JP3448879B2 - Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an active matrix type liquid crystal display device and a driving method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a conventional active matrix type liquid crystal display device and its driving method, "Nikkei Electronics, September 10, 1984, No. 351, p.
211-240, small lot, etc. ”. FIG. 2 is an example of a timing chart showing the driving method. As is well known, the liquid crystal needs to be driven by alternating current, so the potential of the signal line is 1
An image signal 1 is AC-reversed around a certain potential Vc. In the vertical scanning period T1, the potential 12 of the scanning line becomes high level for one horizontal scanning period T3. This scanning pulse is sequentially applied to each scanning line from the upper part of the screen. T2 is a vertical blanking period, and normally no image signal is applied. The counter electrode potential 13 is N channel TF.
In the case of T, it is set lower than the center potential Vc of the image signal.

FIG. 3 is an example of an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel portion.
Signal lines Xi, Xi + 1 and scanning lines Yj-1, Yj, Yj
A TFT 31 is arranged at each intersection of +1 and
The source electrode is connected to the signal line, the gate electrode is connected to the scanning line, and the drain electrode is connected to the pixel electrode 33. A storage capacitor 32 is connected to each pixel electrode as needed.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, since the active matrix substrate forms a semiconductor thin film circuit in a large area, defects are likely to occur. For example, in FIG. 3, a defect 34 due to a short circuit between a signal line and a pixel electrode and a defect 35 due to a short circuit between a scanning line and a pixel electrode are main causes of point defects. On the other hand, the relationship between the applied voltage and the transmittance of the liquid crystal display device is shown in FIG. In this figure, the normally white mode 41 is capable of displaying a higher contrast ratio and less halftone than the normally black mode, so that most active matrix type liquid crystal display devices adopt this normally white mode. . In the normally white mode, it can be seen that the defect 35 due to the short circuit between the scanning line and the pixel electrode is a bright defect because almost no AC signal is applied to the liquid crystal. Defect 3 due to short circuit between signal line and pixel electrode
Also in No. 4, since the average potential of the signal line is applied, it can be seen that even if the original image of the pixel is dark, if other portions are bright, it becomes a considerably bright defect. These bright point defects are very conspicuous even if the pixel pitch is small, so that the image quality is significantly impaired.

The liquid crystal display device and the driving method thereof according to the present invention solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to make bright point defects inconspicuous.

[0006]

A liquid crystal display device and a driving method thereof according to the present invention are characterized in that an AC voltage is applied to the scanning lines during a vertical blanking period. Further, in the vertical blanking period, a voltage equal to or higher than a threshold value of liquid crystal based on the potential applied to the counter electrode is applied to the signal line, and the signal line is referenced based on the potential of the counter electrode in the vertical scanning period. A voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the voltage applied to the counter electrode is applied to the counter electrode during the vertical blanking period. In the method of driving a liquid crystal display device having a two-terminal element as a switching element, an AC voltage within a range not exceeding the threshold voltage of the two-terminal element is applied to the signal electrode or the scanning line during the vertical blanking period. It is characterized by

[0007]

EXAMPLE A liquid crystal display device used in this example comprises liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and a signal line for supplying an image signal and a scanning signal are supplied to one of the pair of substrates. An active matrix liquid crystal display device including a scan line, a transistor provided corresponding to an intersection of a signal line and a scan line, a pixel electrode, and a counter electrode facing the pixel electrode. Next, a driving method of this embodiment and a circuit configuration for realizing the driving method will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
Is an example of a timing chart of the liquid crystal display device. Like periods, NTSC video signals consist of two interlaced fields. On the other hand, since the liquid crystal display device needs to be driven by an alternating current, the potential of the signal line 1 is inverted around the potential Vc in each field as shown in the figure. In this figure, the image signal voltages VID1 and VID
ID4 is the maximum value of the positive and negative image signals, respectively, and is a black level signal in the normally white mode of FIG. On the other hand, the voltages VID2 and VID3 of the image signal are the minimum values of the positive and negative image signals, respectively, and are white level signals in the normally white mode of FIG. The potential 3 of the counter electrode, that is, Vcom is usually set to be several V lower than the center potential Vc of the potential 1 of the signal line. This is because when the N-channel TFT is used as a switching element, the potential of the pixel electrode becomes lower than that of the signal line by the amount of the punch-through voltage.

T1 is a vertical scanning period, and T2 is a vertical blanking period. The scanning lines are sequentially selected one by one in the vertical scanning period, and the voltage VH of the selection level is applied to the scanning lines for one horizontal scanning period T3. Conventionally, no voltage is applied to the signal line because no video signal is present during the vertical blanking period, but in this embodiment, a voltage corresponding to the maximum value of the video signal is applied. Here, the operation of the pixel when there is a short circuit defect 34 between the signal line and the pixel electrode in FIG. 3 will be described. In the conventional driving method, such a defect was recognized as a fairly whitish defect because a voltage obtained by integrating the video signal of the signal line was applied. However, in this embodiment, since an AC voltage of a certain level or more can be constantly applied, it is recognized as a gray to dark defect. Since gray or blackish point defects are much less noticeable in a normal video image than whitish point defects, this driving method can make such defects less noticeable.

Although the polarity of the image signal is inverted every vertical scanning period in FIG. 1, this period can be set to one horizontal scanning period or an integral multiple thereof. In this case, about half of the pixels always drive the liquid crystal with opposite polarities, which has the effect of suppressing flicker and crosstalk. Further, in order to suppress the fluctuation of the potential of the signal line, the polarity of the image signal may be inverted by 180 degrees and the alternating voltage may be applied to the counter electrode potential 3. This has the effect of lowering the driving voltage of the data driver and reducing the power consumption.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the second embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1, the maximum value of the video signal is applied to the signal line during the vertical blanking period, but in this embodiment, a larger voltage is applied. That is, in the blanking period of the first field, it is higher than VID1 and the second
In the field blanking period, the potential 51 of the signal line is set lower than VID4. Further, the potential of the potential 53 of the counter electrode can also be shifted to the opposite side to the potential of the signal line during the blanking period as shown in the figure. When such a driving method is used, a larger voltage can be applied to the pixel when there is a short circuit defect 34 between the signal line and the pixel electrode in FIG. This shows that gray defects can also be made blacker and less visible.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the third embodiment. In this example, an appropriate AC voltage is applied to the potential 62 of the scanning line during the vertical blanking period. here,
If there is a short circuit defect 3 between the scanning line and the pixel electrode in FIG.
The operation of the pixel when there is 5 will be described. In the conventional driving method, such a defect was recognized as a white defect because almost no AC voltage was applied. However, in this embodiment, since an AC voltage of a certain level or more can be constantly applied, it is recognized as a gray to dark defect. Therefore, like the above-mentioned example, this driving method can make such defects inconspicuous.

These driving methods can be freely selected according to the structure of the device. For example, in the case of a TFT in which there is no insulating film between the signal line and the pixel electrode, the signal line and the pixel electrode are likely to be short-circuited, and thus the driving method shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 is suitable. Further, in the structure in which the scanning line and the pixel electrode are overlapped to form the storage capacitor, the scanning line and the pixel electrode are likely to be short-circuited, and thus the driving method of FIG. 6 is suitable.
Of course, these driving methods can be used in combination.

Next, a circuit configuration for realizing the above driving method will be described. FIG. 7 is an example of a circuit diagram of a liquid crystal display device for realizing the driving method of the present invention. Generally, TF
A liquid crystal display device using T is roughly divided into three parts. That is, there are three types: an active matrix area for displaying an image, a data driver for supplying an image signal to a signal line, and a scanning driver for supplying a scanning pulse to a scanning line. There are various types of data drivers, but the simplest dot-sequential analog type is shown here.

In this system, each output of the shift register controls opening and closing of an analog switch, and video line signals corresponding to respective colors of R, G and B are sequentially written in the signal lines X1, X2 and X3. Is. Since the shift register sequentially shifts the data signal Dx at the timing of the clock signal CLx, if Dx is kept at high level during the vertical blanking period, all analog switches remain closed. In this way, if the video signal during the blanking period is set to the maximum value beforehand,
Can be realized.

In the case of another data driver, for example, even in a line-sequential analog driver, it is possible to provide a reset terminal at the input portion of each output buffer to change the output all at once, and in the case of a digital driver, the output stage before the output is also changed. Inhibit gate should be provided in the.

In order to realize the driving method of FIG. 6 on the scan driver side, the simplest method is to apply an AC voltage to the negative power supply Vssy during the vertical scanning period. This is because all buffer outputs are shorted to the negative power supply during this period. As another method, there is also a method in which only the power supply of the buffer section is made independent, and the power supply of the shift register section remains unchanged, and only the negative power supply of the buffer section is AC-driven. In this case, the configuration of the driver unit is slightly more complicated than the first method, but there is an advantage that the current consumption is reduced.

According to the present invention, a selection pulse is applied to a scanning line such as a TFT formed of a non-single-crystal Si thin film or a compound semiconductor thin film or a MOSFET formed on a single-crystal Si substrate to turn on.
It goes without saying that the invention can be applied to an active matrix type liquid crystal display device using all elements to be turned off.

Further, it can be applied to an active matrix type liquid crystal display device using a two-terminal element such as a thin film diode. In an active matrix type liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and the scanning lines and pixel electrodes are connected to one of the pair of substrates and are connected between the scanning lines and the pixel electrodes. A liquid crystal display device having a two-terminal element and a signal electrode for supplying an image signal to the other substrate of the pair of substrates can be used. In the case of a two-terminal element, when the potential difference between the scanning line and the signal electrode on the opposite side exceeds the threshold voltage of the element, the element becomes conductive, so that the scanning line or the signal electrode does not exceed the threshold voltage during the vertical blanking period. The same effect can be obtained by applying an AC voltage to.

[0019]

As described above, the liquid crystal display device of the present invention can apply an AC voltage above a certain level to the pixel electrode even when the pixel electrode is short-circuited to the signal line or the scanning line. In addition, it is possible to change a pixel, which is originally a white dot defect, from a gray defect to a black defect that is inconspicuous. Since this method can make a considerable point defect inconspicuous only by changing the driving method, the image quality can be improved with almost no increase in cost. Further, since the possibility of defective products is reduced, the yield is improved and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a timing chart showing a driving method of a liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing a driving method of a conventional liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel portion of a liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing applied voltage dependency of transmittance of a liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a driving method of a liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a driving method of a liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 7 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a liquid crystal display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 11, 51, 61 Signal line potential 2, 12, 52, 62 Scan line potential 3, 13, 53, 63 Potential of counter electrode 33 pixel electrode 34 Short circuit between signal line and pixel electrode 35 Short circuit between scan line and pixel electrode

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A liquid crystal display having a signal line to which an image signal is supplied, a scanning line to which a scanning signal is supplied, and a switching element and a pixel electrode which are provided at intersections of the signal line and the scanning line. A method of driving a liquid crystal display device, wherein an AC voltage is applied to the scanning line during a vertical blanking period. 2. A signal line to which an image signal is supplied, a scanning line to which a scanning signal is supplied, a switching element and a pixel electrode provided at an intersection of the signal line and the scanning line, and the pixel electrode. In a method for driving a liquid crystal display device having a counter electrode provided so as to face each other, in the vertical blanking period, a voltage equal to or higher than a threshold value of the liquid crystal with reference to a potential applied to the counter electrode is applied. A voltage applied to the signal line and having a polarity opposite to the voltage applied to the signal line with reference to the potential of the counter electrode in the vertical scanning period,
A method of driving a liquid crystal display device, comprising applying to the counter electrode during the vertical blanking period. 3. A liquid crystal display having a signal line to which an image signal is supplied, a scanning line to which a scanning signal is supplied, and a switching element and a pixel electrode which are provided at intersections of the signal line and the scanning line. A liquid crystal display device , comprising: a scan driver that supplies an AC voltage to the scan line during a vertical blanking period. 4. A signal line to which an image signal is supplied, a scanning line to which a scanning signal is supplied, a switching element and a pixel electrode provided at an intersection of the signal line and the scanning line, and the pixel electrode. In a liquid crystal display device having a counter electrode provided so as to face each other, in the vertical blanking period, a voltage equal to or higher than a liquid crystal threshold value based on a potential applied to the counter electrode is applied to the signal line. A data driver, wherein a voltage having a polarity opposite to a voltage applied to the signal line with reference to the potential of the counter electrode in the vertical scanning period is applied to the counter electrode in the vertical blanking period. Liquid crystal display device. 5. A method for driving a liquid crystal display device, comprising a signal electrode to which an image signal is supplied, a scanning line to which a scanning signal is supplied, and a two-terminal element provided between the signal electrode and the scanning line. A driving method of a liquid crystal display device, wherein an AC voltage within a range not exceeding a threshold voltage of the two-terminal element is applied to the signal electrode or the scanning line during a vertical blanking period.