JP2007140501A - Display device and method of driving the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device which is capable of reducing power consumption by dividing one frame period by the number of bits to reduce the number of signal writings for grayscale expression when using a time grayscale method, and to miniaturize an electronic equipment performing display by a time grayscale method. <P>SOLUTION: The display device includes a light emitting element, a plurality of driving transistors connected in parallel, and switching transistors provided between the light emitting element and the plurality of driving transistors respectively, and one frame period is divided into subframe periods to express grayscale without storing signals for grayscale expression by the time grayscale method. Thus, power consumption can be reduced and downsizing of the electronic equipment using the display device can be achieved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a display device that receives a digital video signal and displays an image. Further, the present invention relates to an electronic device using the display device.

In recent years, a so-called self-luminous display device in which a pixel is formed of a display element such as a light emitting diode (LED) has attracted attention. As a display element used in such a self-luminous display device, an organic light-emitting diode (also referred to as an organic light emitting diode (OLED), an organic EL element, or an electroluminescence (EL) element) attracts attention. It has been used for EL displays and the like. Since a display element such as an OLED is a self-luminous type, there are advantages such that the visibility of pixels is higher than that of a liquid crystal display, a backlight is unnecessary, and the response speed is fast. Note that the luminance of the display element is controlled by the value of current flowing therethrough.

There are an analog gradation method and a digital gradation method as drive methods for expressing the gradation of such a display device. As the analog method, there are a method of analog control of the light emission intensity of the display element and a method of analog control of the light emission time of the display element. In the analog gradation method, a method of analog control of the light emission intensity of the display element is often used.

However, the method of controlling the emission intensity in an analog manner is easily affected by the characteristic variation of the thin film transistor (hereinafter also referred to as TFT) for each pixel, and the luminance for each pixel also varies. On the other hand, in the digital gradation method, gradation is expressed by turning on and off the display element by digital control. In the case of the digital gradation method, the luminance uniformity of each pixel is excellent, but since there are only two states of light emission and non-light emission, only two gradations can be expressed as it is. Therefore, as another method, an area gray scale method that performs gradation display by weighting the light emitting area of the pixel and selecting it, and a time gray scale method that performs gradation display by weighting the light emitting time and selecting it. There is. In the case of a digital gray scale method, a time gray scale method suitable for high definition is often used (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-6808

In the digital gradation method, high definition can be achieved by using the time gradation method. However, the number of pixels increases as the definition becomes higher. Therefore, the number of pixels for signal writing also increases.

Also, the number of subframes must be increased in order to perform high gradation display. Accordingly, the number of signal writings to the pixels increases.

Therefore, in the case of performing the time gray scale method, to provide a display device that can divide one frame period by the number of bits, reduce the number of times of writing a signal for gray scale expression, and reduce power consumption. Let it be an issue. It is another object of the present invention to reduce the size of an electronic device that performs display using a time gray scale method.

In view of the above problems, the present invention is characterized in that a circuit having the same configuration is provided for one light-emitting element. The circuit is provided with a switching element for selecting the light emitting element and a driving element for driving the light emitting element. For example, the frame memory can be reduced by providing a plurality of switching elements having different functions in the circuit. Alternatively, the circuit includes one switching element, but the frame memory can be reduced by providing a plurality of signal lines between a plurality of circuits. By reducing or deleting the frame memory in this way, a display device with a narrowed frame can be obtained.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a light-emitting element, a plurality of driving transistors connected in parallel to the light-emitting element, and each driving transistor is provided separately between the light-emitting element and the plurality of driving transistors. A display device comprising: a plurality of switching transistors provided to correspond to the switching transistors.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a light emitting element, a plurality of driving transistors connected in parallel to the light emitting element, and each driving transistor is separately provided between the light emitting element and the plurality of driving transistors. A plurality of first switching transistors provided so as to correspond to one first switching transistor, and each driving transistor corresponding to one driving transistor separately from one second switching transistor And a plurality of second switching transistors connected to the plurality of signal lines so that each signal line separately corresponds to one second switching transistor. Device.

In the present invention, the number of signal lines is equal to the number of driving transistors.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a light emitting element, a first driving transistor and a second driving transistor connected in parallel to the light emitting element, and the light emitting element and the first driving transistor. And a second switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the second driving transistor. The display device includes: a first switching transistor;

