This application claims priority from and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0152657, filed on Dec. 9, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting display device having a repair structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Organic light emitting display devices, which use organic light emitting diodes (OLED) that emit light by themselves, and which has recently risen to become a popular form of display device, have many great advantages including quick response, high luminous efficiency, a high degree of brightness, and a large viewing angle.
In organic light emitting display devices, pixels including an organic light emitting diode are arranged in the form of a matrix, and the brightness of pixels selected by a scan signal is controlled according to the gradation of data.
Each pixel with organic light emitting display device has an organic light emitting diode, and a drive circuit for driving the organic light emitting diode.
A display panel defined with a plurality of pixels having such a structure requires a manufacturing process with various steps. At this time, impurities resulting from the various steps may be generated on the pixel, which cause defects such as bright spots or dark spots.
These pixel defects may extremely deteriorate the image quality, and in serious cases the display panel should be discarded.
Accordingly, a method for effectively repairing the pixel defects is urgently required.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a organic light emitting display device that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide an organic light emitting display device that has a repair structure by which the pixel defects can be repaired, and an organic light emitting display device in which the pixel defects have been repaired.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an organic light emitting display device that has a repair structure by which a circuit defect which causes pixel defects can be repaired, and an organic light emitting display device in which a circuit defect has been repaired.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an organic light emitting display device that has a repair structure by which a light emitting defect which causes pixel defects can be repaired, and an organic light emitting display device in which a light emitting defect has been repaired.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an organic light emitting display device that enables to compensate for a reduction of the brightness due to a repair of a circuit defect or a light emitting defect.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposed of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, an organic light emitting display device includes a display panel in which a plurality of pixels defined with data lines and gate lines formed thereon are disposed; a data driving unit that supplies a data voltage to the data lines; and a gate driving unit that supplies a scan signal to the gate lines; wherein an organic light emitting diode and a driving circuit are disposed in each of the plurality of pixels, and, in a first pixel and a second pixel among the plurality of pixels, a floating pattern insulated from at least one of a first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel and a first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel is formed, or a connection pattern for electrically connecting the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel with the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel is formed.
In another aspect, an organic light emitting display device includes a display panel in which a plurality of pixels defined with data lines and gate lines formed thereon are disposed; a data driving unit that supplies a data voltage to the data lines; and a gate driving unit that supplies a scan signal to the gate lines; wherein an organic light emitting diode and a driving circuit are disposed in an emission area and an non-emission area of the plurality of pixels, and at least one pixel, in which a first electrode of the organic light emitting diode is cut to thereby have an emission area of a smaller size than emission areas of other pixels for emitting light of the same color, exists in the display panel.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Hereinafter, a few embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, in relation to reference numerals with respect to elements of the drawings, the identical elements consequently bear the same reference numerals of the previous drawings. Further, in the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of well-known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.
In addition, terms, such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components of the present invention. Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order or sequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other component(s). It should be noted that if it is described in the specification that one component is “connected,” “coupled” or “joined” to another component, a third component may be “connected,” “coupled,” and “joined” between the first and second components, although the first component may be directly connected, coupled or joined to the second component.
Referring to
Each of the plurality of pixels P disposed in the display panel 110 is provided with an organic light emitting diode OLED and a driving circuit DRC for driving the organic light emitting diode.
The driving circuit disposed at each pixels may basically include a driving transistor DT for supplying a current to the organic light emitting diode OLED, transistors such as a switching transistor for supplying a data voltage to a gate node of the driving transistor DT, a storage capacitor for maintaining a data voltage for one frame, and may further include a sensing transistor for supplying a reference voltage Vref to a source node (or a drain node) of the driving transistor DT. This pixel structure will be described in detail with reference to
The data driving unit 120 may include a plurality of data driving integrated circuit (which also may be referred to as a source driving integrated circuit), and the plurality of data driving integrated circuit may be coupled to a bonding pad of the display panel 110 in the form of tape automated bonding (TAB) or chip-on-glass (COG), may be directly formed on the display panel 110 to be a gate-in-panel (GIP) type, or may be integrated into the display panel 110.
The gate driving unit 130 may be positioned on one side of the display panel 110 as shown in
In addition, the gate driving unit 130 may include a plurality of gate driving integrated circuits, and these gate driving integrated circuits may be coupled to a bonding pad of the display panel 110 in the form of tape automated bonding (TAB) or chip-on-glass (COG), may be directly formed on the display panel 110 to be a gate-in-panel (GIP) type, or may be integrated into the display panel.
The timing controller 140 controls driving timing of the data driving unit 120 and the gate driving unit 130, and outputs various control signals to do so.
Hereinafter, a pixel structure in the pixels will be described in more detail.
Referring to
A light emitting unit including the organic light emitting diode OLED is disposed in the emission area EA.
The circuit area CA is not an emission area where a circuit unit including the driving circuit DRC for driving the organic light emitting diode OLED is disposed.
Meanwhile, although the emission area EA and the circuit area CA are separately illustrated in
As described above, the driving circuit DRC disposed in each circuit area CA may basically include a driving transistor DT for supplying a current to the organic light emitting diode OLED, transistors such as a switching transistor (hereinafter referred to as a second transistor T2) for supplying a data voltage to a gate node of the driving transistor DT, a storage capacitor Cstg for maintaining a data voltage for one frame, and may further include a sensing transistor (hereinafter referred to as a first transistor T1) for supplying a reference voltage Vref to a source node (or a drain node) of the driving transistor DT.
Two types of pixel having a 3T1C-structure that has three transistors DT, T1 and T2, and one capacitor Cstg are illustrated in
Referring to
The first transistor T1 is controlled by a first scan signal (hereinafter referred to as a sensing signal SENSE) which is supplied through a first gate line (GL′) to thereby supply the reference voltage Vref to the first node N1 of the driving transistor DT. The first transistor T1 may be used to sense a voltage of the first node N1 of the driving transistor DT when the corresponding pixel operates in a sensing mode in order for pixel compensation. For such a reason, the first transistor T1 may be referred to as a sensing transistor.
