Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a display device and a driving method of the same, and more particularly, to a display device and a driving method of the same which increase a luminance of a curve area according to a viewing angle to uniformly control the luminance.

As the information society is developed, demands for display devices for displaying images are increased in various forms. Recently, various display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display panel, and an organic light emitting display device are utilized.

The display devices include a display panel in which data lines and gate lines are disposed and pixels are disposed at the intersections of the data lines and the gate lines. Further, the display devices include a data driver which supplies a data voltage to the data lines, a gate driver which supplies a gate voltage to the gate lines, and a timing controller which controls the data driver and the gate driver.

Specifically, recently, a flexible organic light emitting display device (flexible OLED) which may implement an image quality at it is using a flexible substrate even though a display panel is bent has been developed.

A display panel of the flexible organic light emitting display device is divided into a flat plain area and a curved area which is bent at the outside of the plain area and an entire image is output through the plain area and the curved area. Here, a viewing angle of the plane area is <NUM>° with respect to a front, but the curved area has a predetermined viewing angle with respect to a front.

In the related art, a luminance of a display panel which outputs the entire image is set to be constant based on a luminance of the plane area, regardless of the plane area and the curved area.

In this case, as seen from the front which is a viewing position, a luminance of the plane area is appropriately set to normally output an image. However, the luminance of the at least one curved area is recognized to be lower than the luminance of the plane area with respect to the front, due to a viewing angle of the curved area.

Accordingly, the flexible organic light emitting display device of the related art does not recognize uniform luminance through the entire display panel, so that image quality may be deteriorated due to luminance unevenness of the display panel.

<CIT> discloses a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a video reception unit to receive an input video, a flexible display module, and a controller to change luminance of the input video such that a luminance variation of an area of the input video corresponding to a first area of the display module is greater than that of an area of the input video corresponding to a second area of the display module and control a video, the luminance of which has been changed, to be displayed when the display module is curved. Consequently, a stereoscopic video with improved luminance is displayed on the display apparatus.

In an aspect, a display device is provided as defined in claim <NUM>.

In another aspect, a driving method of a display device is provided as defined in claim <NUM>.

An object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to provide a display device and a driving method of the same which control the luminance to be uniform by increasing the luminance of the at least one curved area in accordance with the viewing angle.

Another object to be achieved by the present disclosure is to provide a display device and a driving method of the same which reduce the power consumption by activating a luminance compensating function based on an image signal.

Objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects, which are not mentioned above, can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions. controller includes an image analyzing unit which analyzes the corresponding to the at least one curved areaimage signal corresponding to the at least one curved area and a luminance control unit which controls the corresponding to the at least one curved areaimage signal corresponding to the at least one curved area to increase luminance of the at least one curved areaa luminance of the at least one curved area.

According to another example of the present disclosure, a driving method of a display device includes an image analyzing step of analyzing an corresponding to the at least one curved areaimage signal corresponding to the at least one curved area and a luminance control step of increasing luminance of the at least one curved areaa luminance of the at least one curved area.

Other detailed matters of the embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

According to the present disclosure, the luminance of the at least one curved area is increased based on the viewing angle to increase the luminance uniformity of the display panel, thereby minimizing the deterioration of the image quality due to the curved area.

Further, according to the present disclosure, only when it is determined that a viewer watches the display device, the luminance compensating function is activated based on an average of a square of predicted luminance to reduce the power consumption due to the luminance compensating function and minimize a damage of an organic light emitting diode due to.

The above and other examples, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Advantages and characteristics of the present disclosure and a method of achieving the advantages and characteristics will be clear by referring to exemplary embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein but will be implemented in various forms. The exemplary embodiments are provided by way of example only so that a person of ordinary skill in the art can fully understand the present disclosure and the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure will be defined only by the scope of the appended claims.

Further, in the following description, a detailed explanation of known related technologies may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure. The terms such as "including," "having," and "consist of" used herein are generally intended to allow other components to be added unless the terms are used with the term "only". Any references to singular may include plural unless expressly stated otherwise.

The features of various embodiments of the present disclosure can be partially or entirely bonded to or combined with each other and can be interlocked and operated in technically various ways understood by those skilled in the art, and the embodiments can be carried out independently of or in association with each other.

Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram for explaining a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a display device <NUM> includes a display panel <NUM>, a data driver <NUM>, a gate driver <NUM>, a timing controller <NUM>, and a position tracking unit <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> is configured such that a plurality of gate lines GL1 to GLm and a plurality of data lines DL1 to DLn intersect each other to be formed in a matrix on a substrate which uses glass or plastic. A plurality of pixels Px1 and Px2 is defined at the intersections of the plurality of gate lines GL1 to GLm and the plurality of data lines DL1 to DLn.

Here, the substrate may be a flexible substrate. That is, a substrate of a display device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has a predetermined elasticity to be bent by an external force. To this end, the substrate may be formed of polymer plastic having a bending property such as polyimide (PI).

Each of the pixels Px1 and Px2 of the display panel <NUM> includes at least one thin film transistor. A gate electrode of the thin film transistor is connected to the gate line GL1 to GLm and a source electrode is connected to the data line DL1 to DLn.

When the display device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal display device, a drain electrode is connected to a pixel electrode facing a common electrode to control a voltage which is applied to liquid crystal. By doing this, movement of the liquid crystal is controlled to implement a gray scale of the liquid crystal display device.

