KR102473211B1 - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a display area including a first pixel area and second and third pixel areas spaced apart from each other on one side of the first pixel area; a first dummy region disposed between the second and third pixel regions; a transformation area set to at least one area of the first dummy area and including a plurality of sub areas; first, second and third pixels disposed in the first, second and third pixel areas, respectively; a data converter configured to receive first image data including valid data corresponding to the display area and dummy data corresponding to the first dummy area, and convert the first image data to generate second image data; and a data driver for generating a data signal corresponding to the second image data and supplying the data signal to the first to third pixels, wherein the data converter comprises two adjacent sub-regions of the sub-regions. The first image data is converted so that grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to sub-regions are different.

Description

Display device {DISPLAY DEVICE}

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a display device.

Recently, screens of display devices have been implemented in various shapes according to various demands of consumers. For example, the display device may have a display area that is out of a typical shape such as a rectangle or a square, and has a shape in which one area partially protrudes or is recessed.

A technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a display device including a plurality of pixel areas and capable of securing excellent image quality.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a display area including a first pixel area and second and third pixel areas spaced apart from each other on one side of the first pixel area; a first dummy region disposed between the second and third pixel regions; a transformation area set to at least one area of the first dummy area and including a plurality of sub areas; first, second and third pixels disposed in the first, second and third pixel areas, respectively; a data converter configured to receive first image data including valid data corresponding to the display area and dummy data corresponding to the first dummy area, and convert the first image data to generate second image data; and a data driver for generating a data signal corresponding to the second image data and supplying the data signal to the first to third pixels, wherein the data converter comprises two adjacent sub-regions of the sub-regions. The second image data is generated by converting the first image data so that grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to sub-regions are different from each other.

Depending on the embodiment, the data conversion unit may convert the first image data so that a grayscale value of dummy data corresponding to the conversion area gradually increases or decreases as it approaches the first pixel area.

Depending on the embodiment, the conversion area may include an area between the second and third pixels disposed on the last Nth horizontal line (where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) of the second and third pixel areas.

According to an embodiment, the conversion area may include first and second coordinate points located between second and third pixels of the N-th horizontal line, and K of the second and third pixel areas (K is N It may be defined by third and fourth coordinate points located between the second and third pixels disposed on the smaller natural number)th horizontal line.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include data lines connected to the first to third pixels. and second and third pixels of the K-th to N-th horizontal lines during the K-th to N-th horizontal periods corresponding to the K-th to N-th horizontal lines of the second and third pixel areas. A data signal corresponding to the valid data may be supplied to data lines connected to , and a data signal of a gradually changing gray level may be supplied to at least some of the remaining data lines in at least one horizontal period.

Depending on the embodiment, the conversion area may be set to the entire first dummy area.

Depending on the embodiment, the data conversion unit may generate the second image data by maintaining a grayscale value of at least the valid data among the first image data and changing only a grayscale value of dummy data corresponding to the conversion area. .

In some embodiments, the display device may include a second dummy area disposed on one side of the second pixel area and spaced apart from the first dummy area with the second pixel area interposed therebetween; and the third pixel area. It may further include at least one of a third dummy region disposed on one side, interposed between the third pixel region, and spaced apart from the first dummy region.

In some embodiments, the first image data may further include dummy data corresponding to at least one of the second and third dummy regions, and the data converter corresponds to at least one of the second and third dummy regions. Gradation values of the dummy data to be played may be gradually changed.

In some embodiments, the first image data may further include dummy data corresponding to at least one of the second and third dummy areas. The data conversion unit may maintain grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to the second and third dummy regions among the first image data and change only grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to the conversion region.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first dummy area may be implemented as a concave portion or an opening.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a display area including a first pixel area and second and third pixel areas spaced apart from each other on one side of the first pixel area; a first dummy region disposed between the second and third pixel regions; a predetermined conversion area set as at least one area of the first dummy area; first, second and third pixels disposed in the first, second and third pixel areas, respectively; a data converter configured to receive first image data including valid data corresponding to the display area and dummy data corresponding to the first dummy area, and convert the first image data to generate second image data; and a data driver for generating a data signal corresponding to the second image data and supplying the data signal to the first to third pixels. The data conversion unit may convert grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to the conversion area by using at least a portion of the valid data.

Depending on the embodiment, the display device may include a predetermined reference area set as one area of the display area. The data conversion unit may set a grayscale value of dummy data corresponding to the conversion area as a grayscale value of valid data corresponding to the reference area.

Depending on the embodiment, the reference area may be set to an area corresponding to the conversion area among the last horizontal lines of the first pixel area.

In some embodiments, the conversion area may include an area between the second and third pixels disposed on the first to last N (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas. can

In some embodiments, the display device may further include data lines connected to the first to third pixels. and data lines connected to the second and third pixels of the first to Nth horizontal lines during the first to Nth horizontal periods corresponding to the first to Nth horizontal lines of the second and third pixel areas. A data signal corresponding to the valid data may be supplied to R, and at least some of the remaining data lines may maintain a voltage of the data signal applied during the last horizontal period of the previous frame.

Depending on the embodiment, the conversion area may include an area between the second and third pixels disposed on the last Nth horizontal line (where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) of the second and third pixel areas.

Depending on the embodiment, the reference area may be set to an area corresponding to the conversion area among the first horizontal lines of the first pixel area.

Depending on the embodiment, the data conversion unit may generate a grayscale value of the conversion area by using a grayscale value of the reference area among valid data of a previous frame.

According to an embodiment, the data conversion unit may calculate an average grayscale value of grayscale values of the reference region and set the average grayscale value as the grayscale value of the conversion region.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include data lines connected to the first to third pixels. And, during the Nth horizontal period corresponding to the Nth horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas, data corresponding to the valid data is provided to data lines connected to the second and third pixels of the Nth horizontal line. A signal may be supplied, and a data signal corresponding to the average grayscale value of the data signals applied to the reference area during the N+1 th horizontal period of the previous frame may be supplied to at least some of the remaining data lines.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the data converter converts grayscale values of dummy data of the conversion area included in the N-th line data of the first image data into effective data of the second pixel area included in the N-th line data. It can be changed to the same value as the gradation value of any one of the valid data.

Depending on the embodiment, the data conversion unit may set a grayscale value of the last valid data among the valid data of the second pixel area included in the N-th line data as the grayscale value of the conversion area.

In some embodiments, the display device may further include data lines connected to the first to third pixels. And, during the Nth horizontal period corresponding to the Nth horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas, data corresponding to the valid data is provided to data lines connected to the second and third pixels of the Nth horizontal line. A signal may be supplied, and a data signal identical to a data signal applied to any one second pixel among second pixels of the N-th horizontal line may be supplied to at least some of the remaining data lines.

According to an embodiment, the conversion area may include first and second coordinate points located between second and third pixels of the N-th horizontal line, and K of the second and third pixel areas (K is N It may be defined by third and fourth coordinate points located between the second and third pixels disposed on the smaller natural number)th horizontal line.

Depending on the embodiment, the data conversion unit may generate the second image data by maintaining a grayscale value of at least the valid data among the first image data and changing only a grayscale value of dummy data corresponding to the conversion area. .

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a display area including a first pixel area and second and third pixel areas spaced apart from each other on one side of the first pixel area; a first dummy region disposed between the second and third pixel regions; a predetermined conversion area set as at least one area of the first dummy area; receiving first image data including valid data corresponding to the display area and dummy data corresponding to the first dummy area, and third image data including imaging information about an image displayed in the display area; a data converter configured to generate second image data by converting the first image data; and a data driver configured to generate a data signal corresponding to the second image data and supply the data signal to the display area. The data conversion unit applies a first offset value corresponding to the third image data to correct the grayscale value of the valid data, and applies a predetermined second offset value to generate dummy data corresponding to the conversion area. The second image data is generated by converting grayscale values.

Depending on the embodiment, the second offset value may be set to collectively increase or decrease grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to the conversion area among the dummy data included in the first image data.

In some embodiments, the display device may include first, second, and third pixels disposed in the first, second, and third pixel areas, respectively; and data lines connected to the first, second and third pixels. In addition, during the Nth horizontal period corresponding to the Nth horizontal line (where N is a natural number) of the second and third pixel areas, data lines connected to the second and third pixels of the Nth horizontal line have the effective Data and a data signal corresponding to the first offset value may be supplied, and a data signal corresponding to the second offset value may be supplied to at least some of the remaining data lines.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a display device including a plurality of pixel areas disposed adjacent to each other, deterioration in image quality that may occur in a boundary area between the pixel areas may be prevented or reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a display device that exhibits excellent picture quality characteristics while implementing screens of various shapes.

1 to 12 each show a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
13 shows a pixel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 shows a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
15A to 15C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
16A and 16B illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
17 illustrates a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
18A to 18D illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
19A and 19B illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
20A and 20B illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
21A and 21B illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
22A to 22C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
23A to 23C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
24A to 24C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
25A to 25C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
26 shows a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
27A to 27C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.
28 shows a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention and other matters necessary for those skilled in the art to easily understand the contents of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments described below are only examples regardless of whether they are expressed or not. That is, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be changed and implemented in various forms. In addition, in the following description, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only a case where it is directly connected but also a case where another element is interposed therebetween.

Meanwhile, in the drawings, some elements not directly related to the features of the present invention may be omitted to clearly show the present invention. In addition, the size or ratio of some components in the drawings may be slightly exaggerated. For the same or similar components throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and symbols have been given as much as possible even though they are shown on different drawings. In addition, in describing each embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, detailed descriptions of similar or identical parts to the previously described embodiments are omitted.

1 to 12 each show a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIGS. 1 to 12 show different embodiments of display panels that may be included in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 1 , a display panel 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a display area DA including a plurality of pixel areas AA1 , AA2 , and AA3 , and the display area DA It may include a first dummy area DMA1 and a peripheral area NA disposed around the .

According to an embodiment, the display area DA includes a first pixel area AA1, a second pixel area AA2 and a third pixel area AA2 and a third pixel area ( AA3) may be included. For example, the second pixel area AA2 may be disposed on the upper left side of the first pixel area AA1, and the third pixel area AA3 may be disposed on the upper right side of the first pixel area AA1.

At least two of the first to third pixel areas AA1 , AA2 , and AA3 may have different widths and/or areas. For example, the first pixel area AA1 has the first width W1 and occupies the largest area in the display area DA, and the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3 respectively have the first pixel area AA1. It may have a smaller area than the first pixel area AA1 while having a second width W2 and a third width W3 narrower than the width W1 . Also, the second pixel area AA2 and the third pixel area AA3 may have the same width/and/or area or different widths/and/or areas.

First pixels PXL1 , second pixels PXL2 , and third pixels PXL3 are disposed in the first pixel area AA1 , the second pixel area AA2 , and the third pixel area AA3 , respectively. It can be. The first pixels PXL1 , the second pixels PXL2 , and the third pixels PXL3 may have the same structure or at least some of them may have different structures. That is, in the present invention, structures of the first, second, and third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 are not particularly limited. According to exemplary embodiments, each of the first, second, and third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 may be self-emission type pixels including organic light emitting diodes, but are not limited thereto.

The first, second, and third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 are provided on the substrate 101 in which the first to third pixel areas AA1 , AA2 , and AA3 are defined. For example, the first, second, and third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 may be formed on one surface of the substrate 101 .

A first dummy area DMA1 may be disposed between the second pixel area AA2 and the third pixel area AA3. For example, the first dummy area DMA1 may be disposed in a concave portion (eg, a notch area) defined by the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3 . For example, the second pixel area AA2 protrudes from the upper left corner of the first pixel area AA, and the third pixel area AA3 protrudes from the upper right corner of the first pixel area AA. , the first dummy area DMA1 may be positioned at the top center of the first pixel area AA1, that is, between the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. In this case, the first dummy area DMA1 may be positioned between the first to third pixel areas AA1 , AA2 , and AA3 to contact the first to third pixel areas AA1 , AA2 , and AA3 . .

Also, the first dummy area DMA1 has a fourth width W4, and the fourth width W4 may be determined according to the first, second, and/or third widths W1, W2, and W3. . For example, the fourth width W4 may be a value obtained by subtracting the second and third widths W2 and W3 from the first width W1 .

Pixels may not be disposed in the first dummy area DMA1. That is, the first dummy area DMA1 may be a non-display area that does not include pixels. Also, driving wires such as scan lines and/or data lines may not be disposed in the first dummy area DMA1 .

Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first dummy area DMA1 is an area that actually exists between the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3, or the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. ) may comprehensively mean a virtual area between For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first dummy area DMA1 may be an area actually present on the substrate 101 . Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, when a concave portion (eg, a groove) or an opening is formed between the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3, at least a portion of the first dummy area DMA1 is formed. , may be a virtual region that does not actually exist on the substrate 101 .

The peripheral area NA is disposed outside the display area DA and the first dummy area DMA. For example, the peripheral area NA may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the display area DA and the first dummy area DMA.

The substrate 101 is a base substrate of the display panel 100 and may be a glass or plastic substrate, but is not limited thereto. For example, the substrate 101 may include polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate, polyetherimide (PECLI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), terephthalate), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PAR), polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), cellulose triacetate (TAC) and cellulose acetate propio It may be a flexible substrate including at least one of cellulose acetate propionate (CAP). Also, the substrate 101 may be a rigid substrate including one of glass and tempered glass. In addition, the substrate 101 may be a substrate made of a transparent material, that is, a light-transmitting substrate, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the substrate 101 may be configured to have different materials and/or structures according to regions to exhibit different characteristics according to regions. In addition, the substrate 101 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure, and the structure is not particularly limited.

The substrate 101 may have various shapes in which at least the first to third pixel areas AA1 , AA2 , and AA3 may be set. For example, the substrate 101 includes the first to third pixel areas AA1 , AA2 , and AA3 and the first dummy area DMA1 , and may include a rectangular or square area surrounding the first dummy area DMA1 . It may be a substrate of However, the shape of the substrate 101 is not limited thereto, and the shape of the substrate 101 may be variously changed.

For example, at least one corner of the substrate 101 may have a curved shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , all four corners of the substrate 101 may have a curved shape. Meanwhile, although FIG. 2 discloses that the substrate 101 may have a curved shape, not only the substrate 101 but also at least one area (eg, at least one corner portion) of the display area DA may have a curved shape. have. For example, four corners of the display area DA may have a curved shape.

Also, according to embodiments, the substrate 101 may have at least one protrusion and/or concave portion (or opening). For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the substrate 101 includes first and second protrusions 101a1 and 101a2 corresponding to the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3 , respectively, and the first and second protrusions 101a1 and 101a2 . A concave portion (or opening) 101b between the protruding portions 101a1 and 101a2 may be included.

That is, according to embodiments, the substrate 101 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the display area DA. In this case, at least a portion of the first dummy area DMA1 may be a virtual area that does not actually exist on the substrate 101 and may be implemented as a concave portion 101b or an opening. In this way, when the substrate 101 has the concave portion 101b, the internal space of the display device can be used more efficiently by arranging a speaker or receiving speaker in the concave portion 101b.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the shapes of the first pixel area AA1 , the second pixel area AA2 , the third pixel area AA3 , and/or the first dummy area DMA1 may be variously changed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , at least one of the first pixel area AA1 , the second pixel area AA2 , the third pixel area AA3 , and/or the first dummy area DMA1 The region may have an inclined shape (or a stepped shape). For example, the first pixel area AA1 , the second pixel area AA2 , the third pixel area AA3 , and/or the first dummy area DMA1 have a shape in which the width gradually changes in at least one area. can have

In addition, the display panel 100 includes a second dummy area DMA2 disposed on one side of the second pixel area AA2 and third dummy areas DMA2 and DMA3 disposed on one side of the third pixel area AA3. At least one dummy area may be further included. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the outer corners of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3 have an inclined shape, the display panel 100 has a second pixel area AA2 . ) and a second dummy area DMA2 spaced apart from the first dummy area DMA1 and a third dummy area DMA2 spaced apart from the first dummy area DMA1 with a third pixel area AA3 interposed therebetween At least one of the areas DMA3 may be further included.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5 , when the outer corner of the first pixel area AA1, for example, both corner portions of the lower end have an inclined shape, the display panel 100 may have the first pixel area AA1. ) may further include fourth and fifth dummy regions DMA4 and DMA5 respectively disposed at the two outer corner portions of . Meanwhile, in an embodiment of the present invention, the second to fifth dummy regions DMA2 to DMA5 are regions that actually exist on the substrate 101 or are virtual regions implemented as concave portions (eg, grooves) or openings. It will be able to mean comprehensively the area of .

7 to 10, at least one of the first pixel area AA1, the second pixel area AA2, the third pixel area AA3, and the first dummy area DMA1 is It may have a curved shape in some edge regions (eg, at least some corners). For example, the first pixel area AA1 , the second pixel area AA2 , the third pixel area AA3 , and/or the first dummy area DMA1 may have a polygonal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a combination thereof. can In this case, the first pixel area AA1 , the second pixel area AA2 , the third pixel area AA3 , and/or the first dummy area DMA1 may be straight or curved boundary lines, or straight and curved lines. It can have a boundary line of this combined shape.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, it has been described that the display area DA includes three pixel areas, that is, the first to third pixel areas AA1, AA2, and AA3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. does not For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the display area DA may include only two pixel areas. For example, the display area DA may include only the first and second pixel areas AA1 and AA2 . In this case, the first dummy area DMA1 may be disposed parallel to the second pixel area AA2 on one side (eg, upper end) of the first pixel area AA1. For example, the first dummy area DMA1 is formed in a concave portion formed by the second pixel area AA2 having a narrower width (second width W2) than the first pixel area AA1, and the first and second pixels. It may be disposed to be in contact with the areas AA1 and AA2. In this case, the first dummy area DMA1 may have a fifth width W5 determined according to the first and second widths W1 and W2. For example, the fifth width W5 may be a value obtained by subtracting the second width W2 from the first width W1.

Also, the display area DA may be divided into at least four pixel areas. For example, as shown in FIG. 12 , the display area DA may further include a fourth pixel area AA4 in which the fourth pixels PXL4 are disposed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fourth pixel area AA4 is disposed to face the first pixel area AA1 with the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3 and the first dummy area DMA1 interposed therebetween. It can be. In this case, the first dummy area DMA1 may be disposed in the center of the display area DA and surrounded by a plurality of pixel areas, for example, first to fourth pixel areas AA1 , AA2 , AA3 , and AA4 . have.

13 shows a pixel according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience, in FIG. 13 , arbitrary pixels PXLij disposed on the I (I is a natural number)-th horizontal line (horizontal pixel row) and the J (J is a natural number)-th vertical line (vertical pixel column) of the display area DA are to be shown As an example, the pixel PXLij illustrated in FIG. 13 may be any one of the first to third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 described above.

Referring to FIG. 13 , a pixel PXLij according to an exemplary embodiment may include an organic light emitting diode (OLED), first to seventh transistors T1 to T7, and a storage capacitor Cst.

An anode electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED may be connected to the first transistor T1 via a sixth transistor T6 , and a cathode electrode may be connected to the second power source ELVSS. The organic light emitting diode (OLED) generates light with a predetermined luminance in response to the amount of current supplied from the first transistor (T1).

The seventh transistor T7 may be connected between the initialization power source Vint and the anode electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED. Also, the gate electrode of the seventh transistor T7 may be connected to the I+1 th scan line SLi+1. The seventh transistor T7 is turned on when a scan signal is supplied to the I+1th scan line SLi+1 to supply the voltage of the initialization power source Vint to the anode electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED. . Here, the voltage of the initialization power supply (Vint) may be set to be less than or equal to the voltage of the data signal. That is, the voltage of the initialization power supply (Vint) may be set below the lowest voltage of the data signal. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the case where the anode initialization control line to which the gate electrode of the seventh transistor T7 is connected is the I+1 th scan line SLi+1 is disclosed as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, the gate electrode of the seventh transistor T7 may be connected to the I-th scan line (ie, the current scan line) SLi. In this case, when a scan signal is supplied to the I-th scan line SLi, the voltage of the initialization power source Vint may be supplied to the anode electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED via the seventh transistor T7.

