Display control method and apparatus for power saving

A display control method and an apparatus for power saving of a display unit are provided. The method includes, determining a display mode in response to input of external illumination data, detecting input of a Red-Green-Blue-White (RGBW) data frame, applying a weight corresponding to the determined display mode to at least a White (W) sub-pixel value among pixel values of the RGBW data frame, determining luminance control data using the pixel values to which the weight is applied; and controlling the lighting system to output light based on the determined luminance control data, and controlling the display panel to transmit the light based on the determined luminance control data.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Jul. 13, 2012 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2012-0076883, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display control method and an apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for power saving of a display unit and an apparatus thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, an array scheme of a pixel is classified into a real stripe scheme and a pentile scheme. According to the real strip scheme, one pixel is configured by three sub-pixels—Red (R), Green (G), and Blue (B) sub-pixels. The pixels including sub-pixels are arrayed on a display unit.

In contrast to the real stripe scheme, the pentile scheme includes an RGBG scheme in which red, green, and blue sub-pixels are arrayed in a ratio of 1:1:2 (RGBG) using a characteristic that a human less recognizes the blue and more recognizes the green. Although resolution in the pentile RGB scheme is reduced relative to a real stripe scheme, the yield can be improved, a manufacturing cost can be reduced, and high resolution can be implemented with a small screen.

According to the related art, some schemes may include a White (W) sub-pixel.

The pentile RGBW scheme uses a physical characteristic requiring a lighting unit (e.g., back light unit) in a case of a liquid crystal display (LCD). For example, the pentile RGBW scheme increases an area of a sub-pixel 1.5 times instead of reducing a density of the sub-pixel relative to the real stripe scheme. In addition, the pentile RGBW scheme uses four types of sub-pixels including red, green, blue and white. In detail, the white pixel is a transparent sub-pixel. In an LCD using an RGB scheme, when a lighting unit is turned-on in a state that sub-pixels of an RGB have maximum transmittance, light of the lighting unit transmits the LCD so that white is displayed. In an LDC using the pentile RGBW scheme, a white pixel located between red, green, and blue sub-pixels transmits light of the lighting unit according to the transmittance. Accordingly, the pentile RGBW scheme may display an image of high luminance with the same power relative to the real stripe scheme.

A main advantage associated with using the pentile RGBW scheme is power saving of the lighting unit. One of important issues in an electronic device, particularly, a portable terminal is power saving. Accordingly, in recent years, the pentile RGBW scheme has a tendency to be used in portable terminals. Because sub-pixels of RGB in the pentile RGBW scheme are insufficient relative to the real stripe scheme, the pentile RGBW scheme has a side effect in that image quality (e.g., color tone) is lowered. Accordingly, in the pentile RGB scheme according to the related art, a register value (e.g., weight endowed by sub-pixels) for controlling the display unit with respect to improvement in image quality is preferentially set relative to a register value with respect to power saving. However, in an environment that does not require an improvement in the image quality (e.g., bright peripheral environment or moving image viewing), the main advantage associated with using the pentile RGBW scheme cannot be properly obtained.