Further, when the display device <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is an organic light emitting display device, current is applied to an organic light emitting diode (OLED in <FIG>) equipped in the plurality of pixels Px1 and Px2 and discharged electrons and holes are coupled to generate excitons. The excitons emit light to implement the gray scale of the organic light emitting display device. Details thereof will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

As described above, the display device <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the liquid crystal display and the organic light emitting display device, but may be various types of display devices.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a display panel of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The display panel <NUM> may include a plane area <NUM> and a curved area <NUM>. The plane area <NUM> is disposed at a center portion of the display panel <NUM> and outputs an image to the front which is a viewing position. The curved area <NUM> is disposed to be divided into at least one curved area <NUM> at an outside of the plane area <NUM>. The curved area <NUM> does not output the image to the front which is a viewing position, but outputs an image while maintaining a predetermined viewing angle with respect to the front. In <FIG>, the plane area <NUM> and the curved area <NUM> are divided to have a predetermined area, but this is merely an example. The plane area <NUM> and the curved area <NUM> may vary in accordance with a bending property of the display device <NUM>.

More specifically, referring to <FIG>, the curved area <NUM> of the display panel <NUM> may be divided into a first curved area 111a, a second curved area 111b, and a third curved area 111c having different curvatures. Here, the curvature of the second curved area 111b is larger than the curvature of the first curved area 111a and the curvature of the third curved area 111c is larger than the curvature of the second curved area 111b. That is, with respect to the plane area <NUM>, a bending angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 111b is larger than a bending angle θ<NUM> of the first curved area 111a and a bending angle θ<NUM> of the third curved area 111c is larger than the bending angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 111b.

Therefore, with respect to the front which is a viewing position, a second viewing angle θ<NUM> of an image output from the second curved area 111b is larger than a first viewing angle θ<NUM> of an image output from the first curved area 111a and a third viewing angle θ<NUM> of an image output from the third curved area 111c is larger than the second viewing angle θ<NUM> of an image output from the second curved area 111b.

Even though in <FIG>, it is illustrated that the bending angle is increased in the at least one curved area <NUM> disposed at an outer edge of the display panel <NUM>, it is not limited thereto and the bending angle may vary depending on an external force which is applied to the display panel <NUM>.

In the plane area <NUM> and the curved area <NUM>, a plurality of pixels Px1 and Px2 may be disposed. The plurality of pixels Px2 disposed in the plane area <NUM> and the plurality of pixels Px1 disposed in the at least one curved area <NUM> may be distinguished.

Each of the pixels Px1 and Px2 may include a plurality of sub pixels and each sub pixel may implement light of a specific color. For example, the plurality of sub pixels may be configured by a red sub pixel which implements red, a green sub pixel which implements green, and a blue sub pixel which implements blue, but is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixel disposed on a display panel of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The driving of each of the pixels Px1 and Px2 will be described with reference to <FIG> as follows. First, a switching transistor ST is turned on by a gate voltage which is supplied to the gate lines GL1 to GLm of each of the pixels Px1 and Px2. Further, a data voltage Vdata is supplied from the data lines DL1 to DLn by the turned-on switching transistor ST and a driving current i is controlled by a driving transistor DT which is applied with the data voltage. Finally, the organic light emitting diode OLED emits light corresponding to the controlled driving current i to display images.

<FIG> and <FIG> are schematic views for explaining a display panel of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and a viewing position.

The position tracking unit <NUM> tracks a position of a viewer to generate a location signal LS.

That is, the position tracking unit <NUM> generates a location signal LS including a location information of the viewer with respect to the center of the display panel <NUM>. Here, the location information indicates that the viewer is located within a predetermined angle with respect to the center of the display panel <NUM>.

The position tracking unit <NUM> may be configured by a camera which may recognize the position of the viewer, but is not limited thereto and all devices which are capable of figuring out the location of the viewer may correspond to the position tracking unit <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, when an angle at which the viewer is located is <NUM>° or less with respect to a long axis of the display panel <NUM>, the position tracking unit <NUM> determines that the viewer is watching the display device <NUM>.

Further, referring to <FIG>, when an angle at which the viewer is located is <NUM>° or less with respect to a short axis of the display panel <NUM>, the position tracking unit <NUM> determines that the viewer is watching the display device <NUM>.

Therefore, the position tracking unit <NUM> generates the location signal LS by combining them. That is, only when the angle at which the viewer is located is <NUM>° or less with respect to the long axis of the display panel <NUM> and the angle at which the viewer is located is <NUM>° or less with respect to the short axis of the display panel <NUM>, the position tracking unit <NUM> outputs an on-level location signal LS to activate a luminance compensating function of the display device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

As described above, there is an advantage in that only when it is determined that the viewer watches the display device <NUM>, the luminance compensating function is activated to reduce the power consumption while the viewer does not watch the display panel <NUM>.

The timing controller <NUM> supplies various control signals DCS and GCS and image data RGB to the data driver <NUM> and the gate driver <NUM> to control the data driver <NUM> and the gate driver <NUM>.

The timing controller <NUM> starts scanning in accordance with a timing implemented by each frame, based on the timing signal TS received from an external host system. The timing controller <NUM> converts an image signal VS received from the external host system in accordance with an image data RGB format which is processible in the data driver <NUM>. Further, the timing controller <NUM> adjusts the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> by analyzing the image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> to make the luminance in the front of the display panel <NUM> uniform. Details thereof will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

More specifically, the timing controller <NUM> receives various timing signals TS including a vertical synchronization signal Vsync, a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, a data enable signal DE, and a data clock signal DCLK together with an image signal VS from the external host system.

