Integrated Touch and Optical Sensor Layout for Display Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional displays cannot integrate both touch sensors and optical sensors, leading to reduced light efficiency and increased costs, as well as limited functionality in meeting demands for touch control and light sensing simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A sensor module is designed with a substrate hosting both a touch sensor and an optical sensor, where the transmitter electrode of the touch sensor and the gate of the thin film transistor (TFT) of the optical sensor are in the same layer, and the receiver electrode of the touch sensor and the source/drain of the TFT are in the same layer, forming a mutual-capacitance electrode structure to enable both touch control and light sensing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensors are pasted on the outside of the display, then the display structure is simple, but the light efficiency is reduced and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor module with the display panel by integrating the sensor substrate with the display substrate through bonding techniques. This combines the previously separate components (display and sensors) into a unified structure, eliminating the need for external sensor placement while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and improving light efficiency through direct integration at the substrate level
2Ease of manufacture
If only touch sensor or only optical sensor is integrated, then the integration process is simpler, but the functionality is limited and cannot meet both touch control and light sensing demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by integrating both touch sensor electrodes (transmitter and receiver) and optical sensor components (TFTs and light sensing structures) within the same display substrate. This universal integration allows the display to simultaneously perform touch control operations and light sensing functions, meeting diverse functional demands without requiring separate sensor systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (touch and optical) into a single integrated sensor module that shares the display substrate and bonding structure. This merging approach enables both touch control and light sensing capabilities to coexist within one unified system, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity
3Device complexity
If both touch sensor and optical sensor are integrated in the same layer, then the device complexity is reduced, but signal interference and Moire patterns may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning touch sensor electrodes and optical sensor components in specific spatial relationships within the substrate. The transmitter and receiver electrodes are arranged in mutual-capacitance configurations at controlled distances from TFTs, with bonding structures selectively placed to minimize interference zones. This localized optimization reduces signal interference and Moire patterns while maintaining integrated design simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor module and a display device are provided. The sensor module includes a substrate and a touch sensor positioned on the substrate. The touch sensor includes a transmitter electrode and a receiver electrode, positioned at one side of the transmitter electrode, which is back on to the substrate. An optical sensor includes a thin film transistor. A gate of the thin film transistor and the transmitter electrode are positioned in a same layer, and a source/drain of the thin film transistor and the receiver electrode are positioned in a same layer.