The second transistor T2 is controlled by a second scan signal (hereinafter referred to as a scan signal SCAN) which is supplied through a second gate line (GL) to thereby apply a data voltage Vdata to the second node N2 of the driving transistor DT. The driving transistor DT may be turned on or off by the data voltage applied to the second node N2 of the driving transistor DT to thereby control the supply of a current to the organic light emitting diode OLED. For this reason, the second transistor T2 may be referred to as a switching transistor.
That is, in the pixel structure of
As described above, when each pixel had a two-scan based pixel structure, the driving unit 130 in
Meanwhile, referring to
However, the pixel structure of
In the pixel structure of
The driving transistor DT described in example embodiments may be an N-type transistor or a P-type transistor. In addition, although the first transistor T1 and the second transistor T2 are illustrated as N-type transistors, they may be implemented to P-type transistors.
As described above, since the circuit area CA in the pixel area PA is provided with several transistors DT, T1 and T2, and the capacitor Cstg, the manufacturing process is complex, and this complexity leads to defects in the circuit area CA.
Meanwhile, the emission area EA in the pixel area PA may also have defects.
These defects in the circuit area CA and the emission area EA may be the main causes resulting in a faulty pixel appearing as a bright or a dark spot.
The present invention defines two types of pixel defect, and provides a repair process for each pixel defect and a structure by which the defect can be repaired.
The repair described in the present specification may be made during the manufacturing of the panel before shipping the product, or made due to an after purchase service request by a customer after having purchased the product.
First, two types of pixel defect will be described with reference to
Referring to
Referring to diagram (a) of
If at least one of various transistor DT, T1 and T2, a capacitor, and lines, which are disposed in the circuit area CA, is short-circuited by impurities introduced during the manufacturing process, an excessive current flows to the organic light emitting diode OLED so that the corresponding pixel becomes a bright spot. Also, if at least one of various transistor DT, T1 and T2, a capacitor, and lines, which are disposed in the circuit area CA, is disconnected or open-circuited by impurities or a failure in manufacturing process, no current or a smaller amount of current than expected is applied to the organic light emitting diode OLED so that the corresponding pixel becomes a dark spot or a pale dark spot and is classified as a pixel defect.
Referring to diagram (b) of
Any state in which the organic light emitting diode OLED does not normally emit light may be regarded as a light emitting defect.
In cases where this pixel defect occurs, an excessive current, no current, or a small amount of current flows to the organic light emitting diode OLED causing the corresponding pixel become a bright spot, a dark spot, or a pale dark spot.
A repair process is required for each type of pixel defect (the circuit defect and the light emitting defect) as set forth before.
Accordingly, in the present specification, various example embodiments of repair processes for a pixel with the circuit defect and a structure for the same, and various embodiments of repair processes for a pixel with light emitting defect and a structure for the same will be disclosed.
The repair for pixel defects (the circuit defect and the light emitting defect) described in the present specification may be made during the manufacturing of the panel before shipping the product, or following the purchase of the product by a customer who requests the product be repaired.
First, repair for a pixel with the circuit defect and repair for a pixel with light emitting defect will be simply described with reference to
Referring to diagram (a) of
Here, in diagram (a) of
In addition, the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 may be pixels of the same color or different color in some cases.
Referring to diagram (a) of
Accordingly, a current output from the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 is divided to be supplied to the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 in parallel (I1=Ioled1+Ioled2). That is, the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 share the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 with each other.
Referring to diagram (b) of
According to the repair of the light emitting defect, the emission area EA in the pixel area of the corresponding pixel P may be reduced, so the brightness of the corresponding pixel may deteriorate. However, such a reduction of brightness can be compensated through internal or external compensation by changing a data voltage applied to the corresponding pixel.
As described above, in repairing the pixel defects (the circuit defect and the light emitting defect), for example, the cutting process and the welding process may be used.
Accordingly, the point where the cutting process is to be performed and the point where the welding process is to be performed should be carefully selected in order to allow an easy and accurate repair process (a cutting process and a welding process) to be made with respect to the pixel defects while not damaging adjacent circuits.
In relation to the repair process for the circuit defect, the point where a driving circuit and an organic light emitting diode of a corresponding pixel with the circuit defect may be electrically disconnected with each other is to be cut, and in relation to the repair process for the light emitting defect, the point where an area or a part of the light emitting defect may be removed from the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of a corresponding pixel is to be cut. Hereinafter, the point where the cutting process is to be performed will be referred to as a cutting point CP.
The point where welding is to be performed by the welding process is a point where the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of a corresponding pixel with the circuit defect and the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of another pixel may be connected with each other in parallel, so that the organic light emitting diode of the corresponding pixel with the circuit defect may share a current output from a driving circuit of the another pixel with the organic light emitting diode of the another pixel. Hereinafter, the point where the welding process is to be performed will be referred to as a welding point WP.
The cutting point CP and welding point WP may vary in the location and the number thereof in regard to the structure and arrangement of pixel.
For example, the cutting point CP may be an electrical connection point between the first electrode (e.g., anode) of an organic light emitting diode of a pixel with the circuit defect and a driving circuit in terms of a circuit, and may be a point on the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of a pixel with the circuit defect, or a point on a source electrode or a drain electrode of a driving transistor in a driving circuit of a pixel with the circuit defect in order not to turn the driving transistor on in terms of a structure.
The cutting point CP may be any point where a driving circuit of a pixel with the pixel defect may not supply a current to an organic light emitting diode as well as the above points.
For example, the welding point WP may be a certain disconnection point (e.g., where the capacitor may be formed) on a repair line RL where one end of which is connected with the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of a pixel with the circuit defect and the other end is connected with the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of another normal pixel, or may be an area where the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of a pixel with the circuit defect and the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of another normal pixel are adjacent to each other.
A capacitor may be formed at any disconnected point of the repair line described above. In addition, the area where the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of a pixel with the circuit defect and the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of another normal pixel are adjacent to each other, may be, for example, a boundary area between an emission area EA of a pixel with the circuit defect and an emission area EA of another normal pixel, when the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of a pixel with the circuit defect and the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of another normal pixel are adjacent to each other. Alternatively, the area where the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of a pixel with the circuit defect and the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of another normal pixel are adjacent to each other, may be positioned in an circuit area CA of a pixel with the circuit defect or another normal pixel, when the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of a pixel with the circuit defect is adjacent not to the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of another normal pixel but to a driving circuit thereof.
The above-described welding point WP may be any point where the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of a pixel with the circuit defect can be connected with the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode of another normal pixel as well as the above-disclosed points.
A specific pattern may be formed at each welding point WP of the display panel 110.
Such a specific pattern that is formed at each welding point WP of the display panel 110 will be referred to as a floating pattern.
This floating pattern maintains the first electrodes of the organic light emitting diodes of the two pixels to be electrically disconnected.
To this end, the floating pattern may be insulated from at least one of the first electrodes of the organic light emitting diodes of the two pixels.
Meanwhile, the floating pattern may be weld by a laser welding to thereby form a “connection pattern” in which the first electrodes of the organic light emitting diodes of the two pixels are electrically connected.
When the connection pattern is formed between the two pixels of which one is called a first pixel and the other is called a second pixel, the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel is electrically disconnected with the driving circuit of the first pixel, or the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel is electrically disconnected with the driving circuit of the second pixel.
For example, when the connection pattern is formed, and the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel is electrically disconnected with the driving circuit of the first pixel, an electrical connection point between the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel and the driving circuit of the first pixel may have been cut, or the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel may have been cut, or either a source electrode or a drain electrode of a driving transistor in a driving circuit of the first pixel may have been cut.
Among the above cutting points CP, in a case of cutting the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel, the cutting point of the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel may vary with a repair structure. For example, a part of the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel, which is extended to a circuit area CA where the driving circuit of the first pixel is disposed may be cut.
Meanwhile, when the connection pattern is formed, and the second electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel is electrically disconnected with the driving circuit of the second pixel, a connection point between the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel and the driving circuit of the second pixel may have been cut, or the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel may have been cut, or either a source electrode or a drain electrode of a driving transistor in a driving circuit of the second pixel may have been cut.
Among the above cutting points CP, in the case of cutting the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel, the cutting point of the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel may vary with a repair structure. For example, a part of the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel, which is extended to a circuit area CA where the driving circuit of the second pixel is disposed, may be cut.
As set forth above, when the floating pattern, which is formed to be insulated from at least one of the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel and the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel in order to disconnect the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel from the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel, is welded to thereby form the connection pattern, which electrically connect the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel with the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel, the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel may be electrically disconnected with the driving circuit of the first pixel, or the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel may be electrically disconnected with the driving circuit of the second pixel.
If the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel is electrically disconnected with the driving circuit of the first pixel, the driving circuit of the second pixel may drive the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel and the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel in parallel through the connection pattern.
If the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel is electrically disconnected with the driving circuit of the second pixel, the driving circuit of the first pixel may drive the organic light emitting diode of the first pixel and the organic light emitting diode of the second pixel in parallel through the connection pattern.
As to the floating pattern in terms of an overall area of the display panel 110, if every pixel with display panel 110 is a normal pixel having no circuit defects, only the floating pattern for maintaining an electrical disconnection state of the first electrode of each organic light emitting diode of the two pixels may be formed on the display panel 110 without formation of the connection pattern for electrically connecting the first electrodes of the organic light emitting diodes of the two pixels with each other. That is, when every pixel is a normal pixel having no circuit defects, the first electrodes of the organic light emitting diodes of the two pixels are never electrically connected.
If the circuit defect occurs in at least one pixel among every pixel with display panel 110, and then a repair according to the present embodiment has been made, at least one floating patter among every floating pattern existing in the display panel 110 may be welded to form a connection pattern. That is, if at least one pixel among all of the pixels has a circuit defect, at least one first electrode of the organic light emitting diodes of the two pixels may be electrically connected with each other.
Hereinafter, a repair structure by which a repair process may be performed, and a repair process using the same will be described in detail according to the type of pixel defect with reference to drawings.
First, in relation to a circuit defect, an example embodiment (the first example embodiment) of a repair structure by which a circuit defect can be repaired based on a repair line, and a repair process for a circuit defect by using the same will be described.
Subsequently, example embodiments (the second example embodiment to the seventh example embodiment) of repair structures by which a circuit defect can be repaired without a repair line, and a repair process for a circuit defect by using the same will be described.
Next, an example embodiment (the eighth example embodiment) of a repair structure by which a light emitting defect can be repaired, and a repair process for a light emitting defect by using the same will be described.
Further, an example embodiment (the ninth example embodiment) of a repair structure by which a pixel with a circuit defect and a pixel with a light emitting defect, which are adjacent to each other, can be repaired, and a repair process using the same will be described.
Furthermore, an example embodiment (the tenth example embodiment) of compensation for a reduction of brightness in a pixel that has been repaired with respect to the circuit defect will be described.
Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, an organic light emitting display device 100 having a repair structure designed to enable a repair process, a repair process by using the repair structure, and an organic light emitting display device 100 having a structure that is changed through the repair process will be described with respect to a first pixel P1 and a second pixel P2 which are certain pixels selected from among a plurality of pixels disposed in the display panel 110.
Also, the two pixels P1 and P2 may be normal pixels having no pixel defects. Alternatively, when a pixel defect occurs in at least one pixel among the plurality of pixels in the display panel 110, for the convenience of explanation, the at least one pixel with a pixel defect among the plurality of pixels may be referred to as a second pixel P2.
Further, the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 which are certain pixels selected from among the plurality of pixels disposed in the display panel 110 may represent the plurality of pixels disposed in the display panel 110.
That is, if the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 are normal pixels, every pixel disposed in the display panel 110 may be regarded to be a normal pixel. On the contrary, if a pixel defect occurs in the second pixel P2 of the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2, at least one pixel among all the pixels disposed in the display panel 110 may be regarded to have a pixel defect. In addition, if the second pixel P2 having a pixel defect among the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 is repaired, it is regarded that a pixel defect of at least one pixel among all the pixels disposed in the display panel 110 is repaired.
Diagram (a) of
Referring to diagram (a) of
That is, in the pixel area PA of the first pixel P1, the organic light emitting diode OLED1 is disposed in an emission area EA in the pixel area PA, and the driving circuit DRC1 for driving the organic light emitting diode OLED1 is disposed in a circuit area CA in the pixel area PA. Also, in the pixel area PA of the second pixel P2, the organic light emitting diode OLED2 is disposed in an emission area EA in the pixel area PA, and the driving circuit DRC2 for driving the organic light emitting diode OLED2 is disposed in a circuit area CA in the pixel area PA.
Referring to diagram (a) of
Referring to diagram (a) of
This floating pattern is a structure for playing a role of electrically disconnecting a first electrode (e.g., anode or cathode) of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 from a first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2.
The floating pattern may be, for example, a repair line RL2 whose one end is connected with the first electrode (or an output point of the driving circuit DRC1) of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1, and the other end is connected with the first electrode (or an output point of the driving circuit DRC2) of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, wherein a certain point in the middle of the repair line is disconnected.
In addition, the floating pattern may not refer to the above-described repair line RL2, but refer to a portion of the disconnected point on the repair line RL2.
Further, the floating pattern may form a capacitor CAP at the disconnected point on the repair line RL2.
In diagram (a) of
Like this, one end of a repair line RL3 is connected with the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, and the other end thereof is connected with the first electrode of an organic light emitting diode OLED3 of a third pixel P3 other than the second pixel P2, wherein a capacitor CAP is formed at a certain point WP2 in the middle of the repair line RL3 to thereby disconnect the repair line RL3. The repair line RL3 is for a repair for the circuit defect of the third pixel P3, when the circuit defect occurs in a driving circuit DRC3 of the third pixel P3.
Like this, the repair line RL1 is for a repair for the circuit defect of the first pixel P1, when the circuit defect occurs in the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1.
Considering that a driving circuit and an organic light emitting diode of a pixel having a circuit defect are electrically disconnected with each other, an electrical connection point between a driving circuit and an organic light emitting diode of each pixel may be a cutting point CP.
That is, in order to electrically disconnect the driving circuit DRC1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1, an electrical connection point between the driving circuit DRC1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 may be the cutting point CP1. In order to electrically disconnect the driving circuit DRC2 and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, an electrical connection point between the driving circuit DRC2 and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 may be the cutting point CP2.
Referring to diagram (a) of
Meanwhile, referring to diagram (b) of
In addition, a “welding process” for a repair process for the circuit defect of the second pixel P2 is performed at the welding point WP1 on the repair line RL2, to thereby electrically connect the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 with the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2.
Here, both ends of the capacitor CAP that is the “floating pattern” formed at the welding point WP1 on the repair line RL2 is connected by the welding to thereby form a “connection pattern” like a general signal line. Here, the connection pattern is a metallic pattern to electrically connect the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, and it may be a transformation of the floating pattern.
According to these cutting process and welding process, when the circuit defect of the second pixel P2 is repaired, the organic light emitting display device 100 comes to a state in which the organic light emitting diode OLED2 and the driving circuit DRC2 of the second pixel P2 are electrically disconnected, the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1, the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1, and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 are to be electrically connected, and the connection pattern according to the result of the repair process for the circuit defect of the second pixel P2 is formed.
Such a state after the repair process may be a state in which the manufacture of the display panel 110 is completed, or a state in which some processes are still left in order to manufacture the display panel 110 such as the second electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 and OLED2, or some components of the organic light emitting display device 100.
As described above, after the circuit defect of the second pixel P2 is repaired, the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 may share the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1, and the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 may drive the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 in parallel.
According to this, after the repair process (the welding process and the cutting process) for the circuit defect of the second pixel P2 is carried out, a current I1 output from the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 is divided to be thereby supplied to the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 (I1=Ioled1+Ioled2).
As described in
In the repair process for the circuit defect as set forth above, the repair structure requires separate repair lines which are formed in the display panel 110 to have a welding point WP where the floating pattern such as a capacitor is formed, so the design of the panel and manufacturing processes may be limited to some extent.
For example, the separate repair lines may be formed in a bezel area or between the pixel lines of the display panel 110, which makes the design of a pixel structure difficult or harms an aperture ratio. This may reduce the manufacturing efficiency of the display panel 110.
Accordingly, in the present specification, various embodiments of repair structures enabling a repair without repair lines, and repair methods using the same will be disclosed.
The repair structures enabling a repair without repair lines, and repair methods using the same may vary according to the arrangement (relation of position) of a pixel (the second pixel P2) having a circuit defect and a pixel (the first pixel P1) having a driving circuit for sharing a current with the second pixel P2. Accordingly, hereinafter, example embodiments of repair structures and repair methods using the same will be described according to the type of arrangement between two pixels P1 and P2 which are related to the repair for the circuit defect.
First, arrangement of two pixels P1 and P2 related to the repair for the circuit defect will be described with reference to
As shown in diagrams (a), (b) and (c) of
That is, with a pixel area PA1 of a first pixel P1 being adjacent to a pixel area PA2 of a second pixel P2, the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 is adjacent to the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 as shown in diagram (a) of
Meanwhile, the type of pixel arrangement in diagram (b) of
Hereinafter, as embodiments of repair structures without repair lines and repair methods using the same, a second example embodiment and a third example embodiment in which an emission area EA1 of a first pixel P1 is adjacent to an emission area EA2 of a second pixel P2 will be described with reference to
Referring to
That is, as shown in
Referring to
Meanwhile, referring to
In the example of
Like this, since the floating pattern 900 is formed to be insulated from at least one of the first electrode 1010 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and a first electrode 1020 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, the first electrode 1010 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and a first electrode 1020 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 come to a state of being electrically disconnected.
In addition, as shown in
That is, in the case of the pixel arrangement according to the second example embodiment, the welding point WP for a repair process of a circuit defect may overlap with the emission area EA1 in the pixel area PA1 of the first pixel P1, and the emission area EA2 in the pixel area PA2 of the second pixel P2.
In a case of the second example embodiment in which the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 is adjacent to the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, as described above, the welding point WP is positioned at the boundary between the two pixel areas (two emission areas), and the small floating pattern 900 is formed at the welding point WP. Accordingly, since separate repair lines RL need not be formed in the bezel area or between the pixel lines in order to form the floating pattern at the welding point WP, the design of panel and manufacturing processes can be simplified and easy.
