JP2006010794A - Liquid crystal display - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize image display having reality, by controlling light quantity of a backlight according to the average level of the video signal. <P>SOLUTION: In the liquid crystal display, provided with a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight disposed on the rear side of the liquid crystal display panel, the average level of the video signal is detected by an APL-detecting circuit; and the light quantity of the backlight is so controlled as to be decreased following the reduction of APL in the range where the average level of the video is equal to or lower than a prescribed value, or the liquid crystal display is provided with a control circuit for detecting the black area of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel and controlling the light quantity of the backlight to be reduced, following increase in the ratio of the black area, in the range where the ratio of the black area is equal to or higher than a prescribed value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device including a backlight having a dimming function.

  Conventionally, a display device using a liquid crystal display panel as a display of a television receiver or the like is often used. Such a liquid crystal display device is thin and has a large screen, and particularly when used as a television receiver, it is necessary to display a wide range of image levels from a bright image to a dark image. In addition, a backlight is disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel so that illumination light from the backlight is irradiated.

  In general, the user adjusts the brightness and contrast of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel by a user operation (for example, using a remote controller), and further adjusts the light from the backlight. The display state can be set as desired.

  However, even if the user adjusts the brightness and contrast of the image or adjusts the backlight, the displayed image changes in real time. Therefore, the brightness and contrast of the display image are changed following the change in the image. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to express gradation over a wide range from a bright image to a dark image.

In the liquid crystal display device described in Patent Document 1, the average level (APL) of the video signal is detected, and the irradiation light from the backlight is controlled in response to the detection result, so that the average level of the video signal ( An example is described in which the luminance of the backlight is lowered as APL) increases. However, in this example, the purpose is to maintain a constant display luminance even when the average level (APL) of the video signal changes, and the luminance of the backlight is lowered when APL increases. Sufficient brightness is not obtained and the display screen lacks power.
JP-A-8-201812 (pages 2 to 3, FIG. 1)

  In a conventional liquid crystal display device, although it is a dark screen, it becomes a gray level, or in the liquid crystal display device described in Patent Document 1, the average level (APL) of the video signal increases. Since the brightness of the backlight is lowered, there is a problem that a bright screen is originally dark and sufficient brightness cannot be obtained, resulting in a display screen lacking power.

  The present invention controls the light amount of the backlight according to the average level of the video signal, and lowers the light amount of the backlight when the APL becomes small or when the black area of the display image becomes larger than a predetermined value. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device that realizes a realistic image display such that a dark screen is darker.

  The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight that is disposed on the back of the liquid crystal display panel, illuminates the liquid crystal display panel, drives the liquid crystal display panel according to a video signal, and the liquid crystal display A liquid crystal driving circuit for displaying an image based on the video signal on a panel; an APL detection circuit for detecting an average level of the video signal; and a light amount of the backlight in response to the average level of the video detected by the APL detection circuit And a control circuit that controls to decrease the amount of light of the backlight following the decrease of the APL in a range where the average level of the video is not more than a predetermined value.

  The liquid crystal display device of the present invention is arranged on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel, the liquid crystal display panel, illuminates the liquid crystal display panel, drives the liquid crystal display panel according to a video signal, A liquid crystal driving circuit that displays an image based on the video signal on a liquid crystal display panel, and an area ratio occupied by pixels having at least one of light and dark brightness levels among images displayed on each pixel of the liquid crystal display panel An area detection circuit for detecting the brightness, and controlling the amount of light of the backlight in response to the area ratio detected by the area detection circuit, and when the area ratio is within a predetermined value or more, the brightness of the bright or dark And a control circuit that controls the amount of light of the backlight in a direction that further promotes the level.

  The area detection circuit detects a black area of a display image, and the control circuit decreases the amount of light of the backlight following an increase in the black area when the black area ratio is a predetermined value or more. It is characterized by controlling as follows.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the average level of the video signal is reduced or when the black area of the display image is increased, the light amount of the backlight is reduced, so that the dark screen can be made darker. Realistic image display can be realized.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a liquid crystal display device of the present invention, and shows an embodiment when applied to a television receiver. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a tuner which selects a signal of a desired channel from television signals received by an antenna 12 under the control of the microcomputer 10 and demodulates the television signal of the selected channel. This is supplied to the circuit 13. The demodulating circuit 13 demodulates the input television signal and outputs a video signal and an audio signal. The video signal is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 14, and the audio signal is transmitted through an audio signal processing circuit (not shown). Output to the speaker.

