OLED Panel Sensor Layout for In-Display Biometrics

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Solution Overview

Problem

OLED display devices with integrated fingerprint recognition sensors face a reduction in aperture ratio, affecting display characteristics, particularly in small form factor devices like smartphones, due to the incorporation of fingerprint recognizing sensors.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a visible light sensor or near infrared ray sensor within the OLED panel, positioned perpendicular to the substrate, which overlaps with the OLED and includes a driver with transistors and a black shield to block light, allowing for biometric recognition without compromising the aperture ratio by selectively detecting blue light or near infrared rays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fingerprint recognizing sensor is incorporated into the OLED panel, then biometric recognition function is improved, but the aperture ratio of the OLED light emitter is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiometric recognition functionVSAvoidaperture ratio of OLED light emitter

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is positioned in the vertical dimension (perpendicular to substrate) rather than occupying horizontal display area, allowing biometric recognition without reducing the aperture ratio of the OLED light emitter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The OLED panel is segmented into distinct functional layers: the OLED light emitter layer for display and the sensor layer for biometric recognition, allowing independent optimization of each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a sensor is added to the OLED panel, then biometric recognition is enabled, but the panel thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiometric recognition capabilityVSAvoidpanel thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is merged with the OLED structure by positioning it between the OLED and substrate, sharing the same space and reducing overall panel thickness compared to separate sensor modules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor is nested within the OLED panel structure, with the sensor positioned between the OLED light emitter and the substrate, allowing compact integration without significant thickness increase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a sensor is integrated into the OLED panel, then biometric recognition is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiometric recognition functionVSAvoidpanel structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The OLED panel structure is designed to serve multiple functions: display through the OLED light emitter and biometric recognition through the integrated sensor, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying overall device architecture

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

Enables biometric recognition in OLED panels without influencing the aperture ratio, maintaining display quality and allowing for flexible panel manufacturing with reduced processing stages and thickness.

Implementation Method 1

The visible light sensor may overlap the OLED in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The driver may include a near infrared ray sensor configured to detect near infrared rays emitted by the near infrared ray OLED

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

The OLED panel may further include a black shield configured to block the visible light emitted by the OLED

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11871642B2Organic light emitting diode panels and display devices including the same

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An OLED panel for implementing biometric recognition influencing an aperture ratio of an OLED light emitter i includes a substrate, an OLED on the substrate, and a driver on the substrate. The OLED may emit visible light, and the driver may drive the OLED. The driver may include a visible light sensor configured to detect the visible light emitted by the OLED, and the visible light sensor may overlap the OLED in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate. The OLED panel may include a near infrared ray OLED that is configured to emit near infrared rays, and the driver may include a near infrared ray sensor configured to detect near infrared rays emitted by the near infrared ray OLED. The near infrared ray sensor may overlap the OLED in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate.