Electronic device

Abstract

This disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device has a first region and a second region, with the second region adjacent to the first region. The electronic device includes a photosensor, a first light-emitting element, and a second light-emitting element. The photosensor is disposed in the first region and is used to receive light signals. The first light-emitting element is disposed in the first region. The second light-emitting element is disposed in the second region. The first light-emitting element is driven by a first driving signal, and the first driving signal has a first duty cycle. The second light-emitting element is driven by a second driving signal, and the second driving signal has a second duty cycle. The first duty cycle has a first duty cycle. The second duty cycle has a second duty cycle. The first duty cycle is less than the second duty cycle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device, in particular to an electronic device with a light sensing function. Prior Art

[0002] Currently, most smartphone image sensors are located within the display area of the display screen. When the display screen is displaying an image, while the image sensor is performing image sensing, it not only receives light signals from the target being sensed, but also receives light signals from adjacent pixels on the display screen. This degrades the image quality of the image sensor. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure is directed to an electronic device that can provide better light sensing function.

[0004] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device has a first area and a second area, wherein the second area is adjacent to the first area. The electronic device includes a light sensor, a first light-emitting element, and a second light-emitting element. The light sensor is disposed in the first area and is configured to receive a light signal. The first light-emitting element is disposed in the first area. The second light-emitting element is disposed in the second area. The first light-emitting element is driven by a first drive signal having a first duty cycle. The second light-emitting element is driven by a second drive signal having a second duty cycle. The first duty cycle has a first duty cycle. The second duty cycle has a second duty cycle. The first duty cycle is smaller than the second duty cycle.

[0005] Based on the above, the electronic device of the present disclosure can use different driving signals to respectively drive the first light-emitting element in the first area and the second light-emitting element in the second area of the electronic device that are coexisting with the light sensor, so that the light sensor can achieve a better light sensing effect during the light sensing process.

[0006] To make the above features and advantages of the present disclosure more clearly understood, embodiments are given below with reference to the accompanying drawings for detailed description. Simple diagram description

[0007] FIG. 1A is a circuit diagram of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1C is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG1D is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A is a signal waveform diagram of a driving signal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is a signal waveform diagram of a driving signal operating in a sensing mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3C is a signal waveform diagram of a driving signal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4A is a signal waveform diagram of a driving signal operating in a sensing mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4B is a signal waveform diagram of a driving signal operating in a sensing mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a signal waveform diagram of a driving signal operating in a sensing mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a light sensor and a light emitting element according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8B is an operation timing diagram of the light sensor and the light emitting element according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Implementation Method

[0008] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, like reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0009] Throughout this disclosure and the accompanying claims, certain terms are used to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that electronic device manufacturers may refer to the same components by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that have the same function but different names. In the following description and claims, the words "including" and "comprising" are open-ended and should be interpreted as meaning "including, but not limited to..."

[0010] Directional terms used herein, such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," and "right," refer only to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, each diagram depicts the general characteristics of methods, structures, and / or materials used in specific embodiments. However, these diagrams should not be construed as defining or limiting the scope or nature of the embodiments. For example, the relative sizes, thicknesses, and positions of various layers, regions, and / or structures may be exaggerated or reduced for clarity.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, terms related to joining and connecting, such as "connect," "interconnect," and the like, unless otherwise defined, may refer to two structures being in direct contact, or may also refer to two structures not being in direct contact, with another structure positioned between the two structures. Furthermore, these terms related to joining and connecting may include situations where both structures are movable or both structures are fixed. Furthermore, the term "coupling" includes any direct or indirect electrical connection means. In the case of a direct electrical connection, the endpoints of two circuit components are directly connected or interconnected by a conductor segment. In the case of an indirect electrical connection, a switch, diode, capacitor, inductor, resistor, other suitable element, or a combination of the above elements is located between the endpoints of the two circuit components, but is not limited thereto.

[0012] The terms "about," "equal to," "equal," or "same," "substantially," or "approximately" are generally interpreted to mean within 20% of a given value or range, or within 10%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or 0.5% of a given value or range.

[0013] The use of ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the specification and patent claims to modify components does not imply or represent any previous ordinal number for the component or components, nor does it indicate the order of one component relative to another or the order of manufacturing methods. The use of such ordinal numbers is merely to clearly distinguish a component with a certain name from another component with the same name. The patent claims and the specification may not use the same terms; accordingly, the first component in the specification may be the second component in the patent claims. It should be noted that the following embodiments may replace, reorganize, or combine the technical features of several different embodiments to complete other embodiments without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0014] It should be noted that the following embodiments may be implemented by replacing, recombining, or combining features from various embodiments to create other embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Features from various embodiments may be mixed and matched as needed, as long as they do not violate the spirit of the invention or conflict with it.

