Liquid crystal display device and method of driving the same

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. P2007-27127 filed Mar. 20, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device which can improve the charging of pixel cells of the display device, and a method of driving the same.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In general, a liquid crystal display device displays desired images by controlling light transmittance of liquid crystal cells in response to a video signal. Active-matrix type liquid crystal display devices are particularly well suited for displaying moving picture because a switching element is provided in each liquid crystal pixel cell. In an active-matrix type liquid crystal display device, a thin film transistor (hereinafter, referred to as a “TFT”) is used as the switching element.

A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of gate and data lines that cross each other to thereby define the plurality of liquid crystal pixel cells. To prevent deterioration of the liquid crystal, the data voltages applied to each pixel cell alternate in polarity.

FIG. 1 is a waveform diagram illustrating the polarity of data applied to pixel cells in a dot-inversion driving method. As shown in FIG. 1 , the polarity of data is inverted for each frame period, and the inverted polarity data is supplied to each data line. The data supplied to each pixel cell for a frame period is maintained by the pixel cell until data is supplied for the next frame to thereby display a picture image for one frame period.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the polarity of data supplied to a pixel cell is inverted on a frame period basis. That is, the data applied to a pixel cell is inverted from the positive polarity to the negative polarity or from the negative polarity to the positive polarity every frame period.

However, when the polarity of data is inverted every frame period, the charging of pixel cells to target values for displaying an image deteriorates, thereby degrading the picture quality. For example, assuming that a pixel cell was supplied with data of positive polarity during a previous period, and is supplied with the data of negative polarity during the current period, it can be difficult to charge the pixel cell sufficiently rapidly to the reach the desired value represented by the data of negative polarity from the positive polarity data supplied to the pixel cell during the previous period.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a liquid crystal display device and a method of driving the same that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device and a method of driving the same, in which pixel cells supplied with data of the opposite polarities are pre-charged by the electric connection before a display period, thereby improving the charging of pixel cells.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. These and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel that includes a plurality of first and second pixel cells supplied with data of the opposite polarities to display a picture; and a pre-charging unit to electrically connect a first one of the first pixel cells and a first one of the second pixel cells to each other just prior to a period of supplying the data to the first ones first and second pixel cells, and to electrically disconnect the first ones of the first and second pixel cells from each other for a period of supplying the data to the first and second pixel cells.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of driving a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal panel having a plurality of first and second pixel cells supplied with data of the opposite polarities to display a picture, includes: electrically connecting the first and second pixel cells to each other to supply the data of the second pixel to the first pixel, and supply the data of the first pixel to the second pixel; electrically disconnecting the first and second pixel cells from each other; and supplying the data of the opposite polarities to the first and second pixel cells, respectively.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a waveform diagram illustrating the polarity of data in a dot-inversion driving method;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an LCD device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating various signals supplied to gate and data lines of the LCD device shown in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating charging amounts for first and second pixel cells of the LCD device shown in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an LCD device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram illustrating various signals supplied to gate and data lines of the LCD device shown in FIG. 5 .

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display device according to embodiments of the present invention and a method of driving the same will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an LCD device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating various signals supplied to gate and data lines of the LCD device shown in FIG. 2 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the LCD device according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel 200 provided with a plurality of first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 to display images; and a gate driver GD and a data driver DD to drive the liquid crystal panel 200 .

The first pixel cells PXL 1 are supplied with data of the same polarity, to thereby display images. The polarity of data supplied to the first pixel cells PXL 1 is opposite to the polarity of data supplied to the second pixel cells PXL 2 . For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the pixel cells supplied with positive polarity data correspond to the first pixel cells PXL 1 , and the pixel cells supplied with negative polarity data correspond to the second pixel cells PXL 2 . The liquid crystal panel 200 includes a plurality of gate lines GL 1 to GLn that cross a plurality of data lines DL 1 to DLm, wherein the gate lines GL are orthogonal or substantially perpendicular to the data lines DL.

