Pixel arrangement structure, display panel, display device each having groups of sub-pixels with each type of sub-pixel including four sub-pixels of the same color

A pixel arrangement structure is disclosed including a plurality of repeatedly arranged groups of sub-pixels. Each group of sub-pixels includes: one first sub-pixel and two second sub-pixels sequentially arranged in an i-th column, i being a natural number; two third sub-pixels and one first sub-pixel sequentially arranged in an (i+1)-th column; two second sub-pixels and one first sub-pixel sequentially arranged in an (i+2)-th column; and one first sub-pixel and two third pixels sequentially arranged in an (i+3)-th column. Also disclosed is a display panel including pixels arranged in accordance with the pixel arrangement structure, a display device including the display panel, and a set of masks for vapor-depositing an organic luminescent material in fabricating an organic luminescent display panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the U.S. national phase entry of PCT/CN2018/078775, with an international filing date of Mar. 13, 2018, which claims the benefit of the Chinese Patent Application No. 201710431715.6 filed on Jun. 9, 2017, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of display technology, and in particular, to a pixel arrangement structure, a display panel including pixels arranged in accordance with the pixel arrangement structure, a display device including the display panel, and a set of masks for vapor-depositing an organic luminescent material in fabricating an organic luminescent display panel.

BACKGROUND

The organic luminescent display (e.g., an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display) is considered to be a promising display device. Small molecule evaporation using a fine metal mask (FMM) is widely used to fabricate OLED displays. FMM evaporation can affect the quality of OLED displays (e.g., pixel resolution), and the design of the FMM is closely related to the way pixels are arranged in the display.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pixel arrangement structure is provided comprising a plurality of repeatedly arranged groups of sub-pixels, each group of sub-pixels comprising: one first sub-pixel and two second sub-pixels sequentially arranged in an i-th column, i being a natural number; two third sub-pixels and one first sub-pixel sequentially arranged in an (i+1)-th column; two second sub-pixels and one first sub-pixel sequentially arranged in an (i+2)-th column; and one first sub-pixel and two third pixels sequentially arranged in an (i+3)-th column. At least a portion of each of the two second sub-pixels in the i-th column overlaps in a row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel in the (i+1)-th column. At least a portion of each of the two third sub-pixels in the (i+1) column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel in the i-th column. At least a portion of each of the two second sub-pixels in the (i+2)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel in the (i+3)-th column. At least a portion of each of the two third sub-pixels in the (i+3)-th column overlaps column in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel in the (i+2)-th column.

In some embodiments, the first sub-pixels, the second sub-pixels, and the third sub-pixels are configured to emit light of different colors.

In some embodiments, each of the first sub-pixels, the second sub-pixels, and the third sub-pixels has a shape selected from a group consisting of a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a pixel arrangement structure is provided comprising a plurality of repeatedly arranged groups of sub-pixels, each group of sub-pixels comprising: a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel sequentially arranged in an i-th column, i being a natural number; a second sub-pixel, a third sub-pixel, and a first sub-pixel sequentially arranged in an (i+1)-th column; a second sub-pixel, a third sub-pixel, and a first sub-pixel sequentially arranged in an (i+2)-th column; and a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel sequentially arranged in an (i+3)-th column. At least a portion of each of the second sub-pixel and the third sub-pixel in the i-th column overlaps in a row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel in the (i+1)-th column. At least a portion of each of the second sub-pixel and the third sub-pixel in the (i+1)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel in the i-th column. At least a portion of each of the second sub-pixel and the third sub-pixel in the (i+2)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel in the (i+3)-th column. At least a portion of each of the second sub-pixel and the third sub-pixel in the (i+3)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel in the (i+2)-th column.

In some embodiments, the first sub-pixels, the second sub-pixels, and the third sub-pixels are configured to emit light of different colors.

In some embodiments, each of the first sub-pixels, the second sub-pixels, and the third sub-pixels has a shape selected from a group consisting of a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display panel is provided comprising pixels arranged in accordance with the pixel arrangement structure as described above.

In some embodiments, the display panel is selected from a group consisting of an organic luminescent display panel and a liquid crystal display panel.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device is provided comprising the display panel as described above.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a set of masks for vapor-depositing an organic luminescent material in fabricating an organic luminescent display panel is provided. The organic luminescent display panel comprises pixels arranged in accordance with the pixel arrangement structure as recited above. The set of masks comprises: a first mask comprising a first metal frame defining a plurality of first openings, each of the first openings having a shape corresponding to a respective pair of directly adjacent ones of the first sub-pixels together with a region between the respective pair of first sub-pixels; a second mask comprising a second metal frame defining a plurality of second openings, each of the second openings having a shape corresponding to a respective pair of directly adjacent ones of the second sub-pixels together with a region between the respective pair of second sub-pixels; and a third mask comprising a third metal frame defining a plurality of third openings, each of the third openings having a shape corresponding to a respective pair of directly adjacent ones of the third sub-pixels together with a region between the respective pair of third sub-pixels. The first openings are arranged to have a same pattern as respective pairs of directly adjacent first sub-pixels in the pixel arrangement structure. The second openings are arranged to have a same pattern as respective pairs of directly adjacent second sub-pixels in the pixel arrangement structure. The third openings are arranged to have a same pattern as respective pairs of directly adjacent third sub-pixels in the pixel arrangement structure.

These and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Spatially relative terms, such as “a column direction”, “a row direction” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

FIG. 1schematically illustrates a block diagram of a display device10in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 1, the display device10includes a signal controller100, a scan driver200, a data driver300, and a display panel400.

The signal controller100receives a synchronization signal and video signals R, G, and B input from an external device. The video signals R, G, and B include luminance information of each of a plurality of pixels PX, wherein the luminance has a set number (for example, a predetermined number) of grayscales (or gradations), for example, 1024 (=210), 256 (=28), or 64 (=26) grayscales. The synchronization signal includes a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, a vertical synchronization signal Vsync, a main clock signal MCLK, and a data enable signal DE.

The signal controller100generates a first driving control signal CONT1, a second driving control signal CONT2, and image data signal DAT based on the video signals R, G, and B, the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, the data enable signal DE, and the main clock signal MCLK. The signal controller100divides the video signals R, G, and B into units of frames according to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, and the video signals R, G, and B into units of data lines according to the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, to generate the image data signal DAT. The signal controller100transmits the image data signal DAT and the second drive control signal CONT2to the data driver300.

The display panel400includes the pixels PX that are substantially arranged in a matrix form. The arrangement of the pixels PX will be described in detail below with reference toFIGS. 2-5. In the display panel400, a plurality of substantially parallel scan lines S1to Sn extend in a row direction, and a plurality of substantially parallel data lines D1to Dm extend in a column direction. The scan lines S1to Sn and the data lines D1to Dm are coupled to the pixels PX. In some embodiments, the display panel400can be an organic luminescent display panel. In a non-limiting example, the organic luminescent display panel may include a display substrate on which the organic luminescent pixel structure is formed and a cover plate facing the display substrate. In some embodiments, the display panel400can be a liquid crystal display panel. In a non-limiting example, the liquid crystal display panel may include a first substrate on which pixel electrodes are formed, a second substrate on which a color filter (CF) is formed, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Color rendering can be achieved by means of the filtering effect of the color filter.

The scan driver200is coupled to the scan lines S1-Sn, and generates a corresponding plurality of scan signals S[1] to S[n] according to the first drive control signal CONT1. The scan driver200can sequentially apply the scan signal S[1]-S[n] having a gate-on voltage to the scan lines S1-Sn, respectively. The first driving control signal CONT1includes a frame start signal FLM, a first clock signal SCLK1, and a second clock signal SCLK2. The frame start signal FLM may be a signal that generates the first scan signal S[1] for displaying a single-frame image. The first clock signal SCLK1and the second clock signal SCLK2are synchronization signals for sequentially generating the scan signals S[1]-S[n] and applying them to the corresponding scan lines S1-Sn.

The data driver300is coupled to the data lines D1-Dm, samples and holds the image data signal DAT according to the second driving control signal CONT2, and applies a plurality of data signals D[1] to D[m] to the data lines D1to Dm, respectively. By applying the data signals D[1] to D[m] having a set voltage range (for example, a predetermined voltage range) to the data lines D1to Dm according to the scan signals S[1] to S[n] having the gate-on voltage which are applied respectively to the scan lines S1to Sn [m], the data driver300can program data to the pixels PX.

The display device10can be any product or component having a display function, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a display, a notebook computer, a digital photo frame, a navigator, and the like.

FIG. 2schematically illustrates a plan view of a pixel arrangement structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 2, the pixel arrangement structure includes a plurality of repeatedly arranged groups of sub-pixels20, each of which includes sub-pixels22,24, and26.

The first sub-pixel22emits light of a first color, the second sub-pixel24emits light of a second color, and the second sub-pixel26emits light of a third color. As an example, the first color may be blue, the second color may be red, and the third color may be green. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. More generally, the first sub-pixel22, the second sub-pixel24, and the third sub-pixel26can be configured to emit light of different colors.

In this embodiment, each of the groups of sub-pixels20includes four first sub-pixels22, four second sub-pixels24, and four third sub-pixels26arranged in four rows and four columns. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 2, the group of sub-pixels20includes one first sub-pixel22and two second sub-pixels24sequentially arranged in an i-th column (in a negative direction of the y-axis) (here i is a natural number), two third sub-pixels26and one first sub-pixel22sequentially arranged in an (i+1) column, two second sub-pixels24and one first sub-pixel sequentially arranged in an (i+2)-th column22, and one first sub-pixel22and two third pixels26sequentially arranged in an (i+3)-th column. More specifically, each of the two second sub-pixels24in the i-th column overlaps in a row direction (the direction of the x-axis inFIG. 2) with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel22in the (i+1) column, each of the two third sub-pixels26in the (i+1)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel22in the i-th column, each of the two sub-pixels24in the (i+2)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel22in the (i+3)-th column, and each of the two third sub-pixels26in the (i+3)-th column overlap in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel22in the (i+2)-th column. In other words, each of the first sub-pixels22is arranged to be distributed across two adjacent rows. For example, as illustrated, the first sub-pixels22in the i-th column and the (i+3)-th column are distributed across a j-th row and a (j+1)-th row (here j is a natural number) such that they overlap with the second sub-pixels24and the third sub-pixels26in the j-th row and the (j+1)-th row, and the first sub-pixels22in the (i+1) column and the (i+2)-th column are distributed across a (j+2)-th row and a (j+3)-th row such that they overlap with the second sub-pixels24and the third sub-pixels26in the (j+2)-th row and the (j+3)-th row.

By means of the pixel arrangement described above, it is possible to obtain a high pixel resolution since a relatively large number of sub-pixels are provided in comparison to a scheme in which every two directly adjacent sub-pixels of the same color are otherwise merged into one single sub-pixel, for example. With the relatively large number of sub-pixels, “pixel borrowing” can also be realized more easily, thereby facilitating sub-pixel rendering.

It will be understood that the pixel arrangement shown inFIG. 2is exemplary, as the properties of the sub-pixels22,24, and26, including their relative size and shape, may vary in other embodiments.

FIG. 3schematically illustrates a plan view of a variation of the pixel arrangement structure ofFIG. 2. Referring toFIG. 3, the pixel arrangement structure includes a plurality of repeatedly arranged groups of sub-pixels30, each of which includes sub-pixels32,34, and36.

Similar to the embodiment described above with respect toFIG. 2, each of the groups of sub-pixels30includes four first sub-pixels32, four second sub-pixels34, and four third sub-pixels36arranged in four rows and four columns.

This embodiment differs from the embodiment ofFIG. 2in that the first sub-pixel32now has a larger width and a smaller length than the first sub-pixel22. In this case, as shown inFIG. 3, only a portion of each of the two second sub-pixels34in the i-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel32in the (i+1)-th column, only a portion of each of the two third sub-pixels36in the (i+1)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel32in the i-th column, only a portion of each of the second sub-pixels34in the (i+2)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel32in the (i+3)-th column, and only a portion of each of the two third sub-pixels36in the (i+3)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel32in the (i+2)-th column. The embodiment ofFIG. 3is exemplary; other embodiments are also contemplated.

FIG. 4schematically illustrates a plan view of a variation of the pixel arrangement structure ofFIG. 2. Referring toFIG. 4, the pixel arrangement structure includes a plurality of repeatedly arranged groups of sub-pixels40, each of which includes sub-pixels42,44, and46.

Similar to the embodiment described above with respect toFIG. 2, each of the groups of sub-pixels40includes four first sub-pixels42, four second sub-pixels44, and four third sub-pixels46arranged in four rows and four columns.

This embodiment differs from the embodiment ofFIG. 2in that the first sub-pixel42now has a shape of a hexagon. In this case, as shown inFIG. 4, only a portion of each of the two second sub-pixels44in the i-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel42in the (i+1)-th column, only a portion of each of the two third sub-pixels46in the (i+1)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel42in the i-th column, only a portion of each of the two second sub-pixels44in the (i+2)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel42in the (i+3)-th column, and only a portion of each of the two third sub-pixels46in the (i+3)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel42in the (i+2)-th column. The embodiment ofFIG. 4is exemplary; other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, each of the first sub-pixel42, the second sub-pixel44, and the third sub-pixel46may have other polygonal shapes (e.g., triangular, quadrangular, or pentagonal shapes), circular shapes, elliptical shapes, or other shapes.

