Active matrix type display apparatus, method for driving the same, and display element
An active matrix type display apparatus is provided that is inexpensive, has less crosstalk, has no flickering and a brightness gradient, and is suitable for a large screen size. The display apparatus includes a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix, switching elements (TFTs) connected thereto, scanning electrodes, video signal electrodes, common electrodes, and a counter electrode, wherein liquid crystal, for example, is interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode. Assuming that a gate-drain capacitance is Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance is Cst, and the total capacitance connected to the pixel electrodes is Ctot in this configuration, αgd and αst represented by αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom.
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The present invention relates to an active matrix type display apparatus using a switching element such as a thin film transistor, a method for driving the same, and a display element.
BACKGROUND ARTA display apparatus, for example, a liquid crystal display apparatus widely is used for various kinds of electronic equipment as a thin and light-weight flat display. In particular, an active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus using a switching element such as a thin film transistor (TFT) actively is being applied to a monitor display for a personal computer, a liquid crystal TV, and the like due to its excellent image characteristics.
First, the basic configuration of an active matrix type display apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The display apparatus roughly is composed of a scanning signal driving circuit 21, a video signal driving circuit 22, and a display element 23. The display element includes, as its main components, a plurality of pixel electrodes 5 disposed in a matrix, a plurality of switching elements 3 (generally, a thin film transistor (TFT) or the like is used) arranged corresponding to the pixel electrodes 5, and a plurality of scanning electrodes 1 disposed in a line direction (horizontal direction) and a plurality of video signal electrodes 2 arranged in a column direction (vertical direction) corresponding to the matrix arrangement of the pixel electrodes. The video signal electrodes 2 are connected electrically to the pixel electrodes 5 via the switching elements 3. Furthermore, a counter electrode 20 is provided so as to oppose the pixel electrodes 5, and a display medium such as liquid crystal is inserted between the pixel electrodes 5 and the counter electrodes 20. Furthermore, electrodes called common electrodes 4 are provided in parallel with the scanning electrodes 1, and storage capacitors 7 are provided between the common electrodes 4 and the pixel electrodes 5. The video signal driving circuit 22 supplies a video signal to a plurality of video signal electrodes 2 of the display element 23. Furthermore, the scanning signal driving circuit 21 supplies a scanning signal for controlling conduction of the switching elements 3 to a plurality of scanning electrodes 1 of the display element 23.
JP 5(1993)-143021 discloses a method for driving an active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus. According to this method, wiring called common electrodes is provided in parallel with scanning electrodes (gate electrodes or gate lines), storage capacitors are formed between the common electrodes and the pixel electrodes, the potential of the common electrodes is varied in synchronization with that of the scanning electrodes, and a superimposed voltage is applied to the potential of the pixel electrodes by capacitive coupling through the storage capacitors. Because of the effect of the superimposition of a voltage, a decrease in a video signal voltage (source voltage), a reduction in driving power, enhancement of response speed and driving reliability, and the like are achieved.
A plurality of scanning electrodes, and the like are arranged in a matrix. For a strict definition, based on a scanning electrode, a pixel (generally, there are a plurality of such pixels) whose ON/OFF (of a TFT) is controlled by the scanning electrode may be referred to as “a pixel belonging to the scanning electrode”. In contrast, based on a pixel (or a pixel electrode), a scanning electrode that controls ON/OFF of a TFT of the pixel may be referred to as “a scanning electrode of the stage concerned”. The pixel electrode (Vd) in
There also are a plurality of common electrodes. Therefore, in the case of strictly specifying a common electrode, the expression “common electrode that is the other connection destination of storage capacitance connected to a pixel electrode” or the like will be used. The common electrode (Vc(n)) in
As shown in
In an even-numbered frame, a video signal voltage takes a positive value based on Vd (i.e., Vsig(+)). When a pixel is charged to Vsig(+), the potential of the common electrode is set at Vc(+) (first potential level of the common electrode). After discharging is completed and the potential of the scanning electrode falls, the potential of the common electrode is changed from Vc(+) to Vcoff in an upward direction. The pixel potential Vd is superimposed with a coupling voltage proportional to the voltage difference in an upward direction.
Consequently, while a voltage with a small amplitude (Vsig(+) and Vsig(−) is applied to a video signal electrode, a pixel electrode can be supplied with a voltage with a larger amplitude (Vdo(+) and Vdo(−)). For example, by using an IC for a video signal of an output voltage range of 5 V, a voltage range applied to liquid crystal can be increased to 10 V or 15 V. Thus, while using an IC with a low withstand voltage, the liquid crystal can be driven with a voltage equal to or higher than the withstand voltage.
A period during which the potential of the common electrode becomes Vc(+) or Vc(−) will be referred to as a common electrode compensating period, and the voltage Vc(±) will be referred to as a common electrode compensating voltage (compensating potential). Although it is desirable that Vc(+) is different from Vc(−), Vcoff may be the same voltage as either Vc(+) or Vc(−). Furthermore, the potential of the common electrode is not always required to be either Vc(+) or Vc(−) while the potential of the scanning electrode is Vgon. The potential of the common electrode should be at this value at least when the scanning electrode falls from Vgon to Vgoff (more specifically, when a TFT is changed from an ON state to an OFF state).
The scanning signal driving circuit has two output levels, and the common electrode potential control circuit has three output levels. More specifically, the scanning signal driving circuit has a first potential level Vgon and a second potential level Vgoff, and the common electrode potential control circuit has a first potential level Vc(+), a second potential level Vc(−), and a third potential level Vcoff. In general, three power sources are required of the common electrode potential driving circuit so as to correspond to the above-mentioned three potential levels. However, if either one of the first potential level Vc(+) or the second potential level Vc(−) is made equal to the third potential level Vcoff, only two power sources are enough. Even in the case where either of the compensating potentials is equal to Vcoff, the potential levels are considered to be different, so that three potential levels are considered to be present.
It is simply that the above-mentioned superimposition of a voltage is conservation of charge on a pixel electrode from a different point of view. More specifically, during a period from a time immediately before charging of a pixel is completed and the potential of a scanning electrode falls (the potential of the scanning electrode is Vgon) to a time when the common electrode compensating period is completed, charge of the pixel electrode is stored. Therefore, in each of the odd-numbered frame and the even-numbered frame, the following (Formula 11) is obtained.
Cgd(Vsig(−)−Vgon)+ (Formula 11)
Cst(Vsig(−)−Vc(−))+Clc(Vsig(−)−Vd)=
Cgd(Vdo(−)−Vgoff)+Cst(Vdo(−)−Vcoff)+
Clc(Vdo(−)−Vd)Cgd(Vsig(+)−Vgon)+
Cst(Vsig(+)−Vc(+))+Clc(Vsig(+)−Vd)=
Cgd(Vdo(+)−Vgoff)+Cst(Vdo(+)−Vcoff)+
Clc(Vdo(+)−Vd)
The following (Formulae 12) are obtained by modifying Formula 11.
Vdo(−)=Vsig(−)−αstΔVc(−)−αgdΔVgon
Vdo(+)=Vsig(+)−αstΔVc(+)−αgdΔVgon (Formula 12)
ΔVgon, ΔVc(+), ΔVc(−), and αgd, αst are represented by the following (Formula 13) and (Formula 14).
ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff
ΔVc(+)=Vc(+)−Vcoff
ΔVc(−)=Vc(−)−Vcoff (Formula 13)
αgd=Cgd/Ctot
αst=Cs/Ctot
Ctot=Cgd+Clc+Cst (Formula 14)
In both (Formulae 12), the second term of the right side corresponds to a superimposed portion by a (capacitive) coupling voltage from the common electrode, and is determined by ΔVc(+) or ΔVc(−). ΔVc(+) or ΔVc(−) is a value of a potential (in this case, Vc(+) or Vc(−)), at a moment when a pixel is charged, of a common electrode to which storage capacitance is connected, based on the potential (in this case, Vcoff) in a retained state. The third term of the right side of (Formulae 12) is a (capacitive) coupling voltage from a scanning electrode, and is called a feedthrough. Ctot in (Formula 14) can be considered as the total capacitance electrically connected to the pixel electrode.
As described with reference to
In the case of the field inversion and the column inversion, the polarity of a video signal applied to a video signal electrode in one frame is constant. However, in the case of the line inversion and the dot inversion, the polarity of a video signal is inverted every time each scanning electrode is selected. Furthermore, in the case of the field inversion and the line inversion, the polarity is the same between the adjacent video signal electrodes. However, in the case of the column inversion and the dot inversion, the polarity becomes opposite between the adjacent video signal electrodes. In the case of the column inversion and the dot inversion, the video signal driving circuit has a function of simultaneously applying two kinds (i.e., positive polarity and negative polarity) of video signals having different polarities to a plurality of video signal electrodes.
Among the respective systems, S. Tomita et al. (Journal of the SID, ½ (1993), pp. 211-218) describe in detail that horizontal crosstalk is likely to occur in the field inversion and the line inversion. Hereinafter, this will be summarized.
In the field inversion and the line inversion, when a scanning electrode is selected to charge pixel electrodes, all the pixel electrodes are charged with the same polarity. More specifically, the potential of pixel electrodes in the corresponding line changes from a negative voltage to a positive voltage in the case of the even-numbered field, and the potential of pixel electrodes in the corresponding line changes from a positive voltage to a negative voltage in the case of the odd-numbered field. Then, the potential of a counter electrode fluctuates via the capacitance (liquid crystal capacitance also is included) between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode (since the counter electrode has a finite sheet resistance, even if the potential is fixed at the end of a screen, the potential slightly fluctuates in the screen), the potential charged to the pixel also fluctuates due to the influence; as a result, crosstalk may occur. This also may be considered to occur since Vd appearing on both sides of (Formula 11) due to the fluctuations in the potential of a common electrode become different values between the left side and the right side, and the retention potential Vdo(±) of the pixel electrode does not become a value represented by (Formula 12).
In contrast, in the case of the column inversion and the dot inversion, when scanning electrodes in a line are selected to charge pixels, the polarity of charging is opposite between adjacent pixels. Therefore, the fluctuations in the potential of the common electrodes via the pixel electrode-common electrode capacitance cancel each other, whereby the above-mentioned crosstalk does not occur.
For the above-mentioned reasons, it is desirable to adopt the column inversion or the dot inversion.
However, in a liquid crystal display apparatus that changes the potential of a common electrode by the driving method as described in
Furthermore, when a screen size increases, the potential of a counter electrode for writing a video signal fluctuates largely, and horizontal crosstalk becomes conspicuous. Therefore, it is required to adopt the column inversion or the dot inversion that is a driving system advantageous to horizontal crosstalk. However, in the case of adopting the driving method of
The present invention has been achieved in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a display apparatus capable of reducing flickering and a brightness gradient, and lowering the voltage of a video signal driving circuit IC and reducing horizontal crosstalk, a method for driving the same, and a display element.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first display apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a counter electrode; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode; and storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes,
wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
αgd and αst represented by
αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot (Formula 1)
are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom.
It is preferable that the first display apparatus includes a video signal driving circuit for applying two kinds of video signals having different polarities to video signal electrodes in accordance with a display period.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the first display apparatus includes a common electrode potential control circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of common electrodes and a scanning signal driving circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of scanning electrodes, the common electrode potential control circuit has output potential levels of at least two values, and the scanning signal driving circuit has output potential levels of at least two values.
