KR102581719B1 - Device and method for generating luminance compensation data based on mura characteristic and device and method for performing luminance compensation - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for generating compensation data for compensating luminance characteristics of a display panel is disclosed. The method includes receiving an image of a test image output from a display panel, measuring luminance of a plurality of areas on the display panel using the received image, and determining compensation resolution for the plurality of areas. determining and generating the compensation data according to the determined compensation resolution, wherein a first area among the plurality of areas is compensated with a first compensation resolution according to the compensation data, and a first area among the plurality of areas is compensated with a first compensation resolution according to the compensation data. Area 2 is compensated with a second resolution higher than the first compensation resolution according to the compensation data.

Description

Apparatus and method for generating luminance compensation data based on speckle characteristics and apparatus and method for performing luminance compensation {DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING LUMINANCE COMPENSATION DATA BASED ON MURA CHARACTERISTIC AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING LUMINANCE COMPENSATION}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for generating luminance compensation data, and an apparatus and method for performing luminance compensation.

Flat panel displays include liquid crystal displays (LCD), electroluminescence displays (ELD) such as organic light emitting diode displays (OLED displays), and field emission displays. Display, FED), plasma display panel (PDP), electrophoresis display (EPD), etc.

However, due to process reasons, the physical characteristics of each pixel on the panel of the display device may differ slightly, and as a result, some areas of the panel may have luminance characteristics that are different from those of the surrounding area. In this case, there is a need to perform compensation for the luminance characteristics of the partial area to adjust the luminance characteristics to be similar to the surrounding areas.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an apparatus and method for generating luminance compensation data based on spot characteristics, and an apparatus and method for performing luminance compensation.

A method for generating compensation data for compensating for luminance characteristics of a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention includes receiving an image obtained by capturing a test image output from a display panel, and using the received image to display the display panel. Measuring the luminance of a plurality of regions of the image, determining compensation resolution for the plurality of regions, and generating the compensation data according to the determined compensation resolution, wherein a first region among the plurality of regions is compensated with a first compensation resolution according to the compensation data, and a second area among the plurality of areas is compensated with a second resolution higher than the first compensation resolution according to the compensation data.

A method for compensating the luminance characteristics of a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention includes receiving video image data to be output, reading basic compensation data for compensating the luminance characteristics of a first region of the display panel. , Referring to basic compensation data, determining whether the compensation resolution of the first area is the basic resolution or the additional compensation resolution; When the compensation resolution of the first area is the additional resolution, reading additional compensation data and performing luminance compensation for the first area based on both the basic compensation data and the additional compensation data.

An apparatus for compensating the luminance characteristics of a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention receives a display panel, RGB image data to be output through the display panel, and outputs luminance-compensated image data using the RGB image data. a compensation circuit and a display driving circuit that outputs the luminance-compensated image data to the display panel, wherein the compensation circuit reads basic compensation data for compensating luminance characteristics of a first region of the display panel, Referring to the basic compensation data, determine whether the compensation resolution of the first area is the basic resolution or the additional compensation resolution, and when the compensation resolution of the first area is the additional resolution, read additional compensation data, and read the basic compensation data. Based on both the compensation data and the additional compensation data, luminance compensation is performed on the first area, and the luminance compensated image data is generated according to a result of the operation.

According to the compensation data generation device according to embodiments of the present invention, stains can be compensated according to different compensation resolutions for each region in consideration of stain characteristics, thereby increasing the performance of stain compensation and suppressing excessive use of resources. It works.

According to the compensation circuit according to embodiments of the present invention, there is an effect of selectively performing luminance compensation with a higher compensation resolution only for areas where stains are more easily recognized.

1 shows a compensation data generation system according to embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of measuring luminance characteristics according to embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows a compensation data generating device according to embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating compensation data according to embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating compensation data according to embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating compensation data according to embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a flow chart showing a method for generating compensation data according to embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 8 shows a display device including a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a flow chart showing a method for compensating luminance according to embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a flow chart showing a method for compensating luminance according to embodiments of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

1 shows a compensation data generation system according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the compensation data generation system 10 captures a test image (TIMG) displayed on a display panel (hereinafter referred to as panel) 110 using a camera 200, and displays the panel 110 according to the photographing result. Compensation data (CDATA) that can compensate for the luminance characteristics of can be generated.

The compensation data generation system 10 may include a panel 110, a camera 200, and a compensation data generation device 300.

The panel 110 may be a display panel including pixels for displaying image data. Depending on embodiments, pixels included in the panel 110 may be arranged horizontally and vertically on the panel 110. The pixels may be one of a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel, but are not limited thereto.

Pixels of panel 110 may be grouped into a plurality of areas. That is, the panel 110 may be divided into a plurality of regions, and each of the plurality of regions may include at least one pixel.

The pixels included in the panel 110 may emit light based on the data voltage corresponding to the image, and thus the panel 110 may display the image.

