Display device and method of driving the same

1. A display device comprising:

a display panel which includes first and second display areas adjacent to each other;

a processor which generates first image data corresponding to the first and second display areas if a display mode is a first mode, and generates second image data corresponding to the first display area if the display mode is a second mode; and

a display driver which generates a first data signal corresponding to the first image data in the first mode, and converts the second image data and generates a second data signal corresponding to the converted second image data in the second mode,

wherein the display driver generates the second data signal corresponding to a gradation area of the second display area based on a first gradation value of the second image data corresponding to at least one pixel line, adjacent to the second display area, among pixel lines provided in the first display area, and generates the second data signal corresponding to a remaining area of the second display area by maintaining a second gradation value of the second image data corresponding to the remaining area, and

wherein, only when the display device is driven in the second mode, a gradation image is displayed on the gradation area based on the second data signal.

2. The display device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the gradation region is adjacent to the first display area, and

wherein a luminance of the gradation image is gradually reduced in a direction away from the first display area.

3. The display device according to claim 2 , wherein the gradation image is an image formed by gradually changing a luminance of the at least one pixel line, adjacent to the second display area, among pixel lines provided in the first display area.

4. The display device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the display driver comprises an image converter which receives the second image data from the processor in the second mode, and

wherein the image converter converts the second image data such that the gradation image is displayed in the second mode.

5. The display device according to claim 4 , wherein the image converter generates, in the second mode, gradation data corresponding to the gradation area of the second display area using the first gradation value of the at least one pixel line, adjacent to the second display area, among the pixel lines in the first display area.

6. The display device according to claim 5 , wherein the image converter generates the gradation data by subtracting values that increases successively in a direction away from the first display area from the first gradation value of the at least one pixel line of the first display area.

7. The display device according to claim 5 , wherein the image converter generates the gradation data by applying rate values that are successively reduced in a direction away from the first display area to the first gradation value of the last pixel line of the first display area.

8. The display device according to claim 5 , wherein the image converter generates the gradation data until the gradation data has a gradation value of a predetermined minimum gradation or less.

9. The display device according to claim 4 , wherein the display driver comprises:

a timing controller which comprises the image converter and generates a data control signal and a scan control signal in response to a control signal provided from the processor;

a data driver which generates the first or second data signal in response to the first image data or the converted second image data and the data control signal; and

a scan driver which generates a scan signal in response to the scan control signal.

10. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second display areas are successively disposed.

11. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the display panel is a foldable display panel foldable on a predetermined folding axis.

12. The display device according to claim 11 , wherein the display panel is folded outward on the folding axis.

13. The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a sensor which senses deformation of the display panel and outputs a sensing signal.

14. The display device according to claim 13 , wherein the processor is driven in the first or second mode in response to the sensing signal and outputs a selection signal corresponding to the first or second mode.

15. The display device according to claim 14 , wherein the display driver operates in the first or second mode in response to the selection signal.

16. A method of driving a display device, comprising:

selecting one of first and second modes;

generating first image data in the first mode and second image data in the second mode;

generating a first data signal corresponding to the first image data in the first mode;

converting the second image data in the second mode;

generating a second data signal corresponding to the converted second image data in the second mode; and

displaying a valid image on first and second display areas in response to the first data signal, or displaying the valid image only on the first display area in response to the second data signal,

wherein generating the second data signal comprises:

generating the second data signal corresponding to a gradation area of the second display area based on a first gradation value of the second image data corresponding to at least one pixel line, adjacent to the second display area, among pixel lines provided in the first display area; and

generating the second data signal corresponding to a remaining area of the second display area by maintaining a second gradation value of the second image data corresponding to the remaining area, and

wherein, based on the second data signal, a gradation image is displayed on the gradation area only when the display device is driven in the second mode.

17. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising:

sensing deformation of a display panel including the first and second display areas, and

outputting a sensing signal,

wherein one of the first and second modes is selected in response to the sensing signal.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the second mode is selected when the deformation of the display panel is sensed.

19. The method according to claim 16 , wherein, when the display device is driven in the second mode, the valid image is displayed on the first display area, the gradation image is displayed on the gradation area of the second display area, and pixels of the remaining area of the second display area are turned off.