It is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
a potential of a common electrode that is a connection destination of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
γ represented by
γ=αstVcp/2 (Formula 2)
(where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 3))
is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In this case, it is preferable that, assuming that a value of γ in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is γ(O), a value of γ in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is γ(E), and a value of γ in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is γ(M), γ(M) is smaller than [γ(O)+γ(E)]/2.
Furthermore, it is preferable that Vcp takes a negative value.
In the first display apparatus, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
a potential of a common electrode that is a connection destination of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
β represented by
β=αgd+αst(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 4)
(where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 5))
is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In this case, it is preferable that, assuming that a value of β in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is β(O), a value of β in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is β(E) and a value of β in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is β(M), β(M) is larger than [β(O)+β(E)]/2.
Furthermore, it is preferable that ΔVcc is negative.
In the first display apparatus, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
a potential of a common electrode that is a connection destination of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
γ represented by
γ=αstVcp/2 (Formula 2)
(where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 3))
is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto, and
β represented by
β=αgd+αst(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 4)
(where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 5))
is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a second display apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a counter electrode; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode; and storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and either of the common electrodes, a plurality of the common electrodes that are connection destinations of the storage capacitance being connected to the pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to one of the scanning electrodes,
wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
αgd and αst represented by
αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot (Formula 1)
are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom.
It is preferable that the second display apparatus includes a video signal driving circuit for simultaneously applying two kinds of video signals having different polarities to a plurality of video signal electrodes, and applying two kinds of video signals having different polarities to each of the video signal electrodes in accordance with a display period.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the second display apparatus includes a first common electrode that is a connection destination of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of pixels belonging to a video signal electrode to which a video signal with a first polarity is applied among a plurality of pixels belonging to one of the scanning electrodes, and a second common electrode that is different from the first common electrode and is a connection destination of the storage capacitance connected to the pixel electrodes of the pixels belonging to the video signal electrode to which the video signal with a second polarity is applied.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the second display apparatus includes a common electrode potential control circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of common electrodes and a scanning signal driving circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of scanning electrodes, the common electrode potential control circuit has output potential levels of at least two values, and the scanning signal driving circuit has output potential levels of at least two values.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
among common electrodes that are connection destinations of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode,
a potential of the first common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal applied to a video signal electrode corresponding to the first common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
a potential of the second common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where the polarity of the video signal applied to the video signal electrode corresponding to the second common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
γ represented by
γ=αstVcp/2 (Formula 2)
(where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 3))
is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In this case, it is preferable that, assuming that a value of γ in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is γ(O), a value of γ in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is γ(E), and a value of γ in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is γ(M), γ(M) is smaller than [γ(O)+γ(E)]/2.
Furthermore, it is preferable that Vcp is negative.
In the second display apparatus, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
among common electrodes that are connection destinations of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrodes,
a potential of the first common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal applied to a video signal electrode corresponding to the first common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
a potential of the second common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where the polarity of the video signal applied to the video signal electrode corresponding to the second common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
β represented by
β=αgd+αst(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 4)
(where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 5))
is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In this case, it is preferable that, assuming that a value of β in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is β(O), a value of β in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is β(E), and a value of β in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is β(M), β(M) is larger than [β(O)+β(E)]/2.
Furthermore, it is preferable that ΔVcc is negative.
In the second display apparatus, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
among common electrodes that are connection destinations of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrodes,
a potential of the first common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal applied to a video signal electrode corresponding to the first common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
a potential of the second common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where the polarity of the video signal applied to the video signal electrode corresponding to the second common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
γ represented by
γ=αstVcp/2 (Formula 2)
(where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 3))
is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto, and
β represented by
β=αgd+αst(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 4)
(where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 5))
is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a third display apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes; and storage capacitance formed between electrodes, other than the common electrodes opposing the pixel electrodes via the display medium and the scanning electrodes of the stage concerned, and the pixel electrodes,
wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Clc, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
αgd and αlc represented by
αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αlc=Clc/Ctot (Formula 6)
are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom.
It is preferable that the third display apparatus includes a video signal driving circuit for applying two kinds of video signals having different polarities to video signal electrodes in accordance with a display period.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the third display apparatus includes a common electrode potential control circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of common electrodes and a scanning signal driving circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of scanning electrodes, the common electrode potential control circuit has output potential levels of at least two values, and the scanning signal driving circuit has output potential levels of at least two values.
In the third display apparatus, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
a potential of a common electrode that opposes pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode via the display medium becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
γ represented by
γ=αlcVcp/2 (Formula 7)
(where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 8))
is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In this case, it is preferable that, assuming that a value of γ in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is γ(O), a value of γ in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is γ(E), and a value of γ in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is γ(M), γ(M) is smaller than [γ(O)+γ(E)]/2.
Furthermore, it is preferable that Vcp is negative.
In the third display apparatus, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
a potential of a common electrode that opposes pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrodes via the display medium becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
β represented by
β=αgd+αlc(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 9)
(where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 10))
is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In this case, it is preferable that, assuming that a value of β in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is β(O), a value of β in the L portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is β(E), and a value of β in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is β(M), β(M) is larger than [β(O)+β(E)]/2.
Furthermore, it is preferable that ΔVcc is negative.
In the third display apparatus, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
a potential of a common electrode that opposes pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode via the display medium becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
γ represented by
γ=αlcVcp/2 (Formula 7)
(where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 8))
is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto, and
β represented by
β=αgd+αlc(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 9)
(where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVl(−)]/2 (Formula 10))
is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the fourth display apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes; and storage capacitance formed between electrodes, other than the common electrodes opposing the pixel electrodes via the display medium and the scanning electrodes of the stage concerned, and the pixel electrodes, a plurality of the common electrodes opposing the pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to one of the scanning electrodes via the display medium,
wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Clc, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
αgd and αlc represented by
αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αlc=Clc/Ctot (Formula 6)
are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom.
It is preferable that the fourth display apparatus includes a video signal driving circuit for simultaneously applying two kinds of video signals having different polarities to a plurality of video signal electrodes, and applying two kinds of video signals having different polarities to each of the video signal electrodes in accordance with a display period.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the fourth display apparatus includes a first common electrode that opposes, via the display medium, pixel electrodes of pixels belonging to a video signal electrode to which a video signal with a first polarity is applied among a plurality of pixels belonging to one of the scanning electrodes, and a second common electrode that is different from the first common electrode and opposes, via the display medium, the pixel electrodes of the pixels belonging to the video signal electrode to which the video signal with a second polarity is applied.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the fourth display apparatus includes a common electrode potential control circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of common electrodes and a scanning signal driving circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of scanning electrodes, and the common electrode potential control circuit has output potential levels of at least two values, and the scanning signal driving circuit has output potential levels of at least two values.
In the fourth display apparatus, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
among common electrodes opposing pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode via a display medium,
a potential of the first common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal applied to a video signal electrode corresponding to the first common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
a potential of the second common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of the video signal applied to the video signal electrode corresponding to the second common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
γ represented by
γ=αlcVcp/2 (Formula 7)
(where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 8))
is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In this case, it is preferable that, assuming that a value of γ in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is γ(O), a value of γ in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is γ(E), and a value of γ in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is γ(M), γ(M) is smaller than [γ(O)+γ(E)]/2.
Furthermore, it is preferable that Vcp is negative.
In the fourth display apparatus, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
among common electrodes opposing pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode via a display medium,
a potential of the first common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal applied to a video signal electrode corresponding to the first common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
a potential of the second common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of the video signal applied to the video signal electrode corresponding to the second common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
β represented by
β=αgd+αlc(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 9)
(where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 10))
is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In this case, it is preferable that, assuming that a value of β in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is β(O), a value of β in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is β(E), and a value of β in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is β(M), β(M) is larger than [β(O)+β(E)]/2.
Furthermore, it is preferable that ΔVcc is negative.
In the fourth display apparatus, it is preferable that a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
among common electrodes opposing pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode via a display medium,
a potential of the first common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal applied to a video signal electrode corresponding to the first common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
a potential of the second common electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of the video signal applied to the video signal electrode corresponding to the second common electrode is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
γ represented by
γ=αlcVcp/2 (Formula 7)
(where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 8))
is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto, and
β represented by
β=αgd+αlc(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 9)
(where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 10))
is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
In the first and second display apparatuses, the display medium is liquid crystal.
In this case, the first and second display apparatuses have a configuration forming a parallel plate capacitance in which a liquid crystal layer is interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode.
In the third and fourth display apparatuses, the display medium is liquid crystal.
In this case, the common electrodes are formed on the same substrate as that of the pixel electrodes, and the liquid crystal is operated by an electric field parallel to the substrate.
In the first to forth display apparatuses, it is preferable that at least one of the capacitances forming Ctot includes a capacitance formed by two conductive layers or semiconductor layers sandwiching an insulating layer therebetween, and an overlapping area of the two conductive layers or semiconductor layers is made different between the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen and the portion away therefrom, whereby αst or αlc, and αgd are allowed to have different values between the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen and the portion away therefrom.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first method for driving a display apparatus of the present invention is a method for driving the first or second display apparatus, wherein after a potential is written to the pixel electrodes via the switching elements, a voltage is superimposed via Cst and has a value different between the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen and the portion away therefrom.
In the first driving method, it is preferable that, when a scanning electrode is selected, a first potential level Vc(+) is applied to common electrodes that are connection destinations of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive, and a second potential level Vc(−) is applied thereto in a case where a polarity of the video signal is negative.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a second method for driving a display apparatus of the present invention is a method for driving a third or fourth display apparatus, wherein after a potential is written to the pixel electrodes via the switching elements, a voltage is superimposed via Cst and has a value different between the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen and the portion away therefrom.
In the second driving method, it is preferable that, when a scanning electrode is selected, a first potential level Vc(+) is applied to common electrodes opposing pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode via a display medium in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive, and a second potential level Vc(−) is applied thereto in a case where a polarity of the video signal is negative.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a fifth display apparatus of the present invention conducts a display by controlling a voltage applied to a display medium with a potential of pixel electrodes and applying voltages with both positive and negative polarities to the display medium,
wherein a capacitive coupling voltage is superimposed on the pixel electrodes from electrodes other than pixel electrodes, and a distribution of the capacitive coupling voltage is made different in a display region between a case where a positive voltage is applied to the display medium and a case where a negative voltage is applied thereto.
