Display Data Lines Stacked in Border Region

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing displays with inactive areas often have larger non-light-emitting border regions around openings in the active area, which can increase the width of these regions and affect the display's overall appearance and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The display incorporates a second inactive area formed within the active area, with data lines and gate lines rerouted around this area. To minimize the width of the non-light-emitting border region, data lines are stacked in the border region using multiple metal layers, and supplemental data lines are used to connect data line segments on opposing sides of the opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data lines are rerouted around the inactive area formed within the active area, then the opening can accommodate electronic components, but the width of the non-light-emitting border region increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of electronic componentsVSAvoidwidth of non-light-emitting border region

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies stacking data lines in multiple metal layers (moving from 2D planar routing to 3D vertical stacking) to reduce the lateral width of the border region while maintaining electrical connectivity around the opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments data lines into multiple layers (first metal layer, second metal layer, third metal layer) that are stacked vertically, allowing each layer to carry data signals around the opening in a distributed manner rather than requiring a single wide lateral path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of stationary object

If the non-light-emitting border region width is reduced, then the display's aesthetic and operational efficiency improve, but data line routing becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth of non-light-emitting border regionVSAvoiddata line routing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves routing complexity by transitioning to vertical stacking in multiple metal layers, which simplifies lateral routing constraints while managing complexity through standardized multi-layer interconnect structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes existing metal layers serve multiple functions - the first metal layer serves as both a power signal distribution path in the active area and as a data line portion in the border region, reducing the need for additional dedicated routing layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250155761A1Displays with Data Lines that Accommodate Openings

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 APPLE INC

AI summary

To minimize the width of a non-light-emitting border region around an opening in the active area, data lines may be stacked in the border region. Data line portions may be formed using three metal layers in three different planes within the border region. A metal layer that forms a positive power signal distribution path in the active area may serve as a data line portion in the border region. A metal layer may be added in the border region to serve as a data line portion in the border region. Data line signals may also be provided to pixels on both sides of an opening in the active area using supplemental data line paths. A supplemental data line path may be routed through the active area of the display to electrically connect data line segments on opposing sides of an opening within the display.