Integrated Opaque Touch Electrodes for Thin iLED Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touchscreen technologies for displays, especially in mobile devices, are thick, heavy, and costly due to the need for multiple layers and materials, which limits their conductivity and operational frequency, and often require transparent electrodes that obscure light and add complexity.
Innovation Solution
An inorganic light-emitting diode (iLED) display with integrated row and column touch electrodes that are opaque and located in a common plane with the iLEDs, eliminating the need for transparent electrodes and allowing for higher conductivity and thinner, lighter designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional touchscreen technologies with multiple layers and transparent electrodes are used, then touch sensing functionality is achieved, but the display system becomes thicker and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touchscreen electrode layers with the display substrate by forming row touch electrodes and column touch electrodes directly on the display substrate in a mutual capacitance configuration. This integration eliminates the need for separate touchscreen layers and covers, reducing overall thickness and weight while maintaining touch sensing functionality.
2Reliability
If traditional touchscreen technologies with multiple layers and transparent electrodes are used, then touch sensing functionality is achieved, but the display system becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touchscreen functionality with the display structure by forming electrode patterns directly on the display substrate. This eliminates the need for separate touchscreen assemblies, reducing structural complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining full touch sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The display substrate serves dual functions as both the display structure and the touchscreen electrode carrier. The same substrate that supports the display elements also hosts the row and column touch electrodes, making the system more versatile and reducing the number of components needed.
3Illumination intensity
If transparent electrodes are used in touchscreen layers, then light transmission is maintained, but electrode conductivity is limited and operational frequency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using transparent electrodes that limit conductivity, the patent inverts the approach by using opaque conductive materials for the touch electrodes. The electrode patterns are designed to be electrically efficient while the display elements are positioned to emit light around or between the electrode structures, maintaining visibility while achieving superior electrical performance.
Data Source
AI summary
An inorganic light-emitting diode display with integrated electrodes includes a display surface having a display area and a plurality of spatially separated light-emitting diodes (such as inorganic light-emitting diodes) disposed in rows on the display surface in the display area. The inorganic light-emitting diodes in each row of inorganic light-emitting diodes are electrically connected by one or more electrical conductors. One or more row touch electrodes are disposed in rows over the display surface in the display area between the rows of inorganic light-emitting diodes and are disposed on the display surface and have a width that is larger than a length and width of the light-emitting diodes. A display with an integrated touch screen includes one or more sensing elements disposed in a common plane with the light emitters or on a side of the light emitters opposite the display surface.