CN112242115A

CN112242115A - Display device and method for driving display device

Info

Publication number: CN112242115A
Application number: CN202010687667.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金泰勋; 金湲泰; 金智惠; 全宰贤
Original assignee: Samsung Display Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Display Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-16
Filing date: 2020-07-16
Publication date: 2021-01-19

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a display device and a method of driving the display device, the display device comprising: a foldable display panel displaying an image; a gate driver outputting a gate signal to the foldable display panel; and a data driver according to The driving current outputs the data voltage to the foldable display panel, and the driving current varies according to the display mode corresponding to the folded state of the foldable display panel.

Description

Display device and method of driving the same

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the priority and benefit of korean patent application No. 10-2019-.

Technical Field

Aspects of one or more exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept relate to a display apparatus and a method of driving the same. More particularly, aspects of one or more exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept relate to a foldable display device and a method of driving the same.

Background

Generally, a display device includes a display panel and a display panel driver. The display panel includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of emission lines, and a plurality of pixels. The display panel driver includes a gate driver, a data driver, an emission driver, and a driving controller. The gate driver outputs a gate signal to the gate lines. The data driver outputs a data voltage to the data line. The transmission driver outputs a transmission signal to the transmission line. The driving controller controls the gate driver, the data driver, and the emission driver.

Foldable display devices have been developed using the maximized flexibility characteristics of flexible display panels. The foldable display device may have at least two display areas. The display area may be formed in a single flexible display panel.

The display area from among the plurality of display areas may be in a passive (inactive) area according to a folded state (or condition) of the display apparatus. A black image may be displayed on the inactive area. Although a black image is displayed on the inactive area, a certain amount of power may be consumed.

The above information disclosed in this background section is for enhancement of understanding of the background of the inventive concept and, therefore, may contain information that does not constitute prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept are directed to a display apparatus capable of reducing power consumption of the display apparatus.

One or more exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept are directed to a method of driving the display apparatus.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a display apparatus includes: a foldable display panel configured to display an image; a gate driver configured to output a gate signal to the foldable display panel; and a data driver configured to output a data voltage to the foldable display panel according to a driving current, the driving current being changed according to a display mode corresponding to a folded state of the foldable display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display mode may include a normal display mode and a partial display mode; the drive current may include a first drive current and a second drive current; the data driver may be configured to be driven by the first driving current in the normal display mode so as to display an image on an entire display area of the foldable display panel when operating in the normal display mode; the data driver may be configured to be driven by the second driving current in the partial display mode to display an image on a portion of the display area of the foldable display panel when operating in the partial display mode; and the first drive current may be greater than the second drive current.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data driver may include: a plurality of output buffers configured to output the data voltages to a plurality of data lines of the foldable display panel, and the driving current of the data driver may correspond to a driving current of the output buffers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data driver may include a current mirror circuit connected to each of the output buffers, the current mirror circuit including: a first current source; a first switch connected in series to the first current source; a second current source; and a second switch connected in series to the second current source. In the normal display mode, both the first switch and the second switch may be configured to be turned on, and in the partial display mode, the first switch may be configured to be turned off and the second switch may be configured to be turned on.

In an exemplary embodiment, the driving current of the data driver may be determined according to an active line (active line) that may be farthest from the data driver at an active display area (active display area) of the foldable display panel where the image is to be displayed.

In an exemplary embodiment, the foldable display panel may include a first display region and a second display region; the first display region may be closer to the data driver than the second display region; the drive current may include a first drive current and a second drive current; the data driver may be configured to be driven by the first driving current when the first display region and the second display region are both in an active state; the data driver may be configured to be driven by the second driving current when the first display region is in an active state and the second display region is in a passive state; and the first drive current may be greater than the second drive current.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data driver may include a current mirror circuit connected to each of a plurality of output buffers, the current mirror circuit including: a first current source; a first switch connected in series to the first current source; a second current source; and a second switch connected in series to the second current source. The first switch and the second switch may each be configured to be turned on when the first display region and the second display region are in an active state, and the first switch may be configured to be turned off and the second switch may be configured to be turned on when the first display region is in an active state and the second display region is in a passive state.

In an exemplary embodiment, when both the first display region and the second display region are in an active state, a data voltage that may be transmitted to a last active line of the second display region may have a first slew rate; when the first display region is in an active state and the second display region is in a passive state, a data voltage that may be transmitted to a last active line of the first display region may have a second slew rate, and the first slew rate may be substantially the same as the second slew rate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the foldable display panel may include a first display region and a second display region; the first display region may be closer to the data driver than the second display region; the drive current may include a first drive current and a third drive current; the data driver may be configured to be driven by the first driving current when both the first display region and the second display region are in an active state; the data driver may be configured to be driven by the third driving current when the first display region is in a passive state and the second display region is in an active state; and the first drive current may be substantially equal to the third drive current.

In an exemplary embodiment, the foldable display panel may include a first display region, a second display region, and a third display region; the first display region may be closer to the data driver than the second display region; the second display region may be closer to the data driver than the third display region; the drive current may include a first drive current and a second drive current; the data driver may be configured to be driven by the first driving current when the first display region, the second display region, and the third display region are all in an active state; the data driver may be configured to be driven by the second driving current when the first display region and the second display region are both in an active state and the third display region is in a passive state; and the first drive current may be greater than the second drive current.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data driver may include a current mirror circuit connected to each of a plurality of output buffers, the current mirror circuit including: a first current source; a first switch connected in series to the first current source; a second current source; a second switch connected in series to the second current source; a third current source; and a third switch connected in series to the third current source. The first switch, the second switch, and the third switch may be configured to be turned on when the first display region, the second display region, and the third display region are all in an active state; and when the first display region and the second display region are both in an active state and the third display region is in a passive state, the first switch may be configured to be turned off, and the second switch and the third switch may be configured to be turned on.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the first display region, the second display region, and the third display region are all in an active state, a data voltage of a last active line that may be transmitted to the third display region may have a first slew rate; when the first display region and the second display region are both in an active state and the third display region is in a passive state, a data voltage that may be transmitted to a last active line of the second display region may have a second slew rate; and the first slew rate may be substantially the same as the second slew rate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the driving current may further include a third driving current; the data driver may be configured to be driven by the third driving current when the first display region is in an active state and the second and third display regions are in a passive state; and the second drive current may be greater than the third drive current.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data driver may include a current mirror circuit connected to each of a plurality of output buffers, the current mirror circuit including: a first current source; a first switch connected in parallel to the first current source; a second current source; a second switch connected in series to the second current source; a third current source; and a third switch connected in series to the third current source. When the first display region is in an active state and the second and third display regions are both in a passive state, the first and second switches may each be configured to be turned off and the third switch may be configured to be turned on.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the first display region, the second display region, and the third display region are all in an active state, a data voltage of a last active line that may be transmitted to the third display region may have a first slew rate; when the first display region is in an active state and the second display region and the third display region are both in a passive state, a data voltage that may be transmitted to a last active line of the first display region may have a third slew rate; and the first slew rate may be substantially the same as the third slew rate.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a method of driving a display apparatus includes: outputting the gate signal to a foldable display panel; adjusting a driving current of a data driver according to a display mode, the display mode corresponding to a folded state of the foldable display panel; and outputting a data voltage to the foldable display panel according to the driving current of the data driver.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data driver may include a plurality of output buffers configured to output the data voltages to a plurality of data lines of the foldable display panel, and the driving current of the data driver may correspond to a driving current of the output buffers.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data driver may include a current mirror circuit connected to each of the output buffers, the current mirror circuit including: a first current source; a first switch connected in series to the first current source; a second current source; and a second switch connected in series to the second current source. The first switch and the second switch may each be configured to be turned on when in the normal display mode, and the first switch may be configured to be turned off and the second switch may be configured to be turned on when in the partial display mode.

In an exemplary embodiment, the driving current of the data driver may be determined according to an active line that may be farthest from the data driver at an active display area of the foldable display panel where an image is to be displayed.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a display apparatus includes: a display panel configured to display an image; a gate driver configured to output a gate signal to the display panel; and a data driver configured to output a data voltage to the display panel according to a driving current, the driving current varying according to a size of an active display area of the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel may be a foldable display panel. The size of the active display area may be reduced when the display panel is folded along a folding line. The size of the active display area may increase when the display panel is unfolded.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel may be a rollable display panel. The size of the active display area may be reduced when the display panel is wound around a shaft. The size of the active display area may increase when the display panel is unwound from the shaft.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel may be a sliding display panel. The size of the active display area may increase when the display panel is pulled in a sliding direction. The size of the active display area may be reduced when the display panel is pushed in a direction opposite to the sliding direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the size of the active display area is increased, a slew rate of the driving current may be increased.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data driver may include: a plurality of output buffers configured to output data voltages to respective data lines of the display panel. The driving current of the data driver may correspond to a driving current of the output buffer. The data driver may include a current mirror circuit commonly connected to the output buffer. The current mirror circuit may include a current source and a variable resistor connected in series to the current mirror circuit. The variable resistance may decrease as the size of the active display area increases.

