Light-emitting device and display apparatus

Abstract

This light-emitting device comprises: a first normal light-emitting element and a first drive line for driving the first normal light-emitting element; a second normal light-emitting element and a second drive line for driving the second normal light-emitting element; and an auxiliary light-emitting element and a third drive line for driving the auxiliary light-emitting element. The third drive line is located between the first drive line and the second drive line, and is connected in a state of overlapping in plan view with an auxiliary connection electrode connected to the auxiliary light-emitting element. The auxiliary connection electrode has a first drive line-side eccentrically located part that is eccentrically located on the first drive line side, and a second drive line-side eccentrically located part that is eccentrically located on the second drive line side. The auxiliary light-emitting element is connected to the first drive line-side eccentrically located part if the first normal light-emitting element is unusable, and is connected to the second drive line-side eccentrically located part if the second normal light-emitting element is unusable.

Description

Light-emitting device and display device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light-emitting device and a display device that include self-luminous elements such as light-emitting diode elements.

[0002] A display device described in Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-040192

[0004] The light emitting device according to the present disclosure includes a first regular light emitting element for continuous use, a first drive line for driving the first regular light emitting element, a second regular light emitting element for continuous use, a second drive line for driving the second regular light emitting element, the second drive line extending along the first drive line, a spare light emitting element for redundant use, and a third drive line for driving the spare light emitting element, the third drive line being located between the first drive line and the second drive line and extending along the first and second drive lines. The third drive line is connected to a spare connection electrode connected to the spare light emitting element so as to overlap the spare connection electrode in a planar view. The spare connection electrode has a first drive line-side uneven portion biased toward the first drive line and a second drive line-side uneven portion biased toward the second drive line. The spare light emitting element is connected to the first drive line-side uneven portion when the first regular light emitting element is unavailable, and is connected to the second drive line-side uneven portion when the second regular light emitting element is unavailable.

[0005] A display device according to the present disclosure includes the above light emitting device, and light emitting element groups each including the first regular light emitting element, the second regular light emitting element, and the auxiliary light emitting element are arranged in a matrix.

[0006] 14 is a block diagram showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 15 is a front view showing a light-emitting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged front view showing part III of FIG. 2; FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged front view showing a light-emitting device in which all regular light-emitting elements are usable; FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged front view showing a light-emitting device in which some regular light-emitting elements are unusable and in which auxiliary light-emitting elements are mounted; FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a pixel circuit; FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram showing another example of a pixel circuit; FIG. 21 is a circuit diagram showing yet another example of a pixel circuit; FIG. 22 is a partially enlarged front view showing an example of part VIII of FIG. 2; FIG. 23 is a partially enlarged front view showing another example of part VIII of FIG. 2; FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the display device of FIG. 1; FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged front view showing a light-emitting device in which all regular light-emitting elements are usable; FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing an example of a method of inputting a drive signal to the light-emitting device of FIG. 11; FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing another example of a method of inputting a drive signal to the light-emitting device of FIG. 11; FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged front view showing an example of a light-emitting device in which some regular light-emitting elements are unusable; FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged front view showing the light-emitting device of FIG. 14 in which auxiliary light-emitting elements are mounted. 22. FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing an example of a method for inputting a drive signal to the light emitting device of FIG. 15. FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing another example of a method for inputting a drive signal to the light emitting device of FIG. 15. FIG. 25 is a partially enlarged front view showing another example of a light emitting device in which some regular light emitting elements are unusable. FIG. 26 is a partially enlarged front view showing the light emitting device of FIG. 18 with auxiliary light emitting elements mounted thereon. FIG. 27 is a partially enlarged front view showing yet another example of a light emitting device in which some regular light emitting elements are unusable. FIG. 28 is a partially enlarged front view showing the light emitting device of FIG. 22 with auxiliary light emitting elements mounted thereon. FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing an example of a method for inputting a drive signal to the light emitting device of FIG. 23. FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing another example of a method for inputting a drive signal to the light emitting device of FIG. 23. FIG. 29 is a partially enlarged front view showing another example of a state in which auxiliary light emitting elements are mounted on the light emitting device of FIG. 22.

[0007] Various LED display devices have been proposed, each having a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) elements arranged on a substrate. LED display devices can have point defects, such as bright or dark spots, due to improper mounting of the LED elements or defects in the LED elements themselves. Patent Document 1 describes a display device that provides two LED elements in one pixel and compensates for point defects by selectively driving one of the two LED elements that is functioning properly.

[0008] Conventional display devices have a configuration in which two LED elements are provided for each pixel and at least one transistor is provided for each LED element, making it difficult to narrow the pixel pitch and create a high-definition display device.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a light-emitting device and a display device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The light-emitting device and the display device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include well-known components such as a circuit board, wiring conductors, and a control IC (LSI), which are not shown. The drawings used in the following description are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones. In addition, in each drawing, corresponding parts are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0010] 1 to 26 are diagrams illustrating a light-emitting device and a display device according to the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, the present embodiment will be described with reference to a case where a monochrome display is performed. The display device may also be a color display device, in which case the emission color of the first genuine light-emitting element 10a and the emission color of the second genuine light-emitting element 10b may be different. For example, the emission color of the first genuine light-emitting element 10a may be red, the emission color of the second genuine light-emitting element 10b adjacent to it in the positive first direction (e.g., the right direction in FIG. 3 ) may be green, and the emission color of the first genuine light-emitting element 10a adjacent to it in the positive first direction may be blue, with this color arrangement being repeated.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the display device 1 of this embodiment includes a light-emitting device 2, a driving unit 3, and a storage unit 4. The driving unit 3 outputs a driving signal to the light-emitting device 2 based on an image data signal supplied from an image data signal source 5. The image data signal source 5 may be realized by an external device that outputs an image data signal. The storage unit 4 stores a program executed by the driving unit 3. The storage unit 4 may be configured by a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the light emitting device 2 includes a plurality of light emitting element groups 20g. The plurality of light emitting element groups 20g are arranged in a matrix of M rows and N columns (M and N are integers equal to or greater than 1). Each light emitting element group 20g constitutes two adjacent pixels in the light emitting device 2. As shown in FIG. 3 , each light emitting element group 20g includes a first pixel 20a, a second pixel 20b, and a third pixel 20c. The first pixel 20a, the second pixel 20b, and the third pixel 20c are aligned in the row direction (left-right direction in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the array of the plurality of light emitting element groups 20g (also referred to as the pixel array). Hereinafter, when the first pixel 20a, the second pixel 20b, and the third pixel 20c are not distinguished from each other, they may be simply referred to as "pixels 20." Furthermore, the row direction of the pixel array may be referred to as the "first direction." The third pixel 20c is located between the first pixel 20a and the second pixel 20b in the first direction.

[0013] The first pixel 20a includes a first regular light emitting element 10a and a first driving line 8a. The first regular light emitting element 10a may be connected to the first driving line 8a via a wiring, a through-hole, or the like. The second pixel 20b includes a second regular light emitting element 10b and a second driving line 8b. The second regular light emitting element 10b may be connected to the second driving line 8b via a wiring, a through-hole, or the like. The third pixel 20c includes a third driving line (also referred to as an auxiliary driving line) 8c. The third pixel 20c may include an auxiliary light emitting element 10c. The auxiliary light emitting element 10c may be connected to the third driving line 8c via a wiring, a through-hole, or the like. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first regular light emitting element 10a and the second regular light emitting element 10b, they may be simply referred to as "regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b." Furthermore, when there is no need to distinguish between the first regular light-emitting element 10a, the second regular light-emitting element 10b, and the preliminary light-emitting element 10c, they may be simply referred to as "light-emitting element 10."

[0014] The regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b are arranged in a matrix of M rows and N′ columns (N′=2×N). The regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b are light emitting elements for regular use. The spare light emitting element 10c is a light emitting element for redundant use. The regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b may become unusable due to defects such as poor mounting or defective products. The spare light emitting element 10c is a light emitting element to be used in place of the unusable regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b when the regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b are unusable. Each light emitting element group 20g may include one or two spare light emitting elements 10c. Note that if the regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b are usable, the third pixel 20c does not need to include the spare light emitting element 10c. In other words, the spare light emitting element 10c may be implemented only when the regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b are unusable.

[0015] The light-emitting device 2 may include, for example, approximately one thousand to one million light-emitting elements 10. The light-emitting elements 10 may be self-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The light-emitting elements 10 may also be micro LEDs. In this embodiment, micro LEDs are used as the light-emitting elements 10. The micro LEDs may have a rectangular shape with a side length of approximately 1 μm to 100 μm when viewed from a direction perpendicular to their light-emitting surfaces (also referred to as a planar view direction). A first power supply voltage (positive power supply voltage) VDD applied to the anode terminals of the micro LED elements may be, for example, approximately 10 V to 15 V, and a second power supply voltage (negative power supply voltage) VSS applied to the cathode terminals of the micro LED elements may be, for example, approximately −3 V to 0 V.

[0016] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, each light emitting element group 20g includes a first connection electrode 9a connected to the anode terminal of the first regular light emitting element 10a, a second connection electrode 9b connected to the anode terminal of the second regular light emitting element 10b, and a third connection electrode (also referred to as a spare connection electrode) 9c connected to the anode terminal of the spare light emitting element 10c. The first connection electrode 9a, the second connection electrode 9b, and the third connection electrode 9c may be aligned in a first direction. The third connection electrode 9c may be located between the first connection electrode 9a and the second connection electrode 9b. The first connection electrode 9a constitutes a part of the first pixel 20a, the second connection electrode 9b constitutes a part of the second pixel 20b, and the third connection electrode 9c constitutes a part of the third pixel 20c.