In the fifth display apparatus, the electrodes other than the pixel electrodes are common electrodes.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a sixth display apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes, video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a counter electrode; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrodes; and storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes,
wherein a capacitive coupling voltage from the scanning electrode, and a capacitive coupling voltage from the common electrode are allowed to have a distribution in a screen, whereby flickering and a brightness gradient are corrected simultaneously.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a seventh display apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes, video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes; and storage capacitance formed between electrodes, other than the common electrodes opposing the pixel electrodes via the display medium and the scanning electrodes of the stage concerned, and the pixel electrodes,
wherein a capacitive coupling voltage from the scanning electrode, and a capacitive coupling voltage from the common electrode are allowed to have a distribution in a screen, whereby flickering and a brightness gradient are corrected simultaneously.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an eighth display apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes, video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a counter electrode; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode; and storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and either of the common electrodes,
wherein a plurality of the common electrodes that are connection destinations of the storage capacitance are connected to the pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to one of the scanning electrodes.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a ninth display apparatus of the present invention, includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes, video signal electrodes; common electrodes; and a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes,
wherein a plurality of the common electrodes oppose the pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to one of the scanning electrodes via the display medium.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first display element of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a counter electrode; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode; and storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes,
wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
αgd and αst represented by
αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot (Formula 1)
are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a second display element of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a counter electrode; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode; and storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and either of the common electrodes, a plurality of the common electrodes that are connection destinations of the storage capacitance being connected to the pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to one of the scanning electrodes,
wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
αgd and αst represented by
αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot (Formula 1)
are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a third display element of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes; and storage capacitance formed between electrodes, other than the common electrodes opposing the pixel electrodes via the display medium and the scanning electrodes of the stage concerned, and the pixel electrodes,
wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Clc, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
αgd and αlc represented by
αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αlc=Clc/Ctot (Formula 6)
are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a fourth display element of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes; and storage capacitance formed between electrodes, other than the common electrodes opposing the pixel electrodes via the display medium and the scanning electrodes of the stage concerned, and the pixel electrodes, a plurality of the common electrodes opposing the pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to one of the scanning electrodes via the display medium,
wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Clc, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
αgd and αlc represented by
αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αlc=Clc/Ctot (Formula 6)
are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a tenth display apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a counter electrode; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrodes; and storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes, the scanning electrodes being supplied with a power only from one side of a display region, a potential of the common electrodes being fixed at least on a side opposite to the side where the scanning electrodes are supplied with a power in the display region,
wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
when a value of αgd represented by
αgd=Cgd/Ctot (Formula 101)
in a portion furthest from feeding ends of the scanning electrodes in a display region is αgd(F), there is a position where the value of αgd becomes larger than αgd(F) between the portion furthest from the feeding ends of the scanning electrodes in the display region and a portion closest thereto.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an eleventh display apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes; and storage capacitance formed between electrodes, other than the common electrodes opposing the pixel electrodes via the display medium and the scanning electrodes of the stage concerned, and the pixel electrodes, the scanning electrodes being supplied with a power only from one side of a display region, a potential of the common electrodes being fixed at least on a side opposite to the side where the scanning electrodes are supplied with a power in the display region,
wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Clc, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
when a value of αgd represented by
αgd=Cgd/Ctot (Formula 101)
in a portion furthest from feeding ends of the scanning electrodes in a display region is αgd(F), there is a position where the value of αgd becomes larger than αgd(F) between the portion furthest from the feeding ends of the scanning electrodes in the display region and a portion closest thereto.
In the first to fourth display apparatuses, it is preferable that a common electrode potential is different between a retention period after the pixel electrodes are charged with a positive video signal and a retention period after the pixel electrodes are charged with a negative video signal.
Furthermore, in the first to fourth display apparatuses, it is preferable that the scanning signal driving circuit conducts writing to a plurality of lines simultaneously.
In this case, the display medium is liquid crystal of an OCB mode.
Furthermore, in the first to fourth display apparatuses, it is preferable that the scanning signal driving circuit and the common electrode potential control circuit are formed on the same substrate as that of the switching elements.
Furthermore, in the first to fourth display apparatuses, it is preferable that the display medium is composed of a medium whose optical state is controlled with a current and auxiliary switching elements.
In this case, the medium whose optical state is controlled with a current is an organic electroluminescence medium.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, flickering or a brightness gradient can be reduced substantially in an active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus. Furthermore, the above-mentioned configuration enables a pixel configuration of a dot inversion/column inversion type to be adopted, which suppresses horizontal crosstalk.
Thus, the driving voltage/power consumption of a large liquid crystal display apparatus with high resolution is reduced to substantially enhance uniformity, so that an industrial value is very high.
FIG. 26E′ is a view showing a relationship between an example of a method for feeding a scanning electrode and a common electrode and a recharge voltage.
(Analysis of the Problems of the Prior Art)
Before describing specific examples of the embodiments of the present invention, as described in the Background Art, the results of analyzing the causes of the first problem in which flickering and a brightness gradient become conspicuous along with an increase in a screen size will be described.
Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that a scanning signal (driving signal applied to a scanning electrode) and a common electrode control signal are supplied from both sides of a screen. Portions close to feeding ends of scanning electrodes (and common electrodes) in a screen, i.e., both end portions of a screen, will be referred to as “portions close to feeding ends”, and the center of the screen will be referred to as “a portion away from the feeding ends”.
First, a phenomenon of a recharge that must be considered for discussing the problem will be described.
As an example, the case will be considered where a potential is shifted from Vgon to Vgoff after a scanning electrode is selected in FIG. 15. In the portions close to the feeding ends, a voltage is changed rapidly, whereas in the portion away from the feeding ends, a waveform is distorted due to a CR time constant of the scanning electrode, and the movement of a potential becomes smooth (it is assumed that the movement of the potential of the scanning electrode will be completed substantially by the time Vc changes from Vc(±) to Vcoff). The waveforms of the potential of the scanning electrode in the portions close to the feeding ends and the portion away therefrom are drawn as represented by Vg in FIG. 17. The potential Vd of a pixel electrode is substantially equal to a video signal voltage Vsig(+) or Vsig(−) at a time of completion of charging (
ΔVa=−(Cgd/Ctot)(Vgon−Vgoff)
where Ctot=Cgd+Clc+Cst (Formula 15)
The voltage change amount ΔVa will be referred to as a feedthrough. This voltage value is substantially the same value irrespective of the polarity of a video signal.
A TFT is not turned OFF immediately when the potential of the scanning electrode falls, and the TFT is turned OFF when the potential of the scanning electrode passes a switching threshold value (potential higher than the potential of the video signal electrode by a threshold voltage) (the TFT is turned OFF by the time when the potential of the video signal electrode starts shifting toward a scanning period voltage). Thus, a current flows through the TFT so as to compensate for the potential difference between the video signal electrode-pixel electrode (source-drain of the TFT) generated due to a feedthrough during a finite period (represented by To or Te in
The above-mentioned switching threshold value becomes different between an even-numbered frame (the case where a video signal with a positive polarity is charged) and an odd-numbered frame (the case where a video signal with a negative polarity is charged). The level of the switching threshold value when the potential of the scanning electrode shifts from Vgon to Vgoff is drawn with respect to a positive polarity and a negative polarity as shown in FIG. 18. Based on this, regarding the portions close to the feeding ends and the portion away therefrom, a time required for the TFT to be turned OFF, i.e., a period (corresponding to To or Te) for a recharge to be generated is represented for each polarity as in a bar graph. The length of a bar graph substantially corresponds to the magnitude of a recharge current, i.e., the magnitude of a recharge voltage. Therefore, assuming that recharge voltages in the case of a positive polarity and a negative polarity in the portions close to the feeding ends are represented by ΔVb(O, +) and ΔVb(O), and recharge voltages in the case of a positive polarity and a negative polarity in the portion away from the feeding ends are represented by ΔVb(E, +) and ΔVb(E), it is understood that there is the following (Formula 16) relationship.
ΔVb(O, +)<ΔVb(E, +)
ΔVb(O)<ΔVb(E)
ΔVb(O, +)−ΔVb(O)>ΔVb(E, +)−ΔVb(E) (Formula 16)
For the purpose of reference, although the falling waveform of the potential of the scanning electrode is set to be the same between the even-numbered frame and the odd-numbered frame for simplicity, the falling waveform may not necessarily be the same. In particular, considering non-linearity (a source-drain capacitance or a gate-drain capacitance when the TFT is in an ON state becomes larger than that when the TFT is in an OFF state), an apparent capacitance becomes larger when the video signal has a negative polarity. Thus, the CR time constant of the falling of the potential of the scanning electrode becomes large, and falling may become slow. However, even in such a case, the relationship of (Formula 16) still holds.
Next, the relationship between flickering and a brightness gradient, and a recharge voltage will be described mathematically. Vdo(O, +), Vdo(O), and Vdo,(E, +), Vdo(E) of the retention potential of the pixel electrode in the portions close to and the portion away from the feeding ends can be represented by (Formula 17) with the above-mentioned effect of a recharge added to (Formula 12).
Vdo(O, +)=Vsig(+)−αstΔVc(+)−αgdΔVgon+ΔVb(O, +)
Vdo(O)=Vsig(−)−αstΔVc(−)−αgdΔVgon+ΔVb(O)
Vdo(E, +)=Vsig(+)−αstΔVc(+)−αgdΔVgd+ΔVb(E, +)
Vdo(E)=Vsig(−)−αstΔVc(−)−αgdΔVgon+ΔVb(E) (Formula 17)
When the DC average level Vdc(O) and Vdc(E) of the potential of the pixel electrode in the portions close to and the portion away from the feeding ends and the effective value of a voltage applied to liquid crystal Veff(O) and Veff(E) are calculated in (Formula 17), (Formula 18) is obtained.
ΔVcc and Vcp are given by the following (Formula 19).
The DC average level Vdc(O) and Vdc(E) given by the first and third formulae of (Formula 18) represent voltage values that eliminate flickering. More specifically, if the potential of the counter electrode is matched with the voltage values represented by the first and third formulae of (Formula 18), a time average value of a voltage applied to liquid crystal becomes 0, whereby flickering is eliminated. However, because of (Formula 18) and (Formula 16), the relationship represented by the following (Formula 20) is obtained, and the DC average level has different values in a screen (the DC average level is larger in the portion away from the feeding ends than in the portions close thereto). Therefore, it is impossible to eliminate flickering simultaneously across the entire screen.
Vdc(E)−Vdc(O)=[ΔVb(E, +)+ΔVb(E)]/2−[ΔVb(O, +)+ΔVb(O)]/2>0 (Formula 20)
On the other hand, Veff given by the second and fourth formulae of (Formula 17) corresponds to an effective value of a voltage applied to liquid crystal, and the liquid crystal exhibits a brightness (transmittance) corresponding to the effective value. However, because of (Formula 18) and (Formula 16), the relationship represented by the following (Formula 21) is obtained, and the effective value of a voltage applied to liquid crystal also has a distribution (gradient) (the effective value is smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends than in the portions close thereto) across a screen.
Veff(E)−Veff(O)=[ΔVb(E, +)−ΔVb(E)]/2−[ΔVb(O, +)−ΔVb(O)]/2<0 (Formula 21)
The reasons for the occurrence of flickering and a brightness gradient due to the distribution of a recharge voltage in a screen have been described as above.
When a screen size becomes large, the distance from the feeding ends of the portion away therefrom becomes large naturally. Then, the difference in the above-mentioned recharge voltage ΔVb between the portion away from the feeding ends and the portions close thereto becomes large, increasing flickering and a brightness gradient.
Furthermore, in the case where the screen size is large, an influence by the fluctuation in the potential of the common electrode is not negligible. More specifically, when the potential of the scanning electrode changes from Vgon to Vgoff, the potential of the pixel electrode decreases due to a feedthrough. Simultaneously with this, the potential of the common electrode also decreases due to the capacitive coupling between the scanning electrode and the common electrode created by Cgd and Cst in FIG. 14. The potential decrease is small in the portions close to the feeding ends of the common electrode, whereas it is large in the portion away from the feeding ends of the common electrode. When the potential of the common electrode decreases, the potential of the pixel electrode further decreases along therewith. Then, compared with the case where it is assumed that the potential of the common electrode does not change at all, a larger recharge current flows toward the pixel electrode. Thus, the retention potential of the pixel electrode in the portion away from the feeding ends becomes much larger than that in the portions close to the feeding ends, which makes the problems such as a brightness gradient and flickering more conspicuous.
(Description 1 of the Principle of the Present Invention: Principle of a Reduction in a Brightness Gradient/Flickering)
The above-mentioned analysis was conducted, and means for eliminating a brightness gradient and flickering was found. This is the content of the present invention, and the values of αst and αgd are allowed to have a gradient in a screen. Hereinafter, the principle thereof will be described.
Now, it is assumed that αst and αgd are not constant in a screen (more specifically, at least one of Cgd, Cst, and Clc is not constant). It is assumed that αst and αgd in portions close to the feeding ends are αst(O) and αgd(O), and αst and αgd in a portion away from the feeding ends are αst(E) and αgd(E). Herein, “O” denotes the portions close to the feeding ends, and “E” denotes a portion away from the feeding ends.
In the case where the portions close to the feeding ends and the portion away from the feeding ends are charged positively and negatively, when Formula 17 is applied, four formulae (Formula 22) are obtained.
(Formula 22)
Vdo(O, +)=Vsig(+)−αst(O)ΔVc(+)−αgd(O)ΔVgon+ΔVb(O, +)
Vdo(O, −)=Vsig(−)−αst(O)ΔVc(−)−αgd(O)ΔVgon+ΔVb(O, −)
Vdo(E, +)=Vsig(+)−αst(E)ΔVc(+)−αgd(E)ΔVgon+ΔVb(E, +)
Vdo(E, −)=Vsig(−)−αst(E)ΔVc(−)−αgd(E)ΔVgon+ΔVb(E, −)
Herein, for example, the notation of Vdo(j, ±)(j=O or E) refers to an amount during positive charge (+) or negative charge (−) at a position j(j=O→portions close to the feeding ends, j=E→portion away from the feeding ends). This also applies to Vsig(±) and ΔVb(j, ±).
In the case of the prior art, the value of ΔVb varies between the portions close to the feeding ends and the portion away from the feeding ends. Therefore, Vdo also varies, which causes flickering and a brightness gradient. According to the present invention, by changing the two respective values of αst and αgd independently, it is attempted to correct the difference in the value of ΔVb. When DC average levels Vdc(O) and Vdc(E) and the liquid crystal application voltage effective value Veff(O) and Veff(E) are calculated by (Formula 22) in the same way as in (Formula 17) and (Formula 18), the following (Formula 23) holds.
When the difference ΔVeff of the liquid crystal application voltage effective value at the portions close to the feeding ends and the portion away from the feeding ends is calculated, (Formula 24) holds.
where γ(O) and γ(E) are given by the following (Formula 25):
γ(O)=αst(O)Vcp/2
γ(O)=αst(E)Vcp/2 (Formula 25)
When the difference ΔVdc of the DC average levels is calculated, the following (Formula 26) holds.
where β(O) and β(E) are given by the following (Formula 27):
β(O)=αgd(O)+αst(O)(ΔVcc/ΔVgon)
β(E)=αgd(E)+αst(E)(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 27)
In order to eliminate a brightness gradient completely, ΔVeff=0 only needs to be satisfied in (Formula 24), and the relationship between γ(O) and γ(E) may be selected so as to satisfy the following (Formula 28):
γ(E)−γ(O)=[ΔVb(E, +)−ΔVb(E, −)−ΔVb(O, +)+ΔVb(O, −)]/2 (Formula 28)
According to the third formula of (Formula 16), the right side of (Formula 28) is negative, so that the relationship between γ(O) and γ(E) may be as represented by (Formula 29).
γ(O)>γ(E) (Formula 29)
In order to eliminate flickering completely, ΔVdc=0 only needs to be satisfied in (Formula 26), and the relationship between β(O) and β(E) only needs to be selected so as to satisfy the following Formula 30):
[β(E)−β(O)]ΔVgon=[ΔVb(E, +)+ΔVb(E, −)−ΔVb(O, +)−ΔVb(O, −)]/2 (Formula 30)
According to the first and second formulae of (Formula 16), the right side of (Formula 28) is positive, and ΔVgon also is positive. Therefore, the relationship between β(O) and β(E) only needs to satisfy the following (Formula 31):
β(O)<β(E) (Formula 31)
By selecting γ and β conveniently as described above, flickering and a brightness gradient can be eliminated.
In summary, the conditions for eliminating a brightness gradient and flickering with an array configuration as shown in
[1] Necessary conditions for eliminating a brightness gradient:
The value of γ is smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in a screen, compared with the portions close thereto.
[2] Necessary conditions for eliminating flickering]
The value of β is larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in a screen, compared with the portions close thereto.
In the above, suffixes O and E are omitted.
It may be possible that only the necessary conditions [1] are satisfied, and the necessary conditions [2] are not satisfied. In the case of this configuration, although a brightness gradient is eliminated, flickering is not eliminated. As a method for eliminating flickering actively under these conditions, it is considered to correct ahead of time the video signal generated in a video signal driving circuit. This means that an excess signal processing circuit is added, which increases cost.
In contrast, it also may be possible that only the necessary conditions [2] are satisfied and the necessary conditions [1] are not satisfied. In the case of this configuration, although flickering is eliminated, a brightness gradient is not eliminated. As a method for eliminating a brightness gradient actively under these conditions, it is considered to correct ahead of time a video signal generated in a video signal driving signal. This case also means that an excess signal processing circuit is added, which increases cost.
Most desirably, both the necessary conditions [1] and [2] are satisfied. In this case, a video of high quality without flickering and a brightness gradient can be obtained without adding an excess signal processing circuit for correcting a video signal ahead of time, so that both low cost and high quality can be satisfied.
In the case where β and γ (or αst and αgd) are set to be different values between the portions close to the feeding ends and the portion away therefrom, it is required to change these values independently. Therefore, it is desirable that αst and αgd are varied by setting at least two of capacitance values Cst, Cgd, and Clc, (in other words, capacitance values constituting Ctot) contributing to αst and αgd between the portions close to the feeding ends and the portion away therefrom.
Actually, for example, in the case where Cgd and Clc are set to be constant, and only Cst is set to have different values between the portions close to the feeding ends (the value of Cst is assumed to be Cst(O)) and the portion away therefrom (the value of Cst is assumed to be Cst(E)) to satisfy Cst(O)<Cst(E), αgd(O)>αgd(E) and αst(O)<αst(E) are satisfied according to (Formula 14). Under this condition, in the case where Vcp<0 and ΔVcc<0 (it will be described later as a supplement that these conditions are desirable), γ(O)>γ(E) is obtained from (Formula 25), and β(O)>β(E) is obtained from (Formula 27). In this case, although (Formula 29) is satisfied, (Formula 31) is not satisfied. Thus, although a brightness gradient reduction effect is obtained, a flickering reduction effect cannot be obtained.
In contrast, in the case of Cst(O)>Cst(E), the relationships γ(O)<γ(E) and β(O)<β(E) are obtained. More specifically, although (Formula 31) is satisfied, (Formula 29) is not satisfied. Thus, although a flickering reduction effect is obtained, a brightness gradient reduction effect cannot be obtained. Furthermore, this also applies to, for example, the case where Cst and Clc are set to be constant, and only Cgd is varied. There is no problem when Cst and Cgd are set to be constant, and only Clc is varied.
A more detailed description will be provided regarding the above. Now, assuming that Δαgd=αgd(E)−αgd(O), and Δαst=αst(E)−αst(O), the range of Δαgd and Δαst satisfying both (Formula 29) and (Formula 31) can be represented by a hatched portion in
Thus, it is understood that there is a relationship of (Formula 47) between Δαgd and Δαst.
Δαgd/Δαst=−Cgd/(Cgd+Clc) (Formula 47)
Furthermore, in the case where Cst and Clc are set to be constant, and only Cgd is varied between the portion away from the feeding ends and the portions away therefrom (Cgd(O)≠Cgd(E)), a relationship of (Formula 48) can be obtained similarly.
Δαgd/Δαst=−Cst/(Cst+Clc) (Formula 48)
The right sides of (Formula 47) and (Formula 48) have negative values. Therefore, when these relationships are added to
(Principle 2 of the Present Invention: Optimum Distribution of β and γ)
The portions close to the feeding ends and the portion away therefrom have been used as representative points in the above. However, various change patterns of γ and β can be considered at each position across a screen.
In particular, as shown in
Scanning electrodes can be considered as wires having an RC distribution circuit constant.
A change with time in each node potential when the potential of the scanning electrodes in the above-mentioned circuit falls (i.e., when VgO changes in the form of steps from an ON-level Vgon to an OFF-level Vgoff) can be solved by a circuit equation.
Next, as in the prior art, assuming that the capacitance of Cgd, Cst, Clc, and the like are constant irrespective of a position, how ΔVb changes with a position will be considered. The pixel configuration at each point is shown by the circuit in
Ids+Ctot·dVd/dt−Cgd·dVg(n)/dt=0 (Formula 32)
Herein, Ctot=Cgd+Cgs+Clc. Furthermore, Ids is a source-drain current of a TFT, which is represented by (Formula 33) when ideal MOS characteristics are assumed.
Ids=k[{Vg(n)−Vs−Vt}2−{Vg(n)−Vd−Vt}2] (Formula 33)
(where Vg(n)−Vs≧Vt, Vg(n)−Vd≧Vt)
Ids=k{Vg(n)−Vs−Vt}2
(where Vg(n)−Vs≧Vt, Vg(n)−Vd<Vt)
Ids=−k{Vg(n)−Vd−Vt}2
(where Vg(n)−Vs<Vt, Vg(n)−Vd≧Vt)
Ids=0
(where Vg(n)−Vs<Vt, Vg(n)−Vd<Vt)
Herein, k is a constant representing a charge ability of a TFT, and Vt represents a threshold voltage of a TFT. The initial conditions of (Formula 32) are Vd=Vs, Vg(n)=Vgon at t=0. Furthermore, after a sufficient time elapses (t=∞), Vg(n)=Vgoff, a TFT is in an OFF state, and Ids=0 (in the case of the fourth formula of (Formula 33)). Therefore, Vd becomes a constant value (dVd/dt=0(t=∞) is obtained from (Formula 32)). The difference between the value of a final plateau Vdo of Vd obtained by numerical calculation and the value of a final plateau Vdo of Vd in the absence of recharge, i.e., the value of Vdo when Ids=0 always is satisfied in (Formula 32), i.e., Vdo=Vs−(Cgd/Ctot)(Vgon−Vgoff), corresponds to a recharge voltage ΔVb.
When there is such a distribution of a recharge voltage, the distribution of a DC average level of a pixel electrode and a liquid crystal application voltage effective value generated by the distribution of the recharge voltage also has a shape as shown in
The above description will be considered paying attention to a position (hereinafter, simply referred to as an intermediate position) in the middle in terms of a distance between the portion close to the feeding ends and the portion away therefrom. Assuming that values of β and γ at the portion close to the feeding ends are β(O) and γ(O), the values thereof at the portion away from the feeding ends are β(E) and γ(E), and the values thereof at an intermediate position are β(M) and γ(M), as shown in
β(M)>[β(O)+β(E)]/2
γ(M)<[γ(O)+γ(E)]/2 (Formula 34)
The first formula of (Formula 34) is a conditional expression regarding flickering, and the second formula is a conditional expression regarding a brightness gradient.
If only (Formula 34) is satisfied when (Formula 29) and (Formula 31) are satisfied, the above-mentioned effects of a reduction in flickering and a brightness gradient can be obtained sufficiently. For example, as shown in
(Supplementary Item 1 Regarding the Principle: Vcp and ΔVcc)
A supplementary description will be made with respect to Vcp of (Formula 19). If the third term regarding recharge is ignored since it is very small, and αstVcp is assumed to be negative in the formula regarding Veff of (Formula 18) and (Formula 23), an effective value of a voltage applied to liquid crystal becomes a value larger than a video signal amplitude [Vsig(+)−Vsig(−)]/2. This corresponds to the following: an advantage in which a voltage (e.g., 10 to 15 V) equal to or higher than a withstand voltage can be applied to liquid crystal, using a video signal driving IC with a low withstand voltage (e.g., about 5 V), as described in the Background Art. Therefore, it is desirable that αstVcp is negative. Since αst is a capacitance ratio and is always positive, it is desirable that Vcp is negative.
Furthermore, a supplementary description will be made with respect to ΔVcc c of (Formula 19). If the third term regarding recharge is ignored since it is very small in (Formula 18) and (Formula 23) regarding Vdc, by satisfying the following (Formula 35), a DC average level [Vsig(+)+Vsig(−)]/2 of a video signal can be matched with a DC average level Vdc(O) or Vdc(E) of a pixel electrode.
ΔVcc=−(αgd/αst)ΔVgon (Formula 35)
Because of the above, a d.c. voltage component is not supplied between a video signal electrode and a pixel electrode, and unnecessary ions can be suppressed from being generated in liquid crystal and an insulating film. Therefore, stability with time can be enhanced. Since ΔVgon, αgd, and αst are positive, it is desirable that ΔVcc is negative. Even if (Formula 35) is not satisfied, if at least ΔVcc is negative, a voltage difference between a DC average level [Vsig(+)+Vsig(−)]/2 of a video signal and a DC average level Vdc(O) or Vdc(E) of a pixel electrode can be reduced, and the above-mentioned effects can be obtained to some degree.
(Supplementary Item 2 Regarding the Principle: Method for Supplying A Power of Scanning Electrodes and Common Electrodes)
Next, a supplementary description will be made with respect to a method for supplying a power of scanning electrodes and common electrodes. In (analysis of the problems of the prior art), it is described that a recharge current (recharge voltage) increases due to the fluctuation in a potential of common electrodes. It also is described that this influence is small in the portions close to the feeding ends of the common electrodes, whereas it is large in the portion away from the feeding ends. Thus, the in-plane distribution of a recharge voltage depends slightly on a method for supplying a power of the common electrodes, as well as a method for supplying a power of the scanning electrodes. Now, for example, the following five combinations of methods for supplying power by the scanning electrodes and the common electrodes are considered.
(A) The scanning electrodes and the common electrodes supply power from both sides (in the above description, this case is assumed).
(B) The scanning electrodes supply power from both sides, and the common electrodes supply a power from one side.
(C) The scanning electrodes supply power from one side, and the common electrodes supply a power from both sides.
(D) The scanning electrodes and the common electrodes supply power from one side (from the same side).
(E) The scanning electrodes and the common electrodes supply power from one side (from different sides).
(In addition, for example, power may be supplied alternately from both sides of every other line, and power may be supplied from the left side in the upper half of a screen and from the right side in the lower half thereof. These cases are applicable to any of the above-mentioned (A) to (E), if one line is considered.)
Regarding the above-mentioned (A) to (E),
In order to obtain the effect of reduction in a brightness gradient and flickering according to the present invention most effectively, it is most desirable to provide a distribution to β and γ (more exactly, |γ|) in accordance with the shape of ΔVb in
Hereinafter, regarding each case of (A) to (E), the relationship with respect to the expression of the present invention will be described. First, in (A) to (E), end portions of a screen to which at least one of a scanning electrode and a common electrode is supplied with a power will be referred to as “portions close to the feeding ends). More specifically, in all the cases excluding (D), both ends of the screen become “portions close to the feeding ends” (represented by a mark “O” in FIG. 26). In only (D), only one end portion becomes a “portion close to the feeding ends”. In the cases other than (D), the vicinity of the center of the screen will be referred to as a “portion away from the feeding ends (represented by a mark “E”). In the case of (D), the end portion not supplied with a power becomes a “portion away from the feeding ends”. The position represented by a mark “M” in the figure is a portion corresponding to the middle between the “portion close to the feeding ends” and the “portion away from the feeding ends” in terms of a distance.
In the cases other than (D), there are two “portions close to the feeding ends”. When a certain value (αgd, αst, etc.) has different values between the portion close to the feeding ends and the portion away from the feeding ends, this means that a value of at least one of a plurality of “portions close to the feeding ends” is different from a value of a “portion away from the feeding ends”. Furthermore, when a certain value (β, γ, etc.) is “larger (smaller) in a portion away from the feeding ends, compared with the portions dose to the feeding ends”, this means that a value of the “portion away from the feeding ends” is larger (smaller) than the value of at least one of a plurality of “portions close to the feeding ends”.
Based on the above-mentioned interpretation, it is understood from
The first and second formulae of (Formula 16) can be understood easily if Vb(O, +), Vb(O, −), and Vb(E, +), Vb(E, −) are replaced by Vb in
Furthermore, curves of ΔVb in
(Supplementary Item 3 Regarding the Principle: Another Circuit Configuration)
The above description is predicated on each pixel having the configuration in FIG. 14. However, the storage capacitance of each pixel also is connected to wiring other than a common electrode. For example, as shown in
Cgd(Vsig(−)−Vgon)+Cst(Vsig(−)−Vc(−))+ (Formula 36)
Clc(Vsig(−)−Vf)+Cst2(Vsig(−)−Vgoff)=
Cgd(Vdo(−)−Vgoff)+Cst(Vdo(−)−Vcoff)+
Clc(Vdo(−)−Vf)+Cst2(Vdo(−)−Vgoff)
Cgd(Vsig(+)−Vgon)+Cst(Vsig(+)−Vc(+))+
Clc(Vsig(+)−Vf)+Cst2(Vsig(+)−Vgoff)=
Cgd(Vdo(+)−Vgoff)+Cst(Vdo(+)−Vcoff)+
Clc(Vdo(+)−Vf)+Cst2(Vdo(+)−Vgoff)
Herein, when a scanning electrode Vg(n) is selected, Vg(n−1) has already been selected. Therefore, the potential is Vgoff. When (Formula 36) is modified, (Formula 37) is obtained.
Vdo(−)=Vsig(−)−αstΔVc(−)−αgdΔVgon
Vdo(+)=Vsig(+)−αstΔVc(+)−αgdΔVgon (Formula 37)
Herein, ΔVgon, ΔVc(+), and ΔVc(−) are represented by (Formula 13), and αgd and αst are represented by the following (Formula 38):
αgd=Cgd/Ctot
αst=Cst/Ctot
Ctot=Cgd+Clc+Cst+Cst2 (Formula 38)
When the above-mentioned results are compared with Formulae 12 to 14 in the circuit of
Depending upon the case, the following also may be considered: the values of αst and αgd are made different by making the value of Cst2 different between the portion close to the feeding ends and the portion away from the feeding ends, whereby the effects of the present invention are obtained.
Even if the connection destination of Cst2 is a scanning electrode in the previous stage, that in a second from the previous stage, that in a third from the previous stage, that in a second from the subsequent stage, that in a third from the subsequent stage, or the like, the same effects can be obtained.
If Ctot is further generalized and considered to be a “total of the entire capacitance connected electrically to pixel electrodes”, including
Hereinafter, a display apparatus constituted by using the above-mentioned principle will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
In
Scanning electrodes 1 and common electrodes 4 are formed of a first conductive layer on the array substrate 11, and an insulating film 18 covers these electrodes. A pixel electrode 5 is formed of a second conductive layer on the insulating film 18. As shown in
As shown in
The thin film transistor 3 is composed of a semiconductor portion 9 and three electrodes. Gate electrodes are connected to the scanning electrodes 1, source electrodes are connected to video signal electrodes 2, and drain electrodes are connected to pixel electrodes 5.
In
The effects of the present invention can be obtained most conspicuously when the following three conditions are satisfied:
(1) The video signal driving circuit is capable of applying two kinds of video signals with different polarities (i.e., positive and negative video signals based on the potential of the counter electrode, corresponding to Vsig(+) and Vsig(−) in
(2) The scanning signal driving circuit is capable of applying an output potential level with at least two values (Vgon and Vgoff in FIG. 15).
(3) The common electrode potential control circuit is capable of applying an output potential level with at least two values (Vc(+) and Vc(−) in FIG. 15).
In (FIG. 1), Cgd(O)<Cgd(E), Cst(O)<Cst(E) (this relationship is obtained from the relationship in magnitude of an area of an overlapping portion). However, as an example, assuming that Cgd(O)=0.020 pF, Cst(O)=0.100 pF, Clc(O)=0.100 pF, Cgd(E)=0.030 pF, Cst(E)=0.130 pF, and Clc(E)=0.100 pF, the above-mentioned conditions can be satisfied (the capacitance may be calculated from an area, a film thickness, and a dielectric constant, or may be obtained by actual measurement).
In this case, when αgd(O), αst(O), and αgd(E), αst(E) are calculated by (Formula 14), αgd(O)=0.091, αst(O)=0.455, αgd(E)=0.115, αst(E)=0.500. Assuming that driving conditions are ΔVgon=20 V, ΔVcc=−3 V, and Vcp=−10 V, γ(O), γ(E), and β(O), β(E) are obtained by (Formula 25) and (Formula 27), and γ(O)=−2.275 V, γ(E)=−2.5 V, and β(O)=0.023, β(E)=0.040 are obtained, respectively. More specifically, it is understood that (Formula 29) and (Formula 31) are satisfied, and the effect of reduction in a brightness gradient and flickering can be obtained.
Needless to say, what is described in (Principle 2 of the present invention: Optimum distribution of β and γ), (Supplementary item 1 regarding the principle: Vcp and ΔVcc), (Supplementary item 2 regarding the principle: method for supplying a power of scanning electrodes and common electrodes), and (Supplementary item 3 regarding the principle: Another circuit configuration), as well as ((Description 1 of the principle of the present invention: Principle of a reduction in a brightness gradient/flickering) is all applicable.
For reference, the results obtained from simulation conducted by applying specific numerical values to parameters such as a capacitance in the present embodiment are shown in
First, a curve marked with “no capacitance gradient” in each figure represents calculated results in the case where a distribution in a display region is not given to Cst, Cgd, or Clc. Herein, Cst=0.7 pF, Cgd=0.07 pF, and Clc=0.75 pF over the entire display region.
