranging pixel values ​​to have robustness against deviations by modifying pixel values ​​in low-luminance regions of an input image that are difficult to compensate for among brightness deviations caused by driving variations of display panel pixels. Those skilled in the art sometimes refer to this as LLD (Low Light Dithering) technology.

[0044] Figure 1 (a) illustrates a case where a low-luminance input image is output without applying dithering technology.

[0045] On the other hand, Figure 1(b) illustrates a case where a low-luminosity input image is output by applying the aforementioned dithering technique.

[0046] Figure 1 (a) had a problem in that it could not properly represent the brightness of the input image and the screen was displayed relatively darker (black).

[0047] On the other hand, compared to (a) of Fig. 1, it can be seen that the problem of reduced expressiveness has been significantly improved in (b) of Fig. 1.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the dithering technology according to the prior art in more detail.

[0049] The aforementioned dithering technique is a method of rearranging pixels by changing their values ​​without considering the location of dead pixels on the display panel at all.

[0050] However, if dead pixels exist on the display panel, new pixel values ​​may be reassigned to pixels on the display panel that are not actually in operation (dead pixels). In such cases, the brightness of the input image is not maintained, resulting in a darker appearance, and flickering occurs around the dead pixels. Here, flickering refers to phenomena such as the brightness of light continuously changing and blinking.

[0051] For example, as shown in FIG. 2(a), it is assumed that arbitrary input pixel values ​​(210) are assigned to the input image.

[0052] At this time, the output pixel values ​​(230) are rearranged due to the operation of the dithering unit (220). For reference, the sum of the input pixel values ​​(210) (120+40+20+4) is the same as the sum of the output pixel values ​​(230) (100+0+0+84).

[0053] However, as shown in Fig. 2(b), if the pixel corresponding to the accidentally relocated pixel value is a dead pixel, the sum of the output pixel values ​​(230) is only 84, so a technically fatal problem occurs in which the brightness is not maintained and is displayed darkly.

[0054] On the other hand, according to one embodiment of the present invention, when applying dithering technology, location information of dead pixels is considered, and the dithering technology, which was previously applied restrictively to low-luminance areas, is extended to all luminance areas, thereby not only compensating for deviations but also, consequently, improving the yield of the display panel.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the main components of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a display device (300) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first receiving module (310), a second receiving module (320), a controller (330), and a memory (340), etc. Of course, it is also possible to delete, add, or change some components as needed by those skilled in the art.

[0057] The first receiving module (310) receives location information for at least one dead pixel.

[0058] The second receiving module (320) is designed to receive pixel data for each pixel of the input image.

[0059] The controller (330) analyzes the local characteristics of the input image received through the second receiving module (320).

[0060] Furthermore, the controller (330) compensates only for the data of at least one pixel belonging to a specific area, based on the analyzed regional characteristics and location information for at least one dead pixel received through the first receiving module (310).

[0061] And, the memory (340) stores the arrangement structure of subpixels within the display panel, and the subpixels include at least one of a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel.

[0062] At least one pixel belonging to the aforementioned specific area includes, for example, a dead pixel.

[0063] Additionally, the controller (330) adjusts the pixel value to correspond to zero (0) in the case of a dead pixel belonging to the aforementioned specific area.

[0064] Furthermore, the controller (330) determines the sub-pixel arrangement structure around the dead pixel by referring to the aforementioned memory (340), and determines the location of the specific area according to the determined arrangement structure. A more specific embodiment related thereto will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0065] Additionally, the controller (330) may determine the portion of the input image received through the second receiving module (320) excluding the black image as the location of the specific area. A more specific embodiment related to this will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0066] Meanwhile, the embodiments of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 may be implemented optionally or simultaneously.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention in more detail. FIG. 4 illustrates the block diagram shown in FIG. 3 in more detail.

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a display device (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a dead pixel detection unit (410), an image local characteristic detection unit (420), a controller (430), and a memory (440), etc.

[0069] Furthermore, the controller (430) may additionally include, for example, a compensation area determination unit (431) and a compensation data calculation unit (432) for the compensation area.

[0070] And, the memory (440) may additionally include, for example, a first parameter storage unit (441) and a second parameter storage unit (442).

[0071] For reference, the dead pixel detection unit (410) illustrated in FIG. 4 may correspond, for example, to the first receiving module (310) illustrated in FIG. 3. The image local characteristic detection unit (420) illustrated in FIG. 4 may correspond, for example, to the second receiving module (320) illustrated in FIG. 3. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0072] First, the dead pixel detection unit (410) can use location information of pixels processed as dead pixels to remove excessively bright pixel values ​​during the manufacturing of the display panel. Alternatively, the dead pixel detection unit (410) can detect the location of dead pixels after taking a picture using a camera while displaying 255 grayscale image data on the display panel.

