KR101835764B1 - Driver ic apparatus including correction function - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a driver IC apparatus having a correction function. The driver IC apparatus having a correction function comprises: a unit block setting unit which divides pixels of a display panel into predetermined units and sets a plurality of unit blocks; a correction LUT setting unit which sets a correction LUT having a plurality of detailed areas arranged in the same shape to correspond to the arrangement of pixels included in the same unit blocks set by the unit block setting unit; a storing unit which stores the correction LUT, set by the correction LUT setting unit, and stores a gain value and an offset value of each unit block set by the unit block setting unit; a converting unit which converts an input value (input gray) input in the pixel of the display panel by using the gain value and the offset value stored in the storing unit; and a correction outputting unit which generates an output correction value (output gray) of the pixel in the unit block of the display panel by using a conversion value, converted by the converting unit, and a coordinate value of the correction LUT set by the correction LUT setting unit.

Description

[0001] DRIVER IC APPARATUS INCLUDING CORRECTION FUNCTION [0002]

The present invention relates to a driver IC device, and more particularly, to a driver IC device including a correction function, which can be applied to a small display panel having a plurality of pixels to correct an output value of a pixel.

The display panel is widely used in household appliances by displaying information through a screen. Recently, an LCD is widely used as an example of such a display panel.

Generally, a LCD is a display device developed to replace a cathode ray tube used in a monitor of a TV or a computer, and is widely used in industry because it is light in weight, has high image quality, and has low power consumption. Particularly, as the demand for mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs continues to spread in recent years, the market for small display panels mounted on the mobile communication terminals is exponentially expanding.

On the other hand, a display driver IC device (hereinafter referred to as a driver IC device) is a key component essential for driving the display panel. As shown in FIG. 1, a driver IC device is a semiconductor that provides drive signals and data to a display panel in an electrical signal (Multi High Voltage Level signal) so that characters or image images are displayed on the screen. Which is a key component for various types of display driving. However, the conventional driver IC merely serves to supply driving signals and data to the display panel as electric signals so that characters or video images are displayed on the screen, and the function of detecting and correcting defects in a large number of pixels of the display panel It was not possible to provide it.

Open Patent No. 10-2008-0044460 (Published date: 2008. 05. 21.)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to overcome the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and a method of processing the same, A driver IC device including a correction function capable of correcting pixels in a unit block more precisely by correcting an output value of pixels in a unit block by using coordinate values of correction roots having a plurality of arranged detailed areas The purpose is to provide.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driver IC device including a correction function for correcting an output value of a pixel, the driver IC device being applied to a small display panel having a plurality of pixels, A unit block setting unit for setting the unit blocks as a plurality of unit blocks; A correction route setting unit for setting a correction route (LUT) having a plurality of sub-areas arranged in the same form corresponding to the arrangement of the pixels included in the unit block set through the unit block setting unit; A storage unit that stores a set correction route through the correction route setting unit and stores gain values and offset values of the plurality of unit blocks set through the unit block setting unit; A conversion unit for converting input values (input gray) input to the pixels of the display panel by using a gain value and an offset value stored in the storage unit; And a correction output unit for generating a correction output value (output gray) of the pixel in the unit block of the display panel by using the conversion value converted through the conversion unit and the coordinate value of the correction route set through the correction route setting unit .

Preferably,

And the conversion value converted through the conversion unit is a real number type gray value and an integer type gray value.

More preferably, the real gray-scale value is a gray-

(Input gray) input to a pixel in a unit block and a gain value for the unit block previously stored in the storage unit, and an offset value for the unit block is added to the value .

More preferably, the integer gray value is a value

And an integer value excluding the decimal value from the real gray-scale value.

Preferably, the correction output unit includes:

Based on a conversion value obtained by converting an input value (input gray) input to a pixel in a unit block through the conversion unit and a coordinate value of the correction route set through the correction route setting unit, (Output gray) of the pixels in the unit block of the display panel.

