Display Device Multiplexer Placement for Dead Space Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices have inefficiencies in minimizing dead space due to the arrangement of sensing pads and multiplexers, which affects the overall design and functionality, particularly in organic light-emitting display (OLED) devices.

Innovation Solution

The display device incorporates a substrate with a display area and a non-display area, featuring overlapping sensing electrodes, display pads, sensing pads, and a multiplexer that electrically connects the sensing electrodes and pads, with the multiplexer strategically placed between the sensing pads to minimize dead space by reducing the number of pad lines required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If sensing pads and multiplexer are arranged in conventional display devices, then the device can function properly, but dead space in the non-display area increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedead space in non-display areaVSAvoidarrangement complexity of sensing pads and multiplexer
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the multiplexer with the sensing pad structure by positioning the multiplexer adjacent to the sensing pads in the first direction. This integration allows the multiplexer to share space with the sensing pad array, reducing the overall area occupied in the non-display region and minimizing dead space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement by utilizing the first direction (horizontal arrangement) for positioning multiple sensing pads and the multiplexer adjacent to each other. This dimensional optimization allows efficient packing of components in the non-display area, reducing wasted space while maintaining proper electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the number of pad lines is increased to connect all sensing electrodes, then all sensing electrodes can be connected, but the number of pad lines and required space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of pad lines
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The multiplexer serves multiple functions: it selectively connects multiple sensing electrodes to a limited number of pad lines, acts as a signal router, and reduces the overall number of connections required. This multi-functional component allows the system to maintain reliable electrical connections while minimizing the quantity of pad lines needed.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The multiplexer acts as an intermediary component between the sensing electrodes and the pad lines. Instead of requiring direct one-to-one connections between each sensing electrode and pad line, the multiplexer mediates the connections by selectively routing signals from multiple sensing electrodes through a smaller number of pad lines, thereby reducing the total number of connections required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3876285B1Display device
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3876285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3876285B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3876285B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device including a substrate including a display area including a plurality of pixels and a non-display area adjacent to the display area, a plurality of sensing electrodes disposed to overlap with the display area, a plurality of display pads disposed along a first direction in the non-display area, a plurality of sensing pads disposed between the display pads, and a multiplexer electrically connecting the sensing electrodes and the sensing pads. The multiplexer is adjacent to at least one of the sensing pads in the first direction.