[0017] Each light emitting element group 20g has a cathode electrode 11 connected to the cathode terminal of the first regular light emitting element 10a, the cathode terminal of the second regular light emitting element 10b, and the cathode terminal of the preliminary light emitting element 10c. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B , the cathode electrode 11 may be composed of a plurality of strip electrodes. The plurality of strip electrodes may have a shape elongated in a first direction. The first regular light emitting element 10a and the preliminary light emitting element 10c may share one strip electrode. The second regular light emitting element 10b and the preliminary light emitting element 10c may share one strip electrode.

[0018] The first drive line 8a, the second drive line 8b, and the third drive line 8c are wirings for inputting drive signals to each light emitting element group 20g. The first drive line 8a, the second drive line 8b, and the third drive line 8c are wirings for driving the first regular light emitting element 10a, the second regular light emitting element 10b, and the auxiliary light emitting element 10c, respectively. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first drive line 8a, the second drive line 8b, and the third drive line 8c, they may be simply referred to as "drive lines 8." Furthermore, the first drive line 8a, the second drive line 8b, and the third drive line 8c of each light emitting element group 20g may be referred to as a "drive line group 8g."

[0019] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the first drive lines 8a overlap with the first connection electrodes 9a in plan view and are connected to the first connection electrodes 9a. The first drive lines 8a extend in the column direction of the pixel array (the up-and-down direction in Figures 4A and 4B). Hereinafter, the column direction of the pixel array may be referred to as the "second direction."

[0020] 4A and 4B, the second drive line 8b overlaps with the second connection electrode 9b in plan view and is connected to the second connection electrode 9b. The second drive line 8b extends along the first drive line 8a. Note that "extending along" may be interpreted as "extending parallel" or "extending substantially parallel," and the same applies hereinafter.

[0021] 4A and 4B , the third driving line 8c overlaps with the spare connection electrode 9c in plan view and is connected to the spare connection electrode 9c. The third driving line 8c extends along the first driving line 8a and the second driving line 8b. The third driving line 8c is located between the first driving line 8a and the second driving line 8b.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, a plurality (M) of light emitting element groups 20g aligned in the second direction share the first drive line 8a, the second drive line 8b, and the third drive line 8c.

[0023] The width and / or thickness of the third drive line 8c may be the same as or thinner than the first drive line 8a and the second drive line 8b. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, when the size (area) of the auxiliary connection electrode 9c connected to the third drive line 8c is larger than the size of the first connection electrode 9a connected to the first drive line 8a and the size of the second connection electrode 9b connected to the second drive line 8b, the effective average width of the entire third drive line 8c increases, and the resistance of the third drive line 8c is likely to decrease. As a result, the voltage drop in the second direction of the third drive line 8c is likely to be smaller than the voltage drop in the second direction of the first drive line 8a and the voltage drop in the second direction of the second drive line 8b. By making the thickness of the third drive line 8c thinner than the thickness of the first drive line 8a and the thickness of the second drive line 8b, the resistance including the spare connection electrode 9c of the third drive line 8c can be made comparable to the resistance including the first connection electrode 9a of the first drive line 8a and the resistance including the second connection electrode 9b of the second drive line 8b, and the voltage drop across the third drive line 8c can also be made comparable. The thickness of the third drive line 8c may be 0.1 times or more and less than 1 times the thickness of the first drive line 8a and the thickness of the second drive line 8b, but is not limited to this range. The resistance including the spare connection electrode 9c of the third drive line 8c may be approximately 0.9 to 1.1 times the resistance including the first connection electrode 9a of the first drive line 8a and the resistance including the second connection electrode 9b of the second drive line 8b, but is not limited to this range.

[0024] The size of the auxiliary connection electrode 9c may be at least twice the size of each of the first connection electrode 9a and the second connection electrode 9b. In this case, the size of the first drive line side maldistribution portion 9ca can be equal to or greater than the size of the first connection electrode 9a, which facilitates mounting and connection when mounting and connecting the first regular light-emitting element 10a to the first drive line side maldistribution portion 9ca, improving connectivity. Furthermore, the size of the second drive line side maldistribution portion 9cb can be equal to or greater than the size of the second connection electrode 9b, which facilitates mounting and connection when mounting and connecting the second regular light-emitting element 10b to the second drive line side maldistribution portion 9cb, improving connectivity. The size of the auxiliary connection electrode 9c may be between about two and about five times the size of each of the first connection electrode 9a and the second connection electrode 9b, but is not limited to this range.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B , the spare connection electrode 9c has a first drive line side deviation portion 9ca that is deviation toward the first drive line 8a and a second drive line side deviation portion 9cb that is deviation toward the second drive line 8b. The first drive line side deviation portion 9ca and the second drive line side deviation portion 9cb are connected to each other via a non-deviation portion 9cc of the spare connection electrode 9c that overlaps with the third drive line 8c. The first drive line side deviation portion 9ca, the second drive line side deviation portion 9cb, and the non-deviation portion 9cc may be integrally formed. The first drive line side deviation portion 9ca is located closer to the first drive line 8a than the non-deviation portion 9cc, and the second drive line side deviation portion 9cb is located closer to the second drive line 8b than the non-deviation portion 9cc.

[0026] 4A and 4B , the first connection electrode 9 a has a third driving line side unevenly distributed portion 9 ac that is unevenly distributed toward the third driving line 8 c, and the anode terminal of the first regular light-emitting element 10 a may be connected to the third driving line side unevenly distributed portion 9 ac of the first connection electrode 9 a.

[0027] 4A and 4B , the second connection electrode 9 b has a third driving line side biased portion 9 bc biased toward the third driving line 8 c, and the anode terminal of the second regular light-emitting element 10 b may be connected to the third driving line side biased portion 9 bc of the second connection electrode 9 b.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4B , when the first regular light emitting element 10a is disabled, the preliminary light emitting element 10c is connected to the first driving line side unevenly distributed portion 9ca, and when the second regular light emitting element 10b is disabled, the preliminary light emitting element 10c is connected to the second driving line side unevenly distributed portion 9cb. FIG. 4B illustrates a state in which some regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b are disabled in the light emitting device 2 of FIG. 4A , and preliminary light emitting elements 10c are installed to replace the disabled regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b. In FIG. 4B , the disabled regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b are indicated by hatching. When both the first regular light emitting element 10a and the second regular light emitting element 10b are disabled, the light emitting device 2 may include a preliminary light emitting element 10c connected to either the first driving line side unevenly distributed portion 9ca or the second driving line side unevenly distributed portion 9cb, or may include two preliminary light emitting elements 10c connected to the first driving line side unevenly distributed portion 9ca and the second driving line side unevenly distributed portion 9cb, respectively. The two preliminary light-emitting elements 10c may share one pixel circuit (see Figures 5 to 7) that includes a scanning signal line 7, a third driving line 8c, a writing thin-film transistor Tg, a current-driving thin-film transistor Td, and a capacitive element C.

[0029] In the light emitting device 2, the auxiliary light emitting element 10c used when the regular light emitting element 10a is unavailable and the auxiliary light emitting element 10c used when the regular light emitting element 10b is unavailable may share pixel circuits and not have their own pixel circuits. In this case, the size of the pixel circuit of each light emitting element group 20g can be reduced, which allows the pixel pitch to be narrowed and the light emitting device to have higher definition.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the light-emitting device 2 includes a substrate 6. The substrate 6 has a first surface (also referred to as a display surface) 6a, a second surface (also referred to as a back surface) 6b opposite the first surface 6a, and a third surface (also referred to as a side surface) 6c connecting the first surface 6a and the second surface 6b. A plurality of light-emitting element groups 20g are arranged on the display surface 6a of the substrate 6. The drive unit 3 and the memory unit 4 may be disposed on the back surface 6b of the substrate 6. The substrate 6 may be made of an insulating material such as a glass material, a resin material, or a ceramic material.

[0031] The light emitting device 2 includes a plurality of scanning signal lines 7. The plurality of scanning signal lines 7 are wirings for controlling the timing of writing drive signals to each light emitting element group 20g via a first drive line 8a, a second drive line 8b, and a third drive line 8c. The plurality of scanning signal lines 7 extend in a first direction. One scanning signal line 7 is provided for each row of the pixel array. The N light emitting element groups 20g aligned in the first direction share the scanning signal line 7.

[0032] The first drive lines 8a, the second drive lines 8b, the third drive lines 8c, and the scanning signal lines 7 are connected to rear surface wiring located on the rear surface 6b of the substrate 6. The first drive lines 8a, the second drive lines 8b, the third drive lines 8c, and the scanning signal lines 7 may be connected to the rear surface wiring via side surface wiring located on the side surface 6c, or via a through conductor penetrating the substrate 6 from the display surface 6a to the rear surface 6b. The rear surface wiring may be connected to a driving element located on the rear surface 6b. The driving element constitutes part of the driving unit 3. The driving element controls the lighting state of each light-emitting element group 20g, i.e., the display of the light-emitting device 2. The driving element may include a control element such as an IC or an LSI, an electronic element such as a capacitor, a resistor, or a coil, and a wiring conductor connecting the control element and the electronic element. The driving element may be mounted on the rear surface 6b by, for example, a COG (chip-on-glass) method or other means. The driving elements may be thin-film circuits formed on the rear surface 6b by a thin-film formation method such as CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). The thin-film circuits may include thin-film transistors (TFTs) having a semiconductor layer made of low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS). The driving elements do not have to be located on the rear surface 6b. The driving elements may be located on an external circuit board (not shown), such as a flexible circuit board. In this case, the rear surface wiring may be connected to the external circuit board via connection terminals located on the rear surface 6b. The external circuit board may be mounted on the substrate 6 by a method such as COF (Chip On Film) or TAB (Tape Automated Bonding).