Therefore, a need exists for a system and method for saving power consumption of a lighting unit while maintaining recognized image quality by dynamically controlling a display unit in response to at least one of variation in peripheral illumination (e.g., motion from indoor to outdoor) and variation in an image attribute.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus capable of saving power consumption of a lighting unit while maintaining recognized image quality by dynamically controlling a display unit in response to at least one of variation in peripheral illumination (e.g., motion from indoor to outdoor) and variation in an image attribute.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a display control method of a device including a pentile Red-Green-Blue-White (RGBW) type display panel and a lighting system providing light to the display panel is provided. The method includes determining a display mode in response to input of external illumination data, detecting input of an RGBW data frame, applying a weight corresponding to the determined display mode to at least White (W) sub-pixel value among pixel values of the RGBW data frame, determining luminance control data using the pixel values to which the weight is applied, controlling the lighting system to output light based on the determined luminance control data, and controlling the display panel to transmit the light based on the determined luminance control data.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a display control method of a device including a pentile RGBW type display panel and a lighting system providing light to the display panel is provided. The method includes, detecting input of an RGBW data frame, determining whether an attribute of the RGBW data frame is a moving image in response to the input of the RGBW data frame, determining that a display mode corresponds to a moving image playing mode when the attribute of the RGBW data frame is the moving image, applying a weight corresponding to the moving image playing mode to at least W sub-pixel value among sub-pixel values of pixel values of the RGBW data frame, determining luminance control data using pixel values to which the weight is applied, controlling the lighting system to output light based on the determined luminance control data, and controlling the display panel to transmit the light based on the determined luminance control data.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a display control method of a device including a pentile RGBW type display panel and a lighting system providing light to the display panel is provided. The method includes executing an application for playing a moving image, determining a display mode as a moving image playing mode in response to the execution of the application, detecting input of an RGB data frame, applying a weight corresponding to the moving image playing mode to at least W sub-pixel value among pixel values of the RGBW data frame, determining luminance control data using the pixel values to which the weight is applied, controlling the lighting system to output light based on the determined luminance control data, and controlling the display panel to transmit the light based on the determined luminance control data.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a display control method of a device including a pentile RGBW type display panel and a lighting system providing light to the display panel is provided. The method includes detecting input of external illumination data, displaying a mode setting screen when the external illumination data exceeds a threshold for determining an outdoor visibility mode, detecting selection of the outdoor visibility mode from the mode setting screen, determining that the display mode corresponds to the outdoor visibility mode in response to the selection of the outdoor visibility mode, and controlling the display panel to increase transmittance of a W sub-pixel and controlling the lighting system to increase luminance in response to the determining that the display mode corresponds to the outdoor visibility mode.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a display control apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a display unit for including a pentile RGBW type display panel and a lighting system for providing light to the display panel, an image processor for adjusting transmittance of the display panel, an optical sensor for detecting external illumination, and a controller for controlling the display unit, the image processor, and the optical sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine a display mode in response to input of the external illumination, to apply a weight corresponding to the determined display mode to at least W sub-pixel value among sub-pixel values of pixel values of RGBW data frame input from the image processor, to determine luminance control data using the pixel values to which the weight is applied, to control the lighting system to output light based on the determined luminance control data, and to control the display panel to transmit the light based on the determined luminance control data.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a display control apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a display unit for including a pentile RGBW type display panel and a lighting system for providing light to the display panel, an image processor for adjusting transmittance of the display panel, and a controller for controlling the display unit, and the image processor, wherein the controller is configured to determine that a display mode corresponds to a moving image playing mode when an attribute of an RGBW data frame inputted from the image processor is a moving image, to apply a weight corresponding to the moving image playing mode to at least W sub-pixel value among sub-pixel values of pixel values of the RGBW data frame, to determine luminance control data using the pixel values to which the weight is applied, to control the lighting system to output light based on the determined luminance control data, and to control the display panel to transmit the light based on the determined luminance control data.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a display control apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a display unit for including a pentile RGBW type display panel and a lighting system for providing light to the display panel, an image processor for adjusting transmittance of the display panel, and a controller for controlling the display unit, and the image processor, wherein the controller is configured to determine that a display mode corresponds to a moving image playing mode in response to execution of an application for playing a moving image, applies a weight corresponding to the moving image playing mode to at least W sub-pixel value among sub-pixel values of pixel values of the RGBW data frame inputted from the image processor, determines luminance control data using the pixel values to which the weight is applied, controls the lighting system to output light based on the determined luminance control data, and controls the display panel to transmit the light based on the determined luminance control data.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a display control apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a display unit for including a pentile RGBW type display panel and a lighting system for providing light to the display panel, an image processor for adjusting transmittance of the display panel, an optical sensor for detecting external illumination, and a controller for controlling the display unit, the image processor, and the optical sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control the display unit to display a mode setting screen when external illumination data from the optical sensor exceed a threshold for determining an outdoor visibility mode, to detect selection of the outdoor visibility mode from the mode setting screen, to determine a display mode as the outdoor visibility mode in response to the selection of the outdoor visibility mode, to control the display panel to increase transmittance of a W sub-pixel, and to control the lighting system to increase luminance through the image processor in response to the determining of the outdoor visibility mode.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable recoding medium implemented by a device including a pentile RGBW type display panel and a lighting system providing light to the display panel is provided. The recoding medium storing instructions that, when executed, causes at least one processor to perform a method which includes determining a display mode in response to input of external illumination data, detecting input of an RGBW data frame, applying a weight corresponding to the determined display mode to at least W sub-pixel value among sub-pixel values of pixel values of the RGBW data frame, determining luminance control data using the pixel values to which the weight is applied, controlling the lighting system to output light based on the determined luminance control data, and controlling the display panel to transmit the light based on the determined luminance control data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The display control method and apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention are applied to a terminal having a lighting system to display an image. For example, the terminal is applicable to a multi-media device such as a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a TV, a navigation device, a video phone, and the like. The display control method and apparatus according to the present invention are applicable to a device (e.g., refrigerator having a communication function and a touch screen, and the like) to which the multi-media device is converged.

Hereinafter, the display control method and apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Hereinafter, the lighting system is a backlight unit. However, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, the lighting system includes various devices such as a white LED.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a Red-Green-Blue (RGB) data frame is one image displayed on the display unit. For example, the RGB data frame may be one still image in a moving image or photograph or application execution screen (e.g., web browser screen). The RGB data frame has various resolutions. For example, the RGB data frame may comprise 4,096,000 pixel values (vertical: 1600, horizontal: 2560). The pixel value may be associated with transmittance of a pixel (degree of light emitted from backlight unit transmitting a pixel of a display panel). The pixel value has a Red (R) sub-pixel value, Green (G) sub-pixel value, and a Blue (B) sub-pixel value. For example, the sub-pixel value may have the range from 0 to 210 (1024). For example, when the sub-pixel value is 1024, transmittance of a corresponding sub-pixel is determined as 100%. When the pixel value is 0, the transmittance of the corresponding sub-pixel value is determined as 0%. The RGBW data frame includes a White (W) sub-pixel value in addition to an R sub-pixel value, a G sub-pixel value, and a B sub-pixel value. The RGB data frame may be converted into an RGBW data frame. The conversion of the RGB data frame to the RGBW data frame is well known art in the pentile RGBW scheme according to the related art.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, luminance control data are information for controlling luminance of the backlight unit output from the controller of the apparatus. Brightness of light output from the backlight unit may be determined based on luminance control data. For example, the luminance control data may be a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal associated with current (mA) consumed in the backlight unit. The luminance control data may be a ratio of present current consumption to maximum current consumption.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, a display control apparatus100may include a touch panel110, a display unit120, a key input unit130, a memory140, an image processor150, an optical sensor160, and a controller170.

