Patent ID: 12217682

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and implementation methods thereof will be clarified through following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

A shape, a size, a ratio, an angle, and a number disclosed in the drawings for describing embodiments of the present disclosure are merely an example, and thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated details. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, when the detailed description of the relevant known function or configuration is determined to unnecessarily obscure the important point of the present disclosure, the detailed description will be omitted. When terms such as “comprise,” “have,” “include,” etc. described in the present specification are used, another part can be added unless “only” is used. The terms of a singular form can include plural forms unless referred to the contrary. Further, the term “exemplary” can be interchangeably used with the term “example” and can have the same or similar meaning as the term “example.”

In construing an element, the element is construed as including an error or tolerance range although there is no explicit description of such an error or tolerance range.

In describing a position relationship, for example, when a position relation between two parts is described as, for example, “on,” “above,” “over,” “under,” and “next,” one or more other parts can be disposed between the two parts unless a more limiting term, such as “just” or “direct(ly)” is used.

In describing a time relationship, for example, when the temporal order is described as, for example, “after,” “subsequent,” “next,” and “before,” a case that is not continuous can be included unless a more limiting term, such as “just,” “immediate(ly),” or “direct(ly)” is used.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another, and may not define order or sequence. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In describing elements of the present disclosure, the terms “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” “(a),” “(b),” etc. can be used. These terms are intended to identify the corresponding elements from the other elements, and basis, order, or number of the corresponding elements should not be limited by these terms. The expression that an element is “connected,” “coupled,” or “adhered” to another element or layer the element or layer can not only be directly connected or adhered to another element or layer, but also be indirectly connected or adhered to another element or layer with one or more intervening elements or layers “disposed,” or “interposed” between the elements or layers, unless otherwise specified.

The term “at least one” should be understood as including any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, the meaning of “at least one of a first item, a second item, and a third item” denotes the combination of all items proposed from two or more of the first item, the second item, and the third item as well as the first item, the second item, or the third item.

Features of various embodiments of the present disclosure can be partially or overall coupled to or combined with each other, and can be variously inter-operated with each other and driven technically as those skilled in the art can sufficiently understand. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be carried out independently from each other, or can be carried out together in co-dependent relationship.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. All the components of each light emitting display apparatus according to all embodiments of the present disclosure are operatively coupled and configured.

FIG.1is an example diagram illustrating a configuration of a light emitting display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.2is an example diagram illustrating a structure of a pixel applied to a light emitting display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.3is an example diagram illustrating a structure of a control driver applied to a light emitting display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.4is an example diagram illustrating a structure of a scaler applied to a light emitting display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.5is an example diagram illustrating a structure of a gate driver applied to a light emitting display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.6is an example diagram illustrating a structure of a data driver applied to a light emitting display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The light emitting display apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be used as various kinds of electronic devices. The electronic devices can be, for example, a television (TV) and a monitor. For instance, the light emitting display apparatus can be any electronic device (e.g., smart TV, etc.) which can be adapted to be provide merely a display function (e.g., as a monitor or screen). In an example, a user can connect the user's laptop or smart phone to the light emitting display apparatus to use the light emitting display apparatus as a screen for the laptop or smart phone. Further, the light emitting display apparatus can be flexible and/or provide various functions including a touch function.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the light emitting display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a light emitting display panel100which includes a display area DA for displaying an image and a non-display area NDA provided outside or adjacent to the display area DA, a gate driver200which supplies gate signals to a plurality of gate lines GL1to GLg provided in the display area DA of the light emitting display panel100, a data driver300which supplies data voltages (data signals) to a plurality of data lines DL1to DLd provided in the light emitting display panel100, a control driver400which controls driving of the gate driver200and the data driver300, a scaler600for converting various image information received through a communication network or other means into input image data that the control driver400can recognize, and a power supply500which supplies power to the control driver400, the gate driver200, the data driver300and the light emitting display panel100.

In the light emitting display panel100, the gate lines GL1to GLg, the data lines DL1to DLd, and a plurality of pixels P are provided in the display area DA. The plurality of pixels P can be arranged in a matrix configuration or other suitable configuration. Accordingly, an image is output in the display area DA. Here, g and d are natural numbers and can be integers greater than 1. The non-display area NDA surrounds the outer periphery of the display area DA completely or in part.

Each pixel P of the light emitting display panel100ofFIG.1can have the configuration shown inFIG.2, but can have other configurations. The pixel P included in the light emitting display panel100, as illustrated inFIG.2, can include a pixel driving circuit PDC which includes a switching transistor Tsw1, a storage capacitor Cst, a driving transistor Tdr, and a sensing transistor Tsw2, and a light emitting device ED connected to the pixel driving circuit PDC. The light emitting device ED can be an organic light emitting diode.

A first terminal of the driving transistor Tdr can be connected to a first voltage supply line PLA through which a first voltage EVDD is supplied, and a second terminal of the driving transistor Tdr can be connected to the light emitting device ED.

