JP5266725B2 - Driving device and method, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display images with high quality in a driving device of a display device of a liquid crystal or the like, for instance. <P>SOLUTION: The driving device drives a plurality of display panels by supplying image signals to data lines on the plurality of the display panels in a display device displaying as one color image by synthesizing a plurality of single color images displayed with the plurality of the display panels. The driving device includes: an output means (110) for outputting to divide the image signal into signal parts corresponding to a data line group regarding a prescribed number of the data lines as one group; a distributing means (120) for sequentially distributing the signal part into each of the data lines making the data line group; a modifying means (130) for modifying order distributed in each of the data lines by the signal part in each display panel; and a supplying means (140) for sequentially supplying the distributed signal part to each of the data lines. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a driving device and method for driving an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal device, an electro-optical device including the driving device, and an electronic apparatus such as a liquid crystal projector including the electro-optical device. About.

  As this type of driving device, for example, an image signal is supplied to each data line group including a plurality of data lines as a group with respect to data lines in a liquid crystal device. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique of supplying a time-series image signal to a plurality of data lines forming a data line group. By performing such driving, for example, even if the number of pixels increases with high definition, it is possible to prevent the number of connection wirings in the circuit from increasing.

  In addition, a technique has been proposed in which the order in which image signals are supplied to the data lines is changed at predetermined intervals when driving as described above. For example, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique of suppressing display unevenness by changing the order in which image signals are supplied every horizontal period.

JP 2005-43418 A JP 2004-45967 A

  However, according to the technique of changing the supply order of the image signals described above, the luminance on the screen also changes in accordance with the change of the supply order. That is, a partial luminance change occurs. Therefore, even if display unevenness due to a luminance difference is improved, flickering due to a change in luminance may newly occur. Therefore, according to the above-described technique, there is a technical problem that display quality cannot be sufficiently improved.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a driving device and method, an electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus that can display a high-quality image.

  In order to solve the above problems, a driving device according to the present invention is a display device that displays a single color image by combining a plurality of single-color images displayed on a plurality of display panels. A drive device for driving the plurality of display panels by supplying an image signal, wherein the image signal is divided into signal portions corresponding to a data line group in which a predetermined number of the data lines are a group and output. Output means, distribution means for sequentially distributing the signal portion to each of the data lines forming the data line group, and an order in which the signal portion is distributed to each of the data lines forming the data line group. , Changing means for changing each display panel, and supplying means for supplying the distributed signal portion to each of the data lines in the order.

  According to the driving device of the present invention, a display device having a plurality of display panels is driven by supplying image signals to data lines in the plurality of display panels. Each of the plurality of display panels can display a single color image. Then, a single color image displayed on each of the plurality of display panels is combined to display one color image. Here, the “monochromatic image” is typically a single color image for each of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). In this case, the “color image” is an RGB three-color image. It is a full color image. The color image may be a two-color image, for example, or may be an image of four or more colors obtained by adding other colors such as black to three RGB colors. That is, the number of display panels is not limited.

  During the operation of the driving apparatus according to the present invention, first, the image signal is divided and output by the output means into signal portions corresponding to a data line group including a predetermined number of data lines as a group. Each of the signal portions corresponds to a data line group including a predetermined number of data lines as one group. The output signal portion is sequentially distributed to each of the data lines forming the data line group by the distributing means. That is, the signal portion is time-divided and distributed to each data line. The above-described distribution of the signal portion may be performed by outputting to different wirings, or may be performed by simply setting which data line is supplied.

  As described above, when the signal portion is distributed, the timing at which the signal portion is supplied differs for each data line. Due to this difference in timing, a luminance difference may occur in the displayed monochrome image. For example, even when a signal portion having the same gradation is supplied to all the data lines forming one data line group, for example, between one end and the other end of the display area (that is, between the right end and the left end, or the upper end and the lower end). Between the center and the edges (that is, between the center and the left and right edges, or between the center and the top and bottom edges), there is a long or short holding time from when the image signal is written to when the display is actually finished or started. For some reasons, the luminance may differ depending on the order. Such a luminance difference may cause display unevenness in the display panel.

