Reference voltage generating circuit and liquid display device using the same

A reference voltage generating circuit for an LCD device includes a main pumping section, a sub-pumping section, an input section inputting a level designating signal periodically and alternately designating a first reference level and a second reference level, and a control section alternately comparing an output voltage with the first and second reference levels in response to the level designating signal, wherein the control section outputs a first logic level and the main pumping section selectively lowers the output voltage in a fast negative pumping and the sub-pumping section selectively raises the output voltage in a slower positive pumping.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0060200, filed on Jun. 30, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and more particularly, to a reference voltage generating circuit for an LCD device. Embodiments of the present invention are suitable for a wide scope of applications. In particular, embodiments of the present invention are suitable for generating and maintaining voltages at a plurality of levels for the LCD device.

2. Discussion of Related Art

In general, a signal processing and control system uses a reference voltage signal to detect a desired signal. The signal processing and control system periodically changes signal modes and control states as needed. Accordingly, the reference voltage signal may alternate between at least two voltage levels depending on the number of states and signal modes.

A liquid crystal display device, which may include a signal processing and control system, uses “a common voltage” as a reference voltage alternating between two different voltage levels. In particular, the common voltage swings between the two levels corresponding to pixel data voltages of positive polarity and negative polarity supplied to liquid crystal cells. Thus, the swing type common voltage allows the pixel date voltages of the positive polarity and the negative polarity to share a predetermined voltage level region. The liquid crystal display device not only displays an image of an excellent quality but also remarkably reduces the power consumption by using the swing type common voltage. In order to generate the swing type common voltage, the liquid crystal display device uses a common voltage generating circuit including a high capacity transistor, such as a transistor having a wide channel.

The high capacity transistor provided in the related art common voltage generating circuit can shorten the level transition period of the common voltage but cannot maintain a stable transition level. Specifically, the common voltage oscillates and vibrates in the vicinity of the transition level in the related art common voltage generating circuit. The oscillation phenomenon adds a noise component to a pixel data voltage and deteriorates the quality of the displayed image on the LCD device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a reference voltage generating circuit that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art, and a liquid crystal display device using the same.

An object of the present invention to provide a reference voltage generating circuit suitable for maintaining a stable reference voltage for an LCD device.

Another object of the present invention to provide a reference voltage generating circuit suitable for preventing a noise component from deteriorating the quality of a displayed image on the LCD device.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description of exemplary embodiments which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description of the exemplary embodiments, or may be learned by practice of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. These and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description of the exemplary embodiments and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, a reference voltage generating circuit for an LCD device includes a main pumping section, a sub-pumping section, an input section inputting a level designating signal periodically and alternately designating a first reference level and a second reference level, and a control section alternately comparing an output voltage with the first and second reference levels in response to the level designating signal, wherein the control section outputs a first logic level and the main pumping section selectively lowers the output voltage in a fast negative pumping and the sub-pumping section selectively raises the output voltage in a slower positive pumping.

In another aspect, a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel with liquid crystal cells in a matrix arrangement are commonly connected to a common electrode, a driver part driving the liquid crystal panel by alternately supplying pixel data voltages having a negative polarity and a positive polarity with reference to a voltage level on the common electrode to the liquid crystal cells, and a common voltage generator periodically and alternately having a first reference level and a second reference level lower than the first reference level in response to a polarity inverting signal from the driver part representing the output periods of the pixel data of the negative polarity and the positive polarity, the common voltage generator supplying a common voltage having rapid divergence characteristics and slow convergence characteristics to the common electrode.

In another aspect, a reference voltage generating circuit includes an input section inputting at least two bits of level selecting signal, the logic level of which is periodically changed, and a node control section controlling an output node using an output voltage on the output node and at least three different reference levels corresponding to logic levels of the at least two bits of level selecting signals so that the output voltage between the reference levels has rapid divergence characteristics and the output voltage deviating from a range between the reference levels has slow convergence characteristics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram of an exemplary LCD device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1, a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel100displaying an image, a data driver150for driving m-number of data lines DL1to DLm on the liquid crystal panel100, a gate driver170for driving n-number of gate lines GL1to GLn on the liquid crystal panel100, and a timing controller130controlling the drive timings of the data and gate drivers150and170.

