An assembly comprising a display screen and a proximity sensor

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an assembly comprising a display screen and a proximity sensor. The present disclosure relates to an assembly for an electronic device, the assembly comprising: a display screen comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix scheme, the matrix scheme comprising rows oriented in a first direction and columns oriented in a second direction; and a proximity sensor comprising at least one optical illuminator adapted to emit a light beam through one or more first pixels of the display screen and an optical detector adapted to receive, through one or more second pixels of the display screen, the light beam emitted by the at least one optical illuminator and reflected on an object; wherein none of the one or more second pixels is in the same row as any of the one or more first pixels and none of the one or more second pixels is in the same column as any of the one or more first pixels.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to electronic devices, and more specifically, to electronic devices including display screens and proximity sensors. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic devices, including those that display information and / or images designated for a user (e.g., the user of the device), such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, touchpads, and laptops, are known.

[0003] Electronic devices including optically packaged proximity sensors are also known. Proximity sensors typically include an optical emitter and an optical detector, usually housed within an optical package. The general principle of a proximity sensor is that the emitter emits a light beam, which is reflected off a target object and picked up by the optical detector. The optical detector may also be provided with other circuitry provided as part of or associated with the detector, which analyzes the output from the detector for proximity sensing calculations.

[0004] Optical emitters can include light-emitting diodes (LEDs), vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), or edge-emitting lasers (EELs).

[0005] Proximity sensors can be time-of-flight (TOF) sensor types. For example, a TOF sensor typically includes a VCSEL for emitting light radiation and an array of single-photon avalanche detectors (SPADs) or photodiodes for detecting the reflected beam from the target object.

[0006] For some applications, proximity sensors and display screens are mounted on the same side of the electronic device. In some cases, the proximity sensor may be positioned within a bezel corresponding to a non-display area within a boundary region reserved for such a device, or a notch in the display screen. However, to increase the display screen area, it has been proposed to omit such bezels or notches, instead placing the proximity sensor behind the display screen, such that an optical emitter transmits light through the display screen, and an optical detector picks up the emitted light again through the display screen after it has been reflected by the target object.

[0007] The display screen can be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) type screen. Summary of the Invention

[0008] A component for an electronic device is needed, comprising at least a display screen and a proximity sensor below the display screen, capable of limiting or even suppressing the aforementioned crosstalk effects caused by diffraction.

[0009] A proximity sensor is also needed that can limit or even suppress the crosstalk effect caused by the diffraction effect 0.

[0010] The solution is also expected to be easy to implement.

[0011] One embodiment addresses all or some of the shortcomings of known electronic devices.

[0012] In one embodiment, a component for an electronic device is provided, the component comprising:

[0013] The display screen includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix scheme, the matrix scheme including rows oriented in a fifth direction and columns oriented in a second direction; and

[0014] A proximity sensor includes at least one optical emitter and an optical detector, each optical emitter being adapted to emit a light beam through one or more first pixels of a display screen, and the optical detector being adapted to receive the light beam through one or more second pixels of the display screen, the light beam being emitted by at least one optical emitter and reflected on an object;

[0015] 0. None of the one or more second pixels are in the same row as any of the one or more first pixels, and none of the one or more second pixels are in the same column as any of the one or more first pixels.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each common axis passing through the center of one of the optical emitters and the center of the optical detector is offset by an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each of the first and second directions.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first acute angle between the common axis and the first direction includes 10°.

[0018] Between 45° and 45°.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the second acute angle between the common axis and the second direction includes 10°.

[0020] Between 45° and 45°.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the display screen is an OLED screen, and each pixel of the OLED screen has, for example, a pentile subpixel arrangement.

[0022] According to one embodiment, at least one optical emitter and an optical detector are housed within an optical package, and each common axis passing through the center of one of the optical emitters and the center of the optical detector is substantially aligned with the edge of the optical package.

[0023] According to one embodiment, at least one optical emitter and an optical detector are housed within an optical package, and each common axis passing through the center of one of the optical emitters and the center of the optical detector is offset at an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each edge of the optical package.

