Patent Description:
Recently, with the development of a technology for a display apparatus, a display apparatus having a high scan rate has been developed to improve video quality.

However, when a frame rate (or a scan rate) of a panel provided in the display apparatus is different from a frame rate of a video, a delay time may occur, and, thus, a problem may occur that a video that is originally intended to have an improved quality is lagged or is not seamless when the video is provided to a user.

For example, in the related art, when the frame rate of the video is low and the frame rate of the panel is relatively high, there is a problem that an input lag of about <NUM> is generated until the video is output after calculation for a frame configuring the video is performed.

<CIT> describes a battery-operated device having a display with two or more available refresh rates, where the refresh rate is selected to match the frame rate of video data played back on the display.

<CIT> teaches a display and associated image display method comprising a response time enhancing circuit that determines adjusted pixel values according to the frame rate.

<CIT> teaches a method, computer program product, and system that performs gamma correction for a variable refresh display panel.

A display apparatus is provided in accordance with claim <NUM>, and a control method is provided in accordance with claim <NUM>. Provided are a display apparatus that changes a frame rate of a display panel and outputs a video, and a control method thereof.

According to embodiments, the display panel may be driven at the plurality of frame rates without changing a panel structure of the display apparatus.

According to embodiments, by allowing the frame rate of the video and the frame rate of the display panel to coincide, it is possible to minimize occurrence of an input lag and provide a video that is not lagged and is seamless to a user.

According to embodiments, it is possible to control whether or not to change the frame rate of the display panel according to a control command and control whether to output a video as it is or add an interpolation frame to the video and then output the video.

Certain embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

General terms that are currently widely used were selected as terms used in embodiments in consideration of functions, but may be changed depending on the intention of those skilled in the art or a judicial precedent, the emergence of a new technique, and the like. In addition, in a specific case, terms arbitrarily chosen by an applicant may exist. In this case, the meaning of such terms will be mentioned in detail in a corresponding description portion. Therefore, the terms used in embodiments are to be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the contents throughout the description rather than simple names of the terms.

As used herein, an expression "have", "may have", "include", "may include", or the like, may indicate existence of a corresponding feature (for example, a numerical value, a function, an operation, a component such as a part, or the like), and does not exclude existence of an additional feature.

An expression "at least one of A and/or B" is to be understood to represent "A" or "B" or "any one of A and B".

As used herein, the terms "1st" or "first", "2nd" or "second", or the like, may use corresponding components regardless of importance or order and are used to distinguish one component from another, without limiting the components.

When it is mentioned that any component (for example, a first component) is (operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to or is connected to another component (for example, a second component), it is to be understood that any component is directly coupled to another component or may be coupled to another component through the other component (for example, a third component).

It will be further understood that terms "include" or "formed of" used herein specify the presence of features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

As used herein, a "module" or a "~er/or" may perform at least one function or operation, and be implemented by hardware or software or be implemented by a combination of hardware and software. In addition, a plurality of "modules" or a plurality of "~ers/~ors" may be integrated in at least one module and be implemented by at least one processor except for a "module" or a "~er/or" that needs to be implemented by specific hardware.

As used herein, a term "user" may refer to a person using an electronic apparatus or an apparatus (for example, an artificial intelligence electronic apparatus) using an electronic apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram illustrating components of a display apparatus according to an embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a display apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment includes a communication interface <NUM>, a display panel <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>.

Here, the display apparatus <NUM> displays video data. The display apparatus <NUM> may be implemented by a television (TV), but is not limited thereto, and may be any apparatus having a display function, such as a video wall, a large format display (LFD), a digital signage, a digital information display (DID), a projector display, or the like. The display apparatus <NUM> may is a liquid crystal display (LCD). Meanwhile, the display apparatus <NUM> may also be implemented by a touch screen combined with a touch sensor, a flexible display, a rollable display, a three-dimensional (3D) display, and a display in which a plurality of display modules are physically connected to each other, or the like.

The communication interface <NUM> including a circuit according to an embodiment receives various types of videos. For example, the communication interface <NUM> may receive a video signal in a streaming or download manner from an external apparatus (for example, a source apparatus), an external storage medium (for example, a universal serial bus (USB) memory), an external server (for example, a Web hard), or the like, through a communication manner such as access point (AP)-based Wi-Fi (Wireless local area network (LAN)), Bluetooth, Zigbee, wired/wireless LAN, wide area network (WAN), Ethernet, IEEE <NUM>, high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), USB, mobile high-definition link (MHL), audio engineering society/European broadcasting union (AES/EBU), an optical manner, a coaxial manner, or the like. Here, the video signal may be any one digital video signal of a standard definition (SD), high definition (HD), full HD, or ultra HD video, but is not limited thereto.

Particularly, the communication interface <NUM> according to an embodiment may receive a video from the external apparatus. For example, the display apparatus <NUM> may sequentially receive a plurality of video frames configuring a video through the communication interface <NUM>.

