Patent Publication Number: US-2010123741-A1

Title: Method of driving a light source, light source apparatus for performing the method and display apparatus having the light source apparatus

Description:
This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2008-114547, filed on Nov. 18, 2008, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method of driving a light source, a light source apparatus for performing the method and a display apparatus having the light source apparatus. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method of driving a light source in which light-emitting blocks are individually driven, a light source apparatus for performing the method and a display apparatus having the light source apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device includes an LCD panel which displays an image thereon by controlling a light transmittance of liquid crystal provided with light from a backlight assembly disposed below the LCD panel. 
     The backlight assembly typically includes a light source which generates the light required to display an image on the LCD panel. The light source may include a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (“CCFL”), a flat fluorescent lamp (“FFL”) or a light-emitting diode (“LED”), for example, to generate the light. 
     When the CCFL or the FFL is employed as a light source, however, a power consumption of the LCD device is substantially increased as compared to when the LED is used. Moreover, characteristics of the LCD device deteriorate due to heat generation when the CCFL or the FFL is used. In addition, lamps used with the CCFL or the FFL are easily broken and/or damaged by impact and/or vibration, for example. Moreover, a temperature of the lamps associated with the CCFL or the FFL is not uniform, and luminances of the lamps therefore vary, and a display quality of the LCD device is thereby substantially reduced when using the CCFL or the FFL as the light source. 
     On the other hand, the LED is easily manufactured into a chip shape, and the LED has a substantially higher luminance and substantially lower power consumption than other light sources such as the CCFL and the FFL. As a result, the LED is typically used as the backlight assembly in the LCD device. 
     The backlight assembly, having the LED as a light source, typically includes a light source module and a plurality of direct current-to-direct current (“DC-DC”) converting parts. The light source module is divided into driving blocks. The DC-DC converting parts are electrically connected to each of the driving blocks to provide a driving voltage to light-emitting blocks included in each of the driving blocks. A number of required DC-DC converting parts corresponds to a number of the driving blocks. A maximum output power of the DC-DC converting part is adjusted such that a plurality of the LEDs included in the light-emitting blocks is driven in a full white mode when required. 
     However, since the required number of the DC-DC converting parts corresponds to the number of the driving blocks, the required number of the DC-DC converting parts is increased as a size of the LCD device increases. Thus, a manufacturing cost of the LCD device is substantially increased. Moreover, during operation, a predetermined light-emitting block is sometimes driven at a higher luminance level than a luminance level of a white driving luminance. This must be considered in designing the DC-DC converting part to harmonize a driving condition of the LCD device, and a manufacturing cost thereof is therefore substantially increased. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method of driving a light source in which an effectiveness of driving a plurality of light-emitting blocks is substantially improved. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide a light source apparatus for performing the method. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) apparatus having the light source apparatus. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of driving a light source in a normal mode and an increased luminance mode, based on a gradation data of an image signal, by using driving blocks each having a plurality of light-emitting blocks is provided. In the method, both a first driving voltage, which drives a first driving block of the driving blocks during the normal mode, and a second driving voltage, which drives a second driving block of the driving blocks during the normal mode, are applied to the first driving block during the increased luminance mode to increase a luminance of the first driving block when the first driving block is driven by a luminance greater than a predetermined luminance value corresponding to the gradation data of the image signal. The increased luminance mode includes a boosting mode and a scanning mode. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second driving block is adjacent to the first driving block. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the luminance of the first driving block is substantially greater than a luminance of the second driving block. 
     According to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a light source apparatus includes a first driving block and a second driving block each comprising a plurality of light-emitting blocks, a first drive chip and a second drive chip comprising a first output terminal and a second output terminal, respectively, a switching part and a switching control part. The switching part includes a plurality of switching elements connected to the first output terminal and the second output terminal, and switching elements of the plurality of switching elements are connected in electrical parallel with each other. The switching part is configured to selectively output at least one of a first driving voltage from the first drive chip and a second driving voltage from a second drive chip to at least one of the first driving block and the second driving block. The switching control part turns on first switching elements of the plurality of switching elements connected to the first driving block and turns off second switching elements of the plurality of switching elements connected to the second driving block to increase a luminance of the first driving block when the first driving block is driven by a luminance value greater than a luminance corresponding to a gradation data of an image signal. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the luminance of the first driving block is substantially greater than a luminance of the second driving block. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first drive chip and the second drive chip may include a multi-channel current control part and a DC-DC converting part. The multi-channel current control part may include input terminals connected to output terminals of each light-emitting block of the plurality of light-emitting blocks included in the first driving block and the second driving block. The multi-channel current control part may be configured to control an amplitude of a driving current applied to each of the light-emitting blocks based on a plurality of feedback signals that are applied to the input terminals from each of the light-emitting blocks. The DC-DC converting part may convert an amplitude of one of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage applied to one of the first driving block and the second driving block based on a control signal from the multi-channel current control part. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the DC-DC converting part may include an inductor, a switching element, a diode and a capacitor. The inductor may include a first terminal electrically connected to a voltage source. The switching element may include an output terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the inductor and an input terminal electrically connected to a ground terminal. The diode may include an anode electrically connected to the second terminal of the inductor and the output terminal of the switching element, and the capacitor may be electrically connected between a cathode of the diode and the ground terminal 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light source apparatus may further include output control switching elements connected to output terminals of each light-emitting block of the plurality of light-emitting blocks included in the first driving block and the second driving block. The switching control part either turns on the output control switching elements or turns off the output control switching elements, based on a driving mode of each of the light-emitting blocks. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the switching control part may control the first switching elements and the second switching elements such that at least one of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage is varied when the output control switching elements are turned off. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each light-emitting block of the plurality of light-emitting blocks may include white light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) connected in electrical series with each other. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each light-emitting block of the plurality of light-emitting blocks may include a red LEDs connected in electrical series with other, green LEDs connected in electrical series with each other, and blue LEDs connected in electrical series with each other. 
     According to still another alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display apparatus includes a display panel, a light source module, a first drive chip and a second drive chip, a switching part and a switching control part. The display panel displays an image. The light source module provides the display panel with light, and the light source module includes a first driving block and a second driving block each having a plurality of light-emitting blocks. The first drive chip and the second drive chip include a first output terminal and a second output terminal, respectively. The first drive chip configured to output a first driving voltage to the first output terminal, while the second drive chip configured to output a second driving voltage to the second output terminal. The switching part includes a plurality of switching elements connected to the first output terminal and the second output terminal. Switching elements of the plurality of switching elements are connected in electrical parallel with each other, and the switching part is configured to selectively output at least one of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage to at least one of the first driving block and the second driving block. The switching control part turns on first switching elements of the plurality of switching elements connected to the first driving block, and turns off second switching elements of the plurality of switching elements connected to the second driving block to increase a luminance of the first driving block when the first block is driven by a luminance value greater than a luminance corresponding to a gradation data of an image signal. 
     Thus, according to a method of driving a light source, a light source apparatus for performing the method and a display apparatus having the light source apparatus, when a first driving block is to be driven at a higher luminance level than a luminance corresponding to a gradation data of an image signal, a driving voltage normally provided only to a second driving block is provided to the first driving block, e.g., driving voltages are condensed. Therefore, it is not required to design an additional DC-DC converting part to obtain an increased luminance output of the first driving block, thereby substantially reducing manufacturing costs thereof 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent by describing in further detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a light source driving part of the display apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a DC-DC converting part of the light source driving part shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a light source module for explaining an exemplary embodiment of a method of driving a light source in a boosting mode according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a light source module for explaining an exemplary embodiment of a method of driving a light source in a scanning mode according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic circuit diagram of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a light source driving part of the display apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” “third” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof. 
     Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top” may be used herein to describe one element&#39;s relationship to other elements as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on the “upper” side of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of “lower” and “upper,” depending upon the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures were turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning which is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations which are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments of the present invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes which result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles which are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a display panel  100 , a timing control part  110 , a panel driving part  130 , a light source module  200  and a local dimming driving part  300 . 
     The display panel  100  includes a plurality of pixels P which display an image. Each pixel P of the plurality of pixels P includes a switching element TR connected to a gate line GL and a data line DL, a liquid crystal capacitor CLC and a storage capacitor CST connected to the switching element TR. The display panel  100  may further include a plurality of display blocks DB. In an exemplary embodiment, a number of the display blocks DB is m×n (where “m” and “n” are natural numbers). 
     The timing control part  110  receives a control signal CS and an image signal DS from an external device (not shown). The control signal CS may include a vertical synchronizing signal, a horizontal synchronizing signal, a main clock signal, a data enable signal, etc. The vertical synchronizing signal represents a time required for displaying one frame. The horizontal synchronizing signal represents a time required for displaying one line of the one frame. Thus, the horizontal synchronizing signal includes pulses corresponding to a number of the pixels P included in the one line. The data enable signal represents a time required for supplying the pixel P with data. The timing control part  110  generates a timing control signal  120  which controls a driving timing of the panel driving part  130  based on the control signal CS. 
     The panel driving part  130  drives the display panel  100  using the timing control signal  120  received from the timing control part  110 . 
     The panel driving part  130  according to an exemplary embodiment may include a data driving part  132  and a gate driving part  134 . The timing control signal  120  may include a first control signal  120   a  for controlling a driving timing of the data driving part  132  and a second control signal  120   b  for controlling a driving timing of the gate driving part  134 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first control signal  120   a  may include a clock signal and a horizontal synchronization signal, and the second control signal  120   b  may include a vertical synchronization signal. 
     The data driving part  132  generates a plurality of data signals using the first control signal  120   a  and the image signal DS, and provides the data line DL with the generated data signals. 
     The gate driving part  134  generates a gate signal, which activates the gate line GL, using the second control signal  120   b , and provides the gate line GL with the generated gate signal. 
     The light source module  200  according to an exemplary embodiment includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”) having a plurality of light sources mounted thereon. The light source module  200  may include, for example, white light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) as light sources of the plurality of light sources. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, however, the light source module  200  may include red LEDs, green LEDs and blue LEDs, for example, but alternative exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The light source module  200  may be divided into m×n light-emitting blocks B corresponding to the m×n display blocks DB. The light-emitting blocks B are disposed at positions corresponding to the display blocks DB. Each of the light-emitting blocks B may include a plurality of LEDs. 
     The local dimming driving part  300  includes a dimming signal processing part  310  and a light source driving part  350 . 
     The dimming signal processing part  310  generates a local dimming signal for individually driving the light-emitting blocks using the control signal CS and the image signal DS which are inputted from the external device (not shown). 
     The dimming signal processing part  310  analyzes a gradation data of the image signal DS to obtain a representative luminance value corresponding to the display blocks B, and determines a dimming level which controls an amount of light emitted from the light-emitting blocks B using the representative luminance value. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the dimming signal processing part  310  increases a dimming level when the representative luminance value is relatively large, whereas the dimming signal processing part  310  decreases the dimming level when the representative luminance value is relatively small. 
     The dimming signal processing part  310  according to an exemplary embodiment may further include a mode determining part  312 . The mode determining part  312  determines a driving mode of the light source module  200 , e.g., a normal mode and an increased luminance mode, and controls the light source driving part  350  in accordance with the determined driving mode. 
