Optical source assemblies for use with organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based screens for mobile applications

Abstract

To provide systems and methods for optical source assemblies for use with organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based screens for mobile applications.SOLUTION: A screen having one or more layers may be used in conjunction with a plurality of optical source assemblies embedded in or behind the screen, with the plurality of optical source assemblies configured to emit beams at certain locations in the screen, where at least one of the one or more layers is configured to adjust or affect diffractive characteristics of beams emitted by the plurality of optical source assemblies. The screen may be an OLED based screen. The layers may include a thin-film-transistor (TFT) layer and an OLED layer. The TFT layer and / or the OLED layer may be configured to multiply the emitter count on a projected area, and / or to shape the emitter count and / or properties.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to energy generation and storage. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for light source assemblies for use with organic light emitting diode (OLED) based screens for mobile applications. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] The limitations and drawbacks of conventional and previous devices and solutions for transmitting and receiving optical signals will become apparent to those skilled in the art through a comparison of such systems with certain aspects of the present disclosure described in the remainder of this application, with reference to the drawings. Summary of the Invention

[0003]

[0003] Provided are systems and methods for a light source assembly for use with an organic light emitting diode (OLED) based screen for mobile applications, substantially as shown in and / or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as further fully described in the claims.

[0004]

[0004] These and other advantages, aspects, and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of illustrated embodiments thereof, will become more fully understood from the following description and drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1]

[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary light source assembly for use in an organic light emitting diode (OLED) based screen according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2]

[0006] 1 illustrates an exemplary use of multiple light source assemblies in a screen according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3]

[0007] 1A-1C illustrate an embodiment of different components of a screen configured to support the use of a light source assembly according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4A]

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates the transmission distortion resulting from the use of patterned layers in OLED-based screens according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 illustrates transmission distortions resulting from the use of patterned layers in OLED-based screens according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 5]

[0009] FIG. 13 illustrates the effect of divergence angle on transmission distortion resulting from the use of patterned layers in OLED-based screens according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006]

[0010] Modern electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, PCs, etc.) use imaging displays that include integrated light transmitters (e.g., flood illuminators for face recognition, illuminators for time-of-flight 3D detection, dot projectors for structured light 3D detection, etc.) and receivers (e.g., RGB camera sensors, IR sensors, etc.). Currently, such transmitters and receivers are integrated into the area of ​​the screen, which reduces the area available for imaging purposes. Note that the term screen is used interchangeably herein with the terms display, display screen, and display layer. For example, mobile phones may use a tilt above an OLED screen for that purpose. It is highly desirable to improve the performance of such screens, especially in a cost-effective manner.

[0007]

[0011] Thus, in various exemplary embodiments, the solutions according to the present disclosure provide: In this regard, a certain number of light source assemblies may be incorporated in the screen to provide beams only at specific locations in the screen (rather than the entire screen), and the remaining components of the screen are configured to support and enhance the diffractive properties of the beams emitted by these elements. Thus, the solution according to the present disclosure allows the elimination of special diffractive components (e.g., diffractive optical elements) used in existing screens based on conventional solutions. In this regard, in conventional screens, a diffractive optical element (DOE), which is a passive component, is used in combination with a beam source (e.g., a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL)-based transmitter) that emits a beam / light that is focused on the DOE and then diffracted by the DOE. However, according to the present disclosure, instead of using a DOE, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer in the screen may be used as a diffractive optical layer to multiply the number of projected beams in the projected area. Similarly, an OLED layer in the screen may be used as a diffractive optical element to further multiply and / or shape the number and properties of emitters. Thus, whereas an OLED-based screen realized based on existing solutions may comprise a beam source (e.g., a laser transmitter), a diffractive optical element, a TFT layer, an OLED layer, and a protective layer, an OLED-based screen realized based on the present disclosure comprises only a beam source (e.g., a laser transmitter), a TFT layer, an OLED layer, and a protective layer, where the TFT layer and / or the OLED layer are configured such that, for example, their diffractive properties are alternatively used to achieve the same optical function provided by the diffractive optical element.

[0008]

[0012] In various exemplary embodiments, the density, size, thickness, refractive index, and arrangement of pixels of an OLED-based screen can be modified to provide desired optical properties. The combination of TFT and OLED pixel assemblies can be used for indirect time-of-flight (iToF), direct time-of-flight (dTof), structured light, etc. for beam steering. Multiple sources at different locations can be combined to increase depth range, reduce depth error, and achieve higher resolution. The OLED and TFT patterns allow higher transmission through the OLED / TFT to achieve better system performance (SNR, depth error). The present disclosure is applicable to any suitable type of laser, and thus exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure can be used with, for example, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), edge emitting lasers (EELs), distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, Fabry-Perot (FP) lasers, or any derivatives thereof, including diffractive optical elements in the OLED layer stack.

