Digital/analog converter, display device using the same, and display panel and driving method thereof

A display panel comprising:

• a display unit comprising a plurality of pixels for displaying images according to an applied data current;
• and
• a grayscale current generator for dividing a plurality of grayscale data into at least two grayscale sections, converting at least one of the plurality of grayscale data into the data current, and applying the data current to a data line, the plurality of grayscale data comprising a first data and a second data,
• wherein the grayscale current generator generates a first current corresponding to a first grayscale section of the at least two grayscale sections by using the first data, the first grayscale section being indicated by the at least one of the plurality of grayscale data, and
• generates a second current corresponding to the first grayscale section by using the second data, wherein the grayscale current generator divides the first grayscale section into at least two sub-grayscale sections of the grayscale data by using the second data, and respectively controls current variations for the second current with respect to the at least two sub-grayscale sections of the grayscale data with different references.

A digital/analog converter for converting a plurality of grayscale data into grayscale currents and outputting the grayscale currents, the digital/analog converter dividing the plurality of grayscale data into at least two grayscale sections including a first grayscale section, and converting the plurality of grayscale data into the grayscale currents, the digital/analog converter comprising:

• a first current output unit for outputting a first current corresponding to the first grayscale section by using a first data among the grayscale data;
• a multiplexer for selecting a first reference voltage corresponding to the first grayscale section from a plurality of first voltages respectively corresponding to unit currents of the grayscale sections and outputting the first reference voltage;
• and
• a second current output unit for dividing the first grayscale section into at least two sub-grayscale sections and generating a second current by using a second data among the grayscale data and the first reference voltage output from the multiplexer,
• wherein the second current output unit respectively controls current variations for the second current with respect to the at least two sub-grayscale sections with different references by using the second data.

A digital/analog converter for converting a plurality of grayscale data into grayscale currents and outputting them comprising:

• a reference current output unit for outputting a plurality of reference currents by using a first data among the grayscale data;
• a multiplexer for receiving respective unit currents corresponding to the plurality of reference currents and selectively outputting a corresponding one of the unit currents based on the first data;
• a fine current output unit for outputting a plurality of fine currents based on the corresponding one of the unit currents output by the multiplexer and a second data other than the first data among the grayscale data;
• and
• a switch for being turned on based on the second data and selectively transmitting the plurality of fine currents output by the fine current output unit to an output terminal,
• wherein a respective one of the grayscale currents belongs to one of a plurality of grayscale current sections divided with reference to the plurality of reference currents, wherein a first grayscale current section among the plurality of grayscale current sections is divided into at least two sub-grayscale sections of the grayscale data by using the second data, and wherein the switch divides the grayscale data into the at least two sub-grayscale sections of the grayscale data by using the second data, and controls current variations for the fine currents with respect to the at least two sub-grayscale sections of the grayscale data with different references.

A driving method of a display panel in which a plurality of pixel circuits for displaying images in response to an input data current are formed, wherein a plurality of grayscale data are divided into at least two grayscale sections comprising a first grayscale section, and the first grayscale section comprises two sub-grayscale sections, the method comprising:

• generating a first current corresponding to the first grayscale section to which at least one of the plurality of grayscale data belongs by using a first data of the grayscale data;
• selectively outputting a first reference signal of the first grayscale section among first signals respectively corresponding to the at least two grayscale sections;
• generating a third current corresponding to the first reference signal and generating a second current by using the third current and a second data of the grayscale data;
• and
• combining the first current and the second current and outputting them as the data current, wherein variations for the second current are respectively controlled with respect to the at least two sub-grayscale sections of the grayscale data with different references by using the second data.