Display panel of an organic light emitting diode display device having a pentile pixel structure

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0136340, filed on Oct. 30, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

Exemplary embodiments/implementations of the invention relate generally to display devices and, more specifically, to display panels of organic light emitting diode (OLED) display devices having pentile pixel structures.

Discussion of the Background

To display a full color image, each pixel of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device may include sub-pixels emitting light of different colors, for example, red, green and blue sub-pixels. In a conventional OLED display device, the red, green and blue sub-pixels may be arranged in a stripe (or linear) form such that sub-pixels of the same color are arranged in each column.

Recently, to increase a resolution of a display screen, an OLED display device having a pentile pixel structure where a blue sub-pixel and/or a red sub-pixel are shared by two adjacent pixels has been developed. As used herein “pentile” refers to pixel structure in an OLED display device in which each pixel has two sub-pixels including one green sub-pixel and one red or blue sub-pixel, such as the RGBG matrix sub-pixel design marketed by the assignee of this application under its PenTile® trademark. Accordingly, in a pentile pixel structure, the pixel size may be reduced, and thus resolution of the OLED display device may be increased.

However, in a conventional OLED display device having the pentile pixel structure, all of the red, green and blue sub-pixels are disposed in the same row, and thus the red, green and blue sub-pixels are driven under the same driving conditions (e.g., the same scan on time, the same off period ratio, etc.).

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for understanding of the background of the inventive concepts, and, therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute prior art.

Devices constructed according to exemplary embodiments of the invention are capable of providing a display panel of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device having a pentile pixel structure where an OLED of a second color (e.g., a green color) can be driven under a driving condition (e.g., a scan on time, an off period ratio, etc.) different from a driving condition for an OLED of another color.

Some exemplary embodiments provide an OLED display device having a pentile pixel structure where an OLED of a second color (e.g., a green color) can be driven under a driving condition (e.g., a scan on time, an off period ratio, etc.) different from a driving condition for an OLED of another color.

Additional features of the inventive concepts will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a display panel of an OLED display device includes a first OLED disposed in a first sub-pixel region located in a first row, and configured to emit light of a first color, a second OLED disposed in a second sub-pixel region located in the first row, and configured to emit light of a second color, a third OLED disposed in a third sub-pixel region located in a second row, and configured to emit light of a third color, a fourth OLED disposed in a fourth sub-pixel region located in the second row, and configured to emit light of the second color, a first sub-pixel circuit disposed in the first sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the third OLED in the third sub-pixel region, a second sub-pixel circuit disposed in the second sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the first OLED in the first sub-pixel region, a third sub-pixel circuit disposed in the third sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the fourth OLED in the fourth sub-pixel region, and a fourth sub-pixel circuit disposed in the fourth sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the second OLED in the second sub-pixel region.

In exemplary embodiments, the first OLED may be a red OLED configured to emit red light, the second and fourth OLEDs may be green OLEDs configured to emit green light, and the third OLED may be a blue OLED configured to emit blue light.

In exemplary embodiments, the display panel may further include a first line configured to connect the first sub-pixel circuit in the first sub-pixel region to the third OLED in the third sub-pixel region, a second line configured to connect the second sub-pixel circuit in the second sub-pixel region to the first OLED in the first sub-pixel region, a third line configured to connect the third sub-pixel circuit in the third sub-pixel region to the fourth OLED in the fourth sub-pixel region, and a fourth line configured to connect the fourth sub-pixel circuit in the fourth sub-pixel region to the second OLED in the second sub-pixel region.

In exemplary embodiments, the first and second sub-pixel circuits in the first and second sub-pixel regions may be configured to receive a same first scan signal through a first scan line, and the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits in the third and fourth sub-pixel regions may be configured to receive a same second scan signal through a second scan line.

In exemplary embodiments, a second scan on time (SOT) of the second scan signal applied to the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be different from a first SOT of the first scan signal applied to the first and second sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, a second SOT of the second scan signal applied to the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be longer than a first SOT of the first scan signal applied to the first and second sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, a second threshold voltage compensation time for driving transistors included in the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be longer than a first threshold voltage compensation time for driving transistors included in the first and second sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, the first and second sub-pixel circuits in the first and second sub-pixel regions may be configured to receive a same first emission control signal through a first emission control line, and the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits in the third and fourth sub-pixel regions may be configured to receive a same second emission control signal through a second emission control line.

In exemplary embodiments, a second off period ratio of the second emission control applied to the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be different from a first off period ratio of the first emission control signal applied to the first and second sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, a second off period ratio of the second emission control applied to the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be greater than a first off period ratio of the first emission control signal applied to the first and second sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may drive the second and fourth OLEDs to emit the light of the second color with the second off period ratio that is increased compared with the first off period ratio for the first and third OLEDs.

In exemplary embodiments, the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may provide the second and fourth OLEDs with a driving current corresponding to the increased second off period ratio, the driving current being provided to the second and fourth OLEDs being greater than a driving current provided to the first and third OLEDs.

In exemplary embodiments, the first and second sub-pixel circuits may be configured to receive the first emission control signal from a first emission driver located at a first side of the display panel, and the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be configured to receive the second emission control signal from a second emission driver located at a second side opposite to the first side of the display panel.

According to some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a display panel of an OLED display device including a first OLED disposed in a first sub-pixel region located in a first row, and configured to emit light of a first color, a second OLED disposed in a second sub-pixel region located in the first row, and configured to emit light of a second color, a third OLED disposed in a third sub-pixel region located in a second row, and configured to emit light of a third color, a fourth OLED disposed in a fourth sub-pixel region located in the second row, and configured to emit light of the second color, a first sub-pixel circuit disposed in the first sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the second OLED in the second sub-pixel region, a second sub-pixel circuit disposed in the second sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the fourth OLED in the fourth sub-pixel region, a third sub-pixel circuit disposed in the third sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the first OLED in the first sub-pixel region, and a fourth sub-pixel circuit disposed in the fourth sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the third OLED in the third sub-pixel region.

In exemplary embodiments, the first OLED may be a red OLED configured to emit red light, the second and fourth OLEDs may be green OLEDs configured to emit green light, and the third OLED may be a blue OLED configured to emit blue light.

In exemplary embodiments, the display panel may further include a first line configured to connect the first sub-pixel circuit in the first sub-pixel region to the second OLED in the second sub-pixel region, a second line configured to connect the second sub-pixel circuit in the second sub-pixel region to the fourth OLED in the fourth sub-pixel region, a third line configured to connect the third sub-pixel circuit in the third sub-pixel region to the first OLED in the first sub-pixel region, and a fourth line configured to connect the fourth sub-pixel circuit in the fourth sub-pixel region to the third OLED in the third sub-pixel region.

