JP4023517B2 - Electro-optical device, drive circuit, and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a driving method, a driving circuit, an electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus for an electro-optical device that performs gradation display control by a subfield driving method.

  An electro-optical device, for example, a liquid crystal display device using liquid crystal as an electro-optical material, is widely used as a display device in place of a cathode ray tube (CRT) in a display unit of various information processing devices, a liquid crystal television, and the like.

  Here, the conventional electro-optical device is configured as follows, for example. That is, a conventional electro-optical device includes pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix, an element substrate provided with switching elements such as TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) connected to the pixel electrodes, and pixel electrodes. It is composed of a counter substrate on which counter electrodes facing each other are formed, and a liquid crystal as an electro-optic material filled between the two substrates.

  The display modes of the electro-optical device having such a configuration include normally white which is a mode for displaying white in a state where no voltage is applied (off state) and normally black which is a mode for displaying black. In the following, an operation for gradation display when the display mode of the electro-optical device is normally black will be described.

  In the above configuration, when a scanning signal is applied to the switching element through the scanning line, the switching element is turned on. In this conductive state, when an image signal having a voltage corresponding to the gradation is applied to the pixel electrode via the data line, charges corresponding to the voltage of the image signal are accumulated in the pixel electrode and the counter electrode. After the charge accumulation, even if the switching element is turned off, the charge accumulation in the electrode is maintained by the capacitance of the liquid crystal layer itself, the storage capacity, and the like. As described above, when each switching element is driven and the amount of charge to be stored is controlled according to the gradation, the liquid crystal alignment state changes for each pixel, so that the density changes for each pixel. For this reason, gradation display is possible.

  In the case where the display mode of the electro-optical device is a normally white mode, the same effect can be obtained by turning the voltage state off in the above-described operation.

  In the above-described operation, the charge can be accumulated in the liquid crystal layer of each pixel during a partial period, so the following control is possible.

(1) Each scanning line is sequentially selected by the scanning line driving circuit.
(2) In the scanning line selection period, an image signal is supplied to the data line by the data line driving circuit.
(3) The image signal is sampled from the data line.
By the control of (1), (2), and (3) above, it is possible to perform time-division multiplex driving in which the scanning line and the data line are shared by a plurality of pixels.

  However, the image signal applied to the data line is a voltage corresponding to the gradation, that is, an analog signal. For this reason, since a peripheral circuit of the electro-optical device requires a D / A conversion circuit, an operational amplifier, and the like, the cost of the entire device is increased. In addition, display unevenness occurs due to non-uniformity such as the characteristics of these D / A conversion circuits and operational amplifiers and various wiring resistances, so that high-quality display is extremely difficult. This is particularly noticeable when high-definition display is performed.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, as a digital driving method for driving liquid crystal in an electro-optical device, for example, a liquid crystal device, one field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and each pixel in each subfield is divided. A sub-field driving method has been proposed in which an on-voltage or an off-voltage is applied depending on the gradation.

  In this subfield driving method, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal is not the voltage level, but the voltage applied to the liquid crystal (effective voltage) is changed according to the voltage pulse application time, thereby controlling the transmittance of the liquid crystal panel. The voltage level necessary for driving the liquid crystal is only two values, an on level and an off level.

  By the way, in order to improve reproducibility when displaying a moving image in a liquid crystal display device as an electro-optical device, it is indispensable to improve response characteristics in the liquid crystal. As for the response characteristics of the liquid crystal, at a constant temperature, the response speed increases with respect to the transition from the steady state (alignment state) according to the magnitude of the electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer.

  In addition, a transition from the state in which an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer to the alignment state requires a certain response time. This response time is generally several times as long as the electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer.

  Furthermore, when the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal device as an electro-optical device displays gradation by subfield driving, the response characteristics change depending on the temperature of the liquid crystal itself or around the liquid crystal. There is a problem that the gradation characteristics of the liquid crystal change depending on the temporal arrangement of the pulses, and the image quality is deteriorated.

  Further, the simple subfield driving method has a problem that the displayable gradation is limited to the number of divided subfields. For example, when the field is divided into M subfields, the displayable gradation is (M + 1). In order to increase the number of gradations, the number of subfields must be increased, but in that case, it is necessary to scan the screen at high speed. However, in reality, there is a limit due to the operating speed of the drive element.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can improve the image quality by improving the response characteristics of the liquid crystal as an electro-optical material, and can perform subfields by simple field division without weighting. The object is to provide a driving method of an electro-optical device capable of displaying gradation much more than the number of subfields, a driving circuit thereof, an electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus using the electro-optical device. And

The electro-optical device according to the present invention includes a pixel, and the pixel is formed of an electro-optical material whose light transmittance, which is a light transmittance, is changed by applying a voltage, and the light transmission in a unit time of the electro-optical material. When the off-voltage that can make the electro-optic material non-transmissive is applied, gradation expression is performed according to the integral value of the ratio, and the light transmittance of the electro-optic material is changed from the saturated state to the non-transmissive state. The non-transmission response time, which is the time until the transition to, is longer than the time of each of the plurality of subfields included in the unit time.
In the electro-optical device, the plurality of sub-fields include a first sub-field that applies an on-voltage that can saturate the light transmittance of the electro-optical material, and a second sub-field that applies the off-voltage. Subfields may be included.
In the electro-optical device, the plurality of subfields include a plurality of first subfields that apply an on-voltage that can saturate the light transmittance of the electro-optic material, and a first subfield that applies the off-voltage. 2 subfields may be included.
In the electro-optical device, the plurality of first subfields may be set continuously in the plurality of subfields.
In the electro-optical device, in the plurality of subfields, the second subfield may be set between two first subfields of the plurality of first subfields.
In the electro-optical device, the first voltage of the two first sub-fields is applied before the off-voltage is applied to the second sub-field and the electro-optical material is shifted to the non-transmissive state. The subfield may be started.
In the electro-optical device, the second subfield may be the last subfield in the unit time among the plurality of subfields.
In the electro-optical device, the plurality of first subfields are all set continuously in the unit time, and one first subfield of the plurality of first subfields is the plurality of subfields. It may be the first subfield of the field in the unit time.
In the electro-optical device, the plurality of sub-fields include a first sub-field that applies an on-voltage that can saturate the light transmittance of the electro-optical material, and a plurality of sub-fields that apply the off-voltage. A plurality of second subfields are set continuously in the unit time, and one second subfield of the plurality of second subfields is: The last subfield in the unit time among the plurality of subfields may be used.
In the above electro-optical device, it is preferable that the light transmittance changes within a period of at least one subfield among the plurality of subfields.
In the above electro-optical device, it is preferable that the light transmittance changes within the period of the second subfield.
In the above electro-optical device, the light transmittance changes within the period of the second subfield, and one first subfield of the plurality of first subfields is the second subfield. The one first subfield is started before the electro-optic material shifts to the non-transmissive state by the off-voltage applied during the second subfield. May be.
The drive circuit according to the present invention can drive the electro-optical device.
Another driving circuit according to the present invention includes a pixel, and the pixel is configured by an electro-optical material whose light transmittance, which is a light transmittance, is changed by application of a voltage, and the light in a unit time of the electro-optical material. A drive circuit for driving an electro-optical device in which gradation expression is performed according to an integral value of the transmittance, and the light transmittance of the electro-optical material for each of a plurality of subfields included in the unit time Is applied to the electro-optic material, and a first sub-field of the plurality of sub-fields is applied to the electro-optic material. The on-voltage is applied to the electro-optic material within a period of time, and the off-voltage is applied to the electro-optic material within a period of a second subfield of the plurality of subfields. In the period of the second subfield by Rukoto changing the light transmittance, wherein the first sub-field after the second subfield is provided.
In the above drive circuit, the first subfield may be started before the electro-optic material enters the non-transmissive state by the second subfield.
An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above electro-optical device.
The drive circuit of the electro-optical device according to the present invention can saturate the transmittance with respect to the display unit in which each pixel is configured in a matrix by an electro-optic material whose light transmittance is variable by applying a voltage. By supplying an on-voltage or an off-voltage that can be turned into a non-transmissive state, gradation expression can be performed according to the state and time ratio between the light transmissive state and the non-transmissive state of the electro-optic material in unit time. Subfield driving is performed, and each subfield divided into a plurality of field periods on the time axis is used as a control unit, and when the on-voltage is applied, the transmittance of the electro-optic material is saturated. The subfield time is set shorter than the saturation response time, and the subfield to which the on-voltage is applied and the subfield to which the off-voltage is applied based on display data. Determine a de characterized by comprising a driving unit for performing gradation expression.

  According to such a configuration, the electro-optic material constituting each pixel has a variable light transmittance by applying a voltage. The driving means uses each subfield divided into a plurality of field periods on the time axis as a control unit, and generates an on-voltage that can saturate the transmittance or an off-voltage that can be made non-transmissive. Each pixel is driven in a sub-field by applying to. The drive means sets the subfield time shorter than the saturation response time until the transmittance of the electro-optic material is saturated when the on-voltage is applied, and the subfield to which the on-voltage is applied based on the display data. Gradation is expressed by determining the subfield to which the voltage is applied. Since the saturation response time of the electro-optic material is longer than the time of one subfield, the transmittance of the electro-optic material can be changed more finely than the number of subfields in one field. This makes it possible to significantly increase the number of gradations that can be expressed as compared to the number of subfields in one field.

  In addition, the drive circuit of the electro-optical device according to the present invention saturates the transmittance of the display unit in which each pixel is configured in a matrix with an electro-optic material whose light transmittance is variable by applying a voltage. By supplying an on-voltage that can be turned off or an off-voltage that can be turned into a non-transmissive state, the electro-optic material can be grayscaled according to a state and a time ratio between a light transmissive state and a non-transmissive state in a unit time. Subfield drive is performed for expression, and each subfield divided into a plurality of field periods on the time axis is used as a control unit, and the transmittance of the electro-optic material is saturated when the off-voltage is applied. A subfield for setting the time of the subfield to be shorter than the nontransparent response time from the transition to the nontransparent state, and applying the on-voltage based on display data; It determines the subfield applying a serial-off voltage, characterized by comprising a driving unit for performing gradation expression.

  According to such a configuration, the driving unit sets the subfield time shorter than the non-transmission response time until the transmittance of the electro-optic material shifts from the saturated state to the non-transmissive state when the off-voltage is applied. Then, the gradation expression is performed by determining the subfield to which the on voltage is applied and the subfield to which the off voltage is applied based on the display data. Since the non-transmission response time of the electro-optic material is longer than the time of one subfield, the transmittance of the electro-optic material can be changed more finely than the number of subfields in one field. This makes it possible to significantly increase the number of gradations that can be expressed as compared to the number of subfields in one field.

  The driving means applies the ON voltage to the electro-optic material in a continuous or non-continuous subfield so that an integral value of a transmission state of the electro-optic material in the field period corresponds to display data. And

  According to such a configuration, the ON voltage is applied to the electro-optic material in continuous or non-continuous subfields so that the integrated value of the transmission state of the electro-optic material in the field period corresponds to the display data. As a result, multi-gradation display is possible.

  The plurality of subfields in each field are set to have substantially the same time width.

  According to such a configuration, the drive circuit can be simplified and applied to subfield drive of a display device using an electro-optic material having a certain response time such as liquid crystal.

  The saturation response time is a time equal to or longer than 3 subfield periods.

  According to such a configuration, since the change in the transmittance of the electro-optic material per subfield period is relatively small, display with more gradations is possible.

  The non-transmission response time is a time equal to or longer than 3 subfield periods.

  According to such a configuration, since the change in the transmittance of the electro-optic material per subfield period is relatively small, display with more gradations is possible.

The on-voltage is applied to the electro-optic material in a concentrated manner in a subfield period on the leading side of the field period.
According to such a configuration, the electro-optic material can be easily made non-transmissive at the end of the field period, so that display response characteristics can be improved.

  The off voltage is intensively applied to the electro-optic material in a subfield period on the terminal side of the field period.

  According to such a configuration, the electro-optic material can be easily made non-transmissive at the end of the field period, so that display response characteristics can be improved.

  The driving method of the electro-optical device according to the present invention can saturate the transmittance of a display unit in which each pixel is configured in a matrix by an electro-optic material whose light transmittance is variable by applying a voltage. By supplying an on-voltage or an off-voltage that can be turned into a non-transmissive state, gradation expression can be performed according to the state and time ratio between the light transmissive state and the non-transmissive state of the electro-optic material in unit time. A method of driving an electro-optical device that performs sub-field driving, wherein each sub-field obtained by dividing a field period into a plurality of sub-fields on a time axis is a control unit, and the transmittance of the electro-optical material when the ON voltage is applied The subfield time is set shorter than the saturation response time until saturation of the subfield, and the subfield to which the on voltage is applied based on the display data and the off voltage are set. And determining the subfields pressure and performing gradation expression.

