Reflective Member Reflects Dummy Pixel Light to Transistor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organic light emitting display devices face challenges in maintaining transistor characteristics over time, leading to variations in driving performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reflective member above pixels, which reflects light from a dummy pixel with a shorter wavelength to the main display pixel's transistor, improving transistor characteristics by adjusting driving times based on the main pixel's operation duration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a transistor is used to supply current to the organic light emitting element, then the display device can be driven with relatively low power consumption and small thickness, but the transistor characteristics change over time leading to degraded driving performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransistor characteristics stabilityVSAvoidoperational time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a dummy pixel that emits light with a wavelength shorter than blue light before the main pixel operates. This pre-irradiation with high-energy light modifies the transistor characteristics in advance, creating a more stable baseline that resists degradation during subsequent operation. The dummy pixel is driven for a predetermined period before the main pixel activation, preparing the transistor for reliable long-term operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by exposing the transistor to light with a wavelength shorter than blue light (higher energy photons). This changes the physical state or characteristics of the transistor, such as modifying the semiconductor layer properties or interface characteristics, thereby improving its electrical characteristics and stability over time. The wavelength parameter of incident light is specifically controlled to achieve the desired effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a reflective member is added to reflect light from the dummy pixel to the main pixel's transistor, then transistor characteristics are improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransistor characteristicsVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective member serves multiple functions: it reflects light from the dummy pixel to the main pixel's transistor, acts as part of the optical path structure, and can be integrated with existing device layers. By making this single component perform multiple roles, the patent reduces the need for additional separate elements, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired transistor characteristic improvement.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective member acts as an intermediary element that facilitates the transfer of light energy from the dummy pixel to the main pixel's transistor. Rather than requiring direct physical contact or complex coupling mechanisms between the dummy pixel and the transistor, the reflective member mediates this interaction through optical reflection, simplifying the overall structure while achieving the intended effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach enhances the driving range and characteristics of the main pixel's transistor by irradiating it with higher energy light from the dummy pixel, thereby extending its operational range and improving performance.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective member at a layer that is above the first pixel and the second pixel, the reflective member being configured to reflect a light emitted from the second light emitting element to the first transistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10804329B2Display device and method of driving the same
Publication Date: 2020.10.13 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US10804329B2 patent drawing
  • US10804329B2 patent drawing
  • US10804329B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display device may include a first pixel including a first transistor, and a first light emitting element on and electrically connected to the first transistor, a second pixel adjacent the first pixel, the second pixel including a second transistor, and a second light emitting element on and electrically connected to the second transistor, and a reflective member at a layer that is above the first pixel and the second pixel, the reflective member being configured to reflect a light emitted from the second light emitting element to the first transistor.