JP2006018090A - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the reduction of display quality as compared with the conventional reduction of display quality even if the number of ICs for driving is reduced in a display apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In the display apparatus provided with a plurality of pixel electrodes 4 provided in a matrix shape, a plurality of gate lines 1 extending in a row direction between pixel electrodes 4, a plurality of source lines 2 extending in a column direction between pixel electrodes 4, TFTs 3 connected to the plurality of gate lines 1 and source lines 2 and provided for every pixel electrode 4 and pixel dots regulated in accordance with the pixel electrodes 4, a pair of pixel dots adjacent to each other via the source line 2 constitute a subpixel, the subpixels are arranged by being shifted by one pixel dot for every gate line 1 in the extending direction of the gate line 1, the same source signal is supplied to the respective pixel electrodes 4 of the subpixel from any one of the plurality of source lines 2 via the TFTs 3 and the plurality of source lines 2 are connected for every two lines adjacent to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device.

  A liquid crystal display device, which is one of the display devices, has a feature of being thin and having low power consumption, and is widely used as a display for personal computers, portable terminals, color televisions, and the like.

  In particular, an active matrix driving type liquid crystal display device has a switching element such as a TFT for each sub-pixel of the minimum unit of an image, and can individually light each sub-pixel, so that a detailed moving image display is possible. Is possible.

  This active matrix liquid crystal display device includes an active matrix substrate provided with a TFT for each pixel, a counter substrate disposed opposite to the active matrix substrate and provided with a common electrode and a color filter, and a gap between the two substrates. A liquid crystal display panel including a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the two.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing the active matrix substrate.

  This active matrix substrate 10 'is parallel to a plurality of gate lines 1 provided so as to extend in parallel to each other in the horizontal direction in the figure, and in a direction orthogonal to the gate lines 1 (in the vertical direction in the figure). A plurality of source lines 2 provided so as to extend to each other, a TFT 3 provided at each intersection of the gate line 1 and the source line 2, and a pair of gate lines 1 and source lines 2 corresponding to each TFT 3. And a pixel electrode 4 provided in the region.

  In addition, the notations R, G, and B on the pixel electrode 4 in FIG. 10 indicate the colors (red, green, and blue) of the color layers of the color filter provided on the counter substrate, respectively. In the case of FIG. 10, the arrangement of the colored layers of the color filter is a stripe arrangement.

  Here, each pixel electrode 4 constitutes a sub-pixel, and in the active matrix substrate 10 ′, pixels composed of three sub-pixels corresponding to RGB three colors are repeatedly arranged in a stripe shape.

  In the liquid crystal display device having the active matrix substrate 10 ', the gate lines 1 are sequentially scanned one by one to turn on the respective TFTs 3 connected to the respective gate lines 1, and at the same time from the predetermined source line 2 to the predetermined line. By writing a source signal to one subpixel through the TFT 3 connected to the source line 2, a potential difference is generated between the pixel electrode of the subpixel and the common electrode of the counter substrate. The amount of light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer is controlled by the electric field generated by this potential difference, and image display is performed.

  By the way, in an active matrix liquid crystal display device, the number of source lines and gate lines is determined depending on the resolution of the screen. Here, the resolution is the maximum number of pixels that can be displayed on a display expressed by the number of points that can be displayed in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) and the number of points that can be displayed in the vertical direction (vertical direction). It is.

  For example, in a liquid crystal display device that supports high-definition WXGA display, the number of pixels is 1366 × 768, and the number of source lines is 4098 (= 1366 × 3). As described above, in a high-resolution liquid crystal display device, the number of source lines increases, and accordingly, the number of driving ICs (source drivers) for sending source signals to the source lines also increases.

  Here, since the driving IC is more expensive than other components constituting the liquid crystal display device, the cost of the liquid crystal display device can be reduced by reducing the number thereof.

  Therefore, it is conceivable that the size of the sub-pixel is doubled in the horizontal direction and the number of pixels in the horizontal direction is halved without changing the number of pixels in the vertical direction. In this case, the pitch between the sub-pixels of each color does not change in the vertical direction, but doubles in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the display image becomes rough, and a step-like jagged jagged due to the difference in the vertical and horizontal pitches. The line is visible.

  Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reducing the number of driving ICs by, for example, setting one subpixel of 3 rows and 6 columns among a plurality of subpixels arranged in a matrix. ing.

Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for reducing the number of control circuits by making adjacent cells the same color in a four-cell cell arrangement in which one pixel includes four sub-pixels (cells). It is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-272689 JP-A-6-102503

  However, the conventional technology for reducing the number of driving ICs simply increases the size of one pixel and lowers the resolution of the screen, which may reduce the display quality.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to suppress a reduction in display quality as compared with the conventional case even if the number of driving ICs in the display device is reduced.

  In the present invention, a sub-pixel is constituted by a pair of pixel dots adjacent via a source line, the sub-pixels are arranged in a delta arrangement, and gate lines or source lines are connected every two adjacent to each other. It is configured as described.

  Specifically, a display device according to the present invention includes a plurality of pixel electrodes provided in a matrix, a plurality of gate lines extending in the row direction between the pixel electrodes, and a column between the pixel electrodes. A display device comprising: a plurality of source lines extending in a direction; a switching element connected to the plurality of gate lines and source lines; and a pixel dot defined corresponding to the pixel electrode. A pair of picture element dots adjacent via a line constitutes a sub-pixel, and the sub-pixel is arranged shifted by one picture element dot for each gate line in the extending direction of the gate line, Each pixel electrode of the sub-pixel is configured to be supplied with the same source signal from any one of the plurality of source lines via the switching element, and the plurality of gate lines or the plurality of source lines 2 next to each other Characterized in that it is connected to each.

  According to the above configuration, a pair of pixel dots adjacent via the source line constitutes a sub-pixel, and each sub-pixel is arranged shifted by one pixel dot for each gate line. The arrangement of the sub-pixels is a so-called delta arrangement.

  When a plurality of gate lines are connected to each other adjacent to each other, by supplying a gate signal to one gate line, the adjacent gate line connected to the gate line is also supplied. The same gate signal is supplied. Therefore, all the switching elements (for example, TFTs) connected to these two gate lines are turned on, and all the sub-pixels for two rows can write the source signal. Here, since the sub-pixels are arranged so as to be shifted by one pixel dot as described above, the source signal is written to the sub-pixels of each row by separate source lines. Thus, even if two adjacent gate lines are connected to each other, there is no possibility that the source signal will interfere. Accordingly, the number of gate drivers (driving ICs) that supply gate signals to the gate lines is ½ that when one gate signal is supplied to each gate line.

  In addition, when a plurality of source lines are connected every two adjacent to each other, by supplying a source signal to one source line, the adjacent source line connected to the source line is also supplied. The same source signal is supplied. Here, since a pair of pixel dots adjacent via the source line constitutes a sub-pixel, there is no possibility that the same source signal is supplied to each adjacent sub-pixel in the same row. . In addition, since the gate lines are scanned one by one for each of the sub-pixels arranged in two adjacent rows and shifted by one pixel dot, the same source signal is supplied. There is no fear. As a result, even if two adjacent source lines are connected to each other, there is no possibility that the source signal will interfere. Accordingly, the number of source drivers (driving ICs) that supply source signals to the source lines is ½ that when source signals are supplied to the source lines one by one.

  Thus, in the display device according to the present invention, the number of gate drivers is reduced by connecting two adjacent gate lines to each other, or the number of source lines adjacent to each other is two. Connected to each other, the number of source drivers is reduced, and the sub-pixels are arranged in a delta arrangement having generally excellent color dispersion, so that the display quality due to the roughness of the pixels can be reduced. The decline is also minimized. Therefore, even if the number of driving ICs such as gate drivers and source drivers is reduced, the display quality is prevented from lowering than in the past.

  The display device according to the present invention includes a plurality of pixel electrodes provided in a matrix, a plurality of gate lines extending in a row direction between the pixel electrodes, and a column direction between the pixel electrodes. A display device comprising: a plurality of source lines extending to a plurality of gate lines; a switching element connected to the plurality of gate lines and the source lines; and a picture element dot defined corresponding to the pixel electrode. A pair of picture element dots adjacent to each other through a sub-pixel constitutes a sub-pixel, and the sub-pixels are arranged shifted by one picture-element dot for each gate line in the extending direction of the gate line. Each pixel electrode of the pixel is configured such that the same source signal is supplied from any one of the plurality of source lines via the switching element, and the gate line is 1 between the pixel electrodes. Provided every other line, the above switch Ring element, characterized in that provided above and below alternately for each of the sub-pixels along the direction of extension of the gate line.

  According to the above configuration, a pair of pixel dots adjacent via the source line constitutes a sub-pixel, and each sub-pixel is arranged shifted by one pixel dot for each gate line. The arrangement of the sub-pixels is a so-called delta arrangement. Then, by scanning one gate line, switching (for example, TFT) provided alternately above and below for each subpixel is turned on the side of the gate line. That is, the sub-pixels for two rows on both sides of the gate line can write the source signal. Here, since the sub-pixels are arranged so as to be shifted by one pixel dot as described above, the source signal is written to the sub-pixels of each row by separate source lines. As a result, there is no possibility that the source signal will interfere even if the sub-pixels for two rows are scanned with one gate line. Accordingly, the number of gate drivers (driving ICs) that supply gate signals to the gate lines is ½ that when one gate signal is supplied to each gate line.

  As described above, in the display device according to the present invention, the number of gate drivers is reduced, and the sub-pixels are arranged in a delta arrangement that is generally excellent in chromatic dispersion. Degradation of display quality is also minimized. For this reason, even if the number of driving ICs such as gate drivers is reduced, the display quality is prevented from lowering than before.

  The switching element may be provided for each of the pixel dots, and may be connected to the source line extending between the pixel dots in each of the sub-pixels.

  According to the above configuration, in each subpixel, the source signal is transmitted to each picture via the source line extending between the pixel dots in the subpixel and the two switching elements connected to the source line. It is written in the pixel electrode constituting the elementary dot.

  In the sub-pixel, the pixel electrodes are connected to each other, the switching element is provided for each sub-pixel, and the source line extends between the pixel dots in each sub-pixel. It may be connected to.

  According to the above configuration, in each subpixel, the source signal is transmitted to each picture via the source line extending between the pixel dots in the subpixel and one switching element connected to the source line. It is written in the pixel electrode constituting the elementary dot. For this reason, the number of switching elements required for image display is ½ of the number of switching elements provided for each pixel dot.

  In the subpixel, the pixel electrodes are connected to each other, and the switching element is provided for each of the subpixels, and is connected to the source line extending along the side portion of the subpixels. Also good.

  According to the above configuration, in each sub-pixel, the source signal is supplied to each pixel dot via the source line extending along the side of the sub-pixel and the one switching element connected to the source line. Data is written to the pixel electrode that constitutes it. For this reason, the number of switching elements required for image display is ½ of the number of switching elements provided for each pixel dot.

  A data output unit that outputs video signal data corresponding to a plurality of virtual sub-pixels arranged in a matrix, and image data that is actually input to the sub-pixels from the video signal data output from the data output unit A conversion unit that converts to a sub-pixel, and the conversion unit is adjacent to the sub-pixel in a direction in which the gate line extends when the center position of the sub-pixel does not match the center position of the virtual sub-pixel. By selecting two virtual sub-pixels and proportionally distributing the video signal data according to the distances between the center position of each virtual sub-pixel and the center position of the sub-pixel, the video signal data is converted to the image data. It may be configured to convert to

  In general, the center position of each sub pixel in the delta arrangement does not coincide with the center position of each virtual sub pixel arranged in a matrix (in a stripe arrangement).

  According to the above configuration, at locations where the center positions of the two do not match (shift), the video signal data is proportionally distributed according to the distance at which the center positions of the two are shifted by the conversion unit, thereby providing a stripe arrangement. Are converted into image data corresponding to the delta arrangement. As a result, in the liquid crystal display device having the delta arrangement as in the present invention, for example, it is possible to display an image using the video data having the stripe arrangement.

  The plurality of source lines are connected every two adjacent to each other, and the three sub-pixels adjacent in the extending direction of the gate line constitute one pixel, and the extending direction of the source line of the pixel May be ½ of the size of the pixel in the direction in which the gate line extends.

  According to the above configuration, since the size of the pixel source line in the extending direction is ½ of the size of the pixel gate line in the extending direction, for example, three color sub-pixels are striped in the column direction. This means that the square pixels arranged in (2) are doubled in the row direction, and the number of source lines is halved.

  In the display device according to the present invention, subpixels are configured by a pair of pixel dots adjacent via a source line, the subpixels are arranged in a delta arrangement, and gate lines adjacent to each other are arranged every two gate lines. The number of gate drivers can be reduced by being connected, or the number of source drivers can be reduced by connecting two adjacent source lines every two. In addition, since the sub-pixels are arranged in a delta arrangement that is generally excellent in color dispersion, it is possible to suppress a decrease in display quality due to pixel roughness. For this reason, even if the number of driving ICs such as gate drivers and source drivers is reduced, it is possible to suppress the deterioration in display quality as compared with the conventional case.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a liquid crystal display device using TFTs as switching elements will be described as an example of a display device. However, the display device of the present invention can be applied not only to a liquid crystal display device but also to various display devices such as an organic electroluminescence (EL) display device and an inorganic EL display device.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display panel 30 constituting a liquid crystal display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid crystal display device 50 of the present invention.

  The liquid crystal display device 50 includes a liquid crystal display panel 30, a data output unit (not shown) that outputs video signal data, and a conversion unit 19 that converts (scaling) the video signal data output from the data output unit into image data. And a system control unit 18 to which image data from the conversion unit 19 is input, and a gate driver 18a and a source driver 18b to which image data from the system control unit 18 are input.

  The liquid crystal display panel 30 includes an active matrix substrate 10, a counter substrate 20 provided so as to face the active matrix substrate 10, and a liquid crystal layer 25 sandwiched between both the substrates 10 and 20.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the active matrix substrate 10a constituting the liquid crystal display panel 30. FIG. This active matrix substrate 10a corresponds to the active matrix substrate 10 in FIG. In addition, the notations R, G, and B on the pixel electrode 4 in FIG. 2 indicate the colors (red, green, and blue) of the colored layers of the color filter 12 provided on the counter substrate 20, respectively.

  In the active matrix substrate 10a, a plurality of pixel electrodes 4 are provided in a matrix, a plurality of gate lines 1 are provided in the row direction between the pixel electrodes 4, and a plurality of source lines 2 are provided for each pixel electrode 4. It is provided in the column direction between them.

  Here, the pixel electrode 4 forms one picture element dot, and a pair of pixel electrodes 4 adjacent to each other via each source line 2 forms a sub-pixel. Further, the sub-pixels are arranged so as to be shifted by one pixel dot for each gate line 1 in the direction in which the gate line 1 extends. Further, each sub-pixel has a pair of TFTs 3 corresponding to each pixel electrode 4 at the intersection of the source line 2 and the gate line 1 extending in the center, that is, extending between the pair of pixel electrodes 4. Is provided. Thus, the same source signal is supplied to each pixel electrode 4 of each sub-pixel via the source line 2 extending in the center and the pair of TFTs 3 connected to the source line 2.

  Further, the source lines 2 adjacent to each other are connected every two in the non-display region where the pixel electrodes 4 are not provided in a matrix.

  Although not shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of capacitance lines may be provided between the gate lines 1 so as to extend in parallel with each other along the gate lines 1.

  The active matrix substrate 10a (10) has a stacked structure in which a gate insulating film and an interlayer insulating film 5 are sequentially stacked on an insulating substrate 6a.

  A gate line 1 is provided between the glass substrate 6a and the gate insulating film. The gate line 1 has a gate electrode protruding to the side corresponding to each TFT 3.

  A semiconductor layer constituting the TFT 3 is provided between the gate insulating film and the interlayer insulating film 5. On the upper layer of the semiconductor layer, a source electrode protruding laterally from the source line 2 corresponding to each TFT 3 and a drain electrode facing the source electrode are provided.

  On the interlayer insulating film 5, a pixel electrode 4 connected to the drain electrode through a contact hole is provided. An alignment film 21 a is provided on the pixel electrode 4.

  The counter substrate 20 has a stacked structure in which a color filter 12, an overcoat layer (not shown), a common electrode 13, and an alignment film 21b are stacked in this order on an insulating substrate 6b.

  The color filter 12 is provided with a colored layer of one color of red, green and blue corresponding to each sub-pixel, and a black matrix 11 is provided between the colored layers.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, each pixel dot of the sub-pixel is configured to display the same color. Since each sub-pixel is arranged so as to be shifted by one picture element dot for each gate line 1, the arrangement of each sub-pixel is a so-called delta arrangement.

  The liquid crystal layer 25 is composed of liquid crystal molecules made of a nematic liquid crystal material having electro-optical characteristics.

  As described above, in the liquid crystal display panel 30, one picture element dot is configured for each pixel electrode 4, and a sub pixel is configured by a pair of pixel dots adjacent via the source line 2. However, each gate line 1 has a delta arrangement shifted by one pixel dot.

  When an image is displayed, a gate signal is supplied from the gate line 1 to the TFT 3, and all the TFTs 3 connected to the gate line 1 are turned on. At the same time, a source signal is supplied from the source line 2 to the TFT 3, and a predetermined charge is written into the pixel electrode 4. As a result, a potential difference is generated between the pixel electrode 4 and the common electrode 13, and a predetermined voltage is applied to the liquid crystal capacitor formed of the liquid crystal layer 25. The liquid crystal display panel 30 displays an image by adjusting the transmittance of light incident from the outside by utilizing the change in the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules according to the magnitude of the applied voltage.

  At this time, in the liquid crystal display panel 30, the source lines 2 adjacent to each other are connected every two lines. Therefore, by supplying a source signal to one source line 2, the source lines 2 are connected to the source line 2. The same source signal is also supplied to the adjacent source line 2.

  However, in the liquid crystal display panel 30, as described above, a pair of adjacent pixel dots via the source line 2 constitutes a sub-pixel, so that each sub-pixel adjacent in the same row has a predetermined value. A source signal is supplied by the source line 2 and the two adjacent source lines 2. Therefore, even if two adjacent source lines 2 are connected every two lines, there is no fear that the same source signal is supplied to the adjacent sub-pixels in the same row.

  In addition, for each of the sub-pixels arranged in two adjacent rows and overlapped by one picture element dot, the gate lines 1 to which the gate signal is supplied are different from each other, and the liquid crystal display panel 30 sets the gate lines 1 to 1. Since the scanning is performed line by line, even if two adjacent source lines 2 are connected to each other, there is no possibility that the same source signal is supplied.

  In this way, even if the source lines 2 adjacent to each other are connected every two lines, there is no possibility that the source signals will interfere with each other. Therefore, the number of source lines 2 that supply the source signals is one for each source line. It becomes 1/2 of the case where the source signal is supplied to. Therefore, in FIG. 3, the source driver 18b is shown as one, but in practice, the number of source drivers 18b (driving ICs) can be reduced.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display panel 30 which comprises the liquid crystal display device 50 of this invention is demonstrated. In addition, the following manufacturing methods are representative examples and are not limited thereto.

<Active matrix substrate manufacturing process>
First, a metal film (thickness 1000 to 2000 mm) made of Ta, TaMo alloy or the like is formed on the entire substrate on the insulating substrate 6a such as a glass substrate by a sputtering method, and then a photolithography technique (Photo Engraving Process, hereinafter). , Referred to as “PEP technology”) to form a gate line 1 and a gate electrode.

  Next, a silicon nitride film (thickness of about 4000 mm), an amorphous silicon film (thickness of about 500 mm), and a silicon nitride film (thickness of about 500 mm) are formed on the entire substrate on which the gate line 1 and the like are formed by a CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method. ) In order. Here, the lower silicon nitride film becomes a gate insulating film, and the upper silicon nitride film becomes an etch stopper film.

  Next, the etch stopper film is removed by etching using the PEP technique to expose the amorphous silicon film that becomes a contact portion with the source electrode and the drain electrode.

  Next, the amorphous silicon film is patterned into an island shape by PEP technology to form a semiconductor layer.

  Next, a metal film (thickness 1000 to 2000 mm) made of Ti or the like is formed on the entire substrate on which the semiconductor layer is formed by a sputtering method, and then patterned by the PEP technique, so that the source line 2, the source electrode, A drain electrode is formed.

  Here, the semiconductor layer may be formed of an amorphous silicon film as described above. Alternatively, a polysilicon film may be formed, or the amorphous silicon film and the polysilicon film are subjected to laser annealing to be crystallized. May be improved. Thereby, the moving speed of the electrons in the semiconductor layer is increased, and the characteristics of the TFT 3 can be improved.

