Patent ID: 12243486

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Examples will be described in detail herein, with the illustrations thereof represented in the drawings. When the following descriptions involve the drawings, like numerals in different drawings refer to like or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following examples do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pixel circuit. The pixel circuit as shown inFIG.1includes a light-emitting element11, a first voltage terminal V1, a data signal line DATA, a light emission control sub-circuit12and a photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13.

As shown inFIG.1, the light emission control sub-circuit12is connected with the first voltage terminal V1, the data signal line DATA and the light-emitting element11. The photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13is connected with the first voltage terminal V1and the data signal line DATA.

In the present embodiment, in a first time period, the data signal line DATA is used to transmit a display data signal for controlling the light emission control sub-circuit12to provide a drive current for the light-emitting element11. In a second time period, the data signal line DATA is used to transmit a sensing data signal obtained by the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13. There is no overlap between the first time period and the second time period.

In this embodiment, the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13for sensing external inputs is integrated in the pixel circuit, the data signal line DATA is used to transmit the sensing data signal obtained by the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13when not used to transmit the display data signal, and the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13and the light emission control sub-circuit12share the first voltage terminal V1. Thus, disposal of an additional signal line for transmitting the sensing data signal and an additional power supply for supplying power to the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13is not needed, thus reducing the difficulty of circuit board layout.

Brief descriptions are made to the pixel circuit of the embodiments of the present disclosure as above, and detailed descriptions will be made below to the pixel circuit of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pixel circuit. The pixel circuit as shown inFIG.1includes a light-emitting element11, a first voltage terminal V1, a data signal line DATA, a light emission control sub-circuit12and a photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13.

As shown inFIG.1, the light emission control sub-circuit12is connected with the first voltage terminal V1, the data signal line DATA and the light-emitting element11. The photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13is connected with the first voltage terminal V1and the data signal line DATA.

In this embodiment, the first voltage terminal V1may provide a power supply signal of constant voltage, or may provide a power supply signal of constant voltage in a second time period and not provide a power supply signal of constant voltage in a time period other than the second time period, or may provide a power supply signal of periodic change.

In this embodiment, the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13and the light emission control sub-circuit12share the first voltage terminal V1and the data signal line DATA, and thus the difficulty of circuit board layout can be reduced. Furthermore, in the first time period, the data signal line DATA is used to transmit a display data signal and the light emission control sub-circuit12provides a drive current for the light-emitting element11based on the display data signal, so as to control a luminance of the light-emitting element11. In the second time period, the data signal line DATA is used to transmit a sensing data signal obtained by photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13for the purpose of obtaining sensing data. Since there is no overlap between the first time period and the second time period, transmission of the display data signal will not be affected by transmission of the sensing data signal obtained by the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13through the data signal line DATA, that is, sensing function can be fulfilled without affecting display function.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.2, the light-emitting element11may be a diode D. The diode Dh may be an organic light-emitting diode, a miniLED or a microLED, which is not limited hereto.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.2, the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13includes a light-sensing element131and a switching element132, and the light-sensing element131and the switching element132are connected in series between the first voltage terminal V1and the data signal line DATA. In the first time period, the switching element132is in an open/off state. In this case, the light-sensing element131can be prevented from affecting the light emission control sub-circuit12, and thus avoiding affecting the display function. In the second time period, the switching element132is in a closed/on state. In this case, the sensing data signal obtained by the light-sensing element131can be transmitted by the data signal line DATA.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.2, the light emission control sub-circuit12includes a data write sub-circuit121, a drive sub-circuit122, a reset sub-circuit123, a first light emission control sub-circuit124and a second light emission control sub-circuit125.

As shown inFIG.2, the data write sub-circuit121includes a data signal input terminal VDATA, a first power supply signal input terminal VDD and a data write control terminal GATE. The data signal input terminal VDATA is connected with the data signal line DATA to receive the display data signal, the first power supply signal input terminal VDD is used to receive a first power supply signal, and the data write control terminal GATE is used to receive a data write control signal which is configured to control the data write sub-circuit121to receive the display data signal and store the display data in the first time period. The data write sub-circuit121is connected with a connection node N which is connected with the drive sub-circuit122. The first power supply signal input terminal VDD is connected with the first voltage terminal V1.

As shown inFIG.2, the drive sub-circuit122is connected with the first power supply signal input terminal VDD through the first light emission control sub-circuit124, and further connected with a positive pole of the light-emitting element11through the second light emission control sub-circuit125and used to provide a drive current for the light-emitting element11.