[0024] In one embodiment, a proximity sensor is provided, comprising at least one optical emitter and an optical detector, each optical emitter being adapted to emit a light beam through a display screen, and the optical detector being adapted to receive the light beam through a display screen, the light beam being emitted by the at least one optical emitter and reflected on an object, wherein the at least one optical emitter and the optical detector are housed within an optical package, and each common axis passing through the center of one of the at least one optical emitters and the center of the optical detector is offset at an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each edge of the optical package.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the acute angle of each common axis relative to each edge of the optical package is included between 10° and 45°.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the optical package is substantially rectangular or square, and at least the common axis is oriented substantially along the diagonal of the optical package.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the optical detector includes a photosensitive pixel array having photosensitive pixel rows and photosensitive pixel columns, the optical detector being oriented to be aligned substantially in the direction of a common axis with respect to the photosensitive pixel rows or the photosensitive pixel columns.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the proximity sensor includes at least two optical emitters.

[0029] In one embodiment, an electronic device is provided that includes a component according to one embodiment or a proximity sensor according to one embodiment.

[0030] In one embodiment, a method for forming an assembly is provided, the assembly including a display screen and a proximity sensor, the display screen having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix scheme, the matrix scheme including rows oriented in a first direction and columns oriented in a second direction; the method includes: placing a proximity sensor having at least one optical emitter and an optical detector below the display screen, such that each of the at least one optical emitter is adapted to emit a light beam through one or more first pixels of the display screen, the optical detector is adapted to receive the light beam through one or more second pixels of the display screen, the light beam being emitted by the at least one emitter and reflected on an object, and none of the one or more second pixels being in the same row as any of the one or more first pixels, and none of the one or more second pixels being in the same column as any of the one or more first pixels.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the method includes:

[0032] A proximity sensor is provided having at least one optical emitter and an optical detector, both of which are housed within an optical package, and each common axis passing through the center of one of the optical emitters and the center of the optical detector is substantially aligned with the edge of the optical package;

[0033] Position the proximity sensor below the display screen;

[0034] Rotate the proximity sensor so that the edge of the optical package is offset by an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each of the first and second directions; and

[0035] The proximity sensor is assembled into the display screen.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the method includes:

[0037] A proximity sensor is provided, comprising at least one optical emitter and an optical detector, both of which are housed within an optical package. Each common axis passing through the center of one of the optical emitters and the center of the optical detector is offset at an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each edge of the optical package.

[0038] The proximity sensor is assembled below the display screen such that each edge of the optical package is substantially aligned with a first or second direction. Attached Figure Description

[0039] The foregoing features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages, will be given in the following description of specific embodiments by way of illustration rather than limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1A The schematic diagram shows components including an OLED screen and a proximity sensor placed below the OLED screen;

[0041] Figure 1B The diffraction pattern observed when light beams are emitted and received through an OLED screen is shown.

[0042] Figure 1C This schematically illustrates the beam of light emitted from a proximity sensor passing through... Figure 1A Crosstalk paths caused by OLED screens in components;

[0043] Figure 2 An embodiment of a component for an electronic device is illustrated schematically;

[0044] Figure 3 Another embodiment of a component for an electronic device is illustrated schematically;

[0045] Figure 4A Another embodiment of a component for an electronic device is illustrated schematically;

[0046] Figure 4B schematically shown Figure 4A Variations of the embodiments;

[0047] Figure 5 A reflective pattern emitted from a proximity sensor through an OLED screen in the component is schematically shown according to an embodiment;

[0048] Figure 6 This refers to the measurement of crosstalk effects between the common angle of an optical emitter and an optical detector in an electronic device and the different angles between these two components and the main axis of the electronic device. Detailed Implementation

[0049] In the various figures, the same features are indicated by the same reference numerals. In particular, common structural and / or functional features in the various embodiments may have the same reference numerals and may have the same structure, dimensions, and material properties.

[0050] For clarity, only the operations and elements used to understand the embodiments described herein have been detailed and described. In particular, other components of the assembly or electronic device integrating the display screen and proximity sensor are not described in detail, and the described embodiments are compatible with other common components of the assembly or electronic device including the display screen. Similarly, the proximity sensor, particularly the (multiple) optical emitters and optical detectors, and other components of the proximity sensor are not described in detail.

[0051] Unless otherwise stated, when referring to two elements connected together, it means that there is no direct connection between them except for the conductor, and when referring to two elements connected together, it means that the two elements can be connected or they can be coupled through one or more other elements.

[0052] In the following disclosure, unless otherwise stated, when referring to absolute position qualifiers such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” etc., or when referring to relative position qualifiers such as “up,” “down,” “higher,” “lower,” etc., or when referring to orientation qualifiers such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” etc., the orientation shown in the figure is used.

[0053] Referring to electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, and touchpads, and more generally, to electronic devices with a substantially rectangular shape, horizontally ( Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4A The direction "X" in the diagram corresponds, for example, to the short axis of an electronic device, while the vertical direction ( Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4A The direction "Y" in the diagram corresponds, for example, to the major axis.

[0054] Furthermore, the terms "below" and "above" refer to the direction of light propagation from the optical emitter to the display screen (by...). Figure 1C and Figure 5 (The direction specified by the thick horizontal arrow marked "T" in the middle). The term "below" indicates in front of the display screen in the direction of light propagation, and the term "above" indicates behind the display screen in the direction of light propagation.

[0055] Unless otherwise stated, the expressions “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and “so that” indicate less than 10%, and in some embodiments less than 5%.

[0056] When a proximity sensor emits and receives light through a display screen, undesirable diffraction can occur as the light passes through the screen (e.g., an OLED screen). This diffraction effect increases crosstalk between the emitter and the sensor, potentially degrading the proximity sensor's performance. This is due to unwanted (noise) light reflection components caused by reflections from non-target objects (such as cover glass or the internal structure of an OLED screen), in addition to the useful light reflection component resulting from reflections of the emitted light signal at the target object. The technology disclosed herein solves this technical problem.

[0057] Figure 1A The diagram schematically illustrates an assembly 100 including an OLED display screen 110, which has an OLED layer 112 and a proximity sensor 120 disposed beneath the OLED layer 112. The OLED display screen 110 typically includes a cover glass 114 on the OLED layer 112, such as... Figure 1C As shown.

[0058] In this example, for clarity, the OLED layer 112 has... Figure 1A The diamond-shaped pentile subpixel arrangement is shown in part and magnified in the OLED layer 112. As shown, the diamond-shaped pentile subpixel arrangement is the geometric arrangement of RGB (red, green, blue) subpixels 11, 12, and 13 in each pixel 10 of the OLED layer, where green pixels 12 are alternated with alternating red subpixels 11 and blue subpixels 13, and the green subpixels are twice the size of the blue and red subpixels. The blue subpixel 13 is the largest subpixel, followed by the red subpixel 11, and the green subpixel 12 is much smaller than the red and blue subpixels. Other shapes and / or arrangements of subpixels can be provided in the OLED layer, such as circular and / or other pentile subpixel arrangements, or even ordinary or alternative stripe arrangements.

[0059] The pixels 10 of the OLED layer are arranged in rows 14 and columns 15, an arrangement crucial for diffraction orientation, as described below. The rows are oriented along the horizontal X direction, and the columns are oriented along the vertical Y direction.

[0060] The proximity sensor 120 includes an optical emitter 122 and a light detector 124. The common axis A of the system formed by the optical emitter and the light detector, corresponding to the axis between the center of the optical emitter and the center of the light detector, is aligned with the horizontal direction X corresponding to the direction of the pixel row 14.

[0061] Figure 1B The diffraction pattern observed when light beams are emitted and received through OLED layer 112 is shown.

[0062] The inventors have measured the diffraction order angle for a beam of light of a given wavelength and determined the diffraction structure pitch using the following relationship:

[0063] d×sinθ=m×λ

[0064] Where d is the pitch of the diffraction structure, θ is the diffraction angle, m is the order, and λ is the wavelength, for example, 940 nm.

[0065] The inventors have determined that the spacing of the diffraction structure is very close to the spacing between subpixels in the row and column directions. The spacing between subpixels is, for example, measured as the distance between two adjacent subpixels in the row or column direction. Therefore, the inventors have determined that diffraction is caused by the pixels of the OLED layer, and particularly by the subpixels; in other words, the diffraction structure is formed by the subpixels of the OLED layer.

[0066] Furthermore, the inventors noted that the diffraction effect is more pronounced in the X and Y directions, corresponding to the row and column orientations of the pixel arrangement, respectively, and also to the two directions of alternation between red and blue sub-pixels.

[0067] In fact, the diffraction structure in the OLED layer produces a higher emission angle along the X or Y direction. For example... Figure 1C As shown, a higher angle means that light can propagate from emitter 122 to detector 124 with less reflection in the cover glass 114 above OLED layer 112, and therefore less attenuation. For example, in the case shown, there is a reflection (bouncing). If the angle is high enough, total internal reflection occurs and minimal attenuation occurs, resulting in crosstalk effects.

[0068] If the proximity sensor is oriented such that the common axis A of the transmitter and detector is aligned in one of these two directions, this diffraction effect increases the contribution of screen crosstalk, such as Figure 1A As shown, this has the disadvantage of reducing the performance of proximity sensors.