  Next, a silicon nitride film (thickness of about 3000 mm) or the like is formed on the entire substrate on which the source line 2 and the like are formed by a CVD method to form an interlayer insulating film 5.

  Next, a portion corresponding to the drain electrode of the interlayer insulating film 5 is removed by etching to form a contact hole.

  Next, a transparent conductive film (thickness of about 1000 mm) made of an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film is formed on the entire substrate on the interlayer insulating film 11 by a sputtering method, and then a pattern is formed by a PEP technique to form a pixel electrode. 4 is formed.

  Next, a polyimide resin is printed on the entire substrate on the pixel electrode 4 with a thickness of 500 to 1000 mm, and then baked and rubbed in one direction with a rotating cloth to form the alignment film 21a.

  As described above, the active matrix substrate 10a (10) is manufactured.

<Opposite substrate manufacturing process>
First, a Cr thin film or a black resin is formed on an insulating substrate 6b such as a glass substrate, and then a black matrix 11 is formed by pattern formation using a PEP technique.

  Next, a color filter 12 is formed by patterning any of red, green and blue colored layers (thickness of about 2 μm) between the black matrices 11 using a pigment dispersion method or the like.

  Next, an acrylic resin is applied to the entire substrate on the color filter 12 to form an overcoat layer.

  Next, an ITO film (thickness of about 1000 mm) is formed on the entire substrate on the overcoat layer to form the common electrode 13.

  Next, a polyimide resin is printed on the entire substrate on the pixel electrode 4 with a thickness of 500 to 1000 mm, and then baked and rubbed in one direction with a rotating cloth to form the alignment film 21b.

  As described above, the counter substrate 20 can be manufactured.

<Liquid crystal display panel manufacturing process>
First, a seal material made of a thermosetting epoxy resin or the like is applied to one of the active matrix substrate 10 (10a) and the counter substrate 20 by screen printing in a frame-like pattern lacking the liquid crystal inlet portion, and the other A spherical spacer made of plastic or silica having a diameter corresponding to the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is scattered on the substrate.

  Next, the active matrix substrate 10 (10a) and the counter substrate 20 are bonded together, and the sealing material is cured to produce an empty liquid crystal display panel.

  Next, after injecting a liquid crystal material into an empty liquid crystal display panel by a decompression method, a UV curable resin is applied to the liquid crystal injection port, and the liquid crystal material is sealed by UV irradiation. Thereby, the liquid crystal layer 25 is formed.

  As described above, the liquid crystal display panel 30 is manufactured.

  Next, an image display method of the liquid crystal display device 50 of the present invention will be described.

  Here, since the arrangement of the sub-pixels of the liquid crystal display device 50 (liquid crystal display panel 30) is a delta arrangement, video signal data (for example, for stripe arrangement) corresponding to a plurality of virtual sub-pixels arranged in a matrix form. Video data) needs to be converted for delta arrangement.

  Specifically, since two pixel electrodes 4 that display the same color adjacent to each other via the source line 2 are set as one sub pixel, the size of the sub pixel is set as one pixel electrode as one sub pixel. Compared to the case, the number of subpixels is halved. Therefore, it is necessary to scale the image data in the horizontal direction (the direction in which the gate line 1 extends) to ½.

  As a scaling method, various scaling methods such as a method of truncating data at a predetermined interval and a linear proportional method can be applied.

  Hereinafter, the linear proportional method will be described in detail.

  FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the colored layers (12R, 12G and 12B) of the color filter 12 constituting the liquid crystal display device 50 (liquid crystal display panel 30). Here, the position of each colored layer (12R, 12G, and 12B) corresponds to the position of the sub-pixel formed by the pair of pixel electrodes 4. Further, in the figure, the circle mark 14B indicates the center position of the blue colored layer 12B, the triangle mark 14R indicates the center position of the red colored layer 12R, and the triangle mark 14G indicates the center position of the green colored layer 12G. Each position is shown and coincides with the center position of each sub-pixel.

  7 omits the outlines of the colored layers (12R, 12G, and 12B) in FIG. 6, and the center positions (14R, 14G, and 14B) of the colored layers and the virtual subpixels 15 arranged in a matrix. And position.

  In the case of FIG. 7, the center position 14B of the blue colored layer and the center position of the virtual subpixel 15a coincide, but the center position 14R of the red colored layer, the center position 14G of the green colored layer, and the virtual subpixel. The center positions of 15 do not coincide with each other.

  Here, the liquid crystal display device 50 outputs the video signal data corresponding to a plurality of virtual sub-pixels arranged in a matrix and the video signal data output from the data output unit is actually sub- And a conversion unit 18 that converts the image data to be input to the pixels.

  Next, a method for converting video signal data into image data by the conversion unit 18 will be described.

  First, the data output unit outputs video signal data corresponding to a plurality of virtual sub-pixels arranged in a matrix.

  Next, the conversion unit 18 converts the video signal data output from the data output unit into image data that is actually input to the sub-pixels.

  When the center position of the sub-pixel does not coincide with the center position of the virtual sub-pixel, the conversion unit 18 selects two virtual sub-pixels 15 adjacent to the sub-pixel in the direction in which the gate line 1 extends. The video signal data is converted into image data by proportionally distributing the video signal data according to the distance between the center position of each virtual sub-pixel 15 and the center position of the sub-pixel (corresponding to 14R, 14G, and 14B). Configured to convert.

