Display Substrate Layout Using Oxide Transistors for Under-Screen Cameras

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of integrating a front camera under the screen in OLED displays is hindered by opaque driving circuits and wires, leading to low overall transmittance and the need for design compromises like monobrow, notch, or waterdrop designs, which occupy screen space.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating oxide transistors in the first display region of the display substrate, along with specific configurations of pixel circuits and light-emitting elements, to enhance transparency and allow for direct placement of optical sensors under the screen without additional design modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If traditional pixel circuits with polycrystalline silicon transistors are used, then the driving capability is sufficient, but the transparency of the display region is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransparencyVSAvoiddriving capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the transistor from polycrystalline silicon to oxide semiconductor, which fundamentally alters the electrical and optical properties. Oxide transistors have lower light absorption coefficients, directly improving transparency while maintaining adequate driving capability through optimized channel dimensions and device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different transistor types in different display regions: oxide transistors in the first display region for high transparency, and polycrystalline silicon transistors in the second display region for standard performance. This local differentiation allows each region to have optimized properties for its specific function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the front camera is placed under the screen, then the screen-to-body ratio is increased, but the optical sensor cannot receive light due to opaque driving circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen-to-body ratioVSAvoidlight blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the transistor material to oxide semiconductor, the optical properties of the driving circuit are fundamentally altered. The oxide transistor's lower light absorption enables sufficient light transmission (greater than 40% in the first display region) for the optical sensor to receive external light while the camera remains positioned under the screen

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The oxide transistor acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the need for functional driving circuits and the requirement for light transmission. It provides the necessary electrical functionality while simultaneously allowing light to pass through to the optical sensor below

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If monobrow, notch, or waterdrop designs are used to accommodate the front camera, then the camera can be positioned, but the screen space is reduced and aesthetic appeal is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera positioningVSAvoidscreen space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the transparency requirement from the traditional camera placement solutions. By making the driving circuit itself transparent through oxide transistors, the need for separate camera cutouts (monobrow, notch, waterdrop designs) is eliminated, allowing the entire screen area to be utilized without compromises

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4697913A1Display substrate and display device
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP4697913A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4697913A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4697913A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present application relates to a display substrate and a display device. The display substrate comprises: at least one first display area; a second display area located on at least one side of the at least one first display area, the light transmittance of the second display area being smaller than that of the at least one first display area; and a plurality of first sub-pixels located in the at least one first display area, the first sub-pixels each comprising a first light-emitting element and a first pixel circuit, the first pixel circuit being configured to drive the first light-emitting element to emit light, wherein the first pixel circuit comprises a plurality of transistors, and at least one transistor among the plurality of transistors is an oxide transistor. In this way, the light transmittance of the first display area can be improved.