[0069] The inventors also determined that the metallization of pixel wiring is important in creating diffraction patterns. In particular, the inventors determined that metallic pixel wiring differs in the row and column directions, resulting in different diffraction patterns in the X and Y directions.

[0070] The inventors have created components and proximity sensors that can overcome all or part of the above-mentioned drawbacks, such as limiting or even suppressing the crosstalk effects caused by diffraction.

[0071] This document describes embodiments of components and proximity sensors. These embodiments are non-limiting, and various modifications will be conceived by those skilled in the art based on the instructions herein.

[0072] Figure 2 An embodiment of component 200 is shown, including a display screen 110 having a display layer 112 and a proximity sensor 220 below the display layer 112.

[0073] In some embodiments, the display layer 112 and the display screen 110 have a rectangular shape, with two opposing larger edges extending along the major axis Y (e.g., the vertical direction) and two opposing smaller edges extending along the minor axis X (e.g., the horizontal direction).

[0074] The display screen can be an OLED display screen, and the display layer can be an OLED layer, as mentioned above. Figure 1A As described. The OLED display screen 110 may include a cover glass 114 on the OLED layer 112, such as, for example, regarding Figure 1C As described.

[0075] refer to Figure 1A The OLED layer 112 includes pixels 10 arranged in rows 14 and columns 15. The rows are oriented along the horizontal direction X, and the columns are oriented along the vertical direction Y.

[0076] The proximity sensor 220 includes an optical emitter 222 and a photodetector 224, both of which are housed within an optical package 226.

[0077] Proximity sensors can be time-of-flight (TOF) sensor types. Proximity sensors can also be intensity-based sensor types.

[0078] The optical emitter can be a VCSEL. It should be understood that any type of optical emitter can be used, such as an LED emitter.

[0079] The optical detector can be any suitable type of optical detector. For example, an optical detector can include a single photosensitive pixel (which includes a photodiode) or multiple photosensitive pixels, each including a photodiode. The proximity detector can include a photon avalanche detector (SPAD) or a single-photon avalanche detector (SPAD).

[0080] The optical package 226, and therefore the proximity sensor 220, has a rectangular shape, with two opposing larger edges extending along a major axis X′ in the horizontal direction corresponding to the proximity sensor's reference frame, and two opposing smaller edges extending along a minor axis Y′ in the vertical direction corresponding to the proximity sensor's reference frame. Axis X′ and axis Y′ form the principal plane of the proximity sensor 220.

[0081] The optical emitter 222 and the optical detector 224 can be separated by a diaphragm 228 inside the optical package, which is substantially parallel to the short axis Y′ of the proximity sensor 220.

[0082] The common axis A passing through the center of the optical emitter 222 and the center of the optical detector 224 is substantially aligned with the major axis X′ of the proximity sensor 220. Furthermore, the proximity sensor 220 is offset at angles relative to the horizontal and vertical directions X and Y of the display screen 110, corresponding to the orientation of rows and columns of pixels in the display layer 112. In other words, each of the axes X′ and Y′ of the proximity sensor 220 is offset relative to each of the horizontal and vertical directions X and Y of the display screen. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the major axis X′ of the proximity sensor is offset by a first acute angle α relative to the horizontal direction X (minor axis) of the display screen and by a second acute angle β relative to the vertical direction Y (major axis) of the display screen, which is complementary to the first acute angle.

[0083] The first acute angle α is higher than about 10° in some embodiments and lower than about 80° in some embodiments, for example, it is included between about 10° and 45°, for example, equal to about 45°.

[0084] As a result, the common axis A passing through the center of the optical emitter 222 and the center of the optical detector 224 is angularly offset relative to each orientation of the rows and columns of pixels on the display screen, thereby allowing crosstalk effects caused by diffraction to be limited or even suppressed.

[0085] In other words, when the optical emitter 222 emits a light beam through one or more first pixels of the display screen 110, and the optical detector 224 receives the light beam emitted by the emitter and reflected on the object through one or more second pixels of the display screen 110, none of the one or more second pixels is in the same row as any of the one or more first pixels, and none of the one or more second pixels is in the same column as any of the one or more first pixels.

[0086] Figure 2 Component 200 can be obtained by providing a proximity sensor, such as Figure 1A The proximity sensor is rotated before being assembled behind the display screen 110 so that it is angled relative to the horizontal and vertical X and Y directions of the display screen 110, which correspond to the orientation of rows and columns of pixels in the display layer 112.