[0015] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It is understood that these terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with the background or context of the relevant art and this disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner unless specifically defined in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0016] The electronic devices disclosed herein may include, for example, display devices, antenna devices, sensing devices, touch displays, curved displays, or free-form displays, and may also be bendable or flexible spliced electronic devices, but are not limited thereto. The sensing devices may include sensors, such as light sensors, capacitive sensors, pressure sensors, electromagnetic sensors, other suitable sensors, or combinations of the aforementioned types of sensors. The sensors may include biometric sensors, touch sensors, fingerprint sensors, eye tracking sensors, image sensors, other suitable sensors, or combinations of the aforementioned types of sensors. The electronic devices may include electronic components, which may include passive and active components, such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, diodes, transistors, sensors, and the like. The electronic devices may include, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystals, fluorescence, phosphors, quantum dots (QDs), other suitable display media, or combinations thereof, but are not limited thereto. The diode may include a light-emitting diode or a photodiode. The light-emitting diode may, for example, include an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or an inorganic light-emitting diode. The inorganic light-emitting diode may, for example, include a sub-millimeter light-emitting diode (mini LED), a micro LED, or a quantum dot light-emitting diode (e.g., QLED, QDLED), or other suitable materials or any combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The antenna device may, for example, be a liquid crystal antenna, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the electronic device of the present disclosure may be any combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the shape of the electronic device may be rectangular, circular, polygonal, a shape with curved edges, or other suitable shapes. The electronic device may have a drive system, a control system, a light source system, a shelf system, and other peripheral systems to support the display device or antenna device.

[0017] FIG1A is a circuit diagram of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG1A , electronic device 100 includes a first light-emitting element 110, a second light-emitting element 120, and a light sensor 130. The first light-emitting element 110, the second light-emitting element 120, and the light sensor 130 can each be coupled to a driver circuit 140 and driven by the driver circuit 140. In this embodiment, the first light-emitting element 110 can be driven by a first drive signal DS1 provided by the driver circuit 140. The second light-emitting element 120 can be driven by a second drive signal DS2 provided by the driver circuit 140. The light sensor 130 can be controlled by a control signal DV provided by the driver circuit 140. The light sensor 130 can provide sensing results to the driver circuit 140.

[0018] In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 may further include, for example, a substrate, a display element, a touch element, and / or other sensing elements, and is not limited to that shown in FIG1A . The electronic device 100 may be, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a notebook computer, or any other device having light emitting and light sensing functions, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0019] In this embodiment, when the electronic device 100 is a display device, for example, the first light-emitting element 110 and the second light-emitting element 120 may be display elements of the display device or light-emitting elements of a backlight module within the display device. Therefore, the driver circuit 140 may include, for example, a display driver or a backlight driver. The first light-emitting element 110 and the second light-emitting element 120 may be organic light-emitting diodes or inorganic light-emitting diodes, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the optical sensor may be configured to include at least one of a fingerprint sensor, an image sensor, or an eye-tracking element (i.e., an infrared light sensor). Therefore, the driver circuit 140 may also include, for example, a fingerprint sensor driver, an image sensor driver, or an eye-tracking driver. Furthermore, these drivers may be provided as multiple separate chips or integrated into a single chip within the driver circuit 140. In one embodiment, the driver circuit 140 may also be the central processing unit (CPU) of the electronic device 100.

[0020] Figure 1B is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1B , when the electronic device is, for example, a display device, it may include a display panel 100A. The display surface of the display panel 100A may be parallel to a plane extending along a first direction D1 and a second direction D2, and may provide display light in a third direction D3. The first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are in different directions. In one embodiment, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, the display panel 100A includes a first region S1A and a second region S2A. The second region S2A is adjacent to the first region S1A. The first light-emitting element 110 of Figure 1A may be disposed in the first region S1A, and the second light-emitting element 120 of Figure 1A may be disposed in the second region S2A. The light sensor 130A may be disposed in the first region S1A of the display panel 100A; therefore, the first region S1A may also serve as a sensing region. The optical sensor 130A can receive optical signals, for example, optical signals from the third direction D3, to perform optical sensing operations. It should be noted that the present disclosure does not limit the shapes of the first area S1A and the second area S2A, and the first area S1A may include multiple optical sensors of the same or different numbers. FIG1B only illustrates one exemplary embodiment for ease of illustration.

