Abstract: Using scan (TFT 1-1˜TFT 1-3) data having a size of 3 bits from data lines (DATA1˜DATA3) is stored in storage capacitors (SC1˜SC3). Driving TFTs (TFT 2-1˜TFT 2-3) are switched fully on by the voltage of these storage capacitors (SC1˜SC3). The on/off conditions of the driving TFTs (TFT 2-1˜TFT 2-3) are controlled according to digital data, to control the on/off conditions of organic EL elements (EL1˜EL3) and provide brightness control.

Abstract: The emitted luminance of an EL device is controlled in an analog manner so as to realize a multiple gray-scale display by employing a first TFT (101) for switching, which turns on and off according to a selection signal SCAN1, and a second TFT (104) for driving an EL device (103) having an emissive layer between a pair of electrodes, by providing an analog switch (31) for sampling an analog video signal (VIDEO) at a predetermined period and a capacitor (102) for holding a sampling voltage from the analog switch (31), and by applying the analog voltage held in the capacitor (102) to the gate of the second TFT.

Abstract: In a self-emissive display device including a selection TFT (4) having a gate connected to a gate line (1) and a drain connected to a data line (2), and a driving TFT (6) having a gate connected to a source of the selection TFT (4), a positive power source PV, the driving TFT (6), an organic EL emissive element (7), and a negative power source CV are connected in series. Because a shift voltage for shifting a correlation curve between the gate signal and the luminance of emitted light is applied to the negative power source CV, there is no need to raise the voltage level of the data signal by the voltage producing no effect on displayed tone. Accordingly, power consumption is reduced, and the data signal can be supplied by a circuit manufactured through a common CMOS process, leading to a reduction in manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An organic EL display device comprises a first TFT (30), which is a switching TFT, an organic EL element driving TFT, and an organic EL element (60) having an anode (61), a cathode (66), and an emissive element layer (65) interposed between both electrodes. The EL element driving TFT comprises a second and third TFTs (35, 40) connected in parallel. Because electrical current to the organic EL element (60) is supplied from a plurality of TFTs (35, 40), variation in the total current value can be suppressed to therefore reduce the variation in luminance, even when characteristics vary among the TFTs driving the organic EL element.

Abstract: A current control circuit (300) is provided between a power source circuit (200) and a power source line VL which supplies a drive current to an organic EL element (50) provided in each emissive pixel of a display panel. An amount of current flowing from the power source circuit (200) to the power source line VL is detected, and when the amount of current increases, a power source voltage Vdd to be applied to the power source line VL is decreased, thereby decreasing a current flowing thorough the organic EL element (50). Alternatively, contrast or brightness level of display data to be supplied to each EL element (50) is controlled in accordance with the detected amount of current, so that when the current amount increases, the contrast or brightness level is reduced thereby restricting a current flowing through the organic EL element (50). Thus, the amount of current flowing through the organic EL element (50) can be restricted to thereby prevent excessive power consumption of the display device.

Abstract: A discharge transistor (TFT3) which connects the upper end of an organic EL element (EL) and a negative power source (VEE) and a control transistor (TFT4) which connects the upper end of a storage capacitor (SC) with a power source (PVDD) are provided. These transistors (TFT3, TFT4) are turned on by the upper gate line, so that the capacitor of the organic EL element (EL) is discharged prior to the selection of the line for these transistors.

Abstract: The extending direction of a gate electrode configured by protruding a portion of a gate signal line is tilted with respect to the extending direction of the gate signal line. To form the active layer of a switching TFT, a focused laser is irradiated on an a-Si film to form a p-Si film. During this process, the long-axis direction of the laser is oriented either orthogonally or in parallel with respect to the extending direction of the gate signal line. Accordingly, by tilting the extending direction of the gate electrode with respect to the extending direction of the gate signal line, a junction portion between a channel and a source/drain is prevented from entirely overlapping a periphery portion of the laser along its long-axis direction. This arrangement prevents generation of leak current in the switching TFT, realizing a stable EL display device.