In exemplary embodiments, the first and second sub-pixel circuits in the first and second sub-pixel regions may be configured to receive a same first scan signal through a first scan line, the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits in the third and fourth sub-pixel regions may be configured to receive a same second scan signal through a second scan line, and a first SOT of the first scan signal applied to the first and second sub-pixel circuits may be longer than a second SOT of the second scan signal applied to the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, the first and second sub-pixel circuits in the first and second sub-pixel regions may be configured to receive a same first emission control signal through a first emission control line, the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits in the third and fourth sub-pixel regions may be configured to receive a same second emission control signal through a second emission control line, and a first off period ratio of the first emission control signal applied to the first and second sub-pixel circuits may be greater than a second off period ratio of the second emission control applied to the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, the first and second sub-pixel circuits may drive the second and fourth OLEDs to emit the light of the second color with the first off period ratio that is increased compared with the second off period ratio for the first and third OLEDs, and the first and second sub-pixel circuits may provide the second and fourth OLEDs with a driving current corresponding to the increased first off period ratio, the driving current being provided to the second and fourth OLEDs being greater than a driving current provided to the first and third OLEDs.

According to some exemplary embodiments, an OLED display device includes a display panel, a data driver configured to provide data signals to the display panel, a scan driver configured to provide scan signals to the display panel, an emission driver configured to provide emission control signals to the display panel, and a controller configured to control the data driver, the scan driver and the emission driver. The display panel includes a first OLED disposed in a first sub-pixel region located in a first row, and configured to emit light of a first color, a second OLED disposed in a second sub-pixel region located in the first row, and configured to emit light of a second color, a third OLED disposed in a third sub-pixel region located in a second row, and configured to emit light of a third color, a fourth OLED disposed in a fourth sub-pixel region located in the second row, and configured to emit light of the second color, a first sub-pixel circuit disposed in the first sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the third OLED in the third sub-pixel region, a second sub-pixel circuit disposed in the second sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the first OLED in the first sub-pixel region, a third sub-pixel circuit disposed in the third sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the fourth OLED in the fourth sub-pixel region, and a fourth sub-pixel circuit disposed in the fourth sub-pixel region, and configured to drive the second OLED in the second sub-pixel region, wherein the first and second sub-pixel circuits in the first and second sub-pixel regions are configured to receive a same first scan signal through a first scan line, and wherein the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits in the third and fourth sub-pixel regions are configured to receive a same second scan signal through a second scan line.

In exemplary embodiments, the scan driver may provide the first scan signal and the second scan signal, wherein a second scan on time (SOT) of the second scan signal applied to the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be different from a first SOT of the first scan signal applied to the first and second sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, a second SOT of the second scan signal applied to the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be longer than a first SOT of the first scan signal applied to the first and second sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, a second threshold voltage compensation time for driving transistors included in the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be longer than a first threshold voltage compensation time for driving transistors included in the first and second sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, the emission driver may provide a first emission control signal and a second emission control signal, and the first and second sub-pixel circuits in the first and second sub-pixel regions may receive the first emission control signal through a first emission control line, and the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits in the third and fourth sub-pixel regions may receive the second emission control signal through a second emission control line.

In exemplary embodiments, a second off period ratio of the second emission control signal applied to the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be different from a first off period ratio of the first emission control signal applied to the first and second sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, a second off period ratio of the second emission control signal applied to the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may be greater than a first off period ratio of the first emission control signal applied to the first and second sub-pixel circuits.

In exemplary embodiments, the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may drive the second and fourth OLEDs to emit the light of the second color with the second off period ratio that is increased compared with the first off period ratio for the first and third OLEDs.

In exemplary embodiments, the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may provide the second and fourth OLEDs with a driving current corresponding to the increased second off period ratio, the driving current being provided to the second and fourth OLEDs being greater than a driving current provided to the first and third OLEDs.

As described above, in a display panel and an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments, OLEDs may be arranged in an RGBG pentile structure, and four sub-pixel circuits in two rows and two columns may drive four OLEDs that are adjacent to the sub-pixel circuits in a counterclockwise direction or a clockwise direction. Thus, the sub-pixel circuits for driving the OLEDs of a second color (e.g., a green color) and the sub-pixel circuits for driving the OLEDs of first and third colors (e.g., a red color and a blue color) may be disposed in different rows. Accordingly, the OLED of the second color can be driven under a driving condition (e.g., a scan on time, an off period ratio (e.g., an AMOLED off ratio (AOR)), etc.) different from a driving condition for the OLEDs of the first and third colors, and thus a mura and/or an afterimage may be reduced.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the inventive concepts.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a display panel according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout of OLEDs included in a display panel according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating scan signals of a conventional OLED display device and scan signals of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a scan driver included in an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of each stage included in a scan driver of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram for describing an example of an operation of a scan driver of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating emission control signals of a conventional OLED display device and emission control signals of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an increase of a driving current level according to an increase of an off period ratio (e.g., an AMOLED off ratio (AOR)) in an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a display panel according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a timing diagram illustrating scan signals of a conventional OLED display device and scan signals of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a timing diagram illustrating emission control signals of a conventional OLED display device and emission control signals of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device including an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the invention. As used herein “exemplary embodiments or implementations” are non-limiting examples of devices or methods employing one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. It is apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various exemplary embodiments. Further, various exemplary embodiments may be different, but do not have to be exclusive. For example, specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics of an exemplary embodiment may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concepts.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments are to be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of some ways in which the inventive concepts may be implemented in practice. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects, etc. (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “elements”), of the various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings is generally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. As such, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalities between illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. When an exemplary embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific process order may be performed differently from the described order. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to the described order. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. When, however, an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. To this end, the term “connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection, with or without intervening elements. For the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, to describe one elements relationship to another element(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such, are utilized to account for inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or provided values that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As is customary in the field, some exemplary embodiments are described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in terms of functional blocks, units, and/or modules. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these blocks, units, and/or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits, such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, and the like, which may be formed using semiconductor-based fabrication techniques or other manufacturing technologies. In the case of the blocks, units, and/or modules being implemented by microprocessors or other similar hardware, they may be programmed and controlled using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein and may optionally be driven by firmware and/or software. It is also contemplated that each block, unit, and/or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Also, each block, unit, and/or module of some exemplary embodiments may be physically separated into two or more interacting and discrete blocks, units, and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts. Further, the blocks, units, and/or modules of some exemplary embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units, and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

The exemplary embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like or similar reference numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device according to exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an OLED display device 100 may include a display panel 110 , a data driver 130 which provides data signals to the display panel 110 , a scan driver 150 which provides scan signals SS 1 and SS 2 to the display panel 110 , an emission driver 170 and 180 which provides emission control signals SE 1 and SE 2 to the display panel 110 , and a controller (e.g., a timing controller (TCON)) 190 which controls the data driver 130 , the scan driver 150 and the emission driver 170 and 180 .