The liquid crystal panel100includes pixels formed by regions defined by n-number of gate lines GL1to GLn and m-number of data lines DL1to DLm crossing each other, respectively. Each of the pixels includes a thin film transistor TFT formed at the crossing of the corresponding gate line GL and the corresponding data line DL, and a liquid crystal cell CLC connected to the thin film transistor TFT and a common voltage (Vcom) electrode. The thin film transistor TFT switches a pixel data voltage to be supplied from the corresponding data line DL to the corresponding liquid crystal cell CLC in response to a gate signal on the corresponding gate line GL.

The liquid cell CLC includes a common electrode and a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor TFT. The pixel electrode and the common electrode face each other and have a liquid crystal layer between them. The liquid crystal cell CLC charges the pixel data voltage supplied via the corresponding thin film transistor TFT. The voltage charged in the liquid crystal cell CLC is renewed whenever the corresponding thin film transistor TFT is turned on. Moreover, each of the pixels on the liquid crystal panel100includes a storage capacitor Cst connected between the thin film transistor TFT and the prior gate line. The storage capacitor Cst maintains the level of the voltage charged in the liquid crystal cell CLC.

The gate driver170supplies an n-number of gate signals to the corresponding n-number of gate lines GL1to GLn in response to gate control signals from a timing controller130. The n-number of gate signals allow the n-number of gate lines GL1to GLn to be sequentially enabled by a period of one horizontal synchronous signal.

The data driver150generates an m-number of pixel data voltages in response to the data control signals from the timing controller130whenever one of the gate lines GL1to GLn is enabled and supplies the m-number of pixel data voltages to the m-number of data lines DL1to DLm on the liquid crystal panel100. For this, the data driver150inputs the pixel data from the timing controller130line-by-line and converts the input pixel data corresponding to the one line to pixel data voltages using a gamma voltage set. In an embodiment, the pixel data voltages output from the data driver150may alternate between a negative polarity and a positive polarity at each frame period. In another embodiment, the pixel data voltages output from the data driver150may alternate between a negative polarity and a positive polarity at each horizontal period. The generation of the pixel data voltages of the negative polarity and the positive polarity is determined by the logic level of a polarity inverting signal POL (shown inFIG. 2).

The timing controller130generates gate control signals, data control signals, and a polarity inverting signal POL using a data clock DCLK, a horizontal synchronous signal Hsync, a vertical synchronous signal Vsync, and a data enable signal DE from an external system (not shown), for example, a graphic module of a computer system or an image demodulating module of a television reception system. The gate control signals are supplied to the gate driver170and the data control signals and the polarity inverting signal POL are supplied to the data driver150. Further, the timing controller170inputs the pixel data from an external system frame-by-frame and rearranges a frame of pixel data line-by-line. The rearranged pixel data from each frame are sequentially supplied to the data driver150line-by-line.

The liquid crystal display device ofFIG. 1further includes a common voltage generating circuit190responding to the polarity control signal POL from the timing controller130. The common voltage generating circuit190supplies a common voltage Vcom swung between two levels, which is synchronous with the polarity inverting signal POL to the common electrode on the liquid crystal panel100. The common voltage Vcom has rapid divergence characteristics within a predetermined level range and slow convergence characteristics outside the range. The rapid divergence characteristics and the slow convergence characteristics shorten the level transition period of the common voltage and reduces the oscillation phenomenon. Thus, the common voltage Vcom has a short level transition period (i.e. short edge section) and a stable level maintaining section due to its rapid divergence characteristics and slow convergence characteristics.

