Micro LED Display Module with Replaceable Pixel Control Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display technologies, such as LCDs, have complex structures and limitations in achieving thin thickness, high contrast, and efficient energy use, while self-emissive displays like micro LEDs offer advantages but lack efficient circuit testing and replacement methods.

Innovation Solution

A display module and device design featuring a thin film transistor circuit on a separate chip for driving inorganic light-emitting devices, with micro pixel controllers and drivers integrated on a silicon substrate, allowing for efficient circuit testing and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If inorganic light emitting devices are mounted directly on the panel substrate, then the display achieves high brightness and long lifespan, but circuit testing and replacement become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelifespanVSAvoidcircuit replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display system into three independent modules: the panel substrate with inorganic light emitting devices, the separate chip containing thin film transistor circuits, and the driver integrated chip. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured, tested, and replaced independently, solving the circuit replacement difficulty while maintaining the reliability benefits of inorganic LEDs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a separate chip as an intermediary component between the inorganic light emitting devices and the driver integrated chip. This separate chip contains the thin film transistor circuits and serves as a mediator that can be easily replaced if faulty, without affecting the inorganic light emitting devices mounted on the panel substrate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If a separate chip with thin film transistor circuit is used to drive inorganic light emitting devices, then circuit testing and replacement become easier, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit replacementVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the thin film transistor circuits onto a separate chip that is then integrated with the panel substrate and driver integrated chip. This merging approach consolidates multiple functions into a single replaceable unit, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling easy circuit testing and replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If LCD structure with backlight unit and liquid crystal layer is used, then the display can be manufactured with existing technology, but the thickness increases and contrast ratio decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemanufacturingVSAvoidthickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the backlight unit and liquid crystal layer from the display structure, replacing them with self-emissive inorganic light emitting devices. This extraction removes the components that cause thickness and contrast ratio issues, while the inorganic LEDs provide their own light emission, maintaining ease of manufacture through established LED technology

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Illumination intensity

If inorganic light emitting devices are used, then brightness and light-emitting efficiency improve, but the manufacturing process becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the manufacturing process into distinct stages: manufacturing the panel substrate with inorganic light emitting devices, separately fabricating the chip with thin film transistor circuits, and finally assembling these components. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized and manufactured using specialized processes, making the overall manufacturing more manageable despite the complexity of inorganic LED integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates circuit testing and replacement, enabling high-resolution, flexible, and durable display devices with improved brightness and energy efficiency, suitable for large-scale screens and various applications.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of inorganic light-emitting devices positioned on an upper surface of the first substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from inorganic light-emitting devices: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

at least one thin film transistor positioned on the second substrate, wherein the at least one thin film transistor switches a plurality of inorganic light-emitting devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction through thin film transistor: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4195265B1Display module and display device
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4195265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4195265B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4195265B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display module including a plurality of pixels, according to an embodiment, may comprise: a first substrate; a plurality of inorganic light-emitting elements disposed on the upper surface of the first substrate; a plurality of micro pixel controllers disposed on the lower surface of the first substrate; and a driver IC which transmits driving signals to the plurality of micro pixel controllers, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises two or more inorganic light-emitting elements among the plurality of inorganic light-emitting elements, and each of the plurality of micro pixel controllers controls two or more pixels among the plurality of pixels.