Next, the case where a DC average level and a liquid crystal application voltage effective value are uniform in a plane by giving an optimum distribution in a display region to Cst and Cgd (making Clc constant) will be shown as “capacitance gradient” in each figure. Herein, Cst and Cgd are selected so as to be matched with the values in the case of “no capacitance gradient) on the left end (normalized horizontal position=0). It is understood that if the value of Cst is allowed to have a gradient of 0.7 pF (left end) to 0.745 pF (right end) as in
If (Formula 25), (Formula 27), and the like are used at this time, β(O)=0<β(E)=0.0048, γ(O)=−2.303 V>γ(E)=−2.363 V are obtained, which shows that the conditions of (Formula 29) and (Formula 31) are satisfied. Furthermore, capacitance values in the middle (normalized horizontal position=0.5) between the portion close to the feeding ends and the portion away therefrom are read to be Cst=0.732 pF and Cgd=0.0785 pF, respectively, from
(Embodiment 2)
In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the configuration that reduces horizontal crosstalk and lowers a voltage of a video signal driving circuit IC will be described with reference to
When such a configuration is used, dot inversion driving and column inversion driving also can be adopted, as well as line inversion driving (in the first embodiment, only line inversion or field inversion is adopted). This will be described with reference to
Herein, the common electrodes that are connection destinations of storage capacitance of the pixels P and Q are C0 and Cl, respectively (these electrodes will be referred to as the first common electrode and the second common electrode, based on G1). These electrodes are separate ones, so that they can be set at different potentials, i.e, C0 (first common electrode) is set to be Vc(+) (corresponding to the state where the pixel P is charged positively), and C1 (second common electrode) is set to be Vc(−) (corresponding to the state where the pixel P is charged negatively). When the pixel P or Q is seen alone, the relationship of potentials among a video signal electrode, a scanning electrode, and a common electrode is the same as that in
The above description also applies to the case of column inversion. When considered in the same way as in
As described above, in the present embodiment, dot inversion or column inversion driving, which is a driving method advantageous with respect to horizontal crosstalk, is adopted, and the effect of an increase in an amplitude of a pixel electrode retention potential can be obtained. Thus, the reduction in horizontal crosstalk and the decrease in a voltage of a video signal driving circuit IC can be achieved. More specifically, the second object among the previously described two objects can be achieved.
It should be noted that the above-mentioned effect (reduction in horizontal crosstalk and decrease in a voltage of a video signal driving circuit IC) can be obtained irrespective of the provision of a distribution of αst and αgd in a screen as described in (Description 1 of the principle of the present invention: Principle of a reduction in a brightness gradient/flickering).
(Embodiment 3)
According to the above-mentioned second embodiment, the effect of an increase in an amplitude of a pixel electrode retention potential as described in JP 5(1993)-143021 can be obtained with dot inversion driving or column inversion driving in the configurations of
Actually, the layout in
As a postscript, it is desirable that the video signal driving circuit be designed for dot inversion or column inversion. More specifically, it is desirable that two kinds of video signals with different polarities can be applied simultaneously to a plurality of video signal electrodes, and for each video signal electrode, two kinds of video signals with different polarities can be applied in accordance with a display period (depending upon whether a frame is an odd-number frame or an even-number frame).
Furthermore, regarding common electrodes, based on a certain scanning electrode, the number of common electrodes that are the other connection destinations of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes belonging to the scanning electrode is two (first and second common electrodes in the above description). The number of common electrodes to be connected is not necessarily two, and it may be three or more. However, if there are provided two common electrodes in accordance with the polarity of a video signal, driving can be conducted most effectively at timings in
In
In the case where signals with two polarities are applied simultaneously to a plurality of scanning electrodes, signals with opposite polarities are applied alternately on the column basis (more specifically, alternately between an even-number column and an odd-number column) in dot inversion and column inversion. However, this is not necessarily required. For example, each polarity may be arranged at every other columns or at random.
In
(Embodiment 4)
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a display apparatus using liquid crystal in an In Plane Switching (IPS) mode will be described with reference to
In
On the array substrate 11, scanning electrodes 1 and common electrodes 4 are formed of a first conductive layer, and an insulating film 18 covers these electrodes. A pixel electrode 5 is formed of a second conductive layer on the insulating film 18. As shown in
As shown in
The thin film transistor 3 is composed of a semiconductor portion 9 and three electrodes. Gate electrodes are connected to the scanning electrodes 1, source electrodes are connected to video signal electrodes 2, and drain electrodes are connected to pixel electrodes 5.
Now, the case will be considered where, in the circuit configuration of
Cgd(Vsig(−)−Vgon)+ (Formula 39)
Clc(Vsig(−)−Vc(−))+Cst(Vsig(−)−Vgoff)=
Cgd(Vdo(−)−Vgoff)+Clc(Vdo(−)−Vcoff)+
Cst(Vdo(−)−Vgoff)Cgd(Vsig(+)−Vgon)+
Clc(Vsig(+)−Vc(+))+Cst(Vsig(+)−Vgoff)=
Cgd(Vdo(+)−Vgoff)+Clc(Vdo(+)−Vcoff)+
Cst(Vdo(+)−Vgoff)
Herein, the following is taken into consideration: when a scanning electrode (Vg(n)) is selected, a scanning electrode (Vg(n−1)) of the previous stage has been selected, and the potential has become Vgoff. When (Formula 39) is modified, (Formula 40) is obtained.
Vdo(−)=Vsig(−)−αlcΔVc(−)−αgdΔVgon (Formula 40)
Vdo(+)=Vsig(+)−αlcΔVc(+)−αgdΔVgon
where ΔVgon, ΔVc(+), and ΔVc(−) are the same as those in (Formula 13), and αgd and αlc are represented by (Formula 41):
αgd=Cgd/Ctot
αlc=Clc/Ctot
αCtot=Cgd+Clc+Cst (Formula 41)
When the above-mentioned results are compared with the case ((Formula 12) to (Formula 14)) of the circuit configuration in
It is understood that, in
(Embodiment 5)
When these are compared, it also can be considered that only suffixes “st” and “lc” are replaced. Thus, as described in the second embodiment, the effect of realizing dot inversion driving or column inversion driving, and a decrease in a voltage of a video signal can be obtained.
(Embodiment 6)
In the above-mentioned fifth embodiment, the effect of an increase in amplitude of a pixel electrode retention potential is obtained as described in JP 5(1993)-143021 with dot inversion driving or column inversion driving in the IPS-type configuration. If this is allowed to proceed further, it is apparent that what is described in (Description 1 of the principle of the present invention: Principle of a reduction in a brightness gradient/flickering), (Principle 2 of the present invention: Optimum distribution of β and γ), (Supplementary item 1 regarding the principle: Vcp and ΔVcc), (Supplementary item 2 regarding the principle: method for supplying a power of scanning electrodes and common electrodes), and (Supplementary item 3 regarding the principle: Another circuit configuration) is adopted as it is, and predetermined effects such as a reduction in flickering, a decrease in a brightness gradient, and the like can be obtained (herein, it may be considered that Cst (storage capacitance)→Clc, Clc→Cst, αst→αlc). Furthermore, if the similar replacement is conducted with respect to the postscript in the third embodiment, the entire configuration of the sixth embodiment is established.
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described.
(Exemplary Configuration in the Case where a Common Electrode Potential is Not Controlled)
The case will be considered where a common electrode potential is not controlled, and a constant potential always is supplied. In this case, a common electrode potential control circuit is not required. This corresponds to the case where Vc(+)=Vc(−)=Vcoff in the present invention. According to (Formula 19), ΔVcc=0 and Vcp=0. In this case, γ(O)=γ(E)=0 from (Formula 25). Therefore, (Formula 29) is not satisfied, and the effect of enhancement of a brightness gradient cannot be obtained. However, since β(O)=αgd(O), β(E)=αgd(E) from (Formula 27), it is possible to suppress flickering so as to satisfy (Formula 31) i.e., αgd(O)<αgd(E).
In particular, the case will be considered where scanning electrodes are supplied with a power from one side, and the potential of common electrodes is fixed on both sides (more specifically, a constant voltage is supplied). In this case, a recharge voltage is generated as shown in FIG. 26C. In this manner, a recharge voltage is not increased with distance from feeding ends of scanning electrodes, but there is a tendency that a recharge voltage has a local maximum value at a certain position, and decreases thereafter. Thus, it is desirable that the correction of αgd should follow this. More specifically, for example, in the case where αgd in a portion farthest from the feeding ends of scanning electrodes is assumed to be αgd(F), it is desirable that there is a position having a value of αgd larger than αgd(F) between the portion furthest from the feeding ends of the scanning electrodes and the portion close thereto. This also applies to the case where scanning electrodes are supplied with a power from one side, and the potential of the common electrodes is fixed only on the opposite side, as in FIG. 26E.
(Exemplary Driving Method with Another Driving Waveform)
Exemplary voltage waveforms in the driving method of the present invention are shown in
Now, the case of the circuit configuration in
In this case, when conservation of charge is considered in the same way as described with respect to (Formula 11) in the Background Art, (Formula 42) is obtained.
Cgd(Vsig(−)−Vgon)+ (Formula 42)
Cst(Vsig(−)−Vc(−))+Clc(Vsig(−)−Vf)=
Cgd(Vdo(−)−Vgoff)+Cst(Vdo(−)−Vc(+))+
Clc(Vdo(−)−Vf)Cgd(Vsig(+)−Vgon)+
Cst(Vsig(+)−Vc(+))+Clc(Vsig(+)−Vf)=
Cgd(Vdo(+)−Vgoff)+Cst(Vdo(+)−Vc(−))+
Clc(Vdo(+)−Vf)
This is the formula obtained by changing Vcoff of the second term (the term including Cst) of the right side to Vc(−) or Vc(+) in the second formula of (Formula 11). If the following (Formula 43) is used in place of (Formula 13), (Formula 12) holds as it is.
ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff
ΔVc(+)=Vc(+)−Vc(−)
ΔVc(−)=Vc(−)−Vc(+) (Formula 43)
More specifically, if ΔVc(+) and ΔVc(−) are read as in (Formula 43), the following discussion (the principles and the like described in (Analysis of the problems of the prior art), (Description 1 of the principle of the present invention: Principle of a reduction in a brightness gradient/flickering), (Principle 2 of the present invention: Optimum distribution of β and γ), (Supplementary item 1 regarding the principle: Vcp and ΔVcc), (Supplementary item 2 regarding the principle: method for supplying a power of scanning electrodes and common electrodes), (Supplementary item 3 regarding the principle: Another circuit configuration), and the like) are all applicable.
The formula type of (Formula 43) is different from that of (Formula 13). However, ΔVc(+) or ΔVc(−) also is a value of a potential (in this case, Vc(+) or Vc(−)) of a common electrode to which storage capacitance is connected, at a moment when a pixel is charged, based on a potential (in this case, Vcoff) in a retention state.
Even in the case using
Now, it is assumed that, in the circuit configuration in
More specifically, regarding any pixel electrode, when it is charged with a positive signal, the potential of a common electrode that is a connection destination of storage capacitance always is Vc(+) and becomes Vc(−) during a retention period. When a pixel electrode is charged with a negative signal, the potential of a common electrode of a connection destination of storage capacitance always is Vc(−) and becomes Vc(+) during a retention period. Therefore, the same conservation of storage as that of (Formula 42) holds, and by only reading ΔVc(+) and ΔVc(−) as in (Formula 43), what is described in (Analysis of the problems of the prior art), (Description 1 of the principle of the present invention: Principle of a reduction in a brightness gradient/flickering), (Principle 2 of the present invention: Optimum distribution of β and γ), (Supplementary item 1 regarding the principle: Vcp and ΔVcc), (Supplementary item 2 regarding the principle: method for supplying a power of scanning electrodes and common electrodes), (Supplementary item 3 regarding the principle: Another circuit configuration), and the like is all applicable.