[0021] In this embodiment, when light sensor 130A performs a light sensing function, the first light-emitting element disposed in first region S1A and the second light-emitting element disposed in second region S2A can be driven by different driving signals to achieve different lighting or display effects, thereby enabling light sensor 130A to achieve a better light sensing effect. In this embodiment, the light sensing function may include an image sensing function, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0022] Figure 1C is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1C , when the electronic device is, for example, a display device, the electronic device may include a display panel 100B. Display panel 100B includes a first area S1B and a second area S2B. Second area S2B is adjacent to first area S1B. Unlike Figure 1B , first area S1B may be provided with multiple sensors, such as light sensors 131B and 132B. Therefore, first area S1B may also serve as a sensing area. The first light-emitting element 110 of Figure 1A may be provided in first area S1B, and the second light-emitting element 120 of Figure 1A may be provided in second area S2B.

[0023] In this embodiment, when at least one of the light sensor 131B and the light sensor 132B is performing a light sensing function, the first light emitting element 110 disposed in the first area S1B and the second light emitting element 120 disposed in the second area S2B can be driven by different driving signals to achieve different lighting or display effects, and at least one of the light sensor 131B and the light sensor 132B can achieve a better light sensing effect.

[0024] FIG1D is a schematic top view of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG1D , when the electronic device is, for example, a display device, the electronic device may include a display panel 100C. Unlike FIG1B , the display panel 100C includes a first region S1C, a second region S2C, and a third region S3C. The first region S1C, the second region S2C, and the third region S3C are adjacent to each other. The first region S1C may be provided with a first light-emitting element 110, and the second region S2C may be provided with a second light-emitting element 120. The electronic device 100 of FIG1A may also include a third light-emitting element (not shown) and may be provided in the third region S3C. The first region S1C may also be provided with a light sensor 131C. The second region S2C may also be provided with a light sensor 132C.

[0025] In this embodiment, when at least one of the light sensor 131C and the light sensor 132C is performing a light sensing function, the first light-emitting element 110 disposed in the first region S1C, the second light-emitting element 120 disposed in the second region S2C, and the third light-emitting element disposed in the third region S3C can be driven by different driving signals to achieve different lighting or display effects, and at least one of the light sensor 131C and the light sensor 132CB can achieve a better light sensing effect.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2 , this embodiment may be, for example, a cross-sectional structural diagram of the electronic device corresponding to the dashed line position AA' of the embodiment of Figure 1B . In this embodiment, the electronic device includes a substrate 150 , a structural layer 160 may be disposed above the substrate 150 , and the substrate 150 and the structural layer 160 may form a display panel 100A (or a touch display panel). In this embodiment, the optical sensor 130A may be, for example, an under-screen sensor, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The optical sensor 130A may be disposed below the substrate 150 of the electronic device, and a plurality of first light-emitting elements 110A and a plurality of second light-emitting elements 120A may be disposed above the substrate 150. In this embodiment, the structural layer 160 may also include a plurality of elements 170 , which may be, for example, pixel elements, wiring layers, or other elements.

[0027] However, in one embodiment, the light sensor 130A may be, for example, an in-screen sensor and may be disposed in the structural layer 160 such that the light sensor 130A, the first light emitting element 110A, and the plurality of second light emitting elements 120A are disposed on the same side of the substrate 150 .

[0028] In this embodiment, when the light sensor 130A is performing a light sensing function and receiving a light signal 201 from the sensing target 200, the light signal L emitted by the plurality of first light-emitting elements 110A in the first region S1A may be reflected or scattered by the element 170, generating light L' that enters the light sensor 130A and affects the sensing result of the light sensor 130A. Therefore, the plurality of first light-emitting elements 110A disposed in the first region S1A and the plurality of second light-emitting elements 120A disposed in the second region S2A may be driven using different driving signals. This reduces the probability that the light sensor 130A will receive light generated by reflection or scattering of the light signal emitted by the plurality of first light-emitting elements 110A in the first region S1A. Thus, when the light sensor 130A is performing a light sensing function, the light signal L is less affected by light generated by reflection or scattering of the light signal emitted by the plurality of first light-emitting elements 110A in the first region S1A, thereby achieving a better light sensing effect.

[0029] Furthermore, the structural features of an electronic device having the display panel 100B or 100C shown in FIG1C or FIG1D can also be inferred from the cross-sectional structure shown in FIG2. Furthermore, the driving methods of the light-emitting element and the light sensor will be described in detail in the following embodiments.

