KR20160083793A - Circular Display Having Curved Line Representing White Level - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a circular display device having a curved line representing a complete white level. The circular display device according to the present invention includes a substrate, a first unit pixel, and a second unit pixel. The substrate comprises a curved-type edge which is divided into a display part and a non-display part. The first unit pixel is arranged with a matric type in the display region along the curved-type edge. The second unit pixel is arranged on a side of the first unit pixel, in the display region between the first unit pixel and the curved-type edge, and has a smaller size than the first unit pixel. So, the circular display device in various shapes can be provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a circular display device having a curved line for displaying white gradation,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a circular display device having a curved portion capable of fully expressing white tones. Particularly, the present invention relates to a circular display device having a curved portion including all the sub-pixels so that the white gradation can be fully expressed in the curved portion.

The display field has rapidly changed to a thin, light, and large-area flat panel display device (FPD) that replaces bulky cathode ray tubes (CRTs). The flat panel display includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), an organic light emitting display (OLED), and an electrophoretic display device : ED).

In the case of a liquid crystal display device, an organic light emitting display device, and an electrophoretic display device which are actively driven, the thin film transistor substrate includes thin film transistors arranged in pixel regions arranged in a matrix manner. BACKGROUND ART Liquid crystal display devices (LCDs) display images by adjusting the light transmittance of a liquid crystal using an electric field. The organic light emitting display device displays an image by forming an organic light emitting element in a pixel itself arranged in a matrix manner.

1 is a plan view showing a thin film transistor substrate having an oxide semiconductor layer included in a fringe field type liquid crystal display device, which is a kind of a horizontal electric field type according to the related art. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the thin film transistor substrate shown in FIG. 1 taken along a cutting line I-I '.

The thin film transistor substrate having the metal oxide semiconductor layer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a gate wiring GL and a data wiring DL intersecting each other with a gate insulating film GI interposed therebetween on a lower substrate SUB, And a thin film transistor (T) formed in each pixel region defined by the pixel region.

The thin film transistor T includes a gate electrode G branched from the gate line GL, a source electrode S branched from the data line DL, a drain electrode D opposed to the source electrode S, And a semiconductor layer A which forms a channel region between the source electrode S and the drain electrode D when the gate electrode G is overlapped on the insulating film GI.

Particularly, when the semiconductor layer (A) is formed of an oxide semiconductor material, it is advantageous for a large-area thin film transistor substrate having a high charging capacity due to high charge mobility characteristics. However, it is preferable that the oxide semiconductor material further includes an etch stopper (ES) for protecting the upper surface from the etchant in order to secure the stability of the device. Specifically, it is preferable to form an etch stopper (ES) so as to protect the semiconductor layer (A) from the etchant flowing through the separated portion between the source electrode (S) and the drain electrode (D).

One end of the gate line GL includes a gate pad GP for receiving a gate signal from the outside. The gate pad GP contacts the gate pad intermediate terminal IGT through the first gate pad contact hole GH1 passing through the gate insulating film GI. The gate pad intermediate terminal IGT contacts the gate pad terminal GPT through the second gate pad contact hole GH2 passing through the first protective film PA1 and the second protective film PA2. Meanwhile, one end of the data line DL includes a data pad DP for receiving a pixel signal from the outside. The data pad DP contacts the data pad terminal DPT through the data pad contact hole DPH passing through the first protective film PA1 and the second protective film PA2.

And a pixel electrode PXL and a common electrode COM formed with a second protective film PA2 therebetween to form a fringe field in the pixel region. The common electrode COM is connected to the common wiring CL arranged in parallel with the gate wiring GL. The common electrode COM is supplied with a reference voltage (or common voltage) for liquid crystal driving through the common line CL.

The position and shape of the common electrode COM and the pixel electrode PXL can be variously formed according to the design environment and purpose. A constant reference voltage is applied to the common electrode COM, while a voltage value that varies from time to time is applied to the pixel electrode PXL according to the video data to be implemented. Therefore, parasitic capacitance may occur between the data line DL and the pixel electrode PXL. It is preferable that the common electrode COM is formed first and the pixel electrode PXL is formed on the uppermost layer since this parasitic capacitance can cause image quality problems.

That is, a planarizing film PAC having a low dielectric constant organic material is formed on the first protective film PA1 covering the data line DL and the thin film transistor T, and then a common electrode COM is formed. After the second protective film PA2 covering the common electrode COM is formed, the pixel electrode PXL overlapping the common electrode COM is formed on the second protective film PA2. In this structure, the pixel electrode PXL is separated from the data line DL by the first protective film PA1, the planarization film PAC, and the second protective film PA2, so that the data line DL and the pixel electrode PXL, The parasitic capacitance can be reduced.

