Array Substrate Image Sensors for Integrated Touch Action Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for identifying user actions in display apparatuses are expensive and difficult to integrate, requiring costly CCD/CMOS cameras and motion MEM sensors, especially for night-time use.

Innovation Solution

An array substrate with intersecting gate and data lines, incorporating image sensors with semiconductor-sensitive elements, formed on the same base substrate as driving thin-film transistors, allows for low-cost integration of touch action identification capabilities, including infrared image sensors for day and night use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If CCD/CMOS camera and motion MEM sensor are used to identify user actions, then identification capability is achieved, but cost becomes very expensive and integration into display apparatus becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser action identification capabilityVSAvoidintegration difficulty and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the image sensor and driving thin-film transistor onto a single array substrate. The image sensor includes a sensitive element, first electrode, and second electrode, all integrated with the transistor structure on the same substrate, eliminating the need for separate external sensors and reducing system complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The array substrate serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display driving substrate (with thin-film transistors) and the sensing substrate (with image sensor). This multi-functional integration allows the same component to perform both display control and user action detection, reducing the need for additional separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If image sensor is integrated into pixel regions with driving thin-film transistors, then cost is reduced and integration is achieved, but sensing uniformity and accuracy may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration ease and costVSAvoidsensing uniformity and accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different structures to different regions: the image sensor is integrated into specific pixel regions where sensing is needed, while other pixel regions maintain their original display-only structure. This allows sensing functionality to be added locally without compromising the performance of the entire display array

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The array substrate is divided into multiple pixel regions, with image sensors integrated into at least some of them. This segmentation allows flexible configuration where sensing capability can be distributed across multiple regions, improving overall sensing uniformity while maintaining display functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables cost-effective integration of user touch action identification into display apparatuses, improving sensing uniformity and accuracy across various lighting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The image sensor 12 includes a sensitive element 5... sensing uniformity and accuracy across various lighting conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3652785B1Array substrate and fabrication method thereof, display apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3652785B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3652785B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3652785B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An array substrate is disclosed. The array substrate includes a base substrate (7), gate lines (1) and data lines (2) intersecting the gate lines on the base substrate. The gate lines and the data lines define a plurality of pixel regions (13). Each of at least some of the plurality of the pixel regions is provided with an image sensor (12). The image sensor may include a sensitive element (5), a first electrode (11) at one end of the sensitive element, and a second electrode (10) at the other end of the sensitive element. The image sensor is configured to sense light having image information.