Patent Description:
This disclosure relates to the field of display technologies, and particularly to a display substrate, a method for driving the same, a display apparatus, and a high-precision metal mask template.

As the display technologies are developing, an all-screen panel with a high screen to panel ratio and an ultra-narrow bezel can greatly improve a visual effect over a general display panel, and thus has been widely favored. At present, a front camera, an earphone, a fingerprint recognition area, a physical button, etc., are typically arranged on the front face of a display apparatus including an all-screen panel, e.g., a mobile phone, to photograph its user, to conduct a video session, to recognize a fingerprint, and to perform other functions. However the arrangement of these indispensable functional elements may hinder a screen to panel ratio from being improved. The Chinese patent application <CIT> discloses an electroluminescent display panel and a display device. According to the electroluminescent display panel and the display device, a light-sensing fingerprint identification area is arranged, so that a second light-emitting unit in a light-sensing identification pixel unit is enabled to be a transparent light emitting unit. Furthermore, during the optical fingerprint identification process, the fingerprint identification area can be used for effectively detecting fingerprints. Moreover, the light-sensing fingerprint identification area comprises a display sub-pixel unit and a light-sensing identification pixel unit. Therefore, the display function of the light-sensing fingerprint identification area can also be achieved. As a result, the occupied area of the non-display area is effectively reduced. The design of a narrow frame is facilitated.

An embodiment of this disclosure provides a display apparatus. The present invention is defined by the appended independent claim. Specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The embodiments of this disclosure provide a display apparatus. In order to make the objects, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent, this disclosure will be described below in further details with reference to the drawings.

The shapes and the sizes of respective components in the drawings are not intended to reflect any real proportion, but only intended to illustrate the disclosure of this application.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a display substrate according to this disclosure includes a display area including a first display sub-area A1 and a second sub-area A2, where a distribution density of pixels in the first display sub-area A1 is higher than a distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area A2.

In the display substrate according to this disclosure, the display area includes the first display sub-area in which pixels are distributed at a high density (e.g., a high resolution), and the second display sub-area in which pixels are distributed at a low density (e.g., a low resolution). Since the distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area is lower, a camera and other elements can be arranged in the second display sub-display area, that is, the distribution density of the local pixels can be lowered to thereby improve the transmittivity of a screen so as to improve a screen to panel ratio of the display substrate.

It shall be noted that the distribution density of pixels can refer to the number of pixels arranged uniformly in a unit of area. If there are a large number of pixels arranged in a unit of area, then there will be a high distribution density of pixels, and thus a high resolution; and if there are a small number of pixels arranged in a unit of area, then there will be a low distribution density of pixels, and thus a low resolution.

Furthermore in this disclosure, the distribution density of pixels is particularly calculated in the equation of <MAT>, where ρ represents the distribution density of pixels, x represents the number of display elements in the row direction, y represents the number of display elements in the column direction, and S represents the area of a screen.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to this disclosure, the number of second display sub-areas may be one or more; and the first display sub-area may be a consecutive area, or may be an inconsecutive area, dependent upon a real application environment, although an embodiment of the invention will not be limited thereto.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to this disclosure, as illustrated in <FIG>, at least a part of sides of the second display sub-area A2 coincide with at least a part of sides of the display area, and the other sides of the second display sub-area A2 are surrounded by the first display sub-area A1, so that the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged at the edge of the display area.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to this disclosure, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first display sub-area A1 is arranged to surround the second display sub-area A2 so that the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged in the display area.

Furthermore in a particular implementation, the shape of the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged as a regular shape, and as illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged as a rectangle, where a top corner of the rectangle can be a right angle or can be an arc angle. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged as a trapezium, where a top corner of the trapezium can be a normal angle or can be an arc angle. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged as a round. Of course, the shape of the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged as an irregular shape. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged as a drop shape. Of course, the shape of the second display sub-area can be designed according to the shape of an element arranged in the second display sub-area in a real application, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