The sixth transistor T6 may be connected between the first transistor T1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED. Also, a gate electrode of the sixth transistor T6 may be connected to the I-th emission control line ECLi. The sixth transistor T6 is supplied with an emission control signal (eg, a high-level gate-off voltage capable of turning off the fifth and sixth transistors T5 and T6) to the I-th emission control line ECLi. It is turned off when it is, and it can be turned on in other cases.

The fifth transistor T5 is connected between the first power line PL1 and the first transistor T1, and a gate electrode of the fifth transistor T5 may be connected to the Tth emission control line ECLi. . The fifth transistor T5 may be turned off when an emission control signal is supplied to the T th emission control line ECLi, and may be turned on in other cases. Meanwhile, the first power source ELVDD having a higher voltage level than the voltage level of the second power source ELVSS may be supplied to the first power line PL1 . That is, the first power source ELVDD may be set as a high-potential pixel power source, and the second power source ELVSS may be set as a low-potential pixel power source.

The first electrode of the first transistor T1 (driving transistor) is connected to the first power line PL1 via the fifth transistor T5, and the second electrode is connected to the organic light emitting diode via the sixth transistor T6. (OLED) can be connected to the anode electrode. Also, a gate electrode of the first transistor T1 may be connected to the first node N1. The first transistor T1 may control the amount of current flowing from the first power source ELVDD to the second power source ELVSS via the organic light emitting diode OLED in response to the voltage of the first node N1.

The third transistor T3 may be connected between the second electrode of the first transistor T1 and the first node N1. Also, a gate electrode of the third transistor T3 may be connected to the I-th scan line SLi. The third transistor T3 is turned on when a scan signal is supplied to the I-th scan line SLi to electrically connect the second electrode of the first transistor T1 to the first node N1. Accordingly, when the third transistor T3 is turned on, the first transistor T1 may be connected in a diode form.

The fourth transistor T4 may be connected between the first node N1 and the initialization power source Vint. Also, a gate electrode of the fourth transistor T4 may be connected to the I-1th scan line SLi-1. The fourth transistor T4 may be turned on when a scan signal is supplied to the I−1 th scan line SLi−1 to supply the voltage of the initialization power source Vint to the first node N1. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the I-1 th scan line SLi-1 is used as an initialization control wire for initializing the gate node of the first transistor T1, that is, the first node N1, but the present invention is limited thereto. It doesn't work. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, another control line such as the I-2th scan line SLi-2 may be used as an initialization control line for initializing the gate node of the first transistor T1.

The second transistor T2 may be connected between the J-th data line DLj and the first electrode of the first transistor T1. Also, a gate electrode of the second transistor T2 may be connected to the I-th scan line SLi. The second transistor T2 is turned on when a scan signal is supplied to the I-th scan line SLi, so that the J-th data line DLj and the first electrode of the first transistor T1 can be electrically connected. . Therefore, when the second transistor T2 is turned on by the scan signal supplied to the current scan line of the corresponding pixel PXLij, that is, the I-th scan line SLi, the J-th data line (which is the data line of the pixel PXLij) ( A data signal is transmitted to the inside of the pixel PXLij through DLj).

The storage capacitor Cst may be connected between the first power source ELVDD and the first node N1. The storage capacitor Cst may store a data signal and a voltage corresponding to the threshold voltage of the first transistor T1.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the structure of the pixel PXLij is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 . For example, the pixel PXLij may be implemented with pixels having various currently known structures.

14 shows a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For convenience, in FIG. 14 , the display area DA described above is illustrated as having the same shape as the embodiment of FIG. 4 , but the shape of the display area DA may be variously changed.

Referring to FIG. 14 , the display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a display area DA and first to third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 disposed in the display area DA. ), scan lines SL1 to SLn+r and data lines DL1 to DLm+s+u connected to the first to third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 , and the scan lines SL1 to SLn+r SLn+r) and at least one scan driver 210 and 220 and a data driver 250 for driving the data lines DL1 to DLm+s+u. Also, according to an exemplary embodiment, the display device 10 may include emission control lines ECL1 to ECLn+r connected to the first to third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 , and the emission control lines ECL1 to ECLn +r) may further include at least one emission control driver 230 or 240 for driving.

First, second, and/or third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 are disposed on each horizontal line of the display area DA. For example, each of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3 includes N (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) horizontal lines, and the first pixel area AA1 includes R (R is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) horizontal lines. When the lines are included, at least one second pixel PXL2 and at least one third pixel PXL3 may be disposed on the first to Nth horizontal lines of the display area DA, respectively. Also, a plurality of first pixels PXL1 may be disposed on each of the N+1th to N+Rth horizontal lines of the display area DA.

Meanwhile, pixels or driving wires may not be disposed in the first dummy area DMA1 . For example, scan lines SL1 to SLn and emission control lines ECL1 to ECLn corresponding to the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3 may be disconnected from the first dummy area DMA1 . In this case, the first and second scan drivers 210 and 220 are disposed on both sides of the display area DA, and the first and second emission control drivers 230 and 240 are disposed, so that the second and second scan drivers 210 and 220 are disposed. A scan signal and an emission control signal may be supplied to the third pixel areas AA2 and AA3.

In addition, data lines DL1 to DLm+s+u are disposed on each vertical line of the display area DA. The data lines DL1 to DLm+s+u may extend in a vertical direction in the display area DA to cross the scan lines SL1 to SLn+r and the emission control lines ECL1 to ECLn+r. . Depending on embodiments, the lengths of the data lines DL1 to DLm+s+u may be different. For example, the data lines (eg, DLm+1 to DLm+s) connected only to the first pixels PXL1 in the lower portion of the first dummy area DMA1 are connected to the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. and data lines (eg, DL1 to DLm, DLm+s+1 to DLm+s+u) extending to the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3 to be connected to the third pixels PXL2 and PXL3. can be shorter than

The first and second scan drivers 210 and 220 supply scan signals to the scan lines SL1 to SLn+r during each frame period. For example, the first and second scan drivers 210 and 220 supply a scan signal to one of the scan lines SL1 to SLn+r during each horizontal period, so that the first scan signal of the horizontal line selected by the scan signal is displayed. , so that a data signal can be supplied to the second and/or third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 .

The first and second light emission control drivers 230 and 240 supply light emission control signals to the light emission control lines ECL1 to ECLn+r during each frame period. For example, the first and second light emission control drivers 230 and 240 may control the first, second, and/or third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 so that pixels selected by the scan signal do not emit light during each horizontal period. ) can control the emission of light.

The data driver 250 receives input image data (hereinafter referred to as "first image data DATA1") through a host processor and/or timing controller, and receives a data signal corresponding to the first image data DATA1. generate For example, the data driver 250 generates a data signal corresponding to each line data included in the first image data DATA1 and distributes the generated data signal to the data lines DL1 to DLm+s for each horizontal period. +u). Depending on the embodiment, the first image data DATA1 may be digital data, and the data driver 250 converts the first image data DATA1 to analog voltage type data by applying a predetermined gamma value (gamma voltage). can be converted into signals.

The first to third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 are configured by the first and second scan drivers 210 and 220 , the first and second emission control drivers 230 and 240 , and/or the data driver 250 . ) is driven. Accordingly, an image corresponding to the first image data DATA1 is displayed in the display area DA.

Specifically, the first, second, and third pixels PXL1, PXL2, and PXL3 are selected by a scan signal supplied from a corresponding scan line (any one of SL1 to SLn+r) during a corresponding horizontal period of each frame period. , Data signals may be supplied from the data lines DL1 to DLm+s+u. For example, the first to third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 may be sequentially selected and supplied with data signals for each horizontal line during one frame period. In addition, the first to third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 may receive the first power source ELVDD and the second power source ELVSS, and may further receive the initialization power source Vint according to an embodiment. can The first to third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 may emit light with luminance corresponding to the data signal in each frame period (not emitting light when the data signal corresponding to the black grayscale value is supplied). Accordingly, a predetermined image may be displayed in the display area DA.

15A to 15C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. For convenience, it is assumed in FIGS. 15A to 15C that the display area DA displays a full-white screen (image). Meanwhile, no image is displayed in the first dummy area DMA1 where pixels are not disposed. However, in FIG. 15C , in order to represent grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to the first dummy area DMA1, a virtual image (eg, a black image) corresponding to the grayscale values of the dummy data is displayed in the first dummy area (eg, a black image). It will be shown on DMA1).

15A to 15C , the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the data enable signal DE, and the first image data DATA1 are supplied to the data driver 250 during each frame period 1F. Then, the data driver 250 generates a data signal corresponding to each line data LD included in the first image data DATA1 and transmits the data signal to the data lines DL for each horizontal period 1H. ) is supplied.

The first image data DATA1 may include valid data De corresponding to the display area DA and dummy data Dd corresponding to the first dummy area DMA1 . For convenience of explanation, hereinafter, the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 are disposed on the first to N (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) horizontal lines of the display area DA, and the first pixels It is assumed that PXL1 is disposed on the N+1th to last Rth (R is a natural number greater than N)th horizontal lines of the display area DA.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 15B , each of the line data LD1 to LDn corresponding to the first to Nth horizontal lines of the first image data DATA1 includes the second and third pixel areas AA2, It may include valid data De(AA2) and De(AA3) corresponding to each horizontal line of AA3) and dummy data Dd(DMA1) corresponding to each horizontal line of the first dummy area DMA1. have. Line data LDn+1 to LDn+r corresponding to the N+1th to last Rth horizontal lines of the first image data DATA1 are provided on each horizontal line of the first pixel area AA1. It may include corresponding valid data De(AA1).

Depending on the embodiment, when a full-white image is displayed in the display area DA during the corresponding frame period 1F, the effective data De corresponding to each of the first to third pixels PXL1 to PXL3 is All may have a white grayscale value (ie, the highest grayscale value) Dwhi corresponding to the white grayscale. In addition, the grayscale value of the effective data De may vary according to an image to be displayed, and may have various grayscale values other than the white grayscale value Dwhi.