[0030] FIG3A is a signal waveform diagram of driving signals according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG1A , FIG1B , and FIG3A , in this embodiment, the electronic device 100 can operate in a normal mode and a sensing mode. The normal mode refers to when the display panel 100A provides a display function and the light sensor 130A is inactive (or disabled). The sensing mode refers to when the display panel 100A provides a display function and the light sensor 130A also provides a light sensing function. As shown in FIG3A , the first light-emitting element 110 and the second light-emitting element 120 can receive a first driving signal DS1 (e.g., a current signal) and a second driving signal DS2 (e.g., a current signal), respectively.

[0031] The first drive signal DS1 has a first duty cycle P1, and the second drive signal DS2 has a second duty cycle P2. A duty cycle consists of a duration representing the on-time (turn-on) of the light-emitting element and a duration representing the off-time (turn-off) of the light-emitting element. During the period from time t0 to time t4, when the electronic device 100 operates in normal mode, the first duty cycle P1 may be equal to the second duty cycle P2. In other words, the first drive signal DS1 and the second drive signal DS2 may have the same update rate. The update rate refers to the frequency per second at which the first drive signal DS1 and the second drive signal DS2 drive the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element, respectively, to emit light, and can be calculated as the number of duty cycles per second. In this embodiment, when the electronic device 100 operates in normal mode, the first drive signal DS1 and the second drive signal DS2 may have the same driving time w2 (or pulse width) and the same driving amplitude I2 within the same duty cycle. In this way, the first light-emitting element 110 and the second light-emitting element 120 can provide the same lighting or display effect.

[0032] During the period from time t4 to time t8, when the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode, the first drive signal DS1 and the second drive signal DS2 may have the same duty cycle (i.e., the same update rate) but different drive amplitudes and / or drive times. When the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode, the first drive signal DS1 has a first duty cycle P1 with a first duty ratio. The second drive signal DS2 has a second duty cycle P2 with a second duty ratio. Both the first duty cycle P1 and the second duty cycle P2 correspond to a frame period. The duty cycle refers to the ratio of the duration of a light-emitting element being turned on during a duty cycle to the total duration of the duty cycle. In this embodiment, the first drive signal DS1 has a drive time w1 and a drive amplitude I1 during the first duty cycle P1, and the second drive signal DS2 has a drive time w2 and a drive amplitude I2 during the second duty cycle P2. It should be noted that the driving time w1 is shorter than the driving time w2, while the driving amplitude I1 can be greater than or equal to the driving amplitude I2. Therefore, when the first duty cycle P1 and the second duty cycle P2 have the same duration, the first duty cycle P1 has a smaller first duty cycle than the second duty cycle P2.

[0033] First, it should be noted that, taking the first light-emitting element 110 and the second light-emitting element 120 as light-emitting diodes as an example, the relationship between the current used to drive the light-emitting diode and the brightness of the light-emitting diode is a nonlinear relationship, and the brightness of the first light-emitting element 110 and the second light-emitting element 120 can be fine-tuned by adjusting at least one of the pulse width (i.e., the driving time described in each embodiment of the present disclosure) and the pulse height (i.e., the driving amplitude described in each embodiment of the present disclosure) of the current used to drive the light-emitting diode.

[0034] Therefore, when the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode, because the first duty cycle P1 of the first driving signal DS1 is less than the second duty cycle P2 of the second driving signal DS2, the time during which the light sensor 130A is affected by light generated by reflection or scattering of the light signal emitted by the first light-emitting element 110 during the sensing process can be shortened. Furthermore, although the first duty cycle P1 of the first driving signal is less than the second duty cycle P2 of the second driving signal, because the driving amplitude I1 can be greater than or equal to the driving amplitude I2, when the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode, the first light-emitting element 110 and the second light-emitting element 120 can still achieve similar grayscale brightness, thereby achieving similar display effects for the overall display screen in both normal mode and sensing mode.

[0035] In this embodiment, the driving amplitude I1, the driving amplitude I2, the driving time w1, and the driving time w2 can satisfy the following condition: (1) wherein the ratio of the product of the driving time w1 and the driving amplitude I1 to the product of the driving time w2 and the driving amplitude I2 is greater than or equal to 0.5 and less than or equal to 2. Formula (1)

[0036] In one embodiment, the driving amplitude I1, the driving amplitude I2, the driving time w1, and the driving time w2 may also satisfy the following equation (2). In this regard, the ratio of the product of the driving time w1 and the driving amplitude I1 to the product of the driving time w2 and the driving amplitude I2 is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 1.2. Formula (2)

[0037] In addition, the signal waveform of the driving signal of this embodiment can also be applied to the display panel 100B of the embodiment of FIG. 1C .

