Sub-Frame OLED Pixel Circuit for High-Resolution HMD Idle Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head-mounted displays (HMDs) face challenges in providing high-resolution images while maintaining a large idle area for other components, limiting their integration and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a pixel structure comprising switching, driving, and emission control transistors, along with light emitting elements, is designed to operate in sub-frame periods, allowing for efficient initialization of gate electrodes and data voltage application, enabling high-resolution image display with a dedicated idle area for other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a high-resolution display is implemented using OLEDoS, then image resolution is improved, but the idle area for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage resolutionVSAvoididle area
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame period is segmented into multiple sub-frame periods, allowing different pixels to be initialized at different times. This temporal segmentation enables the gate electrode of the driving transistor to be initialized during idle periods when no light emission is required, thereby securing idle area while maintaining high-resolution display capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gate electrode of the driving transistor is initialized in advance during sub-frame periods before the light emitting element needs to operate. This preliminary initialization action ensures that the transistor is ready for high-resolution driving while utilizing idle time, thus resolving the contradiction between resolution and idle area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transistors are used for pixel control, then display functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay functionalityVSAvoidtransistor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving transistor serves multiple functions: it acts as a switching element, a current driving element, and has its gate electrode used for initialization during idle periods. By making the transistor multi-functional, the patent improves display functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The gate electrode of the driving transistor is periodically initialized during specific sub-frame periods rather than continuously. This periodic initialization allows the transistor to perform its display function during active periods while being prepared during idle periods, improving functionality without adding continuous complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

The solution secures a large idle area for the display device, facilitating high integration and efficient operation, thereby enhancing the functionality and usability of HMDs in applications like virtual and augmented reality devices.

Implementation Method 1

a first light emitting element connected to the first emission control transistor; a second light emitting element connected to the second emission control transistor. The first light emitting element emits light during a first sub-frame period of a frame period, the second light emitting element emits light during a second sub-frame period of the frame period

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP4675603A1Display device and optical device including the same
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4675603A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4675603A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4675603A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes a first pixel comprising a switching transistor, a driving transistor, a first emission control transistor, and a first light emitting element; a second pixel comprising a second emission control transistor electrically connected to a contact point between the driving transistor and the first emission control transistor and a second light emitting element; and a data driver transmitting a reference voltage, a first data voltage of the first pixel, and a second data voltage of the second pixel to a data line. The first light emitting element emits light during a first sub-frame period of a frame period, the second light emitting element emits light during a second sub-frame period of the frame period, and a gate electrode of the driving transistor is initialized by the reference voltage from the data line during the first sub-frame period.