As shown inFIG.2, a negative pole of the light-emitting element11is connected with a second power supply signal input terminal VSS which is configured to receive a second power supply signal, where the second power supply signal has a lower level than the first power supply signal.

As shown inFIG.2, the reset sub-circuit123includes a reset control terminal RESET and a third power supply signal input terminal VINT. The reset control terminal RESET is configured to receive a reset signal and the third power supply signal input terminal VINT is configured to receive a third power supply signal. The third power supply signal has a lower level than the first power supply signal. The reset sub-circuit123is connected with the connection node N.

As shown inFIG.2, a first terminal of the first light emission control sub-circuit124is connected with the first power supply signal input terminal VDD, a second terminal is connected with the drive sub-circuit122, and a control terminal is configured to receive a light emission control signal.

As shown inFIG.2, a first terminal of the second light emission control sub-circuit125is connected with the drive sub-circuit122, a second terminal is connected with the positive pole of the light-emitting element11, and a control terminal is configured to receive a light emission control signal.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, in the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13, the light-sensing element131is a first transistor T1, and the switching element132is a second transistor T2. A first electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with the first voltage terminal V1, a second electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with a first electrode of the second transistor T2, a gate electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with the second electrode of the first transistor T1; a second electrode of the second transistor T2is connected with the data signal line DATA, a gate electrode of the second transistor T2is connected with a switching control terminal FSW for receiving a switching control signal. The switching control signal is used to control the second transistor T2to be in an open state in the first time period and to be in a closed state in the second time period.

In this embodiment, the first transistor T1is in an open state. When the first transistor T1is in an open state, a dark current can be generated and in a case of illumination, a photo-generated current can be generated, where the photo-generated current is the above sensing data signal.

In this embodiment, the first transistor T1may be a thin film transistor, for example, an a-Si transistor or an indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) transistor.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the data write sub-circuit121includes a third transistor T3, a fourth transistor T4and a second capacitor C2. A first electrode of the third transistor T3is the data signal input terminal VDATA connected with the data signal line DATA, a second electrode of the third transistor T3is connected with a first terminal of the drive sub-circuit122which is connected with the first power supply signal input terminal VDD through the first light emission control sub-circuit124, and a gate electrode of the third transistor T3is connected with the data write control terminal GATE. A first electrode of the fourth transistor T4is connected with the connection node N, a second electrode of the fourth transistor T4is connected with a second terminal of the drive sub-circuit122which is connected with the positive pole of the light-emitting element11through the second light emission control sub-circuit125, and a gate electrode of the fourth transistor T4is connected with the data write control terminal GATE. A first electrode of the second capacitor C2is connected with the connection node N and a second electrode of the second capacitor C2is connected with the first power supply signal input terminal VDD.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the drive sub-circuit122includes a fifth transistor T5. A first electrode of the fifth transistor T5is the first terminal of the drive sub-circuit122and connected with the first light emission control sub-circuit124, a second electrode of the fifth transistor is the second terminal of the drive sub-circuit122and connected with the second light emission control sub-circuit125, and a gate electrode of the fifth transistor T5is connected with the connection node N.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the reset sub-circuit123includes a sixth transistor T6and a seventh transistor T7. A first electrode of the sixth transistor T6is connected with the connection node N, a second electrode of the sixth transistor T6is connected with the third power supply signal input terminal VINT, and a gate electrode of the sixth transistor T6is connected with the reset control terminal RESET. A first electrode of the seventh transistor T7is connected with the third power supply signal input terminal VINT, a second electrode of the seventh transistor T7is connected with the positive pole of the light-emitting element11, and a gate electrode of the seventh transistor T7is connected with the reset control terminal RESET.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the first light emission control sub-circuit124includes an eighth transistor T8. A first electrode of the eighth transistor T8is connected with the first power supply signal input terminal VDD, a second electrode of the eighth transistor T8is connected with the first terminal of the drive sub-circuit122, and a gate electrode of the eighth transistor T8is connected with a control terminal of the first light emission control sub-circuit124.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the second light emission control sub-circuit125includes a ninth transistor T9. A first electrode of the ninth transistor T9is connected with the second terminal of the drive sub-circuit122, a second electrode of the ninth transistor T9is connected with the positive pole of the light-emitting element11, and a gate electrode of the ninth transistor T9is connected with a control terminal of the second light emission control sub-circuit125.