FIG. 5schematically illustrates a plan view of a pixel arrangement structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 5, the pixel arrangement structure includes a plurality of repeatedly arranged groups of sub-pixels50, each of the groups of sub-pixels including sub-pixels52,54, and56, wherein the first sub-pixel52, the second sub-pixel54, and the third sub-pixel56can be configured to emit light of different colors.

In this embodiment, each of the groups of sub-pixels50includes four first sub-pixels52, four second sub-pixels54, and four third sub-pixels56arranged in four rows and four columns. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 5, the group of sub-pixels50includes a first sub-pixel52, a second sub-pixel54and a third sub-pixel56sequentially arranged in an i-th column (here i is a natural number), a second sub-pixel54, a third sub-pixel56and a first sub-pixel52sequentially arranged in an (i+1)-th column, a second sub-pixel54, a third sub-pixel56and a first sub-pixel52sequentially arranged in an (i+2)-th column, and a first sub-pixel52, a second sub-pixel54and a third sub-pixel56sequentially arranged in an (i+3)-th column. More specifically, each of the second sub-pixel54and the third sub-pixel56in the i-th column overlaps in a row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel52in the (i+1) column, each of the second sub-pixel54and the third sub-pixel56in the (i+1)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel52in the i-th column, each of the second sub-pixel54and the third sub-pixels56in the (i+2)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel52in the (i+3)-th column, and each of the the second sub-pixel54and the third sub-pixel56in the (i+3)-th column overlaps in the row direction with a respective portion of the first sub-pixel52in the (i+2)-th column. In other words, each of the first sub-pixels52is arranged to be distributed across two adjacent rows. For example, as illustrated, the first sub-pixels52in the i-th column and the (i+3)-th column are distributed across a j-th row and a (j+1)-th row (here j is a natural number) such that they overlaps with the second sub-pixels54in the j-th row and the third sub-pixels56in the (j+1)-th row, and the first sub-pixels52in the (i+1)-th column and the (i+2)-th column are distributed across a (j+2)-th row and a (j+3)-th row such that they overlap with the second sub-pixels54in the (j+2)-th row and the third sub-pixels56in the (j+3)-th row.

Similar to the embodiment described above in connection withFIG. 2, the pixel arrangement shown inFIG. 5may allow for a high pixel resolution because a relatively number of sub-pixels are provided in comparison to, for example, a scheme in which every two directly adjacent sub-pixels of the same color are otherwise merged into one single sub-pixel.

It will be understood that the pixel arrangement shown inFIG. 5is exemplary, as the properties of the sub-pixel52,54, and56, including their relative size and shape, may vary in other embodiments. For example, similar to the embodiment described above in connection withFIG. 3, the sub-pixels52,54, and56may have different relative dimensions than illustrated. For another example, similar to the embodiment described above in connection withFIG. 4, the sub-pixels52,54, and56may have shapes other than those illustrated, such as, for example, a polygonal, circular, or elliptical shape.

The pixel arrangement structures described in the above embodiments can be applied to an organic luminescent display panel or a liquid crystal display panel. In the case of an organic luminescent display panel, the pixel arrangement structure can be formed by vapor-depositing an organic luminescent material on a substrate using a set of masks (for example, FMM). The quality of the organic luminescent display panel (e.g., pixel resolution) is largely constrained by the precision of the masks because the masks typically have a low precision due to the process (e.g., etching) by which they are manufactured.

FIGS. 6A-6Cschematically illustrate plan views of a set of masks according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 6A-6C, the set of masks includes a first mask600A including a first metal frame60A defining a plurality of first openings62, a second mask600B including a second metal frame60B defining a plurality of second openings64, and a third mask600C including a third metal frame60C defining a plurality of third openings66. It will be understood that as indicated by the “Z” shaped section lines inFIGS. 6A-6Cthe metal frames60A,60B, and60C as shown are only a part of them, and that the first, second and third openings62,64,66may be repeatedly arranged in a constant pattern.