In order to control the data driver <NUM> and the gate driver <NUM>, the timing controller <NUM> receives the timing signal TS such as the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the data enable signal DE, and the data clock signal DCLK and generates various control signals DCS and GCS. The timing controller <NUM> outputs the various control signals DCS and GCS to the data driver <NUM> and the gate driver <NUM>.

For example, in order to control the gate driver <NUM>, the timing controller <NUM> outputs various gate control signals GCS including a gate start pulse GSP, a gate shift clock GSC, and a gate output enable signal GOE.

Here, the gate start pulse controls an operation start timing of one or more gate circuits which configure the gate driver <NUM>. The gate shift clock is a clock signal which is commonly input to one or more gate circuits and controls a shift timing of the scan signal (gate pulse). The gate output enable signal designates timing information of one or more gate circuits.

Further, in order to control the data driver <NUM>, the timing controller <NUM> outputs various data control signals DCS including a source start pulse SSP, a source sampling clock SSC, and a source output enable signal SOE.

Here, the source start pulse controls a data sampling start timing of one or more data circuits which configure the data driver <NUM>. The source sampling clock is a clock signal which controls a sampling timing of data in each data circuit. The source output enable signal controls an output timing of the data driver <NUM>.

The timing controller <NUM> may be disposed on a control printed circuit board which is connected to a source printed circuit board to which the data driver <NUM> is bonded through a connecting medium such as a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

In the control printed circuit board, a power controller which supplies various voltages or currents to the display panel <NUM>, the data driver <NUM>, and the gate driver <NUM> or controls various voltages or currents to be supplied may be further disposed. The power controller may also be referred to as a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The source printed circuit board and the control printed circuit board described above may be configured by one printed circuit board.

The gate driver <NUM> sequentially supplies a gate voltage which is an on-voltage or an off-voltage to the gate lines GL1 to GLm in accordance with the control of the timing controller <NUM>.

According to a driving method, the gate driver <NUM> may be located only at one side of the display panel <NUM> or located at both sides if necessary.

The gate driver <NUM> may be connected to a bonding pad of the display panel <NUM> by means of a tape automated bonding (TAB) method or a chip on glass (COG) method. The gate driver <NUM> may be implemented to be a gate in panel (GIP) type to be directly disposed in the display panel <NUM> or may be integrated to be disposed in the display panel <NUM>, if necessary.

The gate driver <NUM> may include a shift register or a level shifter.

The data driver <NUM> converts image data RGB received from the timing controller <NUM> into an analog data voltage Vdata to output the analog data voltage to the data lines DL1 to DLn.

The data driver <NUM> is connected to the bonding pad of the display panel <NUM> by a tape automated bonding method or a chip on glass method or may be directly disposed on the display panel <NUM>. If necessary, the data driver <NUM> may be integrated to be disposed in the display panel <NUM>.

Further, the data driver <NUM> may be implemented by a chip on film (COF) method. In this case, one end of the data driver <NUM> may be bonded to at least one source printed circuit board and the other end may be bonded to the display panel <NUM>.

The data driver <NUM> may include a logic unit including various circuits such as a level shifter or a latch unit, a digital analog converter DAC, and an output buffer.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram for explaining a timing controller of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;.

Referring to <FIG>, the timing controller <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes an image analyzing unit <NUM>, a luminance control unit <NUM>, and a gray scale control unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a timing chart for explaining an internal signal of a timing controller of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The image analyzing unit <NUM> determines whether the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased, based on the location signal LS.

That is, when the on-level location signal LS is applied, the image analyzing unit <NUM> increases the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>. In contrast, when the off-level location signal LS is applied, the image analyzing unit <NUM> does not increase the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>.

The image analyzing unit <NUM> analyzes the image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> to determine whether the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased.

In other words, the image analyzing unit <NUM> separates, extracts, and analyzes the image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> to calculate a predicted luminance CLcurved of the curved area <NUM>. Further, the image analyzing unit <NUM> determines whether the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased, based on the predicted luminance CLcurved of the curved area <NUM>.

Specifically, an operation of the image analyzing unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> as follows. For the convenience of description, it is assumed that the image signal VS including <NUM> image data RGB is applied during one horizontal period <NUM> defined by a vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

The image analyzing unit <NUM> generates a count signal (pixel count: PC) indicating an order of image data RGB included in the image signal VS during one horizontal period <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the image signal VS includes <NUM> image data RGB, so that the count signal PC periodically repeats values of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The image analyzing unit <NUM> separates and extracts an image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM>, in accordance with a predetermined area signal AS.

Here, the area signal AS is in an on-level during a section when an image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> is output and is in an off-level during a section when an image signal VS corresponding to the plane area <NUM> is output.

Specifically, the area signal AS is in an on-level during sections corresponding to first image data to <NUM>-th image data and sections corresponding to <NUM>-st image data to <NUM>-th image data and is in an off-level during remaining sections corresponding to <NUM>-st image data to <NUM>-th image data.