[0073] Meanwhile, for example, when the processing bit of the image is 8 bits, the brightest value corresponds to 255 grayscale image data. Of course, as the number of bits of the image processed by the present invention increases, the range of pixel values ​​also increases, so using image data of 255 grayscale or higher is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0074] However, if it is difficult to detect the location of dead pixels using a camera or the like, the user may directly input location information for the dead pixels.

[0075] Meanwhile, the dead pixel detection unit (410) can use sub-pixel units as pixel location information.

[0076] If the location information of dead pixels is used commonly for each color, and a subpixel of one color is a dead pixel, all pixels of all colors may be made dead pixels to perform compensation.

[0077] In this case, users can easily identify dead pixels, and if dead pixels occur in a localized dense cluster, there is a problem in that compensation performance may be significantly degraded.

[0078] Therefore, it is necessary to use the location information of dead pixels at the sub-pixel level.

[0079] For example, instead of forcibly designating normal subpixels as dead pixels, only problematic subpixels can be identified and processed as such. In this case, since compensation only needs to be performed on the subpixels that are actually problematic, normal subpixels retain their original pixel values, offering the advantage of more stable performance.

[0080] The image local characteristic detection unit (420) analyzes the local characteristics of the image using the input image data. The degree of influence caused by dead pixels varies depending on the local characteristics of the image. Since there are cases where the difference caused by dead pixels in the local characteristics is not perceived, the input data may be output as is without additional processing during the compensation data calculation.

[0081] Depending on the arrangement structure of subpixels within the display panel, the tendency of artifacts caused by dead pixels may appear differently. Accordingly, the first parameter storage unit (441) has the technical effect of improving compensation performance by quantifying information such as the arrangement structure of subpixels and storing it as a panel parameter for use.

[0082] Depending on the environmental conditions under which the display panel operates and external environmental factors, the difference in image quality around the dead pixel perceived by the user may appear differently. Accordingly, the second parameter storage unit (442) parameterizes and stores surrounding information received through driving information and external sensors.

[0083] As mentioned above, the dithering technology according to the prior art determined the low-luminance area by utilizing only data such as the sum of pixel values ​​within a sub-block and performed compensation data calculation.

[0084] On the other hand, the compensation area determination unit (431) according to one embodiment of the present invention can compare and determine a sub-block advantageous for dead pixel compensation by using location information of a previously detected dead pixel and local characteristic information of an image.

[0085] The process of the compensation area determination unit (431) determining a sub-block suitable for dead pixel compensation using the location information of the dead pixel will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0086] Meanwhile, the process of the compensation area determination unit (431) determining a sub-block suitable for dead pixel compensation using local characteristic information of the image will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0087] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process for changing a compensation area using a subpixel arrangement structure around a dead pixel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] For example, when generating a large pixel value of a specific color, a sub-block is determined that can minimize color fringing caused by this.

[0089] According to conventional technology, when the brightness of a subpixel adjacent to a dark area in the input image is relatively bright, there was a problem in that the input image appeared brighter than intended, even if the brightness of all subpixels within a single pixel was the same.

[0090] On the other hand, according to one embodiment of the present invention, even if pixel values ​​are made brighter by performing compensation, subpixels adjacent to dark areas are compensated to be brighter with lower priority, thereby providing a technical effect of minimizing the possibility of artifacts occurring due to compensation.

[0091] Number 501 represents the red pixel, number 502 represents the green pixel, and number 503 represents the block pixel.

[0092] And, let us assume that in an arbitrary area (410), there exists a dead pixel (543) corresponding to a red pixel, a dead pixel (542) corresponding to a green pixel, and a dead pixel (541) corresponding to a blue pixel.

[0093] At this time, the pixel values ​​of the blue pixels included in the first region (530) adjacent to the dead pixel (541) corresponding to the blue pixel are compensated.

[0094] Meanwhile, the pixel values ​​of the green pixels included in the second region (520) adjacent to the dead pixel (542) corresponding to the green pixel are compensated.

[0095] And, the pixel values ​​of the red pixels included in the third region (510) adjacent to the dead pixel (543) corresponding to the red pixel are compensated. More specific embodiments related to this will be described in more detail below in FIGS. 11 to 12, etc.