However, this is an example, embodiments are not limited thereto. As an example, the display apparatus <NUM> may store a video received through the communication interface <NUM> in a memory, load the video from the memory, and provide the video through the display panel <NUM>. As another example, the display apparatus <NUM> may load a video pre-stored in the memory and provide the video through the display panel <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> according to an embodiment may be selectively driven at any one of a plurality of frame rates. Here, the frame rate may refer to a speed at which the display apparatus <NUM> displays one frame. The frame rate of the display panel <NUM> may be referred to as a refresh rate, a frequency, or a scan rate, but hereinafter, will be referred to as a frame rate for convenience of explanation. The frame rate of the display panel <NUM> may be represented by Hz. As an example, when the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> is <NUM>, the display panel <NUM> may provide <NUM> frames per second. As another example, when the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> is <NUM>, the display panel <NUM> may provide <NUM> frames per second. Here, an example in which the display panel <NUM> is driven at the frame rate of <NUM> or <NUM> is only an example, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the display panel <NUM> may be driven at various frame rates such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> according to an embodiment may be driven at any one of the plurality of frame rates according to the control of the processor <NUM>. Hereinafter, embodiments in which the processor <NUM> selects any one of the plurality of frame rates, drives the display panel <NUM> at the selected frame rate, and outputs a video received through the communication interface <NUM> will be described.

The processor <NUM> controls a general operation of the display apparatus <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may be implemented by a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, an artificial intelligence (AI) processor, or a time controller (T-CON) processing a digital video signal. However, the processor <NUM> is not limited thereto, but may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a micro controller unit (MCU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a controller, an application processor (AP), a communication processor (CP), and an ARM processor, or may be defined by these terms. In addition, the processor <NUM> may be implemented by a system-on-chip (SoC) or a large scale integration (LSI) in which a processing algorithm is embedded or may be implemented in a field programmable gate array (FPGA) form.

When the video is received through the communication interface <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment identifies a frame rate of the received video.

As an example, the video (for example, a moving picture) is a set of temporally continuous still images, and one still image may be a frame. The frame rate of the video may be represented by frames per second (fps). That is, the frame rate of the video may refer to the number of frames configuring the video for <NUM> second. The frame rate of the video may be referred to as a frame speed and a frame ratio, but hereinafter, will be referred to as a frame rate for convenience of explanation.

For example, if a video of at least <NUM> fps or more is provided, a user may determine that the video is a smooth and seamless video. Generally, as the frame rate of the video increases, the user feels that the smooth and seamless video is provided, but is not limited thereto.

The display apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may receive and display videos of various frame rates such as <NUM> fps, <NUM> fps, <NUM> fps, and the like, such as a game video (for example, a first-person shooter (FPS) game, a racing game), a sports video, and a slow motion video.

When the video is received through the communication interface <NUM>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment identifies the frame rate of the received video. As an example, the processor <NUM> may identify the frame rate of the video (for example, fps of the video) based on metadata of the received video. Meanwhile, a configuration in which the processor <NUM> identifies the frame rate of the video based on the metadata of the video is only an example, and the disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. As an example, the processor <NUM> may also identify the frame rate of the video based on the number of frames configuring the video for <NUM> second among a plurality of frames configuring the video.

Then, in a case where the processor <NUM> drives the display panel <NUM> at a frame rate corresponding the frame rate identified based on the received video, the processor <NUM> may adjust a setting value of the display panel so that the display panel operates at the frame rate (that is, the identified frame rate) of the video among the plurality of frame rates at which that the display panel <NUM> may be driven. As an example, when the frame rate of the video is <NUM> fps, the processor <NUM> may adjust the setting value of the display panel <NUM> so that the display panel <NUM> operates at <NUM> corresponding to <NUM> fps. As another example, when the frame rate of the video is <NUM> fps, the processor <NUM> may adjust the setting value of the display panel <NUM> so that the display panel <NUM> operates at <NUM> corresponding to <NUM> fps.

Here, the frame rate (for example, fps unit) of the video may refer to the number of frames configuring the video for <NUM> second, and the frame rate (for example, Hz unit) of the display panel <NUM> may refer to the number of frames provided by the panel <NUM> for <NUM> second.

As an example, when the frame rate of the video is lower than that of the display panel <NUM>, some of the frames of the video of the display panel <NUM> are repeatedly displayed, and thus, there is a problem that the video appears slow to the user.

As another example, when the frame rate of the video is higher than that of the display panel <NUM>, several new frames are generated before the display panel <NUM> displays the next frame, and a problem that some frames are lost or are not displayed may thus occur.

When the frame rate of the video is much higher than that of the display panel <NUM>, the next frame is input in a cycle in which the display panel <NUM> has displayed a specific frame, such that screen tearing in which different frames are displayed on upper and lower portions of a screen may occur. Therefore, the display apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may perform vertical synchronization (V-sync) for setting a frame generation timing of the video and a frame output timing of the display panel <NUM> to be synchronized.

On the other hand, a display apparatus <NUM> according to the related art performs a process in which a frame passes through a vertical synchronization buffer to synchronize a generation timing of a frame configuring an input video and a frame output timing of the display panel <NUM>, and has a problem that a delay time is generated in such a process. As a result, there was a problem that a delay occurs between input and output of the video.

For example, assuming that the received video is a <NUM> fps video, the processor <NUM> may perform calculation on the received video while waiting for vertical synchronization in units of <NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>). When the display panel <NUM> operates at a frame rate of <NUM>, there is a problem that a delay of at least <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>) occurs until the processor <NUM> performs calculation on the received video and outputs the video through the display panel <NUM>. The delay may be referred to as a latency, an input lag, a display lag, and the like.

The processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may adjust the setting value of the display panel <NUM> so that the display panel <NUM> operates at a frame rate (for example, a scan rate) corresponding to the frame rate of the video. Then, the processor <NUM> may control the display panel <NUM> to output the received video. In this case, the delay occurrence between video outputs may be minimized.

A detailed description therefor will be provided with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating a frame rate of a display panel according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, according to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> identifies a frame rate of a received video <NUM> including a first frame <NUM>-<NUM> and second to n-th frames <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-n, e.g., the processor <NUM> identifies an input frame rate of the input frames. When the frame rate of the received video <NUM> is a first frame rate, the processor <NUM> may adjust a setting value of the display panel <NUM> to output an output video <NUM> so that the display panel <NUM> operates at a frame rate (for example, a scan rate) corresponding to the first frame rate. The output video <NUM> may include a first output frame <NUM>-<NUM> and second to n-th output frames <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-n which correspond to the input frames of the received video <NUM>.

For example, the processor <NUM> may adjust at least one of a DCC value for compensating for a response speed of the display panel <NUM> or a liquid crystal charging timing or luminance of the display panel <NUM>, included in the setting value, based on the identified first frame rate.

Here, DCC is a method of comparing a gradation value of a previous frame with a gradation value of a current frame for an arbitrary pixel and performing processing of RGB data so that a value greater than a difference between these gradation values is added to the gradation value of the previous frame. Generally, a delay (for example, a duration) of one frame is <NUM>. When a voltage is applied across a liquid crystal material in an arbitrary pixel, it takes time for the liquid crystal material to respond to the voltage. Therefore, a time delay is inevitable to represent an intended gradation value. A DCC function is a technology for minimizing this time delay. For example, when the gradation value in the previous frame is '<NUM>' and the gradation value in the current frame is '<NUM>' for the arbitrary pixel, a value obtained by adding a value (referred to as a compensation value) greater than '<NUM>', which is a difference between two gradation values, to the gradation value in the previous frame, for example, '<NUM>' is converted as the gradation value of the current frame. In this DCC method, a frame memory for storing data of the previous frame is required, and the compensation value may be determined by a look-up table created based on the data of the previous frame and data of the current frame. The processor <NUM> may also obtain the DCC value based on various equations for calculating the compensation value, in addition to the lookup table.

Then, the processor <NUM> may adjust the setting value of the display panel <NUM> according to the obtained DCC value to operate the display panel <NUM> at a specific frame rate.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the frame rate of the received video <NUM> is <NUM> fps, the processor <NUM> may operate the display panel <NUM> at a frame rate (for example, a scan rate) of <NUM> corresponding to <NUM> fps. In this case, a first output frame <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to a first frame <NUM>-<NUM> configuring the input video may be obtained without a delay (for example, about <NUM>) required for calculation of the first frame <NUM>-<NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, according to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> identifies a frame rate of a received video <NUM>. When the frame rate of the received video <NUM> is a second frame rate, the processor <NUM> may adjust a setting value of the display panel <NUM> so that the display panel <NUM> operates at a frame rate (for example, a scan rate) corresponding to the second frame rate. According to an embodiment, the second frame rate may be a frame rate having a frequency higher than that of the first frame rate. For example, the first frame rate may be <NUM> (or <NUM> fps), and the second frame rate may be <NUM> (or <NUM> fps).

Then, the processor <NUM> may adjust at least one of a DCC value for compensating for a response speed of the display panel <NUM> or a liquid crystal charging timing or luminance of the display panel <NUM>, included in the setting value, based on the identified second frame rate.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the frame rate of the received video <NUM> is <NUM> fps, the processor <NUM> may operate the display panel <NUM> at a frame rate (for example, a scan rate) of <NUM> corresponding to <NUM> fps. In this case, a first output frame <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to a first frame <NUM>-<NUM> configuring the input video may be obtained without a delay (for example, about <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>) required for calculation of the first frame <NUM>-<NUM>. That is, the processor <NUM> may provide an output video <NUM> corresponding to the received video <NUM> through the display panel <NUM> without a delay time required for calculation or vertical synchronization for the received video <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the DCC value and the liquid crystal charging timing included in the setting value corresponding to the first frame rate (for example, <NUM>) may be greater than the DCC value and the liquid crystal charging timing included in the setting value corresponding to the second frame rate (for example, <NUM>).

