1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the liquid crystal display, and more specifically to a device and method for driving the liquid crystal display.
2. The Prior Arts
A liquid crystal display (LCD), due to its small form factor, low power consumption, and low heat dissipation, has been widely utilized on various electronic devices. Especially, as the LCD technology has advanced to surpass the limitations and disadvantages of conventional or other existing display technologies such as cathode ray tube (CRT) and light emitting diode (LED), the LCD has been considered to have great importance and potential for the future development of computers, mobile handsets, and other consumer electronic devices.
Generally, an LCD is made by two glass substrates with specially processed surfaces and liquid crystal molecules interposed therebetween. When applying different voltages on the electrodes of the glass substrates, the orientation, and therefore the transparency, of the liquid crystal molecules would vary accordingly. Because the liquid crystal molecules do not illuminate by themselves, a kind of backlight has to be employed. As the light radiated from the backlight passes through the liquid crystal molecules with different transparency, an image is thereby displayed.
More specifically, the structure and function of a thin-film transistor (TFT) LCD is described as follows. In general, a TFT LCD is a layer of liquid crystal interposed between two glass substrates. Color filters are installed on one of the glass substrates and transistors are built into the other glass substrate. The transistors function as switches and control the voltages applied on the liquid crystal molecules. When the transistors are turned on and voltages are applied, the liquid crystal molecules will have corresponding orientations and transparencies. Each pixel of the LCD display therefore has a specific brightness. The color filters attached to the glass substrate give each pixel the three colors red, green, and blue. These pixels exhibiting the colors red, green, and blue constitute the image displayed on the LCD.
As mentioned earlier, the LCD technology has advantages that are not available from the conventional CRT and existing LED display technologies. The LCD display, however, does have its own limitations. As mentioned earlier, under the influence of the electric fields established by the voltages applied on the electrodes of the glass substrates, the liquid crystal molecules develop corresponding orientations and therefore a texture is formed. Then, by the lights radiate from the backlight module installed behind the glass substrate, the pixels of the LCD display manifest various degrees of brightness and an image is thereby displayed. During this process, the applied voltages can reach their target values instantaneously. The liquid crystal molecules, however, require a period of time to develop the targeted orientations. The change of brightness of pixels therefore lags behind the change of voltages, causing a so-called delay phenomenon. As shown in
Conventionally, to overcome such delay phenomenon, an overdrive method is applied whose device structure is shown in
To further explain the overdrive method, please refer to
Accordingly, the present invention is aimed at overcoming the limitations and disadvantages of the LCD overdriving methods according to prior arts.
The present invention provides a method and device for overdriving a LCD display to effectively achieve faster optical response time so that fast changing; dynamic images can be displayed with superior quality.
The basic pixel structure of the overdrive device provided by the present invention contains a first gate line, a second gate line, a first data line, a second data line, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, an output line, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The first transistor has its gate connected to the first gate line, its source connected to the first data line, and its drain connected to the output line, the first capacitor, and the second transistor's drain. The second transistor has its gate connected to the second gate line, its source connected to the second data line, and its drain connected to the output line, the second capacitor, and the first transistor's drain. The first and second capacitors are also connected to the ground. The output line delivers the driving voltage to the corresponding pixel of the LCD display. The first and second gate lines are connected to a gate driver. The first and second data lines are connected to a data driver.
The present invention also provides a method for overdriving a liquid crystal display.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic diagrams showing the overdrive device and an inner structure of a pixel at the intersection of a plurality of gate lines and data lines according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 5(a) through 5(e) shows the various waveforms of the output overdrive voltage VLC, the control voltages asserted on the first and second gate lines G1 and G1′, the driving voltages applied on the first and second data lines D1 and D1′ of FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) respectively.
FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are schematic diagrams showing the overdrive device and an inner structure of a pixel at the intersection of a plurality of gate lines and data lines according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 7(a) through 7(g) shows the various waveforms of the output overdrive voltage VLC, the control voltages asserted on the first and second gate lines G1 and G1′, the driving voltages applied on the fourth, third, first and second data lines D, D′, D1 and D1′ of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) respectively.
FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are schematic diagrams showing the overdrive device and an inner structure of a pixel at the intersection of a plurality of gate lines and data lines according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 9(a) through 9(d) shows the various waveforms of the output overdrive voltage VLC, the control voltages asserted on the first and second gate lines G1 and Gm, the driving voltages applied on the first data line D1 of FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) respectively.
FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing the overdrive device and an inner structure of a pixel at the intersection of a plurality of gate lines and data lines according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 11(a) through 11(e) shows the various waveforms of the output overdrive voltage VLC, the control voltages asserted on the first, second, and third gate lines G1, Gm+1, and G2m+1, the driving voltages applied on the first data line D1 of FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) respectively.
FIGS. 12(a) through 12(e) shows the various waveforms of the output overdrive voltage VLC, the control voltages asserted on the first, second, and third gate lines G1, Gm+1, and G2m+1, the driving voltages applied on the first data line D1 of FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) respectively.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described along with the accompanying drawings in the following. In the accompanying drawings, identical reference numbers are used to refer to the same elements of the embodiments of the present invention. Waveform diagrams are mainly used in the following to describe the driving voltage applied on liquid crystal and the corresponding trajectory and behavior of optical response of liquid crystal. Through these waveform diagrams, the features and advantages of the present invention are thereby manifested.
Referring to
In the following, five embodiments of the present invention along with their respective circuit schematic diagram and various control voltage waveforms, driving voltage waveforms, and optical response characteristics curves are described to explain the method and device provided by the present invention.
The first embodiment of the present invention is described in the following along with FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) and FIGS. 5(a) to 5(e).
FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic diagrams showing the overdrive device and an inner structure of a pixel at the intersection of a plurality of gate lines and data lines according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Driving Device of the First Embodiment of the Present Invention
As shown in
FIGS. 5(a) through 5(e) show the various waveforms of the output overdrive voltage VLC, the control voltages asserted on the first and second gate lines G1 and G1′, the driving voltages applied on the first and second data lines D1 and D1′ of FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) respectively. Please note that the control voltage pulses on the first and second gate lines G1 and G1′ have a time difference for scanning (or displaying) n lines of pixels of the LCD display. The time difference between the two control voltages is adjustable according to the present invention.
Please be reminded again that the output overdrive voltage VLC can reach its targeted voltage almost instantaneously but the driven liquid crystal molecules require a period of time to reach the targeted optical response due to a material characteristics of the liquid crystal.
Driving Method of the First Embodiment of the Present Invention
The driving method of the overdrive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps:
Because alternating current (AC) voltage is used to drive the overdrive device, the driving voltages generated by the overdrive device as shown in FIGS. 5(d) and 5(e) and the output overdrive voltage VLC alternate between positive and negative phases with respect to the reference voltage Vcom.
During the frame N−1 and before the instant A1, the driving voltage D1′ and the output overdrive voltage VLC are at a negative V0′ (code 32). Then after the instant A1 and during frame N, the driving voltage D1 jumps instantaneously to a positive V1 (code 200). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A1, the output overdrive voltage VLC jumps to the positive V1 (code 200) and remains at V1 until the instant A2. At the instant A2, the driving voltage D1′ is at a positive V2 (code 120). Due to the trigger of the control voltage G1′ at the instant A2, the output overdrive voltage VLC drops from the positive V1 (code 200) to the positive V2 (code 120) and remains at V2 until the instant A3. Frame N+1 starts from the instant A3. At this point of time, the driving voltage D1 drops instantaneously to a negative V2′ (code 120). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A3, the output overdrive voltage VLC drops instantaneously to the negative V2′ (code 120) and remains at V2′ until the instant A4. At the instant A4, the driving voltage D1′ is still at the negative V2′ (code 120). Due to the trigger of the control voltage G1′ at the instant A4, the output overdrive voltage VLC is maintained at the negative V2′ (code 120) until the instant A5. Frame N+2 starts from the instant A5. At this point of time, the driving voltage D1 jumps instantaneously to a positive V2 (code 120). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A5, the output overdrive voltage VLC jumps instantaneously to the positive V2 (code 120) as well and remains at V2 until the instant A6. What happens at and after the instant A6 can be easily deduced from the foregoing description.
As shown in
The n as shown in
The second embodiment of the present invention is described in the following along with FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) and FIGS. 7(a) to 7(g).
FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are schematic diagrams showing the overdrive device and an inner structure of a pixel at the intersection of a plurality of gate lines and data lines according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Driving device of the second embodiment of the present invention
As shown in
FIGS. 7(a) through 7(g) show the various waveforms of the output overdrive voltage VLC, the control voltages asserted on the first and second gate lines G1 and G1′, the driving voltages applied on the fourth, third, first and second data lines D, D′, D1 and D1′ of FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) respectively. Please note that the control voltage pulses on the first and second gate lines G1 and G1′ have a time difference for scanning (or displaying) n lines of pixels of the LCD display. The time difference between the two control voltages is adjustable according to the present invention.
Driving Method of the Second Embodiment of the Present Invention
The driving method of the overdrive device according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps:
Because alternating current (AC) voltage is used to drive the overdrive device, the driving voltages generated by the overdrive device as shown in FIGS. 7(f) and 7(g) and the output overdrive voltage VLC alternate between positive and negative phases with respect to the reference voltage Vcom.
During the frame N−1 and before the instant A1, the driving voltage D1′ and the output overdrive voltage VLC are at a negative V0′ (code 32). Then after the instant A1 and during frame N, the driving voltage D1 jumps instantaneously to a positive V1 (code 200). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A1, the output overdrive voltage VLC jumps to the positive V1 (code 200) and remains at V1 until the instant A2. At the instant A2, the driving voltage D1′ is at a positive V2 (code 120). Due to the trigger of the control voltage G1′ at the instant A2, the output overdrive voltage VLC drops from the positive V1 (code 200) to the positive V2 (code 120) and remains at V2 until the instant A3. Frame N+1 starts from the instant A3. At this point of time, the driving voltage D1 drops instantaneously to a negative V2′ (code 120). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A3, the output overdrive voltage VLC drops instantaneously to the negative. V2′ (code 120) and remains at V2′ until the instant A4. At the instant A4, the driving voltage D1′ is still at the negative V2′ (code 120). Due to the trigger of the control voltage G1′ at the instant A4, the output overdrive voltage VLC is maintained at the negative V2′ (code 120) until the instant A5. Frame N+2 starts from the instant A5. At this point of time, the driving voltage D1 jumps instantaneously to a positive V2 (code 120). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A5, the output overdrive voltage VLC jumps instantaneously to the positive V2 (code 120) as well and remains at V2 until the instant A6. What happens at and after the instant A6 can be easily deduced from the foregoing description.
As shown in
The n as shown in
The output overdrive voltage VLC generated by the overdrive device according the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the one generated by the first embodiment of the present invention. This is intended to simply the explanation and comparison of the embodiments of the present invention. The designer, however, can actually, based on the principle of the present invention, to generate the output overdrive voltage VLC having a specific waveform to suit the designer's requirement.
The third embodiment of the present invention is described in the following along with FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) and FIGS. 9(a) to 9(d).
FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are schematic diagrams showing the overdrive device and an inner structure of a pixel at the intersection of a plurality of gate lines and data lines according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Driving Device of the Third Embodiment of the Present Invention
As shown in
FIGS. 9(a) through 9(d) show the various waveforms of the output overdrive voltage VLC, the control voltages asserted on the first and second gate lines G1 and Gm, the driving voltage applied on the first data line D1 of FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) respectively.
Driving Method of the Third Embodiment of the Present Invention
The driving method of the overdrive device according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps:
Because alternating current (AC) voltage is used to drive the overdrive device, the driving voltage generated by the overdrive device as shown in
During the frame N−1 and before the instant A1, the driving voltage D1 and the output overdrive voltage VLC are at a negative V0′ (code 32). Then after the instant A1 and during frame N, the driving voltage D1 jumps instantaneously to a positive V1 (code 200). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A1, the output overdrive voltage VLC jumps to the positive V1 (code 200) and remains at V1 until the instant A2. At the instant A2, the driving voltage D1 is at a positive V2 (code 120). Due to the trigger of the control voltage G1 at the instant A2, the output overdrive voltage VLC drops from the positive V1 (code 200) to the positive V2 (code 120) and remains at V2 until the instant A3. Frame N+1 starts from the instant A3. At this point of time, the driving voltage D1 drops instantaneously to a negative V2′ (code 120). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A3, the output overdrive voltage VLC drops instantaneously to the negative V2′ (code 120) and remains at V2′ until the instant A4. At the instant A4, the driving voltage D1′ is still at the negative V2′ (code 120). Due to the trigger of the control voltage G1′ at the instant A4, the output overdrive voltage VLC is maintained at the negative V2′ (code 120) until the instant A5. Frame N+2 starts from the instant A5. At this point of time, the driving voltage D1 jumps instantaneously to a positive V2 (code 120). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A5, the output overdrive voltage VLC jumps instantaneously to the positive V2 (code 120) as well and remains at V2 until the instant A6. What happens at and after the instant A6 can be easily deduced from the foregoing description.