[0096] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process for changing a compensation area using local characteristic information of an image around a dead pixel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] As in Fig. 5, in Fig. 6, there are dead pixels corresponding to red pixels, dead pixels corresponding to green pixels, and dead pixels corresponding to blue pixels in any area (620).

[0098] However, unlike FIG. 5, a specific area (610) of the input image data includes a black screen. Therefore, excluding the aforementioned specific area (610), RGB pixel value compensation must be performed in the same area (630). More specific embodiments related to this will be described in more detail below in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, etc.

[0099] And, when an area requiring compensation is determined using the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and FIGS. 6 described above, the compensation data calculation unit (432) for the compensation area performs compensation data calculation.

[0100] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by using the location information of a dead pixel to reposition pixel values ​​only for surrounding pixels excluding the location of the dead pixel, there is a technical effect of maintaining the unique characteristics of the input image data as much as possible. An embodiment related to this will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0101] FIG. 7 is a drawing for comparing the prior art and an embodiment of the present invention when there are no dead pixels in the display panel.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 7(a), it is assumed that the pixel values ​​of the input image are 120, 40, 20, and 4. At this time, the dithering unit according to the prior art changes the pixel values ​​to 100, 0, 0, and 84.

[0103] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the compensation data operation unit according to one embodiment of the present invention also changes the pixel value to 100, 0, 0, 84.

[0104] However, since Fig. 7 assumes that there are no dead pixels in the display panel, the technical effects of the prior art and the present invention are similar.

[0105] However, unlike in FIG. 7, when dead pixels exist within the display panel, the difference between the technical effects of the prior art and the present invention becomes more evident, and an embodiment related thereto will be described below with reference to FIG. 8.

[0106] FIG. 8 is a diagram for comparing the prior art and an embodiment of the present invention when dead pixels exist in a display panel. For reference, the area marked in black in FIG. 8 represents a dead pixel.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 8(a), it is assumed that the pixel values ​​of the input image are 120, 40, 20, and 4. At this time, the dithering unit according to the prior art changes the pixel values ​​to 100, 0, 0, and 84, but there is a problem in that the overall brightness becomes very low compared to the input data when the pixel with the changed pixel value of 100 is a dead pixel. This technical problem occurs because the prior art changes the pixel values ​​without considering the location of the dead pixel.

[0108] On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 8(b), the compensation data operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention changes the pixel values ​​to 84, 100, and 0, and intentionally adjusts the pixel values ​​at the locations of dead pixels to 0. Therefore, there is a technical effect in that the total brightness can be maintained identically to the input data (the sum of the input pixel values ​​(120+40+20+4) and the sum of the output pixel values ​​(84+100+0) are identical).

[0109] As described above, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by utilizing the location information of a dead pixel and relocating pixel values ​​only for surrounding pixels excluding the location of the dead pixel, there is a technical effect of maintaining the unique characteristics of the input data.

[0110] Also, FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the order shown in FIG. 9, and those skilled in the art may delete, add, or change some steps as needed.

[0111] A display device according to one embodiment of the present invention receives location information for at least one dead pixel (S910).

[0112] Furthermore, the display device can receive pixel data for each pixel of the input image (S920).

[0113] In addition, the display device analyzes the local characteristics of the received input image (S930).

[0114] And, the display device compensates only the data of at least one pixel belonging to a specific area according to the analyzed regional characteristics and location information for at least one dead pixel (S940).

[0115] The aforementioned step S940 further includes, for example, a step of adjusting the pixel value to correspond to zero (0) in the case of a dead pixel belonging to the specific area.

[0116] Meanwhile, the aforementioned S940 step may further include a step of determining a sub-pixel arrangement structure around a dead pixel by referring to memory, and a step of determining the location of the specific area according to the determined arrangement structure.

[0117] In addition, the aforementioned step S940 may further include a step of determining the portion of the input image excluding the black image as the location of the specific region.

[0118] Additionally, step S910 further includes, for example, the step of capturing an input image having 255 gray values ​​using a camera, the step of determining the location of a dead pixel based on the capture result, and the step of setting so that no current is applied to the determined dead pixel.

[0119] Of course, if it is determined to be a dead pixel, even if the pixel value of the output image is not set to 0, it may be processed so that current is not applied during the panel manufacturing stage.

[0120] According to conventional technology, during the manufacturing process of various display panels, processing such as turning off the corresponding pixels is performed due to the problem that the brightness of some pixels is excessively expressed. However, if there are many such dead pixels, the entire display panel is judged to be defective, which leads to a problem of low panel yield.