  Here, in the present invention, in particular, the order in which the signal portions are distributed to the respective data lines (hereinafter referred to as “order” as appropriate) is changed by the changing means. Such a change of the order is performed, for example, every preset period. The order in one display panel is typically the same among a plurality of data line groups, but may be changed so as to be different between data line groups. That is, the order in each data line group may be changed corresponding to each other, or the order may be changed independently for each data line group. By changing the order, the amount of change in luminance in a predetermined area of the display panel can be prevented from becoming constant. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of display unevenness as described above.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the order is changed for each display panel. That is, the order is changed independently in each of the plurality of display panels. If the order is changed by the changing means, if the display panel cannot be changed for each display panel (that is, the display panels are changed to have the same order), the displayed color image includes Flickering or the like occurs due to the luminance difference in the monochromatic image. That is, by changing the order, the portion where the luminance difference has occurred moves through the display panel and becomes noticeable on the contrary.

  However, in the present invention, in particular, as described above, the order is changed for each display panel. Therefore, for example, by changing the order of each of the plurality of panels so that there is no correlation, it is difficult to visually recognize that the portion where the luminance difference has occurred moves in the display panel. In other words, flickering can be prevented from occurring in a color image by making the luminance difference generated in the monochromatic image cancel each other when the images are combined. Note that how to change the order of each of the plurality of panels is set by, for example, performing display in the display area in advance and simulating the generated luminance difference.

  As described above, according to the drive device according to the present invention, by changing the order in which the signal portion is distributed to each data line for each display panel, it is possible to prevent display unevenness and flickering on the display panel. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to display a high quality image.

  In one aspect of the driving apparatus of the present invention, the changing means is configured so that, among the plurality of display panels, the order in one display panel is different from the order in at least one other display panel. Change the order.

  According to this aspect, the changing means changes the order so that the order of one display panel among the plurality of display panels is different from the order of at least one other display panel. The display panels having different orders are different from each other in the portion where the luminance difference occurs. Therefore, flickering or the like can be prevented when a single color image is synthesized and a color image is displayed.

  When displaying a color image using three or more display panels, it is desirable that the order of the display panels is different. However, even when the order in one display panel is different from the order in another display panel, the above-described effect is exhibited. That is, the order of all the plurality of panels may not be changed so as to be different from each other. For example, when displaying RGB three colors, the order of the display panels displaying “G”, which is said to have the highest luminance among the three colors, is changed to be different from the order of the other display panels. The occurrence of flicker can be prevented extremely effectively.

  As described above, flickering and the like can be reliably prevented by making the order of one display panel different from the order of at least one other display panel.

  In another aspect of the driving apparatus of the present invention, the changing unit changes the order so as to reduce a difference in luminance in the pixel portion that occurs in correspondence with the order.

  According to this aspect, the change of the order by the changing means is performed so as to reduce the luminance difference generated corresponding to the order related to the signal portion.

  As described above, the amount of change in luminance depends on the timing at which the signal portion is supplied. For this reason, by changing the order in which the signal portions are distributed to the respective data lines, the amount of change in luminance in a predetermined area of the display panel can be prevented from becoming constant. For example, it is possible to make the luminance uniform by rotating the order.

  By changing the order so as to reduce the luminance difference in the display panel, the luminance difference in the monochromatic image becomes smaller. Therefore, the luminance difference in the synthesized color image is also reduced. Therefore, a higher quality image can be displayed.

  In another aspect of the driving apparatus of the present invention, the changing means changes the order based on a predetermined changing law.

  According to this aspect, the change of the order by the changing means is performed based on a predetermined change law. The “predetermined change law” is, for example, a law that realizes the reduction of the luminance difference in the display area described above, and is set by performing display in the display area in advance and simulating the generated luminance difference. The Note that the predetermined change rule is set for each of the plurality of display panels. Since the changing means only needs to change the order based on a predetermined change law, the order can be changed more easily.

  In another aspect of the driving apparatus of the present invention, the changing means changes the order every predetermined period.

  According to this aspect, the change of the order by the changing means is performed every predetermined period. The “predetermined period” is, for example, one horizontal scanning period in which one horizontal scanning is performed, one frame period or one vertical scanning period in which one frame image is supplied in the display area, or one field image in the display area. One field period or one vertical scanning period supplied may be set in advance or may be set in real time according to the supplied original image signal. The predetermined period is typically the same for a plurality of display panels, but may be a period different from each other.

  By changing the order every predetermined period, the timing at which the signal portion is supplied to each data line can be changed periodically. Therefore, the luminance difference in the display panel can be reduced more suitably.

  In order to solve the above problems, the driving method of the present invention is a display device that displays a single color image by combining a plurality of single color images displayed on a plurality of display panels. A driving method for driving the plurality of display panels by supplying an image signal, wherein the image signal is divided into signal portions corresponding to a data line group including a predetermined number of the data lines as a group and output. An output step, a distribution step of sequentially distributing the signal portion to each of the data lines forming the data line group, and an order in which the signal portion is distributed to each of the data lines forming the data line group. , A changing step for changing each display panel, and a supplying step for supplying the distributed signal portion to each of the data lines in the order.

