The technology industry continues to be a hotbed of innovation, with activity driven by rapid emergence and widespread adoption of game-changing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), and mobility, alongside active matrix LED displays emerging as a significant innovation in visual communication thereby growing importance of technologies such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), thin-film transistors (TFTs), thin-film encapsulation (TFE) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)]. These technologies work together to create the vibrant colours, high resolutions, energy efficiency, and other desirable features of active matrix LED displays. In the last three years alone, there have been over 3.6 million patents filed and granted in the technology industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Technology Innovation: Active matrix LED displays. Buy the report here.
Smarter leaders trust GlobalData
However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilising and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
300+ innovations will shape the technology industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the technology industry using innovation intensity models built on over 2.5 million patents, there are 300+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, microphone beamforming, live betting games, and quantum dots are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Circuit design testing, smart contracts, and surround sound systems are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are, vehicle platooning, PCI power management and wireless microphones, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the technology industry
Active matrix LED displays is a key innovation area in technology
Active matrix LED displays, commonly employed in large televisions and monitors, are flat panel displays that utilise an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as individual pixels for video displays. These displays incorporate a thin film transistor (TFT) backplane, enabling the precise addressing of each pixel and granting control over individual pixels. As a result, active matrix LED displays offer significantly improved image quality and higher resolutions compared to passive matrix LED displays.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 20+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established technology companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of active matrix LED displays.
Key players in active matrix LED displays – a disruptive innovation in the technology industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to active matrix LED displays
| Company | Total patents (2010 - 2022) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| Beijing Electronics | 663 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Samsung Group | 253 | Unlock Company Profile |
| LG Display | 198 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Semiconductor Energy Laboratory | 83 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Apple | 51 | Unlock Company Profile |
| IGNIS Innovation | 32 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Aviation Industry | 21 | Unlock Company Profile |
| ManpowerGroup | 21 | Unlock Company Profile |
| TCL Technology Group | 19 | Unlock Company Profile |
| AUO | 10 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Broadcom | 10 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Seiko Epson | 10 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sharp | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Japan Display | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sony Group | 9 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Xiaomi | 8 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Konica Minolta | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| JOLED | 7 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Shenzhen Tianma Microelectronics | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Tian Ma Microelectronics | 6 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Novatek Microelectronics | 5 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Himax Technologies | 5 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Kunshan Govisionox Optoelectronics | 5 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Futaba | 5 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Among the companies innovating in active matrix LED displays, Beijing Electronics is one of the leading patents filers. The company’s patents are aimed at a pixel circuit and a driving method thereof, an array substrate including the pixel circuit and a display apparatus. The pixel circuit comprises a display driving sub-circuit and a touch detection sub-circuit, wherein the display driving sub-circuit is configured to drive a display element to emit light under controls of the first scan line (SCAN1), the second scan line (SCAN2), the third scan line (SCAN3), the data line (DATA) and the light emitting control line (EM); and the touch detection sub-circuit is configured to detect a touch action and generate a sense signal under controls of the second scan line (SCAN2), the third scan line (SCAN3) and the data line (DATA).
The effect due to variances in a threshold voltage of driving thin film transistors can be eliminated by compensation, and an integration of a touch function and an AMOLED is achieved. The other prominent patent filers in the space include Samsung Group and LG Display.
In terms of geographical reach, Apple leads the pack, followed by Xiaomi and Beijing Electronics. In terms of application diversity, Konica Minolta holds the top position, followed by Japan Display and TCL Technology.
Active matrix LED displays deliver superior image quality, high resolutions, energy efficiency, versatility, wide viewing angles, and longevity in driving technological advancements. These displays play a vital role in various industries, enhancing visual experiences and enabling new possibilities in communication and information delivery.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the technology industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Technology.
Data Insights
From
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.
GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