A first terminal of the switching transistor Tsw1can be connected to a data line DL, a second terminal of the switching transistor Tsw1can be connected to a gate of the driving transistor Tdr, and a gate of the switching transistor Tsw1can be connected to a gate line GL.

A data voltage Vdata can be supplied through the data line DL from the data driver300. A gate signal GS can be supplied through the gate line GL from the gate driver200. The gate signal GS can include a gate pulse GP for turning on the switching transistor Tsw1and a gate-off signal for turning off the switching transistor Tsw1.

The sensing transistor Tsw2can be provided for measuring a threshold voltage or mobility of the driving transistor Tdr, or for suppling a reference voltage Vref to the pixel driving circuit PDC. A first terminal of the sensing transistor Tsw2can be connected to a second terminal of the driving transistor Tdr and the light emitting device ED, a second terminal of the sensing transistor Tsw2can be connected to the sensing line SL through which the reference voltage Vref is supplied, and a gate of the sensing transistor Tsw2can be connected to a sensing control line SCL through which a sensing control signal SCS is supplied.

The sensing line SL can be connected to the data driver300, or can be connected to the power supply500through the data driver300. For example, the reference voltage Vref supplied from the power supply500can be supplied to the pixels P through the sensing line SL, and data sensing signals transferred through the sensing line SL from the pixels can be processed by the data driver300.

The light emitting device ED can include a first electrode supplied with a first voltage EVDD through the driving transistor Tdr, a second electrode connected to a second voltage supply line PLB supplied with a second voltage EVSS, and a light emitting layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode.

A structure of each pixel P applied to various embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to the structure illustrated inFIG.2. Accordingly, the structure of the pixel P can be changed to various shapes and configurations.

Referring toFIG.3, the control driver400can realign input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi transferred from the scaler600by using a timing synchronization signal TSS transferred from the scaler600and can generate data control signals DCS which are to be supplied to the data driver300and gate control signals GCS which are to be supplied to the gate driver200.

More specifically, the control driver400can include a data aligning portion430which realigns (e.g., converts) the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi to generate image data Data and supplies the image data Data to the data driver300, a control signal generating portion420which generates the gate control signal GCS and the data control signal DCS by using the timing synchronization signal TSS, a control portion410which receives the timing synchronization signal TSS and the input video data Ri, Gi, and Bi transferred from the scaler600and transfers the timing synchronization signal and the input video data to the data aligning portion430and the control signal generating portion420, and an output portion440which supplies the data driver300with the image data generated by the data aligning portion430and the data control signal DCS generated by the control signal generating portion420and supplies the gate driver200with the gate control signal GCS generated by the control signal generating portion420.

The control signal generating portion420can generate a power control signal supplied to the power supply500.

The control driver400can include a storage portion for storing various information. The storage portion (e.g., memory) can be included in the control driver400or can be provided separately from the control driver400and provided independently.

Further, the control driver400can execute various types of deterioration prevention functions. For example, when still images are displayed on the light emitting display panel100, the control driver400can execute a Temporal Peak Luminance Control (TPC) function capable of lowering the luminance of lights output from the light emitting display panel100.

To this end, the control portion410of the control driver400can analyze the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, and determine whether the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to a still image (e.g., non-moving image or content) are inputted for a preset period. For instance, the still image can mean an image output from the light emitting display panel100, and particularly, an image such as a picture which is stopped or still. For instance, because images are output and displayed on the light emitting display panel according to the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, whether or not such image is a still image can be determined by analyzing the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, which can be done by the control portion410.

When the control portion410determines that input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi correspond to still images as a result of analyzing the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi included in at least two frames, the control portion410can control the data aligning portion430to lower the luminance value of each of the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi. Image data Data with such reduced luminance values can then be generated and be transferred out to the data driver300, where the image data Data can be converted into data voltages Vdata in the data driver300and supplied to the pixels P provided in the light emitting display panel100.

When the luminance value of each of the image data Data is reduced, the current supplied to the light emitting devices ED provided in the pixels P is reduced and thus, the luminance of the light output from the light emitting devices EDs can be reduced. Accordingly, luminance of still images output from the light emitting display panel100can be reduced, e.g., according to the TPC function in order to minimize or prevent deterioration in the light emitting display panel100.

For instance, when the current supplied to the light emitting devices ED is reduced and thus, the luminance of the light output from the light emitting devices ED is reduced, the speed at which the light emitting devices ED can deteriorate can be reduced.

Therefore, the deterioration rate of the light emitting devices ED can be reduced by performing the TPC function as described above, thereby preventing or minimizing the quality of the light emitting display panel from being degraded due to the deterioration (or overuse) of the light emitting devices ED.

Moreover, as a result of analyzing the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi included in at least two frames, when it is determined that the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to still images are input for a preset period, the control portion410can control the power supply500to reduce a level of the first voltage EVDD supplied to the pixels P.

In this case, when the level of the first voltage EVDD is reduced, the level of the current supplied to the pixels P can be overall reduced. Therefore, the current supplied to the light emitting devices ED is reduced, and the luminance of the light output from the light emitting devices EDs is reduced, thereby reducing the speed at which the light emitting devices ED may deteriorate or wear out.