[0121] On the other hand, according to the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, there is a technical effect of improving the overall yield of the display panel by intentionally changing pixel values ​​around dead pixels to minimize the influence of dead pixels.

[0122] FIG. 10 illustrates a pixel structure of a display panel to which the present invention can be applied.

[0123] In the previously described Figures 5 and 6, a pixel structure of a display panel to which the present invention can be applied is exemplified in which the sizes of the R / G / B subpixels are different and are rectangular.

[0124] However, the present invention is not limited to the pixel structure of the display panel shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and can be applied to all pixel structures of various types of display panels.

[0125] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the present invention can be applied even when the R (Red) subpixel (1002), G (Green) subpixel (1001), and B (Blue) subpixel (1003) all have the same size and are circular in shape.

[0126] Assuming the pixel structure of the display panel illustrated in FIG. 10, a process for compensating for dead pixels and determining the priority of pixels requiring compensation, according to various embodiments of the present invention, will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 11 to 14.

[0127] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention that compensates for dead pixels.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 11, a total of six green pixels corresponding to the green color are located around the green dead pixel (1100), including the first pixel (1101), second pixel (1102), third pixel (1103), fourth pixel (1104), fifth pixel (1105), and sixth pixel (1106).

[0129] At this time, the compensation pixel value (Y) for the first pixel (1101) is determined by the following mathematical formula 1.

[0130] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0131] Y = Y' + ((1 / 6)a)*X

[0132] Here, Y' represents the initial pixel value for the first pixel (1101), and X represents the initial pixel value for the dead pixel (1100).

[0133] Also, 'a' represents a weight value that can be changed depending on the display panel's PPD (Pixels Per Degree) and internal / external operating environment parameters.

[0134] In FIG. 11, it was assumed that there is only one dead pixel (1100) for the green color, but the case where there are multiple adjacent dead pixels will be explained below with reference to FIG. 12.

[0135] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention that compensates for dead pixels.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the first dead pixel (1210) and the second dead pixel (1220) for the green color are adjacent.

[0137] And, around the first dead pixel (1210), there are a total of 5 green pixels corresponding to the green color, such as the first pixel (1211), the second pixel (1212), the third pixel (1213), the fourth pixel (1230), and the fifth pixel (1240).

[0138] Meanwhile, around the second dead pixel (1220), there are a total of five green pixels corresponding to the green color, including the fourth pixel (1230), fifth pixel (1240), sixth pixel (1221), seventh pixel (1222), and eighth pixel (1223).

[0139] At this time, the compensation pixel value (Y) for the first pixel (1211) affected by one dead pixel (1210) is determined by the following mathematical formula 2.

[0140] [Mathematical Formula 2]

[0141] Y = Y' + ((1 / 5)a)*X

[0142] Here, Y' represents the initial pixel value for the first pixel (1211), and X represents the initial pixel value for the dead pixel (1210).

[0143] Also, 'a' represents a weight value that can be changed depending on the display panel's PPD (Pixels Per Degree) and internal / external operating environment parameters.

[0144] On the other hand, the compensation pixel value (Y) for the fourth pixel (1230) affected by the two dead pixels (1210 and 1220) is determined by the following mathematical formula 3.

[0145] [Mathematical Formula 3]

[0146] Y = Y' + ((1 / 5)a)*X1 + ((1 / 5)a)*X2

[0147] Here, Y' represents the initial pixel value for the fourth pixel (1230), X1 represents the initial pixel value for the first dead pixel (1210), and X2 represents the initial pixel value for the second dead pixel (1220).

[0148] Also, 'a' represents a weight value that can be changed depending on the display panel's PPD (Pixels Per Degree) and internal / external operating environment parameters.

[0149] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention for determining the priority of pixels requiring compensation among pixels surrounding a dead pixel.

[0150] The first region (1330) shown in FIG. 13 refers to a relatively bright region, the second region (1310) refers to a dark region, and the edge region (1320) refers to a part adjacent to both the first region (1330) and the second region (1310).

[0151] If a dead pixel (1300) corresponding to green is located in the edge region (1320) of the image, there is a possibility that color fringing may occur on the outer edge if all surrounding green pixels are compensated equally.

[0152] Accordingly, excluding the green pixel (1311) included in the edge region (1310), the initial pixel data of the dead pixel (1300) is distributed to the surrounding five green pixels (1301, 1302, 1303, 1304, 1305) with priority starting from the top pixel.