  According to the driving method according to the present invention, as in the case of the driving device according to the present invention described above, display order and flicker in the display panel are changed by changing the order in which the signal portion is distributed to each data line for each display panel. Etc. can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to display a high quality image.

  In the driving method of the present invention, it is possible to adopt various aspects similar to the various aspects of the driving apparatus of the present invention described above.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the electro-optical device of the present invention includes the above-described driving device of the present invention (including various aspects thereof).

  According to the electro-optical device of the present invention, since the driving device according to the present invention described above is included, high-quality display can be performed.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described electro-optical device according to the present invention (including various aspects thereof).

  According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, since the electro-optical device according to the present invention described above is provided, a projection display device, a television, a mobile phone, an electronic notebook, and a word processor capable of performing high-quality display. Various electronic devices such as a viewfinder type or a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and a touch panel can be realized. Further, as the electronic apparatus of the present invention, for example, an electrophoretic device such as electronic paper can be realized.

  The operation and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the best mode for carrying out the invention described below.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Electro-optical device>
First, the configuration of the electro-optical device driven by the driving device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In the following, an example of a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) active matrix driving type liquid crystal device with a built-in driving circuit will be described.

  The overall configuration of the electro-optical device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of the liquid crystal device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HH ′ of FIG.

  1 and 2, in the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment, a TFT array substrate 10 and a counter substrate 20 are arranged to face each other. The TFT array substrate 10 is a transparent substrate such as a quartz substrate, a glass substrate, or a silicon substrate. The counter substrate 20 is also a transparent substrate, like the TFT array substrate 10. A liquid crystal layer 50 is sealed between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20. The TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 are bonded to each other by a sealing material 52 provided in a sealing region located around the image display region 10a provided with a plurality of pixel electrodes.

  The sealing material 52 is made of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin, a thermosetting resin, or the like for bonding the two substrates, and is applied on the TFT array substrate 10 in the manufacturing process and then cured by ultraviolet irradiation, heating, or the like. It is. In the sealing material 52, a gap material such as glass fiber or glass bead is dispersed for setting the distance between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 (that is, the inter-substrate gap) to a predetermined value.

  A light-shielding frame light-shielding film 53 that defines the frame area of the image display area 10a is provided on the counter substrate 20 side in parallel with the inside of the seal area where the sealing material 52 is disposed. However, part or all of the frame light shielding film 53 may be provided as a built-in light shielding film on the TFT array substrate 10 side.

  In the peripheral region, the drive circuit 101 and the external circuit connection terminal 102 are provided along one side of the TFT array substrate 10 in a region located outside the seal region where the sealing material 52 is disposed. The scanning line driving circuit 104 is provided along two sides adjacent to the one side so as to be covered with the frame light shielding film 53. Further, in order to connect the two scanning line driving circuits 104 provided on both sides of the image display region 10 a in this way, a plurality of the pixel lines are covered along the remaining side of the TFT array substrate 10 and covered with the frame light shielding film 53. Wiring 105 is provided.

  On the TFT array substrate 10, vertical conduction terminals 106 for connecting the two substrates with the vertical conduction material 107 are arranged in regions facing the four corner portions of the counter substrate 20. Thus, electrical conduction can be established between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20.

  In FIG. 2, on the TFT array substrate 10, an alignment film is formed on the pixel electrode 9a after the pixel switching TFT, the scanning line, the data line and the like are formed. The pixel electrode 9a is made of a transparent conductive film such as an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film, and the alignment film is made of an organic film such as a polyimide film. On the other hand, on the counter substrate 20, a lattice-shaped or striped light-shielding film 23 is formed, and then a counter electrode 21 is provided over the entire surface, and an alignment film is formed on the uppermost layer portion. Yes. The counter electrode 21 is made of a transparent conductive film such as an ITO film, and the alignment film is made of an organic film such as a polyimide film. A liquid crystal layer 50 is formed between the TFT array substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 that are configured as described above and are arranged so that the pixel electrode 9a and the counter electrode 21 face each other. The liquid crystal layer 50 is made of, for example, a liquid crystal in which one or several types of nematic liquid crystals are mixed, and takes a predetermined alignment state between the pair of alignment films.

