Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6657609
-
Patent Number
6,657,609
-
Date Filed
Friday, September 28, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, December 2, 200320 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 345 60
- 345 94
- 345 96
- 345 99
- 345 98
- 345 100
- 345 208
- 345 209
- 345 213
- 345 87
- 348 750
- 348 751
- 348 761
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A method and apparatus of reducing flicker in liquid crystal displays. A light beam modulated by image information organized by frames is produced. In alternating frames, designed as even and odd frames, the light beam is modulated use complementary voltages relative to a common electrode. The difference in the average modulation in the even frames and in the odd frames over time is determined. That difference is used to adjust the potential of the common electrode such that the difference in the average modulation over time becomes zero.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to liquid crystal displays. More specifically, it relates to reducing flicker in reflective liquid crystal display devices.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Producing a color image using a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is well known. Such displays are particularly useful for producing images that are updated by frames, such as in color televisions. Typically, each image frame is composed of color sub-frames, usually red, green and blue sub-frames.
Such LCD systems employ a light crystal light panel that is comprised of a large number of individual liquid crystal pixel elements. Those pixel elements are beneficially organized in a matrix comprised of pixel rows and pixel columns. To produce a desired image, the individual pixel elements are modulated in accordance with image information. Typically, the image information is applied to the individual pixel elements by rows, with each pixel row being addressed in each frame period.
Pixel element matrix arrays are preferably “active” in that each pixel element is connected to an active switching element of a matrix of such switching elements. One particularly useful active matrix liquid crystal display is the reflective active-matrix liquid crystal display (RLCD). An RLCD display is typically produced on a silicon substrate and is often based on the twisted nematic (TN) effect. Thin film transistors (TFTs) are usually used as the active switching elements. Such RLCD displays can support a high pixel density because the TFTs and their interconnections can be integrated onto the silicon substrate.
FIG. 1
schematically illustrates a single pixel element
10
of a typical RLCD. The pixel element
10
is comprised of a twisted nematic liquid crystal layer
12
that is disposed between a transparent electrode
14
and a pixel electrode
16
. For convenience,
FIG. 1
shows the transparent electrode applied to a common ground. However, in practice the transparent electrode is usually biased, say at +7 volts. Additionally, a storage element
18
is connected to complementary data terminals
20
and
22
. The storage element receives control signals on a control terminal
24
. In responsive to a “write” control signal the storage element
18
selectively latches the voltage on one of the data terminals
20
and
22
, and applies that latched voltage to the pixel electrode
16
via a signal line
26
. The voltages on the data terminals
20
and
22
are complementary. That is, if the transparent electrode is at ground, when one line is at +2 volts, the other is at −2 volts. Still referring to
FIG. 1
, and as explained in more detail subsequently, the liquid crystal layer
12
rotates the polarization of the light
30
, with the amount of polarization rotation dependent on the voltage across the liquid crystal layer
12
. Ideally, the pixel element
10
is symmetrical in that the polarization rotation depends only on the magnitude of the latched signal on the signal line
26
. By alternating complementary signals in consecutive frames, unwanted charges across the liquid crystal layer
12
are prevented. If only one polarity was used, ions would build up across the capacitance formed by the transparent electrode
14
, the liquid crystal layer
12
, and the pixel electrode
16
. Such charges would bias the pixel element
10
. Thus, the pixel elements are driven by complementary signals in consecutive frame periods. Those frame periods are thus grouped into even frames and odd frames, with the even and odd frames being interlaced.
The light
30
is derived from incident non-polarized light
32
from an external light source (which is not shown). The non-polarized light is polarized by a first polarizer
34
to form the light
30
. The light
30
passes through the transparent electrode
14
, through the liquid crystal layer
12
, reflects off the pixel electrode
16
, passes back through the liquid crystal layer
12
, passes out of the transparent electrode
14
, and then is directed onto a second polarizer
36
. During the double pass through the liquid crystal layer
12
the polarization of the light beam is rotated in accord with the magnitude of the voltage on the signal line
26
. Only the portion of the light
30
that is parallel with the polarization direction of the second polarizer
36
passes through that polarizer. Since the passed portion depends on the amount of polarization rotation, which in turn depends on the voltage on the signal line
26
, the voltage on the signal line controls the intensity of the light that leaves the pixel element.
The storage element
18
is typically a capacitor connected to a thin film transistor switch. When a control signal is applied to the gate electrode of the thin film transistor that transistor turns on. Then, the voltage applied to the source of the thin film transistor passes through the thin film transistor and charges the capacitor. When the control signal is removed, the thin film transistor opens and the capacitor potential is stored on the pixel electrode
16
.
