Electronic device

Abstract

The present application provides an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a first display module, a second display module, an optical signal sensor, a waveguide plate and an optical assembly. The optical assembly is arranged between the second display module and the waveguide plate, and the optical assembly is used for conducting light emitted by the second display module to the waveguide plate, such that the waveguide plate located above the optical signal sensor can display a picture of the second display module, so as to realize picture display in the optical signal sensor area.

Description

An electronic device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202311441637.X filed on October 31, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to an electronic device. Background Art

[0003] With the rapid development of network technology, terminal devices with high screen-to-body ratio, such as mobile phones, have become an inevitable trend in the development of smart terminals. However, components such as the earpiece opening, front camera (and flash), distance and light sensors, etc. set on the front of mobile phones and other terminal devices will occupy a part of the front area of ​​the terminal device, thereby reducing the screen-to-body ratio of the terminal device.

[0004] Under-screen camera technology has become a development trend, but for Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), if the camera is set above the backlight and color film, the display function cannot be realized in the camera area. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present application provides an electronic device to implement a display function in an optical signal sensor area.

[0006] The present application provides an electronic device, comprising:

[0007] a first display module;

[0008] A second display module, an optical signal sensor, and a waveguide are all arranged adjacent to the first display module along a first direction. The second display module, the optical signal sensor, and the waveguide are stacked in sequence along a second direction, and the waveguide is arranged on a light-emitting side of the electronic device. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0009] The optical component is disposed between the second display module and the waveguide plate, and is used for transmitting light emitted by the second display module to the waveguide plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The following detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings will make the technical solutions and other beneficial effects of the present application apparent.

[0011] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of an electronic device provided in some embodiments of the present application.

[0012] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of an electronic device provided in some embodiments of the present application. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0014] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0015] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0016] The disclosure below provides many different embodiments or examples for realizing different structures of the present application. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present application, the components and settings of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present application. In addition, the present application may repeat reference numbers and / or reference letters in different examples, and such repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and does not itself indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and / or settings discussed. In addition, the present application provides examples of various specific processes and materials, but those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0017] This document uses Cartesian coordinates to represent directions, with "X" representing the first direction, "Y" representing the second direction, and "Z" representing the third direction. The first (X), second (Y), and third (Z) directions are perpendicular to each other. The first (X) and third (Z) directions are parallel to the substrate, while the second (Y) direction is perpendicular to the substrate. The second (Y) direction is the thickness direction of the film layer.

[0018] In one embodiment, the present application provides an electronic device, comprising:

[0019] a first display module;

[0020] A second display module, an optical signal sensor, and a waveguide are all arranged adjacent to the first display module along a first direction. The second display module, the optical signal sensor, and the waveguide are stacked in sequence along a second direction, and the waveguide is arranged on a light-emitting side of the electronic device. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0021] The optical component is disposed between the second display module and the waveguide plate, and is used for transmitting light emitted by the second display module to the waveguide plate.

[0022] In one embodiment, the optical assembly comprises:

[0023] a first prism assembly, disposed between the second display module and the optical signal sensor, and configured to refract light emitted by the second display module;

[0024] The second prism assembly is adjacent to the optical signal sensor and the first prism assembly in the first direction, and is used to reflect the refracted light of the first prism assembly to the waveguide plate.

[0025] In one embodiment, the first prism assembly extends along the first direction, and the second prism assembly extends along the second direction.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first prism assembly includes at least two first triangular prisms, and the second prism assembly includes at least two second triangular prisms.

[0027] In one embodiment, the cross-sections of the first and second triangular prisms along the first and second directions are both right triangles, and the oblique surfaces of the two first triangular prisms face each other, and the oblique surfaces of the two second triangular prisms face each other;

[0028] In one embodiment, the long right-angled side of the right-angled triangle cross-section in the first prism extends along the first direction, and the short right-angled side extends along the second direction; the long right-angled side of the right-angled triangle cross-section in the second prism extends along the second direction, and the short right-angled side extends along the first direction.

[0029] In one embodiment, the included angle between the inclined surface of the first prism and the right-angled surface parallel to the second display module is less than 45°, and the included angle between the inclined surface of the second prism and the right-angled surface perpendicular to the second display module is less than 45°.

[0030] In one embodiment, the waveguide plate includes a light entrance area and a light exit area, the light entrance area is arranged corresponding to the second prism assembly, and the light exit area is located on a surface of the waveguide plate facing away from the optical signal sensor.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first display module is disposed around the second display module, the optical signal sensor, and the waveguide sheet.

[0032] In one embodiment, the electronic device includes a first display area and a second display area, and the first display area is arranged around the second display area; wherein the first display area corresponds to the area of ​​the first display module, and the second display area corresponds to the area of ​​the optical signal sensor.

[0033] In one embodiment, the structural thickness of the first display area is consistent with the structural thickness of the second display area.

[0034] In one embodiment, the optical signal sensor includes a camera.

[0035] In one embodiment, in a non-photographing state, the first display module displays a first picture, the waveguide plate displays a second picture, and the first picture and the second picture constitute a complete display picture; in a photographing state, the first display module displays the first picture, and the waveguide plate does not display a picture.

[0036] In one embodiment, the waveguide plate includes a chip layer, a dielectric layer and a packaging layer. The surface of the chip layer has a textured structure for controlling the optical signal; the material of the dielectric layer includes a low-refractive-index material for supporting and protecting the chip layer; and the packaging layer is used to package the waveguide plate.

[0037] In one embodiment, the first display module includes a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode display, or a micro light emitting diode display.

[0038] In one embodiment, the first display module includes:

[0039] Backlight module;

[0040] A first substrate is provided on a side of the backlight module close to the light emitting side;

[0041] a color resist layer, disposed on a side of the first substrate close to the light emitting side;

[0042] a liquid crystal layer, disposed on a side of the color resist layer close to the light-emitting side;

[0043] The second substrate is arranged on a side of the liquid crystal layer close to the light-emitting side.

[0044] In one embodiment, the second substrate further covers the waveguide plate.

[0045] In one embodiment, the first substrate includes an array substrate, and the second substrate includes a transparent cover.

[0046] In one embodiment, the bottom of the backlight module is flush with the bottom of the second display module.

[0047] In one embodiment, the second display module includes one of LCOS, Micro-OLED and Micro-LED.

[0048] In the electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application, the electronic device includes a first display module, a second display module adjacent to the first display module in a first direction, a light signal sensor and a waveguide plate, and an optical component. The second display module, the light signal sensor and the waveguide plate are stacked in sequence along the second direction, and the waveguide plate is arranged on the light output side of the electronic device. The optical component is arranged between the second display module and the waveguide plate, and the optical component is used to transmit the light emitted by the second display module to the waveguide plate, so that the waveguide plate is located above the light signal sensor to display the image of the second display module. The present application utilizes a second display module, an optical component and a waveguide plate that are independent of the first display module to realize the image display in the light signal sensor area without affecting the original structure of the first display module.

[0049] The electronic device of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic device provided in some embodiments of the present application. The electronic device 100 may be a wearable device such as a smart bracelet, a smart watch, an augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) device, a mobile phone, an e-book or e-newspaper, a television, a personal laptop, or a foldable or rollable flexible display or lighting device.

[0051] Electronic device 100 includes a first display module 10, a second display module 11, an optical signal sensor 12, a waveguide 13, and an optical assembly 14. First display module 10 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or a micro-light-emitting diode (Micro-LED). Second display module 11 can include one of LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon), Micro-OLED, and Micro-LED. Optical signal sensor 12 can include a photosensitive component such as a camera.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first display module 10 may include a backlight module 101, a first substrate 102, a color resist layer 103, a liquid crystal layer 104, and a second substrate 105. The backlight module 101 is located on the light incident side I, and the second substrate 105 is located on the light exit side O. The backlight module 101 is disposed at the bottom of the first display module 10, the first substrate 102 is disposed on a side of the backlight module 101 close to the light exit side O, the color resist layer 103 is disposed on a side of the first substrate 102 close to the light exit side O, the liquid crystal layer 104 is disposed on a side of the color resist layer 103 close to the light exit side O, and the second substrate 105 is disposed on a side of the liquid crystal layer 104 close to the light exit side O. In other words, the backlight module 101, the first substrate 102, the color resist layer 103, the liquid crystal layer 104, and the second substrate 105 are disposed in sequence from bottom to top.