The pixel data voltages of negative and positive polarities alternately supplied to the liquid crystal cell CLC on the liquid crystal panel do not generate noise because of the rapid divergence and slow convergence characteristics of the common voltage Vcom. Thus, according to an embodiment of the invention, the liquid crystal display device can display a high quality image without noise, such as flicker and artifacts.

FIG. 2shows a block diagram of an exemplary common voltage generating circuit for the LCD device ofFIG. 1. Referring toFIG. 2, the common voltage generating circuit190includes a main pumping section191and a sub-pumping section193commonly connected to an output node Nout, and an error detecting section195and a pumping control section197commonly responding to the polarity control signal POL from the timing controller130(shown inFIG. 1).

The main pumping section191performs a positive pumping or a negative pumping rapidly increasing or decreasing the charge on the output node Nout. The common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout rapidly increases during the positive pumping by the main pumping section191. In contrast, the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout rapidly decreases during the negative pumping by the main pumping section191.

On the other hand, the sub-pumping section193performs a positive pumping or a negative pumping slowly increasing or decreasing the charge on the output node Nout. The common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout slowly increases during the positive pumping by the sub-pumping section193. In contrast, the common voltage Vcom on the output node slowly decreases during the negative pumping by the sub-pumping section193.

The error detecting section195compares the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout with a high potential reference voltage Vch or a low potential reference voltage Vcl according to the logic level of the polarity inverting signal POL. For example, the error detecting section195compares the common voltage Vcom with the low potential reference voltage Vcl if the polarity inverting signal POL has a high logic level. In contrast, the error detecting section195compares the common voltage Vcom with the high potential reference voltage Vch if the polarity inverting signal has a low logic level. The error detecting section195generates an error detection signal EDS of a predetermined logic level, for example a high logic level, if the common voltage Vcom is higher than a reference voltage (i.e. a high potential or low potential reference voltage Vch or Vcl), while it generates an error detection signal EDS of a base logic level, for example a low logic level, if the common voltage Vcom is lower than a reference voltage (i.e. a high potential or low potential reference voltage Vch or Vcl).

The pumping control section197performs the positive pumping of the main pumping section191and the negative pumping of the sub-pumping section193according to the logic level, for example the logic state, of the polarity inverting signal POL or performs the negative pumping of the main pumping section191and the positive pumping of the sub-pumping section. Further, the pumping control section197selects any one of a switching between the positive pumping of the main pumping section191and the negative pumping of the sub-pumping section193and a switching between the negative pumping of the main pumping section191and the positive pumping of the sub-pumping section193according to the logic level of the error detection signal EDS from the error detecting section195.

For example, if the polarity inverting signal POL has a high logic level, the pumping control section197allows the negative pumping of the main pumping section191and the positive pumping of the sub-pumping section193to be selectively performed according to the logic level (i.e. the logic state) of the error detection signal EDS. The pumping control section197allows the main pumping section to perform the rapid negative pumping if the error detection signal EDS is a predetermined logic level, such as a high logic level, for example, if the common voltage Vcom is higher than the low potential reference voltage Vcl. In contrast, the pumping control section197allows the sub-pumping section193to perform the slower positive pumping if the error detection signal EDS is a base logic, such as a low logic level, for example, if the common voltage Vcom is lower than the low potential reference voltage Vcl.

On the other hand, if the polarity inverting signal POL has a low logic level, the pumping control section197allows the pumping sections191and193to selectively perform the positive pumping of the main pumping section191and the negative pumping of the sub-pumping section193according to the logic level (i.e. the logic state) of the error detection signal EDS. The pumping control section197allows the sub-pumping section193to perform the slower negative pumping if the error detection signal is a predetermined logic level, such as a high logic level, for example, if the common voltage Vcom is higher than the high potential reference voltage Vch. In contrast, the pumping control section197allows the main pumping section191to perform the rapid positive pumping if the error detection signal EDS is a base logic level, such as a low logic level, for example, if the common voltage Vcom is lower than the high potential reference voltage Vch.