The common electrode COM is formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the pixel region, and the pixel electrode PXL is formed in a plurality of line segments. In particular, the pixel electrode PXL has a structure in which the pixel electrode PXL is vertically overlapped with the common electrode COM via the second protective film PA2. A fringe field is formed between the pixel electrode PXL and the common electrode COM so that the liquid crystal molecules arranged in the horizontal direction between the TFT substrate and the color filter substrate are rotated by dielectric anisotropy. The transmittance of light passing through the pixel region is varied according to the degree of rotation of the liquid crystal molecules, thereby realizing the gradation.

An example of another flat panel display device is an electroluminescence display device. An electroluminescent display device is divided into an inorganic electroluminescent display device and an organic light emitting diode display device depending on the material of the light emitting layer. The electroluminescent display device has advantages of high response speed, light emitting efficiency, brightness and viewing angle. In particular, a passive matrix type organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device (Passive Matrix Type Organic Light Emitting Diode Display) (PMOLED) is used for an organic light emitting diode display (OLEDD) And an active matrix type organic light emitting diode display device (Active Matrix type Organic Light Emitting Diode Display (AMOLED)).

3 is a plan view showing the structure of one pixel in an active matrix organic light emitting diode display device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an active matrix organic light emitting diode display device cut along a perforated line II-II 'in FIG.

3 and 4, the active matrix organic light emitting diode display device includes a switching thin film transistor ST, a driving thin film transistor DT connected to the switching thin film transistor ST, an organic light emitting diode (OLE).

The switching thin film transistor ST is formed at a position where the scan line SL and the data line DL intersect each other. The switching thin film transistor ST functions to select a pixel. The switching thin film transistor ST includes a gate electrode SG, a semiconductor layer SA, a source electrode SS and a drain electrode SD which branch from the scan line SL. The driving thin film transistor DT serves to drive the organic light emitting diode OLE of the pixel selected by the switching thin film transistor ST. The driving thin film transistor DT includes a gate electrode DG connected to the drain electrode SD of the switching TFT ST, a source electrode DS connected to the semiconductor layer DA, the driving current wiring VDD, (DD). The drain electrode DD of the driving thin film transistor DT is connected to the anode electrode ANO of the organic light emitting diode OLE. An organic light emitting layer OL is interposed between the anode electrode ANO and the cathode electrode CAT. The cathode electrode CAT is connected to the base voltage VSS.

4, gate electrodes SG and DG of a switching thin film transistor ST and a driving thin film transistor DT are formed on a substrate SUB of an active matrix organic light emitting diode display device . A gate insulating film GI covers the gate electrodes SG and DG. The semiconductor layers SA and DA are formed in a part of the gate insulating film GI which overlaps with the gate electrodes SG and DG. The source electrodes SS and DS and the drain electrodes SD and DD are formed facing each other on the semiconductor layers SA and DA at regular intervals. The drain electrode SD of the switching thin film transistor ST contacts the gate electrode DG of the driving thin film transistor DT through the drain contact hole DH formed in the gate insulating film GI. A protective film PAS covering the switching thin film transistor ST and the driving thin film transistor DT having such a structure is applied to the entire surface.

A color filter CF is formed at a portion corresponding to the region of the anode electrode ANO to be formed later. It is preferable that the color filter CF is formed so as to occupy a wide area as much as possible. For example, it is preferable to overlap with many regions of the data line DL, the drive current line VDD and the scan line SL at the previous stage. As described above, the substrate on which the color filter CF is formed is formed with various components, the surface is not flat, and many steps are formed. Therefore, the overcoat layer OC is applied over the entire surface of the substrate in order to flatten the surface of the substrate.

An anode electrode ANO of the organic light emitting diode OLE is formed on the overcoat layer OC. The anode electrode ANO is connected to the drain electrode DD of the driving thin film transistor DT through the pixel contact hole PH formed in the overcoat layer OC and the protective film PAS.

A bank pattern BN is formed on an area where a switching thin film transistor ST, a driving thin film transistor DT and various wirings DL, SL and VDD are formed to define a pixel region on a substrate on which an anode electrode ANO is formed .

The anode electrode ANO exposed by the bank pattern BN becomes a light emitting region. The organic light emitting layer OL and the cathode electrode layer CAT are sequentially stacked on the anode electrode ANO exposed by the bank pattern BN. When the organic light emitting layer OL is made of an organic material emitting white light, the organic light emitting layer OL exhibits a color assigned to each pixel by a color filter CF positioned below. The organic light emitting diode display device having the structure as shown in FIG. 4 is a bottom emission display device emitting light in a downward direction.

Such a flat panel display device is mainly formed in a rectangular shape. That is, it has a rectangular or square shape in which two sides opposite to each other are arranged in parallel. For example, as shown in Fig. 5A, a typical flat panel display has a rectangular outer appearance. 5A is a plan view showing a structure of a corner portion of a flat display device having a typical rectangular shape.

Referring to FIG. 5A, rectangular unit pixels PXL are arranged in a matrix manner on a rectangular substrate SUB. In addition, each unit pixel PXL includes a plurality of sub-pixels SPL. The unit pixel PXL is constituted by a red sub-pixel R, a green sub-pixel G and a blue sub-pixel B in order to realize a basic color used for realizing full-color in red, green and blue .