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a light emitting element, a first driving transistor connected in parallel to the light emitting element, a second driving transistor, and the light emitting element and the first driving transistor. The first switching transistor provided, the second switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the second driving transistor, and the first driving transistor connected to the signal line And a fourth switching transistor connected to the signal line and connected to the second driving transistor.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a light emitting element, a first driving transistor connected in parallel to the light emitting element, a second driving transistor, and the light emitting element and the first driving transistor. A first switching transistor provided; a second switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the second driving transistor; and a first signal connected to the first driving transistor. A display device comprising: a third switching transistor connected to the line; and a fourth switching transistor connected to the second driving transistor and connected to the second signal line. It is.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a light emitting element, a first driving transistor connected in parallel to the light emitting element, a second driving transistor, a third driving transistor, and a first driving transistor. And a first switching transistor connected to the first signal line; a second switching transistor connected to the second driving transistor and connected to the second signal line; And a third switching transistor connected to a third signal line and connected to a third driving transistor.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a light emitting element, and a first driving transistor, a second driving transistor, and a third driving transistor connected in parallel to the light emitting element. The driving transistor is connected to the first power supply line, the second driving transistor is connected to the second power supply line, and the third driving transistor is connected to the third power supply line. This is a characteristic display device.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a light emitting element, a plurality of driving transistors connected to the light emitting element and connected in parallel, and each driving transistor is separately provided between the light emitting element and the plurality of driving transistors. A plurality of switching transistors provided so as to correspond to the one switching transistor, and in the first writing period, one of the plurality of driving transistors is selected, and the light emitting element is A driving method of a display device, wherein a driving transistor different from driving transistors of a plurality of driving transistors is selected in a second writing period after the first writing period and the light emitting element emits light It is.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a light emitting element, a plurality of driving transistors connected to the light emitting element and connected in parallel, and each driving transistor is separately provided between the light emitting element and the plurality of driving transistors. A plurality of switching transistors provided so as to correspond to the one switching transistor, and in the first writing period, one of the plurality of driving transistors is selected, and the light emitting element is In the second writing period after the first writing period, a driving transistor different from the driving transistors of the plurality of driving transistors is selected, the light emitting element emits light, and the first writing period after the first writing period is reached. The display device driving method is characterized in that the ratio of the display period to the second display period after the second writing period is 1: 2. .

The signal line can be a source signal line. The driving transistor can be used as a driving transistor for driving a light emitting element.

A display device that can reduce the number of signal writings to pixels by a time gray scale method and can reduce power consumption can be provided. Further, since the frame memory included in the IC can be reduced or deleted, the electronic device can be downsized. Furthermore, in the pixel configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce pseudo contours in addition to the above effects.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different modes, and those skilled in the art can easily understand that the modes and details can be variously changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Is done. Therefore, the present invention is not construed as being limited to the description of this embodiment mode. Note that in all the drawings for describing the embodiments, the same portions or portions having similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repetitive description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
A pixel structure in this embodiment is described with reference to FIG. Note that although the pixel configuration used in this embodiment mode illustrates only one pixel, a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix in the row direction and the column direction in the pixel portion of the display device. In this embodiment mode, a TFT is used as a switching element. However, any element having a transistor function can be applied to the present invention.

1 includes switching TFTs 101, 102, 104, 105, driving TFTs 103, 106, light emitting elements 107, gate signal lines 108, 109, gate scanning lines 110, 111, source signal lines 112, and power supply lines 113. have. The driving TFTs 103 and 106 are connected to the light emitting element 107 in parallel. A part of the gate wiring of the switching TFT 101, that is, the gate terminal is connected to the gate scanning line 110, and one part of the source wiring or the drain wiring (this is referred to as a first terminal) is connected to the source signal line 112, The other part of the source wiring or the drain wiring (this is referred to as a second terminal) is connected to the gate terminal of the driving TFT 103. The first terminal of the driving TFT 103 is connected to the power supply line 113, and the second terminal is connected to the first terminal of the switching TFT 102. Further, the switching TFT 102 has a gate terminal connected to the gate signal line 108 and a second terminal connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element 107. Similarly, the switching TFT 104 has a gate terminal connected to the gate scanning line 111, a first terminal connected to the source signal line 112, and a second terminal connected to the gate terminal of the driving TFT 106. The first terminal of the driving TFT 106 is connected to the power supply line 113, and the second terminal is connected to the first terminal of the switching TFT 105. Further, the switching TFT 105 has a gate terminal connected to the gate signal line 109, and a second terminal connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element 107. Note that the second terminals of the switching TFTs 102 and 105 are connected to each other and to the first electrode of the light emitting element 107.

In other words, the pixel of this embodiment has a structure in which two circuits each having two switching TFTs and a driving TFT are connected to one light emitting element. As described above, the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of circuits having the same configuration are provided in one pixel for one light-emitting element. When data is written in one circuit, information to be written next in another circuit can be held. Thereby, the frame memory can be reduced or deleted.

Here, a low potential side potential is set to the second electrode of the light emitting element. Note that the low potential side potential is a potential satisfying the low potential side potential <the high potential side potential with respect to the high potential side potential set in the power supply line 113. As the low potential side potential, for example, GND, 0V Etc. may be set. Since the potential difference between the high potential side potential and the low potential side potential is applied to the light emitting element 107 and a current is passed through the light emitting element to cause the light emitting element 107 to emit light, the potential difference between the high potential side potential and the low potential side potential is Each potential is set to be equal to or higher than the forward threshold voltage of the light emitting element 107.

In this embodiment mode, the switching TFTs 101 and 104 are n-channel TFTs, and the switching TFTs 102 and 105 and the driving TFTs 103 and 106 are p-channel TFTs. However, the present invention is not limited to the polarity of the TFT, and the switching TFTs 101 and 104 may be p-channel TFTs, and the switching TFTs 102 and 105 and the driving TFTs 103 and 106 may be n-channel TFTs. In this case, the potential levels of the source signal line and the power supply line may be reversed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The gate scanning lines 110 and 111 are sequentially selected, and an L level or H level signal is input from the source signal line 112 to the gate terminals of the driving TFTs 103 and 106 via the switching TFTs 101 and 104. When an L level signal is input to the gate terminals of the driving TFTs 103 and 106, the driving TFTs 103 and 106 are turned on. At this time, when the H level is written to the gate signal line 108 and the L level is written to the gate signal line 109 and is input to the gate terminals of the switching TFTs 102 and 105, respectively, the switching TFT 101 or 104 passes through. When an L level signal is input to the gate terminal of the driving TFT, and when an L level signal is input to the gate terminals of the switching TFTs 102 and 105, the light emitting element 107 emits light. That is, in the SF1 period, since the L level is input to the gate terminal of the switching TFT 105, the light emitting element 107 emits light when an L level signal is input from the source signal line 112 through the switching TFT 104.