The touch screen includes a touch panel110and a display unit120in order to provide a user interface for mutual operation with the user.

The touch panel110generates an analog signal (e.g., touch event) in response to a user gesture with respect to the touch panel110, converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and transfers the digital signal to the controller170. The touch event may include touch coordinates (x, y). For example, a controller170of the touch panel110determines a representative among a plurality touch coordinates, and transfers the determined touch coordinates to the controller170. The control may be performed by the controller170. When touch coordinates are received from the touch panel110, the controller170determines that a touch input tool (e.g., finger or pen) is touched on the touch panel110. When the touch coordinates are not received from the touch panel110, the controller170determines that touch of the touch input tool is released. When touched coordinates are changed from (x0, y0) to (x1, y2), and the change amount (e.g., D, where D2=(x0−x1)2+(y0−y1)2) exceeds a preset “movement threshold (e.g., 1 mm)”, the controller170determines that the touch input tool is moved. The controller170computes location change amounts (dx, dy) and moving speed in response to movement of the touch input tool.

The controller170may include a display mode determiner171and a luminance determiner172.

The controller170determines that the user gesture is touch, multi-touch, tap, double tap, long tap, tap and touch, drag, flick, press, pinch in, pinch out, and the like based on touch coordinates, presence of touch release and movement of the touch input tool, a location change amount, and a moving speed of the touch input tool. The touch may correspond to an operation in which a user contacts on one point of the touch panel110by the touch input tool. The multi-touch may correspond to a gesture by which the user contacts multiple of points on the touch panel110by a plurality of touch input tools (e.g., thumb and index fingers). The tap may correspond to a gesture by which the user touches-off a corresponding point without movement after touching the touch input tool on one point. The double tap may correspond to a gesture by which a user continuously taps one point twice. The long tap may correspond to a gesture by which touch of the touch input tool is released from a corresponding point without a motion of the touch input tool after touching one point longer than the tap. The tap and touch may correspond to a gesture by which the user again touches a corresponding point within a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) after tapping one point of the screen. The drag may correspond to a gesture that moves the touch input tool in a predetermined direction in a state that one point is touched. The flick may correspond to a gesture that releases the touch after rapidly moving a touch input tool as compared with the drag. The press may correspond to a gesture that maintains touch without movement for a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) or longer after touching one point. The pinch in may correspond to a gesture that reduces intervals between touch input tools after simultaneously multi-touching on two points by two touch input tools. The pinch out may correspond to a gesture that increases intervals between touch input tools. For example, the touch may correspond to a gesture in which the user contacts the touch panel110, and other gestures refer to variation in the touch.

The touch panel110may be a composite touch panel including a hand touch panel for detecting a hand gesture and a pen touch panel for detecting a pen gesture. The hand touch panel may be configured by a capacitive type a resistive type, an infrared type, an ultrasonic type, and the like. The hand touch panel may generate a touch event not only by only a hang gesture of the user but also by other object (e.g., conductive object capable of representing variation in capacitance). The pen touch panel may be configured by an electromagnetic induction type. Accordingly, the pen touch panel generates the touch event by a stylus panel for touch specifically manufactured to create a magnetic field.

The display unit120includes a display panel121converting an image from the image processor150into an analog signal and displaying the analog signal, and a backlight unit122providing light having a first luminance A to the display panel121, under control of the controller170. The display panel121may be configured in the form of a flat display panel such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or the like. The display panel may have a second luminance B. As described above, pixels of the display panel121are arrayed in the pentile RGBW scheme. The display unit120may display various screens such as a lock screen, a home screen, an application (hereinafter referred to as ‘App’) execution screen, a key pad screen, and the like according to use of the display control apparatus100. If the display unit120is turned-on by the controller170, the lock screen may be defined as an image displayed on the display unit120. If a touch gesture corresponding to a lock release is detected, the controller170may change the displayed image from the lock screen to a home screen or an App execution screen. The home screen may correspond to an image including a plurality of App icons corresponding to a plurality of Apps. If the user selects one App icon from a plurality of App icons (e.g., by tapping an icon), the controller170may execute a corresponding App, for example, a moving image player, and display an execution screen on the display unit120.

The key input unit130may include a plurality of input keys and function keys for receiving input of numerals or character information, and setting various functions. The function keys may include arrow keys, side keys, and hot keys set to perform a certain function. Further, the key input unit130generates and transfers key signals associated with user setting and function control of the display control apparatus100to the controller170. The key signals may include a power on/off signal, a volume control signal, a screen on/off signal, and the like. The controller170controls the foregoing structural elements according to the key signals. The key input unit130may be implemented by a Qwerty key pad, a 3*4 key pad, a 4*3 key pad, and the like having a plurality of keys. Further, when a touch panel110is supported in the form of a full touch screen, the key input unit130may include at least one side key for screen on/off and on/off of the display control apparatus100, which is provided at a side of a case of the display control apparatus100.