On the other hand, depending on the embodiment, the dummy data Dd may have a predetermined grayscale value belonging to a relatively dark low grayscale range. For example, all of the dummy data Dd may have a black grayscale value (ie, the lowest grayscale value) Dblk corresponding to the black grayscale. For example, when it is assumed that 256 luminance (brightness) levels are expressed by controlling light emission of each of the first to third pixels PXL1 to PXL3 in the display device 10, the darkest luminance (eg, black) is expressed. Luminance may be expressed by assigning a grayscale value of “0” to “255” to each luminance step from the luminance step to the brightest luminance step (eg, luminance for expressing white). For example, when a full-white image is to be displayed in the display area DA, the effective data De corresponding to each of the first to third pixels PXL1 to PXL3 all have a grayscale value of “255”. can On the other hand, all dummy data Dd corresponding to the remaining area where no image is actually displayed, for example, the first dummy area DMA1, may all have a grayscale value of “0” or other grayscale values in a low grayscale range. have.

The data driver 250 receiving the first image data DATA1 generates a data signal corresponding to the first image data DATA1, and transmits the corresponding horizontal line to the data lines DL during each horizontal period 1H. A data signal for a period of 1H is supplied. Accordingly, the data lines DL(A,C) disposed in area A and area C during the first to Nth horizontal periods in which the second to third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 are selected are, for example, in a white gradation. The data lines DL(B), which are charged to the corresponding voltage level (Lev(W)) and disposed in region B, may be charged to the voltage level (Lev(B)) corresponding to the black gradation, for example. Here, regions A, B, and C are represented by roughly dividing an area where the data lines DL connected to the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 are disposed and an area where the remaining data lines DL are disposed. it did For example, the data lines DL(B) disposed in area B are M+1th to M+Sth data lines (DLm+1 to DLm+s) at the bottom of the first dummy area DMA1 shown in FIG. 14 . ) can be.

At the N+1th horizontal period, the data signal corresponding to the white grayscale is supplied to all the data lines DL(A, B, C) of the display area DA. At this time, the voltage level of the data lines DL(B) disposed in the region B ranges from a voltage level Lev(B) corresponding to a low grayscale (eg, black grayscale) to a high grayscale (eg, white grayscale). The voltage level (Lev(W)) corresponding to can be changed to a large extent.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 13 , the first power line PL1 is connected to each of the pixels of the display area DA, that is, the first to third pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 . To this end, in the display area DA, the first power line PL1 branched into several sub-wires may be disposed around the data lines DL. Therefore, when the voltage level of the data lines DL(B) disposed in region B is significantly changed, a relatively large voltage exists between the data lines DL(B) of region B and the first power line PL1. A coupling effect occurs, and a voltage fluctuation (eg, a voltage drop) of the first power line PL1 is caused due to cross talk. According to the voltage variation of the first power line PL1 , the driving current flowing through the first pixels PXL1 of the N+1th horizontal line is reduced. Accordingly, as the luminance of the first pixels PXL1 of the N+1th horizontal line decreases, the boundary area between the first pixel area AA1 and the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3, for example, A dark line defect in the form of a horizontal line may occur in the N+1th horizontal line.

16A and 16B illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 16A and 16B , detailed descriptions of components similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B , when the second and/or third dummy areas DMA2 and DMA3 are further disposed on one side of the display area DA, the first image data DATA1 corresponds to the second and/or third dummy areas DMA2 and DMA3. Dummy data Dd corresponding to at least one of the third dummy areas DMA2 and DMA3 may be further included. Depending on the embodiment, the dummy data Dd may have a black grayscale value Dblk like the dummy data Dd corresponding to the first dummy area DMA1.

17 illustrates a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 17 , the same reference numerals are given to elements similar or identical to those of the previously described embodiment (eg, the embodiment of FIG. 14 ), and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 17 , the display device 10' according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes a data converter 260. The data conversion unit 260 receives first image data DATA1 from a host processor and/or timing controller, and converts the first image data DATA1 to generate second image data DATA2. According to an embodiment, the data converter 260 changes the gray level of the dummy data Dd corresponding to at least one area of the first dummy area DMA1 among the first image data DATA1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the data converter 260 converts dummy data Dd corresponding to at least one area of the first dummy area DMA1 among the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1. The grayscale value of the dummy data Dd may be changed in a gradation form by gradually changing the grayscale value (eg, the black grayscale value Dblk) of Dblk.

For example, when the entire first dummy area DMA1 or a partial area of the first dummy area DMA1 is set as a predetermined conversion area to be data converted, the data conversion unit 260 converts the first image data ( Second image data DATA2 is obtained by gradually changing the gradation value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area among DATA1) by at least one horizontal line unit (eg, at least one line data LD unit). can create For example, the transformation area CA may include a plurality of sub areas each including at least one horizontal line. Also, the data converter 260 may generate second image data DATA2 by changing the grayscale values of the dummy data Dd to different values for each sub-region. For example, the data conversion unit 260 may change grayscale values of the dummy data Dd for two adjacent sub-regions to different values.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the data conversion unit 260 converts the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area by using at least a part of the valid data De corresponding to the display area DA. can do. For example, the data conversion unit 260 converts a predetermined reference among valid data De included in the first and/or second image data DATA1 and/or DATA2 of the previous frame (eg, the previous frame) or the current frame. The second image data DATA2 may be generated by converting at least some of the grayscale values of the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1 using the grayscale values of the valid data De corresponding to the region. can For example, the data conversion unit 260 converts the gray level value of the valid data De corresponding to the reference area among the valid data De included in the first and/or second image data DATA1 and/or DATA2. Grayscale values of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area may be set in the same manner as in FIG.

Depending on the embodiment, the conversion area may be a preset fixed area. For example, information on the conversion area is stored in a non-volatile memory provided in the data conversion unit 260, the timing controller, and/or the host processor, and the data conversion unit 260 refers to the memory to perform a dummy corresponding to the conversion area. The second image data DATA2 may be generated by changing the grayscale value of the data Dd. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the conversion area may be set to be changeable by the data conversion unit 260, the timing controller, and/or the host processor according to predetermined conditions or rules.

Depending on the embodiment, the conversion area may include an area between the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed on the last N-th horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3 . For example, the conversion area may include at least a portion of an area between the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed on the N-th horizontal line, and may include a portion of the first dummy area DMA1 or It can be set to the entire area.

Meanwhile, the data converter 260 may maintain the original grayscale values of the effective data De corresponding to the first to third pixel areas AA1 to AA3 among the first image data DATA1. Accordingly, the grayscale value of the effective data De may be maintained at the same grayscale value as that of the first image data DATA1.

That is, according to an embodiment, the data conversion unit 260 maintains the grayscale value of the effective data De among the first image data DATA1 and is a predetermined conversion area set as at least a part of the first dummy area DMA1. The second image data DATA2 may be generated by changing only the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to .

Accordingly, the display device 10' according to the embodiment of FIG. 17 displays an image corresponding to the first image data DATA1 regardless of whether the dummy data Dd is converted or not. That is, the display device 10' according to the embodiment of FIG. 17 can display substantially the same image as the display device 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. 14 .

However, in the display device 10' according to the present exemplary embodiment, at least a partial area of the first dummy area DMA1, particularly a boundary between pixel areas (eg, the first pixel area AA1 and the second and third areas) The grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the boundary between the pixel areas AA2 and AA3 or at least a portion of the area adjacent thereto is changed. Accordingly, for example, it is possible to prevent a dark line defect in the form of a horizontal line from occurring in the N+1th horizontal line.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 17 , the data driver 250 and the data converter 260 are shown separately, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the data converter 260 may be configured inside the data driver 250 or may be integrated inside the display driver together with the data driver 250 and/or the timing controller. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the data conversion unit 260 may be configured inside the timing control unit or the host processor.

For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first image data DATA1 supplied by the host processor is converted into the second image data DATA2 inside the display driver, and corresponds to the second image data DATA2. data signals may be output to the data lines DL1 to DLm+s+u. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, after the host processor converts the first image data DATA1 generated corresponding to the image to be displayed into the second image data DATA2, the second image data DATA2 It can be supplied to the display driver. Then, the display driver may output data signals corresponding to the second image data DATA2 to the data lines DL1 to DLm+s+u. That is, in the present invention, the position of the data conversion unit 260 is not particularly limited, and it may be variously changed.

18A to 18D illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 18A to 18D illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a method for driving a display device including a data converter, like the display device shown in FIG. 17 . In FIGS. 18A to 18D , detailed descriptions of components similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiment (eg, the embodiment of FIGS. 15A to 15C ) will be omitted.

18A to 18D, the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the data enable signal DE, and the second image data DATA2 are supplied to the data driver 250 during each frame period 1F. Then, the data driver 250 generates a data signal corresponding to each line data LD included in the second image data DATA2, and transmits the data signal to the data lines DL for each horizontal period 1H. ) is supplied.

Depending on the embodiment, the second image data DATA2 may be data converted by the data converter 260 . For example, the data conversion unit 260 sets the entire first dummy area DMA1 of the first image data DATA1 as a conversion area, and converts the dummy data Dd corresponding to the entire first dummy area DMA1. The second image data DATA2 may be generated by converting the first image data DATA1 so that the grayscale value is gradually (or stepwise) changed in units of at least one horizontal line.

For example, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18C and 18D , the entire first dummy area DMA1 is set as a conversion area CA, and each conversion area CA includes at least one horizontal line. It may include a plurality of sub areas SDMA1 to SDAn. Also, the data conversion unit 260 may set or change the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd for each sub area SDMA1 to SDAn. For example, the data conversion unit 260 may set different grayscale values of the dummy data Dd corresponding to two adjacent sub areas among the sub areas SDMA1 to SDAn.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18C , the data conversion unit 260, as it approaches the first pixel area AA1, adjusts the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to each of the sub areas SDMA1 to SDAn. The first image data DATA1 may be converted to gradually increase. In this case, at least some of the data lines (eg, DLm+1 to DLm+s) disposed at the lower end of the first dummy area DMA1 during the Nth horizontal period include grayscale values in the low grayscale range (eg, black grayscale values Dblk). )), dummy data Dd corresponding to a higher grayscale value (eg, an intermediate grayscale value between the black grayscale value Dblk and the white grayscale value Dwhi, or the white grayscale value Dwhi) may be supplied.

