Segmented Touch Electrode Layout for In-Display Fingerprint Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in improving light-sensing performance, viewing angle characteristics, and touch sensitivity, particularly in integrating sensors for recognizing input information such as fingerprints across a large display area.

Innovation Solution

A display device design incorporating light-sensing pixels with improved light-sensing performance, enhanced viewing angle characteristics, and touch sensitivity, featuring a sub-pixel structure with a light-emitting element, light-sensing pixel, and touch sensor layer, including conductive pattern layers that form sensing electrodes with specific configurations to enhance light and touch input detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If light-sensing pixels are integrated into the display panel to recognize fingerprint inputs, then the display device can detect external inputs, but the light-sensing performance is insufficient leading to unclear detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight-sensing performanceVSAvoiddetection clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive pattern layer is divided into multiple segments arranged in different layers, creating a segmented electrode structure that improves light-sensing performance while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multi-layer vertical structure with conductive patterns in different layers, transforming a two-dimensional planar electrode into a three-dimensional segmented structure to enhance light sensing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display device integrates fingerprint sensing functionality, then it can recognize input information, but the viewing angle characteristics are not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint sensing capabilityVSAvoidviewing angle characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive pattern is segmented into multiple parts across different layers, allowing optimized light extraction and emission angles that improve viewing angle characteristics while maintaining fingerprint sensing functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive pattern layer serves dual functions: as touch sensor electrodes and as light-sensing structures, enabling the display device to perform both display and fingerprint recognition functions with optimized viewing angles

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

3Ease of operation

If touch sensor layer is integrated with light-sensing pixels, then touch input can be detected, but the touch sensitivity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch input detectionVSAvoidtouch sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive pattern layer is segmented into multiple isolated portions in different layers, creating multiple sensing zones that enhance touch sensitivity while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented conductive pattern acts as an intermediary structure between the touch sensor layer and light-sensing pixels, mediating both touch detection and light sensing functions with enhanced sensitivity

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

The design enables clear detection of external inputs, improved touch sensitivity, and enhanced viewing angles by optimizing the conductive pattern layers and light-sensing elements, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the display device.

Implementation Method 1

a light-receiving element configured to acquire a sensing signal corresponding to light emitted from the light-emitting element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a touch sensor layer configured to acquire information about a touch input, and including a conductive pattern layer forming sensing electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4682692A1Display device and electronic device comprising same
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4682692A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4682692A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4682692A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device may include a sub-pixel above a base layer, and including a light-emitting element, a light-sensing pixel above the base layer, and including a light-receiving element configured to acquire a sensing signal corresponding to light emitted from the light-emitting element, and a touch sensor layer configured to acquire information about a touch input, and including a conductive pattern layer forming sensing electrodes and including a second conductive pattern layer including a body portion enclosing the light-receiving element in plan view, and arm portions extending from the body portion in respective directions, and a first conductive pattern layer in a different layer from the second conductive pattern layer, and including segments apart from each other in respective areas between respective ones of the arm portions in plan view.