Current-driven light-emitting display apparatus and method of producing the same

• US 7,180,483 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2002
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Keystone Technology LLC (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Kimura, Mutsumi, Itoh, Tomoyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu; Amare
• Application Number:
  US10/224,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20020196206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 345/76, 345/77, 345/80, 315/169.3, 349/41, 349/42, 349/48, 349/69, 349/155, 349/62
• US Class Current: 345/76
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0417 Special arrangements specific to the use of low carrier mobility technology
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0439 Pixel structures
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0819 used for counteracting undesired variations, e.g. feedback or autozeroing
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0842 forming a memory circuit, e.g. a dynamic memory with one capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0866 by means of changes in the pixel supply voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0876 Supplementary capacities in pixels having special driving circuits and electrodes instead of being connected to common electrode or ground; Use of additional capacitively coupled compensation electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/06 Details of flat display driving waveforms
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/043 Preventing or counteracting the effects of ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3225 using an active matrix
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3233 with pixel circuitry controlling the current through the light-emitting element
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3266 Details of drivers for scan electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3291 in which the data driver supplies a variable data voltage for setting the current through, or the voltage across, the light-emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/1255 integrated with passive devices, e.g. auxiliary capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 44/00 Circuit arrangements for operating electroluminescent light sources for operating light emitting diodes H05B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/3026 Top emission
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/81 Anodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/828 Transparent cathodes, e.g. comprising thin metal layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/12 Active-matrix OLED [AMOLED] displays
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/123 Connection of the pixel electrodes to the thin film transistors [TFT]
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/131 Interconnections, e.g. wiring lines or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 : Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

An organic EL display device driven by thin-film transistors is disclosed, wherein for suppressing the deterioration with time of thin-film transistors, at least one of the thin-film transistors, or a second thin-film transistor is formed of a p-channel type thin-film transistor. The p-channel type thin-film transistor has been formed in the same step of process as the thin-film transistors in built-in drive circuits.

Claims

1. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor of which gate electrode is connected to a corresponding scanning line of the plurality of scanning lines; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines, the potential of the corresponding common line being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the pixel electrode is electrically connected to the corresponding common line, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

2. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor of which gate electrode is connected to a corresponding scanning line of the plurality of scanning lines; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines, the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

3. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor of which gate electrode is connected to a corresponding scanning line of the plurality of scanning lines; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines, the second transistor being of p-channel type, the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

4. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a holding capacitor;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor controlling conduction between one of the plurality of data lines and the holding capacitor; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines according to the potential of the holding capacitor, the potential of the holding capacitor being higher than that of the opposite electrode when the pixel electrode is not electrically connected to the corresponding common line, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

5. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a holding capacitor;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor controlling conduction between one of the plurality of data lines and the holding capacitor; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines according to the potential of the holding capacitor, the second transistor being p-channel type, the potential of the holding capacitor being higher than that of the opposite electrode when the pixel electrode is not electrically connected to the corresponding common line, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

6. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a holding capacitor;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor controlling conduction between one of the plurality of data lines and the holding capacitor; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines according to the potential of the holding capacitor, the potential of the holding capacitor being higher than that of the opposite electrode, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

7. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a holding capacitor;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor controlling conduction between one of the plurality of data lines and the holding capacitor; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines according to the potential of the holding capacitor, the potential of the holding capacitor being lower than that of the corresponding common line when the pixel electrode is not electrically connected to the corresponding common line, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

8. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor of which gate electrode is connected to a corresponding scanning line of the plurality of scanning lines; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines, the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode when the pixel electrode is not electrically connected to the corresponding common line, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

9. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor of which gate electrode is connected to a corresponding scanning line of the plurality of scanning lines;

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines, the luminescent element emitting light during a first period,

the pixel electrode not electrically connected to the corresponding common line during a second period, the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during at least one of the first period and the second period, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

10. The display according to claim 9, the luminescent element being an organic EL element.

11. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a holding capacitor;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor controlling conduction between one of the plurality of data lines and the holding capacitor; and

a second transistor controlling the conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines according to the potential of the holding capacitor, the luminescent element emitting a light during a first period, the pixel electrode not electrically connected to the corresponding common line during a second period, the potential of the holding capacitor being higher than that of the opposite electrode during at least one of the first period and the second period, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

12. The display according to claim 11, the luminescent element being an organic EL element.

13. A display, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a holding capacitor;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor controlling conduction between one of the plurality of data lines and the holding capacitor; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines according to the potential of the holding capacitor, the potential of the holding capacitor being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period which the luminescent element emits a light, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

14. The display according to claim 13,

the luminescent element emitting a light when a direct current flows between the pixel electrode and the opposite electrode.

15. An electroluminescent device, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor of which gate electrode is connected to a corresponding scanning line of the plurality of scanning lines;

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines, the potential of the corresponding common lines being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period which the pixel electrode is electrically connected to the corresponding common line, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

16. An electroluminescent device, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor of which gate electrode is connected to a corresponding scanning line of the plurality of scanning lines; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines, the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

17. An electroluminescent device, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a holding capacitor;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor controlling conduction between one of the plurality of data lines and the holding capacitor; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines according to the potential of the holding capacitor, the potential of the holding capacitor being higher than that of the opposite electrode, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.

18. An electroluminescent device, comprising:

a plurality of scanning lines;

a plurality of data lines;

a plurality of common lines; and

a plurality of pixels corresponding to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, each of the plurality of pixels including;

a holding capacitor;

a luminescent element disposed between a pixel electrode and an opposite electrode;

a first transistor controlling conduction between one of the plurality of data lines and the holding capacitor; and

a second transistor controlling conduction between the pixel electrode and a corresponding common line of the plurality of common lines according to the potential of the holding capacitor, the potential of the holding capacitor being lower than that of the corresponding common line when the pixel electrode is not electrically connected to the corresponding common line, and the potential of the pixel electrode being higher than that of the opposite electrode during an emitting period during which the luminescent element emits a light.