For example, the data conversion unit 260 sets the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd included in the first line data LD1 as the grayscale value Dgd1 of the first level, and A grayscale value of the included dummy data Dd may be set to a grayscale value Dgd2 of a second level higher than the grayscale value Dgd1 of the first level. In this way, the data conversion unit 260 may generate converted dummy data Dd′ while gradually increasing the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd included in the first to Nth line data LD1. have.

For example, the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd'(DMA1) included in the first line data LD1 of the second image data DATA2 is set (or maintained) to a grayscale value in a relatively dark low grayscale range. The grayscale value of the dummy data Dd'(DMA1) included in the last N-th line data LDn of the second image data DATA2 may be set (or maintained) to a relatively bright grayscale value in a high grayscale range. . For example, the gradation value of the dummy data Dd'(DMA1) included in the first line data LD1 is set to a black gradation value Dblk corresponding to a black gradation (or a low gradation close to the black gradation) ( or maintained), and the gradation value of the dummy data Dd'(DMA1) included in the last N-th line data LDn of the second image data DATA2 is a white gradation (or a high gradation close to the white gradation). It can be changed to a white grayscale value (Dwhi) corresponding to . The grayscale value of the dummy data Dd'(DMA1) included in the second to N−1 line data LD2 of the second image data DATA2 gradually increases by at least one horizontal line. Intermediate grayscale values (eg, the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd'(DMA1) included in the first line data LD1 and the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd'(DMA1) included in the Nth line data LDn) It may be changed to grayscale values (Dgd2 to Dgdn-1) of the second to N−1th levels corresponding to any one of the grayscale values (between grayscale values).

Meanwhile, among the second image data DATA2, grayscale values of valid data De(AA1), De(AA2), and De(AA3) corresponding to the first to third pixel areas AA1, AA2, and AA3 are The grayscale value of 1 image data DATA1 may be maintained the same. Accordingly, the display area DA may display an image corresponding to the first image data DATA1 regardless of a change in the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1.

Also, according to an exemplary embodiment, the data converter 260 converts at least some of the grayscale values of the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1 to generate dummy data Dd for each sub-pixel data. The gradation value of may be gradually changed. For example, the data converter 260 may gradually change the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd for each of red, green, and blue sub-pixel data.

As in the above-described embodiment, when the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd is gradually increased throughout the first dummy area DMA1, K (K of the second and third pixel areas AA2 to AA3 is The second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 of the K-th to N-th horizontal lines during the K-th to N-th horizontal periods corresponding to the (natural number)-th to the last N (N is a natural number greater than K)-th horizontal line The data lines DL(A, C) connected to the data signals corresponding to the valid data De(AA2) and De(AA3) of the corresponding line data LD (for example, corresponding to the white grayscale value Dwhi) data signal) is supplied. And, during the K-th to N-th horizontal periods, at least some of the remaining data lines DL(B) have data signals corresponding to grayscale values that gradually change (for example, increase) for each at least one horizontal period. can be supplied. Here, the remaining data lines DL(B) are data lines corresponding to the first dummy area DMA1, and for example, the second and second pixels of the K-th horizontal line are selected based on the K-th horizontal line. It may be the remaining data lines not connected to the 3 pixels PXL2 and PXL3 .

That is, during the first to Nth horizontal periods in which the second to third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 are selected, the data lines DL(A,C) disposed in area A and area C are provided with first image data ( Like the grayscale value included in DATA1), for example, the voltage level Lev(W) corresponding to the white grayscale value Dwhi is charged. On the other hand, during the first to Nth horizontal periods, the data lines DL(B) disposed in area B gradually increase grayscale values regardless of the initial grayscale values included in the first image data DATA1. is charged to a voltage level corresponding to For example, the data lines DL(B) disposed in area B during the Nth horizontal period have a voltage level Lev(W) corresponding to the white grayscale value Dwhi (or a predetermined grayscale level belonging to a high grayscale range). voltage level corresponding to the value).

Thereafter, when the N+1th horizontal period arrives, all the data lines DL(A, B, C) of the display area DA display the white gradation value Dwhi (or other gradation corresponding to the image to be displayed). A data signal of a voltage level (Lev(W)) corresponding to the value) is supplied. At this time, during the immediately preceding Nth horizontal period, the data lines DL(B) disposed in area B have a voltage level corresponding to a high grayscale value, for example, a voltage level corresponding to a white grayscale value Dwhi (Lev(W)). ), there may be no voltage fluctuation of the data lines DL(B) of the area B. Alternatively, during the Nth horizontal period, since the data lines DL(B) disposed in area B are charged to a voltage level corresponding to a high grayscale value similar to the white grayscale value Dwhi, FIGS. 15A to 15C Compared to the embodiment described above, the amount of voltage variation of the data lines DL(B) of region B is reduced. Accordingly, a dark line defect occurring in a boundary area between the first pixel area AA1 and the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3 may be prevented or alleviated.

Meanwhile, FIG. 18C discloses an embodiment in which grayscale values of the dummy data Dd are gradually increased toward the first to Nth horizontal lines of the first dummy area DMA1 (in particular, the conversion area CA). The present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 18D, in another embodiment of the present invention, the gray levels of the dummy data Dd go toward the first to Nth horizontal lines of the first dummy area DMA1 (in particular, the conversion area CA). You can also gradually decrease the value. For example, at least some of the first pixels PXL1 adjacent to the first dummy area DMA1 among the first pixels PXL1 of the N+1th horizontal line (eg, the lower portion of the first dummy area DMA1) When a data signal corresponding to a grayscale value in the low grayscale range is supplied to the first pixels PXL1, the data converter 260 converts the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd included in the N-th line data LDn. may be set to a predetermined grayscale value (eg, black grayscale value Dblk) in the low grayscale range.

Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, dummy in at least two directions (eg, an upper direction and a lower direction) based on an arbitrary horizontal line included in the first dummy area DMA1 (in particular, the conversion area CA). The gradation value of the data Dd may be gradually changed. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, the gray level value of the dummy data Dd may be independently set or changed for each sub area SDMA1 to SDAn.

According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, in the display device 10' including a plurality of pixel areas, for example, first to third pixel areas AA1 to AA3 disposed adjacent to each other, the pixels Deterioration in image quality that may occur in a boundary region between regions may be prevented or reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a display device 10' that exhibits excellent picture quality characteristics while implementing screens of various shapes.

19A and 19B illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an embodiment of a method for driving a display device including a data converter according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 19A and 19B , a detailed description of components similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B , when the second and/or third dummy areas DMA2 and DMA3 are further disposed on one side of the display area DA, the data converter 260 converts the first image data ( Among the dummy data Dd included in DATA1), only the grayscale values of a portion of the dummy data Dd corresponding to at least one area (conversion area) of the first dummy area DMA1 are changed, and the second and/or Grayscale values of the remaining dummy data Dd corresponding to the third dummy areas DMA2 and DMA3 may maintain their original values. For example, the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the second and/or third dummy areas DMA2 and DMA3 may be maintained as a black grayscale value Dblk.

Additionally, according to an exemplary embodiment, even when the fourth and/or fifth dummy areas DMA4 and DMA5 are further disposed as shown in FIG. 5 , the data converter 260 converts the first dummy area DMA1 Only the gradation value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to at least one area of . For example, grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to the fourth and/or fifth dummy areas DMA4 and DMA5 of the second image data DATA2 may be maintained as black grayscale values Dblk.

That is, according to an exemplary embodiment, the data converter 260 may perform at least one area (eg, the first dummy area) of the first dummy area DMA1 among the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1. It is possible to change grayscale values only for a portion of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the entire area DMA1) and maintain original grayscale values for the remaining dummy data Dd.

20A and 20B illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate an embodiment of a method for driving a display device including a data converter according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 20A and 20B , a detailed description of components similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B , when the second and/or third dummy areas DMA2 and DMA3 are further disposed on one side of the display area DA, the data converter 260 converts the first image data ( All grayscale values of the dummy data Dd included in DATA1) may be changed. For example, the data converter 260 gradually changes the grayscale values of all the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1 in units of at least one horizontal line, thereby generating the second image data DATA2. can create For example, the data conversion unit 260 converts dummy data corresponding to at least one area of the second and third dummy areas DMA2 and DMA3 according to a gray level change of a predetermined conversion area set in the first dummy area DMA1. The gradation value of (Dd) may be gradually changed.

21A and 21B illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate an embodiment of a method for driving a display device including a data conversion unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 21A and 21B , a detailed description of components similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 21A and 21B , according to exemplary embodiments, only a portion of the first dummy area DMA1 may be set as the conversion area CA. In this case, the data converter 260 gradually changes grayscale values only for a portion of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area CA among the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1. , the converted dummy data Dd′ is generated, and the original grayscale values included in the first image data DATA1 may be maintained for the remaining dummy data Dd.

According to an embodiment, the conversion area CA includes an area between the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed on the last N-th horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. can do. For example, the conversion area CA may include first and second coordinate points (P1 or P1', P2 or P2') located between the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 of the Nth horizontal line. ) and the third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed on the K-th horizontal line (where K is a natural number smaller than N) of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. and a fourth coordinate point (P3, P3' or P3", P4, P4', or P4").

Depending on the embodiment, the X coordinate (x1 or x1') of the first coordinate point (P1 or P1') and the third or fourth coordinate point (P3, P3' or P3", P4, P4', or P4") The X coordinate (x1, x2, x3, or x4) of may be the same or different. The X coordinate (x1 or x1') of the first coordinate point P1 or P1' is the X coordinate of the starting point of the first dummy area DMA1 on the Nth horizontal line, or the X coordinate of the starting point on the Nth horizontal line. It may be the X coordinate between the end point where the first dummy area DMA1 ends and the start point.

In addition, the X coordinate (x2 or x2') of the second coordinate point (P2 or P2') and the X coordinate of the third or fourth coordinate point (P3, P3' or P3", P4, P4', or P4") (x1, x2, x3, or x4) may be the same or different. The X coordinate (x2 or x2′) of the second coordinate point P2 is the X coordinate of the end point of the first dummy area DMA1 on the Nth horizontal line or the first dummy area on the Nth horizontal line. It may be the X coordinate between the start point where (DMA1) starts and the end point.

Also, according to embodiments, the third and fourth coordinate points (P3, P3' or P3", P4, P4', or P4") are the second and third pixels (PXL2, PXL2, P4") disposed on the first horizontal line. PXL3), or between the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed between the first horizontal line and the Nth horizontal line. For example, the positions of the third and fourth coordinate points (P3, P3' or P3", P4, P4', or P4") are located in the first dummy area DMA1 based on the first to N-1th horizontal lines. It can be variously changed within the range belonging to. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the third and fourth coordinate points (P3, P3' or P3", P4, P4', or P4") are the first and second coordinate points (P1 or P1', P2 or P2"). ´) may be arranged on the Nth horizontal line. In this case, only the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the last N-th horizontal line may be changed.

Meanwhile, the K-th horizontal line where the third and fourth coordinate points (P3, P3' or P3", P4, P4' or P4") are located and the first and second coordinate points (P1 or P1', P2 or P2 ´) is located on each horizontal line through linear interpolation between the X coordinates and/or Y coordinates of the first to fourth coordinate points P1 to P4. A start point and an end point of the conversion area CA may be determined. That is, the transformation area CA may be defined by the first to fourth coordinate points P1 to P4 disposed in the first dummy area DMA1, and its position, shape and/or area may be variously changed. You will be able to. For example, the transformation area CA may be implemented in various shapes including a rectangle, a square, a trapezoid, an inverted trapezoid, and the like, and its location and/or area may be variously changed.

In addition, as described in the previous embodiment, when at least one of the second to fifth dummy areas DMA2 to DMA5 is further provided, the second to fifth dummy areas DMA2 to DMA5 are further provided. The gradation value of the dummy data Dd for at least one area of DMA5) may also be changed. In this case, another conversion area may be set inside at least one of the second to fifth dummy areas DMA2 to DMA5 in the same manner as the method of setting the conversion area CA in the first dummy area DMA1. will be.

In the above-described embodiment, the data converter 260 corresponds to the first dummy area DMA1 of at least N-th line data LDn among the line data LD included in the first image data DATA1. The gradation values of at least a portion of the dummy data Dd are changed. For example, the data converter 260 may gradually change grayscale values of at least some dummy data Dd corresponding to the first dummy area DMA1 of the K-th to N-th line data LDk to LDn. have. In this case, during the K-th to N-th horizontal periods, the data lines DL(A, C) connected to the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 of the K-th to N-th horizontal lines provide valid data De (That is, the gradation value of the effective data De) is supplied. During the K-th to N-th horizontal periods, data signals of gradually changing (eg, increasing) grayscale values are supplied to at least some of the remaining data lines DL(B) every at least one horizontal period.

That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the grayscale value of the data signal supplied to at least some of the data lines DL(B) at the lower end of the first dummy area DMA1 is changed during at least the Nth horizontal period. For example, during the Nth horizontal period and the following N+1th horizontal period, data signals having similar or identical grayscale values are supplied to at least some of the data lines DL(B) below the first dummy area DMA1. , the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd included in the N-th line data LDn may be changed. Accordingly, even if only a partial area of the first dummy area DMA1 is set as the conversion area CA, a sudden voltage change of the first power line PL1 can be prevented to prevent or mitigate a dark line defect.

22A to 22C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 22A to 22C illustrate an embodiment of a method for driving a display device including a data conversion unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 22A to 22C , detailed descriptions of components similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 22A to 22C , one area of the display area DA may be set as a predetermined reference area RA. Information on the reference area RA may be stored in a memory together with information on the conversion area CA.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the reference area RA may be set as one area of the first pixel area AA1 disposed below the first dummy area DMA1. For example, the reference area RA may be set as an area corresponding to the conversion area CA among any one horizontal line included in the first pixel area AA1.

For example, the reference area RA is an area corresponding to the transformation area CA among the last Rth horizontal lines of the first pixel area AA1 (for example, the range of X coordinates among the Rth horizontal lines is the transformation area CA ) and the same area). Alternatively, in another embodiment, the reference area RA is set to an area corresponding to the conversion area CA among the first horizontal lines (ie, the N+1 th horizontal line) of the first pixel area AA1. Corresponds to the conversion area CA among any one horizontal line between the first horizontal line (ie, the N+1th horizontal line) and the last horizontal line (ie, the R-th horizontal line) of the first pixel area AA1. It may be set as an area to

In the above-described embodiment, the data conversion unit 260 converts the gray level value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area CA among the first image data DATA1 to the valid data De corresponding to the reference area RA. ), the second image data DATA2 may be generated. For example, the data converter 260 controls the gradation of the reference area RA among the last R-th line data LDr included in the second image data DATA2 (or first image data DATA1) of the previous frame. The value Dref1 may be set to the grayscale value Ggdr1 of the conversion area CA. As such, the data conversion unit 260 displays the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the predetermined conversion area CA among the line data LD included in the first image data DATA1. It may be changed to a grayscale value corresponding to one area of the area DA.

Meanwhile, the data converter 260 maintains the original grayscale values Dg and Dref1 of the effective data De corresponding to the first to third pixel areas AA1 to AA3 among the first image data DATA1. can do. Accordingly, the grayscale value of the effective data De may be maintained at the same grayscale value as that of the first image data DATA1. That is, according to an exemplary embodiment, the data converter 260 maintains the grayscale value of the effective data De among the first image data DATA1, and only the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area CA. By changing, the second image data DATA2 may be generated.

According to an embodiment, the conversion area CA includes an area between the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed on the first to last horizontal lines of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. can do. In this case, during the first to Nth horizontal periods corresponding to the first to Nth horizontal lines of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3, the second and third pixels of the first to Nth horizontal lines Data signals corresponding to the valid data De(AA2) and De(AA3) of the first to Nth line data LD1 to LDn are data signals DL(A,C) connected to PXL2 and PXL3. may be supplied sequentially. In addition, at least some of the remaining data lines DL(B) (eg, data lines below the conversion area CA) may maintain the voltage of the data signal applied during the last Rth horizontal period of the previous frame.

According to the above-described embodiment, the grayscale value of the data signal supplied to at least a part of the data lines DL(B) at the lower part of the first dummy area DMA1 during the at least Nth horizontal period is the grayscale value of some valid data De. change to value Accordingly, a sudden voltage change of the first power line PL1 may be prevented to prevent or mitigate a dark line defect.

23A to 23C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 23A to 23C illustrate an embodiment of a method for driving a display device including a data conversion unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 23A to 23C , detailed descriptions of components similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

23A to 23C , the reference area RA is an area corresponding to the conversion area CA among the first horizontal lines (ie, N+1th horizontal lines) of the first pixel area AA1 (for example, , the range of the X coordinate of the N+1th horizontal line may be set to the same area as the transformation area CA. In addition, the conversion area CA may include at least an area between the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed on the last N-th horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. .

According to an embodiment, the data conversion unit 260 may generate the grayscale value Ggdr2 of the conversion area CA by using the grayscale value Dref2 of the reference area CA among the valid data De of the previous frame. can For example, the data conversion unit 260 may perform the reference region RA of the N+1 th line data LDn+1 included in the second image data DATA2 (or first image data DATA1) of the previous frame. An average grayscale value for the grayscale value Dref2 of ) may be calculated, and the average grayscale value may be set as the grayscale value Ggdr2 of the conversion area CA.

In this case, during the Nth horizontal period corresponding to the Nth horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3, data connected to the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 of the Nth horizontal line Data signals corresponding to valid data De(AA2) and De(AA3) of the N-th line data LD1 to LDn may be supplied to the lines DL(A, C). And, as for at least some of the remaining data lines DL(B) (eg, the data lines at the bottom of the conversion area CA), the average of the data signals applied to the reference area CA during the N+1 th horizontal period of the previous frame A data signal corresponding to the grayscale value may be supplied.

According to the above-described embodiment, grayscale values of data signals supplied to at least some of the lower data lines DL(B) of the first dummy area DMA1 during at least the Nth horizontal period correspond to some valid data De. change to the gradation value. Accordingly, a sudden voltage change of the first power line PL1 may be prevented to prevent or mitigate a dark line defect.

24A to 24C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 24A to 24C illustrate an embodiment of a method for driving a display device including a data converter according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 24A to 24C , detailed descriptions of components similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 24A to 24C , the conversion area CA is at least between the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed on the last N-th horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. may include an area of

According to an embodiment, the data conversion unit 260 converts the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd of the conversion area CA included in the N-th line data LDn of the first image data DATA1 to the N-th line data. The grayscale value may be changed to the same value as any one of the valid data De(AA2) of the second pixel area AA2 included in the data LDn. For example, the data converter 260 copies the grayscale value Dref3 of the last valid data among the valid data De(AA2) of the second pixel area AA2 included in the N-th line data LDn ( copy) to set the grayscale value (Ggdr3) of the conversion area (CA). In this way, the data conversion unit 260 converts the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to a predetermined conversion area CA to each line data LD included in the first image data DATA1. The grayscale value may be changed to a value corresponding to one area of the display area DA.

Meanwhile, the data converter 260 maintains the original grayscale values Dg and Dref3 of the effective data De corresponding to the first to third pixel areas AA1 to AA3 among the first image data DATA1. can do. Accordingly, the grayscale value of the effective data De may be maintained at the same grayscale value as that of the first image data DATA1. That is, according to an exemplary embodiment, the data converter 260 maintains the grayscale value of the effective data De among the first image data DATA1, and only the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area CA. By changing, the second image data DATA2 may be generated.

