Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8174515?dq=patent:+7360079
Timestamp: 2013-12-07 20:18:19
Document Index: 308862859

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Patent US8174515 - Method of driving a display panel and display apparatus for performing the ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsIn a method of driving a display panel and a display apparatus for performing the method, a first pixel equipped in the display panel is driven with a first data voltage to which a first gamma curve is applied and a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel is driven with a second data voltage to which...http://www.google.com/patents/US8174515?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8174515 - Method of driving a display panel and display apparatus for performing the methodPublication numberUS8174515 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/413,221Publication dateMay 8, 2012Filing dateMar 27, 2009Priority dateJul 11, 2008Also published asUS20100007639Publication number12413221, 413221, US 8174515 B2, US 8174515B2, US-B2-8174515, US8174515 B2, US8174515B2InventorsJae-Won Jeong, Bong-im Park, Bong-Ju Jun, Yun-Jae KIM, Yong-Jun Choi, Dong-Beom ChoOriginal AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Patent Citations (7), Classifications (13), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod of driving a display panel and display apparatus for performing the methodUS 8174515 B2Abstract In a method of driving a display panel and a display apparatus for performing the method, a first pixel equipped in the display panel is driven with a first data voltage to which a first gamma curve is applied and a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel is driven with a second data voltage to which a second gamma curve is applied during an (N)-th frame, wherein N is a natural number. The first pixel and the second pixel is driven with a third data voltage to which a third gamma curve having a luminance between the first gamma curve and the second gamma curve is applied during a (N+1)-th frame.
1. A method for driving a display panel, the method comprising:
applying a first data voltage, to which a first gamma curve is applied, to a first pixel of a display panel, and applying a second data voltage, to which a second gamma curve is applied, to a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel, during an (N)-th frame; and
applying a third data voltage and a fourth data voltage, to which a third gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel and the second pixel, respectively, during a (N+1)-th frame,
wherein the third gamma curve has a luminance between the first gamma curve and the second gamma curve, and N is a natural number.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein a luminance corresponding to the first gamma curve is higher than a luminance corresponding to the second gamma curve.
applying a fifth data voltage, to which the first gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel, and applying a sixth data voltage, to which the second gamma curve is applied, to the second pixel, during a (N+2)-th frame; and
applying a seventh data voltage, to which the third gamma curve is applied to the first pixel, and applying an eighth data voltage, to which the third gamma curve is applied, to the second pixel, during a (N+3)-th frame,
wherein a phase of the fifth data voltage is opposite a phase of the first data voltage, a phase of the sixth data voltage is opposite a phase of the second data voltage, a phase of the seventh data voltage is opposite a phase of the third data voltage, and a phase of the eighth data voltage is opposite a phase of the fourth data voltage.
applying a fifth data voltage, to which the second gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel, and applying a sixth data voltage, to which the first gamma curve is applied, to the second pixel, during a (N+2)-th frame; and
applying a seventh data voltage and an eighth data voltage to which the third gamma curve is applied to the first pixel and the second pixel, respectively, during a (N+3)-th frame.
applying a ninth data voltage, to which the first gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel, and applying a tenth data voltage, to which a second gamma curve is applied, to the second pixel, during a (N+4)-th frame;
applying an eleventh data voltage, to which the third gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel, and applying a twelfth data voltage, to which the third gamma curve is applied, to the second pixel, during a (N+5)-th frame;
applying a thirteenth data voltage, to which a second gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel, and applying a fourteenth data voltage, to which the first gamma curve is applied, to the second pixel, during a (N+6)-th frame; and
applying a fifteenth data voltage, to which the third gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel, and applying a sixteenth data voltage, to which the third gamma curve is applied, to the second pixel, during a (N+7)-th frame,
wherein a phase of the ninth data voltage is opposite a phase of the first data voltage, a phase of the tenth data voltage is opposite a phase of the second data voltage, a phase of the eleventh data voltage is opposite a phase of the third data voltage, a phase of the twelfth data voltage is opposite a phase of the fourth data voltage, a phase of the thirteenth data voltage is opposite a phase of the fifth data voltage, a phase of the fourteenth data voltage is opposite a phase of the sixth data voltage, a phase of the fifteenth data voltage is opposite a phase of the seventh data voltage, and a phase of the sixteenth data voltage is opposite a phase of the eighth data voltage.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pixel and the second pixel each comprise a plurality of color pixels.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pixel and the second pixel are each a color pixel comprised of a plurality of color pixels.
a display panel comprising a first pixel and a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel; and
a driving apparatus to apply a first data voltage, to which a first gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel during an (N)-th frame, to apply the second data voltage, to which a second gamma curve is applied, to the second pixel during the (N)-th frame, and to apply a third data voltage and a fourth data voltage, to which the third gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel and the second pixel, respectively, during a (N+1)-th frame,
9. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein a luminance corresponding to the first gamma curve is higher than a luminance corresponding to the second gamma curve.
10. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the driving apparatus comprises:
a timing controlling part to generate conversion data from image data of the (N)-th frame received from an external device by applying the first gamma curve and the second gamma curve, and to generate conversion data from image data of the (N+1)-th frame received from the external device by applying the third gamma curve;
a gamma voltage generating part to generate a gamma reference voltage; and
a data driving part to convert the conversion data into a data voltage based on the gamma reference voltage.
11. The display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the timing controlling part comprises:
a gamma conversion part to convert the input image data of n bits into conversion data of n+k bits by applying the first gamma curve and the second gamma curve, or the third gamma curve, per a frame, wherein n and k are natural numbers; and
a dithering part to dither the conversion data of n+k bits into conversion data of n bits.
12. The display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the gamma conversion part converts first image data corresponding to the first pixel into first conversion data, to which the first gamma curve is applied, during the (N)-th frame, converts second image data corresponding to the second pixel into second conversion data, to which the second gamma curve is applied, during the (N)-th frame, and converts the first image data and the second image data corresponding to the first pixel and the second pixel into third conversion data to which the third gamma curve is applied during the (N+1)-th frame.
13. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein the gamma conversion part converts the first image data corresponding to the first pixel into fourth conversion data, to which the second gamma curve is applied, during a (N+2)-th frame, converts the second image data corresponding to the second pixel into fifth conversion data, to which the first gamma curve is applied, during the (N+2)-th frame, and converts the first image data and the second image data corresponding to the first pixel and the second pixel into sixth conversion data to which the third gamma curve is applied during a (N+3)-th frame.
14. The display apparatus of claim 8, wherein the driving apparatus comprises:
a timing controlling part to receive an input image data and a control signal from an external device and to generate a selection signal for selecting a gamma reference voltage by using the control signal;
a gamma voltage generating part to select at least one of a first gamma reference voltage corresponding to the first gamma curve, a second gamma reference voltage corresponding to a second gamma curve, and a third gamma reference voltage corresponding to the third gamma curve in response to the selection signal; and
a data driving part to convert the input image data into a data voltage by using the selected gamma reference voltage outputted from the gamma voltage generating part and to outpur the data voltage to the display panel.
15. The display apparatus of claim 14, wherein the gamma voltage generating part comprises:
a gamma voltage selecting part to select at least one of the first gamma reference voltage, the second gamma reference voltage, and the third gamma reference voltage in response to the selection signal; and
a gamma voltage outputting part to output the gamma reference voltage selected in the gamma voltage selecting part to a data driving part.
16. The display apparatus of claim 15, wherein the data driving part converts first image data corresponding to the first pixel into the first data voltage by using the first gamma reference voltage during the (N)-th frame, converts second image data corresponding to the second pixel into the second data voltage by using the second gamma reference voltage during the (N)-th frame, and
converts the first image data and the second image data respectively corresponding to the first pixel and the second pixel into the third data voltage and fourth data voltage by using the third gamma reference voltage during the (N+1)-th frame.
17. The display apparatus of claim 16, wherein the data driving part converts the first image data corresponding to the first pixel into the fifth data voltage by using the second gamma reference voltage during the (N+2)-th frame, converts the second image data corresponding to the second pixel into the sixth data voltage by using the first gamma reference voltage during the (N+2)-th frame, and
converts the first image data and the second image data respectively corresponding to the first pixel and the second pixel into a seventh data voltage and an eighth data voltage by using the third gamma reference voltage during a (N+3)-th frame. Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2008-67526, filed on Jul. 11, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
The present invention relates to a method of driving a display panel and a display apparatus for performing the method. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of driving a display panel capable of improving side visibility and a display apparatus for performing the method.
