KR20080049451A - Liquid crystal display controllable viewing angle and driving method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) capable of controlling a viewing angle and a driving method thereof are provided to control light blocking/transmission and viewing angle characteristics within a range of reducing costs and control wide/narrow viewing angle modes without distortion of colors by applying a passive barrier to an LC panel and efficiently controlling a signal applied to the LC panel. In an LC panel(110), plural color pixels are arranged in matrix. A barrier(120) is disposed in an upper part of the LC panel, and comprises a slit unit(122) and a blocking unit(121). The slit unit transmits light by being located in an upper part of a reference pixel(P2) based on a left pixel(P1), the reference pixel and a right pixel(P3) adjacent to each other among the plural color pixels. The blocking unit is disposed in an upper part of the left and right pixels and blocks light. A backlight assembly(130) is disposed in a lower part of the LC panel, and supplies light to the LC panel.

Description

Liquid crystal display device capable of viewing angle control and driving method thereof {Liquid crystal display controllable viewing angle and driving method}

1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating a liquid crystal display according to the related art.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a narrow viewing angle mode of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a plan view of FIG. 3.

5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wide viewing angle mode of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a plan view of FIG. 5.

7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a narrow viewing angle mode of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a plan view of FIG. 7.

9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wide viewing angle mode of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a plan view of FIG. 9.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing)

110: liquid crystal panel 120, 220: barrier

121, 221: blocking part 122, 222: slit part

223: opening

130: backlight assembly

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device capable of viewing angle control and a manufacturing method thereof.

The liquid crystal display device forms a liquid crystal layer having anisotropic dielectric constant between upper and lower substrates, which are transparent insulating substrates, and then adjusts the intensity of the electric field formed in the liquid crystal layer to change the molecular arrangement of the liquid crystal material, thereby A display device expresses a desired image by adjusting the amount of light transmitted through a color filter substrate.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic diagrams of a liquid crystal display according to the related art. In particular, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a case in which a liquid crystal display having a view angle control mode is driven in a wide viewing angle mode and a narrow viewing angle mode, respectively. .

Basic principles of the viewing angle control method shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are as follows.

First, a liquid crystal panel having a transverse electric field structure having a wide viewing angle is configured for image display, a liquid crystal panel for adjusting the viewing angle is added to the upper or lower portion of the liquid crystal panel, and then the added liquid crystal panel is driven to narrow the wide viewing angle. To adjust the viewing angle mode. The liquid crystal panel added for adjusting the viewing angle basically has a function of not inhibiting the wide viewing angle characteristic of the liquid crystal panel displaying an image and a function of inducing a narrow viewing angle necessary in terms of security or privacy.

1 and 2, the liquid crystal panel including the first liquid crystal layer 80 is a panel for adjusting the viewing angle, and the liquid crystal panel including the second liquid crystal layer 90 is a panel for displaying an image to have a wide viewing angle. . If no voltage is applied to the first liquid crystal layer 80, the liquid crystal molecules 81 are arranged in parallel between the two substrates 10 and 21 to maintain the original wide viewing angle, thereby forming a wide viewing angle mode. When voltage is applied to the 80, the liquid crystal molecules 81 are arranged vertically between the two substrates 10 and 21, and thus the viewing angle is reduced, thereby entering the narrow viewing angle mode.

1 and 2, the first, second, third, and fourth substrates 10, 21, 22, and 30 are disposed in parallel to each other, and the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 21 are arranged in parallel. Transparent electrodes 70 and 60 are formed to face each other on the inner surface of each other, and two linear electrodes 40 and 50 are formed parallel to each other on the upper surface of the third substrate 22.

The first and second liquid crystal layers 80 and 90 are formed between the first substrate 10, the second substrate 21, the third substrate 22, and the fourth substrate 30, respectively.

The liquid crystal panel including the first and second substrates 10 and 21 and the first liquid crystal layer 80 between the two substrates 10 and 21 is a viewing angle control liquid crystal panel capable of adjusting a wide viewing angle and a narrow viewing angle. .

In the state in which no electric field is applied, as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal molecules 81 of the first liquid crystal layer 80 are aligned parallel to the first and second substrates 10 and 21. In the wide viewing angle mode shown in FIG. 1, since the liquid crystal molecules 91 of the second liquid crystal layer 90 are also aligned in the same direction, the liquid crystal molecules 91 have the same viewing angle as that of the liquid crystal display having a general transverse electric field structure having one liquid crystal panel. It does not affect other characteristics of the transverse electric field structure.

On the outer surfaces of the first substrate 10 and the third substrate 30, two polarizing plates 11 and 31 are respectively attached to polarize the light passing therethrough. At this time, the transmission axis directions of the polarizing plates 11 and 31 are arranged to be perpendicular or parallel to the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 81 and 91.

FIG. 2 illustrates a case where the liquid crystal display of FIG. 1 is used in the narrow viewing angle mode.

When a voltage is applied to the two transparent electrodes 70 and 60 to form an electric field in the vertical direction between the first and second substrates 10 and 21, the liquid crystal molecules 81 of the first liquid crystal layer 80 are filled with the electric field. Are arranged perpendicular to the two substrates 10 and 21 along the direction of. In this case, the liquid crystal molecules 82 adjacent to the two substrates 10 and 21 are arranged in parallel to the two substrates 10 and 21 because the orientation force due to rubbing is greater than the force exerted by the electric field.

In this narrow viewing angle mode, the liquid crystal molecules 81 arranged perpendicular to the two substrates 10 and 21 do not affect the retardation of light traveling to the front of the two substrates 10 and 21.

However, as the polarized light passes through the first liquid crystal layer 80 made of the liquid crystal molecules 81, the polarization state is changed by a delay. The rain decreases and the viewing angle becomes narrower.

That is, by applying an electric field to the first liquid crystal layer 80 added for the purpose of controlling the viewing angle, the viewing angle of the liquid crystal display is lowered, thereby narrowing the viewing angle.

However, when the viewing angle characteristic of the liquid crystal display device is adjusted through such a structure, a separate liquid crystal panel for adjusting the viewing angle is used in addition to the liquid crystal panel displaying an image.

Therefore, the overall thickness of the liquid crystal display device is excessively increased, resulting in additional costs and manufacturing processes, making it difficult to perform processes such as rubbing, scribing, and bonding the substrate, and unnecessary power consumption. There is an increasing problem.

Accordingly, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is a liquid crystal display device which can control light blocking / transmission and viewing angle characteristics within a range in which a manufacturing process is easier and a cost is reduced as compared to a method using a double liquid crystal panel, and its It is to provide a driving method.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to apply a passive barrier to a liquid crystal panel and to efficiently control a signal applied to the liquid crystal panel, thereby enabling a liquid crystal display to control a wide / narrow viewing angle mode without color distortion. It is to provide an apparatus and a driving method thereof.

Technical problems to be achieved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Could be.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, including a liquid crystal panel in which a plurality of color pixels are arranged in a matrix form, and disposed on an upper portion of the liquid crystal panel, among the plurality of color pixels. A barrier formed on the left pixel, the reference pixel, and the right pixel adjacent to each other to have a slit portion for transmitting light and a blocking portion for shielding the light on the left and right pixels; And a backlight assembly positioned under the liquid crystal panel to supply light to the liquid crystal panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a liquid crystal display according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel in which a plurality of color pixels are arranged in a matrix form, a left pixel disposed on an upper portion of the liquid crystal panel, and adjacent to each other among the plurality of color pixels; A barrier having a pixel, a slit portion positioned above the reference pixel with respect to the right pixel, an opening positioned above the left and right pixels, a blocking portion positioned between the left and right pixels and the reference pixel; Located at the bottom of the liquid crystal panel includes a backlight assembly for supplying light to the liquid crystal panel.

A method of driving a liquid crystal display according to the present invention includes a) supplying light, b) selecting a wide viewing angle mode or a narrow viewing angle mode, and c) in the wide viewing angle mode, all of the plurality of color pixels constituting the liquid crystal panel. (D) the supplied light is transmitted through a barrier positioned above the liquid crystal panel to diffuse into a front and side viewing angle range, and e) in the narrow viewing angle mode, the reference of the liquid crystal panel. Applying an image signal to a pixel, and applying a viewing angle blocking signal to left and right pixels positioned at both sides of the reference pixel, and f) a slit portion located at an upper portion of the liquid crystal panel and corresponding to the reference pixel. And the side viewing angle is blocked by the formed barrier.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display and a driving method thereof according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a narrow viewing angle mode of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3.