The display panel 110 may have a plurality of pixel regions PR 1 and PR 2 , and each pixel region PR 1 and PR 2 may include two sub-pixel regions SPR 1 and SPR 2 , and SPR 3 and SPR 4 , respectively. Further, in each sub-pixel region SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 and SPR 4 , one OLED R 1 , G 1 , B 1 and G 2 and one sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 , SPC 2 , SPC 3 and SPC 4 may be disposed.

In the display panel 110 , the OLEDs R 1 , G 1 , B 1 and G 2 may be arranged in a pentile structure such that, in each pixel region PR 1 and PR 2 , one OLED G 1 and G 2 of a second color (e.g., a green color) is disposed, and one OLED R 1 of a first color (e.g., a red color) or one OLED B 1 of a third color (e.g., a blue color) is alternately disposed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , a first pixel region PR 1 may include a first sub-pixel region SPR 1 and a second sub-pixel region SPR 2 that is adjacent to the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 in a row direction (e.g., a direction of a scan line SL 1 and SL 2 or a direction of an emission control line EL 1 and EL 2 ). A first OLED R 1 emitting red light may be disposed in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 , and a second OLED G 1 emitting green light may be disposed in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 . Further, a second pixel region PR 2 that is adjacent to the first pixel region PR 1 in a column direction (e.g., a direction of a data line DL 1 and DL 2 ) may include a third sub-pixel region SPR 3 that is adjacent to the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 in the column direction, and a fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 that is adjacent to the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 in the column direction and is adjacent to the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 in the row direction. A third OLED B 1 emitting blue light may be disposed in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 , and a fourth OLED G 2 emitting the green light may be disposed in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 .

As described above, since two sub-pixels including one green OLED G 1 and G 2 and one red or blue OLED R 1 and B 1 are disposed in each pixel region PR 1 and PR 2 , the display panel 110 may have a high resolution compared with a conventional display panel where each pixel includes three or more sub-pixels (e.g., red, green and blue sub-pixels). In some exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 , red, green, blue and green OLEDs may be sequentially and repeatedly arranged (i.e., in an RGBG arrangement) in odd-numbered rows, and blue, green, red and green OLEDs may be sequentially and repeatedly arranged (i.e., in a BGRG arrangement) in even-numbered rows. However, the arrangements of the OLEDs are not limited to the RGBG and BGRG arrangements.

In four sub-pixel regions SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 and SPR 4 in two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns, respective sub-pixel circuits SCP 1 , SCP 2 , SCP 3 and SCP 4 may be connected to the OLEDs B 1 , R 1 , G 2 and G 1 that are adjacent to the sub-pixel circuits SCP 1 , SCP 2 , SCP 3 and SCP 4 in a counterclockwise direction. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the display panel 110 may include a first line 111 that connects a first sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 disposed in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 to the third OLED B 1 in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 , a second line 112 that connects the second sub-pixel circuit SPC 2 disposed in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 to the first OLED R 1 in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 , a third line 113 that connects the third sub-pixel circuit SPC 3 disposed in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 to the fourth OLED G 2 in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 , and a fourth line 114 that connects the fourth sub-pixel circuit SPC 4 disposed in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 to the second OLED G 1 in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 .

Further, in the four sub-pixel regions SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 and SPR 4 in two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns, the respective sub-pixel circuits SCP 1 , SCP 2 , SCP 3 and SCP 4 may drive the OLEDs B 1 , R 1 , G 2 and G 1 that are adjacent to the sub-pixel circuits SCP 1 , SCP 2 , SCP 3 and SCP 4 in the counterclockwise direction. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the first sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 disposed in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 may drive the third OLED B 1 in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 , the second sub-pixel circuit SPC 2 disposed in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 may drive the first OLED R 1 in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 , the third sub-pixel circuit SPC 3 disposed in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 may drive the fourth OLED G 2 in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 , and the fourth sub-pixel circuit SPC 4 disposed in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 may drive the second OLED G 1 in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 .

Accordingly, in some exemplary embodiments, the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 in a first row (e.g., an odd-numbered row), or the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 connected to a first scan line (e.g., an odd-numbered scan line) SL 1 and/or a first emission control line (e.g., an odd-numbered emission control line) EL 1 may drive only the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color (e.g., the red color) or the third color (e.g., the blue color), and the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 in a second row (e.g., an even-numbered row), or the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 connected to a second scan line (e.g., an even-numbered scan line) SL 2 and/or a second emission control line (e.g., an even-numbered emission control line) EL 2 may drive only the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color (e.g., the green color). Thus, since the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color (e.g., the green color) are connected to the scan and emission control lines SL 2 and EL 2 separate from the scan and emission control lines SL 1 and EL 1 connected to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color (e.g., the red color) or the third color (e.g., the blue color), the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color may be driven under a driving condition (e.g., a scan on time, an off period ratio (which may be referred to as an AMOLED off ratio (AOR)), etc.) different from a driving condition for the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color.

In some exemplary embodiments, the scan driver 150 may apply a first scan signal SS 1 having a first scan on time (SOT) to the first scan line (e.g., the odd-numbered scan line) SL 1 connected to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color, and may apply a second scan signal SS 2 having a second SOT different (in length) from the first SOT to the second scan line (e.g., the even-numbered scan line) SL 2 connected to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color. For example, the second SOT of the second scan signal SS 2 applied to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color may be longer than the first SOT of the first scan signal SS 1 applied to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color. In some exemplary embodiments, during the SOT, each sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 , SPC 2 , SPC 3 and SPC 4 may not only store the data signal, but also compensate a threshold voltage of a driving transistor, and thus the SOT of the scan signal SS 1 and SS 2 applied to each sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 , SPC 2 , SPC 3 and SPC 4 may be substantially the same as a threshold voltage compensation time for the driving transistor included in each sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 , SPC 2 , SPC 3 and SPC 4 . Accordingly, a second threshold voltage compensation time for driving transistors included in the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color may be longer than a first threshold voltage compensation time for driving transistors included in the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color.

Generally, compared with the driving transistor of the sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the red or green OLED R 1 and B 1 , the driving transistor of the sub-pixel circuit SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the green OLED G 1 and G 2 may have a relatively high compensation point, and thus may require a relatively long threshold voltage compensation time. As described above, in the OLED display device 100 according to exemplary embodiments, the second threshold voltage compensation time for the driving transistor included in the sub-pixel circuit SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the green OLED G 1 and G 2 may be longer than the first threshold voltage compensation time for the driving transistor included in the sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the red or blue OLED R 1 and B 1 , and thus the sub-pixel circuit SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the green OLED G 1 and G 2 that is vulnerable to a mura may perform a threshold voltage compensation operation for a sufficient threshold voltage compensation time. Accordingly, the mura of the OLED display device 100 may be reduced or prevented.

Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the emission driver 170 and 180 may apply a first emission control signal SE 1 with a first off period ratio to the first emission control line (e.g., the odd-numbered emission control line) EL 1 connected to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color, and may apply a second emission control signal SE 2 with a second off period ratio different from the first off period ratio to the second emission control line (e.g., the even-numbered emission control line) EL 2 connected to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color.

In some exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the OLED display device 100 may include a first emission driver 170 located at a first side (e.g., a right side) of the display panel 110 , and a second emission driver 180 located at a second side (e.g., a left side) opposite to the first side of the display panel 110 . The first emission driver 170 may apply the first emission control signals SE 1 with the first off period ratio to the odd-numbered emission control lines EL 1 such that the first emission control signals SE 1 having the first off period ratio may be provided to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color, and the second emission driver 180 may apply the second emission control signals SE 2 with the second off period ratio to the even-numbered emission control lines EL 2 such that the second emission control signals SE 2 having the second off period ratio may be provided to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second off period ratio of the second emission control signal SE 2 applied to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color may be greater than the first off period ratio of the first emission control signal SE 1 applied to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color. Thus, the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 receiving the second emission control signal SE 2 may drive the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 to emit the light of the second color with the second off period ratio that is increased compared with the first off period ratio for the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color. Further, the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 receiving the second emission control signal SE 2 may provide the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color with a driving current that is increased corresponding to the increased second off period ratio. Accordingly, the OLED display device 100 according to exemplary embodiments may allow the driving transistors of the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 to generate the increased driving currents, or higher driving currents, thereby reducing an afterimage caused by a hysteresis of the driving transistors.

As described above, in the OLED display device 100 according to exemplary embodiments, the OLEDs R 1 , G 1 , B 1 and G 2 may be arranged in an RGBG pentile structure, and the four sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 , SPC 2 , SPC 3 and SPC 4 in two rows and two columns may drive the four OLEDs B 1 , R 1 , G 2 and B 1 that are adjacent to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 , SPC 2 , SPC 3 and SPC 4 in the counterclockwise direction. Thus, the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 of the second color (e.g., the green color) and the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 of the first and third colors (e.g., the red and blue colors) may be disposed in different rows. Accordingly, the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 of the second color can be driven under a driving condition (e.g., the SOT, the AOR, etc.) different from a driving condition for the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 of the first and third colors, and thus the mura and/or the afterimage may be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a display panel according to exemplary embodiments, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout of OLEDs included in a display panel according to exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a display panel 110 may include a plurality of sub-pixel regions SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 , SPR 4 , SPR 5 , SPR 6 , SPR 7 and SPR 8 , and, in each sub-pixel region SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 , SPR 4 , SPR 5 , SPR 6 , SPR 7 and SPR 8 , one of the OLEDs R 1 , G 1 , B 1 , G 2 , B 2 , G 3 , R 2 and G 4 and one sub-pixel circuit may be disposed. In some exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , red, green, blue and green OLEDs R 1 , G 1 , B 2 and G 3 may be sequentially and repeatedly arranged in an odd-numbered row, and blue, green, red and green OLEDs B 1 , G 2 , R 2 and G 4 may be sequentially and repeatedly arranged in an even-numbered row. However, the arrangements of the OLEDs are not limited to an example of FIG. 2 .

In some exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , each sub-pixel circuit may have a 7T1C structure including seven transistors T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , T 5 , T 6 and T 7 and one capacitor CST. For example, each sub-pixel circuit may include a first transistor T 1 which transfers a data signal to one terminal of a second transistor T 2 in response to a scan signal SS 1 and SS 2 , a storage capacitor CST which stores the data signal transferred through the diode-connected second transistor T 2 , the second transistor T 2 which generates a driving current based on the data signal stored in the storage capacitor CST, a third transistor T 3 which diode-connects the second transistor T 2 in response to the scan signal SS 1 and SS 2 , a fourth transistor T 4 which applies an initialization voltage to the storage capacitor CST and a gate of the second transistor T 2 in response to an initialization signal, a fifth transistor T 5 which applies the initialization voltage to the OLED R 1 , G 1 , B 1 , G 2 , B 2 , G 3 , R 2 and G 4 in response to the scan signal SS 1 and SS 2 , a sixth transistor T 6 which connects a line of a power supply voltage to the second transistor T 2 in response to an emission control signal SE 1 and SE 2 , and a seventh transistor T 7 which connects the second transistor T 2 to the OLED R 1 , G 1 , B 1 , G 2 , B 2 , G 3 , R 2 and G 4 in response to the emission control signal SE 1 and SE 2 . However, the configuration of the sub-pixel circuit is not limited to the example of FIG. 2 .

In four sub-pixel regions (e.g., SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 and SPR 4 ) in two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns, respective sub-pixel circuits may drive the OLEDs (e.g., B 1 , R 1 , G 2 and G 1 ) that are adjacent to the sub-pixel circuits in a counterclockwise direction. Thus, in the example of FIG. 2 , a first sub-pixel circuit disposed in a first sub-pixel region SPR 1 in a first row and a first column may drive a third OLED B 1 disposed in a third sub-pixel region SPR 3 , a third sub-pixel circuit disposed in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 in a second row and the first column may drive a fourth OLED G 2 disposed in a fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 , a fourth sub-pixel circuit disposed in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 in the second row and a second column may drive a second OLED G 1 disposed in a second sub-pixel region SPR 2 , and a second sub-pixel circuit disposed in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 in the first row and the second column may drive a first OLED R 1 disposed in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 . Further, a fifth sub-pixel circuit disposed in a fifth sub-pixel region SPR 5 in the first row and a third column may drive a seventh OLED R 2 disposed in a seventh sub-pixel region SPR 7 , a seventh sub-pixel circuit disposed in the seventh sub-pixel region SPR 7 in the second row and the third column may drive an eighth OLED G 4 disposed in an eighth sub-pixel region SPR 8 , an eighth sub-pixel circuit disposed in the eighth sub-pixel region SPR 8 in the second row and a fourth column may drive a sixth OLED G 3 disposed in a sixth sub-pixel region SPR 6 , and a sixth sub-pixel circuit disposed in the sixth sub-pixel region SPR 6 in the first row and the fourth column may drive a fifth OLED B 2 disposed in the fifth sub-pixel region SPR 5 .