As shown in
The “Hsync” shown in
The output overdrive voltage VLC generated by the overdrive device according the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the one generated by the first embodiment of the present invention. This is intended to simply the explanation and comparison of the embodiments of the present invention. The designer, however, can actually, based on the principle of the present invention, to generate the output overdrive voltage VLC having a specific waveform to suit the designer's requirement.
Please be noted that, the output overdrive voltage VLC can achieve the objective and effect of overdriving liquid crystal whether the output overdrive voltage VLC have either a positive or negative polarity.
In addition, the m-line distance between the first and second gate lines can be adjusted based on the actual requirement and targeted effect. This important feature of the present invention is not known to or available from the prior arts.
The fourth embodiment of the present invention is described in the following along with FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) and FIGS. 11(a) to 11(e). The fifth embodiment of the present invention also adopts the identical overdrive device as depicted in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). However, a different driving method is applied in the fifth embodiment of the present invention to achieve a different display effect. More details will be given later.
FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing the overdrive device and an inner structure of a pixel at the intersection of a plurality of gate lines and data lines according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Driving Device of the Fourth Embodiment of the Present Invention
As shown in
FIGS. 11(a) through 11(e) show the various waveforms of the output overdrive voltage VLC, the control voltages asserted on the first, second, and third gate lines G1, Gm+1, and G2m+1, the driving voltage applied on the first data line D1 of FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) respectively. Driving method of the fourth embodiment of the present invention
The driving method of the overdrive device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps:
Because alternating current (AC) voltage is used to drive the overdrive device, the driving voltage generated by the overdrive device as shown in
During the frame N−1 and before the instant A1, the driving voltage D1 and the output overdrive voltage VLC are at a negative V0′ (code 32). Then after the instant A1 and during frame N, the driving voltage D1 jumps instantaneously to a positive V1 (code 200). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A1, the output overdrive voltage VLC jumps to the positive V1 (code 200) and remains at V1 until the instant A2. At the instant A2, the driving voltage D1 is at a positive V2 (code 120). Due to the trigger of the control voltage G1 at the instant A2, the output overdrive voltage VLC drops from the positive V1 (code 200) to the positive V2 (code 120) and remains at V2 until the instant A3. Frame N+1 starts from the instant A3. At this point of time, the driving voltage D1 drops instantaneously to a negative V2′ (code 120). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A3, the output overdrive voltage VLC drops instantaneously to the negative V2′ (code 120) and remains at V2′ until the instant A4. At the instant A4, the driving voltage D1′ is still at the negative V2′ (code 120). Due to the trigger of the control voltage G1′ at the instant A4, the output overdrive voltage VLC is maintained at the negative V2′ (code 120) until the instant A5. Frame N+2 starts from the instant A5. At this point of time, the driving voltage D1 jumps instantaneously to a positive V2 (code 120). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A5, the output overdrive voltage VLC jumps instantaneously to the positive V2 (code 120) as well and remains at V2 until the instant A6. What happens at and after the instant A6 can be easily deduced from the foregoing description.
As shown in
In summary, the objective of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is that two lines of pixels that are 2m lines apart are displayed simultaneously and synchronously on the LCD display as shown in FIGS. 11(b) through 11(d).
The interaction between the control voltages Gm+1 and G2m+1, the driving voltage D1, and the output overdrive voltage VLC are exactly the same as that between the control voltage G1, the driving voltage D1, and the output overdrive voltage VLC (as depicted in FIGS. 11(a), 11(b), and 11(e)). Further description is therefore omitted.