Optionally in the display substrate according to this disclosure, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first display sub-area A1 and the second display sub-area A2 form the consecutive display area, and the shape of the display area is substantially rectangular, so that the first display sub-area A1 and the second display sub-area A2 can be formed as complementary patterns to form the consecutive display area. Furthermore, for example, if each top corner of the display area is a right angle, then the display area will be a rectangle, or if each top corner of the display area is an arc angle, then the shape of the display area will be substantially rectangular.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to this disclosure, a relative positional relationship between the first display sub-area and the second display sub-area, and their shapes will not be limited to any particular relative positional relationship and shapes, but can be arranged according to a screen design of the display substrate. For a mobile phone, for example, the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged at the top-left corner of the first display sub-area A1 as illustrated in <FIG>. The second display sub-area A2 can be arranged at the top-right corner of the first display sub-area A1 as illustrated in <FIG>. The second display sub-area A2 can be arranged at the middle of the top of the first display sub-area A1 as illustrated in <FIG>. The first display sub-area A1 and the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged in the row direction as illustrated in <FIG>, where the second display sub-area A2 can be located above or below the first display sub-area A1. In this way, a sensor, e.g., a sensor for recognizing a human face (e.g., an infrared sensor, etc.), can be further arranged in the second display sub-area A2. The first display sub-area A1 and the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged in the column direction as illustrated in <FIG>, where the second display sub-area A2 can be located to the left or right of first display sub-area A1. In this way, a sensor, e.g., a sensor for recognizing a human face (e.g., an infrared sensor, etc.), can be further arranged in the second display sub-area A2. The second display sub-area A2 can be arranged at the center of the first display sub-area A1 as illustrated in <FIG>. The second display sub-area A2 can be arranged at a corner (e.g., the top-left corner) of the display area as illustrated in <FIG>. Of course, the particular position of the second display area A2 can be determined according to a real application environment in a real application, although an embodiment of the invention will not be limited thereto.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to this disclosure, the distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area is determined according to an element arranged in the second display sub-area, and a display demand, although an embodiment of the invention will not be limited thereto. For example, a camera is arranged in the second display sub-area, and if the distribution density of pixels is too high, then a good display effect will be guaranteed, but a definition of photographing may be degraded, or if the distribution density of pixels is too low, then a high definition of photographing will be guaranteed, but the display effect may be degraded. In a particular implementation, there is such an attainable resolution of the existing display substrate that the distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area is generally no lower than the distribution density of pixels in the first display sub-area by a factor of <NUM>/<NUM>. For example, the distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area is <NUM>/<NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>, or <NUM>/<NUM> of the distribution density of pixels in the first display sub-area. Of course, if the resolution of the display substrate is made higher, then the ratio of the distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area to the distribution density in the first display sub-area may be set smaller.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to this disclosure, as illustrated in <FIG>, the area of the second display sub-area A2 can be smaller than the area of the first display sub-area A1. Of course, the area of the second display sub-area can be designed according to an element arranged in the second display sub-area in a real application, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

Pixel elements are generally arranged in the display area, and each pixel element includes a plurality of sub-pixels; and a pixel in an embodiment of this disclosure may refer to a combination of sub-pixels which can display an image at a pixel point independently, and for example, a pixel may refer to a pixel element. Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first display sub-area A1 includes a plurality of first pixel elements <NUM> and second pixel elements <NUM> arranged adjacent to each other, where each first pixel element <NUM> includes a first sub-pixel <NUM> and a second sub-pixel <NUM>, and each second pixel element <NUM> includes a third sub-pixel <NUM> and a second sub-pixel <NUM>. In order to display an image, the number of pixels in the first display sub-area A1 is equal to the sum of the number of first pixel elements <NUM>, and the number of second pixel elements <NUM>, that is, the pixels are arranged in a pan tile pattern in the first display sub-area A1, and the image can be displayed at the pixel elements at a higher resolution than a physical resolution by borrowing the sub-pixels in their adjacent pixel elements.

The second display sub-area A2 includes a plurality of third pixel elements <NUM>, and each third pixel element <NUM> includes a first sub-pixel <NUM>, a second sub-pixel <NUM>, and a third sub-pixel <NUM> arranged adjacent to each other. In order to display an image, the number of pixels in the second display sub-area A2 is equal to the number of third pixel elements <NUM>, that is, a physical resolution of the pixels in the second display sub-area A2 is the display definition thereof. Moreover in this embodiment, only an arrangement pattern of the third pixel elements <NUM> in the second display sub-area is illustrated, but a distribution density of the third pixel elements <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2 will not be limited to any particular distribution density.

It shall be noted that each pixel element can be a combination of sub-pixels at a pixel point, and for example, can be a combination of three, three, four or more of red, green, and blue sub-pixels, or each pixel element can be a combination of repeating elements or pixels, e.g., a combination of red, green, and blue sub-pixels.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to this disclosure two adjacent pixel elements refer to two pixel elements between which there is not any other pixel element. Two adjacent sub-pixels refer to two sub-pixels between which there is not any other sub-pixel.

