Display driving device and display device including same

Abstract

A display driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a background brightness calculation unit that divides pixels of a display panel into background areas of predetermined sizes and calculates an average brightness of the pixels included in each divided background area; and a mapping curve determination unit that determines any one of a plurality of mapping curves as a compensation mapping curve on the basis of the average of the brightness of each of the pixels of the display panel and the brightness of the background area including each of the pixels.

Description

Display driving device and display device including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a display driving device and a display device including the same.

[0002] Generally, a display device includes a display driver that individually supplies pixel data to pixels arranged in a matrix form, and a display panel that displays an image based on the supplied pixel data.

[0003] Some images displayed through a display panel may include areas with different brightness levels. For example, an image as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a bright upper-left area and a dark lower-right area. In the case of such images, increasing the overall brightness of the image increases power consumption, and the contrast of some areas of the image decreases, which may reduce the visibility of those areas. Additionally, applying different brightness levels to different areas of the image improves power consumption compared to increasing the overall brightness of the image, but the same phenomenon of reduced contrast in some areas occurs.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing a display driving device capable of improving image visibility and a display device including the same.

[0005] A display driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a background brightness calculation unit that divides pixels of a display panel into background regions of a predetermined size and calculates the average brightness of pixels included in each divided background region; and a mapping curve determination unit that determines one of a plurality of mapping curves as a compensation mapping curve based on the brightness of each pixel of the display panel and the average brightness of the background region in which each pixel is included.

[0006] The mapping curve determining unit stores a plurality of mapping curves, which are graphs of output brightness relative to input brightness, and the mapping curves are such that, in the case of a dark brightness background area, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to the first input brightness, in the case of a medium brightness background area, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to the second input brightness, and in the case of a bright brightness background area, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to the third input brightness.

[0007] The second input brightness is brighter than the first input brightness, and the third input brightness is brighter than the second input brightness.

[0008] The mapping curve determining unit stores a plurality of mapping curves, which are graphs of output brightness relative to input brightness, and the mapping curves are such that, in the case of a dark brightness background area, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to a first input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the first input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness; in the case of a medium brightness background area, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to a second input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the second input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness; and in the case of a bright brightness background area, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to a third input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the third input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness.

[0009] The system further includes: a pixel brightness conversion unit that receives first pixel data, which is data regarding the grayscale of each pixel of the display panel, and calculates the brightness of each pixel using the grayscale of each color of the subpixels included in each of the pixels included in the display panel; and a background area brightness calculation unit that calculates the average brightness of each background area using the brightness of each of the pixels included in each background area.

[0010] The above background area brightness calculation unit calculates the average brightness of the background areas of pixels located in the boundary region where different background areas are adjacent by interpolating the average brightness of adjacent background areas.

[0011] The present invention further includes a compensation intensity determining unit that generates first compensation data by determining a compensation intensity for adjusting the brightness of pixels included in the display panel based on the brightness of the surrounding environment of the display panel.

[0012] The mapping curve determination unit classifies and stores the plurality of mapping curves into a compensation mapping curve group corresponding to the brightness of the external ambient environment of the display device, determines the compensation mapping curve group using the first compensation data including data on the brightness of the ambient environment of the display device and data on the compensation intensity, and determines one of the plurality of mapping curves included in the compensation mapping curve group as a compensation mapping curve.

[0013] The mapping curve determining unit determines a first mapping curve group as a compensation mapping curve group when the brightness of the surrounding environment of the display device corresponds to a first surrounding brightness range, determines a second mapping curve group as a compensation mapping group when the brightness of the external surrounding environment of the display device corresponds to a second surrounding brightness range, and determines a third mapping curve group as a compensation mapping group when the brightness of the external surrounding environment of the display device corresponds to a third surrounding brightness range.

[0014] The second ambient brightness range is a brightness range lower than the first ambient brightness range, and the third ambient brightness range is a brightness range lower than the second ambient brightness range.

[0015] A display device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a display panel including a plurality of pixels; and a display driving device for driving to display an image on the display panel; wherein the display driving device comprises: a background brightness calculation unit that divides the plurality of pixels into background regions divided by a predetermined size and calculates the average brightness of the pixels included in each divided background region; and a mapping curve determination unit that determines one of a plurality of mapping curves as a compensation mapping curve based on the brightness of each pixel of the display panel and the average brightness of the background region including each of the pixels.

