Pixel Arrangement Structure For Organic Light Emitting Display Device
Patent No. US10854683 (titled "Pixel Arrangement Structure For Organic Light Emitting Display Device") was filed by Samsung Display Co Ltd on Nov 13, 2017.
What is this patent about?
’683 is related to the field of OLED display technology, specifically addressing the arrangement of pixels within such displays. OLED displays are known for their self-emissive properties, leading to thinner and lighter designs compared to LCDs, as well as superior contrast and response times. However, manufacturing OLED displays presents challenges, particularly in depositing the organic emission layers using fine metal masks (FMMs). Achieving both high pixel density (aperture ratio) and reliable deposition is a key concern.
The underlying idea behind ’683 is to optimize the pixel layout to improve both the aperture ratio and the deposition reliability during OLED manufacturing. The core insight involves arranging three types of pixels (e.g., red, green, and blue) around a virtual square. A first pixel is centered in the square, while pairs of second and third pixels are positioned at opposing vertices of the square. This arrangement aims to maximize light emission area while providing sufficient spacing for accurate material deposition using FMMs.
The claims of ’683 focus on a pixel arrangement structure for an OLED display. The key elements include a 'first pixel', a 'pair of second pixels' and a 'pair of third pixels'. The first pixel is positioned such that the second and third pairs of pixels are on opposite sides of it. The first pixel, the second pixels, and another first pixel are consecutively arranged along a first line. Similarly, the first pixel, the third pixels, and an additional first pixel are consecutively arranged along a second line. The second line crosses the first line at the location of the first pixel. The first pixels emit green light, and the second pixels have a larger area than the third pixels.
In practice, this pixel arrangement allows for a denser packing of pixels compared to traditional layouts. By placing the first pixel at the center of the virtual square and the other pixels at the vertices, the design maximizes the emissive area within a given space. The specification details several variations, including different shapes for the pixels (quadrilateral, hexagonal, octagonal) and adjustments to the relative sizes of the pixels to compensate for differences in material lifespan (e.g., making blue pixels larger).
The described arrangement differentiates itself from prior approaches by strategically balancing aperture ratio and deposition reliability. Traditional methods often involve trade-offs, where increasing pixel density reduces the spacing between pixels, leading to deposition inaccuracies. By using the virtual square as a guide, the invention provides a structured approach to pixel placement that maintains sufficient separation for reliable FMM deposition while maximizing the light-emitting area of each pixel, ultimately leading to brighter and more efficient OLED displays. The arrangement also allows for compensation of different pixel life spans by varying the pixel sizes.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2010s when ’683 was filed, OLED display technology was at a time when pixel arrangements were typically implemented using fine metal masks for deposition, and when achieving high aperture ratios while maintaining deposition reliability was non-trivial due to hardware constraints.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The claims were amended during prosecution. Claims 1-3, 5-14, and 16 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103. Claim 4 was objected to. Claim 15 was allowed. The Office action was made final. The prosecution record does describe the examiner's reasoning for allowance of claim 15.
Claims
This patent contains 15 claims, of which claims 1, 13, 14, and 15 are independent. The independent claims are directed to a pixel arrangement structure of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, focusing on the arrangement and characteristics of first, second, and third pixels. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features and configurations of the pixel arrangement structure described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Litigation Cases New
US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
Get instant alerts for new documents
US10854683
- Application Number
- US15811599
- Filing Date
- Nov 13, 2017
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Sep 13, 2032
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents