OLED active matrix cell designed for optimal uniformity

• US 20070236440A1
• Filed: 04/06/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: eMagin Corporation (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: eMagin Corporation (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Wacyk, Ihor, Prache, Olivier
• Application Number:
  US11/399,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20070236440A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/92
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0833 forming a linear amplifier or follower
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0842 forming a memory circuit, e.g. a dynamic memory with one capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0861 with additional control of the display period without amending the charge stored in a pixel memory, e.g. by means of additional select electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/061 for resetting or blanking
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/066 Waveforms comprising a gently increasing or decreasing portion, e.g. ramp
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/043 Preventing or counteracting the effects of ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3233 with pixel circuitry controlling the current through the light-emitting element
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3241 the current through the light-emitting element being set using a data current provided by the data driver, e.g. by using a two-transistor current mirror

Abstract

A drive circuit is provided for an OLED pixel display. The drive circuit is adapted for use with a reference voltage source. It includes a first transistor and an OLED. The output circuit of the first transistor is operably connected between the reference voltage source and the OLED. Transmission gate means responsive to a control signal are provided to transmit a data signal to the first transistor. Means are provided for controlling the first transistor in accordance with a time domain modulation signal to provide an average current to the OLED which is a function of the data signal.

Claims

1. A drive circuit for an OLED pixel display adapted for use with a reference voltage source comprising a first transistor and an OLED, the output circuit of said first transistor being operably connected between the reference voltage source and the OLED, transmission gate means responsive to a control signal to transmit a data signal to said first transistor and means for controlling said first transistor in accordance with a time domain modulation signal to provide an average current to the OLED which is a function of the data signal.

2. The circuit of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling said first transistor comprises a storage capacitor having one side connected to receive said time domain modulation signal and the other side operably connected to the gate of said first transistor, wherein said time domain modulation signal comprises a voltage signal having a generally triangular shaped waveform, said voltage signal being provided after said transmission gate means is turned off by said control signal.

3. The circuit of claim 2 wherein said means for controlling said first transistor further comprises a second transistor, said second transistor having an output circuit operably interposed between said first transistor and the OLED and means for turning said second transistor off when said control signal causes said transmission gate means to transmit the data signal to said first transistor.

4. The circuit of claim 1 further comprising a diode configured PMOS transistor operably connected between ground and a node situated between said first transistor and the OLED.

5. The circuit of claim 2 wherein said means for controlling said first transistor further comprises a second transistor, said second transistor having an output circuit operably interposed between said first transistor and ground, and means for applying a constant DC bias signal to the gate of said second transistor.

6. The circuit of claim 5 further comprising an inverter transistor operably interposed between the OLED and a node between the output circuit of said first transistor and the output circuit of said second transistor.

7. The circuit of claim 6 further comprising a fifth transistor operably connected between the output circuit of said inverter transistor and ground.

8. A drive circuit for an OLED pixel display adapted for use with a reference voltage source comprising a first transistor and an OLED, the output circuit of said first transistor being operably connected between the reference voltage source and the OLED, transmission gate means adapted to be turned on in response to a control signal to transmit a data signal to said first transistor, a storage capacitor having one side connected to receive a time domain modulation signal and the other side connected to the gate of said first transistor, a second transistor having an output circuit operably interposed between said first transistor and the OLED, said second transistor being turned off when said transmission gate means is turned on by the control signal to transmit the date signal to said first transistor, wherein said time domain modulation signal comprises a voltage signal having a generally triangular shaped waveform that is provided after said transmission date means is turned off.

9. A device circuit for an OLED pixel display adapted for use with a reference voltage source comprising a first transistor and an OLED, the output circuit of said first transistor being operably connected between the reference voltage source and the OLED, transmission gate means responsive to a control signal to transmit a data signal to said first transistor, a storage capacitor having one side connected to receive a time domain modulation signal and the other side operably connected to the gate of said first transistor, wherein said time domain modulation signal comprises a voltage signal having a generally triangular shaped waveform that is provided after transmission gate means is turned off, a second transistor, said second transistor having an output circuit operably interposed between said first transistor and ground, and means for applying a constant DC bias signal to the gate of said second transistor.

10. The circuit of claim 9 further comprising an inverter transistor operably interposed between the OLED and a node between the output circuit of said first transistor and the output circuit of said second transistor.

11. A drive circuit for an OLED pixel display adapted for use with a reference voltage source comprising a first transistor and an OLED, the output circuit of said first transistor being operably connected between the reference voltage source and the OLED, transmission gate means responsive to a control signal to transmit a data signal to said first transistor, a storage capacitor having one side connected to receive a time domain modulation signal and the other side operably connected to the gate of said first transistor, wherein said time domain modulation signal comprises a voltage signal having a generally triangular shaped waveform that is provided after said transmission gate means is turned off by the control signal, a second transistor, said second transistor having an output circuit operably interposed between said first transistor and the OLED and means for turning said second transistor off when said transmission gate means transmits the data signal to said first transistor, an inverter transistor operably interposed between the OLED and a node between the output circuit of said first transistor and the output circuit of said second transistor, and a fifth transistor operably connected between the output circuit of said inverter transistor and ground.

12. A display comprising first and second pixels, each of said pixels comprising an OLED and a drive circuit for the OLED and being adapted for use with a reference voltage source, each of said drive circuits comprising a first transistor having an output circuit operably connected between the reference voltage source and the OLED, transmission gate means responsive to a control signal to transmit a data signal to said first transistor and means for controlling said first transistor of each of said pixels with a time domain modulation signal to provide an average current to the OLED which is a function of the data signal.

13. The display of claim 12 wherein said time domain modulation signal comprises a voltage signal with a generally triangular shaped waveform.