[0009]

[0013] 1 illustrates an exemplary light source assembly for use in an organic light emitting diode (OLED) based screen according to the present disclosure. A light source assembly 100 is shown in FIG.

[0010]

[0014] In this regard, the light source assembly 100 may be configured for use in combination with a screen, particularly an OLED-based screen, to facilitate or support diffractive optics-related functions therein, for example, by providing a beam only to specific locations within the screen (rather than the entire screen), and the remaining components of the screen may then be configured to support and enhance the diffractive properties of the beam emitted by such elements.

[0011]

[0015] 1, the light source assembly 100 may include a substrate 101, a photovoltaic device 102, and a lens system 103. In this regard, the light source assembly 100 may include packaging (or housing) 110 that encloses the various components of the light source assembly 100. The substrate 101 may include the electro-optic device and / or any of the components of the light source assembly 100. The photoelectric device 102 is configured to emit a beam. In this regard, the photoelectric device 102 may be configured to emit a beam at any wavelength for, for example, depth camera and / or biometric detection applications. In this regard, the depth camera represents a receive (RX) and transmit (TX) side. The lens system 103 is configured for beam shaping to enable shaping of the beam emitted by or received by the photoelectric device 102.

[0012]

[0016] In operation, the light source assembly 100 is incorporated into a screen or display of an electronic device, particularly a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc.), with multiple instances of the light source assembly 100 being placed below a stack / layer of the screen. In this regard, in various embodiments, some of the components of the screen may be configured to operate in combination with the light source assembly. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the light source assembly 100 may be placed behind (or below) a layer / stack of the screen, which may include, for example, a patterned thin film transistor (TFT) layer / stack 104, a patterned / arranged organic light emitting diode (OLED) layer / stack 105, and a top layer / stack 106 of the screen (e.g., a protective glass, etc.). As shown, the beam emitted by the light source assembly 100 may then pass through these layers / stacks of the screen. Thus, at least some of these layers / stacks may be configured to further enhance and / or otherwise adjust the diffraction properties of the beam. This may be done, for example, by the use of specific patterns or arrangements within these layers / stacks. An example of such a patterned layer / stack is described in more detail below in connection with FIG.

[0013]

[0017] 2 illustrates an exemplary use of multiple light source assemblies in a screen according to the present disclosure. A screen 200 is shown in FIG. 2 that includes multiple light source assemblies installed at different screen positions 201-204.

[0014]

[0018] In this regard, each of the screens 201, 202, 203, and 204 may be implemented with a light source assembly and / or electro-optical device, such as similar to the light source assembly 100 of FIG. 1. Thus, rather than implementing the screen 200 such that it provides diffractive optical action across the entirety of the screen, as shown in FIG. 2, only a certain number of DOEs may alternatively be used, placed at specific locations within the screen (e.g., integrated into the screen). However, it should be understood that the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is not limiting, and thus any suitable arrangement (e.g., any number of DOEs and / or various placements thereof) may be used so long as it provides the desired or acceptable performance.

[0015]

[0019] 3 shows an embodiment of the different components of a screen configured to support the use of a light source assembly according to the present disclosure. An organic light emitting diode (OLED) layer 300, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer 310, and a detection layer 320 (sections of) are shown in FIG.

[0016]

[0020] The OLED layer 300 comprises a plurality of pixel OLED elements. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 3, the OLED layer 300 comprises a plurality of rectangular pixel elements, each of which comprises four sub-pixel (e.g., RGB) elements. The detection layer 320 is configured to support a particular function in the screen, for example, a tactile-related function in a touch screen. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 3, the detection layer 320 comprises appropriate circuitry, for example, a capacitive panel and thin film transistors.

[0017]

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the different screen layers are arranged to accommodate the light source assembly, e.g., the The light source assembly 100 may be configured (e.g., patterned) to facilitate and / or support the use of similar light source assemblies. In particular, the OLED layer 300 and the TFT layer 310 may incorporate patterns or arrangements selected or tailored (e.g., by use of cutout portions as shown in FIG. 3) to specifically support or optimize the diffractive properties of the emitted beam. In this regard, the pattern of the OLED layer 300 provides diffraction for the beam associated with the DOE below (behind) the screen. Similarly, the pattern of the TFT layer 310 provides diffraction for the beam. Thus, the combined patterned OLED / TFT may have a higher transmittance. Additionally, although not shown in FIG. 3, the detection layer may be similarly patterned to enable the use of the DOE and to further enhance the operation of the DOE.

[0018]

[0022] 4A-4B show transmission distortions resulting from the use of a patterned layer in an OLED-based screen according to the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 4A shows the profile of a light beam used to characterize the OLED diffraction properties, while FIG. 4B shows the transmission distortions resulting from the use of a patterned layer in an OLED-based screen according to an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure.

[0019]

[0023] Screenshot images 400, 410, 420, and 430 (i.e., images of a screen or portions thereof under certain operating conditions) are shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. In this regard, screenshot images 400, 410, 420, and 430 are generated or acquired based on the use of the same beam. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, screenshot images 400, 410, 420, and 430 are generated or acquired based on the use of a 940 nm laser beam collimated and aligned with the sample. Screenshot image 400 shows the result of using a focused laser beam at the screen without the use of a light source assembly or a patterned layer in the screen. Screenshot image 410 shows the effect of post-diffraction of a patterned TFT layer (e.g., similar to TFT layer 310 of FIG. 3) on the same beam. Screenshot image 420 shows the effect of post-diffraction of a patterned OLED layer (e.g., similar to OLED layer 300 of FIG. 3) on the same beam. Screenshot image 430 shows the effect of diffraction after a patterned OLED layer (eg, similar to OLED layer 300 of FIG. 3) on the same beam.

[0020]

[0024] 5 illustrates the effect of divergence angle on transmission distortion resulting from the use of patterned layers in an OLED-based screen according to the present disclosure. Screenshot images 500, 510, and 520 (i.e., images or portions of a screen under specific operating conditions) are shown in FIG.

[0021]

[0025] In this regard, screenshot images 500, 510, and 520 are generated or captured based on the use of the same beam on the same screen, particularly a screen incorporating a light source assembly and a patterned layer in the screen, for example as described with reference to Figures 1 and 3. Screenshot images 500, 510, and 520 correspond to placement of the screen at three different distances relative to a camera (or similar device) used to capture the image. For example, as shown in Figure 5, screenshot images 500, 510, and 520 are generated or captured at distances of 20 cm, 13 cm, and 7 cm, respectively. As shown in screenshot images 500, 510, and 520, the screen exhibits varying diffraction behavior at different distances, i.e., the screen has different divergence angles at different distances.

[0022]

[0026] An exemplary system according to the present disclosure includes a screen having one or more layers, and and a plurality of light source assemblies integrated within or behind the screen, where the plurality of light source assemblies are configured to emit beams at specific locations within the screen, where at least one of the one or more layers is configured to adjust or affect the diffraction properties of the beams emitted by the plurality of light source assemblies.

[0023]

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more characteristics of the screen are set or altered to produce optical characteristics based on preset criteria related to diffraction performance.

[0024]

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more characteristics include one or more of pixel density, size, thickness, refractive index, and arrangement.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the screen includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED) based screen.

[0025]

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more layers include a thin film transistor (TFT) layer.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer is configured to increase the number of emitters in the projected area.

[0026]

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more layers include an organic light emitting diode (OLED) layer.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) layer is configured to increase and / or embody the number and / or characteristics of emitters.

[0027]

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more layers includes a detection layer.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more layers includes a top protective layer.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the one or more layers is physically patterned or positioned to adjust or affect the diffractive properties of the beams emitted by the multiple light source assemblies.

[0028]

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the physical patterning or arrangement includes the use of cut-out portions in at least one of the one or more layers.

[0038] An exemplary light source assembly according to the present disclosure includes an optoelectronic component configured to emit a beam and a beam shaping component configured to shape the beam emitted by the optoelectronic component, where the light source assembly is configured for use in a screen and is integrated into a specific location within or behind the screen.

[0029]

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the light source assembly further comprises a housing or packaging configured to enclose all the remaining components of the light source assembly.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the light source assembly further comprises a substrate.

[0030]

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the photovoltaic component is incorporated onto the substrate.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the beam shaping component comprises a lens-based component.

[0031]

[0043] As used herein, "and / or" means any one or more of the items in the list connected by "and / or." As an example, "x and / or y" means any one of the 3-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, "x and / or y" means "one or both of x and y." As another example, "x, y, and / or z" means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x,z), (y,z), (x,y,z)}. In other words, "x, y, and / or z" means "one or more of x, y, and z." As used herein, the term "exemplary" is meant to serve as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As used herein, the terms "for example" and "such as" provide a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.