FIG. 2
schematically illustrates a pixel element matrix. As shown, a plurality of pixel elements
10
, each having an associated switching thin film transistor and a storage capacitor, are arranged in a matrix of rows (horizontal) and columns (vertical). For simplicity, only a small portion of a matrix array is shown. In practice there are numerous rows, say 1290, and numerous columns, say 1024. Referring to
FIG. 2
, the pixel elements of a row are selected together by applying a gate (switch) control signal on a gate line, specifically the gate lines
40
a
,
40
b
, and
40
c
. A constant voltage (which is shared by all of the pixel elements) is applied to the transparent electrode
14
from a ramp source
41
via a line
42
. Furthermore, the ramp source
41
applies complementary ramp signals on lines
20
and
22
(which are also shared by all of the pixel elements
10
). Furthermore, column select lines
46
a
,
46
b
, and
46
c
, control the operation of the pixel elements
10
.
A row of pixel elements is selected by the application of a signal on an appropriate one of the gate lines
40
a
-
40
c
. This turns on all of the pixel elements in that row. Then, the ramp source
41
applies a ramp to either line
20
or line
22
(which line is used is varied in each frame). The ramp begins charging all of the storage capacitors in the selected row. As the other rows are not energized, the ramp source only charges the OFF-state capacitance of the other pixels. When the ramp voltage reaches the desired state for a particular pixel, the column select line (
46
a
-
46
c
) voltage for that particular pixel element
10
turns the pixel switch OFF. Then, the ramp voltage that existed when the particular pixel element
10
was turned OFF is stored on that element's storage capacitor. Meanwhile, the ramp voltage continues to increase until all of the column select lines (
46
a
-
46
c
) cause a ramp voltage to be HELD on an associated pixel element. After that, a new row of pixel elements is selected and the process starts over. After all rows have been selected, the process starts over again in a new frame period, this time using the complement of the previous ramp.
The foregoing process is generally well known and is typically performed using digital shift registers, microcontrollers, and voltages sources that are beneficially fabricated on a common substrate using semiconductor processing technology on polysilicon and/or amorphous silicon.
While RLCD displays are generally successful, they have their problems. For example, in practice the pixel elements are not ideal in that the polarization rotation of the light
30
is not symmetrical. That is a +1 volt signal does not necessarily produce the same rotation as a −1 volt signal. While the physical principles behind this asymmetry are not fully understood, it appears that one explanation for this phenomenon is that the liquid crystal layer
12
, the transparent electrode
14
, and the pixel electrode
16
interact to form a battery that biases the pixel electrode
16
relative to the transparent electrode
14
. Compounding the problem is the fact that the bias is not constant over time or temperature, and that the bias changes due to manufacturing variations. The result is ion movement that produces a DC voltage offset. The DC voltage offset produces gray scale distortions and limits the achievable gray scale range.
Additionally, the bias offset introduces intensity “flicker” that causes problems that are difficult to correct for. While visual flicker can be minimized by increasing the frame rate such that the human eye does not perceive the flicker, that flicker negatively impacts peak contrast, intensity, and color. Therefore, a technique of correcting for DC bias and/or flicker induced problems would be beneficial.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the principles of the present invention are directed to a method and to an apparatus of reducing flicker. According to the principles of the present invention a light beam is modulated by image information organized by frames. In alternating frames, designed as even and odd frames, that light beam is modulated use complementary voltages taken relative to a common (transparent) electrode. The difference in the average modulation in the even frames and in the odd frames over time is then determined. That difference is then used to adjust the potential of the common electrode such that the difference in the average modulation over time is zero.
The apparatus includes a beam splitter for passing light having a first polarization and for deflecting light having a second polarization. Polarized light from the beam splitter is modulated by a liquid crystal display driver comprised of a plurality of pixel elements connected in a pixel matrix. Each pixel element includes part of a common transparent electrode, a pixel electrode, and an interposed liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal display driver modulates its received light, by even and odd frames, to produce a modulated light beam. That modulated light beam is then directed through an optical system that optically modifies the modulated light beam. The optically modified light beam is then displayed on a viewing screen. A light sensor receives a portion of the modulated light beam and produces a sensor signal. That sensor signal is used by correction circuitry to sense a difference in the average modulation of the light beam in even and odd frames. The correction circuitry then adjusts the common transparent electrode potential such that the modulation in the even numbered frames and the modulation in the odd numbered frames have the same average modulation.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from that description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate and help explain the principles of the invention.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1
schematically illustrates a prior art reflective liquid crystal pixel element;
FIG. 2
schematically illustrates a prior art LCD display comprised of a pixel element matrix;
FIG. 3
illustrates exemplary pixel element drive potentials;
FIG. 4
schematically illustrates a reflective liquid crystal display that incorporates the principles of the present invention; and
FIG. 5
schematically illustrates electronic circuitry used with the reflective liquid crystal display illustrated in FIG.
4
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Reference will now be made in detail to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the example of which is provided for in the accompanying drawings. That embodiment illustrates a technique of correcting for liquid crystal pixel element DC bias and/or pixel element flicker-induced problems.
FIG. 3
illustrates exemplary pixel element drive potentials verses time that help illustrate the problems that are addressed by the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 3
shows an “ideal” reference voltage
102
. That ideal reference voltage, which represents the midpoint of positive potentials
104
and negative potentials
106
, is the ideal average voltage across the common transparent electrode
14
and the pixel electrode of
16
of
FIGS. 1 and 2
. Additionally, the positive potentials
104
and negative potentials
106
represent the respective potentials applied to lines
22
and
20
of
FIGS. 1 and 2
. For example, an ideal reference voltage might be +7 voltage, while the ramp peaks of the positive potentials
104
and negative potentials
106
might reach +12 and +2 volts, respectively.
Referring specifically to graph A of
FIG. 3
, without correction the ideal reference voltage is distorted by the potential of a battery formed by the common transparent electrode
14
, the pixel electrode of
16
, and the liquid crystal layer
12
(reference FIG.
1
). That potential results in an actual reference potential
108
. Thus, after a pixel element
10
stores a positive potential
110
in one frame, during the next frame that pixel element stores a negative potential
112
that has a different magnitude than that of the positive potential. In particular, graph A illustrates what happens when the battery potential adds to the ideal reference value. Turning now to graph B, a similar result occurs when the battery potential subtracts from the ideal reference value. In that case, an actual reference potential
114
occurs.
To compensate for the battery potential two factors are required: the magnitude of the required compensation, and the direction of the required compensation. It should be pointed out that battery potential changes tend to occur slowly, typically over a period of many minutes or hours. Thus, rapid corrections are not required. It should be pointed out that the magnitude of the required correction could be measured by the light sensor alone. However, synchronous demodulation can automatically extract not only the magnitude, but also the proper direction for correcting the ‘ideal’ voltage. Furthermore, the correction direction depends on the specific system. In some systems an increased potential will increase darkness, while in other applications an increased potential will reduce darkness. The synchronous demodulator can be driven to correctly compensate for either system.
FIGS. 4 and 5
schematically illustrate a technique of compensating for the battery potential. Turning now specifically to
FIG. 4
, a typically RLCD
150
includes a liquid crystal display driver
152
, which includes pixel elements and a pixel element matrix as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a polarizing beam splitter
154
, a source of light
156
, a lens system
158
, and a viewing screen
160
. An RLCD according to the principles of the present invention further includes at least one light sensor
162
that gathers reflected light, and correction circuitry
163
. While
FIG. 4
shows three light sensors
162
, labeled A, B, and C, only one is required. However, there are three particularly good locations to gather reflected light. One is off the viewing screen
160
, another is off the lens system
158
, and the other is off of the beam splitter of the polarizing beam splitter
154
.
In operation, the light
156
passes through the polarizing beam splitter
154
to the display
152
. The display
152
varies the polarization rotation of the light
156
and reflects that light back through the polarizing beam splitter
154
. The portion of the light
156
having the correct polarization is directed out of the polarizing beam splitter
154
to the lens system
158
. Some of the light is reflected at the beam split. That reflected light can be collected by a light sensor
162
. The lens system
158
optically processes its incoming light and directs that light onto the viewing screen
160
. Some of the light is reflected by the lens system
158
and by the viewing screen
160
. Such reflected light can be collected by a light sensor
162
.
FIG. 5
illustrates the processing of signals from the light sensor
162
by the correction circuitry
163
. The light sensor
162
converts its collected light into an electrical current that is amplified by an amplifier
170
. The AC output of the amplifier, which has a relatively high frequency component, passes through a capacitor
172
to a synchronous detector
174
. That detector also receives a frame synchronization signal on an input
178
. The frame synchronization signal matches the display frame rate. Thus, in one frame period the frame synchronization signal causes switch A to close and switch B to open, and in the next frame period the frame synchronization signal causes switch B to close and switch A to open. The result is an “error signal” that depends on the difference in the intensity of light collected by the light sensor
162
in alternating periods.