[0016] The mapping curve determining unit stores a plurality of mapping curves, which are graphs of output brightness relative to input brightness, and the mapping curves are such that, in the case of a dark brightness background area, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to a first input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the first input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness; in the case of a medium brightness background area, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to a second input brightness, and in the case of a bright brightness background area, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to a third input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the second input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness; in the case of a bright brightness background area, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to a third input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the third input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness, the second input brightness is brighter than the first input brightness, and the third input brightness is brighter than the second input brightness.

[0017] The present invention has the effect of maintaining the contrast of images with various brightness levels while simultaneously improving visibility by applying different brightness mapping graphs based on the brightness of each pixel and the brightness of the background of the corresponding pixel.

[0018] In addition, since the present invention does not increase the output brightness up to a certain input brightness, it has the effect of reducing power consumption required to increase the brightness of each pixel.

[0019] Figure 1 is an example of an image containing regions with varying brightness.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a pixel compensation unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a background area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a first mapping curve group, a second mapping curve group, and a third mapping curve group according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a first mapping curve, a second mapping curve, and a third mapping curve according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an example of an image compensated according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Throughout the specification, identical reference numbers denote substantially identical components. In the following description, detailed descriptions of components and functions known in the art and unrelated to the core components of the present invention may be omitted.

[0028] 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.

[0029] In interpreting the components, they are interpreted to include a margin of error even in the absence of a separate explicit statement.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033]

[0034] Hereinafter, a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a display panel (100) and a display driving device (200) that drives the display panel (100).

[0036] A plurality of data lines (DL), a plurality of gate lines (GL), and a plurality of pixel sensing lines (SL) may be arranged in a display panel (100), and a plurality of pixels (P) may be arranged. Here, the plurality of pixels (P) may be arranged in a matrix form consisting of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. At this time, the pixels (P) include subpixels, and each subpixel may display red, green, and blue, respectively, and a subpixel displaying red, a subpixel displaying green, and a subpixel displaying blue may constitute a single pixel. However, this is not limited thereto, and the subpixels may display red, green, blue, and white, respectively, and a red subpixel, a green subpixel, a blue subpixel, and a white subpixel may constitute a single pixel, or a plurality of subpixels may each display different colors and constitute a single pixel.

[0037] A display driving device (200) for driving at least one pixel included in a display panel (100) includes a data processing circuit (210), a gate driving circuit (220), a data driving circuit (230), and a pixel sensing circuit (240). At this time, the data processing circuit (210), the gate driving circuit (220), the data driving circuit (230), and the pixel sensing circuit (240) may be configured as a single driving integrated circuit. Alternatively, each of the data processing circuit (210), the gate driving circuit (220), the data driving circuit (230), and the pixel sensing circuit (240) may be implemented as a separate driving integrated circuit, and at least one of the data processing circuit (210), the gate driving circuit (220), the data driving circuit (230), and the pixel sensing circuit (240) may be implemented as a single driving integrated circuit.

[0038] The data processing circuit (210) receives image data (RGB) from an external host system and generates a control signal and compensation image data (RGB') based on the received image data (RGB).

[0039] The data processing circuit (210) supplies various control signals to the gate driving circuit (220) and the data driving circuit (230). The data processing circuit (210) generates a gate control signal (GCS) that scans pixels (P) according to the timing implemented in each frame and transmits it to the gate driving circuit (220). Additionally, the data processing circuit (210) can output image data (RGB') to the data driving circuit (230) by converting image data (RGB) input from an external device to match the data signal format used by the data driving circuit (230). The data processing circuit (210) can transmit a data control signal (DCS) that controls the data driving circuit (230) to supply data voltage to each pixel (P) according to each timing.

[0040] Additionally, the data processing circuit (210) can compensate image data (RGB) according to the characteristics of the pixel (P) and transmit compensated image data (RGB'). To this end, the data processing circuit (210) can receive pixel sensing data (S_DATA) from the pixel sensing circuit (130). The data processing circuit (210) can generate compensation value data using the pixel sensing data (S_DATA) and compensate image data (RGB') using the compensation value data. Here, the pixel sensing data (S_DATA) may include characteristic values ​​regarding the characteristics of the pixel (P). Such a data processing circuit (210) may be a timing controller.