[0053] The backlight module 101 may include a light source, a back plate, a light guide plate, an optical film, etc. The color resist layer 103 may include red color resist, blue color resist, and green color resist arranged at intervals.

[0054] The first substrate 102 may be an array substrate, and the second substrate 105 may include a transparent cover. The array substrate may include, from bottom to top, a base, a buffer layer, an active layer, a first gate insulating layer, a first gate electrode, a second gate insulating layer, a second gate electrode, an interlayer dielectric layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The buffer layer is located on the base, the active layer is located on the buffer layer, the first gate insulating layer is located on the buffer layer, and the first gate insulating layer is located on the buffer layer and covers the active layer. The first gate electrode is located on the first gate insulating layer, and the second gate insulating layer is located on the first gate insulating layer and covers the first gate electrode. The second gate electrode is located on the second gate insulating layer, and the interlayer dielectric layer is located on the second gate insulating layer and covers the second gate electrode. The source electrode and the drain electrode are located on the interlayer dielectric layer and are connected to both sides of the active layer through vias, respectively.

[0055] The second display module 11, optical signal sensor 12, and waveguide 13 are all adjacent to the first display module 10 in a first direction (X), and the second display module 11, optical signal sensor 12, and waveguide 13 are stacked in sequence along a second direction (Y). The waveguide 13 is disposed on the light-emitting side O of the electronic device 100, the second display module 11 is disposed on the light-incident side I of the electronic device, and the optical signal sensor 12 is disposed between the second display module 11 and the waveguide 13.

[0056] In Figure 1, the light incident side I is the bottom of the electronic device 100, and the light exit side O is the top of the electronic device 100. Part of the light is emitted from the bottom of the first display module 10 and emitted through the top of the first display module 10. Another part of the light is emitted from the second display module 11 and emitted from the upper surface of the waveguide plate 13 through the optical component 14.

[0057] The optical component 14 is disposed between the second display module 11 and the waveguide 13 and is used to transmit light emitted from the second display module 11 to the waveguide 13. Therefore, the optical component 14 mainly converts the direction of light emitted from the second display module 11.

[0058] In some embodiments, the optical assembly 14 includes a first prism assembly 141 and a second prism assembly 142. The first prism assembly 141 is disposed between the second display module 11 and the optical signal sensor 12 and is primarily configured to refract light emitted from the second display module 11. The second prism assembly 142 is adjacent to the optical signal sensor 12 and the first prism assembly 141 in the first direction (X) and is primarily configured to reflect the refracted light from the first prism assembly 141 toward the waveguide 13.

[0059] In some embodiments, the second display module 11 emits light L1 from directly above. That is, light L1 is emitted along a first direction (X) and strikes the first prism assembly 141, where it is refracted. The refracted light L2 is then emitted toward the second prism assembly 142, where it is reflected or totally reflected and transformed into light L3. Light L3 is then emitted along a second direction (Y) and strikes the waveguide plate 13.

[0060] The waveguide 13, also known as a waveguide device or optical waveguide, is a sealed structure that introduces light into a medium and utilizes the properties of light propagation in the medium to transmit, control, and process optical signals. The waveguide 13 operates based on the diffraction, reflection, and refraction of light in a medium. By creating specialized patterns and structures, the propagation path and mode of light can be controlled, enabling functions such as separation, coupling, and modulation of optical signals.

[0061] The waveguide 13 consists of a chip layer, a dielectric layer, and an encapsulation layer. The chip layer is the primary component of the waveguide 13 and typically has a textured surface for controlling optical signals. The dielectric layer supports and protects the chip layer and can be made of a material with a low refractive index. The encapsulation layer encapsulates the waveguide 13 to protect its structure and performance.

