Patent Publication Number: US-10762822-B2

Title: Pixel array and display device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a display technology, and more particularly to a pixel array and a display device. 
     Related Art 
     With the development of display technologies, various novel display devices have been developed, for example, half source driving (HSD) display panels, tri-gate display panels and other types of display panels. However, such display panels still have many disadvantages. For example, the area of a driving chip is excessively large or there is a serious line mura phenomenon. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a pixel array and a display device, so as to resolve the problems in the prior art. 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a pixel array, which is implemented in a display device. The display device comprises a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines. The pixel array comprises a first sub pixel row, a second sub pixel row, and a third sub pixel row. The first sub pixel row comprises a first sub pixel, a second sub pixel, and a third sub pixel. The second sub pixel row comprises a fourth sub pixel, a fifth sub pixel, and a sixth sub pixel. The third sub pixel row comprises a seventh sub pixel, an eight sub pixel, and a ninth sub pixel. The seventh sub pixel is electrically coupled to a first data line. The first sub pixel, the fourth sub pixel, and the fifth sub pixel are electrically coupled to a second data line. The second sub pixel, the third sub pixel, and the eighth sub pixel are electrically coupled to a third data line. The sixth sub pixel and the ninth sub pixel are electrically coupled to a fourth data line. 
     An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a display device. The display device comprises a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, a gate driver, a source driver, and a pixel array. The gate driver is electrically coupled to a plurality of scan lines. The source driver comprises a plurality of multiplexers. The plurality of multiplexers is electrically coupled to a plurality of corresponding data lines. The pixel array comprises a first sub pixel row, a second sub pixel row, and a third sub pixel row. The first sub pixel row comprises a first sub pixel, a second sub pixel, and a third sub pixel. The second sub pixel row comprises a fourth sub pixel, a fifth sub pixel, and a sixth sub pixel. The third sub pixel row comprises a seventh sub pixel, an eight sub pixel, and a ninth sub pixel. The seventh sub pixel is used for receiving a first data signal. The first sub pixel, the fourth sub pixel, and the fifth sub pixel are used for receiving a second data signal. The second sub pixel, the third sub pixel, and the eighth sub pixel are used for receiving a third data signal. The sixth sub pixel and the ninth sub pixel are used for receiving a fourth data signal. 
     Based on the above, applying the foregoing embodiment can reduce the area of a driving chip in a display panel and alleviate the line mura phenomenon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To make the aforementioned and other objectives, features, advantages and embodiments of the present disclosure more comprehensible, the accompanying drawings are described as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below. However, the embodiments provided are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The description of structures and operations are not intended to limit the order of execution. Any structure formed by recombining elements shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure as long as an equivalent apparatus can be generated. In addition, the figures are merely provided for the purpose of description, but are not drawn to scale. Like or similar elements are denoted by like reference numerals in the following description to facilitate understanding. 
     Unless otherwise specified, all the terms as used in this specification and the claims generally have the same meaning as is commonly understood by persons skilled in the art. 
     The terms “first”, “second”, “third” and the like as used herein are used for distinguishing between similar elements or operations and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. 
     In addition, as used herein, “coupled” or “connected” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a display device  100  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the display device  100  comprises a gate driver  102 , a source driver  104 , a pixel array  106 , a plurality of data lines D 1  to D 7 , and a plurality of scan lines S 1  to S 10 . 
     The gate driver  102  is electrically coupled to the scan lines S 1  to S 10  to output corresponding scan signals to the corresponding scan lines. The source driver  104  is electrically coupled to the data lines D 1  to D 7  to output corresponding data signals to the corresponding data lines. Sub pixels in the pixel array  106  generate corresponding gray levels according to the corresponding scan signals and the corresponding data signals. 
     In some embodiments, the source driver  104  comprises a plurality of multiplexers  1041  to  1047 . The multiplexers  1041  to  1047  are electrically coupled to the data lines D 1  to D 7  respectively. In operation, the multiplexers  1041  to  1047  are used for receiving data signals DS(m−1) to DS(m+5) respectively and outputting the data signals to the data lines D 1  to D 7  respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the display device  100  is a tri-gate display panel. The pixel array  106  comprises a plurality of sub pixel rows L 1 -L 9 . Each sub pixel row comprises a plurality of sub pixels in a same color. For example, the first sub pixel row L 1 , the fourth sub pixel row L 4 , and the seventh sub pixel row L 7  each include six first-color sub pixels (for example, red sub pixels). The second sub pixel row L 2 , the fifth sub pixel row L 5 , and the eighth sub pixel row L 8  each include six second-color sub pixels (for example, green sub pixels). The third sub pixel row L 3 , the sixth sub pixel row L 6 , and the ninth sub pixel row L 9  each include six third-color sub pixels (for example, blue sub pixels). 
     In other words, a plurality of unit areas jointly consists the pixel array  106 . Taking a unit area U 1  as an example, the unit area U 1  has nine sub pixels  11  to  19 . The first sub pixel  11 , the second sub pixel  12 , and the third sub pixel  13  are configured in the first sub pixel row L 1 . The fourth sub pixel  14 , the fifth sub pixel  15 , and the sixth sub pixel  16  are configured in the second sub pixel row L 2 . The seventh sub pixel  17 , the eighth sub pixel  18 , and the ninth sub pixel  19  are configured in the third sub pixel row L 3 . 
     The seventh sub pixel  17  is electrically coupled to the first data line D 1 . The first sub pixel  11 , the fourth sub pixel  14 , and the fifth sub pixel  15  are electrically coupled to the second data line D 2 . The second sub pixel  12 , the third sub pixel  13 , and the eighth sub pixel  18  are electrically coupled to the third data line D 3 . The sixth sub pixel  16  and the ninth sub pixel  19  are electrically coupled to the fourth data line D 4 . 
     The first sub pixel  11  and the second sub pixel  12  are electrically coupled to the first scan line S 1 . The third sub pixel  13 , the fourth sub pixel  14 , and the sixth sub pixel  16  are electrically coupled to the second scan line S 2 . The fifth sub pixel  15 , the eighth sub pixel  18 , and the ninth sub pixel  19  are electrically coupled to the third scan line S 3 . The seventh sub pixel  17  is electrically coupled to the fourth scan line S 4 . 
     In such a configuration, the first data line D 1  is electrically coupled to a blue sub pixel (the sub pixel  17 ). If there is another sub pixel configured on the left of the first data line D 1 , the first data line D 1  may even be electrically coupled to a green sub pixel. Therefore, the first data signal DS(m−1) comprises a green data signal and a blue data signal. 
     Similarly, because the second data line D 2  is electrically coupled to a red sub pixel (the sub pixel  11 ) and green sub pixels (the sub pixel  14  and the sub pixel  15 ), the second data signal DS(m) comprises a red data signal and green data signals. 
     Similarly, because the third data line D 3  is electrically coupled to red sub pixels (the sub pixel  12  and the sub pixel  13 ) and a blue sub pixel (the sub pixel  18 ), the third data signal DS(m+1) comprises red data signals and a blue data signal. 
     Similarly, because the fourth data line D 4  is electrically coupled to a green sub pixel (the sub pixel  16 ) and a blue sub pixel (the sub pixel  19 ), the fourth data signal DS(m+2) comprises a green data signal and a blue data signal. 
     It should be particularly noted that other unit areas have a similar configuration, and therefore will not be detailed herein again. 
     Taking a display panel which resolution of video graphics array is (640×480) as an example, if a conventional pixel configuration is used, 1920 (640×3) scan lines and 480 data lines are needed. In other words, a total of 2400 lines are needed. However, if the configuration of the display panel  100  is used, only (640+1) scan lines and (480×3+1) data lines are needed. In other words, a total of 2082 lines are needed. That is to say, provided that same resolution is required, a tri-gate display panel has fewer lines, therefore the area needed can be reduced. In addition, the gate driver  102  can be implemented on the pixel array  106  by means of the Gate Driver on Array (GOA) technology, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. 
     In addition, for the conventional pixel configuration, because all the data lines need to charge a red sub pixel, a green sub pixel, and a blue sub pixel, all the data lines need to be electrically coupled to three gamma resistor strings (a gamma resistor string corresponding to red data signals, a gamma resistor string corresponding to green data signals, and a gamma resistor string corresponding to blue data signals). However, in the display panel  100 , all the data lines need to be electrically coupled to only two gamma resistor strings. For example, the second data line D 2  is electrically coupled to the gamma resistor string corresponding to red data signals and the gamma resistor string corresponding to green data signals through the multiplexers  1042 . Therefore, compared with the conventional pixel configuration, the area of a driving chip of the display panel  100  and manufacturing costs of the display panel  100  can be reduced. 
     In addition, compared with an HSD display panel, the display panel  100  can effectively alleviate the line mura phenomenon. A detailed description is given below. 