The gate driver GD outputs scan pulses Vout 0 to Voutn for driving the gate lines GL 1 to GLn in sequence, and the data driver DD supplies data to the data lines DL 1 to DLm. The data driver DD is supplied with data for one line (i.e., the data to be supplied to the pixel cells arranged along one pixel row) for each horizontal period by a timing controller, and selects a gray scale voltage previously set to the data for corresponding one line. The gray scale voltages for the selected one line are supplied to the data lines DL 1 to DLm, respectively.

For convenience of the explanation, the gray scale voltages supplied to the respective data lines DL 1 to DLm are referred to collectively as the data.

In each of the pixel columns R 1 to Rm, positioned at the right side of a corresponding one of the data lines DL 1 to DLm, there are a plurality of pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 arranged along the data line direction. The pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 included in each pixel column R 1 to Rm are connected to the data line positioned at the left side thereof in common, and the pixel cells included in each of the pixel columns R 1 to Rm are connected to a respective one of the first to nth gate lines GL 1 to GLn. For example, the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 included in the first pixel column R 1 are each connected to the first data line DL 1 , and are each connected to a respective one of the first to nth gate lines GL 1 to GLn.

The pixel cells connected to the (3k+1)th data line correspond to the pixel cells for displaying a red picture; the pixel cells connected to the (3k+2)th data line correspond to the pixel cells for displaying a green picture; and the pixel cells connected to the (3k+3)th data line correspond to the pixel cells for displaying a blue picture, where k is an integer.

Each pixel cell includes a thin film transistor TFT that turns on to supply the data from the data line DL to the pixel cell in response to the scan pulse from the gate line GL; a pixel electrode PE that is supplied with the data from the thin film transistor TFT; a common electrode that is positioned opposite the pixel electrode PE; and a liquid crystal layer that is positioned between the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode. Light transmittance through each pixel cell varies in response to an electric field generated between the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode.

Adjacent pixel cells in the horizontal or vertical direction are supplied with the data of different polarities, with the polarity alternating by units of one pixel cell. To generate the alternating polarity, the data driver DD alternately supplies positive polarity data and negative polarity data to the data lines DL 1 to DLm, with the supplied data polarity alternating every frame period. Further, the data driver DD supplies data of opposite polarities to adjacent data lines. In other words, the data driver DD outputs the data according to a one-dot inversion method.

The first pixel cell PXL 1 and the second pixel cell PXL 2 are supplied with different polarities during a single frame period. For example, the first pixel cell PXL 1 may be supplied with positive polarity data for the odd-numbered frame periods and with negative polarity data for the even-numbered frame periods, while the second pixel cell PXL 2 is supplied with negative polarity data for the odd-numbered frame periods and with the positive polarity data for the even-numbered frame periods.

The positive polarity data corresponds to data that has a higher voltage level than the common voltage Vcom, while the negative polarity data corresponds to data that has a lower voltage level than the common voltage Vcom.

In each pixel row L 1 to Ln, the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 are arranged alternately. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 , the first pixel cell PXL 1 is positioned at the leftmost side of the odd-numbered pixel rows L 1 , L 3 , . . . , Ln−1; and the second pixel cell PXL 2 is positioned at the leftmost side of the even-numbered pixel rows L 2 , L 4 , . . . , Ln. In other words, the odd-numbered pixel rows L 1 , L 3 , . . . , Ln−1 are provided with pixel cells arranged in an alternating sequence having a first pixel cell PXL 1 followed by a second pixel cell PXL 2 ; and the even-numbered pixel rows L 2 , L 4 , . . . , Ln are provided with the pixel cells arranged in an alternating sequence having a second pixel cell PXL 2 followed by a first pixel cell PXL 1 .

The first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 positioned adjacent to each other and connected to the same gate line are provided with a pre-charging unit 220 that electrically connects together or disconnects from each other, the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 depending on the state of the pre-charging unit 220 . For example, the first pixel cell PXL 1 connected to the first gate line GL 1 and the first data line DL 1 is electrically connected together with or disconnected from the adjacent second pixel cell PXL 2 connected to the first gate line GL 1 and the second data line DL 2 by a pre-charging unit 220 . In other words, the pre-charging unit 220 corresponds to a switching device that electrically connects the pixel electrode PE of the first pixel cell PXL 1 and the pixel electrode PE of the second pixel cell PXL 2 in response to the scan pulse from the gate line. To accomplish the electrical connection in response to the scan pulse, the pre-charging unit 220 includes a gate terminal connected to the gate line; a source terminal connected to the pixel electrode PE of the first pixel cell PXL 1 ; and a drain terminal connected to the pixel electrode PE of the second pixel cell PXL 2 .

