Display device and method of manufacturing the same

• US 6,900,470 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2002
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Japan Display Central Incorporated (Japan Display Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Michiya, Yamamoto, Kazushige
• Primary Examiner(s): Hu, Shouxiang
• Application Number:
  US10/125,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20020158835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 257 79-103, 257/59, 257/72, 257/40, 313498-500, 313505-506, 313/509, 345/76, 345/92
• US Class Current: 257/88
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/3026 Top emission
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/818 Reflective anodes, e.g. ITO combined with thick metallic layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/824 combined with auxiliary electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/828 Transparent cathodes, e.g. comprising thin metal layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/865 comprising light absorbing layers, e.g. light-blocking layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/12 Active-matrix OLED [AMOLED] displays
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/122 Pixel-defining structures or layers, e.g. banks
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/131 Interconnections, e.g. wiring lines or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/1315 comprising structures specially adapted for lowering the resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/80518 Reflective anodes, e.g. ITO combined with thick metallic layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/80522 combined with auxiliary electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/80524 Transparent cathodes, e.g. comprising thin metal layers

Abstract

An active matrix type planar display device includes display elements arranged in a matrix and auxiliary wiring elements. The display element has an optical active layer between a first electrode formed on a substrate and a second electrode. The auxiliary wiring element is formed in the same layer or on the same surface as the first electrode, electrically insulated from the first electrode, and electrically connected to the second electrode.

Claims

1. A display device comprising:

a plurality of scan signal lines arranged on a substrate;

a plurality of video signal lines arranged substantially perpendicular to the scan signal lines;

switching elements disposed near intersections between the scan signal lines and the video signal lines; and

display elements each having an optically active layer formed in an insular shape between a first electrode connected to one of the switching elements and a second electrode disposed to oppose the first electrode, the display elements being arranged in a matrix,

wherein the display device further comprises an auxiliary wiring element formed in a same layer as the first electrode, electrically insulated from the first electrode, and electrically connected to the second electrode.

2. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the auxiliary wiring element are formed of a same material.

3. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary wiring element has a lower resistance than the second electrode.

4. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the optically active layer is formed of an organic light-emitting material.

5. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode is formed of a light-transmissive conductive material.

6. A display device according to claim 5, wherein light is emitted via the second electrode.

7. A display device according to claim 1, further comprising partition walls which isolate display elements and which are arranged on the auxiliary wiring element,

wherein the second electrode is electrically connected to the auxiliary wiring element through a contact portion provided in the partition walls in such a manner that the auxiliary wiring element is exposed.

8. A display device according to claim 1, further comprising a partition wall which electrically insulates the auxiliary wiring element from the first electrode.

9. A display device according to claim 8, wherein the partition wall contacts the second electrode and the optically active layer.

10. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the auxiliary wiring element have substantially a same thickness.

11. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the auxiliary wiring element have a same thickness.