5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wide viewing angle mode of the liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5.

The liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel 110 for displaying an image, a barrier 120 for controlling blocking / transmission of light, and a backlight assembly 130 for generating light. .

The liquid crystal panel 110 includes a liquid crystal layer formed between the upper substrate, the lower substrate, and the two substrates bonded at regular intervals, and the plurality of color pixels R, G, and B are arranged on the liquid crystal panel 110. It is arranged in a matrix form forming a column.

Although not shown, each color pixel (R, G, B) of the liquid crystal panel 110 is provided with a thin film transistor that acts as a switching element, by the thin film transistor to control the on / off and the size of the driving voltage for each pixel do.

Each color pixel (R, G, B) is formed with a color filter layer 111 for expressing a color, a black matrix 112 for blocking light leakage between the adjacent color pixels (R, G, B) Is formed.

The liquid crystal panel 110 orientates the liquid crystal layer formed between the upper and lower substrates by an electric field formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and adjusts the amount of light passing through the liquid crystal layer according to the degree of alignment of the liquid crystal layer. Display an image.

When the TN (Twist nematic) structure is adopted for the liquid crystal panel 110, when the common electrode and the pixel electrode are formed on the upper and lower substrates, respectively, to form a vertical electric field, and the IPS (In Plane Switching) structure is employed The common electrode and the pixel electrode are formed together on the lower substrate to form a horizontal electric field. In particular, when the IPS structure is adopted, there is an advantage that the viewing angle can be wider in the wide viewing angle mode.

The barrier 120 is disposed in front of the liquid crystal panel 110, and includes a blocking portion 121 for shielding light passing through the backlight assembly 130 and passing through the liquid crystal panel 110, and a slit portion 122 for transmitting light. ).

The backlight assembly 130 is positioned at the rear of the liquid crystal panel 110 to supply light to the liquid crystal panel 110.

The liquid crystal panel 110 is configured such that the red, green, and blue color pixels R, G, and B adjacent in the horizontal direction form one pixel, and the blocking portion 121 and the slit portion 122 of the barrier 120 The same type of color pixels adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, that is, are formed in the vertical direction so as to be positioned above the plurality of color pixels forming a row.

As a result, the blocking part 121 of the barrier 120 alternates with the color pixels R, G and B constituting each row of the color pixels R, G and B arranged in a matrix. It is provided.

In addition, the blocking unit 121 of the barrier 120 is alternately formed on each row constituting the liquid crystal panel 110 to cover all odd color pixels R, G, and B, or , To cover all of the even-numbered color pixels R, G, and B.

When the left pixel, the reference pixel, and the right pixel that are adjacent to each other among the plurality of color pixels R, G, and B are defined and reference to the reference pixel, the slit 122 of the barrier 120 is positioned above the reference pixel. To pass the light from the bottom to the front.

In addition, the blocking unit 121 of the barrier 120 is positioned above adjacent pixels disposed on both sides of the reference pixel, that is, the left pixel and the right pixel, and according to the voltage applied to the left pixel and the right pixel. Block or transmit the light from the diagonal line.

In FIG. 3, assuming that the second pixel P2 is a reference pixel by taking the first, second, and third pixels P1, P2, and P3 as an example, the first pixel disposed on the left and right of the second pixel P2. P1 and the third pixel P3 become adjacent pixels. In this case, the slit part 122 of the barrier 120 is positioned above the second pixel P2, and the blocking part 121 is positioned above the first and third pixels P1 and P3 that are the left and right pixels. Located.

The liquid crystal panel 110 includes light in which an image is displayed within the narrow viewing angle mode of FIGS. 3 and 4 in which an image is displayed within a narrow viewing angle, and in the range of FIGS. 5 and 6 in which an image is displayed within a wide viewing angle. The viewing angle mode is selectively switched.