[0087] In one embodiment, the orientation of the rows and columns of the display layer is not in the horizontal and vertical directions of the display screen. In another embodiment, the proximity sensor is oriented to be offset relative to each direction of the rows and columns of the display layer.

[0088] Figure 3An embodiment of component 300 is shown, which is related to Figure 2 The difference in this embodiment is that the common axis A passing through the center of the optical emitter 322 and the center of the optical detector 324 is offset by a first acute angle α relative to the major axis X′ of the optical package 326, and by a second acute angle β relative to the minor axis Y′ of the optical package, the second acute angle being complementary to the first acute angle. Furthermore, the major axis X′ of the proximity sensor 320 is substantially aligned with the horizontal direction X (minor axis) of the display screen, and the minor axis Y′ of the proximity sensor 320 is substantially aligned with the vertical direction Y (major axis) of the display screen.

[0089] The first acute angle α is higher than about 10° in some embodiments and lower than about 80° in some embodiments, for example, it is included between about 10° and 45°, for example, equal to about 45°.

[0090] Since the horizontal direction X of the display screen 110 corresponds to the orientation of the pixel row in the display layer 112, and the vertical direction Y of the display screen 110 corresponds to the orientation of the pixel column in the display layer 112, the common axis A passing through the center of the optical emitter 322 and the center of the optical detector 324 is angularly offset relative to each of the row and column orientations of the display layer 112, thereby allowing crosstalk effects caused by diffraction to be limited or even suppressed.

[0091] In other words, when the optical emitter 322 emits a light beam through one or more first pixels of the display screen 110, and the optical detector 324 receives the light beam emitted by the emitter and reflected on the object through one or more second pixels of the display screen 110, none of the one or more second pixels is in the same row as any of the one or more first pixels, and none of the one or more second pixels is in the same column as any of the one or more first pixels.

[0092] and Figure 2 Compared to the proximity sensor 220, Figure 3 The proximity sensor 320 can be obtained by offsetting the emitter 322 and the optical detector 324 relative to the long axis X′ of the optical package 326 before enclosing and / or packaging the emitter 322 and the optical detector 324 to form an optical package.

[0093] Similar to Figure 2 The proximity sensor 220, optical emitter 322 and optical detector 324 can be separated by a diaphragm 328 inside the optical package 326, the diaphragm 328 being substantially parallel to the short axis Y′ of the proximity sensor 320.

[0094] The above is used for Figure 2 Other features and embodiments of the components can also be applied. Figure 3Components.

[0095] Figure 4A An embodiment of component 400 is shown, which is related to Figure 3 The difference in component 400 is that the common axis A passing through the center of the optical emitter 422 and the center of the optical detector 424 is substantially oriented along the diagonal of the optical package 426, which has a substantially square shape. Furthermore, the optical detector 424, having an array of photosensitive pixels including rows and columns of photosensitive pixels, is, for example, oriented to be substantially aligned with the rows or columns of photosensitive pixels in the direction of the common axis A.

[0096] In the illustrated embodiment, the first acute angle α is approximately 45°. In other embodiments, the first acute angle α may be included between approximately 10° and 80°, for example, between approximately 10° and 45°.

[0097] Figure 4A The proximity sensor 420 can be obtained by providing a printed circuit board (PCB) or another substrate having a substantially square shape, and placing the emitter 422 and the optical detector 424 on the PCB or substrate before sealing with a cover and / or encapsulating the emitter and optical detector on the PCB or substrate to form an optical package 426, such that a common axis A passing through the center of the optical emitter 422 and the center of the optical detector 424 is oriented substantially along the diagonal of the PCB or substrate.

[0098] Furthermore, the optical detector 424, which has a photosensitive pixel array including photosensitive pixel rows and photosensitive pixel columns, is rotated, for example, before forming the optical package, so as to align the photosensitive pixel rows or photosensitive pixel columns in the direction of the common axis A.

[0099] The optical emitter 422 and the optical detector 424 can be separated by a diaphragm 428 inside the optical package 426, the diaphragm 428 being oriented substantially perpendicular to the common axis A (substantially perpendicular to the diagonal).

[0100] In one embodiment, the optical package 426 may have a rectangular shape.

[0101] The above is for Figure 2 or Figure 3 Other features and embodiments described in the component description can also be applied. Figure 4A Components.