[0153] That is, a higher priority is given to surrounding green pixels (1301, 1302, 1304) that do not belong to the edge region (1320), and a lower priority is given to surrounding green pixels (1303, 1305) that belong to the edge region (1320).

[0154] Also, FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention for determining the priority of pixels requiring compensation among pixels surrounding a dead pixel.

[0155] The first region (1430) shown in FIG. 14 refers to a relatively bright region, the second region (1410) refers to a dark region, and the edge region (1420) refers to a part adjacent to both the first region (1430) and the second region (1410).

[0156] Near the edge region (1420) of an image with different characteristics, it is designed to have priority according to those characteristics.

[0157] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the design prioritizes the pixels on the left. That is, the original data of the dead pixel (1400) is distributed to the four green pixels (1401, 1402, 1103, 1104) surrounding the dead pixel (1400) that corresponds to green. Compensation for the green pixels (1411, 1412) included in the second region (1410) is not considered.

[0158] Meanwhile, a higher priority is given to surrounding green pixels (1401, 1103) that do not belong to the edge area (1420), and a lower priority is given to surrounding green pixels (1401, 1104) that belong to the edge area (1420).

[0159] If compensation is applied equally to all surrounding pixels without a priority selection process, or if compensation is applied more heavily toward darker areas, there is a problem of color fringing artifacts occurring in which certain colors of some pixels (1411, 1412) in the edge area (1420) stand out.

[0160] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the above-described invention may be implemented in other specific forms without altering its technical concept or essential features.

[0161] Additionally, the methods described herein may be implemented at least partially using one or more computer programs or components. These components may be provided as a series of computer instructions via a computer-readable or machine-readable medium including volatile and non-volatile memory. The instructions may be provided as software or firmware and may be implemented wholly or partially in hardware configurations such as ASICs, FPGAs, DSPs, or other similar devices. The instructions may be configured to be executed by one or more processors or other hardware configurations, which perform or are capable of performing all or part of the methods and procedures disclosed herein when executing the series of computer instructions.

[0162] Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not limiting. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts thereof should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the invention.

[0163] Various embodiments for implementing the present invention have been described in detail in the previous section.

[0164] Since the present invention is applicable to display devices, its industrial applicability is recognized.

Claims

1. In a method for controlling a display device, A step of receiving location information for at least one dead pixel; A step of receiving pixel data for each pixel of an input image; A step of analyzing the local characteristics of the received input image; and A step of compensating only the data of at least one pixel belonging to a solid region according to the analyzed regional characteristics and location information for at least one dead pixel. A control method for a display device characterized by including 2. In Paragraph 1, At least one pixel belonging to the aforementioned specific area is, A method for controlling a display device characterized by including dead pixels.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above-mentioned compensation step is, For dead pixels belonging to the above specific area, a step of adjusting the pixel value so that it corresponds to zero (0). A control method for a display device characterized by further including 4. In Paragraph 3, The above-mentioned compensation step is, A step of determining the subpixel placement structure around a dead pixel by referring to memory; and A step of determining the location of the specific area according to the above-determined arrangement structure A control method for a display device characterized by further including 5. In Paragraph 4, The above-mentioned compensation step is, A step of determining the portion of the input image excluding the black image as the location of the specific region. A control method for a display device characterized by further including 6. In Paragraph 1, The step of receiving location information for at least one dead pixel is: A step of capturing an input image having 255 gray values ​​using a camera; A step of determining the location of dead pixels based on the above shooting results; and Step of setting so that no current is applied to the above-determined dead pixels A control method for a display device characterized by further including 7. In a display device, A first receiving module that receives location information for at least one dead pixel; A second receiving module that receives pixel data for each pixel of an input image; Analyze the local characteristics of the received input image above, and A controller that compensates only for the data of at least one pixel belonging to a specific area, based on the analyzed regional characteristics and location information for at least one dead pixel. A display device characterized by including 8. In Paragraph 7, At least one pixel belonging to the aforementioned specific area is, A display device characterized by including dead pixels.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above controller is, A display device characterized by adjusting the pixel value to correspond to zero (0) in the case of a dead pixel belonging to the above specific area.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above controller is, By referring to memory, determine the subpixel placement structure around the dead pixel, and A display device characterized by determining the location of the specific area according to the above-determined arrangement structure.

11. In Paragraph 10, The above controller is, A display device characterized by determining the portion excluding the black image in the above input image as the location of the above specific region.

12. In Paragraph 7, The above memory is, It stores the placement structure of subpixels within the display panel, and A display device characterized in that the above subpixel includes at least one of a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel.

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