     The light source driving part  350  drives the light source module  200  based on a dimming level by the light-emitting blocks B, which is applied from the dimming signal processing part  310 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the light source driving part  350  includes a plurality of drive chips, a switching part and a switching control part. As will be described in further detail below with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the drive chips include a plurality of output channels, e.g., output terminals, and output a driving voltage to driving blocks connected to the output terminals. The switching part includes a plurality of switching elements connected in electrical parallel with each other and to the output terminals, and selectively transmits a driving voltage applied to the output terminal to the driving blocks through the switching element. When a predetermined light-emitting block, e.g., a first light-emitting block is identified to be driven at a higher luminance than a luminance corresponding to a gradation data of the image data DS of the light-emitting blocks, the switching control part turns on switching elements connected to the first driving block and turns off switching elements connected to a second driving block or, alternative to a plurality of second blocks, to increase a luminance of the first driving block. For example, when the light source module  200  includes 8×8 light-emitting blocks B, the light-emitting blocks B are divided into sixteen driving blocks, and two driving blocks are connected to one drive chip. Thus, only eight drive chips are required to simultaneously drive the light source module  200 . Two light-emitting blocks B may be connected to one drive chip, and thus a number of the drive chips is substantially decreased. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a light source driving part of the display apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the light source driving part  350  includes a first drive chip  360 , a second drive chip  370 , a switching part  380  and a switching control part  390 . 
     The light source module  200  includes a first driving block BD 1  and a second driving block BD 2 . Each of the first driving block BD 1  and the second driving block BD 2  includes a plurality of the light-emitting blocks B, as shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, in an exemplary embodiment, both the first driving block BD 1  and the second driving block BD 2  include four light-emitting blocks B. In addition, each of the light-emitting blocks B may include a diode string of serially connected light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), for example. More particularly, the light-emitting blocks B may include a white diode string in which white LEDs are connected in electrical series with each other. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, however, the light-emitting blocks B may include a red color diode string in which red LEDs are serially connected in electrical series with each other, a green color diode string in which green LEDs are connected in electrical series with each other and a blue color diode string in which blue LEDs are connected in electrical series with each other. It will be noted that alternative exemplary embodiments are not limited to the foregoing configurations for the light-emitting blocks B. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the first drive chip  360  includes a first direct current-to-direct current (“DC-DC”) converting part  362  and a first multi-channel current control part  364 . 
     The first DC-DC converting part  362  is electrically connected to the first driving block BD 1  and the second driving block BD 2  through the switching part  380 . The first DC-DC converting part  362  converts a first direct current (“DC”) into a second direct current having a voltage level different than the first direct current. In an exemplary embodiment, the first DC-DC converting part  362  converts a voltage applied from a power source part (not shown) into a first driving voltage Vd 1  for driving the first driving block BD 1 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first driving block BD 1  and the second driving block BD 2  are adjacent to each other, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The first multi-channel current control part  364  includes a plurality of input channels, e.g., input terminals, electrically connected to output terminals of the light-emitting blocks B included in the first driving block BD 1  and the second driving block BD 2 . The first multi-channel current control part  364  receives feedback signals FB 1  to FB 8  from the first driving block BD 1  and/or the second driving block BD 2 . The first multi-channel current control part  364  removes a current deviation between currents of each of the light-emitting blocks B based on the feedback signals FB 1  to FB 8  to control driving currents flowing through each of the light-emitting blocks B such that the driving currents have uniform values. The first multi-channel current control part  364  outputs a first control signal CS 1  for controlling an amplitude of the first driving voltage Vd 1  outputted from the first DC-DC converting part  362 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the second drive chip  370  includes a second DC-DC converting part  372  and a second multi-channel current control part  374 . 
     The second DC-DC converting part  372  is electrically connected to the first driving block BD 1  and the second driving block BD 2  via the switching part  380 . The second DC-DC converting part  372  converts a voltage applied from the power source part (not shown) into a second driving voltage Vd 2  for driving the second driving block BD 2 . 