Meanwhile, referring to
In terms of a circuit, referring to
In terms of the structure, referring to the second pixel P2, the cutting point CP2, where a cutting process for disconnecting the organic light emitting diode OLED2 and the driving circuit DRC2 of the second pixel P2 is performed, should be positioned at a point where the cutting process can be carried out accurately and easily.
Considering this, the cutting point CP2, where the cutting process for disconnecting the organic light emitting diode OLED2 and the driving circuit DRC2 of the second pixel P2 is performed, may be positioned at, for example, an extension part of the first electrode 1020 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, which is extended to the circuit area CA2.
In addition to the above-described point, the cutting point CP2 may be positioned at any point where the first electrode 1020 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 is connected with transistors (the driving transistor DT2 in a case of a pixel structure in
Likewise, the cutting point CP1, where the cutting process for disconnecting the organic light emitting diode OLED1 and the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 is performed, may be positioned at, for example, an extension part of the first electrode 1010 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1, which is extended to the circuit area CA1.
In addition to the above-described point, the cutting point CP1 may be positioned at any point where the first electrode 1010 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 is connected with transistors (the driving transistor DT1 in a case of a pixel structure in
Meanwhile, a description will be made with reference to
Referring to diagram (a) of
In this case, the floating pattern 900 may be formed together with a gate electrode 1111 of a transistor DT1 disposed in the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1, and a gate electrode 1112 of a transistor DT2 disposed in the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2, while the gate electrodes 1111 and 1112 are formed on a substrate 1100. At this time, the floating pattern 900 may be the same material as the gate electrodes 1111 and 1112.
Referring to diagram (b) of
In this case, after a gate electrode 1111 of a transistor DT1 disposed in the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1, and a gate electrode 1112 of a transistor DT2 disposed in the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2 are formed on a substrate 1100, and a gate insulation layer 1120 is formed thereon, the floating pattern 900 may be formed together with a source-drain electrode 1131 of a transistor DT1 disposed in the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1, and a source-drain electrode 1132 of a transistor DT2 disposed in the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2, while the source-drain electrodes 1131 and 1132 are formed. At this time, the floating pattern 900 may be the same material as the source-drain electrodes 1131 and 1132.
Referring to diagram (c) of
In this case, a part of the floating pattern 900 may be formed together with a gate electrode 1111 of a transistor DT1 disposed in the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1, and a gate electrode 1112 of a transistor DT2 disposed in the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2, while the gate electrodes 1111 and 1112 are formed on a substrate 1100. Next, after a gate insulation layer 1120 is formed thereon, the rest of the floating pattern 900 may be formed together with a source-drain electrode 1131 of a transistor DT1 disposed in the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1, and a source-drain electrode 1132 of a transistor DT2 disposed in the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2, while the source-drain electrodes 1131 and 1132 are formed. At this time, the floating pattern 900 may be comprised of a gate material layer and a source-drain material layer.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The connection pattern 1200 may electrically connect the first electrode 1020 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 with the first electrode 1010 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1, to thereby supply a current from the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1.
The repair process (the cutting process+the welding process) described with reference to
Although the repair process (the cutting process+the welding process) may be performed during manufacturing the panel before shipping the product or after being purchased in regards to a warranty service, it may be performed in a state in which the first electrode (e.g., anode or cathode) and the second electrode (e.g., cathode or anode) of the organic light emitting diode OLED disposed in every pixel with display panel 110 are formed.
Hereinafter, a third example embodiment of a repair structure of which pixel arrangement is similar to that of the second example embodiment, but different from the second example embodiment in that the floating pattern 900 is formed at a plurality of points, and a repair process using the same will be described with reference to
Referring to
That is, the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the third example embodiment has the same pixel arrangement, but different number of welding points, compared to the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the second example embodiment. Accordingly, the number of floating pattern is also different from that of the second example embodiment.
In relation to formation of the floating pattern, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the third example embodiment, two floating patterns 1410 and 1420 that is to be welded for a repair process is formed to be insulated from at least one of the first electrode 1010 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the first electrode 1020 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, and to overlap with the boundary between the pixel area PA1 of the first pixel P1 and the pixel area PA2 of the second pixel P2.
Although the two floating patterns 1410 and 1420 are illustrated to be formed at different points WP1 and WP2, respectively, in
Referring to
Referring to
Further, referring to
With the formation of the connection pattern 1500, the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 are electrically connected.
According to this, after the repair process, the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the third example embodiment has the connection pattern 1500 for electrically connecting the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 as shown in
Meanwhile, the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the third example embodiment may perform a repair process with respect to a light emitting defect as well as the circuit defect.
For example, when a circuit defect occurs in the driving circuit DRC2 of the second pixel P2, and at the same time, a light emitting defect occurs in the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the third example embodiment, in the repair process of the circuit defect, the floating patterns 1410 and 1420 formed at least one point of two or more points WP1 and WP2 are welded to form the connection pattern 1500 to electrically connect the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, and for the repair process of the light emitting defect, the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 is cut in order to remove the point of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, where the light emitting defect is generated, in a circuit. According to this, the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and a part (that is left after cutting) of the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 are electrically connected with each other.
In the cutting process to remove the light emitting defect point, the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 may be cut in the lateral direction or in the longitudinal direction depending on the light emitting defect points.
When the circuit defect and the light emitting defect concurrently occurs, the organic light emitting display device 100 that is repaired will be described below with reference to
Diagram (a) of
Referring to diagrams (a) and (b) of
In the organic light emitting display device 100 that has had a circuit defect repaired as described above, the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 is electrically connected with the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, so the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 may supply a current the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 in parallel.
Meanwhile, referring to diagrams (a) and (b) of
Referring to diagrams (a) and (b) of
Referring to diagrams (a) and (b) of
The direction, the point and the form of the cutting may be determined not to reduce the emission area EA2 of the second pixel P2, considering the point where the light emitting defect occurs in the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, and the area of the part 1600 of the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, which is involved for light emitting after the cutting.
