Patent Publication Number: US-8988413-B2

Title: Display apparatus and display method thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 101114197, filed on Apr. 20, 2012. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a display apparatus and display method thereof, and more particularly relates to a display apparatus has two display area and the display method thereof. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     With the advance in science and technology, electronic devices become inseparable in daily life, and humanized electronic devices with excellent functions continually innovate as well. Display panels are generally disposed in various types of electronic devices and serve as media of the circuit and the user. In general, a display panel may be a liquid crystal display panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel, an electrophoretic display (EPD) display panel, and an electrowetting (EWD) display panel. 
     Furthermore, a display panel would be divided into two display regions in some electronic devices, namely a major display region and a peripheral display region surrounding the major display region are respectively displaying screens and colors (or grey scales), wherein most of the peripheral display region displaying colors (or grey scales) shows the corresponding colors (or grey scales) relatively to the configurations set by users. However, the colors (or grey scales) configured by users may probably discoordinate with the screen shown by the major display region of the display panel such that affect the whole display effect. Moreover, since the colors (or grey scales) shown by display panel correspond with the configurations set by the users, the peripheral display region displaying the colors (or grey scales) would become invalid and is not capable of providing any assistance in the display effect. 
     In addition, due to the display requirements are simpler in peripheral display region, the structure of the pixels disposed thereof is different with the structure of pixels disposed in major display region, and thus the pixels structures in two display regions should both be taken into consideration when driving a display panel, such that the pixels of the two display regions could correctly show the expected colors (or grey scales). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention directed to a display apparatus and display method thereof, an extending display region of a display panel is changed corresponding to a frame displayed on a frame display region so as to improve the display effect of the frame. 
     An embodiment of the invention provides a display apparatus including a display panel, a timing controller, a data driving unit, and an extending driving unit. The display panel has a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels are disposed in a frame display region of the display panel, while the second pixels are disposed in an extending display region of the display panel, and the extending display region surrounds the frame display region. The timing controller receives a frame data corresponding to a display frame and outputs a plurality of display data correspondingly. The data driving unit is coupled the first pixels and timing controller so as to receive the display data and provides a plurality of first driving signals to the first pixels according to the display data. The extending driving unit is coupled to the second pixels and the data driving unit, and receive a display reference data corresponding to the display frame through the data driving unit. The extending driving unit provides a second driving signal to the second pixels according to the display reference data so as to determine the display effect of the second pixels. 
     An embodiment of the invention provides a display method of a display apparatus, which includes the steps below. Receiving a frame data corresponding to a display frame and correspondingly outputs a plurality of display data. Providing a plurality of first driving signals to a plurality of first pixels according to the display data, wherein the first pixels are disposed in a frame display region of a display panel. Receiving a display reference data corresponding to the display frame. Providing a second driving signal to a plurality of second pixels according to the display reference data so as to determine the display effect of the second pixels, wherein the second pixels are disposed in an extending display region of the display panel, and the extending frame display region surrounds the frame display region. 
     Based on the above, the display apparatus and the display method thereof of the embodiments of the invention are generate the second driving signal according to the display reference data corresponding to the display frame, such that the display effect of the extending display region is changed corresponding to the display frame shown in frame display region so as to improve the display effect of the display frame. 
     The abovementioned features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become more obvious and better understood with regard to the following description of the embodiments, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in the below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a system schematic diagram of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of adjusting a common voltage corresponding to a feed-through voltage of first pixels. 