  In addition to the drive circuit 101, the scanning line drive circuit 104, etc., on the TFT array substrate 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, sampling is performed to sample the image signal on the image signal line and supply it to the data line. A circuit, a precharge circuit for supplying a precharge signal of a predetermined voltage level to a plurality of data lines in advance of an image signal, an inspection circuit for inspecting quality, defects, etc. of the electro-optical device during manufacturing or at the time of shipment Etc. may be formed.

<Drive device>
Next, a driving device according to the present embodiment that drives the above-described electro-optical device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 13. Hereinafter, a case where the driving device according to the present embodiment drives three electro-optical devices that respectively display RGB three colors will be described as an example.

  First, a connection configuration between the drive device according to the present embodiment and the above-described electro-optical device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a connection configuration between the driving device and the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a control method for a plurality of electro-optical devices.

  In FIG. 3, the driver 100 that is a part of the drive device according to the present embodiment supplies the image signal in a predetermined format and also supplies the image signal to the drive circuit 101 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is constructed as a device that supplies signals for controlling timing, order, and the like. More specifically, the external circuit connection terminal 102 is constructed on the flexible printed circuit board 200 and is constructed as an external circuit or device for the liquid crystal panel. That is, the driver 100 is constructed as an image signal supply device or circuit for the liquid crystal panel. Further, it may be constructed as a circuit or device built in the electro-optical device, or may be constructed including the above-described driving circuit 101, scanning line driving circuit 104, and the like. A more specific configuration of the driving device 100 will be described later in detail.

  In FIG. 4, in this embodiment, three electro-optical devices are driven as shown in the figure. Here, the driver 100 described above is provided in each of the three electro-optical devices indicating R, G, and B.

  Each of the drivers 100 is controlled by a controller 1000 as shown in the figure. The controller 1000 is typically configured as a device that determines the timing and order of supplying image signals. That is, the timing and order of supplying image signals are determined by the controller 1000, and actual control is performed by the driver 100.

  The controller 1000 may be constructed so as to be called a correction circuit or a device built in an image signal supply device that supplies an image signal or arranged in a subsequent stage. In addition, it may be configured to execute existing correction and processing such as gamma correction and serial-parallel conversion.

  As described above, the drive device according to the present embodiment is configured to include the controller 1000 and the plurality of drivers 100, and drives the three electro-optical devices, respectively.

  Next, a specific configuration of the drive device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drive device according to the present embodiment together with the configuration of the electro-optical device, and FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the configuration of a pixel using liquid crystal. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the driver IC. In the following, a case where one data line group is constituted by four data lines X will be described as an example.

  In FIG. 5, m dots × n lines of pixels 2 are arranged in a matrix (two-dimensional plane) in the image display area 10a. In the image display area 10a, n scanning lines Y1 to Yn each extending in the row direction (that is, the X direction) and each extending in the column direction (that is, the Y direction). M data lines X1 to Xm are provided, and the pixels 2 are arranged corresponding to these intersections.

  In FIG. 6, one pixel 2 includes a TFT 30 that is a switching element, a liquid crystal capacitor 60, and a storage capacitor 70. The source of the TFT 30 is connected to one data line X, and its gate is connected to one scanning line Y. Regarding the pixels 2 arranged in the same column, the sources of the respective TFTs 30 are connected to the same data line X. For the pixels 2 arranged in the same row, the gates of the respective TFTs 30 are connected to the same scanning line Y. The drain of the TFT 30 is commonly connected to a liquid crystal capacitor 60 and a storage capacitor 70 provided in parallel. The liquid crystal capacitor 60 includes a pixel electrode 9a, a counter electrode 21, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the electrodes 9a and 21. The storage capacitor 70 is formed between the pixel electrode 9a and a common capacitor electrode (not shown), and is supplied with the voltage Vcs. The storage capacitor 70 suppresses the influence of leakage of charges accumulated in the liquid crystal. On the other hand, a data voltage or the like is applied to the pixel electrode 9a side via the TFT 30, and the liquid crystal capacitor 60 and the storage capacitor 70 are charged and discharged according to the applied voltage level. Thereby, the transmittance of the liquid crystal layer is set according to the potential difference between the pixel electrode 9a and the counter electrode 21 (that is, the applied voltage of the liquid crystal), and the gradation of the pixel 2 is set.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the pixel 2 is driven by AC driving in which the voltage polarity is inverted every predetermined period in order to extend the life of the liquid crystal. The voltage polarity is defined based on the direction of the electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer, in other words, based on the forward and reverse of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer. In the present embodiment, common DC driving, which is one type of AC driving, that is, the voltage Vlcom applied to the counter electrode 21 and the voltage Vcs applied to the common capacitor electrode are kept constant, and the pixel electrode 9a side is maintained. A drive system that reverses the polarity is adopted.

