Display Panel Scan Line Sharing for Narrow Borders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display panel technologies require two scan lines for each row of pixel circuits, leading to an increased number of scan lines and gate driving circuits, which complicates the realization of narrow borders due to space and cost constraints.

Innovation Solution

The display panel configuration includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in an array, where each scan line controls the charging of a corresponding row of pixel circuits, and each pixel circuit includes a driving transistor, a writing transistor, and a sensing transistor. The gate of the writing transistor is connected to the N-th scan line, and the gate of the sensing transistor is connected to the (N+1)-th scan line, allowing for shared gate driving circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two scan lines are used for each row of pixel circuits (one for data signal writing and one for potential detection), then the pixel circuit control function is improved, but the number of scan lines and gate driving circuits increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel circuit control functionVSAvoidnumber of scan lines and gate driving circuits
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the function of the sensing transistor's gate control into the existing scan line structure. Specifically, the gate of the sensing transistor is connected to the same scan line that controls the writing transistor, allowing one scan line to serve dual purposes: controlling data writing and sensing operations sequentially. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated sensing scan line for each pixel row.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The scan line is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling different transistors at different time periods. The same scan line controls both the writing transistor during the data writing phase and the sensing transistor during the sensing phase, making the scan line a multi-functional component that reduces overall circuit complexity.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If two different gate driving circuits are used to provide scan signals with different waveforms, then the scan signal control precision is improved, but the occupied space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescan signal control precisionVSAvoidoccupied space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic action by controlling the writing transistor and sensing transistor at different time periods using the same scan line. During the first time period, the scan line controls the writing transistor for data writing; during the second time period, it controls the sensing transistor for sensing operations. This temporal separation allows precise control of different waveforms without requiring separate physical circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The scan line dynamically switches between controlling different transistors based on the operational phase. The same physical scan line adapts its function over time, dynamically controlling the writing transistor when data writing is needed and the sensing transistor when sensing is needed, thereby eliminating the need for static separate circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If two scan lines are used for each row of pixel circuits, then the pixel circuit control function is improved, but the border width increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel circuit control functionVSAvoidborder width
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensing control function into the existing scan line infrastructure. By connecting the sensing transistor gate to the same scan line that controls data writing, the design eliminates the need for additional dedicated sensing scan lines, thereby reducing the horizontal space required in the border region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The scan line serves as a universal control line that performs both data writing and sensing functions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate control lines needed, directly contributing to narrower border width while maintaining complete pixel circuit control capability.

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

Data Source

PatentUS12236895B2Display panel and display device
Publication Date: 2025.02.25 SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICON DISPLAY TECH CO LTD
  • US12236895B2 patent drawing
  • US12236895B2 patent drawing
  • US12236895B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display panel and a display device are provided. The display panel includes pixel circuits arranged in an array and scan lines. Each pixel circuit in a N-th row of pixel circuits includes a driving transistor, a writing transistor, and a sensing transistor. A N-th scan line is configured to control charging of the N-th row of pixel circuits, a (N+1)-th scan line is configured to control the charging of a (N+1)-th row of pixel circuits, a gate of the writing transistor in each pixel circuit of the N-th row of pixel circuits is electrically connected to the N-th scan line, and a gate of the sensing transistor in each pixel circuit of the N-th row of pixel circuits is electrically connected to the (N+1)-th scan line.