To connect the sub-pixel circuits to the OLEDs R 1 , G 1 , B 1 , G 2 , B 2 , G 3 , R 2 and G 4 in the counterclockwise direction, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , the display panel 110 and 110 a may include lines 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 and 118 for connecting contact portions (e.g., VIA) CON 1 , CON 2 , CON 3 , CON 4 , CON 5 , CON 6 , CONT and CON 8 contacting (drains of the seventh transistors T 7 of) the sub-pixel circuits to the OLEDs R 1 , G 1 , B 1 , G 2 , B 2 , G 3 , R 2 and G 4 that are adjacent to the sub-pixel circuits in the counterclockwise direction. For example, the display panel 110 and 110 a may include a first line 111 that connects a first contact portion CON 1 contacting the first sub-pixel circuit to the third OLED B 1 , a third line 113 that connects a third contact portion CON 3 contacting the third sub-pixel circuit to the fourth OLED G 2 , a fourth line 114 that connects a fourth contact portion CON 4 contacting the fourth sub-pixel circuit to the second OLED G 1 , and a second line 112 that connects a second contact portion CON 2 contacting the second sub-pixel circuit to the first OLED R 1 . Further, the display panel 110 and 110 a may further include a fifth line 115 that connects a fifth contact portion CON 5 contacting the fifth sub-pixel circuit to the seventh OLED R 2 , a seventh line 117 that connects a seventh contact portion CONT contacting the seventh sub-pixel circuit to the eighth OLED G 4 , an eighth line 118 that connects an eighth contact portion CON 8 contacting the eighth sub-pixel circuit to the sixth OLED G 3 , and a sixth line 116 that connects a sixth contact portion CON 6 contacting the sixth sub-pixel circuit to the fifth OLED B 2 . In some exemplary embodiments, the lines 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 and 118 may be formed by the same process for forming other lines included in the display panel 110 and 110 a . Accordingly, a separate process for forming only the lines 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 and 118 may not be required.

In some exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , adjacent four OLEDs (e.g., G 1 , B 1 , G 2 and G 2 ) may be arranged in a diamond shape, but the arrangement of the OLEDs according to exemplary embodiments may not be limited to the diamond shape. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , each red OLED R 1 and R 2 may have a size smaller than a size of each blue OLED B 1 and B 2 , and each green OLED G 1 , G 2 , G 3 and G 4 may have a size smaller than the size of each red OLED R 1 and R 2 .

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , the sub-pixel circuits for driving the red and blue OLEDs R 1 , B 1 , B 2 and R 2 may receive a first scan signal SS 1 and a first emission control signal SE 1 , and the sub-pixel circuits for driving the green OLEDs G 1 , G 2 , G 3 and G 4 may receive a second scan signal SS 2 different from the first scan signal SS 1 and a second emission control signal SE 2 different from the first emission control signal SE 1 . Since the sub-pixel circuits for driving the green OLEDs G 1 , G 2 , G 3 and G 4 receive the second scan signal SS 2 and the second emission control signal SE 2 different from the first scan signal SS 1 and the first emission control signal SE 1 applied to the sub-pixel circuits for driving the red and blue OLEDs R 1 , B 1 , B 2 and R 2 , the green OLEDs G 1 , G 2 , G 3 and G 4 and the red and blue OLEDs R 1 , B 1 , B 2 and R 2 may be driven under different driving conditions (e.g., different SOTs, different off period ratios, etc.).

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating scan signals of a conventional OLED display device and scan signals of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

In FIG. 4, 210 represents conventional scan signals CSS 1 , CSS 2 , CSS 3 and CSS 4 and a conventional data signal CSD, and 230 represents scan signals SS 1 , SS 2 , SS 3 and SS 4 and a data signal SD of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

The conventional scan signals CSS 1 , CSS 2 , CSS 3 and CSS 4 have the same scan on time CSOT. However, in the OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments, a first scan on time SOT 1 of scan signals SS 1 and SS 3 applied to sub-pixel circuits in odd-numbered rows for driving red and blue OLEDs may be decreased compared with the conventional scan on time CSOT, and a second scan on time SOT 2 of scan signals SS 2 and SS 4 applied to sub-pixel circuits in even-numbered rows for driving green OLEDs may be increased compared with the conventional scan on time CSOT. Further, referring to FIG. 2 , during the scan on time SOT 1 and SOT 2 , a first transistor T 1 may be turned on to transfer the data signal SD, a third transistor T 3 may be turned on to diode-connect a second transistor T 2 , and thus a threshold voltage compensation operation that a threshold voltage of the second transistor T 2 is subtracted from the data signal SD in a storage capacitor CST may be performed. Accordingly, since the second scan on time SOT 2 of the scan signals SS 2 and SS 4 applied to the sub-pixel circuits for driving the green OLEDs is increased, a threshold voltage compensation time for the driving transistors T 2 included in the sub-pixel circuits for driving the green OLEDs may be increased, and thus a mura of the OLED display device may be reduced or prevented.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a scan driver included in an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments, FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of each stage included in a scan driver of FIG. 5 , and FIG. 7 is a timing diagram for describing an example of an operation of a scan driver of FIG. 5 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , a scan driver 150 included in an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments may include a plurality of stages 152 , 154 , 156 and 158 which outputs a plurality of scan signals SS 1 , SS 2 , SS 3 and SS 4 in response to a start signal FLM (or a previous scan signal), a first clock signal CLK 1 and a second clock signal CLK 2 .

In some exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , each stage 152 a may include a first transistor M 1 which transfers the start signal FLM or the previous scan signal PSS to a first node N 1 in response to the first clock signal CLK 1 (or the second clock signal CLK 2 in case of an even-numbered stage 154 and 158 ), a second transistor M 2 which transfers a high gate voltage VGH to a fourth node N 4 in response to a voltage of a third node N 3 , a third transistor M 3 which transfers a voltage of the fourth node N 4 to the first node N 1 in response to the second clock signal CLK 2 (or the first clock signal CLK 1 in case of an even-numbered stage 154 and 158 ), a fourth transistor M 4 which transfers the first clock signal CLK 1 (or the second clock signal CLK 2 in case of an even-numbered stage 154 and 158 ) to the third node N 3 in response to a voltage of the first node N 1 , a fifth transistor M 5 which transfers a low gate voltage VGL to the third node N 3 in response to the first clock signal CLK 1 (or the second clock signal CLK 2 in case of an even-numbered stage 154 and 158 ), a sixth transistor M 6 which outputs the high gate voltage VGH as the scan signal SS 1 to a scan output node NS in response to the voltage of the third node N 3 , a seventh transistor M 7 which outputs the second clock signal CLK 2 (or the first clock signal CLK 1 in case of an even-numbered stage 154 and 158 ) as the scan signal SS 1 to the scan output node NS in response to a voltage of a second node N 2 , an eighth transistor M 8 which transfers the voltage of the first node N 1 to the second node N 2 in response to the low gate voltage VGL, a first capacitor C 1 connected between a line of the high gate voltage VGH and the third node N 3 , and a second capacitor C 2 connected between the second node N 2 and the scan output node NS. However, the configuration of each stage 152 , 154 , 156 and 158 of the scan driver 150 according to exemplary embodiments is not limited to the example of FIG. 6 .

