Display device and driving method of display device

A display device, includes: a display panel; and a driving unit configured to receive image data, analyze the image data, and determine shapes of a plurality of pixel units making up the image, wherein the plurality of pixel units include a first pixel unit including a plurality of first sub-pixels or a second pixel unit including a plurality of second sub-pixels and having a shape different from a shape of the first pixel unit, and wherein the first sub-pixels and the second sub-pixels include a 1-1st color sub-pixel configured to emit a first color, a 1-2nd color sub-pixel configured to emit the first color, a second color sub-pixel configured to emit a second color, the second color being different from the first color, and a third color sub-pixel configured to emit a third color, the third color being different from the first color and the second color.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0000875 filed on Jan. 4, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure described herein relate to a display device with relatively improved image quality and a driving method thereof.

A display panel may include a pixel for implementing an image. The pixel may include a red sub-pixel, a blue sub-pixel, and a green sub-pixel. The display panel may display a color image and a black and white image by turning on/off a red sub-pixel, a blue sub-pixel, and a green sub-pixel making up one pixel.

SUMMARY

Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure include a display device with relatively improved image quality and a driving method of the display device.

According to some embodiments, a display device may include a display panel that displays an image and a driving unit that receives image data, analyzes the image data, and determines shapes of a plurality of pixel units making up the image. According to some embodiments, the plurality of pixel units may include at least one of a first pixel unit including a plurality of first sub-pixels or a second pixel unit including a plurality of second sub-pixels and having a shape different from a shape of the first pixel unit. According to some embodiments, each of the plurality of first sub-pixels and the plurality of second sub-pixels may include a 1-1st color sub-pixel emitting a first color of light, a 1-2nd color sub-pixel emitting the first color of light, a second color sub-pixel emitting a second color of light, the second color being different from the first color, and a third color sub-pixel emitting a third color of light, the third color being different from the first color and the second color.

According to some embodiments, a first outline surrounding the first pixel unit may include a 1-1st outer portion extending along a first direction and a 1-2nd outer portion extending along a second direction crossing the first direction. According to some embodiments, a second outline surrounding the second pixel unit may include a 2-1st outer portion extending along a first cross direction crossing the first direction and the second direction.

According to some embodiments, the second outline may further include a 2-2nd outer portion extending along the second direction.

According to some embodiments, the second outline may further include a 2-3rd outer portion extending along a second cross direction crossing the first cross direction and being connected with the 2-1st outer portion and the 2-2nd outer portion.

According to some embodiments, the second outline may further include a 2-2nd outer portion extending along the second cross direction crossing the first cross direction.

According to some embodiments, the first color may be a green color, the second color may be a red color, and the third color may be a blue color.

According to some embodiments, each of light emitting areas of the 1-1st color sub-pixel, the 1-2nd color sub-pixel, the second color sub-pixel, and the third color sub-pixel may have a triangular shape.

According to some embodiments, each of light emitting areas of the 1-1st color sub-pixel and the 1-2nd color sub-pixel may have a triangular shape. According to some embodiments, each of light emitting areas of the second color sub-pixel and the third color sub-pixel may have a trapezoidal shape.

According to some embodiments, each of light emitting areas of the 1-1st color sub-pixel, the 1-2nd color sub-pixel, the second color sub-pixel, and the third color sub-pixel may have a trapezoidal shape.

According to some embodiments, the first pixel unit may be provided in plural. The plurality of first pixel units may include a 1-1st pixel unit and a 1-2nd pixel unit adjacent to the 1-1st pixel unit in the first direction. According to some embodiments, a first light emitting layer of the 1-2nd color sub-pixel of the 1-1st pixel unit may be connected with a second light emitting layer of the 1-1st color sub-pixel of the 1-2nd pixel unit to be provided integrally.

According to some embodiments, each of the 1-1st color sub-pixel, the 1-2nd color sub-pixel, the second color sub-pixel, and the third color sub-pixel may be provided in plural. According to some embodiments, the plurality of 1-1st color sub-pixels and the plurality of 1-2nd color sub-pixels may be alternately and repeated arranged one by one along the first direction. According to some embodiments, the plurality of second color sub-pixels may be arranged along the first direction. According to some embodiments, the plurality of third color sub-pixels may be arranged along the first direction.

According to some embodiments, the driving unit may include a black and white image converter that converts an image corresponding to the image data into a black and white image, a contour extractor that extracts a contour of the black and white image, a component analyzer that analyzes a direction component of the contour, a determination unit that determines the shapes of the plurality of pixel units based on the direction component, and a data generator that renders the image data to correspond to the determined shapes of the plurality of pixel units to generate display data.