The memory140may store data (e.g., images) generated by the display control apparatus100according to use of the display control apparatus100or downloaded from the outside. The memory140may store the screens. The memory140may store various preset values (e.g., a preset value for determining transmittance and a preset value for determining luminance of the backlight unit122) for the operation of the display control apparatus100.

The memory140stores various programs. In detail, the memory140may include an Operating System (OS) for operating booting of the display control apparatus100, a communication program, an image processing program, a display control program, a user interface program, an embedded application, and a 3rd party application. The communication program includes commands capable of communicating with an external device through a wireless communication unit. The image processing program includes various software constituent elements (e.g., an image conversion module, a transmittance determining module, an image rendering module, and the like) for processing an image to be displayed on the touch screen. The image may include a text, a web page, an icon, a picture, video, animation, and the like. The display control program includes various software constituent elements (e.g., a display mode determining module and a luminance determining module) for controlling image quality (e.g., brightness) of an image displayed on a touch screen. The display mode may be classified into various modes according to external illumination data detected by the optical sensor160. For example, the display mode may include a normal mode and an outdoor visibility mode. For example, when external illumination data are 20K lux (lx) or higher, the display mode is determined as the outdoor visibility mode. When the external illumination data are lower than 20K lux (lx), the display mode may be determined as the normal mode. For example, the normal mode may include a basic mode, a first power saving mode, and a second power saving mode. For example, external illumination data is higher than 1K lux and lower than 20K lux, the display mode may be determined as the second power saving mode. When the external illumination data are greater than 75 lux and lower than 1.5K lux, the display mode may be determined as the first power saving mode. When the external illumination data are less than 150 lux, the display mode may be determined as the basic mode. Meanwhile, the display mode may be determined regardless of the external illumination data. For example, when an image to be displayed on the touch screen is a still image from a moving image, the display mode may be determined as a moving image playing mode. The moving image playing mode may be the same as the first power saving mode or the second power saving mode. The user interface program includes various software constituent elements associated with a user interface. The embedded application corresponds to an application which is basically mounted in the display control apparatus100. For example, the embedded application may be a browser, an e-mail, an instant messenger, and the like. The 3rd party application corresponds to an application which may be downloaded and installed in the display control apparatus100from an on-line market. The 3rd party application is freely installed and removed. For example, the 3rd party application may be Facebook, Twitter, and the like.

The image processor150converts an RGB data frame into an RGBW data frame and outputs the RGBW data frame to the display panel121under control of the controller170. In detail, the image processor150may include a converter151, a transmittance determiner152, and a rendering unit153.

The converter151converts the RGB data frame into the RGBW data frame and outputs the RGBW data frame to the transmittance determiner152and the controller170.

The transmittance determiner152receives information (e.g., display mode change information or luminance change information) associated with the luminance of the backlight unit122from the controller170. The transmittance determiner152determines transmittance of each pixel of the display panel121based on the information. The transmittance determiner152adjusts pixel values (e.g., particularly the W sub-pixel value) of the RGBW data frame based on the information. An effect according to the control of the W sub-pixel value will be described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

FIGS. 2 and 3are exemplary diagrams illustrating variation in transmittance and variation in luminance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, when the display mode is changed from the basic mode to the power saving mode, current consumption in the backlight unit122is reduced (e.g., by 20(100→80) %), and accordingly first luminance A of the backlight unit122may be reduced. In this case, the transmittance determiner152maintains RGB sub-pixel values as it is (e.g., transmittance of an RGB sub-pixel maintains, for example, 50%). Instead, the transmittance determiner152increases a W sub-pixel value (e.g., increases the transmittance of the W sub-pixel, for example, from 25% to 30%). For example, luminance of light transmitting RGB pixels may be reduced from 80 cd/cm2to 65 cd/cm2, but luminance of light transmitting a W pixel may be increased from 50 cd/cm2to 60 cd/cm2. Accordingly, total luminance of light transmitting a corresponding pixel may be maintained equally to before the change of a mode. As described above, when the first luminance A of the backlight unit122is reduced, the transmittance determiner152may increase transmittance of the W sub-pixel so that a second luminance B of the display panel121may be maintained. As shown inFIG. 1, the first luminance A and the second luminance B respectively correspond to luminance of light output from the backlight unit122and the display panel121.

Referring toFIG. 3, when the display mode is changed from the basic mode to the outdoor visibility mode, the current consumed in the backlight unit122may be increased (e.g., an increase of 20% such as an increase from 100 cd/cm2to 120 cd/cm2), and accordingly the first luminance A of the backlight unit122may be increased. In this case, the transmittance determiner152maintains RGB sub-pixel value as it is (e.g., transmittance of the RGB sub-pixel is maintained at 50%). In this case, the transmittance determiner152increases the transmittance of a W sub-pixel. For example, the transmittance of the W sub-pixel is increased from 25% to 50%. As the image quality is improved, for example, the luminance of light transmitting the RGB sub-pixels is increased from 80 cd/cm2to 100 cd/cm2. For example, the luminance of the light transmitting the W sub-pixel is increased from 50 cd/cm2to 120 cd/cm2. For example, an increased width of the transmittance of the W sub-pixel is greater than that of other sub-pixels. Accordingly, total luminance of light transmitting a corresponding pixel is additionally increased. As described above, when the first luminance A of the backlight unit122is increased, the transmittance determiner152further increases the transmittance of the W sub-pixel greater than RGB sub-pixels so that the second luminance B of the display panel121is increased more.