For example, in a case where the display panel <NUM> is driven at a frame rate of <NUM>, <NUM> frames need to be provided for <NUM> second, and the DCC value and the liquid crystal charging timing for compensating for a response speed may thus be reduced as compared with a case where the display panel <NUM> is driven at a frame rate of <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may adjust the luminance of the display panel <NUM> so that a gamma value of the display panel <NUM> is maintained as a reference gamma value even though the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> is changed.

For example, when the frame rate identified according to the received video <NUM> is changed from the second frame rate (for example, <NUM>) to the first frame rate (for example, <NUM>), the processor <NUM> may drive the display panel <NUM> at the first frame rate by increasing at least one of the DCC value or the liquid crystal charging timing based on the setting value corresponding to the frame rate. Then, the processor <NUM> may adjust the luminance or brightness of the display panel <NUM> so that a changed gamma value is maintained as the reference gamma value (for example, <NUM> gamma value) as at least one of the DCC value or the liquid crystal charging timing is increased.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a control method of a display apparatus.

Referring to <FIG>, in a control method of a display apparatus including a display panel that may be driven at a plurality of frame rates, when a video is received, a frame rate of the received video is identified (operation S510).

Then, the setting value of the display panel is adjusted so that the display panel operates at the identified frame rate of the plurality of frame rates (operation S520).

Then, the display panel is controlled to output the received video (operation S530).

Operation S520 of adjusting the setting value according to an embodiment includes adjusting a DCC value for compensating for a response speed of the display panel and may include adjusting a liquid crystal charging timing or luminance of the display panel, included in the setting value, based on the identified frame rate.

Here, the plurality of frame rates includes a first frame rate and a second frame rate having a frequency higher than that of the first frame rate, and a DCC value and a liquid crystal charging timing included in a setting value corresponding to the first frame rate may be greater than a DCC value and a liquid crystal charging timing included in a setting value corresponding to the second frame rate.

The plurality of frame rates include a first frame rate and a second frame rate having a frequency higher than that of the first frame rate, and operation S520 of adjusting the setting value includes increasing the DCC value and the liquid crystal charging timing based on the setting value corresponding to the first frame rate when the identified frame rate is changed from the second frame rate to the first frame rate, and may include adjusting the luminance of the display panel so that a gamma value of the display panel is maintained as a reference gamma value.

In addition, the control method according to an embodiment may further include identifying whether or not to change the frame rate of the display panel based on a user command and operation S530 of controlling the display panel may include controlling the display panel to output the adjusted video by adjusting the frame configuring the received video when the user command is a command to fix the frame rate of the display panel and the identified frame rate corresponding to the received video and the fixed frame rate of the display panel that are different from each other.

The plurality of frame rates may include a first frame rate and a second frame rate having a frequency higher than that of the first frame rate, and operation S530 of controlling the display panel may include generating a new frame between a plurality of frames configuring the received video when the identified frame rate is the first frame rate and the fixed frame rate is the second frame rate, and controlling the display panel to output an adjusted video corresponding to the received video including the plurality of frames and the new frame.

In addition, the new frame may include at least one of a frame generated by repeating each of the plurality of frames configuring the received video or a frame generated based on at least two frames of the plurality of frames configuring the received video.

Here, the frame generated based on at least two frames of the plurality of frames configuring the received video may be a frame generated based on motion information of an object included in at least two frames.

In addition, the control method according to an embodiment further include identifying whether or not to change the frame rate of the display panel based on a user command for controlling whether or not to change the frame rate of the display panel when the user command is received, and operation S520 of adjusting the setting value of the display panel includes changing the frame rate to the identified frame rate when the user command is a command to change the frame rate of the display panel and the identified frame rate corresponding to the received video and the frame rate of the display panel that are different from each other.

In addition, operation S520 of adjusting the setting value of the display panel includes changing the frame rate of the display panel based on a user command for changing the frame rate of the display panel when the user command is received.

The control method according to an embodiment may further include displaying a user interface (UI) for changing the frame rate of the display panel, and operation S520 of adjusting the setting value of the display panel may include adjusting the setting value of the display panel so that the display panel operates at a frame rate corresponding to a user command input through the UI.

In addition, operation S510 of identifying the frame rate of the received video may include identifying the frame rate of the received video based on the metadata of the received video, and operation S520 of adjusting the setting value of the display panel may include adjusting the setting value of the display panel so that the display panel operates at the identified frame rate.

In addition, the control method according to an embodiment may further include analyzing the received video to obtain video processing delay information related to processing of the received video, operation S510 of identifying the frame rate of the received video may further include identifying the frame rate of the received video based on the video processing delay information, and operation S520 of adjusting the setting value of the display panel may further include adjusting the setting value of the display panel so that the display panel operates at the identified frame rate.