[Equation 1]

OG: corrected output values (output gray), BS: total size of the unit block, BHS: Horizontal size of the unit block, F _gray: REAL gray value, I _gray: integer gray value, I _x: correction root x coordinate of , I _y : y coordinate value of the correction route

Preferably, the correction route setting unit includes:

And a single correction route having a plurality of sub-areas arranged in the same form corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of pixels included in the unit block set through the unit block setting unit is set.

Preferably, the unit block setting unit sets,

And the plurality of unit blocks are all formed in the same shape.

The driver IC device including the correction function according to the present invention may have a configuration in which the gain values and the offset values for a plurality of unit blocks partitioned and set in a predetermined unit are the same in correspondence with the arrangement of pixels included in the unit block, An output value of a pixel in a unit block is corrected by using the coordinate values of the correction roots having a plurality of arranged detailed areas to thereby more accurately correct the pixels in the unit block.

1 is a view conceptually showing the role of a conventional driver IC device
2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a driver IC device including a correction function according to an embodiment of the present invention
3 is a view illustrating a unit block setting unit of a driver IC device including a correction function according to an embodiment of the present invention to set a unit block by dividing a plurality of pixels of a display panel into predetermined units
4 is a diagram showing a correction route corresponding to a unit block set through a unit block setting unit in a driver IC device including a correction function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a driver IC device including a correction function according to an embodiment of the present invention. When it is assumed that the first unit block is turned on in 25.5 gray, each pixel in the first unit block is corrected, Fig.
6 is a diagram showing a correction route having a plurality of detailed areas arranged in the same form corresponding to a first unit block in a driver IC device including a correction function according to an embodiment of the present invention
7 is a graph showing the relationship between the correction value and the correction output value when the first unit block is turned on in 25.5 gray in the driver IC device including the correction function according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to exemplary drawings. In describing the components in the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals whenever possible, even if they are displayed on other drawings.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the constituent elements from other constituent elements, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or order of the constituent elements. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected, coupled, or connected to the other component, It is to be understood that another element may be "connected "," coupled ", or "connected" between elements.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a driver IC device including a correction function according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2, the driver IC device 100 including a correction function includes a unit block setting unit 110, a correction route setting unit 120, a storage unit 130, a conversion unit 140, And an output unit 150. Based on such a configuration, the present invention can be applied to a small display panel having a plurality of pixels to correct an output value of a pixel. Hereinafter, each configuration of the driver IC device 100 including the correction function will be described in more detail.

The unit block setting unit 110 divides the pixels of the display panel 200 into a predetermined unit and sets the unit blocks as a plurality of unit blocks. Specifically, the display panel 200 includes a plurality of pixels, and each of the pixels is configured to light up. The unit block setting unit 110 divides a plurality of pixels included in the display panel 200 into a predetermined unit It can be set as a plurality of unit blocks. Here, a plurality of unit blocks set through the unit block setting unit 110 are all formed in the same shape. For example, if the unit block is set in the form of 2X2 Block, all unit blocks of the display panel 200 are formed in the form of 2X2 Block, and if the unit blocks are set in the form of 3X3 Block, All unit blocks can be formed in the form of 3X3 Blocks. Hereinafter, setting of a unit block in the unit block setting unit 110 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

3 is a view illustrating a unit block setting unit of a driver IC device including a correction function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of pixels of a display panel are divided into predetermined units to set unit blocks. As shown in FIG. 3, the display panel 200 includes a plurality of pixels. The unit block setting unit 110 may set a unit block by dividing a plurality of pixels into predetermined units. FIG. 3 shows that a unit block is set in the form of a 2X2 block in the unit block setting unit 110 according to one embodiment. In another embodiment, a unit block is set in the form of 3X3 Block, 4X4 Block, or 8X8 Block It is possible. Hereinafter, a unit block set in the form of a 2 × 2 block will be described in order to facilitate description of the present invention.

The correction route setting unit 120 sets a correction route 300 having a plurality of detailed areas 310 arranged in the same form corresponding to the arrangement of pixels included in a unit block set through the unit block setting unit 110 . At this time, the correction route setting unit 120 sets one of the plurality of detailed areas 310 arranged in the same form corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of pixels included in the unit block set through the unit block setting unit 110 The correction route 300 is set. Here, the correction route 300 set through the correction route setting unit 120 may be configured to have the correction root coordinate values for the respective subregions 310. Setting of the correction route 300 in the correction route setting unit 120 will be described below in detail with reference to FIG.

4 is a diagram showing a correction route corresponding to a unit block set through a unit block setting unit in a driver IC device including a correction function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The correction route setting unit 120 may set the correction route 300 corresponding to the unit block set through the unit block setting unit 110 as shown in FIG. 4, when a unit block is set in the form of a 2 × 2 block through the unit block setting unit 110, the correction route setting unit 120 sets four sub-areas 310 A correction root 300 of 2X2 Block type can be set. Here, among the four detailed areas 310, the first detailed area located on the upper left is (0,0), the second detailed area located on the upper right is (1,0), the third detailed area located on the lower left is (0, 1), and the fourth sub-area located at the lower right can be configured to have the correction root coordinate value of (1,1). According to another embodiment, when a unit block is set in the form of a 3X3 block through the unit block setting unit 110, the correction route setting unit 120 sets the 3X3 block type having 9 sub- The correction route 300 can be set.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the correction route setting unit 120 can rearrange the position of each sub region including the correction root coordinate value. For example, a first detailed area having a correction root coordinate value of (0, 0) is referred to as an upper left, a third detailed area having a correction root coordinate value of (0, 1) The fourth detailed area having the correction root coordinate value can be rearranged to the lower left position and the second detailed area having the correction root coordinate value of (1,0) to the lower right position.

The storage unit 130 stores the correction route 300 set through the correction route setting unit 120 and calculates a gain value and an offset value for each of a plurality of unit blocks set through the unit block setting unit 110, and stores the offset value. According to an embodiment, a plurality of unit blocks set through the unit block setting unit 110 may have different gain values and offset values, respectively. The storage unit 130 may store the gain values of the plurality of unit blocks, And offset values, respectively. The storage unit 130 stores correction root coordinate value information for each of the detailed areas 310 of the correction route 300 set through the correction route setting unit 120 and position information of each of the detailed areas 310 Information can also be stored.

The conversion unit 140 of the present invention may convert an input value (input gray) input to a pixel of the display panel 200 according to a linear function equation (y = ax + b) , A gain value for a plurality of unit blocks set through the unit block setting unit 110 means a first order coefficient a in a linear function equation and an offset value means a constant term b in a linear function equation.

The conversion unit 140 converts the input value (input gray) input to the pixels of the display panel 200 using the gain value and the offset value stored in the storage unit 130. Here, the converting unit 140 may convert an input value (input gray) input to a pixel of the display panel 200 into a real gray value and an integer gray value. The process of converting the input value (input gray) input to the pixels of the display panel 200 into the real gray value and the integer gray value by the conversion unit 140 will be described in detail below.

As described above, the conversion unit 140 can convert an input value (input gray) input to a pixel of the display panel 200 according to a linear function formula (y = ax + b) Type gray value, the first order coefficient a value means a gain value for a plurality of unit blocks set through the unit block setting unit 110, and the constant term b means an offset value. That is, the real gray level value is obtained by multiplying the input value (input gray) input to the pixels in the unit block by the gain value for the corresponding unit block previously stored in the storage unit 130 through the conversion unit 140 Value, and an offset value for the unit block. For example, if the input value (input gray) input to a pixel in a unit block is 25, the gain value for the block is 1, and the offset value is 0.5, the real gray value is 25X1 + 0.5, .

On the other hand, the integer-type gray value means an integer value excluding the decimal value from the real-valued gray value generated through the conversion unit 140. For example, when the real gray value generated through the conversion unit 140 is 25.5, the integer gray value may be 25, excluding the decimal value 0.5.

The correction output unit 150 corrects the pixels in the unit block of the display panel using the converted values converted through the conversion unit 140 and the coordinate values of the correction route 300 set through the correction route setting unit 120 It is responsible for generating the output value (output gray). Here, the conversion value converted through the conversion unit 140 refers to a real-valued gray value and an integer-valued gray value. More specifically, the correction output unit 150 of the present invention includes a conversion value obtained by converting an input value (input gray) input to a pixel in a unit block through the conversion unit 140, (Output gray) of the pixels in the unit block of the display panel 200 using the following equation (1) based on the coordinate values of the correction roots set through the correction root. The correction of the pixels in the unit block of the display panel 200 through the correction output unit 150 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.

[Equation 1]

OG: corrected output values (output gray), BS: total size of the unit block, BHS: Horizontal size of the unit block, F _gray: REAL gray value, I _gray: integer gray value, I _x: correction root x coordinate of , I _y : y coordinate value of the correction route

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a driver IC device including a correction function according to an embodiment of the present invention. When it is assumed that the first unit block is turned on in 25.5 gray, each pixel in the first unit block is corrected, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a driver IC device including a correction function according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, a correction route having a plurality of detailed areas arranged in the same form corresponding to the first unit block Fig.

According to the embodiment, the first unit block is in the form of 2X2 Block, the input value (input gray) input to the pixels in the first unit block is 25, the gain value for the first unit block is 1, 0.5, the real gray level (25X1 + 0.1) is 25.5, the integer gray value is 25, the total size (2X2) of the unit block is 4, and the horizontal size of the unit block is 2. By substituting the derived values into Equation 1, a correction output value for each pixel in the first unit block can be generated as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the process of generating the correction output values of each pixel in the first unit block shown in FIG. 5 will be described in more detail. For the sake of a clearer description, a pixel positioned on the upper left in the first unit block is referred to as a first pixel, a pixel positioned on the upper right is referred to as a second pixel, pixels positioned on the lower left are referred to as a third pixel, and pixels positioned on the lower right are referred to as a fourth pixel. 6, a detailed area located on the upper left of the plurality of detailed areas in the correction route 300 arranged in the same form corresponding to the first unit block is referred to as a first detailed area 311, The detailed area is referred to as a second detailed area 312, the detailed area located at the lower left is referred to as a third detailed area 313, and the detailed area located at the lower right is referred to as a fourth detailed area 314. Further, according to the embodiment, the first detailed area 311 is (0,0), the second detailed area 312 located at the upper right is (1,0), and the third detailed area 313 located at the bottom left (0,1), and the fourth detailed area 314 located at the lower right can be configured to have the correction root coordinate value of (1,1)

The process of generating the correction output value of the first pixel through Equation (1) is as follows. As described above, I _x = 0 and I _y = 0 because F _gray = 25.5 and I _gray = 25 and the coordinate value of the first sub-area 311 corresponding to the first pixel is (0, 0) . When these values are substituted into Equation (1), the correction output value of the first pixel becomes 25 + 1 and becomes 26 because the value of (25.5-25) X4 is larger than the value of (0X2 + 0).

The process of generating the correction output value of the second pixel according to the above-described method is as follows. _{F gray = 25.5, I gray =} 25, I x = 1, _y = 0, the value of I is two, (25.5-25) X4 is larger than the value of (0X2 +1), the output correction value of the second pixel is 25 + 1 becomes 26.

Similarly, the process of generating the correction output value of the third pixel is as follows. The correction output value of the third pixel is expressed _{by the following} equation: F _gray = 25.5, I _gray = 25, I _x = 0 and I _y = 1, and the value of (25.5-25) X4 is equal to (1X2 + 25.

In the same manner, the process of generating the correction output value of the fourth pixel is as follows. _{F gray = 25.5, I gray =} 25, a is _{I x = 1, I y =} 1, (25.5-25) , the value of X4 is smaller than the value of (1X2 +1), correcting the output value of the fourth pixel is 25.

On the other hand, according to another embodiment, the first detailed area having the correction root coordinate value of (0, 0) in the correction route setting unit 120 is referred to as the upper left, the third detailed area having the correction root coordinate value of (0, When the fourth detailed area having the correction root coordinate value of (1, 1) is arranged at the lower left, and the second detailed area having the correction root coordinate value of (1, 0) is arranged at the lower right position in the top- , Each pixel in the first unit block may be corrected as shown in Fig. 7 to indicate a correction output value.

As described above, according to the driver IC device including the correction function proposed in the present invention, the gain IC and the offset value for a plurality of unit blocks divided and set in a predetermined unit, The pixels in the unit block can be more precisely corrected by correcting the output values of the pixels in the unit block by using the coordinate values of the correction roots having the plurality of detailed regions arranged in the same form corresponding to the arrangement.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. That is, within the scope of the present invention, all of the components may be selectively coupled to one or more of them. Furthermore, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or "having" described above mean that a component can be implanted unless otherwise specifically stated, But should be construed as including other elements. All terms, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as predefined terms, should be interpreted to be consistent with the contextual meanings of the related art, and are not to be construed as ideal or overly formal, unless expressly defined to the contrary.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

100: driver IC device including correction function
110: unit block setting unit 120: correction route setting unit
130: storage unit 140: conversion unit
150: correction output unit 200: display panel
300: correction route 310: detailed area
311: first detailed area 312: second detailed area
313: third detailed area 314: fourth detailed area

Claims (7)

The present invention relates to a driver IC device including a correction function that is applied to a small display panel having a plurality of pixels to correct an output value of the pixel,
A unit block setting unit for dividing a pixel of the display panel into a predetermined unit and setting the unit block as a plurality of unit blocks;
A correction route setting unit for setting a correction route (LUT) having a plurality of sub-areas arranged in the same form corresponding to the arrangement of the pixels included in the unit block set through the unit block setting unit;
A storage unit that stores a set correction route through the correction route setting unit and stores gain values and offset values of the plurality of unit blocks set through the unit block setting unit;
A conversion unit for converting input values (input gray) input to the pixels of the display panel by using a gain value and an offset value stored in the storage unit; And
A correction output unit for generating a correction output value (output gray) of the pixel in the unit block of the display panel by using the conversion value converted through the conversion unit and the coordinate value of the correction route set through the correction route setting unit and,
Wherein the correction output unit comprises:
Based on a conversion value obtained by converting an input value (input gray) input to a pixel in a unit block through the conversion unit and a coordinate value of the correction route set through the correction route setting unit, And generates a correction output value (output gray) of a pixel in a unit block of the display panel.
[Equation 1]

OG: corrected output values (output gray), BS: total size of the unit block, BHS: Horizontal size of the unit block, F _gray: REAL gray value, I _gray: integer gray value, I _x: correction root x coordinate of , I _y : y coordinate value of the correction route
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the conversion value converted through the conversion unit is a real-valued gray value and an integer-valued gray value.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the real gray-
(Input gray) input to a pixel in a unit block and a gain value for the unit block previously stored in the storage unit, and an offset value for the unit block. , A driver IC device including a correction function.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the integer-
Wherein the real number type gray value is an integer value excluding a decimal value from the real number type gray value.
delete 2. The apparatus according to claim 1,
Wherein the unit block setting unit sets one correction route having a plurality of detailed areas arranged in the same form corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of pixels included in the unit block set through the unit block setting unit, IC device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1,
And the plurality of unit blocks are all formed in the same shape.

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