  Specifically, in the sub pixel corresponding to the center position 14R of the red colored layer, two virtual sub pixels 15a and 15b adjacent in the direction in which the gate line 1 extends are selected.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the distance between the center position 14R of the red colored layer and the center position of the virtual subpixel 15a and the distance between the center position 14R of the red colored layer and the center position of the virtual subpixel 15b When the ratio is 2: 1, the image data at the center position 14R of the red colored layer is obtained by converting the video signal data corresponding to the virtual subpixel 15a and the video signal data corresponding to the virtual subpixel 15b to 1: 2. Will be proportionally distributed.

  More specifically, the gradation data (image data) at the center position 14R of the red coloring layer is obtained by multiplying the gradation data (video signal data) corresponding to the virtual subpixel 15a by 1/3, and the virtual sub This is the sum of the gradation data (video signal data) corresponding to the pixel 15b multiplied by 2/3.

  The image data at the center position 14G of the green colored layer is a proportional distribution of the video signal data corresponding to the virtual subpixel 15b and the video signal data corresponding to the virtual subpixel 15c.

  Note that the image data at the center position 14B of the blue colored layer is the video signal data itself of the virtual sub-pixel 15a.

  If the video signal data of the mth row and the nth column among the video signal data corresponding to the plurality of virtual sub-pixels arranged in a matrix is expressed as P (m, n), FIG. The gradation data Dr for red display, the gradation data Dg for green display, and the gradation data Db for blue display are respectively expressed by the following equations.

Dr = {P (m, n−1) × 1 + P (m, n) × 2} / 3
Dg = {P (m, n) × 2 + P (m, n + 1) × 1} / 3
Db = P (m, n-1)
Such conversion processing can be easily executed by using an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) circuit.

  Further, in the conventional method, in order to reduce the number of source lines, in the stripe arrangement, the size of one subpixel must be twice the original subpixel in the horizontal direction (row direction), and the same color ( For example, the interval between the sub-pixels displaying red) is twice the interval between the sub-pixels displaying the same color in the original sub-pixel arrangement. However, in the present invention, since the sub-pixels are arranged in a delta arrangement, the interval between the sub-pixels displaying the same color is oblique, so that the sub-pixels displaying the same color in the original sub-pixel arrangement are About 1.41 times the interval. Therefore, since the present invention is superior in color dispersion than the conventional method, it is possible to minimize the deterioration in display quality due to pixel roughness.

  As described above, in the liquid crystal display device 50 of the present invention, since the plurality of source lines 2 are connected every two adjacent to each other, by supplying a source signal to one source line 2, The same source signal is supplied to the adjacent source line 2 connected to the source line 2. Then, for each sub-pixel adjacent in the same row, the sub-pixel is composed of a pair of pixel dots adjacent via the source line 1, so there is no fear that the same source signal is supplied. In addition, since the gate lines 1 are scanned one by one for the sub-pixels arranged in two adjacent rows and overlapped by one pixel dot, there is a possibility that the same source signal is supplied. Absent. As a result, even if two adjacent source lines 2 are connected to each other, there is no possibility that the source signal will interfere. Therefore, the number of source drivers 18b that supply source signals to the source line 2 can be halved compared to the case where source signals are supplied to the source lines one by one.

  In addition, since the sub-pixels are arranged in a delta arrangement that is generally excellent in color dispersion, deterioration in display quality due to pixel roughness is suppressed to a minimum. Therefore, even if the number of driving ICs such as the source driver 18b is reduced, it is possible to suppress the deterioration in display quality as compared with the conventional case.

  Further, three sub-pixels adjacent to each other in the extending direction of the gate line 1 constitute one pixel, and the size of the pixel in the extending direction of the source line 2 is the size of the extending direction of the gate line 1 of the pixel. Therefore, for example, a square pixel in which sub-pixels of three colors are arranged in a stripe shape in the column direction is doubled in the row direction, and the number of source lines is halved. .

  Furthermore, instead of the active matrix substrate 10a, active matrix substrates 10b and 10c configured as follows may be used.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the active matrix substrate 10b.

  In the active matrix substrate 10b, a plurality of pixel electrodes 4 are provided in a matrix, a plurality of gate lines 1 are provided in the row direction between the pixel electrodes 4, and a plurality of source lines 2 are provided for each pixel electrode 4. It is provided in the column direction between them.

  Here, a pair of pixel electrodes 4 adjacent to each other via each source line 2 are connected to each other to constitute a sub-pixel. Similar to the active matrix substrate 10a, the sub-pixels are arranged so as to be shifted by one pixel dot in the direction in which the gate line 1 extends. A TFT 3 is provided for each sub pixel at the intersection of the source line 2 and the gate line 1 extending between the pixel dots in each sub pixel. As a result, the same source signal is supplied to the pair of pixel electrodes 4 constituting the sub pixel from the source line 2 extending in the center via one TFT 3.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the active matrix substrate 10c.

  In this active matrix substrate 10c, a plurality of pixel electrodes 4 are provided in a matrix, a plurality of gate lines 1 are provided in the row direction between the pixel electrodes 4, and a plurality of source lines 2 are provided for each pixel electrode 4. It is provided in the column direction between them.