Therefore, the deterioration rate of the light emitting devices ED can be reduced by performing the TPC function as described above, thereby preventing the quality of the light emitting display panel from being degraded due to the deterioration of the light emitting devices ED

Moreover, the control driver400can execute a Logo Extraction Algorithm (LEA) function which can lower the luminance of any light output in an area corresponding to a logo (e.g., area where a logo is displayed) when the logo is output from (displayed on) the light emitting display panel100.

To this end, the control portion410of the control driver400can analyze input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi to determine whether or not the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to an image including a logo (or the like) is inputted (e.g., received by the scaler600or the display apparatus). Here, the logo can include or be formed of a character or a figure, and can be a still image that does not change for a long time (or any set time). The image including the logo can mean an image output from the light emitting display panel100. For example, because images are output from (displayed on) the light emitting display panel by input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, an image including a logo can be determined by analyzing the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi. For example, if the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi for pixels P corresponding to a specific area on the display area DA of the light emitting display panel100are not continuously changed, the control portion410can determine that a logo is displayed or is to be displayed in that specific area of the display area DA.

For instance, when the control portion410determines that input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to images including logo(s) are inputted as a result of analyzing the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi included in at least two frames, the control portion410can control the data aligning portion430to lower the luminance value of each of the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to the logo. Image data Data with such reduced luminance values can then transferred out by the output portion440to the data driver300, and the image data Data can be converted into data voltages Vdata in the data driver300and supplied to the pixels P provided in the light emitting display panel100for displaying the image data Data.

In this case, when the luminance value of each of image data Data corresponding to the logo is reduced, the current supplied to the light emitting devices ED provided in the pixels P corresponding to the logo can be reduced, thereby reducing the luminance of the light output from the light emitting devices ED corresponding to the logo. Accordingly, the luminance of the logo output on the light emitting display panel100can be reduced by performing the LEA function.

In other words, when the current supplied to the light emitting devices EDs corresponding to the logo area is reduced and the luminance of the light output from the light emitting devices ED corresponding to the logo area is reduced, the speed at which the light emitting devices EDs corresponding to the logo area deteriorate can be reduced. If the deterioration rate of the light emitting devices ED provided in a specific area (e.g., logo displaying area) of the light emitting display panel100is reduced, the overall deterioration rate of the light emitting display apparatus can be reduced.

Therefore, the deterioration rate of the light emitting devices ED can be reduced by the LEA function as described above, thereby preventing the quality of the light emitting display apparatus from being degraded and prolonging the use of the light emitting display apparatus.

In addition to the deterioration prevention functions such as the TPC and LEA functions described above, at least one of various types of deterioration prevention functions currently used can be executed in the control driver400. Further, the characteristics of the present disclosure are not to be focused merely in the deterioration prevention function itself executed in the control driver400and the structure of the control driver400for this purpose. Accordingly, a detailed description of each of the deterioration prevention functions will be omitted or may be provided briefly.

Referring toFIG.4, the scaler600can perform a function of driving the control driver400and the electronic device including the display apparatus of the present disclosure.

For example, when the electronic device is a TV, the scaler600can receive various sound information, image information, and letter information over a communication network (or another device) and can transfer the received image information to the control driver400.

In another application, when the electronic device (e.g., TV) is operating as a monitor, the scaler600can receive image information over a communication network (or another device) connected to a computer or smart phone and can convert the received image information into input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi and transfer the input image data to the control driver400.

For example, the scaler600can convert image information received through the communication network into a signal recognized by the control driver400. In this case, the signal recognized by the control driver400can be input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi. For example, the scaler600can convert image information into input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, and such input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi can be transferred to the control driver400.

In addition to the input image data Ri, Gi and Bi, the scaler600can transfer a deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS to the control driver400which executes a deterioration prevention function (e.g., TPC, LEA, etc.). When the deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS is received from the scaler600, the control driver400can prevent deterioration of the light emitting display apparatus by executing the deterioration prevention function as described above.

As discussed above, the control driver400can analyze the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi when the deterioration prevention function is activated. For instance, when input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to still images or logs are received, the control driver400can reduce the overall luminance of the pixels P and/or reduce the luminance of the pixels P only in an area where the logo is displayed.

When the luminance of the entire pixels P or the luminance of the pixels P corresponding to the logo area is reduced, the control driver400can transfer deterioration prevention function start information ONS to the scaler600.

For example, when the deterioration prevention function is activated in the control driver400by the deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS received from the scaler600, the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi can be analyzed in the control driver400. When the luminance of the entire pixel P or the luminance of the pixels P corresponding to the logo area decreases on the basis of the analysis results, the control driver400can generate and transfer the deterioration prevention function start information ONS to the scaler600. The deterioration prevention function start information ONS can include information or signals indicating that the deterioration prevention function has been activated, and/or the type of the deterioration prevention function that has been activated.

When the deterioration prevention function start information ONS is received from the control driver400, the scaler600transfers a deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS to the control driver400on the basis of an analysis result of the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi by the scaler600.

To this end, as illustrated inFIG.4, the scaler600can include an image information receiver610which receives image information, a conversion portion620which converts the image information into input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, and an analyzing portion630. The analyzing portion630can generate and transfer a deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS to the control drive400, and can generate and transfer a deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS to the control driver400based on the analysis results when the deterioration prevention function start information ONS is received from the control driver400.

The image information receiver610can receive image information through a communication network or other means as described above. For example, if the electronic device (including or being the display apparatus of the present disclosure) is or functions as a television TV, the scaler600of the display apparatus can receive image information through a communication network, whereas if the electronic device is or functions as a monitor, the scaler600can receive image information through a communication network connected to a computer or other device.

The conversion portion620can convert image information into input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, and can transfer the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi to the control driver400.

The conversion portion620can also generate a timing synchronization signal TSS and transfer the timing synchronization signal TSS to the control driver400.

When power is supplied to the light emitting display apparatus and the control driver400is driven, the analyzing portion630can generate a deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS and transfer it to the control driver400. Accordingly, a deterioration prevention function (e.g., TPC, LEA, etc.) can be executed in the control driver400.

During the deterioration prevention function is performed, the control driver400generates the deterioration prevention function start information ONS, which is then received by the scaler600. When the deterioration prevention function start information ONS is received, the analyzing portion630can analyze input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi. In this case, the analyzing portion630can analyze input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi generated by the conversion portion620, but can also analyze image information transferred from the image information receiver610. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the scaler600which analyzes input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi generated by the conversion portion620will be described as an example of a light emitting display apparatus according to the present disclosure.

When it is determined to be necessary to increase the luminance of the image reduced by the deterioration prevention function to the normal luminance as a result of analyzing input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, the analyzing portion630can transfer a deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS to the control driver400.

Accordingly, the control portion410can control at least one of the data aligning portion430and the control signal generating portion420so that the luminance of the image reduced by the deterioration prevention function can now be increased to the luminance of a normal state.

For example, on the basis of the control of the control portion410, the data aligning portion430can generate image data Data with the same level of luminance as the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi and transfer it to the data driver300.

Moreover, on the basis of the control of the control portion410, the control signal generating portion420can generate a power control signal by which the level of the reduced first voltage EVDD is increased and supply it to the power supply500.

Accordingly, the luminance of the entire light emitting display panel or the luminance of the logo area can be increased to the luminance corresponding to the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi. As a result, in response to the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS, the luminance of the entire light emitting display panel or a portion thereof can be increased and return to be at a normal level of luminance (e.g., when the deterioration prevention function is not performed or activated).

Further, when a preset period elapses after the scaler600transfers the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS to the control driver400, the scaler600can generate and transfer a deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS to the control driver400again. Accordingly, the control driver400can execute the deterioration prevention function again, if needed. This process of switching between the stages of ARS and DARS can be repeated as needed.

The power supply500can generate various power and can supply the generated power to the control driver400, the gate driver200, the data driver300, and the light emitting display panel100.

Particularly, the power supply500can change the level of the first voltage EVDD on the basis of the power control signal transferred from the control signal generating portion420.

In this case, the level of the first voltage EVDD supplied to the entire pixels P can be changed, but only the level of the first voltage EVDD supplied to the specific pixel P can be changed.

For example, when a still image is output, the luminance of the entire light emitting display panel100is reduced and thus, the level of the first voltage EVDD supplied to all the pixels P of the light emitting display panel100can be changed.

In another example, when an image with a logo is output, only the luminance of light output only in the area with the logo can be reduced and thus, only the level of the first voltage EVDD supplied to specific pixels P in the area with the logo can be changed while the remaining pixels of the light emitting display panel100is maintained or unchanged.

Referring toFIG.5, the gate driver200can be directly embedded into the non-display area NDA by using a gate-in panel (GIP) type, or can be provided in the display area DA in which light emitting devices ED are provided, or can be provided in a chip-on film attached in the non-display area NDA.

The gate driver200can supply the gate pulses GP1to GPg to the gate lines GL1to GLg.

When a gate pulse generated by the gate driver200is supplied to a gate of a switching transistor Tsw1included in the pixel P, the switching transistor Tsw1can be turned on. When the switching transistor is turned on, data voltage Vdata supplied through the data line can be supplied to the pixel P.

When a gate-off signal generated by the gate driver200is supplied to the switching transistor Tsw1, the switching transistor Tsw1can be turned off. When the switching transistor Tsw1is turned off, a data voltage may not be supplied to the pixel P any longer.

The gate signal GS supplied to the gate line GL can include the gate pulse GP and the gate-off signal.

In order to supply the gate pulses GP1to GPg to the gate lines GL1to GLg, the gate driver200can include stages ST1to STg connected (e.g., respectively) to the gate lines GL1to GLg, as illustrated inFIG.5.

Each of the stages ST1to STg can be connected to one gate line GL, but can also be connected to at least two gate lines GL.