In this embodiment, the first transistor T1is an N-type transistor, and the second transistor T2, the third transistor T3, the fourth transistor T4, the fifth transistor T5, the sixth transistor T6, the seventh transistor T7, the eighth transistor T8, and the ninth transistor T9are all P-type transistors. The first electrode of the first transistor T1may be a drain electrode, and the second electrode of the first transistor T1may be a source electrode, which is not limited hereto. The first electrodes of the second to ninth transistors T2to T9are source electrodes, and the second electrodes are drain electrodes. When the first electrode of the first transistor T1is a drain electrode and the second electrode of the first transistor T1is a source electrode, a voltage between the gate electrode and the source electrode of the first transistor T1Vgs=0. A threshold voltage Vth of the first transistor T1may be 0.7 volts, i.e. Vgs<Vth, and the first transistor T1is in an open state.

Of course, in other embodiments, the first transistor T1may alternatively be a P-type transistor, and the second to ninth transistors T2to T9may alternatively be N-type transistors.

In this embodiment, to protect the second transistor T2against light irradiation, a distance between the first transistor T1and the second transistor T2may be slightly increased, or, a light blocking structure is provided for the second transistor T2. In other embodiments, to protect the transistors other than the first transistor T1against light irradiation, light blocking structures may be disposed for the transistors other than the first transistor T1.

In this embodiment, in the first time period, the switching control signal received by the switching control terminal FSW is of high level, the second transistor T2is in an open state, and the data signal line DATA is used to transmit the display data signal to control the light emission control sub-circuit12to provide a drive current for the light-emitting element11, thus controlling a luminance of the light-emitting element11. In the second time period, the switching control signal received by the switching control terminal FSW is of low level, the second transistor T2is in a closed state, and the data signal line DATA is used to transmit the sensing data signal obtained by the first transistor T1. Since there is no overlap between the first time period and the second time period, transmission of the display data signal will not be affected by transmission of the sensing data signal obtained by the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13through the data signal line DATA, that is, sensing function can be fulfilled without affecting display function.

In this embodiment, the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13for sensing external inputs is integrated in the pixel circuit, the data signal line DATA may be used respectively to transmit the display data signal and the sensing data signal in different time periods, and the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13and the light emission control sub-circuit12share the first voltage terminal V1. Thus, disposal of an additional signal line for transmitting the sensing data signal and an additional power supply for supplying power to the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13is not needed, thus reducing the difficulty of circuit board layout.

Furthermore, the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13is integrated in the pixel circuit rather than disposed in a bezel region or under a display panel, and therefore, it helps to reduce the area of the bezel region or the thickness of the display panel, which is favorable for implementation of narrow bezel or thin display panel.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a pixel circuit. As shown inFIG.4, in this embodiment, the pixel circuit differs from the pixel circuit shown inFIG.3in that: the gate electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with the first electrode of the first transistor T1. In this embodiment, the first electrode of the first transistor T1may be a source electrode, and the second electrode of the first transistor T1may be a drain electrode, and thus, the first transistor T1can be put in an open state.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a pixel circuit. As shown inFIG.5, in this embodiment, the pixel circuit differs from the pixel circuit shown inFIG.3in that: the gate electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with a switch-off signal input terminal VC for receiving a switch-off signal which is used to control the first transistor T1to be in an open state.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a pixel circuit. As shown inFIG.6, in this embodiment, the pixel circuit differs from the pixel circuit shown inFIG.3in that: the first voltage terminal V1is used to provide the second power supply signal and the second power supply signal input terminal VSS is connected with the first voltage terminal V1.

In this embodiment, the first electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with the data signal line DATA, the second electrode is connected with the first voltage terminal V1through the switching element132, and the gate electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with the second electrode of the first transistor T1. In this embodiment, the first electrode of the first transistor T1may be a drain electrode, and the second electrode of the first transistor T1may be a source electrode and thus the first transistor T1can be put in an open state.

In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the first transistor T1may be connected with the first electrode of the first transistor T1. The first electrode of the first transistor T1may be a source electrode and the second electrode of the first transistor T1may be a drain electrode, and thus the first transistor T1can be put in an open state.

In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the first transistor T1is used to input a switch-off signal for controlling the first transistor T1to be in an open state.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a pixel circuit. As shown inFIG.7, in this embodiment, the pixel circuit differs from the pixel circuit shown inFIG.3in that: the first voltage terminal V1is used to provide the third power supply signal and the third power supply signal input terminal VINT is connected with the first voltage terminal V1.