It shall be noted that in the display substrate according to this disclosure, since there is a limited space at the edge of a display sub-area, the arrangement of sub-pixels in the first display sub-area, and the arrangement of sub-pixels in the second display sub-area generally refer to the arrangements of sub-pixels inside the display sub-areas, and there may be a different arrangement of some sub-pixels at the edge of the display sub-area, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

In a particular implementation, the first sub-pixels, the second sub-pixels, and the third sub-pixels are generally one of red, green, and blue sub-pixels respectively. Optionally in the display substrate according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the second sub-pixels are green sub-pixels, the first sub-pixels are red or blue sub-pixels, and the third sub-pixels are blue or red sub-pixels.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples falling outside the scope of the claims, as illustrated in <FIG>, the sub-pixels in the second display sub-area A2 can be located in the same row as a part of the sub-pixels in the first display sub-area A1 so that the sub-pixels in the second display sub-area A2 correspond in row direction to the sub-pixels in the first display sub-area A1 instead of being arranged in a different row or column from the latter sub-pixels. In this way, the display substrate is fabricated in such a way that equivalently a part of the sub-pixels in the second display sub-area in a sub-pixel mask originally arranged regularly throughout the display area are removed, thus making it relatively easy to perform a fabrication process. Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the sub-pixels in the second display sub-area A2 can be located in the same column as a part of the sub-pixels in the first display sub-area A1 so that the sub-pixels in the second display sub-area A2 correspond in column direction to the sub-pixels in the first display sub-area A1 instead of being arranged in a different row or column from the latter sub-pixels. In this way, the display substrate is fabricated in such a way that a part of the sub-pixels in the second display sub-area in a sub-pixel mask originally arranged regularly throughout the display area are removed, thus making it relatively easy to perform a fabrication process. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, equivalently a half of the second sub-pixels in the second display sub-area A2 are removed as compared with the first display sub-are A1, so the resolution of the second display sub-area A2 is <NUM>/<NUM> of the resolution of the first display sub-area A1. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, equivalently <NUM>/<NUM> of the second sub-pixels in the second display sub-area A2 are removed as compared with the first display sub-are A1, so the resolution of the second display sub-area A2 is <NUM>/<NUM> of the resolution of the first display sub-area A1.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2 is substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1, and a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2 is substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1. As illustrated in <FIG>, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2 is substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1.

In a particular implementation, the distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area is lower than the distribution density of pixels in the first display sub-area, so in order to display an image, brightness in the second distribution density of pixels is lower than brightness in the first distribution density of pixels so that there may be an apparent dark strip visible to human eyes, at the interface between the first display sub-area and the second display sub-area. Optionally in order to alleviate the dark strip, in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2 is larger than a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2 is larger than a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1, and a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2 is larger than a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1, that is, the light-emitting areas of the sub-pixels in the second display sub-area A2 can be increased to thereby lower the difference in brightness between the second display sub-area A2 and the first display sub-area A1 so as to alleviate the dark strip at the interface between the second display sub-area A2 and the first display sub-area A1.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, a plurality of third pixel elements <NUM> are arranged in a matrix in the second display sub-area A2 as illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, a plurality of third pixel elements <NUM> are arranged in a tessellated pattern in the second display sub-area A2 as illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG> to <FIG>, that is, the third pixel elements <NUM> are arranged in every other column in the row direction, and in every other row in the column direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the third pixel elements <NUM> in the odd rows are arranged in the odd columns, and the third pixel elements <NUM> in the even rows are arranged in the even rows, so that the third pixel elements <NUM> are distributed uniformly in both the row direction and the column direction, thus resulting in uniform brightness in the second display sub-area A2. For example, alternatively the third pixel elements <NUM> in the odd rows can be arranged in the even columns, and the third pixel elements <NUM> in the even rows can be arranged in the odd columns, so that any two third pixel elements are spaced from each other by a specific spacing, where for example, the spacing can be the length of at least one third pixel element in the row direction, and the length of at least one third pixel element in the column direction, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in each third pixel element <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2, the first sub-pixel <NUM> and the third sub-pixel <NUM> are arranged in the same row, and the second sub-pixel <NUM> is located in an adjacent row to the row in which the first sub-pixel <NUM> and the third sub-pixel <NUM> are located. For example, the first sub-pixel <NUM> and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in the same third pixel element <NUM> are located in the first row, and the second sub-pixel <NUM> is located in the second row, so that lines connecting the centers of the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, and the third sub-pixel in the same third pixel element <NUM> constitute a triangle to thereby avoid traverse bright and dark strips from occurring in the second display sub-area.