In this embodiment, the set of masks can be used to form the pixel arrangement structure as shown inFIG. 2. In the first mask600A, each of the first openings62has a shape corresponding to a respective pair of directly adjacent ones of the first sub-pixels22in the pixel arrangement structure together with a region between this respective pair of first sub-pixels22. For example, the uppermost and middle first opening62inFIG. 6Ahas a shape corresponding to the two first sub-pixels22inFIG. 2that are located in the (i+3)-th column and the (i+4)-th column and are distributed across the j-th row and the (j+1)-th row together with the region between these two sub-pixels22. Moreover, in the first mask600A, the first openings62are arranged to have the same pattern as respective pairs of directly adjacent first sub-pixels22in the pixel arrangement structure. In forming the first sub-pixels22, the first mask600A is positioned such that the first openings62are respectively aligned with respective anode regions on the substrate for the respective pairs of directly adjacent first sub-pixels (each anode region including two anodes separated from each other, with each anode corresponding to a first sub-pixel), and the evaporated organic luminescent material passes through the first openings62and reaches the anode regions on the substrate, thereby forming individual first sub-pixels22.

In the second mask600B, each of the second openings64has a shape corresponding to a respective pair of directly adjacent ones of the second sub-pixels24in the pixel arrangement structure together with a region between this respective pair of second sub-pixels24, and the second openings64are arranged to have the same pattern as respective pairs of directly adjacent second sub-pixels24in the pixel arrangement. In forming the second sub-pixels24, the second mask600B is positioned such that the second openings64are respectively aligned with respective anode regions on the substrate for the respective pairs of directly adjacent second sub-pixels (each anode region including two anodes separated from each other, with each anode corresponding to a second sub-pixel), and the evaporated organic luminescent material passes through the second openings64and reaches the anode regions on the substrate, thereby forming individual second sub-pixels24.

In the third mask600C, each of the third openings66has a shape corresponding to a respective pair of directly adjacent ones of the third sub-pixels26in the pixel arrangement structure together with a region between this respective pair of third sub-pixels26, and the third openings66are arranged to have the same pattern as respective pairs of directly adjacent third sub-pixels26in the pixel arrangement. In forming the third sub-pixels26, the third mask600C is positioned such that the third openings66are respectively aligned with respective anode regions on the substrate for the respective pairs of directly adjacent third sub-pixels (each anode region including two anodes separated from each other, with each anode corresponding to a third sub-pixel), and the evaporated organic luminescent material passes through the third openings66and reaches the anode regions on the substrate, thereby forming individual third sub-pixels26.

By means of such masks, each of the openings can be used to form two (directly adjacent) sub-pixels. This allows for an increased pitch between the openings as compared to, for example, a mask design in which each opening is used to form only one sub-pixel. In other words, this allows a display panel having a higher pixel resolution to be fabricated with a mask of a lower precision, thereby facilitating a reduction in the fabrication cost of the mask while achieving a high pixel resolution.

It will be understood that the set of masks shown inFIGS. 6A-6Cis exemplary and that other masks can be designed according to a desired pixel arrangement.

FIGS. 7A-7Cschematically illustrate plan views of a variation of the set of masks ofFIGS. 6A-6C.

Referring toFIGS. 7A-7C, the set of masks includes a first mask700A including a first metal frame70A defining a plurality of first openings72, and a second mask700B including a second metal frame70B defining a plurality of second openings74, and a third mask700C including a third metal frame70C defining a plurality of third openings76.

In this embodiment, the set of masks can be used to form the pixel arrangement structure as shown inFIG. 5. In the first mask700A, each of the first openings72has a shape corresponding to a respective pair of directly adjacent ones of the first sub-pixels52in the pixel arrangement structure together with a region between this respective pair of first sub-pixels52, and the first openings72are arranged to have the same pattern as respective pairs of directly adjacent first sub-pixels52in the pixel arrangement.

In the second mask700B, each of the second openings74has a shape corresponding to a respective pair of directly adjacent ones of the second sub-pixels54in the pixel arrangement structure together with a region between this respective pair of second sub-pixels54, and the second openings74are arranged to have the same pattern as respective pairs of directly adjacent second sub-pixels54in the pixel arrangement.

In the third mask700C, each of the third openings76has a shape corresponding to a respective pair of directly adjacent ones of the third sub-pixels56in the pixel arrangement structure together with a region between this respective pair of third sub-pixels56, and the third openings76are arranged to have the same pattern as respective pairs of directly adjacent third sub-pixels56in the pixel arrangement.

It will be understood that the set of masks shown inFIGS. 7A-7Cis exemplary and that other masks can be designed in accordance with a desired pixel arrangement structure.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the disclosure are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.