Pixel circuit, active matrix apparatus and display apparatus

Abstract

A pixel circuit having a function of compensating for characteristic variation of an electro-optical element and threshold voltage variation of a transistor is formed from a reduced number of component elements. An input signal is sampled from a signal line so as to be held in a holding capacitor. The threshold voltage of the drive transistor is imparted to the holding capacitor in order to cancel an influence of the threshold voltage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A display apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of scanning lines;   a plurality of signal lines disposed perpendicularly to said scanning lines; and   a plurality of pixels respectively disposed at intersections of said scanning lines and said signal lines, individual ones of said plurality of pixels further comprising:   an electro-optical element;   a holding capacitor;   a sampling transistor;   a drive transistor;   a switching transistor;   a first transistor; and   a second transistor,   wherein said sampling transistor samples an input signal from said signal line into said holding capacitor;   said drive transistor applies current to said electro-optical element depending on the input signal held by said holding capacitor;   said switching transistor supplies current from a power supply potential to said drive transistor; and   said first and second transistors operate to supply a threshold voltage of said drive transistor into said holding capacitor prior to an emission period of said electro-optical element, wherein said first and second transistors are configured to be simultaneously on during at least a portion of a time period prior to the emission period.