  According to such a configuration, the electro-optic material constituting each pixel has a variable light transmittance by applying a voltage. In subfield driving, each subfield divided into a plurality of field periods on the time axis is used as a control unit, and an on-voltage that can saturate transmittance or an off-voltage that can be made non-transmissive Each pixel is driven by applying it to the optical material. The subfield time is set to be shorter than the saturation response time until the transmittance of the electro-optic material is saturated when the on voltage is applied, and the gradation expression applies the subfield to which the on voltage is applied and the off voltage. This is done by determining the subfield to be based on the display data. Since the saturation response time of the electro-optic material is longer than the time of one subfield, the transmittance of the electro-optic material can be changed more finely than the number of subfields in one field. This makes it possible to significantly increase the number of gradations that can be expressed as compared to the number of subfields in one field.

  Also, the driving method of the electro-optical device according to the present invention saturates the transmittance of the display unit in which each pixel is configured in a matrix by an electro-optic material whose light transmittance is variable by applying a voltage. By supplying an on-voltage that can be turned off or an off-voltage that can be turned into a non-transmissive state, the electro-optic material can be grayscaled according to a state and a time ratio between a light transmissive state and a non-transmissive state in a unit time. A driving method of an electro-optical device that performs sub-field driving for expressing, wherein each sub-field divided into a plurality of field periods on a time axis is a control unit, and when the off-voltage is applied, the electro-optical material The subfield time is set shorter than the non-transmission response time until the transmittance shifts from the saturated state to the non-transparent state, and the on-voltage is applied based on display data. It determines the subfield for applying the subfield and the off-voltage and performing gradation expression.

  According to such a configuration, the subfield time is set to be shorter than the non-transmission response time until the transmittance of the electro-optic material shifts from the saturated state to the non-transmissive state when the off-voltage is applied. The key expression is performed by determining a subfield to which an on voltage is applied and a subfield to which an off voltage is applied based on display data. Since the non-transmission response time of the electro-optic material is longer than the time of one subfield, the transmittance of the electro-optic material can be changed more finely than the number of subfields in one field. This makes it possible to significantly increase the number of gradations that can be expressed as compared to the number of subfields in one field.

  The gradation expression is obtained by applying the ON voltage to the electro-optic material in a continuous or non-continuous subfield so that an integral value of a transmission state of the electro-optic material in the field period corresponds to display data. It is performed.

  According to such a configuration, the ON voltage is applied to the electro-optic material in continuous or non-continuous subfields so that the integrated value of the transmission state of the electro-optic material in the field period corresponds to the display data. As a result, multi-gradation display is possible.

  Further, the driving method of the electro-optical device according to the present invention divides each field into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and includes an electro-optical material sandwiched between intersecting regions of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines. A method of driving an electro-optical device, wherein a plurality of pixels are controlled and driven by an on-voltage or an off-voltage for each subfield according to display data, and driven to display gray scales on each of the plurality of pixels in the field. When the on-voltage is applied, the subfield is set to be shorter than the saturation response time until the transmittance of the electro-optic material is saturated, and the subfield is applied with the on-voltage based on the display data. A subfield to which a voltage is applied is determined.

  According to such a configuration, the time of the subfield is set shorter than the saturation response time until the transmittance of the electro-optic material is saturated when the on-voltage is applied. Thereby, the change in the transmittance of the electro-optic material in one subfield period is small, and display with multiple gradations is possible.

  An electro-optical device according to the present invention includes a drive circuit for the electro-optical device.

  According to such a configuration, the transmittance cannot be finely controlled in subfield driving, and multi-gradation display is possible.

  The electro-optical device according to the invention includes a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, and a switching element that controls a voltage applied to each pixel electrode. And having a pixel comprising an electro-optic material sandwiched between intersecting regions of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed to face the pixel electrode, and saturating the transmittance. By supplying a possible on-voltage or an off-voltage that can be made non-transparent, gradation expression can be made according to the state and time ratio between the light transmission state and the non-transmission state in the unit time of the electro-optic material. The sub-field drive is performed, and the sub-field divided into a plurality of field periods on the time axis is used as a control unit, and the transmittance of the electro-optic material is saturated when the ON voltage is applied. The subfield is set to be shorter than the saturation response time until the subfield to which the on-voltage is applied and the subfield to which the off-voltage is applied are determined based on display data to perform gradation expression. Means are provided.

  According to such a configuration, the pixel has a pixel electrode, a switching element, an electro-optical material, and a counter electrode, and can be applied to, for example, a liquid crystal device to perform multi-gradation display.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the electro-optical device.

  According to such a configuration, multi-gradation display is possible.

  In addition, the present invention divides each field into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and converts a plurality of pixels including a plurality of data lines and an electro-optic material sandwiched between intersecting regions of the plurality of scanning lines into gray scales. An electro-optical device that performs gradation display by driving each of the plurality of pixels in a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state by using a subfield driving method in the field by driving with an on voltage or an off voltage in each subfield according to data In this driving method, the control is performed such that the pulse signal to be transmitted to each of the plurality of pixels is concentrated in the first half of the field.

  According to such a configuration, the pixel electrode is disposed corresponding to the intersection of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines, and is sandwiched between the intersection regions of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines. By driving a plurality of pixels including the electro-optic material with an on-voltage or an off-voltage according to the gradation data, each of the pixels is brought into a transmission state or a non-transmission state, and the plurality of pixels are displayed in gradation. In this case, each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and each of the plurality of pixels is driven with an on voltage or an off voltage in accordance with the gradation data in each subfield, so that each of the plurality of pixels is in a transmissive state. The pulse signal to be controlled is controlled to be concentrated in the first half of the field.

  As a result, the time required to reach the target transmittance in the liquid crystal as the electro-optic material constituting the pixel can be shortened, and a high-speed response can be achieved. As a result, the image quality can be improved.

  In addition, the present invention divides each field into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and converts a plurality of pixels including a plurality of data lines and an electro-optical material sandwiched between intersections of a plurality of scanning lines into a gray scale. Driving an electro-optical device that performs gradation display by bringing each of the plurality of pixels into a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state in the field by driving with an on-voltage or an off-voltage in each subfield according to data. In the method, when a moving image is displayed, if the display contents change when the field is switched, the pulse signal for causing the transmission state in the switched field according to the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes is changed. The pulse width is changed.

  According to the present invention, a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element for controlling a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, and the plurality of data A pixel composed of a liquid crystal sandwiched between intersecting regions of a line and a plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode is driven with an on voltage or an off voltage in each subfield according to gradation data. The pixels are displayed in grayscale by bringing each of the pixels into a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state. In this case, each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and each of the plurality of pixels is driven with an on voltage or an off voltage in accordance with the gradation data in each subfield, and a field image is displayed when a moving image is displayed. In the case of switching, when the display content changes, the pulse width of the pulse signal that causes the transmission state in the switched field is changed according to the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes.

  As a result, when displaying a moving image, when the display contents change in the field switching, the electro-optics that configure the pixels so that the desired gradation is quickly obtained in the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes. Responsiveness of liquid crystal as a material can be improved, and image quality can be improved.

  In addition, the present invention divides each field into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and converts a plurality of pixels including a plurality of data lines and an electro-optical material sandwiched between intersections of a plurality of scanning lines into a gray scale. Driving an electro-optical device that performs gradation display by bringing each of the plurality of pixels into a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state in the field by driving with an on-voltage or an off-voltage in each subfield according to data. The method is characterized in that a pulse signal for making a non-transparent state is output in at least the last subfield of the field.

  According to the present invention, a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element for controlling a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, and the plurality of data A pixel composed of a liquid crystal sandwiched between intersecting regions of a line and a plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode, and driven by an on voltage or an off voltage according to gradation data, The pixel is displayed in gradation by setting the pixel to a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state. In this case, each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and each of the plurality of pixels is driven with an on voltage or an off voltage in accordance with the gradation data in each subfield, and a field image is displayed when a moving image is displayed. In switching, at least the last subfield of the field is output with a pulse signal for making it non-transparent.

  Accordingly, a short black display can be inserted before the next field is displayed, and each field is displayed not intermittently but intermittently, thereby improving moving image recognition.

  Further, the present invention divides each field into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and includes a plurality of pixels each including an electro-optic material sandwiched between intersections of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines. Electro-optical display in which gradation is displayed by driving each of the plurality of pixels into a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state by using a sub-field driving method in the field by driving with an on-voltage or an off-voltage in each sub-field according to the tone data. A driving method of the apparatus is characterized in that a pulse width of a pulse signal to be brought into the transmission state in each field is changed in accordance with the electro-optical material itself or a temperature around the electro-optical material.

  According to the present invention, a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element for controlling a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, and the plurality of data A pixel composed of a liquid crystal sandwiched between intersecting regions of a line and a plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode is driven with an on voltage or an off voltage in each subfield in accordance with gradation data. The pixels are displayed in grayscale by bringing each of the pixels into a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state. In this case, each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and each of the plurality of pixels is driven with an on-voltage or an off-voltage according to gradation data in each subfield, and the electro-optic material itself or the Control is performed so as to change the pulse width of the pulse signal that causes the transmission state in each field in accordance with the ambient temperature of the electro-optic material. As a result, the liquid crystal as the electro-optic material can maintain the gradation characteristics constant even when the response speed changes depending on the temperature of the liquid crystal itself or the surroundings of the liquid crystal, and the gradation characteristics caused by the temperature change. Image quality can be improved.

  In addition, the present invention provides a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element for controlling a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, and the plurality of data A pixel comprising an electro-optic material sandwiched between intersecting regions of a line and a plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode, and each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis By dividing the pixel and driving the pixel with an on-voltage or an off-voltage in each subfield in accordance with the gradation data, each of the plurality of pixels is set to a transmission state or a non-transmission state by using a subfield driving method in the field. The driving circuit of the electro-optical device that performs gradation display by the above method, the pulse signal that causes each of the plurality of pixels to be in a transmissive state is concentrated in the first half of the field. Characterized in that it has a control means for controlling the.

  Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the control unit switches the field in accordance with the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes when the display content changes when the field is switched when displaying a moving image. The pulse width of the pulse signal to be brought into the transmission state in the field is changed.

  According to the present invention, a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element for controlling a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, and the plurality of data A pixel composed of a liquid crystal sandwiched between intersecting regions of a line and a plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode to turn on or off the pixel according to gradation data. It is driven with a voltage or an off voltage and displayed in gray scale. In this case, each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and each of the plurality of pixels is driven with an on voltage or an off voltage according to the gradation data in each subfield, and each of the plurality of pixels is controlled by the control means. Control is performed so that the pulse signal to be transmitted is concentrated in the first half of the field.

  As a result, the time required to reach the target transmittance in the liquid crystal as the electro-optic material constituting the pixel can be shortened, and a high-speed response can be achieved. As a result, the image quality can be improved.

  In addition, when the display contents change when the field is switched when displaying a moving image, the control means performs a pulse for making the transmission state in the switched field according to the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes. Control to change the pulse width of the signal.

  As a result, when displaying a moving image, when the display contents change in the field switching, the electro-optics that configure the pixels so that the desired gradation is quickly obtained in the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes. Responsiveness of liquid crystal as a material can be improved, and image quality can be improved.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the control means outputs a pulse signal for making a non-transparent state in at least the last subfield of the field.

  Thereby, a black display for a short time can be inserted before displaying the next field, and each field is displayed not intermittently but intermittently, so that the video recognition is improved.

  In addition, the present invention provides a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element for controlling a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, and the plurality of data A pixel comprising an electro-optic material sandwiched between intersecting regions of a line and a plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode, and each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis By dividing the pixel and driving the pixel with an on-voltage or an off-voltage in each subfield in accordance with the gradation data, each of the plurality of pixels is set to a transmission state or a non-transmission state by using a subfield driving method in the field. A driving circuit of the electro-optical device that performs gradation display by the temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the electro-optical material itself or the surrounding temperature of the electro-optical material; And a pulse width correcting unit that corrects the pulse width of the pulse signal to be changed to a predetermined transmission state in accordance with the gradation in accordance with the detection output of the temperature detecting unit. .

  According to the present invention, a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element for controlling a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, and the plurality of data A pixel composed of a liquid crystal sandwiched between intersecting regions of a line and a plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode is driven with an on voltage or an off voltage in each subfield in accordance with gradation data. The pixels are displayed in grayscale by bringing each of the pixels into a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state. In this case, each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and each of the plurality of pixels is driven with an on voltage or an off voltage in accordance with the gradation data in each subfield. Further, the temperature detecting means detects the temperature of the electro-optical material itself or the surroundings of the electro-optical material, and the control means determines in advance according to the gradation in each field based on the detection output of the temperature detecting means. The pulse width of the transmitted pulse signal is changed.

  As a result, the liquid crystal as the electro-optic material can maintain the gradation characteristics constant even when the response speed changes depending on the temperature of the liquid crystal itself or the surroundings of the liquid crystal, and the gradation characteristics caused by the temperature change. Image quality can be improved.

  The electro-optical device according to the present invention includes a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element that controls a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, Dividing each field into a plurality of subfields on the time axis with a pixel having an electro-optic material sandwiched between intersections of a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode In each of the plurality of subfields, a scanning line driving circuit for supplying a scanning signal for conducting the switching element to each of the scanning lines, and an on-voltage or an off-voltage based on grayscale data to indicate each pixel A binary signal that causes a pixel to be in a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state is supplied to a data line corresponding to the pixel during a period in which the scanning signal is supplied to the scanning line corresponding to the pixel. A data line drive circuit that, and having a control means for controlling the data line driving circuit so as to concentrate in the first half of the field pulse signal for each in the transmission state of the plurality of pixels.

  Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the control unit switches the field in accordance with the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes when the display content changes when the field is switched when displaying a moving image. The pulse width of the pulse signal to be brought into the transmission state in the field is changed.

  According to the present invention, each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and a scanning signal for conducting the switching element by the scanning line driving circuit in each of the plurality of subfields is supplied to each scanning line. A binary signal that causes each pixel to be in a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state by instructing an on voltage or an off voltage in each subfield based on the gradation data is supplied to the scanning line corresponding to the pixel, respectively. Is supplied to the data line corresponding to the pixel by the data line driving circuit, and each pixel is displayed in gray scale. In this case, the data line driving circuit is controlled by the control means so as to concentrate the pulse signal for making each of the plurality of pixels transmissive in the first half of the field.

  As a result, the time required to reach the target transmittance in the liquid crystal as the electro-optic material constituting the pixel can be shortened, and a high-speed response can be achieved. As a result, the image quality can be improved.

  In addition, when the display contents change when the field is switched when displaying a moving image, the control means performs a pulse for making the transmission state in the switched field according to the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes. Control to change the pulse width of the signal.

  As a result, when displaying a moving image, when the display contents change in the field switching, the electro-optics that configure the pixels so that the desired gradation is quickly obtained in the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes. Responsiveness of liquid crystal as a material can be improved, and image quality can be improved.

  Further, the control means outputs a pulse signal for making a non-transparent state in at least the last subfield of the field.

  Thereby, a black display for a short time can be inserted before displaying the next field, and each field is displayed not intermittently but intermittently.

  The electro-optical device according to the present invention includes a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element that controls a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, Dividing each field into a plurality of subfields on the time axis with a pixel having an electro-optic material sandwiched between intersections of a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode In each of the plurality of subfields, a scanning line driving circuit for supplying a scanning signal for conducting the switching element to each of the scanning lines, and an on-voltage or an off-voltage based on grayscale data to indicate each pixel A binary signal that causes a pixel to be in a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state is supplied to a data line corresponding to the pixel during a period in which the scanning signal is supplied to the scanning line corresponding to the pixel. An electro-optical device comprising: a data line driving circuit configured to control the data line driving circuit so that a pulse signal to be transmitted to each of the plurality of pixels is concentrated in the first half of the field. Furthermore, the electro-optic material itself or temperature detecting means for detecting the ambient temperature of the electro-optic material, and the pulse width of the pulse signal for making the transmission state predetermined according to the gradation in each field And a pulse width correction unit that corrects to change based on the detection output of the temperature detection unit.

  According to the present invention, each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and a scanning signal for conducting the switching element by the scanning line driving circuit in each of the plurality of subfields is supplied to each scanning line. In addition, a binary signal that causes each pixel to be in a transmissive state or a non-transmissive state by instructing an on voltage or an off voltage of each pixel in each subfield based on the gradation data is applied to the scanning line corresponding to the pixel. During a period in which the scanning signal is supplied, the data line driving circuit supplies the data line corresponding to the pixel to display the gradation of each pixel. In this case, the data line driving circuit is controlled by the control means so as to concentrate the pulse signal for making each of the plurality of pixels transmissive in the first half of the field.

  Further, the temperature detecting means detects the temperature of the electro-optic material itself or the surroundings of the electro-optic material, and the pulse width correcting means determines in advance according to the gradation in each field based on the detection output of the temperature detecting means. The pulse width of the transmitted pulse signal is changed.

  As a result, the liquid crystal as the electro-optic material can maintain the gradation characteristics constant even when the response speed changes depending on the temperature of the liquid crystal itself or the surroundings of the liquid crystal, and the gradation characteristics caused by the temperature change. Image quality can be improved.

  In the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, since the electro-optical device is provided, the time required to reach the target transmittance in the liquid crystal as the electro-optical material constituting the pixel can be shortened, and high-speed response can be achieved. As a result, the image quality can be improved.

  In addition, since the electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the electro-optical device described above, the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes when the display content changes in the field switching when the moving image is displayed. Therefore, the responsiveness of the liquid crystal as the electro-optical material constituting the pixel can be improved so that the desired gradation can be quickly obtained, and the image quality can be improved.

  In addition, since the electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the electro-optical device, a short black display can be inserted before displaying the next field, and each field is not continuous. Since it is displayed intermittently, the video recognition is improved.

  Furthermore, since the electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the electro-optical device, the liquid crystal as the electro-optical material has gradation characteristics even if the response speed changes depending on the temperature of the liquid crystal itself or the liquid crystal. It can be made constant, degradation of gradation characteristics due to temperature change can be improved, and image quality can be improved.

  The present invention has been made in order to achieve the above object. Each field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis, and the electric field sandwiched between the intersection regions of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines is provided. A plurality of pixels including an optical material are controlled by an on voltage or an off voltage in accordance with display data by a on-field or an off-voltage according to display data. In the driving method of the electro-optical device for adjusting the display, among the subfields that are continuously arranged in the first half of the field based on the display data, some of the subfields are not transmitted according to the rules determined by the display data. It is characterized by being in a state.

  According to the present invention, among the subfields that are continuously arranged in the first half of the field based on the display data, the subfields in the vicinity of the transparent state start excluding the subfield of the transparent state start are displayed. A non-transparent state is set according to a rule determined by data.

  According to the present invention, among the subfields that are continuously arranged in the first half of the field based on the display data, the subfields near the end of the transparent state excluding the subfields at the end of the transparent state are displayed. A non-transparent state is set according to a rule determined by data.

  In addition, the present invention provides a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element for controlling a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, and the plurality of data A pixel composed of an electro-optical material sandwiched between intersecting regions of a line and a plurality of scanning lines, and a counter electrode disposed to face the pixel electrode, and for making the transmissive state in each subfield A drive circuit of an electro-optical device that controls a subfield by an on-voltage or an off-voltage and thereby displays a gradation on each of the plurality of pixels by a subfield drive method within the field, and is continuously arranged according to display data And a control means for controlling a part of the subfields to be in a non-transparent state based on display data among the subfields to be in a transparent state. That.

  The present invention also provides a pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, a switching element for controlling a voltage applied to each pixel electrode, the plurality of data lines, Dividing each field into a plurality of subfields on a time axis, a pixel having an electro-optic material sandwiched between intersecting regions of a plurality of scanning lines and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode, A scanning line driving circuit for supplying a scanning signal for conducting the switching element to each of the scanning lines in each of the sub-fields, and a pulse signal for making the transmission state in each of the plurality of pixels concentrated in the first half of the field, The data line driving circuit is controlled so that a part of the pulse signals that are continuously arranged in the transmission state are made non-transmission state according to the display data. And having a control means.

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including the electro-optical device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electro-optical device according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific configuration of the pixel in FIG.

  The electro-optical device according to the present embodiment is, for example, a liquid crystal device using liquid crystal as an electro-optical material. As described later, an element substrate and a counter substrate are attached to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the electric substrate is electrically connected to the gap. The liquid crystal as an optical material is sandwiched. Here, the display mode of the electro-optical device is normally black, and it is assumed that white display (on state) is performed when a voltage is applied to the pixel, and black display (off state) is performed when no voltage is applied. To do.

  In the electro-optical device according to this embodiment, a transparent substrate such as a glass substrate is used as an element substrate, and a peripheral driving circuit and the like are formed together with a transistor for driving a pixel. On the other hand, in the display area 101a on the element base slope, a plurality of scanning lines 112 are formed extending in the X (row) direction in the figure, and a plurality of data lines 114 are formed in Y (columns). It extends along the direction. The pixels 110 are provided corresponding to the intersections of the scanning lines 112 and the data lines 114, and are arranged in a matrix.

  Here, for convenience of explanation, in this embodiment, the total number of scanning lines 112 is m, the total number of data lines 114 is n (m and n are each an integer of 2 or more), and m rows xn columns. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

<Pixel configuration>
As a specific configuration of the pixel 110, for example, the one shown in FIG. In this configuration, the gate of a transistor (MOS FET) 116 as a switching means is connected to the scanning line 112, the source is connected to the data line 114, the drain is connected to the pixel electrode 118, and the pixel electrode 118 and the counter electrode 108 are connected. A liquid crystal layer is formed by sandwiching a liquid crystal 105 which is an electro-optical material between them. Here, as will be described later, the counter electrode 108 is actually a transparent electrode formed on the entire surface of the counter substrate so as to face the pixel electrode 118.

  A counter electrode voltage VLCCOM is applied to the counter electrode 108. In addition, a storage capacitor 119 is formed between the pixel electrode 118 and the counter electrode 108, and charges are stored together with electrodes sandwiching the liquid crystal layer. In the example of FIG. 2A, the storage capacitor 119 is formed between the pixel electrode 118 and the counter electrode 108, but is formed between the pixel electrode 118 and the ground potential GND or between the pixel electrode 118 and the gate line. May be.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 2A, since only one channel type is used as the transistor 116, an offset voltage is required to eliminate the polarity difference between positive and negative voltages caused by transistor characteristics and the like. As shown in (b), if a configuration in which a P-channel transistor and an N-channel transistor are combined in a complementary manner, the influence of the polarity difference can be reduced without using an offset voltage. However, in this complementary configuration, it is necessary to supply mutually exclusive signals as scanning signals, so two scanning lines 112 a and 112 b are required for one row of pixels 110.

  Each scanning line 112 is supplied with scanning signals G1, G2,... Gm from a scanning line driving circuit 130 described later. With each scanning signal, the transistors 116 that constitute the pixels of each line are turned on, whereby an image signal supplied from the data line driving circuit 140 described later to each data line 114 is supplied to the pixel electrode 118. Depending on the written potential difference between the pixel electrode 9a and the counter electrode 21, the alignment state of the molecular assembly of the liquid crystal 105 changes, and light modulation is performed, so that gradation display is possible.

  In this embodiment mode, subfield driving is employed as a driving method of the liquid crystal 105. When displaying halftone in analog driving, the liquid crystal 105 is driven at a voltage equal to or lower than a driving voltage that saturates the transmittance of the liquid crystal (hereinafter referred to as a liquid crystal saturation voltage). Therefore, the transmittance of the liquid crystal 105 is approximately proportional to the drive voltage, and a screen with brightness proportional to the drive voltage is obtained.

  In contrast, subfield driving uses only two driving voltages, a driving voltage at which the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state and a driving voltage at which the liquid crystal is in a non-transmissive state, and the liquid crystal transmittance is controlled by combining the driving voltages for each subfield. Control. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8 to be described later, the screen brightness is actually proportional to the integral value of the transmittance, but in the present embodiment, the screen brightness is simplified in order to simplify the description. Is described as being proportional to the application time of the drive voltage.

  In the present embodiment, one field is divided into a plurality of subfields on the time axis. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, one field period (1f) is divided into a plurality of subfield periods Sf1 to Sf255 approximately equally, and the driving of the liquid crystal is controlled for each subfield period. It has become. Although FIG. 6 shows an example in which the number of divisions is 255, one field period (1f) may be divided into a plurality of subfield periods Sf1 to Sfn.

  Note that the example of FIG. 6 is applied when, for example, gradation data indicating gradations to be displayed for each pixel is expressed by 8 bits and the number of gradations that can be displayed is 256 gradations. In this example, one field period is divided into 255 subfield periods Sf1 to Sf255.

  When gradation display is performed, driving control is performed so that each pixel is turned on or off for each subfield period Sf1 to Sf255 based on designated gradation data.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, in each field, the subfield period is turned on by the number corresponding to the gradation from the start of the field period.

  That is, a pulse signal (pixel data) having a pulse width corresponding to one subfield period Ts is used as a drive signal for driving the liquid crystal. Then, assuming that the brightness to be displayed is N brightness for 256 gradations, control is performed so that the pulse signal is output only for a time corresponding to N subfields, that is, (Ts × N). In other words, it may be controlled so that only N pulse signals (drive signals) having a pulse width corresponding to the subfield period Ts are continuously output from the start time of the field. For every 255 subfields, a pulse signal (pixel data) is written for all pixels. The pulse signal is a binary signal of H (ON signal) or L (OFF signal).

  Next, the electrical configuration of the electro-optical device will be described. 1, the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment includes a scanning line driving circuit 130, a data line driving circuit 140, a clock generation circuit 150, a timing signal generation circuit 200, a data conversion circuit 300, a driving voltage. A generation circuit 400.

  The clock generation circuit 150 generates a clock signal CLK serving as a reference for the control operation of each unit and outputs the clock signal CLK to the timing signal generation circuit 200. The timing signal generation circuit 200 generates various timing signals and clock signals described below in accordance with a vertical scanning signal Vs, a horizontal scanning signal Hs, a dot clock signal DCLK, and a clock CLK supplied from a host device (not shown). It is.

  The timing signal generation circuit 200 generates an alternating signal FR, a start pulse DY, a scanning side transfer clock CLY, a data enable signal ENBX, and a data transfer clock CLX. The AC signal FR is a signal for inverting the data write polarity for each field. The start pulse DY is a pulse signal output at the start timing of each subfield. The scanning-side transfer clock CLY is a signal that defines horizontal scanning on the scanning side (Y side). The data enable signal ENBX is a pulse signal that determines the timing for starting data transfer to the data line driving circuit and outputting the data for each scanning line to the pixel, and the level transition (that is, rising and rising) of the scanning side transfer clock CLY. Is output in synchronization with (decrease). The data transfer clock CLX is a signal that defines the timing for transferring data to the data line driving circuit.

  The drive voltage generation circuit 400 generates a voltage V2 that generates a scanning signal and supplies it to the scanning line driving circuit 130, generates voltages V1, -V1, and V0 that generate data line driving signals, and supplies the data line driving circuit 140 with the voltage V1. The counter electrode voltage VLCCOM is generated and applied to the counter electrode 108.

  The voltage V1 is a voltage of a data line drive signal output as a positive high level signal with reference to the voltage V0 when the alternating drive signal FR is at a low level (hereinafter referred to as L level). -V1 is a voltage of the data line drive signal output as a negative high level signal with reference to the voltage V0 when the alternating drive signal FR is at a high level (hereinafter referred to as H level).

<Start pulse generator>
As described above, in the present embodiment, one field is divided into a plurality of subfields Sf1 to Sf255 on the time axis, and a binary voltage is applied to each subfield Sf1 to Sf255 according to gradation data. To be applied. Switching of each subfield is controlled by a start pulse DY. This start pulse DY is generated inside the timing signal generation circuit 200.

  FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a specific configuration of a start pulse generation circuit that is built in the timing signal generation circuit 200 and generates the start pulse DY.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the start pulse generation circuit 210 includes a counter 211, a comparator 212, a multiplexer 213, a ring counter 214, a D flip-flop 215, and an OR circuit 216.

  The counter 211 counts the clock CLK, but the count value is reset by the output signal of the OR circuit 216. Also, one input terminal of the OR circuit 216 is supplied with a reset signal RSET that is at the H level only for one period of the clock CLK at the start of the field. Therefore, the counter 211 is reset at least at the start of the field.

  The comparator 212 compares the count value of the counter 211 with the output data value of the multiplexer 213, and outputs a coincidence signal that becomes H level when they coincide. The multiplexer 213 selectively outputs data Ds1, Ds2,..., Ds255 based on the count result of the ring force counter 214 that counts the number of start pulses DY. Here, the data Ds1, Ds2,..., Ds255 correspond to the subfield periods Sf0, Sf2, Sf2,.

  Further, the temperature of the liquid crystal display device or the temperature around the liquid crystal display device is detected by a temperature sensor, and the values of the data Ds1, Ds2,..., Ds255 are varied according to the temperature characteristics of the liquid crystal based on the detected temperature. It may be. As described above, when the length of the subfield Sf1 (1 = 1 to 255) is varied in accordance with the temperature characteristics of the liquid crystal, the effective value of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal is changed following the change in the environmental temperature. Therefore, even if the temperature changes, the display gradation and contrast ratio can be kept constant.

  Further, the comparator 212 outputs a coincidence signal when the count value of the counter coincides with the output signal from the multiplexer indicating the subfield delimiter. Since the coincidence signal is fed back to the reset terminal of the counter 211 via the OR circuit 216, the counter 211 starts counting again from the subfield separation. The D flip-flop 215 generates the start pulse DY by synchronizing the output signal of the OR circuit 216 with the scanning side transfer clock CLY.

<Scanning line drive circuit>
The scanning line driving circuit 130 transfers the start pulse DY supplied at the beginning of the subfield in accordance with the clock signal CLY, and sequentially supplies each of the scanning lines 112 exclusively as scanning signals G1, G2, G3,. Is.

<Data line drive circuit>
The data line driving circuit 140 sequentially latches n binary signals Ds corresponding to the number of data lines 114 in a certain horizontal scanning period, and then latches the n binary signals Ds in the next horizontal scanning period. Data signals d1, d2, d3,..., Dn are supplied simultaneously to the corresponding data lines 114, respectively.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the data line driving circuit 140 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the data line driving circuit 140 includes an X shift register 1410, a first latch circuit 1420, a second latch circuit 1430, and a voltage selection circuit 1440.

  The X shift register 1410 transfers the data enable signal ENBX supplied at the beginning of the horizontal scanning period according to the clock signal CLX, and sequentially supplies it exclusively as the latch signals S1, S2, S3,. Next, the first latch circuit 1420 sequentially latches the binary signal Ds at the falling edge of the latch signals S1, S2, S3,. The second latch circuit 1430 latches each of the binary signals Ds latched by the first latch circuit 1420 all at once with the data enable signal ENBX, and via the voltage selection circuit 1440, These are supplied as data signals d1, d2, d3,.

The voltage selection circuit 1440 selects a voltage corresponding to the data signals d1, d2, d3,..., Dn according to the level of the alternating signal FR. For example, when the alternating signal FR is at the H level, the voltage −V1 is selected when a data signal that turns on a certain pixel is output, and the voltage when the data signal that turns off a pixel is output. V0 is selected. When the data signal for turning on a certain pixel is output when the AC signal FR is at the L level, the voltage V1 is selected, and when the data signal for turning off is output, the voltage V0 is selected. Is selected.
<Data conversion circuit>
As described above, in subfield driving, each pixel is turned on or off in each subfield period Sf1 to Sf255 according to the brightness to be displayed by each pixel. Brightness data to be displayed for each pixel (hereinafter referred to as gradation data) is converted into a binary signal Ds of H level or L level for turning the pixel on or off for each subfield period. There is a need.

The data conversion circuit 300 in FIG. 1 is provided for this purpose, and corresponds to control means. The data conversion circuit 300 operates in synchronization with the vertical scanning signal Vs, the horizontal scanning signal Hs, and the dot clock signal DCLK, writes 8-bit gradation data D0 to D7 corresponding to each pixel into the field memory, and starts pulses. Data is read from the field memory in synchronization with DY, and the read 8-bit gradation data D0 to D7 is converted into a binary signal Ds for each subfield of the subfields Sf1 to Sf255, and this binary signal Ds is converted to the binary signal Ds. It is configured to supply to each pixel.
The data conversion circuit 300 requires a configuration for recognizing which subfield is currently being written in one field. This configuration can be recognized, for example, by the following method. That is, in this embodiment, the AC signal FR that is inverted for each field is generated for AC driving, so the start pulse DY is counted inside the data conversion circuit 300 and the count result is displayed. By providing a counter that is reset at the level transition (rise and fall) of the AC signal FR and referring to the count result, the subfield currently being written can be recognized.

  In the present embodiment, the data conversion circuit 300 is provided in each subfield period in the first half of the field period to realize the gradation (brightness) designated by the 8-bit gradation data D0 to D7 for each pixel. It is configured to output a pulse signal having an ON voltage with a corresponding pulse width so as to be concentrated by the number of gradations.

  Further, the field memory in the data conversion circuit 300 is provided for two fields, the first field memory is a memory in which inputted gradation data (image data) is written, and the second memory is one field. This is a memory in which the gradation data of each pixel previously written in the first field memory is stored, and each pixel from the second field memory is written while the gradation data is written in the first field memory. Gradation data is read out for.

  Further, the data conversion circuit 300 is supplied with a detection output of a liquid crystal itself or a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature around the liquid crystal. A temperature sensor (not shown) corresponds to temperature detection means, and the data conversion circuit 300 corresponds to pulse width correction means.

  The data conversion circuit 300 generates a control signal SC for correcting the values of the data Ds1, Ds2,..., Ds255 input to the multiplexer 213 in the start pulse generation circuit 210 based on the detection output of the temperature sensor. It is generated and output to the timing signal generation circuit 200. The timing signal generation circuit 200 can change the output timing of the start pulse DY by the control signal SC, and can change the period of each of the subfields Sf1 to Sf255 in accordance with the change in the response speed of the liquid crystal. .

  Note that the binary signal Ds needs to be output in synchronization with the operations in the scanning line driving circuit 130 and the data line driving circuit 140. Therefore, the data conversion circuit 300 is synchronized with the start pulse DY and horizontal scanning. The scanning side transfer clock CLY, the data enable signal ENBX that defines the timing for starting data transfer to the data line driving circuit, and the data transfer clock CLX are supplied.

  Further, as described above, in the data line driving circuit 140, after the first latch circuit 1420 latches the binary signal in a dot-sequential manner in a certain horizontal scanning period, in the next horizontal scanning period, the second latch Since the data signals d1, d2, d3,..., Dn are simultaneously supplied from the circuit 1430 to the respective data lines 114, the data conversion circuit 300 includes the scanning line driving circuit 130 and the data line driving circuit 140. Compared with the operation in, the binary signal Ds is output at a timing preceding by one horizontal scanning period.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the electro-optical device according to the above-described embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the electro-optical device.

  The AC signal FR is a signal whose level is inverted every field period (1f). The start pulse DY is generated at the start of each subfield Sf1 to Sf255. When the start pulse DY is supplied in the field period (1f) in which the AC signal FR is at the L level, the scanning signals G1, G2 are transferred by the scanning line driving circuit 130 (see FIG. 1) according to the clock signal CLY. , G3,..., Gm are sequentially output exclusively in the period (t). In this embodiment, one field is basically divided into 255 equal parts, and each subfield has the same time width. However, each subfield period is set according to the temperature change of the liquid crystal itself or the surroundings of the liquid crystal. May change. Therefore, the period (t) is set to a period shorter than the shortest subfield period.

  The scanning signals G1, G2, G3,..., Gm each have a pulse width corresponding to a half cycle of the clock signal CLY, and the scanning signal G1 corresponding to the first scanning line 112 counted from the top is a start signal. After the pulse DY is supplied, the clock signal CLY rises for the first time, and is output with a delay of at least a half cycle of the clock signal CLY. Accordingly, one clock (G0) of the data enable signal ENBX is supplied to the data line driving circuit 140 after the start pulse DY is supplied and before the scanning signal G1 is output.

  Now, it is assumed that one clock (G0) of the data enable signal ENBX is supplied. When one clock (G0) of the data enable signal ENBX is supplied to the data line driving circuit 140, the latch signals S1, S2, S3 are transferred by the data line driving circuit 140 (see FIG. 4) according to the clock signal CLX. ,..., Sn are output exclusively sequentially in the horizontal scanning period (1H). Note that each of the latch signals S1, S2, S3,..., Sn has a pulse width corresponding to a half cycle of the clock signal CLX.

  At this time, the first latch circuit 1420 in FIG. 4 corresponds to the intersection of the first scanning line 112 counted from the top and the first data line 114 counted from the left at the falling edge of the latch signal S1. The binary signal Ds to the pixel 110 is latched, and then corresponds to the intersection of the first scanning line 112 counted from the top and the second data line 114 counted from the left at the falling edge of the latch signal S2. The binary signal Ds to the pixel 110 to be latched is latched, and similarly, the same applies to the pixel 110 corresponding to the intersection of the first scanning line 112 counted from the top and the nth data line 114 counted from the left. The binary signal Ds is latched.

  Thereby, first, the binary signal Ds for one row corresponding to the intersection with the first scanning line 112 from the top in FIG. 1 is latched dot-sequentially by the first latch circuit 1420. . The data conversion circuit 300 generates and outputs a binary signal Ds corresponding to each subfield sequentially from the gradation data D0 to D7 of each pixel in accordance with the latch timing of the first latch circuit 1420. Needless to say.

  Next, when the clock signal CLY falls and the scanning signal G1 is output, the pixel corresponding to the intersection with the scanning line 112 is selected as a result of selecting the first scanning line 112 counted from the top in FIG. All 110 transistors 116 are turned on.

  On the other hand, the data enable signal ENBX is output at the falling edge of the clock signal CLY. Then, at the falling timing of the data enable signal ENBX, the second latch circuit 1430 applies the binary signal Ds latched dot-sequentially by the first latch circuit 1420 to each corresponding data line 114. Through the selection circuit 1440, data signals d1, d2, d3,. Thus, the data signals d1, d2, d3,..., Dn are simultaneously written in the pixels 110 in the first row counting from the top. In parallel with this writing, the binary signal Ds for one row corresponding to the intersection with the second scanning line 112 from the top in FIG. 1 is latched dot-sequentially by the first latch circuit 1420.

  Here, the gradation data D0 to D7 of a certain pixel indicates the third gradation (brightness) (hereinafter referred to as the second gradation) from the darker one of the 256th gradations from the 0th to the 255th. 00000010 ". In order to obtain the brightness of the designated second gradation, it is only necessary to turn on pixels of two subfields out of 255 subfields. In this embodiment, in this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the binary values supplied to the pixels in the two subfields from the beginning of the field period, that is, in each section of the subfields Sf1 and Sf2 Voltage V1 indicating H level is output as a signal, and voltage V0 indicating L level is output from voltage selection circuit 1440 as a data signal for the other subfields Sf3 to Sf255.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the gradation data D0 to D7 of a certain pixel is “00000011” which is the third gradation. In this case, in order to obtain the brightness of the designated third gradation, the voltage V1 indicating the H level is output as a binary signal in each section of the subfields Sf1, Sf2, and Sf3, and the other subfields are output. For Sf4 to Sf255, the voltage selection circuit 1440 outputs the voltage V0 indicating the L level.

  As described above, in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, when the gradation display is performed on each of the plurality of pixels, the pulse signal that is the on-voltage (V1) applied to each of the plurality of pixels is applied to the first half of the field period. It is controlled by the data conversion circuit 300 so as to concentrate on the data.

  Thereafter, the same operation is repeated until the scanning signal Gm corresponding to the mth scanning line 112 is output. That is, in one horizontal scanning period (1H) in which a certain scanning signal Gi (i is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ i ≦ m) is output, data for one row of the pixels 110 corresponding to the first scanning line 112. The writing of the signals d1 to dn and the dot sequential latching of the binary signal Ds for one row of the pixels 110 corresponding to the (i + 1) th scanning line 112 are performed in parallel. Note that the data signal written to the pixel 110 is held until writing in the next subfield Sf2.

  Thereafter, the same operation is repeated every time a start pulse DY that defines the start of each subfield period is supplied.

  Further, even when the AC signal FR is inverted to H level after one field has elapsed, the same operation is repeated in each subfield.

  Next, an operation state at the time of writing pixel data for each field in each pixel by subfield driving in the above configuration will be described in comparison with a conventional example. FIG. 10 shows a driving voltage waveform of the liquid crystal in each field (FIG. 10A) when pixel data is written by conventional analog driving, and a change state of the transmittance of the liquid crystal in each field (FIG. 10B). Shows the relationship.

  In FIG. 10, in fields f1 and f2, positive and negative analog voltages V01 and -V01 corresponding to the gradation D1 are alternately applied over two fields so as to obtain a gradation (brightness) D1 to be displayed. Here, in the field f2, when the gradation is changed from the gradation D1 to the gradation D2 higher than the gradation D1, the drive voltages V02 and -V02 corresponding to the gradation D2 are applied to the pixel in the field f3. Although it is applied over the two fields f4, the liquid crystal has a finite response time, so the target gradation D2 is not reached immediately, and the gradation in the field f5, which is the third field from the time of gradation switching, D2.

  On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention, gradation display is performed by the time ratio, that is, the duty ratio between the section where the on-voltage is applied and the section where the off-voltage is applied in one field by subfield driving. The optical response characteristic of the liquid crystal is improved by controlling the interval in which the ON voltage is applied to be concentrated in the first half of each field period.

  FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the driving voltage waveform of the liquid crystal in each field (FIG. 8A) and the change state of the transmittance of the liquid crystal in each field (FIG. 8B) when writing pixel data by subfield driving. Indicates. In FIG. 8, a plurality of consecutive subfield periods in which the ON voltage is applied are represented by one pulse, and the pulse width corresponds to the number of subfields to be turned on. In FIG. 8A, the level V1, -V1 of the pulse voltage applied to the pixel in each field is selected to be about 1 to 1.5 times the saturation voltage Vsat of the liquid crystal. This is because the rise in the response characteristic of the liquid crystal is approximately proportional to the voltage level applied to the pixel, which is preferable for improving the response characteristic of the liquid crystal. Further, since the pulse-like signal is controlled so as to be concentrated on the first half of the field, it is possible to quickly respond to the field switching.

  On the other hand, when the gradation changes in the direction opposite to the rising edge, the application of the ON signal ends in the middle of the field according to the display gradation, so that an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal at the end of the field, that is, the beginning of the next field. In this case, better response characteristics can be obtained compared to the conventional driving method.

  In FIG. 8, in the fields f1 and f2, voltages V1 and −V1 having a pulse width PA corresponding to the gradation D1 are applied in a state of being concentrated in the first half of each field over two fields so as to obtain the gradation D1 to be displayed. A target gradation D1 is obtained. Here, in the field f2, when the gradation D1 is changed to the gradation D2 higher than the gradation D1, in the fields f3, f4, and f5, the voltages V1 and −V1 having the pulse width PB corresponding to the gradation D2 are respectively set. Applied in a concentrated state in the first half of the field. In this case, in the process of changing from the gradation D1 to the gradation D2, the target transmittance, that is, the gradation D2, is reached in the field f4 after two fields have passed from the field f2.

  Similarly, when changing from the gradation D2 to the gradation D1 in the field f5, similarly, the field f5 smoothly changes to the target gradation D1 in the second field f7. Here, the transmittance with which the gradations D1 and D2 are obtained is effectively the same as the conventional example shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, the pixel electrode disposed corresponding to each intersection of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, and the voltage applied to each pixel electrode are controlled. A switching element, an electro-optical material sandwiched between intersecting regions of the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines, a pixel having a counter electrode disposed opposite to the pixel electrode, and a plurality of fields for each field. Each of the plurality of subfields, and a scanning line driving circuit that supplies a scanning signal for conducting the switching element in each of the plurality of subfields to each of the scanning lines, and each pixel in each subfield based on grayscale data A binary signal for displaying each pixel in white or black by instructing an on voltage or an off voltage is applied to the scanning signal corresponding to the pixel. Data line drive circuit for supplying a data line driving circuit for supplying a data line corresponding to the pixel and a pulse signal to be an ON voltage to be applied to each of the plurality of pixels to the first half in the field during the supplied period And a control means for controlling the circuit, the response time to reach the target transmittance in the liquid crystal as the electro-optic material constituting the pixel can be shortened, the response speed can be increased, and as a result, the image quality can be improved. .

  In addition, in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, when the display content changes when the moving image is displayed and the display content changes, the on-state in the field changed according to the direction in which the brightness of the screen changes is changed. The response characteristics of the liquid crystal can be improved by changing the pulse width of the pulse signal to be a voltage according to the display gradation.

  With reference to FIG. 9, pixel data writing control by subfield driving in the case where display contents change during field switching when a moving image is displayed will be described. FIG. 9A shows a driving voltage waveform of the liquid crystal in each field when pixel data is written by subfield driving, and FIG. 9B shows a change state of the transmittance of the liquid crystal in each field.

  In these figures, in the fields f1 and f2, voltages V1 and -V1 having a pulse width PA are output, and a target gradation D1 is obtained. It is assumed that the display content changes from the field f2 to the field f3, and the brightness of the screen, that is, the gradation changes from the gradation D1 to the gradation D2. Thus, when the gradation of the screen changes in a higher direction, the pulse width is corrected so that the pulse width becomes larger than the reference pulse width corresponding to the gradation. For example, reference pulse widths corresponding to the gradations D1 and D2 are PA and PB, respectively. When the gradation D1 changes to the gradation D2 from the field f2 to the field f3, the pulse width of the voltage V1 applied to the pixel is set to PB × 1.3 (= PB ′) in the field f3.

  Further, when the display contents change from the field f5 to the field f6 and the gradation changes from the gradation D2 to the gradation D1, that is, when the gradation of the screen changes in a lower direction, it corresponds to the gradation. The pulse width is corrected so that the pulse width is smaller than the reference pulse width. For example, when the gradation D2 changes to the gradation D1 from the field f5 to the field f6, the pulse width of the voltage −V1 applied to the pixel is PA × 0.7 (= PA ′) in the field f6. .

  By doing so, even when the display contents change and the gradation of the screen changes, the target gradation, that is, the target transmittance can be obtained in all fields.

  In this case, in the data conversion circuit 300 in FIG. 1, for each pixel, the gray scale data read from the field memory currently being read and the gray scale data one field before are read from the field memory. The difference between the grayscale data and the grayscale data between the two fields is calculated, and as a result, the grayscale data of each pixel in the direction in which the grayscale changes, that is, the pulse width of the pulse voltage applied within the field for each pixel Correct. As a result, the time width of the portion where the gradation has changed on the screen is corrected, and the pulse width of the voltage applied concentrated on the first half in one field as a whole becomes the target gradation (transmittance). It is corrected.

  According to the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, the data conversion circuit 300 (control unit) changes the brightness of the screen when the display content changes in the field switching when displaying a moving image. Since the pulse width of the pulse signal that is the on-voltage in the switched field is changed according to the direction in which the pixel is switched, the electric power that configures the pixel so that the desired gradation can be quickly obtained in the direction in which the screen brightness changes. Responsiveness of liquid crystal as an optical material can be improved, and image quality can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, the liquid crystal itself as the electro-optical material or the pulse width of the pulse signal that becomes the ON voltage in each field according to the ambient temperature of the liquid crystal is changed. You may make it improve the deterioration of the gradation characteristic resulting from a temperature change.

  As described above, in addition to the present embodiment, the temperature of the liquid crystal itself or the surroundings of the liquid crystal is detected by the temperature sensor as the temperature detection means, and the pulse width correction means is based on the detection output of the temperature sensor. This is realized by changing the pulse width of the pulse signal having the ON voltage determined in advance according to the gradation in each field by the data conversion circuit.

  That is, when the temperature of the liquid crystal increases, the optical response speed of the liquid crystal increases. Conversely, when the temperature of the liquid crystal decreases, the response speed decreases. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the temperature of the liquid crystal is higher than the reference temperature, the pulse width of the pulse signal that becomes the on voltage is widened, that is, the width of the subfield period that is the on voltage is widened. Further, when the temperature of the liquid crystal becomes lower than the reference temperature, the output timing of the start pulse DY that defines the subfield period so as to narrow the pulse width for the on voltage, that is, to narrow the width of the subfield period for the on voltage. To change.

  The data conversion circuit 300 converts the values of the data Ds1, Ds2,..., Ds255 corresponding to the subfields Sf1, Sf2,..., Sf255 input to the multiplexer 213 in the start pulse generation circuit 210 into the liquid crystal itself or around the liquid crystal. A control signal SC for correcting to change based on the detection output of the temperature sensor that detects the temperature is output to the timing signal generation circuit 200.

As a result, in the field, the time width of each of the subfields Sf1, Sf2,.
As described above, according to the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, the pulse width of the pulse signal that becomes the ON voltage in each field is changed according to the liquid crystal itself as the electro-optical material or the ambient temperature of the liquid crystal. Therefore, even if the response speed of the liquid crystal as the electro-optical material changes depending on the temperature of the liquid crystal itself or the surroundings of the liquid crystal, the gradation characteristics can be made constant, resulting from the temperature change. The deterioration of gradation characteristics can be improved and the image quality can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the above-described electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, the last subfield in the field can always be displayed in black. This is because, in the above-described electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, all the subfields Sf1, Sf2,..., Sf255 in the field may be turned on in accordance with the gradation data. In such a case, the target effect of this embodiment of removing the electric field from the liquid crystal layer as early as possible in order to improve the reproducibility of the moving image is halved. An embodiment for avoiding this problem will be described below.