In the narrow viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to the reference pixels of the liquid crystal panel 110, for example, the second, fourth, and sixth pixels P2, P4, and P6, which are positioned under the slit part 122. The viewing angle blocking signal is applied to adjacent pixels, for example, the first, third, fifth, and seventh pixels P1, P3, P5, and P7, which are positioned under the blocking unit 121. Here, the viewing angle blocking signal is a black signal corresponding to the lowest luminance value of the color pixels R, G, and B.

As a result, the image signal and the black signal are alternately applied to each row of the liquid crystal panel 110 in turn.

In the wide viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to all the color pixels R, G, and B of the liquid crystal panel 110.

3 and 4 illustrate a narrow viewing angle mode in which light in a viewing angle direction is blocked, and FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a wide viewing angle mode in which light is diffused within a wide viewing angle range.

Referring to the structure and operation of the liquid crystal display device in more detail as follows.

3 to 6, the slit 122 of the barrier 120 is positioned above the reference pixel, for example, the second, fourth, and sixth pixels P2, P4, and P6, and the blocking unit Reference numeral 121 is positioned above adjacent pixels except for the reference pixel, for example, the first, third, fifth, and seventh pixels P1, P3, P5, and P7. That is, the barrier 120 is opened at the reference pixel portion where the narrow night light is emitted, and the barrier 120 is blocked at the adjacent pixel portion where the wide night light is emitted.

The slit portion 122 of the barrier 120 is disposed in front of the reference pixel, and the blocking portion 121 of the barrier 120 is disposed on both sides thereof.

Then, in the narrow viewing angle mode, light is emitted through the slit portion 122 directly above as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so that the liquid crystal display has a narrow viewing angle within the narrow viewing angle range. In contrast, in the wide viewing angle mode, light is emitted through the slits 122 inclined as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, so that the liquid crystal display has a wide viewing angle within the wide viewing angle range.

By using the structure of the barrier 120 and additional signal processing, the viewing angle characteristic of the liquid crystal display may be more efficiently changed.

In the narrow viewing angle modes of FIGS. 3 and 4, an image signal for displaying an image is applied to the second, fourth, and sixth pixels P2, P4, and P6, which are reference pixels, and are adjacent pixels except for the reference pixel. The viewing angle control signal (black signal) is applied to the first, third, fifth, and seventh pixels P1, P3, P5, and P7.

At this time, the narrow viewing angle range is determined by the distance D between the color pixels R, G, and B and the barrier 120, the width M of the blocking part 121, and the width Q of the slit part 122. Is determined.

That is, according to the distance D between the barrier 120 and the color pixels R, G, and B, the width M of the blocking part 121, and the width Q of the slit part 122 in the narrow viewing angle mode. Since the shielding amount of light and the amount of light transmission in the wide viewing angle mode are determined, these factors play an important factor in the design of the barrier 120.

In the wide viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to all the color pixels P1 to P7 to transmit light having a wide wide viewing angle range as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

For example, in the narrow viewing angle mode of FIGS. 3 and 4, an image signal and a viewing angle blocking signal (black signal) are alternately applied to the reference pixel and the adjacent pixel. That is, the first green data, the second red data, and the second blue data are applied to the second, fourth, and sixth pixels P2, P4, and P6 as image signals, and the first, third, fifth, and fifth pixels are applied. The viewing angle blocking signal is applied to the seven pixels P1, P3, P5, and P7.

In contrast, in the wide viewing angle modes of FIGS. 5 and 6, the first red data, the first green data, the first blue data, the second red data, and the second green data are applied to all of the first to seventh pixels P1 to P7. , Second blue data and first green data are sequentially applied.

The blocking part 121 of the barrier 120 is formed to cover a portion of both sides of the reference pixel, including the front surface of the reference pixel. In detail, the width M of the blocking unit 121 is formed to cover the upper region of the reference pixel and the upper region of the black matrix 112 positioned at both sides of the reference pixel.

When the second pixel P2 is used as the reference pixel, the blocking unit 121 on the second pixel P2 covers the black matrix 112 positioned at both sides of the second pixel P2 and the second pixel P2. It is formed to.