     In some embodiments, the display panel  100  uses a forward scan. That is to say, in a same frame, the scan sequence of the display panel  100  is scanning sequentially downward from the first scan line S 1 , the second scan line S 2 , the third scan line S 3 , and the fourth scan line S 4 . 
     For example, the fourth sub pixel  14  and the fifth sub pixel  15  are both charged according to the second data signal DS(m). However, because the second scan line S 2  is scanned earlier than the third scan line S 3 , the fourth sub pixel  14  is charged earlier and the fifth sub pixel  15  is charged later. In this case, a line mura phenomenon occurs between the fourth sub pixel  14  and the fifth sub pixel  15 . Likewise, the line mura phenomenon also occurs between the sub pixel  34  and the sub pixel  35 . The line mura phenomenon also occurs between the sub pixel  54  and the sub pixel  55 . 
     In an HSD display panel, the line mura phenomenon occurs between all sub pixels on the two sides of the entire data line. However, in the display panel  100 , the line mura phenomenon occurs only at three positions on each data line. That is to say, the configuration of the pixel array  106  not only can reduce the area of the driving chip of the display panel  100  and the manufacturing costs of the display panel  100 , but also can alleviate the line mura phenomenon. 
     In some other embodiments, the display panel  100  uses a reverse scan. That is to say, in a same frame, the scan sequence of the display panel  100  is scanning sequentially upward from the tenth scan line S 10 , the ninth scan line S 9 , the eighth scan line S 8 , and the seventh scan line S 7 . 
     In some other embodiments, the display panel  100  uses a forward scan in one frame, and uses a reverse scan in a next frame. In other words, the scan sequence of the scan lines (taking the scan line S 1  to S 4  as an example) is sequentially the first scan line S 1 , the second scan line S 2 , the third scan line S 3 , and the fourth scan line S 4  in a first frame, and is sequentially the fourth scan line S 4 , the third scan line S 3 , the second scan line S 2 , and the first scan line S 1  in a second frame. However, the scan method of the display panel  100  is not limited in the present disclosure. Other scan methods shall also be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a display device  200  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the display device  200  comprises a gate driver  202 , a source driver  204 , a pixel array  206 , a plurality of data lines D 1  to D 7 , and a plurality of scan lines S 1  to S 10 . 
     The gate driver  202  is electrically coupled to the scan lines S 1  to S 10  to output corresponding scan signals to the corresponding scan lines. The source driver  204  is electrically coupled to the data lines D 1  to D 7  to output corresponding data signals to the corresponding data lines. Sub pixels in the pixel array  206  generate corresponding gray levels according to the corresponding scan signals and the corresponding data signals. 
     In some embodiments, the source driver  204  comprises a plurality of multiplexers  2041  to  2047 . The multiplexers  2041  to  2047  are electrically coupled to the data lines D 1  to D 7  respectively. In operation, the multiplexers  2041  to  2047  are used for receiving data signals DS(m−1) to DS(m+5) respectively and outputting the data signals to the data lines D 1  to D 7  respectively. 
     The configuration of the pixel array  206  is also duplicated. In other words, a plurality of unit areas jointly consists the pixel array  206 . Taking a unit area U 2  as an example, the unit area U 2  has eighteen sub pixels  101  to  118 . 
     The coupling relationship between the sub pixels  101  to  109  and the data lines and scan lines is similar to that between the sub pixels  11  to  19  and the data lines and scan lines in  FIG. 1 , and therefore will not be detailed herein again. 
     The coupling relationship between the sub pixels  110  to  118  and the data lines and scan lines is similar to that between the sub pixels  21  to  29  and the data lines and scan lines in  FIG. 1 . In particular, the sixteenth sub pixel  116  is electrically coupled to the fourth data line D 4 . The tenth sub pixel  110 , the thirteenth sub pixel  113 , and the fourteenth sub pixel  114  are electrically coupled to the fifth data line D 5 . The eleventh sub pixel  111 , the twelfth sub pixel  112 , and the seventeenth sub pixel  117  are electrically coupled to the sixth data line D 6 . The fifteenth sub pixel  115  and the eighteenth sub pixel  118  are electrically coupled to the seventh data line D 7 . 
     The tenth sub pixel  110  and the eleventh sub pixel  111  are electrically coupled to the first scan line S 1 . The twelfth sub pixel  112 , the thirteenth sub pixel  113 , and the fifteenth sub pixel  115  are electrically coupled to the second scan line S 2 . The fourteenth sub pixel  114 , the seventeenth sub pixel  117 , and the eighteenth sub pixel  118  are electrically coupled to the third scan line S 3 . The sixteenth sub pixel  116  is electrically coupled to the fourth scan line S 4 . 