It shall be noted that in the display substrate according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the center of a sub-pixel refers to the center of a light-emitting area of the sub-pixel. Taking an OLED display panel as an example, a sub-pixel generally includes an anode layer, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode layer structured in a stack, where in order to display an image, the light-emitting area corresponding to the stack structure is a light-emitting area of the sub-pixel, so that the area occupied by the light-emitting area is a light-emitting area. Of course, the light-emitting area can alternatively be an area occupied by an opening area defined by the pixel definition layer, for example, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the same third pixel element <NUM>, an orthographical projection of the center of the second sub-pixel <NUM> onto the line L1 connecting the center of the first sub-pixel <NUM> with the center of the third sub-pixel <NUM> lies between the center of the first sub-pixel <NUM>, and the center of the third sub-pixel <NUM>. For example, the orthographical projection of the center of the second sub-pixel <NUM> onto the line L1 connecting the center of the first sub-pixel <NUM> with the center of the third sub-pixel <NUM> lies onto the intersection between the connecting line L1 and the straight line L2. In this way, the distance between the center of the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the center of the first sub-pixel <NUM> in the third pixel element <NUM> can be equal to the distance between the center of the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the center of the third sub-pixel <NUM> so that these three sub-pixels are arranged in an isosceles triangle pattern to thereby avoid vertical bright and dark strips from occurring in the second display sub-area A2.

In a particular implementation, the distance between the center of the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the center of the first sub-pixel <NUM> may not be exactly equal to the distance between the center of the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the center of the third sub-pixel <NUM>, and there may be some error due to a limiting process condition or another factor, e.g., an arrangement of wires or through-holes, in a real process, so the shapes and the positions of the respective sub-pixels, and their relative positional relationship can substantially satisfy the condition above without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first sub-pixel <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in the third pixel element <NUM> are arranged in the same row or column in the second display sub-area A2, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

Of course, in a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first sub-pixel <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in the third pixel element <NUM> are arranged successively in the same row or column in the second display sub-area A2, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto. Furthermore, of course, in a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first sub-pixel <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in the third pixel element <NUM> are arranged adjacent to each other in order in the same row or column in the second display sub-area A2, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in the second display sub-area A2, the sub-pixels in two third pixel elements <NUM> adjacent in the row direction are arranged in the same order in the row direction, and the sub-pixels in two third pixel elements <NUM> adjacent in the column direction are arranged in opposite orders in the row direction, so that the first sub-pixels <NUM> and the third sub-pixels <NUM> can be arranged alternately in the column direction in the second display sub-area A2 to thereby avoid a color crosstalk from occurring in the column direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, taking the first row of third pixel elements <NUM> as an example, the first sub-pixel <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each of two adjacent third pixel elements <NUM> are arranged successively from the left to the right in the row direction. Taking the first column of third pixel elements <NUM> as an example, in the column direction, the first sub-pixel <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each third pixel element <NUM> in an odd row are arranged successively from the left to the right, and the first sub-pixel <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each third pixel element <NUM> in an even row are arranged successively from the left to the right. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, taking the first row of third pixel elements <NUM> as an example, the first sub-pixel <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each of two adjacent third pixel elements <NUM> are arranged in an upside-down triangle pattern in the row direction. Taking the first column of third pixel elements <NUM> as an example, in the column direction, the first sub-pixel <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each third pixel element <NUM> in an odd row are arranged in an upside-down triangle patter, and the first sub-pixel <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each third pixel element <NUM> in an even row are arranged in an upside-down triangle patter.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, the sub-pixels in each third pixel element in the second display sub-area A2 can be arranged in the same order as illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG> to <FIG>.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to an illustrative example outside the scope of the claims, the sub-pixels in each third pixel element <NUM> in the same column are arranged in the same order, and the sub-pixels in the third pixel elements <NUM> in two adjacent columns are arranged in opposite orders, in the second display sub-area A2 as illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the first sub-pixel <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each third pixel element <NUM> in an odd column are arranged successively from the left to the right, and the second sub-pixel <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each third pixel element <NUM> in an even column are arranged successively from the left to the right.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, the shapes of the first sub-pixels <NUM>, the second sub-pixels <NUM>, and the third sub-pixels <NUM> are substantially the same in the second display sub-area A2 as illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel is smaller than or substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel, and a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel is smaller than or substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel, in the second display sub-area. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM>, and a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM>, in the second display sub-area A2. As illustrated in <FIG>, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is smaller than to a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM>, and a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is smaller than or substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM>, in the second display sub-area. Of course, the relationship between a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel, a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel, and a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel in the second display sub-area can be determined according to a real application, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM> is substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first pixel elements <NUM> and the second pixel elements <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1 can be arranged in any pan tile pattern, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first pixel elements <NUM> and the second pixel elements <NUM> are arranged alternately in the column direction, and the first pixel elements <NUM> and the second pixel elements <NUM> are arranged alternately in the row direction, in the first display sub-area A1.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, as illustrated in <FIG>, the second sub-pixel <NUM> and the first sub-pixel <NUM> in each first pixel element <NUM> are arranged in the same row, and the second sub-pixel <NUM> and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each second pixel element <NUM> are arranged in the same row, in the first display sub-area A1; and for the first pixel element <NUM> and the second pixel element <NUM> adjacent in the row direction, the second sub-pixel <NUM> in the first pixel element <NUM> is not immediately adjacent to the second sub-pixel <NUM> in the second pixel element <NUM>. For example, for the first pixel element <NUM> and the second pixel element <NUM> adjacent in the row direction, the second sub-pixel <NUM> in the first pixel element <NUM> is spaced from the second sub-pixel <NUM> in the second pixel element <NUM> by the third sub-pixel <NUM>. Of course, there may be alternative implementations to the implementation above, and a repeated description thereof will be omitted here.

Furthermore in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, as illustrated in <FIG>, a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM>, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM>, and a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM> can be substantially the same in the first display sub-area A1.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the second sub-pixel <NUM> and the first sub-pixel <NUM> in each first pixel element <NUM> are staggered in rows and columns, and the second sub-pixel <NUM> and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each second pixel element <NUM> are arranged in the same row, in the first display sub-area A1; and the first pixel element <NUM> and the second pixel element <NUM> adjacent in the column direction are a group of pixels <NUM>, and in the same group of pixels <NUM>, the second sub-pixel <NUM> in the first pixel element <NUM>, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in the second pixel element <NUM> are arranged in the same row, and the second sub-pixel <NUM> in the first pixel element <NUM>, and the second sub-pixel <NUM> in the second pixel element <NUM> are located in the same column.

Furthermore in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, two second sub-pixels <NUM> in the same group of pixels <NUM> are arranged adjacent to each other in the column direction, and the two second sub-pixels <NUM> are symmetric in the row direction, that is, they are arranged in a mirror pattern. Furthermore, in the first display sub-area A1, when the second sub-pixels <NUM> are green sub-pixels, the total light-emitting area of two second sub-pixels <NUM> is smaller than a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM>, and the total light-emitting area of two second sub-pixels <NUM> is smaller than a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM>, because the green sub-pixels have higher light-emission efficiency than that of the sub-pixels in the other colors.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the sub-pixels in each first pixel element <NUM> are arranged in the same order, and the sub-pixels in each second pixel element <NUM> are arranged in the same order, in the first display sub-area. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the first sub-pixel <NUM> and the second sub-pixel <NUM> in each first pixel element <NUM> are arranged successively from the left to the right, and the third sub-pixel <NUM> and the second sub-pixel <NUM> in each second pixel element <NUM> are arranged successively from the left to the right. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second sub-pixel <NUM> and the third sub-pixel <NUM> in each second pixel element <NUM> are arranged successively from the left to the right, and the first sub-pixel <NUM> and the second sub-pixel <NUM> in each first pixel element <NUM> are arranged successively from the top left to the bottom right.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel is not larger than a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel, and a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel is not larger than a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel, in the first display sub-area. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM>, and a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM>, in the first display sub-area A1. As illustrated in <FIG>, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is smaller than a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM>, and a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is smaller than a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM>, in the first display sub-area A1. Since the number of first sub-pixels <NUM> is the same as the number of third sub-pixels <NUM>, and the number of second sub-pixels <NUM> is twice the number of first sub-pixels <NUM>, in the first display sub-area A1, the light-emitting area of each second sub-pixel <NUM> can be made smaller.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM> is substantially equal to a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1 as illustrated in <FIG>.

In the display substrate according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the shapes of the first sub-pixels, the second sub-pixels, and the third sub-pixels in the first display sub-area will not be limited to any particular shapes, and may be regular or irregular shapes. In a particular implementation, a regular shape is generally easy to form from the perspective of a process.