As the application field of display devices has expanded, there has been an increasing demand for application to display devices having various shapes other than a rectangular shape. For example, there is an increasing demand to apply an organic light emitting diode display device which is thin-film type and has low energy and high brightness to a display device having a circular or elliptical shape such as a wall clock, a wristwatch or a car instrument panel .

If a flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic light emitting diode display device is to be applied to a disk-shaped display device, the outline should have a rounded shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a circular display device can be realized by arranging unit pixels having the same pixel structure as the conventional one, but roughly embodying rounded outlines. 5B is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device implemented by a pixel arrangement according to the related art.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the circular display device has a substrate SUB having a circular disk shape. On the disk-shaped substrate SUB, rectangular unit pixels PXL are arranged in a matrix manner. In particular, since the unit pixels PXL are arranged stepwise along the outline of the disk-shaped substrate SUB at the rounded corners, substantially the outline shape can not be realized. That is, between the outermost unit pixel PXL and the outline of the substrate SUB, an empty space DZ or a dead zone where pixels are not disposed is generated.

As the area occupied by the empty space (DZ) is reduced, it can be implemented close to a circle. In order to reduce the empty space DZ, it is conceivable to reduce the size of the unit pixel PXL. However, reducing the unit pixel PXL has a physical limit. In addition, implementation of an ultra-high resolution in a display device that provides simple information such as a clock may be incompatible with the original purpose of producing a clock with a flat panel display device because the cost is too high. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a circular flat panel display in which the curved portion is natural in a low resolution structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a circular display device capable of realizing various forms including a curved portion as an invention to solve the problems of the prior art. Another object of the present invention is to provide a circular display device in which a curved portion is smoothly and naturally expressed. It is another object of the present invention to provide a circular display device capable of correctly displaying white tones in pixels arranged in a curved portion. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a circular display device in which a curved portion is smoothly realized even in a low resolution structure, and the white gradation can be correctly displayed.

In order to achieve the above object, a circular display device according to the present invention includes a substrate, a first unit pixel, and a second unit pixel. The substrate has a curved rim separating the display area from the non-display area. The first unit pixels are arranged in a matrix manner within the display region along the curved rim. The second unit pixel is disposed on one side of the first unit pixel in the display area between the first unit pixel and the curved frame and has a size smaller than the first unit pixel.

For example, the first unit pixel includes a first sub-pixel n (n is a natural number) having a first size. The second unit pixel includes a second sub-pixel n (n is a natural number) having a second size which is equal to or smaller than the first size.

For example, in the first unit pixel, three first sub-pixels having a first size are successively arranged in the first direction. And the second unit pixel has three second sub-pixels having a second size successively arranged in the first direction. The first dimension is defined as the product of the first width and the first height. The second size is defined as the product of the first width and a second height less than the first height.

For example, in the first unit pixel, three of the first sub-pixels having a first size are successively arranged in the first direction. And, the second unit pixels are successively arranged in the second direction with three second sub-pixels each having a size of 1/3 times or 2/3 times the first size.

In one example, it further includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines which define first sub-pixels. The first direction is a direction parallel to the gate wiring, and the second direction is a direction parallel to the data wiring. The first sub-pixels and the second sub-pixels are connected to the same gate wiring.

In one example, the first unit pixel includes three first sub-pixels successively arranged in the gate wiring direction. The second unit pixel includes three second sub pixels successively arranged in the data line direction. The first unit pixel and the second unit pixel are connected to the same gate wiring.

In one example, the first sub-pixel includes a first red sub-pixel, a first green sub-pixel, and a first blue sub-pixel. The second sub-pixel includes a second red sub-pixel, a second green sub-pixel, and a second blue sub-pixel.

For example, the first unit pixel includes a first sub-pixel n (n is a natural number) having a first size. The second unit pixel includes a white sub-pixel which is equal to or smaller than the size of the first unit pixel.

For example, the second unit pixel includes the same white sub-pixel as the size of the first unit pixel. The white sub-pixels are arranged over the display area and the non-display area with respect to the curved frame.

In one example, the curved rim is defined by a curved black matrix covering the non-display area.