In an exemplary embodiment, the driving current may be increased when the size of the active display area is increased.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data driver may include: a plurality of output buffers configured to output data voltages to respective data lines of the display panel. The driving current of the data driver may correspond to a driving current of the output buffer. The data driver may include a current mirror circuit commonly connected to the output buffer. The current mirror circuit may include a plurality of current sources and a plurality of switches respectively connected in series to the current sources. When the size of the active display area increases, the number of switches turned on among the plurality of switches may increase.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the display apparatus and the method of driving the display apparatus, the data driver is driven using different driving currents in the normal display mode and in the partial display mode, so that power consumption of the data driver in the partial display mode may be reduced. For example, the driving current of the data driver may be changed (e.g., adjusted) based on a position of a last horizontal line (active line) farthest from the data driver in an active display region where an image is to be displayed, so that power consumption of the data driver may be reduced.

In addition, the data driver is driven using different driving currents according to the size of the display area of the rollable display device, so that power consumption of the data driver can be reduced.

In addition, the data driver is driven using different driving currents according to the size of the display area of the sliding display device, so that power consumption of the data driver can be reduced.

Drawings

The above and other aspects and features of the present inventive concept will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept;

fig. 2 is a plan view showing the display device of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the display apparatus of fig. 1;

fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a display panel and a data driver of the display device of fig. 1 in a first display mode;

fig. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a data driver of the display device of fig. 1 in a first display mode;

fig. 6 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to a data driver of the display device of fig. 1 in a first display mode;

fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a display panel and a data driver of the display device of fig. 1 in a second display mode;

fig. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a data driver of the display device of fig. 1 in a second display mode;

fig. 9 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to a data driver of the display device of fig. 1 in a second display mode;

fig. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a display panel and a data driver of the display device of fig. 1 in a third display mode;

fig. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a data driver of the display device of fig. 1 in a third display mode;

fig. 12 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to a data driver of the display device of fig. 1 in a third display mode;

fig. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept;

fig. 14 is a plan view showing the display device of fig. 13;

fig. 15 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a display panel and a data driver of the display device of fig. 13 in a first display mode;

fig. 16 is a circuit diagram showing a data driver of the display device of fig. 13 in a first display mode;

fig. 17 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to a data driver of the display device of fig. 13 in a first display mode;

fig. 18 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a display panel and a data driver of the display device of fig. 13 in a second display mode;

fig. 19 is a circuit diagram showing a data driver of the display device of fig. 13 in a second display mode;

fig. 20 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to a data driver of the display device of fig. 13 in a second display mode;

fig. 21 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a display panel and a data driver of the display device of fig. 13 in a third display mode;

fig. 22 is a circuit diagram showing a data driver of the display device of fig. 13 in a third display mode;

fig. 23 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to the data driver of the display device of fig. 13 in the third display mode.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept;

fig. 25 is a plan view showing the display panel of fig. 24;

fig. 26 is a circuit diagram showing a data driver of the display device of fig. 24;

fig. 27 is a plan view illustrating a display panel of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept;

fig. 28 is a circuit diagram showing a data driver of the display device of fig. 27;

fig. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept;

fig. 30 is a plan view showing the display panel of fig. 29;

fig. 31 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a data driver of the display device of fig. 29; and

fig. 32 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a data driver of the display device of fig. 29.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey aspects and features of the inventive concepts to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes, elements, and techniques may not be described that are unnecessary to a full understanding of the aspects and features of the inventive concepts by those of ordinary skill in the art. Unless otherwise indicated, like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the drawings and written description, and thus, the description thereof may not be repeated.

In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions may be exaggerated and/or simplified for clarity. For ease of illustration, spatially relative terms such as "below …," "below …," "below," "under …," "above …," and "above," etc., may be used herein to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms "below …" and "below …" can cover both orientations of "above …" and "below …". The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative terms used herein interpreted accordingly.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Accordingly, a first element, a first component, a first region, a first layer, or a first portion described below may be named as a second element, a second component, a second region, a second layer, or a second portion without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "between" two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concepts. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as "at least one of … …" when following a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and the like are used as terms of approximation and not degree, and are intended to account for inherent deviations in measurements or calculations that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, the use of "may" when describing embodiments of the inventive concept refers to "one or more embodiments of the inventive concept". As used herein, the term "using" may be considered synonymous with the term "utilizing," respectively. Additionally, the term "exemplary" is intended to mean exemplary or illustrative.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present specification and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 2 is a plan view (e.g., a view viewed from a plane parallel or substantially parallel to a top surface of the display device) illustrating the display device of fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the display device may include a flexible display panel. The display device may be a foldable display device. The display device can be folded along a folding line FL.

The display device may include a first display area DA1 disposed at (e.g., in or on) a first side (or first area) of the display device relative to the fold line FL and a second display area DA2 disposed at (e.g., in or on) a second side (or second area) of the display device relative to the fold line FL.

In some embodiments, when the display device is folded as shown in fig. 1, the first display area DA1 may display an image and the second display area DA2 may not display an image. In other embodiments, when the display device is folded as shown in fig. 1, the second display area DA2 may display an image and the first display area DA1 may not display an image. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and for example, in an embodiment, displaying an image on the first display area DA1 and/or the second display area DA2 according to the folding of the display device may be configured (e.g., set) according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a user setting.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the display apparatus of fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3, the display apparatus includes a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400, a data driver 500, and an emission driver 600.

The display panel 100 may be a flexible display panel. The display panel 100 may be a foldable display panel.

The display panel 100 includes a plurality of gate lines GWL, GIL, and GBL, a plurality of data lines DL, a plurality of emission lines EL, and a plurality of pixels PX electrically connected to the gate lines GWL, GIL, and GBL, the data lines DL, and the emission lines EL. The gate lines GWL, GIL, and GBL and the emission line EL may each extend in a first direction D1, and the data line DL may each extend in a second direction D2 crossing the first direction D1. Each pixel PX may be disposed at an intersection area of the gate lines GWL, GIL, and GBL, the emission line EL, and the data line DL.

The driving controller 200 receives input image data IMG and input control signals CONT from an external device (e.g., a host apparatus). For example, in some embodiments, the input image data IMG may include red image data, green image data, and blue image data. In some embodiments, the input image data IMG may comprise white image data. In some embodiments, the input image data IMG may include magenta image data, cyan image data, and yellow image data. However, the inventive concept is not limited to the kind of input image data IMG described above, and the input image data IMG may include any suitable image data that will be known to those skilled in the art. The input control signals CONT may include a master clock signal and a data enable signal. The input control signals CONT may further include a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal.

The driving controller 200 generates a first control signal CONT1, a second control signal CONT2, a third control signal CONT3, a fourth control signal CONT4, and a DATA signal DATA according to (e.g., based on) the input image DATA IMG and the input control signals CONT.

The driving controller 200 generates the first control signal CONT1 for controlling the operation of the gate driver 300 according to (e.g., based on) the input control signal CONT, and outputs the first control signal CONT1 to the gate driver 300. For example, the first control signals CONT1 may include a vertical start signal and a gate clock signal.

The driving controller 200 generates the second control signal CONT2 for controlling the operation of the data driver 500 according to (e.g., based on) the input control signal CONT, and outputs the second control signal CONT2 to the data driver 500. For example, the second control signal CONT2 may include a horizontal start signal and a load signal.

The driving controller 200 generates the DATA signal DATA according to (e.g., based on) the input image DATA IMG. The driving controller 200 outputs the DATA signal DATA to the DATA driver 500.

The driving controller 200 generates a third control signal CONT3 for controlling the operation of the gamma reference voltage generator 400 according to (e.g., based on) the input control signal CONT. The driving controller 200 outputs the third control signal CONT3 to the gamma reference voltage generator 400.

The driving controller 200 generates a fourth control signal CONT4 for controlling the operation of the emission driver 600 according to (e.g., based on) the input control signal CONT. The driving controller 200 outputs the fourth control signal CONT4 to the emission driver 600.

The gate driver 300 generates gate signals for driving the gate lines GWL, GIL, and GBL in response to the first control signal CONT1 received from the driving controller 200. The gate driver 300 may output (e.g., sequentially output) gate signals to the gate lines GWL, GIL, and GBL. In some embodiments, the gate driver 300 may be integrated on the display panel 100 (e.g., integrally formed with the display panel 100). In other embodiments, the gate driver 300 may be connected to the display panel 100 (e.g., mounted on the display panel 100).

The gamma reference voltage generator 400 generates the gamma reference voltage VGREF in response to the third control signal CONT3 received from the driving controller 200. The gamma reference voltage generator 400 supplies a gamma reference voltage VGREF to the data driver 500. The gamma reference voltage VGREF has a value corresponding to the level of the DATA signal DATA.

Although fig. 3 illustrates that the gamma reference voltage generator 400 is a separate display panel driver of the display device, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the gamma reference voltage generator 400 may be disposed at the driving controller 200 (e.g., in the driving controller 200 or on the driving controller 200) or at the data driver 500 (e.g., in the data driver 500 or on the data driver 500). For example, in various exemplary embodiments, the gamma reference voltage generator 400 may be a part of the driving controller 200 or a part of the data driver 500, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

The DATA driver 500 receives the second control signal CONT2 and the DATA signal DATA from the driving controller 200, and receives the gamma reference voltage VGREF from the gamma reference voltage generator 400. The DATA driver 500 converts the DATA signal DATA into a corresponding DATA voltage (e.g., a DATA voltage having an analog type) using the gamma reference voltage VGREF. The data driver 500 outputs a data voltage to the data line DL.

The emission driver 600 generates an emission signal to drive the emission line EL in response to the fourth control signal CONT4 received from the driving controller 200. The emission driver 600 may output an emission signal to the emission line EL.

In an exemplary embodiment, the driving controller 200 and the data driver 500 may be formed (e.g., integrally formed) as a single driving chip. In an exemplary embodiment, the driving controller 200, the gamma reference voltage generator 400, and the data driver 500 may be formed (e.g., integrally formed) as a single driving chip. In an exemplary embodiment, the driving controller 200, the gamma reference voltage generator 400, the data driver 500, and the emission driver 600 may be formed (e.g., integrally formed) as a single driving chip.

Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the display panel 100 and the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 1 in the first display mode. Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 1 in the first display mode. Fig. 6 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 1 in the first display mode.

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, the display mode of the foldable display panel 100 may be determined by the folding condition (or the folding state) of the foldable display panel 100. For example, the display modes may include a normal display mode (e.g., a first display mode) and a partial display mode (e.g., a second display mode). In the normal display mode, an image is displayed on the entire display area of the foldable display panel 100 (e.g., on each of the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA 2). In the partial display mode, an image is displayed on a partial portion of the display area of the foldable display panel 100 (e.g., on the first display area DA1 or the second display area DA 2). For example, when the foldable display panel 100 is folded, the foldable display panel 100 may be operated in a partial display mode (e.g., a second display mode). In another example, when the foldable display panel 100 is unfolded (or in an unfolded state), the foldable display panel 100 may operate in a normal display mode (e.g., a first display mode).

The driving current of the data driver 500 may vary according to the display mode. For example, when the display mode is the normal display mode, the data driver 500 may be driven according to the first driving current. In another example, when the display mode is the partial display mode, the data driver 500 may be driven according to the second driving current. The first drive current may be greater than the second drive current.

In fig. 4, the foldable display panel 100 may include a first display area DA1 and a second display area DA 2. The first display area DA1 may be closer to the data driver 500 than the second display area DA 2. For example, the first display area DA1 may be disposed between the data driver 500 and the second display area DA2 such that the first display area DA1 is more adjacent (e.g., closer) to the data driver 500 than the second display area DA 2.

In fig. 4, both the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2 may be activated (e.g., in an active state). For example, in fig. 4, the foldable display panel 100 may operate in a normal display mode (e.g., a first display mode). For example, in fig. 4, the foldable display panel 100 may have an unfolded condition (or be in an unfolded state). However, the normal display mode may not be limited to the unfolded state of the foldable display panel 100. In another exemplary embodiment, the foldable display panel 100 may operate in a normal display mode when in a folded condition (e.g., a folded state) of the foldable display panel 100. For example, according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a user setting, the foldable display panel 100 may operate in a normal display mode when in a folded condition (e.g., a folded state) of the foldable display panel 100.

The driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., based on) a position of an active line farthest from the data driver 500 at (e.g., in or on) an active display area where an image is to be displayed. In fig. 4, the active display area includes a first display area DA1 and a second display area DA 2. In fig. 4, an active line farthest from the data driver 500 at the active display area (e.g., in or on the active display area) may be disposed at the third area A3 (e.g., in the third area A3 or on the third area A3). In fig. 4, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., based on) the waveform of the data voltage applied to the last active line at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3). For example, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the data voltage applied to the last active line of the third region A3 is sufficiently charged to (e.g., sufficiently charged in) the pixel connected to the last active line of the third region A3 at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3).

The data driver 500 may include a plurality of output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN for outputting data voltages to the respective data lines DL of the foldable display panel 100. The data driver 500 may further include a digital-to-analog converter DAC for supplying the data voltage to the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN. The data driver 500 may further include a current mirror circuit connected (e.g., commonly connected) to the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN to supply a driving current to the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN. The driving current of the data driver 500 may include (or may be) the driving currents of the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN.

The current mirror circuit may include a first current source to provide a first reference current IREF1, a first switch SW1 connected to (e.g., connected in series to) the first current source, a second current source to provide a second reference current IREF2, and a second switch SW2 connected to (e.g., connected in series to) the second current source. The first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 may be connected to each other (e.g., connected in parallel to each other). The first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 may be controlled by a switch control signal CONS determined according to a display mode. In some embodiments, the switching control signal CONS may be output from the driving controller 200 to the data driver 500. In other embodiments, the switch control signal CONS may be output from the host (or application processor) to the data driver 500.

The current mirror circuit may include a first transistor TR1 connected to each of the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2, and a second transistor TR2 connected to the first transistor TR 1.

The first power supply voltage AVDD may be applied to the first current source and the second current source. The second power supply voltage AVSS may be applied to the first transistor TR1 and the second transistor TR 2.

The first transistor TR1 includes an input electrode connected to each of the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2, a control electrode connected to the input electrode of the first transistor TR1, and an output electrode to receive the second power supply voltage AVSS.

The second transistor TR2 includes an input electrode connected to each of the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN, a control electrode connected to the control electrode of the first transistor TR1, and an output electrode to receive the second power supply voltage AVSS.

A current IREF flowing through the input electrode of the first transistor TR1 and the output electrode of the first transistor TR1 is equal to or substantially equal to a current IREF flowing through the input electrode of the second transistor TR2 and the output electrode of the second transistor TR 2.

The first and second display areas DA1 and DA2 of fig. 4 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state), and the first and second switches SW1 and SW2 of fig. 5 may be turned on. The data driver 500 may be driven according to a first driving current (e.g., IREF1+ IREF2) corresponding to a sum of the first reference current IREF1 applied through the first switch SW1 and the second reference current IREF2 applied through the second switch SW 2.

The waveform of the first data voltage VD1 shown in fig. 6 may correspond to (or may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the first horizontal line corresponding to the first region a1 of fig. 4 transmitted to the first display region DA 1. The waveform of the second data voltage VD2 shown in fig. 6 may correspond to (or may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the last horizontal line corresponding to the second region a2 of fig. 4 transmitted to the first display region DA 1. Due to the propagation delay, the second data voltage VD2 may have a slew rate that is less than a slew rate of the first data voltage VD 1. The waveform of the third data voltage VD3 shown in fig. 6 may correspond to (or may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the last horizontal line corresponding to the third region A3 of fig. 4 transmitted to the second display region DA 2. Due to the propagation delay, the third data voltage VD3 may have a slew rate less than that of the second data voltage VD 2.

In fig. 4, the active display area includes a first display area DA1 and a second display area DA 2. In fig. 4, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the third data voltage VD3 of the last horizontal line corresponding to the third region A3 applied to the active display region (e.g., the first display region DA1 and the second display region DA2) is sufficiently charged to the pixel (e.g., the third data voltage VD3 is sufficiently charged in the pixel) connected to the last horizontal line of the active display region at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3).

Fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the display panel 100 and the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 1 in the second display mode. Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 1 in the second display mode. Fig. 9 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 1 in the second display mode.

Referring to fig. 1 to 9, the foldable display panel 100 may include a first display area DA1 and a second display area DA 2. The first display area DA1 may be closer to the data driver 500 than the second display area DA 2. For example, the first display area DA1 may be disposed between the data driver 500 and the second display area DA2 such that the first display area DA1 is more adjacent to the data driver 500 than the second display area DA 2.