     The difference between the pixel array  206  and the pixel array  106  lies in that the arrangement of pixels in the pixel array  206  is a delta arrangement. In other words, each sub pixel row of the pixel array  206  comprises sub pixels in two colors. 
     For example, in the first sub pixel row L 1  of the pixel array  206 , the first sub pixel  101 , the third sub pixel  103 , and the eleventh sub pixel  111  are first-color sub pixels (for example, red sub pixels), and the second sub pixel  102 , the tenth sub pixel  110 , and the twelfth sub pixel  112  are second-color sub pixels (for example, green sub pixels). 
     In the second sub pixel row L 2  of the pixel array  206 , the fourth sub pixel  104 , the sixth sub pixel  106 , and the fourteenth sub pixel  114  are second-color sub pixels (for example, green sub pixels), and the fifth sub pixel  105 , the thirteenth sub pixel  113 , and the fifteenth sub pixel  115  are third-color sub pixels (for example, blue sub pixels). 
     In the second sub pixel row L 3  of the pixel array  206 , the seventh sub pixel  107 , the ninth sub pixel  109 , and the seventeenth sub pixel  117  are third-color sub pixels (for example, blue sub pixels), and the eighth sub pixel  108 , the sixteenth sub pixel  116 , and the eighteenth sub pixel  118  are first-color sub pixels (for example, red sub pixels). 
     In such a configuration, the first data line D 1  is electrically coupled to a blue sub pixel (the sub pixel  107 ). If there is another sub pixel configured on the left of the first data line D 1 , the first data line D 1  may even be electrically coupled to a green sub pixel. Therefore, the first data signal DS(m−1) comprises a green data signal and a blue data signal. 
     Because the second data line D 2  is electrically coupled to a red sub pixel (the sub pixel  101 ), a green sub pixel (the sub pixel  104 ), and a blue sub pixel (the sub pixel  105 ), the second data signal DS(m) comprises a red data signal, a green data signal, and a blue data signal. 
     Because the third data line D 3  is electrically coupled to a red sub pixel (the sub pixel  102 ) and green sub pixels (the sub pixel  103  and the sub pixel  108 ), the third data signal DS(m+1) comprises a red data signal and green data signals. 
     Because the fourth data line D 4  is electrically coupled to a red sub pixel (the sub pixel  116 ), a green sub pixel (the sub pixel  106 ), and a blue sub pixel (the sub pixel  109 ), the fourth data signal DS(m+2) comprises a red data signal, a green data signal, and a blue data signal. 
     Because the fifth data line D 5  is electrically coupled to green sub pixels (the sub pixel  110  and the sub pixel  114 ) and a blue sub pixel (the sub pixel  113 ), the fifth data signal DS(m+3) comprises green data signals and a blue data signal. 
     Because the sixth data line D 6  is electrically coupled to a red sub pixel (the sub pixel  111 ), a green sub pixel (the sub pixel  112 ), and a blue sub pixel (the sub pixel  117 ), the sixth data signal DS(m+4) comprises a red data signal, a green data signal, and a blue data signal. 
     Because the seventh data line D 7  is electrically coupled to a sub pixel (the sub pixel  118 ) and a blue sub pixel (the sub pixel  115 ), the seventh data signal DS(m+5) comprises a red data signal and a blue data signal. 
     For the conventional pixel configuration, because all the data lines need to charge a red sub pixel, a green sub pixel, and a blue sub pixel, all the data lines need to be electrically coupled to three gamma resistor strings (a gamma resistor string corresponding to red data signals, a gamma resistor string corresponding to green data signals, and a gamma resistor string corresponding to blue data signals). However, in the display panel  200 , the data lines D 1 , D 3 , D 5  and D 7  need to be electrically coupled to only two gamma resistor strings. Therefore, compared with the conventional pixel configuration, the area of a driving chip of the display panel  200  and manufacturing costs of the display panel  200  can be reduced. 
     In addition, because the line mura phenomenon occurs only at three positions on each data line of the display panel  200 , the line mura phenomenon can also be alleviated. 
     It should be noted that the number of data lines, the number of scan lines, and the number of sub pixels in the foregoing display devices are provided for exemplary purpose only, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     Based on the above, applying the foregoing embodiment can reduce the area of a driving chip in a display panel and alleviate the line mura phenomenon. 
     The present disclosure is disclosed through the foregoing embodiments; however, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Various changes and modifications made by persons of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. The protection scope of the present disclosure is subject to the appended claims.