In the case of using the driving method in
(Case Where a Switching Element is Formed of a P-channel TFT)
Hitherto, an n-channel thin film transistor (which is turned on when a gate potential is larger than a threshold voltage, and turned off when a gate potential is smaller than a threshold voltage) has been assumed as a switching element. However, the above description also applies to the case of a switching element of a p-channel TFT (which is turned off when a gate potential is larger than a threshold voltage, and turned on when a gate potential is smaller than a threshold voltage). What is described in (Analysis of the problems of the prior art), (Description 1 of the principle of the present invention: Principle of a reduction in a brightness gradient/flickering), (Principle 2 of the present invention: Optimum distribution of β and γ), (Supplementary item 1 regarding the principle: Vcp and ΔVcc), (Supplementary item 2 regarding the principle: method for supplying a power of scanning electrodes and common electrodes), (Supplementary item 3 regarding the principle: Another circuit configuration), and the like is all applicable. This is because the relationship formula of conservation of charge of (basic (Formula 11) (or (Formula 42)) holds irrespective of whether a switching element is of an n-channel type or a p-channel type.
However, it should be noted that, in the case of a p-channel thin film transistor, the relationship in magnitude between Vgon and Vgoff generally is inverted, compared with the case of an n-channel thin film transistor.
|ΔVb(O, +)|<|ΔVb(E, +)|
|ΔVb(O, −)|<|ΔVb(E, −)|
|ΔVb(O, +)|−|ΔVb(O, −)|
<|ΔVb(E, +)|−|ΔVb(E, −)| (Formula 44)
In the case of a p-channel thin film transistor, a feedthrough voltage becomes positive, and a recharge voltage becomes negative. Therefore, in the above-mentioned formula, absolute value marks are provided. If the absolute value marks are removed, (Formula 45) is obtained.
ΔVb(O, +)>ΔVb(E, +)
ΔVb(O, −)>ΔVb(E, −)
ΔVb(O, +)−ΔVb(O, −)
>ΔVb(E, +)−ΔVb(E, −) (Formula 45)
When (Formula 45) is compared with (Formula 16), the third formulae are the same, whereas the direction of inequality signs is opposite in the first and second formulae. Then, (Formula 21) holds as it is, whereas the direction of an inequality sign becomes opposite in (Formula 20).
The conditions for eliminating a brightness gradient and flickering in this case will be considered. First, as the condition for eliminating a brightness gradient, the same relationship as that of (Formula 29) is obtained from (Formula 28) and the third formula of (Formula 45). Furthermore, as the condition for eliminating flickering, the right side of (Formula 30) becomes negative from the first and second formulae of (Formula 45). However, ΔVgon also is negative, and the same relationship as that of (Formula 31) can be obtained. More specifically, the condition for eliminating a brightness gradient and the condition for eliminating flickering are represented by the same formula, irrespective of whether a thin film transistor is an n-channel type or a p-channel type, and the configuration of the present invention is all applicable.
(Case of the Configuration in which a Plurality of Lines are Scanned Simultaneously)
When liquid crystal is driven, one pixel may be charged twice or more in one frame (display period). For example, the following may be conducted: a video signal for conducting a black display is written after a video signal is written in one frame, whereby blurring with respect to animation is improved (generally, after 50 to 99% of a time in one frame has passed after a video signal is written, a video signal for conducting a black display often may be written). Alternatively, particularly in the case where OCB (optically compensated bend)-mode liquid crystal (which also may be called bend nematic LCD) is used, a video signal for conducting a black display may be written for the purpose of preventing reverse transition. Alternatively, a video signal may be written for the purpose of conducting preliminary charging 1H to 2H (1H is a horizontal period) before charging of a pixel is conducted.
In these cases, a video signal may be written to a plurality of lines simultaneously (more specifically, the potential of scanning electrodes in a plurality of lines is made Vgon simultaneously). For example, this corresponds to the case where a black signal is written to a plurality of lines simultaneously when a black display is conducted. Alternatively, preliminary charging may be conducted simultaneously with main charging of the other pixels.
Even in the above-mentioned cases, if the potential of a common electrode to which each scanning electrode, which is to be Vgon simultaneously, is connected via storage capacitance (for example, in
(Supplemental Remarks with Respect to Cost of a Driving Circuit)
In the case of the present invention, since it is required to provide a scanning signal driving circuit and a common electrode potential control circuit (in the case of a general driving method in which the potential of a common electrode is kept constant, a common electrode potential control circuit is not required), there may be apprehension that cost is increased. However, if these driving circuits and pixel switching elements are designed on the same layout in the stage of mask layout design, extra processes do not result in the course of actual production, so that cost is not increased. In order to produce a scanning electrode driving circuit and a common electrode potential control circuit in the same substrate together with switching elements, it is desirable to use polycrystalline Si, single crystal Si, or SOI (silicon-on-insulator) type thin film transistor (or MOSFET). The reason for this is as follows. In the case of using these semiconductor substrates, either a p-channel thin film transistor or an n-channel thin film transistor can be produced, so that a degree of freedom for design of a driving circuit is enhanced.
(Case of a Current Driving Element)
An optical state of liquid crystal is controlled with an applied voltage (driving with a voltage), whereas an optical state of a self-emitting type diode, laser, electroluminescence material generally is controlled with a current (driving with a current). However, for example as shown in
In this case, if the portion surrounded by a broken line is dealt with collectively, this can be considered as if it is a display medium whose optical state is controlled with a voltage. Therefore, the configuration of the present invention is applicable. In this case, the sum of a gate-source capacitance and a gate-drain capacitance of the auxiliary TFT 25 may be considered to be Clc.
In such an element, it is not necessarily required to apply voltages with positive and negative polarities (i.e., a.c. driving) to a gate of the auxiliary TFT 25. However, even in the case of d.c. driving when a gate potential (potential of a portion represented by Vg(n) in
As described above, the effect of eliminating a brightness gradient cannot be obtained when γ=αstVcp/2 is a constant value in a display region. In other words, by setting the value of γ not to be constant in a display region, the effect of eliminating a brightness gradient can be obtained. As is understood from the descriptions of (Formula 12) to (Formula 14), γ refers to a difference in a capacitive coupling voltage superimposed on pixel electrodes from common electrodes between the case where the polarity of a video signal is positive and the case where the polarity of a video signal is negative (in other words, a difference between the application of a positive voltage to a display medium and the application of a negative voltage thereto). More specifically, the following also can be considered: a distribution of a capacitive coupling voltage is varied in a display region between the application of a positive voltage to a display medium and the application of a negative voltage thereto, whereby the effect of eliminating a brightness gradient is obtained.
A capacitive coupling voltage superimposed on the pixel electrodes is not necessarily from common electrodes. However, in order to adjust the potential freely in synchronization with the scanning electrodes, it is desirable to use common electrodes.
A method for changing a value in a screen in the present invention basically is realized by setting such a layout intentionally (more specifically, by setting a design mask figure intentionally). However, even if a design mask figure is created as in the prior art (more specifically, layouts of a pixel P and a pixel Q are designed to be uniform in a screen without giving a difference therebetween), for example, by intentionally shifting mask alignment in the course of production, the effects of the present invention also can be obtained.
In order to change a capacitance value, it is easiest to change an overlapping area of two conductive layers (or semiconductor layers) in a capacitance formed by allowing two conductive layers (or semiconductor layers) to sandwich an insulating layer. However, the following also may be possible: a gap between two conductive layers on a layout is changed by utilizing a capacitance caused by two conductive layers (or semiconductor layers) that are not overlapped with each other in a plane but are close to each other. Furthermore, it may be possible to vary a capacitance by changing the thickness of an insulating layer or changing a dielectric constant in some cases.
In the above, correction of an in-plane distribution of a recharge voltage has been described. However, it also is appreciated that flickering and a brightness gradient caused by an error in a production process (size shift and non-uniformity caused by alignment, omission, leaving, and the like) can be corrected by the same method as that of the present invention.
In order to correct inconsistency of generation of a recharge voltage on the line basis, caused by a difference in the distance of a wiring portion from a scanning signal driving circuit to a screen end portion in respective lines, and a recharge voltage difference between the central portion and the upper and lower portions, caused by a fixed potential at an upper end or a lower end of the counter electrode particularly in the case of the configuration in
In the above, the scanning signal driving circuit supplies a power from the upper side. However, it may supply a power from the lower side, or from upper and lower sides. Furthermore, the scanning signal driving circuit may supply a power alternately to every other column.
In the above, a scanning signal is supplied from the left (or right) side, and a video signal is supplied from the upper (or lower) side. However, the present invention is applicable to a display apparatus in which a scanning signal is supplied from the upper (or lower) side, and a video signal is supplied from the left (or right) side.
In the above-mentioned embodiments, a display apparatus has been described, which refers to the entire apparatus including a scanning signal driving circuit and a video signal driving circuit. In contrast, a portion at least including an array substrate, a counter substrate, and liquid crystal, without including a driving circuit, particularly is referred to as a “display element”. The effects of the present invention can be obtained both in a display apparatus and a display element.
As the liquid crystal, a liquid crystal other than the above-mentioned TN liquid crystal and IPS liquid crystal may be used. VA (vertical alignment) liquid crystal having relatively high response speed and a high contrast may be used. Alternatively, MVA (multi-domain VA) liquid crystal or other liquid crystal may be used. For example, TN (twisted nematic) liquid crystal, STN (super twisted nematic) liquid crystal, ECB (electric field control birefringence) type liquid crystal including VA liquid crystal (vertical alignment liquid crystal or homeotropic liquid crystal), homogeneous alignment liquid crystal, and the like, bent liquid crystal, IPS (in-plane switching) liquid crystal, GH (guest-host) liquid crystal, polymer dispersion type liquid crystal, ferroelectric liquid crystal, antiferroelectric liquid crystal, OCB liquid crystal, discotic liquid crystal, and other various modes can be used. Liquid crystal may be of a normally white type (a transmittance is decreased with an increase in an applied voltage) or a normally black type (a transmittance is increased with an increase in an applied voltage. Furthermore, in addition to liquid crystal, a material whose optical characteristics are changed with an applied voltage may be used. For example, electrooptical liquid crystal such as BSO (bismuth silicon oxide) and the like can be used. Furthermore, an electrochromic material, a self-emitting diode, laser, electroluminescence material, and the like may be used. Alternatively, a DMD (deformable mirror device) and the like may be used. Since liquid crystal is least expensive, it is desirable to use liquid crystal.
In the above-mentioned embodiments, a direct-vision type liquid crystal display panel has been described mainly. However, the present invention also is applicable to a liquid crystal element (including a polycrystalline Si type, a single crystal Si type, SOI (silicon-on-insulator) type, and the like) used in a liquid crystal projector.
In the first to third embodiments, a display apparatus of a TN type configuration (more generally, a configuration in which a pixel electrode and a counter electrode form a parallel plate capacitance with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween) has been described. In the fourth to sixth embodiments, a display apparatus with an IPS type configuration (more generally, a configuration in which a common electrode and a pixel electrode are formed on the same substrate, and liquid crystal is operated with an electric field parallel to the substrate) has been described.
However, the first to third embodiments, i.e., the unit pixel circuit configuration in
Furthermore, the fourth to sixth embodiments, i.e., the unit pixel circuit configuration in
Needless to say, if a counter electrode is insulated on the line basis with a TN-type configuration, the potential of the counter electrode in each line can be set separately, and the fourth to sixth embodiments can be implemented as they are.
As a modified driving method of the present invention, there is a method for varying while keeping common electrodes or a counter electrode at the same potential, for example, in the unit pixel circuit configuration in
Furthermore, the above-mentioned first potential may be considered to be Vc(+), the second potential may be considered to be Vc(−), and Vcoff may be considered to be an average value thereof, i.e., [Vc(+)+Vc(−)]/2 (in this case, according to (Formula 19), ΔVcc=0, so that the effect of enhancement of stability with time described in (Supplementary item 1 regarding the principle: Vcp and ΔVcc) cannot be expected).
