LCD Driving Reverse Gamma Correction for Signal Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal display (LCD) devices face limitations in signal processing due to the need for data signals to have a linear characteristic, restricting improvements in display quality since they typically process non-linear gamma-corrected data.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that perform reverse gamma correction on gamma-treated data to achieve a linear characteristic, allowing for additional signal processing and generation of data signals with a linear characteristic using analog voltage values, enabling improved display quality without restrictions on signal processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If gamma-corrected data with non-linear characteristic is processed, then display compatibility with traditional displays is maintained, but signal processing flexibility is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing flexibilityVSAvoiddata signal linearity requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies reverse gamma correction as a preliminary action to convert non-linear gamma-corrected data into linear data before performing signal processing. This preliminary transformation enables subsequent flexible signal processing operations while ensuring the final output meets the linearity requirements of LCD panels. The linear data is processed with enhanced flexibility, then converted back to gamma-corrected format for display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the characteristic parameter of the data from non-linear (gamma-corrected) to linear through reverse gamma correction, and then back to non-linear after processing. This parameter transformation allows the system to operate in the more flexible linear domain during processing while maintaining compatibility with displays that require gamma-corrected input. The gamma voltage supplier provides analog gamma voltages that correspond to the processed linear data values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If signal processing is performed on gamma-treated data, then display quality improvement is limited, but processing complexity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay qualityVSAvoidsignal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces linear data as an intermediary form between the gamma-corrected input data and the final display output. This intermediary linear representation serves as a convenient domain for performing various signal processing operations such as noise filtering, edge enhancement, and color correction. The linear intermediary enables more effective processing while the gamma voltage supplier acts as a mediator to convert the processed linear values back to the appropriate gamma-corrected output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If data signals with linear characteristic are generated from non-linear data, then signal processing freedom is restricted, but compatibility with LCD panel is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing freedomVSAvoiddata signal characteristic requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of directly processing gamma-corrected non-linear data as in traditional systems, the patent inverts the approach by first applying reverse gamma correction to obtain linear data, processing it, and then converting to the final output format. This inverted sequence of operations provides greater processing freedom while maintaining the required signal characteristics for reliable LCD display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8179347B2Method and apparatus for driving liquid crystal display

Publication Date: 2012.05.15 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus and a method of driving a liquid crystal display device include receiving gamma-treated data, performing a reverse gamma correction of the data, the reverse-gamma-corrected data having a first linear characteristic, performing a signal processing of the reverse-gamma-corrected data having the first linear characteristic, performing a gamma correction of the processed data, and generating data signals based on the gamma-corrected data using analog voltage values, the data signals having a second linear characteristic.