  The video signal processing circuit 14 is a circuit that performs contrast and brightness adjustment, gamma correction, and the like, and performs contrast and brightness adjustment in response to a user operation. The output from the video signal processing circuit 14 is supplied to the liquid crystal driving circuit 15 to drive the liquid crystal panel 16. The liquid crystal driving circuit 15 controls the orientation of each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 16 according to the video signal, and causes the liquid crystal panel 16 to display an image corresponding to the video signal.

  On the other hand, the output of the demodulation circuit 13 is supplied to the APL detection circuit 17 (average image level detection circuit), detects the average level of the video signal, and outputs the detection output to the microcomputer 10.

  Further, a backlight 18 is disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 16 so that light from the backlight 18 is irradiated on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel. The amount of light of the backlight 18 can be controlled by a backlight dimming circuit 19, and the amount of light is controlled under the control of the microcomputer 10 in response to the detection result from the APL detection circuit 17.

The backlight 18 is composed of a fluorescent lamp or the like.

  Next, the operation of the liquid crystal display device of FIG. 1 will be described. In this embodiment, upon receiving the detection result of the APL detection circuit 17, the microcomputer 10 performs arithmetic processing and controls the backlight dimming circuit 19. However, the APL detection result and the dimming voltage of the backlight 18 are controlled. The relationship will be described with reference to the characteristic diagram of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the APL detection result, and when the average image level (APL) is equal to or higher than a preset reference value (XRef), the dimming voltage of the backlight 18 is, for example, Ymax (100%). If the average image level (APL) is less than or equal to the reference value (XRef), the dimming voltage of the backlight 18 is lowered following the decrease in APL, and the dimming of the backlight 18 is performed. The voltage is adjusted in the range of Ymax to Ymin.

  The APL reference value (XRef) and the dimming voltages Ymax and Ymin are set in advance by the microcomputer 10, for example, as follows.

When APL> XRef, Ymax = 100%
When APL <XRef, Y = APL / XRef × (100−Ymin) + Ymin
As described above, when the APL is lower than the reference value (XRef), the dimming voltage of the backlight 18 is lowered following the change, thereby reducing the amount of backlight in a low APL scene, for example, a dark night scene. As a result, the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel becomes darker, and the image becomes more realistic for the viewer.

  Although the APL is detected using the output of the demodulation circuit 13 in FIG. 1, the output of the video signal processing circuit 14 may be supplied to the APL detection circuit 17 as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. good.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The same blocks as those in FIG. The difference from the embodiment of FIG. 1 is that a black area detection circuit 20 is provided in place of the APL detection circuit 17.

  The black area detection circuit 20 generates a signal for controlling the backlight dimming circuit when the proportion of the black level in the display image exceeds a predetermined amount, for example, the brightness of the input video signal. Has a function to detect the black level when the brightness level of the video signal is below a predetermined value, and counts the number of black level pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions. The black area is calculated based on the sum of the number of level pixels.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the black area detection circuit 20. The A / D conversion circuit 21 converts the output of the demodulation circuit 13 into a digital signal, the memory 22 that stores the digitally converted video signal, and the memory 22. And a black level discriminating circuit 23 for detecting black level pixels, and a counter 24 for counting the total amount of black level pixels.

  When the number of pixels in the row direction of the liquid crystal display panel is n and the number of pixels in the column direction is m, the memory 22 has an n × m storage area, and the digital data from the A / D conversion circuit 21 is received. For example, it can be stored in field units. The black level discrimination circuit 23 reads the digital data stored in the memory 22 in field units, compares the level of each pixel with preset reference level data (Ref2), and is below the reference level data (Ref2). The pixel is determined to be at the black level.

  The counter 24 counts the number of pixels determined to be at the black level by the black level determination circuit 23, and when the sum exceeds a preset value (for example, 2/3 or more of the entire screen), A control signal is output to the microcomputer 10 so as to reduce the amount of light of the backlight.

  As a result, when the black area of the entire screen increases, the backlight dimming circuit 19 reduces the amount of light from the backlight 18, the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel becomes darker, and the image is more realistic for the viewer. It becomes.

  In this embodiment, the microcomputer 10 controls the backlight dimming circuit 19 in response to the detection result from the black area detection circuit 20, but the black area detection result and the dimming voltage of the backlight 18 are controlled. The relationship may be controlled as shown in the characteristic diagram of FIG.

  That is, in FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the detection result of the black area. When the number of black level pixels is equal to or less than a preset reference value (XRef), the dimming voltage of the backlight 18 is, for example, Ymax ( 100%), and when the number of pixels at the black level exceeds the reference value (XRef), the dimming voltage of the backlight 18 is lowered following the increase in the black area, and the backlight 18 The dimming voltage is adjusted in the range of Ymax to Ymin.