The pre-charging unit 220 is turned-off during a display period for supplying data to the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 , so that the first pixel cell PXL 1 is electrically disconnected from the second pixel cell PXL 2 . That is, the pre-charging unit 220 is turned-off for the display period of the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 , so that the pixel electrode PE of the first pixel cell PXL 1 is electrically disconnected from the pixel electrode PE of the second pixel cell PXL 2 . For this display period, the data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 does not interfered with the data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 .

However, the pre-charging unit 220 electrically connects the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 during a previous period just prior to the display period for the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 . Accordingly, the data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 and the data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 will affect each other during this previous period. The previous period just prior to the display period corresponds to a display period for driving the pixel cells prior to driving the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 .

More generally, each pre-charging unit 220 positioned at the (k)th pixel row electrically connects the pixel electrode PE of a first pixel cell PXL 1 connected to the (k)th gate line to the pixel electrode PE of an adjacent second pixel cell PXL 2 in response to the (k−1)th scan pulse from the (k−1)th gate line. That is, during the display period of the pixel cells connected to the (k−1)th gate line, the pre-charging unit 220 of the (k)th pixel row electrically connects the pixel electrode PE of the first pixel cell PXL 1 connected to the (k)th gate line to the pixel electrode PE of the second pixel cell PXL 2 connected to the (k)th gate line.

For example, the pre-charging units 220 positioned at the second pixel row L 2 , include the pre-charging unit 220 connected between a second pixel cell PXL 2 connected to the second gate line GL 2 and the first data line DL 1 and the first pixel cell PXL 1 connected to the second gate line GL 2 and the second data line DL 2 . The pre-charging units 220 for the second pixel row L 2 are controlled by the first scan pulse Vout 1 from the first gate line GL 1 that is positioned just prior to the second gate line GL 2 . For the period of sustaining the first scan pulse Vout 1 as an active state (high state), the pre-charging unit 220 electrically connects the pixel electrode PE of the first pixel cell PXL 1 to the pixel electrode PE of the second pixel cell PXL 2 . The pre-charging unit 220 positioned at the second pixel row is maintained in a turned-off state except during the period of sustaining the first scan pulse Vout 1 as the active state.

A dummy gate line GL 0 is positioned at an upper side of the first gate line GL 1 . The dummy gate line GL 0 is connected to the gate terminal of the pre-charging unit 220 to control a connection relation between the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 connected to the first gate line GL 1 . That is, the dummy gate line GL 0 is provided for supplying a signal to control the pre-charging unit 220 positioned at the first pixel row L 1 . The dummy gate line GL 0 is supplied with a dummy scan pulse Vout 0 , wherein the dummy scan pulse Vout 0 is supplied first among the scan pulses output in each frame period. Accordingly, the dummy gate line GL 0 is driven first in each frame period.

The thin film transistor TFT included in each pixel cell PXL 1 and PXL 2 is turned-on for 1H period (display period) that may be about 10% of one frame period, and is turned-off for remaining portion of the frame period (sustaining period) that may be about 90% of one frame period. After the pre-charging unit 220 is supplied with the corresponding data for the display period, the pre-charging unit 220 renews the previous data and sustains the supplied data for the sustaining period.

For the period just prior to the display period of supplying the data to the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 , the pre-charging unit 220 is turned on and shifts the polarity of data previously charged in the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 towards the polarity direction of data to be supplied to the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 for the display period. Thus, it is possible to induce the polarity of data charged in the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 to change towards the polarity direction of data to be supplied for the display period. An operation of the pre-charging unit 220 to control the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 of the third pixel row L 3 and the connection relation between the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 will be explained in detail as follows.