         FIG. 3  is a system schematic diagram of an extending driving unit according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a circuit schematic diagram of a level-adjusting circuit according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a system schematic diagram of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a system schematic diagram of the extending driving unit depicted in  FIG. 5  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a circuit schematic diagram of the voltage regulating circuit depicted in  FIG. 6  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a system schematic diagram of a display apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of a display method of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of a display method of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of a display method of a display apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a system schematic diagram of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the display apparatus  100  of the present embodiment includes a timing controller  110 , a scan driving unit  120 , a data driving unit  130 , an extending driving unit  140 , a power supply unit  150 , and a display panel  160 . The display panel  160  has a plurality of first pixels PA and a plurality of second pixels PB, wherein the first pixels PA are disposed in the frame display region FDR of the display panel  160 , the second pixels PB are disposed in the extending display region EDR of the display panel  160 , and the extending display region EDR surrounds the frame display region FDR. The timing controller  110  receives a frame data FED corresponding to a display frame and correspondingly outputs a plurality of display data DSD. 
     The scan driving unit  120  is coupled to the timing controller  110 , and is controlled by the timing controller  110  and outputs a plurality of scan signals SC in sequence so as to activate the first pixels PA. The data driving unit  130  is coupled to the first pixels PA and the timing controller  110  so as to receive the display data DSD from the timing controller  110  and to provide a plurality of first driving signals SDR 1  to the first pixels PA according to the display data DSD. The extending driving unit  140  is coupled to the second pixels PB and the data driving unit  130 , and receives a display reference data DRD corresponding to the display frame through the data driving unit  130 . The extending driving unit  140  provides a second driving signal SDR 2  to the second pixels PB so as to determine the display effect of the second pixels PB (e.g. colors and/or grey scales) according to the display reference data DRD. The power supply unit  150  is coupled to the display panel  160  so as to provide a common voltage Vcom′ to the display panel  160 , and the common voltage Vcom′ is serves as a basis of the first pixels PA and the second pixels PB when displaying. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the content of the first driving signals SDR 1  and the second driving signal SDR 2  may depend on the types of the first pixels PA and the second pixels PB. For examples, if the first pixels PA and the second pixels PB are liquid crystal pixels, the first driving signals SDR 1  and the second driving signal SDR 2  may be a plurality of pixel voltages; if the first pixels PA and the second pixels PB are electrophoretic pixels, then the first driving signals SDR 1  and the second driving signal SDR 2  may be a plurality of driving waveforms. 
     Besides, the display reference data DRD received by the extending driving unit  140  may be the whole, part, or one of the display data DSD, namely the extending driving unit  140  generates the second driving signal SDR 2  according to the whole, part, or one of the display data DSD. Meanwhile, since the display data DSD is generated according to the frame data FED of the display frame, the extending driving unit  140  is equivalent to generate the second driving signal SDR 2  according to the display effect of the whole display frame, part display frame, or one of the pixels in the display frame. 
     Or, the display reference data DRD received by the extending driving unit  140  may be the whole, part, or one of the first driving signals SDR 1 , namely the extending driving unit  140  generates the second driving signal SDR 2  according to the whole, part, or one of the first driving signals SDR 1 . Meanwhile, since the first driving signals SDR 1  is generated according to the display data DSD (equivalent to correspond to the display frame), the extending driving unit  140  is equivalent to generate the second driving signal SDR 2  according to the whole display frame, part display frame, or one of the pixels in the display frame. Moreover, since the content of the first driving signals SDR 1  and the second driving signal SDR 2  are corresponding to types of both the first pixels PA and the second pixels PB, the first driving signals SDR 1  may be used to drive the second pixels PB. As the extending driving unit  140  generates the second driving signal SDR 2  according to one of the first driving signals SDR 1 , the applied first driving signal SDR 1  may be used as the second driving signal SDR 2 . 
     In the present embodiment, the first pixels PA are active pixels, while the second pixels are passive pixels, wherein each of the first pixels PA is coupled to a corresponding scan line  161  so as to receive a corresponding scan signal SC, is coupled to a corresponding data line  163  so as to receive the corresponding signal SDR 1 , and is coupled to a corresponding common voltage line  165  so as to receive the common voltage Vcom′. Each of the second pixels PB is coupled to a driving line  167  so as to receive the second driving signal SDR 2 , and is coupled to a common voltage line  169  so as to receive the common voltage Vcom′. In the present embodiment, the common voltage line  165  and  169  are coupled to each other, namely the common voltage Vcom′ is transmitted to the first pixels PA and the second pixels PB simultaneously. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of adjusting a common voltage corresponding to a feed-through voltage of the first pixels. Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , in the present embodiment, since the first pixels PA are active pixels, the display effect of the first pixels PA may be affected by the feed-through voltage. In order to adjust the display effect of the first pixels PA, the common voltage Vcom′ is usually adjusted correspondingly to the feed-through voltage of the first pixels PA. 