Next, when the L level is written to the gate signal line 108 and the H level is written to the gate signal line 109 and inputted to the gate terminals of the switching TFTs 102 and 105, the driving is performed via the switching TFT 101 or 104. When an L level signal is input to the gate terminal of the switching TFT and when an L level signal is input to the gate terminals of the switching TFTs 102 and 105, the light emitting element 107 emits light. That is, in the SF2 period, since the L level is input to the gate terminal of the switching TFT 102, the light emitting element 107 emits light when an L level signal is input from the source signal line 112 via the switching TFT 101.

Here, the L level and H level signals of the gate signal lines 108 and 109 take into account the potential of the power supply line 113 and the threshold values of the switching TFTs 102 and 105 (L level is set low and H level is set high). The switching TFTs 102 and 105 are set to values that can be reliably turned on or off. Further, the L level and H level signals of the source signal line 112 take into consideration the potential of the power supply line 113 and the threshold values of the driving TFTs 103 and 106 so that the driving TFTs 103 and 106 can be reliably turned on or off. To do. The potentials of the gate scanning lines 110 and 111 are set to values that can reliably turn on or off the switching TFTs 101 and 104 in consideration of the potential of the source signal line 112 and the threshold value of the switching TFTs 101 and 104.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, one frame period is divided into two subframe periods, the ratio of the light emission time is changed in each subframe, and the total amount (total) of the light emission time is (target). A gradation is expressed by a difference (different) for each gradation. That is, here, the ratio of the light emission period, that is, the length of the light emission period is Ts1: Ts2 = 1: 2.

With such a pixel configuration, the number of signal writings to the pixel by the time gray scale method can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. Further, the frame memory can be reduced or deleted. Furthermore, in the pixel configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce pseudo contours in addition to the above effects.

(Embodiment 2)
The pixel configuration in this embodiment is described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the source signal line 112 of the first embodiment is divided into two, and the gate scanning lines 110 and 111 are shared by one.

The pixel illustrated in FIG. 5 includes source signal lines 512 and 514 and a gate scanning line 510, the first terminal of the switching TFT 501 is connected to the source signal line 512, and the first terminal of the switching TFT 504 is connected to the source signal line 514. Connected to. The gate terminals of the switching TFTs 501 and 504 are both connected to the gate scanning line 510. Since the connection relationships of the other switching TFTs 502 and 505, the driving TFTs 503 and 506, the light emitting element 507, the gate signal lines 508 and 509, and the power supply line 513 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, the description thereof is omitted here.

The gate terminals of the switching TFTs 501 and 504 are selected at the same time because they are connected to the gate scanning line 510, but can be controlled at a desired timing by dividing the source signal lines into 512 and 514. it can.

With such a pixel configuration, the number of signal writings to the pixel by the time gray scale method can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. Further, the frame memory can be reduced or deleted. Furthermore, in the pixel configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce pseudo contours in addition to the above effects.

(Embodiment 3)
A pixel structure in this embodiment mode will be described with reference to FIG.

2 includes switching TFTs 201, 203, 204, 205, 207, 208, driving TFTs 202, 206, light emitting elements 209, gate signal lines 210, 211, gate scanning lines 212, 213, source signal lines 214, A power supply line 215 is provided. The gate terminal of the switching TFT 201 is connected to the gate scanning line 212, the first terminal (source or drain terminal) is connected to the source signal line 214, and the second terminal is connected to the gate terminals of the driving TFT 202 and the switching TFT 203. ing. The first terminal of the driving TFT 202 is connected to the power supply line 215, and the second terminal is connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element 209. The switching TFT 204 has a gate terminal connected to the gate signal line 210, a first terminal connected to the power supply line 215, and a second terminal connected to the first terminal of the switching TFT 203. Similarly, the gate terminal of the switching TFT 205 is connected to the gate scanning line 213, the first terminal is connected to the source signal line 214, and the second terminal is connected to the gate terminals of the driving TFT 206 and the switching TFT 207. A first terminal of the driving TFT 206 is connected to the power supply line 215, and a second terminal is connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element 209. The switching TFT 208 has a gate terminal connected to the gate signal line 211, a first terminal connected to the power supply line 215, and a second terminal connected to the first terminal of the switching TFT 207. Further, the second terminal of the switching TFT 203 is connected to the second terminal of the switching TFT 205, and the second terminal of the switching TFT 207 is connected to the second terminal of the switching TFT 201. Note that the second terminals of the driving TFTs 202 and 206 are connected to each other and to the first electrode of the light emitting element 209.

A low potential side potential is set for the second electrode of the light emitting element. Note that the low potential side potential is a potential satisfying the low potential side potential <the high potential side potential with respect to the high potential side potential set in the power supply line 215. As the low potential side potential, for example, GND, 0V Etc. may be set. Since the potential difference between the high potential side potential and the low potential side potential is applied to the light emitting element 209 and a current is passed through the light emitting element to cause the light emitting element 209 to emit light, the potential difference between the high potential side potential and the low potential side potential is Each potential is set to be equal to or higher than the forward threshold voltage of the light emitting element 209.