Meanwhile, the identifying of whether or not to change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> based on the user command will hereinafter be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating changing a frame rate according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment identifies the frame rate of the video (for example, fps of the video) (operation S610) when the video is received.

Then, the processor <NUM> identifies whether or not to change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> based on the user command for controlling whether or not to change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> (operation S620).

When the user command is a command to change the frame rate (operation S620: Y), the processor <NUM> identifies whether or not the identified frame rate corresponding to the received video and the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> are different from each other (operation S630).

Then, when the identified frame rate corresponding to the received video and the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> are different from each other (operation S630: Y), the processor <NUM> changes the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> to the identified frame rate (operation S640). Then, the processor <NUM> controls the display panel <NUM> to output the received video (operation S650).

As another example, when the identified frame rate corresponding to the received video and the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> are the same (operation S630: N), the processor <NUM> controls the display panel to output the received video (operation S650). That is, the processor <NUM> may control the display panel <NUM> to output the received video without changing the frame rate of the display panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may also identify whether to change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> and then output the video or to generate a new frame (for example, an interpolation frame) in the video to adjust the frame rate of the video to correspond to the frame rate of the display panel <NUM>, and then output an adjusted video, based on metadata corresponding to the video, in addition to the user command.

As an example, the processor <NUM> may identify the frame rate of the received video based on the metadata of the received video. For example, the metadata may include information on whether the frame rate of the video corresponds to <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may adjust the setting value of the display panel <NUM> to operate the display panel <NUM> at the frame rate identified based on the metadata.

As another example, the metadata may include information on whether or not to change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> to coincide with the frame rate of the video and then output the corresponding video. For example, the processor <NUM> may change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> to coincide with the frame rate of the video based on the information included in the metadata, and then output the corresponding video. As another example, the processor <NUM> may generate a new frame (for example, an interpolation frame) in the video to adjust the frame rate of the video to correspond to the frame rate of the display panel <NUM>, and then output the adjusted video, without changing the frame rate of the display panel <NUM>, based on the information included in the metadata.

According to an embodiment, when the user command for changing the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> is received, the processor <NUM> may change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> based on the user command.

This will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a UI according to an embodiment.

The processor <NUM> according to an embodiment identifies the frame rate of the video (for example, fps of the video) when the video is received.

Then, the processor <NUM> may identify the frame rate corresponding to the user command for changing the frame rate of the display panel <NUM>. Then, the processor <NUM> may change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM>.

As an example, the processor <NUM> may display a UI for changing the frame rate of the display panel <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may control the display panel <NUM> to display a UI through which each of a plurality of frame rates at which the display panel <NUM> may be driven may be selected.

When a user command for selecting one of the plurality of frame rates is received, the processor <NUM> may identify a frame rate corresponding to the user command. Then, the processor <NUM> may adjust a setting value of the display panel so that the display panel operates at a frame rate corresponding to the user command input through the UI.

<FIG> illustrates <NUM> and <NUM> as an example of the plurality of frame rates for convenience of explanation, but the plurality of frame rates are not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a view illustrating fixing a frame rate according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, as described above with reference to <FIG>, in operation S620, when the user command regarding a change of the frame rate is received, the processor <NUM> identifies whether or not to change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> based on the user command. When the user command is a command to change the frame rate (operation S620: Y), the processor <NUM> identifies whether or not the identified frame rate corresponding to the received video and the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> are different from each other (operation S660).

When the identified frame rate corresponding to the received video and the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> are different from each other (operation S660: Y), the processor <NUM> may adjust frames configuring the received video and control the display panel to output the adjusted video (operation S670).

When the identified frame rate corresponding to the received video and the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> are the same (operation S660: N), the processor <NUM> may control the display panel <NUM> to output the received video (operation S680).

Hereinafter, embodiments in which the processor <NUM> adjusts frames configuring a received video and controls the display panel to output an adjusted video in a case where a user command is a command to fix a frame rate and an identified frame rate corresponding to the received video and a frame rate of the display panel <NUM> are different from each other will be described.

<FIG> is a view illustrating generating a frame according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment generates a new frame between a plurality of frames configuring a received video <NUM> when a frame rate corresponding to the received video <NUM> is a first frame rate (for example, <NUM> fps) and a frame rate of the display panel <NUM> fixed according to a user command is a second frame rate (for example, <NUM>). Here, the generated new frame may be referred to as an interpolation frame.

The processor <NUM> controls the display panel <NUM> to output an adjusted video <NUM> including the plurality of frames configuring the received video <NUM> and the generated new frame and corresponding to the received video <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may obtain the new frame, that is, the interpolation frame, based on various frame interpolation technologies according to the related art.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may obtain the new frame by repeating the previous frame between the respective frames configuring the received video <NUM>. As an example, when a frame rate of the received video <NUM> is <NUM> fps, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may obtain the adjusted video <NUM> of <NUM> fps by repeating each of the plurality of frames configuring the video <NUM>. Then, the processor <NUM> may control the display panel <NUM> to display the adjusted video <NUM>. Meanwhile, specific numbers are only examples, and an embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, when a frame rate of the received video <NUM> is <NUM> fps, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may obtain the adjusted video <NUM> of <NUM> fps or <NUM> fps by repeating each of the plurality of frames configuring the video <NUM> based on the frame rate of the display panel <NUM>.

