Display Sensor Light-Shielding Layout for Contrast and Sensitivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in maintaining sensor sensitivity and display contrast due to interference from panel elements like the black matrix when sensors are installed between pixels.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method involving a laser process to selectively remove part of the light-shielding layer over the sensor, followed by etching to ensure the light-shielding layer's thickness is minimal over the sensor while maintaining its light-shielding capability elsewhere, thus preserving sensor sensitivity and display quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the light-shielding layer is made thick to maintain display contrast and prevent light leakage, then the light-shielding capability is improved, but the sensor sensitivity deteriorates due to blocked external light signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different thicknesses of the light-shielding layer in different spatial locations. Specifically, the light-shielding layer has a first thickness in the first region (over the sensor) and a second thickness greater than the first thickness in the second region (elsewhere on the substrate). This allows the layer to provide adequate light shielding in display regions while maintaining sensor sensitivity in the sensor region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the light-shielding layer into distinct thickness regions corresponding to different functional areas. The layer is divided into a first portion over the sensor with reduced thickness and a second portion in other areas with greater thickness. This segmentation enables each region to optimize its function: sensor sensitivity where needed and light shielding where required.
2Measurement precision
If the light-shielding layer is completely removed over the sensor to maximize sensitivity, then the sensor sensitivity is improved, but the display contrast deteriorates due to light leakage between pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding layer is designed with spatially varying thickness to simultaneously satisfy conflicting requirements. Over the sensor area, the layer has a reduced first thickness that allows sufficient external light transmission for sensing. In other display areas, the layer has a greater second thickness that prevents light leakage between pixels and maintains contrast. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between sensitivity and contrast.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shielding layer is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a first region over the sensor with minimal thickness for sensitivity, and a second region in inter-pixel areas with greater thickness for light shielding. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high sensor sensitivity and good display contrast without compromise.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional etching processes are used to remove the light-shielding layer, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to control thickness uniformly across different regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming a thickness control layer before the light-shielding layer. This thickness control layer serves as a template or mask that pre-defines the desired thickness profile. When the light-shielding layer is subsequently formed, it automatically achieves the correct varying thickness pattern through conformal deposition or controlled processing, eliminating the need for complex post-formation etching to create different thickness regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness control layer acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the substrate and the light-shielding layer. It transfers the desired thickness information to the light-shielding layer during formation, enabling precise thickness control without requiring complex etching processes. This intermediary layer simplifies manufacturing while achieving high precision thickness variation.
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 method enhances sensor sensitivity and maintains high contrast by ensuring the light-shielding layer's thickness over the sensor is minimal, while ensuring adequate light-shielding elsewhere, thereby improving sensing performance and display quality.
Implementation Method 1
Part of the light-shielding layer on the sensor is first removed through a laser
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a driving substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements, a light-shielding layer and a sensor. The plurality of light-emitting elements and the sensor are disposed on the drive substrate. The light-shielding layer is disposed between the plurality of light-emitting and further covers part of an upper surface of the sensor, where satisfies the conditions of: H1>H2>H3; H1 is a height from a light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element to the driving substrate, H2 is a height of the light-shielding layer on the driving substrate, and H3 is the height from an upper surface of the light-shielding layer to the driving substrate. A method of manufacturing a display device is also proposed.