Until now, the organic light emitting display devices 100 according to the second and third example embodiments were described in relation to the type {diagram (a) of
Hereinafter, an organic light emitting display device 100 according to the fourth example embodiment will be described in relation to the type {diagram (b) of
Referring to
That is, the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the fourth example embodiment has an arrangement in which the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 is adjacent to the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2.
Meanwhile, Referring to
That is, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the fourth example embodiment, each first electrode 1710 or 1720 of the organic light emitting diodes OLED1 and OLED2 of the first and second pixels P1 and P2 is comprised of a part that belongs to the emission area of its own pixel, an internal extension part IEP that extends to the circuit area in its own pixel, and an external extension part EEP that extends to the circuit area of another pixel outside its own pixel.
According to the more detailed description with reference to
Likewise, the first electrode 1710 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 in the first pixel P1 is comprised of a part that belongs to the emission area EA1 of the first pixel P1, an extension part IEP1 that extends to the circuit area CA1 inside the first pixel P1, and an extension part EEP1 that extends to the circuit area CA0 of the 0th pixel P0.
Two points (the welding point and the cutting point) for the repair process (the welding process and the cutting process) are positioned in relation to the first electrodes 1710 and 1720 having the above-described structure.
First, in relation to the cutting point CP, referring to
Likewise, to be prepared for the generation of the circuit defect in the second pixel P2, the cutting point CP2 exists at the point where the extension part IEP2 of the first electrode 1720 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, which extends to the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2, is cut.
Next, in relation to the welding point WP, referring to
Referring to
Accordingly, a floating pattern 1711, that is insulated from at least one of the first electrode 1710 and IEP1 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the first electrode 1720 and EEP2 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, is formed at the welding point WP1 where the first electrode 1710 and IEP1 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 is adjacent to the first electrode 1720 and IEP2 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2.
Likewise, in the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2, a floating pattern 1721, that is insulated from at least one of the first electrode 1720 and IEP2 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 and the first electrode EEP3 of the organic light emitting diode OLED3 of the third pixel P3, is formed at the welding point WP2 where the first electrode 1720 and IEP2 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 is adjacent to the first electrode EEP3 of the organic light emitting diode OLED3 of the third pixel P3.
Referring to
In addition, the driving transistor DT1 for supplying a current to the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 is formed in the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1 on a substrate 1800.
The driving transistor DT1 of the first pixel P1 includes a gate electrode 1811 and a source/drain electrode 1821, a source electrode or a drain electrode among the source/drain electrode 1821 is connected with the extension part IEP1 of the first electrode 1710 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1, which extends to the circuit area CA1.
A cutting point CP1 in a repair process of the circuit defect in the first pixel P1 is positioned at the connection point between the extension part IEP1 of the first electrode 1710 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1, which extends to the circuit area CA1, and the driving transistor DT1 of the first pixel P1, or the extension part IEP1 of the first electrode 1710 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1, which extends to the circuit area CA1.
Referring to
In addition, the driving transistor DT2 for supplying a current to the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 is formed in the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2 on a substrate 1800.
The driving transistor DT2 of the second pixel P2 includes a gate electrode 1812 and a source/drain electrode 1822, a source electrode or a drain electrode among the source/drain electrode 1822 is connected with the extension part IEP2 of the first electrode 1720 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, which extends to the circuit area CA2.
A cutting point CP2 in a repair process of the circuit defect in the second pixel P2 is positioned at the connection point between the extension part IEP2 of the first electrode 1720 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, which extends to the circuit area CA2, and the driving transistor DT2 of the second pixel P2, or the extension part IEP2 of the first electrode 1720 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, which extends to the circuit area CA2.
Meanwhile, referring to
Referring to
Likewise, a floating pattern 1721, that is insulated from at least one (EEP3 in a case of
As described above, the extension part IEP1 of the first electrode 1710 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the extension part EEP2 of the first electrode 1720 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 are formed in the circuit area CA1 where the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 is formed. In addition, the floating pattern 1711, that is insulated from at least one of the extension part IEP1 of the first electrode 1710 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the extension part EEP2 of the first electrode 1720 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, is formed in the circuit area CA1.
The relatively complicated circuit area CA1 where the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 is formed will be described in detail with reference to a plan view of
Referring to
Further, the second transistor T2 is controlled by a scan signal supplied from a gate line 1900, and receives a data voltage from a data line 1910.
The first transistor T1 is controlled by a scan signal supplied from a gate line 1900, and receives a reference voltage Vref from a pattern 1920 connected with a reference voltage line.
The second transistor T2 is connected with a plate 1950, and the plate 1950 is connected with a gate electrode 1960 of the driving transistor DT by a contact hole.
The driving transistor DT is controlled by a voltage applied to the gate electrode 1960, and receives a driving voltage from the driving voltage EVDD line 1930 through a drain node to thereby output a current through a source node.
Provided that
Meanwhile, referring to
Meanwhile, referring to
Referring to
This point where the floating pattern 1711 is formed will be described in detail with reference to diagrams (a) and (b) of
Referring to diagram (a) of
Referring to diagram (a) of
Here, the active layer 1940 constitutes one electrode of the storage capacitor Cstg and plays a role of a source node N1 of the driving transistor DT. Accordingly, the floating pattern 1711 is connected with the source node N1 of the driving transistor DT in the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 and one electrode of the storage capacitor Cstg.
A first insulation layer 2060 is formed on the floating pattern 1711.
The extension part IEP1 of the first electrode 1710 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the extension part EEP2 of the first electrode 1720 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 are separately formed on the first insulation layer 2060.
At this time, the extension part IEP1 of the first electrode 1710 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 is connected with the floating pattern 1711 by the first contact hole CH1 that corresponds to a first insulation layer contact hole formed to go through the first insulation layer 2060.
Accordingly, the first electrode 1710 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 is electrically connected with the floating pattern 1711.
However, the extension part EEP2 of the first electrode 1720 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 is not connected with the floating pattern 1711 by the first insulation layer 2060.
That is, the floating pattern 1711 is connected with the extension part IEP1 of the first electrode 1710 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 by the first contact hole CH1, while the floating pattern 1711 is disconnected by the first insulation layer 2060 to be thereby insulated from the first electrode 1720 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2.