[0062] In some embodiments, the waveguide plate 13 may include a light entrance area 131 and a light exit area 132. The light entrance area 131 is arranged corresponding to the second prism assembly 142 and is located on the surface of the waveguide plate 13 near the optical signal sensor 12. The light exit area 132 is located on the surface of the waveguide plate 13 away from the optical signal sensor 12. Therefore, when the light L3 enters the light entrance area 131 of the waveguide plate 13, it is diffracted, refracted, and reflected by the internal structure of the waveguide plate 13 and is emitted from the upper surface of the waveguide plate 13 to achieve display. Among them, the second display module 11 can display a second image, and the waveguide plate 13 can display a third image. The third image can be equivalent to a projected enlargement of the second image. Therefore, the electronic device 100 of the present application uses the second display module 11, the optical assembly 14, and the waveguide plate 13 to display an image above the optical signal sensor 12. Since the second display module 11, the optical assembly 14, and the waveguide plate 13 are all located in the area of ​​the optical signal sensor 12, the bezel of the electronic device 100 will not be increased, thereby improving the screen-to-body ratio.

[0063] In the non-photographing state, the first display module 10 displays the first image, and the waveguide 13 is in the open state to display the second image, and the first and second images form a complete display image. The complete display image can be split at the front end into data displayed in the normal display area and data displayed in the optical signal sensor area. The first display module 10 receives data displayed in the normal display area to display the normal image, and the second display module 11 receives data displayed in the optical signal sensor area to display the image at the corresponding position. The image is then transmitted to the light entrance area 131 of the waveguide 13 via the optical component 14, and the light exit area 132 of the waveguide 13 then displays the corresponding image.

[0064] In the shooting state, the first display module 10 displays the first image, and the waveguide plate 13 is in the closed state and does not display the image. The waveguide plate 13 is light-transmissive, so the optical signal sensor 12 can collect light through the waveguide plate 13 to achieve the shooting function.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first prism assembly 141 may include at least two first triangular prisms 1411. The second prism assembly 142 may also include at least two second triangular prisms 1421. In one embodiment, the two first triangular prisms 1411 in the first prism assembly 141 are opposite to each other, and the two second triangular prisms 1421 in the second prism assembly 142 are opposite to each other.

[0066] Specifically, the cross-sections of the first triangular prism 1411 and the second triangular prism 1421 along the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) are both right triangles, and the oblique surfaces of the two first triangular prisms 1411 face each other, and the oblique surfaces of the two second triangular prisms 1421 face each other.

[0067] In some embodiments, the angle between the inclined surface of the first prism 1411 and the right-angled surface parallel to the second display module is less than 45°. Therefore, the long right-angled side of the right-angled triangle cross-section of the first prism 1411 extends along the first direction (X), and the short right-angled side extends along the second direction (Y). The angle between the inclined surface of the second prism 1421 and the right-angled surface perpendicular to the second display module is less than 45°. Therefore, the long right-angled side of the right-angled triangle cross-section of the second prism 1421 extends along the second direction (Y), and the short right-angled side extends along the first direction (X). In other words, the first prism assembly 141 extends along the first direction (X), and the second prism assembly 142 extends along the second direction (Y). Therefore, the top of the second prism assembly 142 is arranged opposite to the light entrance area 131 of the waveguide plate 13.

[0068] In some embodiments, the second substrate 105 can extend from the liquid crystal layer 104 along the first direction (X) to above the waveguide plate 13, that is, the second substrate 105 also covers the waveguide plate 13. The bottom of the backlight module 101 can be flush with the bottom of the second display module 11, and the structural thickness of the normal display area is consistent with the structural thickness of the optical signal sensor area.

[0069] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic top-down view of the electronic device provided in some embodiments of the present application. When viewed from above, the first display module 10 is arranged around the second display module 11, the optical signal sensor 12, and the waveguide 13. The electronic device 100 includes a first display area A1 (corresponding to the normal display area described above) and a second display area A2 (corresponding to the optical signal sensor area described above). The first display area A1 corresponds to the area of ​​the first display module 10, and the second display area A2 corresponds to the area of ​​the optical signal sensor 12. Therefore, the first display area A1 is arranged around the second display area A2.