According to an embodiment, the conversion area CA includes an area between the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed on the first to last horizontal lines of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. can do. In this case, the data converter 260 converts the grayscale value Ggdr3 of the dummy data Dd of the conversion area CA included in the first to N line data LD1 to LDn among the first image data DATA1. is set to the same value as the grayscale value Dref3 of the last effective data among the valid data De(AA2) of the second pixel area AA2 included in the first to N-th line data LD1 to LDn, respectively. can

In the above-described embodiment, during the first to Nth horizontal periods corresponding to the first to Nth horizontal lines of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3, the second and third horizontal lines of the first to Nth horizontal lines The data lines DL(A,C) connected to the third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 correspond to valid data De(AA2) and De(AA3) of the first to N line data LD1 to LDn. A data signal may be sequentially supplied. And, as at least some of the remaining data lines DL(B) (eg, the data lines at the lower end of the conversion area CA), any one of the second pixels PXL2 of the first to Nth horizontal lines may be used. The same data signal as the data signal applied to the second pixel PXL2 (eg, the last second pixel PXL2) may be supplied.

According to the above-described embodiment, the grayscale value of the data signal supplied to at least a part of the data lines DL(B) at the lower part of the first dummy area DMA1 during the at least Nth horizontal period is the grayscale value of some valid data De. change to value Accordingly, it is possible to prevent or mitigate the dark line defect described above.

25A to 25C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 25A to 25C illustrate an embodiment of a method for driving a display device including a data converter according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 25A to 25C , detailed descriptions of components similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 25A to 25C , the conversion area CA is between at least the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed on the last N-th horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. may include an area of For example, the conversion area CA is between the second and third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 disposed on the Kth (K is a natural number) to the Nth horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3. may include an area of

In this case, the data conversion unit 260 converts the grayscale values of the dummy data Dd of the conversion area CA included in the K-th to N-th line data LDk to LDn of the first image data DATA1 into the The grayscale value may be changed to the same value as any one of the effective data De(AA2) of the second pixel area AA2 included in the K-th to N-th line data LDk to LDn. For example, an area corresponding to the second pixels PXL2 among predetermined L (L is a natural number) disposed on the K-th to N-th horizontal lines of the second pixel area AA2 is set as the reference area CA. It can be. Also, the data converter 260 converts the grayscale value Dref4 of the Lth effective data among the valid data De(AA2) of the second pixel area AA2 included in the Kth to Nth line data LDk to LDn. ) may be copied and set as the grayscale value (Ggdr4) of the conversion area CA. In this way, the data conversion unit 260 converts the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to a predetermined conversion area CA to each line data LD included in the first image data DATA1. The grayscale value may be changed to a value corresponding to one area of the display area DA.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the data converter 260 converts the effective data De corresponding to the first to third pixel areas AA1 to AA3 of the first image data DATA1 to the original grayscale value Dg, Dref4) can be maintained. Accordingly, the grayscale value of the valid data De among the first image data DATA1 is maintained, and only the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area CA may be changed.

In the above-described embodiment, during the K-th to N-th horizontal periods corresponding to the K-th to N-th horizontal lines of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3, the second and third horizontal lines of the K-th to N-th horizontal lines The data lines DL(A,C) connected to the third pixels PXL2 and PXL3 correspond to the valid data De(AA2) and De(AA3) of the K-th to N-th line data LDk to LDn. A data signal may be sequentially supplied. And, as at least some of the remaining data lines DL(B) (eg, the data lines below the conversion area CA), any one of the second pixels PXL2 of the K-th to N-th horizontal lines may be selected. The same data signal as the data signal applied to the second pixel PXL2 (eg, the L-th second pixel PXL2 on the corresponding horizontal line) may be supplied.

Even in the above-described embodiment, by changing the gray level of the data signal supplied to at least some of the data lines DL(B) at the lower part of the first dummy area DMA1 during at least the Nth horizontal period, the aforementioned dark line defect or the like can be prevented or prevented. can be alleviated

26 shows a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 26 , the same reference numerals are assigned to components similar or identical to those of the previously described embodiment (eg, the embodiment of FIG. 17 ), and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 26 , the data converter 260 according to an embodiment of the present invention further receives third image data DATA3 in addition to the first image data DATA1, and the first image data DATA1 ) and the third image data DATA3 to generate the second image data DATA2.

Depending on the embodiment, the third image data DATA3 may include imaging information about an image displayed in the display area DA. For example, when a predetermined image (for example, a test image) is displayed in the display area DA, the third image data DATA3 captures an image actually displayed in the display area DA, It may be data obtained by quantifying luminance measurement values expressed by the three pixels PXL1 , PXL2 , and PXL3 .

Depending on the embodiment, the data conversion unit 260 may correct the image quality of the display area DA using the third image data DATA3. For example, the data conversion unit 260 applies a first offset value corresponding to the third image data DATA3 to correct the grayscale value of the effective data De included in the first image data DATA1, and thereby corrects the grayscale value of the display area. In (DA), an image of uniform quality can be displayed. To this end, the data conversion unit 260 has a lookup table in which a first offset value corresponding to characteristic information (luminance information, etc.) included in the third image data DATA3 is stored, or by a predetermined rule or formula. A first offset value may be calculated.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the data converter 260 converts the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to at least the conversion area CA of the first dummy area DMA1 by using the second offset value. can do. According to an embodiment, the second offset value is set to collectively change grayscale values of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area CA among the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1. may be a correction value (or a compensation value) of For example, the second offset value may be a preset value to collectively increase or decrease grayscale values of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area CA. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the second offset value may be set to be changeable. This second offset value may be stored in the data conversion unit 260 or supplied to the data conversion unit 260 by a host processor and/or a timing controller.

In the above-described embodiment, the data conversion unit 260 corrects the grayscale value of the valid data Dd using the first offset value and dummy data (corresponding to the conversion area CA) using the second offset value. The second image data DATA2 may be generated by converting the grayscale value of Dd). That is, the data converter 260 applies a first offset value corresponding to the third image data DATA3 to the valid data Dd included in the first image data DATA1 to obtain the valid data Dd. The gradation value of can be corrected. Further, the data conversion unit 260 provides a predetermined second offset for the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1, in particular, the dummy data Dd corresponding to the predetermined conversion area CA. A grayscale value of the dummy data Dd may be changed by applying a value.

The second image data DATA2 generated by the data converter 260 is input to the data driver 250 . Then, the data driver 250 generates a data signal corresponding to the second image data DATA2 and supplies it to the display area DA through the data lines DL1 to DLm+s+u.

Accordingly, during the Nth horizontal period corresponding to the Nth horizontal line (where N is a natural number) of the second and third pixel areas AA2 and AA3, the second and third pixels PXL2, Data signals corresponding to the valid data De and the first offset value may be supplied to the data lines DL(A,C) connected to PXL3. During the Nth horizontal period, a data signal corresponding to the second offset value may be supplied to at least some of the remaining data lines (ie, the data lines DL(B) below the first dummy area DMA1). .

27A to 27C illustrate a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 27A to 27C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a method for driving a display device including a data converter shown in FIG. 26 . 27A to 27C show the first image data, a grayscale correction value including first and second offset values, and a grayscale value (or an image corresponding thereto) corresponding to each of the second image data. Virtual images corresponding to each of the data, the gradation correction value, and the second image data will be shown.

Referring to FIGS. 27A to 27C , as described above, the first image data DATA1 corresponds to valid data De corresponding to an image to be actually displayed in the display area DA and to the first dummy area DMA1. may include dummy data Dd. According to an exemplary embodiment, all of the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1 may be black grayscale data Dblk. Meanwhile, when an image corresponding to the first image data DATA1 is displayed due to a difference in characteristics between the first to third pixels PXL1 to PXL3 of the display area DA, as shown in FIG. 27A Stains such as dark spots (or bright spots) may appear on the screen. In this case, the data conversion unit 260 generates the compensation image IMAc as shown in FIG. 27B using the third image data DATA3 obtained by photographing an image corresponding to the first image data DATA1 and digitizing the third image data DATA3. A corresponding grayscale correction value may be generated (or set), and second image data DATA2 may be generated by applying the grayscale correction value.

Depending on embodiments, the grayscale correction value may include a first offset value corresponding to the display area DA and a second offset value corresponding to the first dummy area DMA1 (in particular, the conversion area CA). have. The quality of an image actually displayed on the display device 10' can be uniformly corrected by the first offset value. Meanwhile, the second offset value changes the grayscale value of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area CA, so that the boundary area between the pixel areas (eg, the first pixel area AA1 and the second and third It may be a value set to prevent a dark line defect or the like in the boundary area between the pixel areas AA2 and AA3. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the image quality of the display device 10' can be improved.

28 shows a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 28, the same reference numerals are assigned to components similar or identical to those of the previously described embodiment (eg, the embodiments of FIGS. 17 and 26), and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 28 , the display device 10″ according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a sensor unit 270 and a compensation value setting unit 280. Meanwhile, in FIG. 28 , a data conversion unit ( 260) and the compensation value setting unit 280 are shown separately, but the present invention is not limited thereto. can be aggregated into

The sensor unit 270 may include at least one type of sensor for compensating for a usage environment, deterioration, and/or characteristic deviation of the display device 10". To this end, the sensor unit 270 is provided in the display area. For example, the sensor unit 270 may be disposed on the display panel 100 together with the first to third pixels PXL1 to PXL3, or the sensor unit 270 may be disposed on the display panel 100. ) can be placed around.

According to embodiments, the sensor unit 270 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a light sensor (eg, an illuminance sensor), and a deterioration sensor (eg, a current sensor). In this case, the sensor unit 270 outputs a sensing signal Sse corresponding to the temperature, illuminance, and/or deterioration degree of the display panel 100 (eg, the first to third pixels PXL1 to PXL3). can do. According to an embodiment, when the sensor unit 270 includes a deterioration sensor for detecting characteristic deviation and/or deterioration of the first to third pixels PXL1 to PXL3, the sensor unit 270 is not shown. It may be connected to at least some of the first to third pixels PXL1 to PXL3 through at least one sensing line. During a predetermined deterioration detection period, the sensor unit 270 may sense a current flowing in at least some of the first to third pixels PXL1 to PXL3 and output a detection signal Sse corresponding thereto. .