     The second multi-channel current control part  374  includes a plurality of input channels, e.g., input terminals, electrically connected to the output terminals of the light-emitting blocks B included in the first driving block BD 1  and the second driving block BD 2 . The second multi-channel current control part  374  removes a current deviation between currents of each of the light-emitting blocks B based on the feedback signals FB 1  to FB 8  to control driving currents flowing through each of the light-emitting blocks B such that the driving currents have a uniform value. The second multi-channel current control part  374  outputs a second control signal CS 2  for controlling an amplitude of the second driving voltage Vd 2  outputted from the second DC-DC converting part  372 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a DC-DC converting part of the light source driving part shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first and second DC-DC converting parts  362  and  372  include a switching mode power supply SMPS, an inductor L 1 , a switching element SW, a diode D 1  and a capacitor C 1 . 
     The inductor L 1  includes a first terminal electrically connected to the switching mode power supply SMPS and a second terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the switching element SW and an anode of the diode D 1 . The switching element SW includes an input terminal electrically connected to a ground terminal, a control terminal which receives a control signal CS, e.g., the first control signal CS 1  or the second control signal CS 2  applied from the first multi-channel current control part  362  or the second multi-channel current control part  374 , respectively, and an output terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the inductor L 1  and the anode of the diode D 1 . A first terminal of the capacitor C 1  is electrically connected to a cathode of the diode D 1 , and a second terminal of the capacitor C 1  is electrically connected to the ground terminal. 
     The first DC-DC converting part  362  and the second DC-DC converting part  372  adjust amplitudes of the first driving voltage Vd 1  and the second driving voltage Vd 2 , respectively, applied to the first driving block BD 1  and the second driving block BD 2 , respectively, in response to the control signal CS, e.g., the first control signal CS 1  ( FIG. 2 ) or the second control signal CS 2  ( FIG. 2 ), respectively, inputted to the control terminal of the switching element SW. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the switching part  380  includes a first switching element TR 1 , a second switching element TR 2 , a third switching element TR 3  and a fourth switching element TR 4 . The switching control part  380  selectively outputs the first driving voltage Vd 1  and the second driving voltage Vd 2  outputted from the first DC-DC converting part  362  and the second DC-DC converting part  372 , respectively, to the first driving block BD 1  and the second driving block BD 2 , respectively, in response to one or more of a first selection signal SE 1 , a second selection signal SE 2 , a third selection signal SE 3  and a fourth selection signal SE 4  applied from the switching control part  390 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first switching element TR 1  includes an input terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the first DC-DC converting part  362 , an output terminal electrically connected to an input terminal of the first driving block BD 1  and a control terminal which receives the first selection signal SE 1  from the switching control part  390 . 
     The second switching element TR 2  includes an input terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the first DC-DC converting part  362 , an output terminal electrically connected to an input terminal of the second driving block BD 2  and a control terminal which receives the second selection signal SE 2  from the switching control part  390 . 
     The third switching element TR 3  includes an input terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the second DC-DC converting part  372 , an output terminal electrically connected to an input terminal of the first driving block BD 1  and a control terminal which receives the third selection signal SE 3  from the switching control part  390 . 
     The fourth switching element TR 4  includes an input terminal electrically connected to the output terminal of the second DC-DC converting part  372 , an output terminal electrically connected to an input terminal of the second driving block BD 2  and a control terminal which receives the fourth selection signal SE 4  from the switching control part  390 . 
     The switching control part  390  outputs the first to fourth selection signals SE 1  to SE 4 , respectively, to the first to fourth switching elements TR 1  to TR 4 , respectively, in response to a mode determining signal received from the dimming signal processing part  310  ( FIG. 1 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the first to fourth selection signals SE 1  to SE 4 , respectively, are varied in accordance with a driving mode of the light source module  200 . For example, when the driving mode is a normal driving mode, which drives the light source module  200  by each of the light-emitting blocks B, the switching control part  390  outputs selection signals, e.g., the first selection signal SE 1  and the fourth selection signal SE 4 , so that the first and fourth switching elements TR 1  and TR 4 , respectively, are turned on, while the second and third switching elements TR 2  and TR 3 , respectively, are turned off. Thus, the first driving block BD 1  receives the first driving voltage Vd 1  applied from the first drive chip  360 , and the second driving block BD 2  receives the second driving voltage Vd 2  applied from the second drive chip  370 . 