In order to generate the gate pulses GP1to GPg, a gate start signal VST and at least one gate clock GCLK generated by the control signal generating portion420can be transferred to the gate driver200. For example, the gate start signal VST and at least one gate clock GCLK can be included in the gate control signals GCS.

One of the stages ST1to STg can be driven by the gate start signal VST to output a gate pulse GP to the gate line GL. The gate pulse GP can be generated by the gate clock GCLK.

At least one of the signals outputted from the stage ST in which the gate pulse GP is output can be supplied to another stage ST to drive another stage ST. Accordingly, a gate pulse can be output in another stage ST. For example, the stages ST can be driven sequentially to supply the gate pulses GP to the gate lines GL sequentially.

One of the various types of gate drivers200currently used can be applied to the light emitting display apparatus according to the present disclosure, and the characteristics of the present disclosure are not in the structure and function of the gate driver200. As such, a detailed description of the stage ST will be omitted or may be provided briefly.

Finally, the data driver300can supply data voltages Vdata to the data lines DL1to DLd.

To this end, referring toFIG.6, the data driver300can include a shift register310which outputs a sampling signal, a latch portion320which latches the image data Data received from the control driver400, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)330which converts the image data Data, transferred from the latch portion320, into a data voltage Vdata and outputs the data voltage Vdata, and an output buffer340which outputs the data voltage, transferred from the digital-to-analog converter330, to the corresponding data line DL on the basis of a source output enable signal SOE.

The shift register310can output the sampling signal by using the data control signals DCS received from the control signal generating portion420. For example, the data control signals DCS transferred to the shift register310can include a source start pulse SSP and a source shift clock signal SSC.

The latch portion320can latch the pieces of image data Data sequentially received from the control driver400and can simultaneously output the pieces of image data Data to the digital-to-analog converter330on the basis of the sampling signal.

The digital-to-analog converter (DAC)330can simultaneously convert the pieces of image data Data, transferred from the latch portion320, into data voltages Vdata and can output the data voltages Vdata.

The output buffer340can simultaneously output the data voltages Vdata, transferred from the digital-to-analog converter330, to the data lines DL1to DLd of the light emitting display panel100on the basis of the source output enable signal SOE transferred from the control signal generating portion420.

To this end, the output buffer340can include a buffer341which stores the data voltage Vdata transferred from the digital-to-analog converter330and a switch342which outputs the data voltage Vdata, stored in the buffer341, to the data line DL.

For example, when the switches342are turned on based on the source output enable signal SOE simultaneously supplied to the switches342, the data voltages Vdata stored in the buffers341can be supplied to the data lines DL1to DLd through the switches342.

The data voltages Vdata supplied to the data lines DL1to DLd can be supplied to pixels P connected to the gate line GL to which the gate pulse GP is supplied.

The features of the present disclosure are not to be focused merely in the structure and function of the data driver300, and thus a detailed description of the specific structure and function of the data driver300will be omitted or may be briefly provided.

FIG.7is an exemplary diagram illustrating a driving method of a light emitting display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,FIGS.8A to8Care exemplary diagrams illustrating signals transferred between a scaler and a control driver in a light emitting display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.9is an exemplary view illustrating a light emitting display panel applied to a light emitting display apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The same or similar contents as those described with reference toFIGS.1to6will be omitted or briefly described in the following description. The method ofFIG.7(or of the present disclosure) can be performed by the light emitting display apparatus ofFIGS.1-6and9(of the present disclosure).

Referring toFIG.7, first, when power is supplied to the light emitting display apparatus, and the scaler600and the control driver400are driven, the analyzing portion630of the scaler600transfers a deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS to the control driver400as shown inFIG.8A(S12).

Then, when the deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS is received, the control driver400activates a deterioration prevention function (S14). The activation of the deterioration prevention function can include performing an operation to analyze input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi in order to execute the deterioration prevention function.

For example, as described above, the control portion410of the control driver400analyzes the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi and determines whether or not the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to a still image is inputted for a preset period (e.g., when a TPC function is executed). In addition, the control portion410analyzes the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi and also determines whether or not the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to an image including a logo is inputted (e.g., when an LEA function is executed).

In an example, although the execution of both the TPC and LEA functions is preferred, at least one of the TPC and LEA functions can be performed.

For example, the control driver400can analyze the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi in order to execute at least one of the TPC function, the LEA function, and other various deterioration prevention functions.

Then, if a luminance of the entire pixels P or a luminance of the pixels P corresponding to the logo area is reduced due to the execution of the deterioration prevention function, the control portion410transfers deterioration prevention function start information ONS to the scaler600as shown inFIG.8B(S16).

For example, when the deterioration prevention function is activated in the control driver400by the deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS received from the scaler600, the control driver400analyzes the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi. According to the analyzing results, when the luminance of the entire pixels P or the luminance of the pixels P corresponding to the logo is reduced (e.g., from the normal luminance level), the control driver400transfers the deterioration prevention function start information ONS to the scaler600.