Generally, a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus displays an image by applying a voltage to a liquid crystal layer interposed between two substrates to control a light transmittance.
The LCD apparatus has a disadvantage in that a viewing angle is relatively narrow since light is passed through only in the direction in which light is not blocked by liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer to display an image. As a result, a vertical alignment (VA) LCD apparatus has been developed.
The VA LCD apparatus includes two substrates that have received VA treatments on opposite faces and a liquid crystal layer having negative type dielectric constant anisotropy sealed between the two substrates. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer have homeotropic alignment characteristics.
In an operation, when a voltage is not applied between the two substrates, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged approximately vertically to the surface of the substrate to display black. When a certain voltage is applied between the two substrates, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged approximately horizontally to the surface of the substrate to display white. When a smaller voltage than the voltage for displaying white is applied, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged to be diagonally inclined to the surface of the substrate to display gray.
Such an LCD apparatus has a disadvantage in that the viewing angle may be narrow. Patterned vertical alignment (PVA) and super-PVA (SPVA) LCD apparatuses have been developed to address this.
The PVA LCD apparatus uses technology that arranges the liquid crystal molecules vertically to the surface of the substrate and forms uniform slit patterns or projection patterns on pixel electrodes and a common electrode opposite to the pixel electrodes to divide pixels into multiple domains. The PVA LCD apparatus is a technique which divides a pixel into two sub-pixels and applies different pixel voltages to the sub-pixels. Here, the sub-pixels have different distribution characteristics of the liquid crystal to improve side visibility.
However, the above method requires a patterning process for forming the sub-pixels, and transmittance may be decreased by patterning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method of driving a display panel capable of improving side visibility without dividing a pixel into sub-pixels.
The present invention also provides a display apparatus for performing the above-mentioned method.
The present invention discloses a method of driving a display image. In the method, a first data voltage, to which a first gamma curve is applied, is applied to a first pixel of a display panel, and a second data voltage, to which a second gamma curve is applied, is applied to a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel, during an (N)-th frame, wherein N is a natural number. Then, a third data voltage and a fourth data voltage, to which a third gamma curve having a luminance between the first gamma curve and the second gamma curve is applied, are applied to the first pixel and the second pixel, respectively, during an (N+1)-th frame.
The present invention also discloses a display apparatus including a display panel and a driving apparatus. The display panel includes a first pixel and a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel. The driving apparatus applies a first data voltage, to which a first gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel during an (N)-th frame, wherein N is a natural number, applies the second data voltage, to which a second gamma curve is applied, to the second pixel during the (N)-th frame, and applies a third data voltage and a fourth data voltage, to which the third gamma curve is applied and having a luminance between the first gamma curve and second gamma curve, to the first pixel and second pixel, respectively, during an (N+1)-th frame.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a timing controlling part of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing gamma curves stored in the memory of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a method of driving a display panel according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixels of the display panel of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4C is a waveform diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixels corresponding to a first gate line of the display panel of FIG. 4B.
FIG. 4D is a waveform diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixels corresponding to a second gate line of the display panel of FIG. 4B.
FIG. 5A is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a method of driving a display panel according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5B is a conceptual diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixel of the display panel of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5C is a waveform diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixel and corresponding to a first gate line of the display panel of FIG. 5B.
FIG. 5D is a waveform diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixel and corresponding to a second gate line of the display panel of FIG. 5B.
FIG. 5E is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a dithering data pattern.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a display apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing gamma curves stored in the gamma voltage memory of FIG. 6.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a display apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a timing controlling part of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a display apparatus includes a display panel 100 and a driving apparatus 200 driving the display panel 100.
The display panel 100 may have a pseudo-super-patterned vertical alignment (P-SPVA) mode. The display panel 100 includes a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of gate lines GL1 to GLn and a plurality of date lines DL1 to DLm. Each pixel �P� includes a thin-film transistor (TFT) TR and a liquid crystal capacitor CLC and a storage capacitor CST connected to the TFT TR.
The driving apparatus 200 applies a data voltage to which different gamma curves are applied on adjacent pixels of the display panel 100, and applies a data voltage to which different gamma curves are applied on the same pixel in frame unit. For example, the driving apparatus 200 applies the first data voltage, to which the first gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel equipped in the display panel 100, and applies the second data voltage, to which the second gamma curve is applied, to the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel, during the (N)-th frame. Also, the driving apparatus 200 applies the third and fourth data voltages, to which the third gamma curve, having a luminance between the first and the second gamma curves, is applied, to the first and second pixels during the (N+1)-th frame.
The driving apparatus 200 includes a timing controlling part 210, a gate driving part 230, a gamma voltage generating part 240, and a data driving part 250.
The timing controlling part 210 receives an input image data DATA1 and a control signal CS provided from a host system such as an external graphic controller (not shown). The control signal CS may include a vertical synchronizing signal, a horizontal synchronizing signal, a main clock, a data enable signal, etc.
The timing controlling part 210 includes a control signal generating part 212, a memory 214, a gamma conversion part 216, and a dithering part 218.
The control signal generating part 212 receives the control signal CS to generate the first timing control signal TCS1 for controlling a driving timing of the data driving part 250 and the second timing control signal TCS2 for controlling a driving timing of the gate driving part 230. The first timing control signal TCS1 may include a horizontal start signal, an inversion signal, an output enable signal, etc. The second timing control signal TCS2 may include a vertical start signal, a gate clock signal, an output enable signal, etc. The first timing control signal TCS1 is outputted to the data driving part 250, and the second timing control signal TCS2 is outputted to the gate driving part 230. Moreover, the timing controlling part 210 may generate a gamma control signal GCS to output to the gamma voltage generating part 240.
Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the memory 214 stores information for the first gamma curve GAMMA1, information for the second gamma curve GAMMA2, and information for the third gamma curve GAMMA3, which has a luminance between the first gamma curve GAMMA1 and the second gamma curve GAMMA2, in look-up table (LUT) format. A luminance of the first gamma curve GAMMA1 is higher than that of the second gamma curve GAMMA2.
When an input image data DATA1 is input from an external device, the gamma conversion part 216 selects at least one of the first to the third gamma curves GAMMA1, GAMMA2, and GAMMA3 that are stored in the memory 214, and outputs the input image data DATA1 as conversion data DATA2 by using the selected gamma curve. The gamma conversion part 216 converts the input image data DATA1 applied to the same pixel into the conversion data DATA2 by applying different gamma curves frame by frame. The input image data DATA1 may include the first image data corresponding to the first pixel and the second image data corresponding to the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel.
For example, the gamma conversion part 216 may convert the first image data corresponding to the first pixel of consecutive four frame data by applying in order the first gamma curve GAMMA1, the third gamma curve GAMMA3, the first gamma curve GAMMA1, and the third gamma curve GAMMA3. The gamma conversion part 216 may then convert the second image data corresponding to the second pixel of consecutive four frame data by applying in order the second gamma curve GAMMA2, the third gamma curve GAMMA3, the second gamma curve GAMMA2, and the third gamma curve GAMMA3.
Also, the gamma conversion part 216, as described above, may convert the first image data corresponding to the first pixel of consecutive four frame data by applying in order the first gamma curve GAMMA1, the third gamma curve GAMMA3, the second gamma curve GAMMA2, and the third gamma curve GAMMA3. The gamma conversion part 216 may convert the second image data corresponding to the second pixel of consecutive four frame data by applying in order the second gamma curve GAMMA2, the third gamma curve GAMMA3, the first gamma curve GAMMA1, and the third gamma curve GAMMA3.
When the input image data DATA1 is n bits (i.e., 8 bits), the conversion data DATA2 converted though the gamma conversion part 216 may be n+k bits of conversion data DATA2 expanded by k bits (i.e., 2 bits).
The dithering part 218 dithers the n+k bits of conversion data DATA2 input from the gamma conversion part 216 into the n bits of conversion data DATA2 to output to the data driving part 250.
The gate driving part 230 outputs gate signals G1 to Gn in sequence activating the gate lines GL1 to GLn to the display panel 100, in response to the second timing control signal TCS2 input from the timing controlling part 210 and gate on or off voltages Von/Voff input from the external device.
The gamma voltage generating part 240 generates a plurality of gamma reference voltages VGREF based on the gamma control signal GCS provided from the timing controlling part 210 and outputs the generated a plurality of gamma reference voltages VGREF to the data driving part 250.
The gamma voltage generating part 240 may consist of an R-string to which a plurality of resistors are connected in series between a gamma power supply voltage and a ground power supply voltage and generate the gamma reference voltage VGREF with voltage distributing the voltage difference applied to both end of the gamma power supply voltage and the ground power supply voltage according to the gamma control signal GCS.