     When a driving mode of the light source module  200  is not the normal driving mode, e.g., is an increased luminance mode which drives a predetermined light-emitting block at a higher luminance than a luminance corresponding to a gradation data of the image signal DS, the switching control part  390  outputs selection signals such that a driving voltage of non-predetermined driving blocks (e.g., driving blocks except for the predetermined driving block including a predetermined light-emitting block) are provided to the predetermined light-emitting block in the predetermined driving block, as will be described in further detail below with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the increased luminance mode, e.g., a mode which drives the predetermined light-emitting block to display a higher luminance than a luminance corresponding to a gradation data of the image signal DS, may include, for example, a boosting mode and a scanning mode. More specifically, the boosting mode is a mode in which the predetermined light-emitting block is driven with a luminance which is a few times greater than a luminance of a white driving. On the other hand, the scanning mode is a mode in which the predetermined blocks are driven by a line unit. In the scanning mode, a driving timing of the normal driving mode is divided to drive by the line unit, and a luminance of the predetermined blocks is thereby decreased. Thus, during the scanning mode, an output of the light-emitting blocks is increased. For example, when the first driving block BD 1  is driven in at a higher luminance than a luminance of a full white driving, and the second driving block BD 2  is driven in a black luminance, the first and third switching elements TR 1  and TR 3 , respectively, are turned on, while the second and fourth switching elements TR 2  and TR 4 , respectively, are turned off. Thus, the first driving voltage Vd 1  applied from the first DC-DC converting part  362  and the second driving voltage Vd 2  applied from the second DC-DC converting part  372  are provided to the first driving block BD 1 . Therefore, the first driving block BD 1  is driven at a luminance greater than a luminance of the full white driving. 
     The light source driving part  350  according to an exemplary embodiment may further include a plurality of output control switching elements S 1  to S 8  connected to output terminals of each of the light-emitting blocks B, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The output control switching elements S 1  to S 8  are turned on during an interval in which the light-emitting blocks B are illuminated, and are turned off during an interval in which the light-emitting blocks B are not illuminated. 
     The switching control part  390  controls the switching elements S 1  to S 8 , such that outputs at the output terminals of the first DC-DC converting part  362  and the second DC-DC converting part  372  are changed based on a status of whether the switching elements S 1  to S 8  are turned off. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a light source module for explaining an exemplary embodiment of a method of driving a light source in a boosting mode according to the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the light source module  200  includes 8×8 light-emitting blocks B. The light-emitting blocks B are divided into a first driving block BD 1 , a second driving block BD 2 , a third driving block BD 3 , a fourth driving block BD 4 , a fifth driving block BD 5 , a sixth driving block BD 6 , a seventh driving block BD 7  and an eighth driving block BD 8 . 
     When the light source module  200  is divided into a first light-emitting area  200   a  having a black luminance level and a second light-emitting area  200   b  having a white luminance level, and the first light-emitting area  200   a  is greater than a predetermined reference value, the second light-emitting area  200   b  is driven in the boosting mode. Thus, the second light-emitting area  200   b  is driven with a higher luminance level than a full white luminance level in the normal driving mode. For example, when a full white luminance of the second light-emitting area  200   b  in the normal driving mode is about 500 nits, a luminance of the second light-emitting area  200   b  in the boosting mode is increased to about 1000 nits. In order to drive the second light-emitting area  200   b  in the boosting mode, increased power is required. However, to drive the first light-emitting area  200   a , a relatively low power consumption is required or, alternatively, power is not required to drive the first light-emitting area  200   a . Thus, a driving voltage provided to the first light-emitting area  200   a  by controlling the first switching part  382  and the second switching part  384  is provided to the second light-emitting area  200   b . As a result, a driving voltage corresponding to a driving block DB corresponding to the first light-emitting area  200   a , which is adjacent to the second light-emitting area  200   b , is applied to the second light-emitting area  200   b . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , to boost a portion of the light-emitting blocks B included in the third and fourth driving blocks BD 3  and BD 4 , respectively, the third driving block BD 3  receives a driving voltage of the second driving block BD 2 , and the fourth driving block BD 4  receives a driving voltage of the fifth driving block BD 5 . 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a light source module for explaining an exemplary embodiment of a method of driving a light source in a scanning mode according to the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the light source module  200  according to an exemplary embodiment includes 8×8 light-emitting blocks B. The light-emitting blocks B include a first driving block BD 1 , a second driving block BD 2 , a third driving block BD 3 , a fourth driving block BD 4 , a fifth driving block BD 5 , a sixth driving block BD 6 , a seventh driving block BD 7  and an eighth driving block BD 8 . In the scanning mode, the light source module  200  is sequentially driven by the driving block unit, e.g., in line units. 