In addition, the control driver400analyzes the input image signals Ri, Gi, and Bi received from the scaler600when the deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS is received. Based on the analyzing results of the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, if it is determined that the deterioration prevention function is applicable (for example, when it is determined that still images are output or images including the logo are output), then the control driver400reduces the luminance of the images output from the light emitting display panel100or reduces the luminance of the area in which the logo is displayed among the images output from the light emitting display panel100. After the luminance of the image is reduced, the control portion410transfers the deterioration prevention function start information ONS to the analyzing portion630of the scaler600. The deterioration prevention function start information ONS can include information or signals indicating that the deterioration prevention function has been activated, and/or the type of the deterioration prevention function that has been activated.

Then, when the deterioration prevention function start information ONS is received, the analyzing portion630analyzes current input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi received by the scaler600and determines whether there is a change in the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi (S18).

For example, when the deterioration prevention function start information ONS is received from the control driver400, the analyzing portion630analyzes an amount of change in the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi and determines whether or not the luminance of the image reduced by the deterioration prevention function now needs to be increased to the luminance of the normal state.

In addition, when the control driver400analyzes the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi to activate the deterioration prevention function (e.g., in step S14), the control driver400analyzes the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi until the deterioration prevention function start information ONS is transferred to the scaler600. Therefore, the analyzing of the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi by the scaler600is performed in step S18to determine if the deterioration prevention function needs to be deactivated.

That is, when the deterioration prevention function start information ONS is received by the scaler600, the scaler600analyzes the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi in order to determine whether or not the luminance of the image reduced by the deterioration prevention function needs to be increased back to the luminance of the normal state (e.g., whether or not the deterioration prevention function needs to be deactivated or turned off).

Then, based on the determination result (S18), if it is determined that the luminance of the image reduced by the deterioration prevention function does not need to be increased to the luminance of the normal state (i.e., “NO” in step S18), the analyzing portion630continuously performs the operation of determining the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi in step S18.

While the analyzing portion630continuously performs the operation of determining the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, the luminance of the image outputted from the light emitting display panel100is maintained at a luminance smaller than the luminance corresponding to the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi by the deterioration prevention function.

For example, for the output of the still image, when the light emitting elements ED continuously outputs light with a high luminance, the deterioration rate of the light emitting elements ED can be increased. However, in the light emitting display apparatus according to the present disclosure, since the deterioration prevention function is performed when the still image is outputted, the luminance of the light emitting elements ED can be reduced, thereby reducing the deterioration rate of the light emitting elements ED and lengthening the lifespan of the light emitting elements ED. Accordingly, the deterioration rate of the light emitting display apparatus can be reduced and the use of the light emitting display apparatus can be prolonged.

In addition, if the light emitting elements provided in a display area continuously outputs a logo with a high luminance, the deterioration rate of the light emitting elements provided in such area where the logo is displayed can increase, which might have bad influence on the light emitting display panel. However, in the light emitting display apparatus according to the present disclosure, the luminance of the light emitting elements ED provided in the image in which the logo is output can be reduced, thereby reducing the deterioration rate of the light emitting elements ED. Accordingly, the deterioration rate of the light emitting display apparatus can be reduced.

In a variation of the present disclosure, while the analyzing portion630performs the operation of analyzing the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi, the control portion410can analyze the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi and can determine whether there is a change in the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi. For example, according to the present disclosure, the control portion410can continuously determine whether there is a change in the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi for the deterioration prevention function regardless of the analyzing portion630.

However, when the deterioration prevention function start information ONS is generated in the control portion410, the control portion410can terminate the analysis of the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi in connection with the deterioration prevention function. But, even if the analysis of the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi in connection with the deterioration prevention function is terminated by the control portion410, the function of reducing the luminance of the entire light emitting display panel100or the function of reducing the luminance of the area where the logo is displayed can be continuously performed.

Then, based on the determination result (S18), if it is determined that the luminance of the image reduced by the deterioration prevention function needs to be increased to the luminance of the normal state (“YES” in step S18), the analyzing portion630generates and transfers a deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS to the control driver400as shown inFIG.8C(S20).

For example, based on the determination result (S18), if it is determined that the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to the image without a video or logo is received, the analyzing portion630can generate and transfer a deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS to the control driver400so as to start the deactivation or turning off of the deterioration prevention function.

For example, one purpose of the deterioration prevention function is to reduce the luminance of the image with a still image or logo in order to prevent the deterioration of the light emitting elements ED. Therefore, when an image other than a still image (e.g., input image data Ri, Gi, or Bi corresponding to a video or moving image) is received, or input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to an image without a logo is received, then it may not be necessary to reduce the luminance of the image. Therefore, when it is determined that the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to the image without a video or logo is received, the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS for terminating the deterioration prevention function is generated by the scaler600and is transferred to the control driver400(S20).

In another example, based on the determination result (S18), if the change occurs in some images to be continuously output from the light emitting display panel100, the analyzing portion630can generate and transfer the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS to the control driver400(S20). Herein, the change in some images can mean a change in a very small area of images to be outputted on the light emitting display panel100. An example of such scenario will now be discussed referring toFIG.9.