[0041] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the data processing circuit (210) may include a pixel compensation unit (300) to maintain the contrast of an image having various brightness levels while simultaneously improving visibility. The pixel compensation unit (300) will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0042] The gate driving circuit (220) can supply a scan signal of a turn-on voltage or a turn-off voltage to the gate line (GL). When the scan signal of the turn-on voltage is supplied to the pixel (P), the pixel (P) is connected to the data line (DL), and when the scan signal of the turn-off voltage is supplied to the pixel (P), the connection between the pixel (P) and the data line (DL) is disconnected.

[0043] Here, the gate driving circuit (220) may be a gate driver integrated circuit (IC). Although only one gate driving circuit (220) is shown in FIG. 2, the display device may include one or more gate driving circuits (220).

[0044] The data driving circuit (230) supplies a data voltage to the data line (DL). The data voltage supplied to the data line (DL) is transmitted to the pixel (P) connected to the data line (DL) according to the scan signal.

[0045] The pixel sensing circuit (240) receives an analog signal (Vsense / Isense), such as voltage or current, formed in each pixel (P) and generates pixel sensing data (S_DATA). The pixel sensing circuit (240) can be connected to pixels (P) that form a single horizontal line of the display panel (100) according to a scan signal or a separate sensing signal. At this time, the separate sensing signal can be generated by the gate driving circuit (220).

[0046] Pixels (P) may include an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) and one or more transistors. The characteristics of the OLED and transistor included in each pixel (P) may change depending on time or ambient conditions. Accordingly, the pixel sensing circuit (240) can sense an analog signal (Vsense / Isense) based on the characteristics of these components included in each pixel (P) to generate pixel sensing data (S_DATA) and transmit it to the data processing circuit (210).

[0047] However, a display panel according to one embodiment of the present invention may be any one of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light-emitting diode (LED) display panel, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) panel, or an electronic paper display panel, and accordingly, the pixels (P) are not limited to organic light-emitting diodes and may include various elements for outputting light.

[0048]

[0049] Hereinafter, a pixel compensation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a pixel compensation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a background area according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first mapping curve group, a second mapping curve group, and a third mapping curve group according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first mapping curve, a second mapping curve, and a third mapping curve according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image compensated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, the pixel compensation unit (300) maintains the contrast of an image having various brightness levels while simultaneously improving visibility.

[0051] To this end, the pixel compensation unit (300) includes a pixel brightness calculation unit (310), a background area brightness calculation unit (320), a compensation intensity determination unit (330), a mapping curve determination unit (340), a gain calculation unit (350), and a gain application unit (360).

[0052] The pixel brightness calculation unit (310) receives the first pixel data (pdata1) and generates brightness data by calculating the brightness of each pixel using the color gradation of each subpixel included in each pixel. For example, if the pixels are composed of a red subpixel (R), a green subpixel (G), and a blue subpixel (B), the pixel brightness calculation unit (310) can generate brightness data by converting the RGB color space to another color space using the gradation of each of the red subpixel (R), the green subpixel (G), and the blue subpixel (B), and then calculating the brightness based on the color coordinates of the converted color space. However, it is not limited to this, and brightness data can be generated by calculating the brightness of the pixels through various methods.

[0053] The background area brightness calculation unit (320) calculates the average brightness of each background area (BGD) using pixel-by-pixel brightness data generated by the pixel brightness calculation unit (310).

[0054] The background area brightness calculation unit (320) divides the pixels arranged in a matrix form of the display panel (100) into a plurality of background areas (BGD) of a predetermined size. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the pixels arranged in a matrix form of 2560 pixels * 1080 pixels of the display panel (100) are divided into a plurality of background areas (BGD) of a size of 128 pixels * 128 pixels, so that the 2560 pixel * 1080 pixel display panel can be divided into 20 background areas (BGD) * 8 background areas (BGD).

[0055] The background area brightness calculation unit (320) calculates the average brightness of each of the multiple background areas (BGD). Specifically, the background area brightness calculation unit (320) calculates the average brightness of each of the multiple background areas (BGD) by dividing the sum of the brightnesses of the pixels included in each background area (BGD) by the number of pixels included in each background area (BGD).

[0056] At this time, if the same average brightness calculated for the corresponding background area (BGD) is applied to the pixels included in each background area (BGD), a block artifact phenomenon occurs in which the boundaries between background areas are distinguished and visible. Therefore, to prevent this phenomenon, pixels located in the boundary area where different background areas are adjacent may have an average brightness value obtained by interpolating the average brightness of the adjacent background areas. At this time, the background area brightness calculation unit (320) may use various interpolation methods to interpolate the average brightness of the adjacent background areas for pixels located in the boundary area. For example, the background area brightness calculation unit (320) may interpolate the average brightness of the adjacent background areas for pixels located in the boundary area through various interpolation methods such as linear interpolation, bicubic interpolation, bi-linear interpolation, spline interpolation, and imitation interpolation.

