Development of LG's Flexible AMOLED Technology from its Patent Portfolios

Published: Jan, 2016 | Pages: 13 | Publisher: Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute
Industry: Electronics | Report Format: Electronic (PDF)

LG's initial development of flexible AMOLED displays focused on the use of metal-foil substrates as evidenced by its 3.5-inch flexible AMOLED display launched in 2007, although it was only a pilot product. After showcasing its first flexible EPD (E-Paper Display) with a plastic substrate in 2012, LG unveiled its first plastic substrate-based flexible AMOLED display on SID in 2013, which became the prototype of LG's mass produced flexible AMOLED displays. With these technological competencies, LG has become an exclusive panel supplier for the first-generation Apple Watch. Since LG is a key panel supplier for Apple, the company's display technology developments have created significant market interest. This report analyzes LG's flexible display patents and its recent flexible AMOLED display developments to unveil its AMOLED development focuses and mass production plans.

List of Topics
Overview of LG's development of flexible AMOLED panels, including smartphones G Flex and G Flex 2 as well as wearable device LG Watch Urbane
Profile of LG's patent applications related to flexible AMOLED, touching on total number of applications, major inventors, and classes
Analysis of LG's important flexible AMOLED patents, including US20140002401A1

List of Compaines
LG
 Motorola
 Samsun

 Table of Contents

1. Commercialization of LG's Flexible AMOLED Products4
1.1 POLED Resolution Crossing High-end Smartphone Entry Barriers4
1.2 World's First Circular POLED Display Ready for Mass Production5

2. LG's Flexible AMOLED Patents6
2.1 Sharp Rise in Patent Applications for Flexible Displays Since 20126
2.2 Surge in Number of Flexible Display Patent Applications Filed by LG's Top Ten Inventors between 2013 and 20147
2.3 Increased R&D Workforce for Flexible Displays8
2.4 Patent Applications Concentrated in Two Classes8

3. LG's Flexible AMOLED Technologies in Top Two Patent Classes10
3.1 Class 257/040: Organic Semiconductor Material10
3.2 Class 345/173: Touch Panel11
Conclusion13
Appendix14
Patent Search Criteria14
Glossary of Terms15
List of Companies16

List of Tables
Table 1: Claimed Functions of Patent Applications in Class 257/04010

List of Figures
Figure 1: LG's Smartphones with Flexible Displays4
Figure 2: Moto 360 vs. LG Watch Urbane5
Figure 3: Number of LG's Patent Applications for Flexible Displays6
Figure 4: Number of Flexible Display Patent Applications Filed by LG's Top Ten Inventors7
Figure 5: Flexible Display Patent Applications Filed by LG's Top 20 Inventors by Year of Application8
Figure 6: Patent Classes for LG's Top 20 Flexible Display Technologies by Year of Application9
Figure 7: Top 2 Patent Classes of LG's Applications Filed between 2013 and 20149
Figure 8: Function Description in Class 345/173 (Application No. US20140002401A1)12
Figure 9: LG's Rollable Display12"