  Based on external signals such as a vertical synchronization signal Vs, a horizontal synchronization signal Hs, and a dot clock signal DCLK input from a host device such as the controller 1000 shown in FIG. The line drive circuit 103 and the frame memory 6 are synchronously controlled. Under this synchronous control, the scanning line driving circuit 104 and the data line driving circuit 103 perform display control of the image display area 10a in cooperation with each other. In the present embodiment, in order to suppress the occurrence of flicker by high-speed display, double speed driving in which the refresh rate (that is, the vertical synchronization frequency) is set to 120 [Hz] corresponding to twice the normal speed is employed. In this case, one frame (that is, 1/60 [Sec]) defined by the vertical synchronization signal Vs is composed of two fields, and two line sequential scans are performed in one frame.

  The scanning line driving circuit 104 is configured mainly with a shift register, an output circuit, and the like, and corresponds to a period in which one scanning line Y is selected by outputting the scanning signal SEL to each of the scanning lines Y1 to Yn. The scanning lines Y1 to Yn are sequentially selected for each horizontal scanning period (hereinafter referred to as “1H”). The scanning signal SEL takes a binary level of a high potential level (hereinafter referred to as “H level”) or a low potential level (hereinafter referred to as “L level”), and scan corresponding to a pixel row to which data is to be written. The line Y is set to the H level, and the other scanning lines Y are set to the L level. By this scanning signal SEL, pixel rows to which data is to be written are sequentially selected, and data written to the pixels 2 is held over one field.

  The frame memory 6 has at least an m × n-bit memory space corresponding to the resolution of the image display area 10a, and stores and holds display data input from the host device in units of frames. Writing of data to the frame memory 6 and reading of data from the frame memory 6 are controlled by the control circuit 5. Here, the display data D defining the gradation of the pixel 2 is, for example, 64 gradation data composed of 6 bits D0 to D5. The display data D read from the frame memory 6 is serially transferred to the data line driving circuit 103 via a 6-bit bus.

  The data line driving circuit 103 provided in the subsequent stage of the frame memory 6 outputs data to be supplied for each pixel row to which data is to be written to the data lines X1 to Xm in cooperation with the scanning line driving circuit 104. To do. The data line driving circuit 103 includes a driver IC 41 and a time division circuit 42. The driver IC 41 is provided separately from the display panel in which the pixels 2 are formed in a matrix, and output lines DO1 to DOi are connected to i output pins PIN1 to PINi. That is, the driver IC 41 is configured as all or part of the driver 100 shown in FIG. The time division circuit 42 is integrally formed on the display panel by polysilicon TFTs or the like in order to reduce manufacturing costs. That is, the driver IC 41 is configured to be included in the driving device 100 illustrated in FIG. 3, and the time division circuit 42 is configured to be included in the driving circuit 101 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such a configuration is merely an example, and the driver IC 41 is provided in the display panel, or conversely, the time-division circuit 42 or the circuit such as the scanning line driving circuit 104 described above is provided outside the display panel. Is also possible. Further, the driver IC 41 may be configured as one integrated circuit that includes the control circuit 5 and the frame memory 6 described above as a whole or partially.

  The driver IC 41 simultaneously performs data output for the pixel row to which data is written this time and dot-sequential latching (that is, retention) of data relating to the pixel row to which data is to be written next time. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the driver IC 41 will be described in detail.

  In FIG. 7, the driver IC 41 includes main circuits such as an X shift register 41a, a first latch circuit 41b, a second latch circuit 41c, a changeover switch group 41d, and a D / A conversion circuit 41e. The X shift register 41a transfers the start signal ST supplied first at 1H according to the clock signal CLX, and sets any one of the latch signals S1, S2, S3,. To do.

  The first latch circuit 41b sequentially latches m pieces of 6-bit data D supplied as serial data when the latch signals S1, S2, S3,. The second latch circuit 41c simultaneously latches the data D latched by the first latch circuit 41b when the latch pulse LP falls. The latched m pieces of data D are output in parallel from the second latch circuit 41c as data signals d1 to dm which are digital data in the next 1H.

  For example, the data signals d1 to dm are grouped as time-series data for four pixels by m / 4 (= i) changeover switch groups 41d provided in units of four data lines. . Here, the single changeover switch group 41d is illustrated as a set of five switches, but actually has five systems of 6-bit switch groups. Since six switches in the same system always operate in the same manner, the following description will be made assuming that the six switches are one switch.