[0038] Figure 3B shows signal waveforms of drive signals operating in sensing mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 1A, 1B, and 3B, in this embodiment, when the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode, the first light-emitting element 110 and the second light-emitting element 120 can receive a first drive signal DS1 (current signal) and a second drive signal DS2 (current signal), respectively. Unlike the embodiment of Figure 3A, the first drive signal DS1 and the second drive signal DS2 can have different duty cycles (i.e., different update rates) and different drive amplitudes.

[0039] Specifically, during the period from time t0 to time t6, the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode. The first duty cycle P1 of the first drive signal DS1 can be the period from time t0 to time t1, and the second duty cycle P2 of the second drive signal DS2 can be the period from time t0 to time t2. It should be noted that the first duty cycle P1 of the first drive signal DS1 is shorter than the second duty cycle P2 of the second drive signal DS2 (i.e., the update rate of the first drive signal DS1 is greater than the update rate of the second drive signal DS2). In this embodiment, the first drive signal DS1 has a driving time w1 and a driving amplitude I1 during the first duty cycle P1, and the second drive signal DS2 has a driving time w2 and a driving amplitude I2 during the second duty cycle P2. The driving time w1 is shorter than the driving time w2, and the driving amplitude I1 is greater than the driving amplitude I2. Therefore, the time during which the light sensor 130A is affected by light generated by reflection or scattering of the light signal emitted by the first light-emitting element 110 during the sensing process is shortened, resulting in better light sensing performance. Furthermore, the first light emitting element 110 and the second light emitting element 120 can still achieve similar grayscale brightness, so that the overall display screen can achieve similar display effects in the sensing mode.

[0040] In one embodiment, when the electronic device 100 operates in the sensing mode, within a fixed time period, the number of pulses n1 of the first drive signal DS1 and the number of pulses n2 of the second drive signal DS2 may also satisfy the condition of the following equation (3). For example, as shown in FIG3B , during the period from time t0 to time t6, the number of pulses of the first drive signal DS1 is 6 (n1=6), and the number of pulses of the second drive signal DS2 is 3 (n2=3). Furthermore, the driving amplitude I1, the driving amplitude I2, the driving time w1, the driving time w2, the number of pulses n1, and the number of pulses n2 may also satisfy the condition of the following equation (4). Formula (3) Formula (4)

[0041] In addition, the signal waveform of the driving signal of this embodiment can also be applied to the display panel 100B of the embodiment of FIG. 1C .

[0042] Figure 3C is a waveform diagram of drive signals according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 1A, 1B, and 3C, in this embodiment, the first light-emitting element 110 may receive a first drive signal DS1 (current signal). When the electronic device 100 operates in normal mode, the first drive signal DS1 may have a first duty cycle P1 from time t0 to time t4. When the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode, the first drive signal DS1 may also have a first duty cycle P1 from time t4 to time t8. However, it should be noted that, unlike the embodiment shown in Figure 3A, the drive duration of the first drive signal DS1 from time t4 to time t6 may be adjusted to shorten to reduce the duty cycle. Furthermore, the drive amplitude of the first drive signal DS1 from time t4 to time t6 may be adjusted to increase. However, in the next duty cycle, the drive duration and drive amplitude of the first drive signal DS1 from time t6 to time t8 may return to the results of normal mode. In other words, when the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode, the driving duration and driving amplitude of the first driving signal DS1 received by the first light-emitting element 110 in at least one operating cycle can be adjusted. This shortens the time during which the light sensor 130A is affected by light generated by reflection or scattering of the light signal emitted by the first light-emitting element 110 during the sensing process, resulting in better light sensing performance. Furthermore, the first light-emitting element 110 and the second light-emitting element 120 can still achieve similar grayscale brightness, resulting in a similar overall display quality in sensing mode.

[0043] In one embodiment, when the electronic device 100 operates in the sensing mode, the first driving signal DS1 received by the first light-emitting element 110 can be adjusted to have more than three different driving times and / or more than three different driving amplitudes in at least a portion of multiple working cycles, and is not limited to FIG. 3C .