By doing this, the image analyzing unit <NUM> separates and extracts an area signal VScurved of a section when the image signal AS is in an on-level. That is, the image analyzing unit <NUM> separates and extracts image signals VScurved including first to <NUM>-th image data and <NUM>-st image data to <NUM>-th image data.

Next, the image analyzing unit <NUM> analyzes the image data RGB of the image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> to predict a luminance CLcurved of an image to be output to the curved area <NUM> and determine whether the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased by calculating a mean square thereof.

Specifically, the image analyzing unit <NUM> calculates a predicted luminance in the at least one curved area <NUM> by means of Equation <NUM>.

Here, CLcurved means a predicted luminance in the at least one curved area <NUM>, RGBcurved means image data of the image signal VS corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM>, bits means a bit number of image data of the image signal VS, and y means a gamma constant of the display device <NUM>.

The image analyzing unit <NUM> calculates a mean square of the predicted luminance CLcurved in the at least one curved area <NUM> by means of Equation <NUM> to determine whether to compensate the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>.

Here, WFcurved means a mean square value of the predicted luminance CLcurved and may have a value between <NUM> to <NUM>. This becomes an index for determining whether the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> of the display device <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is increased.

With regard to this, the viewer may not recognize luminance deterioration by the curved area <NUM> at the low luminance but may apparently recognize the luminance deterioration by the curved area <NUM> at a relatively high luminance. Therefore, there is a necessity to compensate the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> only at a relatively high luminance.

Therefore, only when a mean square value WFcurved of the predicted luminance which means a relative intensity of the luminance is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased.

For example, only when a mean square value WFcurved of the predicted luminance is equal to or higher than <NUM>, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased and when the mean square value is equal to or lower than <NUM>, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> may not be increased.

Alternatively, as the mean square value WFcurved of the predicted luminance is increased, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> may be gradually increased. For example, when the mean square value WFcurved of the predicted luminance is equal to or higher than <NUM> and equal to or lower than <NUM>, a luminance boost ratio of the curved area <NUM> may be set to be proportional to the mean square value WFcurved of the predicted luminance.

As described above, the luminance compensating function of the display device <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is activated based on the mean value WFcurved of the square of the predicted luminance to reduce the power consumption due to the luminance compensating function. Further, the damage of the organic light emitting diode OLED due to the increased luminance is minimized, thereby lengthening the lifespan of the display device <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views for explaining luminance control of a display panel of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The luminance control unit <NUM> controls an image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> to increase the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>.

That is, the luminance control unit <NUM> increases the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> such that a front luminance in a front direction among components of the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is equal to the luminance of the plane area <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first curved area 111a outputs an image while maintaining the first viewing angle θ<NUM> with respect to the front, the second curved area 111b outputs an image while maintaining the second viewing angle θ<NUM> with respect to the front, and the third curved area 111c outputs an image while maintaining the third viewing angle θ<NUM> with respect to the front. Therefore, when it is assumed that the entire areas of the display panel <NUM> have the same luminance, the front luminance is gradually lowered in the order of the first curved area 111a, the second curved area 111b, and the third curved area 111c with respect to the front.

In order to solve the luminance ununiformity, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased such that the front luminance is equal to the luminance of the plane area <NUM>. Since the second viewing angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 111b is larger than the first viewing angle θ<NUM> of the first curved area 111a, the increased luminance of the second curved area 111b is higher than the increased luminance of the first curved area 111a. Further, since the third viewing angle θ<NUM> of the third curved area 111c is larger than the second viewing angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 111b, the increased luminance of the third curved area 111c is higher than the increased luminance of the second curved area 111b.

Specifically, an operation of the luminance control unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> as follows. For the convenience of description, it is assumed that the first viewing angle θ<NUM> of the first curved area 111a is <NUM>°, the second viewing angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 111b is <NUM>°, and the third viewing angle θ<NUM> of the third curved area 111c is <NUM>°.

A front luminance, a luminance boost ratio of the curved area <NUM>, and a data voltage Vdata therefor in accordance with the viewing angles of the curved area <NUM> are represented in Table <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and Table <NUM>, a front luminance of the first curved area 111a is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the first curved area 111a to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the luminance of the first curved area 111a needs to be increased by <NUM> times. To this end, the data voltage Vdata applied to the driving transistor DT illustrated in <FIG> needs to be increased.

Next, a front luminance of the second curved area 111b is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the second curved area 111b to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the luminance of the second curved area 111b needs to be increased by <NUM> times. To this end, the data voltage Vdata applied to the driving transistor DT illustrated in <FIG> needs to be increased to <NUM> V.

Next, a front luminance of the third curved area 111c is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the third curved area 111c to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the luminance of the third curved area 111c needs to be increased by <NUM> times. To this end, the data voltage Vdata applied to the driving transistor DT illustrated in <FIG> needs to be increased to <NUM>.

The driving current i of the organic light emitting diode OLED connected to the driving transistor DT is increased due to the increased data voltage Vdata. Therefore, as light emitted from the organic light emitting diode OLED is increased, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased.

As described above, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased based on the viewing angle so that a constant luminance may be recognized from the front. By doing this, the luminance uniformity of the display panel <NUM> is increased so that the deterioration of the image quality due to the curved area <NUM> may be minimized.

<FIG> is a view for explaining a compensating area and a non-compensating area of a display panel of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Separately from this, the luminance control unit <NUM> may increase the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> such that among the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>, the front luminance is higher than a difference between the luminance of the plane area <NUM> and an identification luminance and is lower than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>.

