Array Substrate Integrating Near-Infrared Sensors for VR Eye Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing VR products with eye movement tracking using infrared imaging suffer from increased size due to separate CMOS camera modules, and silicon-based sensors are costly compared to glass-based sensors.

Innovation Solution

An array substrate with integrated near-infrared sensors, where the common electrode is reused as the anode of the photodiode, and the pixel electrode is reused as the cathode, along with a driving circuit that includes a thin film transistor as a switch, to realize the integration of near-infrared sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate CMOS camera module is used for infrared imaging, then eye movement tracking function is achieved, but the overall size of the VR product increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeye movement tracking functionVSAvoidoverall size of VR product

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the infrared sensing function with the existing display pixel structure by integrating photodiodes into the pixel electrodes. This combines multiple functions (display and sensing) into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate CMOS camera modules and reducing overall product size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel electrodes are designed to serve dual purposes: displaying visual information and detecting infrared light for eye movement tracking. This multi-functionality approach allows the same structural element to perform multiple tasks, reducing the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate CMOS camera module is used for infrared imaging, then eye movement tracking function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeye movement tracking functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the infrared sensing function with the existing display pixel structure by integrating photodiodes into the pixel electrodes. This combines multiple functions (display and sensing) into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate CMOS camera modules and reducing overall product size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive silicon-based CMOS sensors with organic photodiodes that can be manufactured using low-cost solution processing techniques. This substitution significantly reduces material and manufacturing costs while achieving the required sensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If existing display electrodes are reused as photodiode electrodes, then component cost is reduced, but additional film layers are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent costVSAvoidnumber of film layers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates hole transport and electron transport layers during the existing display manufacturing process, before the final pixel electrode formation. This preliminary action ensures that the necessary functional layers are already in place when the photodiode structure is completed, avoiding additional manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The integration of near-infrared sensors within the array substrate reduces the overall size of the VR product, lowers costs by using existing components, and enhances the efficiency of eye movement tracking.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one first sensor each including a photodiode and a driving circuit electrically connected to each other, the photodiode including: an anode and a cathode arranged opposite to each other, and a photosensitive material layer between the anode and the cathode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250151449A1Array substrate, display substrate and display device

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

This disclosure provides an array substrate, including: a display region and a peripheral region. The peripheral region includes at least one first sensor. The first sensor includes a photodiode and a driving circuit which are electrically connected to each other. The photodiode includes: an anode, a cathode and a photosensitive material layer. The array substrate includes: a base substrate, a plurality of thin film transistors, a common electrode and a pixel electrode. The common electrode is reused as an anode of the photodiode. The pixel electrode is reused as a cathode of the photodiode. One of the plurality of thin film transistors is reused as a first transistor of the driving circuit.