Since the error signal can include a high frequency component, the error signal from the synchronous detector
174
is low pass filtered by a filter
180
. The output of the filter
180
is amplified by an amplifier
182
. The amplified error signal is then applied to a summing circuit
184
. The summing circuit
184
also receives a reference potential on a line
188
. The summing circuit
184
outputs a control signal on a line
190
that adjusts the potential applied to the transparent electrode
14
(see FIGS.
1
and
2
). If an error signal exits, the summing circuit
184
adjusts the control signal on the line
190
in the direction such that the potential applied to the transparent electrode
14
reduces the error signal. When the error signal is zero, the potential applied to the transparent electrode
14
is centered between the positive and negative ramps. This reduces flicker, increases the gray scale, and improves contrast.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
- 1. A liquid crystal display apparatus, comprising:a beam splitter for passing light having a first polarization and for deflecting light having a second polarization; a liquid crystal display driver comprised of a plurality of pixel elements connected in a pixel matrix, wherein each pixel element includes a common electrode, a pixel electrode, and an interposed liquid crystal layer, and wherein all pixel elements share a common transparent electrode, said liquid crystal display driver is for receiving light from said beam splitter, said liquid crystal display driver is further for using said pixel elements to modulate the received light according to image information in interlaced even frames and odd frames, wherein modulation during even frames depends on a potential difference between a common electrode voltage on said common electrode and first stored voltages on said pixel electrodes, wherein said first stored voltages are produced by selectively storing potentials of a first ramp in even frames, wherein said modulation during odd frames depends on a potential difference between said common electrode voltage and second stored voltages on said pixel electrodes, wherein said second stored voltages are produced by selectively storing potentials of a second ramp in odd frames; a lens system for optically modifying said modulated light beam; a viewing screen for displaying an image produced by said optically modified light beam; a light sensor for receiving a portion of said modulated light beam and for producing a sensor signal that depends on said received portion; and correction circuitry for receiving said sensor signal and for adjusting said common electrode voltage in response to said sensor signal such that the modulation in said even frames and the modulation in the odd frames have the same average modulation.
- 2. A liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light sensor receives a portion of said modulated light beam that is reflected internal to said beam splitter.
- 3. A liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light sensor receives a portion of said modulated light beam that is reflected by said lens system.
- 4. A liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light sensor receives a portion of said modulated light beam that is reflected by said viewing screen.
- 5. A liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said correction circuitry includes an amplifier for amplifying said sensor signal.
- 6. A liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said correction circuitry includes a synchronous detector connected to a frame sync signal, and wherein said synchronous detector detects the difference in said amplified sensor signal between the average modulation in said even frames and in said odd frames.
- 7. A liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said correction circuitry further includes a low pass filter for filtering high frequency components of said detected difference.
- 8. A liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said correction circuitry includes an error correction network for adjusting said common electrode voltage based on said filtered detected difference.
- 9. A liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said error correction network receives a reference signal.
- 10. A method of reducing flicker in a liquid crystal display apparatus, comprising:producing a modulated light beam in even frames by modulating a light beam's polarization using first potential differences between a common electrode and a plurality of pixel electrodes; producing a modulated light beam in odd frames by modulating a light beam's polarization using second potential differences between a common electrode and a plurality of pixel electrodes; passing said modulated light beam in even frames and said modulated light beam in odd frames through an optical system; imaging the modulated light beams that pass through said optical system on a viewing screen; sensing a portion of said modulated light beam in even frames and said modulated light beam in odd frames; and using the sensed portion to adjust a reference electrode potential on said common electrode such that said modulated light beam in even frames and said modulated light beam in odd frames having the same average modulation.
- 11. A method of reducing flicker in a liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the optical system beam splits and optically processes said modulated light beam in even frames and said modulated light beam in odd frames.
- 12. A method of reducing flicker in a liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein using the sensed portion includes amplifying and synchronously detecting the sensed portion.
- 13. A method of reducing flicker in a liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein sensing a portion of said modulated light beam in even frames and said modulated light beam in odd frames includes gathering light reflected from the optical system.
- 14. A method of reducing flicker in a liquid crystal display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein sensing a portion of said modulated light beam in even frames and said modulated light beam in odd frames includes gathering light reflected from the viewing screen.
US Referenced Citations (6)