Method for operating an organic optoelectronic component

Abstract

Method for operating an organic optoelectronic component, comprising - at least one organic light-emitting element (100) which emits visible light during operation, comprising an organic functional layer stack (103) with at least one organic light-emitting layer between two electrodes (102, 104) and - at least one organic light-detecting element (200) with an organic light-detecting layer, wherein - the at least one organic light-emitting element (100) and the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) are arranged on a common substrate (101) in laterally adjacent surface areas on the same side of the common substrate (101), - the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) detects ambient light (3, 4) which is irradiated onto the organic optoelectronic component and the ambient light is light from other light sources, - the intensity (10) of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element (100) is controlled as a function of a signal (20, 20') of the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) with a characteristic signal shape, - the area covered on the common substrate (101) by the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) is at most ten percent of the area covered on the common substrate (101) by the at least one organic light-emitting element (100), - the organic light-emitting element (100) has an area of ​​greater than or equal to one square centimeter, - in which a plurality of organic light-detecting elements (200) are arranged on the common substrate (101), and - in which the intensity (10) of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element (100) is regulated as a function of a temporal sequence of at least two signals (20, 20') from at least two organic light-detecting elements (200) with a respective characteristic signal shape.

Description

[0001] A method for operating an organic optoelectronic component is specified.

[0002] Luminaires and light sources can be switched or dimmed using various methods. These include electronic or electrotechnical switches, electronic ballasts, and electronic dimmers. Such devices can be operated mechanically or by changing capacitances, such as touch panels, multi-touch panels, or capacitive touch panels.

[0003] Lights can also be controlled by optical sensors, pressure sensors, radio sensors, or acoustic sensors. However, current technology uses external sensors, switches, and electronic components for this purpose. This often requires very complex wiring between sensors, switches, and lights, as the sensors are independent components.

[0004] Document DE 102 44 452 A1 relates to an optoelectronic switch with an optical display device and an optoelectronic detection device comprising at least one optoelectronic transmitter and at least one optoelectronic receiver. The optoelectronic switch is characterized in that the optical display device comprises an organic light-emitting layer.

[0005] Document EP 1 467 408 A2 relates to an OLED display device with an integrated photosensor.

[0006] The publication Burgi, L. et al., “Integrated optical proximity sensor based on organic photodiodes and organic LEDs”, PROCEEDINGS OF SPIE, Proc. of SPIE, Vol. 5961, pages 596104-1 to 596104-3, 29 July 2005, concerns an organic-based proximity sensor.

[0007] One object is to provide a method for operating an organic optoelectronic component.

[0008] This object is achieved by a method according to the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the subject matter and the method are characterized in the dependent claims and will further become apparent from the following description and the drawings.

[0009] According to the invention, the method serves to operate an organic optoelectronic component, wherein the organic optoelectronic component comprises at least one organic light-emitting element comprising an organic functional layer stack with at least one organic light-emitting layer between two electrodes. In particular, the at least one organic light-emitting element is designed as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), which can emit visible light through at least one of the electrodes during operation. For this purpose, at least one of the electrodes is designed to be transparent.

[0010] "Transparent" refers here and below to a layer that is permeable to visible light. The transparent layer can be clearly translucent or at least partially light-scattering and / or partially light-absorbing, so that a layer referred to as transparent can, for example, be diffuse or milky translucent. Particularly preferably, a layer referred to as transparent here is designed to be as permeable to visible light as possible, in particular so that the absorption of light generated in the organic light-emitting element is as low as possible.

[0011] For example, a transparent electrode can be made of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), graphene, a transparent metal, or metallic network structures, or can comprise such a material. The other of the two electrodes, between which the organic functional layer stack of the organic light-emitting element is located, can be reflective and, for example, comprise a metal. Alternatively, both electrodes can be transparent. In this case, the organic light-emitting element can be designed, in particular, as a transparent OLED.

[0012] The organic optoelectronic component further comprises at least one organic light-detecting element, which has at least one organic light-detecting layer. Thus, the at least one organic light-detecting element is configured to convert light incident on the at least one organic light-detecting layer into an electrically measurable signal, such as a voltage, a current, or an electrical resistance. The electrically measurable signal of the organic light-detecting element is hereinafter referred to simply as the signal of the organic light-detecting element.

[0013] Furthermore, the organic optoelectronic component has a common substrate for the at least one organic light-emitting element and the at least one organic light-detecting element, which are arranged in particular on the common substrate in laterally adjacent surface regions. The common substrate can in particular be the only substrate of the organic optoelectronic component. The functional layer stacks and the electrodes of the organic light-emitting and light-detecting elements of the organic optoelectronic component are applied in particular one after the other on the common substrate, so that the common substrate is the substrate required and provided for producing the organic light-emitting and light-detecting elements.In other words, the organic light-emitting and light-detecting elements are not fabricated on separate substrates and then arranged on the common substrate, but rather are fabricated on the common substrate. Thus, in particular, no additional substrate is arranged between the common substrate and the organic functional layers of the organic light-emitting and light-detecting elements.

[0014] Here and below, "lateral" refers to a direction parallel to the main extension plane of the common substrate. A lateral direction is thus, for example, perpendicular to the stacking direction of the electrodes and the organic functional layer stack of the at least one organic light-emitting element.

[0015] The at least one organic light-emitting element and the at least one organic light-detecting element are arranged on the same side of the common substrate. Particularly preferably, with regard to further optoelectronic elements, i.e., further light-emitting or light-detecting elements, that may be arranged on the common substrate, the at least one organic light-detecting element can be directly adjacent to the at least one organic light-emitting element, i.e., no further organic light-emitting or light-detecting elements are present in the lateral direction between the at least one organic light-detecting element and the at least one organic light-emitting element.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the at least one organic light-detecting element is designed and usable as an organic photodiode. The organic photodiode can, in particular, have an organic functional layer stack between two electrodes, wherein the organic functional layer stack, as the organic light-detecting layer of the organic light-detecting element, has at least one pn junction for generating charge carriers.For example, the organic photodiode can have the same structure as the at least one organic light-emitting element with regard to the electrodes and the organic functional layer stack and can be operated inversely to the at least one organic light-emitting element, i.e. with opposite electrical polarity, whereby it may be possible for the production of the organic optoelectronic component to incur no or only minimal additional costs compared to an exclusively light-emitting component.Alternatively, the organic photodiode may comprise different materials and / or different layer structures with regard to the electrodes and / or the organic functional layer stack compared to the organic light-emitting element, which may require additional manufacturing effort but allows the sensitivity of the at least one organic light-detecting element to be specifically adapted.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the at least one organic light-detecting element is designed and usable as an organic photoconductor with an organic photoconductive material as the organic light-detecting layer, which generates electrical charges upon irradiation with light. Organic photoconductive materials can, for example, be formed in a single layer on an electrically conductive layer, for example an electrode. Furthermore, organic photoconductive materials can, for example, be formed in at least two layers with at least one organic charge carrier-generating layer and one organic charge carrier-transporting layer. Furthermore, an organic light-detecting element designed as an organic photoconductor can have the same structure as the at least one organic light-emitting element.

[0018] Depending on the materials and structure of the at least one organic light-detecting element, it can be configured as both a photoconductor and a photodiode. Such an organic light-detecting element can be used as a photodiode with an electrical bias and as a photoconductor without an electrical bias.

[0019] Furthermore, depending on the materials and structure used, the electrical resistance of the at least one organic light-detecting element can be measured, so that the at least one organic light-detecting element can be designed and used as an organic photoresistor.

[0020] In particular, as described above, it may be advantageous if the at least one organic light-detecting element and the at least one organic light-emitting element have an identical structure. Furthermore, it may be possible for the organic light-detecting element to have only n- or p-conducting layers or an optoelectronic layer, and for these to be identical to the corresponding layers of the organic light-emitting element.

[0021] The at least one organic light-emitting element and the at least one organic light-detecting element are preferably formed on the substrate so as to be electrically separated from one another with respect to their respective electrodes and organic functional layers. In other words, the at least one organic light-detecting element covers a surface area on the common substrate that is spatially separate from the surface area covered by the at least one organic light-emitting element on the common substrate. Alternatively, depending on the electrical control of the organic light-emitting element and the organic light-detecting element, it may be possible for them to have a common electrode.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the at least one organic light-detecting element is configured to be smaller than the at least one organic light-emitting element in terms of its surface area on the common substrate. In particular, the at least one organic light-detecting element on the common substrate can cover an area that is less than or equal to ten percent, less than or equal to five percent, or less than or equal to one percent of the area covered by the at least one organic light-emitting element on the common substrate.In other words, the predominant part of the common substrate can be covered with the at least one organic light-emitting element or, if appropriate, with a plurality of organic light-emitting elements, while the at least one organic light-detecting element or, if appropriate, a plurality of organic light-detecting elements occupy only a small surface area, so that the organic optoelectronic component has a luminous area during operation which can substantially correspond to the total area of ​​the common substrate.

[0023] According to the invention, the at least one organic light-detecting element detects ambient light during operation of the organic optoelectronic component. The at least one organic light-detecting element is thus configured to detect ambient light. "Ambient light" refers here and below to light that strikes the at least one organic light-detecting element from outside, i.e., light that is not conducted within the organic optoelectronic component by internal scattering or light conduction effects from the at least one organic light-emitting element to the at least one organic light-detecting element. Ambient light is light that originates from other light sources.

[0024] According to the invention, the intensity of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element is controlled as a function of a signal from the at least one organic light-detecting element. Thus, the intensity is controlled as a function of a signal with a characteristic signal shape. In other words, the characteristic signal shape of the signal from the at least one organic light-detecting element triggers a control event.

[0025] Control of the intensity of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element and a control event are understood to mean, in particular, switching and / or dimming. In other words, depending on the signal from the at least one organic light-detecting element, the light intensity of the at least one organic light-emitting element can be controlled in steps or quasi-continuously in small, for example, infinitesimally small, steps or continuously and thus steplessly. Depending on the design and application, this can include both control between two brightness levels to increase or decrease the emitted intensity and switching the at least one organic light-emitting element on or off.

[0026] A characteristic signal shape of the signal of the at least one organic light-detecting element is understood to mean, in particular, a specific, preselected temporal change in the signal that triggers a control event for controlling the at least one organic light-emitting element. In particular, this can be, for example, a reduction in the signal by a specific value. Furthermore, it can be a reduction in the signal followed by an increase in the signal. Such a signal can have a negative peak as a characteristic signal shape in a temporal profile, i.e. a brief dip in the signal strength, which is essentially characterized by a drop and a subsequent increase in the signal strength.Furthermore, the characteristic signal shape can be formed by a drop in signal strength, a subsequent longer, for example constant, low signal strength and a subsequent increase in signal strength.

[0027] After the occurrence of the characteristic signal shape, the signal can have a strength that corresponds to the strength before. Furthermore, the signal can have a lower or higher strength after the occurrence of the characteristic signal shape than before, for example due to a change in the ambient light caused by the organic light-emitting element and / or by internally guided light, as for the embodiment described below, in which the at least one organic light-detecting element additionally detects light guided internally from the organic light-emitting element to the organic light-detecting element, depending on whether the light intensity of the organic light-emitting element is regulated down or up due to the characteristic signal shape.

[0028] A negative peak can be generated, for example, by an external object wiping past the at least one organic light-detecting element. "Swiping past" here and below can mean that the external object does not touch the light-detecting element to generate the characteristic signal shape. In particular, it is possible to generate the characteristic signal shape by moving the external object at a distance from the light-detecting element. The distance can be at least 1 cm, preferably at least 4 cm, and particularly preferably at least 8 cm. In other words, when wiping past, a significant distance is maintained between the external object and the light-detecting element, and there is no near contact.This enables, for example, the generation of a signal even with an otherwise spatially inaccessible optoelectronic component, such as an optoelectronic component mounted on a ceiling. The distance is, for example, a maximum of 1 m, in particular a maximum of 50 cm.

[0029] A drop in signal strength or a drop, a subsequent longer low signal strength and a subsequent increase in signal strength can be generated, for example, by at least partially covering the at least one organic light-detecting element with an external object.

[0030] In particular, the intensity of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element can thus be controlled by an external object that is moved relative to the at least one organic light-detecting element in such a way as to cause a reduction in the signal of the organic light-detecting element. The external object can, for example, be a body part of an external observer or user of the organic optoelectronic component, preferably a hand, one or more fingers, or a foot. Furthermore, the external object can be a control element such as a pen or a flat object that can be used by an external user for control.

[0031] The characteristic signal shape depends on the design of the at least one organic light-detecting element, i.e., its size, structure, contacting, alignment, and arrangement in the organic optoelectronic component. Furthermore, the characteristic signal shape can depend on the ambient brightness, the intensity of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element, the wiping speed, the covering and uncovering speed, and the covered area. For control purposes, reactions to edges and / or absolute values ​​of the signal, and in particular to the characteristic signal shape, are possible. In particular, reactions to relative and / or absolute signal changes, for example, relative to a reference point such as a zero line, are possible.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the intensity of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element is controlled when the signal with the characteristic signal shape falls below a threshold value. This can, for example, reduce the influence of small disturbances and allow a specific minimum signal change to be defined for control.

[0033] The signal from the at least one organic light-detecting element can be further processed in an electronic circuit, which can be formed by an external electronic component or, as a monolithic element, can form part of the organic optoelectronic component. The electronic circuit can be used to control the intensity of the light emitted by the organic light-emitting element as desired.

[0034] For example, the organic optoelectronic component can comprise an electronic component, for example a controllable current and / or voltage source, which measures the light detected by the at least one organic light-detecting element, which comprises ambient light, and which controls the at least one organic light-emitting element depending on the measurement. The fact that the electronic component measures the light detected by the at least one organic light-detecting element means, in particular, that the electronic component measures the electronically measurable signal of the at least one organic light-detecting element and can detect and evaluate the characteristic signal shape.

[0035] For example, the electronic component, for example a controllable current and / or voltage source, can be at least partially integrated into the organic optoelectronic component. In other words, the controllable current and / or voltage source can be formed by an electronic component that is designed as a hybrid or monolithic electronic circuit, which can, for example, be integrated into the common substrate or can be formed in the form of additional functional layers on the common substrate. For example, the common substrate can for this purpose at least partially comprise an integrated circuit based on a semiconductor material, for example silicon, and / or printed electronics.Alternatively, it may be possible for the electronic component, for example the controllable current and / or voltage source, to be designed as an external electronic component that is connected to the organic optoelectronic component via suitable electrical connections such as conductor tracks and / or wire connections.

[0036] Furthermore, it may be possible to interconnect the at least one organic light-emitting element and the at least one organic light-detecting element separately from one another. For this purpose, the at least one organic light-emitting element can be connected to an electronic component in the form of a current and / or voltage source, while the at least one organic light-detecting element is connected to an electronic component in the form of a current and / or voltage and / or resistance measuring device.

[0037] Through the monolithic integration of the at least one organic light-detecting element, which may, for example, have the same layer structure as the at least one organic light-emitting element, on a preferably small, separate surface area of ​​the common substrate, a sensor element can be integrated into the organic optoelectronic component described here in addition to the at least one organic light-emitting element with little effort. This allows for unchanged manufacturing processes compared to conventional surface emitters without the additional effort and cost that would be incurred with a separate sensor.

[0038] Depending on the intensity of the light incident on the organic light-detecting element, which is composed of the sum of all incident light sources, an electrically measurable signal, such as a photovoltage, a photocurrent, or a change in resistance, is generated. The magnitude of this signal increases with the higher the incident light intensity. The sum of all incident light sources can be formed, for example, by scattered light guided internally within the organic optoelectronic component from the light emitted by at least one organic light-emitting element during operation, by externally reflected light, by light from other light sources, and combinations thereof.The changes in the electrical properties of the organic light-detecting element can be used to achieve switching and / or dimming in an electronic circuit by feeding back the signal from the organic light-detecting element to the organic light-emitting element, wherein the detector in the form of the at least one organic light-detecting element is monolithically integrated into the luminous surface of the organic optoelectronic component. This allows an external user of the organic optoelectronic component to precisely adjust the radiant power of the organic optoelectronic component, preferably designed as a surface light element, to their desired external conditions, for example, which can lead to energy savings.Furthermore, the organic optoelectronic component described here achieves new functionality in operation and haptics, for example by switching or dimming via a wiping movement.

[0039] According to a further embodiment, the at least one organic light-detecting element is configured to detect ambient light through the common substrate. In this case, the common substrate is particularly preferably transparent and can, for example, comprise or consist of glass and / or a transparent plastic. For example, the common substrate can be in the form of a glass plate or glass layer, or in the form of a plastic plate, plastic layer, or plastic film, or in the form of a glass-plastic laminate with at least one glass layer and at least one plastic layer.

[0040] If the at least one organic light-detecting element has an electrode between the at least one organic light-detecting layer and the common substrate, this electrode is likewise transparent through the substrate in the case of ambient light detection or has at least a light-permeable region. This can mean that the electrode is designed, for example, as a ring contact. Here and below, the term "ring contact" refers to any form of electrode that has an opening that is completely or only partially enclosed by electrode material in the lateral direction. In particular, a U-shaped electrode, for example, can fall under the term ring contact.

[0041] According to at least one further embodiment, the at least one organic light-detecting element is configured to detect ambient light radiated onto the organic optoelectronic component from the side of the organic optoelectronic component opposite the substrate. In this case, depending on the emission direction of the organic light-emitting element, the common substrate can be transparent, non-transparent at least in the region of the organic light-detecting element, or completely non-transparent. If the at least one organic light-detecting element has an electrode on the side of the organic light-detecting layer facing away from the substrate, this electrode is preferably transparent or designed as a ring contact.If the organic optoelectronic component has an encapsulation and / or a cover on the side facing away from the common substrate, at least in the region of the organic light-detecting element, this is also transparent in this case.

[0042] According to a further embodiment, the at least one organic light-emitting element is configured to emit light on an emission side of the organic optoelectronic component. An emission side, which designates the side or sides on which the organic optoelectronic component emits light, can be formed, for example, by the side on which the common substrate is arranged, as seen from the at least one organic light-emitting layer of the at least one organic light-emitting element. In this case, in which the common substrate is preferably transparent, the at least one organic light-emitting element, like the organic optoelectronic component, is referred to as a "bottom emitter."Furthermore, it is possible for an emission side, as seen from the at least one organic light-emitting layer, to be arranged on the side of the organic optoelectronic component opposite the common substrate. In this case, the at least one organic light-emitting element and the organic optoelectronic component are configured as "top emitters." If the organic optoelectronic component is configured simultaneously as a bottom and top emitter, it can preferably be configured as a transparent organic optoelectronic component with two emission sides.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, the at least one organic light-detecting element is configured to detect ambient light that is radiated onto the organic optoelectronic component on a side different from an emission side of the organic optoelectronic component, such that an emission side of the organic optoelectronic component and a detection side of the at least one organic light-detecting element are different. Thus, the emission side and the operating side, i.e., the side via which the organic optoelectronic component is controlled, are different from one another.For example, if the organic optoelectronic component radiates in the direction away from the common substrate, i.e., if the organic optoelectronic component has a top-emitter configuration, this means that the at least one organic light-detecting element can detect ambient light through the common substrate. If, however, the organic optoelectronic component is configured as a bottom-emitter, this means that the at least one organic light-detecting element is configured to detect ambient light from the side of the organic optoelectronic component opposite the substrate.

[0044] According to a further embodiment, the organic light-detecting element is configured to detect ambient light radiated onto the organic optoelectronic component on the emission side. In other words, a detection side of the at least one organic light-detecting element in this case corresponds to an emission side of the at least one organic light-emitting element, so that the operation for controlling the organic optoelectronic component takes place on the emission side.

[0045] The organic optoelectronic component comprises a plurality of organic light-detecting elements. This means that a plurality of organic light-detecting elements are arranged on the common substrate. In particular, the plurality of organic light-detecting elements and the at least one organic light-emitting element are arranged on the same side of the common substrate. For example, ambient light can be detected at different positions on the organic optoelectronic component by a plurality of organic light-detecting elements.

[0046] The intensity of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element is controlled as a function of a temporal sequence of at least two signals from at least two organic light-detecting elements, each of the signals having a characteristic signal shape. For example, the characteristic signal shape of each of the at least two signals can be a negative peak, with the negative peaks occurring one after the other in time. In this embodiment, a desired control event is therefore only triggered when the characteristic signal shapes are detected one after the other. The temporally successive negative peaks in the signals from at least two organic light-detecting elements can be generated, for example, by an external object wiping past the at least two organic light-detecting elements one after the other and in particular in a single movement.For this purpose, the at least two organic light-detecting elements can be adjacent organic light-detecting elements. This means that no further organic light-detecting element is arranged between the at least two organic light-detecting elements. Depending on the sequence of the temporally successive characteristic signal shapes, which can be determined by the wiping direction, an increase or decrease in the emitted light intensity can be achieved, for example.

[0047] Furthermore, it may be possible for a first signal to be generated by at least partially covering one of the plurality of organic light-detecting elements with an external object, and for a second signal to be generated by covering another of the plurality of organic light-detecting elements with an external object. The same external object or different external objects can be used here. In this embodiment, a control event is therefore only triggered when the at least two organic light-detecting elements are covered one after the other. Furthermore, it may be possible for a first signal to be generated by covering one of the plurality of organic light-detecting elements with an external object, and for a second signal to be generated by an external object sweeping past another of the at least two organic light-detecting elements.In these embodiments, the first signal of a first organic light-detecting element thus serves as a trigger for a detection of a possible second signal of a second organic light-detecting element, wherein it may be necessary, for example, for the first and second signals to overlap in time, i.e. for both organic light-detecting elements to be covered simultaneously for a certain time.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, the at least one organic light-detecting element detects, in addition to the ambient light, light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element, which is guided internally in the organic optoelectronic component to the at least one organic light-detecting element. This allows for direct internal feedback of the emitted light to the sensor signal, which may result in further control options.

[0049] According to a further embodiment, the intensity of the light emitted by a plurality of organic light-emitting elements is controlled as a function of the signal from the at least one organic light-detecting element. For example, a plurality of organic light-emitting elements can be arranged on the common substrate for this purpose. In particular, the plurality of organic light-emitting elements and the at least one organic light-detecting element or a plurality of organic light-detecting elements can all be arranged on the same side of the common substrate.

[0050] Furthermore, it is possible for the organic light-emitting elements of the plurality of organic light-emitting elements to be controllable separately from one another, and for each of the organic light-emitting elements to be assigned an organic light-detecting element, so that the individual organic light-emitting elements can, for example, be switched on or off independently of one another. This makes it possible for the luminous area of ​​the organic optoelectronic component formed by the entirety of the organic light-emitting elements to be divided into functional regions formed by the organic light-emitting elements, which can be controlled independently of one another and, with the aid of the organic light-detecting elements, with regard to the light output emitted. In this case, the organic optoelectronic component can, for example, form a macrodisplay.

[0051] Furthermore, it may be possible for one or more external organic light-emitting elements, which are arranged on separate substrates and which are electrically connected to the organic optoelectronic component, for example via electrical wire connections, to be controlled by the at least one organic light-detecting element or by a plurality of organic light-detecting elements of the organic optoelectronic component.

[0052] The fact that an organic light-detecting element is assigned to an organic light-emitting element means, in particular, that the light-detecting element and the light-emitting element form a functional unit with regard to the brightness control of the light-emitting element. Furthermore, it can mean that the organic light-detecting element is located closest to the assigned organic light-emitting element compared to other organic light-emitting elements.

[0053] Further advantages, advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the exemplary embodiments described below in conjunction with the figures.

[0054] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an organic light-emitting element according to an embodiment, Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B schematic representations of an organic optoelectronic component and the lighting conditions in an organic optoelectronic component according to examples, Fig. 3 to 4B are schematic representations of organic optoelectronic components according to further examples and Fig. 5 to 17C are schematic representations of organic optoelectronic components and their operation according to further examples and embodiments.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiments and figures, identical, similar, or similarly functioning elements may be provided with the same reference numerals. The illustrated elements and their relative sizes are not to be considered to scale; rather, individual elements, such as layers, components, structural elements, and regions, may be exaggerated for clarity and / or clarity.

[0056] In Fig. 1 shows, according to one embodiment, the basic structure of an organic light-emitting element 100 which is designed as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED).

[0057] The organic light-emitting element 100, which may be referred to below as OLED 100, comprises a substrate 101 on which an organic functional layer stack 103 with at least one organic light-emitting layer is arranged between electrodes 102 and 104. At least one of the electrodes 102, 104 is transparent, so that during operation of the OLED 100, light generated in the organic functional layer stack 103 can be emitted through the at least one transparent electrode.