[0032]

[0044] As used herein, the terms "circuit" and "circuitry" refer to physical electronic components (e.g., hardware) and any software and / or firmware ("code") that may comprise, be executed by, and / or otherwise relate to the hardware. As used herein, for example, a particular processor and memory (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory devices, general computer-readable media, etc.) may comprise a first "circuit" when executing a first line or lines of code, and a second "circuit" when executing a second line or lines of code. Furthermore, a circuit may comprise analog and / or digital circuits. Such circuits may operate, for example, based on analog and / or digital signals. It should be understood that a circuit may reside in one device or chip, on one motherboard, in one chassis, in multiple enclosures in one geographic location, in multiple enclosures distributed across multiple geographic locations, etc. Similarly, the term "module" may refer to, for example, a physical electronic component (e.g., hardware) as well as any software and / or firmware ("code") that may comprise, be executed by, and / or otherwise be associated with the hardware.

[0033]

[0045] As used herein, a circuit or module is "operable" to perform a function whenever the circuit or module comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance of the function is disabled or enabled (e.g., by a user-configurable setting, a factory trim, etc.).

[0034]

[0046] Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and / or storage medium including machine code and / or a computer program having at least one code section stored thereon executable by a machine and / or computer, thereby causing a machine and / or computer to perform the steps described herein.

[0035]

[0047] Thus, various embodiments according to the invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The invention may be realized in a centralized manner in at least one computing system, or in a distributed manner with different elements spread across several interconnected computing systems. Any kind of computing system or other device adapted to perform the methods described herein is adapted to be suitable. Exemplary implementations may include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more processors (e.g., x86, x64, ARM, PIC, and / or any other suitable processor architecture) and associated support circuitry (e.g., storage, DRAM, flash, bus interface circuitry, etc.). Each discrete ASIC, FPGA, processor, or other circuit may be referred to as a "chip," and multiple Such circuitry may be referred to as a "chipset." Another embodiment may comprise a non-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) medium (e.g., flash drive, optical disk, magnetic storage disk, etc.) having one or more lines of code stored thereon that, when executed by the machine, cause the machine to perform the steps described in this disclosure. Another embodiment may comprise a non-transitory machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) medium (e.g., flash drive, optical disk, magnetic storage disk, etc.) having one or more lines of code stored thereon that, when executed by the machine, cause the machine to configure (e.g., load software and / or firmware into its circuitry) to operate as a system described in this disclosure.

[0036]

[0048] The various embodiments according to the invention may further be embodied in a computer program product that comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein and that is capable of executing these methods when loaded into a computer system. A computer program in this context means any expression, code or representation in any language of a set of instructions intended to cause a system capable of processing information to perform a particular function, either directly or after a) conversion into another language, code or representation and / or b) reproduction in a different material form.

[0037]

[0049] Although the method and / or system have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the method and / or system. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope of the teachings of the disclosure. Therefore, it is not intended that the method and / or system be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and that the method and / or system will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 100 light source assembly 101 Base material 102 Photoelectric Devices 103 Lens system 104 Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Layer / Stack 105 Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Layers / Stacks 106 Upper Layer / Stack 110 Packaging (or housing) 200 screens 201, 202, 203, 204 Screen position, screen 300 Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Layer 310 Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Layer 320 Detection Layer 400, 410, 420, 430 Screenshot images 500, 510, 520 screenshot images

Claims

1. A screen having one or more layers, A plurality of light source assemblies incorporated within or behind the screen, Includes, The plurality of light source assemblies are configured to emit beams to specific positions within the screen, The plurality of light source assemblies are configured to produce diffractive optical action that does not extend across the entire screen, At least one of the one or more layers is configured to enhance the diffraction characteristics of the beam emitted by the plurality of light source assemblies. system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein one or more properties of the screen are set or modified to produce optical properties based on a preset criterion related to diffraction performance.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the characteristics include one or more of the density, size, thickness, refractive index, and arrangement of pixels.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the screen includes an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based screen.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein one or more layers include a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein one or more layers include an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layer.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more layers include a detection layer.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more layers include an upper protective layer.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more layers is physically patterned or arranged to adjust or influence the diffraction characteristics of the beams emitted by the plurality of light source assemblies.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the physical patterning or arrangement includes the use of one or more notches of at least one of the one or more layers.

11. A light source assembly, A photoelectric component configured to emit a beam, A beam shaping component configured to shape the beam emitted by the aforementioned photoelectric component, Includes, The light source assembly is configured for use in a screen and is incorporated into a specific position within or behind the screen. The photoelectric component includes a plurality of sub-elements configured to emit light beams at a plurality of different wavelengths. light source assembly.

12. A light source assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a housing or packaging configured to surround at least some of the components of the light source assembly.

13. A light source assembly according to claim 12, wherein the housing or packaging is configured to surround all the remaining components of the light source assembly.

14. A light source assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a base material.

15. A light source assembly according to claim 14, wherein the photoelectric component is incorporated on the substrate.

16. A light source assembly according to claim 11, wherein the beam forming component includes a lens base component.

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