[0057] The compensation intensity determining unit (330) generates first compensation data by determining a compensation intensity for adjusting the brightness of pixels (P) based on the brightness of the surrounding environment of the display device. The display device may include a sensor that senses the brightness of the surrounding environment of the display device, and the compensation intensity determining unit (330) receives data regarding the brightness of the external surrounding environment of the display device from the sensor that senses the brightness, and generates first compensation data by determining a compensation intensity for adjusting the brightness of pixels (P) based on the received data regarding brightness. For example, the compensation intensity determining unit (330) may generate first compensation data that compensates to increase the brightness of pixels (P) as the brightness of the external surrounding environment of the display device becomes brighter, and may generate first compensation data that compensates to decrease the brightness of pixels (P) as the brightness of the external surrounding environment becomes darker, in order to improve the visibility of pixels (P). At this time, the first compensation data may include data regarding the brightness of the external surrounding environment of the display device and data regarding the compensation intensity for compensating the brightness of pixels (P).

[0058] The mapping curve determination unit (340) stores a plurality of mapping curves and determines a compensation mapping curve to compensate for the brightness of pixels based on the brightness of the external ambient environment (ALS) of the display device and the average brightness of the background area (BGD) in which each pixel is included among the plurality of mapping curves.

[0059] The mapping curve determination unit (340) includes mapping curve groups (MCG1, MCG2, MCG3) that include a plurality of mapping curves having different curve degrees depending on the brightness of the external ambient environment of the display device, and each mapping curve group corresponding to the brightness (ALS) of the external ambient environment of the display device can store mapping curves that are divided into at least three stages, bright background, medium background, and dark background, depending on the average brightness of the background area (BGD).

[0060] The mapping curve determination unit (340) determines a mapping curve group among a plurality of mapping curve groups (MCG1, MCG2, MCG3) based on the brightness (ALS) of the external ambient environment of the display device as shown in FIG. 5, and determines a compensation mapping curve to compensate the brightness of the pixels based on the average brightness of the background area (BGD) in which each pixel is included.

[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the mapping curve determination unit (340) classifies the brightness (ALS) of the external ambient environment of the display device into one of a first ambient brightness range (ALS1), a second ambient brightness range (ALS2), and a third ambient brightness range (ALS3), and if the brightness (ALS) of the external ambient environment of the display device corresponds to the first ambient brightness range (ALS1), it determines the first mapping curve group (MCG1) as a compensation mapping curve group, if the brightness (ALS) of the external ambient environment of the display device corresponds to the second ambient brightness range (ALS2), it determines the second mapping curve group (MCG2) as a compensation mapping group, and if the brightness (ALS) of the external ambient environment of the display device corresponds to the third ambient brightness range (ALS3), it determines the third mapping curve group (MCG3) as a compensation mapping group. At this time, the second ambient brightness range (ALS2) is a brightness range lower than the first ambient brightness range (ALS1), and the third ambient brightness range (ALS3) is a brightness range lower than the second ambient brightness range (ALS2).

[0062] As shown in FIG. 6, the mapping curve determination unit (340) determines one of the mapping curve corresponding to a bright background, a mapping curve corresponding to a mid background, and a mapping curve corresponding to a dark background as a compensation mapping curve based on the average brightness of the background area (BGD) in which each pixel is included.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the mapping curve determining unit (340) classifies the average brightness of the background area (BGD) into one of a first brightness range, a second brightness range, and a third brightness range. When the average brightness of the background area (BGD) corresponds to the first brightness range, it determines a mapping curve at bright background as a compensation mapping curve. When the average brightness of the background area (BGD) corresponds to the second brightness range, it determines a mapping curve at mid background as a compensation mapping curve. When the average brightness of the background area (BGD) corresponds to the third brightness range, it determines a mapping curve at dark background as a compensation mapping curve. At this time, the second brightness range is a range of brightness lower than the first brightness range, and the third brightness range is a range of brightness lower than the second brightness range.

[0064] However, although it has been described that a mapping curve group includes three mapping curves, the number of mapping curves included in a mapping curve group is not limited to this, and a mapping curve group may include various numbers of mapping curves.