In the above-described method of obtaining the new frame, that is, the interpolation frame by repeating each of the frames configuring the video <NUM> is described. For example, the processor <NUM> may control the display panel <NUM> to repeatedly provide a first output frame <NUM>-<NUM> of the adjusted video <NUM> corresponding to a first frame <NUM>-<NUM> of the received video <NUM>. However, the method of obtaining the new frame by repeating the frame as described above is only an example, and the processor <NUM> may obtain the new frame and the adjusted video <NUM> including the new frame by various methods.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may generate a new frame based on at least two of a plurality of frames configuring a received video <NUM>. Here, the generated frame may be a frame generated based on motion information of an object included in at least two of the plurality of frames configuring the video <NUM>.

As an example, the processor <NUM> may obtain a new output frame <NUM>-<NUM>' based on a first frame <NUM>-<NUM> and a second frame <NUM>-<NUM> of the plurality of frames configuring the received video <NUM>. Here, the new output frame <NUM>-<NUM>' might not be the same as a first output frame <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to the first frame <NUM>-<NUM> or a second output frame <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to the second frame <NUM>-<NUM>.

Here, the new output frame <NUM>-<NUM> may be a frame obtained by calculation based on motion information of an object included in each of the first frame <NUM>-<NUM> and the second frame <NUM>-<NUM>. Here, the motion information may include a position of an object in a frame, a position and a form of the object in the previous frame, change amounts in a position and a form of the object in the next frame, and the like.

The processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may position the new output frame <NUM>-<NUM>' between the first output frame <NUM>-<NUM> and the second output frame <NUM>-<NUM> within an adjusted video, and output the new output frame <NUM>-<NUM>' after the previous frame (for example, the first output frame <NUM>-<NUM>) is output and before the next frame (for example, the second output frame <NUM>-<NUM>) is output. Meanwhile, as a method of obtaining the new frame according to an embodiment, various methods according to the related art such as fluid motion of AMD, Inc. , and the like, may be used, in addition to the method described above.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating components of the display apparatus according to an embodiment in detail.

Referring to <FIG>, the display apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may include the communication interface <NUM>, the display panel <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, a panel driver <NUM>, a memory <NUM> and a user Interface <NUM>. However, the display apparatus <NUM> does not necessarily include all of the components described above. In addition, the display apparatus <NUM> may further include components such as an audio outputter, a power supply, and the like.

The display panel <NUM> may include a liquid crystal layer, a pixel electrode, a liquid crystal capacitor, a gate line, a data line, a backlight unit, and the like. The display panel <NUM> may express brightness of each pixel according to a luminance value identified through luminance information.

The processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may analyze the received video to obtain video processing delay information related to the processing of the received video, and identify the frame rate of the received video based on the video processing delay information, and adjust the setting value of the display panel so that the display panel operates at the identified frame rate.

The processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may perform at least one video correction processing on the received video, and then provide the video through the display panel <NUM>. In this case, there is a risk that an input delay time and an input lag will occur depending on a time required from reception of the video until output of the video.

The processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may obtain video processing delay information related to processing (for example, video correction processing according the related art) of the received video. Then, the processor <NUM> may identify the frame rate of the video based on the video processing delay information. For example, the processor <NUM> may increase the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> in a case where a time required until the output of the received video exceeds a threshold time based on the video processing delay information. As an example, the processor <NUM> may increase the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> from <NUM> to <NUM> and output the received video.

Here, the video processing delay information may be determined based on at least one of type information of the received video, user interaction related information, or object information in the received video. For example, the type information of the video may include information on whether or not the received video corresponds to any one of movie contents, game contents, streaming contents, or image contents. However, the contents described above are only examples, and an embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the type information of the video may include content type information classified in more detail. As an example, the type information of the video may include information on which genre in a game, such as a rhythm game, an FPS game, a fighting game, or the like, among the game contents the received video corresponds to. As another example, the type information of the video may include information on which genre in a movie, such as an action movie, a war movie, a science fiction movie, an animation, or the like, among the movie contents the received video corresponds to.

When it is identified that the received video is an FPS game content, the processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may obtain a delay time, that is, video processing delay information. Then, the processor <NUM> may change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> when the delay time exceeds a threshold time based on the video processing delay information. For example, the processor <NUM> may increase the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> from <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, when it is identified that the delay time exceeds <NUM> based on the video processing delay information, the processor <NUM> may change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> for a game to be smoothly played by the user.

As another example, when it is identified that the received video is a rhythm game content, the processor <NUM> may obtain a delay time, that is, video processing delay information. Then, the processor <NUM> may change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> when it is identified that the delay time exceeds a threshold time, for example, <NUM> based on the video processing delay information. In the embodiment described above, specific numbers are only examples for convenience of explanation, and an embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the processor <NUM> may receive the video processing delay information from an external server through the communication interface, identify whether or not to change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> based on information on threshold times mapped to each of information on video types included in the received video processing delay information, and to what extent (for example, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like) to change the frame rate.

As another example, the processor <NUM> may identify type information of the video, and identify a frame rate corresponding to the identified type information. Then, the processor <NUM> may drive the display panel <NUM> at the identified frame rate. For example, in a case of the FPS game content among the game contents, the display panel <NUM> may be set to be driven at <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> to <NUM> when it is identified that the received video is the FPS game content through metadata of the received video or analysis of the received video. However, this is an example, and specific frame rates may be set for each of a plurality of content genres or specific frame rates may be set for only some content genres. For example, when a specific frame rate corresponding to a content genre of the received video is set, the processor <NUM> may drive the display panel <NUM> at the set frame rate, and when a specific frame rate is not set for a content genre of the received video, the processor <NUM> may drive the display panel <NUM> at a frame rate obtained based on metadata of the received video.

The processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may determine the video processing delay information based on object information in the video.

As an example, in a case where objects of whose number is a threshold number or more are identified within the received video or in a case where it is identified that a plurality of objects are changed within the video according to object movement information, the processor <NUM> may change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> to smoothly provide the objects to the user. For example, in a case where an object in a frame included in the received video is rapidly changed or in a case where a plurality of objects are moved, the processor <NUM> may increase the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> to provide a smooth video to the user without a lag and a delay, and output the received video. Here, the object movement information may include information on a position change of each of objects included in the previous frame and a current frame, or the like.

For example, in a case where a content in which positions of each of the plurality of objects are changed when a frame is changed, such as a shooting game content, a sports game content, or the like, is identified, the processor <NUM> may change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> to a threshold frame rate or more, and output the video (or the content). Here, the threshold frame rate may refer to a frame rate for providing game contents, movie contents, or the like, to the user without a delay. For example, the threshold frame rate may be set to <NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

As another example, the processor <NUM> may determine the video processing delay information based on the user interaction related information. For example, when it is identified that a user's interaction is input threshold times or more based on the user interaction related information, the processor <NUM> may change the frame rate of the display panel <NUM>. Here, the user interaction related information may include a user's input, a screen manipulation command, a manipulation command for an object in the game contents in a case of the game contents, and the like. For example, in a case where the user's interaction is input threshold times or more, the processor <NUM> may increase the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> to smoothly provide a screen in which a plurality of interactions are reflected to the user.

As another example, in a case where fine adjustment of a specific object in the video is required based on the user interaction related information, the processor <NUM> may increase the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> so that afterimage or an overlay is not generated. For example, when a user interaction with a specific object such as a target, or the like, in the shooting game content is received and it is identified that the specific object is an object requiring fine adjustment, the processor <NUM> may increase the frame rate of the display panel <NUM> to minimize occurrence of the delay.

The panel driver <NUM> may provide a driving signal to the display panel <NUM>. For example, the panel driver <NUM> may include a gate driver, a data driver, a gradation voltage generator, and a signal controller. Although the panel driver <NUM> is described as a separate component in the embodiment of <FIG>, in an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may also serve as the panel driver <NUM>. As an example, the panel driver <NUM> may drive the display panel <NUM> at a frame rate corresponding to the frame rate of the received video <NUM> based on the frame rate of the received video <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may be electrically connected to the processor <NUM> and may store data used according to embodiments. For example, the memory <NUM> may be implemented as an internal memory such as a read-only memory (ROM) (for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)), a random access memory (RAM), or the like, included in the processor <NUM> or be implemented as a memory separate from the processor <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may be implemented in a form of a memory embedded in the display apparatus <NUM> or be implemented in a form of a memory attachable to and detachable from the display apparatus <NUM>, depending on a data storing purpose. For example, data for driving the display apparatus <NUM> may be stored in the memory embedded in the display apparatus100, and data for an extension function of the display apparatus <NUM> may be stored in the memory attachable to and detachable from the display apparatus <NUM>. In a case where the memory <NUM> is implemented as the memory embedded in the display apparatus <NUM>, the memory <NUM> may be at least one of a volatile memory (for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), or the like) or a non-volatile memory (for example, a onetime programmable read-only memory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (for example, a NAND flash, a NOR flash, or the like), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD)).

In a case where the memory <NUM> is implemented as the memory attachable to and detachable from the display apparatus <NUM>, the memory <NUM> may be a memory card (for example, a compact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a micro-SD, a mini-SD, an extreme digital (xD), a multi-media card (MMC), or the like), an external memory (for example, a USB memory) connectable to a USB port, or the like.