This floating pattern 1711 may be formed together with a source or a drain of each transistor and signal lines 1910 and 1930 because it is made of a source-drain material.
Further, the floating pattern 1711 is formed at the point where the storage capacitor Cstg is positioned in the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 by being connected with the active layer 1940.
In regard to this, Referring to diagram (b) of
Accordingly, referring to diagram (b) of
Referring to diagram (b) of
Referring to diagram (b) of
In the organic light emitting display device 100 having a structure described with reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Until now, the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the fourth example embodiment having a pixel arrangement {diagram (b) of
Hereinafter, an organic light emitting display device 100 according to a fifth example embodiment having a pixel arrangement {diagram (c) of
Referring to
As shown in
That is, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the fifth example embodiment, the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 is adjacent to the driving circuit DRC2 of the second pixel P2, so the first electrode 2420 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 may be extended through the circuit area CA2 where the driving circuit DRC2 of the second pixel P2 is disposed to the circuit area CA1 in the pixel area PA1 of the first pixel P1.
In this case, a floating pattern 2411 that is insulated from at least one of the extension part IEP1 of the first electrode 2410 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1, which extends to the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1, and the extension part EEP2 of the first electrode 2420 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, which extends through the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2 to the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1, may be formed.
In the case of
According to the above description, although the floating pattern 2411 is formed in the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1, the floating pattern 2411 may be formed in the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2. To this end, the first electrode 2410 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 may be extended through the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1 to the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2.
A repair process for a circuit defect in the second pixel P2 will be described with reference to
Referring to
This connection pattern 2500 connects the extension part IEP1 of the first electrode 2410 of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1, which extends to the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1, with the extension part EEP2 of the first electrode 2420 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2, which extends through the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2 to the circuit area CA1 of the first pixel P1. According to this, the first electrode 2420 of the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 is connected with the driving transistor DT1 in the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1, too.
Referring to
Referring to
Until now, the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the fourth example embodiment having a pixel arrangement {diagram (c) of
Meanwhile, every pixel may be disposed in the display panel 110 by using each of the three pixel arrangements as shown in
When every pixel is disposed in the display panel 110 by repeating the pixel arrangement of diagram (a) of
In addition, pixels may be disposed in the display panel 110 by a combination of the pixel arrangement of diagram (a) of
According to this, in a repair process for a circuit defect of the first pixel P1 or the second pixel P2, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the sixth example embodiment, a repair structure (that is the same as that of the second example embodiment) may be formed around the area WP1 and WP2 of the boundary between the emission area EA1 of the first pixel P1 and the emission area EA2 of the second pixel P2.
In the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the sixth example embodiment, as a repair structure for a circuit defect of the first pixel P1 or the second pixel P2, the floating pattern 900 shown in
Alternatively, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the sixth example embodiment, according to a repair process for a circuit defect of the first pixel P1 or the second pixel P2, the floating pattern 900 formed at the welding points WP1 and WP2 is welded to thereby form the connection pattern 1200 as shown in
For a repair of a circuit defect of the third pixel P3 or the fourth pixel P4, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the sixth example embodiment, a repair structure (that is the same as that of the fifth example embodiment) may be formed in one of the circuit area CA3 of the third pixel P3 and the circuit area CA4 of the fourth pixel P4.
In the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the sixth example embodiment, as a repair structure for a circuit defect of the third pixel P3 or the fourth pixel P4, the floating pattern 2411 shown in
Alternatively, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the sixth example embodiment, according to a repair process for a circuit defect of the third pixel P3 or the fourth pixel P4, the floating pattern 2411 formed at the welding points WP3 and WP4 is welded to thereby form the connection pattern 2500 as shown in
Referring to
According to this, in a repair process for a circuit defect of the first pixel P1 or the second pixel P2, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the seventh example embodiment, a repair structure (that is the same as that of the second embodiment) may be formed around the area WP1 and WP2 of the boundary between the emission area EA1 of the first pixel P1 and the emission area EA2 of the second pixel P2.
In the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the seventh example embodiment, as a repair structure for a circuit defect of the first pixel P1 or the second pixel P2, the floating pattern 900 shown in
Alternatively, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the seventh example embodiment, according to a repair process for a circuit defect of the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2, the floating pattern 900 formed at the welding points WP1 and WP2 is welded to thereby form the connection pattern 1200 as shown in
Meanwhile, in a repair process of a circuit defect of the second pixel P2 and the third pixel P3, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the seventh example embodiment, a repair structure (that is the same as that of the fourth example embodiment) may be formed in the circuit area CA2 of the second pixel P2.
In the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the seventh example embodiment, as a repair structure for a circuit defect of the second pixel P2 or the third pixel P3, the floating pattern 1711 shown in
Alternatively, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the seventh example embodiment, according to a repair process for a circuit defect of the second pixel P2 or the third pixel P3, the floating pattern 1711 formed at the welding points WP2 and WP3 is welded to thereby form the connection pattern 2100 as shown in
Meanwhile, for a repair of a circuit defect of the third pixel P3 of the fourth pixel P4, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the seventh example embodiment, a repair structure (that is the same as that of the fifth example embodiment) may be formed in one of the circuit area CA3 of the third pixel P3 and the circuit area CA4 of the fourth pixel P4.
In the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the seventh example embodiment, as a repair structure for a circuit defect of the third pixel P3 or the fourth pixel P4, the floating pattern 2411 shown in
Alternatively, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the seventh example embodiment, according to a repair process for a circuit defect of the third pixel P3 or the fourth pixel P4, the floating pattern 2411 formed at the welding points WP3 and WP4 is welded to thereby form the connection pattern 2500 as shown in
Until now, the organic light emitting display devices 100 having various repair structures enabling a repair for a circuit defect which is one of the pixel defects, repair methods corresponding to various repair structures, and the organic light emitting display devices 100 repaired according to the same were described.
