EL Display Pixel Matrix with Shared Data Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electroluminescent (EL) display devices with RGB pixels require a complex scan driver and more gate and data lines, increasing cost and complexity due to the need for four light emitting elements per pixel, especially with traditional blue OLEDs having low luminous efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An EL display device with a pixel matrix comprising four light emitting elements: one each for red, green, yellow-green, and blue colors, using a simplified switch control system with fewer gate and data lines by configuring switches to alternate between ON and OFF states based on intensity comparisons, reducing the number of required lines and simplifying the driver circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If four light emitting elements (R, G, B1, B2) are used per pixel with traditional scanning driver architecture, then color display capability is improved, but the number of gate lines and data lines increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of B1 and B2 elements by using a single shared data line (SBn) instead of separate data lines for each element. The switches coupled to B1 and B2 elements allow selective connection to the shared data line, reducing the total number of data lines required while maintaining full color display capability through the four-element pixel structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching control where switches coupled to B1 and B2 elements can be turned ON or OFF based on the sub-pixel data signals. This dynamic configuration allows the same physical infrastructure (gate lines and data lines) to serve different purposes at different times, enabling efficient use of fewer lines to control four light emitting elements per pixel
2Illumination intensity
If traditional blue OLED material (B2) is used, then blue light emission is achieved, but luminous efficiency is low requiring large electrical current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by introducing B1 (yellow-green) material with higher luminous efficiency alongside the traditional B2 (blue) material. By comparing sub-pixel data signals and selectively activating either B1 or B2 elements through switch control, the system optimizes energy consumption by using the more efficient B1 material when appropriate, thereby reducing overall electrical current requirements while maintaining blue light emission capability
3Measurement precision
If B1 and B2 elements are controlled independently with separate data lines, then individual element control precision is improved, but driver circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces switches as intermediary components between the shared data line and the B1/B2 elements. These switches act as mediators that enable precise individual control of each element while sharing the common data line infrastructure. The switch control logic processes sub-pixel data signals and selectively connects the appropriate element to the shared data line, maintaining control precision without requiring separate dedicated data lines for each element
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces the number of gate lines and data lines needed, simplifying the driver circuitry and potentially extending the lifespan of the OLEDs by reducing the electrical current required for blue light emission, while maintaining efficient color representation.
Implementation Method 1
An OLED is a light emitting diode (LED) in which the emissive electroluminescent (EL) layer is a film of an organic material which emit light in response to an electric current
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect of the present invention, an electroluminescent (EL) display device has a plurality of pixels spatially arranged in a form of a matrix, each pixel having a first EL element, a second EL element, a third EL element, and a fourth EL element, a plurality of gate lines, each gate line coupled to a respective row of pixels, a plurality of first data lines, each first data line coupled to the first EL elements of a respective column of pixels, a plurality of second data lines, each second data line coupled to the second EL elements of a respective column of pixels, a plurality of first switches, each first switch coupled to a respective third EL element, a plurality of second switches, each second switch coupled to a respective fourth EL element, a switch control line coupled to the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches for providing a switching control signal to set the first switches and the second switches to be in an ON state or an OFF state, such that when the first switches are cooperatively in the ON state, the second switches are cooperatively in the OFF state, and vice versus, and a plurality of third data lines, each third data line coupled to the first switches and the second switches corresponding to a respective column of pixels for transmitting a data signal, such that when the first switches are cooperatively in the ON state, the data signal is provided to the third EL elements of the respective column of pixels, and when the second switches are cooperatively in the ON state, the data signal is provided to the fourth EL elements of the respective column of pixels.