The rendering unit153renders an RGBW data frame received from the transmittance determiner152and outputs the rendered RGBW data to the display panel121.

The image processor150may include constituent elements which are not described above. For example, the image processor150may further include a dithering unit for compensating a demerit resulting from a difference of a color space of the RGBW data frame output from the rendering unit153, and for outputting the compensated result to the display panel121. Specific constituent elements in the image processor150may be excluded from the foregoing constituent elements according to a provision form. When data input to the image processor150are RGBW data frame, the converter151may be omitted.

The optical sensor160detects external illumination and outputs the detected external illumination to the controller170under control of the controller170.

The controller170controls an overall operation of the display control apparatus100and signal flow between internal constituent elements, and processes data. The controller170controls power supply of the battery to the internal constituent elements. The controller170may include a display mode determiner171and a luminance determiner172. The display mode determiner171may detect input of external illumination data, and determine a display mode of the display control apparatus100in response to the external illumination data. For example, the display mode determiner171may determine the display mode as one of the foregoing modes (e.g., the basic mode, the first power saving mode, the second power saving mode, and the outdoor visibility mode). The display mode determiner171detects input of the RGBW data frame, and determines whether an attribute of the input RGBW data frame is a moving image. When the attribute of the input RGBW data frame is a moving image, the display mode determiner171may determine the display mode as a moving image playing mode. When an App for playing the moving image is executed, the display mode determiner171may determine the display mode as the moving image playing mode. The luminance determiner172determines the first luminance A of the backlight unit122in response to the determined display mode. The luminance determiner172outputs information (e.g., mode change information or luminance change information) associated with the determined first luminance A to the transmittance determiner152. The luminance determiner172outputs luminance control data associated with the determined first luminance A to the backlight unit122. Functions of the controller170will be described in detail.

Because the structural elements can be variously changed according to convergence trend of a digital device, no elements can be listed. However, the display control apparatus100may further include constituent elements which are not described such as a Radio Frequency (RF) communication unit, a broadcasting receiver (e.g., a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) module), a Global Positioning Service (GPS) receiver, a speaker, a microphone, a camera for voice call, image call, or data communication, and the like. Further, specific elements in the foregoing constructions of the display control apparatus100may be omitted or substituted by another element according to the provided form.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating a display control method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 4, a controller170detects input of external illumination data in step410. The controller170determines a display mode in response to the external illumination data in step420. For example, a first look-up table such as the look-up table illustrated in a following Table 1 is stored in a memory140, and the controller170may determine the display mode with reference to the first look-up table.

If the display mode is changed at step410, the controller170may output information associated with change of the display mode to the transmittance determiner152. The transmittance determiner152may adjust a W sub-pixel value based on display mode change information. An example with respect to the adjustment of the W sub-pixel value will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

The controller170may detect input of an RGBW data frame in step430. When the input of the RGBW data frame is detected, the controller170applies a weight WT corresponding to the determined display mode to pixel values in step440. Various calculation schemes are applicable to the weight applying scheme. Simply, the weight applying scheme may include a scheme in which a pixel value is multiplied by a weight. The weight WT may include sub-weights which are applied to sub-pixels values, respectively. For example, the weight WT includes a Red WT (RWT), a Green WT (GWT), a Blue WT (BWT), a Yellow WT (YWT), and a White WT (WWT).

Second and third look-up tables such as the look-up tables illustrated in Tables 2 and 3 may be stored in the memory140, and the controller170may apply a weight to pixel values with reference to the second and third look-up tables.

Referring to the Tables 2 and 3, the same weight is applied to all sub-pixel values in the basic mode and the outdoor visibility mode. A greater weight is applied to a W sub-pixel value among sub-pixel values in the first power saving mode, the second power saving mode, and the moving image playing mode. For example, the more weights are applied to a W sub-pixel value in order to make luminance (refer to B ofFIG. 1) of the display panel121brighter while less consuming power of the backlight unit122. For example, the R sub-pixel value is 1000, the G sub-pixel value is 900, the B sub-pixel value is 800, and the W sub-pixel value is 700. The display mode may be determined as the first power saving mode. Referring to the Tables 2 and 3, the R sub-pixel value is changed to 562 (e.g., 1000*0.75 (e.g., corresponding to RWT of first power saving mode)*0.75 (e.g., corresponding to YWT of first power saving mode)), the G sub-pixel value is changed to 648 (e.g., 900*0.72), and the B sub-pixel value is changed to 520 (e.g., 800*0.65). The W sub-pixel value is changed to 588 (e.g., 700*0.84).

The controller170creates a histogram using pixel values to which weights are applied, respectively in step450. In the histogram, a first axis (e.g., horizontal axis) corresponds to a grade (e.g., i=0, 1, 2, . . . , n) associated with a pixel value, and a second axis (e.g., vertical axis) corresponds to an accumulated amount of an i-th grade. For example, a resolution of the RGBW data frame is 1600*2560, a total accumulated amount (e.g.,

SUM=∑i=0q,
accumulated amount of an i-th grade) may be 4,096,000. In detail, the controller170determines the greatest value of sub-pixel values to which weights are applied as a representative value of a corresponding pixel. For example, the foregoing exemplary embodiments, the G sub-pixel value is 648 being the greatest value, which is a representative value of a corresponding pixel. A scheme of determining the representative value may be achieved by other schemes. For example, an average of the sub-pixel values may be a representative value of a corresponding pixel.

