OLED Display Panels With Embedded Visible Sensors to Preserve Aperture Ratio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing OLED display panels face a decrease in aperture ratio when incorporating near-infrared sensors for biometric recognition, affecting display characteristics, particularly in small devices like smartphones.

Innovation Solution

Integrate a visible light sensor embedded within the OLED display panel, positioned under non-light emitting regions, utilizing the OLED emitters as a light source for biometric recognition without additional light sources, maintaining the aperture ratio and enhancing biometric recognition accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate near-infrared emitter and near-infrared detector are utilized for fingerprint recognition on the same plane as OLED emitter, then biometric recognition function is achieved, but aperture ratio of OLED emitter decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiometric recognition functionVSAvoidaperture ratio of OLED emitter
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light source function and light detection function into a single integrated structure. The OLED emitter serves dual purposes: displaying images and providing light for fingerprint recognition. The visible light sensor is positioned to detect reflected light from the OLED emitter, eliminating the need for separate near-infrared emitter and detector components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The OLED emitter is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the display light source and the illumination source for biometric recognition. By using the existing OLED emitter for both display and fingerprint recognition illumination, the patent avoids adding separate components that would reduce the aperture ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 3:

The system uses its own display components (OLED emitter) to provide the light source for fingerprint recognition, rather than requiring external or separate illumination components. The OLED emitter serves itself by providing light for both its primary display function and the secondary biometric recognition function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Area of stationary object

If visible light sensor is positioned under non-light emitting region, then aperture ratio is maintained, but light detection efficiency may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaperture ratioVSAvoidlight detection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the visible light sensor specifically under the non-light emitting region of the OLED emitter, utilizing the spatial variation in light emission properties. The non-light emitting region provides a location where the sensor can be placed without blocking display light, while still receiving sufficient reflected light from the fingerprint surface for accurate detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 maintains the aperture ratio of OLED emitters while improving biometric recognition accuracy and efficiency, allowing for flexible and portable display devices with reduced power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

an OLED light emitter configured to emit light for biometric recognition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

a visible light sensor configured to detect light reflected by a recognition target after being emitted by the OLED light emitter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3637472B1Organic light emitting diode display panels and display devices including the same
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3637472B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3637472B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3637472B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An OLED display panel may include a substrate, an OLED light emitter on the substrate and configured to emit light, and a visible light sensor on the substrate and configured to detect at least a portion of the emitted light based on reflection of the portion of the emitted light from a recognition target. The visible light sensor is in a non-light emitting region adjacent to the OLED light emitter so as to be horizontally aligned with the OLED light emitter in a horizontal direction extending parallel to an upper surface of the substrate, or between the substrate and a non-light emitting region adjacent to the OLED light emitter such that the visible light sensor is vertically aligned with the non-light emitting region in a vertical direction extending perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate.