Display Panel Readout Line Layout for Fingerprint Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in improving the sensing performance of biometric information recognition, particularly in minimizing interference between sensor readout lines and other electrical components, which affects the accuracy and efficiency of biometric sensing.

Innovation Solution

The display device is designed with a readout line configuration that extends along different directions and layers, avoiding overlap with scan lines and ensuring minimal coupling, thereby enhancing the fingerprint sensing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the readout line is configured to overlap with scan lines in the display area, then the layout is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but signal distortion increases and sensing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout simplicityVSAvoidsensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The readout line is configured to extend in the second direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the scan lines which extend in the first direction (horizontal direction). This dimensional arrangement allows the readout line to connect sensor pixels along the vertical axis while scan lines traverse horizontally, eliminating overlapping between readout lines and scan lines in the planar display area while maintaining simplified manufacturing processes.

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

2Device complexity

If the readout line overlaps with scan lines, then device complexity is reduced, but signal interference increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit layout complexityVSAvoidsignal integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful overlapping interaction between readout lines and scan lines is extracted and eliminated from the display area. By configuring readout lines to extend vertically while scan lines extend horizontally, the patent separates the signal paths of readout operations from scan operations, preventing capacitive coupling and signal interference while maintaining overall circuit simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If readout lines and scan lines are arranged parallel without overlapping, then sensing performance improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiometric sensing accuracyVSAvoidline alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves manufacturing precision challenges by utilizing orthogonal directions for readout lines and scan lines. Readout lines extend in the second direction while scan lines extend in the first direction, creating a perpendicular arrangement that naturally prevents overlapping. This dimensional separation simplifies manufacturing alignment requirements compared to attempting to maintain precise parallel spacing.

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

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

This configuration reduces signal distortion and improves the accuracy and efficiency of biometric information recognition by minimizing interference between readout lines and other electrical components.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor disposed in the display area and including a photo sensing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4160366B1Display device
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4160366B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4160366B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4160366B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel having a display area and a non-display area. The display panel includes a pixel disposed in the display area and including a light emitting element and a pixel driving circuit electrically connected with the light emitting element, a sensor disposed in the display area and including a photo sensing element and a sensor driving circuit electrically connected with the photo sensing element, a data line electrically connected with the pixel and extended along a first direction, a scan line electrically connected with the pixel and extended along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a readout line including a first readout portion in the display area. The first readout portion is electrically connected with the sensor and extended along the second direction in the display area.