The pre-charging unit 220 positioned at the leftmost side of the third pixel row L 3 is connected between the first pixel cell PXL 1 connected to the third gate line GL 3 and the first data line DL 1 and the second pixel cell PXL 2 connected to the third gate line GL 3 and the second data line DL 2 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first pixel cell PXL 1 may be supplied with the positive polarity data for the third period T 3 , while the second pixel cell PXL 2 is supplied with the negative polarity data for the third period T 3 , to thereby display the picture. That is, the third period T 3 corresponds to the display period of the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 . For the previous period prior to the display period, the first pixel cell PXL 1 sustains the negative polarity data supplied from the previous frame period, and the second pixel cell PXL 2 sustains the positive polarity data supplied from the previous frame period. In other words, the data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 for the third period T 3 transitions from the negative polarity to the positive polarity, and the data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 transitions from the positive polarity to the negative polarity.

During the second period T 2 that is just prior to the third period, the second scan pulse Vout 2 is supplied to the second gate line GL 2 . In response to the second scan pulse, the pre-charging unit 220 is turned-on. As a result of the pre-charging unit 220 being turned-on, the pixel electrode PE of the first pixel cell PXL 1 is electrically connected to the pixel electrode PE of the second pixel cell PXL 2 .

For the second period T 2 , the negative polarity data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 is mixed with the positive polarity data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 . For the second period T 2 , the first pixel cell PXL 1 is sustained with the negative polarity data, and the second pixel cell PXL 2 is sustained with the positive polarity data. Accordingly, by turning on the pre-charge unit 220 , the positive polarity data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 is affected by the negative polarity data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 , and the negative polarity data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 is affected by the positive polarity data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 .

When the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 are charged with the opposite polarities, and are electrically connected to each other, the data of each pixel cell PXL 1 and PLX 2 rises or falls toward the central or voltage corresponding to the common voltage Vcom. For example, the negative polarity data charged in the first pixel cell PXL 1 is affected by the positive polarity data from the second pixel cell PXL 2 , so that the voltage rises toward the common voltage. Meanwhile, the positive polarity data charged in the second pixel cell PXL 2 is affected by the negative polarity data from the first pixel cell PXL 1 , so that the voltage falls toward the common voltage Vcom.

For the third period T 3 , the third gate line GL 3 is supplied with the scan pulse Vout 3 , and the second gate line GL 2 is not supplied with the scan pulse Vout 2 . Accordingly, the pre-charging unit 220 is turned-off for the third period T 3 , and the first pixel cell PXL 1 is electrically disconnected from the second pixel cell PXL 2 .

The third period T 3 corresponds to the display period of the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 connected to the third gate line GL 3 . For the third period T 3 , the positive polarity data is supplied to the first data line DL 1 , and the negative polarity data is supplied to the second data line DL 2 . Accordingly, the first pixel cell PXL 1 is supplied with the positive polarity data, and the second pixel cell PXL 2 is supplied with the negative polarity data.

Because the negative polarity data charged in the first pixel cell PXL 1 has previously risen towards the common voltage Vcom for the second period T 2 , the negative polarity data charged in the first pixel cell PXL 1 is more rapidly changed to the target value of the positive polarity data supplied for the third period T 3 than would occur without operation of the pre-charge unit 220 . Further, since the positive polarity data charged in the second pixel cell PXL 2 previously has fallen toward the common voltage Vcom for the second period T 2 , the positive polarity data charged in the second pixel cell PXL 2 is more rapidly changed to the target value of the negative polarity data supplied for the third period T 3 .

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating charging amounts for first and second pixel cells of the LCD device shown in FIG. 2 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the negative polarity data sustained in the first pixel cell prior to the second period T 2 rises toward the common voltage Vcom at the second period T 2 , and is changed to the positive polarity data at the third period T 3 corresponding to the display period. Additionally, the positive polarity data sustained in the second pixel cell PXL 2 prior to the second period T 2 falls toward the common voltage Vcom at the second period T 2 , and is changed to the negative polarity data at the display period corresponding to the third period T 3 .

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an LCD device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a timing diagram illustrating various signals supplied to gate and data lines of the LCD device shown in FIG. 5 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , pixels arranged adjacently in a vertical direction (i.e. vertically adjacent pixels) are supplied with data of the different polarities alternating every one pixel cell, and pixel cells arranged adjacently in a horizontal direction (i.e. horizontally adjacent pixels) are supplied with data of the different polarities, alternating every two pixel cells, to thereby display a picture. To accomplish the above described polarity scheme, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , a data driver DD supplies alternately the positive polarity data and the negative polarity data to data lines DL 1 to DLm, with the data supplied to each data line alternating every two periods. In addition, the adjacent data lines are supplied with the data of the opposite polarities. That is, the data driver DD outputs the data according to a 2-dot inversion method.

The pixel cells include the first pixel cells PXL 1 and the second pixel cells PXL 2 . In each frame period, the polarity of a first pixel cell PXL 1 is different from the polarity of a second pixel cell PXL 2 . For example, the first pixel cell PXL 1 may be supplied with the positive polarity data for the odd-numbered frame periods and with the negative polarity data for the even-numbered frame periods. Meanwhile, the second pixel cell PXL 2 is supplied with the negative polarity data for the odd-numbered frame periods and with the positive polarity data for the even-numbered frame periods.

As shown in FIG. 5 , with reference to each of the data lines DL 1 to DLm, adjacent pairs of pixel cells of the same polarity are positioned opposite to each other, and are connected to a common data line positioned therebetween.

For the pixel rows L 1 to Lp, first pixel cells PXL 1 and the second pixel cells PXL 2 alternate as the starting pixel for the pixel row. In the example pictured in FIG. 5 , a first pixel cell PXL 1 is positioned at the leftmost side of the odd-numbered pixel rows L 1 , L 3 , . . . , Lp−1; and a second pixel cell PXL 2 is positioned at the leftmost side of the even-numbered pixel row L 2 , L 4 , . . . , Lp. Additionally, each odd-numbered pixel row L 1 , L 3 , . . . , Lp−1 is provided with the pixel cells arranged in a repeating sequence order of a first pixel cell PXL 1 , another first pixel cell PXL 1 , a second pixel cell PXL 2 and another second pixel cell PXL 2 , while each even-numbered pixel row L 2 , L 4 , . . . , Lp is provided with the pixel cells arranged in a repeating sequence order of a second pixel cell PXL 2 , another second pixel cell PXL 2 , a first pixel cell PXL 1 and another first pixel cell PXL 1 .

A gate line is positioned at each of the lower and upper sides of each pixel row L 1 to Ln. The odd-numbered pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 included in each pixel row L 1 to Lp are connected to the gate line positioned at the upper side of each pixel row L 1 to Ln in common; and the even-numbered pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 included in each pixel row L 1 to Lp are connected to the gate line positioned at the lower side of each pixel row L 1 to Ln in common. For example, the odd-numbered pixel cells among the pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 included in the first pixel row L 1 are connected to the first gate line GL 1 in common, while the even-numbered pixel cells are connected to the second gate line GL 2 in common. In addition, the gate line positioned at the lower side of each pixel row L 1 to Lp is connected to a pre-charging unit 550 for the next pixel row.

Adjacently positioned first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 that are provided in the same pixel row and that are connected to different gate lines, are electrically connected to and disconnected from each other by a pre-charging unit 550 . For example, the first gate line GL 1 is provided at the upper side of the first pixel row L 1 , and the second gate line GL 2 is provided at the lower side of the first pixel row L 1 . One pre-charging unit 550 included in the first pixel row L 1 electrically connects the first pixel cell PXL 1 connected to the second gate line GL 2 and the first data line DL 1 to the adjacent second pixel cell PXL 2 connected to the first gate line GL 1 and the second data line DL 2 , and electrically disconnects the first pixel cell PXL 1 connected to the second gate line GL 2 and the first data line DL 1 from the adjacent second pixel cell PXL 2 connected to the first gate line GL 1 and the second data line DL 2 .

Alternatively, the pre-charging unit 550 may be connected to adjacent first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 positioned in the same pixel row and connected to different data lines. For example, the pre-charging unit 550 positioned in the first pixel row L 1 may be connected between the first pixel cell PXL 1 (positioned in the first pixel row L 1 and connected to the first data line DL 1 and the second gate line GL 2 ) and the second pixel cell PXL 2 (positioned in the first pixel row L 1 and connected to the second data line DL 2 and the second gate line GL 2 ).