The luminance characteristic refers to the characteristic (or relationship) between the luminance displayed on the panel 110 for a given image signal (i.e., voltage). Preferably, the luminance characteristics of all pixels present in the panel 110 should be the same, but due to manufacturing process errors, the pixels may have different luminance characteristics. For example, some of the pixels (or regions) may have relatively low luminance characteristics, and others may have relatively high luminance characteristics. Accordingly, even if the voltage corresponding to the supplied image signal is the same, the image displayed on the panel 110 may not display uniform luminance for each area. Since this non-uniformity may appear as a mura, in order to resolve this non-uniformity, it is necessary to use some of the pixels of the panel 110 as a reference and compensate for the luminance characteristics of the remaining pixels.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the (average or peak) luminance of the first area (A1) is referred to as the reference luminance (L_REF), the luminance of the second area (A2) is higher than the reference luminance (L_REF). , and the luminance of the third area A3 is lower than the reference luminance (L_REF). In this case, the second area (A2) and the third area (A3) may be recognized as stains. Accordingly, downward compensation may be required for the luminance of the second area A2 to compensate for the luminance value to be low, and upward compensation to compensate for the luminance value to be high may be required for the luminance of the third area A3. You can. In this way, compensating the luminance of pixels when a test image is output to the reference luminance (L_REF) is called luminance compensation. That is, through luminance compensation, all pixels of the panel 110 can exhibit uniform luminance characteristics.

The panel 110 receives a test image (TIMG) to generate compensation data, and displays the supplied test image (TIMG). Depending on embodiments, the test image TIMG may be a monochromatic image having a reference luminance for luminance compensation.

The camera 200 may photograph the panel 110 and generate an image (IMG) using light reflected from the panel 110. Depending on the embodiment, the camera 200 may capture a subject such as a still image camera, a video camera, a closed-circuit television (CCTV), a camcorder, a camera mounted on a mobile device, a camera mounted on a vehicle, or a camera mounted on a laptop or computer. It refers to any device that can create a corresponding image or video.

Depending on embodiments, the camera 200 may photograph the panel 110 while the test image TIMG is output and generate an image IMG according to the photographing result. That is, the image IMG may be an image of the test image TIMG displayed by the panel 110.

The compensation data generating device 300 provides compensation data (CDATA) for compensating the luminance characteristics of the pixels (or areas including the pixels) of the panel 110 based on the image (IMG) transmitted from the camera 200. ) can be created. Meanwhile, as will be described later, the compensation data generating apparatus 300 according to embodiments of the present invention is used to compensate at least two of the areas with different compensation resolutions based on the luminance of the areas of the panel 110. Compensation data (CDATA) can be generated.

For example, the compensation data generating device 300 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a micro controller unit (MCU), a micro processor unit (MPU), a floating point unit (FPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic circuit, It may consist of a device that includes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or a programmable logic array (PLA).

Figure 3 shows a compensation data generating device according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , the compensation data generation device 300 may include a luminance measurement module 310, a compensation rank determination module 320, a compensation data generation module 330, and a memory 340.

A module referred to in this specification refers to hardware that can perform at least one function or hardware that includes software. That is, a specific module described in this specification may mean a device or circuit capable of performing the corresponding function, or may mean a device on which software capable of performing the function is executed. In addition, in this specification, one or more modules are described separately according to specific functions, but at least two of the one or more modules may be implemented as one module.

The luminance measurement module 310 may receive the image (IMG) of the panel 110 and use the image (IMG) to measure the luminance of pixels of the panel 110 that outputs the test image (TIMG). Depending on embodiments, the luminance measurement module 310 may measure luminance for each of a plurality of areas composed of pixels.

The luminance measurement module 310 may generate a detection signal (DET) indicating a measurement result. Depending on embodiments, the detection signal DET may include a luminance measurement value for each pixel of the panel 110 that outputs the test image TIMG. The luminance measurement module 310 may transmit the detection signal (DET) to the compensation priority determination module 320.

According to embodiments, the luminance measurement module 310 calculates the difference between the luminance value of each pixel of the panel 110 and the luminance value of a reference pixel (e.g., a pixel in the center of the panel 110), and includes the calculation result. A detection signal (DET) can be generated.

The compensation priority determination module 320 may set the compensation priority (CO) of a plurality of areas of the panel 110 based on the detection signal (DET).

The compensation priority determination module 320 determines the luminance distribution of the pixels of the panel 110 using the detection signal (DET), and determines the compensation priority for the pixels (or a plurality of areas) based on the luminance distribution ( CO) can be set. Depending on embodiments, the compensation priority determination module 320 may set the compensation priority by considering the stain characteristics according to the analysis result of the luminance distribution of pixels. For example, the reward rank determination module 320 sets a higher reward rank in areas where stains are relatively well recognized (i.e., the visibility of stains is high) and sets a higher reward rank in areas where stains are relatively less recognizable (i.e., the visibility of stains is low). ) In the case of areas, a lower reward rank can be set.