That is, the luminance control unit <NUM> may increase the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> so as to establish the relationship of "luminance of plane area <NUM> > front luminance among luminance of curved area <NUM> > luminance of plane area <NUM> - identification luminance".

Here, the identification luminance means a luminance difference which may be visually distinguished from a reference luminance by a viewer. The identification luminance tends to gradually increase as the reference luminance is increased. For example, the luminance is not visually distinguished up to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> with respect to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> so that the identification luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Further, the luminance is not visually distinguished up to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> with respect to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> so that the identification luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>.

Therefore, since the front luminance of the first curved area 111a is <NUM> c/m<NUM>, a difference between the luminance of the plane area <NUM> and the front luminance of the first curved area <NUM> is within the identification luminance. Therefore, even though the luminance of the first curved area 111a is not increased, the viewer does not recognize the ununiformity of the luminance.

Further, even though the front luminances of the second curved area 111b and the third curved area 111c are increased to be higher than the difference between the luminance of the plane area <NUM> and the identification luminance and lower than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the viewer does not recognize the ununiformity of the luminance. That is, even though the luminances of the second curved area 111b and the third curved area 111c are increased not to <NUM> cd/m2, but to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> to <NUM> cd/m<NUM>, the viewer does not recognize the ununiformity of the luminance.

That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first curved area 111a and the plane area <NUM> are non-compensating areas in which compensation of the luminance is not necessary and the second curved area 111b and the third curved area 111c correspond to the compensating areas.

As described above, an increased amount of the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is set in consideration of the identification luminance so that the increased amount of the luminance of each curved area <NUM> may be reduced. By doing this, the power consumption due to the luminance compensating function may be reduced and the damage of the organic light emitting diode OLED due to the increased luminance may be minimized, thereby lengthening the lifespan of the display device <NUM>.

Next, the gray scale control unit <NUM> controls gray scales of each of the pixels Px1 and Px2 so as to allow the display panel <NUM> to implement images.

First, the gray scale control unit <NUM> sets a data voltage Vdata for expressing the gray scales of the pixels Px1 and Px2 after determining a data voltage Vdata for compensating the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>. Specifically, the gray scale control unit <NUM> divides a data voltage Vdata for compensating the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> to set a data voltage Vdata for expressing the gray scales of the pixels Px1 and Px2.

For example, in order to express <NUM> gray scales which are full gray scales, when the pixels Px1 disposed in the third curved area 111c needs <NUM> V of data voltage Vdata, <NUM> V of data voltage Vdata is divided through a resistor string R-string to determine the data voltage Vdata for expressing individual gray scales.

A difference of data voltages Vdata for expressing differences in individual gray scales may be constant, but may be gradually increased in consideration of visual property of the people.

The gray scale control unit <NUM> outputs the image data RGB to the data driver <NUM> so as to reflect the data voltage Vdata determined as described above so that the image is implemented on the display panel <NUM>.

As described above, in the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased based on the viewing angle so that a constant luminance may be recognized from the front. By doing this, the luminance uniformity of the display panel <NUM> is increased so that the deterioration of the image quality due to the curved area <NUM> may be minimized.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views for explaining luminance control and gray scale control of a display panel of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. A repeated description with the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be omitted.

During a luminance control step, an image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> is controlled to increase the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>.

That is, during the luminance control step, the luminance of a curved area <NUM> is increased such that a front luminance in a front direction among components of the luminance of a curved area <NUM> is equal to or higher than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, a first curved area 211a outputs an image while maintaining the first viewing angle θ<NUM> with respect to the front, a second curved area 211b outputs an image while maintaining the second viewing angle θ<NUM> with respect to the front, and a third curved area 211c outputs an image while maintaining the third viewing angle θ<NUM> with respect to the front. Therefore, when it is assumed that the entire areas of the display panel <NUM> have the same luminance, the front luminance is gradually lowered in the order of the first curved area 211a, the second curved area 211b, and the third curved area 211c with respect to the front.

Here, in the at least one curved area <NUM>, the luminance of the third curved area 211c is increased such that the front luminance of the third curved area 211c which has the lowest front luminance is equal to or higher than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>. Further, similarly, the luminances of the first curved area 211a and the second curved area 211b are increased by an increased amount of the luminance of the third curved area 211c.

As described above, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased by the increased amount of the luminance of the third curved area 211c so that the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is equal to or higher than the luminance of the plain area <NUM>.

Therefore, since the second viewing angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 211b is larger than the first viewing angle θ<NUM> of the first curved area 211a, the front luminance of the second curved area 211b is lower than the front luminance of the first curved area 211a. Further, since a third viewing angle θ<NUM> of the third curved area 211c is larger than the second viewing angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 211b, the front luminance of the third curved area 211c is lower than the front luminance of the second curved area 211b.

Next, the gray scale control unit <NUM> controls the gray scale of the at least one curved area <NUM> such that a front luminance in a front direction among components of the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is equal to the luminance of the plane area <NUM>.

That is, the gray scale control unit <NUM> decreases the front luminance by differently adjusting the gray scales of the first curved area 211a, the second curved area 211b, and the third curved area 211c so that the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> becomes uniform.