In this embodiment, the first electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with the data signal line DATA, the second electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with the first voltage terminal V1through the switching element132, and the gate electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with the second electrode. In this embodiment, the first electrode of the first transistor T1may be a drain electrode and the second electrode of the first transistor T1may be a source electrode, and thus the first transistor T1can be put in an open state.

In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the first transistor T1is connected with the first electrode. The first electrode of the first transistor T1may be a source electrode and the second electrode of the first transistor T1may be a drain electrode and thus the first transistor T1can be put in an open state.

In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the first transistor T1is used to input a switch-off signal for controlling the first transistor T1to be in an open state.

It is to be noted that, when the first transistor T1is an N-type transistor, the test results are shown as inFIG.8. When a voltage less than 0V is applied to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1and a voltage difference Vds between the source electrode and the drain electrode of the first transistor T1is 4V, it can be seen that when the first transistor T1is exposed to light, a drain electrode current of the first transistor T1is increased.

When the first transistor T1is disposed as a bottom gate structure and irradiated by light, the intensity of the drain electrode current generated in a cutoff state of the first transistor T1can be increased. By increasing the cutoff current generated by the optical response of the first transistor T1, optical sensing can be performed using the first transistor T1disposed in the pixels.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a pixel circuit. As shown inFIG.9, in this embodiment, the pixel circuit differs from the above pixel circuits in that: the light-sensing element131is a photodiode PD. A cathode of the photodiode PD is connected with the first voltage terminal V1, and an anode of the photodiode PD is connected with the data signal line DATA through the switching element132. In the second time period, the voltage of the cathode of the photodiode PD is greater than the voltage of the anode, and the photodiode PD is in an open state or in a cutoff state.

Of course, in other embodiments, the anode of the photodiode PD may be connected with the first voltage terminal V1, and the cathode of the photodiode PD may be connected with the data signal line DATA through the switching element132. The voltage of the cathode of the photodiode PD is greater than the voltage of the anode, and the photodiode PD is in an open state.

In this embodiment, the photodiode PD may be a PN diode, a PIN diode, or an organic photodiode (OPD).

In another embodiment, as shown inFIG.9, the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13may further include a first capacitor C1which is connected in parallel at both ends of the photodiode PD. In another embodiment, the first capacitor C1may be connected in parallel at opposite ends of the photodiode PD and the second transistor T2.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a method of driving a pixel circuit. The method of driving a pixel circuit is applied to drive the above pixel circuits according to any one of the above embodiments. As shown inFIG.10, the method may include the following steps1001to1002.

At step1001, in a second time period, the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13obtains a sensing data signal and outputs the sensing data signal through the data signal line DATA.

At step1002, in a first time period, the data signal line DATA outputs a display data signal to the light emission control sub-circuit12to control the light emission control sub-circuit12to provide a drive current for the light-emitting element11.

In this embodiment, with the pixel circuit shown inFIG.3and the timing diagram of signal shown inFIG.11as an example, the method of driving a pixel circuit is described below.

As shown inFIG.11, the pixel circuit may work under a high frequency refresh mode M1and a low frequency refresh mode M2. When the pixel circuit works under the high frequency refresh mode M1, the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13does not perform the sensing function, and when the pixel circuit works under the low frequency refresh mode M2, the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13performs the sensing function. When the pixel circuit works under the high frequency refresh mode M1, a refresh frequency of a display apparatus to which the pixel circuit belongs may be 240 Hz, 120 Hz, 90 Hz or 60 Hz, which is not limited hereto. When the pixel circuit works under the low frequency refresh mode M2, the refresh frequency of the display apparatus to which the pixel circuit belongs may be 60 Hz, 30 Hz or 15 Hz, which is not limited hereto.

As shown inFIG.11, when the pixel circuit works under the high frequency refresh mode M1, within a first reset time period T4, the reset signal Reset is of low level, the sixth transistor T6and the seventh transistor T7are in a closed state, and the third power supply signal is input into the anode of the diode D and the second capacitor C2to enable the diode D and the second capacitor C2to be reset. The level of the third power supply signal may be a preset level value used to enable the diode D and the second capacitor C2to be reset. Within the first reset time period T4, the switching control signal Fsw is of high level, the second transistor T2is in an open state, and the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13does not perform the sensing function.

As shown inFIG.11, within a data write time period T5, the data write control signal Gate is of low level, the third transistor T3and the fourth transistor T4are in a closed state, and the data signal line DATA is used to transmit the display data signal Vdata which is written into the second capacitor C2.