     As described in greater detail above, when the light source module  200  is driven by line units, a luminance is decreased. As a result an output of the light-emitting blocks in an exemplary embodiment is increased. Specifically, a driving voltage of a previous driving block and/or a subsequent driving block, is provided to a current driving block which will be currently driven, and a luminance of the current driving block may is thereby. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the current driving block is the fourth driving block BD 4 , for example, a driving voltage from at least one of the first to third driving blocks BD 1  to BD 3 , respectively, may be provided to the fourth driving block BD 4 . Alternatively, a driving voltage from at least one of the fifth to seventh driving blocks BD 5  to BD 7 , respectively, may be provided to the fourth driving block BD 4 . More specifically, a driving voltage of the third driving block BD 3  and/or the fifth driving block BD 5  adjacent to the fourth driving block BD 4  may be provided to the fourth driving block BD 4 . 
     Although exemplary embodiments described herein have been described as condensing a voltage of a driving block which is not driven when the LCD device is driven in the scanning mode, alternative exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, when driving the LCD device in the scanning mode, when a predetermined driving block which should be driven at a high luminance level greater than a white level, the driving voltage of any remaining driving block may be provided to the driving block to be driven at the high luminance. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic circuit diagram of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a light source driving part of the display apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A light source driving part  350   a  according to an exemplary embodiment is substantially the same as the light source driving part  350  of  FIG. 2  except for driving blocks connected to the first and second drive chips  360  and  370 . Thus, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts as those described in  FIG. 2 , and any repetitive detailed description thereof may hereinafter be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the light source driving part  350   a  according to an alternative exemplary embodiment includes a first drive chip  360 , a second drive chip  370 , a switching part  382  and a switching control part  390   a.    
     The switching part  382  includes a first switching element TR 1 , a second switching element TR 2 , a third switching element TR 3 , a fourth switching element TR 4 , a fifth switching element TR 5 , a sixth switching element TR 6 , a seventh switching element TR 7  and an eighth switching element TR 8 . 
     The first drive chip  360  includes a first DC-DC converting part  362  and a first multi-channel current control part  364 . The first DC-DC converting part  362  provides a first driving voltage Vd 1  to a plurality of driving blocks connected through the first to fourth switching elements TR 1  to TR 4 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 6 , for example, the first DC-DC converting part  362  is connected to a first driving block BD 1 , a second driving block BD 2 , a third driving block BD 3  and a fourth driving block BD 4  through the first to fourth switching elements TR 1  to TR 4 , respectively. The first to fourth driving blocks BD 1  to BD 4 , respectively, may be adjacent to each other, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The second drive chip  370  includes a second DC-DC converting part  372  and a second multi-channel current control part  374 . The second DC-DC converting part  372  provides a second driving voltage Vd 2  to a plurality of driving blocks connected through the fifth to eighth switching elements TR 5  to TR 8 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 6 , for example, the second DC-DC converting part  372  may be connected to the first to fourth driving blocks BD 1  to BD 4 , respectively, through the fifth to eighth switching elements TR 5  to TR 8 , respectively. 