Referring to <FIG>, since the front luminance of the first curved area 211a is higher than the front luminance of the second curved area 211b, a decreased amount of luminance by the gray scale adjustment of the first curved area 211a is larger than a decreased amount of luminance by the gray scale adjustment of the second curved area 211b. Further, since the front luminance of the second curved area 211b is higher than the front luminance of the third curved area 211c, a decreased amount of luminance by the gray scale adjustment of the second curved area 211b is larger than a decreased amount of luminance by the gray scale adjustment of the third curved area 211c.

Specifically, operations of the luminance control unit <NUM> and the gray scale control unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> as follows. For the convenience of description, it is assumed that the first viewing angle θ<NUM> of the first curved area 211a is <NUM>°, the second viewing angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 211b is <NUM>°, and the third viewing angle θ<NUM> of the third curved area 211c is <NUM>°.

Here, the increased amount of luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> may be set such that the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is equal to or higher than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>. However, in the following description, the increased amount of luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is set such that the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is higher than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, for example.

In the case of the third curved area 211c, when the front luminance of is <NUM> cd/m<NUM> and the increased amount of luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>, the entire front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the third curved area 211c to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the gray scale of the third curved area 211c is decreased such that the front luminance of the third curved area 211c is decreased by <NUM> cd/m<NUM>.

Next, in the case of the second curved area 211b, when the front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM> and the amount of increased luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>, the entire front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the second curved area 211b to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the gray scale of the second curved area 211b is decreased so that the front luminance of the second curved area 211b is decreased by <NUM> cd/m<NUM>.

Next, in the case of the first curved area 211a, when the front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM> and the amount of increased luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>, the entire front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the first curved area 211a to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the gray scale of the first curved area 211a is decreased so that the front luminance of the first curved area 211a is decreased by <NUM> cd/m<NUM>.

As described above, similarly, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased and the gray scale is decreased based on the viewing angle so that a constant luminance may be recognized from the front. By doing this, the luminance uniformity of the display panel <NUM> is increased so that the deterioration of the image quality due to the curved area <NUM> may be minimized.

Differently from this, the gray scale control unit <NUM> may decrease the gray scale of the at least one curved area <NUM> such that among the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>, the front luminance is higher than a difference between the luminance of the plane area <NUM> and an identified luminance and is lower than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>.

That is, the gray scale control unit <NUM> may decrease the gray scale of the at least one curved area <NUM> so as to establish the relationship of "luminance of plane area <NUM> > front luminance among luminance of curved area <NUM> > luminance of plane area <NUM> - identification luminance".

Therefore, even though the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased to be higher than a difference between the luminance of the plane area <NUM> and the identification luminance and to be lower than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the viewer may not recognize the ununiformity of the luminance. That is, even though the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased not to <NUM> cd/m<NUM>, but to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> to <NUM> cd/m<NUM>, the viewer does not recognize the ununiformity of the luminance.

As described above, a decreased amount of the gray scale of the at least one curved area <NUM> is set in consideration of the identification luminance so that the increased amount of the luminance of each curved area <NUM> may be reduced. By doing this, the power consumption due to the luminance compensating function may be reduced and the damage of the organic light emitting diode OLED due to the increased luminance may be minimized, thereby lengthening the lifespan of the display device <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a driving method of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart for explaining a driving method of a display device according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The driving method S100 of the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a position tracking step S110, an image analyzing step S120, a luminance control step S130, and a gray scale control step S140.

During the position tracking step S110, a position of the viewer is determined with respect to the center of the display panel <NUM>. That is, during the position tracking step S110, it is identified whether the viewer is located within a predetermined angle with respect to the center of the display panel <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, during the position tracking step S110, when an angle at which the viewer is located is <NUM>° or less with respect to a long axis of the display panel <NUM>, it is determined that the viewer is watching the display device <NUM>.

Further, referring to <FIG>, during the position tracking step S110, when an angle at which the viewer is located is <NUM>° or less with respect to a short axis of the display panel <NUM>, it is determined that the viewer is watching the display device <NUM>.

Therefore, during the position tracking step S110, only when the angle at which the viewer is located is <NUM>° or less with respect to a long axis of the display panel <NUM> and when the angle at which the viewer is located is <NUM>° or less with respect to a short axis of the display panel <NUM>, a luminance compensating function by the driving method S100 of the display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is activated.

During the image analyzing step S120, the image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> is analyzed to determine whether the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased.

In other words, during the image analyzing step S120, the image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> is separated, extracted, and analyzed to calculate a predicted luminance CLcurved of the curved area <NUM>. Further, during the image analyzing step, it is determined whether the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased, based on the predicted luminance CLcurved of the curved area <NUM>.

For the convenience of description, it is assumed that the image signal VS including <NUM> image data RGB is applied during one horizontal period <NUM> defined by a vertical synchronization signal Vsync. Specifically, during the image analyzing step S120, image signals VScurved including first image data to <NUM>-th image data and <NUM>-st image data to <NUM>-th image data which are image signals VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> are separated and extracted.

Next, during the image analyzing step S120, the image data RGB of the image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> is analyzed to predict a luminance CLcurved of an image to be output to the curved area <NUM> and determine whether the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased by calculating a mean square thereof.

Specifically, during the image analyzing step S120, a predicted luminance in the at least one curved area <NUM> is calculated by means of Equation <NUM>.

During the image analyzing step S120, a mean square of the predicted luminance CLcurved in the at least one curved area <NUM> is calculated by means of Equation <NUM> to determine whether to compensate the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>.