The circular display device according to the present invention can naturally express a curve in a circular display device. In addition, subpixels of all unit colors are provided so that the white gradation can be fully realized in the unit pixels constituting the curved portion. Therefore, the circular display device according to the present invention can realize smooth and smooth curved edge portions even in a low resolution structure, and can accurately express white gradation.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a thin film transistor substrate having an oxide semiconductor layer included in a fringe field type liquid crystal display device, which is a kind of a horizontal electric field type according to the related art.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the thin film transistor substrate shown in FIG. 1 taken along a perforated line II '; FIG.
3 is a plan view showing the structure of one pixel in an active matrix organic light emitting diode display.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of an active matrix organic light emitting diode display device cut into a perforated line II-II 'in FIG. 3;
5A is a plan view showing a structure of a corner portion of a flat panel display device having a typical rectangular shape.
FIG. 5B is a plan view showing a frame structure of a circular display device implemented with a pixel arrangement according to the related art. FIG.
6 is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
8 is a circuit diagram showing a pixel structure of a circular display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention implemented by an organic light emitting diode display device.
9 is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals throughout the specification denote substantially identical components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following description, a detailed description of known technologies or configurations related to the present invention will be omitted when it is determined that the gist of the present invention may be unnecessarily obscured. In addition, the component names used in the following description may be selected in consideration of easiness of specification, and may be different from the parts names of actual products.

≪ Embodiment 1 >

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the circular display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a circular disk-shaped substrate SUB. The disk-shaped substrate SUB is divided into a display area and a non-display area by a curved frame BM. A first unit pixel (PA) and a second unit pixel (PB) are arranged in a matrix manner in a display area on a disk substrate (SUB).

The first unit pixel PA includes all the sub-pixels SPL which are basic units for expressing colors. For example, when a basic color used for realizing a full-color is implemented in red, green, and blue, the first unit pixel PA includes a red sub-pixel R, a green sub- And a pixel (B).

On the other hand, the second unit pixel PB does not include all the sub-pixels SPL that implement the basic color, but includes only some sub-pixels SPL. For example, when there is sufficient space for the sub-pixels SPL to be arranged in the empty space between the rim of the circular substrate SUB and the first unit pixel PA, some sub-pixels SPL may be arranged Thereby constituting a second unit pixel PB.

Accordingly, in the structure in which the pixels are arranged in a matrix manner having an arrangement of rows and columns, the second unit pixels PB may be arranged at the left or right end of the first unit pixels PA. However, the second unit pixel PB is not arranged in every row. For example, only the first unit pixels PA may be arranged in a pixel row corresponding to a circular diameter. That is, the first unit pixels PA and the second unit pixels PB are arranged together in the pixel rows corresponding to the portions having a large curvature of the rim.

The second unit pixel PB is preferably disposed at both end columns of the first unit pixels PA in the pixel row. In addition, the second unit pixel PB disposed at a portion having a relatively small curvature may include one sub-pixel SPL smaller than the first unit pixel PA. On the other hand, the second unit pixel PB disposed at a portion where the curvature is relatively large may consist of only one sub-pixel SPL.

For example, the second unit pixel PB disposed at a portion having a relatively small curvature may be composed of only the green subpixel G and the blue subpixel B. In addition, the second unit pixel PB disposed at a portion where the curvature is relatively large can be made of only the blue sub-pixel B.

6 showing the circular display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 5B showing the circular display device according to the related art, the second unit pixel PB is formed in the region that was the empty space BZ in the prior art, Can be disposed. Therefore, the ratio of the empty space DZ to the circular display according to the first embodiment of the present invention is much smaller than that of the prior art. Therefore, the circular border can be expressed more smoothly and naturally.

≪ Embodiment 2 >

In the circular display device according to the first embodiment described above, the curved portion has a structure in which second unit pixels having a smaller number of sub-pixels than the first unit pixels arranged in the non-curved portion are arranged. Therefore, when a frame line having a white gradation is to be displayed at the rim portion, the first unit pixel shows the correct white gradation, but the second unit pixel does not show the same white gradation as the first unit pixel. Therefore, when a white color tone is to be displayed on the circular rim portion, colors other than white may be displayed to cause a color tone phenomenon.

The second embodiment of the present invention provides a circular display device capable of realizing a natural circular frame by minimizing an empty space at a curved edge portion and exhibiting uniform gradation. In particular, it provides a circular display device which realizes a natural curved edge even in a low-resolution structure and can display a uniform gradation.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 7 is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a plan view showing a connection structure for driving pixels constituting the circular display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

First, the pixel structure of the circular display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The circular display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention has a circular disk-shaped substrate SUB. The disk-shaped substrate SUB is divided into a display area and a non-display area by a curved frame BM. A first unit pixel (PA) and a second unit pixel (PB) are arranged in a matrix manner in a display area on a disk substrate (SUB).

Both the first unit pixel PA and the second unit pixel PB include all the sub-pixels SPL which are basic units for expressing colors. For example, when a basic color used for implementing a full-color is implemented in red, green, and blue, the first unit pixel PA includes a first red sub-pixel R, a first green sub- ) And a first blue sub-pixel (B).

On the other hand, the second unit pixel PB includes a second red sub-pixel SR, a second green sub-pixel SG and a second blue sub-pixel SB to implement a basic color. For example, when there is a sufficient empty space DZ in which the sub-pixel SPL can be arranged in the empty space DZ between the rim of the circular substrate SUB and the first unit pixel PA, A second unit pixel PB including the second red sub-pixel SR, the second green sub-pixel SG and the second blue sub-pixel SB is formed in the space DZ.

Accordingly, in the structure in which the pixels are arranged in a matrix manner having an arrangement of rows and columns, the second unit pixels PB may be arranged at the left or right end of the first unit pixels PA. However, the second unit pixel PB is not arranged in every row. For example, only the first unit pixels PA may be arranged in a pixel row corresponding to a circular diameter. That is, the first unit pixels PA and the second unit pixels PB are arranged together in the pixel rows corresponding to the large curvature of the rim.

The second unit pixel PB is preferably disposed at both end columns of the first unit pixels PA in the pixel row. In addition, the second unit pixel PB disposed at a portion having a relatively small curvature may have a smaller size than the first unit pixel PA by the size of one sub-pixel SPL. On the other hand, the second unit pixel PB disposed at a portion having a relatively large curvature may have a size corresponding to the size of one sub-pixel SPL.

For example, the second unit pixel PB disposed at a portion having a relatively small curvature has a size corresponding to the size of the two sub-pixels SPL constituting the first unit pixel PA. That is, the second unit pixel PB may have the same size as the first green sub-pixel G and the first blue sub-pixel B together. In this case, the second red sub-pixel SR, the second green sub-pixel G and the second blue sub-pixel B are arranged in the vertical direction in the second unit pixel PB. More specifically, each of the second red sub-pixel SR, the second green sub-pixel SG and the second blue sub-pixel SB includes a first green sub-pixel G and a first blue sub- (SPL) size including the sub-pixel (B), and are successively arranged in the pixel column direction.

In addition, the second unit pixel PB disposed at a portion having a relatively large curvature has a size corresponding to the size of one sub-pixel SPL constituting the first unit pixel PA. That is, the second unit pixel PB may have the same size as the first blue sub-pixel B. In this case, the second red sub-pixel SR, the second green sub-pixel G and the second blue sub-pixel B are arranged in the longitudinal direction within the second unit pixel PB. More specifically, each of the second red sub-pixel SR, the second green sub-pixel SG and the second blue sub-pixel SB has a size of 1/3 times the size of the first blue sub-pixel B And are arranged in the pixel column direction in succession.

In the above description, the unit pixel is composed of three sub-pixels. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where the sub-pixels are composed of more sub-pixels. For example, when a unit pixel is composed of n sub-pixels, the first unit pixel PA includes n sub-pixels. Meanwhile, the second unit pixel PB may have a size corresponding to any one of 1 / n to (n-1) / n multiple of the size of the first unit pixel PA.

For example, when n is 3, the second unit pixel PB may be 1/3 or 2/3 times the size of the first unit pixel PA. When n is 4, the second unit pixel PB may have a size of 1/4, 2/4, or 3/4 times the size of the first unit pixel PA.

Likewise, each of the second sub-pixels SR, SG, and SB constituting the second unit pixel PB may have a size of the first sub-pixels R, G, and B constituting the first unit pixel PA, (N-1) / n multiple of 1 / n to 1 / n.

For example, when n is 3, the second sub-pixels SR, SG, and SB may be 1/3 times or 2/3 times the size of the first sub-pixel SPL. When n is 4, the second sub-pixels SR, SG, and SB may have a size of 1/4, 2/4, or 3/4 times the size of the first sub-pixel SPL.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, a structure of an organic light emitting diode display device which is an example of a circular display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a pixel structure of a circular display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention implemented by an organic light emitting diode display device.

The circular display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is implemented as an organic light emitting diode display device, includes a scan line SL extending in the horizontal direction, a data line DL and a drive current line VDD extending in the vertical direction, . A pixel region is defined by an intersection structure of these wirings. The pixel region is divided into a first unit pixel PA and a second unit pixel PB.

In particular, the first unit pixel PA includes a first red sub-pixel R, a first green sub-pixel G, and a first blue sub-pixel B that are successively arranged along the scan line SL . Each of the first sub-pixels R, G, and B includes a switching thin film transistor, a driving thin film transistor, and an organic light emitting diode.

In addition, a second unit pixel PB is further arranged on the left or right side of the first unit pixel PA arranged at the left or right end in one pixel row. A second red sub-pixel SG, a second green sub-pixel SG and a second blue sub-pixel SB connected to the same scan line SL connected to the first unit pixel PA. They are arranged continuously in the direction of the data line DL or the drive current line VDD. In particular, it is disposed within a size corresponding to one first sub pixel region. Each of the second sub-pixels SR, SG, and SB also includes a switching thin film transistor, a driving thin film transistor, and an organic light emitting diode.

Thus, when the first unit pixel PA indicates a white gradation, the second unit pixel PB can exhibit the same white gradation. As a result, when a white band is to be expressed along the frame curve of the circular display device, a perfect white gradation can be exhibited, and color fringing phenomenon and color modulation phenomenon do not occur.