In the display substrate according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the shapes of the first sub-pixels, the second sub-pixels, and the third sub-pixels in the second display sub-area will not be limited to any particular shapes, and may be regular or irregular shapes. In a particular implementation, a regular shape is generally easy to form from the perspective of a process.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the shapes of the first sub-pixel <NUM> and the third sub-pixel <NUM> are the same, and the shape of a combination of two second sub-pixels <NUM> is the same as the shape of the first sub-pixel <NUM> or the third sub-pixel <NUM>, in the same group of pixels <NUM>.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, the shape of a first sub-pixel is at least one of a rectangle and a hexagon. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the shape of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in each of the first display sub-area A1 and the second display sub-area A2 is rectangular. As illustrated in <FIG>, the shape of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in each of the first display sub-area A1 and the second display sub-area A2 is hexagonal. Of course, the shape of a first sub-pixel can alternatively be a rounded shape, elliptic, etc., although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, both of the shapes of the first sub-pixels <NUM> and the third sub-pixels <NUM> are hexagonal, and the shape of a combination of two sub-pixels <NUM> is hexagonal, in the first display sub-area A1.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, the shape of at least one of a first sub-pixel and a third sub-pixel in the second display sub-area is substantially the same as the shape of a first sub-pixel in the first display sub-area. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the shape of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2 is substantially the same as the shape of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1. As illustrated in <FIG>, the shape of a third sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2 is substantially the same as the shape of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1. As illustrated in <FIG>, the shape of a first sub-pixel <NUM>, and the shape of a third sub-pixel <NUM> respectively in the second display sub-area A2 are substantially the same as the shape of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, the shape of one of a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel in the first display sub-area is substantially the same as the shape of a second sub-pixel in the second display sub-area. As illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, for example, the shape of a first sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1 is substantially the same as the shape of a second sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2. As illustrated in <FIG>, the shape of a second sub-pixel <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1 is substantially the same as the shape of a second sub-pixel <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2.

It shall be noted the shapes of the respective first sub-pixels <NUM>, the respective second sub-pixels <NUM>, and the respective third sub-pixels <NUM> in the same sub-area are substantially the same, and although there is substantially the same shape of these three kinds of sub-pixels, there may be different light-emitting areas thereof. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is smaller than a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM>, and a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is smaller than a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM>, in the second display sub-area A2. In a real application, for example, they can be arranged in an implementation in which a light-emitting area of a blue sub-pixel is larger than a light-emitting area of a red sub-pixel, which is larger than a light-emitting area of a green sub-pixel, or a light-emitting area of a blue sub-pixel is larger than a light-emitting area of a green sub-pixel, which is larger than a light-emitting area of a red sub-pixel, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

It shall be noted that in the display substrate according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the shape of a sub-pixel refers to the shape of a light-emitting area of the sub-pixel.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the second sub-pixels <NUM> in the first display sub-area A1 are green sub-pixels, the total light-emitting area of two second sub-pixels <NUM> is smaller than the area of a first sub-pixel <NUM>, and the total light-emitting area of two second sub-pixels <NUM> is smaller than the area of a third sub-pixel <NUM>, because the green sub-pixels have higher light-emission efficiency than that of the sub-pixels in the other colors.

Optionally in the display substrate according to illustrative examples outside the scope of the claims, and also to embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the second sub-pixels <NUM> in the second display sub-area A2 are green sub-pixels, a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel <NUM> is smaller than a light-emitting area of a first sub-pixel <NUM>, and a light-emitting area of a second sub-pixel is smaller than a light-emitting area of a third sub-pixel <NUM>.

In a particular implementation, in the display substrate according to an illustrative example outside the scope of the claims, the display substrate according to an embodiment of this disclosure generally displays an image by scanning the first display sub-area row by row. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, when the first display sub-area A1 and the second display sub-area A2 are adjacent to each other in the row direction, gate driver circuits GOA1 to GOA5 output signals row by row, but only the GOA1, the GOA3, and the GOA5 output signals for the second display sub-area A2.

An embodiment, which is not according to the invention, provides a method for driving the display substrate according to any one of an embodiments above of this disclosure, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the method includes the following steps:.

For a sub-pixel in the first display sub-area, when a physical pixel in the first display sub-area corresponds to a pixel in the image data, a target grayscale of the sub-pixel is generally an initial grayscale thereof; and when the number of physical pixels in the first display sub-area is less than the number of pixels in the image data, there is a borrowing relationship between displaying sub-pixels, so a sub-pixel may correspond to two or more pixels in the image data, and thus the garget grayscale of the sub-pixel shall be calculated according to the initial grayscale of the sub-pixel in the raw image data, corresponding thereto.