[0065] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, this mapping curve is a graph of output brightness (y) relative to input brightness (x), and may have different curves depending on the brightness (ALS) of the external ambient environment of the display device. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the mapping curve may have curves that have a larger value of output brightness (y) relative to the input brightness (x) of each pixel as the brightness (ALS) of the external ambient environment of the display device becomes brighter. That is, the mapping curve may have curves that compensate with an increased output brightness (y) relative to the input brightness (x) as the brightness (ALS) of the external ambient environment of the display device becomes brighter.

[0066] In particular, the mapping curve stored in the mapping curve determination unit (340) is linearly proportional (y=x) to the input brightness (x) up to a brighter input brightness as the brightness of the background area (BGD) increases. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in the case of a dark background, the output brightness (y) is linearly proportional (y=x) to the input brightness (x) up to a first input brightness (x1); in the case of a mid background, the output brightness (y) is linearly proportional (y=x) to the input brightness (x) up to a second input brightness (x2); and in the case of a bright background, the output brightness (y) is linearly proportional (y=x) to the input brightness (x) up to a third input brightness (x3). At this time, the second input brightness (x2) is brighter than the first input brightness (x1) (x1 <x2), 제3 입력 밝기(x3)는 제2 입력 밝기(x2)보다 밝다(x2<x3). 또한, 어두운 밝기의 배경 영역(dark background)인 경우 입력 밝기(x)가 제1 입력 밝기(x1) 이상의 값을 가지면 출력 밝기(y)는 입력 밝기보다 더 밝은 밝기일 수 있고, 중간 밝기의 배경 영역(mid background)인 경우 입력 밝기(x)가 제2 입력 밝기(x2) 이상의 값을 가지면, 출력 밝기(y)는 입력 밝기보다 더 밝은 밝기일 수 있고, 밝은 밝기의 배경 영역(bright background)인 경우 입력 밝기(x)가 제3 입력 밝기(x3) 이상의 값을 가지면, 출력 밝기(y)는 입력 밝기보다 더 밝은 밝기일 수 있다.

[0067] Accordingly, the mapping curve determining unit (340) according to one embodiment of the present invention does not increase the output brightness of the pixel up to a brighter input brightness as the surrounding background of the pixel becomes brighter, thereby increasing the difference in brightness between the pixel and the surrounding background, which increases contrast and increases the visibility of the pixel. In addition, the mapping curve determining unit (340) according to one embodiment of the present invention does not increase the output brightness up to a certain input brightness, so power consumption for increasing the brightness of each pixel can be reduced.

[0068] That is, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by determining a mapping curve by considering the brightness of the external surroundings of the display, the brightness of each pixel, and the average brightness of the background area containing each pixel, the difference in brightness between the surrounding background and the pixel is increased, thereby increasing the contrast between the surrounding background and the pixel, and accordingly, the visibility of the pixels can be increased.

[0069] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, in order to increase the visibility of the image of (a) in the display panel (100), particularly part A of (a), the mapping curve determining unit (340) determines a mapping curve group among a plurality of mapping curve groups (MCG1, MCG2, MCG3) based on the brightness (ALS) of the external ambient environment of the display device, and determines a mapping curve at a bright background, a mapping curve at a mid background, and a mapping curve at a dark background based on the average brightness of the background area (BGD) in which each pixel is included, and determines a mapping curve at a bright background as a compensation mapping curve, as illustrated in (b), among a mapping curve at a bright background, a mapping curve at a mid background, and a mapping curve at a dark background. Accordingly, as shown in (c), the brightness of the pixel (character) is not increased to a brighter input brightness, but is in a first-order proportional relationship to the input brightness of the pixel, thereby increasing the contrast between the surrounding background and the pixel (character) and increasing the visibility of the pixel.

[0070] The gain calculation unit (350) calculates the final gain to be applied to the first pixel data (pdata1) of each pixel using the compensation mapping curve determined by the mapping curve determination unit (340). Specifically, the gain calculation unit (350) determines the final gain by calculating the ratio of the output brightness to the input brightness corresponding to each input brightness based on the compensation mapping curve determined by the mapping curve determination unit (340).

[0071] The gain application unit (360) applies the final gain determined by the gain calculation unit (350) to the first pixel data (pdata1) of each pixel to calculate the second pixel data (pdata2) that compensates for pixel brightness, background brightness, and brightness outside the display device. The gain application unit (360) can output the calculated second pixel data (pdata2).