7 showing a circular display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 5B showing a circular display device according to the related art, a second unit pixel PB is formed in a region which was a vacant space BZ in the prior art, Can be disposed. Therefore, the ratio of the empty space DZ to the circular display according to the second embodiment of the present invention is much smaller than that of the conventional art. Therefore, the circular border can be expressed more smoothly and naturally.

6 showing the circular display device according to the first embodiment, the second unit pixel can display only blue color, or can express only the combination color of green and blue. On the other hand, referring to FIG. 7 showing a circular display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the second unit pixel can represent all of red, green and blue. Therefore, the circular display device according to the second embodiment can smoothly and smoothly realize the curved edge portion even in a low-resolution structure, and can accurately express the white gradation.

≪ Third Embodiment >

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the above-described embodiments, the arrangement structure of the sub-pixels capable of minimizing the empty space between the circular frame and the pixels in the circular frame portion that separates the display area from the non-display area in the circular display device will be described.

The third embodiment of the present invention provides a circular display device capable of realizing natural circular and / or curved edges by minimizing the empty space DZ in the curved frame (BM) portion and exhibiting uniform gradation . In particular, it provides a circular display device which realizes a natural curved edge even in a low-resolution structure and can display a uniform gradation.

The circular display device according to the third embodiment has a circular disk-shaped substrate SUB. The disk-shaped substrate SUB is divided into a display area and a non-display area by a curved frame BM. The first unit pixel PA and the second unit pixel PB are arranged in a matrix manner in the display area of the disk substrate SUB.

Both the first unit pixel PA and the second unit pixel PB include all the sub-pixels SPL which are basic units for expressing colors. For example, when a basic color used for implementing a full-color is implemented in red, green, and blue, the first unit pixel PA includes a first red sub-pixel R, a first green sub- ) And a first blue sub-pixel (B).

On the other hand, the second unit pixel PB includes a second red sub-pixel SR, a second green sub-pixel SG and a second blue sub-pixel SB to implement a basic color. For example, when there is a sufficient space in which the sub-pixel SPL can be arranged in the empty space between the curved frame BM of the circular substrate SUB and the first unit pixel PA, (PB) including two red sub-pixels SR, a second green sub-pixel SG and a second blue sub-pixel SB.

Accordingly, in the structure in which the pixels are arranged in a matrix manner having an arrangement of rows and columns, the second unit pixels PB may be arranged at the left or right end of the first unit pixels PA. However, the second unit pixel PB is not arranged in every row. For example, only the first unit pixels PA may be arranged in a pixel row corresponding to a circular diameter. That is, the first unit pixels PA and the second unit pixels PB are arranged in the pixel rows corresponding to the portions where the empty space is formed to be large between the first unit pixels PA of the shooting type by the curvature of the frame .

The second unit pixel PB is preferably disposed at both end columns of the first unit pixels PA in the pixel row. These second unit pixels PB are arranged in a narrow space in which the first unit pixels PA can not be arranged. Therefore, it is preferable that the second unit pixel PB has a smaller size than the first unit pixel PA.

For example, the first unit pixel PA includes three subpixels (SPL) all having the same width value and height value. That is, the first red sub-pixel R, the first green sub-pixel G, and the first blue sub-pixel B constituting the first unit pixel PA all have the same first width value and the first height value .

The second unit pixel PB also has a second red sub-pixel SR, a second green sub-pixel SG and a second blue sub-pixel SB. Here, the second red sub-pixel SR, the second green sub-pixel SG and the second blue sub-pixel SB include a first red sub-pixel R, a first green sub-pixel G, It is preferable that they are arranged in the same arrangement manner as the sub-pixels B. However, since the space in which the second red sub-pixel SR, the second green sub-pixel SG and the second blue sub-pixel SB are arranged is small, the height value is not limited to the first red sub- (G) and the first blue sub-pixel (B).

That is, the second unit pixel is composed of three second sub-pixels having the same width value as the first sub-pixels and a height value smaller than the first sub-pixel. For example, the second red sub-pixel SR has the same width as the first red sub-pixel R, while the second red sub-pixel SR has a lower height than the first red sub-pixel R . Similarly, the second green sub-pixel SG has the same width as the first green sub-pixel G and a height lower than that of the first green sub-pixel G. [ The second blue sub-pixel SB also has the same width as the first blue sub-pixel B and a lower height than the first blue sub-pixel B. [

Here, the second sub-pixels SR, SG, and SB constituting a second unit pixel PB are all preferably equal in size. This is for the purpose of displaying the same degree as the white gradation displayed in the second unit pixel PA when displaying a white gradation in a second unit pixel PB.

<Fourth Embodiment>

The embodiments heretofore described describe a circular display device in which all the second sub-pixels SR, SG, SB are arranged in the empty space DZ between the curved frame BM and the first unit pixel PA Respectively. In the fourth embodiment, the second unit pixel PB is implemented as a white sub-pixel, thereby providing a circular display device in which a pure white color is realized in a frame region. Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The circular display device according to the fourth embodiment has a circular disk-shaped substrate SUB. The substrate SUB is divided into a display area and a non-display area by a curved frame BM. In the display area, the first unit pixel PA and the second unit pixel PB are arranged in a matrix manner.