The pre-charging unit 550 included in a pixel row is turned-off for the display period of supplying the data to the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 included in the corresponding pixel row to thereby electrically disconnect the first pixel cell PXL 1 from the second pixel cell PXL 2 . That is, the pre-charging unit 550 is turned-off for the display period of the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 , so that the pixel electrode PE of the first pixel cell PXL 1 is electrically disconnected from the pixel electrode PE of the second pixel cell PXL 2 . Accordingly, for this display period, the data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 does not interfere with the data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 .

On the other hand, the pre-charging unit 550 electrically connects the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 to each other for a previous period just prior to the display period of the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 . Thus, the data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 and the data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 affect each other during the prior period. The previous period just prior to the display period corresponds to a display period for the pixel cells previously driven prior to driving the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 .

More generally, the pre-charging unit 550 positioned in the (k)th pixel row electrically connects two first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 to each other in response to the scan pulse from the gate line positioned at the lower side of the (k−1)th pixel row. In other words, for the period of turning-on the odd-numbered pixel cells (or even-numbered pixel cells) included in the (k−1)th pixel row, the pre-charging unit 220 included in the (k)th pixel row electrically connects the pixel electrode PE of the first pixel cell PXL 1 included in the (k)th pixel row to the pixel electrode PE of the second pixel cell PXL 2 included in the (k)th pixel row.

For example, in case of the pre-charging unit 550 included in the second pixel row L 2 , the pre-charging unit 550 is connected between the first pixel cell PXL 1 connected to the third gate line GL 3 and the second data line DL 2 , and the second pixel cell PXL 2 connected to the fourth gate line GL 4 and the first data line DL 1 . The pre-charging unit 550 is controlled by the second scan pulse Vout 2 from the second gate line GL 2 that is positioned at the lower side of the first pixel row L 1 , that is, the pixel row positioned just prior to the second pixel row L 2 . For the period of sustaining the second scan pulse Vout 2 as an active state (high state), the pre-charging unit 550 electrically connects the pixel electrode PE of the first pixel cell PXL 1 to the pixel electrode PE of the second pixel cell PXL 2 . The pre-charging unit 550 positioned at the second pixel row L 2 is sustained in a turning-off state except the period of sustaining the second scan pulse Vout 2 as the active state.

A dummy gate line GL 0 is positioned at an upper side of the first gate line GL 1 . The dummy gate line GL 0 is connected to the gate terminal of the pre-charging unit 550 to control a connection relation between the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 positioned in the first pixel row L 1 . That is, the dummy gate line GL 0 is provided for supplying a signal to control the pre-charging unit 550 positioned at the first pixel row L 1 . The dummy gate line GL 0 is supplied with a dummy scan pulse Vout 0 , wherein the dummy scan pulse Vout 0 is output in first among the scan pulses output during each frame period. Accordingly, the dummy gate line GL 0 is driven first during in each frame period.

For the period just prior to the display period of supplying the data to the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 , the pre-charging unit 500 previously shifts the polarity of data charged in the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 to the polarity direction of data to be supplied for the display period. Thus, it is possible to induce the polarity of data charged in the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 to transition toward the polarity direction of data to be supplied for the display period. An example operation of the pre-charging unit 550 to control the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 of the third pixel row L 3 and the connection relation between the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 will be explained in detail hereinafter.

The pre-charging unit 550 positioned at the leftmost side of the third pixel row L 3 is connected between the first pixel cell PXL 1 connected to the sixth gate line GL 6 and the first data line DL 1 and the second pixel cell PXL 2 connected to the fifth gate line GL 5 and the second data line DL 2 .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second pixel cell PXL 2 is supplied with the negative polarity data for the fifth period T 5 , and the first pixel cell PXL 1 is supplied with the positive polarity data for the sixth period T 6 . That is, the fifth period T 5 corresponds to the display period of the second pixel cell PXL 2 , and the sixth period T 6 corresponds to the display period of the first pixel cell PXL 1 . For the period just prior to the display period, the second pixel cell PXL 2 maintains the positive polarity data supplied for the previous frame period, and the first pixel cell PXL 1 maintains the negative polarity data supplied for the previous frame period. That is, the data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 transitions from the positive polarity to the negative polarity for the fifth period T 5 , and the data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 transitions from the negative polarity to the positive polarity for the sixth period T 6 .