     Take the first driving signals SDR 1  are a plurality of driving waveforms for example. Since the feed-through voltage K of the first pixels PA, every voltage level of the driving waveform are decreased by a feed-through voltage L (shown as the dotted line of the driving waveform), and thus the display effect of the first pixels is affected. In order to recover the display effect of the first pixels PA, the common voltage Vcom′ may decrease correspondingly to the feed-through voltage K of the first pixels PA (shown as the dotted line of the common voltage), namely Vcom′=Vcom-K, wherein Vcom is the original common voltage. 
     However, since the second pixels PB are passive pixels and the common voltage Vcom′ is transmitted to the first pixels PA and the second pixels PB simultaneously, the common voltage Vcom′ adjusted according to the feed-through voltage K of the first pixels PA may affect the display effect of the second pixels PB. Meanwhile, the extending driving unit  140  may adjust the second driving signal SDR 2  according to the feed-through voltage K of the first pixels PA so as to recover the original display effect of the second pixels PB. 
     In the present embodiment, the first pixels PA are active pixels, where the second pixels PB are passive pixels. But in the other embodiments, the first pixels PA and the second pixels PB may both be active pixels, depending on those skilled in the art. Moreover, the driving method of the first pixels PA and the second pixels PB may be adjusted correspondingly. 
       FIG. 3  is a system schematic diagram of an extending driving unit according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3 , in the present embodiment, the extending driving unit  140 ′ includes an arithmetic unit  310  and a level-adjusting circuit  320 . The arithmetic unit  310  is coupled to the level-adjusting circuit  320  and the data driving unit  130  so as to receive the display reference data DRD. 
     The arithmetic unit  310  determines the display effect of the second pixels PB according to the display reference data DRD, and thus provides the display reference signal SDRF. The level-adjusting circuit  320  is coupled to the arithmetic unit  310 , receives the feed-through voltage K corresponding to the first pixels PA or the common voltage Vcom′ provided by the power supply unit  150 , and adjusts the voltage level of the display reference signal SDRF according to the feed-through voltage K of the first pixels PA or the common voltage Vcom′ so as to produce the second driving signal SDR 2 . When the level-adjusting circuit  320  receives the feed-through voltage K, the voltage level of the display reference signal SDRF may be adjusted through the methods of clamping, level shifting, or arithmetic. When the level-adjusting circuit  320  receives the common voltage Vcom′, the voltage level of the display reference signal SDRF may be adjusted through the method of arithmetic. 
     Since the level-adjusting circuit  320  adjusts the voltage level of the display reference signal SDRF, the display reference signal SDRF is substantially similar to the second driving signal SDR 2 , namely the content of the first driving signals SDR 1 , the second driving signal SDR 2  and the display reference signal SDRF may depend on the types of the first pixels PA and the second pixels PB. 
     When the display reference data DRD is the whole, part, or one of the display data DSD, the arithmetic unit  310  determines the display effect of the second pixels PB according to the received display data DSD, namely the colors and/or grey scales represented by the display data DSD are calculated (e.g. averaged) to be the display effect of the second pixels PB. When the display reference data DRD is the whole, part, or one of the first driving signals SDR 1 , the arithmetic unit  310  determines the display effect of the second pixels PB according to the received first driving signals SDR 1 , namely the colors and/or grey scales represented by the first driving signals SDR 1  are calculated (e.g. averaged) to be the display effect of the second pixels PB. When the display effect of the second pixels PB is determined, the arithmetic unit  310  generates the corresponding display reference signal SDRF according to the determined display effect of the second pixels PB so as to drive the second pixels PB to achieve the desired display effect. 