In fig. 7, the first display area DA1 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state) and the second display area DA2 may be deactivated (e.g., may be in a passive state). For example, in fig. 7, the foldable display panel 100 may be operated in a partial display mode (e.g., a second display mode). For example, in fig. 7, the foldable display panel 100 may have a folded condition (e.g., may be in a folded state). However, the partial display mode may not be limited to the folded condition (or the folded state) of the foldable display panel 100. In another exemplary embodiment, the foldable display panel 100 may operate in a partial display mode when in an unfolded condition (or unfolded state) of the foldable display panel 100. For example, the foldable display panel 100 may operate in the partial display mode when in an unfolded condition (e.g., an unfolded state) of the foldable display panel 100 according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a user setting.

The driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a position of an active line farthest from the data driver 500 at an active display area where an image is to be displayed (e.g., in or on the active display area). In fig. 7, the active display area includes a first display area DA 1. In fig. 7, the active line farthest from the data driver 500 at the active display area (e.g., in or on the active display area) may be disposed at the second area a2 (e.g., in or on the second area a2 or on the second area a 2). In fig. 7, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a waveform of a data voltage applied to the last active line at the second region a2 (e.g., in the second region a2 or on the second region a 2). For example, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the data voltage applied to the last active line of the second region a2 is sufficiently charged to (e.g., the data voltage is sufficiently charged in) the pixel disposed at the second region a2 (e.g., in the second region a2 or on the second region a2) and connected to the last active line of the second region a 2.

In fig. 7, the first display area DA1 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state) and the second display area DA2 may be deactivated (e.g., may be in a passive state), and in fig. 8, the first switch SW1 may be turned off and the second switch SW2 may be turned on. For example, the data driver 500 shown in fig. 8 may have the same or substantially the same circuit structure as that of the data driver 500 shown in fig. 5. The data driver 500 may be driven (e.g., the data driver 500 is driven at) according to a second driving current (e.g., IREF2) corresponding to the second reference current IREF2 applied through the second switch SW 2.

The first drive current in fig. 4 (e.g., IREF ═ IREF1+ IREF2) may be greater than the second drive current in fig. 7 (e.g., IREF ═ IREF 2). In the partial display mode (e.g., the second display mode) of fig. 7, the data driver 500 may be driven according to (e.g., the data driver 500 is driven at) a second driving current (e.g., IREF — IREF2) smaller than the first driving current (e.g., IREF1+ IREF2) of the normal display mode (e.g., the first display mode) of fig. 4.

The waveform of the first data voltage VD1 shown in fig. 9 may correspond to (e.g., may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the first horizontal line corresponding to the first region a1 of fig. 7 transmitted to the first display region DA 1. The waveform of the second data voltage VD2 shown in fig. 9 may correspond to (e.g., may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the last horizontal line corresponding to the second region a2 of fig. 7 transmitted to the first display region DA 1. Due to the propagation delay, the second data voltage VD2 may have a slew rate that is less than a slew rate of the first data voltage VD 1. The waveform of the third data voltage VD3 shown in fig. 9 may correspond to (e.g., may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the last horizontal line corresponding to the third region A3 of fig. 7 transmitted to the second display region DA 2. Due to the propagation delay, the third data voltage VD3 may have a slew rate less than that of the second data voltage VD 2.

In fig. 7, the active display area includes a first display area DA 1. In fig. 7, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the second data voltage VD2 of the last horizontal line corresponding to the second region a2 applied to the active display region (e.g., the first display region DA1) is sufficiently charged to the pixel connected to the last horizontal line of the active display region at the second region a2 (e.g., in the second region a2 or on the second region a2) (e.g., the second data voltage VD2 is sufficiently charged in the pixel).

When the first and second display regions DA1 and DA2 are activated (e.g., in an active state) as shown in fig. 4, a data voltage (e.g., the third data voltage VD3 in fig. 6) transmitted to the last active line (e.g., the last horizontal line at the third region A3) of the second display region DA2 has a first slew rate. When the first display region DA1 is activated (e.g., in an active state) and the second display region DA2 is deactivated (e.g., in a passive state) as shown in fig. 7, a data voltage (e.g., the second data voltage VD2 in fig. 9) transmitted to the last active line (e.g., the last horizontal line at the second region a2) of the first display region DA1 has a second slew rate. The first slew rate of the data voltage (e.g., the third data voltage VD3 in fig. 6) may be the same as or substantially the same as the second slew rate of the data voltage (e.g., the second data voltage VD2 in fig. 9). For example, the waveform of the second data voltage VD2 in fig. 9 may be the same as or substantially the same as the waveform of the third data voltage VD3 in fig. 6.

The third data voltage VD3 in fig. 9 may not be sufficiently charged to the pixel at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3) (e.g., the third data voltage VD3 may not be sufficiently charged in the pixel). However, as shown in fig. 7, the second display region DA2 is an inactive region (e.g., a region displaying a black image), so that even if the third data voltage VD3 in fig. 9 is not sufficiently charged to a pixel (e.g., the third data voltage VD3 is not sufficiently charged in the pixel) at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3), the display quality does not deteriorate.

Fig. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the display panel 100 and the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 1 in the third display mode. Fig. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 1 in the third display mode. Fig. 12 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 1 in the third display mode.

Referring to fig. 1 to 12, the foldable display panel 100 may include a first display area DA1 and a second display area DA 2. The first display area DA1 may be closer to the data driver 500 than the second display area DA 2. For example, the first display area DA1 may be disposed between the data driver 500 and the second display area DA2 such that the first display area DA1 is more adjacent (e.g., closer) to the data driver 500 than the second display area DA 2.

In fig. 10, the first display area DA1 may be deactivated (e.g., may be in a passive state) and the second display area DA2 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state). For example, in fig. 10, the foldable display panel 100 may operate in a partial display mode. For example, in fig. 10, the foldable display panel 100 may have a folded condition (e.g., may be in a folded state). However, the partial display mode may not be limited to the folded condition (or the folded state) of the foldable display panel 100. In another exemplary embodiment, the foldable display panel 100 may operate in a partial display mode when in an unfolded condition (or unfolded state) of the foldable display panel 100. For example, the foldable display panel 100 may operate in the partial display mode when in an unfolded condition (or unfolded state) of the foldable display panel 100 according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a user setting.

The driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a position of an active line farthest from the data driver 500 at an active display area where an image is to be displayed (e.g., in or on the active display area). In fig. 10, the active display area includes the second display area DA 2. In fig. 10, an active line farthest from the data driver 500 at the active display area (e.g., in or on the active display area) may be disposed at the third area A3 (e.g., in the third area A3 or on the third area A3). In fig. 10, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a waveform of the data voltage applied to the last active line at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3). For example, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the data voltage applied to the last active line of the third region A3 is sufficiently charged to (e.g., sufficiently charged in) the pixel disposed at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3) and connected to the last active line of the third region A3. Although the third display mode in fig. 10 to 12 refers to a partial display mode, the active line farthest from the data driver 500 in the active display region is the same as or substantially the same as the active line farthest from the data driver 500 in the active display region of the normal display mode in fig. 4 to 7, so that the driving current of the data driver 500 in fig. 10 to 12 may be the same as or substantially the same as the driving current of the data driver 500 in fig. 4 to 7.

In fig. 10, the first display area DA1 may be deactivated (e.g., may be in a passive state) and the second display area DA2 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state), and in fig. 11, both the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 may be turned on. For example, the data driver 500 shown in fig. 11 may have the same or substantially the same circuit structure as that of the data driver 500 shown in fig. 5. The data driver 500 may be driven according to a third driving current (e.g., IREF1+ IREF2) corresponding to a sum of the first reference current IREF1 applied through the first switch SW1 and the second reference current IREF2 applied through the second switch SW 2.

The first drive current in fig. 4 (e.g., IREF ═ IREF1+ IREF2) may be the same or substantially the same as the third drive current in fig. 10 (e.g., IREF ═ IREF1+ IREF 2).

The waveform of the first data voltage VD1 shown in fig. 12 may correspond to (e.g., may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the first horizontal line corresponding to the first region a1 of fig. 10 transmitted to the first display region DA 1. The waveform of the second data voltage VD2 shown in fig. 12 may correspond to (e.g., may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the last horizontal line corresponding to the second region a2 of fig. 10 transmitted to the first display region DA 1. Due to the propagation delay, the second data voltage VD2 may have a slew rate that is less than a slew rate of the first data voltage VD 1. The waveform of the third data voltage VD3 shown in fig. 12 may correspond to (e.g., may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the last horizontal line corresponding to the third region A3 of fig. 10 transmitted to the second display region DA 2. Due to the propagation delay, the third data voltage VD3 may have a slew rate less than that of the second data voltage VD 2.

In fig. 10, the active display area includes the second display area DA 2. In fig. 10, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the third data voltage VD3 of the last horizontal line corresponding to the third region A3 applied to the active display region (e.g., the second display region DA2) is sufficiently charged to the pixel connected to the last horizontal line of the active display region at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3) (e.g., the third data voltage VD3 is sufficiently charged in the pixel).

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the data driver 500 is driven using different driving currents when operating in the normal display mode and the partial display mode, so that power consumption of the data driver 500 when operating in the partial display mode may be reduced. For example, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be differently adjusted according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a position of the last horizontal line farthest from the data driver 500 at an active display area (e.g., in or on the active display area) where an image is to be displayed, so that the power consumption of the data driver 500 may be reduced.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 14 is a plan view (e.g., a view viewed from a plane parallel or substantially parallel to a top surface of the display device) illustrating the display device of fig. 13.

The display device and the method of driving the same according to the present exemplary embodiment are the same as or substantially the same as the display device and the method of driving the same of one or more exemplary embodiments described with reference to fig. 1 to 12, except that the foldable display panel of the display device according to the present exemplary embodiment includes three display regions. Accordingly, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or substantially the same (e.g., or similar) components and assemblies as described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments of fig. 1-12, and thus, redundant description thereof may not be repeated.

Referring to fig. 3, 13, and 14, the display device may include a flexible display panel. The display device may be a foldable display device. For example, the display device may be folded along a first fold line FL1 and a second fold line FL 2.

The display device may include a first display region DA1 disposed at a first side (or first region) of the display device (e.g., in or on the first side) relative to the first fold line FL1, a second display region DA2 disposed at a second side (or second region) of the display device (e.g., in or on the second side) relative to the first fold line FL1 and at the first side (or first region) of the display device (e.g., in or on the first side) relative to the second fold line FL2, and a third display region DA3 disposed at the second side (or second region) of the display device (e.g., in or on the second side) relative to the second fold line FL 2.

In some embodiments, when the display device is folded as shown in fig. 13 (e.g., in a folded state), the first display area DA1 may display an image, and neither the second display area DA2 nor the third display area DA3 may display an image. In other embodiments, when the display apparatus is folded (e.g., in a folded state), the third display area DA3 may display an image, and both the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2 may not display an image. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and the display of the image at the first, second, and/or third display areas DA1, DA2, DA3 may be configured (e.g., set) according to (e.g., depending on or based on) user settings.

Fig. 15 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the display panel 100A and the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 13 in the first display mode. Fig. 16 is a circuit diagram illustrating the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 13 in the first display mode. Fig. 17 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 13 in the first display mode.

Referring to fig. 3 and 13 to 17, the display mode of the foldable display panel 100A may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a folding condition (e.g., a folding state) of the foldable display panel 100A. For example, the display mode may include a normal display mode and a partial display mode. In the normal display mode, an image is displayed on the entire display region of the foldable display panel 100A (e.g., on each of the first display region DA1, the second display region DA2, and the third display region DA 3). In the partial display mode, an image is displayed on a partial (or a part) of the display area of the foldable display panel 100A. For example, when the foldable display panel 100A is folded (e.g., in a folded state), the foldable display panel 100A may operate in a partial display mode. For example, when the foldable display panel 100A is unfolded (e.g., in an unfolded state), the foldable display panel 100A may operate in a normal display mode.

The driving current of the data driver 500 may be changed according to (e.g., depending on or based on) the display mode. For example, when the display mode is the normal display mode, the data driver 500 may be driven according to the first driving current. For example, when the display mode is the partial display mode, the data driver 500 may be driven according to the second driving current. The first drive current may be greater than the second drive current.

In fig. 15, the foldable display panel 100A may include a first display area DA1, a second display area DA2, and a third display area DA 3. The first display area DA1 may be closer to the data driver 500 than the second display area DA 2. For example, the first display area DA1 may be disposed between the data driver 500 and the second display area DA2 such that the first display area DA1 is more adjacent to the data driver 500 than the second display area DA 2. The second display area DA2 may be closer to the data driver 500 than the third display area DA 3. For example, the second display area DA2 may be disposed between the first display area DA1 and the third display area DA3 such that the second display area DA2 is more adjacent to the data driver 500 than the third display area DA 3.

In fig. 15, the first display area DA1, the second display area DA2, and the third display area DA3 may all be activated (e.g., may be in an active state). For example, in fig. 15, the foldable display panel 100A may operate in a normal display mode. For example, in fig. 15, the foldable display panel 100A may have an unfolded condition (e.g., may be in an unfolded state). However, the normal display mode may not be limited to the unfolded condition (or unfolded state) of the foldable display panel 100A. In other embodiments, the foldable display panel 100A may operate in the normal display mode while in the folded condition of the foldable display panel 100A (or while in the folded state). For example, the foldable display panel 100A may operate in a normal display mode while in a folded condition (or folded state) of the foldable display panel 100A according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a user setting.

The driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a position of an active line farthest from the data driver 500 at an active display area where an image is to be displayed (e.g., in or on the active display area). In fig. 15, the active display area includes each of the first, second, and third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA 3. In fig. 15, the active line farthest from the data driver 500 at the active display area (e.g., in or on the active display area) may be disposed at the fourth area a4 (e.g., in or on the fourth area a4 or on the fourth area a 4). In fig. 15, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a waveform of the data voltage applied to the last active line at the fourth region a4 (e.g., in the fourth region a4 or on the fourth region a 4). For example, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the data voltage applied to the last active line of the fourth region a4 is sufficiently charged to (e.g., sufficiently charged in) the pixel disposed at the fourth region a4 (e.g., in the fourth region a4 or on the fourth region a 4) and connected to the last active line of the fourth region a 4.

The data driver 500 may include a current mirror circuit. The current mirror circuit of the data driver 500 may include a first current source for providing a first reference current IREF1, a first switch SW1 connected in series to the first current source, a second current source for providing a second reference current IREF2, a second switch SW2 connected in series to the second current source, a third current source for providing a third reference current IREF3, and a third switch SW3 connected in series to the third current source. The first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 may be connected to each other. For example, the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 may be connected in parallel with each other. The first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 may be controlled by a switch control signal CONS determined according to a display mode.

In fig. 15, the first, second, and third display regions DA1, DA2, and DA3 may all be activated (e.g., may be in an active state), and in fig. 16, the first, second, and third switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 may all be turned on. The data driver 500 may be driven according to a first driving current (e.g., IREF1+ IREF2+ IREF3) corresponding to a sum of the first reference current IREF1 applied through the first switch SW1, the second reference current IREF2 applied through the second switch SW2, and the third reference current IREF3 applied through the third switch SW 3.

The waveform of the first data voltage VD1 shown in fig. 17 may correspond to (e.g., may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the first horizontal line corresponding to the first region a1 of fig. 15 transmitted to the first display region DA 1. The waveform of the second data voltage VD2 shown in fig. 17 may correspond to (e.g., may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the last horizontal line corresponding to the second region a2 of fig. 15 transmitted to the first display region DA 1. Due to the propagation delay, the second data voltage VD2 may have a slew rate that is less than a slew rate of the first data voltage VD 1. The waveform of the third data voltage VD3 shown in fig. 17 may correspond to (e.g., may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the last horizontal line corresponding to the third region A3 of fig. 15 transmitted to the second display region DA 2. Due to the propagation delay, the third data voltage VD3 may have a slew rate less than that of the second data voltage VD 2. The waveform of the fourth data voltage VD4 shown in fig. 17 may correspond to (e.g., may be) the waveform of the data voltage of the last horizontal line corresponding to the fourth region a4 of fig. 15 transmitted to the third display region DA 3. Due to the propagation delay, the fourth data voltage VD4 may have a slew rate less than that of the third data voltage VD 3.

In fig. 15, the active display area includes each of the first, second, and third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA 3. In fig. 15, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the fourth data voltage VD4 of the last horizontal line corresponding to the fourth region a4, which is applied to the active display region (e.g., the first display region DA1, the second display region DA2, and the third display region DA3), is sufficiently charged to the pixel of the last horizontal line connected to the fourth region a4 at (e.g., in or on) the fourth region a4 (e.g., the fourth data voltage VD4 is sufficiently charged in the pixel).

Fig. 18 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the display panel 100A and the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 13 in the second display mode. Fig. 19 is a circuit diagram illustrating the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 13 in the second display mode. Fig. 20 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 13 in the second display mode.

Referring to fig. 3 and 13 to 20, in fig. 18, the first and second display areas DA1 and DA2 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state), and the third display area DA3 may be deactivated (e.g., may be in a passive state). For example, in fig. 18, the foldable display panel 100A may be operated in the partial display mode such that an image is displayed at the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2, and no image is displayed at the third display area DA 3.

The driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a position of an active line farthest from the data driver 500 at (e.g., in or on) an active display area (e.g., the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2) where an image is to be displayed. In fig. 18, the active display area includes a first display area DA1 and a second display area DA 2. In fig. 18, the active line farthest from the data driver 500 at the active display area (e.g., in or on the active display area) may be disposed at the third area A3 (e.g., in the third area A3 or on the third area A3). In fig. 18, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) the waveform of the data voltage applied to the last active line at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3). For example, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the data voltage applied to the last active line of the third region A3 is sufficiently charged to (e.g., sufficiently charged in) the pixel disposed at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3) and connected to the last active line of the third region A3.

In fig. 18, both the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state) and the third display area DA3 may be deactivated (e.g., may be in a passive state), and in fig. 19, the first switch SW1 may be turned off and both the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 may be turned on. For example, the data driver 500 shown in fig. 19 may have the same or substantially the same circuit structure as that of the data driver 500 shown in fig. 16. The data driver 500 may be driven according to a second driving current (e.g., IREF2+ IREF3) corresponding to a sum of the second reference current IREF2 applied through the second switch SW2 and the third reference current IREF3 applied through the third switch SW 3.

The first drive current in fig. 15 (e.g., IREF ═ IREF1+ IREF2+ IREF3) may be greater than the second drive current in fig. 18 (e.g., IREF ═ IREF2+ IREF 3). In the partial display mode of fig. 18, the data driver 500 may be driven according to a second driving current (e.g., IREF ═ IREF2+ IREF3) smaller than the first driving current (e.g., IREF ═ IREF1+ IREF2+ IREF3) of the normal display mode of fig. 15.

In fig. 18, the active display area includes each of the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA 2. In fig. 18, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the third data voltage VD3 of the last horizontal line corresponding to the third region A3 applied to the active display region (e.g., the first display region DA1 and the second display region DA2) is sufficiently charged to the pixel connected to the last horizontal line of the third region A3 (e.g., the third data voltage VD3 is sufficiently charged in the pixel).

When the first display region DA1, the second display region DA2, and the third display region DA3 are all activated (e.g., in an active state) as shown in fig. 15, a data voltage (e.g., the fourth data voltage VD4 shown in fig. 17) of the last active line transmitted to the third display region DA3 has a first slew rate. When both the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2 are activated (e.g., in an active state) and the third display area DA3 is deactivated (e.g., in a passive state) as shown in fig. 18, the data voltage (e.g., the third data voltage VD3 shown in fig. 20) transmitted to the last active line of the second display area DA2 has a second slew rate. The first slew rate of the data voltage (e.g., the fourth data voltage VD4 shown in fig. 17) may be the same as or substantially the same as the second slew rate of the data voltage (e.g., the third data voltage VD3 shown in fig. 20). The waveform of the third data voltage VD3 shown in fig. 20 may be the same as or substantially the same as the waveform of the fourth data voltage VD4 shown in fig. 17.

The fourth data voltage VD4 shown in fig. 20 may not be sufficiently charged to the pixel at the third region A3 (e.g., in the third region A3 or on the third region A3) (e.g., the fourth data voltage VD4 may not be sufficiently charged in the pixel). However, as shown in fig. 18, the third display region DA3 is an inactive region (e.g., a region for displaying a black image), so that even if the fourth data voltage VD4 shown in fig. 20 is not sufficiently charged to a pixel (e.g., the fourth data voltage VD4 is not sufficiently charged in the pixel) at the fourth region a4 (e.g., in the fourth region a4 or on the fourth region a 4), the display quality does not deteriorate.

Fig. 21 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the display panel 100A and the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 13 in the third display mode. Fig. 22 is a circuit diagram illustrating the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 13 in the third display mode. Fig. 23 is a waveform diagram illustrating data voltages output to the data driver 500 of the display device of fig. 13 in the third display mode.

Referring to fig. 3 and 13 to 23, in fig. 21, the first display area DA1 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state), and both the second display area DA2 and the third display area DA3 may be deactivated (e.g., may be in a passive state). For example, in fig. 21, the foldable display panel 100A may operate in a partial display mode.

The driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a position of an active line farthest from the data driver 500 at (e.g., in or on) an active display area (e.g., the first display area DA1) where an image is to be displayed. In fig. 21, the active display area includes a first display area DA 1. In fig. 21, the active line farthest from the data driver 500 at the active display area (e.g., in or on the active display area) may be disposed at the second area a2 (e.g., in or on the second area a2 or on the second area a 2). In fig. 21, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a waveform of the data voltage applied to the last active line at the second region a2 (e.g., in the second region a2 or on the second region a 2). For example, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the data voltage applied to the last active line of the second region a2 is sufficiently charged to (e.g., sufficiently charged into) the pixel disposed at (e.g., in or on) the second region a2 and connected to the last active line of the second region a 2.

In fig. 21, the first display region DA1 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state), and both the second display region DA2 and the third display region DA3 may be deactivated (e.g., may be in a passive state), and in fig. 22, both the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 may be turned off, and the third switch SW2 may be turned on. For example, the data driver 500 shown in fig. 22 may have the same or substantially the same circuit structure as that of the data driver 500 shown in fig. 16. The data driver 500 may be driven according to a third driving current (e.g., IREF — IREF3) corresponding to the third reference current IREF3 applied through the third switch SW 3.

The second drive current in fig. 18 (e.g., IREF ═ IREF2+ IREF3) may be greater than the third drive current in fig. 21 (e.g., IREF ═ IREF 3). In the partial display mode of fig. 21, the data driver 500 may be driven according to a third driving current (e.g., IREF — IREF3) that is smaller than the second driving current (e.g., IREF2+ IREF3) of the partial display mode of fig. 18.

In fig. 21, the active display area includes a first display area DA 1. In fig. 21, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be determined such that the second data voltage VD2 of the last horizontal line corresponding to the second region a2, which is applied to the active display region (e.g., the first display region DA1), is sufficiently charged to the pixel (e.g., the second data voltage VD2 is sufficiently charged in the pixel) disposed at the second region a2 (e.g., in the second region a2 or on the second region a2) and connected to the last horizontal line of the second region a 2.

When the first display region DA1, the second display region DA2, and the third display region DA3 are all activated (e.g., in an active state) as shown in fig. 15, a data voltage (e.g., the fourth data voltage VD4 shown in fig. 17) of the last active line transmitted to the third display region DA3 has a first slew rate. When the first display region DA1 is activated (e.g., in an active state) and both the second display region DA2 and the third display region DA3 are deactivated (e.g., in a passive state) as shown in fig. 21, the data voltage (e.g., the second data voltage VD2 shown in fig. 23) transmitted to the last active line of the first display region DA1 has a third slew rate. The first slew rate of the data voltage (e.g., the fourth data voltage VD4 shown in fig. 17) may be the same as or substantially the same as the third slew rate of the data voltage (e.g., the second data voltage VD2 shown in fig. 23). The waveform of the second data voltage VD2 shown in fig. 23 may be the same as or substantially the same as the waveform of the fourth data voltage VD4 shown in fig. 17.

The third and fourth data voltages VD3 and VD4 shown in fig. 23 may not be sufficiently charged to the pixels at the third and fourth regions A3 and a4 (e.g., in the third and fourth regions A3 and a4 or on the third and fourth regions A3 and a 4). However, as shown in fig. 21, the second display region DA2 and the third display region DA3 are inactive regions (e.g., regions displaying a black image), so that even if the third data voltage VD3 and the fourth data voltage VD4 shown in fig. 23 are not sufficiently charged to the pixels at the third region A3 and the fourth region a4 (e.g., in the third region A3 and the fourth region a4 or on the third region A3 and the fourth region a 4), the display quality is not deteriorated.

Although not shown in the figures, in various embodiments, when operating in the partial display mode, only the second display area DA2 of the first, second, and third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA3 from the foldable display panel 100A of fig. 13 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state), only the third display area DA3 of the first, second, and third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA3 from the foldable display panel 100A of fig. 13 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state), only the second and third display areas DA2 and DA3 of the first, second, and third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA3 from the foldable display panel 100A of fig. 13 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state), and/or the first display area DA1 of the foldable display panel 100A of fig. 13, Only the first and third display areas DA1 and DA3 of the second and third display areas DA2 and DA3 may be activated (e.g., may be in an active state). In these cases, various aspects and features of the inventive concept may be applied thereto. For example, in these cases, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be variously changed to an appropriate or corresponding data voltage applied to the last horizontal line of the active display area, so that the appropriate or corresponding data voltage is sufficiently charged in the pixels connected to the last horizontal line of the active display area.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept, the data driver 500 is driven using different driving currents when operating in the normal display mode and the partial display mode, so that power consumption of the data driver 500 when operating in the partial display mode may be reduced. For example, the driving current of the data driver 500 may be variously adjusted according to (e.g., depending on or based on) a position of the last horizontal line farthest from the data driver 500 at (e.g., middle or upper) an active display area where an image is to be displayed, so that the power consumption of the data driver 500 may be reduced.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 25 is a plan view showing the display panel of fig. 24. Fig. 26 is a circuit diagram showing a data driver of the display device of fig. 24.

The display apparatus and the method of driving the display apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment are substantially the same as the display apparatus and the method of driving the display apparatus of the foregoing exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 1 to 12, except that the display apparatus is a rollable display apparatus. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or similar components as those described in the foregoing exemplary embodiment of fig. 1 to 12, and any repetitive explanation concerning the above elements will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 3 and 24 to 26, the display device includes a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400, a data driver 500, and an emission driver 600.

The display device may comprise a flexible display panel. The display device may be a rollable display device. When the display panel 100 is wound around a shaft, the size of the active display area ON may be reduced and the size of the passive display area OFF may be increased. In contrast, when the display panel 100 is unwound from the shaft, the size of the active display area ON may increase, and the size of the passive display area OFF may decrease.

The slew rate of the driving current of the data driver 500 may be varied (or changed, or adjusted) according to the size (or display mode) of the active display area ON. For example, when the size of the active display area ON increases, the slew rate of the driving current may increase. Slew rate refers to the rate at which the output signal changes in response to changes in the input signal. When the slew rate is relatively high, the drive current can be applied relatively quickly. When the slew rate is relatively low, the drive current may be applied relatively slowly.

The data driver 500 may include a plurality of output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN for outputting data voltages to the respective data lines DL of the rollable display panel 100. The data driver 500 may further include a digital-to-analog converter DAC for supplying the data voltage to the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN. The data driver 500 may further include a current mirror circuit connected to (e.g., commonly connected to) the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN to supply a driving current to the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the slew rate of the driving current of the data driver 500 may be controlled by the variable resistor VR of the current mirror circuit. For example, as the variable resistance VR increases, the slew rate of the drive current may decrease.

The current mirror circuit may include a current source for providing a reference current IREF and a variable resistor VR connected (e.g., serially connected) to the current source.

The current mirror circuit may further include a first transistor TR1 connected to the variable resistor VR and a second transistor TR2 connected to the first transistor TR 1.

The first power supply voltage AVDD may be applied to the power supply, and the second power supply voltage AVSS may be applied to the first transistor TR1 and the second transistor TR 2.

In fig. 25, when the active display area ON increases, the variable resistance VR may be adjusted to be low, so that the slew rate of the driving current IREF may increase. In contrast, when the active display area ON decreases, the variable resistance VR may be adjusted to be high, so that the slew rate of the driving current IREF may decrease.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the data driver 500 is driven using different slew rates of the driving current according to the size of the active display area ON of the rollable display device, so that the power consumption of the data driver 500 can be reduced when the size of the active display area ON is reduced.

Fig. 27 is a plan view illustrating a display panel of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 28 is a circuit diagram showing a data driver of the display device of fig. 27.

The display apparatus and the method of driving the display apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment are substantially the same as the display apparatus and the method of driving the display apparatus of the foregoing exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 24 to 26, except for the structure of the data driver. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or similar components as those described in the foregoing exemplary embodiment of fig. 24 to 26, and any repetitive explanation concerning the above elements will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 3, 24, 27, and 28, the display device includes a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400, a data driver 500, and an emission driver 600.

The driving current of the data driver 500 may be varied (or changed, or adjusted) according to the size (or display mode) of the active display area ON. For example, when the size of the active display area ON increases, the driving current may increase.

As shown in fig. 27, the display panel 100 may be divided into a plurality of display regions (e.g., DA1 through DA 5). Although the display panel 100 is divided into five display areas DA1 to DA5 in the present exemplary embodiment, the inventive concept may not be limited to this number of display areas.

The driving current of the data driver 500 may be varied (or changed, or adjusted) according to the size of the active display area ON. For example, when the size of the active display area ON increases, the driving current may increase. For example, when the size of the active display area ON is reduced, the driving current may be reduced.

The current mirror circuit may include a plurality of current sources IREF1 through IREF5, a plurality of switches SW1 through SW5 connected in series to the current sources IREF1 through IREF5, respectively. As the size of the active display area ON increases, the number of turned-ON switches of all the switches SW1 through SW5 may increase.

The current mirror circuit of the data driver 500 may include a first current source providing a first reference current IREF1, a first switch SW1 connected in series to the first current source, a second current source providing a second reference current IREF2, a second switch SW2 connected in series to the second current source, a third current source providing a third reference current IREF3, a third switch SW3 connected in series to the third current source, a fourth current source providing a fourth reference current IREF4, a fourth switch SW4 connected in series to the fourth current source, a fifth current source providing a fifth reference current IREF5, and a fifth switch SW5 connected in series to the fifth current source. The first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, and the fifth switch SW5 may be connected in parallel. The first to fifth switches SW1 to SW5 may be controlled by a switch control signal CONS determined according to the size of the active display area ON.

In fig. 27, when the first to fifth display regions DA1 to DA5 are all activated, the first to fifth switches SW1 to SW5 in fig. 28 may all be turned on. The data driver 500 may be driven according to a driving current corresponding to a sum of the first reference current IREF1 applied through the first switch SW1, the second reference current IREF2 applied through the second switch SW2, the third reference current IREF3 applied through the third switch SW3, the fourth reference current IREF4 applied through the fourth switch SW4, and the fifth reference current IREF5 applied through the fifth switch SW5 (e.g., IREF1+ IREF2+ IREF3+ IREF4+ IREF 5).

In fig. 27, when some of the first to fifth display regions DA1 to DA5 are activated, some of the first to fifth switches SW1 to SW5 in fig. 28 may be turned on.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the data driver 500 is driven using different driving currents according to the size of the active display area ON of the rollable display device, so that the power consumption of the data driver 500 can be reduced when the size of the active display area ON is reduced.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig. 30 is a plan view showing the display panel of fig. 29. Fig. 31 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a data driver of the display device of fig. 29.

The display apparatus and the method of driving the display apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment are substantially the same as the display apparatus and the method of driving the display apparatus of the foregoing exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 1 to 12, except that the display apparatus is a sliding display apparatus. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or similar components as those described in the foregoing exemplary embodiment of fig. 1 to 12, and any repetitive explanation concerning the above elements will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 3 and 29 to 31, the display apparatus includes a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400, a data driver 500, and an emission driver 600.

The display device may comprise a flexible display panel. The display device may be a sliding display device. When the display panel 100 is pulled in the sliding direction SD, the size of the active display area ON may increase and the size of the passive display area OFF may decrease. In contrast, when the display panel 100 is pushed in a direction opposite to the sliding direction SD, the size of the active display area ON may be decreased, and the size of the passive display area OFF may be increased.

The data driver 500 may include a plurality of output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN for outputting data voltages to the respective data lines DL of the sliding display panel 100. The data driver 500 may further include a digital-to-analog converter DAC for supplying the data voltage to the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN. The data driver 500 may further include a current mirror circuit connected to (e.g., commonly connected to) the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN to supply a driving current to the output buffers B1, B2, …, BN-1, and BN.

In fig. 30, when the active display area ON increases, the variable resistance VR may be adjusted to be low, so that the slew rate of the driving current IREF may increase. In contrast, when the active display area ON decreases, the variable resistance VR may be adjusted to be high, so that the slew rate of the driving current IREF may decrease.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the data driver 500 is driven using different slew rates of the driving current according to the size of the active display area ON of the sliding display device, so that the power consumption of the data driver 500 can be reduced when the size of the active display area ON is reduced.

The display apparatus and the method of driving the display apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment are substantially the same as the display apparatus and the method of driving the display apparatus of the foregoing exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 29 to 31, except for the structure of the data driver. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or similar components as those described in the foregoing exemplary embodiment of fig. 29 to 31, and any repetitive explanation concerning the above elements will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 3, 27, 29, and 32, the display device includes a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400, a data driver 500, and an emission driver 600.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the data driver 500 is driven using different driving currents according to the size of the active display area ON of the sliding display device, so that when the size of the active display area ON is reduced, the power consumption of the data driver 500 may be reduced.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts as described above, power consumption of a foldable display device, a rollable display device, and a sliding display device may be reduced.