Claims
1. A display apparatus, comprising: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a counter electrode; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode; and storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes,
- wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
- αgd and αst represented by αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot (Formula 1)
- are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom, and
- an area of overlapping portions between the scanning electrodes and the pixel electrodes, and an area of overlapping portions between the common electrodes and the pixel electrodes are set to be larger in a screen center portion farthest from the feeding ends than in a screen end portion closest to the feeding ends, so that αgd and αst are both larger in the screen center portion farthest from the feeding ends than in the screen end portion closest to the feeding ends.
2. A display apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a video signal driving circuit for applying two kinds of video signals having different polarities to video signal electrodes in accordance with a display period.
3. A display apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a common electrode potential control circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of common electrodes and a scanning signal driving circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of scanning electrodes, the common electrode potential control circuit has output potential levels of at least two values, and the scanning signal driving circuit has output potential levels of at least two values.
4. A display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the scanning signal driving circuit conducts writing to a plurality of lines simultaneously.
5. A display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display medium is liquid crystal of an OCB mode.
6. A display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the scanning signal driving circuit and the common electrode potential control circuit are formed on the same substrate as that of the switching elements.
7. A display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display medium is liquid crystal.
8. A display apparatus according to claim 7, which has a configuration forming a parallel plate capacitance in which a liquid crystal layer is interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode.
9. A display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of capacitances forming Ctot includes a capacitance formed by two conductive layers or semiconductor layers sandwiching an insulating layer therebetween, and an overlapping area of the two conductive layers or semiconductor layers is made different between the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen and the portion away therefrom, whereby αst or αlc, and αgd are allowed to have different values between the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen and the portion away therefrom.
10. A method for driving the display apparatus of claim 1, wherein after a potential is written to the pixel electrodes via the switching elements, a voltage is superimposed via Cst and has a value different between the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen and the portion away therefrom.
11. A method for driving a display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, when a scanning electrode is selected, a first potential level Vc(+) is applied to common electrodes that are connection destinations of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive, and a second potential level Vc(−) is applied thereto in a case where a polarity of the video signal is negative.
12. A display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display medium is composed of a medium whose optical state is controlled with a current and auxiliary switching elements.
13. A display apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the medium whose optical state is controlled with a current is an organic electroluminescence medium.
14. A display apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix;
- switching elements connected thereto;
- scanning electrodes;
- video signal electrodes;
- common electrodes;
- a counter electrode;
- a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode;
- storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes;
- a video signal driving circuit for applying two kinds of video signals having different polarities to video signal electrodes in accordance with a display period; and
- a common electrode potential control circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of common electrodes and a scanning signal driving circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of scanning electrodes, the common electrode potential control circuit has output potential levels of at least two values, and the scanning signal driving circuit has output potential levels of at least two values,
- wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
- αgd and αst represented by αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot (Formula 1)
- are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom,
- a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
- a potential of a common electrode that is a connection destination of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
- in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
- γ represented by γ=αstVcp/2 (Formula 2) (where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 3))
- is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
15. A display apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, assuming that a value of γ in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is γ(O), a value of γ in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is γ(E), and a value of γ in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is γ(M), γ(M) is smaller than [γ(O)+γ(E)]/2.
16. A display apparatus according to claim 14, wherein Vcp takes a negative value.
17. A display apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a common electrode potential is different between a retention period after the pixel electrodes are charged with a positive video signal and a retention period after the pixel electrodes are charged with a negative video signal.
18. A display apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix;
- switching elements connected thereto;
- scanning electrodes;
- video signal electrodes;
- common electrodes;
- a counter electrode;
- a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode;
- storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes;
- a video signal driving circuit for applying two kinds of video signals having different polarities to video signal electrodes in accordance with a display period; and
- a common electrode potential control circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of common electrodes and a scanning signal driving circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of scanning electrodes, the common electrode potential control circuit has output potential levels of at least two values, and the scanning signal driving circuit has output potential levels of at least two values,
- wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
- αgd and αst represented by αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot (Formula 1)
- are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom,
- a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
- a potential of a common electrode that is a connection destination of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scamming electrode is selected, and
- in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
- β represented by β=αgd+αst(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 4) (where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 5))
- is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
19. A display apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, assuming that a value of β in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is β(O), a value of β in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is β(E), and a value of β in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is β(M), β(M) is larger than [β(O)+β(E)]/2.
20. A display apparatus according to claim 18, wherein ΔVcc is negative.
21. A display apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix;
- switching elements connected thereto;
- scanning electrodes;
- video signal electrodes;
- common electrodes;
- a counter electrode;
- a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode;
- storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes;
- a video signal driving circuit for applying two kinds of video signals having different polarities to video signal electrodes in accordance with a display period; and
- a common electrode potential control circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of common electrodes and a scanning signal driving circuit for applying a voltage signal to a plurality of scanning electrodes, the common electrode potential control circuit has output potential levels of at least two values, and the scanning signal driving circuit has output potential levels of at least two values,
- wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
- αgd and αst represented by αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot (Formula 1)
- are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom,
- a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
- a potential of a common electrode that is a connection destination of storage capacitance connected to pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
- in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
- γ represented by γ=αstVcp/2 (Formula 2) (where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 3))
- is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto, and
- βrepresented by β=αgd+αst(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 4) (where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 5))
- is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
22. A display element, comprising: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix; switching elements connected thereto; scanning electrodes; video signal electrodes; common electrodes; a counter electrode; a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode; and storage capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes,
- wherein, in a case where a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
- αgd and αst represented by αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot (Formula 1)
- are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom, and
- an area of overlapping portions between the scanning electrodes and the pixel electrodes, and an area of overlapping portions between the common electrodes and the pixel electrodes are set to be larger in a screen center portion farthest from the feeding ends than in a screen end portion closest to the feeding ends, so that αgd and αst are both larger in the screen center portion farthest from the feeding ends than in the screen end portion closest to the feeding ends.
23. A method of displaying an image on an apparatus comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix, a counter electrode, and a display medium interposed between the pixel electrodes and the counter electrode, the method, comprising:
- applying a signal to video signal electrodes connected to switching elements connected to the pixel electrodes, the apparatus further comprising scanning electrodes and counter electrodes; and
- thereby causing activation of the display medium to display an image;
- wherein, when a scanning electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the scanning electrodes is represented by Cgd, a common electrode-pixel electrode capacitance between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes is represented by Cst, and a total capacitance connected electrically to the pixel electrodes is represented by Ctot,
- αgd and αst represented by αgd=Cgd/Ctot, αst=Cst/Ctot (Formula 1)
- are set to be different values between a portion close to feeding ends in a screen and a portion away therefrom, and a flickering or brightness gradient of the display can be reduced.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein storage capacitance is formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes, an area of overlapping portions between the scanning electrodes and the pixel electrodes, and an area of overlapping portions between the common electrodes and the pixel electrodes are set to be larger in a screen center portion farthest from the feeding ends than in a screen end portion closest to the feeding ends, so that αgd and αst are both larger in the screen center portion farthest from the feeding ends than in the screen end portion closest to the feeding ends.
25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the display medium is liquid crystal,
- a storage capacitance is formed between each of electrodes, other than the common electrodes opposing the pixel electrodes via the display medium and the scanning electrodes of the stage concerned, and the pixel electrodes, and the common electrodes are formed in a same substrate as are the pixel electrodes, the liquid crystal being activated by an electric field parallel to the substrate.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein a video signal driving circuit applies two kinds of video signals having different polarities to video signal electrodes in accordance with a display period.
27. The method according to claim 26, wherein a common electrode potential control circuit applies a voltage signal to a plurality of common electrodes and a scanning signal driving circuit applies a voltage signal to a plurality of scanning electrodes, wherein the common electrode potential control circuit has output potential levels of at least two values, and the scanning signal driving circuit has output potential levels of at least two values.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
- a potential of a common electrode that opposes pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode via the display medium becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
- in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
- γ represented by γ=αstVcp/2 (Formula 7) (where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 8))
- is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
29. The method according to claim 28, wherein, assuming that a value of γ in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is γ(O), a value of γ in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is γ(E), and a value of γ in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is γ(M), γ(M) is smaller than [γ(O)+γ(E)]/2.
30. The method according to claim 28, wherein Vcp is negative.
31. The method according to claim 27, wherein a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
- a potential of a common electrode that opposes pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrodes via the display medium becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected, and
- in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
- β represented by β=αgd+αst(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 9) (where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 10))
- is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
32. The method according to claim 31, wherein, assuming that a value of β in the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen is β(O), a value of β in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen is β(E), and a value of β in a portion in a middle therebetween in terms of a distance is β(M), β(M) is larger than [β(O)+β(E)]/2.
33. The method according to claim 31, wherein ΔVcc is negative.
34. The method according to claim 27, wherein a potential of a scanning electrode becomes a first potential level Vgon when the scanning electrode is selected and becomes substantially a second potential level Vgoff during a retention period in which the scanning electrode is not selected,
- a potential of a common electrode that opposes pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode via the display medium becomes a first potential level Vc(+) in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive and a second potential level Vc(−) in a case where the polarity of the video signal is negative, when the scanning electrode is selected,
- in a case where a difference between the first potential level Vc(+) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(+), and a difference between the second potential level Vc(−) of the common electrode and a potential during a subsequent retention period is represented by ΔVc(−),
- γ represented by γ=αstVcp/2 (Formula 7) (where Vcp=ΔVc(+)−ΔVc(−) (Formula 8))
- is set to be smaller in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto, and
- β represented by β=αgd+αst(ΔVcc/ΔVgon) (Formula 9) (where ΔVgon=Vgon−Vgoff, ΔVcc=[ΔVc(+)+ΔVc(−)]/2 (Formula 10))
- is set to be larger in the portion away from the feeding ends in the screen, compared with the portion close thereto.
35. The method according to claim 25, wherein at least one of capacitances forming Ctot includes a capacitance formed by two conductive layers or semiconductor layers sandwiching an insulating layer therebetween, and an overlapping area of the two conductive layers or semiconductor layers is made different between the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen and the portion away therefrom, whereby αst and αgd are allowed to have different values between the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen and the portion away therefrom.
36. The method according to claim 25, wherein after a potential is written to the pixel electrodes via the switching elements, a voltage is superimposed via Cst and has a value different between the portion close to the feeding ends in the screen and the portion away therefrom.
37. The method according to claim 36, wherein, when a scanning electrode is selected, a first potential level Vc(+) is applied to common electrodes opposing pixel electrodes of a plurality of pixels belonging to the scanning electrode via a display medium in a case where a polarity of a video signal is positive, and a second potential level Vc(−) is applied thereto in a case where a polarity of the video signal is negative.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jun 11, 2001
Date of Patent: Apr 20, 2010
Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Osaka)
Inventors: Yukio Tanaka (Kyoto), Katsuhiko Kumagawa (Osaka), Masanori Kimura (Osaka), Kazunori Komori (Hyogo)
Primary Examiner: Prabodh M Dharia
Attorney: Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C.
Application Number: 11/880,423
International Classification: G09G 5/00 (20060101);