     When the display reference data DRD is one of the first driving signals SDR 1 , the first driving signals SDR 1  may be used to drive the second pixels PB, and thus the arithmetic may be omitted as well as the arithmetic unit  310  thereof. Meanwhile, the chosen first driving signals SDR 1  may be used as the display reference signal SDRF. 
       FIG. 4  is a circuit schematic diagram of a level-adjusting circuit according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , in the present embodiment, the level-adjusting circuit  320 ′ includes a first operational amplifier OPA, a first resistor R 1 , a second resistor R 2 , a third resistor R 3 , and a fourth resistor R 4 , wherein the resistances of the first resistor R 1 , the second resistor R 2 , the third resistor R 3 , and the fourth resistor R 4  are set to be the same. The first resistor R 1  is coupled between the display reference signal SDRF and the positive input end (corresponding to the first input end) of the first operational amplifier OPA. The second resistor R 2  is coupled between the common voltage Vcom′ and the positive input end of the first operational amplifier OPA. The third resistor R 3  is coupled between the ground voltage and the negative input end (corresponding to the second input end) of the first operational amplifier OPA. The fourth resistor R 4  is coupled between the negative input end and the output end (corresponding to the first output end) of the first operational amplifier OPA. The output end of the first operational amplifier OPA outputs the second driving signal SDR 2 . 
     In accordance with the operation of circuit, SDR 2 =SDRF−Vcom′. Since Vcom′=Vcom−K, SDR 2 =SDRF−Vcom+K. According to the abovementioned, the level-adjusting circuit  320 ′ shifting the voltage level of the display reference signal SDRF according to the common voltage Vcom′ is equivalent to the voltage level of the display reference signal SDRF shifted according to the feed-through voltage K of the first pixels PA. Thus, the display effect of the second pixels may be recovered. 
       FIG. 5  is a system schematic diagram of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , the differences mainly lie in the extending driving circuit  510  of the display apparatus  500 . In the present embodiment, the common voltage line  165 ′ and  169 ′ of the display panel  160 ′ are not coupled together. The common voltage Vcom′ is transmitted directly to the first pixels PA, while the common voltage Vcom′ of the power supply unit  150  is provided to the extending driving unit  510 . The common voltage Vcom′ is regulated by the extending driving unit  510  so as to provide the common voltage Vcom″ to the second pixels PB. 
     If the second driving signal SDR 2  is a driving waveform, the positive edge and the negative edge of the driving waveform vary dramatically (such as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Since the second pixels PB may be regarded as a capacitor, the voltage change of the driving waveform may become a surge through the capacitive coupling effect of the second pixels PB such that the common voltage (e.g. Vcom′) provided to the second pixels PB are affected, namely, the display effect of the second pixels PB are affected. Therefore, the extending driving unit  510  provides the common voltage Vcom″ to the second pixels PB after regulating the common voltage Vcom′ so as to reduce or eliminate the effect of the positive and negative edge of the driving waveform toward the common voltage Vcom″ (equivalent to Vcom′). 
       FIG. 6  is a system schematic diagram of the extending driving unit depicted in  FIG. 5  according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 , in the present embodiment, the extending driving circuit  510 ′ further includes a voltage regulating circuit  610 , which receives the common voltage Vcom′ and provides the regulated common voltage Vcom″ to the second pixels PB, wherein the common voltage Vcom′ and Vcom″ are essentially identical. 
       FIG. 7  is a circuit schematic diagram of the voltage regulating circuit depicted in  FIG. 6  according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , in the present embodiment, the voltage regulating circuit  610 ′ includes a second operational amplifier OPB. The positive input end (corresponding to the third input end) of the second operational amplifier OPB receives the common voltage Vcom′. The negative input end (corresponding to the fourth input end) of the second operational amplifier OPB is coupled to the output end (corresponding to the second output end) of the second operational amplifier OPB, and the output end of the second operational amplifier OPB is coupled to the second pixels PB to output the common voltage Vcom″. 