[0102] A proximity sensor may include multiple optical emitters. In this case, the common axis is an axis passing through the center of one of the optical emitters and the center of the optical detector, and in some embodiments, each common axis is offset relative to each of the row and column directions of the pixels in the matrix scheme. The same applies if multiple optical detectors are present, where the common axis is an axis passing through the center of one of the optical emitters and the center of one of the optical detectors. These conditions can be applied to any embodiment.

[0103] As an example, Figure 4B It shows Figure 4A A variation of the embodiment differs primarily in that the proximity sensor 420′ includes two emitters 422, 422′. Furthermore, a first common axis A passing through the center of the first optical emitter 422 and the center of the optical detector 424 is offset by a first acute angle α relative to the principal axis X′, and a second common axis A′ passing through the center of the second optical emitter 422′ and the center of the optical detector 424 is offset by a second acute angle α′ relative to the principal axis X′. Each of the first and second acute angles may be included between approximately 10° and 80°, for example, between approximately 10° and 45°.

[0104] Figure 5 The diagram schematically illustrates the reflection pattern of a light beam emitted from a proximity sensor 220 through an OLED screen 110 in component 200 according to an embodiment. Figure 5 The component is called Figure 2 The component can be any component according to the embodiment.

[0105] Because the common axis A of the optical emitter 222 and the optical detector 224 is offset at an angle relative to each of the row and column orientations of the OLED layer 112, the proximity sensor 220 is less affected by the diffraction effects caused by the pixel scheme in the OLED layer, which acts as a diffraction structure. In fact, the OLED layer 112 produces a lower emission angle in the directions offset relative to the row and column directions. Therefore, there are at least three reflected beams in the cover glass 114, further attenuating the diffraction effects in these directions (e.g., assuming three reflections are shown, but it can be greater than three, such as five or seven, resulting in a 25-fold attenuation per reflection).

[0106] Figure 6 This represents the measurement of crosstalk effects (counts) at different angles in the triangular direction between the vertical Y direction of the display screen and the common axis A of the proximity sensor, which is located below the display screen, and the light beam emitted and received by the proximity sensor passes through the display screen.

[0107] The measurement results are also shown in Table 1 below, where the corresponding acute angle β (relative to the vertical direction Y of the display screen) and the corresponding acute angle α (relative to the horizontal direction X of the display screen) are given in the other two columns.

[0108] Table 1

[0109]

[0110] Measurements show that the count is higher when the common axis A is oriented in the vertical direction Y or the horizontal direction X, but lower when the common axis A is oriented between the vertical direction Y and the horizontal direction X, thus demonstrating the ability to counteract the positive effects of the common axis A.

[0111] Various embodiments and variations have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these embodiments can be combined, and other variations will readily conceive of them.

[0112] In particular, although some of the embodiments described above relate to OLED screens, it should be understood that components and electronic devices may include other display screens whose pixels cause diffraction of the passing light beam.

[0113] Finally, based on the functional descriptions provided above, the actual implementation of the embodiments and variations described herein is within the capabilities of those skilled in the art.

[0114] A component (200, 300, 400) for an electronic device, the component being generally defined as including a display screen (110) comprising a plurality of pixels (10) arranged in a matrix scheme, the matrix scheme comprising rows (14) oriented in a first direction (X) and in a second direction (Y).

[0115] Oriented columns (15); and proximity sensors (220, 320, 420, 420'), comprising: at least one optical emitter (222, 322, 422, 422'), each optical emitter adapted to

[0116] The display screen emits a light beam through one or more first pixels; and an optical detector (224, 324, 424) is adapted to receive the light beam emitted by at least one optical emitter and reflected onto an object through one or more second pixels of the display screen; one or more of these are configured to emit a light beam through one or more first pixels of the display screen.

[0117] None of the second pixels are in the same row of 0 as any of the one or more first pixels, and none of the one or more second pixels are in the same row as any of the one or more first pixels.

[0118] Any one of them is in the same column.

[0119] Each common path passing through the center of one of the optical emitters (222, 322, 422, 422') and the center of the optical detector (224, 324, 424)

[0120] The axes (A, A′) may be offset by an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each of the first and second directions (X, Y).

[0121] The first acute angle (α, α′) of the common axis (A, A′) relative to the first direction (X) can be between 10° and 45°.

[0122] The second acute angle (β) of the common axis (A) relative to the second direction (Y) can be between 10° and 45°.

[0123] As a display screen (110) of an OLED screen, each pixel of the OLED screen may have, for example, a pentile subpixel arrangement.