According to some embodiments, the display panel may be divided into a plurality of blocks. According to some embodiments, the determination unit may determine the shapes of the plurality of pixel units in units of the plurality of blocks.

According to some embodiments, the determination unit may determine each of the shapes of the plurality of pixel units.

According to some embodiments, a driving method of a display device may include receiving image data, converting an image corresponding to the image data into a black and white image, extracting a contour of the black and white image, analyzing a direction component of the contour, determining shapes of a plurality of pixel units based on the direction component, and rendering the image data to correspond to the determined shapes of the plurality of pixel units to generate display data. According to some embodiments, each of the plurality of pixel units may include a 1-1st color sub-pixel emitting a first color of light, a 1-2nd color sub-pixel emitting the first color of light, a second color sub-pixel emitting a second color of light, the second color being different from the first color, and a third color sub-pixel emitting a third color of light, the third color being different from the first color and the second color.

According to some embodiments, the shapes of the plurality of pixel units may be determined as a shape of a first pixel unit surrounded by a first outline or a shape of a second pixel unit surrounded by a second outline having a shape different from a shape of the first outline.

According to some embodiments, the first outline surrounding the first pixel unit may include a 1-1st outer portion extending along a first direction and a 1-2nd outer portion extending along a second direction crossing the first direction. According to some embodiments, the second outline surrounding the second pixel unit may include a 2-1st outer portion extending along a first cross direction crossing the first direction and the second direction.

According to some embodiments, the first outline may have a quadrangular shape, and the second outline may have a parallelogram shape, a quadrangular shape, or a triangular shape.

According to some embodiments, a display panel may be divided into a plurality of blocks. According to some embodiments, the determining of the shapes of the plurality of pixel units may include determining the shapes of the plurality of pixel units in units of the plurality of blocks. According to some embodiments, shapes of some pixel units making up one of the plurality of blocks may be the same as each other.

According to some embodiments, the determining of the shapes of the plurality of pixel units may include determining each of the shapes of the plurality of pixel units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the specification, the expression that a first component (or region, layer, part, portion, etc.) is “on”, “connected with”, or “coupled with” a second component means that the first component is directly on, connected with, or coupled with the second component or means that a third component is interposed therebetween.

The same reference numerals refer to the same components. Also, in the drawings, the thicknesses, the ratios, and the dimensions of the components may be exaggerated for effective description of technical contents. The expression “and/or” includes one or more combinations which associated components are capable of defining.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein in describing various components, such components should not be construed as being limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. For example, a first component could be termed a second component without departing from the scope of the claims of the present disclosure, and similarly a second component could be termed a first component. The singular forms are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Also, the terms “under”, “below”, “on”, “above”, etc. are used to describe the correlation of components illustrated in drawings. The terms that are relative in concept are described based on a direction shown in drawings.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “includes”, “have”, etc. specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof.

The term “part” or “unit” refers to a software component or a hardware component for performing a specific function. The hardware component may include, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The software component may refer to data used by an executable code and/or an executable code in an addressable storage medium. Thus, the software components may be, for example, object-oriented software component, class component, and task component and may include processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, or variables.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Furthermore, terms such as terms defined in the dictionaries commonly used should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and should not be interpreted in ideal or overly formal meanings unless explicitly defined herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a block diagram of a display device1000according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, the display device1000may include a display panel100and a driving unit100C for driving the display panel100.

The display panel100may include a plurality of scan lines SL1-SLn, a plurality of data lines DL1-DLm, and a plurality of sub-pixels SPX. Each of the plurality of sub-pixels SPX may be connected with a corresponding data line among the plurality of data lines DL1-DLm and may be connected with a corresponding scan line among the plurality of scan lines SL1-SLn. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display panel100may further include light emitting control lines, and the driving unit100C may further include a light emitting driving circuit which provides control signals to the light emitting control lines. The configuration of the display panel100is not particularly limited.

Each of the plurality of scan lines SL1-SLn may extend along a first direction DR1, and the plurality of scan lines SL1-SLn may be arranged spaced apart from each other in a second direction DR2. Each of the plurality of data lines DL1-DLm may extend along the second direction DR2, and the plurality of data lines DL1-DLm may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR1.

The driving unit100C may include a signal control circuit100C1, a scan driving circuit100C2, and a data driving circuit100C3.

The signal control circuit100C1may receive image data RGB and a control signal D-CS from a main driving unit. The control signal D-CS may include various signals. For example, the control signal D-CS may include an input vertical synchronization signal, an input horizontal synchronization signal, a main clock, and a data enable signal.

The signal control circuit100C1may receive the image data RGB, may analyze the image data RGB, and may determine shapes of a plurality of pixel units making up an image. Thus, the signal control circuit100C1may convert the image data RGB into display data. A detailed description of the signal control circuit100C1will be described in more detail below.

The signal control circuit100C1may generate a first control signal CONT1and a vertical synchronization signal Vsync based on the control signal D-CS and may output the first control signal CONT1and the vertical synchronization signal Vsync to the scan driving circuit100C2.

The signal control circuit100C1may generate a second control signal CONT2and a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync based on the control signal D-CS and may output the second control signal CONT2and the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync to the data driving circuit100C3.

Furthermore, the signal control circuit100C1may output a driving signal DS, which is obtained by processing the image data RGB to suit an operation condition of the display panel100, to the data driving circuit100C3. The first control signal CONT1and the second control signal CONT2may be signals to enable operations of the scan driving circuit100C2and the data driving circuit100C3, which are not specifically limited.

The scan driving circuit100C2may drive the plurality of scan lines SL1-SLn in response to the first control signal CONT1and the vertical synchronization signal Vsync. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the scan driving circuit100C2may be formed in the same process as a circuit layer120(refer to FIG.3A) in the display panel100, but not limited thereto. For example, the scan driving circuit100C2may be implemented as an integrated circuit (IC), which may be directly mounted on a certain area of the display panel100or may be mounted on a separate printed circuit board in a chip on film (COF) manner to be electrically connected with the display panel100.

The data driving circuit100C3may output a gray scale voltage to the plurality of data lines DL1-DLm in response to the second control signal CONT2, the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, and the driving signal DS from the signal control circuit100C1. The data driving circuit100C3may be implemented as an IC and may be directly mounted on a certain area of the display panel100or may be mounted on a separate printed circuit board in the COF manner to be electrically connected with the display panel100, but not limited thereto. For example, the data driving circuit100C3may be formed in the same process as the circuit layer120(refer toFIG.3A) in the display panel100.

FIG.2Ais a plan view illustrating a pixel array according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1and2A, a plurality of sub-pixels SPX may include first color sub-pixels SPX1-1and SPX1-2, a second color sub-pixel SPX2, and a third color sub-pixel SPX3. The first color sub-pixels SPX1-1and SPX1-2may emit a first color of light. The second sub-pixel SPX2may emit a second color of light, which is different from the first color. The third color sub-pixel SPX3may emit a third color of light, which is different from the first color and the second color. The first color sub-pixels SPX1-1and SPX1-2may include the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1and the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2.

The first color may be a green color, the second color may be a red color, and the third color may be a blue color, but not particularly limited thereto. For example, the first color may be the red color, the second color may be the green color, and the third color may be the blue color. The first color may be the blue color, the second color may be the red color, and the third color may be the green color.

The 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1and the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2may be alternately arranged one by one along a first direction DR1. The second color sub-pixel SPX2may be provided in plural and may be arranged along the first direction DR1. The third color sub-pixel SPX3may be provided in plural and may be arranged along the first direction DR1. The second color sub-pixel SPX2and the third color sub-pixel SPX3may be alternately repeated and arranged along the second direction DR2.

Only sub-pixels, each of which provides the same color, may be connected with each of a plurality of scan lines SL1-SLn. For example, only the second color sub-pixels SPX2may be connected with the first scan line SL1, only the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1and the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2may be connected with the second scan line SL2, and only the third color sub-pixels SPX3may be connected with the nth scan line SLn.

The plurality of sub-pixels SPX may make up a first pixel unit PXU1and the second pixel units PXU2, PXU3, and PXU4. Each of the first pixel unit PXU1and the second pixel units PXU2, PXU3, and PXU4may refer to a unit making up an image. The second pixel units PXU2, PXU3, and PXU4may be pixel units, each of which has a different shape from a shape of the first pixel unit PXU1. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the second pixel units PXU2, PXU3, and PXU4may be referred to as the second pixel unit PXU2, the third pixel unit PXU3, and the fourth pixel unit PXU4.

The first pixel unit PXU1may include first sub-pixels SPX1s. The second pixel unit PXU2may include second sub-pixels SPX2s. The third pixel unit PXU3may include third sub-pixels SPX3s. The fourth pixel unit PXU4may include fourth sub-pixels SPX4s. Each of the first sub-pixels SPX1s, the second sub-pixels SPX2s, the third sub-pixels SPX3s, and the fourth sub-pixels SPX4smay include the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1, the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2, the second color sub-pixel SPX2, and the third color sub-pixel SPX3.