The data driving part 250 converts the conversion data DATA2 into an analog data voltage using the gamma reference voltage VGREF received from the gamma voltage generating part 240.
As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the data voltage, to which different gamma curves are applied, is applied to the adjacent first and second pixels in a frame, and side visibility may be assured by applying the data voltage to which different gamma curves are applied on the same pixel of each frame. Moreover, according to the present exemplary embodiment, as a rapid change in luminance between frames is not shown, when color data is displayed, color distortion may be prevented from being generated due to rapid variation of the luminance between adjacent frames.
FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a method of driving a display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixel of the display panel of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a waveform diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixel corresponding to a first gate line of the display panel of FIG. 4B. FIG. 4D is a waveform diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixel corresponding to a second gate line of the display panel of FIG. 4B.
Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 4, the gamma conversion part 216 converts the first image data corresponding to the first pixel of the (N)-th frame of data into the first conversion data by applying the first gamma curve GAMMA1, and converts the second image data corresponding to the second pixel of the (N)-th frame of data into the second conversion data by applying the second gamma curve GAMMA2, and outputs the first and second conversion data to the data driving part 250. The first pixel is the first unit pixel Pu including a red R, a green G, and a blue B sub-pixel, and the second pixel is the second unit pixel adjacent to the first unit pixel Pu. The control signal generating part 212 generates inversion signals for the first and the second conversion data to transmit the inversion signals to the data driving part 250.
The data driving part 250 converts the first conversion data into the first data voltage A of an analog format and converts the second conversion data into the second data voltage B of an analog format using the gamma reference voltage VGREF. Then, the data driving part 250 correspondingly inverts the first and the second data voltages A, B to the inversion signal to output on the display panel 100. Accordingly, the first data voltage A of the first polarity is applied to the first pixel and the second data voltage B of the second polarity opposite to the first polarity is applied to the second pixel during the (N)-th frame. The first polarity may be a positive polarity (+) with respect to a common voltage (VCOM), and the second polarity may be a negative polarity (−) with respect to a common voltage (VCOM).
The gamma conversion part 216 converts the first and the second image data into the third conversion data to output by applying the third gamma curve GAMMA3 to the data driving part 250. The control signal generating part 212 generates an inversion signal for the third conversion data to output the inversion signal to the data driving part 250. The data driving part 250 converts the third conversion data into the third data voltage and the fourth data voltage C of an analog format using the gamma reference voltage VGREF and correspondingly inverts the third and the fourth data voltages C to the inversion signal to output on the display panel 100. Then, the third data voltage C of the first polarity is applied to the first pixel, and the fourth data voltage C of the second polarity is applied to the second pixel during (N+1)-th frame.
The gamma conversion part 216 converts the first image data of (N+1)-th frame data into the fourth conversion data and converts the second image data corresponding to the second pixel into the fifth conversion data by applying the second gamma curve GAMMA2 to output them to the data driving part 250. The control signal generating part 212 generates inversion signals for the fourth and the fifth conversion data to output them to the data driving part 250.
The data driving part 250 converts the fourth conversion data into the fifth data voltage A of an analog format and converts the fifth conversion data into the sixth data voltage B of an analog format using the gamma reference voltage VGREF to output them on the display panel 100. The fifth data voltage A of the second polarity is applied to the first pixel and the sixth data voltage B of the first polarity is applied to the second pixel during the (N+2)-th frame.
The gamma conversion 216 converts the first and the second image data of (N+3)-th frame into the sixth conversion data using a gamma value by applying the third gamma curve GAMMA3 to output to the data driving part 250. The control signal generating part 212 generates an inversion signal for the sixth conversion data to output the inversion signal to the data driving part 250.
The data driving part 250 converts the sixth conversion data into the sixth data voltage and the seventh data voltage C of an analog format using the gamma reference voltage VGREF and correspondingly inverts the sixth data voltage C to the inversion signal to output on the display panel 100 during the (N+3)-th frame. Then, the sixth data voltage C of the second polarity is applied to the first pixel and the seventh data voltage C of the first polarity is applied to the second pixel during the (N+3)-th frame.