Abstract: A display apparatus with built-in digital driver includes a decoder (1) and a selector (2) formed from p-SiTFT CMOS circuits, and signal sources (31, 32, 33, 34). Input digital data DATA1 and DATA2 are decoded at the decoder (1) and control signals DC1, DC2, DC3, and DC4 are sent to the selector (2). In response to this, the selector (2) selects a signal having a different amplitude from the signal sources (31, 32, 33, 34) and sends it to a video line (6).

Abstract: A low power-consumption active matrix display device including gate lines, drain lines, and pixel electrodes, which are arranged at intersections between the gate lines and the drain lines, A drain line driver is connected to the drain lines to select a drain line and provide the selected drain line with an image signal. A gate line driver is connected to the gate lines to select a predetermined gate line and provide the selected gate line with a gate signal. Level shifters are connected to the drain line driver to operate in a time-dividing manner. Each level shifter supplies the drain line driver with a boosted voltage.

Abstract: An EL element (50) having an organic emissive layer or the like between the anode and cathode is used as an element to be driven, and an element driving TFT (20) for controlling the current supplied to the EL element (50) and a compensation thin film transistor (30) having an opposite conductive characteristic as the element driving TFT (20) are provided between the EL element (50) and the power supply line VL. With this structure, variation in the current supplied to each EL element (50) is reduced.

Abstract: Between a positive power supply 18 and a negative power supply 19, a p-channel transistor 11 and an n-channel transistor 14 are connected in series while a p-channel transistor 12 and an n-channel transistor 15 are also connected in series. An inverted input signal *Sig1 is input to the respective gates of the transistors 11 and 14, while an input signal Sigl is input to the respective gates of the transistors 12 and 15. As a result, of a pair of the transistors connected in series, namely either the transistors 11 and 14 or the transistors 12 and 15, when one transistor turns ON, the other transistor turns OFF. Thus, generation of through currents is prevented.

Abstract: In a self-emissive display device including a selection TFT (4) having a gate connected to a gate line (1) and a drain connected to a data line (2), and a driving TFT (6) having a gate connected to a source of the selection TFT (4), a positive power source PV, the driving TFT (6), an organic EL emissive element (7), and a negative power source CV are connected in series. Because a shift voltage for shifting a correlation curve between the gate signal and the luminance of emitted light is applied to the negative power source CV, there is no need to raise the voltage level of the data signal by the voltage producing no effect on displayed tone. Accordingly, power consumption is reduced, and the data signal can be supplied by a circuit manufactured through a common CMOS process, leading to a reduction in manufacturing costs.

Abstract: In a display device including, for each pixel, an organic EL element (60) and TFTs (30, 40) for controlling the element, a sequential circuit (350) is provided for stopping supply of power source voltages Vvdd and Hvdd to drivers (80, 90) for driving the TFTs (30, 40) which control each organic EL element (60) after stopping supply of power source voltage Pvdd to the organic EL element (60) when the device is turned off.

Abstract: In an active matrix system, a pixel of a display apparatus includes an electroluminescence (EL) element, a diode type driving element connected in series to the EL element for driving the EL element, an added capacitor and an added resistor. The added resistor is connected in series with the added capacitor, and the added resistor and the added capacitor are connected in parallel to the EL element. The added capacitor improves a writing characteristic and a holding characteristic of the pixel, such that a high quality image can be displayed.

Abstract: A drive circuit is provided in an active type electroluminescence (EL) display device including a plurality of EL elements (20). Each EL element is composed of a plurality of anodes (201) separately formed corresponding to each pixel, a cathode (202) commonly formed for the plurality of anodes, and an emissive layer (45) interposed between the anodes and the cathode. The EL elements are driven by TFTs 24 connected between the plurality of anodes provided for each pixel and a power source voltage (Vdd). The drive circuit comprises a current detector circuit (2) for detecting the current flowing from the cathode and for generating an output voltage corresponding to the detected current, a voltage inverting amplifier circuit (3) for inverting and amplifying the output voltage, and a current amplifier circuit (4) for performing current amplification of the output from the voltage inverting amplifier circuit.