In this embodiment mode, the switching TFTs 201, 203, 204, 205, 207, and 208 are n-channel TFTs, and the driving TFTs 202 and 206 are p-channel TFTs.

Subsequently, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

When the L level is written in the gate signal lines 210 and 211, the switching TFTs 204 and 208 are turned off. The gate scanning lines 212 and 213 are sequentially selected, and an L level or H level signal is input from the source signal line 214 to the gate terminals of the driving TFTs 202 and 206 and the switching TFTs 203 and 207 via the switching TFTs 201 and 205. Is done. When an L level signal is input from the source signal line 214 via the switching TFT 201 and an H level signal is input via the switching TFT 205, the driving TFT 202 to which the L level signal is input is turned on. The light emitting element 209 emits light. When the H level is written to the gate signal line 211, the switching TFTs 208 and 207 are turned on, and the potential of A changes to the H level. Then, since the driving TFT 202 that has been turned on is turned off, the light emission of the light emitting element 209 ends. Further, the L level is written in the gate signal lines 210 and 211, the H level signal is input from the source signal line 214 through the switching TFT 201, and the L level signal is input through the switching TFT 205. In this case, the driving TFT 206 to which an L level signal is input is turned on, and the light emitting element 209 emits light. When the H level is written to the gate signal line 210, the switching TFTs 204 and 203 are turned on, and the potential of B changes from the L level to the H level. Then, the driving TFT 206 that has been turned on is turned off, and the light emission of the light emitting element 209 ends. Further, when the L level is written in the gate signal lines 210 and 211 and the L level signal is input from the source signal line 214 via the switching TFTs 201 and 205, the driving signal in which the L level signal is input. The TFTs 202 and 206 are turned on, and the light emitting element 209 emits light. Further, when an H level signal is input from the source signal line 214 via the switching TFTs 201 and 205, the light emitting element 209 does not emit light.

Here, the L level and H level signals of the gate signal lines 210 and 211 take the potential of the power supply line 215 and the threshold value of the switching TFTs 204 and 208 into consideration, and the switching TFTs 204 and 208 are reliably turned on or off. Set to a possible value. Further, the L and H level signals of the source signal line 214 take into account the potential of the power supply line 215 and the threshold values of the driving TFTs 202 and 206 and the switching TFTs 203 and 207, and the driving TFTs 202 and 206 and the switching TFT. The TFTs 203 and 207 are set to values that can be reliably turned on or off. The potentials of the gate scanning lines 212 and 213 are set to values that can reliably turn on or off the switching TFTs 201 and 205 in consideration of the potential of the source signal line 214 and the threshold value of the switching TFTs 201 and 205.

In this embodiment, the number of TFTs is increased and the circuit is complicated as compared with the first embodiment. However, the light emission period is not weighted, and the pseudo contour can be reduced.

With such a pixel configuration, the number of signal writings to the pixel by the time gray scale method can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. Further, the frame memory can be reduced or deleted. Furthermore, in the pixel configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce pseudo contours in addition to the above effects.

(Embodiment 4)
A pixel structure in this embodiment mode will be described with reference to FIG.

3 includes switching TFTs 301, 303, and 305, driving TFTs 302, 304, and 306, a light emitting element 307, a gate scanning line 308, power supply lines 309, 310, and 311 and source signal lines 312, 313, and 314. Have. The driving TFTs 302, 304, and 306 are connected to the light emitting element 307 in parallel. The switching TFT 301 has a gate terminal connected to the gate scanning line 308, a first terminal connected to the source signal line 312, and a second terminal connected to the gate terminal of the driving TFT 302. The first terminal of the driving TFT 302 is connected to the power supply line 309, and the second terminal is connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element 307. Similarly, the switching TFT 303 has a gate terminal connected to the gate scanning line 308, a first terminal connected to the source signal line 313, and a second terminal connected to the gate terminal of the driving TFT 304. A first terminal of the driving TFT 304 is connected to the power supply line 310, and a second terminal is connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element 307. Similarly, the switching TFT 305 has a gate terminal connected to the gate scanning line 308, a first terminal connected to the source signal line 314, and a second terminal connected to the gate terminal of the driving TFT 306. The first terminal of the driving TFT 306 is connected to the power supply line 311 and the second terminal is connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element. Note that the second terminals of the driving TFTs 302, 304, and 306 are connected to each other and to the first electrode of the light emitting element 307.

A low potential side potential is set for the second electrode of the light emitting element. Note that the low potential side potential is a potential that satisfies the low potential side potential <the high potential side potential with respect to the high potential side potential set in the power supply lines 309, 310, and 311. For example, GND, 0V, etc. may be set. Since the potential difference between the high potential side potential and the low potential side potential is applied to the light emitting element 307 and a current is passed through the light emitting element to cause the light emitting element 307 to emit light, the potential difference between the high potential side potential and the low potential side potential is Each potential is set to be equal to or higher than the forward threshold voltage of the light emitting element 307.

In this embodiment mode, the switching TFTs 301, 303, and 305 are n-channel TFTs, and the driving TFTs 302, 304, and 306 are p-channel TFTs.

Subsequently, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

The switching TFTs 301, 303, and 305 are simultaneously selected by the gate scanning line 308, and an L level or H level signal is transmitted from the source signal lines 312, 313, and 314 through the switching TFTs 301, 303, and 305 to the driving TFT 302, The signals are input to the gate terminals 304 and 306, respectively. At this time, even if the switching TFTs 301, 303, and 305 are simultaneously selected, the light emission of the light emitting element 307 can be controlled at a desired timing because the source signal line is divided into three. When an H level signal is input to the gate terminals of the driving TFTs 302, 304, and 306, the light emitting element 307 does not emit light. When an L level signal is input to any one gate terminal of the driving TFT 302 or 304 or 306, the light emitting element 307 emits light. The gate scanning line 308 is common to the gate terminals of the three switching TFTs, and the source signal lines are divided into three lines 312, 313, and 314.

The potentials of the power supply lines 309, 310, and 311 are different. Therefore, an L level signal is prevented from being input to two or more gate terminals of the driving TFTs 302, 304, and 306. Therefore, in the present embodiment, four gradations can be expressed by 3 bits without the work of storing (holding) a signal in gradation expression by time gradation.

Here, the L-level and H-level signals of the source signal lines 312, 313, and 314 take into account the potential of the power supply lines 309, 310, and 311 and the threshold values of the driving TFTs 302, 304, and 306, , 304, 306 are set to values that can be reliably turned on or off. The potential of the gate scanning line 308 is set to a value that can reliably turn on or off the switching TFTs 301, 303, and 305 in consideration of the potential of the source signal line 312 and the threshold value of the switching TFTs 301, 303, and 305. .

With such a pixel configuration, the number of signal writings to the pixel by the time gray scale method can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. Further, the frame memory can be reduced or deleted. Furthermore, in the pixel configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce pseudo contours in addition to the above effects.

(Embodiment 5)
A pixel configuration in this embodiment mode will be described with reference to FIG.

4 includes switching TFTs 401, 403, and 405, driving TFTs 402, 404, and 406, a light emitting element 407, gate scanning lines 408, 409, and 410, a source signal line 411, and power supply lines 412, 413, and 414. Have. The switching TFT 401 has a gate terminal connected to the gate scanning line 408, a first terminal connected to the source signal line 411, and a second terminal connected to the gate terminal of the driving TFT 402. The first terminal of the driving TFT 402 is connected to the power supply line 412, and the second terminal is connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element 407. Similarly, the gate terminal of the switching TFT 403 is connected to the gate scanning line 409, the first terminal is connected to the source signal line 411, and the second terminal is connected to the gate terminal of the driving TFT 404. A first terminal of the driving TFT 404 is connected to the power supply line 413, and a second terminal is connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element 407. Similarly, the switching TFT 405 has a gate terminal connected to the gate scanning line 410, a first terminal connected to the source signal line 411, and a second terminal connected to the gate terminal of the driving TFT 406. A first terminal of the driving TFT 406 is connected to the power supply line 414, and a second terminal is connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element 407. Note that the second terminals of the driving TFTs 402, 404, and 406 are connected to each other and to the first electrode of the light emitting element 407.

A low potential side potential is set for the second electrode of the light emitting element. Note that the low potential side potential is a potential that satisfies the low potential side potential <the high potential side potential with respect to the high potential side potential set in the power supply lines 412, 413, and 414. For example, GND, 0V, etc. may be set. Since the potential difference between the high potential side potential and the low potential side potential is applied to the light emitting element 407 and a current flows through the light emitting element to cause the light emitting element 407 to emit light, the potential difference between the high potential side potential and the low potential side potential is Each potential is set to be equal to or higher than the forward threshold voltage of the light emitting element 407.

In this embodiment mode, the switching TFTs 401, 403, and 405 are n-channel TFTs, and the driving TFTs 402, 404, and 406 are p-channel TFTs.

Subsequently, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

The gate scanning lines 408, 409, and 410 are sequentially selected, and an L level signal or an H level signal is input from the source signal line 411 to the gate terminals of the driving TFTs 402, 404, and 406 via the switching TFTs 401, 403, and 405. Is done. When an H level signal is input to the gate terminals of the driving TFTs 402, 404, and 406, the light emitting element 407 does not emit light. When an L level signal is input to one of the gate terminals of the driving TFTs 402, 404, or 406, the light emitting element 407 emits light.

The potentials of the power supply lines 412, 413, and 414 are different. Therefore, an L level signal is prevented from being input to two or more gate terminals of the driving TFTs 402, 404, and 406. Therefore, in this embodiment, four gradations can be expressed by 3 bits without performing the work of storing a signal by gradation expression by time gradation.

Here, the L level and H level signals of the source signal line 411 take into account the potentials of the power supply lines 412, 413, and 414 and the threshold values of the driving TFTs 402, 404, and 406, and the driving TFTs 402, 404, and 406. To a value that can be reliably turned on or off. In addition, the potentials of the gate scanning lines 408, 409, and 410 are turned on or off reliably in consideration of the potential of the source signal line 411 and the threshold value of the switching TFTs 401, 403, and 405. Set to a possible value.

With such a pixel configuration, the number of signal writings to the pixel by the time gray scale method can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. Further, the frame memory can be reduced or deleted. Furthermore, in the pixel configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce pseudo contours in addition to the above effects.

(Embodiment 6)
In this embodiment, a cross-sectional structure of a pixel having a light-emitting element will be described. A cross-sectional structure of a pixel in the case where the driving TFT for controlling supply of current to the light-emitting element as described above is a p-channel TFT will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that in the present invention, of the two electrodes of the anode and the cathode included in the light-emitting element, one electrode whose potential can be controlled by a transistor is a first electrode and the other electrode is a second electrode. 10 illustrates the case where the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode, the first electrode may be a cathode and the second electrode may be an anode.