For example, the compensation priority determination module 320 may set the compensation priority (CO) based on the gradient of luminance values of pixels included in a plurality of areas of the panel 110. The gradient refers to the slope of the luminance values of pixels. A larger gradient means a larger amount of change in luminance values, so in this case, stains can be easily (or well) recognized, and accordingly, a high compensation priority can be set.

For example, the compensation priority determination module 320 may set the compensation priority (CO) based on the entropy of pixels included in a plurality of areas. The entropy represents the amount of information contained in a pixel, and if it has different characteristics from adjacent pixels (i.e., there is a difference), the entropy may be high. A higher entropy means that the pixel's differences stand out compared to surrounding pixels, so in this case, stains can be easily (or well) recognized, and accordingly, a high compensation priority can be set.

For example, the compensation priority determination module 320 may set the compensation priority (CO) based on the number (or distribution) of superpixels included in a plurality of areas of the panel 110. The super pixel refers to a group of pixels containing similar characteristics or information. The larger the number of super pixels, the more similar pixels there are, so in this case, less blurring can be perceived, and accordingly, a lower compensation priority can be set.

The compensation priority determination module 320 may set the compensation priority (CO) based on a linear combination of gradient, entropy, and the number (or distribution) of super pixels.

Depending on embodiments, the compensation priority determination module 320 may quantify the compensation priority (CO) and generate a numerical map (hereinafter, score map).

The compensation data generation module 330 may generate compensation data (CDATA) for compensating the luminance of the plurality of areas based on the compensation priority (CO) of the plurality of areas. According to embodiments, the compensation data generation module 330 may generate compensation data (CDATA) for compensating the plurality of areas with different compensation resolutions based on the distribution of luminance of the plurality of areas of the panel 110. there is. For example, the compensation data generation module 330 may generate compensation data (CDATA) according to the distribution of luminance so that areas where stains are relatively well perceived are compensated with a higher compensation resolution, and areas where stains are relatively less perceived are compensated with higher compensation resolution. In case of , compensation data (CDATA) can be generated to compensate with a lower compensation resolution.

That is, according to the compensation data generating device according to embodiments of the present invention, stains can be compensated according to different compensation resolutions for each region in consideration of stain characteristics, thereby increasing the performance of stain compensation and suppressing excessive use of resources. There is a possible effect.

Compensation data (CDATA) may include information indicating at what resolution the area to be compensated will be compensated.

The memory 340 may store data necessary for operation of the compensation data generating device 300. Depending on embodiments, the memory 340 may store compensation data (CDATA) generated by the compensation data generation module 330. For example, the memory 340 may include at least one of non-volatile memory and volatile memory.

Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating compensation data according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 , the panel 110 is exemplarily divided into nine regions. In order from the top left: (1,1), (1,2), (1,3), (2,1), (2,2), (2,3), (3,1), ( 3,2) and (3,3) regions are shown.

As described above, compensation priority for the nine areas may be set by the compensation priority determination module 320. For example, the areas (1,1) and (3,3) have relatively high stain visibility, so the first compensation priority is set for these areas, and (1,2), (1,3) , a second compensation priority is set for the (2,3) and (3,2) areas, and a third compensation priority is set for the (2,1), (2,2) and (3,1) areas. Assume that the ranking has been set.

The compensation data generation module 330 may set compensation resolution for areas according to the set compensation priority. Depending on embodiments, the compensation data generation module 330 may set a higher compensation resolution as the set compensation priority is higher. For example, the compensation data generation module 330 may sequentially set compensation resolution in order of compensation priority for each of the plurality of areas.

For example, in the case of Figure 4, the first resolution (L1) is set for the areas (2,1), (2,2), and (3,1), and (1,2), (1,3), ( The second resolution (L2) may be set for the 2,3) and (3,2) areas, and the third resolution (L3) may be set for the (1,1) and (3,3) areas. At this time, the first resolution (L1) is lower than the second resolution (L2), and the second resolution (L2) is lower than the third resolution (L3). At this time, the first resolution (L1) may be the default resolution, and the second resolution (L2) and the third resolution (L3) may be additional resolutions. That is, the compensation data generation module 330 may determine whether to set the compensation resolution for each of the areas to the additional resolutions L2 and L3 based on the luminance of each of the plurality of areas of the panel 110.

Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating compensation data according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 , the compensation data generation module 330 may select (or allocate) a sampling pixel for compensating the area from among the pixels included in each of the plurality of areas based on the set compensation resolution. .

A sampling pixel refers to a point that serves as a standard for performing compensation for a specific area. As will be described later, among the pixels in the area, compensation for pixels other than the sampling pixel (i.e., unsampled pixels) may be performed by linear interpolation based on compensation data for the sampling pixel.