The pumping control section197includes a divergence controller197A and a convergence controller197B responding to the polarity inverting signal POL to control the four pumping modes. The divergence controller197A allows the main pumping section191to perform the fast positive or negative pumping according to the logic level of the polarity inverting signal POL. Further, the divergence controller197A allows the main pumping section191to selectively perform the fast pumping (i.e. the positive or negative pumping) according to the logic level of the error detection signal EDS from the error detecting section195.

For example, the divergence controller197A allows the main pumping section191to perform the fast negative pumping if the polarity inverting signal POL has a high logic level. The fast negative pumping is performed only when the error detection signal EDS is a predetermined logic level, such as a high logic level, for example only when the common voltage Vcom is higher than the low potential reference voltage Vcl. The common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout rapidly decreases toward the low potential reference voltage Vcl due to the fast negative pumping of the main pumping section191. Accordingly, the period for decreasing the common voltage Vcom from the high potential reference voltage Vch to the low potential reference voltage Vcl is shortened. In contrast, the divergence controller197A allows the main pumping section191to perform the fast positive pumping if the polarity inverting signal POL is a low logic. The fast positive pumping is performed only when the error detection signal EDS is a base logic level, such as a low logic level, for example only when the common voltage Vcom is lower than the high potential reference voltage Vch. The common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout rapidly increases toward the high potential reference voltage Vch due to the fast positive pumping of the main pumping section191. Accordingly, the period for increasing the common voltage Vcom from the low potential reference voltage Vcl to the high potential reference voltage Vch is shortened.

Similarly, the convergence controller197B allows the sub-pumping section193to perform the slower positive or negative pumping according to the logic level of the polarity inverting signal POL. The convergence controller197B allows the slower pumping (the positive or negative pumping) of the sub-pumping section193to be performed in complementary cooperation with the pumping of the main pumping section191according to the output signal from the divergence controller197B.

For example, the convergence controller197A allows the sub-pumping section193to perform the slower positive pumping if the polarity inverting signal POL is a high logic level. The slower positive pumping is performed only when the fast negative pumping of the main pumping section191is interrupted, for example only when the common voltage Vcom is lower than the low potential reference voltage Vcl. The slower positive pumping of the sub-pumping section193allows the common voltage Vcom to slowly increase toward the low potential reference voltage Vcl from a voltage lower than the low potential reference voltage Vcl. Accordingly, the common voltage Vcom stabilizes the low potential reference voltage Vcl and prevents the oscillation phenomenon.

In contrast, the convergence controller197B allows the sub-pumping section193to perform the slower negative pumping if the polarity inverting signal POL is a low logic level. The slower negative pumping is performed only when the fast positive pumping of the main pumping section191is interrupted, for example only when the common voltage Vcom is higher than the high potential reference voltage Vch. The slower negative pumping of the sub-pumping section193allows the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout to decrease toward the high potential reference voltage Vch from a voltage higher than the high potential reference voltage Vch.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a fast positive or negative pumping is performed to achieve a rapid voltage divergence in a level range between the low potential reference voltage Vcl and the high potential reference voltage Vch. The slower positive or negative pumping is performed to achieve the slower voltage convergence in response to the common voltage deviating from a level range between the low potential reference voltage Vcl and the high potential reference voltage Vch. Thus, the common voltage generating circuit does not generate the oscillation phenomenon. Accordingly, the common voltage shortens the transition period of the two levels and stably maintains the transition level.

