Oled display having color filters for improving contrast
View Patent ↗An OLED display device for displaying a color image, the display device being viewed from a front side includes a plurality of OLED elements including first color elements that emit a first color of light and second color elements that emit a second color of light different from the first color; a reflector located behind the OLED elements; and a corresponding plurality of filter elements aligned with the OLED elements, including first and second color filters for passing the first or second color of light emitted by the corresponding OLED element, and blocking other colors of light.
1. An OLED display device for displaying a color image, the display device being viewed from a front side, comprising:
a) a plurality of OLED elements including first color elements that emit a first color of light and second color elements that emit a second color of light different from the first color, each OLED element comprising a first electrode further from the front side, a second electrode closer to the front side, and an organic electroluminescent element between the first and second electrodes;
b) where the first electrode of each OLED element is reflective, or a reflector is located behind the OLED elements; and
c) a corresponding plurality of color filter elements aligned with the OLED elements, including first and second color filters for passing the first or second color of light emitted by the corresponding OLED element, and blocking other colors of light, wherein the first and second color filters pass greater than 80% of the first or second color of light emitted by the corresponding aligned OLED element.
2. The display device claimed in claim 1 , wherein the colors of light include red, green, and blue.
3. The display device claimed in claim 1 , wherein the OLED display device is a top emitting device.
4. The display device claimed in claim 1 , wherein the OLED display device is a bottom emitting device.
5. An OLED display device for displaying a color image, the display device being viewed from a front side, comprising:
a) a plurality of OLED elements including first color elements that emit a first color of light and second color elements that emit a second color of light different from the first color, each OLED element comprising a first electrode further from the front side, a second electrode closer to the front side, and an organic electroluminescent element between the first and second electrodes;
b) where the first electrode of each OLED element is reflective, or a reflector is located behind the OLED elements; and
c) a corresponding plurality of color filter elements aligned with the OLED elements, including first and second color filters for passing the first or second color of light emitted by the corresponding OLED element, and blocking other colors of light, wherein the color filter elements are located behind the OLED elements between the OLED elements and a reflector.
6. The display device claimed in claim 1 , wherein the color filter elements are located in front of the OLED elements.
7. The display device claimed in claim 6 , further including a second corresponding plurality of color filter elements located behind the OLED elements between the OLED elements and a reflector.
8. The display device claimed in claim 3 , further comprising an encapsulating cover and wherein the color filter elements are located on the encapsulating cover.
9. The display device claimed in claim 8 , wherein the color filter elements are located on the inside of the cover.
10. The display device claimed in claim 8 , wherein the color filter elements are located on the outside of the cover.
11. The display device claimed in claim 4 , further comprising a substrate and wherein the color filter elements are located on the substrate.
12. The display device claimed in claim 11 , wherein the color filter elements are located on the inside of the substrate.
13. The display device claimed in claim 11 , wherein the color filter elements are located on the outside of the substrate.
14. The display device claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a black matrix surrounding the color filter elements.
15. An OLED display device for displaying a color image, the display device being viewed from a front side, comprising:
a) a plurality of OLED elements including first color elements that emit a first color of light and second color elements that emit a second color of light different from the first color, each OLED element comprising a first electrode further from the front side, a second electrode closer to the front side, and an organic electroluminescent element between the first and second electrodes;
b) where the first electrode of each OLED element is reflective, or a reflector is located behind the OLED elements; and
c) a corresponding plurality of color filter elements aligned with the OLED elements, including first and second color filters for passing the first or second color of light emitted by the corresponding OLED element, and blocking other colors of light; further comprising a black matrix surrounding the color filter elements, wherein the black matrix is located behind the OLED elements between the OLED elements and a reflector.
16. The display device claimed in claim 14 , wherein the black matrix is located in front of the OLED elements.
17. The display device claimed in claim 2 , wherein the filter elements are trimming filters.
18. The display device claimed in claim 1 , wherein the color filter elements partially overlap to provide a black matrix.
19. The display device claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a protective layer located adjacent to the color filter elements.
20. The display device claimed in claim 19 , wherein the protective layer is a silicon oxide.
21. The display device claimed in claim 5 , wherein the first and second color filters pass greater than 80% of the first or second color of light emitted by the corresponding aligned OLED element.