  In addition to the data signals (for example, d1 to d4) for four pixels output from the second latch circuit 41c, the correction data damd is also input to each changeover switch group 41d. The correction data damd is digital data that defines the voltage level of the precharge voltage. The five switches constituting the changeover switch group 41d are conductively controlled by any one of the four control signals CNT1 to CNT5, and are sequentially turned on alternately at the offset timing. Thereby, in 1H, the set of the correction data damd and the data signals d1 to d4 for four pixels is time-series in this order (in order of damd, d1, d2, d3, and d4). Output in time series. That is, the order in which the data signals d1 to dm are supplied can be changed by the control signals CNT1 to CNT5. Even when the distribution order of the data signals d1 to dm is changed, the correspondence relationship between the data signals d1 to dm and the data line X is maintained. That is, when the distribution order is changed, the order in which the data signals d1 to dm are supplied to the data lines is changed, and the data signals d1 to dm themselves are supplied to another data line X. is not.

  A D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion circuit 41e performs D / A conversion on a series of digital data output from each changeover switch group 41d to generate a voltage as analog data. As a result, the correction data damd is converted into a precharge voltage, and the data signals d1 to dm time-series in units of four pixels are converted into data voltages and output from the output pins PIN1 to PINi in time series. The

  As shown in FIG. 4, any of output lines DO1 to DOi is connected to the output pins PIN1 to PINi of the driver IC 41. Four data lines X adjacent to each other are grouped and associated with one output line DO, and a time division circuit 42 is provided between the output line DO and the grouped data lines X. Are provided for each output line. The four data lines (for example, X1, X2, X3, and X4) grouped in this way are an example of the “data line group” according to the present invention. That is, the output lines DO1 to DOi correspond to the data line groups, respectively.

  The time division circuit 42 has four selection switches corresponding to the number of grouped data lines X, and each selection switch is turned on by any of the selection signals SS1 to SS4 from the control circuit 5. Be controlled. The selection signals SS1 to SS4 define the ON period of the selection switch in the same group and are synchronized with the time-series signal output from the driver IC 41. That is, here, the data signals d1 to dm are distributed to the data lines X in the order of output from the changeover switch group 41d in the driver IC 41. The i time division circuits 42 have the same configuration and all operate in parallel.

  As described above, the data signals d1 to dm are supplied to the data line X after the order of supply is controlled. By performing such an operation on each of the three electro-optical devices indicating R, G, and B, one combined image is displayed.

  Next, a flow and effect of a series of operations of the drive device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the drive device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the drive device according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a timing signal output from the drive device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a luminance difference generated in the electro-optical device for each data line. FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are matrix diagrams showing the order in which signal portions are distributed for each panel in the driving apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIGS. 12 and 13, SEL1 to SEL4 are abbreviated as S1 to S4 for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 8, hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the driving device according to the present embodiment is an output unit 110 that is an example of the “output unit” of the present invention and an example of the “distribution unit” of the present invention. A description will be given assuming that the distribution unit 120 includes a distribution unit 120, a change unit 130 that is an example of the “change unit” of the present invention, and a supply unit 160 that is an example of the “supply unit” of the present invention. Note that these components include, for example, the driver 100 and the controller 1000 in FIG. 4 and the control circuit 5, the frame memory 6 and the data line driving circuit 103 in FIG. Has been. Further, it may be configured to include members such as an IC, a memory, and a wiring not shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 9, when the operation of the driving apparatus according to the present embodiment is started, the output unit 110 first divides the original image signal into a plurality of signal parts and outputs the signal parts (step S1). That is, the original image signal is divided into the same number of signal parts as the data line group and is output.

  When the signal portion is input to the allocating unit 120, the changing unit 130 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous order change (step S2). For example, one horizontal period or one frame period is set as the predetermined period. Here, when it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsed (step S2: YES), the changing unit 130 outputs a selection signal to the allocating unit 120 and changes the order in which the signal parts are distributed (step). S3).

  Note that the order of change is set in advance by simulating a luminance difference or the like in the electro-optical device. For example, the display is performed while actually changing the order, and the order in which the brightness difference is reduced is experimentally obtained by visual observation or by comparing the brightness values. Information indicating the set order is stored in a memory device or the like provided in the changing unit 130. The specific order will be described in detail later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined period has not elapsed (step S2: NO), the above-described step S3 is omitted. That is, the order in which the signal parts are distributed is not changed.