[0044] In addition, the signal waveform of the driving signal of this embodiment can also be applied to the display panel 100B of the embodiment of FIG. 1C .

[0045] Figure 4A is a signal waveform diagram of the drive signal operating in sensing mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 1A, 1B, and 4A, in this embodiment, when the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode, the first light-emitting element 110 may receive a first drive signal DS1 (current signal). During the period from time t0 to time t2, the first drive signal DS1 may have a first duty cycle P1 and a drive amplitude I1 (current amplitude). During the period from time t0 to time t2, the driver circuit 140 may simultaneously provide a control signal DV (e.g., a voltage signal) to the light sensor 130 to operate the light sensor 130 to perform light sensing. The control signal DV may, for example, have a drive amplitude V1 (voltage amplitude). In this embodiment, the light sensor 130 may continuously perform light sensing throughout the entire first duty cycle P1 corresponding to the first drive signal DS1.

[0046] In addition, the signal waveform of the driving signal of this embodiment can also be applied to the display panel 100B of the embodiment of FIG. 1C .

[0047] Figure 4B is a signal waveform diagram of the drive signal operating in sensing mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 1A, 1B, and 4B, in this embodiment, when the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode, the first light-emitting element 110 may receive a first drive signal DS1 (current signal). During the period from time t0 to time t2, the first drive signal DS1 may have a first duty cycle P1 and a drive amplitude I1 (current amplitude). During the period from time t0 to time t2, the driver circuit 140 may simultaneously provide a control signal DV (e.g., a voltage signal) to the light sensor 130 to operate the light sensor 130 to perform light sensing. The control signal DV may, for example, have a drive amplitude V2 (voltage amplitude). In this embodiment, the light sensor 130 may only perform light sensing during the disabled period (from time t1 to time t2) corresponding to the first duty cycle P1 of the first drive signal DS1. As shown in FIG4B , during the period from time t0 to time t1, the first drive signal DS1 first drives the first light-emitting element 110 to emit light or display a display, and the drive amplitude of the control signal DV is 0. Then, during the period from time t1 to time t2, the first drive signal DS1 switches to a drive amplitude of 0, not driving the first light-emitting element 110 (i.e., a disable period), and the control signal DV switches to a drive amplitude of V2, driving the light sensor 130 to perform a light sensing operation. In other words, the light sensor 130 can perform a light sensing operation while the first light-emitting element 110 is not emitting light or displaying a display, thereby reducing the probability of receiving light generated by reflection or scattering of the light signal emitted by the light-emitting element during the light sensing process.

[0048] In addition, the signal waveform of the driving signal of this embodiment can also be applied to the display panel 100B of the embodiment of FIG. 1C .

[0049] Figure 5 is a signal waveform diagram of drive signals operating in sensing mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 1A, 1D, and 5, in this embodiment, the electronic device 100 may further include a third light-emitting element (not shown). When the electronic device 100 operates in sensing mode, the first light-emitting element 110, the second light-emitting element 120, and the third light-emitting element may receive a first drive signal DS1 (current signal), a second drive signal DS2 (current signal), and a third drive signal DS3 (current signal), respectively. In this embodiment, the first drive signal DS1, the second drive signal DS2, and the third drive signal DS3 may have the same duty cycle but different drive amplitudes.

[0050] Specifically, during the period from time t0 to time t1, the first drive signal DS1 has a first duty cycle P1, and the first duty cycle P1 has a first duty cycle. The second drive signal DS2 has a second duty cycle P2, and the second duty cycle P2 has a second duty cycle. The third drive signal DS3 has a third duty cycle P3, and the third duty cycle P3 has a third duty cycle. The first duty cycle P1, the second duty cycle P2, and the third duty cycle P3 all correspond to one frame period. In this embodiment, the first drive signal DS1 has a driving time w1 and a driving amplitude I1 during the first duty cycle P1. The second drive signal DS2 has a driving time w2 and a driving amplitude I2 during the second duty cycle P2. The third drive signal DS3 has a driving time w3 and a driving amplitude I3 during the third duty cycle P3.