The first unit pixel PA includes all the sub-pixels SPL which are basic units for expressing colors. For example, when a basic color used for implementing a full-color is implemented in red, green, and blue, the first unit pixel PA includes a first red sub-pixel R, a first green sub- ) And a first blue sub-pixel (B).

On the other hand, the second unit pixel PB consists of only a white sub-pixel capable of expressing white gradation only. The second unit pixel is arranged in a space between the first unit pixel PA and the curved frame BM for displaying information in a circular or curved display device. In particular, when the frame line is represented by a white line, both the first unit pixel PA and the second unit pixel PB show only white color. The first unit pixel PA may represent a different color depending on the case. However, in most cases, the second unit pixel PB is often expressed by only a white frame. Therefore, the second unit pixel PB is formed only as a single white sub-pixel W unlike the first unit pixel PA.

In a structure in which the pixels are arranged in a matrix manner having an arrangement of rows and columns, the second unit pixels PB may be arranged at the left or right end of the first unit pixels PA. However, the second unit pixel PB is not arranged in every row. For example, only the first unit pixels PA may be arranged in a pixel row corresponding to a circular diameter. That is, the first unit pixels PA and the second unit pixels PB are arranged in the pixel rows corresponding to the portions where the empty space is formed to be large between the first unit pixels PA of the shooting type by the curvature of the frame .

The second unit pixel PB is preferably disposed at both end columns of the first unit pixels PA in the pixel row. These second unit pixels PB are arranged in a narrow space in which the first unit pixels PA can not be arranged. Therefore, it is preferable that the second unit pixel PB has a smaller size than the first unit pixel PA.

For example, the first unit pixel PA includes three subpixels (SPL) all having the same width value and height value. That is, the first red sub-pixel R, the first green sub-pixel G, and the first blue sub-pixel B constituting the first unit pixel PA all have the same first width value and the first height value .

The second unit pixel PB consists only of a white pixel W including only a white color filter. The region in which the second unit pixel PB is arranged is the empty space DZ between the curved frame and the first unit pixel PA. It is preferable that the first unit pixel PA be disposed if there is enough space to arrange the first unit pixel PA in the empty space DZ. Otherwise, the second unit pixel PA is disposed. Therefore, it is preferable that the size of the second unit pixel PB is smaller than the size of the first unit pixel PA. Also, it is preferable that the second unit pixel PB has a maximum size in the empty space DZ.

For example, the second unit pixel PB may have a regular square shape in which the width and the width of the pixel are the same as the widths of the two first sub-pixels. Alternatively, the width of the second unit pixel PB may be the same as the width of the three first sub-pixels, and the height of the second unit pixel PB may be a rectangular shape having a size smaller than the height of the first sub-pixel. Alternatively, the second unit pixel PB may have a regular square shape in which the width and width of the pixel are the same as the width of the first sub-pixel. Alternatively, the width of the second unit pixel PB may be equal to the width of one or two first sub-pixels, and the height of the second unit pixel PB may have a rectangular shape having the same size as the height of the first sub-pixel .

In the above embodiments, the second unit pixel PB is arranged between the curved rim and the first unit pixel PA. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, second unit pixels PB composed of a plurality of white sub-pixels W having various sizes may be disposed between the curved rim and the first unit pixel PA.

<Fifth Embodiment>

In the fourth embodiment, the case where the second unit pixel PB is composed only of white sub-pixels has been described. In particular, in the fourth embodiment, the white sub-pixel has a limited size that can exist only in the empty space DZ between the curved rim and the first unit pixel PA. In the fifth embodiment, a structure in which white sub-pixels are arranged over both the display area and the non-display area with reference to the curved frame will be described. Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a structure of a rim portion of a circular display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The circular display device according to the fifth embodiment has a circular disk-shaped substrate SUB. The disk-shaped substrate SUB is divided into a display area and a non-display area by a curved frame BM. In the display area of the disk-shaped substrate SUB, the first unit pixel PA and the second unit pixel PB are arranged in a matrix manner.

The first unit pixel PA includes all the sub-pixels SPL which are basic units for expressing colors. For example, when a basic color used for implementing a full-color is implemented in red, green, and blue, the first unit pixel PA includes a first red sub-pixel R, a first green sub- ) And a first blue sub-pixel (B).

On the other hand, the second unit pixel PB consists of only a white sub-pixel capable of expressing white gradation only. The second unit pixel is arranged so as to span both the display area and the non-display area on the basis of the curved frame BM in the circular or curved display device.

In the second unit pixel PB, one second unit pixel PB may be disposed at the left or right end of the first unit pixel PA. However, the second unit pixel PB is not arranged in every row. For example, only the first unit pixels PA may be arranged in a pixel row corresponding to a circular diameter. That is, the first unit pixels PA and the second unit pixels PB are arranged in the pixel rows corresponding to the portions where the empty space is formed to be large between the first unit pixels PA of the shooting type by the curvature of the frame .