As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the conversion data has a period of four frames, and polarities of the data voltages corresponding to the conversion data have a dot inversion and a two frame inversion formats. The control signal generating part 212 makes phases of the voltage of the conversion data to which the identical gamma curve is applied opposed when generating inversion signals for the conversion data.
FIG. 4C illustrates data voltages applied to the first pixel and FIG. 4D illustrates data voltages applied to the second pixel. As illustrated in FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D, in the present exemplary embodiment, the case when the polarity of the data voltages applied to the first pixel and the second pixel has a two frame inversion format is explained as an example, but is not limited thereto. That is, the polarity of the data voltages may have a variety of inversion formats in the range of making an average, without biasing.
Also, in the present exemplary embodiment, the case when all of three sub-pixels included in a unit pixel are converted in order to have the same gamma characteristic is explained as an example, but is not limited to this. For example, three sub-pixels may be converted in order to have different gamma characteristics.
Alternately, the first pixel and the second pixel may be driven by a frequency of the range of about 60 Hz to about 240 Hz. For example, the first pixel and the second pixel may be driven by a frequency of about 60 Hz, about 120 Hz, and about 240 Hz.
FIG. 5A is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a method of driving a display panel according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a conceptual diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixels of the display panel of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a waveform diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixel corresponding to a first gate line of the display panel of FIG. 5B. FIG. 5D is a waveform diagram schematically showing polarities of data voltages applied to each pixel corresponding to a second gate line of the display panel of FIG. 5B. A method of driving a display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention is identical to the method of driving a display panel according to the embodiment described in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D except that the inversion signal is converted by eight frame periods, as a pattern of the conversion data is converted, thus a detailed description repeated will omitted.
Referring to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D, a first data voltage A, corresponding to the first conversion data to which the first gamma curve GAMMA1 is applied, is applied to the first pixel. A second data voltage B, corresponding to the second conversion data to which the second gamma curve GAMMA2 is applied, is applied to the second pixel during an (N)-th frame. The first data voltage A has a first polarity and the second data voltage B has a second polarity opposite to the first polarity. The first polarity may be a positive polarity (+) with respect to a common voltage (VCOM), and the second polarity may be a negative polarity (−) with respect to a common voltage (VCOM).
A third data voltage and the fourth data voltage C, corresponding to the conversion data to which the third gamma curve GAMMA3 is applied, is applied to the first pixel and the second pixel during an (N+1)-th frame. The third data voltage C of the second polarity is applied to the first pixel, and the fourth data voltage C of the first polarity is applied to the second pixel.
A fifth data voltage B, corresponding to the fourth conversion data to which the second gamma curve GAMMA2 is applied, is applied to the first pixel, and a sixth data voltage A, corresponding to the fifth conversion data converted by the first gamma curve GAMMA1, is applied to the second pixel during a (N+2)-th frame. The fifth data voltage B has the first polarity, and the sixth data voltage A has the second polarity.
A seventh data voltage and an eighth data voltage C, corresponding to the conversion data to which the third gamma curve GAMMA3 is applied, are applied to the first pixel and the second pixel, respectively, during an (N+3)-th frame. The seventh data voltage C of the second polarity is applied to the first pixel, and the eighth data voltage C of the first polarity is applied to the second pixel.
A ninth data voltage A, corresponding to the seventh conversion data to which the first gamma curve GAMMA1 is applied, is applied to the first pixel, and a tenth data voltage B, corresponding to the eighth conversion data to which the second gamma curve GAMMA2 is applied, is applied to the second pixel during a (N+4)-th frame. The ninth data voltage A has the second polarity and the tenth data voltage B has the first polarity.
A eleventh data voltage and a twelfth data voltage C, corresponding to the ninth conversion data to which the third gamma curve GAMMA3 is applied, is applied to the first pixel and the second pixel respectively during a (N+5)-th frame. The eleventh data voltage C of the first polarity is applied to the first pixel and the twelfth data voltage C of the second polarity is applied to the second pixel.
A thirteenth data voltage B, corresponding to the tenth conversion data to which the second gamma curve GAMMA2 is applied, is applied to the first pixel, and a fourteenth data voltage A, corresponding to the eleventh conversion data to which the first gamma curve GAMMA1 is applied, is applied to the second pixel during a (N+6)-th frame. The thirteenth data voltage B has the second polarity and the fourteenth data voltage A has the first polarity.