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B , the light-emitting device 2 may be configured such that the third connection electrode 9c is larger than both the first connection electrode 9a and the second connection electrode 9b. Note that “size” may refer to the length in the first direction or the area in a planar (front) view. Having the third connection electrode 9c larger than the first connection electrode 9a and the second connection electrode 9b allows the preliminary light-emitting element 10c to be mounted adjacent to the first regular light-emitting element 10a when the first regular light-emitting element 10a is unusable, and allows the preliminary light-emitting element 10c to be mounted adjacent to the second regular light-emitting element 10b when the second regular light-emitting element 10b is unusable. As a result, degradation of display quality (e.g., brightness unevenness, color unevenness, etc.) when the preliminary light-emitting element 10c is turned on instead of the regular light-emitting elements 10a and 10b can be reduced. Furthermore, because the preliminary light-emitting element 10c is easily mounted, the risk of damaging the usable regular light-emitting elements 10a and 10b when mounting the preliminary light-emitting element 10c can be reduced.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the light-emitting device 2 may include a plurality of dummy connection electrodes 9d located on the display surface 6a of the substrate 6. Each of the plurality of dummy connection electrodes 9d is located between a first drive line group 8g and a second drive line group 8g adjacent to the first drive line group 8g in the first direction. In other words, the dummy connection electrode 9d is located between a connection electrode group consisting of a first connection electrode 9a, a second connection electrode 9b, and a third connection electrode 9c and another connection electrode group adjacent to the first connection electrode group in the first direction. By including the plurality of dummy connection electrodes 9d, the light-emitting device 2 has connection electrodes (i.e., the first connection electrode 9a, the second connection electrode 9b, the third connection electrode 9c, and the dummy connection electrode 9d) located across substantially the entire display surface 6a, thereby reducing unevenness in the arrangement of the connection electrodes on the display surface 6a. As a result, deterioration of display quality, such as the appearance of dark lines between connection electrode groups, can be suppressed. Furthermore, since bending (deformation) of the substrate 6 can be suppressed when mounting the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b and the preliminary light-emitting elements 10c on the substrate 6 (the display surface 6a) during the manufacturing process of the light-emitting device 2, the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b and the preliminary light-emitting elements 10c can be mounted accurately and firmly. Furthermore, heat generated from the light-emitting elements 10 during operation of the light-emitting device 2 can be effectively dissipated to the outside via the connection electrodes.

[0035] In the direction in which the first drive line group 8g and the second drive line group 8g are arranged (first direction: row direction), the length of the dummy connection electrode 9d may be the same as the length of the auxiliary connection electrode 9c. In this case, if there is no auxiliary light-emitting element 10c in the first direction (row direction), the distance between the first regular light-emitting element 10a and the second regular light-emitting element 10b can be kept constant, thereby maintaining high display quality without unevenness. Furthermore, the size of the dummy connection electrode 9d may be the same as the size of the auxiliary connection electrode 9c. In this case, high display quality without unevenness can be maintained, and the gap between the connection electrodes on the display surface 6a can be reduced, thereby preventing degradation of display quality, such as the appearance of dark areas between the connection electrode groups.

[0036] The dummy connection electrode 9d may be electrically connected to at least one of the adjacent first connection electrodes 9a and second connection electrodes 9b via a connection line or the like. In this case, if a connection failure occurs in the first regular light-emitting element 10a mounted and connected to the first connection electrode 9a, a spare light-emitting element 10c may be mounted and connected to the dummy connection electrode 9d in place of the first regular light-emitting element 10a. That is, the dummy connection electrode 9d can function as another spare connection electrode. In this case, the dummy connection electrode 9d is connected only to the adjacent first connection electrode 9a. For example, if the dummy connection electrode 9d is connected to both the adjacent first connection electrode 9a and second connection electrode 9b via a connection line and a spare light-emitting element 10c is mounted and connected to the dummy connection electrode 9d in place of the first regular light-emitting element 10a, the connection line connecting the dummy connection electrode 9d to the second connection electrode 9b may be cut using a laser beam or the like. In addition, if a connection failure occurs in the second regular light-emitting element 10b mounted and connected to the second connection electrode 9b, a spare light-emitting element 10c may be mounted and connected to the dummy connection electrode 9d in place of the second regular light-emitting element 10b. In this case, the connection line connecting the dummy connection electrode 9d and the first connection electrode 9a may be cut by laser light or the like.

[0037] The first connection electrode 9 a, the second connection electrode 9 b, the third connection electrode 9 c, and the cathode electrode 11 are each electrically connected to a wiring conductor located on the surface or inside of the substrate 6 via a contact 12 such as a through hole (see Figures 4A and 4B).

[0038] 4A and 4B , the first connection electrode 9 a has an extending portion 9 ab that extends on the opposite side of the third drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9 ac with respect to the first drive line 8 a, thereby enabling a good connection between the first connection electrode 9 a and the first drive line 8 a and improving the operational reliability of the light emitting device 2.

[0039] 4A and 4B , the second connection electrode 9 b has an extending portion 9 ba that extends on the opposite side of the second drive line 8 b from the third drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9 bc, thereby enabling a good connection between the second connection electrode 9 b and the second drive line 8 b and improving the operational reliability of the light emitting device 2.

[0040] When the first regular light emitting element 10a is disabled and the preliminary light emitting element 10c is connected to the first driving line side unevenly distributed portion 9ca, the driving signal that should be input to the first regular light emitting element 10a may be input to the preliminary light emitting element 10c, so that the preliminary light emitting element 10c can emit light at the brightness that the first regular light emitting element 10a should emit, thereby preventing a deterioration in the display quality of the light emitting device 2.

[0041] Because the preliminary light-emitting element 10c is mounted offset toward the second regular light-emitting element 10b from the first regular light-emitting element 10a, if the first regular light-emitting element 10a emits light at the brightness it should originally emit, uneven brightness and color may occur in the image displayed by the light-emitting device 2. Therefore, the signal strength (potential) of the drive signal input to the preliminary light-emitting element 10c may be equal to or less than the signal strength (potential) of the drive signal originally input to the first regular light-emitting element 10a. In this case, it is possible to suppress degradation of display quality caused by emitting light from the preliminary light-emitting element 10c mounted at a position different from the position where the first regular light-emitting element 10a is mounted. The signal strength of the drive signal input to the preliminary light-emitting element 10c may be 50% to 100% of the signal strength of the drive signal originally input to the first regular light-emitting element 10a, but is not limited to this range. Note that "to" means "through," and the same applies hereinafter.

[0042] When the second regular light-emitting element 10b is disabled and the preliminary light-emitting element 10c is connected to the second driving line side unevenly distributed portion 9cb, the driving signal that should be input to the second regular light-emitting element 10b may be input to the preliminary light-emitting element 10c, so that the preliminary light-emitting element 10c can emit light at the brightness that the second regular light-emitting element 10b should emit, thereby preventing a deterioration in the display quality of the light-emitting device 2.

[0043] Because the preliminary light-emitting element 10c is mounted closer to the first regular light-emitting element 10a than the second regular light-emitting element 10b, if the second regular light-emitting element 10b is driven to emit light at the brightness it should originally emit, uneven brightness or color may occur in the image displayed by the light-emitting device 2. Therefore, the signal strength (potential) of the drive signal input to the preliminary light-emitting element 10c may be equal to or less than the signal strength (potential) of the drive signal originally input to the second regular light-emitting element 10b. In this case, degradation of display quality caused by driving the preliminary light-emitting element 10c mounted at a position different from the position at which the second regular light-emitting element 10b is mounted can be suppressed. The signal strength of the drive signal input to the preliminary light-emitting element 10c may be 50% to 100% of the signal strength of the drive signal originally input to the second regular light-emitting element 10b, but is not limited to this range.

[0044] The length of the input period of the first drive signal input to the preliminary light-emitting element 10c may be equal to or shorter than the length of the input period of the first drive signal to be input to the first regular light-emitting element 10a. In this case, it is possible to prevent a deterioration in display quality caused by causing the preliminary light-emitting element 10c mounted in a position different from the position where the first regular light-emitting element 10a is mounted to emit light. The length of the input period of the first drive signal input to the preliminary light-emitting element 10c may be 50% to 100% of the length of the input period of the first drive signal to be originally input to the first regular light-emitting element 10a, but is not limited to this range.

[0045] The length of the input period of the second drive signal input to the preliminary light-emitting element 10c may be equal to or shorter than the length of the input period of the second drive signal to be input to the second regular light-emitting element 10b. In this case, it is possible to prevent a deterioration in display quality caused by causing the preliminary light-emitting element 10c mounted in a position different from the position where the second regular light-emitting element 10b is mounted to emit light. The length of the input period of the second drive signal input to the preliminary light-emitting element 10c may be 50% to 100% of the length of the input period of the second drive signal to be originally input to the second regular light-emitting element 10b, but is not limited to this range.

[0046] Next, the circuit configuration of the pixel circuit of the light emitting element group 20g will be described. The light emitting element group 20g includes a first pixel 20a, a second pixel 20b, and a third pixel 20c. Since the first pixel 20a, the second pixel 20b, and the third pixel 20c have substantially the same circuit configuration, the circuit configuration of the pixel circuit of one pixel 20 will be described below.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5 , the pixel 20 includes a drive line 8, a scanning signal line 7, a light-emitting element 10, a thin film transistor (TFT) Tg (hereinafter referred to as “TFT(Tg)”), a thin film transistor Td (hereinafter referred to as “TFT(Td)”), and a capacitive element C.

[0048] The TFT (Tg) is a TFT for writing a drive signal SIG to a pixel node Vg located on a connection line connecting the drain electrode of the TFT (Tg) and the gate electrode of the TFT (Td). The source electrode of the TFT (Tg) is connected to a drive line 8, the gate electrode of the TFT (Tg) is connected to a scanning signal line 7, and the drain electrode of the TFT (Tg) is connected to the gate electrode of the TFT (Td). The scanning signal line 7 is connected to the drive unit 3, and a scanning signal line control signal GATE is input to the scanning signal line 7 to switch the TFT (Tg) between a conductive state and a non-conductive state. The TFT (Td) is a TFT for current-driving the light-emitting element 10 from the potential difference between a first power supply voltage VDD and a second power supply voltage VSS in accordance with the level (voltage) of the drive signal SIG. The first power supply voltage VDD is applied to the source electrode of the TFT (Td). The drain electrode of the TFT (Td) is connected to the anode terminal of the light-emitting element 10. A second power supply voltage VSS is applied to the cathode terminal of the light-emitting element 10. The capacitive element C is located on the connection line connecting the gate electrode of the TFT (Td) and the source electrode of the TFT (Td), and holds the voltage of the drive signal SIG written to the pixel node Vg for the period until the next rewriting (one frame period).

[0049] 5 shows a case where the TFT (Tg) and the TFT (Td) are configured as p-channel TFTs, but this is not limiting. The TFT (Tg) and the TFT (Td) may be configured as n-channel TFTs as shown in FIG. 6. One of the TFT (Tg) and the TFT (Td) may be an n-channel TFT and the other a p-channel TFT.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7 , the pixel 20 may include a thin film transistor Ts (hereinafter referred to as “TFT(Ts)”). The source electrode of the TFT(Ts) is connected to the drain electrode of the TFT(Td), the drain electrode of the TFT(Ts) is connected to the anode terminal of the light-emitting element 10, and the gate electrode of the TFT(Ts) is connected to a light-emission control signal line 13. The light-emission control signal line 13 is connected to the driver 3. The driver 3 can control the light-emitting element 10 by pulse width modulation (PWM) by inputting a light-emission control signal EMI to the gate electrode of the TFT(Ts) via the light-emission control signal line 13. This enables gradation control of the light-emitting element 10.

[0051] Next, the input of the drive signal SIG to the light emitting element group 20g will be described. The drive signal SIG is a signal generated by the drive unit 3 based on the image data signal supplied from the image data signal source 5, and is input to the light emitting element group 20g via the drive line 8. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 8 , the drive signal input to the first drive line 8a will be referred to as SIG_P(n-1), the drive signal input to the second drive line 8b will be referred to as "SIG_P(n)," and the drive signal input to the third drive line 8c will be referred to as "SIG_S(n-1)." Furthermore, when there is no need to distinguish between the drive signal SIG_P(n-1), the drive signal SIG_P(n), and the drive signal SIG_S(n-1), they will simply be referred to as "drive signal SIG."

[0052] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged front view of portion VIII in FIG. 2 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the light-emitting device 2 includes a data line driving circuit 120 and a driving control unit 17. The data line driving circuit 120 and the driving control unit 17 may be part of the driving unit 3. The data line driving circuit 120 outputs driving signals SIG_P(n-1), SIG_P(n), and SIG_S(n-1) based on usability information for the light-emitting elements 10 and image data signals supplied from the image data signal source 5. The usability information for the light-emitting elements 10 is information regarding whether the regular light-emitting elements 10a and 10b are usable and whether the preliminary light-emitting element 10c is usable (whether the preliminary light-emitting element 10c is mounted). The usability information for the light-emitting elements 10 includes addresses (position information) of the regular light-emitting elements 10a and 10b and the preliminary light-emitting element 10c. The usability information for the light-emitting elements 10 may be stored in the storage unit 4. The drive control unit 17 controls the input of the drive signal SIG to the drive line 8 based on the availability information of the light emitting element 10. Fig. 8 shows the configuration of the drive control unit 17 that drives one frame (also called one horizontal scanning period) in two time series using a selector system (also called a time division system), but the drive system of the drive control unit 17 is not limited to the selector system.

[0053] For the light emitting element group 20g in which both the first regular light emitting element 10a and the second regular light emitting element 10b can be used, the drive control unit 17 inputs the drive signals SIG_P(n-1) and SIG_P(n), which are lighting signals, to the first drive line 8a and the second drive line 8b, respectively, and inputs the drive signal SIG_S(n-1), which is a non-lighting signal (black display signal), to the third drive line 8c.

[0054] For the light-emitting element group 20g in which the first regular light-emitting element 10a is usable and the second regular light-emitting element 10b is unusable, the drive control unit 17 inputs drive signals SIG_P(n-1) and SIG_S(n-1), which are lighting signals, to the first drive line 8a and the third drive line 8c, respectively, and inputs a non-lighting signal SIG_P(n) to the second drive line 8b.

[0055] For a light-emitting element group in which the first regular light-emitting element 10a is unavailable and the second regular light-emitting element 10b is available, the drive control unit 17 inputs the drive signals SIG_P(n) and SIG_S(n-1), which are lighting signals, to the second drive line 8b and the third drive line 8c, respectively, and inputs the drive signal SIG_P(n-1), which is a non-lighting signal, to the first drive line 8a.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, the drive control unit 17 includes a selector circuit 22, a first switch TFT (Tsa), a second switch TFT (Tsb), a third switch TFT (Tsc), a fourth switch TFT (Tsd), and connection lines 22a to 22h, 18a to 18h, 120a, and 120b.

[0057] The selector circuit 22 has a first selection signal (SEL1) output section, an inverted first selection signal (XSEL1) output section, a second selection signal (SEL2) output section, an inverted second selection signal (XSEL2) output section, a third selection signal (SEL3) output section, an inverted third selection signal (XSEL3) output section, a fourth selection signal (SEL4) output section, and an inverted fourth selection signal (XSEL4) output section.

[0058] The first switch TFT (Tsa) is a transfer gate circuit composed of an n-channel TFT (Ts1) and a p-channel TFT (Ts2). The source electrodes of the TFTs (Ts1) and (Ts2) are connected in common, and the drain electrodes of the TFTs (Ts1) and (Ts2) are connected in common. The gate electrode of the TFT (Ts1) is connected to the first selection signal (SEL1) output section via connection lines 22a and 17a, and the gate electrode of the TFT (Ts2) is connected to the inverted first selection signal (XSEL1) output section via connection lines 22b and 17b.

[0059] The second switch TFT (Tsb) is a transfer gate circuit composed of an n-channel TFT (Ts3) and a p-channel TFT (Ts4). The source electrodes of the TFTs (Ts3) and (Ts4) are connected in common, and the drain electrodes of the TFTs (Ts3) and (Ts4) are connected in common. The gate electrode of the TFT (Ts3) is connected to the second selection signal (SEL3) output section via connection lines 22c and 17c, and the gate electrode of the TFT (Ts4) is connected to the inverted second selection signal (XSEL2) output section via connection lines 22d and 17d.

[0060] The third switch TFT (Tsc) is a transfer gate circuit composed of an n-channel TFT (Ts5) and a p-channel TFT (Ts6). The source electrodes of the TFTs (Ts5) and (Ts6) are commonly connected, and the drain electrodes of the TFTs (Ts5) and (Ts6) are commonly connected. The gate electrode of the TFT (Ts5) is connected to the third selection signal (SEL3) output section via connection lines 22e and 17e, and the gate electrode of the TFT (Ts6) is connected to the inverted third selection signal (XSEL3) output section via connection lines 22f and 17f.

[0061] The fourth switch TFT (Tsd) is a transfer gate circuit composed of an n-channel TFT (Ts7) and a p-channel TFT (Ts8). The source electrodes of the TFTs (Ts7) and (Ts8) are connected in common, and the drain electrodes of the TFTs (Ts7) and (Ts8) are connected in common. The gate electrode of the TFT (Ts7) is connected to the fourth selection signal (SEL4) output section via connection lines 22g and 17g, and the gate electrode of the TFT (Ts8) is connected to the inverted fourth selection signal (XSEL4) output section via connection lines 22h and 17h.