Next, the controller170determines a grade of the representative value, and calculates an accumulated amount of each grade. For example, when the n is 7 and the pixel value has the range from 0 to 1024, a grade of a representative value of a pixel is determined as illustrated in Table 4. Referring toFIG. 4, the grade of the representative value is determined as ‘5’.

The controller170determines luminance control data using the histogram in step460. In detail, the controller170determines whether an accumulated amount of a most significant grade (e.g., seventh grade) exceeds a preset threshold. When the accumulated amount of a most significant grade exceeds the preset threshold, the controller170determines luminance control data based on the seventh grade. When the accumulated amount of a most significant grade is less than the preset threshold, the controller170sums the accumulated amount of the most significant grade and an accumulated amount of a low grade thereof. When the sum of the accumulated amount of the most significant grade and the accumulated amount of a low grade thereof exceeds the preset threshold, the controller170determines luminance control data based on the low grade thereof (e.g., sixth grade). A procedure of determining the luminance data will be described. The controller170sets a variable t for determining the luminance control data to an initial value, for example, ‘0’ in step461. The controller170determines whether an accumulated amount

sum⁡[t]⁢(=∑i=n-tn⁢⁢of⁢⁢the⁢⁢i⁢-⁢th⁢⁢grade)
of the i-th grade) exceeds a threshold in step462. In this case, the threshold may be determined by look-up tables such as the look-up tables illustrated in Tables 5 and 6. Fourth and fifth look-up tables as illustrated in the following tables 5 and 6 are stored in the memory140, and the controller170may determine a threshold with reference to the fourth and fifth look-up tables.

Referring to the Tables 5 and 6, for example, when the display mode is determined as the first power saving mode in a state that a threshold is set to THH1, the threshold may be determined as ‘2111’. When the sum[t] does not exceed the threshold (e.g., 2111), the controller170proceeds to step463in which the controller170sets a control variable t to ‘t+1’ and returns to step462. When the sum[t] exceeds the threshold (e.g., 2111), the controller170outputs luminance control data corresponding to an (n−t)-th grade to the backlight unit122. For example, referring to Table 7, the controller170outputs ‘192’ being luminance control data corresponding to a fourth grade to the backlight unit122. Accordingly, the backlight unit122outputs light with luminance of 75%.

When luminance of the backlight unit122is changed, for example, when the luminance control data are changed from ‘208’ to ‘192’, the controller170may output information associated with the change of the luminance to the transmittance determiner152in step470. The transmittance determiner152may adjust the W sub-pixel value based on luminance change information. An exemplary embodiment of adjusting the W sub-pixel value will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating a display control method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 5, a controller170detects input of external illumination data in step510. The controller170determines a display mode in response to the external illumination data in step520. If the display mode is changed at step520, the controller170may output information associated with the change in the display mode to the transmittance determiner152. The transmittance determiner152may adjust a W sub-pixel value based on display mode change information. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention for adjusting the W sub-pixel value was described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

The controller170may detect input of an RGBW data frame in step530. When the input of an RGBW data frame is detected, the controller170determines whether pixel values of the RGBW data frame are saturated in step540. For example, when a corresponding pixel value represents an achromatic color (e.g., when the sub-pixel value are the same), the controller170determines a corresponding pixel value as non-saturation. When the corresponding pixel value represents a chromatic color (e.g., when a difference between at least two of the sub-pixel values are 100 or greater), the controller170determines the corresponding pixel value as saturation.

The controller170applies a weight WT corresponding to the determined display mode to pixel values in step550.

An exemplary embodiment of the weight applying scheme was described in detail with reference to the Tables 2 and 3.

The controller170creates a histogram using pixel values to which weights are applied, respectively in step560. The histogram may include a first sub-histogram and a second sub-histogram.

FIG. 6is a histogram of an image according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, in step561, the controller170creates a first sub-histogram610using saturated pixel values (i.e., a representative value representing respective pixels; refer to step450) among pixel values to which weights are applied. In the first sub-histogram610, a first axis (e.g., horizontal axis) signifies a grade (j=0, 1, 2, . . . , m) associated with a pixel value, m may be a number corresponding to a most significant grade of the first sub-histogram and a second axis (e.g., vertical axis) signifies an accumulated amount of a j-th grade. In step562, the controller170creates a second sub-histogram620using unsaturated pixel values (i.e., a representative value representing respective pixels; refer to step450) among pixel values to which weights are applied. In the second sub-histogram620, a first axis (e.g., horizontal axis) signifies a grade (k=0, 1, 2, . . . , l) associated with a pixel value, l may be a number corresponding to a most significant grade of the second sub-histogram and a second axis (e.g., vertical axis) signifies an accumulated amount of a k-th grade.