[0058] In the Fig. In the OLED 100 shown in Figure 1, the substrate 101 is transparent, for example, in the form of a glass plate or glass layer. Alternatively, the substrate 101 can comprise, for example, a transparent plastic or a glass-plastic laminate.

[0059] The electrode 102 applied to the substrate 101 is also transparent and comprises, for example, a transparent conductive oxide. Transparent conductive oxides (TCO) are transparent, conductive materials, usually metal oxides, such as zinc oxide, tin oxide, cadmium oxide, titanium oxide, indium oxide, and indium tin oxide (ITO). In addition to binary metal-oxygen compounds, such as ZnO, SnO 2 or In 2 O 3 , include ternary metal-oxygen compounds, such as Zn 2 SnO 4 , CdSnO 3 , ZnSnO 3 , MgIn 2 O 4 , GaInO 3 , Zn 2 In2 O 5 or In 4 Sn 3 O 12 , or mixtures of different transparent conducting oxides belong to the group of TCOs. Furthermore, the TCOs do not necessarily correspond to a stoichiometric composition and can be p- or n-doped. Furthermore, a transparent electrode can comprise, for example, a transparent metal, metallic network structures or conducting networks, for example with or made of silver, and / or graphene or carbon-containing layers, or a combination of the aforementioned transparent materials.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the further electrode 104 on the organic functional layer stack 103 is reflective and comprises a metal that can be selected from aluminum, barium, indium, silver, gold, magnesium, calcium, and lithium, as well as compounds, combinations, and alloys thereof. In particular, the electrode 104 can comprise Ag, Al, or alloys or layer stacks comprising these, for example Ag / Mg, Ag / Ca, Mg / Al, Ag / Mg-Al, or Mo / Al / Mo, or Cr / Al / Cr, or a layer stack combination comprising the materials mentioned. Alternatively or additionally, the electrode 104 can comprise an above-mentioned TCO material or a layer stack comprising at least one TCO and at least one metal.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the lower electrode 102 is designed as an anode, while the upper electrode 104 is designed as a cathode. However, with appropriate material selection, a reversed polarity design is possible.

[0062] The electrodes 102, 104 are preferably formed with a large area and are continuous, so that the organic light-emitting element 100 is designed as a light source, in particular as a surface light source. "Large area" can mean that the organic light-emitting element 100 has an area of ​​greater than or equal to a few square millimeters, preferably greater than or equal to one square centimeter, and particularly preferably greater than or equal to one square decimeter. Alternatively, it may be possible for at least one of the electrodes 102, 104 of the organic light-emitting element 100, between which the organic functional layer stack 103 is located, to be formed in a structured manner, whereby a spatially and / or temporally structured and / or variable luminous impression, for example for structured lighting or for a display device, can be enabled by means of the organic light-emitting element 100.

[0063] For electrical contacting of the electrodes 102 and 104, as in Fig. 1, electrode connection pieces 105 may be provided, which extend outward from the electrodes 102, 104 through the encapsulation 107 described below. The electrode connection pieces 105, designed as electrical contact leads, may be transparent or non-transparent depending on the radiation direction of the OLED 100 and may, for example, comprise or be made of a TCO and / or a metal. For example, the electrode connection pieces 105 may be formed by a metal layer or a metal layer stack, for example Mo / Al / Mo, Cr / Al / Cr, or Al.

[0064] In addition to the at least one organic light-emitting layer, the organic functional layer stack 103 may comprise further organic layers, for example one or more selected from a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron blocking layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and a charge generation layer (CGL), which are suitable for conducting holes or electrons to the organic light-emitting layer or for blocking the respective transport. The layers of the organic functional layer stack 103 may comprise organic polymers, organic oligomers, organic monomers, organic small, non-polymeric molecules (“small molecules”), or combinations thereof.In particular, it may be advantageous if the organic functional layer stack 103 comprises a functional layer embodied as a hole-transport layer to enable effective hole injection into the organic light-emitting layer. Tertiary amines, carbazole derivatives, conductive polyaniline, or polyethylenedioxythiophene, for example, may prove advantageous as materials for a hole-transport layer. Suitable materials for the light-emitting layer are electroluminescent materials that exhibit radiation emission due to fluorescence or phosphorescence, for example, polyfluorene, polythiophene, or polyphenylene, or derivatives, compounds, mixtures, or copolymers thereof.

[0065] Furthermore, as in Fig. 1, insulator layers 106 may be present, for example, with or made of polyimide, which can, for example, electrically insulate the electrodes 102, 104 from one another. Depending on the design of the individual layers of the OLED 100, insulator layers 106 may not be absolutely necessary and may not be present, for example, in corresponding mask processes for applying the layers.

[0066] An encapsulation 107 is arranged above the organic functional layer stack 103 and the electrodes 102, 104 to protect the organic functional layer stack 103 and the electrodes 102, 104. The encapsulation 107 is particularly preferably embodied as a thin-film encapsulation.

[0067] In the present case, an encapsulation designed as a thin-film encapsulation is understood to mean a device that is suitable for forming a barrier against atmospheric substances, in particular against moisture and oxygen and / or against other damaging substances such as corrosive gases, for example hydrogen sulfide. In other words, the thin-film encapsulation is designed such that it can only be penetrated by atmospheric substances to a very small extent. In thin-film encapsulation, this barrier effect is essentially created by barrier layers and / or passivation layers designed as thin layers, which are part of the encapsulation. The encapsulation layers generally have a thickness of less than or equal to a few hundred nm.

[0068] In particular, the thin-film encapsulation can comprise or consist of thin layers that are responsible for the barrier effect of the encapsulation. The thin layers can be applied, for example, using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) or molecular layer deposition (MLD) process. Suitable materials for the layers of the encapsulation arrangement include, for example, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, hafnium oxide, lanthanum oxide, and tantalum oxide. The encapsulation preferably comprises a layer sequence with a plurality of thin layers, each of which has a thickness between one atomic layer and several hundred nm.

[0069] Alternatively or in addition to thin layers produced by ALD or MLD, the encapsulation may comprise at least one or a plurality of further layers, in particular barrier layers and / or passivation layers, which are deposited by thermal vapor deposition or by means of a plasma-assisted process, such as sputtering, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Suitable materials for this purpose may be the materials mentioned above as well as silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, and mixtures and alloys of the materials mentioned. The one or more further layers may, for example, each have a thickness between 1 nm and 5 µm and preferably between 1 nm and 400 nm, the limits being inclusive.

[0070] Alternatively or in addition to a thin-film encapsulation, the encapsulation 107 can comprise a glass lid, which, for example, in the form of a glass substrate with a cavity is bonded to the substrate 101 by means of an adhesive layer. A moisture-absorbing substance (getter), for example made of zeolite, can also be bonded into the cavity to bind moisture, oxygen, or other damaging gases that can penetrate through the adhesive. Furthermore, the adhesive layer for attaching the lid to the substrate can itself be absorbent for damaging substances, and / or adhesive layer structures can be present.

[0071] Furthermore, as seen from the substrate 101, on the encapsulation 107, as shown in Fig. 1, a cover 109 may be arranged, which is bonded by means of an adhesive layer 108. The cover 109, which may be referred to as a "superstrate" with regard to its arrangement relative to the substrate 101, may be formed, for example, by a glass layer or glass plate, or a plastic, a metal, or a combination or laminate of the materials mentioned and, in particular in conjunction with an encapsulation 107 designed as a thin-film encapsulation, may serve as mechanical protection, in particular as cat protection, without the cover 109 itself having to have an encapsulating effect. Alternatively or additionally, a protective lacquer, for example in the form of a spray lacquer, may be applied to the encapsulation 107.

[0072] The OLED 100 is designed as a bottom emitter due to the transparent substrate 101 and the transparent lower electrode 102 and, during operation, emits light through the transparent electrode 102 and the transparent substrate 101. To improve the light output, as in Fig. 1, an optical coupling-out layer 110 may be arranged on the side of the substrate 101 facing away from the organic functional layer stack 103. This coupling-out layer may be formed, for example, as a scattering layer with scattering particles in a transparent matrix and / or with a light-scattering surface structure. An coupling-out layer may be arranged, for example, between the substrate 101 and the lower electrode 102 arranged on the substrate 101 or between other functional layers in the form of an internal coupling-out layer.