       FIG. 8  is a system schematic diagram of a display apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 8 , the differences mainly lie in the extending driving circuit  810  of the display apparatus  800 . In the present embodiment, the extending driving circuit  810  generates the second driving signal SDR 2  and the third driving signal SDR 3  according to the display reference data DRD, wherein the second driving signal SDR 2  is different from the third driving signal SDR 3 . 
     Besides, part of the second pixels PB disposed in the extending display region EDR is coupled between the driving line  167  and the common voltage line  169  so as to receive the second driving signal SDR 2  and common voltage Vcom′. Part of the second pixels PB disposed in the extending display region EDR is coupled to the driving line  167 ′ and the common voltage line  169  so as to receive the third driving signal SDR 3  and common voltage Vcom′. Since the second driving signal SDR 2  is different with the third driving signal SDR 3 , the second pixels PB may show different color effects (e.g. gradient, or contrast) according to the received second driving signal SDR 2  or the third driving signal SDR 3  respectively. 
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of a display method of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 9 , in the present embodiment, the display method of the display apparatus includes the following steps. Receiving a frame data corresponding to a display frame and outputting correspondingly a plurality of display data (step S 910 ), and providing a plurality of first driving signals to a plurality of first pixels according to the display data, wherein the first pixels are disposed in a frame display region of a display panel (step  920 ). Then, receiving a display reference data corresponding to the display frame (step S 930 ), and the second driving signal is provided to a plurality of second pixels according to the display reference data such that the display effect of the second pixels may be determined (step S 940 ). Wherein, the second pixels are disposed in an extending display region of the display panel, and the extending display region surrounds the frame display region. 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of a display method of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , in the present embodiment, the different processes lie in step S 1010 , S 1020 , S 1030 , and S 1040 . In the step S 1010 , a plurality of first driving signals are provided to a plurality of first pixels according to the display data, wherein the first pixels are disposed in a frame display region of a display panel and the first pixels are a plurality of active pixels. In step S 1020 , a common voltage is provided to the display panel, wherein the common voltage is adjusted corresponding to a feed-through voltage of the first pixels. In step S 1030 , a display reference signal is generated according to the display reference data. In step S 1040 , the display reference signal is adjusted according to the feed-through voltage of the first pixels so as to generate a second driving signal to a plurality of second pixels such that the display effect of the second pixels is determined. Wherein the second pixels are disposed in an extending display region of the display panel, the extending display region surrounds the frame display region, and the second pixels are a plurality of passive pixels. 
       FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of a display method of a display apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11 , in the present embodiment, the different processes lie in step S 1110 . In step S 1110 , a second driving signal and a third driving signal are provided to a plurality of second pixels according to the display reference data, such that the display effect of the second pixels is determined according to the second driving signal and the third driving signal respectively. Wherein the second pixels are disposed in an extending display region of the display panel, the extending display region surrounds the frame display region, and the second driving signal is different with the third driving signal. 
     Besides, the order of the abovementioned steps in  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 11  are used to illustrate, the embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. The details in each step may refer to the directions in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 8 , and are not addressed herein. 
     In summary, the display apparatus and the display method thereof of the embodiments of the invention generate the second driving signal according to the display reference data corresponding to the display frame, such that the display effect of the extending display region may change correspondingly to the display frame shown in frame display region so as to improve the display effect of the display frame. Besides, when the first pixels are active pixels, the common voltage and the display reference signal corresponding to the display reference data may adjust according to the feed-through voltage of the first pixels, such that the display effect of the second pixels are not affected by the common voltage adjustment according to the feed-through voltage of the first pixels. Moreover, the third driving signal different from the second driving signal may then be generated according to the display reference data, such that the second pixels show different color effects according to the second driving signal or the third driving signal respectively. 
     It will be apparent to the skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.