The controller170determines luminance control data using the histogram in step570. A detail procedure of step570will be described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. The controller170outputs the determined luminance control data to the backlight unit122in step580. When the luminance of the backlight unit122is changed at step580, for example, when the luminance control data are changed from ‘208’ to ‘192’ (refer to table 7), the controller170may output information associated with the change in the luminance to the transmittance determiner152. The transmittance determiner152may adjust the W sub-pixel value based on the luminance change information. An exemplary embodiment of adjusting the W sub-pixel value was described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating a luminance determination method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8is a histogram illustrating a histogram illustrating a luminance determination method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, a controller170sets a control variable t to one of j values, for example, ‘0’ in step710. The controller170determines whether

H_sum⁡[t]⁢(=∑i=m-tm⁢⁢an⁢⁢accumulated⁢⁢amount⁢⁢of⁢⁢a⁢⁢j⁢-⁢th⁢⁢grade)
an accumulated amount of a j-th grade) exceeds a first threshold in step720. In this case, the first threshold may be determined by look-up tables such as the look-up tables illustrated in Tables 5 and 6. For example, when the display mode is determined as the first power saving mode in a state that a first threshold is set to THH1, the controller170determines the first threshold as ‘2111’.

When the H_sum[t] exceeds the first threshold (e.g., 2111), the process proceeds to step730. Proceeding to step730signifies that a corresponding RGBW data frame is chromatic as a whole. The controller170determines luminance control data corresponding to an (m−1)-th grade as luminance control data to be output to the backlight unit122in step730. Referring toFIG. 8, for example, the controller170determines ‘192’ being luminance control data corresponding to a fourth grade as luminance control data to be output to the backlight unit122in step730. Accordingly, the backlight unit122outputs light with luminance of 75%.

As described above, the luminance of the backlight unit122may be determined using the first threshold (e.g., ‘THH1)’. In this case, the luminance may be more minutely determined using THH2. For example, the controller170calculates an excess amount exceeding the THH1 in the H_sum[t]. For example, when the H_sum[t] is 3000 and the THH1 is 2111, the excess amount is 899. When the display mode is the first power saving mode, the THH2 is 8192. When the excess amount exceeds the THH2, the controller170outputs the determined luminance control data (e.g., 192) to the backlight unit122.

In contrast, when the excess amount does not exceed the THH2, the controller170reduces the determined luminance control data (e.g., adjust in the range of 176 to 192; refer to the first histogram810ofFIG. 8), and outputs the reduced luminance control data to the backlight unit122. In this case, the reduced extent may be determined in proportion to the excess amount. Accordingly, the backlight unit122may output light with another luminance.

When the H_sum[t] does not exceed the first threshold (e.g., 2111) in step720, the controller170determines whether the control variable t is set to ‘m’ (e.g., m is greater than an initial value of the control variable, and is a number (e.g., 7) corresponding to the most significant grade of the first histogram810) in step740. When the control variable t is not equal to m (e.g., when the control variable t is smaller than the m) in step740, the controller170sets the control variable t to ‘t+1’ in step750and returns to step720. In contrast, when the control variable t is the same as the m in step740, the process proceeds to step760. Proceeding to step760signifies that a corresponding RGBW data frame is achromatic as a whole.

The controller170sets the control variable t to one of k values, for example, ‘0’ in step760. The controller170determines whether

L_sum⁡[t]⁢(=∑i=l-tl⁢⁢an⁢⁢accumulated⁢⁢amount⁢⁢of⁢⁢k⁢-⁢th⁢⁢grade)
an accumulated amount of k-th grade) exceeds a second threshold in step770. The second threshold may be determined by look-up tables such as the look-up tables illustrated in Tables 5 and 6. For example, when the display mode is determined as the first power saving mode in a state that a second threshold is set to THL1, the controller170determines the second threshold as ‘2111’. When the L_sum[t] does not exceed the second threshold (e.g., 2111) in step770, the controller170sets the control variable t to ‘t+1’ in step780and returns to step770.

When the L_sum[t] exceeds the second threshold (e.g., 2111) in step77, the controller170determines luminance control data corresponding to a (1−t)-th grade as luminance control data to be output to the backlight unit122in step790. Referring toFIG. 8, for example, the controller170determines ‘64’ being luminance control data corresponding to the fourth grade as luminance control data to be output to the backlight unit122. Accordingly, the backlight unit122outputs light with luminance of 25%.

As described above, the luminance of the backlight unit122may be determined using the second threshold (i.e., ‘THL1’). In this case, the luminance may be more minutely determined using THL2. For example, the controller170calculates an excess amount exceeding the THL1 in the L_sum[t]. For example, when the L_sum[t] is 3000 and the THL1 is 2111, the excess amount is 899. When the display mode is the first power saving mode, the THL2 is 8192. When the excess amount exceeds the THL2, the controller170outputs the determined luminance control data (e.g., 64) to the backlight unit122. In contrast, when the excess amount does not exceed the THL2, the controller170reduces the determined luminance control data (e.g., adjust in the range of 48 to 64; refer to the second histogram820ofFIG. 8), and outputs the reduced luminance control data to the backlight unit122. In this case, the reduced extent may be determined in proportion to the excess amount. Accordingly, the backlight unit122may output light with another luminance.

FIG. 9is a flowchart illustrating a luminance determining method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 9, a controller170detects input of an RGBW data frame in step910. The controller170determines whether an attribute of the RGBW data frame corresponds to a moving image in response to the input of the RGBW data frame in step920. For example, the controller170may determine presence of the moving image through image attribute information corresponding to an input RGBW data frame.