     The first switching element TR 1  is connected between an output terminal of the first DC-DC converting part  362  and an input terminal of the first driving block BD 1  to transmit the first driving voltage Vd 1  outputted from the first DC-DC converting part  362  to the first driving block BD 1 . 
     The second switching element TR 2  is connected between the output terminal of the first DC-DC converting part  362  and an input terminal of the second driving block BD 2  to transmit the first driving voltage Vd 1  to the second driving block BD 2 . 
     The third switching element TR 3  is connected between the output terminal of the first DC-DC converting part  362  and the input terminal of the third driving block BD 3  to transmit the first driving voltage Vd 1  to the third driving block BD 3 . 
     The fourth switching element TR 4  is connected between the output terminal of the first DC-DC converting part  362  and the input terminal of the fourth driving block BD 4  to transmit the first driving voltage Vd 1  to the fourth driving block BD 4 . 
     The fifth switching element TR 5  is connected between the output terminal of the second DC-DC converting part  372  and the input terminal of the first driving block BD 1  to transmit the second driving voltage Vd 2  outputted from the second DC-DC converting part  372  to the first driving block BD 1 . 
     The sixth switching element TR 6  is connected between the output terminal of the second DC-DC converting part  372  and the input terminal of the second driving block BD 2  to transmit the second driving voltage Vd 2  to the second driving block BD 2 . 
     The seventh switching element TR 7  is connected between the output terminal of the second DC-DC converting part  372  and the input terminal of the third driving block BD 3  to transmit the second driving voltage Vd 2  to the third driving block BD 3 . 
     The eighth switching element TR 8  is connected between the output terminal of the second DC-DC converting part  372  and the input terminal of the fourth driving block BD 4  to transmit the second driving voltage Vd 2  to the fourth driving block BD 4 . 
     The switching control part  390   a  outputs first to eighth selection signals SE 1  to SE 8 , respectively, to the first to eighth switching elements TR 1  to TR 8 , respectively, in response to a mode determining signal received from the dimming signal processing part  310  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, when a driving mode of the light source module  200  is a normal driving mode, the switching control part  390  outputs a plurality of selection signals, so that the first, second, seventh and eighth switching elements TR 1 , TR 2 , TR 7  and TR 7 , respectively, are turned on, and the third to sixth switching elements TR 3 , TR 4 , TR 5  and TR 6 , respectively, are turned off. 
     When a driving mode of the light source module  200  is an increased luminance mode, e.g., a mode in which a predetermined light-emitting block is driven at a higher luminance than a luminance corresponding to a gradation data of the image signal DS, the switching control part  390  controls the first to eighth switching elements TR 1  to TR 8 , respectively, so that a driving voltage which drives the remaining driving block (e.g., except for the predetermined driving block) is applied to the predetermined driving block, including a predetermined light-emitting block therein. For example, when the predetermined light-emitting block is the second driving block BD 2 , the switching control part  390   a  turns on the second and sixth switching elements TR 2  and TR 6 , respectively, and the first driving voltage Vd 1  outputted from the first DC-DC converting part  362  and the second driving voltage Vd 2  outputted from the second DC-DC converting part  372  are both applied to the second driving block BD 2 . 
     Thus, according to exemplary embodiments of the present embodiment, a plurality of driving blocks is connected to one DC-DC converting part, and a number of required DC-DC converting parts is thereby substantially decreased. 
     Further, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention as described herein, when a first driving block is driven at a higher luminance than a luminance corresponding to a gradation data of an image signal, both a first driving voltage, which drives the first driving block during normal operation, as well as a second driving voltage, which drives the second driving block during normal operation, are applied to the first driving block. Therefore, an additional DC-DC converting part is not required to obtain an increased luminance output of the first driving block. Moreover, a plurality of driving blocks may be connected to one DC-DC converting part, and a number of required DC-DC converting parts is therefore substantially decreased. Accordingly, manufacturing costs of the DC-DC converting part and the LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment are substantially reduced. 
     The present invention should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art. 
     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.