Hereinafter, an organic light emitting display device 100 having a repair structure enabling a repair for a light emitting defect which is one of the pixel defects, a repair method corresponding to the repair structure, and an organic light emitting display device 100 repaired according to the same will be described for an eighth example embodiment with reference to
Referring to
Meanwhile, a light emitting defect in the emission area may be generated by, for example, a short circuit of both electrodes (anode and cathode) of the organic light emitting diode OLED by impurities in processing, or a failure of at least one of both electrodes (anode and cathode) of the organic light emitting diode OLED. Addition to this, the light emitting defect may be generated by any unexpected cause.
The state in which the organic light emitting diode OLED does not normally emit light is regarded as a light emitting defect.
When the light emitting defect occurs, as shown in diagram (b) of
At this time, the cutting process is performed to split a connection point 2800 between the organic light emitting diode OLED and the driving circuit DRC, and the occurrence point of the light emitting defect into different areas 2810 and 2820, respectively.
According to this cutting process, the area 2810, which the connection point 2800 between the organic light emitting diode OLED and the driving circuit DRC belongs to, may be an emission area for emitting light after the cutting process, while the occurrence area 2820 of the light emitting defect, which was an emission area EA before the cutting process, may be disconnected from the circuit after the cutting process, to be thereby no emission area.
Although the cutting lines shown in
Diagram (a) of
Referring to diagram (a) of
Referring to diagram (b) of
Accordingly, when the repair process is made to the light emitting defect, there may be at least one pixel in which the first electrode (e.g., anode or cathode) of the organic light emitting diode OLED is cut to thereby have an emission area of a different size. Particularly, in the display panel 110, there may be at least one pixel in which the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED is cut to thereby have an emission area smaller than emission areas of other pixels for emitting light of the same color.
Meanwhile, the repair process for a circuit defect refers to a process to allow a driving circuit of a normal pixel to drive an organic light emitting diode of a faulty pixel having a circuit defect.
If there is at least one pixel with a repaired circuit defect, the display panel 110 may have at least one driving circuit that drives two or more organic light emitting diodes disposed in different pixels in parallel.
Meanwhile, when a light emitting defect occurs in an organic light emitting diode not having a circuit defect, that is, when a pixel with a circuit defect and a pixel with a light emitting defect are adjacent to each other, a driving circuit in the pixel not having a circuit defect may drive only the organic light emitting diode of the pixel having a circuit defect. An example of this will be described as a ninth example embodiment with reference to
Diagram (a) of
As shown in diagram (b) of
In a case of a cross pixel defect, the connection point CP1 between the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 having a light emitting defect and the driving circuit DRC1 is cut, and the connection point CP2 between the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 having a circuit defect and the driving circuit DRC2 is cut.
In addition, a capacitor that is pre-formed at the welding point WP1 is welded to thereby electrically connect the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 with the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2.
According to this, the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 drives only the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2.
If the cross pixel defect is not repaired, the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 may be a bright spot or a dark spot to thereby badly degrade an image quality or cause the display panel 110 to be discarded during the manufacturing process. However, by repairing the cross pixel defect, an emission area of at least one pixel may emit light, so the worst case scenario may be prevented.
If there is a pair of pixels which are repaired for a cross pixel defect, the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the ninth example embodiment may have at least one organic light emitting diode OLED2 that receives a current the driving circuit DRC1 disposed other pixel.
Meanwhile, when the repair process for a circuit defect is performed as described above, the brightness is decreased compared to before the repair.
That is, once the repair process for a circuit defect is made, since a current output from the driving circuit DRC is divided to flow into two organic light emitting diodes, the current of each organic light emitting diode is reduced by a half, so the brightness is decreased in two pixels related to the repair process.
Accordingly, in the specification, an organic light emitting display device 100 according to the tenth example embodiment to compensate for a reduction of brightness of a pixel that has been repaired for a circuit defect will be disclosed. The organic light emitting display device 100 according to the tenth example embodiment will be described with reference to
Hereinafter, in relation to the compensation for the brightness, it is assumed that the second pixel P2 has been repaired for a circuit defect. Accordingly, it is also assumed that the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 drives the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 in parallel.
Hereinafter, in relation to the compensation for the brightness, it is assumed that a pixel structure is a one-scan based pixel structure as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Accordingly, the amount of current, that each of the organic light emitting diode OLED1 of the first pixel P1 and the organic light emitting diode OLED2 of the second pixel P2 receives, is less than that required to emit a desired intensity of light.
This results in a reduction of the brightness of the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2.
Accordingly, as shown in
Such a compensation unit 3300 determines the amount of data compensation by which the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 outputs a current having a value larger than a value of a current corresponding to a predetermined brightness.
Accordingly, the compensation unit 3300 transfers compensation data Data′ generated according to the amount of determined data compensation or the amount of determined data compensation to a data driver integrated circuit 3310 in a data driving unit 120.
The data driver integrated circuit 3310 supplies a compensation data voltage Vdata′ corresponding to the received compensation data Data′ or the amount of data compensation to the driving circuit DRC1 of the first pixel P1 through a corresponding data line.
Meanwhile, in the organic light emitting display device 100 according to the tenth example embodiment, information on pixels which have been repaired may be pre-stored in a memory (not shown), and may be used when compensating for the brightness.
The compensation unit 3300 may be included in a timing controller 140 or the data driving unit 120, or may be separately provided outside the timing controller 140 and the data driving unit 120.
As described above, according to the present invention, the present invention has an effect of providing an organic light emitting display device 100 having a repair structure by which pixel defects can be repaired, and an organic light emitting display device 100 whose pixel defects have been repaired.
In addition, the present invention has an effect of providing an organic light emitting display device 100 that has a repair structure by which a circuit defect among the causes of the pixel defects can be repaired, and an organic light emitting display device 100 in which a circuit defect has been repaired.
Further, the present invention has an effect of providing an organic light emitting display device 100 that has a repair structure by which a light emitting defect among the causes of the pixel defects can be repaired, and an organic light emitting display device 100 in which a light emitting defect has been repaired.
Further, the present invention has an effect of providing an organic light emitting display device 100 that enables to compensate for the brightness loss due to a repair for a circuit defect.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the organic light emitting display device of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10-2013-0152657 | Dec 2013 | KR | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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7517551 | Arai | Apr 2009 | B2 |
8106896 | Hwang | Jan 2012 | B2 |
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