The barrier 120 is a passive barrier made of an opaque material that blocks light such as chromium (Cr) or a resin material, and may be formed on the upper substrate of the liquid crystal panel 110 or may be formed on an independent substrate. It may be. When the barrier 120 is formed on the upper substrate of the liquid crystal panel 110, the barrier 120 is formed on a surface opposite to one surface on which the black matrix 112 and the color filter layer 111 are formed, and the barrier 120 and the color pixels R, The gap D between G and B is the thickness of the upper substrate.

After the barrier 120 is attached to the liquid crystal panel 110, a signal applied to each color pixel R, G, and B of the liquid crystal panel 110 is controlled to switch the light / narrow viewing angle mode.

In addition, according to this structure, since the interference between the color pixels R, G, and B does not occur, an image without color distortion can be displayed.

As such, the viewing angle range can be controlled by using the barrier 120 and the signal processing having an appropriate structure. By changing the viewing angle characteristic, the wide viewing angle mode and the narrow viewing angle mode can be realized without a separate liquid crystal panel for controlling the viewing angle. Can be.

7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a narrow viewing angle mode of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view of FIG. 7.

9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a wide viewing angle mode of a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9.

7 to 10, a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel 110 in which an image is displayed, a barrier 220 for controlling the transmission / blocking of light, and a backlight assembly for supplying light. 130.

The liquid crystal panel 110 is switched between a narrow viewing angle mode in which an image is displayed within a narrow viewing angle and a wide viewing angle mode in which an image is displayed within a wide viewing angle.

The barrier 220 on the liquid crystal panel 110 includes a blocking portion 221, a slit portion 222, and an opening 223.

Assuming a left pixel, a reference pixel, and a right pixel which are adjacent to each other in sequence among the plurality of color pixels R, G, and B, the slit portion 222 of the barrier 220 is positioned above the reference pixel, and the opening 223 is formed. Is positioned above adjacent pixels of the reference pixel, that is, the left pixel and the right pixel, and the blocking unit 221 is positioned between the left pixel and the reference pixel and between the right pixel and the reference pixel, respectively.

7 to 10, the second, fourth, and sixth pixels P2, P4, and P6 become reference pixels, and the first, third, fifth, and seventh pixels P1, P3, P5, and P7. This is adjacent pixel.

For example, when the second pixel P2 is a reference pixel, the first pixel P1 and the third pixel P3 are adjacent pixels, that is, left and right pixels.

In the narrow viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to a reference pixel, for example, the second, fourth, and sixth pixels P2, P4, and P6, and the adjacent pixel, for example, the first, third, and fifth pixels. The viewing angle blocking signal (black signal) is applied to the seventh pixels P1, P3, P5, and P7 so that light is transmitted only at a narrow angle corresponding to the narrow viewing angle as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the wide viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to all the color pixels R, G, and B, and light is transmitted at a wide angle as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In such a structure, the blocking portion 221 of the barrier 220 is not formed in the entire upper portion of the adjacent pixel, but the opening 223 is formed in the upper portion of the adjacent pixel to open the adjacent pixel. As a result, resolution degradation that can occur in the wide viewing angle mode is minimized, aperture ratio is ensured, and luminance is improved as a whole.

According to the structure of FIGS. 7 to 10, adjacent pixels excluding the reference pixel, the second, fourth, and sixth pixels P2, P4, and P6 in the liquid crystal panel 110 may include the first, third, fifth, and fifth pixels. The seven pixels P1, P3, P5, and P7 receive a viewing angle blocking signal (black signal), not an image signal anyway. Therefore, the opening 223 is formed on the upper portion thereof to allow light to pass through the corresponding region, thereby improving the luminance and the opening ratio as a whole.

The opening 223 of the barrier 220 is formed to have a relatively wide width so as to improve the overall brightness, and the slit portion 222 condenses light to display an image in the front direction and blocks light of adjacent pixels. So that a relatively narrow width is formed.

The width Q1 of the slit part 222 and the width Q2 of the opening part 223 are designed asymmetrically in consideration of the viewing angle range, so that the width Q1 of the slit part 222 and the width of the opening part 223 ( Let Q2) have different values.

In detail, the width Q1 of the slit part 222 may have a smaller value than the width Q2 of the opening 223.

That is, in the reference pixels, for example, the second, fourth, and sixth pixels P2, P4, and P6, the width of the slit portion 222 may be condensed so as to condense light of the reference pixel and block light of an adjacent pixel. Design narrowly.

In the adjacent pixels, for example, the first, third, fifth, and seventh pixels P1, P3, P5, and P7, the width of the opening 223 is designed to be wide so as to secure the aperture ratio and the luminance.

In addition, the black matrix 112 is also asymmetrically designed for wide viewing angle adjustment. That is, the width between the black matrices 112 arranged on the left and right in the reference pixel positioned below the slit part 222 is narrowly designed, and the width between the black matrices 112 in the adjacent pixel located below the opening 223. Design widely.

As such, when the optical path is set, the wider viewing angle can be more clearly controlled by asymmetrically designing the black matrix 112 for each pixel.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the driving method may be applied to the liquid crystal display of FIGS. 3 to 6 or the liquid crystal display of FIGS. 7 to 10.

First, in step S100, light is emitted from the backlight assembly 130 and supplied to the liquid crystal panel 110.

Next, in step S110, the liquid crystal panel 110 is switched to the wide viewing angle mode or the narrow viewing angle mode.

When the wide viewing angle mode is selected, step S120 is performed to apply an image signal to all of the plurality of color pixels R, G, and B constituting the liquid crystal panel 110.

Thereafter, step S130 is performed, and after the light supplied from the backlight assembly 130 is transmitted through a predetermined amount in response to the image signal, the slit 122 of the barriers 120 and 220 positioned above the liquid crystal panel 110. 222 diffuses through the front and side viewing angle ranges.

Here, the structures of the barriers 120 and 220 may be the structures of FIGS. 3 to 6 or the structures of FIGS. 7 to 10.

3 to 6, the barrier 120 includes a slit part 122 positioned above the reference pixel to transmit light and a blocking part 121 positioned above the adjacent pixel to shield the light.

The slit 122 of the barrier 120 is positioned above the reference pixel, for example, the second, fourth, and sixth pixels P2, P4, and P6, and the blocking unit 121 is adjacent to the pixel, for example. For example, the light source is positioned to block the light in the viewing angle direction in the narrow viewing angle mode in which the viewing angle blocking signal (black signal) is applied to the upper portion of the first, third, fifth, and seventh pixels P1, P3, P5, and P7. do.

In the structure of FIGS. 7 to 10, the barrier 220 is positioned between the reference pixel and the adjacent pixel, respectively, and is positioned between the slit part 222 and the opening 223, which transmit light, and the adjacent pixel and the reference pixel. It is provided with a blocking portion 221.

When the narrow viewing angle mode is selected, step S140 is performed to apply an image signal to the reference pixels of the liquid crystal panel 110, for example, the second, fourth, and sixth pixels P2, P4, and P6. A viewing angle blocking signal (black signal) is applied to adjacent pixels (left and right pixels) positioned at both sides of the pixel, for example, the first, third, fifth, and seventh pixels P1, P3, P5, and P7. Is authorized.

Next, the step S150 is progressed and the side viewing angle is blocked by the blocking parts 121 and 221 of the barriers 120 and 220.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that.

Therefore, since the embodiments described above are provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that they are exemplary in all respects and not limited. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The liquid crystal display device and the driving method thereof according to the present invention made as described above can control the light blocking / transmission and viewing angle characteristics within a range in which a manufacturing process is easier and a cost is reduced as compared to a method using a dual liquid crystal panel. Can be.

In addition, the liquid crystal display and the driving method thereof according to the present invention applies a passive barrier to the liquid crystal panel and efficiently controls the signal applied to the liquid crystal panel, thereby controlling the wide / narrow viewing angle mode without color distortion. can do.