  Subsequently, the distribution unit 120 distributes the signal part in the order changed by the selection signal (step S4). As described above, when step S3 is omitted, the distribution is performed in the order of the previous distribution. For example, the distribution unit 120 distributes the signal portion by generating a timing signal. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, timing signals SEL1 to SEL4 indicating timings at which signal portions are supplied to the data lines X are generated with reference to a clock signal HSYNC that defines a 1H period.

  Here, in addition to the signal indicating the timing at which the signal portion is supplied, a signal indicating the timing at which the precharge voltage is applied (that is, damd in FIG. 7) is also generated. By applying the precharge voltage prior to the signal portion, for example, vertical crosstalk (display unevenness in the direction along the data line X) or the like can be prevented.

  The distributed signal portion is supplied to the electro-optical device by the supply unit 160 (step S5). For example, when a timing signal as shown in FIG. 10 is generated, it corresponds to a data line corresponding to SEL1 (for example, d1a in FIG. 6), a data line corresponding to SEL2 (for example, d1b in FIG. 6), and SEL3. Signal portions are supplied to the electro-optical device in the order of data lines (for example, d1c in FIG. 6) and data lines (for example, d1d in FIG. 6) corresponding to SEL4.

  Although the electro-optical device is driven as described above, the order in which the above-described signal portions are supplied may affect the display brightness in the electro-optical device. For example, when a signal portion is supplied to the data line X in accordance with a timing signal as shown in FIG. 10, the electro-optical device generates a luminance difference as shown in FIG. That is, in the electro-optical device, a luminance difference is generated according to the order in which the signal portions are supplied. Such a luminance difference occurs because the timing at which the signal portion is supplied is different for each data line X, which may cause display unevenness in the electro-optical device. .

  In FIG. 12, in the drive device according to the present embodiment, the above-described luminance difference is reduced by periodically changing the order in which the signal portions are distributed. For example, an R panel (that is, an electro-optical device that displays a red single-color image), a G panel (that is, an electro-optical device that displays a green single-color image), and a B panel (that is, displays a green single-color image). Focusing on each of the electro-optical devices), the order is rotated every 1H period (that is, one horizontal period). By changing the order in this way, the timing at which the signal portion is supplied is made uniform on each data line X every 4H period. Therefore, the luminance difference is reduced and display unevenness in the electro-optical device is improved.

  However, the change in the order as described above may lead to a noticeable change in the brightness difference. Specifically, when the order is changed, the portion where the luminance difference is generated moves in the image display area 10a (see FIG. 1) so as to correspond to the changed order. Therefore, for example, the movement of a portion with high luminance can be visually recognized, and as a result, there is a possibility that flickering or the like occurs. That is, even if the display unevenness is improved, there is a possibility that a new flicker or the like may occur.

  On the other hand, in the drive device according to the present embodiment, in particular, the order of the R panel, the G panel, and the B panel is changed for each display panel. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the order of the R panel, the G panel, and the B panel is made not to be the same in the same horizontal period. By changing the order in this way, it is possible to cancel the luminance difference occurring in the single-color image when the color image is combined. That is, even if flickering or the like occurs in a single color image, it is possible to prevent flickering or the like from occurring in the synthesized color image.

  In FIG. 13, the effect of preventing the above-mentioned flickering can also be obtained by changing the order of one display panel to be different from the order of the other two display panels, as shown in the figure. That is, flicker and the like can be prevented without changing the order of all the display panels. In particular, when there is a luminance difference in the colors displayed on the display panel, it is possible to effectively flicker by changing the order of the display panels that display high-luminance colors to be different from the order of other display panels. Etc. can be prevented. For example, in the case of displaying RGB three colors, as shown in FIG. 13, the order of G panels for displaying G, which is considered to be high in brightness, may be changed so as to be different from the order of R panels and B panels. .

  As described above, according to the drive device according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent display unevenness, flickering, and the like by changing the order in which the signal portions are distributed for each display panel. Accordingly, it is possible to display a high-quality image in the electro-optical device.

<Electronic equipment>
Next, the case where the liquid crystal device which is the above-described electro-optical device is applied to various electronic devices will be described. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the projector. Hereinafter, a projector using the liquid crystal device as a light valve will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a projector 1100 includes a lamp unit 1102 made up of a white light source such as a halogen lamp. The projection light emitted from the lamp unit 1102 is separated into three primary colors of RGB by four mirrors 1106 and two dichroic mirrors 1108 arranged in the light guide 1104, and serves as a light valve corresponding to each primary color. The light enters the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G.

  The configurations of the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G are the same as those of the liquid crystal device described above, and are driven by R, G, and B primary color signals supplied from the image signal processing circuit. The light modulated by these liquid crystal panels enters the dichroic prism 1112 from three directions. In the dichroic prism 1112, R and B light is refracted at 90 degrees, while G light travels straight. Therefore, as a result of the synthesis of the images of the respective colors, a color image is projected onto the screen or the like via the projection lens 1114.

  Here, paying attention to the display images by the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G, the display image by the liquid crystal panel 1110G needs to be horizontally reversed with respect to the display images by the liquid crystal panels 1110R and 1110B.

  In addition, since light corresponding to each primary color of R, G, and B is incident on the liquid crystal panels 1110R, 1110B, and 1110G by the dichroic mirror 1108, it is not necessary to provide a color filter.

  In addition to the electronic device described with reference to FIG. 14, a mobile personal computer, a mobile phone, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type, a monitor direct-view type video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, an electronic device Examples include a notebook, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and a device equipped with a touch panel. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to these various electronic devices.

  In addition to the liquid crystal devices described in the above embodiments, the present invention includes a reflective liquid crystal device (LCOS), a plasma display (PDP), a field emission display (FED, SED), an organic EL display, and a digital micromirror device. (DMD), electrophoresis apparatus and the like are also applicable.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. The method, the electro-optical device, and the electronic apparatus are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the liquid crystal device which concerns on embodiment. It is the HH 'sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a connection configuration between the driving device and the electro-optical device according to the embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the control method of several electro-optical apparatuses. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a drive device according to an embodiment, together with a configuration of an electro-optical device. It is an equivalent circuit diagram which shows the structure of the pixel using a liquid crystal. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of driver IC. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the drive device which concerns on embodiment.

It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the drive device which concerns on embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows an example of the timing signal output from the drive device concerning an embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the luminance difference which arises in an electro-optical apparatus for every data line. In the drive device which concerns on embodiment, it is a matrix figure (the 1) which shows the order by which a signal part is distributed for every panel. FIG. 6 is a matrix diagram (part 2) illustrating the order in which signal portions are distributed for each panel in the drive device according to the embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the projector which is an example of the electronic device to which the electro-optical apparatus is applied.

Explanation of symbols

  X ... data line, Y ... scanning line, 9a ... pixel electrode, 10 ... TFT array substrate, 10a ... image display area, 20 ... counter substrate, 21 ... counter electrode, 30 ... TFT, 41 ... driver IC, 42 ... time division Circuit: 50 ... Liquid crystal layer, 100 ... Driver, 101 ... Drive circuit, 102 ... External circuit connection terminal, 103 ... Data line drive circuit, 110 ... Output unit, 120 ... Distribution unit, 130 ... Change unit, 140 ... Supply unit , 200 ... flexible printed circuit board, 1000 ... controller

Claims (5)

In a display device that combines a plurality of single color images displayed on a plurality of display panels and displays them as one color image, driving the plurality of display panels by supplying image signals to data lines in the plurality of display panels A driving device for
Output means for dividing the image signal into signal portions corresponding to a data line group in which a predetermined number of the data lines are a group;
Distribution means for sequentially distributing the signal portion to each of the data lines forming the data line group;
The order in which the signal portion is distributed to each of the data lines forming the data line group is changed for each of the plurality of display panels, and among the plurality of display panels, the order in one display panel; Changing means for changing the order so that the order in at least one other display panel is different;
And a supply unit that supplies the distributed signal portions to each of the data lines in the order. The display device driving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes the order every predetermined period. In a display device that combines a plurality of single color images displayed on a plurality of display panels and displays them as one color image, driving the plurality of display panels by supplying image signals to data lines in the plurality of display panels A driving method for
An output step of dividing the image signal into signal portions corresponding to a data line group including a predetermined number of the data lines as one group;
A distribution step of sequentially distributing the signal portion to each of the data lines forming the data line group;
The order in which the signal portion is distributed to each of the data lines forming the data line group is changed for each of the plurality of display panels, and among the plurality of display panels, the order in one display panel; A changing step for changing the order so that the order in at least one other display panel is different;
And a supply step of supplying the distributed signal portions to each of the data lines in the order. Electro-optical device characterized by comprising comprises a driving device according to claim 1 or 2. An electronic apparatus comprising the electro-optical device according to claim 4 .

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