  In this way, by controlling the amount of backlight according to the size of the black area, for example, it can be expressed darker in a dark scene or the like, and a realistic image can be displayed.

  In the above description, the example in which the black area is detected and the backlight light amount is reduced has been described, but conversely, the white area may be detected to control the backlight light amount. That is, a white area is detected from the sum of the number of pixels that are equal to or higher than a predetermined brightness level in the image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel, and the amount of backlight is increased when the number of white level pixels exceeds a predetermined number. By controlling to do so, the screen can be brightened. In addition, when the backlight light intensity is too strong to stimulate the eyes, it is desirable to set an upper limit value so that the backlight light intensity does not exceed a predetermined intensity.

  In addition, when both the black area detection circuit and the white area detection circuit are provided, and the black area and the white area of the display image are less than or equal to a predetermined value, the backlight emits light with a normal light amount, and the black area is less than the predetermined value. May be decreased, and when the white area of the display image becomes larger than a predetermined value, the backlight light amount may be increased.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an area for detecting an area ratio occupied by pixels having at least one brightness level (black level or white level) among images displayed on each pixel of the liquid crystal display panel. In response to the area ratio detected by the detection circuit (black area detection circuit or white area detection circuit) and the area detection circuit, the amount of light of the backlight is controlled, and when the area ratio is in a range of a predetermined value or more, A control circuit that controls the amount of light in a direction that further promotes the brightness level of light or dark (in order to darken the backlight when the black area is large, or brighten the backlight when the white area is large). It is characterized by that.

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be used not only for a television receiver but also for a display device for a computer, a display device for various control devices, and the like.

It is a block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment of the liquid crystal display device of this invention. It is a characteristic view which shows the operating characteristic in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the liquid crystal display device of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the black area detection circuit in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a characteristic view which shows the operating characteristic in 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Microcomputer 12 Antenna 11 Channeler 13 Demodulation circuit 14 Video signal processing circuit 15 Liquid crystal drive circuit 16 Liquid crystal display panel 17 APL detection circuit 18 Backlight 19 Backlight dimming circuit 20 Black area detection circuit

Claims (7)

A liquid crystal display panel;
A backlight disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel;
A liquid crystal driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal display panel according to a video signal and displaying an image based on the video signal on the liquid crystal display panel;
An APL detection circuit for detecting an average level of the video signal;
The amount of light of the backlight is controlled in response to the average level of the video detected by the APL detection circuit, and the amount of light of the backlight follows the decrease in the APL when the average level of the video is within a predetermined value or less. A liquid crystal display device comprising: a control circuit for controlling so as to lower the temperature.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit controls the light amount of the backlight to be constant when the average level of the video is in a range equal to or greater than the predetermined value. A liquid crystal display panel;
A backlight disposed on the back of the liquid crystal display panel to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel;
A liquid crystal driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal display panel according to a video signal and displaying an image based on the video signal on the liquid crystal display panel;
An area detection circuit for detecting an area ratio occupied by pixels having at least one brightness level of light or dark in an image displayed on each pixel of the liquid crystal display panel;
The light amount of the backlight is controlled in response to the area ratio detected by the area detection circuit, and when the area ratio is in a range equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the brightness level of the light or dark is further promoted. A liquid crystal display device comprising a control circuit for controlling a light amount of a backlight. The area detection circuit constitutes a black area detection circuit that detects the number of pixels below a predetermined brightness level in an image displayed on each pixel of the liquid crystal display panel,
The control circuit controls the light amount of the backlight to decrease following the increase of the black area in a range where the ratio of the black area detected by the black area detection circuit is a predetermined value or more. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 3. The area detection circuit constitutes a white area detection circuit that detects the number of pixels equal to or higher than a predetermined brightness level in an image displayed on each pixel of the liquid crystal display panel;
The control circuit controls to increase the amount of light of the backlight following the increase in the white area in a range where the ratio of the white area detected by the white area detection circuit is a predetermined value or more. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 3. A liquid crystal display panel;
A backlight disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel;
A liquid crystal driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal display panel according to a video signal and displaying an image based on the video signal on the liquid crystal display panel;
A black area detection circuit for detecting that the number of pixels below a predetermined brightness level in an image displayed on each pixel of the liquid crystal display panel exceeds a predetermined number;
The amount of light of the backlight is controlled in response to the black area detected by the black area detection circuit, and the amount of light of the backlight follows the increase in the black area in a range where the ratio of the black area is a predetermined value or more. A liquid crystal display device comprising: a control circuit for controlling so as to lower the temperature.   The liquid crystal display device according to claim 6, wherein the control circuit controls the light amount of the backlight to be constant in a range where the ratio of the black area is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

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