When the attribute of the RGHW data frame corresponds to a moving image in step920, the controller170determines the display mode as a moving image playing mode in step930. As listed in the Tables 2 and 5, values in the moving image playing mode may be the same as those in the second power saving mode. For example, the weights and thresholds may be identically set with the second power saving mode. Undoubtedly, the weights and the thresholds may be set in the moving image playing mode separately from the second power saving mode.

The controller170determines whether pixel values of the RGBW data frame are saturated in step940.

The controller170applies a weight WT corresponding to the moving image playing mode to pixel values in step950. A weight applying scheme according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention was described in detail with reference to Tables 2 and 3.

The controller170creates a histogram using pixel values to which the weight is applied in step960. Step960includes a step961of creating a first sub-histogram and a step962of creating a second sub-histogram. Steps961and962are the same as steps561and562as described above, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The controller170determines luminance control data using the histogram in step970. A detailed procedure of step970is the same as that of step570described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted. The controller170outputs the determined luminance control data to the backlight unit122in step980.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating a luminance determining method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 10, a display unit120may display a home screen under control of a controller170. The controller170may detect selection of an icon (e.g., tapping a corresponding icon) corresponding to an application for playing a moving image from the home screen. The controller170executes a corresponding App in response to selection of an icon corresponding to a moving image playing application in step1010. A touch screen may display an execution screen of the application under control of the controller170.

The controller170determines a display mode as a moving image playing mode in response to execution of a moving image playing App in step1020. In this case, as listed in the Table 2 and 5, values in the moving image playing mode may be the same as those in the second power saving mode. For example, the weights and thresholds may be identically set with the second power saving mode. Undoubtedly, the weights and the thresholds may be set in the moving image playing mode, separately from the second power saving mode.

The controller170creates a histogram using pixel values to which weights are applied, respectively in step1060. Step1060includes a step1061of creating a first sub-histogram and a step1062of creating a second sub-histogram. Steps1061and1062are the same as steps561and562as described above, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The controller170determines luminance control data using the histogram in step1070. A detailed procedure of step1070is the same as that of step570described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted. The controller170outputs the determined luminance control data to the backlight unit122in step1080.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a luminance determining method according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 11, the controller170may operate a display mode of the display control apparatus100as a normal mode in step1110. For example, as described above, the controller170determines transmittance of the display panel121corresponding to a normal mode, and determines luminance of a backlight unit122. As listed in the table 1, the normal mode may be one of a basic mode, a first power saving mode, and a second power saving mode.

The controller170determines whether external illumination (lux) is equal to or greater than a threshold (e.g., 20K; refer to Table 1) in step1120. When the external illumination is less than the threshold, the process returns to step1110.

In contrast, when the external illumination is equal to or greater than the threshold, the controller170controls the display unit120to display a mode setting screen in step1130.

The controller170may determine whether an outdoor visibility mode is selected (e.g., tapping a corresponding button) from the mode setting screen in step1140.

When the outdoor visibility mode is not selected (e.g., tapping for minimum button is detected), the process may return to step1110.

When the outdoor visibility mode is selected, the controller170may operate the display mode of the display control apparatus100as the outdoor visibility mode in step1150. In general, when external illumination around the display control apparatus100is high (e.g., 20K lux or higher), visibility of a displayed image is significantly lowered. Particularly, a simultaneous contrast error occurs in which color tone is differently viewed by human eyes. For example, when a yellow is displayed and a white is displayed around the yellow, as white luminance is increased in order to increase total luminance in a state that yellow luminance is fixed, the simultaneous contrast error where the yellow is recognized as a dark color occurs. As described above, the controller170determines transmittance of a display panel121corresponding to the outdoor visibility mode (e.g., control to increase transmittance of the W sub-pixel), and determines luminance of the backlight unit122(e.g., increases consumption current from 20 mA (100%) to 23 mA (120%)) to suppress the simultaneous contrast error. Particularly, the controller170further increases a W sub-pixel value of a yellow rather than a white (e.g., a color having a relatively high saturation relative to a white to suppress the simultaneous contrast error). Further, the controller170controls the backlight unit122to consume a maximum current (e.g., 23 mA) so that the simultaneous contrast error is suppressed.

The controller170determines whether external illumination is less than the threshold in step1160. When the external illumination is less than the threshold, the process returns to step1110. In contrast, when the external illumination is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process returns to step1150.

The foregoing method for display control of exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in an executable program command form by various computer means and be recorded in a non-transitory computer readable recording medium. In this case, the computer readable recording medium may include a program command, a data file, and a data structure individually or a combination thereof. In the meantime, the program command recorded in a recording medium may be specially designed or configured for the present invention or be known to a person having ordinary skill in a computer software field to be used. The computer readable recording medium includes Magnetic Media such as hard disk, floppy disk, or magnetic tape, Optical Media such as Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) or Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), Magneto-Optical Media such as floptical disk, and a hardware device such as ROM. RAM, flash memory storing and executing program commands. Further, the program command includes a machine language code created by a complier and a high-level language code executable by a computer using an interpreter. The foregoing hardware device may be configured to be operated as at least one software module to perform an operation of the present invention.

As mentioned above, the display control method and the apparatus thereof according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention may dynamically control the display unit in response to at least one of variation in the external illumination (e.g., move from indoor to outdoor) and variation in image attribute (e.g., playing of moving image) to save power consumption while maintaining image quality.