As shown inFIG.11, within a first light emission time period T6, the light emission control signal Em is of low level, the eighth transistor T8and the ninth transistor T9are in a closed state, and the fifth transistor T5provides a drive current for the diode D to drive the diode D to emit light.

As shown inFIG.11, when the pixel circuit works under the low frequency refresh mode M2, within the second time period T2, the reset signal Reset is of low level, the sixth transistor T6and the seventh transistor T7are in a closed state, and the third power supply signal is input into the anode of the diode D and the second capacitor C2to enable the diode D and the second capacitor C2to be reset. Further, the switching control signal Fsw is of low level and can control the second transistor T2to be in a closed state, and the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13performs the sensing function. The sensing data signal obtained by the first transistor T1is transmitted through the data signal line DATA. In a case of no illumination, the first transistor T1can generate a dark current, and if the photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13performs the sensing function, the dark current is the above sensing data signal. In a case of illumination, the first transistor T1can further generate a photo-generated current. Due to presence of the dark current, the sensing data signal includes the above dark current and the above photo-generated current, where the dark current is far smaller than the photo-generated current.

As shown inFIG.11, within the first time period T1, the data write control signal Gate is of low level, the third transistor T3and the fourth transistor T4are in a closed state, and the data signal line DATA is used to transmit the display data signal Vdata. The display data signal is written into the second capacitor C2.

As shown inFIG.11, within a second light emission time period T3, the light emission control signal Em is of low level, the eighth transistor T8and the ninth transistor T9are in a closed state, and the fifth transistor T5provides a drive current for the diode D to drive the diode D to emit light.

In this embodiment, the second time period T2is greater than the first reset time period T4. In this way, it can be guaranteed that there is sufficient time to obtain the sensing data. The first time period T1is greater than the data write time period T5, and the second light emission time period T3is greater than the first light emission time period T6.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a display panel. As shown inFIG.12, the display panel includes a pixel controller1101, a scan driver1102, a data driver1103, a light emission controller1104, a sensing controller1105, a plurality of light emission control signal lines, a plurality of switching control signal lines and a plurality of pixels1106. The pixels1106include the above pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit includes one scan signal line and one data signal line DATA. A plurality of pixel circuits include a plurality of scan signal lines and a plurality of data signal lines DATA.

As shown inFIG.12, the plurality of scan signal lines include a first scan signal line GL1, a second scan signal line GL2, . . . and an N-th scan signal line GLN; the plurality of data signal lines DATA include a first data signal line DL1, a second data signal line DL2, and an M-th data signal line DLM; the plurality of light emission control signal lines include a first light emission control signal line EL1, a second light emission control signal line EL2, . . . and an N-th light emission control signal line ELN; the plurality of switching control signal lines include a first switching control signal line FL1, a second switching control signal line FL2, . . . and an N-th switching control signal line FLN, where N is a positive integer and M is a positive integer.

As shown inFIG.12, the pixel controller1101is connected with the scan driver1102, the data driver1103and the light emission controller1104respectively. The pixel controller1101is used to convert image signals provided by an application processor into a plurality of display data signals and transmit the plurality of display data signals to the data driver1103. The pixel controller1101is also used to provide a scan control signal for controlling the scan driver1102and a data drive control signal for controlling the data driver1103.

As shown inFIG.12, the scan driver1102is connected with each row of pixel circuits through the first scan signal line GL1, the second scan signal line GL2, . . . and the N-th scan signal line GLN respectively to output scan signals to each row of pixel circuits respectively based on a preset sequence.

As shown inFIG.12, the data driver1103is connected with each column of pixel circuits through the first data signal line DL1, the second data signal line DL2, . . . and the M-th data signal line DLM respectively to output a plurality of display data signals to each column of pixel circuits respectively.

As shown inFIG.12, the light emission controller1104is connected with each row of pixel circuits through the first light emission control signal line EL1, the second light emission control signal line EL2, . . . and the N-th light emission control signal line ELN respectively to output light emission control signals to each row of pixel circuits respectively.

As shown inFIG.12, the sensing controller1105is connected with each row of pixel circuits through the first switching control signal line FL1, the second switching control signal line FL2, . . . and the N-th switching control signal line FLN respectively to output switching control signals to each row of pixel circuits respectively.

It is to be noted thatFIG.12shows an embodiment where a photoelectric sensing sub-circuit13is disposed in each pixel circuit in a display panel. In other embodiments, some pixel circuits of the display panel are provided with the photoelectric sensing sub-circuits13. Further, in the embodiment shown inFIG.12, the sensing controller1105and the scan driver1102are two independent devices. In other embodiments, only the scan driver1102may be disposed without separately disposing the sensing controller1105, and the scan driver1102can provide scan signals and switching control signals.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a display module and the display panel described in any one of the above embodiments.

In the embodiments, the display apparatus has a fingerprint sensing function. The display apparatus can determine valleys and ridges of a fingerprint based on the above sensing data signals.

In the embodiments, each pixel circuit in a display region of the display apparatus is the above pixel circuit and thus the entire display region can realize fingerprint detection function. In other embodiments, each pixel circuit in a part of the display region is the above pixel circuit and hence the part of the display region can realize fingerprint detection function.

In this embodiment, when the display apparatus receives a fingerprint sensing/detection instruction, the display apparatus is controlled to enter the low frequency refresh mode M2and the second transistors T2are controlled to be in a closed state by the switching control signal Fsw. The photoelectric sensing sub-circuits13execute the sensing function, and the sensing data signals obtained by the first transistors T1are transmitted to a fingerprint processor through the data signal lines DATA. The fingerprint processor may obtain fingerprint information based on the obtained sensing data signals. The fingerprint information may be used to unlock a fingerprint lock for locking a screen or an application program.

An unlocking method will be described below with unlocking an application program using fingerprint information as an example. As shown inFIG.13, the unlocking method may include the following steps1201to1205.

At step1201, a touch position is determined.

In this embodiment, the display apparatus further includes a touch panel which cooperates with the above pixel circuits to implement a function of unlocking an application program using fingerprint.

As shown inFIG.14, a first icon APP1of a first application program and a second icon APP2of a second application program are displayed in a first display picture1302of the display apparatus1301. When the first application program uses a fingerprint lock and is to be opened by a user, the first application program is to be firstly unlocked. As shown inFIG.15, when unlocking the first application program, the user may place a finger1303at a display position of the first icon APP1of the first application program. The display apparatus may determine the touch position based on capacitance values of touch electrodes in the touch panel, and the touch position may be basically same as the display position of the first icon APP1.

At step1202, the display picture is refreshed, where the touch position is monochromatic in the refreshed display picture.

In this embodiment, the display apparatus refreshes the display picture after determining the touch position. As shown inFIG.16, a touch position1305in a refreshed second display picture1304is monochromatic. For example, the touch position1305may be green, red, blue or white, which is not limited herein. Light emitted by pixels at the touch position1305is reflected by the finger and then sensed by first transistors T1, hereby obtaining sensing data signals.

At step1203, the sensing data signals output by the photoelectric sensing sub-circuits13are obtained.

In this embodiment, the fingerprint processor in the display apparatus may obtain, through the data signal lines DATA, the sensing data signals output by the photoelectric sensing sub-circuits13.

At step1204, fingerprint information is obtained based on the sensing data signals.

In this embodiment, the fingerprint processor may obtain the fingerprint information based on the obtained sensing data signals.

At step1205, the obtained fingerprint information is compared with target fingerprint information and whether to unlock is determined based on a comparison result.

In this embodiment, the fingerprint processor may compare the obtained fingerprint information with pre-stored target fingerprint information and determine whether to unlock based on a comparison result. As shown inFIG.17, when the obtained fingerprint information matches the target fingerprint information, the first application program is unlocked and opened to display a third display picture1306of the first application program. When the obtained fingerprint information does not match the target fingerprint information, unlocking fails.

It is to be noted that the display apparatus in this embodiment may be an electronic paper, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a television, a laptop computer, a digital photo frame, a navigator or any other products or components having a display function.

It should be noted that in the accompanying drawings, for illustration clarity, the sizes of the layers and regions may be exaggerated. Furthermore, it may be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, such element or layer may be directly on the another element or layer or there is an intermediate layer therebetween. Further, it is understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “under” another element or layer, such element or layer may be directly under the another element or layer, or one or more intermediate elements or layers are present therebetween. In addition, it may also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being between two layers or elements, such layer or element may be a sole layer between the two layers or elements, or one or more intermediate layers or elements are present. Like reference signs in the descriptions indicate like elements.

In the present disclosure, the terms “first” and “second” are used only for the purpose of descriptions and shall not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. The term “plurality” refers to two or more, unless otherwise indicated clearly.

Other implementations of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the present disclosure herein. The present disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, modification or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles thereof and include common knowledge or conventional technical means in the related art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure. The specification and examples are considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.