The second unit pixel PB has the same shape and size as the first unit pixel PA. As a result, it is arranged with an area larger than the empty space DZ between the curved frame BM and the first unit pixel PA. That is, the curved frame BM is arranged to cross a partial area of the second unit pixel PB. A part of the second unit pixel PB is arranged to be allocated to the display area and the remaining part to be allocated to the non-display area.

Since the second unit pixel PB includes only the white sub-pixel W, even if a part of the area is included in the non-display area, the white gradation can be changed and the desired gradation can be expressed. As a result, when the display device has a circular display portion such as a clock, when the frame line is implemented as white, it is possible to solve the problem that the white gradation is not fully realized due to the rectangular pixel.

When the area included in the non-display area is much larger than the area included in the display area with respect to the curved edge, the size of the white sub-pixel W may be smaller than the size of the first unit pixel PA. In this case, the second unit pixel PB may have the same size as the first unit pixel PA and those having a smaller size may be disposed adjacent to each other.

The curved frame can be defined by a curved black matrix covering the non-display area. Here, the black matrix may have a black color or may have a white color. In some cases, it may have other colors or may be formed of a semi-transparent material.

For the sake of convenience, the description of the present invention has been made with reference to embodiments in which a perfect circular frame is implemented in a clock and a circular display device. However, the idea of the present invention can be applied to a display device having complex curves such as an elliptical shape or a cloud shape rather than a completely circular shape.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the details described in the detailed description, but should be defined by the claims.

T: Thin film transistor SUB: Substrate
GL: gate wiring CL: common wiring
DL: Data wiring PXL: Pixel electrode
COM: common electrode G: gate electrode
S: source electrode D: drain electrode
A: (semiconductor) channel region SL: scan wiring
GI: gate insulating film PAS: protective film
PA1: first protective film PA2: second protective film
PAC: planarization film DH: drain contact hole
VDD: drive current wiring ST: switching thin film transistor
DT: driving thin film transistor OLE: organic light emitting diode
CAT: cathode electrode (layer) ANO: anode electrode (layer)
BN: Bank CF: Color filter
OL: (white) organic layer OC: overcoat layer
PL: planarization film PH: pixel contact hole
PXL: unit pixel SPL: sub-pixel
PA: first unit pixel PB: second unit pixel
R: first red sub-pixel G: first green sub-pixel
B: first blue sub-pixel SR: second red sub-pixel
SG: second green sub-pixel SB: second blue sub-pixel
W: white pixel BM: curved black matrix

Claims (10)

A substrate having a curved rim separating a display area from a non-display area;
A first unit pixel arranged in a matrix manner in the display region along the curved rim; And
And a second unit pixel disposed on one side of the first unit pixel and having a size smaller than the first unit pixel in the display area between the first unit pixel and the curved frame.
The method according to claim 1,
The first unit pixel includes a first sub-pixel n (n is a natural number) having a first size,
And the second unit pixel includes a second sub-pixel n (n is a natural number) having a second size which is equal to or smaller than the first size.
3. The method of claim 2,
The first unit pixel includes:
The three first sub-pixels having the first size are successively arranged in the first direction,
The second unit pixel includes:
The second sub-pixels having the second size are successively arranged in the first direction,
The first size is defined as a product of a first width and a first height,
Wherein the second size is defined as a product of the first width and a second height less than the first height.
3. The method of claim 2,
The first unit pixel includes:
The three first sub-pixels having the first size are successively arranged in the first direction,
The second unit pixel includes:
Three second sub-pixels each having a size of 1/3 times or 2/3 times the first size are successively arranged in the second direction.
5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines defining the first sub-pixels;
The first direction is a direction parallel to a gate wiring, and the second direction is a direction parallel to a data wiring;
And the first sub-pixels and the second sub-pixels are connected to the same gate wiring.
5. The method of claim 4,
The first unit pixel includes:
Pixels; and three said first sub-pixels successively arranged in the gate wiring direction;
The second unit pixel includes:
And the third sub-pixels successively arranged in the data line direction,
And the first unit pixel and the second unit pixel are connected to the same gate wiring.
The method according to claim 1,
The first sub-
A first red sub-pixel, a first green sub-pixel, and a first blue sub-pixel;
The second sub-
A second red sub-pixel, a second red sub-pixel, a second green sub-pixel, and a second blue sub-pixel.
The method according to claim 1,
The first unit pixel includes a first sub-pixel n (n is a natural number) having a first size,
And the second unit pixel includes a white sub-pixel that is equal to or smaller than the size of the first unit pixel.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the second unit pixel includes white sub-pixels equal in size to the first unit pixel,
Wherein the white sub-pixel is disposed over the display area and the non-display area with respect to the curved frame.
The method according to claim 1,
The curved rim may comprise:
And a curved black matrix covering the non-display area.

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