A fifteenth data voltage and a sixteenth data voltage C, corresponding to the twelfth conversion data to which the third gamma curve GAMMA3 is applied, is applied to the first pixel and the second pixel respectively during a (N+7)-th frame. The fifteenth data voltage C of the first polarity is applied to the first pixel and the sixteenth data voltage C of the second polarity is applied to the second pixel.
The first pixel and the second pixel may be driven by a frequency of the range of about 120 Hz to about 240 Hz. For example, the first pixel and the second pixel may be driven by a frequency of about 120 Hz to about 240 Hz.
FIG. 5E is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a dithering data pattern. When the number of bits capable of being processed in the data driving part 250 is smaller than the number of bits of the conversion data input from the gamma conversion part 216, that is, when the number of bits of the conversion data output from the gamma conversion part 216 is 10 bits and the number of bits capable of being processed in the data driving part 250 is 8 bits, the dithering part 218 reconstructs a frame data in order to represent the 10 bits of conversion data in 8 bits. In the present exemplary embodiment, an example of the dithering pattern is constructed by a sixteen frame period. Shaded pixels in FIG. 5E comprise a (n) gray scale corresponding to a high level and unshaded pixels comprise an (n+1) gray scale. In the above example, the changing position of a pixel comprising an (n+1) gray scale according to a frame is to avoid generating a flicker.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram for a display apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 6, a display apparatus includes a display panel 100 and a driving apparatus 200 driving the display panel 100.
The display panel 100 includes a plurality of pixels electrically connected to a plurality of gate lines (GL1 to GLn) and a plurality of data lines (DL1 to DLm). Each pixel �P� includes a thin film transistor TR, a liquid crystal capacitor CLC and a storage capacitor CST electrically connected to the thin film transistor TR.
The driving apparatus 200 allows a data voltage, to which different gamma curves are applied, to be applied to adjacent pixels of the display panel 100, respectively, and allows a data voltage, to which different gamma curves are applied, to be applied to the same pixel by a frame unit. For example, the driving apparatus 200 applies a first data voltage, to which a first gamma curve is applied, to a first pixel equipped in the display panel 100 during an (N)-th frame and applies a second data voltage, to which a second gamma curve is applied, to a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel. Then, the driving apparatus 200 applies a third data voltage and a fourth data voltage, to which a third gamma curve having a luminance between the first gamma curve and the second gamma curve is applied, to the first pixel and the second pixel during a (N+1)-th frame.
The driving apparatus 200 includes a timing controlling part 210, a gate driving part 230, a gamma voltage generating part 240 and a data driving part 250.
The timing controlling part 210 receives an image signal DATA1 and a control signal CS provided from a host such as an external graphic controller (not shown). The timing controlling part 210 generates a first timing control signal TCS1 for controlling a driving timing of the data driving part 250 and a second timing control signal TCS2 for controlling a driving timing of the gate driving part 230 using the control signal CS. The first timing control signal TCS1 includes a horizontal start signal, an inversion signal, an output enable signal, etc. The second timing control signal TCS2 includes a vertical start signal, a gate clock signal, an output enable signal, etc.
Moreover, the timing controlling part 210 generates a selection signal SS for selecting a gamma reference voltage to output the selection signal SS to the gamma voltage generating part 240.
The gate driving part 230 outputs gate signal G1 to Gn successively activating the gate lines GL1 to GLn in response to the second timing control signal TCS2 input from the timing controlling part 210 and a gate on or off voltage Von/Voff input from the external device.
The gamma voltage generating part 240 includes a gamma voltage memory 242, a gamma voltage selecting part 244 and a gamma voltage outputting part 246.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing gamma curves stored in the gamma voltage memory illustrated in FIG. 6.
A first gamma reference voltage VGREF1 corresponding to a first gamma curve GAMMA1, a second gamma reference voltage VGREF2 corresponding to a second gamma curve GAMMA2, and a third gamma reference voltage VGREF3 corresponding to a third gamma curve GAMMA3 between the first gamma curve GAMMA1 and the second gamma curve GAMMA2 are stored in the gamma voltage memory 242. The first gamma reference voltage VGREF1 is bigger than the second gamma reference voltage VGREF2. The third gamma reference voltage VGREF3 is smaller than the first gamma reference voltage VGREF1 and bigger than the second gamma reference voltage VGREF2.
