Transparent Conductor Segmentation for Under-Display Optical Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to integrate optical elements, such as sensors or cameras, into display devices without compromising the screen-to-body ratio, as reducing the bezel area makes it difficult to dispose these elements without interfering with the screen.
Innovation Solution
The optical element is disposed within the screen area of the display device, utilizing a substrate with distinct display areas, where a transparent conductor with a triple layer structure, including indium tin oxide (ITO), silver (Ag), and titanium (Ti), is used to enhance resolution and transmittance, allowing for the integration of optical elements while maintaining high screen visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the bezel area is reduced to increase screen-to-body ratio, then the screen area increases, but it becomes difficult to dispose optical elements without interfering with the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is segmented into a first display area for normal display and a second display area for optical element integration. This segmentation allows the screen to serve dual purposes: maintaining high screen-to-body ratio while providing a dedicated region for optical elements like sensors or cameras, thus resolving the conflict between maximizing screen area and accommodating optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different conductor types in different regions: transparent conductors are used in the second display area where optical elements are disposed to maintain light transmission, while opaque conductors are used in the first display area for normal display functionality. This local differentiation enables optical elements to be integrated without compromising overall screen performance.
2Reliability
If opaque conductors are used in the screen area to ensure electrical connectivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but resolution and transmittance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spatially differentiated conductor strategy where transparent conductors are specifically used in the second display area overlapping with optical elements to maintain both electrical connectivity and optical transmittance, while opaque conductors are used in the first display area where high transmittance is not required. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between electrical reliability and display resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite conductor structures combining transparent conducting materials (such as ITO, IZO, IGZO, AZO, GZO, or ITZO) with opaque conducting materials (such as Al, Mo, or Ti) in different regions. This composite approach allows the display to achieve both high electrical connectivity through opaque conductors in non-critical areas and high transmittance through transparent conductors in optical element regions, thereby maintaining resolution while ensuring reliable electrical connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a substrate including a first display area and a second display area; an optical element which overlaps the second display area; a semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate; a first insulation layer disposed to cover the semiconductor layer; a gate conductor disposed on the first insulation layer; a second insulation layer disposed to cover the gate conductor; a data conductor disposed on the second insulation layer; a third insulation layer disposed to cover the data conductor; and a pixel electrode disposed on the data conductor. The data conductor disposed in the first display area includes an opaque conductor, and a part of the data conductor disposed in the second display area is a transparent conductor.