FIG. 3shows an exemplary circuit diagram of the common voltage generating circuit ofFIG. 2. Referring toFIG. 3, the main pumping section191includes a first transistor ML1connected between a supply voltage line Vdd and the output node Nout and a second transistor ML2connected between a base voltage line GND and the output node Nout. The first transistor ML1is turned on when the fast positive control signal HPS is in a low state and supplies a supply voltage from the supply power source line Vdd to the output node to rapidly increase the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout. In other words, the first transistor ML1performs the fast positive pumping. The first transistor ML1may be a P-type MOS transistor having a wide channel width. Alternatively, the first transistor ML1may also be an N-type MOS transistor having a wide channel width if the fast positive control signal HPS is enabled to a high state. On the other hand, the second transistor ML2is turned on when the fast negative control signal HNS is in a high state and rapidly discharges the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout toward the base voltage line GND. In other words, the second transistor ML2performs the fast negative pumping. Accordingly, the second transistor ML2may be an N-type MOS transistor having a large channel width. Alternatively, the second transistor ML2may be a P-type MOS transistor having a large channel width if the fast negative control signal HNS is enabled to a low state.

Similarly, the sub-pumping section193includes a third transistor MS1connected between the supply voltage line Vdd and the output node Nout; and a fourth transistor MS2connected between the output node Nout and the base voltage line GND. The third transistor MS1is turned on when the slower positive control signal LPS is in a low state and supplies a supply voltage from the supply power source line Vdd to the output node to slowly increase the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout. In other words, the third transistor MS1performs the slower positive pumping. The third transistor MS1may be a P-type MOS transistor having a narrow channel width. Alternatively, the third transistor MS1may be an N-type MOS transistor having a narrow channel width if the slower positive control signal LPS is enabled to a high state.

On the other hand, the fourth transistor MS2is turned on when the slower negative control signal LNS is in a high state and slowly discharges the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout toward the base voltage line GND. In other words, the fourth transistor MS2performs the slower negative pumping. The fourth transistor MS2may be an N-type MOS transistor having a narrow channel width. Alternatively, the fourth transistor MS2may be a P-type MOS transistor having a narrow channel width if the slower negative control signal HNS is enabled to a low state.

The error detecting section195includes a comparator200inputting a reference voltage from a control switch SW1. The control switch SW1supplies a low potential or high potential reference voltage Vcl or Vch to the comparator200according to the logic level of the polarity inverting signal POL from the timing controller130ofFIG. 1. For example, if the polarity inverting signal POL has a high logic level, the control switch SW1supplies the low potential reference voltage Vcl to an inverting terminal of the comparator POL. In contrast, if the polarity inverting signal POL has a low logic level, the control switch supplies the high potential reference voltage Vch to the inverting terminal of the comparator. The comparator200compares the common voltage Vcom from the output node Nout with the low potential or high potential reference voltage Vcl or Vch form the control switch SW1and generates an error detection signal EDS having a high or low logic level. The error detection signal EDS has a high logic level if the common voltage Vcom is higher than the low potential or high potential reference voltage Vcl or Vch, while it has a low logic level if the common voltage Vcom is lower than the low potential or high potential reference voltage Vcl or Vch.

The divergence controller197A includes an OR gate201and an AND gate202to which the polarity inverting signal POL and an error detection signal EDS from the comparator200are commonly input. The OR gate201generates a fast positive control signal HPS enabled to a low state only when both of the polarity inverting signal POL and the error detection signal EDS have a low logic level, for example when the common voltage Vcom is lower than the high potential reference voltage Vch selected by the polarity inverting signal POL. The fast positive control signal HPS generated in the OR gate201is supplied to a gate terminal of the first transistor ML1of the main pumping section191to allow the first transistor ML1to perform the fast positive voltage pumping. Then, the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout rapidly approaches the high potential reference voltage Vch from the low potential reference voltage Vcl. The OR gate201performing an OR operation can be replaced by a NOR gate if the first transistor ML1is driven by a high logic level. The AND gate202generates a fast negative control signal HNS enabled to a high state only when both of the polarity inverting signal POL and the error detection signal EDS have a high logic level, for example when the common voltage Vcom is higher than the low potential reference voltage Vcl selected by the polarity inverting signal POL. The fast negative control signal HNS generated in the AND gate202is supplied to the gate terminal of the second transistor ML2of the main pumping section191to allow the second transistor ML2to perform the fast negative voltage pumping. Then, the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout rapidly approaches to the low potential reference voltage Vcl from the high potential reference voltage Vch. The AND gate202performing an AND operation can be replace by an OR gate if the second transistor ML2is driven by a low logic level.