The output overdrive voltage VLC generated by the overdrive device according the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as the one generated by the first embodiment of the present invention. This is intended to simply the explanation and comparison of the embodiments of the present invention. The designer, however, can actually, based on the principle of the present invention, to generate the output overdrive voltage VLC having a specific waveform to suit the designer's requirement.
The fifth embodiment of the present invention is described in the following along with FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) and FIGS. 12(a) to 12(e). The fifth embodiment of the present invention adopts the identical overdrive device as the fourth embodiment of the present invention as depicted in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). However, a different driving method is applied in the fifth embodiment of the present invention to achieve a different display effect.
FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing the overdrive device and an inner structure of a pixel at the intersection of a plurality of gate lines and data lines according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Driving Device of the Fifth Embodiment of the Present Invention
As shown in
FIGS. 12(a) through 12(e) show the various waveforms of the output overdrive voltage VLC, the control voltages asserted on the first, second, and third gate lines G1, Gm+1, and G2m+1, the driving voltage applied on the first data line D1 of FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) respectively.
Driving Method of the Fifth Embodiment of the Present Invention
The driving method of the overdrive device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps:
Because alternating current (AC) voltage is used to drive the overdrive device, the driving voltage generated by the overdrive device as shown in
During the frame N−1 and before the instant A1, the driving voltage D1 and the output overdrive voltage VLC are at a negative V0′ (code 32). Then after the instant A1 and during frame N, the driving voltage D1 jumps instantaneously to a positive V1 (code 200). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A1, the output overdrive voltage VLC jumps to the positive V1 (code 200) and remains at V1 until the instant A2. At the instant A2, the driving voltage D1 is at a positive V2 (code 120). Due to the trigger of the control voltage G1 at the instant A2, the output overdrive voltage VLC drops from the positive V1 (code 200) to the positive V2 (code 120) and remains at V2 until the instant A3. Frame N+1 starts from the instant A3. At this point of time, the driving voltage D1 drops instantaneously to a negative V2′ (code 120). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A3, the output overdrive voltage VLC drops instantaneously to the negative V2′ (code 120) and remains at V2′ until the instant A4. At the instant A4, the driving voltage D1′ is still at the negative V2′ (code 120). Due to the trigger of the control voltage G1′ at the instant A4, the output overdrive voltage VLC is maintained at the negative V2′ (code 120) until the instant A5. Frame N+2 starts from the instant A5. At this point of time, the driving voltage D1 jumps instantaneously to a positive V2 (code 120). Due to the control voltage G1's trigger at the instant A5, the output overdrive voltage VLC jumps instantaneously to the positive V2 (code 120) as well and remains at V2 until the instant A6. What happens at and after the instant A6 can be easily deduced from the foregoing description.
As shown in
In summary, the objective of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is that three lines of pixels that are m lines apart are displayed simultaneously and synchronously on the LCD display as shown in FIGS. 12(b) through 12(d).
The interaction between the control voltages Gm+1 and G2m+1, the driving voltage D1, and the output overdrive voltage VLC are exactly the same as that between the control voltage G1, the driving voltage D1, and the output overdrive voltage VLC (as depicted in FIGS. 12(a), 12(b), and 12(e)). Further description is therefore omitted.
According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, each line of image will be displayed three times in a single frame time. Each line of the image will be displayed with two other lines that are m lines apart simultaneously.
The output overdrive voltage VLC generated by the overdrive device according the fifth embodiment of the present invention is the same as the one generated by the first embodiment of the present invention. This is intended to simply the explanation and comparison of the embodiments of the present invention. The designer, however, can actually, based on the principle of the present invention, to generate the output overdrive voltage VLC having a specific waveform to suit the designer's requirement.
From the foregoing detailed description of the five embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that the present invention indeed offers design and manufacturing flexibility. For example, the time interval n between the first and second control voltages G1 and G1′ of the first and second embodiments is adjustable. Similarly, the distance m between the synchronously displayed image lines of the fourth and fifth embodiments is also adjustable. Such design flexibility allows the designers of LCD display to achieve the optimal optical response from the LCD displays implemented with the overdrive device and method of the present invention.
Accordingly, the method and device for overdriving the LCD display provided by the present invention can indeed improve and overcome the limitations and disadvantages of prior arts. The LCD displays employing the present invention therefore have faster optical response time and superior dynamic image display quality.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93103826 | Feb 2004 | TW | national |