[0072]

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

Claims

1. A background brightness calculation unit that divides the pixels of a display panel into background regions of a predetermined size and calculates the average brightness of the pixels included in each divided background region; and A display driving device comprising: a mapping curve determining unit that determines one of a plurality of mapping curves as a compensation mapping curve based on the average of the brightness of each pixel of the display panel and the brightness of the background area in which each of the pixels is included.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above mapping curve determining unit stores the plurality of mapping curves, which are graphs of output brightness relative to input brightness, and The above mapping curve is a display driving device in which, when the background area is dark brightness, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to the first input brightness, when the background area is medium brightness, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to the second input brightness, and when the background area is bright brightness, the output brightness is first proportional to the input brightness up to the third input brightness.

3. In Paragraph 2, A display driving device in which the second input brightness is brighter than the first input brightness, and the third input brightness is brighter than the second input brightness.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above mapping curve determining unit stores the plurality of mapping curves, which are graphs of output brightness relative to input brightness, and The above mapping curve is, In the case of a background area of ​​low brightness, if the input brightness has a value less than the first input brightness, the output brightness has the same value as the input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the first input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness. In the case of a background area of ​​medium brightness, if the input brightness has a value less than the second input brightness, the output brightness has the same value as the input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the second input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness. A display driving device in which, when the input brightness is a bright background area, if the input brightness has a value less than the third input brightness, the output brightness has the same value as the input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the third input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness.

5. In Paragraph 1, A pixel brightness conversion unit that receives first pixel data, which is data for the grayscale of each pixel of the display panel, and calculates the brightness of each pixel using the grayscale of each color of the sub-pixels included in each of the pixels included in the display panel; and A display driving device further comprising: a background area brightness calculation unit that calculates the average brightness of each background area using the brightness of each pixel included in each background area.

6. In Paragraph 5, The above background area brightness calculation unit is, A display driving device that calculates the average brightness of a background region of pixels located in a boundary region adjacent to different background regions by interpolating the average brightness of adjacent background regions.

7. In Paragraph 1, A display driving device further comprising: a compensation strength determining unit that generates first compensation data by determining a compensation strength to adjust the brightness of pixels included in the display panel based on the brightness of the surrounding environment of the display panel.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above mapping curve determining unit is, The above plurality of mapping curves are classified and stored into compensation mapping curve groups corresponding to the brightness of the external ambient environment of the display panel, and A display driving device that determines a compensation mapping curve group using the first compensation data including data on the brightness of the surrounding environment of the display panel and data on the compensation intensity, and determines one of a plurality of mapping curves included in the compensation mapping curve group as a compensation mapping curve.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above mapping curve determining unit is, A display driving device that determines a first mapping curve group as a compensation mapping curve group when the brightness of the surrounding environment of the display panel corresponds to a first ambient brightness range, determines a second mapping curve group as a compensation mapping group when the brightness of the external surrounding environment of the display panel corresponds to a second ambient brightness range, and determines a third mapping curve group as a compensation mapping group when the brightness of the external surrounding environment of the display panel corresponds to a third ambient brightness range.

10. In Paragraph 9, A display driving device in which the second ambient brightness range is a brightness range lower than the first ambient brightness range, and the third ambient brightness range is a brightness range lower than the second ambient brightness range.

11. A display panel comprising a plurality of pixels; and A display driving device that drives to display an image on the above-mentioned display panel; is included, The above display driving device is, A background brightness calculation unit that divides the plurality of pixels into background regions of a predetermined size and calculates the average brightness of the pixels included in each divided background region; and A display device comprising: a mapping curve determining unit that determines one of a plurality of mapping curves as a compensation mapping curve based on the average of the brightness of each pixel of the display panel and the brightness of the background area in which each pixel is included.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above mapping curve determining unit stores a plurality of mapping curves, which are graphs of output brightness versus input brightness, and The above mapping curve is, In the case of a background area of ​​low brightness, if the input brightness has a value less than the first input brightness, the output brightness has the same value as the input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the first input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness. In the case of a background area of ​​medium brightness, if the input brightness has a value less than the second input brightness, the output brightness has the same value as the input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the second input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness. In the case of a bright background area, if the input brightness has a value less than the third input brightness, the output brightness has the same value as the input brightness, and if the input brightness has a value greater than or equal to the third input brightness, the output brightness is brighter than the input brightness. A display device in which the second input brightness is brighter than the first input brightness, and the third input brightness is brighter than the second input brightness.

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