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of a pixel in the case where the first driving TFT 6001 and the second driving TFT 6101 are p-type and light emitted from the light-emitting element 6003 is extracted from the first electrode 6004 side. . In FIG. 10A, the first electrode 6004 of the light-emitting element 6003 is electrically connected to the first driving TFT 6001 and the second driving TFT 6101. Note that in FIG. 10A, a connection region between the second driving TFT 6101 and the first electrode 6004 is not illustrated.

The first driving TFT 6001 and the second driving TFT 6101 are covered with an interlayer insulating film 6007, and a partition wall 6008 having an opening is formed over the interlayer insulating film 6007. A part of the first electrode 6004 is exposed in the opening of the partition wall 6008, and the first electrode 6004, the electroluminescent layer 6005, and the second electrode 6006 are sequentially stacked in the opening.

The electroluminescent layer 6005 is basically shown as a structure in which an anode, a light emitting layer, and a cathode are stacked in this order. In addition to this, a structure in which an anode, a hole injection layer, a light emitting layer, an electron injection layer, and a cathode are stacked in this order. And a structure in which an anode, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and a cathode are stacked in this order.

Note that the electroluminescent layer is not limited to a layer in which a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and the like are clearly distinguished. In other words, the electroluminescent layer may have a structure in which materials constituting the hole injection layer, the hole transport layer, the light emitting layer, the electron transport layer, the electron injection layer, and the like are mixed.

The electroluminescent layer uses both light emission (fluorescence) when transitioning from singlet excitons to the ground state and light emission (phosphorescence) when transitioning from triplet excitons to the ground state. It is meant to be shown.

The electroluminescent layer may have a layer in which an inorganic substance is mixed.

The interlayer insulating film 6007 is formed using an organic resin film, an inorganic insulating film, or an insulating film including a Si—O—Si bond (hereinafter referred to as a siloxane-based insulating film) formed using a siloxane-based material as a starting material. be able to. Note that siloxane has a skeleton structure of a bond of silicon (Si) and oxygen (O). As a substituent, an organic group containing at least hydrogen (for example, an alkyl group or an aromatic hydrocarbon) is used. A fluoro group may be used as a substituent. Alternatively, an organic group containing at least hydrogen and a fluoro group may be used as a substituent. A material called a low dielectric constant material (low-k material) may be used for the interlayer insulating film 6007.

The partition wall 6008 can be formed using an organic resin film, an inorganic insulating film, or a siloxane-based insulating film. For example, acrylic resin, polyimide, polyamide, or the like can be used for the organic resin film, and silicon oxide, silicon nitride oxide, or the like can be used for the inorganic insulating film. In particular, a photosensitive organic resin film is used for the partition wall 6008, an opening is formed on the first electrode 6004, and the side wall of the opening is formed as an inclined surface formed with a continuous curvature. Thus, the connection between the first electrode 6004 and the second electrode 6006 can be prevented.

The first electrode 6004 is formed with a light-transmitting material or a light-transmitting film thickness, and with a material suitable for use as an anode. Specific materials include aluminum (Al), translucent materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium tin oxide containing silicon oxide (also referred to as ITSO), and indium oxide containing zinc oxide. , Gold (Au), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), tungsten (W), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), or palladium (Pd ) And the like, and a single layer structure made of any one of them, or a laminated structure of these can be used. Note that in the case where a material other than a light-transmitting material is used, the first electrode 6004 is formed with a thickness enough to transmit light (preferably, about 5 to 30 nm).

The second electrode 6006 can be formed using a material that reflects or shields light, and can be formed using a metal, an alloy, an electrically conductive compound, a mixture thereof, or the like with a low work function. Specifically, in addition to translucent materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium tin oxide containing silicon oxide (ITSO), and indium oxide containing zinc oxide, gold (Au), platinum (Pt), Nickel (Ni), Tungsten (W), Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Palladium (Pd), Aluminum (Al), Magnesium (Mg) Further, a metal material such as silver (Ag) can be used, and a single-layer structure made of any one of these, or a laminated structure of these can be used.

In the case of the pixel shown in FIG. 10A, light emitted from the light-emitting element 6003 can be extracted from the first electrode 6004 side as shown by a hollow arrow.

Next, FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of a pixel in the case where the first driving TFT 6011 and the second driving TFT 6111 are p-type and light emitted from the light-emitting element 6013 is extracted from the second electrode 6016 side. Indicates. In FIG. 10B, the first electrode 6014 of the light-emitting element 6013, the first driving TFT 6011, and the second driving TFT 6111 are electrically connected. Further, the first driving TFT 6011 and the second driving TFT 6111 are covered with an interlayer insulating film 6017, and a partition wall 6018 having an opening is formed over the 6017. In addition, an electroluminescent layer 6015 and a second electrode 6016 are sequentially stacked over the first electrode 6014.

The first electrode 6014 is formed using a material that reflects or shields light and is formed using a material that is suitable for use as an anode. It can be formed of a material similar to the second electrode material shown in FIG.

The second electrode 6016 can be formed using a material that transmits light or a film thickness that transmits light, and can be formed using a metal, an alloy, an electrically conductive compound, a mixture thereof, or the like with a low work function. It can be formed from a material similar to the first electrode material shown in FIG.

The electroluminescent layer 6015 can be formed in a manner similar to that of the electroluminescent layer 6005 in FIG.

In the case of the pixel shown in FIG. 10B, light emitted from the light-emitting element 6013 can be extracted from the second electrode 6016 side as shown by a hollow arrow.

Next, in FIG. 10C, the first driving TFT 6021 and the second driving TFT 6121 are p-type, and light emitted from the light-emitting element 6023 is emitted from the first electrode 6024 side and the second electrode 6026 side. A cross-sectional view of a pixel when taken out is shown. In FIG. 10C, the first electrode 6024 of the light-emitting element 6023 is electrically connected to the first driving TFT 6021 and the second driving TFT 6121. The first driving TFT 6021 and the second driving TFT 6121 are covered with an interlayer insulating film 6027, and a partition wall 6028 having an opening is formed over the 6027. Further, an electroluminescent layer 6025 and a second electrode 6026 are sequentially stacked over the first electrode 6024.

The first electrode 6024 can be formed in a manner similar to that of the first electrode 6004 in FIG. The second electrode 6026 can be formed in a manner similar to that of the second electrode 6016 in FIG. The electroluminescent layer 6025 can be formed in a manner similar to that of the electroluminescent layer 6005 in FIG.

In the case of the pixel shown in FIG. 10C, light emitted from the light-emitting element 6023 can be extracted from the first electrode 6024 side and the second electrode 6026 side as indicated by white arrows.

In such a pixel structure, a polarizing plate or a circularly polarizing plate may be provided on each of a substrate and a substrate facing the substrate (hereinafter referred to as a counter substrate). With such a configuration, the contrast can be increased. In particular, when light is extracted from the first electrode 6024 side and the second electrode 6026 side illustrated in FIG. 10C, it is effective to provide a polarizing plate or a circularly polarizing plate to increase contrast.

By having such a pixel structure and performing the driving method as in the above embodiment mode, the number of times of signal writing to the pixel by the time gray scale method can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. . Further, the frame memory can be reduced or deleted. Furthermore, in the pixel configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce pseudo contours in addition to the above effects.

This embodiment mode can be freely combined with the above embodiment modes.

(Embodiment 7)
In this embodiment, a structure of a display device is described with reference to FIG.

In the display device, a pixel portion 701 is formed over a substrate 706 having an insulating surface (referred to as a pixel substrate), and a source signal line driver circuit 702, a first gate signal line driver circuit 703, and the like are surrounded by the pixel portion 701. A second gate signal line driver circuit 704 is provided. The pixel portion 701 includes a plurality of the above-described pixels.

An external substrate 707 is provided from the source signal line driver circuit 702 through a wiring (also referred to as a cable) 708. The external board 707 includes a control circuit 709 and a signal dividing circuit 710. The control circuit 709 is provided with an IC 705. The frame memory provided in the IC 705 can be reduced or deleted by the present invention.

(Embodiment 8)
As electronic devices including the light emitting device of the present invention, a television device (also simply referred to as a television or a television receiver), a digital camera, a digital video camera, a mobile phone device (also simply referred to as a mobile phone or a mobile phone), a PDA Such as portable information terminals, portable game machines, computer monitors, computers, sound reproduction apparatuses such as car audio, and image reproduction apparatuses equipped with recording media such as home game machines. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG.

A portable information terminal device illustrated in FIG. 9A includes a main body 9201, a display portion 9202, and the like. The light emitting device of the present invention can be applied to the display portion 9202. As a result, the number of signal writes can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced, and the frame memory can be further reduced or deleted, so that a portable information terminal device with a narrow frame is provided. Can do.

A digital video camera shown in FIG. 9B includes a display portion 9701, a display portion 9702, and the like. The light emitting device of the present invention can be applied to the display portion 9701 and the display portion 9702. As a result, the number of signal writings can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced, and the frame memory can be reduced or deleted, so that a digital video camera with a narrow frame can be provided. it can.

A cellular phone shown in FIG. 9C includes a main body 9101, a display portion 9102, and the like. The light emitting device of the present invention can be applied to the display portion 9102. As a result, the number of signal writings can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced, and the frame memory can be reduced or deleted, so that a mobile phone with a narrow frame can be provided. .

A portable television device illustrated in FIG. 9D includes a main body 9301, a display portion 9302, and the like. The light emitting device of the present invention can be applied to the display portion 9302. As a result, the number of signal writings can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced, and the frame memory can be reduced or deleted, so that a portable television device with a narrow frame is provided. can do.
In addition, the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of television devices, from a small one mounted on a portable terminal such as a cellular phone to a medium-sized one that can be carried and a large one (for example, 40 inches or more). The light emitting device can be applied.

A portable computer shown in FIG. 9E includes a main body 9401, a display portion 9402, and the like. The light emitting device of the present invention can be applied to the display portion 9402. As a result, the number of signal writings can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced, and the frame memory can be reduced or deleted, so that a portable computer with a narrow frame can be provided. Can do.

A television device illustrated in FIG. 9F includes a main body 9501, a display portion 9502, and the like. The light emitting device of the present invention can be applied to the display portion 9502. As a result, the number of signal writings can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced, and the frame memory can be reduced or deleted, so that a television device with a narrow frame can be provided. it can.

As described above, the light-emitting device of the present invention can reduce the number of signal writing, reduce power consumption, and further reduce or delete the frame memory. Equipment can be provided.

A circuit for inputting a signal for performing the time gray scale driving method to the source signal line driver circuit 805 and the gate signal line driver circuit 806 of the display 801 will be described with reference to FIG.

In this specification, a video signal input to the display device is referred to as a digital video signal. Note that, here, a display device that inputs a 4-bit digital video signal and displays an image will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to 4 bits.

A digital video signal is read into the signal control circuit 819 and a digital video signal (VD) is output to the display 801.

In this specification, the signal control circuit 819 that converts a digital video signal into a signal input to the display 801 is referred to as a digital video signal.

Signals and driving voltages for driving the source signal line driving circuit 805 and the gate signal line driving circuit 806 of the display are input by the display controller 820.

The configurations of the signal control circuit 819 and the display controller 820 will be described.

Note that the source signal line driver circuit 805 of the display 801 includes a shift register 810, a LAT (A) 811, and a LAT (B) 812. In addition, although not shown, a level shifter, a buffer, or the like may be provided. The present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

The signal control circuit 819 includes a CPU 815, a memory A 816, a memory B 817, and a memory controller 818.

The digital video signal input to the signal control circuit 819 is input to the memory A 816 via a switch controlled by the memory controller 818. Here, the memory A 816 has a capacity capable of storing 4-bit digital video signals for all the pixels of the pixel portion 804 of the display 801. When the signal for one frame period is stored in the memory A 816, the signal of each bit is sequentially read out by the memory controller 818 and input to the source signal line driver circuit 805 as the digital video signal VD.

When reading of the signal stored in the memory A 816 starts, a digital video signal corresponding to the next frame period is input to the memory B 817 via the memory controller 818 and stored. Similarly to the memory A816, the memory B817 is assumed to have a capacity capable of storing a 4-bit digital video signal for all the pixels of the display device.

As described above, the signal control circuit 819 includes the memory A 816 and the memory B 817 that can store 4-bit digital video signals each for one frame period. The memory A 816 and the memory B 817 are alternately used. Sampling a digital video signal.

Here, the signal control circuit 819 for storing signals by alternately using the two memories A816 and B817 is shown. However, a plurality of memories capable of storing information for a plurality of frames are provided. Can be used alternately.

With such a display device, the number of signal writings to pixels by a time gray scale method can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. Further, the frame memory can be reduced or deleted. Furthermore, in the display device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce pseudo contours in addition to the above effects.

The figure which shows the pixel structure of embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the pixel structure of embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the pixel structure of embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the pixel structure of embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the pixel structure of embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the timing chart of the drive method of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional display apparatus The block diagram which shows the structure of the display apparatus of this invention FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an electronic device using the display device of the invention. The figure which shows the cross section of the pixel structure of this invention

Claims (13)

A light emitting element;
A plurality of driving transistors connected in parallel;
A display device comprising: the light-emitting element; and a switching transistor provided between each of the plurality of driving transistors. A light emitting element;
A plurality of driving transistors connected in parallel;
A first switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the plurality of driving transistors;
And a second switching transistor connected to the driving transistor and connected to each of the plurality of signal lines. 3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the number of the signal lines is equal to the number of the driving transistors. A light emitting element;
A first driving transistor and a second driving transistor connected in parallel;
A first switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the first driving transistor;
A display device comprising: a second switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the second driving transistor. A light emitting element;
A first driving transistor and a second driving transistor connected in parallel;
A first switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the first driving transistor;
A second switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the second driving transistor;
A third switching transistor connected to the first driving transistor and connected to a signal line;
A display device comprising: a fourth switching transistor connected to the second driving transistor and connected to the signal line. 6. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the signal line is a source signal line. A light emitting element;
A first driving transistor and a second driving transistor connected in parallel;
A first switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the first driving transistor;
A second switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the second driving transistor;
A third switching transistor connected to the first driving transistor and connected to the first signal line;
And a fourth switching transistor connected to the second signal line and connected to the second driving transistor. 8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the signal line is a source signal line. A light emitting element;
A first driving transistor, a second driving transistor, and a third driving transistor connected in parallel;
A third switching transistor connected to the first driving transistor and connected to the first signal line;
A fourth switching transistor connected to the second driving transistor and connected to a second signal line;
A display device comprising: a sixth switching transistor connected to the second driving transistor and connected to a third signal line. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the signal line is a source signal line. A light emitting element;
A first driving transistor, a second driving transistor, and a third driving transistor connected in parallel;
The first driving transistor is connected to a first power supply line;
The second driving transistor is connected to a second power supply line;
The display device, wherein the third driving transistor is connected to a third power supply line. A light emitting element;
A plurality of driving transistors connected to the light emitting element and connected in parallel;
A switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the plurality of driving transistors,
In the first writing period, any one of the plurality of driving transistors is selected, and the light emitting element emits light,
Driving the display device, wherein a driving transistor different from the driving transistor of the plurality of driving transistors is selected in the second writing period after the first writing period, and the light emitting element emits light. Method. A light emitting element;
A plurality of driving transistors connected to the light emitting element and connected in parallel;
A switching transistor provided between the light emitting element and the plurality of driving transistors,
In the first writing period, any one of the plurality of driving transistors is selected, and the light emitting element emits light,
In the second writing period after the first writing period, a driving transistor different from the driving transistor of the plurality of driving transistors is selected, and the light emitting element emits light,
A method for driving a display device, wherein a ratio of a first display period after the first writing period and a second display period after the second writing period is 1: 2.

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