With regard to this, the viewer may not recognize the luminance deterioration by the curved area <NUM> at the low luminance but may apparently recognize the luminance deterioration by the curved area <NUM> at a relatively high luminance. Therefore, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> needs to be compensated only at a relatively high luminance.

As described above, the luminance compensating function of the display device <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is activated based on the mean value WFcurved of the square of the predicted luminance to reduce the power consumption by the luminance compensating function. Further, the damage of the organic light emitting diode OLED due to the increased luminance is minimized, thereby lengthening the lifespan of the display device <NUM>.

Next, during the luminance control step S130, an image signal VScurved corresponding to the at least one curved area <NUM> is controlled to increase the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>.

That is, during the luminance control step S130, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased such that a front luminance in a front direction among components of the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is equal to the luminance of the plane area <NUM>.

Specifically, the luminance control step S130 will be described with reference to <FIG> as follows. For the convenience of description, it is assumed that the first viewing angle θ<NUM> of the first curved area 111a is <NUM>°, the second viewing angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 111b is <NUM>°, and the third viewing angle θ<NUM> of the third curved area 111c is <NUM>°.

The front luminance and the luminance boost ratio of the curved area <NUM> in accordance with the viewing angle of the curved area <NUM> are represented in Table <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and Table <NUM>, a front luminance of the first curved area 111a is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the first curved area 111a to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the luminance of the first curved area 111a needs to be increased by <NUM> times.

Next, a front luminance of the second curved area 111b is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the second curved area 111b to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the luminance of the second curved area 111b needs to be increased by <NUM> times. Next, a front luminance of the third curved area 111c is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the third curved area 111c to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the luminance of the third curved area 111c needs to be increased by <NUM> times.

As described above, during the luminance control step S130, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased based on the viewing angle so that a constant luminance may be recognized from the front. By doing this, the luminance uniformity of the display panel <NUM> is increased so that the deterioration of the image quality due to the curved area <NUM> may be minimized.

Differently from this, during the luminance control step S130, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> may be increased such that among the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>, the front luminance is higher than a difference between the luminance of the plane area <NUM> and an identified luminance and is lower than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>.

That is, during the luminance control step S130, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> may be increased so as to establish the relationship of "luminance of plane area <NUM> > front luminance among luminance of curved area <NUM> > luminance of plane area <NUM> - identification luminance".

Here, the identification luminance means a luminance difference which may be visibly distinguished from a reference luminance by a viewer. The identification luminance tends to gradually increase as the reference luminance is increased. For example, the luminance is not visually distinguished up to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> with respect to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> so that the identification luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Further, the luminance is not visually distinguished up to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> with respect to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> so that the identification luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>.

Further, the front luminances of the second curved area 111b and the third curved area 111c are increased to be higher than a difference between the luminance of the plane area <NUM> and the identification luminance and lower than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the viewer does not recognize the ununiformity of the luminance. That is, even though the luminances of the second curved area 111b and the third curved area 111c are increased not to <NUM> cd/m2, but to <NUM> cd/m<NUM> to <NUM> cd/m<NUM>, the viewer does not recognize the ununiformity of the luminance.

As described above, during the luminance control step S130, an increased amount of the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is set in consideration of the identification luminance so that the increased amount of the luminance of each curved area <NUM> may be reduced. By doing this, the power consumption due to the luminance compensating function may be reduced and the damage of the organic light emitting diode OLED due to the increased luminance may be minimized, thereby lengthening the lifespan of the display device <NUM>.

Next, during the gray scale control step S140, gray scales of each of the pixels Px1 and Px2 are controlled so as to allow the display panel <NUM> to implement images.

First, during the gray scale control step S140, a data voltage Vdata for expressing the gray scales of the pixels Px1 and Px2 is set after determining a data voltage Vdata for compensating the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>. First, during the gray scale control step S140, a data voltage Vdata for expressing the gray scales of the pixels Px1 and Px2 is set by dividing a data voltage Vdata for compensating the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>.

As described above, according to the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased based on the viewing angle so that a constant luminance may be recognized from the front. By doing this, the luminance uniformity of the display panel <NUM> is increased so that the deterioration of the image quality due to the curved area <NUM> may be minimized.

Hereinafter, a driving method of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. A repeated description with the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be omitted.

During a luminance control step S130 of a driving method S200 of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an image signal VScurved corresponding to a curved area <NUM> is controlled to increase the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM>.

That is, during the luminance control step S130, the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is increased such that a front luminance in a front direction among components of the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is equal to or higher than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>.

Here, in the at least one curved area <NUM>, the luminance of the third curved area 211c is increased such that the front luminance of the third curved area 211c which has the lowest front luminance is equal to or higher than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>. Further, the luminances of the first curved area 211a and the second curved area 211b are increased by an increased amount of the luminance of the third curved area 211c.

Therefore, since a second viewing angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 211b is larger than a first viewing angle θ<NUM> of the first curved area 211a, the front luminance of the second curved area 211b is lower than the front luminance of the first curved area 211a. Further, since a third viewing angle θ<NUM> of the third curved area 211c is larger than the second viewing angle θ<NUM> of the second curved area 211b, the front luminance of the third curved area 211c is lower than the front luminance of the second curved area 211b.