  Here, a pair of pixel electrodes 4 adjacent to each other via each source line 2 are connected to each other to constitute a sub-pixel. Similar to the active matrix substrate 10a and the active matrix substrate 10b, the sub-pixels are arranged shifted by one pixel dot in the direction in which the gate line 1 extends. A TFT 3 is provided for each sub pixel at the intersection of the source line 2 and the gate line 1 extending along the side of each sub pixel. As a result, the same source signal is supplied to the pair of pixel electrodes 4 constituting the subpixel from the source line 2 extending along the side portion of the subpixel through one TFT 3.

  The active matrix substrates 10b and 10c can be manufactured by changing the pattern shape (number) of the TFTs 3 and the pattern shape of the pixel electrodes 4 based on the manufacturing method of the active matrix substrate 10a.

  Here, the connection portion between the pixel electrodes 4 overlaps with the source line 2 to generate a parasitic capacitance. Therefore, it is desirable to form a small overlapping portion between the connection portion between the pixel electrodes 4 and the source line 2.

  In the liquid crystal display device having the liquid crystal display panel constituted by the active matrix substrates 10b and 10c, since the TFT 3 is provided for each sub-pixel, the number of TFTs 3 required for image display is determined for each pixel dot. It is possible to reduce to 1/2 that when the TFT 3 is provided.

<< Embodiment 2 of the Invention >>
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of an active matrix substrate 10d constituting a liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal display panel) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Since the main structures of the liquid crystal display device and the liquid crystal display panel are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The notations R, G and B on the pixel electrode 4 in FIG. 8 are the colors (red, green and red) of the color layers of the color filter 12 provided on the counter substrate 20 as in FIGS. Blue).

  In this active matrix substrate 10d, a plurality of pixel electrodes 4 are provided in a matrix, a plurality of gate lines 1 are provided in the row direction between the pixel electrodes 4, and a plurality of source lines 2 are provided for each pixel electrode 4. It is provided in the column direction between them.

  Here, the pixel electrode 4 forms one picture element dot, and a pair of pixel electrodes 4 adjacent to each other via each source line 2 forms a sub-pixel. The sub-pixels are arranged so as to be shifted by one picture element dot in the direction in which the gate line 1 extends. Further, each sub-pixel has a pair of TFTs 3 corresponding to each pixel electrode 4 at the intersection of the source line 2 and the gate line 1 extending in the center, that is, extending between the pair of pixel electrodes 4. Is provided. Thus, the same source signal is supplied to each pixel electrode 4 of each sub-pixel via the source line 2 extending in the center and the pair of TFTs 3 connected to the source line 2.

  Further, the gate lines 1 adjacent to each other are connected every two lines in the non-display area where the pixel electrodes 4 are not provided in a matrix.

  The cross-sectional structure of the active matrix substrate 10d is substantially the same as that of the active matrices 10a, 10b, and 10c described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the liquid crystal display panel including the active matrix substrate 10d, one pixel dot is configured for each pixel electrode 4, and a sub pixel is configured by a pair of pixel dots adjacent via the source line 2, Each sub-pixel has a delta arrangement with a shift of one picture element dot for each gate line 1.

  When an image is displayed, a gate signal is supplied from the gate line 1 to the TFT 3, and all the TFTs 3 connected to the gate line 1 are turned on. At the same time, a source signal is supplied from the source line 2 to the TFT 3, and a predetermined charge is written into the pixel electrode 4. As a result, a potential difference is generated between the pixel electrode 4 and the common electrode 13, and a predetermined voltage is applied to the liquid crystal capacitor formed of the liquid crystal layer 25. The liquid crystal display panel 30 displays an image by adjusting the transmittance of light incident from the outside by utilizing the change in the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules according to the magnitude of the applied voltage.

  At this time, in the liquid crystal display panel, the gate lines 1 adjacent to each other are connected every two lines. Therefore, by supplying a gate signal to one gate line 1, the adjacent gate line 1 connected to the gate line 1 is connected. Also, the same gate signal is supplied. Therefore, all the TFTs 3 connected to the two gate lines 1 are turned on, and the sub pixels for two rows can write the source signal.

  Here, since each sub-pixel is arranged so as to be shifted by one picture element dot as described above, a source signal is written to the sub-pixel in each row by a separate source line 2. As a result, even if the gate lines 1 adjacent to each other are connected every two lines, there is no possibility that the source signal will interfere. Therefore, the number of gate drivers 18a for supplying gate signals to the gate line 1 can be halved compared to the case of supplying gate signals to the gate lines one by one.

  In this way, even when the gate lines 1 adjacent to each other are connected every two lines, there is no possibility that the source signal will interfere with each other. Therefore, the number of the gate lines 1 that supply the gate signal is one for each gate line. It becomes 1/2 of the case where the gate signal is supplied to. Therefore, the number of gate drivers 18a (driving ICs) can be reduced.

  In addition, since the sub-pixels are arranged in a delta arrangement that is generally excellent in color dispersion, the deterioration in display quality due to the roughness of the pixels is also minimized. For this reason, even if the number of driving ICs such as gate drivers is reduced, it is possible to suppress the deterioration in display quality as compared with the conventional case.

  The active matrix substrate 10d can be manufactured by changing the pattern shapes of the gate lines 1 and the source lines 2 based on the manufacturing method of the active matrix substrate 10a of the first embodiment.

  Furthermore, the counter substrate manufacturing process, the liquid crystal display panel manufacturing process, and the image display method of the liquid crystal display device are substantially the same as those described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the active matrix substrate 10d may be configured such that a TFT is provided for each sub-pixel as in the active matrices 10b and 10c described in the first embodiment.

