Integrated Sensor Display Pixel Structure

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing active matrix organic light-emitting display apparatuses require additional sensors and functional elements, which increase costs and complexity, making it difficult to manufacture lightweight and small-sized displays with integrated functions.

Innovation Solution

Integrating sensing units, including sensor thin film transistors and charging units, directly into the pixels of the display apparatus, allowing for image display and sensing without separate elements, using amorphous silicon and polysilicon layers with specific stacking configurations and materials for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional sensors and functional elements are separately added to the display apparatus, then the display apparatus can achieve integrated functions (touch panel, image readout, etc.), but the cost increases, device complexity increases, and additional space is needed for connectors and installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated functionsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensor function and display function into a single integrated structure where sensor electrodes and display electrodes are formed in the same pixel structure. The sensor electrode is formed in the sensor region while the display electrode is formed in the display region, and both share common structural elements such as the transparent electrode and substrate, eliminating the need for separate sensor modules and their associated connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same pixel structure that displays images also functions as a sensor for detecting touch or pressure. The transparent electrode serves as both a display electrode and a sensor electrode, enabling the display apparatus to perform both display and sensing operations without requiring separate functional elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional sensors and functional elements are separately added to the display apparatus, then the display apparatus can achieve integrated functions (touch panel, image readout, etc.), but the size and weight increase making it difficult to manufacture lightweight and small-sized displays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated functionsVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensor function and display function into a single integrated structure where sensor electrodes and display electrodes are formed in the same pixel structure. The sensor electrode is formed in the sensor region while the display electrode is formed in the display region, and both share common structural elements such as the transparent electrode and substrate, eliminating the need for separate sensor modules and their associated connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional sensors and functional elements are separately added to the display apparatus, then the display apparatus can achieve integrated functions (touch panel, image readout, etc.), but additional costs are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated functionsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensor function and display function into a single integrated structure where sensor electrodes and display electrodes are formed in the same pixel structure. The sensor electrode is formed in the sensor region while the display electrode is formed in the display region, and both share common structural elements such as the transparent electrode and substrate, eliminating the need for separate sensor modules and their associated connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same pixel structure that displays images also functions as a sensor for detecting touch or pressure. The transparent electrode serves as both a display electrode and a sensor electrode, enabling the display apparatus to perform both display and sensing operations without requiring separate functional elements.

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 easy operation and high-quality image display without additional elements, reducing size and cost while enhancing operating speed and aperture ratio through direct signal transmission to each pixel.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor thin film transistor in which an amorphous silicon layer, a first insulating layer, and a sensor gate electrode are sequentially stacked

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8101979B2Organic light-emitting display apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.01.24 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a plurality of pixels arranged on a substrate, each pixel includes: a display region including at least one pixel thin film transistor and an organic light-emitting device electrically connected to the pixel thin film transistor; and a sensor region electrically connected to the display region to affect an image display of the display region.