Claims (21)

A liquid crystal panel in which a plurality of color pixels are arranged in a matrix form; A slit portion disposed above the liquid crystal panel and positioned above the reference pixel based on a left pixel, a reference pixel, and a right pixel adjacent to each other among the plurality of color pixels to transmit light, and the left and right pixels A barrier formed at an upper portion of the barrier to shield the light; And A backlight assembly positioned under the liquid crystal panel to supply light to the liquid crystal panel Liquid crystal display comprising a. The method of claim 1, The liquid crystal panel, A narrow viewing angle mode in which an image is displayed within a narrow viewing angle range, and a wide viewing angle mode in which an image is displayed within a wide viewing angle range are switched. The method of claim 2, The range of the narrow viewing angle is And a distance between the plurality of color pixels and the barrier, a width of the blocking portion, and a width of the slit portion. The method of claim 2, The liquid crystal panel, And in the narrow viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to the reference pixel and a viewing angle blocking signal is applied to the left and right pixels. The method of claim 4, wherein The viewing angle blocking signal, It is a black signal, The liquid crystal display device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 2, The liquid crystal panel, And in the wide viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to all of the plurality of color pixels. The method of claim 1, The liquid crystal panel, And a plurality of red, green, and blue color pixels adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction to form one pixel. The method of claim 7, wherein The blocking portion and the slit portion of the barrier, A liquid crystal display device characterized in that it is formed so as to cover a row of color pixels of the same kind adjacent in the vertical direction. The method of claim 1, The blocking portion of the barrier, And a portion of both sides of the reference pixel including the front surface of the left pixel and the right pixel. The method of claim 1, The barrier is, A liquid crystal display device comprising a passive barrier made of an opaque material that blocks light. A liquid crystal panel in which a plurality of color pixels are arranged in a matrix form; A slit part disposed above the liquid crystal panel and positioned above the reference pixel based on a left pixel, a reference pixel, and a right pixel adjacent to each other among the plurality of color pixels, and above the left pixel and the right pixel. A barrier having an opening positioned therein and a blocking portion located between the left and right pixels and the reference pixel; And A backlight assembly positioned under the liquid crystal panel to supply light to the liquid crystal panel Liquid crystal display comprising a. The method of claim 11, The slit portion, A width narrower than the opening. The method of claim 11, The liquid crystal panel is disposed between a plurality of color pixels to block light leakage, and includes a plurality of black matrices positioned below the blocking unit. And the asymmetric structure in which the distance between two adjacent black matrices is narrower than the left and right pixels in the reference pixel. The method of claim 11, The liquid crystal panel, A narrow viewing angle mode in which an image is displayed within a narrow viewing angle range, and a wide viewing angle mode in which an image is displayed within a wide viewing angle range are switched. The method of claim 14, The liquid crystal panel, And in the narrow viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to the reference pixel and a viewing angle blocking signal is applied to the left and right pixels. The method of claim 14, The liquid crystal panel, And in the wide viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to all of the plurality of color pixels. a) supplying light; b) selecting a wide viewing angle mode or a narrow viewing angle mode; c) in the wide viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to all of the plurality of color pixels constituting the liquid crystal panel; d) diffusing the supplied light into a front and side viewing angle range through a barrier positioned above the liquid crystal panel; e) in the narrow viewing angle mode, an image signal is applied to a reference pixel of the liquid crystal panel, and a viewing angle blocking signal is applied to left and right pixels positioned at both sides of the reference pixel; And f) blocking a side viewing angle by a barrier positioned above the liquid crystal panel and having a slit formed in a region corresponding to the reference pixel; Method of driving a liquid crystal display comprising a. The method of claim 17, The barrier of steps d) and e), The slit portion positioned above the reference pixel to transmit light; And A blocking unit disposed on the left pixel and the right pixel to shield light Method of driving a liquid crystal display comprising a. The method of claim 17, The barrier of steps d) and e), The slit portion positioned above the reference pixel; An opening positioned above the left pixel and the right pixel; And A blocking unit positioned between the left and right pixels and the reference pixel Method of driving a liquid crystal display comprising a. The method of claim 19, Step e), And an image signal is applied to the reference pixel of the liquid crystal panel, and a viewing angle blocking signal is applied to the left and right pixels. The method of claim 19, C), And an image signal is applied to all of the plurality of color pixels forming the liquid crystal panel.

Images