The compensation value setting unit 280 sets the data compensation value DATAc in response to the detection signal Sse output from the sensor unit 270 . For example, the compensation value setting unit 280 corresponds to temperature, illuminance, and/or deterioration information (or characteristic information of the first to third pixels PXL1 to PXL3) included in the detection signal Sse. Thus, the data compensation value DATAc for generally adjusting the luminance of the display area DA can be output. The data compensation value DATAc may be supplied to the data conversion unit 260 .

According to an embodiment, the data converter 260 converts first image data DATA1 including valid data De corresponding to the display area DA and dummy data Dd corresponding to the first dummy area DMA. And, the data compensation value DATAc output from the compensation value setting unit 280 may be received. The data converter 260 generates second image data DATA2 by converting the first image data DATA1 by applying the data compensation value DATAc.

The second image data DATA2 is input to the data driver 250 . Then, the data driver 250 generates a data signal corresponding to the second image data DATA2 and supplies it to the display area DA through the data lines DL1 to DLm+s+u.

In the above-described embodiment, the data conversion unit 260 collectively converts grayscale values of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the predetermined conversion area CA among the dummy data Dd included in the first image data DATA1. , and second image data DATA2 may be generated. For example, the data converter 260 prevents dark line defects that may occur in a boundary area between a plurality of pixel areas disposed adjacent to each other, for example, the first to third pixel areas AA1 to AA3. To do this, the gradation values of the dummy data Dd corresponding to the conversion area CA may be collectively increased or decreased.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure as described above, the display devices 10' and 10" include a plurality of pixel areas disposed adjacent to each other, for example, first to third pixel areas AA1 to AA3. ), it is possible to prevent or reduce the deterioration in image quality that may occur in the boundary region between the pixel regions. Accordingly, the display devices 10' and 10" exhibiting excellent image quality characteristics while implementing screens of various shapes can provide.

Although the technical spirit of the present invention has been specifically described according to the foregoing embodiments, it should be noted that the above embodiments are for explanation and not for limitation. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims. In addition, all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10, 10, 10 ": display device 100: display panel
210, 220: scan driver 230, 240: emission control driver
250: data driving unit 260: data conversion unit
270: sensor unit 280: compensation value setting unit
AA1, AA2, AA3: pixel area DA: display area
CA: conversion area DMA1: first dummy area

Claims (29)

a display area including a first pixel area and second and third pixel areas spaced apart from each other on one side of the first pixel area;
a first dummy region disposed between the second and third pixel regions;
a transformation area set to at least one area of the first dummy area and including a plurality of sub areas;
first, second and third pixels disposed in the first, second and third pixel areas, respectively;
a data converter configured to receive first image data including valid data corresponding to the display area and dummy data corresponding to the first dummy area, and convert the first image data to generate second image data; and
a data driver for generating a data signal corresponding to the second image data and supplying the data signal to the first to third pixels;
The data conversion unit converts the first image data such that a grayscale value of dummy data corresponding to the sub-regions included in the conversion region gradually increases or decreases as it gets closer to the first pixel region. A display device characterized in that it generates image data. delete According to claim 1,
The conversion area includes an area between second and third pixels disposed on a last Nth horizontal line (where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) of the second and third pixel areas. According to claim 3,
The conversion area includes first and second coordinate points located between the second and third pixels of the N-th horizontal line, and K (where K is a natural number less than N)-th of the second and third pixel areas. A display device defined by third and fourth coordinate points located between second and third pixels disposed on a horizontal line. According to claim 4,
Further comprising data lines connected to the first to third pixels,
data lines connected to the second and third pixels of the K-th to N-th horizontal lines during the K-th to N-th horizontal periods corresponding to the K-th to N-th horizontal lines of the second and third pixel areas; A data signal corresponding to the valid data is supplied to a row, and a data signal of a gradually changing gray level is supplied to at least some of the remaining data lines for at least one horizontal period. According to claim 1,
The conversion area is set to the entire first dummy area. According to claim 1,
wherein the data converter generates the second image data by maintaining a grayscale value of at least the valid data among the first image data and changing only a grayscale value of dummy data corresponding to the conversion area. According to claim 1,
a second dummy area disposed on one side of the second pixel area and spaced apart from the first dummy area with the second pixel area interposed therebetween; and
The display device further includes at least one of a third dummy region disposed on one side of the third pixel region, interposed therebetween and spaced apart from the first dummy region. According to claim 8,
The first image data further includes dummy data corresponding to at least one of the second and third dummy areas;
The display device of claim 1 , wherein the data conversion unit gradually changes grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to at least one of the second and third dummy areas. According to claim 8,
The first image data further includes dummy data corresponding to at least one of the second and third dummy areas;
wherein the data conversion unit maintains grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to the second and third dummy regions among the first image data, and changes only grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to the conversion region. According to claim 1,
At least a portion of the first dummy area is implemented as a concave portion or an opening. a display area including a first pixel area and second and third pixel areas spaced apart from each other on one side of the first pixel area;
a first dummy region disposed between the second and third pixel regions;
a transformation area set to at least one area of the first dummy area and including a plurality of sub areas;
first, second and third pixels disposed in the first, second and third pixel areas, respectively;
a data converter configured to receive first image data including valid data corresponding to the display area and dummy data corresponding to the first dummy area, and convert the first image data to generate second image data; and
a data driver for generating a data signal corresponding to the second image data and supplying the data signal to the first to third pixels;
The data conversion unit converts the first image data such that a grayscale value of dummy data corresponding to the sub-regions included in the conversion region gradually increases or decreases as it gets closer to the first pixel region. The display device of claim 1 , wherein image data is generated, and grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to at least a portion of the sub-regions included in the conversion region are converted using at least a portion of the valid data. According to claim 12,
Includes a predetermined reference area set as one area of the display area;
wherein the data converter sets grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to at least some of the sub-regions included in the conversion area to grayscale values of valid data corresponding to the reference region. According to claim 13,
The reference area is set as an area corresponding to the conversion area among the last horizontal lines of the first pixel area. According to claim 14,
The conversion area includes an area between second and third pixels disposed on first to last N (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas. According to claim 15,
Further comprising data lines connected to the first to third pixels,
During the first to Nth horizontal periods corresponding to the first to Nth horizontal lines of the second and third pixel areas, the data lines connected to the second and third pixels of the first to Nth horizontal lines include: A data signal corresponding to the valid data is supplied;
During the first through Nth horizontal periods, at least some of the remaining data lines maintain voltages of data signals applied during the last horizontal period of a previous frame. According to claim 13,
The conversion area includes an area between second and third pixels disposed on a last Nth horizontal line (where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) of the second and third pixel areas. According to claim 17,
The reference area is set as an area corresponding to the conversion area among first horizontal lines of the first pixel area. According to claim 18,
wherein the data conversion unit generates grayscale values of at least some of the subregions included in the conversion region by using grayscale values of the reference region among valid data of a previous frame. According to claim 19,
The display device of claim 1 , wherein the data conversion unit calculates an average grayscale value of the grayscale values of the reference region, and sets the average grayscale value as a grayscale value of at least some of the subregions included in the conversion region. According to claim 20,
Further comprising data lines connected to the first to third pixels,
During the Nth horizontal period corresponding to the Nth horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas, data signals corresponding to the valid data are transmitted to data lines connected to the second and third pixels of the Nth horizontal line. supplied,
a data signal corresponding to the average grayscale value of data signals applied to the reference area during the N+1th horizontal period of a previous frame is supplied to at least some of the remaining data lines during the Nth horizontal period. According to claim 17,
The data converter converts the grayscale value of the dummy data of the conversion area included in the N-th line data of the first image data into one of valid data of the second pixel area included in the N-th line data. A display device that changes to the same value as the gradation value of the data. The method of claim 22,
wherein the data conversion unit sets a grayscale value of last valid data among valid data of the second pixel area included in the N-th line data as a grayscale value of the conversion area. The method of claim 22,
Further comprising data lines connected to the first to third pixels,
During the Nth horizontal period corresponding to the Nth horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas, data signals corresponding to the valid data are transmitted to data lines connected to the second and third pixels of the Nth horizontal line. supplied,
The display device of claim 1 , wherein a data signal identical to a data signal applied to any one second pixel among second pixels of the Nth horizontal line is supplied to at least some of the remaining data lines during the Nth horizontal period. According to claim 12,
The conversion area includes first and second coordinate points located between the second and third pixels of the Nth horizontal line, and the K (where K is a natural number smaller than N)-th horizontal line of the second and third pixel areas. A display device defined by third and fourth coordinate points located between second and third pixels disposed on a line. According to claim 12,
wherein the data converter generates the second image data by maintaining a grayscale value of at least the valid data among the first image data and changing only a grayscale value of dummy data corresponding to the conversion area. a display area including a first pixel area and second and third pixel areas spaced apart from each other on one side of the first pixel area;
a first dummy region disposed between the second and third pixel regions;
a predetermined conversion area set as at least one area of the first dummy area;
Luminance expressed by pixels included in the display area by capturing an image actually displayed in the display area together with first image data including valid data corresponding to the display area and dummy data corresponding to the first dummy area. a data converter configured to generate second image data by receiving third image data, which is data obtained by converting measurement values into digits, and converting the first image data; and
a data driver for generating a data signal corresponding to the second image data and supplying the data signal to the display area;
The data conversion unit applies a first offset value corresponding to the third image data to correct the grayscale value of valid data corresponding to the display area, and further applies a predetermined second offset value to correspond to the conversion area. and generating the second image data by converting a gradation value of dummy data to generate the second image data. The method of claim 27,
The second offset value is set to collectively increase or decrease grayscale values of dummy data corresponding to the conversion area among the dummy data included in the first image data. The method of claim 27,
first, second and third pixels disposed in the first, second and third pixel areas, respectively; and
Further comprising data lines connected to the first, second and third pixels,
During the Nth horizontal period corresponding to the Nth horizontal line (where N is a natural number) of the second and third pixel areas, data lines connected to the second and third pixels of the Nth horizontal line include the valid data and A display device wherein a data signal corresponding to the first offset value is supplied, and a data signal corresponding to the second offset value is supplied to at least some of the remaining data lines.

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