In particular, the memory <NUM> according to an embodiment may store information on a setting value required for the display panel <NUM> to be driven at a specific frame rate of a plurality of frame rates. For example, the memory <NUM> may store a setting value (for example, at least one of a DCC value, a liquid crystal charging timing, or luminance) required for the display panel <NUM> to be driven at a frame rate of <NUM>. In addition, the memory <NUM> may store a setting value (for example, at least one of a DCC value, a liquid crystal charging timing, or luminance) required for the display panel <NUM> to be driven at a frame rate of <NUM>. The information on the setting value may be in a look-up table form, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The information on the setting value may be stored in the memory <NUM> inside the display apparatus <NUM> or luminance information stored in an external server may be used. In this case, the communication interface <NUM> may communicate with the external server to receive the information on the setting value.

The user interface <NUM> may be implemented by a device such as a button, a touch pad, a mouse, and a keyboard or may be implemented by a touch screen, a remote control transmitter/receiver, or the like, capable of performing both of the display function described above and a manipulation input function. The remote control transmitter/receiver may receive a remote control signal from an external remote control device or transmit a remote control signal to the external remote control device through at least one of infrared communication, Bluetooth communication, or Wi-Fi communication.

An outputter outputs a sound signal. For example, the outputter may convert a digital sound signal processed by the processor <NUM> into an analog sound signal, and amplify and output the analog sound signal. For example, the outputter may include at least one speaker unit capable of outputting at least one channel, a D/A converter, an audio amplifier, and the like. According to an example, the outputter may be implemented to output various multi-channel sound signals. In this case, the processor <NUM> may control the outputter to enhancement-process an input sound signal to correspond to enhancement processing of the input video and then output the sound signal. For example, the processor <NUM> may converts an input <NUM>-channel sound signal into a virtual multi-channel (for example, <NUM>-channel) sound signal, recognize a position where the display apparatus <NUM> is put and process the input <NUM>-channel sound signal as a stereoscopic sound signal optimized for a space, or provide an optimized sound signal according to a type (for example, a content genre) of input video.

The display apparatus <NUM> may further include a tuner and a demodulator, according to an implementation. The tuner may tune a channel selected by the user among radio frequency (RF) broadcasting signals received through an antenna or all pre-stored channels to receive an RF broadcasting signal. The demodulator may receive and demodulate a digital intermediate frequency (DIF) signal converted by the tuner and perform channel demodulation, or the like. According to an embodiment, an input video received through the tuner may be processed through the demodulator and be then provided to the processor <NUM> for video processing according to an embodiment.

The above-described embodiments may be applied to all electronic apparatuses capable of performing video processing, such as a video receiving apparatus such as a set-top box, a video processing apparatus, as well as the display apparatus.

Embodiments may be implemented in a computer or an apparatus similar to the computer using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. In some cases, embodiments described in the disclosure may be implemented by a processor itself. According to a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures and functions described herein may be implemented by separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described in the disclosure.

Software (e.g., the program) containing one or more instructions for performing processing operations of the display apparatus <NUM> according to embodiments may be stored in a machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage medium (e.g., internal memory) or external memory. The instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium cause a specific device to perform the processing operations of the display apparatus <NUM> according to embodiments when they are executed by a processor of the specific device.

The non-transitory computer-readable medium is not a medium that stores data for a while, such as a register, a cache, a memory, or the like, but means a medium that semi-permanently stores data and is readable by the device. Specific examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium may include a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a hard disk, a Blu-ray disk, a USB, a memory card, a ROM, and the like.

Claim 1:
A display apparatus comprising:
a communication interface (<NUM>) comprising a circuit and configured to receive a video;
a liquid crystal display panel (<NUM>) configured to be selectively driven at any one of a plurality of frame rates; and
at least one processor (<NUM>) configured to:
identify an input frame rate of the video being received through the communication interface, wherein the identified input frame rate of the video is a first frame rate,
identify whether or not to change a frame rate of the display panel based on a user command, wherein the frame rate of the display panel is a second frame rate, and
in response to the user command being a command to change the frame rate of the display panel:
identify whether or not the first frame rate and the second frame rate are different from each other and, in response to identifying that the first frame rate and the second frame rate are different from each other, adjust a setting value of the display panel including changing the frame rate of the display panel from the second frame rate to the first frame rate and adjusting a dynamic capacitance compensation, DCC, value for compensating for a response speed of the display panel; and
control the display panel to output the received video at the first frame rate, and
in response to the user command being a command to fix the frame rate of the display panel to the second frame rate:
identify whether or not the first frame rate and the second frame rate are different from each other and, in response to identifying that the first frame rate and the second frame rate are different from each other, generating new frames by interpolating frames of the received video; and
control the display panel (<NUM>) to output an adjusted video, including the received video and the generated new frames, at the second frame rate,
wherein the plurality of frame rates includes the first frame rate and the second frame rate having a frequency higher than a frequency of the first frame rate.