Method of driving light sources, device for driving light sources, and display device having the same

A device for driving a plurality of differently positioned light sources of a backlighting system of a display unit where, as positionally sensed at a front side of the display unit, spatial distribution of luminance provided by the backlighting system versus power input for two or more of the light sources can vary, the device comprising:

• a first memory having position and power indicating information stored therein for indicating levels of respective driving powers to be applied to the light sources based on positions of the light sources within the backlighting system;
• a controlling part configured for reading the position and power indicating information from the first memory and for outputting a light source control signal transmitting the position and power indicating information;
• and
• a power dividing part coupled to the controlling part and configured for subdividing an externally provided input power into respective driving powers having respective levels based on the position and power indicating information transmitted to the power dividing part by the light source control signal,
• wherein the light sources are extended in a first direction of a rear surface of the display panel and aligned in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and an amount of the driving power applied to the light source is increased as a distance from a center of the rear surface of the display panel is increased in the second direction.

A display device comprising:

• a display panel;
• backlighting unit having a plurality of light sources positioned therein, the backlighting unit being configured for providing the display panel with light;
• a driving circuit part including:
• a first memory having driving information stored therein for driving the display panel and position and power indicating information stored therein for determining levels of driving powers to be applied to the light sources based on the positions of the light sources;
• and
• a timing controlling part configured for outputting to the display panel, a panel driving signal for driving the display panel based on the panel driving information, and configured for reading from the first memory, the position and power indicating information and configured for outputting a corresponding light source control signal;
• and
• a power dividing part, coupled to receive the light source control signal and configured to respectively supply different driving powers to the respectively positioned light sources, the driving powers having adjusted levels based on an externally provided input power and based on the positions of the respectively positioned light sources as such correspond to the position and power information indicated by the received light source control signal,
• wherein the light sources are extended in a first direction of a rear surface of the display panel and aligned in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and an amount of the driving power applied to the light source is increased as a distance from a center of the rear surface of the display panel is increased in the second direction.