  In the above-described embodiment, one field is divided into 255 subfields to form subfields Sf1, Sf2,..., Sf255. Here, for example, one field is divided into 300 subfields, which are subfields Sf1, Sf2,..., Sf300. Of the divided subfields, the data conversion circuit 300 serving as the control means displays gray levels in the subfields Sf1, Sf2,..., Sf255 as in the above-described embodiment. On the other hand, the subfields Sf256 to Sf300 are controlled so as to always display black without contributing to actual gradation display. Alternatively, the data conversion circuit 300 controls the subfields SF256 to Sf300 as one subfield having a length of 46, and the subfield having the length of 46 is always displayed in black. To do.

  By controlling in this way, the last subfield in the field can be displayed in black. By inserting a black subfield for each field in this way, the display is not sustained even on the bright gradation, and the visibility of the moving image can be easily improved.

  Further, the display mode of the electro-optical device of the above-described embodiment has been described as being normally black. Even when the display mode of the electro-optical device is normally white, any configuration similar to the above-described configuration can be applied. However, in that case, it is necessary to control by switching the signal states of “ON voltage (ON state)” and “OFF voltage (OFF state)”.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an electro-optical device according to the second embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 11, the same components as those in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the displayable gradation is limited to the number of divided subfields. On the other hand, the present embodiment makes it possible to sufficiently increase the number of gradations that can be displayed as compared to the number of divided subfields.

  Also in this embodiment, subfield driving is adopted. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16A, a plurality of subfields Sf1 to Sf32 obtained by dividing one field period (1f) substantially equally are used.

  In the present embodiment, in each field, subfields that are first turned on from the first half of the field are concentrated according to the gradation, and a part of the subfields is controlled to be turned off, thereby controlling the subfields. A sufficiently large number of gradations are displayed than the number of. That is, when the gradation to be displayed can be displayed by using N subfields from the start of the field, a pulse signal having a pulse width corresponding to the time Ts of the subfield is generated from the start time of the field. Control is performed so that the pulse signal is intermittently output within the period (Ts × N) during which the pulse signal is output.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that, for example, a pSi TFT (polysilicon TFT) is used as a drive device for an electro-optical device. The number of subfields is 32 as described above. This means that the scanning frequency in the conventional driving method is 60 Hz, but in the present embodiment, screen scanning is performed at 32 times (60 × 32 Hz).

  FIG. 11 shows an electrical configuration of the electro-optical device 100 according to the present embodiment. The specific configuration of the pixel 110 is the same as that shown in FIG. Note that a pSi TFT is used as the transistor 116 as the switching means in FIG.

  In this embodiment mode, the storage capacitor 119 is formed between the pixel electrode 118 and the counter electrode 108, but may be formed between the pixel electrode 118 and the ground potential GND or between the pixel electrode 118 and the gate line. . Further, a wiring having the same potential as the counter electrode voltage VLCCOM may be arranged on the element substrate side and formed between them.

  The timing signal generation circuit 201 is connected to a polarity inversion signal FR, a scan start pulse DY, and a scan side transfer according to timing signals such as a vertical synchronization signal Vs, a horizontal synchronization signal Hs, and a dot clock signal DCLK supplied from a host device (not shown). A clock CLY, a data enable signal ENBX, a data transfer clock CLX, a data transfer start pulse DDS, and a subfield identification signal SF are generated. The function of each signal will be described below.

  The polarity inversion signal FR is a signal whose polarity is inverted every field. The scanning start pulse DY is a pulse signal output at the beginning of each subfield, and when this is input to the scanning line driving circuit 401, the scanning line driving circuit 401 outputs gate pulses (G1 to Gm). The scanning side transfer clock CLY is a signal that defines the scanning speed (Y side), and the gate pulse is sent for each scanning line in synchronization with the transfer clock. The data enable signal ENBX determines the timing for outputting the data stored in the X shift register 510 in the data line driving circuit 500 in parallel for the number of horizontal pixels. The data transfer clock CLX is a clock signal for transferring data to the data line driving circuit 500. The data transfer start pulse DDS defines the timing for starting data transfer from the data coding circuit 301 to the data line driving circuit 500, and is sent from the timing signal generation circuit 201 to the data coding circuit 301. The subfield identification signal SF is for informing the data coding circuit 301 of what number the pulse (subfield) is.

  The electro-optical device according to the present embodiment writes H level or L level data for each of the subfields Sf <b> 1 to Sf <b> 32 in order to turn the pixel on or off according to the gradation. Data to be displayed is input as 8-bit digital data to the data coding circuit 301 from the outside (not shown). The data coding circuit 301 converts them so that they can be transferred to the data line driving circuit 500 as binarized data in accordance with a predetermined rule for each subfield. For this purpose, the sent data is temporarily stored in the field memory 310 and can be converted at any time. When the data transfer start pulse DDS is input, the binarized display data is transferred to the data line driving circuit 500 in synchronization with the data transfer clock CLX.

  Here, the data coding circuit 301 needs to recognize which subfield of one field when the display data is binarized. In the present embodiment, the timing signal generation circuit 201 counts the scan start pulse DY and outputs the result to the data coding circuit 301 as the subfield identification signal SF. The scan start pulse DY is measured between 0 and 31 and is reset by a vertical synchronization signal input from the outside. The data coding circuit 301 recognizes a subfield by the subfield identification signal SF.

  In order to realize the gradation specified for each pixel, the data coding circuit 301 basically concentrates the pulse signal that becomes the ON voltage on the first half of the field as described above according to the gradation to be displayed. A part of the on-voltage that is output and concentrated in the first half is turned off.

  Further, the field memory 310 in the data coding circuit 301 has a capacity for storing display data for two fields. Here, the first field memory is a memory in which display data input from the outside is written, and the second field memory is a memory in which display data input one field before is stored. In the field memory 310, the display data of each pixel is read by the data coding circuit 301 accessing the second field memory while the display data manually input from the outside is written in the first field memory. It has become. The roles of the first field memory and the second field memory are exchanged for each field.

  An example of subfield control in the data coding circuit 301 is shown in FIG. In this figure, the black portion indicates an on-voltage subfield for white display. In the control for concentrating the subfields for white display in the first half of the field shown in the first example, when one field is divided into 32 subfields as in the present embodiment, the displayable gradation is 0. There are only 33 gradations up to 32. Here, the gradation (brightness) that can be displayed by the method described in the first embodiment is referred to as “basic 12 gradations”, for example, and the gradation (brightness) that can be displayed by the control of this embodiment is, for example, This is called “basic 12 gradations + 1 gradation”.

  For example, when displaying the gradation of “basic 12 gradations + 2 gradations”, as shown in FIG. 16B, a data signal indicating an ON state in each section of the subfields Sf1 to Sf9 and Sf13. Is output, and in each of the subfields Sf10 to Sf12 and Sf14 to Sf32, a data signal indicating an off state is output. Further, when displaying the gradation of “basic 12 gradations + 5 gradations”, as shown in FIG. 16B, each of the subfields Sf1 to Sf3 and Sf5 to Sf13 indicates an ON state. A data signal is output, and a data signal indicating an off state is output in the subfields Sf4 and Sf14 to Sf32.

  FIG. 13 shows the transmittance of the liquid crystal when the control is performed as shown in “basic 12 gradations + 3 gradations” in FIG. As shown in this figure, the transmissivity is lowered by setting a part of the subfield that displays white to an off voltage, and as a result, the integral value of the transmissivity indicating brightness is a part of the subfield that displays white. It becomes smaller than the case where is not turned off. Based on such a principle, the number of gradations can be increased.

  In FIG. 11, the scanning line driving circuit 401 transfers the scanning start pulse DY supplied at the beginning of the subfield according to the scanning side transfer clock CLY, and the scanning signals G1, G2, G3,. Are supplied sequentially and exclusively.

  The data line driving circuit 500 sequentially latches n pieces of binary data corresponding to the number of data lines in a certain horizontal scanning period, and then sends the latched n pieces of binary data to the corresponding data lines 114 as data signals. These are supplied all at once as d1, d2, d3,.

  Here, a specific configuration of the data line driving circuit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The data line driving circuit 500 includes an X shift register 510, a first latch circuit 520 for horizontal pixels, a second latch circuit 530, and a booster circuit 540 for horizontal pixels.

  Among these, the X shift register 510 transfers the data enable signal ENBX supplied at the start timing of the horizontal scanning period according to the clock signal CLX, and sequentially supplies it exclusively as the latch signals S1, S2, S3,. It is. Next, the first latch circuit 520 sequentially latches binary data at the falling edge of the latch signals S1, S2, S3,. Then, the second latch circuit 530 latches each of the binary data latched by the first latch circuit 520 at the falling edge of the data enable signal ENBX, and at the same time the data line 114 via the booster circuit 540. Are supplied as data signals d1, d2, d3,..., Dn.

  The booster circuit 540 has a polarity inversion function and a boost function. The booster circuit 540 boosts the voltage based on the polarity inversion signal FR. A diagram for explaining the operation of the booster circuit 540 is shown in FIG. For example, in the case where the polarity inversion signal FR is at the L level, when a data signal for turning on a certain pixel is input to the booster circuit 540, a positive liquid crystal driving voltage is output. When the polarity inversion signal FR is at the H level and the data signal for turning on a certain pixel is manually operated, a negative liquid crystal driving voltage is output. In the case of data for turning a pixel off, the VLCCOM potential is output regardless of the state of the polarity inversion signal FR.

  Next, the operation of the electro-optical device according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the electro-optical device.

  First, the polarity inversion signal FR is a signal whose level is inverted every field (1f). On the other hand, the scan start pulse DY is supplied at the start of each of the subfields Sf1 to Sf32.

  Here, when the scanning start pulse DY is supplied in one field (1f) in which the polarity inversion signal FR is at the L level, the scanning signal G1 is transferred by the transfer in accordance with the scanning side transfer clock CLY in the scanning line driving circuit 401. G2, G3,..., Gm are sequentially output exclusively in the period (t). In the present embodiment, one field is divided into 32 equal parts as described above, and each subfield has an equal time width.

  The scanning signals G1, G2, G3,..., Gm each have a pulse width corresponding to a half cycle of the scanning side transfer clock CLY, and the scanning signal G1 corresponding to the first scanning line 112 counted from above. In this configuration, after the scanning start pulse DY is supplied, the scanning side transfer clock CLY rises for the first time and is output with a delay of at least a half cycle of the scanning side transfer clock CLY. Accordingly, the first one clock (G0) of the data enable signal ENBX is supplied to the data line driving circuit 500 after the scan start pulse DY is supplied and before the scan signal G1 is output.

  First, a case where the first one clock (G0) of the data enable signal ENBX is supplied will be described. When one clock (G0) of the data enable signal ENBX is supplied to the data line driving circuit 500, the latch signals S1, S2, S3,... Sn are transferred in the horizontal scanning period (1H) by the transfer according to the data transfer clock CLX. ) Are sequentially output exclusively. Note that each of the latch signals S1, S2, S3,..., Sn has a pulse width corresponding to a half cycle of the data transfer clock CLX.

  At this time, the first latch circuit 520 in FIG. 14 corresponds to the intersection of the first scanning line 112 counted from the top and the first data line 114 counted from the left at the falling edge of the latch signal S1. The binary data to the pixel 110 is latched, and then corresponds to the intersection of the first scanning line 112 counted from the top and the second data line 114 counted from the left at the falling edge of the latch signal S2. Similarly, the binary data to the pixel 110 is latched. Similarly, the binary data to the pixel 110 corresponding to the intersection of the first scanning line 112 counted from the top and the n-th data line 114 counted from the left is similarly latched. Latch data.

  Thus, first, binary data for one row of pixels corresponding to the intersection with the first scanning line 112 from the top in FIG. 11 is latched dot-sequentially by the first latch circuit 520. Note that the data coding circuit 301 generates and outputs binary data corresponding to each subfield sequentially from the display data of each pixel in accordance with the latch timing of the first latch circuit 520. Absent.

  Next, when the clock signal CLY falls and the scanning signal G1 is output, the pixel corresponding to the intersection with the scanning line 112 is selected as a result of selecting the first scanning line 112 counted from the top in FIG. 110 transistors 116 are all turned on.

  On the other hand, the data enable signal ENBX (G1) is output again at the falling timing of the clock signal CLY. At the rising timing of this signal, the second latch circuit 530 receives the binary data latched dot-sequentially by the first latch circuit 520 via the booster circuit 540 for each corresponding data line 114. Data signals d1, d2, d3,... Dn are supplied all at once. Thus, the data signals d1, d2, d3,..., Dn are simultaneously written in the pixels 110 in the first row counting from the top.

  In parallel with this writing, binary data for one row corresponding to the intersection with the second scanning line 112 from the top in FIG. 11 is latched dot-sequentially by the first latch circuit 520.

  As described above, in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, when the gradation display is performed on each of the plurality of pixels, the pulse signal, which is the on-voltage applied to each of the plurality of pixels, is concentrated on the first half of the field. The data coding circuit 301 controls to output a part of the pulse signal that becomes the ON voltage as the OFF voltage in accordance with the gradation to be displayed.

  Thereafter, the same operation is repeated until the scanning signal Gm corresponding to the m-th scanning line 112 is output. Note that the data signal written to the pixel 110 is held until writing in the next subfield Sf2.

  Thereafter, the same operation is repeated every time the scan start pulse DY for defining the start of the subfield is supplied.

  FIG. 17 shows experimental data on the brightness of the electro-optical device using the pSi TFT when the subfield is displayed in white as shown in FIG. 16B in the above configuration. In FIG. 17, for example, “12_0” on the horizontal axis indicates “basic 12 gradations” in FIG. 16B, and “12_5” indicates “12 in FIG. 16B”. "Basic 12 gradations + 5 gradations". From the experimental result of FIG. 17, by driving as shown in FIG. 16B, seven gradations are obtained between the basic 12 gradations (brightness) and the basic 13 gradations (brightness). It can be seen that it can be displayed.

  Here, only an example of a pattern for obtaining a gradation for interpolating between the gradation for displaying white in the subfields Sf1 to Sf12 and the gradation for displaying white in the subfields Sf1 to Sf13 is shown. Even in the case of interpolating between gradations, gradation between subfields M and M + 1 can be displayed by controlling in the same manner as in FIG.

  Here, in the case of displaying gradation between subfields M and M + 1, among the on-pulses (subfields) for continuously displaying white, pulses in the vicinity of the white display start except for the white display start pulse (subfield) By turning off the (subfield), a gradation closer to the M gradation can be obtained. Note that the vicinity of the white display start here refers to the time when the field is switched and within a time shorter than the optical response time of the display element (liquid crystal in the present embodiment) from the start of application of the white display signal, that is, in the response transition process. It is within.

  Further, by turning off the pulses (subfields) in the vicinity of the white display end except for the white display end pulse among the continuously arranged on-pulses (subfields) for white display, the level closer to the M gradation is also obtained. Tones can be obtained. Note that the vicinity of the end of white display here refers to a time that is retroactive to the optical response time of the display element (liquid crystal in the present embodiment) from the point of time when the white display ends when displaying M + 1 gradations. .

  By turning off other pulses, a gradation closer to the M + 1 gradation can be obtained.

  The necessary gradation can be obtained by selecting an appropriate combination from the above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the drive device is a pSi TFT, but is not limited thereto. The present invention is a display element (liquid crystal in this embodiment) of an electro-optical device having a configuration similar to the above-described configuration, and the optical response time of the display element is longer than or close to the subfield time. It is applicable when having Examples of such an electrical engineering apparatus include a projector configured with a liquid crystal light valve using pSiTFT as a drive device, and a direct-view liquid crystal display device (direct-view LCD) using αTFT or TFD as a drive device. These configurations will be described later.

  Here, it is verified whether the display element of the electro-optical device applied in this embodiment has the above-described optical response characteristics.

  In the present embodiment described above, it is divided into 32 drive pulses (subfields) at a frame frequency of 60 Hz. In this case, the length of the unit pulse is compared with the response speed of the liquid crystal.

Unit pulse = 1/60/32 = approx. 0.5 (msec)
Response speed of liquid crystal (TN liquid crystal representative value) = approx. 5 (msec)
As described above, since the unit pulse time of the present embodiment is a pulse that is sufficiently short with respect to the response speed of the liquid crystal, the electro-optical device of the present embodiment is effective.

  Further, the display mode of the electro-optical device according to the above-described embodiment has been described as being normally black. Even when the display mode of the electro-optical device is normally white, any configuration similar to the above-described configuration can be applied. However, in that case, it is necessary to control by switching the signals of “ON voltage (ON state)” and “OFF voltage (OFF state)” described above.

<Overall configuration of liquid crystal device>
Next, the structure of the electro-optical device according to the above-described embodiment or application will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 is a plan view showing the configuration of the electro-optical device 100, and FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, the electro-optical device 100 includes a device substrate 101 on which a pixel electrode 118 and the like are formed and a counter substrate 102 on which a counter electrode 108 and the like are formed with a certain gap between each other by a sealant 104. And a liquid crystal 105 as an electro-optic material is sandwiched between the gaps. Actually, the sealing material 104 has a cut-out portion, and after the liquid crystal 105 is sealed through this, the sealing material 104 is sealed with a sealing material, but is omitted in these drawings.

  In the normally black display mode liquid crystal display device as in the present embodiment, for example, a vertical alignment film and a liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric anisotropy are combined to form a liquid crystal panel, and the transmission axis is They can be obtained by sandwiching them between two polarizing plates arranged 90 degrees apart.

  Of course, a TN mode liquid crystal which is a normally white display mode can also be used. In this case, the voltage is turned off in the subfield where white display is desired and the voltage is turned on in the subfield where black display is desired. To drive.

  The counter substrate 102 is a transparent substrate made of glass or the like. In the above description, the element substrate 101 is described as being made of a transparent substrate. However, in the case of a reflective electro-optical device, it may be a semiconductor substrate. In this case, since the semiconductor substrate is opaque, the pixel electrode 118 is formed of a reflective metal such as aluminum.

  In the element substrate 101, a light shielding film 106 is provided on the inner side of the sealant 104 and on the outer side of the display region 101a. In the region where the light shielding film 106 is formed, the scanning line driving circuit 130 is formed in the region 130a, and the data line driving circuit 140 is formed in the region 140a.

  That is, the light shielding film 106 prevents light from entering the drive circuit formed in this region. A counter electrode voltage VLCCOM is applied to the light shielding film 106 together with the counter electrode 108.

  Further, in the element substrate 101, a plurality of connection terminals are formed outside the region 140a where the data line driving circuit 140 is formed and separated from the sealant 104, so that an external control signal, It is configured to input power.

  On the other hand, the counter electrode 108 of the counter substrate 102 is electrically connected to the light shielding film 106 and the connection terminal in the element substrate 101 by a conductive material (not shown) provided in at least one of the four corners of the substrate bonding portion. Conduction is achieved. That is, the counter electrode voltage VLCCOM is applied to the light shielding film 106 via a connection terminal provided on the element substrate 101 and further to the counter electrode 108 via a conductive material.

  Further, according to the use of the electro-optical device 100, for example, in the case of the direct view type, the counter substrate 102 is first provided with a color filter arranged in a stripe shape, a mosaic shape, a triangle shape, or the like. 2 is provided with a light shielding film (black matrix) made of, for example, a metal material or resin. In the case of use of color light modulation, for example, when used as a light valve of a projector described later, no color filter is formed. In the case of the direct view type, the electro-optical device 100 is provided with a light that irradiates light from the counter substrate 102 side or the element substrate side as required. In addition, an alignment film (not shown) that is rubbed in a predetermined direction is provided between the electrodes of the element substrate 101 and the counter substrate 102 to define the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules when no voltage is applied. On the other hand, a polarizer (not shown) corresponding to the orientation direction is provided on the counter substrate 102 side. However, if a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal dispersed as fine particles in a polymer is used as the liquid crystal 105, the above-described alignment film, polarizer and the like are not required, so that the light utilization efficiency is increased. This is advantageous in terms of reducing power consumption.

<Electronic equipment>
Next, some examples in which the above-described liquid crystal device is used in a specific electronic device will be described.

<Projector>
First, a projector using the electro-optical device according to the embodiment as a light valve will be described. FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the configuration of the projector. As shown in this figure, in the projector 1100, a polarization illumination device 1110 is arranged along the system optical axis PL. In this polarization illumination device 1110, the light emitted from the lamp 1112 becomes a substantially parallel light beam as reflected by the reflector 1114, and enters the first integrator lens 1120. Thereby, the emitted light from the lamp 1112 is divided into a plurality of intermediate light beams. The divided intermediate light beam is converted into one type of polarized light beam (s-polarized light beam) whose polarization directions are substantially uniform by a polarization conversion element 1130 having a second integrator lens on the light incident side, and the polarized illumination device The light is emitted from 1110.

  The s-polarized light beam emitted from the polarization illumination device 1110 is reflected by the s-polarized light beam reflection surface 1141 of the polarization beam splitter 1140. Of this reflected light beam, the blue light (B) light beam is reflected by the blue light reflecting layer of the dichroic mirror 1151 and modulated by the reflective electro-optical device 100B. Of the light beams that have passed through the blue light reflecting layer of the dichroic mirror 1151, the red light (R) light beam is reflected by the red light reflecting layer of the dichroic mirror 1152, and is modulated by the reflective liquid electro-optical device 100R. The

  On the other hand, among the light beams transmitted through the blue light reflecting layer of the dichroic mirror 1151, the green light (G) light beam is transmitted through the red light reflecting layer of the dichroic mirror 1152 and modulated by the reflective electro-optical device 100G. .

  In this way, the red, green, and blue lights that have been color-light modulated by the electro-optical devices 100R, 100G, and 100B are sequentially synthesized by the dichroic mirrors 1152 and 1151, and the polarization beam splitter 1140, and then are projected by the projection optical system 1160. Is projected on the screen 1170. In addition, since the light beams corresponding to the primary colors of R, G, and B are incident on the electro-optical devices 100R, 100B, and 100G by the dichroic mirrors 1151, 1152, a color filter is not necessary.

  In the present embodiment, a reflective electro-optical device is used, but a projector using a transmissive display electro-optical device may be used.

<Mobile computer>
Next, an example in which the electro-optical device is applied to a mobile personal computer will be described. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the configuration of this personal computer. In the figure, a computer 1200 includes a main body 1204 provided with a keyboard 1202 and a display unit 1206. The display unit 1206 is configured by adding a front light to the front surface of the electro-optical device 100 described above.

  In this configuration, since the electro-optical device 100 is used as a reflection direct-view type, it is desirable that the pixel electrode 118 has irregularities so that the reflected light is scattered in various directions.

  Further, an example in which the electro-optical device is applied to a mobile phone will be described. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the configuration of this mobile phone. In the figure, a cellular phone 1300 includes the electro-optical device 100 along with a plurality of operation buttons 1302, an earpiece 1304, and a mouthpiece 1306.

  The electro-optical device 100 is also provided with a front light on the front surface as necessary. Also in this configuration, since the electro-optical device 100 is used as a reflection direct-view type, a configuration in which unevenness is formed in the pixel electrode 118 is desirable.

  In addition to the electronic devices described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, the electronic devices include a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type, a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, an electronic notebook, a calculator, and a word processor. , Workstations, videophones, POS terminals, devices with touch panels, and the like. Needless to say, the electro-optical devices according to the above embodiments and application forms can be applied to these various electronic devices.

  FIGS. 23 to 25 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a drive circuit employed in the third embodiment, and FIGS. 24 and 25 show the third embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating this form.

  The hardware configuration in this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the electro-optical device used in the first and second embodiments, and the coding method of the data conversion circuit 300 in FIG. 1 or the data coding circuit 301 in FIG. 11 is different. .

  In the first embodiment described above, the subfield to which the on voltage is applied is concentrated in the first half to improve the response visibility of the liquid crystal, and in the second embodiment, a part of the subfield is set to the off voltage. The number of gradations that can be displayed can be increased without increasing the number of subfields. However, when the response visibility of the liquid crystal is not a problem as in a still image, it can be expressed by appropriately setting the position of the subfield to which the on voltage is applied and the position of the subfield to which the off voltage is applied. The number of gradations can be increased further than in the second embodiment.

  Incidentally, subfield driving is also employed in plasma displays and the like. In a plasma display or the like, weighting subfield driving is performed in which the length (time width) of a subfield period in one field is changed and each subfield is weighted. This is because, in a plasma display or the like, writing time (scanning time) to a pixel is required for each subfield period, and when the number of subfields in one field is increased, writing scanning is performed on the pixels within one field period. This is because the number of times of performing an increase increases, the light emission time is shortened due to this writing, and the screen becomes dark.