The convergence controller197A includes an ENOR gate203and an EOR gate204to which the polarity inverting signal POL is commonly input. The ENOR gate203performs an ENOR operation of the polarity inverting signal POL and the fast negative control signal HNS from the AND gate202of the convergence controller197B. The ENOR gate203generates the slower positive control signal LPS enabled to a low state only when the polarity inverting signal POL and the high negative control signal HNS have different logic, for example when the common voltage Vcom is lower than the low potential reference voltage Vcl selected by the polarity inverting signal POL. The slower positive control signal LPS generated in the ENOR gate203is supplied to the gate terminal of the third transistor MS1of the sub-pumping section193to allow the third transistor MS1to perform the slower positive voltage pumping. Then, the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout slowly approaches the low potential reference voltage Vch from a voltage lower than the low potential reference voltage Vch. The ENOR gate203performing the ENOR operation can be replaced by an EOR gate if the third transistor MS1is driven by a high logic level. The EOR gate204performs an EOR operation of the polarity inverting signal POL and the fast positive control signal HPS from the OR gate201of the divergence controller197A. The EOR gate204generates the slower negative control signal LNS enabled to a high state only when the polarity inverting signal POL and the high positive control signal HPS have the same logic level, for example when the common voltage Vcom is higher than the high potential reference voltage Vch selected by the polarity inverting signal POL. The slower negative control signal LNS generated in the EOR gate203is supplied to the gate terminal of the fourth transistor MS2of the sub-pumping section193to allow the fourth transistor MS2to perform the slower negative voltage pumping. Then, the common voltage Vcom on the output node Nout slowly approaches the high potential reference voltage Vch from a voltage higher than the high potential reference voltage Vch. The EOR gate203performing the EOR operation can be replaced by an ENOR gate if fourth transistor MS2is driven by a low logic level.

FIG. 4shows an exemplary logic table corresponding to the common voltage generating circuit ofFIG. 3. The variations of logic levels of the signals POL, EDS, HPS, HNS, LPS and LNS in the logic table ofFIG. 4can be easily understood by those skilled in the art. Therefore, additional description thereof will be omitted.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the fast positive or negative pumping for the reference voltage generating circuit is performed in a level range between the low potential reference voltage and the high potential reference voltage to produce the rapid voltage divergence. On the other hand, the slower positive or negative pumping is performed to produce the slower voltage convergence in response to a common voltage deviating from a level range between the low potential reference voltage and the high potential reference voltage. Thus, the swing type reference voltage signal shortens the transition time between two levels and stably maintains the transition level.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a swing type reference voltage signal having the rapid divergence characteristics and the slow convergence characteristics is used as a common voltage Vcom in the LCD device. Thus, noise is not generated in pixel data voltages of the negative polarity and the positive polarity which are alternately supplied to the liquid crystal cell on the liquid crystal panel. Accordingly, the LCD device can display a high quality image free from noise such as flicker and artifacts.

In another embodiment of the invention, the polarity inverting signal inFIGS. 2 and 3can be a level selection signal of at least two bits and at least three different reference levels can be selectively compared with the common voltage according to the logic level of the level selection signal. In this case, the divergence and convergence controllers allow the pumping sections to selectively perform the fast positive and negative pumping and the slower positive and negative pumping according to the logic level of the level selection signal and the error detection signal. The swing type common voltage (i.e. reference voltage) having the rapid divergence characteristics between the previously selected reference level and the currently selected reference level and the slow convergence characteristics in a level deviating a range between them can be generated in the output node.

Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in embodiments of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that embodiments of the present invention cover the modifications and variations of the embodiments described herein provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.