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7 , the first clock signal CLK 1 may have an on period longer than an on period of the second clock signal CLK 2 . Thus, odd-numbered stages 152 and 156 may output the scan signals SS 1 and SS 3 having a relatively short scan on time SOT 1 during the relatively short on period of the second clock signal CLK 2 , and even-numbered stages 154 and 158 may output the scan signals SS 2 and SS 4 having a relatively long scan on time SOT 2 during the relatively long on period of the first clock signal CLK 1 . Accordingly, sub-pixel circuits in even-numbered rows for driving green OLEDs may receive the scan signals SS 2 and SS 4 having the relatively long scan on time SOT 2 , a sufficient threshold voltage compensation time for driving transistors included in the sub-pixel circuits for driving the green OLEDs may be obtained, and thus a mura of an OLED display device may be reduced or prevented.

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating emission control signals of a conventional OLED display device and emission control signals of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments, and FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an increase of a driving current level according to an increase of an off period ratio (e.g., an AMOLED off ratio (AOR)) in an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

In FIG. 8, 310 represents conventional emission control signals CSE 1 , CSE 2 , CSE 3 and CSE 4 , and 330 represents emission control signals SE 1 , SE 2 , SE 3 and SE 4 of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments. Each frame period FP may include a non-emission period NEP and an emission period EP. For example, the non-emission period NEP may be a period in which the emission control signals CSE 1 , CSE 2 , CSE 3 , CSE 4 , SE 1 , SE 2 , SE 3 and SE 4 have an off level (e.g., a high level), and may include a scan period and/or an initialization period. The emission period EP may be a period in which sixth and seventh transistors T 6 and T 7 are turned on to allow OLEDs to emit light in response to the emission control signals CSE 1 , CSE 2 , CSE 3 , CSE 4 , SE 1 , SE 2 , SE 3 and SE 4 having an on level (e.g., a low level).

During the emission period EP, the conventional emission control signals CSE 1 , CSE 2 , CSE 3 and CSE 4 may be maintained as the on level. However, in the OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments, at least a portion SE 2 and SE 4 of the emission control signals SE 1 , SE 2 , SE 3 and SE 4 may have on periods ONP and off periods OFFP within the emission period EP. In some exemplary embodiments, a second off period ratio (e.g., a ratio of a sum of lengths of the off periods OFFP to a length of the emission period EP) of the emission control signals SE 2 and SE 4 applied to sub-pixel circuits in even-numbered rows for driving green OLEDs may be greater than a first off period ratio of the emission control signals SE 1 and SE 3 applied to sub-pixel circuits in odd-numbered rows for driving red and blue OLEDs. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8 , the emission control signals SE 1 and SE 3 applied to the sub-pixel circuits in the odd-numbered rows may be maintained as the on level, or may have the first off period ratio of about 0%, and the emission control signals SE 2 and SE 4 applied to the sub-pixel circuits in the even-numbered rows may have the off periods OFFP corresponding to a half of the emission period EP, or may have the second off period ratio of about 50%. Thus, the sub-pixel circuits receiving the emission control signals SE 1 and SE 3 having the first off period ratio of about 0% may drive the red and blue OLEDs with the first off period ratio of about 0%, but the sub-pixel circuits receiving the emission control signals SE 2 and SE 4 having the second off period ratio of about 50% may drive the green OLEDs with the second off period ratio of about 50%. That is, the green OLEDs may be driven with an increased off period ratio.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , the sub-pixel circuits in the even-numbered rows may provide the green OLEDs with a driving current that is increased corresponding to the increased off period ratio. For example, if the second off period ratio AOR 2 is increased to about 50% compared with the first off period ratio AOR 1 of about 0%, the driving current provided to the green OLEDs may be increased from a first driving current level CL 1 to a second driving current level CL 2 such that an area 430 defined by the second off period ratio AOR 2 and the second driving current level CL 2 becomes substantially the same as an area 410 defined by the first off period ratio AOR 1 and the first driving current level CL 1 . Accordingly, driving transistors included in the sub-pixels for driving the green OLEDs may generate the increased driving current, or a higher driving current, thereby reducing an afterimage caused by a hysteresis of the driving transistors.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 10 , an OLED display device 500 may include a display panel 510 , a data driver 530 which provides data signals to the display panel 510 , a scan driver 550 which provides scan signals SS 1 and SS 2 to the display panel 510 , an emission driver 570 and 580 which provides emission control signals SE 1 and SE 2 to the display panel 510 , and a controller 590 which controls the data driver 530 , the scan driver 550 and the emission driver 570 and 580 . The OLED display device 500 of FIG. 10 may have a similar configuration and a similar operation to an OLED display device 100 of FIG. 1 , except that, in four sub-pixel regions SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 and SPR 4 in two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns, respective sub-pixel circuits SCP 1 , SCP 2 , SCP 3 and SCP 4 may drive OLEDs G 1 , G 2 , R 1 and B 1 that are adjacent to the sub-pixel circuits SCP 1 , SCP 2 , SCP 3 and SCP 4 in a clockwise direction.

The display panel 510 may include a first OLED R 1 emitting light of a first color (e.g., a red color) in a first sub-pixel region SPR 1 , a second OLED G 1 emitting light of a second color (e.g., a green color) in a second sub-pixel region SPR 2 adjacent to the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 in a row direction, a third OLED B 1 emitting light of a third color (e.g., a blue color) in a third sub-pixel region SPR 3 adjacent to the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 in a column direction, and a fourth OLED G 2 emitting light of the second color in a fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 adjacent to the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 in the column direction and adjacent to the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 in the row direction.

The display panel 510 may further include first through fourth sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 , SPC 2 , SPC 3 and SPC 4 in the first through fourth sub-pixel regions SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 and SPR 4 , respectively. The display panel 510 may further include a first line 511 for connecting the first sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 to the second OLED G 1 in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 , a second line 512 for connecting the second sub-pixel circuit SPC 2 in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 to the fourth OLED G 4 in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 , a third line 513 for connecting the third sub-pixel circuit zs SPC 3 in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 to the first OLED R 1 in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 , and a fourth line 514 for connecting the fourth sub-pixel circuit SPC 4 in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 to the third OLED B 1 in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 .

In the display panel 510 , the first, second, third and fourth sub-pixel circuits SCP 1 , SCP 2 , SCP 3 and SCP 4 may drive the second, fourth, first and third OLEDs G 1 , G 2 , R 1 and B 1 that are adjacent to the first, second, third and fourth sub-pixel circuits SCP 1 , SCP 2 , SCP 3 and SCP 4 in the clockwise direction. Thus, the first sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 may drive the second OLED G 1 in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 , the second sub-pixel circuit SPC 2 in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 may drive the fourth OLED G 2 in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 , the fourth sub-pixel circuit SPC 4 in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 may drive the third OLED B 1 in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 , and the third sub-pixel circuit SPC 3 in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 may drive the first OLED R 1 in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 .

Accordingly, in some exemplary embodiments, the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 in a first row (e.g., an odd-numbered row), or the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 connected to a first scan line (e.g., an odd-numbered scan line) SL 1 and/or a first emission control line (e.g., an odd-numbered emission control line) EL 1 may drive only the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color (e.g., the green color), and the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 in a second row (e.g., an even-numbered row), or the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 connected to a second scan line (e.g., an even-numbered scan line) SL 2 and/or a second emission control line (e.g., an even-numbered emission control line) EL 2 may drive only the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color (e.g., the red color) or the third color (e.g., the blue color). Thus, since the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color (e.g., the green color) are connected to the scan and emission control lines SL 1 and EL 1 separate from the scan and emission control lines SL 2 and EL 2 connected to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color (e.g., the red color) or the third color (e.g., the blue color), the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color may be driven under a driving condition (e.g., a scan on time, an off period ratio (which may be referred to as an AMOLED off ratio (AOR)), etc.) different from a driving condition for the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color.

In some exemplary embodiments, the scan driver 550 may apply a first scan signal SS 1 having a first scan on time (SOT) to the first scan line (e.g., the odd-numbered scan line) SL 1 connected to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color, and may apply a second scan signal SS 2 having a second SOT different (in length) from the first SOT to the second scan line (e.g., the even-numbered scan line) SL 2 connected to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color. For example, the first SOT of the first scan signal SS 1 applied to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color may be longer than the second SOT of the second scan signal SS 2 applied to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color. Accordingly, a first threshold voltage compensation time for driving transistors included in the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color may be longer than a second threshold voltage compensation time for driving transistors included in the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color. Thus, the sub-pixel circuit SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the green OLED G 1 and G 2 that is vulnerable to a mura may perform a threshold voltage compensation operation for a sufficient threshold voltage compensation time. Accordingly, the mura of the OLED display device 500 may be reduced or prevented.

Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the OLED display device 500 may include a first emission driver 570 located at a first side (e.g., a right side) of the display panel 510 , and a second emission driver 580 located at a second side (e.g., a left side) opposite to the first side of the display panel 510 . The first emission driver 570 may apply a first emission control signal SE 1 with a first off period ratio to a first emission control line (e.g., odd-numbered emission control line) EL 1 such that the first emission control signal SE 1 having the first off period ratio may be provided to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color. The second emission driver 580 may apply a second emission control signal SE 2 with a second off period ratio to a second emission control line (e.g., an even-numbered emission control line) EL 2 such that the second emission control signal SE 2 having the second off period ratio may be provided to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color. In some exemplary embodiments, the first off period ratio of the first emission control signal SE 1 applied to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color may be greater than the second off period ratio of the second emission control signal SE 2 applied to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting the light of the first color or the third color. Further, the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 receiving the first emission control signal SE 1 may provide the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting the light of the second color with a driving current that is increased corresponding to the increased first off period ratio. Accordingly, the OLED display device 500 according to exemplary embodiments may allow the driving transistors of the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 to generate the increased driving currents, or higher driving currents, thereby reducing an afterimage caused by a hysteresis of the driving transistors.

As described above, in the OLED display device 500 according to exemplary embodiments, the OLEDs R 1 , G 1 , B 1 and G 2 may be arranged in an RGBG pentile structure, and the four sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 , SPC 2 , SPC 3 and SPC 4 in two rows and two columns may drive the four OLEDs G 1 , G 2 , R 1 and B 1 that are adjacent to the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 , SPC 2 , SPC 3 and SPC 4 in the clockwise direction. Thus, the sub-pixel circuits SPC 1 and SPC 2 for driving the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 of the second color (e.g., the green color) and the sub-pixel circuits SPC 3 and SPC 4 for driving the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 of the first and third colors (e.g., the red and blue colors) may be disposed in different rows. Accordingly, the OLEDs G 1 and G 2 of the second color can be driven under a driving condition (e.g., the SOT, the AOR, etc.) different from a driving condition for the OLEDs R 1 and B 1 of the first and third colors, and thus the mura and/or the afterimage may be reduced.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a display panel according to exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 11 , a display panel 510 may include a plurality of sub-pixel regions SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 , SPR 4 , SPR 5 , SPR 6 , SPR 7 and SPR 8 , and, in each sub-pixel region SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 , SPR 4 , SPR 5 , SPR 6 , SPR 7 and SPR 8 , one of the OLEDs R 1 , G 1 , B 1 , G 2 , B 2 , G 3 , R 2 and G 4 and one sub-pixel circuit may be disposed. The display panel 510 of FIG. 11 may have a similar configuration and a similar operation to a display panel 110 of FIG. 2 , except that, in four sub-pixel regions (e.g., SPR 1 , SPR 2 , SPR 3 and SPR 4 ) in two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns, respective sub-pixel circuits may drive OLEDs (e.g., G 1 , G 2 , R 1 and B 1 ) that are adjacent to the sub-pixel circuits in a clockwise direction.

In an example of FIG. 11 , a first sub-pixel circuit in a first sub-pixel region SPR 1 may be connected to a second OLED G 1 in a second sub-pixel region SPR 2 through a first line 511 , a second sub-pixel circuit in the second sub-pixel region SPR 2 may be connected to a fourth OLED G 2 in a fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 through a second line 512 , and the first and second sub-pixel circuits may drive the second and fourth OLEDs G 1 and G 2 emitting green light. A third sub-pixel circuit in a third sub-pixel region SPR 3 to a first OLED R 1 in the first sub-pixel region SPR 1 through a third line 513 , a fourth sub-pixel circuit in the fourth sub-pixel region SPR 4 may be connected to a third OLED B 1 in the third sub-pixel region SPR 3 through a fourth line 514 , and the third and fourth sub-pixel circuits may drive the first and third OLEDs R 1 and B 1 emitting red light and blue light.

