Input device

• US 9,614,019 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2015
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Miyake, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Kyoung
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mehta, Ratisha
• Application Number:
  US14/722,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20150349041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04102 Flexible digitiser, i.e. constructional details for allowing the whole digitising part of a device to be flexed or rolled like a sheet of paper
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04164 Connections between sensors and controllers, e.g. routing lines between electrodes and connection pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/1218 with a particular composition or structure of the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/78603 characterised by the insulating substrate or support H01L29/78657 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/7869 having a semiconductor body comprising an oxide semiconductor material, e.g. zinc oxide, copper aluminium oxide, cadmium stannate
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/1213 the pixel elements being TFTs
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/1216 the pixel elements being capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/40 OLEDs integrated with touch screens

Abstract

To provide a novel input device that can be manufactured at low cost or has high reliability. The input device includes a first flexible base material, a second flexible base material, and a sensor circuit that can sense an object such as a finger that is close to or in contact with a surface of the second flexible base material. The sensor circuit includes a transistor portion including a first transistor and a light-emitting element including a second transistor. The first transistor and the second transistor are provided on the first flexible base material side. Connection defects can be less likely to occur, which leads to an increase in the reliability of the input device.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a first flexible base material;

a second flexible base material bonded to the first flexible base material with a sealant; and

a sensor circuit including a transistor portion, a capacitor, and a light-emitting element,

wherein the transistor portion includes a first transistor,

wherein the light-emitting element includes a second transistor,

wherein the first transistor and the second transistor are provided on the first flexible base material side, and

wherein the capacitor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and the sealant between the first electrode and the second electrode.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit is configured to sense an object that is close to or in contact with a surface of the second flexible base material.

3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein part of a step of manufacturing the first transistor is the same as part of a step of manufacturing the second transistor.

4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the second transistor includes a third electrode formed with a mask including slits.

5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first transistor and the second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer as a semiconductor layer.

6. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the sealant has higher refractive index than air.

7. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the transistor portion is covered with a light-blocking layer.

8. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting element emits light toward the second flexible base material.

9. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting element includes a fourth electrode electrically connected to the second transistor, an organic material layer over the fourth electrode, and a fifth electrode over the organic material layer.

10. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device further comprises a connection portion for connection to an external circuit on the first flexible base material side.

11. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the sealant overlaps with the transistor portion, the capacitor, and the light-emitting element.

12. An input device comprising:

a first flexible base material;

a first transistor electrically connected to a first electrode over the first flexible base material;

a light-emitting element including a second transistor over the first flexible base material;

a sealant over the first transistor, the first electrode, and the light-emitting element;

a second electrode over the sealant; and

a second flexible base material over the second electrode,

wherein the first flexible base material and the second flexible base material are bonded with the sealant,

wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are included in a capacitor, and

wherein an object close to or in contact with a surface of the second flexible base material is sensed by using the first transistor and the capacitor.

13. The input device according to claim 12, wherein part of a step of manufacturing the first transistor is the same as part of a step of manufacturing the second transistor.

14. The input device according to claim 12, wherein the second transistor includes a third electrode formed with a mask including slits.

15. The input device according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the first transistor and the second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer as a semiconductor layer.

16. The input device according to claim 12, wherein the sealant has higher refractive index than air.

17. The input device according to claim 12, wherein the first transistor is covered with a light-blocking layer.

18. The input device according to claim 12, wherein the light-emitting element emits light toward the second flexible base material.

19. The input device according to claim 12, wherein the light-emitting element includes a fourth electrode electrically connected to the second transistor, an organic material layer over the fourth electrode, and a fifth electrode over the organic material layer.

20. The input device according to claim 12, wherein the input device further comprises a connection portion for connection to an external circuit on the first flexible base material side.

21. The input device according to claim 12, wherein the sealant overlaps with the first transistor, the first electrode, the light-emitting element.