[0051] In this embodiment, the light sensor 131C can be, for example, a light sensor element (e.g., a visible light sensor element), and the light sensor 132C can be, for example, an eye tracking element (e.g., an infrared light sensor element). In this regard, the infrared light sensor element is less affected by the visible light signals emitted by the light-emitting elements of the display panel 100C (it senses signals in different light wavelength bands), while the light sensor element is more affected by the light generated by reflection or scattering of the visible light signals emitted by the light-emitting elements of the display panel 100C. Therefore, the driving time w1 can be the shortest, and the driving time w2 can be the second shortest. It should be noted that the driving time w1 is less than the driving time w2, and the driving time w2 is less than or equal to the driving time w3. The driving amplitude I1 is greater than the driving amplitude I2, and the driving amplitude I2 is greater than or equal to the driving amplitude I3. Therefore, the time during which light sensors 131C and 132C are affected by light generated by reflection or scattering of the light signals emitted by first light-emitting element 110 and second light-emitting element 120 during the sensing process can be shortened, thereby achieving better light sensing performance. Thus, the first duty cycle of first operating period P1 is less than the second duty cycle of second operating period P2, and the second duty cycle of second operating period P2 is less than or equal to the third duty cycle of third operating period P3.

[0052] Furthermore, although the first duty cycle of the first working period P1 is less than the second duty cycle of the second working period P2, and the second duty cycle of the second working period P2 is less than or equal to the third duty cycle of the third working period P3, since the driving amplitude I1 is greater than the driving amplitude I2, and the driving amplitude I2 is greater than or equal to the driving amplitude I3, when the electronic device 100 operates in the sensing mode, the first light-emitting element 110, the second light-emitting element 120, and the third light-emitting element can still provide similar grayscale brightness, so that the overall display screen can achieve a similar display effect in the sensing mode.

[0053] FIG6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG1A and FIG6 , the electronic device 100 may execute steps S610 to S680. In step S610, the electronic device 100 enters sensing mode. In step S620, the driving method of the light-emitting element within the sensing area (i.e., the first light-emitting element 110 in the first area described above) is adjusted. Simultaneously, in step S630, the light sensor 130 is synchronously driven. In step S640, the light sensor 130 processes the light signal, converts it into pattern data, and provides it to the processing unit. In this embodiment, the processing unit may be the driver circuit 140 or another processing unit other than the driver circuit 140. In step S650, the processing unit provides a command to the display panel of the electronic device 100 to update the displayed pattern and displays the pattern captured and processed by the light sensor 130. In step S660, the processing unit determines whether a photo or video recording command has been received via the touch panel of the electronic device 100. If not, steps S630-S650 are re-executed to continuously update the pattern displayed on the display panel. If so, in step S670, the light sensor 130 receives the light signal and processes it to convert it into final pattern data. In step S680, the light sensor 130 provides the final pattern data to the processing unit. The display panel of the electronic device 100 may display the final pattern as the captured pattern. It should be noted that steps S670 and S680 are optional. In one embodiment, when the processing unit receives a photo or video recording instruction, it uses the currently last displayed pattern as the captured pattern. Therefore, in the sensing mode, the electronic device 100 of this embodiment can simultaneously adjust the light-emitting elements in the sensing area and drive the light sensor 130.

[0054] FIG7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG1A and FIG7 , the electronic device 100 may execute the following steps, S710 to S780. In step S710, the electronic device 100 enters sensing mode. In step S720, the driving method of the light-emitting element within the sensing area (i.e., the first light-emitting element 110 in the first area described above) is adjusted. In step S730, the light sensor 130 is driven. In step S740, the light sensor 130 processes the light signal, converts it into pattern data, and provides it to the processing unit. In this embodiment, the processing unit may be the driver circuit 140 or another processing unit other than the driver circuit 140. In step S750, the processing unit provides a command to the display panel of the electronic device 100 to update the displayed pattern and displays the pattern captured and processed by the light sensor 130. In step S760, the processing unit determines whether a photo or video recording command has been received via the touch panel of the electronic device 100. If not, steps S730-S750 are re-executed to continuously update the pattern displayed on the display panel. If so, in step S770, the light sensor 130 receives the light signal and processes it to convert it into final pattern data. In step S780, the light sensor 130 provides the final pattern data to the processing unit. The display panel of the electronic device 100 may display the final pattern as the captured pattern. It should be noted that steps S770 and S780 are optional. In one embodiment, when the processing unit receives a photo or video recording instruction, it uses the currently last displayed pattern as the captured pattern. Therefore, in the sensing mode, the electronic device 100 of this embodiment can first adjust the light-emitting elements in the sensing area and then drive the light sensor 130.