For example, the compensation value for the first non-sampling pixel between the first sampling pixel and the second sampling pixel (e.g., in the middle) may be calculated as the average of the compensation value of the first sampling pixel and the compensation value of the second sampling pixel. You can. Likewise, the compensation values for the first sampling pixel and the first non-sampling pixel may be calculated as the average of the compensation value of the first sampling pixel and the compensation value of the first non-sampling pixel. Luminance compensation for the area can be performed by linear interpolation that continuously performs these operations.

The higher the compensation resolution set for an area, the more sampling pixels the compensation data generation module 330 can select from among the pixels of the area. As the number of pixels increases, compensation data for sampling pixels increases, and the compensation resolution for the area increases. Therefore, compensation resolution is based on the interval between two adjacent sampling points among the sampling points used for compensation.

As shown in FIG. 5, the compensation data generation module 330 may select four sampling pixels in the case of the first resolution (L1). In this way, sampling pixels at the basic resolution (L1) are called basic sampling pixels. At this time, since the spacing between sampling pixels in the basic resolution (L1) is 32 pixels (32px), the basic resolution (L1) may be 32 x 32.

Additionally, the compensation data generation module 330 may select additional sampling pixels other than the basic sampling pixels for additional resolutions (L2 and L3). That is, when the additional resolution (L2 and L3) is applied, additionally selected sampling pixels can be referred to as additional sampling pixels.

For example, in the case of the second resolution (L2), the compensation data generation module 330 may select 9 sampling pixels. At this time, since the spacing between sampling pixels in the second resolution (L2) is 16 pixels (16px), the second resolution (L2) may be 16 x 16. For example, in the case of the third resolution (L3), 25 sampling pixels can be selected. At this time, since the spacing between sampling pixels in the third resolution (L3) is 8 pixels (8px), the third resolution (L3) may be 8 x 8.

Meanwhile, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific resolution value or the specific number of sampling pixels, and it is natural that sampling pixels that are equal to or smaller than the number of sampling pixels described above may be selected.

Depending on embodiments, sampling pixels selected at the second resolution (L2) may include sampling pixels selected at the first resolution (L1). Additionally, the selected sampling pixels selected at the third resolution (L3) may include sampling pixels selected at the first resolution (L1) and the second resolution (L2).

The compensation data generation module 330 may generate compensation data (CDATA) to compensate for the selected sampling pixel. Compensation data (CDATA) may be generated for each sampling pixel. That is, the compensation data generation module 330 may generate compensation data (CDATA) to compensate for each of the selected sampling pixels. Depending on embodiments, the compensation data generation module 330 may generate basic compensation data for a basic sampling pixel and additional compensation data for an additional sampling pixel.

Depending on embodiments, compensation data (CDATA) for a specific sampling pixel may include information indicating the resolution of an area including the specific sampling pixel. For example, basic compensation data for a basic sampling pixel may include information indicating whether an area containing the specific sampling pixel is set to additional resolution (L2 and L3).

Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating compensation data according to embodiments of the present invention. 1 to 6, sampling pixels are shown for the area A, and compensation data (CDATA) for the area A is shown.

Pixels (A, B, C, and D) are the primary sampling pixels corresponding to the native resolution (L1), and pixels (x~w and a~n) are additional sampling pixels corresponding to the additional resolution (L2 and L3). admit. Depending on the embodiment, the pixels (x to w) are additional sampling pixels (hereinafter referred to as first additional sampling pixels) corresponding to the second resolution (L2), and the pixels (a to n) are to the third resolution (L2). These may be additional sampling pixels (hereinafter referred to as second additional sampling pixels) corresponding to L3). However, the positions and numbers of additional sampling pixels (x~w and a~n) are not limited to those shown in FIG. 6.

The compensation data (CDATA) may include basic compensation data (DCDATA) for basic sampling pixels corresponding to the basic resolution (L1). Depending on embodiments, the compensation data (CDATA) may further include additional compensation data (ACDATA1 and ACDATA2) for additional sampling pixels corresponding to the additional resolutions (L2 and L3).

Basic compensation data (DCDTAT) may include basic compensation values (DCV) for basic sampling pixels (A to D). The basic compensation value (DCV) may be a value for compensating the luminance of the basic sampling pixels (A to D).

The basic compensation data (DCDATA) may further include flags (F1 to F5) indicating whether the area (A) is set to the additional resolution (L2 and L3). Flags F1 to F5 indicate whether additional sampling pixels (x to w and a to n) exist in area A. For example, the first flag (F1) indicates whether the first additional sampling pixels (x to w) exist, and the remaining flags (F2 to F5) indicate the presence of the second additional sampling pixels (a to n). You can indicate whether to do it or not.

For example, the second flag (F2) may indicate whether the second additional sampling pixels (a to d) exist, and the third flag (F3) may indicate the presence of the second additional sampling pixels (d to g). The fourth flag (F4) can indicate whether the second additional sampling pixels (h ~ k) exist, and the fifth flag (F5) can indicate whether the second additional sampling pixels (h ~ k) exist. It can indicate whether k~n) exists.

That is, the flags F1 to F5 may be data indicating whether additional compensation data (ACDATA1 and ACDATA2) exists.

The first additional compensation data (ACDATA1) may include a first additional compensation value (ACV1) for the first additional sampling pixels (x~w). The first additional compensation value (ACV1) may be a value for compensating the luminance of the first additional sampling pixels (x to w).

The second additional compensation data (ACDATA2) may include a second additional compensation value (ACV2) for the second additional sampling pixels (a to n). The second additional compensation value (ACV2) may be a value for compensating the luminance of the second additional sampling pixels (a to n).

As explained previously, the second resolution (L2) and the third resolution (L3) are additional resolutions, so the compensation data (CDATA) includes only the basic compensation data (DCDATA) and does not include the additional compensation data (ACDATA1 and ACDATA2). It may not be possible. At this time, the flags (F1 to F5) of the basic compensation data (DCDTAT) may indicate that the additional compensation data (ACDATA1 and ACDATA2) do not exist.

The compensation data generation module 330 may output the generated compensation data (CDATA). Depending on embodiments, the compensation data generation module 330 may store the generated compensation data (CDATA) in the memory 340.

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing a method for generating compensation data according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7 , the compensation data generating device 300 may receive an image (IMG) obtained by capturing a test image (TIMG) output from the display panel 110 (S110).

The compensation data generating apparatus 300 may measure the luminance of a plurality of areas on the display panel 110 using the received image (IMG) (S120).

The compensation data generating apparatus 300 may set compensation resolution for a plurality of areas based on the results of the luminance measurement (S130). Depending on embodiments, the compensation data generating apparatus 300 may determine whether to set additional resolutions (L2 and L3) as compensation resolutions for each of the regions.

The compensation data generating apparatus 300 may generate compensation data (CDATA) for each of the areas according to the determined compensation resolution (S140). According to embodiments, the compensation data generating device 300 generates basic compensation data (DCDATA) for the area to be compensated with the basic resolution (L1), and basic compensation data for the area to be compensated with the additional resolution (L2 and L3). (DCDATA) and additional compensation data (ACDATA1 or ACDATA2) can be generated.

Figure 8 shows a display device including a display panel according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8 , the display device 100 may include a display panel 110, a timing controller 120, a gate driver 130, and a display driving circuit 140.

Meanwhile, the display device 100 shown in FIG. 8 may receive or store compensation data (CDATA) generated by the compensation data generating device 300 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

Depending on embodiments, the display device 100 may be a device capable of displaying images or videos. For example, the display device 100 may be used in a smart phone, a tablet personal computer, a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a computer, or a camera. ), or a wearable device, but is not limited thereto.

The display panel 110 may include a number of pixels (PX) arranged in rows and columns. For example, the display panel 110 may include a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, an active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display, an electrochromic display (ECD), a digital mirror device (DMD), and an actuated mirror device (AMD). ), GLV (Grating Light Value), PDP (Plasma Display Panel), ELD (Electro Luminescent Display), or VFD (Vacuum Fluorescent Display), but is not limited thereto.

The display panel 110 includes a plurality of gate lines (GL1 to GLn; n is a natural number) arranged in rows, a plurality of data lines (DL1 to DLm; m is a natural number) arranged in columns, and a plurality of gate lines. It includes pixels (PX) formed at intersection points of (GL1 to GLn) and a plurality of data lines (DL1 to DLm). The display panel 110 includes a plurality of horizontal lines, and one horizontal line is composed of pixels (PX) connected to one gate line. During one line (horizontal time), pixels arranged in one horizontal line may be driven, and during the next 1H time, pixels arranged in another horizontal line may be driven.

The pixels PX may include a light emitting diode (LED) and a diode driving circuit that independently drives the light emitting diode. The diode driving circuit is connected to one gate line and one data line, and the light emitting diode may be connected between the diode driving circuit and a power voltage (eg, ground voltage). Area A may include pixels PX.

The diode driving circuit may include a switching element, such as a thin film transistor (TFT), connected to the gate lines GL1 to GLn. When a gate on signal is applied from the gate lines (GL1 to GLn) and the switching element is turned on, the diode driving circuit outputs an image signal (or referred to as a pixel signal) received from the data lines (DL1 to DLm) connected to the diode driving circuit. It can be supplied as a light emitting diode. A light emitting diode can output an optical signal corresponding to an image signal.

Each of the pixels PX may be one of a red element (R) that outputs red light, a green element (G) that outputs green light, and a blue element (B) that outputs blue light, and the display panel 110 ), the red element, green element, and blue element can be arranged according to various ways. Depending on the embodiment, the pixels PX of the display panel 110 may be repeatedly arranged in the following order: R, G, B, G or B, G, R, G. For example, the pixels PX of the display panel 110 may be arranged according to an RGB stripe structure or an RGB pentile structure, but the arrangement is not limited thereto.

The timing controller 120 can receive video image data (RGB) from the outside, process the video image data (RGB), or convert it to fit the structure of the display panel 110 to generate image data (DATA). there is. The timing controller 120 may transmit image data (DATA) to the display driving circuit 140.

The timing controller 120 may store compensation data (CDATA) for compensating the luminance of areas of the panel 110.

The timing controller 120 generates image data (DATA) to be output to areas (or pixels (PX)) of the panel 110 based on the received video image data (RGB) and compensation data (CDATA). You can.

Depending on embodiments, the timing controller 120 may include a compensation circuit 121. The compensation circuit 121 may generate luminance-compensated image data (DATA) based on the sampling points within each of the areas of the panel 110 and the corresponding compensation data (CDATA). That is, the image data DATA may be data on which luminance compensation has been performed. According to embodiments, the compensation circuit 121 may generate image data (DATA) on which luminance compensation for the pixels (PX) has been performed based on linear interpolation using compensation data (CDATA) for the sampling point. there is.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 8, the compensation circuit 121 is shown as being included in the timing controller 120. However, depending on embodiments, the compensation circuit 121 may be included in the display driving circuit 140. For example, the timing controller 120 and the display driving circuit 140 may be implemented as a single semiconductor chip.

The timing controller 120 may receive multiple control signals from an external host device. The control signals may include a horizontal synchronization signal (Hsync), a vertical synchronization signal (Vsync), and a clock signal (DCLK).

The timing controller 120 may generate a gate control signal (GCS) and a data control signal (DCS) for controlling the gate driver 130 and the display driving circuit 140 based on the received control signals. The timing controller 120 may control various operation timings of the gate driver 130 and the display driving circuit 140 based on the gate control signal (GCS) and the data control signal (DCS).

The gate driver 130 may sequentially provide a gate-on signal to the plurality of gate lines GL1 to GLn in response to the gate control signal GCS. For example, the gate control signal GCS may include a gate start pulse that indicates the start of output of the gate on signal and a gate shift clock that controls the timing of output of the gate on signal.

When a gate start pulse is applied, the gate driver 130 sequentially generates a gate on signal (e.g., a logic high gate voltage) in response to the gate shift clock, and sends the gate on signal to a plurality of gate lines (GL1). ~GLn) can be provided sequentially. At this time, during a period in which the gate on signal is not provided to the plurality of gate lines (GL1 to GLn), the gate off signal (for example, the gate voltage of logic low) is supplied to the plurality of gate lines (GL1 to GLn). do.

The display driving circuit 140 converts digital image data (DATA) into analog image signals in response to the data control signal (DCS) and provides the converted image signals to the plurality of data lines (DL1 to DLm). You can. The display driving circuit 140 may provide an image signal corresponding to one horizontal line to the plurality of data lines DL1 to DLm for 1H time.

The display driving circuit 140 may process signals transmitted from the timing controller 120 and transmit the processed signals to the display panel 110 . Depending on embodiments, the display driving circuit 140 may convert image data DATA into image signals in response to the data control signal DCS. The display driving circuit 140 may output image signals with a gray level voltage corresponding to image data DATA and output image signals. For example, the data control signal (DCS) may include a source start signal, source shift clock, source output enable signal, etc.

Each component of the display device 100 may be composed of a circuit capable of performing a corresponding function.

Figure 9 is a flow chart showing a method for compensating luminance according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 , the timing controller 120 may receive video image data (RGB) to be output through the display panel 110 (S210).

The compensation circuit 121 may determine the compensation resolution for each of the plurality of areas of the panel 110 based on the compensation data CDATA (S220). Depending on embodiments, the compensation data (CDATA) may be pre-stored in the display device 100, and the compensation circuit 121 reads the stored compensation data (CDATA) and selects areas by referring to the compensation data (CDATA). The compensation resolution for each can be determined. For example, the compensation circuit 121 may determine whether additional resolution (L2 or L3) is set for each of the areas. This will be described later.

The compensation circuit 121 may perform luminance compensation for a plurality of areas of the panel 110 based on the determined compensation resolution and compensation data CDADTA (S230). According to embodiments, the compensation circuit 121 selects a sampling point corresponding to the determined compensation resolution for each of the plurality of areas of the panel 110 and uses the compensation value for the selected sampling point to determine the plurality of areas. Luminance compensation can be performed.

For example, the compensation circuit 121 performs luminance compensation for sampling pixels according to compensation values for selected sampling pixels within the area, and also performs luminance compensation on unsampled pixels within the area according to linear interpolation using compensation values for sampling pixels. Luminance compensation can be performed.

The compensation circuit 121 may generate luminance compensated image data (DATA) according to the result of luminance compensation (S240). Depending on embodiments, the timing controller 120 may output image data DATA on which luminance compensation has been performed to the display driving circuit 140.

Figure 10 is a flow chart showing a method for compensating luminance according to embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10 , the compensation circuit 121 may receive video image data (RGB) to be output (S310).

The compensation circuit 121 may read compensation data (CDATA) for the area A on the display panel 110 (S320). Depending on embodiments, the compensation circuit 121 may read basic compensation data (DCDATA) for the area (A). For example, the compensation circuit 121 may read only the flags F1 to F5 of the basic compensation data DCDATA for the area A.

The compensation circuit 121 may determine whether the compensation resolution of area A is set to the additional resolution (L2 or L3) based on the compensation data (CDATA) (S330). Depending on the embodiment, the compensation circuit 121 reads the flags F1 to F5 included in the basic compensation data (DCDATA) for the area A, and the compensation resolution of the area A is added according to the read result. You can determine whether the resolution is set to L2 or L3. For example, when the first flag (F1) is “1”, the compensation circuit 121 may determine that the compensation resolution of area (A) is set to the second resolution (L2), and the first flag (F1) is “1”. If it is 0", it can be determined that the compensation resolution of area A is set to the first resolution L1 (i.e., basic resolution).

Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, when the compensation circuit 121 determines that the compensation resolution of area A is set to the second resolution L2, the compensation circuit 121 refers to the remaining flags F2 to F5 to determine the compensation resolution of area A. It can be determined whether the compensation resolution is further set to the third resolution (L3).

When it is determined that the compensation resolution of the area (A) is set to the additional resolution (L2 or L3) (Y in S330), the compensation circuit 121 generates the basic compensation data (DCDATA) corresponding to the basic resolution (L1) and the additional resolution. Additional compensation data (ACDATA1 or ACDATA2) corresponding to (L2 or L3) can be read (S340). According to embodiments, when it is determined that the compensation resolution of area A is set to the second resolution L2, the compensation circuit 121 may read first additional compensation data ACDATA1, and the compensation circuit 121 may read first additional compensation data ACDATA1, and When it is determined that the compensation resolution is set to the third resolution (L3), the compensation circuit 121 may read second additional compensation data (ACDATA2). For example, the timing controller 120 may read the second additional compensation data (ACDATA2) together with the first additional compensation data (ACDATA1).

The compensation circuit 121 may perform luminance compensation for the area A based on the read basic compensation data (DCDATA) and additional compensation data (ACDATA1 or ACDATA2) (S360). According to embodiments, the compensation circuit 121 determines the non-sampling pixels of area A based on the compensation value for each of the primary and additional sampling pixels for area A (i.e., with additional resolution). Linear interpolation can be performed to obtain the compensation value. According to the performance result, the compensation circuit 121 may perform luminance compensation for area A based on compensation values for all pixels in area A.

When it is determined that the compensation resolution of area A is not set to the additional resolution (L2 or L3) (N in S330), the compensation circuit 121 performs luminance compensation for area A based on the read compensation data. can be performed (S350). According to embodiments, the compensation circuit 121 reads the basic compensation value (DCV) from the basic compensation data (DCDATA), based on the compensation value for the basic sampling pixel of area A (i.e., at the basic resolution). , linear interpolation can be performed to obtain compensation values for non-sampling pixels in area A.

That is, the compensation circuit according to embodiments of the present invention performs luminance compensation with a higher compensation resolution for areas of the display panel where stains are more easily recognized, and on the other hand, performs luminance compensation for areas where stains are relatively less recognized. Since luminance compensation can be performed with a low compensation resolution, overall luminance compensation performance can be increased while using resources efficiently.

For example, when luminance compensation is performed at high resolution for all areas on the panel, the number of sampling pixels for all areas increases, which not only increases the computation speed but also requires a lot of memory space to store compensation values. do. On the other hand, according to embodiments of the present invention, luminance compensation is not performed at high resolution for all areas, but luminance compensation is selectively performed at a higher compensation resolution only for areas where stains are better recognized, so the performance of luminance compensation is improved. is substantially the same as the case of performing luminance compensation at high resolution for all areas, but has the notable effect of reducing resources (calculation and storage).

The method for generating compensation data and the method for performing luminance compensation according to embodiments of the present invention may be implemented with instructions that can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium and executed by a processor.

Storage media, whether directly and/or indirectly, in a raw, formatted, organized or any other accessible state, may include relational databases, non-relational databases, in-memory databases, Or, it may include a database, including distributed, such as any other suitable database capable of storing data and allowing access to such data through a storage controller. Additionally, storage media include primary storage, secondary storage, tertiary storage, offline storage, volatile storage, non-volatile storage, semiconductor storage, magnetic storage, optical storage, and flash. It may include any type of storage device, such as a storage device, hard disk drive storage device, floppy disk drive, magnetic tape, or other suitable data storage medium.

As used herein, an instruction is an assembler instruction, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instruction, machine instruction, machine-dependent instruction, microcode, firmware instruction, state setup data, or object-oriented instruction such as Smalltalk, C++, etc. It may be either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including a programming language and a conventional procedural programming language, such as the "C" programming language or a similar programming language.

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the attached registration claims.

100: display device 110: panel
120: timing controller 130: gate driver
140: Display driving circuit
200: Camera
300: Compensation data generating device 310: Luminance measurement module
320: Compensation ranking judgment module 330: Compensation data generation module
340: memory

Claims (15)

In a method for generating compensation data to compensate for the luminance characteristics of a display panel,
Receiving an image of a test video output from a display panel;
measuring luminance of a plurality of areas on the display panel using a received image;
determining compensation resolution for the plurality of regions; and
Generating the compensation data according to the determined compensation resolution,
A first area among the plurality of areas is compensated to a first resolution according to the compensation data,
A second area among the plurality of areas is compensated to a second resolution higher than the first resolution according to the compensation data,
The step of determining the compensation resolution is,
Obtaining a luminance distribution of the plurality of areas based on a luminance measurement result;
determining compensation priorities for the plurality of areas based on the luminance distribution; and
Comprising determining the compensation resolution according to the determined compensation priority,
method. delete The method of claim 1, wherein the luminance distribution of the plurality of regions is:
Based on at least one of a gradient defined as the slope of the luminance values of the pixels included in the plurality of areas, entropy indicating the amount of information included in the pixels, and the number of super pixels that are clusters composed of the pixels. Including determining the compensation priority,
method. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the compensation data comprises:
selecting sampling pixels to be used in linear interpolation among pixels included in each of the first and second areas according to the compensation resolution; and
Generating compensation data for sampling pixels selected from each of the first and second areas,
The number of sampling pixels included in the first area is less than the number of sampling pixels included in the second area,
method. According to paragraph 4,
The sampling pixels included in the second area include sampling pixels included in the first area,
method. According to paragraph 1,
The compensation data includes information indicating whether the compensation resolution of the corresponding area is the second resolution,
method. In a method for compensating the luminance characteristics of a display panel,
Receiving video image data to be output;
reading basic compensation data for compensating luminance characteristics of a first area among the plurality of areas of the display panel;
Referring to basic compensation data, determining whether the compensation resolution of the first area is the basic resolution or the additional compensation resolution;
reading additional compensation data when the compensation resolution of the first area is the additional resolution; and
Comprising luminance compensation for the first area based on both the basic compensation data and the additional compensation data,
The compensation resolution is,
Obtaining a luminance distribution of the plurality of areas based on luminance measurement results,
determining compensation priorities for the plurality of areas based on the luminance distribution, and
Determined through the step of determining the compensation resolution according to the determined compensation priority,
method. The method of claim 7, wherein when the compensation resolution of the first area is the basic resolution,
Comprising the step of performing luminance compensation for the first area based on the basic compensation data without reading the additional compensation data,
method. According to clause 8,
The basic resolution is lower than the additional resolution,
method. In clause 7,
The basic compensation data includes a flag indicating whether the compensation resolution of the first area is an additional resolution,
method. The method of claim 7, wherein performing luminance compensation for the first area comprises:
selecting a sampling pixel from among pixels included in the first area; and
Comprising luminance compensation for the first area according to linear interpolation using compensation values for selected sampling pixels,
method. According to clause 11,
The number of basic sampling pixels selected when the compensation resolution of the first area is the basic resolution is less than the number of selected additional sampling pixels when the compensation resolution is the additional resolution,
method. In a device for compensating the luminance characteristics of a display panel,
display panel;
a compensation circuit that receives RGB image data to be output through the display panel and compensates for luminance of the image data using the RGB image data; and
A display driving circuit that outputs the luminance-compensated image data to the display panel,
The compensation circuit is,
Reading basic compensation data to compensate for luminance characteristics of a first region among the plurality of regions of the display panel,
Referring to the basic compensation data, determine whether the compensation resolution of the first area is the basic resolution or the additional compensation resolution,
When the compensation resolution of the first area is the additional resolution, read additional compensation data,
Based on both the basic compensation data and the additional compensation data, perform luminance compensation for the first area and generate the luminance compensated image data according to a result of the operation,
The compensation resolution is,
Obtaining a luminance distribution of the plurality of areas based on luminance measurement results,
determining compensation priorities for the plurality of areas based on the luminance distribution, and
Determined through the step of determining the compensation resolution according to the determined compensation priority,
Device. The method of claim 13, wherein the compensation circuit is:
When the compensation resolution of the first area is the basic resolution, performing luminance compensation for the first area based on the basic compensation data without reading the additional compensation data,
Device. The method of claim 13, wherein the compensation circuit is:
Performing luminance compensation for the first area according to linear interpolation using compensation values for selected sampling pixels among pixels included in the first area,
The number of basic sampling pixels selected when the compensation resolution of the first area is the basic resolution is less than the number of selected additional sampling pixels when the compensation resolution is the additional resolution,
Device.

Images