Next, during the gray scale control step S140, the gray scale of the at least one curved area <NUM> is controlled such that a front luminance in a front direction among components of the luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is equal to the luminance of the plane area <NUM>.

That is, during the gray scale control step S140, the front luminance is decreased by differently adjusting the gray scales of the first curved area 211a, the second curved area 211b, and the third curved area 211c so that the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> becomes uniform.

Referring to <FIG>, since the front luminance of the first curved area 211a is higher than the front luminance of the second curved area 211b, an amount of decreased luminance by the gray scale adjustment of the first curved area 211a is larger than an amount of decreased luminance by the gray scale adjustment of the second curved area 211b. Further, since the front luminance of the second curved area 211b is higher than the front luminance of the third curved area 211c, an amount of decreased luminance by the gray scale adjustment of the second curved area 211b is larger than an amount of decreased luminance by the gray scale adjustment of the third curved area 211c.

Here, the amount of increased luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> may be set such that the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is equal to or higher than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>. However, in the following description, the amount of increased luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is set such that the front luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is higher than the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, for example.

In the case of the third curved area 211c, when the front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM> and the amount of increased luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>, the entire front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the third curved area 211c to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the gray scale of the third curved area 211c is decreased such that the front luminance is decreased by <NUM> cd/m<NUM>.

Next, in the second curved area 211b, when the front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM> and the amount of increased luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>, the entire front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the second curved area 211b to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the gray scale of the second curved area 211b is decreased so that the front luminance is decreased by <NUM> cd/m<NUM>.

Next, in the first curved area 211a, when the front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM> and the amount of increased luminance of the at least one curved area <NUM> is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>, the entire front luminance is <NUM> cd/m<NUM>. Therefore, in order to set the front luminance of the first curved area 211a to be <NUM> cd/m<NUM> which is the luminance of the plane area <NUM>, the gray scale of the first curved area 211a is decreased so that the front luminance is decreased by <NUM> cd/m<NUM>.

According to still another example of the present disclosure, the luminance control unit may increase the luminance of the at least one curved area such that a front luminance among the luminance of the at least one curved area is equal to the luminance of the plane area.

According to still another example of the present disclosure, the luminance control unit may increase the luminance of the at least one curved area such that a front luminance among the luminance of the at least one curved area is higher than a difference between the luminance of the plane area and an identification luminance and is lower than the luminance of the plane area.

According to another example of the present disclosure, the timing controller may further include a gray scale control unit which controls a gray scale of the at least one curved area, the luminance control unit may increases the luminance of the at least one curved area such that a front luminance among the luminance of the at least one curved area is equal to or higher than the luminance of the plane area, and the gray scale control unit may decrease the gray scale of the at least one curved area.

According to another example of the present disclosure, the gray scale control unit may decrease the gray scale of the at least one curved area such that a front luminance among the luminance of the at least one curved area is equal to the luminance of the plane area.

According to still another example of the present disclosure, the gray scale control unit may decrease a gray scale of the at least one curved area such that a front luminance among the luminance of the at least one curved area is higher than a difference between the luminance of the plane area and an identification luminance and is lower than the luminance of the plane area.

According to another example of the present disclosure, the driving method may further include a gray scale control step of increasing the luminance of the at least one curved area such that a front luminance among the luminance of the at least one curved area is equal to or higher than the luminance of the plane area and decreasing a gray scale of the at least one curved area.

According to still another example of the present disclosure, during the gray scale control step, the gray scale of the at least one curved area may be decreased such that a front luminance among the luminance of the at least one curved area is equal to the luminance of the plane area.

According to still another example of the present disclosure, during the gray scale control step, a gray scale of the at least one curved area may be decreased such that a front luminance among the luminance of the at least one curved area is higher than a difference between the luminance of the plane area and an identification luminance and is lower than the luminance of the plane area.

Claim 1:
A display device (<NUM>), comprising:
a display panel (<NUM>) which includes a plane area (<NUM>) and at least one curved area (<NUM>, 111a, 111b, 111c) disposed outside and adjacent to the plane area;
a timing controller (<NUM>) configured to use an image signal (VS) to generate image data (RGB); and
a data driver (<NUM>) configured to use the image data to output a data voltage (Vdata) to a plurality of pixels (PX2) disposed in the plane area and a plurality of pixels (PX1) disposed in the at least one curved area,
wherein the timing controller includes:
an image analyzing unit (<NUM>) configured to separate, extract and analyze a portion of the image signal (VScurved) corresponding to the at least one curved area;
a luminance control unit (<NUM>) configured to increase the luminance of the at least one curved area (<NUM>,111a, 111b, 111c) such that a front luminance in a front direction among components of the luminance of the at lest one curved area (<NUM>, 11a, 11b, 111c) is equal to the luminance of the plane area (<NUM>);
wherein the image analyzing unit (<NUM>) is configured to analyze the portion of the image signal (VScurved) corresponding to the at least one curved area (<NUM>, 111a, 111b, 111c) to calculate a predicted luminance of the at least one curved area and determine whether to increase the luminance of the at least one curved area by calculating a mean square of the predicted luminance of the at least one curved area, comprising determining whether the mean square of the predicted luminance is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and if so, determining that the luminance of the at least one curved area is increased; and
wherein the luminance control unit (<NUM>) is configured to control the portion of the image signal corresponding to the at least one curved area to increase the luminance of the at least one curved area when it is determed that the luminance of the at least one curved area is increased.