Display Signal Line Layout for Integrated Sensor Pixels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in minimizing dead space and optimizing signal line arrangements to enhance display efficiency and functionality, particularly when incorporating both display and sensor pixels.
Innovation Solution
The display device incorporates a substrate with distinct areas for display and non-display regions, featuring signal lines that extend in a specific direction, connection lines linking these areas, and includes dummy lines and shielding layers to optimize signal routing and reduce dead space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If signal lines are arranged to connect display and sensor pixels, then display functionality is improved, but dead space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines display pixels and sensor pixels into a single integrated array structure, where both types of pixels share common signal line infrastructure. This merging approach allows the device to perform both display and sensing functions while minimizing the additional space required for separate signal routing, thereby reducing dead space while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal lines are designed to serve multiple functions: they carry data to display pixels during display operation and carry sensor signals during sensing operation. This multi-functionality is achieved through time-division multiplexing and selective connection switching, allowing the same physical infrastructure to support both display and sensor functionalities without requiring dedicated separate lines for each function.
2Productivity
If connection lines are added to link first and second areas, then signal line efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pixel array into distinct first and second areas with different signal line configurations. The first area contains pixels connected to data lines, while the second area contains pixels connected to sensor signal lines. Connection lines selectively link these areas to the driver circuit, allowing efficient signal routing for each region while maintaining manageable complexity through structured segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection lines act as intermediary elements that selectively couple the first and second pixel areas to the driver circuit based on operational mode. During display operation, data lines in the first area are activated; during sensor operation, sensor signal lines in the second area are activated. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient signal routing without requiring all lines to be active simultaneously, thereby managing complexity.
3Reliability
If dummy lines are added to optimize signal routing, then signal integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Dummy lines are implemented as simple, low-cost conductive structures that do not require complex active components or additional manufacturing steps beyond standard thin-film deposition. These dummy lines serve as passive signal integrity enhancement elements that can be integrated into the existing manufacturing process flow without requiring specialized equipment or procedures, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while improving signal integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a substrate having a display area including a first area and a second area, and a non-display area, first signal lines including data lines connected to pixels, and readout lines connected to sensor pixels, in the first area and in the second area, second signal lines between the first signal lines in the first area and in the second area, and connection lines in the display area, and connecting at least some of the first signal lines in the first area to corresponding ones of the second signal lines in the second area.