For the period just prior to the fifth period T 5 , that is, fourth period T 4 , the fourth scan pulse Vout 4 is supplied to the fourth gate line GL 4 (positioned at the lower side of the second pixel row L 2 ). In response to the fourth scan pulse Vout 4 , the pre-charging unit 440 is turned-on. Through the pre-charging unit 550 being turned-on, the pixel electrode PE of the first pixel cell PXL 1 is electrically connected to the pixel electrode PE of the second pixel cell PXL 2 .

For the fourth period T 4 , the negative polarity data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 is mixed with the positive polarity data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 . For the fourth period T 4 , the first pixel cell PXL 1 is sustained with the negative polarity data, and the second pixel cell PXL 2 is sustained with the positive polarity data. Accordingly, the positive polarity data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 is affected by the negative polarity data of the first pixel cell, and the negative polarity data of the first pixel cell PXL 1 is affected by the positive polarity data of the second pixel cell PXL 2 .

When the first and second pixel cells PXL 1 and PXL 2 are charged with the opposite polarities, and are electrically connected to each other, the data of the pixel cell rises or falls toward the central voltage corresponding to the common voltage Vcom. In particular, the negative polarity data charged in the first pixel cell PXL 1 is affected by the positive polarity data from the second pixel cell PXL 2 , whereby the voltage rises toward the common voltage. Meanwhile, the positive polarity data charged in the second pixel cell PXL 2 is affected by the negative polarity data from the first pixel cell PXL 1 , whereby the voltage falls toward the common voltage Vcom.

For the fifth period T 5 , the fifth scan pulse Vout 5 is supplied to the fifth gate line GL 5 , and the scan pulse is not supplied to the fourth gate line GL 4 . Accordingly, the pre-charging unit 550 is turned-off for the fifth period T 5 , so that the first pixel cell PXL 1 is electrically disconnected from the second pixel cell PXL 2 .

The fifth period T 5 corresponds to the display period of the second pixel cell PXL 2 connected to the fifth gate line GL 5 and the second data line DL 2 . For the fifth period T 5 , the second data line DL 2 is supplied with the negative polarity data. Accordingly, the second pixel cell PXL 2 is supplied with the negative polarity data.

At this time, since the positive polarity data charged in the second pixel cell PXL 2 previously fell toward the common voltage Vcom at the fourth period T 4 , the negative polarity data charged in the second pixel cell PXL 2 is rapidly changed to the positive polarity data supplied at the fifth period T 5 .

After that, for the sixth period T 6 , the sixth scan pulse is supplied to the sixth gate line GL 6 , and is not supplied to the fourth gate line GL 4 . Accordingly, the pre-charging unit 550 is turned-off for the sixth period T 6 , whereby the first pixel cell PXL 1 is electrically disconnected from the second pixel cell PXL 2 .

The sixth period T 6 corresponds to the display period of the first pixel cell PXL 1 connected to the sixth gate line GL 6 and the first data line DL 1 . For the sixth period T 6 , the positive polarity data is supplied to the first data line DL 1 . Accordingly, the first pixel cell PXL 1 is supplied with the positive polarity data.

Because the negative polarity data charged in the first pixel cell PXL 1 previously rose toward the common voltage Vcom at the fourth period T 4 , the negative polarity data charged in the first pixel cell PXL 1 is rapidly changed to the positive polarity data supplied at the sixth period T 6 .

As described above, the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention and the method of driving the same have the following advantages.

The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes the pre-charging unit that induces a rapid change for the polarity of data charged in the first and second pixel cells toward the polarity direction of data supplied for the display period by previously shifting the magnitude of data charged in the first and second pixel cells toward the polarity direction of data supplied for the period just prior to the display period of supplying the data to the first and second pixel cells, thereby improving the charging of pixel cell.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.