Integrated Display Panel with Shared Semiconductor Layers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display panels with integrated fingerprint identification units have a large overall thickness due to the external placement of fingerprint identification units, which hinders the achievement of lightweight and thin designs.

Innovation Solution

The display panel integrates light-emitting units and fingerprint identification units on the same substrate, with shared semiconductor layers forming a PN junction, allowing for sequential arrangement on the substrate plane, eliminating the need for external fingerprint identification units and reducing thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external fingerprint identification units are adhered to the base substrate with optical cement, then fingerprint identification function is achieved, but overall thickness of the display panel increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefingerprint identification functionVSAvoidoverall thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fingerprint identification unit with the light-emitting unit by integrating the photosensitive diode and light-emitting diode into a single stacked structure. The N-type semiconductor layer serves as a shared layer between both functions, eliminating the need for separate external fingerprint identification units and reducing overall panel thickness while maintaining fingerprint identification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a planar arrangement where fingerprint identification units are placed externally on the substrate to a vertical stacked arrangement. By stacking the N-type semiconductor layer, P-type semiconductor layer, and active layers in multiple dimensions, the design achieves both light emission and fingerprint identification functions within a compact vertical space, reducing the overall thickness of the display panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If external fingerprint identification units are used, then fingerprint identification is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefingerprint identification functionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional units (light-emitting unit and fingerprint identification unit) into a single integrated structure. The N-type semiconductor layer and P-type semiconductor layer are shared between both functions, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining both light emission and fingerprint identification capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the N-type semiconductor layer and P-type semiconductor layer to serve multiple functions simultaneously. These semiconductor layers are used both for light emission in the light-emitting unit and for detecting reflected light in the fingerprint identification unit, achieving multi-functionality with a single structure and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 integration reduces the overall thickness of the display panel, enhances fabrication efficiency, and facilitates lightweight and thin designs while maintaining fingerprint identification functionality.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the plurality of light-emitting units includes a first N-type semiconductor layer and a first P-type semiconductor layer, each of the plurality of fingerprint identification units includes a second N-type semiconductor layer and a second P-type semiconductor layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPN junction:

Implementation Method 2

each of the plurality of light-emitting units includes a first N-type semiconductor layer and a first P-type semiconductor layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 3

each of the plurality of fingerprint identification units includes a second N-type semiconductor layer and a second P-type semiconductor layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10522584B2Display panel, manufacturing method thereof and display device

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 WUHAN TIANMA MICRO ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device. The display panel includes: a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other, and a plurality of light-emitting units and a plurality of fingerprint identification units, disposed on one side of the first substrate facing to the second substrate. Each of the plurality of light-emitting units includes a first N-type semiconductor layer and a first P-type semiconductor layer, each of the plurality of fingerprint identification units includes a second N-type semiconductor layer and a second P-type semiconductor layer. The first N-type semiconductor layer and the second N-type semiconductor layer are disposed in a same layer, and the first P-type semiconductor layer and the second P-type semiconductor layer are disposed in a same layer.