Optical Sensor Shielding Film for Crosstalk Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

As electronic devices become more compact, adjacent electronic parts can interfere with each other due to electromagnetic waves and crosstalk occurs between light emitting and receiving units in optical sensors, which affects signal accuracy and requires additional shielding structures that occupy space and increase costs.

Innovation Solution

A shielding structure with a diffuse reflection layer on a conformal shield reduces crosstalk by minimizing light reflection in air gaps between optical sensors, using a thin film that also shields against electromagnetic noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a shield structure is added to reduce crosstalk between optical sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical sensor measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor module structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding layer is integrated within the existing sensor module structure, nested between the optical sensor and the substrate. This internal integration allows the shielding function to be added without significantly increasing external device dimensions or overall structural complexity, while effectively reducing crosstalk between adjacent optical sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A shielding layer made of light-blocking material is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent optical sensors. This intermediate structure physically blocks stray light paths between sensors, thereby reducing crosstalk and improving measurement precision without requiring fundamental changes to the sensor design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the sensor module size is reduced for compact device design, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidshielding layer formation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding layer is formed by controlling the deposition thickness parameter during the coating process. By precisely controlling the thickness parameter of the light-blocking material layer, the shielding effect is optimized while maintaining compatibility with compact sensor module dimensions, thereby reducing crosstalk without requiring excessive manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a shielding layer is formed on the substrate to reduce crosstalk, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical sensor accuracyVSAvoidshielding layer formation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding layer is formed using a coating process that utilizes the substrate's own surface as the base layer. The light-blocking material is deposited directly onto the substrate surface, allowing the substrate to serve dual purposes as both structural support and shielding foundation, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while improving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 improves signal-to-noise ratio and sensing accuracy while maintaining device compactness and reducing costs by eliminating the need for separate shielding members.

Implementation Method 1

a shielding layer formed on the substrate, wherein the shielding layer comprises a light-blocking material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking/absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4280285B1Shielding structure for reducing crosstalk of optical sensor and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4280285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4280285B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4280285B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes an upper structure that forms at least a portion of an exterior of the electronic device, a sensor module including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit spaced apart from each other on a surface thereof that faces in a first direction and faces the upper structure, and a shielding structure that has a thin film form and surrounds at least a portion of the surface of the sensor module that faces in the first direction, the first direction being a direction in which the light emitting unit emits light. The upper structure is spaced apart from a surface of the shielding structure that faces in the first direction. The shielding structure includes a shielding film layer, a lusterless layer, and a diffuse reflection layer stacked on the sensor module in the first direction. The diffuse reflection layer is formed of a mixture of a plurality of silica particles and a binder and includes, on a surface of the diffuse reflection layer, a plurality of raised parts having a mountain shape, the width of which is decreased in the first direction.