[0062] When the selector circuit 22 outputs an H signal (high signal) from the first selection signal (SEL1) output portion and an L signal (low signal) from the inverted first selection signal (XSEL1) output portion, the H signal output from the first selection signal (SEL1) output portion is input to the gate electrode of the TFT (Ts1) via the connection lines 22a and 17a, and the L signal output from the inverted first selection signal (XSEL1) output portion is input to the gate electrode of the TFT (Ts2) via the connection lines 22b and 17b. As a result, the first switch TFT (Tsa) is in a conductive state (ON state). When the selector circuit 22 outputs an L signal from the first selection signal (SEL1) output portion and an H signal from the inverted first selection signal (XSEL1) output portion, the first switch TFT (Tsa) is in a non-conductive state (OFF state).

[0063] Similarly, the selector circuit 22 can switch each of the second switch TFT (Tsb), the third switch TFT (Tsc), and the fourth switch TFT (Tsd) between an ON state and an OFF state. When the selector circuit 22 outputs an H signal from the second selection signal (SEL2) output portion and an L signal from the inverted second selection signal (XSEL2) output portion, the second switch TFT (Tsb) is in an ON state. When the selector circuit 22 outputs an L signal from the second selection signal (SEL2) output portion and an H signal from the inverted second selection signal (XSEL2) output portion, the second switch TFT (Tsb) is in an OFF state. When the selector circuit 22 outputs an H signal from the third selection signal (SEL3) output portion and an L signal from the inverted third selection signal (XSEL3) output portion, the third switch TFT (Tsc) is in an ON state. When the selector circuit 22 outputs an L signal from the third selection signal (SEL3) output portion and an H signal from the inverted third selection signal (XSEL3) output portion, the third switch TFT (Tsc) is in the OFF state. When the selector circuit 22 outputs an H signal from the fourth selection signal (SEL4) output portion and an L signal from the inverted fourth selection signal (XSEL4) output portion, the fourth switch TFT (Tsd) is in the ON state. When the selector circuit 22 outputs an L signal from the fourth selection signal (SEL4) output portion and an H signal from the inverted fourth selection signal (XSEL4) output portion, the fourth switch TFT (Tsd) is in the OFF state.

[0064] When the first switch TFT (Tsa) is in the ON state and the third switch TFT (Tsc) is in the OFF state, if the drive signal SIG_P(n-1) is input to the first switch TFT (Tsa) via the connection line 120a, the drive signal SIG_P(n-1) is transmitted to the first drive line 8a. When the first switch TFT (Tsa) is in the OFF state and the third switch TFT (Tsc) is in the ON state, if the drive signal SIG_S(n-1) is input to the third switch TFT (Tsc) via the connection line 120a, the drive signal SIG_S(n-1) is transmitted to the third drive line 8c.

[0065] When the second switch TFT (Tsb) is in the ON state and the fourth switch TFT (Tsd) is in the OFF state, if the drive signal SIG_P(n) is input to the second switch TFT (Tsb) via the connection line 120b, the second drive signal SIG_P(n) is transmitted to the second drive line 8b. When the second switch TFT (Tsb) is in the OFF state and the fourth switch TFT (Tsc) is in the ON state, if the drive signal SIG_S(n-1) is input to the third switch TFT (Tsd) via the connection line 120b, the drive signal SIG_S(n-1) is transmitted to the third drive line 8c.

[0066] The light emitting device 2 does not need to include the drive control unit 17. As shown in Fig. 9, the light emitting device 2 may be configured such that the data line drive circuit 120 directly outputs the drive signal SIG_P(n-1), the drive signal SIG_P(n), and the drive signal SIG_S(n-1) to the first drive line 8a, the second drive line 8b, and the third drive line 8c, respectively.

[0067] The light-emitting device 2 includes a gate driver and a source driver. The gate driver and the source driver may be located on the periphery of the display surface 6 a of the substrate 6, or on the back surface 6 b of the substrate 6. The gate driver and the source driver may be located on an external circuit board. The gate driver and the source driver may be part of the drive unit 3.

[0068] The gate driver selects one or more scanning signal lines 7 from a plurality of scanning signal lines 7 (e.g., several tens to several thousands) in a line-sequential manner, sets the selected scanning signal lines 7 to a selected potential VGH (VGL), and sets the unselected scanning signal lines 7 to a non-selected potential VGL (VGH). The selected potential is VGL if the TFT (Tg) is a p-channel TFT, and is VGH if the TFT (Tg) is an n-channel TFT. When the scanning signal line 7 is set to the selected potential VGH (VGL), the gate electrode of the writing TFT (TFT (Tg) shown in FIGS. 5 to 7) of the pixel 20 connected to the scanning signal line 7 is set to the selected potential VGH (VGL). As a result, the writing TFT is brought into a conductive state, and the pixel node Vg is controlled to a potential equivalent to the potential of the drive signal SIG transmitted through the drive line 8. When the gate driver applies the non-selection potential VGL (VGH) to the scanning signal line 7, the gate electrode of the writing TFT (TFT (Tg) shown in FIGS. 5 to 7) of the pixel 20 connected to the scanning signal line 7 is set to the non-selection potential VGL (VGH). As a result, the writing TFT is brought into a non-conducting state.

[0069] Based on the image data signal input from the image data signal source 5 (see FIG. 1 ), the source driver sets the potential of SIG_P(n−1) input to the first drive line 8a, the potential of the drive signal SIG_P(n) input to the second drive line 8b, and the potential of the drive signal SIG_S(n−1) input to the third drive line 8c to data potentials corresponding to the row of pixels 20 connected to the scanning signal line 7 selected by the gate driver (also referred to as a selected row). In this way, data potentials corresponding to the image data signals of the selected row can be written to the multiple pixels 20 in the selected row. Therefore, by selecting one or more of the multiple scanning signal lines 7 line-sequentially and writing data potentials corresponding to the image data signals of the selected row to the multiple pixels 20 in the selected row, the light-emitting elements 10 can be illuminated at a brightness corresponding to the image data signals.

[0070] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the display device 1. This flowchart is executed by the drive unit 3. First, assume that the light emitting device 2 is equipped with only the regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b, and does not have the spare light emitting element 10c. The light emitting device 2 is subjected to a lighting test before shipping, and pixels 20 in which the regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b are unusable are identified. The lighting test includes checking for dark spots and bright spots.

[0071] In the dark spot check, all the regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b are controlled to be turned on, and then each regular light emitting element 10a, 10b is checked by optical measurement to see if it has a luminance equal to or greater than a predetermined luminance for dark spot check. If it has a luminance equal to or greater than the predetermined luminance, it is judged as usable (OK), and if it has a luminance less than the predetermined luminance, it is judged as unusable (NG).

[0072] In the bright spot confirmation, all regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b are controlled to be turned off, and then each regular light-emitting element 10a, 10b is checked by optical measurement to see if it has a predetermined brightness or higher for bright spot confirmation.If it is less than the predetermined brightness, it is judged to be usable (OK), and if it is the predetermined brightness or higher, it is judged to be unusable (NG).

[0073] A pixel 20 for which the first regular light-emitting element 10a passes both the dark spot confirmation and the bright spot confirmation and the second regular light-emitting element 10b passes both the dark spot confirmation and the bright spot confirmation is determined to be a good pixel, and the worker uses an input device to write the position information (address) of the good pixel into the storage unit 4. A pixel 20 that fails the dark spot confirmation or the bright spot confirmation is determined to be an NG pixel, and the worker uses an input device to write the information (address) of the NG pixel into the storage unit 4. A spare light-emitting element 10c is mounted on the pixel 20 that is determined to be an NG pixel, to be used in place of the regular light-emitting elements 10a and 10b.

[0074] In [S1], image data signals input to the light-emitting elements 10 are associated with the addresses of the light-emitting elements 10 and input to the storage unit 4. The addresses identify each of the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b arranged in a matrix of M rows and N' columns by a row number m and a column number n. Hereinafter, the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b having address (m, n) will be referred to as "light-emitting element 10(m, n, p)." Furthermore, the spare light-emitting element 10c, which is mounted adjacent to the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) and used in place of the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) when the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) is unusable, will be referred to as "light-emitting element 10(m, n, s)." Furthermore, a pixel including the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) will be referred to as "pixel 20(m, n, p)," and a pixel including the light-emitting element 10(m, n, s) will be referred to as "pixel 20(m, n, s)." Note that "p" indicates the regular light-emitting element 10a or 10b, and "s" indicates the spare light-emitting element 10c. The address (m, n, p) may include information (usability information) indicating whether the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) is usable.

[0075] In [S2], the usability information of the M×N′ light emitting elements 10 (m, n, p) stored in the storage unit 4 is referenced.

[0076] In [S3], it is determined whether the light-emitting element 10(m,n,p) is usable or not based on the usability information. The light-emitting element 10(m,n,p) may be the light-emitting element 10(1,1,p). If the light-emitting element 10(m,n,p) is usable [Yes], the process proceeds to [S4]. If the light-emitting element 10(m,n,p) is not usable [No], the process proceeds to [S5].

[0077] In [S4], it is determined whether n is an odd number. If n is an odd number (Yes), the process proceeds to step S6. If n is not an odd number (No), the process proceeds to step S7. In other words, it is determined whether the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) is the light-emitting element 10 connected to the first drive line 8a. If the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) is the light-emitting element 10 connected to the first drive line 8a, the process proceeds to [S6]. If the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) is not the light-emitting element 10 connected to the first drive line 8a (i.e., the light-emitting element 10 connected to the second drive line 8b), the process proceeds to [S7].

[0078] In [S6], a light-on signal (image signal) is input to pixel 20(m,n,p) via first drive line 8a, and a non-light-on signal (black signal) is input to pixel 20(m,n,s) ​​via third drive line 8c. This allows light-emitting element 10(m,n,p) to be turned on and light-emitting element 10(m,n,s) ​​to be turned off. Note that input of the non-light-on signal to third drive line 8c may be omitted.

[0079] In [S7], a light-on signal is input to pixel 20(m,n,p) via second drive line 8b, and a non-light-on signal is input to pixel 20(m,n,s) ​​via third drive line 8c. This allows light-emitting element 10(m,n,p) to be turned on and light-emitting element 10(m,n,s) ​​to be turned off. Note that input of a black signal to third drive line 8c may be omitted.

[0080] In [S5], it is determined whether n is an odd number. If n is an odd number (Yes), the process proceeds to [S8]. If n is not an odd number (No), the process proceeds to [S9]. In other words, it is determined whether the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) is the light-emitting element 10 connected to the first drive line 8a. If the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) is the light-emitting element 10 connected to the first drive line 8a, the process proceeds to [S8]. If the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) is not the light-emitting element 10 connected to the first drive line 8a (i.e., the light-emitting element 10 connected to the second drive line 8b), the process proceeds to [S9].

[0081] In [S8], a non-lighting signal is input to pixel 20(m,n,p) via first drive line 8a, and a lighting signal is input to pixel 20(m,n,s) ​​via third drive line 8c. This makes it possible to turn off light-emitting element 10(m,n,p) and light-emitting element 10(m,n,s). Note that if pixel 20(m,n,p) is a dark pixel, the input of the non-lighting signal to pixel 20(m,n,p) may be omitted.

[0082] In [S9], a non-lighting signal is input to pixel 20(m,n,p) via second drive line 8b, and a lighting signal is input to pixel 20(m,n,s) ​​via third drive line 8c. This makes it possible to turn off light-emitting element 10(m,n,p) and light-emitting element 10(m,n,s). Note that if pixel 20(m,n,p) is a dark pixel, the input of the non-lighting signal to pixel 20(m,n,p) may be omitted.

[0083] In [S10], it is determined whether m is the maximum value (i.e., the maximum value M of the row number). If m is the maximum value (Yes), proceed to [S12]. If m is not the maximum value (No), proceed to the next row in [S11] (i.e., increase the value of m by 1) and return to [S3].

[0084] In [S12], it is determined whether n is the maximum value (i.e., the maximum value N' of the column number). If n is the maximum value (Yes), the flow chart ends. If n is not the maximum value (No), in [S13], the process moves to the next column (i.e., the value of n is incremented by 1) and returns to [S3].

[0085] In this manner, the driver 3 can control the display of the light-emitting device 2 .

[0086] In the lighting test, the usability of the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b may be determined based on whether the emission luminance and wavelength are within a desired range when a reference current or reference voltage is input to the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b. The reference current may be, for example, the maximum rated current of the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b, or an average current within the rated current range of the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b. The reference voltage may be, for example, the maximum rated voltage of the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b, or an average voltage within the rated voltage range of the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b. The same applies to the usability of the spare light-emitting element 10c.

[0087] The usability of the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b may be determined based on the operating characteristics of the pixel circuit driving the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b. For example, the usability of the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b may be determined based on whether the drain voltage range (minimum drain voltage to maximum drain voltage) of the TFT (Td) is within a desired range relative to the operating voltage range (minimum operating voltage to maximum operating voltage) of the drive signal SIG_P. Alternatively, the usability of the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b may be determined based on whether the minimum drain voltage of the TFT (Td) is within a desired range and whether the maximum drain voltage of the TFT (Td) is within a desired range. Alternatively, the usability of the regular light-emitting elements 10a, 10b may be determined based on whether a curve showing the change in the drain voltage of the TFT (Td) relative to the change in the drive signal SIG_P is a desired curve or a curve close to the desired curve.

[0088] Next, a method for inputting the drive signal SIG to the light-emitting device 2 will be described. Fig. 11 is a partially enlarged front view showing the light-emitting device 2 in which all of the regular light-emitting elements 10a and 10b are usable. Fig. 12 is a timing chart showing an example of a method for inputting the drive signal SIG to the light-emitting device 2 of Fig. 11, and Fig. 13 is a timing chart showing another example of a method for inputting the drive signal SIG to the light-emitting device 2 of Fig. 10. In the timing charts of Figs. 12 and 13, periods during which a non-lighting signal (black signal) is input to the drive line 8 are indicated by hatching. The same applies to the timing charts described below (see Figs. 16, 17, 20, 21, 24, and 25).

[0089] 11 shows a case where all of the regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b are usable. The symbol "OK" attached to the regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b indicates that the regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b are usable, that is, the pixel 20 including the regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b is an OK pixel.

[0090] First, a case where the driver 3 drives one horizontal scanning period using the time-division method will be described. As shown in FIG. 12 , during the first half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1), the driver 3 inputs a driving signal SIG_P(n-1) to the first driving line 8a to light up pixels 20(m-1, n-1, p), and inputs a driving signal SIG_P(n) to the second driving line 8b to light up pixels 20(m-1, n, p). Here, one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1) refers to the period during which the gate driver selects row (m-1) of the pixel array. The same applies to one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), which will be described later. When one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1) and one horizontal scanning period 1H(m) are not distinguished from each other, they may simply be referred to as "one horizontal scanning period 1H." In the second half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_S(n-1) to the third drive line 8c to turn off the pixel 20(m-1, n-1, s). Because the pixel 20(m-1, n-1, s) and the pixel 20(m-1, n, s) share the third drive line 8c, no drive signal is input to the pixel 20(m, n, s).

[0091] 12, the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n-1) that turns on pixel 20(m, n-1, p) and a drive signal SIG_P(n) that turns on pixel 20(m, n, p) to the first drive line 8a and the second drive line 8b, respectively, during the first half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m). During the second half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_S(n-1) that turns off pixel 20(m, n-1, s) to the third drive line 8c. No drive signal is input to pixel 20(m, n, s).

[0092] When the driving unit 3 does not drive one horizontal scanning period 1H using the time division method, the driving unit 3 does not divide one horizontal scanning period 1H, and inputs the driving signal SIG separately to the first driving line 8a, the second driving line 8b, and the third driving line 8c, as shown in Figure 13.

[0093] Fig. 14 is a partially enlarged view showing an example of a light emitting device 2 in which some of the regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b are unusable, and Fig. 15 is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which a spare light emitting element 10c is mounted on the light emitting device 2 of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a timing chart showing an example of a method of inputting a drive signal SIG to the light emitting device 2 of Fig. 15, and Fig. 17 is a timing chart showing another example of a method of inputting a drive signal SIG to the light emitting device 2 of Fig. 15.

[0094] In this example, the light-emitting element 10(m, n-1, p) is disabled as shown in Fig. 14, and the light-emitting element 10(m, n-1, s) is mounted as shown in Fig. 15. The light-emitting element 10(m, n-1, s) is connected to the first drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9ca.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 16 , during the first half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n-1) to the first drive line 8a to turn on pixel 20(m-1, n-1, p), and inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n) to the second drive line 8b to turn on pixel 20(m-1, n, p). During the second half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_S(n-1) to the third drive line 8c to turn off pixel 20(m-1, n-1, s). Because pixel 20(m-1, n-1, s) and pixel 20(m-1, n, s) share the third drive line 8c, no drive signal is input to pixel 20(m-1, n, s).

[0096] As shown in FIG. 16 , during the first half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n-1) that turns off pixel 20(m, n-1, p) to the first drive line 8a, and inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n) that turns on pixel 20(m, n, p) to the second drive line 8b. Note that if pixel 20(m, n-1, p) is a dark pixel, the drive signal that turns off pixel 20(m, n-1, p) may be the same as the drive signal that turns on pixel 20(m, n-1, p). During the second half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_S(n-1) that turns on pixel 20(m, n-1, s) to the third drive line 8c. Since pixel 20(m,n-1,s) and pixel 20(m,n,s) ​​share the third drive line 8c, a drive signal is not input to pixel 20(m,n,s). The drive signal input to pixel 20(m,n-1,s) via the third drive line 8c may be the same as the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m,n-1,p), or may be a signal with a lower signal strength (potential) than the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m,n-1,p).

[0097] When the drive unit 3 does not drive one horizontal scanning period using the time division method, the drive unit 3 does not divide one horizontal scanning period 1H, and inputs the drive signal SIG separately to the first drive line 8a, the second drive line 8b, and the third drive line 8c, as shown in Fig. 17. In one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive signal input to pixel 20(m, n-1, s) via the first drive line 8a may be the same signal as the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p), or may be a signal with a lower signal strength (potential) than the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p). Furthermore, during one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive signal SIG_P(n-1) input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p) via the first drive line 8a may be a drive signal that turns off pixel 20(m, n-1, p), or, if pixel 20(m, n-1, p) is a dark spot, may be the same signal as the drive signal (lighting signal) that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p).

[0098] As described above, when some of the regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b are unusable, the auxiliary light emitting elements 10c can be turned on in place of the unusable regular light emitting elements 10a and 10b.

[0099] Fig. 18 is a partially enlarged front view showing another example of the light emitting device 2 in which some of the regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b are unusable, and Fig. 19 is a partially enlarged front view showing the state in which a spare light emitting element 10c is mounted on the light emitting device 2 of Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is a timing chart showing an example of a method of inputting a drive signal SIG to the light emitting device 2 of Fig. 19, and Fig. 21 is a timing chart showing another example of a method of inputting a drive signal SIG to the light emitting device 2 of Fig. 19.

[0100] In this example, as shown in Fig. 18, the light-emitting elements 10(m-1, n, p) and 10(m, n-1, p) are disabled, and the light-emitting elements 10(m-1, n, s) and 10(m, n-1, s) are mounted as shown in Fig. 19. The light-emitting elements 10(m-1, n, s) are connected to the second drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9cb, and the light-emitting elements 10(m, n-1, s) are connected to the first drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9ca.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 20 , during the first half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n-1) to the first drive line 8a to turn on pixel 20(m-1, n-1, p), and inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n) to the second drive line 8b to turn off pixel 20(m-1, n, p). Note that if pixel 20(m-1, n, p) is a dark pixel, the drive signal input to pixel 20(m-1, n, p) via the second drive line 8b may be the same as the drive signal (light-on signal) that should originally be input to pixel 20(m-1, n, p). During the second half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_S(n) to the third drive line 8c to turn on pixel 20(m-1, n, s). The drive signal SIG_S(n) input to pixel 20(m-1, n, s) may be the same signal as the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m-1, n, p), or may be a signal with a lower signal strength (potential) than the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p).

[0102] As shown in FIG. 20 , during the first half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n-1) to the first drive line 8a to turn off the pixel 20(m, n-1, p), and inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n) to turn on the pixel 20(m, n, p) to the second drive line 8b. Note that when the pixel 20(m, n-1, p) is a dark pixel, the drive signal SIG_P(n-1) input to the pixel 20(m, n-1, p) via the first drive line 8a may be the same as the drive signal (light-on signal) that should originally be input to the pixel 20(m, n-1, p). During the second half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_S(n-1) to turn on the pixel 20(m, n-1, s) to the third drive line 8c. The drive signal input to pixel 20(m, n-1, s) may be the same signal as the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p), or may be a signal with a lower signal strength (potential) than the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p).

[0103] When the light emitting device 2 does not drive one horizontal scanning period 1H using the time division method, the drive unit 3 does not divide one horizontal scanning period 1H, and separately inputs the drive signal SIG to the first drive line 8a, the second drive line 8b, and the third drive line 8c, as shown in Fig. 21. In one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1), the drive signal SIG_S(n) input to the pixel 20(m-1,n,s) ​​via the third drive line 8c may be the same signal as the drive signal that should originally be input to the pixel 20(m-1,n,p), or may be a signal with a lower signal strength (potential) than the drive signal that should originally be input to the pixel 20(m-1,n,p). Furthermore, in one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1), the drive signal SIG_P(n) input to pixel 20(m-1, n, p) via second drive line 8b may be a drive signal that turns off pixel 20(m-1, n, p), or, if pixel 20(m-1, n, p) is a dark spot, may be the same signal as the drive signal (lighting signal) that should originally be input to pixel 20(m-1, n, p).

[0104] In one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive signal SIG_P(n-1) input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p) may be a drive signal that turns off pixel 20(m, n-1, p), or if pixel 20(m, n-1, p) is a dark spot, it may be the same signal as the drive signal (light-on signal) that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p). The drive signal SIG_S(n-1) input to pixel 20(m, n-1, s) via third drive line 8c may be the same signal as the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p), or may be a signal with a lower signal strength (potential) than the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p). Furthermore, the drive signal SIG_P(n) input to the pixel 20(m, n, p) via the second drive line 8b is the drive signal SIG_P(n) that turns on the pixel 20(m, n, p).

[0105] Fig. 22 is a partially enlarged view showing yet another example of the light emitting device 2 in which some of the regular light emitting elements 10a, 10b are unusable, and Fig. 23 is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which a spare light emitting element 10c is mounted on the light emitting device 2 of Fig. 22. Fig. 24 is a timing chart showing an example of a method of inputting a drive signal SIG to the light emitting device 2 of Fig. 23, and Fig. 25 is a timing chart showing another example of a method of inputting a drive signal SIG to the light emitting device 2 of Fig. 23.

[0106] In this example, as shown in Fig. 22, the light-emitting elements 10(m, n-1, p) and 10(m, n, p) are disabled, and the light-emitting elements 10(m, n-1, s) and 10(m, n, s) are mounted as shown in Fig. 23. The light-emitting element 10(m, n-1, s) is connected to the first drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9ca, and the light-emitting element 10(m, n, s) is connected to the second drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9cb.

[0107] 24, the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n-1) that turns on the pixel 20(m-1, n-1, p) to the first drive line 8a and a drive signal SIG_P(n) that turns on the pixel 20(m-1, n, p) to the second drive line 8b during the first half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1). The drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_S(n-1) that turns off the pixel 20(m-1, n-1, s) to the third drive line 8c during the second half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m-1).

[0108] As shown in FIG. 24 , during the first half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n-1) that turns off the pixel 20(m, n-1, p) to the first drive line 8a, and inputs a drive signal SIG_P(n) that turns off the pixel 20(m, n, p) to the second drive line 8b. If the pixel 20(m, n-1, p) is a dark dot, the drive signal SIG_P(n-1) that turns off the pixel 20(m, n-1, p) may be the same signal as the drive signal that turns on the pixel 20(m, n-1, p). If the pixel 20(m, n, p) is a dark dot, the drive signal SIG_P(n) that turns off the pixel 20(m, n, p) may be the drive signal that turns on the pixel 20(m, n, p). In the second half of one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive unit 3 inputs a drive signal SIG_S(n-1) to the third drive line 8c to light up the pixel 20(m, n-1, s). The drive signal SIG_S(n-1) input to the pixel 20(m, n-1, s) via the third drive line 8c may be the same signal as the drive signal that should originally be input to the pixel 20(m, n-1, p). Note that, since the light-emitting device 2 is configured such that the pixel 20(m, n-1, s) and the pixel 20(m, n, s) share the third drive line 8c, the same drive signal SIG_S(n-1) is input to both the pixel 20(m, n-1, s) and the pixel 20(m, n, s). If a drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p) is input to both pixel 20(m, n-1, s) and pixel 20(m, n, s), uneven brightness, uneven color, etc. may occur in the image displayed by the light-emitting device 2. The driver 3 may calculate a correction drive signal based on the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p) and the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n, p), and input the correction drive signal to pixel 20(m, n-1, s) and pixel 20(m, n, s). The potential of the correction drive signal may be an average potential of the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n-1, p) and the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m, n, p), or may be some other potential.

[0109] When the drive unit 3 does not drive one horizontal scanning period 1H using the time division method, the drive unit 3 does not divide one horizontal scanning period 1H, and inputs the drive signal SIG separately to the first drive line 8a, the second drive line 8b, and the third drive line 8c, as shown in Fig. 25. In one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive signal SIG_P(n-1) input to the pixel 20(m, n-1, p) via the first drive line 8a may be a drive signal that turns off the pixel 20(m, n-1, p), or may be the same signal as the drive signal (light-on signal) that should originally be input to the pixel 20(m, n-1, p) if the pixel 20(m, n-1, p) is a dark pixel. In one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive signal SIG_P(n) input to pixel 20(m,n,p) via second drive line 8b may be a drive signal that turns off pixel 20(m,n,p), or, if pixel 20(m,n,p) is a dark spot, may be the same signal as the drive signal (light-on signal) that should originally be input to pixel 20(m,n,p). In one horizontal scanning period 1H(m), the drive signal SIG_S(n-1) input to pixel 20(m,n-1,s) and pixel 20(m,n,s) ​​may be the same signal as the drive signal that should originally be input to pixel 20(m,n-1,p), or may be the correction drive signal described above.

[0110] Fig. 26 is a partially enlarged view showing another example of a state in which a preliminary light-emitting element 10c is mounted on the light-emitting device 2 of Fig. 22. When the light-emitting element 10(m, n-1, p) and the light-emitting element 10(m, n, p) are unusable, the light-emitting device 2 may be configured, as shown in Fig. 26, to have only the light-emitting element 10(m, n-1, s) mounted, and not the light-emitting element 10(m, n, s). As described using Figs. 24 and 25, the drive signal SIG can also be input to the light-emitting device 2 of Fig. 26.

[0111] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a high-definition display device with reduced point defects.

[0112] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the light-emitting device 2 may have a configuration in which each pixel 20 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 10. The light-emitting elements 10 may have the same emission wavelength or different emission wavelengths. When the light-emitting elements 10 have the same emission wavelength, the occurrence of NG pixels can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the light-emitting elements 10 have different emission wavelengths, for example, a light-emitting element 10 that emits red light, a light-emitting element 10 that emits green light, and a light-emitting element 10 that emits blue light can be provided in each pixel 20, thereby providing a light-emitting device 2 capable of displaying color gradations.

[0113] The light emitting device according to the present disclosure can be implemented in the following configurations (1) to (16).

[0114] (1) A light emitting device comprising: a first regular light emitting element for constant use and a first drive line for driving the first regular light emitting element; a second regular light emitting element for constant use and a second drive line for driving the second regular light emitting element, the second drive line extending along the first drive line; a spare light emitting element for redundant use and a third drive line for driving the spare light emitting element, the third drive line being located between the first drive line and the second drive line and extending along the first drive line and the second drive line; the third drive line being connected to a spare connection electrode connected to the spare light emitting element in a state overlapping with the spare connection electrode in a planar view; the spare connection electrode having a first drive line side unevenly distributed portion biased toward the first drive line and a second drive line side unevenly distributed portion biased toward the second drive line; and the spare light emitting element being connected to the first drive line side unevenly distributed portion when the first regular light emitting element is unavailable, and being connected to the second drive line side unevenly distributed portion when the second regular light emitting element is unavailable.

[0115] (2) The light-emitting device described in (1) above, wherein the first driving line is connected to a first connection electrode connected to the first regular light-emitting element in a state where it overlaps with the first connection electrode in a planar view, the second driving line is connected to a second connection electrode connected to the second regular light-emitting element in a state where it overlaps with the second connection electrode in a planar view, the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode each have a third driving line side eccentric portion that is eccentric toward the third driving line side, the first regular light-emitting element is connected to the third driving line side eccentric portion of the first connection electrode, and the second regular light-emitting element is connected to the third driving line side eccentric portion of the second connection electrode.

[0116] (3) The light emitting device according to (2), wherein the size of the auxiliary connection electrode is larger than the size of both the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode.

[0117] (4) The light emitting device according to (3), wherein the size of the auxiliary connection electrode is at least twice the size of each of the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode.

[0118] (5) The light emitting device according to any one of (2) to (4) above, wherein the resistance of the auxiliary connection electrode is smaller than the resistance of each of the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode.

[0119] (6) The light emitting device according to (4) or (5) above, wherein the width of the third driving line is narrower than the width of each of the first driving line and the second driving line.

[0120] (7) A light-emitting device as described in (6) above, wherein the resistance including the auxiliary connection electrode of the third driving line is equivalent to each of the resistance including the first connection electrode of the first driving line and the resistance including the second connection electrode of the second driving line.

[0121] (8) A light-emitting device according to any one of (2) to (7) above, wherein a plurality of drive line groups each consisting of the first drive line, the second drive line, and the third drive line are arranged side by side, and a dummy connection electrode is provided between the first drive line group and a second drive line group adjacent to the first drive line group.

[0122] (9) The light emitting device according to (8), wherein the length of the dummy connection electrodes is the same as the length of the spare connection electrodes in the direction in which the drive line groups are arranged.

[0123] (10) The light emitting device according to (8) or (9), wherein the dummy connection electrode is electrically connected to at least one of the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode adjacent thereto.

[0124] (11) A light-emitting device described in any one of (2) to (10) above, wherein the first connection electrode has an extending portion that extends on the opposite side of the third drive line side uneven distribution portion of the first connection electrode relative to the first drive line, and the second connection electrode has an extending portion that extends on the opposite side of the third drive line side uneven distribution portion of the second connection electrode relative to the second drive line.

[0125] (12) A light emitting device described in any one of (1) to (11) above, wherein when the preliminary light emitting element is connected to the first drive line side uneven distribution portion, a first drive signal to be input to the first regular light emitting element is input to the preliminary light emitting element, and when the preliminary light emitting element is connected to the second drive line side uneven distribution portion, a second drive signal to be input to the second regular light emitting element is input to the preliminary light emitting element.

[0126] (13) The light emitting device described in (12) above, wherein the signal strength of the first drive signal input to the preliminary light emitting element is equal to or less than the signal strength of the first drive signal to be input to the first regular light emitting element, and the signal strength of the second drive signal input to the preliminary light emitting element is equal to or less than the signal strength of the second drive signal to be input to the second regular light emitting element.

[0127] (14) The light emitting device described in (12) or (13) above, wherein the length of the input period of the first drive signal input to the preliminary light emitting element is equal to or shorter than the length of the input period of the first drive signal to be input to the first regular light emitting element, and the length of the input period of the second drive signal input to the preliminary light emitting element is equal to or shorter than the length of the input period of the second drive signal to be input to the second regular light emitting element.

[0128] (15) A display device comprising the light emitting device according to any one of (1) to (14) above, wherein a light emitting element group including the first regular light emitting element, the second regular light emitting element, and the auxiliary light emitting element is arranged in a matrix.

[0129] (16) The display device according to (15), wherein the emission color of the first regular light emitting element is different from the emission color of the second regular light emitting element.

[0130] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 display device 2 light-emitting device 3 drive unit 4 memory unit 5 image data signal source 6 substrate 6a first surface (display surface) 6b second surface (rear surface) 6c third surface (side surface) 7 scanning signal line 8 drive line 8a first drive line 8b second drive line 8c third drive line 8g drive line group 9a first connection electrode 9ab extension portion 9ac third drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9b second connection electrode 9ba extension portion 9bc third drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9c third connection electrode (auxiliary connection electrode) 9ca first drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9cb second drive line side unevenly distributed portion 9cc non-unevenly distributed portion 9d dummy connection electrode 10 light-emitting element 10a first regular light-emitting element 10b second regular light-emitting element 10c auxiliary light-emitting element 11 cathode electrode 12 contact 13 Light-emitting control signal line 17 Drive control section 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e, 17f, 17g, 17h Connection line 20 Pixel 20a First pixel 20b Second pixel 20c Third pixel 20g Light-emitting element group 22 Selector circuit 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22h Connection line 120 Data line drive circuit 120a, 120b Connection line

Claims

1. A light emitting device comprising: a first regular light emitting element for constant use, and a first drive line for driving the first regular light emitting element; a second regular light emitting element for constant use, and a second drive line for driving the second regular light emitting element, the second drive line extending along the first drive line; a spare light emitting element for redundant use, and a third drive line for driving the spare light emitting element, the third drive line being located between the first drive line and the second drive line and extending along the first drive line and the second drive line; the third drive line is connected to a spare connection electrode connected to the spare light emitting element in a state where it overlaps with the spare connection electrode in a planar view; the spare connection electrode has a first drive line side eccentric portion that is biased towards the first drive line and a second drive line side eccentric portion that is biased towards the second drive line; and the spare light emitting element is connected to the first drive line side eccentric portion when the first regular light emitting element is unavailable, and is connected to the second drive line side eccentric portion when the second regular light emitting element is unavailable.

2. The light-emitting device described in claim 1, wherein the first driving line is connected to a first connection electrode connected to the first regular light-emitting element in a state overlapping with the first connection electrode in a planar view, the second driving line is connected to a second connection electrode connected to the second regular light-emitting element in a state overlapping with the second connection electrode in a planar view, the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode each have a third driving line side eccentric portion that is eccentrically located on the third driving line side, the first regular light-emitting element is connected to the third driving line side eccentric portion of the first connection electrode, and the second regular light-emitting element is connected to the third driving line side eccentric portion of the second connection electrode.

3. The light emitting device according to claim 2, wherein the size of the auxiliary connection electrode is larger than the size of both the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode.

4. The light emitting device according to claim 3, wherein the size of the auxiliary connection electrode is at least twice as large as each of the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode.

5. The light emitting device according to claim 2, wherein the resistance of the auxiliary connection electrode is smaller than the resistance of each of the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode.

6. The light emitting device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the width of the third driving line is narrower than the width of each of the first driving line and the second driving line.

7. A light-emitting device as described in claim 6, wherein a resistance including the auxiliary connection electrode of the third driving line is equivalent to each of a resistance including the first connection electrode of the first driving line and a resistance including the second connection electrode of the second driving line.

8. A light-emitting device described in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a plurality of drive line groups each consisting of the first drive line, the second drive line, and the third drive line are arranged side by side, and a dummy connection electrode is provided between a first drive line group and a second drive line group adjacent to the first drive line group.

9. The light emitting device according to claim 8, wherein the length of the dummy connection electrode is the same as the length of the spare connection electrode in the direction in which the drive line groups are arranged.

10. The light-emitting device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the dummy connection electrode is electrically connected to at least one of the first connection electrode and the second connection electrode adjacent thereto.

11. A light-emitting device described in any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the first connection electrode has an extending portion that extends on the opposite side to the third drive line side unevenly distributed portion of the first connection electrode with respect to the first drive line, and the second connection electrode has an extending portion that extends on the opposite side to the third drive line side unevenly distributed portion of the second connection electrode with respect to the second drive line.

12. A light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein when the pre-light emitting element is connected to the first drive line side unevenly distributed portion, a first drive signal to be input to the first regular light emitting element is input to the pre-light emitting element, and when the pre-light emitting element is connected to the second drive line side unevenly distributed portion, a second drive signal to be input to the second regular light emitting element is input to the pre-light emitting element.

13. The light emitting device of claim 12, wherein the signal strength of the first drive signal input to the preliminary light emitting element is equal to or less than the signal strength of the first drive signal to be input to the first regular light emitting element, and the signal strength of the second drive signal input to the preliminary light emitting element is equal to or less than the signal strength of the second drive signal to be input to the second regular light emitting element.

14. A light emitting device as described in claim 12 or 13, wherein the length of the input period of the first drive signal input to the preliminary light emitting element is equal to or shorter than the length of the input period of the first drive signal to be input to the first regular light emitting element, and the length of the input period of the second drive signal input to the preliminary light emitting element is equal to or shorter than the length of the input period of the second drive signal to be input to the second regular light emitting element.

15. A display device comprising the light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a light emitting element group including the first regular light emitting element, the second regular light emitting element, and the auxiliary light emitting element is arranged in a matrix.

16. The display device according to claim 15, wherein the emission color of the first regular light emitting element is different from the emission color of the second regular light emitting element.

Images