FIG.2Bis a plan view illustrating a pixel array according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.2A and2B, a 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1and a 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2respectively corresponding to a 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1and a 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2, a second light emitting area EA2corresponding to a second color sub-pixel SPX2, and a third light emitting area EA3corresponding to a third color sub-pixel SPX3are illustrated. Each of the 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1, the 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2, the second light emitting area EA2, and the third light emitting area EA3may be a triangular shape.

The 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1and the 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2may be substantially the same in area as each other. The second light emitting area EA2may be larger in area than the 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1. The third light emitting area EA3may be larger in area than the second light emitting area EA2.

The sum of the area of the 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1and the area of the 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2may be larger in area than the second light emitting area EA2and may be smaller in area than the third light emitting area EA3. For example, the ratio of the area of the 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1: the area of the 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2: the area of the second light emitting area EA2: the area of the third light emitting area EA3may be 1.5:1.5:2:4.

The 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1and the 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2may provide the same color. Thus, it is safe not to apply a gap for preventing or reducing color mixture between the 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1and the 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2. A certain gap PD1may be provided between the second light emitting area EA2and the 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1and between the second light emitting area EA2and the 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2. A certain gap PD2may be provided between the third light emitting area EA3and the 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1and between the third light emitting area EA3and the 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2. Furthermore, a certain gap PD3may be provided between the second light emitting area EA2and the third light emitting area EA3. Each of the gaps PD1, PD2, and PD3may be greater than or equal to 15 micrometers. However, the numerical value is only one example. When the numerical value is a level where color mixture is prevented or reduced, it may be variously applied.

A first outline OL1surrounding a first pixel unit PXU1, a second outline OL2surrounding a second pixel unit PXU2, a third outline OL3surrounding a third pixel unit PXU3, and a fourth outline OL4surrounding a fourth pixel unit PXU4are illustrated as an example. Each of the first to fourth outlines OL1, OL2, OL3, and OL4may be composed of straight lines. For example, the first to fourth outlines OL1, OL2, OL3, and OL4may be composed of a minimum number of straight lines respectively surrounding the first to fourth pixel units PXU1, PXU2, PXU3, and PXU4.

The first outline OL1may include a 1-1st outer portion OL1-1extending along a first direction DR1and a 1-2nd outer portion OL1-2extending along a second direction DR2. Thus, the first pixel unit PXU1may enable expressing a horizontal line parallel to the first direction DR1or a horizontal line parallel to the second direction DR2.

The second outline OL2may include a 2-1st outer portion OL2-1extending along a first cross direction DRC1crossing the first direction DR1and the second direction DR2and a 2-2nd outer portion OL2-2extending along a second cross direction DRC2crossing the first cross direction DRC1. Thus, the second pixel unit PXU2may enable expressing a diagonal line.

The third outline OL3may include a 3-1st outer portion OL3-1extending along the first cross direction DRC1and a 3-2nd outer portion OL3-2extending along the second direction DR2. Thus, the third pixel unit PXU3may enable expressing a vertical line and a diagonal line.

The fourth outline OL4may include a 4-1st outer portion OL4-1extending along the first cross direction DRC1, a 4-2nd outer portion OL4-2extending along the second direction DR2, and a 4-3rd outer portion OL4-3extending along the second cross direction DRC2. Thus, the fourth pixel unit PXU4may enable expressing a vertical line and a diagonal line.

The first to fourth pixel units PXU1to PXU4and the first to fourth outlines OL1to OL4respectively corresponding to the first to fourth pixel units PXU1to PXU4are illustrated as an example inFIGS.2A and2B, but the shape of the pixel unit may be variously provided. For example, when including one 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1, one 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2, one second color sub-pixel SPX2, and one third color sub-pixel SPX3, which are described above, one pixel unit may be provided in various forms.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of shapes of the plurality of pixel units may be determined by analyzing image data. For example, when displaying Korean and English which mainly use vertical and horizontal lines, the plurality of pixel units may be mainly determined as shapes of the first pixel unit PXU1. Alternatively, when displaying characters such as Chinese characters where a diagonal expression is relatively important, the plurality of pixel units may enable diagonal expression like the second to fourth pixel units PXU2to PXU4. In this case, recognition image quality recognized by a user who uses a display device1000(refer toFIG.1) may be improved without an increase in resolution.

FIG.3Ais a cross-sectional view according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, which is cut along the line I-I′ shown inFIG.2B.

Referring toFIGS.2A,2B, and3A, a display panel100may include a base layer110, a circuit layer120, a light emitting element layer130, and an encapsulation layer140.

The base layer110may be a member which provides a base surface on which the circuit layer120is located. The base layer110may be a rigid substrate, or a flexible substrate allowing bending, folding, or rolling. The base layer110may be a glass substrate, a metal substrate, a polymer substrate, or the like. However, the embodiments are not limited thereto, but the base layer110may be an inorganic layer, an organic layer, or a composite material layer.

The circuit layer120may be located on the base layer110. The circuit layer120may include an insulating layer, a semiconductor pattern, a conductive pattern, a signal line, and the like. An insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and a conductive layer may be formed on the base layer110in a scheme such as coating or deposition and may then be selectively patterned through a plurality of photolithography processes. Thereafter, the semiconductor pattern, the conductive pattern, and the signal line included in the circuit layer120may be formed.

The light emitting element layer130may be located on the circuit layer120. The light emitting element layer130may include light emitting elements ESPX1-1c, ESPX1-2c, and ESPX2. The 1-1st light emitting element ESPX1-1cmay be included in a 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1c. The 1-2nd light emitting element ESPX1-2cmay be included in a 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2c. The second light emitting element ESPX2may be included in a second color sub-pixel SPX2.

The 1-1st light emitting element ESPX1-1cmay include a 1-1st pixel electrode E1a, a 1-1st light emitting layer EM1a, and a common electrode CE. The 1-2nd light emitting element ESPX1-2cmay include a 1-2nd pixel electrode E1b, a 1-2nd light emitting layer EM1b, and a common electrode CE. The second light emitting element ESPX2may include a second pixel electrode E2, a second light emitting layer EM2, and a common electrode CE.

A plurality of first pixel units PXU1may include a 1-1st pixel unit PXU1-1and a 1-2nd pixel unit PXU1-2adjacent to the 1-1st pixel unit PXU1-1in a first direction DR1. The 1-2nd light emitting element ESPX1-2cof the 1-1st pixel unit PXU1-1may be adjacent to the 1-1st light emitting element ESPX1-1cof the 1-2nd pixel unit PXU1-2. The 1-1st light emitting layer EM1aof the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1cand the 1-2nd light emitting layer EM1bof the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2cmay be connected with each other to be provided integrally. For example, the 1-1st light emitting layer EM1amay be defined as a portion overlapping the 1-1st pixel electrode E1a, the 1-2nd light emitting layer EM1bmay be defined as a portion overlapping the 1-2nd pixel electrode E1b, and a connection light emitting layer EM1-C may be located between the 1-1st light emitting layer EM1aand the 1-2nd light emitting layer EM1b.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the 1-2nd light emitting layer EM1bof the 1-2nd light emitting element ESPX1-2cand the 1-1st light emitting layer EM1aof the 1-1st light emitting element ESPX1-1c, which are adjacent to each other to emit the same color, may be connected with each other without being separated from each other to be deposited. Thus, one connected light emitting pattern EM1a, EM1b, and EM1-C may overlap a plurality of pixel electrodes, for example, the 1-1st pixel electrode E1aand the 1-2nd pixel electrode E1b. Although sub-pixels making up one pixel unit are subdivided, a process difficulty level may not be increased.

The pixel definition layer PDL may be located on the circuit layer120and may cover at least a portion of each of the 1-1st pixel electrode E1a, the 1-2nd pixel electrode E1b, and the second pixel electrode E2. A plurality of openings PDL-OP1and PDL-OP2may be defined in the pixel definition layer PDL. For example, the first opening PDL-OP1may expose a portion of each of the 1-1st pixel electrode E1aand the 1-2nd pixel electrode E1b. The second opening PDL-OP2may expose a portion of the second pixel electrode E2.

A 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1and a 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2may overlap the first opening PDL-OP1. For example, the 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1may be defined to correspond to a partial area of the 1-1st pixel electrode E1a, which is exposed by the first opening PDL-OP1, and the 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2may be defined to correspond to a partial area of the 1-2nd pixel electrode E1b, which is exposed by the first opening PDL-OP1The second light emitting area EA2may be defined to correspond to a partial area of the second pixel electrode E2, which is exposed by the second opening PDL-OP2.

The common electrode CE may be located on the light emitting layers EM1a, EM1b, EM1-C, and EM2. The common electrode CE may be arranged in common in a plurality of pixels. According to some embodiments, a hole control layer may be located between the pixel electrodes E1a, E1b, and E2and the light emitting layers EM1a, EM1b, EM1-C, and EM2. The hole control layer may include a hole transport layer and may further include a hole injection layer. An electron control layer may be located between the light emitting layers EM1a, EM1b, EM1-C, and EM2and the common electrode CE. The electron control layer may include an electron transport layer and may further include an electron injection layer. The hole control layer and the electron control layer may be formed in common in the plurality of pixels using an open mask.

The encapsulation layer140may be located on the light emitting element layer130. The encapsulation layer140may include an inorganic layer, an organic layer, and an inorganic layer sequentially laminated, and layers making up the encapsulation layer140are not limited thereto. The inorganic layers may protect the light emitting element layer130from moisture and oxygen, and the organic layer may protect the light emitting element layer130from a foreign material such as dust particles.

FIG.3Bis a cross-sectional view according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, which is cut along the line I-I′ shown inFIG.2B. In describingFIG.3B, a description will be given of only a part having a difference withFIG.3A.

Referring toFIG.3B, a pixel definition layer PDLa may be located on a circuit layer120and may cover a portion of each of a 1-1st pixel electrode E1a, a 1-2nd pixel electrode E1b, and a second pixel electrode E2. A plurality of openings PDL-OP1a, PDL-OP1b, and PDL-OP2may be defined in the pixel definition layer PDLa. For example, the 1-1st opening PDL-OP1amay expose a portion of the 1-1st pixel electrode E1a, and the 1-2nd opening PDL-OP1bmay expose a portion of the 1-2nd pixel electrode E1b. The second opening PDL-OP2may expose a portion of the second pixel electrode E2.

A 1-1st light emitting area EA1-1amay be defined to correspond to a partial area of the 1-1st pixel electrode E1a, which is exposed by the first opening PDL-OP1a, and a 1-2nd light emitting area EA1-2amay be defined to correspond to a partial area of the 1-2nd pixel electrode E1b, which is exposed by the 1-2nd opening PDL-OP1b. The second light emitting area EA2may be defined to correspond to a partial area of the second pixel electrode E2, which is exposed by the second opening PDL-OP2.

A connection light emitting layer EM1-Ca connected with a 1-1st light emitting layer EM1aand a 1-2nd light emitting layer EM1bmay be located on a portion of the pixel definition layer PDLa between the 1-1st opening PDL-OP1aand the 1-2nd opening PDL-OP1b.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, one connected light emitting pattern EM1a, EM1b, and EM1-Ca may overlap a plurality of pixel electrodes, for example, the 1-1st pixel electrode E1aand the 1-2nd pixel electrode E1b. Although sub-pixels making up one pixel unit are subdivided, a process difficulty level may not be increased.

FIG.4is a block diagram of a signal control circuit according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.5Ais a flowchart of a driving method of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.5Bis a flowchart of an image processing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1,4,5A, and5B, a signal control circuit100C1may include an image buffer100C1a, a black and white image converter100C1b, a contour extractor100C1c, a component analyzer100C1d, a determination unit100C1e, a data generator100C1f, and a timing controller100C1g. The image buffer100C1a, the white and black image converter100C1b, the contour extractor100C1c, the component analyzer100C1d, the determination unit100C1e, the data generator100C1f, and the timing controller100C1gdo not refer to separate components which are divided physically. For example, the image buffer100C1a, the white and black image converter100C1b, the contour extractor100C1c, the component analyzer100C1d, the determination unit100C1e, the data generator100C1f, and the timing controller100C1gare divided functionally according to their operations, which may be implemented in a single chip.

In operation S100, the signal control circuit100C1may receive image data RGB. One frame of image data RGB may be stored in the image buffer100C1a. The signal control circuit100C1may analyze an image using the image buffer100C1aand may select pixel driving according to the analyzed result.

In operation S200, the black and white image converter100C1bmay convert an image corresponding to the image data RGB into a black and white image.

In operation S300, the contour extractor100C1cmay extract a contour of the black and white image. The operation of extracting the contour may be to extract the contour (or an outline) through morph gradient calculation (S310), adaptive threshold application (S320), and morph close processing (S330).

In operation S400, the component analyzer100C1dmay analyze a direction component of the contour. In operation S500, the determination unit100C1emay determine shapes of a plurality of pixel units based on the direction component.

In operation S600, the data generator100C1fmay render the image data RGB to correspond to the determined shapes of the plurality of pixel units to generate display data DRGB. The data generator100C1fmay provide the timing controller100C1gwith the display data DRGB.

FIG.6Ais a drawing illustrating an image implemented by a plurality of pixel units according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.6Bis a drawing illustrating an image implemented by a plurality of pixel units according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.6A and6B, first and second images IM1and IM2displaying the same character are illustrated. InFIGS.6A and6B, the first and second images IM1and IM2are displayed using mesh lines parallel to a first cross direction DRC1and a second cross direction DRC2. The first image IM1may be composed of a plurality of pixel units, and the second image IM2may be composed of a plurality of pixel units.

Referring toFIGS.4and6A, a display panel100(refer toFIG.1) may be divided into a plurality of blocks BL1, BL2, BL3, and BL4. The four blocks BL1, BL2, BL3, and BL4are illustrated as an example inFIG.6A. Each of the blocks BL1, BL2, BL3, and BL4are exemplified as being composed of 3×3 with respect to a shape of a first pixel unit, but not particularly limited thereto. For example, each of the blocks BL1, BL2, BL3, and BL4may be variously modified as 10×10 or 100×100 with respect to the shape of the first pixel unit.

A determination unit100C1emay determine shapes of a plurality of pixel units in units of the plurality of blocks BL1, BL2, BL3, and BL4. For example, shapes of pixel units included in the second block BL2may be the same as each other.

Referring toFIGS.4and6B, the determination unit100C1emay determine each of the shapes of the plurality of pixel units. For example, although displaying the same image, a second comparison pixel unit PXUb shown inFIG.6Bmay be different in shape from a first comparison pixel unit PXUa shown inFIG.6A. For example, an outline of a character to be displayed by the second comparison pixel unit PXUb may be more clearly displayed.

When the shapes of the pixel units are determined for each block unit likeFIG.6A, as the amount of calculation is reduced, a calculation speed may be improved. Furthermore, because the shape of the pixel unit suitable for each block unit is determined, actual recognition image quality may be improved.

When each of shapes is determined for each pixel unit likeFIG.6B, as the amount of calculation is increased, a speed may be relatively reduced. However, because shapes are determined for each pixel unit, actual recognition image quality may be more improved than when the shapes are determined for each block unit.

FIG.7Ais a plan view illustrating an array of sub-pixels according to a comparison embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.7Bis a drawing illustrating certain line images using an array of sub-pixels according to a comparison embodiment.

Referring toFIG.7A, each of a first color sub-pixel SPG, a second color sub-pixel SPR, and a third color sub-pixel SPB may have a diamond shape. The first color sub-pixel SPG may be a green sub-pixel, the second color sub-pixel SPR may be a red sub-pixel, and the third color sub-pixel SPB may be a blue sub-pixel. An array of sub-pixels shown inFIG.7Amay be repeated in a first direction DR1and a second direction DR2.

The second color sub-pixel SPR and the third color sub-pixel SPB may be alternately repeated and arranged along the first direction DR1and the second direction DR2. The first color sub-pixel SPG and the second color sub-pixel SPR may be alternately repeated and arranged along a first cross direction DRC1and a second cross direction DRC2. The first color sub-pixel SPG and the third color sub-pixel SPB may be alternately repeated and arranged along the first cross direction DRC1and the second cross direction DRC2.

Seven line images LC1, LC2, LC3, LC4, LC5, LC6, and LC7are illustrated inFIG.7B. The first line image LC1may be an image composed of the second color sub-pixels SPR and the third color sub-pixels SPB. The second line image LC2may be an image composed of the third color sub-pixels SPB. The third line image LC3may be an image composed of the first color sub-pixels SPG and the third color sub-pixels SPB. The fourth line image LC4may be an image composed of the first color sub-pixels SPG. The fifth line image LC5may be an image composed of the first color sub-pixels SPG and the second color sub-pixels SPR. The sixth line image LC6may be an image composed of the second color sub-pixels SPR. The seventh line image LC7may be an image composed of the first color sub-pixels SPG, the second color sub-pixels SPR, and the third color sub-pixels SPB.

FIG.8is a drawing illustrating certain line images using an array of sub-pixels according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The first line image L1may be an image composed of second color sub-pixels SPX2and third color sub-pixels SPX3. The second line image L2may be an image composed of third color sub-pixels SPX3. The third line image L3may be an image composed of 1-1st color sub-pixels SPX1-1, 1-2nd color sub-pixels SPX1-2, and the third color sub-pixels SPX3. The fourth line image L4may be an image composed of the 1-1st color sub-pixels SPX1-1and the 1-2nd color sub-pixels SPX1-2. The fifth line image L5may be an image composed of the 1-1st color sub-pixels SPX1-1, the 1-2nd color sub-pixels SPX1-2, and the second color sub-pixels SPX2. The sixth line image L6may be an image composed of the second color sub-pixels SPX2. The seventh line image L7may be an image composed of the 1-1st color sub-pixels SPX1-1, the 1-2nd color sub-pixels SPX1-2, the second color sub-pixels SPX2, and the third color sub-pixels SPX3.

When comparingFIG.7BwithFIG.8, in case of a pixel array according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, quality of expression of the straight line may be more improved. Furthermore, because sub-pixels displaying a line image are arranged adjacent to each other, a color shift phenomenon may be reduced. Thus, display quality may be improved.

FIG.9is a plan view illustrating a pixel array according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.9, a plurality of sub-pixels SPX (refer toFIG.1) may include first color sub-pixels SPX1-1and SPX1-2, a second color sub-pixel SPX2t, and a third color sub-pixel SPX3t. The first color sub-pixels SPX1-1and SPX1-2may emit a first color of light. The second color sub-pixel SPX2tmay emit a second color of light, which is different from the first color. The third color sub-pixel SPX3tmay emit a third color of light, which is different from the first color and the second color. The first color sub-pixels SPX1-1and SPX1-2may include the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1and the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2.

Shapes of a 1-1st light emitting area and a 1-2nd light emitting area respectively corresponding to the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1and the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2may correspond to a shape shown inFIG.9. Shapes of a second light emitting area corresponding to the second color sub-pixel SPX2tand a third light emitting area corresponding to the third color sub-pixel SPX3tmay correspond to a shape shown inFIG.9.

Each of light emitting areas of the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1and the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2may have a triangular shape, and each of light emitting areas of the second color sub-pixel SPX2tand the third color sub-pixel SPX3tmay have a trapezoidal shape.

A second color line image extending in a first direction DR1may be implemented by the second color sub-pixel SPX2thaving an outline extending along the first direction DR1. A third color line image extending in the first direction DR1may be implemented by the third color sub-pixel SPX3thaving an outline extending along the first direction DR1. Furthermore, a mixed color line image extending in the first direction DR1, in which a second color and a third color are mixed, may be implemented by the second color sub-pixel SPX2tand the third color sub-pixel SPX3t, each of which has an outline extending along the first direction DR1. In other words, when expressing a horizontal line for a specific color, recognition image quality may be more improved by using the second color sub-pixel SPX2tor the third color sub-pixel SPX3thaving the horizontal line.

Furthermore, as each of the second color sub-pixel SPX2tand the third color sub-pixel SPX3tis provided in the shape of a trapezoid, a gap between two sub-pixels may be more improved and a possibility of mixing two colors may be reduced.

FIG.10is a plan view illustrating a pixel array according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.10, a plurality of sub-pixels SPX (refer toFIG.1) may include first color sub-pixels SPX1-1tand SPX1-2t, a second color sub-pixel SPX2t, and a third color sub-pixel SPX3t. The first color sub-pixels SPX1-1tand SPX1-2tmay include the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1tand the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2t.

Shapes of a 1-1st light emitting area and a 1-2nd light emitting area respectively corresponding to the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1tand the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2tmay correspond to a shape shown inFIG.10. Shapes of a second light emitting area corresponding to the second color sub-pixel SPX2tand a third light emitting area corresponding to the third color sub-pixel SPX3tmay correspond to a shape shown inFIG.9.

Each of light emitting areas of the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX1-1t, the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2t, the second color sub-pixel SPX2t, and the third color sub-pixel SPX3tmay have a trapezoidal shape. In other words, each of the light emitting areas may have an outline extending in a first direction DR1or a second direction DR2. In this case, when expressing a horizontal line or a vertical line for a specific color, recognition image quality may be more improved by using the second color sub-pixel SPX2tor the third color sub-pixel SPX3thaving the horizontal line or the 1-1st color sub-pixel SPX11tor the 1-2nd color sub-pixel SPX1-2thaving the vertical line.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, shapes of a plurality of pixel units may be determined by analyzing image data. For example, when an image, vertical and horizontal lines of which are mainly used, is displayed, the plurality of pixel units are determined as a shape in which may enable vertical and/or horizontal expressions. Alternatively, when an image, a diagonal expression of which is mainly used, is displayed, the plurality of pixel units are determined as a shape in which may enable the diagonal expression. In this case, recognition image quality recognized by a user who uses a display device may be relatively improved without an increase in resolution.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to some embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the appended claims, and their equivalents.