In one example, as shown inFIG.9, when compared to the overall size of the light emitting display panel100, the size of a mouse cursor110is very small.

That is, if the light emitting display apparatus is used as a monitor and is connected to a computer, the mouse can be moved by a user, whereby the mouse cursor110is shown on the light emitting display panel100and can be moved on the light emitting display panel100. Since the size of the mouse cursor110is small, the area or path in which the mouse cursor110moves can be limited to a very narrow area or path.

In this scenario, in response to the receipt of the activation signal ARS, the control portion410of the control driver400compares the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi included in at least two frames and checks for a change in the image to determine whether or not to activate the deterioration prevention function (e.g., in step S14ofFIG.7). The frame can mean a period in which one image is output. In step S14, the control driver400is configured to determine whether the input image is a still image or video. Therefore, even if a motion is detected in a very small area, such as the movement of the mouse cursor110, the control driver400does not determine the movement as the video. Thus, even if the movement of the mouse cursor110is sensed after the luminance of the image is reduced by executing the deterioration prevention function, the control driver400may not determine that the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to the video is received. As such, after the luminance of the image is reduced, even if the mouse cursor110is moved by the user (e.g., the user desires to view the light emitting display panel100in a full or normal luminance state), the luminance of the image on the light emitting display panel100may still be maintained in the reduced state. Accordingly, the user may see the image with a low luminance, which might cause inconvenience.

In order to address this issue, according to the present disclosure, the analyzing portion630of the scaler600can determine that the image is changed even when the change occurs in a portion of images to be continuously output from the light emitting display panel100.

To this end, the amount of change in the image used to generate the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS by the analyzing portion630can be set to be smaller than the amount of change in the image used to terminate the deterioration prevention function by the control portion410.

For example, when 50% or more of input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi among input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to one image displayed on the entire light emitting display panel100changes (for example, when the amount of change detected in the image is 50% or more), the control portion410determines that the image is the video, to thereby increase or decrease the luminance.

On the other hand, when the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi of 0.1% or more among the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to one image changes (for example, when the among amount of change detected in the image is 0.1% or more), the analyzing portion630determines that the image is changed, thereby generating the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS.

The amount of change in the image determined as the changed image by the analyzing portion630can be variously set in consideration of a mouse, a single character, or the like. For instance, a movement of a mouse, a character or input change by a keyboard, etc. can be considered a sufficient change in the image to trigger the generation of the DARS by the analyzing portion630.

Therefore, according to the present disclosure, even when the change in a portion of images to be continuously output from the light emitting display panel100is a change caused by the movement of the mouse cursor110, the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS can be generated.

That is, according to the present disclosure, the image change which cannot be sensed by the control driver400can be sensed by the scaler600, whereby the deterioration prevention function can be deactivated.

Further, the change in a portion of the images to be continuously output can be a change caused by an output of a character according to an operation of a keyboard connected to the light emitting display panel100. For example, even if a user inputs a character by using a keyboard in the state in which the luminance of the image is reduced by the deterioration prevention function, an area of displaying the character is rather very small and thus, the control portion410determines that the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi corresponding to the still image is input, thereby continuously reducing the luminance of the image (i.e., the control portion410continues to reduce the luminance of the image and thus maintains the activation of the deterioration prevention function). In this state, however, the analyzing portion630can generate a deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS even if the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi is changed by a change in the character(s) in the very small area of the light emitting display panel100. Accordingly, a user can increase the luminance of the image by using the keyboard to deactivate the deterioration prevention function in the present disclosure by the operation of the scaler600.

In this case, in one example, the analyzing portion630can be configured not to generate the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS when the change in the image occurs in a predetermined specific area among the entire areas of the light emitting display panel100. Herein, the specific area can be an area which is not affected or covered by the deterioration prevention function. For example, as illustrated inFIG.9, an area in which a clock120is displayed may not be affected by the deterioration prevention function.

For example, when the light emitting display apparatus is used as a monitor to a computer or other device, as shown inFIG.9, the computer can output a work display line130at a lower end of the light emitting display panel100, and a clock120changed at a predetermined interval can be displayed on the work display line130.

The analyzing portion630of the scaler600of the display apparatus can be provided with information on the position of the work display line130or information on the position of the clock120from the computer, or can obtain information on the position at which the work display line130is displayed and information on position at which the clock120is displayed by using a method for detecting the logo by the control portion410.

When the luminance of the image is reduced by the deterioration prevention function executed by the control driver400, the luminance of the area where the work display line130and the clock120are located is reduced.

In this case, as described above, the amount of change in the image used to generate the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS by the analyzing portion630is smaller than the amount of change in the image used to terminate the deterioration prevention function by the control portion410. Accordingly, when the clock120changes in units of seconds or minutes, the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS can be generated by the analyzing portion630. In order to prevent this from occurring, the analyzing portion630can be configured not to generate the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS when the change of image occurs in a predetermined specific area among the entire areas of the light emitting display panel100.

The predetermined specific area can be an area in which the work display line130is displayed, as described above, and can be an area in which the clock120is displayed.

Next, referring back toFIG.7, when the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS is received from the scaler600, the control driver400deactivates (e.g., turns off) the deterioration prevention function (S22).

Since the deterioration prevention function is not executed when the deterioration prevention function is deactivated, the control driver400outputs images having the luminance corresponding to the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi through the light emitting display panel100.

To this end, the control portion410can control at least one of the data aligning portion430and the control signal generating portion420so that the luminance of the image reduced by the deterioration prevention function can be increased back to the luminance of the normal state/level.

For example, under the control of the control portion410, the data aligning portion430can generate image data having the same or similar level of luminance as that of the luminance of the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi and can transfer the image data to the data driver300.

Further, under the control of the control portion410, the control signal generating portion420can generate a power control signal for increasing the level of the first voltage EVDD previously reduced and can supply the increased power control signal to the power supply500.

Accordingly, the entire luminance of the light emitting display panel or the luminance of the logo area can be increased to the luminance corresponding to the input image data Ri, Gi, and Bi.

In this case, as described above, when the deterioration prevention function is deactivated, the deterioration prevention function is not executed or performed by the control driver400. For example, even if a still image is output again after the increase in the luminance of the image, the luminance of the still image is not reduced.

Finally, as discussed above, the analyzing portion630can transfer the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS to the control driver400in step S20. Thereafter (e.g., after step S22), after a preset period elapses, the analyzing portion630can transfer a deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS to the control driver400again, as shown inFIG.8A. Accordingly, the control driver400can perform the deterioration prevention function again (S24).

That is, as described above, when the deterioration prevention function is deactivated, the deterioration prevention function is not executed (or is stopped) by the control driver400, whereby the luminance of the still image is not reduced even if the still image is output again after the increase in luminance of the image.

To prevent this, in the present disclosure, when a preset period elapses after the deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal DARS is transferred to the control driver400, the analyzing portion630can transfer a deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS to the control driver400again. Herein, for example, the preset period can be several to hundreds of frames or several seconds.

When the deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS is received, the control driver400and the scaler600can repeatedly perform processes (S12to S24) as described above.

Accordingly, the deterioration prevention function can be continuously performed in the light emitting display apparatus, and the deterioration prevention function of the control driver400can be selectively controlled through the scaler600.

That is, after the elapse of the preset time period, when the deterioration prevention function activation request signal ARS is received from the scaler600, the control driver400can analyze the input image signals received from the scaler600and can change the luminance of the images outputted from the light emitting display panel100according to the result of analyzing the input image signals.

As described above, in the light emitting display apparatus according to the present disclosure, in order to control the deterioration prevention function of the control driver400by the scaler600, a deterioration prevention function start signal/information ONS can be transferred from the control driver400to the scaler600. Therefore, in one example, when the control driver400of the display apparatus manufactured as a television is used as a monitor, the control driver400can be modified only slightly, e.g., by providing a program or application for generating and transferring the deterioration prevention function start signal/information ONS.

Therefore, the control driver400manufactured for a television can be easily adapted and used as a monitor, whereby the use of the control driver400can be extended.

In one example, in the light emitting display apparatus according to the present disclosure, instead of the control driver400which does not detect the small change in images, the scaler600can sense a small change such as the movement of the mouse cursor110. Therefore, even if the control driver400is applied to the light emitting display apparatus as a monitor, which distinguishes the still image and video or distinguishes the image including the logo, the deterioration prevention function can be properly and effectively performed.

That is, according to the present disclosure, even if there is no design change to the control driver400for performing the deterioration prevention function, the control driver400previously used to perform the deterioration prevention function can be applied to the light emitting display apparatus as the monitor as is or with a slight modification.

Therefore, according to the present disclosure, manufacturing costs of the light emitting display apparatus can be reduced.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when a structure and function of a control driver in which the deterioration prevention function is executed are not changed, the deterioration prevention function of the control driver can be deactivated.

Therefore, a light emitting display apparatus equipped with a control driver designed to ignore small movements such as a movement of a mouse cursor can be used as a monitor.

For example, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a light emitting display apparatus which is made for a television and executes a deterioration prevention function can also be used as a monitor and other various types of electronic devices.

Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the luminance of the light emitting display apparatus can be reduced by the deterioration prevention function, and thus, a low-power light emitting display apparatus can be provided.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic apparatus is provided, which includes a light emitting display panel configured to display image, at least one driver configured to drive the light emitting display panel, a control driver configured to supply image data to the at least one driver, and activate a deterioration prevention function on the light emitting display panel, and a scaler configured to analyze image data input thereto, determine a change in the image data, and transmit a deterioration prevention function deactivation request signal to the control driver when the change in the input image data is determined to be equal to or greater than a reference value.

The above-described feature, structure, and effect of the present disclosure are included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, but are not limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the feature, structure, and effect described in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented through combination or modification of other embodiments by those skilled in the art. Therefore, content associated with the combination and modification should be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosures. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.