[0055] Figure 8A is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the light sensor and light-emitting element according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 8B is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of the light sensor and light-emitting element according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 1A, 8A, and 8B, the electronic device 100 may execute the following steps S810-S890. The timing diagram of the operation of the light sensor 130 and light-emitting element 110 is described below with reference to Figure 8B. It should be noted that the sensing mode of the present disclosure may include a preview operation and a sensing operation, as shown in Figure 8B. A high level in the waveform shown in Figure 8B indicates that the light-emitting element and / or light sensor are operating, while a low level indicates that the light-emitting element and / or light sensor are not operating. Furthermore, the period from time t0 to time t3 shown in Figure 8B is one frame period, and similarly, the period from time t3 to time t6, the period from time t6 to time t9, and the period from time t9 to time t12 are three different frame periods, respectively.

[0056] In step S810, the electronic device 100 enters sensing mode and may first perform a preview operation. In step S820, the light-emitting elements within the sensing area are driven with a pulse-width modulated signal. Therefore, during the period from time t0 to time t1, the first light-emitting element 110 may be driven to emit light or display. In step S830, during the period from time t1 to time t2, the light sensor 130 performs a reset operation. In step S840, during the period from time t2 to time t3, the light sensor 130 performs a sampling operation. Thus, the electronic device 100 may display the current sampling pattern.

[0057] In step S850, the electronic device 100 determines whether it has received a photo or video recording command and performs a sensing operation. If the electronic device 100 has not received a photo or video recording command, it continues the preview operation and re-executes steps S820-S840. Therefore, during the period from time t3 to time t6, the first light-emitting element 110 and the light sensor 130 repeat the operations from time t0 to time t3, and the electronic device 100 continuously updates and displays the current sampling pattern.

[0058] Next, when the electronic device 100 receives a photo or video recording command, it performs a sensing operation. In step S860, the light-emitting elements within the sensing area are driven with a pulse-width modulated signal. Therefore, during the period from time t6 to time t7, the first light-emitting element 110 can be driven to emit light or display. In step S870, during the period from time t7 to time t8, the light sensor 130 can first perform a reset operation. In step S880, during the period from time t8 to time t9, the light sensor 130 performs a sampling operation. In step S890, the light sensor 130 outputs pattern data to the processing unit. Consequently, the electronic device 100 can update and display the current sampled pattern and store the pattern data.

[0059] The electronic device 100 can then re-execute the preview operation. During the period from time t9 to time t12, the first light-emitting element 110 and the light sensor 130 repeat the operations from time t0 to time t3, and the electronic device 100 can continuously update and display the current sampling pattern. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the electronic device 100 can terminate the sensing mode after time t9.

[0060] In summary, the electronic device disclosed herein can reduce the impact of light reflected or scattered from adjacent light-emitting elements on the light sensor in sensing mode, thereby achieving improved light sensing performance. Furthermore, by pulse-width modulating the drive signal used to drive the light-emitting elements, the overall display of the electronic device disclosed herein can present similar display effects in both normal and sensing modes.

[0061] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] 100: Electronic devices 110, 110A, 120, 120A: Light-emitting elements 130, 130A, 131B, 132B, 131C, 132C: Optical sensors 140: driving circuit 150:Substrate 160:Structural layer 170: Component 200: Sensing target 201, L: Light signal S1A, S2A, S1B, S2B, S1C, S2C, S3C: Area D1, D2, D3: Direction DS1, DS2, DS3: drive signals DV: control signal t0~t12: time P1, P2, P3: working cycle w1, w2, w3: driving time I1, I2, I3, V1, V2: drive amplitude L, L': light S610~S680, S710~S780, S810~S890: Steps

Claims

1. An electronic device having a first region and a second region, wherein the second region is adjacent to the first region, wherein the electronic device comprises: A light sensor is disposed in the first area; A first light-emitting element is disposed in the first region; And a second light-emitting element disposed in the second region, wherein when the light sensor is driven to receive a light signal, the first light-emitting element is driven by a first driving signal, wherein the second light-emitting element is driven by a second driving signal, and the brightness of the first region is different from the brightness of the second region, wherein at a point in time during a frame, the first light-emitting element does not emit light, and the second light-emitting element emits light.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first drive signal has a first drive amplitude and the second drive signal has a second drive amplitude, wherein the first drive amplitude is different from the second drive amplitude.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first driving amplitude is greater than the second driving amplitude.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first drive signal has a first disabled period and the second drive signal has a second disabled period, wherein the first disabled period is different from the second disabled period.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first power-off period is longer than the second power-off period.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: A substrate, wherein the substrate is disposed between the first light-emitting element and the light sensor.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element are disposed on the same side of the substrate.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the optical signal passes through the substrate.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light sensor is configured as an image sensing element.

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