The gamma voltage selecting part 244 selects at least one of the first gamma reference voltage VGREF1 to the third gamma reference voltage VGREF3 stored in the gamma voltage memory 242 according to the selection signal SS received from the timing controlling part 210. For example, the gamma voltage selecting part 244 selects the first gamma reference voltage VGREF1 and the second gamma reference voltage VGREF2 during an odd frame and selects the third gamma reference voltage VGREF3 during an even frame in response to the selection signal SS.
The gamma voltage outputting part 246 outputs a gamma reference voltage selected in the gamma voltage selecting part 244 to the data driving part 250.
The data driving part 250 is synchronized with the first timing control signal TCS1 from the timing controlling part 210 to receive the input image data DATA1. Also, the data driving part 250 receives at least one of the first gamma reference voltages VGREF1, VGREF2, and VGREF3 from the gamma voltage generating part 240. The data driving part 250 converts the input image data DATA1 into a data voltage of an analog format based on a gamma reference voltage applied from the gamma voltage generating part 240 to output the data voltage to the display panel 100. The input image data DATA1 may include first image data corresponding to a first pixel, and second image data corresponding to a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel.
For example, the data driving part 250 may convert the first image data corresponding to the first pixel into data voltages of analog formats, successively using i the first gamma reference voltage VGREF1, the third gamma reference voltage VGREF3, the first gamma reference voltage VGREF1, and the third gamma reference voltage VGREF3 during four consecutive frames. The data driving part 250 may convert the second image data corresponding to the second pixel into data voltages, successively using the third gamma reference voltage VGREF3, the second gamma reference voltage VGREF2, and the third gamma reference voltage VGREF3.
As another example, the data driving part 250 may convert the first image data corresponding to the first pixel into data voltages of analog formats, successively using the first gamma reference voltage VGREF1, the third gamma reference voltage VGREF3, the second gamma reference voltage VGREF2, and the third gamma reference voltage VGREF3. The data driving part 250 may convert the second image data corresponding to the second pixel into data voltages, successively using the second gamma reference voltage VGREF2, the third gamma reference voltage VGREF3, the first gamma reference voltage VGREF1, and the third gamma reference voltage VGREF3.
Although not illustrated in the figures, in a method of driving a display panel according to the present embodiment, data voltages, to which different gamma curves are applied, are applied to adjacent first and second pixels. Data voltages, to which different gamma curves are applied, are applied to the same pixel by a frame unit. Repetitive descriptions will be omitted since the method is substantially identical with the method of driving a display panel explained through FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5B.
As described above, the side visibility of an LCD device may be improved without dividing one pixel into two sub-pixels as the display apparatus of the SPVA mode, by applying data voltages to which different gamma curves are applied to adjacent first and second pixels inside a frame unit, and applying data voltages, to which different gamma curves are applied, to the same pixel by a frame unit according to the present embodiments. Moreover, the above method may prevent a rapid change in data of a high gamma to a low gamma, by altering the gamma characteristic of data applied in the same pixel by a frame unit. Color distortion due to a rapid change in luminance between adjacent frames when color data is displayed may therefore be prevented. Thus, according to the present invention, the above method may improve the display quality of a display apparatus.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7728801 *Jun 9, 2005Jun 1, 2010Au Optronics Corp.Adjustable-viewing-angle liquid crystal displayUS7800597 *Jun 15, 2005Sep 21, 2010Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Display device, apparatus for driving the same and method of driving the sameUS7898536 *Sep 25, 2007Mar 1, 2011Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Display apparatus and method of driving the sameUS20080218463 *Feb 15, 2008Sep 11, 2008Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Display device and method for driving the sameJP2006235417A Title not availableKR20060089831A Title not availableKR20060111262A Title not available* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification345/204, 345/84, 345/690International ClassificationG09G5/00Cooperative ClassificationG09G2300/0852, G09G2320/0673, G09G3/2044, G09G3/3614, G09G3/2074, G09G3/2007European ClassificationG09G3/20G, G09G3/20G14, G09G3/36C2Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionAug 28, 2012ASAssignmentFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:028859/0302Owner name: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OFEffective date: 20120403May 6, 2009ASAssignmentOwner name: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OFFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:JEONG, JAE-WON;PARK, BONG-IM;JUN, BONG-JU;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:022643/0272Effective date: 20081211RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google