  In contrast, the liquid crystal device does not darken the screen even if the number of subfields in one field increases. As described above, the greater the number of subfields in one field, the greater the number of tones that can be expressed. Therefore, in the liquid crystal device, it is preferable to increase the number of subfields in one field in consideration of gradation expression. However, the number of subfields in one field is limited due to device restrictions on speeding up.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, by utilizing the fact that the liquid crystal saturation response time (the time from application of the liquid crystal ON voltage to the transmission of 100% transmittance) is, for example, about 5 milliseconds for projector applications. The number of gradations that can be expressed is increased without increasing the number of subfields in the field.

  The drive circuit in FIG. 23 corresponds to, for example, a portion excluding the scanning line drive circuit 401, the data line drive circuit 500, and the display region 101a in FIG. The subfield timing generator 10 receives a horizontal synchronization signal Hs, a vertical synchronization signal Vs, and a dot clock DCLK from the outside. The subfield timing generator 10 generates a timing signal used in the subfield system based on the input horizontal synchronization signal Hs, vertical synchronization signal Vs, and dot clock DCLK.

  That is, the subfield timing generator 10 generates a data transfer clock CLX, a data enable signal ENBX, and a polarity inversion signal FR, which are display driving signals, and outputs them to the data line driving circuit 500 (see FIG. 11). Further, the subfield timing generator 10 generates a scanning start pulse DY and a scanning side transfer clock CLY and outputs them to the scanning line driving circuit 401. The subfield timing generator 10 generates a data transfer start pulse DDS and a subfield identification signal SF used inside the controller, and outputs them to the data encoder 30.

  On the other hand, the display data is supplied to the memory controller 20. The write address generator 11 specifies the position on the screen of the data being sent at that time based on the horizontal synchronization signal Hs, the vertical synchronization signal Vs, and the dot clock DCLK input from the outside, and based on the specified result. A memory address for storing display data in the memories 23 and 24 is generated and output to the memory controller 20.

  The read address generator 12 determines the position on the screen to be displayed at that time from the subfield system timing signal generated by the subfield timing generator 10, and based on the determined result, the same rule as at the time of writing Accordingly, a memory address for reading data from the memories 23 and 24 is generated and output to the memory controller 20.

  The memory controller 20 writes input display data into the memories 23 and 24 and performs control for reading data to be displayed on the display from the memories 23 and 24. That is, the memory controller 20 writes externally input data to the memories 23 and 24 with respect to the address generated by the write address generator 11 in synchronization with the timing signal DCLK. Reading is performed in synchronization with the timing signal CLX generated by the subfield timing generator 10 from the address generated by the reading address generator 12. The memory controller 20 outputs the read data to the data encoder 30.

  The memories 23 and 24 are alternately used for writing or reading for each field. This switching control is performed by the memory controller 20 in accordance with the timing signal.

  The code storage ROM 31 is a binary of H level or L level for turning on or off a pixel for each subfield period with respect to brightness data (gradation data) to be displayed for each pixel. The signal Ds is stored. When the code storage ROM 31 receives data (gradation data) to be written to each pixel and a subfield to be written as addresses, 1-bit data (binary signal (data) Ds) corresponding to the subfield is input. Is configured to output.

  The data encoder 30 generates an address for reading out necessary data from the code storage ROM 31 based on the data sent from the memory controller 20 and the subfield identification signal SF sent from the subfield timing generator 10. Then, data is read from the code storage ROM 31 using the address, and is output to the data line driving circuit 500 in synchronization with the data transfer clock CLX.

  In the present embodiment, the binary signal Ds stored in the code storage ROM 31 takes into account the response characteristics of the liquid crystal, and any sub-field in all sub-fields is based on the gradation data. It is a value for displaying the field in white or black. FIG. 24 is for explaining the binary signal Ds stored in the code storage ROM 31.

  FIG. 24 shows an example in which one field is divided into six subfields Sf1 to Sf6 on the time axis. That is, FIG. 24 shows an example in which one field period is divided into six and the pixels are driven in the subfield every subfield period which is each divided period. The shaded area in FIG. 24 indicates the subfield period in which the on-voltage is applied, and the plain area indicates the subfield period in which the off-voltage is applied.

  Also in the present embodiment, for each pixel, each pixel is turned on (white display) or off (black display) for each subfield period Sf1 to Sf6 based on the designated gradation data. Gradation display.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the applied voltage (drive voltage) to the pixel electrode saturates instantaneously, whereas the response of the pixel transmittance is slow, and after a predetermined delay time as shown in FIGS. The transmittance of the liquid crystal is saturated. FIG. 24 shows an example using a liquid crystal material that takes about 3 to 4 subfield periods until the liquid crystal is optically saturated when an on-voltage is applied to the liquid crystal. Also, a liquid crystal material longer than one subfield period is used for the non-transmission response time until the transmittance shifts from the saturation state to the non-transmission state when the off voltage is applied.

  That is, in the example of FIG. 24, the liquid crystal changes to a transmittance of 4/10 of the saturated transmittance in the first subfield period after the on-voltage is applied, and by the next subfield period, that is, after the on-voltage is applied. The transmittance changes to 7/10 in the 2 subfield period, changes to 8/10 in the 3 subfield period after the ON voltage is applied, and 10/10 transmits in the 4 subfield period after the ON voltage is applied. An example of changing the rate is shown.

  In the example of FIG. 24, the transmittance of the liquid crystal is reduced by 3/10 in the first subfield period after the off voltage is applied, and the transmittance is reduced by 5/10 in the two subfield periods after the off voltage is applied. In the example, the transmittance decreases by 7/10 in the three subfield periods after the off voltage is applied, and the transmittance decreases by 10/10 in the four subfield periods after the off voltage is applied.

  FIG. 24A shows an example in which an on-voltage is applied during the first three subfield periods of the field period and an off-voltage is applied during the latter three subfield periods. The transmittance of the liquid crystal increases to 4/10 of the saturated transmittance in the first subfield period, and increases to 7/10 of the saturated transmittance in the second subfield period. It rises to 8/10 of the saturated transmittance over time. Further, the transmittance decreases to 5/10 of the saturated transmittance in the fourth subfield period, decreases to 3/10 in the fifth subfield period, and decreases in the sixth subfield period. The transmittance is reduced to 1/10.

  As described above, when the subfield driving cycle (one field period in the example of FIG. 24) is sufficiently short, the brightness changes in proportion to the integral value of the transmittance. Assuming that complete white display is obtained when display is performed at 100% transmittance in all subfield periods, the brightness in the field period of FIG. 24A is {(4 + 7 + 8 + 5 + 3 + 1) for complete white display. / 10} × 1/6 = 28/60 brightness.

  Similarly, in the example of FIG. 24B, the brightness is {(4 + 3 + 1) / 10} × 1/6 = 8/60 for complete white display. In the example of FIG. 24C, the brightness is {(4 + 3 + 1 + 4 + 3 + 1) / 10} × 1/6 = 16/60 for complete white display. In the example of FIG. 24D, the brightness is {(4 + 7 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1) / 10} × 1/6 = 21/60 for complete white display.

  As in the first embodiment, when the subfield period in which the on-voltage is simply applied is continued, only 6 + 1 = 7 gradations can be obtained by the subfield period divided into six. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by appropriately setting the position of the subfield period to which the on-voltage is applied and the position of the subfield period to which the off-voltage is applied, a large number of gradations significantly higher than 7 gradations. Numbers can be displayed.

  FIG. 25 shows an example in which one field is divided into 16 subfields on the time axis in the third embodiment. The hatched portion in FIG. 25 indicates the subfield period in which the on-voltage is applied, and the plain portion indicates the subfield period in which the off-voltage is applied. Assuming that complete white display is obtained when white display is performed in all subfield periods, the brightness in each field period in FIGS. 25A to 25C is completely white display. About 60%, 50% or 55%.

  In the example of FIG. 25, the number of subfields to which the on voltage is applied is the same in all of FIGS. 25A to 25C, but the arrangement of the on and off pulses, that is, the subfield period in which the on voltage is applied. It shows that the brightness changes in accordance with the position and the position of the subfield period to which the off voltage is applied.

  If the subfield period in which the on-voltage is simply applied is continued, only 17 gradations can be obtained by 16 subfields. In the example of FIG. Is possible. Similarly, when one field is divided into 32 subfields on the time axis, gradation representation of 256 gradations or more is possible.

  It is to be noted that the number of divisions in one field may be an arbitrary number as in the other embodiments. The present embodiment can also be applied to a display device such as a display device using electrophoresis with a slow response speed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the response characteristics of liquid crystal as an electro-optic material can be improved to improve image quality, and even when subfields are determined by simple field division without weighting, There is an effect that gradation can be displayed much more than the number of subfields.

1 is a block diagram showing an electro-optical device according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a pixel in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a specific configuration of a start pulse generation circuit that is built in a timing signal generation circuit 200 and generates a start pulse DY. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a data line driving circuit 140 in FIG. 1. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the electro-optical device. The timing chart which shows each subfield period in a subfield drive. 4 is a timing chart showing an alternating signal and a voltage applied to a pixel electrode in the electro-optical device according to the first embodiment in units of frames. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the drive voltage waveform of the liquid crystal in each field at the time of pixel data writing by subfield drive, and the change state of the transmittance | permeability of the liquid crystal in each field. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a pixel data writing control state by subfield driving when display contents change when a moving image is displayed. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the drive voltage waveform of the liquid crystal in each field at the time of the pixel data writing by the conventional analog drive, and the change state of the transmittance | permeability of the liquid crystal in each field. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electro-optical device according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a booster circuit 540 in the second embodiment. The figure which showed the transmittance | permeability of the liquid crystal at the time of controlling a subfield as shown in FIG. 16 in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a data line driving circuit 500 in the second embodiment. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the electro-optical device according to the second embodiment. The timing chart which shows the white display period of a subfield in 2nd Embodiment. In 2nd Embodiment, the graph which shows the brightness of the pixel at the time of controlling a subfield as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the electro-optical device 100. Sectional drawing of the AA 'line in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a projector as an example of an electronic apparatus to which the electro-optical device according to an embodiment of the invention is applied. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a personal computer as an example of an electronic apparatus to which an electro-optical device according to an embodiment of the invention is applied. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a mobile phone as an example of an electronic apparatus to which an electro-optical device according to an embodiment of the invention is applied. The block diagram which shows the drive circuit employ | adopted in 3rd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating 3rd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101a ... Display area, 130 ... Scan line drive circuit, 140 ... Data line drive circuit, 150 ... Clock generation circuit, 200 ... Timing signal generation circuit, 300 ... Data conversion circuit, 400 ... Drive voltage generation circuit

Claims (7)

Including pixels,
The pixel is composed of an electro-optical material whose light transmittance, which is the light transmittance, is changed by applying a voltage,
According to the integral value of the light transmittance of the electro-optic material in the field period, gradation representation is performed,
The time of each of the plurality of subfields included in the field period is such that the light transmittance of the electro-optic material is saturated when an off voltage that can make the electro-optic material non-transmissive is applied. It is set to be shorter than the non-transparent response time, which is the time until transition to the non-transparent state,
The plurality of subfields include a first subfield that applies an on-voltage that can saturate the light transmittance of the electro-optic material, and a second subfield that applies the off-voltage. ,
A plurality of the first subfields are set continuously in the field period,
A first subfield of the plurality of first subfields is a first subfield in the field period of the plurality of subfields;
An electro-optical device. The electro-optical device according to claim 1.
The second subfield is a last subfield of the plurality of subfields in the field period ;
An electro-optical device. The electro-optical device according to claim 1.
A plurality of the second subfields are set continuously in the field period,
A second subfield of the plurality of second subfields is a last subfield in the unit time of the plurality of subfields;
An electro-optical device. Including pixels,
The pixel is composed of an electro-optical material whose light transmittance, which is the light transmittance, is changed by applying a voltage,
According to the integral value of the light transmittance of the electro-optic material in the field period, gradation representation is performed,
The time of each of the plurality of subfields included in the field period is such that the light transmittance of the electro-optic material is saturated when an off voltage that can make the electro-optic material non-transmissive is applied. It is set to be shorter than the non-transparent response time, which is the time until transition to the non-transparent state,
The plurality of subfields include a first subfield that applies an on-voltage that can saturate the light transmittance of the electro-optic material, and a second subfield that applies the off-voltage. ,
A plurality of the first subfields are set continuously in the field period,
The second subfield is set between the plurality of first subfields and a first subfield provided separately;
An electro-optical device. The electro-optical device according to claim 4.
Initiating the first subfield before the electro-optic material is in the non-transmissive state by the second subfield;
An electro-optical device.   A drive circuit for driving the electro-optical device according to claim 1.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electro-optical device according to claim 1.

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