Integrated Liquid Crystal Display and Sensor Using Oxide Semiconductor Transistors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch panels are bulky, heavy, and complex, with separate display and sensor elements that increase component count and manufacturing costs, and lack high detection sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A thin, lightweight input/output device with integrated display and sensor functions using a transmissive liquid crystal display with oxide semiconductors and conductive films, where the transistor includes an oxide semiconductor channel and an oxide conductor gate, and the conductive films serve as both pixel and common electrodes, reducing component count and enhancing detection sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate display and sensor elements are used in touch panels, then display function and sensor function can be independently optimized, but device thickness, weight, and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display element and sensor element into a single integrated structure. The liquid crystal layer serves dual purposes: as the display medium and as the sensing medium for touch detection. This merging eliminates the need for separate display and sensor components, thereby reducing component count while maintaining detection sensitivity through the unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the display element for visual output and as the sensor element for touch input detection. The same physical layer responds to both optical signals for display and electrical signals for sensing, achieving multi-functionality that reduces overall device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional transistors with silicon semiconductors are used, then manufacturing process is well-established, but device thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional silicon semiconductors to oxide semiconductors (such as IGZO - indium gallium zinc oxide). This material substitution enables thinner transistor structures with reduced weight while maintaining electrical performance. The oxide semiconductor layer can be formed as a thin film that provides sufficient semiconductor functionality with much less mass compared to traditional silicon-based transistors.
3Weight of moving object
If oxide semiconductors are used in transistors, then device thickness and weight are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures where the oxide semiconductor is combined with specific insulating films and conductive layers. The insulating films serve as barriers and support structures that facilitate the formation of uniform oxide semiconductor layers. This composite approach helps manage the manufacturing precision requirements by providing structural support and controlled interfaces that guide the oxide semiconductor film formation process.
4Device complexity
If conductive films serve as both pixel and common electrodes, then component count is reduced, but electrode function differentiation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conductive film into distinct regions with different functions: pixel electrode regions and common electrode regions. Although made from the same material layer, the conductive film is patterned into separate functional zones through photolithography and etching processes. This segmentation allows each region to fulfill its specific electrical function while using a unified material system, reducing component count without sacrificing functional differentiation.
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 solution results in a compact, reliable, and highly sensitive touch panel with reduced manufacturing costs and improved detection accuracy, suitable for flexible and high-resolution applications.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal display element including a liquid crystal and a pair of electrodes for applying a voltage across the liquid crystal
Data Source
AI summary
An input/output device is provided. The input/output device includes a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, a first common electrode, a second common electrode, a liquid crystal, a first insulating film, a second insulating film, and a transistor. The first common electrode can serve as one electrode of a sensor element. The second common electrode can serve as the other electrode of the sensor element. The transistor includes a first gate, a second gate, and a semiconductor layer. The pixel electrode, the common electrodes, and the second gate are positioned on different planes. The second gate contains one or more kinds of metal elements included in the semiconductor layer. The second gate, the pixel electrode, and the common electrodes preferably contain one or more kinds of metal elements included in the semiconductor layer.