Further, a fifth sub-pixel circuit in a fifth sub-pixel region SPR 5 may be connected to a sixth OLED G 3 in a sixth sub-pixel region SPR 6 through a fifth line 515 , a sixth sub-pixel circuit in the sixth sub-pixel region SPR 6 may be connected to an eighth OLED G 4 in an eighth sub-pixel region SPR 8 through a sixth line 516 , and the fifth and eighth sub-pixel circuits may drive the eighth and eighth OLEDs G 3 and G 4 emitting the green light. A seventh sub-pixel circuit in a seventh sub-pixel region SPR 7 to a fifth OLED B 2 in the fifth sub-pixel region SPR 5 through a seventh line 517 , an eighth sub-pixel circuit in the eighth sub-pixel region SPR 8 may be connected to a seventh OLED R 2 in the seventh sub-pixel region SPR 7 through an eighth line 518 , and the seventh and eighth sub-pixel circuits may drive the fifth and seventh OLEDs B 2 and R 2 emitting the blue light and the red light.

Accordingly, the sub-pixel circuits driving the green OLEDs G 1 , G 2 , G 3 and G 4 may receive a first scan signal SS 1 and a first emission control signal SE 1 , and the sub-pixel circuits driving the red and blue OLEDs R 1 , B 1 , B 2 and R 2 may receive a second scan signal SS 2 different from the first scan signal SS 1 and a second emission control signal SE 2 different from the first emission control signal SE 1 . Since the sub-pixel circuits driving the green OLEDs G 1 , G 2 , G 3 and G 4 receive the first scan signal SS 1 and the first emission control signal SE 1 different from the second scan signal SS 2 and the second emission control signal SE 2 applied to the sub-pixel circuits driving the red and blue OLEDs R 1 , B 1 , B 2 and R 2 , the green OLEDs G 1 , G 2 , G 3 and G 4 and the red and blue OLEDs R 1 , B 1 , B 2 and R 2 may be driven under different driving conditions (e.g., different SOTs, different off period ratios, etc.).

FIG. 12 is a timing diagram illustrating scan signals of a conventional OLED display device and scan signals of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

In FIG. 12, 610 represents conventional scan signals CSS 1 , CSS 2 , CSS 3 and CSS 4 and a conventional data signal CSD, and 630 represents scan signals SS 1 , SS 2 , SS 3 and SS 4 and a data signal SD of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

The conventional scan signals CSS 1 , CSS 2 , CSS 3 and CSS 4 have the same scan on time CSOT. However, in the OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments, a second scan on time SOT 2 of scan signals SS 2 and SS 4 applied to sub-pixel circuits in even-numbered rows for driving red and blue OLEDs may be decreased compared with the conventional scan on time CSOT, and a first scan on time SOT 1 of scan signals SS 1 and SS 3 applied to sub-pixel circuits in odd-numbered rows for driving green OLEDs may be increased compared with the conventional scan on time CSOT. Accordingly, since the first scan on time SOT 1 of the scan signals SS 1 and SS 3 applied to the sub-pixel circuits driving the green OLEDs is increased, a threshold voltage compensation time for the driving transistors T 2 included in the sub-pixel circuits driving the green OLEDs may be increased, and thus a mura of the OLED display device may be reduced or prevented.

FIG. 13 is a timing diagram illustrating emission control signals of a conventional OLED display device and emission control signals of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

In FIG. 13, 710 represents conventional emission control signals CSE 1 , CSE 2 , CSE 3 and CSE 4 , and 730 represents emission control signals SE 1 , SE 2 , SE 3 and SE 4 of an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

During an emission period EP, the conventional emission control signals CSE 1 , CSE 2 , CSE 3 and CSE 4 may be maintained as the on level. However, in the OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments, at least a portion SE 1 and SE 3 of the emission control signals SE 1 , SE 2 , SE 3 and SE 4 may have on periods ONP and off periods OFFP within the emission period EP. In some exemplary embodiments, a first off period ratio (e.g., a ratio of a sum of lengths of the off periods OFFP to a length of the emission period EP) of the emission control signals SE 1 and SE 3 applied to sub-pixel circuits in odd-numbered rows for driving green OLEDs may be greater than a second off period ratio of the emission control signals SE 2 and SE 4 applied to sub-pixel circuits in even-numbered rows for driving red and blue OLEDs. Further, the sub-pixel circuits in the odd-numbered rows may provide the green OLEDs with a driving current that is increased corresponding to the increased off period ratio. Accordingly, driving transistors included in the sub-pixels for driving the green OLEDs may generate the increased driving current, or a higher driving current, thereby reducing an afterimage caused by a hysteresis of the driving transistors.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device including an OLED display device according to exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 14 , an electronic device 1100 may include a processor 1110 , a memory device 1120 , a storage device 1130 , an input/output (I/O) device 1140 , a power supply 1150 , and an OLED display device 1160 . The electronic device 1100 may further include a plurality of ports for communicating a video card, a sound card, a memory card, a universal serial bus (USB) device, other electric devices, etc.

The processor 1110 may perform various computing functions or tasks. The processor 1110 may be an application processor (AP), a micro processor, a central processing unit (CPU), etc. The processor 1110 may be coupled to other components via an address bus, a control bus, a data bus, etc. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the processor 1110 may be further coupled to an extended bus such as a peripheral component interconnection (PCI) bus.

The memory device 1120 may store data for operations of the electronic device 1100 . For example, the memory device 1120 may include at least one non-volatile memory device such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) device, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) device, a flash memory device, a phase change random access memory (PRAM) device, a resistance random access memory (RRAM) device, a nano floating gate memory (NFGM) device, a polymer random access memory (PoRAM) device, a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device, a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) device, etc, and/or at least one volatile memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, a mobile dynamic random access memory (mobile DRAM) device, etc.

The storage device 1130 may be a solid state drive (SSD) device, a hard disk drive (HDD) device, a CD-ROM device, etc. The I/O device 1140 may be an input device such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch screen, etc, and an output device such as a printer, a speaker, etc. The power supply 1150 may supply power for operations of the electronic device 1100 .

In the OLED display device 1160 , OLEDs may be arranged in an RGBG pentile structure, and four sub-pixel circuits in two rows and two columns may drive the OLEDs that are adjacent to the sub-pixel circuits in a counterclockwise direction or a clockwise direction. Thus, the sub-pixel circuits for driving the OLEDs of a second color (e.g., a green color) and the sub-pixel circuits for driving the OLEDs of first and third colors (e.g., red and blue colors) may be disposed in different rows. Accordingly, the OLEDs of the second color can be driven under a driving condition (e.g., an SOT, an AOR, etc.) different from a driving condition for the OLEDs of the first and third colors, and thus a mura and/or an afterimage may be reduced.

According to exemplary embodiments, the electronic device 1100 may be any electronic device including the OLED display device 1160 , such as a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a wearable device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a digital camera, a music player, a portable game console, a navigation system, a digital television, a 3D television, a personal computer (PC), a home appliance, a laptop computer, etc.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are not limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the appended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.