<< Other Embodiments >>
The present invention may be an active matrix substrate 10e configured as follows instead of the active matrix substrate 10d described in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the active matrix substrate 10e.

  In this active matrix substrate 10e, a plurality of pixel electrodes 4 are provided in a matrix, a plurality of gate lines 1 are provided every other row in the row direction between the pixel electrodes 4, and a plurality of source lines 2 It is provided in the column direction between the pixel electrodes 4.

  The gate lines 1 are provided with TFTs 3 alternately in the vertical direction for each sub-pixel along the extending direction of the gate lines 1 (alternately to the side of the gate lines 1).

  In this active matrix substrate 10e, the gate lines 1 connected every two in the active matrix 10d described in the second embodiment are replaced with one gate line 1 provided with TFTs 3 on both sides. The operational effects, manufacturing method, and image display method in the case of a liquid crystal display panel are substantially the same as those of the active matrix 10d. Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Another structure may be sufficient.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for AV liquid crystal display devices and the like because the number of drive ICs can be reduced by the delta arrangement of subpixels.

It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the liquid crystal display panel 30 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a schematic plan view of an active matrix substrate 10a according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid crystal display device 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a plane schematic diagram of the active matrix substrate 10b which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a plane schematic diagram of the active matrix substrate 10c which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the sub pixel which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and its center position. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the center position of the sub pixel which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the center position of a virtual sub pixel. It is a plane schematic diagram of the active matrix substrate 10d which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a plane schematic diagram of the active matrix substrate 10e which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a plane schematic diagram of the conventional active matrix substrate 10 '.

Explanation of symbols

1, gate line 2, source line 3 TFT
4 Pixel electrode 5 Insulating layer 6a, 6b Insulating substrate 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10 'Active matrix substrate 11 Black matrix 12 Color filter 12R Red layer 12G Green layer 12B Blue layer 13 Common electrode 14R Red center position 14G Green center position 14B Blue center position 15 Virtual sub-pixels 16a and 16b Gate signals 17a and 17b Source signal 18 System controller 18a Gate driver 18b Source driver 19 Converters 21a and 21b Alignment films 22a and 22b Polarizer 23 Sealing material 25 Liquid crystal Layer 30 Liquid crystal display panel 50 Liquid crystal display device

Claims (7)

A plurality of pixel electrodes provided in a matrix, a plurality of gate lines extending in the row direction between the pixel electrodes, a plurality of source lines extending in the column direction between the pixel electrodes, and the plurality A display device comprising a switching element connected to the gate line and the source line, and a pixel dot defined corresponding to the pixel electrode,
A pair of pixel dots adjacent via the source line constitutes a sub-pixel,
The sub-pixels are arranged shifted by one pixel dot for each gate line in the direction in which the gate line extends,
Each pixel electrode of the sub-pixel is configured such that the same source signal is supplied from any one of the plurality of source lines via the switching element,
The display device, wherein the plurality of gate lines or the plurality of source lines are connected every two adjacent to each other. A plurality of pixel electrodes provided in a matrix, a plurality of gate lines extending in the row direction between the pixel electrodes, a plurality of source lines extending in the column direction between the pixel electrodes, and the plurality A display device comprising a switching element connected to the gate line and the source line, and a pixel dot defined corresponding to the pixel electrode,
A pair of pixel dots adjacent via the source line constitutes a sub-pixel,
The sub-pixels are arranged shifted by one pixel dot for each gate line in the direction in which the gate line extends,
Each pixel electrode of the sub-pixel is configured such that the same source signal is supplied from any one of the plurality of source lines via the switching element,
The gate line is provided every other row between the pixel electrodes,
The display device, wherein the switching elements are alternately provided in the vertical direction for each of the sub-pixels along a direction in which the gate line extends. The display device according to claim 1 or 2,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the switching element is provided for each of the picture element dots and is connected to the source line extending between the picture element dots in the sub-pixels. The display device according to claim 1 or 2,
In the sub-pixel, the pixel electrodes are connected to each other,
The display device, wherein the switching element is provided for each of the sub-pixels and is connected to the source line extending between the pixel dots in the sub-pixels. The display device according to claim 1 or 2,
In the sub-pixel, the pixel electrodes are connected to each other,
The display device, wherein the switching element is provided for each of the subpixels and is connected to the source line extending along a side portion of the subpixels. The display device according to claim 1 or 2,
A data output unit that outputs video signal data corresponding to a plurality of virtual sub-pixels arranged in a matrix;
A conversion unit that converts the video signal data output from the data output unit into image data that is actually input to the sub-pixels;
If the center position of the sub-pixel does not coincide with the center position of the virtual sub-pixel, the conversion unit selects two virtual sub-pixels adjacent to the sub-pixel in the direction in which the gate line extends, The video signal data is converted to the image data by proportionally distributing the video signal data according to the distance between the center position of each virtual sub-pixel and the center position of the sub-pixel. A display device characterized by that. The display device according to claim 1,
The plurality of source lines are connected every two adjacent to each other,
The three sub-pixels adjacent to each other in the extending direction of the gate line constitute one pixel,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein a size of the pixel in a direction in which the source line extends is ½ of a size in a direction in which the gate line of the pixel extends.

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