[0124] At least one optical emitter (222) and optical detector (224) may be housed within an optical package (226), and each common axis (A) passing through the center of one of the optical emitters and the center of the optical detector may be substantially aligned with the edge of the optical package.

[0125] At least one optical emitter (322, 422, 422') and optical detector (324, 424) may be housed within an optical package (326, 426), and each common axis (A, A') may pass through the center of one of the optical emitters, and the center of the optical detector may be offset by an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each edge of the optical package.

[0126] The proximity sensor (320, 420, 420′) can be summarized as including at least one optical emitter (322, 422, 422′) and an optical detector (324, 424), each optical emitter (322, 422, 422′) being adapted to emit a light beam through a display screen, and the optical detector (324, 424) being adapted to receive the light beam emitted by the at least one optical emitter and reflected on an object through a display screen, wherein the at least one optical emitter and the optical detector are housed within an optical package (326, 426), and each common axis (A, A′) passes through the center of one of the at least one optical emitters and the center of the optical detector at an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each edge of the edge of the optical package.

[0127] The acute angle of each common axis (A, A′) relative to each edge of the optical package can be included between 10° and 45°.

[0128] The optical package (426) can be substantially rectangular or square, and at least the common axis (A) can be oriented substantially on the diagonal of the optical package.

[0129] The optical detector (424) may include a photosensitive pixel array having photosensitive pixel rows and photosensitive pixel columns, the optical detector being oriented to be aligned substantially in the direction of a common axis (A) with the photosensitive pixel rows or photosensitive pixel columns.

[0130] The proximity sensor (420') may include at least two optical emitters (422, 422').

[0131] Electronic devices can be broadly categorized as including components or proximity sensors.

[0132] A method for forming components (200, 300, 400) can be summarized as including a display screen (110) and proximity sensors (220, 320, 420, 420'), the display screen (110) having a plurality of pixels (10) arranged in a matrix scheme, the matrix scheme including rows (14) oriented in a first direction (X) and columns (15) oriented in a second direction (Y); the method includes: forming a component with at least one optical emitter (222, 322, 422, 422') and an optical detector (224, 324, 424). The proximity sensor is placed below the display screen such that each of the optical emitters is adapted to emit a light beam through one or more first pixels of the display screen, and the optical detectors (224, 324, 424) are adapted to receive the light beam emitted by at least one emitter and reflected on the object through one or more second pixels of the display screen, wherein none of the one or more second pixels is in the same row as any of the one or more first pixels, and none of the one or more second pixels is in the same column as any of the one or more first pixels.

[0133] The method may include providing a proximity sensor (220) having at least one optical emitter (222) and an optical detector (224), both of which are housed within an optical package (226), with each common axis (A) passing through the center of one of the optical emitters and the center of the optical detector substantially aligned with the edge of the optical package; positioning the proximity sensor (220) below a display screen (110); rotating the proximity sensor (220) such that the edge of the optical package is offset by an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each of the first and second directions (X, Y); and assembling the proximity sensor (220) to the display screen (110).

[0134] The method may include: providing proximity sensors (320, 420, 420') having at least one optical emitter (322, 422, 422') and an optical detector (324, 424), both of which are housed within an optical package (326, 426), with each common axis (A, A') passing through the center of one of the optical emitters and the center of the optical detector offset by an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each edge of the optical package; and assembling the proximity sensors (320, 420, 420') under a display screen (110) such that each edge of the optical package can be substantially aligned with a first direction (X) or a second direction (Y).

[0135] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. If desired,

[0136] Various aspects of the embodiments can be modified to employ the concepts of various embodiments to provide additional embodiments.

[0137] Based on the detailed description above, these and other changes can be made to the embodiments. Generally, the terminology used in the following claims should not be construed as limiting the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, but should be interpreted as encompassing all...

[0138] Possible embodiments and the full scope of the authorized equivalents of these claims. Therefore, the claims are not limited by this disclosure.

Claims

1. A component for an electronic device, the component comprising: The display screen includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix scheme having rows oriented in a first direction and columns oriented in a second direction; as well as A proximity sensor includes at least one optical emitter and an optical detector, each of the optical emitters being adapted to emit a light beam through one or more first pixels of the display screen, and the optical detector being adapted to receive the light beam emitted by the at least one optical emitter and reflected onto an object through one or more second pixels of the display screen; Wherein, none of the one or more second pixels are in the same row as any of the one or more first pixels, and none of the one or more second pixels are in the same column as any of the one or more first pixels.

2. The component of claim 1, wherein each common axis passing through the center of one of the at least one optical emitters and the center of the optical detector is offset by an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each of the first direction and the second direction.

3. The component of claim 2, wherein the first acute angle of the common axis relative to the first direction is in the range of 10° and 45°.

4. The component of claim 2, wherein the second acute angle of the common axis relative to the second direction is in the range of 10° and 45°.

5. The component of claim 1, wherein the display screen is an OLED screen, and each pixel of the OLED screen has a pentile subpixel arrangement.

6. The component of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical emitter and the optical detector are housed within an optical package, and each common axis passing through the center of one of the at least one optical emitters and the center of the optical detector is substantially aligned with the edge of the optical package.

7. The component of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical emitter and the optical detector are housed within an optical package, and each common axis passing through the center of one of the at least one optical emitters and the center of the optical detector is offset by an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each edge of the optical package.

8. The component of claim 7, wherein the optical package is substantially rectangular or square, and at least one common axis is substantially oriented along the diagonal of the optical package.

9. The component of claim 8, wherein the optical detector comprises a photosensitive pixel array having photosensitive pixel rows and photosensitive pixel columns, the photosensitive pixel rows or the photosensitive pixel columns being substantially aligned with the orientation of the at least one common axis.

10. The component of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical emitter comprises at least two optical emitters.

11. An electronic device comprising the component according to claim 1.

12. A proximity sensor for use in an electronic device having a display screen having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix scheme having rows oriented in a first direction and columns oriented in a second direction, the proximity sensor comprising: At least one optical emitter, each of the optical emitters being adapted to emit a light beam through one or more first pixels of the display screen; as well as An optical detector, adapted to receive, through one or more second pixels of the display screen, the light beam emitted by the at least one optical emitter and reflected onto the object. Wherein, none of the one or more second pixels are in the same row as any of the one or more first pixels, and none of the one or more second pixels are in the same column as any of the one or more first pixels; The at least one optical emitter and the optical detector are housed within an optical package having four edges, and Each common axis passing through the center of one of the at least one optical emitters and the center of the optical detector is offset by an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each edge of the optical package.

13. The proximity sensor of claim 12, wherein the acute angle of each common axis relative to each edge of the optical package is in the range of 10° and 45°.

14. The proximity sensor of claim 12, wherein the optical package is substantially rectangular or square, and at least one common axis is substantially oriented along the diagonal of the optical package.

15. The proximity sensor of claim 14, wherein the optical detector comprises a photosensitive pixel array having photosensitive pixel rows and photosensitive pixel columns, the photosensitive pixel rows or the photosensitive pixel columns being substantially aligned in the direction of the at least one common axis.

16. The proximity sensor of claim 12, wherein the at least one optical emitter comprises at least two optical emitters.

17. An electronic device comprising the proximity sensor according to claim 12.

18. A method for forming a component including a display screen having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix scheme, the matrix scheme having rows oriented in a first direction and columns oriented in a second direction, the method comprising: A proximity sensor having at least one optical emitter and an optical detector is placed below the display screen in the following manner: Each of the at least one optical emitter is adapted to emit a light beam through one or more first pixels of the display screen. The optical detector is adapted to receive, through one or more second pixels of the display screen, the light beam emitted by the at least one emitter and reflected on the object, and None of the one or more second pixels are in the same row as any of the one or more first pixels, and none of the one or more second pixels are in the same column as any of the one or more first pixels.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein placing the proximity sensor comprises: The proximity sensor is provided, the proximity sensor having at least one optical emitter and the optical detector, both of the at least one optical emitter and the optical detector being housed within an optical package, each common axis passing through the center of one of the at least one optical emitters and the center of the optical detector being substantially aligned with the edge of the optical package; The proximity sensor is positioned below the display screen; The proximity sensor is rotated such that the edge of the optical package is offset by an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each of the first and second directions; as well as The proximity sensor is assembled onto the display screen.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein placing the proximity sensor comprises: The proximity sensor is provided, the proximity sensor having at least one optical emitter and the optical detector, both of the at least one optical emitter and the optical detector being housed within an optical package, each common axis passing through the center of one of the at least one optical emitters and the center of the optical detector being offset at an acute angle of at least 10° and at most 80° relative to each edge of the optical package; as well as The proximity sensor is assembled below the display screen such that each edge of the optical package is substantially aligned with one of the first or second directions.

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