However, the foregoing is illustrative of exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and is not to be construed as being limited to the aspects and features described herein. Thus, while certain exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept.

In the present disclosure, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present inventive concept and is not to be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein, such that various modifications to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, as well as other exemplary embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the present inventive concept as defined in the present disclosure and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A display device, wherein the display device comprises:

a collapsible display panel, configured to display an image;

a gate driver configured to output gate signals to the foldable display panel; and

A data driver configured to output a data voltage to the foldable display panel according to a driving current that changes according to a display mode corresponding to a folded state of the foldable display panel.

2. The display device of claim 1, wherein:

The display mode includes a normal display mode and a partial display mode;

the drive current includes a first drive current and a second drive current;

the data driver is configured to be driven by the first drive current in the normal display mode to display an image on the entire display area of the foldable display panel when operating in the normal display mode;

The data driver is configured to be driven by the second drive current in the partial display mode to display on a portion of the display area of the foldable display panel when operating in the partial display mode images; and

The first driving current is greater than the second driving current.

3. The display device of claim 2, wherein the data driver comprises a plurality of output buffers configured to output the data voltages to a plurality of data lines of the foldable display panel, and

Wherein, the driving current of the data driver corresponds to the driving current of the output buffer.

4. The display device of claim 3, wherein the data driver comprises a current mirror circuit connected to each of the output buffers, the current mirror circuit comprising:

a first current source;

a first switch connected in series to the first current source;

a second current source; and

a second switch, connected in series to the second current source,

wherein, in the normal display mode, both the first switch and the second switch are configured to be turned on, and

Wherein, in the partial display mode, the first switch is configured to be off, and the second switch is configured to be on.

5 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the driving current of the data driver is based on a driving current farthest from the data driver at an active display area of the foldable display panel where the image is to be displayed. 6 . Active line to be identified.

6. The display device of claim 5, wherein:

the foldable display panel includes a first display area and a second display area;

the first display area is closer to the data driver than the second display area;

the drive current includes a first drive current and a second drive current;

When both the first display area and the second display area are in an active state, the data driver is configured to be driven by the first driving current;

The data driver is configured to be driven by the second drive current when the first display area is in an active state and the second display area is in a passive state; and

The first driving current is greater than the second driving current.

7. The display device of claim 6, wherein the data driver comprises a current mirror circuit connected to each of the plurality of output buffers, the current mirror circuit comprising:

a first current source;

a first switch connected in series to the first current source;

a second current source; and

a second switch, connected in series to the second current source,

wherein, when both the first display area and the second display area are in an active state, both the first switch and the second switch are configured to be turned on, and

Wherein, when the first display area is in an active state and the second display area is in a passive state, the first switch is configured to be turned off, and the second switch is configured to be turned on.

8. The display device of claim 6, wherein when both the first display area and the second display area are in an active state, the last active line transmitted to the second display area The data voltage has a first slew rate,

Wherein, when the first display area is in an active state and the second display area is in a passive state, the data voltage transmitted to the last active line of the first display area has a second slew rate, and

Wherein, the first slew rate is the same as the second slew rate.

9. The display device of claim 5, wherein:

the drive current includes a first drive current and a third drive current;

When both the first display area and the second display area are in an active state, the data driver is configured to be driven by the first drive current;

The data driver is configured to be driven by the third drive current when the first display area is in a passive state and the second display area is in an active state; and

The first driving current is equal to the third driving current.

10. The display device of claim 5, wherein:

the foldable display panel includes a first display area, a second display area and a third display area;

the second display area is closer to the data driver than the third display area;

the drive current includes a first drive current and a second drive current;

When the first display area, the second display area and the third display area are all in an active state, the data driver is configured to be driven by the first driving current;

The data driver is configured to be driven by the second drive current when both the first display area and the second display area are in an active state and the third display area is in a passive state; and

The first driving current is greater than the second driving current.

11. The display device of claim 10, wherein the data driver comprises a current mirror circuit connected to each of the plurality of output buffers, the current mirror circuit comprising:

a first current source;

a first switch connected in series to the first current source;

a second current source;

a second switch connected in series to the second current source;

a third current source; and

a third switch, connected in series to the third current source,

Wherein, when the first display area, the second display area and the third display area are all in an active state, the first switch, the second switch and the third switch are all configured to turn on, and

Wherein, when both the first display area and the second display area are in an active state and the third display area is in a passive state, the first switch is configured to be turned off, and the second Both the switch and the third switch are configured to be turned on.

12. The display device of claim 10, wherein:

When the first display area, the second display area and the third display area are all in the active state, the data voltage transmitted to the last active line of the third display area has a first transition rate;

When both the first display area and the second display area are in an active state and the third display area is in a passive state, the data voltage transmitted to the last active line of the second display area having a second slew rate; and

The first slew rate is the same as the second slew rate.

13. The display device of claim 10, wherein:

the drive current further includes a third drive current;

The data driver is configured to be driven by the third drive current when the first display area is in an active state and both the second display area and the third display area are in a passive state; and

The second driving current is greater than the third driving current.

14. The display device of claim 13, wherein the data driver comprises a current mirror circuit connected to each of the plurality of output buffers, the current mirror circuit comprising:

a first current source;

a first switch connected in parallel to the first current source;

a second current source;

a second switch connected in series to the second current source;

a third current source; and

a third switch, connected in series to the third current source, and

Wherein, when the first display area is in an active state and both the second display area and the third display area are in a passive state, both the first switch and the second switch are configured to be off on, and the third switch is configured to be on.

15. The display device of claim 13, wherein:

When the first display area is in an active state and both the second display area and the third display area are in a passive state, the data voltage transmitted to the last active line of the first display area has a third slew rate; and

The first slew rate is the same as the third slew rate.

16. A method of driving a display device, wherein the method comprises:

output the gate signal to the foldable display panel;

adjusting the driving current of the data driver according to a display mode corresponding to a folded state of the foldable display panel; and

A data voltage is output to the foldable display panel according to the driving current of the data driver.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:

The display mode includes a normal display mode and a partial display mode;

the drive current includes a first drive current and a second drive current;

The first driving current is greater than the second driving current.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the data driver comprises a plurality of output buffers configured to output the data voltages to a plurality of strips of the foldable display panel data line, and

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the data driver comprises a current mirror circuit connected to each of the output buffers, the current mirror circuit comprising:

a first current source;

a first switch connected in series to the first current source;

a second current source; and

a second switch, connected in series to the second current source,

wherein, when in the normal display mode, both the first switch and the second switch are configured to be turned on, and

Wherein, when in the partial display mode, the first switch is configured to be off, and the second switch is configured to be on.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the driving current of the data driver is based on an active line farthest from the data driver at an active display area of the foldable display panel where an image is to be displayed to be determined.

21. A display device, wherein the display device comprises:

a display panel, configured to display an image;

a gate driver configured to output gate signals to the display panel; and

A data driver configured to output data voltages to the display panel according to a driving current that varies according to a size of an active display area of the display panel.

22. The display device of claim 21, wherein the display panel is a foldable display panel,

wherein the size of the active display area is reduced when the display panel is folded along a fold line, and

Wherein, when the display panel is unfolded, the size of the active display area increases.

23. The display device of claim 21, wherein the display panel is a rollable display panel,

wherein the size of the active display area is reduced when the display panel is wound around an axis, and

Wherein, when the display panel is unrolled from the shaft, the size of the active display area increases.

24. The display device of claim 21, wherein the display panel is a sliding display panel,

wherein the size of the active display area increases when the display panel is pulled in a sliding direction, and

Wherein, when the display panel is pushed in a direction opposite to the sliding direction, the size of the active display area is reduced.

25. The display device of claim 21, wherein as the size of the active display area increases, a slew rate of the driving current increases.

26. The display device of claim 25, wherein the data driver comprises a plurality of output buffers configured to output data voltages to corresponding data lines of the display panel,

Wherein, the driving current of the data driver corresponds to the driving current of the output buffer,

wherein the data driver includes a current mirror circuit commonly connected to the output buffer,

wherein the current mirror circuit includes a current source and a variable resistor connected in series to the current mirror circuit, and

Wherein, when the size of the active display area increases, the variable resistance decreases.

27. The display device of claim 21, wherein the drive current increases as the size of the active display area increases.

28. The display device of claim 27, wherein the data driver comprises a plurality of output buffers configured to output data voltages to corresponding data lines of the display panel,

Wherein, the drive current of the data driver corresponds to the drive current of the output buffer,

wherein the current mirror circuit includes a plurality of current sources and a plurality of switches respectively connected in series to the current sources, and

Wherein, when the size of the active display area increases, the number of turned on switches of the plurality of switches increases.