For each sub-pixel in the second display sub-area, there is a low resolution, and in order to display an image, a physical pixel corresponds to a pixel in the image data, and a target grayscale of the sub-pixel is generally an initial grayscale thereof. However there may be such a problem there is a low resolution of the second display sub-area, and if the image is displayed directly at the initial grayscale, then there will be such a large difference in brightness between the second display sub-area and the first display sub-area that there may be an apparent dark strip at the interface between the second display sub-area and the first display sub-area. In order to address this problem, a driver according to this embodiment of this disclosure adjusts the grayscale of the sub-pixel in the second display sub-area according to a light-emitting area of the sub-pixel, and the distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area. For example, if there is a larger light-emitting area of the sub-pixel, there is high overall brightness in the second display sub-area, and there are a larger number of sub-pixels distributed in the second display sub-area, then there will be high overall brightness in the second display sub-area.

It shall be noted that a physical pixel generally includes three RGB sub-pixels.

In a particular implementation, when the pixels are arranged in a pan tile pattern in the first display sub-area, both the first sub-pixels and the third sub-pixels are borrowed for displaying an image, so a first sub-pixel generally corresponds to two pixels in the image data, a third sub-pixel corresponds to two pixels in the image data, and no second sub-pixel is borrowed, and thus a second sub-pixel generally corresponds to a pixel in the image data.

Accordingly optionally in the method according to an illustrative example outside the scope of the claims, determining for
each sub-pixel in the first display sub-area the target grayscale of the sub-pixel particularly can include:.

In a particular implementation, in order to alleviate a dark strip at the interface between the second display sub-area and the first display sub-area, brightness in the second display sub-area can be adjusted as appropriate, where the brightness is in proportion to a light-emitting area and the distribution density of pixels.

Accordingly optionally in the method according to an illustrative example outside the scope of the claims, determining for
each sub-pixel in the second display sub-area the target grayscale of the sub-pixel particularly can include:.

In a particular implementation, the error adjustment coefficient k can be adjusted according to a real display effect of the display substrate, although an embodiment of this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

In a particular implementation, if there are m third pixel elements in a unit of area in the second display sub-area, and there are j pixels in the image data in the corresponding area, then there will be j/m pixels in image data corresponding to a third pixel element, that is, N=j/m. A target grayscale of a sub-pixel can be determined according to any one or more of N sub-pixels corresponding thereto. For example, with N=<NUM>, a target grayscale of a sub-pixel can be determined according to initial grayscales of any one or more of four sub-pixels in image data corresponding thereto. For example, if it is determined according to an initial grayscale of one of the sub-pixels, then X = k * s * ρ * xi, where x<NUM> represents an initial grayscale of any one of the four sub-pixels. For example, if it is determined according to initial grayscales of two of the sub-pixels, then <MAT>, where x<NUM> and x<NUM> represent initial grayscales of any two of the four sub-pixels. For example, if it is determined according to initial grayscales of three of the sub-pixels, then <MAT>, where x<NUM>, x<NUM>, and x<NUM> represent initial grayscales of any three of the four sub-pixels. For example, if it is determined according to initial grayscales of the sub-pixels, then <MAT> where x<NUM>, x<NUM>, x<NUM>, and x<NUM> represent initial grayscales of the four sub-pixels.

Based upon the same inventive idea, this disclosure further provides a display apparatus including the display substrate according to any one of the embodiments above of this disclosure. The display apparatus can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a TV set, a monitor, a notebook computer, a digital photo frame, a navigator, or any other product or component with a display function. Reference can be made to an embodiment of the display substrate above for an implementation of the display apparatus, and a repeated description thereof will be omitted here.

Optionally the display apparatus according to this disclosure further includes a driver configured to drive the display substrate, where the driver of the display substrate can be an Integrated Circuit (IC), an external Central Processing Unit (CPU), a micro processor, etc., and is configured:.

Optionally in the display apparatus according to this disclosure, the driver is configured to determine for each sub-pixel in the first display sub-area the target grayscale of the sub-pixel by:.

Accordingly optionally in the display apparatus according to this disclosure, the driver is configured to determine for each sub-pixel in the second display sub-area the target grayscale of the sub-pixel by:.

In a particular implementation, the error adjustment coefficient k can be adjusted according to a real display effect of the display substrate, although this disclosure will not be limited thereto.

A reference can be made to the implementation of the driver in the display apparatus above for details of the method according to this disclosure,.