[0073] As an alternative to the described bottom-emitter configuration, the upper electrode 104 arranged facing away from the substrate 101 can be transparent in order to emit the light generated during operation in the organic functional layer stack 103 through the upper electrode 104 in a direction facing away from the substrate 101. In this case, the OLED 100 is designed as a top emitter. The lower electrode 102 arranged between the substrate 101 and the organic functional layer stack 103 can be reflective if no light emission through the substrate 101 is desired. Likewise, in this case, the substrate 101 can comprise a non-transparent material, for example, a non-transparent glass, a non-transparent plastic, a metal, or combinations thereof.In addition to the upper electrode 104, the encapsulation 107 and, if present, the adhesive layer 108 and the cover 109 are transparent in the top-emitter configuration. Furthermore, in this case, an outcoupling layer can be arranged above the upper electrode 104, for example, on the cover 109 or between the cover 109 and the encapsulation 107.

[0074] Furthermore, the OLED 100 can be designed simultaneously as a bottom emitter and as a top emitter and thus preferably as a transparent OLED and have a combination of the features mentioned in connection with the bottom and top emitter configuration.

[0075] With regard to further features of the organic light-emitting element 100, for example with regard to the structure, the layer composition and the materials of the organic functional layer stack, the electrodes and the encapsulation, reference is made to the document WO 2010 / 066245 A1.

[0076] The embodiments shown below each comprise an organic light-emitting element 100 which, according to the embodiment of the Fig. 1 or which may have modifications or variations thereto. In particular, the Fig. 1, the features of the basic structure of the organic light-emitting element 100 are not to be understood as limiting the following embodiments.

[0077] In the following, some embodiments and examples of various designs for an organic optoelectronic component are first described. Then, embodiments of methods for operating the organic optoelectronic component are described, which apply to all described designs.

[0078] In Fig. 2A shows an organic optoelectronic component according to an example, which comprises an organic light-detecting element 200 in addition to an organic light-emitting element 100. The organic light-detecting element 200 is arranged together with the organic light-emitting element 100 on the substrate 101, so that the substrate 101 forms a common substrate for the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200. In particular, the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200 are arranged on the same side of the common substrate 101 in laterally adjacent surface areas.

[0079] In the example shown, the organic light-detecting element 200 is designed and usable as an organic photodiode. The organic light-detecting element 200 has an organic functional layer stack 203 between two electrodes 202, 204, wherein the organic functional layer stack 203 has at least one organic light-detecting layer. In the example shown, the at least one organic light-detecting layer is designed as a pn junction for generating charge carriers.

[0080] In particular, the organic light detecting element 200 in the example shown has the same structure with regard to the electrodes 202, 204 and the organic functional layer stack 203 as the organic light emitting element 100 with regard to the electrodes 102, 104 and the organic functional layer stack 103 and can be operated inversely to the organic light emitting element 100, i.e. with opposite electrical polarity.

[0081] As a result, the production of the organic optoelectronic component shown may incur no or only minimal additional costs compared to a purely light-emitting component. Alternatively, the organic light-detecting element 200 may comprise different materials and / or different layer structures with respect to the electrodes 202, 204 and / or the organic functional layer stack 203 compared to the organic light-emitting element 100.

[0082] The organic optoelectronic component further comprises an encapsulation 107, which is designed as a thin-film encapsulation and forms a common encapsulation for the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200. In other words, the encapsulation 107 extends over a large area and continuously over the functional layers of the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200. A common cover 109 is attached to the common encapsulation 107 by means of an adhesive layer 108.

[0083] Furthermore, electrode connection pieces 205 are provided, which serve to electrically contact the electrodes 202, 204 and can be configured like the electrode connection pieces 105 of the organic light-emitting element 100. The electrode connection pieces 105, 205 extend from the elements 100, 200 out of the encapsulation 107, so that the elements 100, 200 can be contacted from the outside.

[0084] Between the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200, an electrical insulator layer 112 is arranged directly on the substrate 101 and is covered by the common encapsulation 107. The electrical insulator layer 112, which may comprise or be made of, for example, polyimide or another electrically insulating material, serves to electrically insulate the organic light-detecting element 200 from the organic light-emitting element 100, so that the electrode terminals 105, 205 of the elements 100, 200 can be arranged at a short distance from one another on the common substrate 101 without causing electrical crosstalk between the elements 100, 200.

[0085] In Fig. 2B are for the organic optoelectronic component of the Fig. 2A shows the lighting conditions during operation. In Fig. 2B as in the following figures, the reference symbols of the individual layers and parts of the organic optoelectronic component shown are shown for the sake of clarity mainly only with regard to differences from the examples described so far.

[0086] The organic light-emitting element 100 of the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B and thus the organic optoelectronic component shown is designed purely as a bottom emitter in the example shown and, during operation, emits light 1 through the common substrate and the transparent electrode arranged between the organic functional layer stack and the common substrate. The substrate side of the organic optoelectronic component thus forms the emission side. Due to scattering and waveguiding effects, part of the light generated by the organic light-emitting element 100 can be guided through the transparent substrate to the organic light-detecting element 200, as indicated by reference numeral 2. Furthermore, depending on the design of the electrodes and insulator layers, light may possibly pass through the common encapsulation from the organic light-emitting element 100 to the organic light-detecting element 200.By a targeted adjustment of the distance between the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200 and in particular with regard to absorption in the common substrate, by a suitable arrangement of one or more coupling-out layers on one or both sides of the common substrate, by a suitable choice of material with regard to the electrodes, the insulator layers and the encapsulation, for example with regard to a suitable refractive index to avoid total reflection in the substrate or the cover, as well as by suitable, at least partially non-transparent substrate materials, in particular, for example, when the organic light-emitting element 100 is designed as a top emitter, the light 2 guided internally from the organic light-emitting element 100 to the organic light-detecting element 200 can be reduced or completely suppressed.

[0087] Complete suppression or at least the greatest possible reduction of the internally guided light 2 may be desirable and advantageous, in particular, if only ambient light, i.e., external light, is to be detected by the organic light-detecting element 200. Depending on the arrangement and design of the organic optoelectronic component, the ambient light can be radiated onto the organic optoelectronic component and thus onto the organic light-detecting element 200 on the substrate side, indicated by reference numeral 3, and / or on the cover side, indicated by reference numeral 4. The ambient light 3, 4 is light from other natural or artificial light sources.

[0088] The light 3, 4 incident on the organic light-detecting element 200 on the front or back side, i.e., on the substrate or cover side of the organic optoelectronic component and thus on the emission side or the side opposite the emission side, can be influenced by the choice of materials located between the environment and the organic functional layer stack of the organic light-detecting element 200. For example, the coupling of ambient light 3, 4 into the organic light-detecting element 200 can be influenced by arranging an outcoupling layer on one side of the organic light-detecting element 200.

[0089] Measurements with test setups containing an organic light-emitting element with a luminous area of ​​approximately 2 cm 2 , an operating voltage of 6.5 V and a luminance of approximately 2500 cd / m 2have shown, by varying the areas of an organic light-emitting element and an organic light-detecting element and by varying the distance and the lateral offset between the organic light-emitting element and the organic light-detecting element, that in the case of an organic photodiode as the organic light-detecting element, the larger the area of ​​the organic light-detecting element, the larger the photovoltage, while the larger the distance and the larger the offset between the organic light-emitting element and the organic light-detecting element, the smaller the photovoltage.Typical distances between the organic light-emitting element and the organic light-detecting element ranged from 5 mm to 75 mm, for example 5 mm, 20 mm and 75 mm, a typical detector size for the organic light-detecting element had a diameter of about 4 mm.

[0090] In the Fig. 3 to 4B are further variations and modifications of the organic optoelectronic device according to the example of Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, which, among other things, offer variations in structure and light detection.For example, the type of organic light-detecting element can be varied with regard to its structure and mode of operation and / or the electrical wiring, the number of organic light-detecting elements, the position of one or more organic light-detecting elements in relation to the luminous surface of the organic light-emitting element, the detection surface of the organic light-detecting element, for example with regard to adaptation to the organic light-emitting element in terms of geometry, stacking and / or wiring, the distance between the organic light-detecting element and the organic light-emitting element, the arrangement and number of one or more output coupling layers and / or the waveguide properties in the substrate or the remaining layer structure and thus the signal transmission between the organic light-emitting element and the organic light-detecting element.

[0091] In Fig. 3 shows an organic optoelectronic component which, compared to, for example, the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200 have a gap 113 instead of an electrical insulator layer 112. In this example, the shared encapsulation extends between the elements 100, 200 to the common substrate. This can, for example, influence the light conduction of internally guided light between the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200.

[0092] In Fig. 4A shows an example of an organic optoelectronic component which, purely by way of example, can be compared with the example according to Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B does not have a common encapsulation with a common cover. In particular, the organic light-emitting element 100 has a first encapsulation 107, while the organic light-detecting element 200 has a second encapsulation 208, which is applied separately from the first encapsulation 107, so that the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200 are encapsulated independently of one another. Between the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200, as in Fig. 3A, an electrical insulator layer 112 may be provided which is not covered by any of the encapsulations 107, 208.

[0093] The encapsulations 107, 208 can be identical or different and, in particular, can be adapted to the respective requirements of the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200 in terms of material selection, optical properties, and encapsulation properties. A cover 109, 210 is applied to each of the encapsulations 107, 208 by means of a respective adhesive layer 108, 209, which can, for example, be designed like the common cover 109 according to the previous examples.

[0094] In Fig. 4B shows a further example of an organic optoelectronic component which, in comparison to the previous example, does not have an electrical insulator layer 112 between the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200 but rather has a gap 113.

[0095] By providing separate encapsulations 107, 208 for the organic light-emitting element 100 and the organic light-detecting element 200, for example, the light radiated directly from the organic light-emitting element 100 to the organic light-detecting element 200 by scattering and / or waveguiding can be influenced. Furthermore, in the space between the encapsulations 107, 208, electrical contacting of the elements 100, 200 can be effected, as described below in connection with the Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 is shown.

[0096] The organic optoelectronic component in the embodiments and examples shown may, for example, instead of an organic light-detecting element 200 formed as an organic photodiode, have an organic light-detecting element 200 formed as an organic photoconductor with an organic photoconductive material 207 and generating electrical charges upon irradiation with light.

[0097] Photoconductive organic materials can, for example, be formed in a single layer on an electrically conductive layer, for example, on an electrode or on the electrode connection pieces without an additional electrode. For example, the organic photoconductive material can be based on a PVK-TNF charge-transfer complex (PVK: polyvinylcarbazole, TNF: 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone). Furthermore, the organic photoconductive material can, for example, be formed in two layers, comprising an organic charge-carrier-generating layer and an organic charge-carrier-transporting layer. Materials that generate organic charge carriers include, for example, (di-)azo dyes, squaraine derivatives and phthalocyanines, while materials that conduct organic charge carriers include, for example, arylamines, oxadiazoles, TPD (N,N'-bis(3-methylphenyl)-N,N'-bis(phenyl)benzidine) and NPB (N,N'-bis(naphthalen-1-yl)-N,N'-bis(phenyl)benzidine).Furthermore, an organic light-detecting element 200 designed as an organic photoconductor can have the same structure as the organic light-emitting element 100, wherein the barrier layer properties of the at least one pn junction of the organic active layer in the functional layer stacks can be utilized.

[0098] An organic light-detecting element 200 configured as an organic photoconductor can be irradiated with ambient light from both sides, i.e., through the substrate and through the encapsulation. To prevent the irradiation of ambient light, for example, from one side or internally guided light, onto the organic photoconductive material, additional non-transparent insulator layers, electrically insulated metal layers, non-transparent encapsulation materials, and / or a non-transparent cover, for example, a non-transparent glass cover, can be provided.

[0099] Depending on the materials and structure of the organic light-detecting element 200, it can be configured as both a photoconductor and a photodiode. Such an organic light-detecting element 200 can be used as a photodiode with an electrical bias and as a photoconductor without an electrical bias.

[0100] Furthermore, depending on the materials and structure, the electrical resistance of the organic light-detecting element 200 can be measured, so that the organic light-detecting element 200 can be designed and used as an organic photoresistor. For example, the organic light-detecting element 200 can have an organic functional layer based on pentacene for this purpose.

[0101] Although the organic light-emitting element 100 in the illustrated embodiments and examples is embodied as a bottom emitter and emits light through the common substrate, the organic light-emitting element 100 can be embodied as a top emitter, with the side with the cover, i.e., the side of the organic optoelectronic component opposite the substrate, forming the emission side. Furthermore, the organic light-emitting element 100 can be embodied as a transparent OLED that emits light from both sides.

[0102] Furthermore, the coupling-out layer can be varied compared to the embodiments shown so far. For example, the coupling-out layer can additionally extend over the organic light-detecting element 200, whereby, for example, the proportion of light guided internally from the organic light-emitting element 100 to the organic light-detecting element 200 and / or the proportion of ambient light coupled in can be varied. Furthermore, the coupling-out layer can be arranged on the side of the common substrate facing the organic functional layer stacks, which can likewise result in an influence on the internally guided light, such as the ambient light coupled into the organic light-detecting element 200. Alternatively, an coupling-out layer can be located only over the organic light-detecting element 200, or there can be no coupling-out layer at all.If the organic optoelectronic component, and in particular the organic light-emitting element 100, is configured as a top emitter or as a transparent OLED instead of a bottom emitter, one or more coupling-out layers in the described variants can be arranged on the side facing away from the substrate, for example, on the encapsulation. In particular, one or more coupling-out layers can be arranged externally, i.e., on an outer side, or internally, i.e., between other layers of the organic optoelectronic component.

[0103] In Fig. 5 shows an organic optoelectronic component according to a further example, which has electronic components 301, 302 for electrically interconnecting the at least one organic light-emitting element 100 and the at least one organic light-detecting element 200. The electronic component 301 is designed as a current and / or voltage source for the at least one organic light-emitting element 100, while the electronic component 302 is a current and / or voltage measuring device for measuring the signals of the at least one organic light-detecting element 200. To better illustrate the contacting option, the variant of the organic optoelectronic component with separate encapsulations is shown, wherein the following description applies in conjunction with all embodiments and examples described here for the organic optoelectronic component.

[0104] In the Fig. 6A to 6C show, purely by way of example, schematic temporal profiles of the emission intensity E in the form of the intensity 10 of the light emitted by the organic light-emitting element 100 and of the signal intensity S in the form of the signal 20 detected by the organic light-detecting element 200. Due to the use of the separate electronic components 301, 302, no feedback of the sensor signal 20 to the light emission occurs. The different signal intensities S can be caused by ambient light of varying brightness, for example, ambient light incident through the substrate. The ambient light can be formed to a certain extent or predominantly by the light emitted by the organic light-emitting element 100, which is reflected back from the environment onto the organic light-detecting element 200.Furthermore, it may be possible for light emitted internally in the organic optoelectronic component by the organic light-emitting element 100 to be guided to the organic light-detecting element. Different emission intensities E can therefore result in different signal intensities S, as can be seen from the comparison of the . Fig. 6A to 6C.

[0105] By briefly wiping an external object past the organic light detecting element 200, for example by a hand, one or more fingers or a pen, a signal break in the signal 20 can be achieved, as shown in the Fig. 6A to 6C. The drop in signal strength S can be formed, for example, in an organic light-detecting element 200 designed as a photodiode by a voltage drop in the photovoltage. As a result, signal 20 has a negative peak, which can form a signal shape characteristic of a control of intensity 10, as explained in more detail in connection with the following embodiments and examples.

[0106] Instead of a wiping movement, the drop in the signal strength S of the sensor signal 20 can be generated by briefly covering the organic light-detecting element 200.

[0107] The characteristic signal shape is shown in the Fig. 6A to 6C as indicated only schematically in the following figures and can depend on the design of the organic light-detecting component, i.e. its size, layer structure, contacting and orientation with respect to the detector surface, on the brightness of the organic light-emitting element and the ambient brightness as well as on a wiping speed and a covering area caused by the external object.

[0108] In the example of Fig. 7 is compared to, for example, the Fig. 5, a controllable current and / or voltage source 300 is provided as the electronic component, which measures the electrically measurable signal provided by the at least one organic light-detecting element 200 and controls the at least one organic light-emitting element 100 depending on the measurement. This enables a method for operating the organic optoelectronic component in which the intensity of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element 100 is controlled depending on a signal from the at least one organic light-detecting element 200, wherein the signal has a characteristic signal shape that triggers a control event, for example, switching and / or dimming of the intensity.

[0109] The controllable current and / or voltage source 300 can, for example, operate with controllable current and / or voltage amplitudes, a pulse width modulation method and / or a pulse frequency modulation method.

[0110] The adjustable current and / or voltage source 300 can, as in Fig. 7, an external electronic component that is interconnected to the elements 100, 200 via suitable wire connections or conductor tracks. Alternatively, it may be possible to at least partially integrate a controllable current and / or voltage source into the organic optoelectronic component, for example by integration into the common substrate or by arrangement on the common substrate. In other words, the controllable current and / or voltage source 300 can be provided as a monolithic electronic circuit, for example in the substrate or in additional functional layers on the substrate. The controllable current and / or voltage source 300 can have presetting options via which, for example, a desired brightness can be set depending on the signal of the optoelectronic component.

[0111] In the following figures, examples of methods for operating the organic optoelectronic component with a design according to one of the previous examples are described based on temporal profiles of the intensity 10 of the light emitted by the organic light-emitting element 100 and the signal 20 of the organic light-detecting element 200. In the methods described below, the at least one organic light-detecting element 200 detects ambient light that is irradiated onto the organic optoelectronic component. As a result, the intensity 10 of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element 100 is regulated as a function of a signal 20 of the at least one organic light-detecting element 200 with a characteristic signal shape.

[0112] In Fig. 8, for example, shows a method which comprises a switching process in which the organic light-emitting element 100 is switched on by a signal 20 measured by the organic light-detecting element 200 with a characteristic signal shape in the form of a negative peak to emit light with an intensity 10.

[0113] The characteristic signal shape can be generated, for example, as described above, by an external object passing past the organic light-detecting element 200. The temporary at least partial coverage of the organic light-detecting element 200 by the external object first causes a falling edge and then a subsequent rising edge in the signal 20 of the organic light-detecting element 200, since temporarily less ambient light can be detected by the organic light-detecting element 200.

[0114] This characteristic signal shape is detected and evaluated by the electronic component 300, whereby a reaction to edges and / or absolute values ​​as well as a reaction to relative and / or absolute signal changes, for example, with respect to a zero line, are possible. The electronic component 300 can be configured to switch on the organic light-emitting element 100 through automated feedback, for example, according to a selected preset, so that it emits light with an intensity 10 corresponding to a desired emission strength E.

[0115] Light emitted by the organic optoelectronic component, which is reflected back by the environment to the organic light-detecting element 200, and, depending on the design of the organic optoelectronic component, light guided internally in the organic optoelectronic component from the organic light-emitting element 100 to the organic light-detecting element 200, further results in passive feedback to the signal 20, which is evident in the fact that the signal strength S of the signal 20 is greater after the occurrence of the characteristic signal shape and the control event triggered thereby than before.

[0116] In Fig. 9 shows a further example in which a switching process, by which the organic light-emitting element 100 is switched on by applying a preset voltage and / or a preset current to emit a desired light intensity 10, is triggered as a control event when the signal strength S of the signal 20 with the characteristic signal shape falls below a preselected limit value 30, indicated by the dashed line. This may make it possible for the detection and triggering of the control event to be delayed compared to the previous example and, in particular, to only occur when a desired reduction of the sensor signal 20 to the limit value 30 is actually measured by the characteristic signal shape.

[0117] In Fig. 10 shows a further example in which the intensity 10 of the organic light-emitting element 100 also leads to a switching operation when the signal strength S of the signal 20 falls below a certain preselected limit value 30. In comparison to the previous example, in the example of the Fig. 10 the emission of the organic light-emitting element 100 is switched off, so that after the switching process by the organic light-detecting element 200 only residual signals in the form of ambient light caused by scattered illumination from other light sources are detected.

[0118] In Fig. 11 shows a further example in which a reduction in intensity 10 is effected by two temporally successive characteristic signal shapes of signal 20, for example by successive wiping movements. As a result of this and further such wiping movements, organic light-emitting element 100 can be gradually dimmed darker. Alternatively, a step-by-step increase in intensity 10 is possible. Due to the above-described feedback of the light emitted by organic light-emitting element 100 to the sensor signal, the signal strength S of signal 20 is reduced after each switching operation in the example shown. In particular, electronic control with a lowest and highest threshold in the form of the indicated limit values ​​30 is possible. Furthermore, continuous dimming may be possible instead of the step-by-step dimming shown.

[0119] In Fig. Figure 12 shows another example of time-delayed dimming, in which the intensity 10 of the light emitted by the organic light-emitting element 100 is not reduced in one step but continuously and with a time delay. The continuous reduction of the intensity 10 is evident in the signal 20 of the organic light-detecting element 200 in the case of passive feedback.

[0120] As an alternative to the examples described above and below, in which the characteristic waveform of signal 20 is configured as a negative peak to trigger a control event by an external object passing by, the characteristic waveform intended for control can be achieved by temporarily covering the organic light-detecting element 100 with an external object. For example, a control event can be triggered by a characteristic waveform during a specific period of time during which the organic light-detecting element 200 is covered.

[0121] In Fig. 13A shows an embodiment of an organic optoelectronic component with a plurality of organic light-detecting elements 200 in a plan view of the emission side. For the sake of clarity, only the positions of the organic light-emitting elements 200 and the organic light-detecting element 100 are indicated without a precise representation of the luminous area and the contact leads. Purely by way of example, the organic optoelectronic component has three organic light-detecting elements 200. Alternatively, only two or more than three organic light-detecting elements 200 may be present.

[0122] This enables methods for operating the organic optoelectronic component in which the intensity 10 of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element 100 is controlled as a function of a temporal sequence of at least two signals 20, 20' from at least two of the organic light-detecting elements 200, wherein the signals 20, 20' each have a characteristic signal shape.

[0123] In Fig. Figure 13B shows an embodiment of such a method, in which the control is carried out as a function of characteristic signal shapes in the form of negative peaks that occur one after the other. The signal 20 can, for example, be that of the Fig. 13A, while the signal 20' is that of the middle light-detecting element 200. Furthermore, the signals of the middle and right organic light-detecting elements 200 or of all three organic light-detecting elements can be used for control. In particular, adjacent organic light-detecting elements 200 can be provided for this purpose.

[0124] Detection by means of a plurality of organic light-detecting elements 200 allows, in particular, the detection of a direction of movement of a wiping movement 40 from left to right or a wiping movement 40' from right to left of an external object via the organic light-detecting elements 200, so that, for example, dimming to greater or lower intensities 10 is possible depending on the wiping direction. The reaction can, for example, occur in response to a temporal sequence of the rising and / or falling edges of the characteristic signal shapes. By wiping several times in succession, multi-stage dimming can be possible, which can be advantageous, for example, for applications such as desk lamps or living room lighting, in which brightness control without mere switching may be desired.

[0125] For example, in connection with Fig. As described in section 11, this control can be combined with limit values ​​for an upper and / or lower limit, whereby when these are reached there is no longer any reaction to the wiping movements.

[0126] In Fig. 13C shows a further embodiment in which a first signal 20 is generated by at least partially covering one of the plurality of organic light-detecting elements 200 with an external object and a second signal 20' is generated by an external object wiping past another of the plurality of organic light-detecting elements 200 of the organic optoelectronic component of the Fig. 13A. Alternatively, the second signal 20' can be generated, for example, by covering another of the plurality of organic light-detecting elements 200 with an external object.

[0127] For example, the first signal may be that of the left organic light detecting element 200 in Fig. 13A, which serves as a trigger for the further detection of characteristic signal shapes in the signals of the other organic light-detecting elements 200. As in Fig. 13C, a characteristic signal shape of the signal 20' in the form of a negative peak only leads to a control of the intensity 10 if the first signal 20 previously and / or simultaneously shows the desired characteristic signal shape, since the first negative peak in the signal 20' does not yet trigger a control event.

[0128] For example, the control can be carried out in such a way that when the left organic light-detecting element 200 and the middle organic light-detecting element 200 are actuated, the intensity 10 is as in Fig. 13C, the intensity is dimmed darker, while upon actuation of the left organic light-detecting element 200 and the right organic light-detecting element 200, the intensity is dimmed brighter. However, upon actuation of the middle and right organic light-detecting elements 200, no control takes place.

[0129] For example, the described control can be carried out by using several fingers, for example the thumb and the index finger, as a cover or wiper on or over two organic light-detecting elements 200.

[0130] In conjunction with the following figures, exemplary embodiments of methods for operating an organic optoelectronic component are described, in which the intensity of the light emitted by a plurality of organic light-emitting elements 100 is controlled as a function of the signal from one or more organic light-detecting elements 200. The exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures can be combined as desired, in particular, with the previous exemplary embodiments of the method for operating an organic optoelectronic component.

[0131] In Fig. 14A shows a plan view of an organic optoelectronic component having a plurality of organic light-emitting elements 100 on the common substrate. Each of the organic light-emitting elements 100 is assigned an organic light-detecting element 200, which is arranged in the region of the emission surface of the respective organic light-emitting element 100.

[0132] In Fig. 14B, the intensities 10, 10' and the sensor signals 20, 20' are shown by way of example for two pairs of elements 100 and 200 assigned to one another. By way of example, the intensity 10 is reduced by a characteristic signal shape in the sensor signal 20, while the intensity 10' is reduced by a characteristic signal shape in the sensor signal 20'. As shown in Fig. 14B, it may be possible that the signals of the respectively unassigned organic light-detecting elements 200 are influenced by the control events and the associated intensity changes due to a passive feedback described above. However, because control events are triggered only by the characteristic signal shapes, these signal changes caused by passive feedback do not trigger further control events, so that the organic light-emitting elements 100 can be controlled independently of one another and without mutual influence.

[0133] In particular, this makes it possible for a plurality of organic light-emitting elements 100 to be controlled separately from one another, since each of the organic light-emitting elements 100 is assigned an organic light-detecting element 200, and the control is effected only by the characteristic signal shapes in the signals of the assigned organic light-detecting elements 200. Individual switching and / or dimming of different surface light elements is thus possible.

[0134] The Fig. The organic optoelectronic component shown in Figure 14A can, for example, be used particularly preferably in ceiling lighting or floor lighting, in which case actuation can be effected, for example, by shoes or heels as external objects.

[0135] In Fig. 15A shows an organic optoelectronic component having a plurality of organic light-emitting elements 100, all of which are assigned an organic light-detecting element 200.

[0136] As in Fig. 15B, the respective light intensities 10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10'''', 10''''' can be controlled by the one organic light detecting element 200.

[0137] In Fig. 16 shows an organic optoelectronic component in which, as in the embodiment of the Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B Each of the plurality of organic light-emitting elements 100 is assigned an organic light-detecting element 200, as indicated by the dashed arrows, wherein all organic light-detecting elements 200 are located in the region of the luminous surface of one of the organic light-emitting elements 100. This forms a master element, which can be arranged with the other organic light-emitting elements 100 on a common substrate or separately from the other organic light-emitting elements 100 and can, for example, have a different design. For example, the master element can be arranged on the floor of a room, while the remaining organic light-emitting elements 100 form a ceiling light.

[0138] In the Fig. 17A to 17C show further embodiments of organic optoelectronic components, each comprising a plurality of organic light-emitting elements 100 and a plurality of organic light-detecting elements 200. Each of the organic light-detecting elements 200 controls a specific number of organic light-emitting elements 100, wherein the assignment can be variably programmable. In particular, different numbers of organic light-emitting elements 100 can be controlled by the organic light-detecting elements 200.

[0139] As an alternative to the exemplary embodiments shown, an organic light-detecting element can be arranged in the region of the luminous surface of each of the organic light-emitting elements 100, wherein this can be put into operation as required, so that arbitrarily selectable regulations according to the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 14A, Fig. 14B and according to the embodiment of the Fig. 15A, Fig. 15B are possible.

[0140] The number of respectively controlled organic light-emitting elements 100 and their designs can be adapted to the desired lighting conditions and, for example, to the spatial shape of the room to be illuminated. In particular, the organic light-emitting elements 100 described here and in the previous exemplary embodiments can have a shape that deviates from a rectangular shape and can be formed, for example, by another polygonal shape, a round shape, or a freeform.

[0141] When operating the organic optoelectronic components shown here using the method described here, it may be possible, for example, for covered luminous surfaces, such as those caused by obstructed ceilings, to be automatically switched off. Furthermore, individually positionable lighting units are possible, which can be specifically attached by a user, for example, to walls or ceilings, and which can be operated using the method described here without mechanical switches.

[0142] The features and exemplary embodiments described in connection with the figures can be combined with one another according to further exemplary embodiments, even if such combinations are not explicitly described with the individual figures. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures can have further or alternative features according to the general description.

Claims

[1] Method for operating an organic optoelectronic component, comprising - at least one organic light-emitting element (100) which emits visible light during operation, comprising an organic functional layer stack (103) with at least one organic light-emitting layer between two electrodes (102, 104) and - at least one organic light-detecting element (200) with an organic light-detecting layer, wherein - the at least one organic light-emitting element (100) and the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) are arranged on a common substrate (101) in laterally adjacent surface areas on the same side of the common substrate (101), - the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) detects ambient light (3, 4) which is irradiated onto the organic optoelectronic component and the ambient light is light from other light sources, - the intensity (10) of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element (100) is controlled as a function of a signal (20, 20') of the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) with a characteristic signal shape, - the area covered on the common substrate (101) by the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) is at most ten percent of the area covered on the common substrate (101) by the at least one organic light-emitting element (100), - the organic light-emitting element (100) has an area of ​​greater than or equal to one square centimeter, - in which a plurality of organic light-detecting elements (200) are arranged on the common substrate (101), and - in which the intensity (10) of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element (100) is regulated as a function of a temporal sequence of at least two signals (20, 20') from at least two organic light-detecting elements (200) with a respective characteristic signal shape. [2] Method for operating an organic optoelectronic component, comprising - at least one organic light-emitting element (100) with an organic functional layer stack (103) with at least one organic light-emitting layer between two electrodes (102, 104) and - at least one organic light-detecting element (200) with an organic light-detecting layer, wherein - the at least one organic light-emitting element (100) and the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) are arranged on a common substrate (101) in laterally adjacent surface areas, - the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) detects ambient light (3, 4) which is irradiated onto the organic optoelectronic component - the intensity (10) of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element (100) is controlled as a function of a signal (20, 20') of the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) with a characteristic signal shape, - a plurality of organic light-detecting elements (200) are arranged on the common substrate (101) and - the intensity (10) of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element (100) is regulated as a function of a temporal sequence of at least two signals (20, 20') from at least two organic light-detecting elements (200) with a respective characteristic signal shape. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signal (20, 20') with the characteristic signal shape is generated by an external object wiping (40, 40') past the at least one organic light-detecting element (200). [4] A method according to claim 1 to 3, wherein the characteristic signal shape is a negative peak. [5] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signal (20, 20') with the characteristic signal shape is generated by at least partially covering the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) with an external object. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the intensity (10) of the light emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element (100) is regulated when the signal (20, 20') falls below a selected limit value (30). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the characteristic signal shape of each of the at least two signals (20, 20') is a negative peak and the negative peaks occur one after the other in time. [8] Method according to claim 7, wherein the negative peaks are generated by wiping (40, 40') an external object past the at least two organic light detecting elements (200). [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two organic light-detecting elements (200) are mutually adjacent organic light-detecting elements (200). [10] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a first signal (20, 20') is generated by at least partially covering one of the plurality of organic light-detecting elements (200) with an external object and a second signal (20, 20') is generated by covering another of the plurality of organic light-detecting elements (200) with an external object. [11] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a first signal (20, 20') is generated by covering one of the plurality of organic light-detecting elements (200) with an external object and a second signal (20, 20') is generated by wiping an external object past another of the plurality of organic light-detecting elements (200). [12] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) additionally detects light (2) emitted by the at least one organic light-emitting element (100), which light is guided internally in the organic optoelectronic component to the at least one organic light-detecting element (200). [13] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the intensity (10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10'''', 10''''') of the light emitted by a plurality of organic light-emitting elements (100) is controlled as a function of a signal (20, 20') from at least one organic light-detecting element (200) having a characteristic signal shape. [14] Method according to claim 13, wherein, for controlling a plurality of organic light-emitting elements (100), each organic light-emitting element (100) is assigned an organic light-detecting element (200). [15] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one organic light-detecting element (200) is designed as an organic photodiode or as an organic photoconductor and the signal (20, 20') is a photovoltage or a photocurrent.

Images