In a particular implementation, in the display apparatus according to this disclosure, the driver integrates all the algorithms for calculating the target grayscales of the sub-pixels in the respective sub-areas into an IC. In order to display an image, the driver determines the target grayscales corresponding to the respective sub-pixels according to the received image data.

Furthermore before the display substrates displays at the target grayscales, in order to improve the uniformity of brightness, generally a Demura algorithm shall also be performed. A particular Demura algorithm is known in the art, so a repeated description thereof will be omitted here.

Based upon the same inventive idea, this disclosure further provides a high-precision metal mask template for fabricating the display substrate according to any one of an embodiments of this disclosure, where the high-precision metal mask template includes a plurality of opening areas corresponding in shape and position to the first sub-pixels, the second sub-pixels, or the third sub-pixels.

In a particular implementation, each sub-pixel generally includes an anode layer, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode layer, where the light-emitting layer is generally vapor-plated using the high-precision metal mask template above. Taking the display substrate as illustrated in <FIG> as an example, the high-precision metal mask template for forming the first sub-pixels includes opening areas <NUM> corresponding in shape and position to the light-emitting layers of the first substrate <NUM> in the display substrate as illustrated in <FIG>. The area of an opening area <NUM> is generally larger than an area of a corresponding light-emitting area due to a limiting process factor. Principles of high-precision metal mask template for forming the second sub-pixels, and the high-precision metal mask template for forming the third sub-pixels are similar to the principle of the high-precision metal mask template for forming the first sub-pixels, so a repeated description thereof will be omitted here.

In the display substrate, the method for driving the same, the display apparatus, and the high-precision metal mask template above according to this disclosure, the display area includes the first display sub-area with a high distribution density of pixels (i.e., a high resolution), and the second display sub-area with a low distribution density of pixels (i.e., a low resolution), and since the distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area is low, a camera and another element can be arranged in the second display sub-area, that is, the distribution density of the local pixels can be lowered to thereby improve the transmittivity of a screen so as to improve a screen to panel ratio of the display substrate. Furthermore in order to drive the display substrate, the grayscale of a sub-pixel in the second display sub-area can be adjusted according to the light-emitting area of the sub-pixel, and the distribution density of pixels, in the second display sub-area to thereby compensate for a significant difference in brightness between the second display sub-area and the first display sub-area due to the difference between the distribution density of pixels in the first display sub-area, and the distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area so as to alleviate a dark strip from occurring at the interface between the first display sub-area and the second display sub-area, so that the image can be displayed throughout the screen.

Claim 1:
A display apparatus, comprising a display area; wherein the display area comprises:
a first display sub-area (A1); and
a second display sub-area (A2),
wherein a distribution density of pixels in the first display sub-area (A1) is greater than a distribution density of pixels in the second display sub-area (A2),
and characterised in that:
the second display sub-area (A2) is provided with a camera, wherein
in the first display sub-area (A1), first (<NUM>) and third (<NUM>) sub-pixels are arranged in columns, and in each such column the first (<NUM>) and third (<NUM>) sub-pixels are arranged in an alternating manner; the first (<NUM>) and third (<NUM>) sub-pixels are arranged in rows, and in each such row the first (<NUM>) and third (<NUM>) sub-pixels are arranged in an alternating manner but with a gap of a single column between each two; in the columns without any first (<NUM>) and third (<NUM>) sub-pixels, a small second sub-pixel (<NUM>) is formed immediately to the right of each third (<NUM>) sub-pixel, and in all rows of the first display sub-area (A1) except the first row, another small second sub-pixel (<NUM>) is formed immediately to
the left of each first sub-pixel (<NUM>); wherein the small second sub-pixel (<NUM>) and the another small second sub-pixel (<NUM>) are arranged adjacent to each other in a column direction;
in the second display sub-area (A2), first (<NUM>), small second (<NUM>) and third (<NUM>) sub-pixels are arranged in different columns, respectively; a column of first sub-pixels (<NUM>) and a column of third sub-pixels (<NUM>)are arranged between each two columns of small second sub-pixels (<NUM>), and a gap of a single column is between the column of first-pixels (<NUM>) and the column of third sub-pixels (<NUM>); and the first (<NUM>), small second (<NUM>) and third (<NUM>) sub-pixels are arranged in rows, and sub-pixels in each such row are arranged cyclically in an order of the first sub-pixel (<NUM>), the small second sub-pixel (<NUM>) and the third sub-pixel (<NUM>); and,
wherein the first sub-pixel (<NUM>), the small second sub-pixel (<NUM>) and the third sub-pixel (<NUM>) are one of a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel and a blue sub-pixel, respectively.