[0070] The electronic device 100 provided in this application includes a first display module 10, a second display module 11 adjacent to the first display module 10 in a first direction (X), a light signal sensor 12, a waveguide plate 13, and an optical assembly 14. The second display module 11, the light signal sensor 12, and the waveguide plate 13 are stacked in sequence along a second direction (Y), and the waveguide plate 13 is disposed on the light-emitting side O of the electronic device 100. The optical assembly 14 is disposed between the second display module 11 and the waveguide plate 13 and is used to transmit light emitted by the second display module 11 to the waveguide plate 13. Therefore, the waveguide plate 13 located above the light signal sensor 12 can display the image of the second display module 11. The present application utilizes the second display module 11, which is independent of the first display module 10, the optical assembly 14, and the waveguide plate 13 to realize image display in the light signal sensor area without affecting the original structure of the first display module 10.

[0071] The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the technical solutions and core ideas of this application; ordinary technicians in this field should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein; and 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 this application.

Claims

1. An electronic device, wherein: The electronic device comprises: a first display module; The second display module, the optical signal sensor and the waveguide are all arranged adjacent to the first display module along a first direction, the second display module, the optical signal sensor and the waveguide are stacked in sequence along a second direction, and the waveguide is arranged on the light emitting side of the electronic device, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; The optical component is disposed between the second display module and the waveguide sheet, and the optical component is used to transmit the light emitted by the second display module to the waveguide sheet.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The optical assembly comprises: A first prism assembly, disposed between the second display module and the optical signal sensor, and configured to refract the light emitted by the second display module; The second prism assembly is adjacent to the optical signal sensor and the first prism assembly in the first direction, and is used to reflect the refracted light of the first prism assembly to the waveguide sheet.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: The first prism component extends along the first direction, and the second prism component extends along the second direction.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein: The first prism assembly includes at least two first triangular prisms, and the second prism assembly includes at least two second triangular prisms.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: The cross-sections of the first prism and the second prism along the first direction and the second direction are both right triangles, and the oblique surfaces of the two first prisms face each other, and the oblique surfaces of the two second prisms face each other.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein: The long right-angled side of the right-angled triangle section in the first prism extends along the first direction, and the short right-angled side extends along the second direction; the long right-angled side of the right-angled triangle section in the second prism extends along the second direction, and the short right-angled side extends along the first direction.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein: The included angle between the inclined surface of the first prism and the right-angle surface parallel to the second display module is less than 45°, and the included angle between the inclined surface of the second prism and the right-angle surface perpendicular to the second display module is less than 45°.

8. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: The waveguide plate includes a light entrance area and a light exit area. The light entrance area is arranged corresponding to the second prism assembly, and the light exit area is located on a surface of the waveguide plate away from the optical signal sensor.

9. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first display module is disposed around the second display module, the optical signal sensor and the waveguide sheet.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein: The electronic device comprises a first display area and a second display area, wherein the first display area is arranged around the second display area; wherein the first display area corresponds to an area of ​​the first display module, and the second display area corresponds to an area of ​​the optical signal sensor.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein: The structural thickness of the first display area is consistent with the structural thickness of the second display area.

12. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The optical signal sensor includes a camera.

13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein: In the non-photographing state, the first display module displays the first picture, the waveguide plate displays the second picture, and the first picture and the second picture constitute a complete display picture; in the photographing state, the first display module displays the first picture, and the waveguide plate does not display the picture.

14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein: The waveguide plate includes a chip layer, a dielectric layer and a packaging layer. The surface of the chip layer has a texture structure for controlling the optical signal. The material of the dielectric layer includes a low refractive index material for supporting and protecting the chip layer. The packaging layer is used to package the waveguide plate.

15. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first display module includes a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode display or a micro light emitting diode display.

16. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein: The first display module comprises: Backlight module; A first substrate, disposed on a side of the backlight module close to the light emitting side; A color resist layer is disposed on a side of the first substrate close to the light emitting side; A liquid crystal layer, disposed on a side of the color resist layer close to the light emitting side; The second substrate is arranged on a side of the liquid crystal layer close to the light emitting side.

17. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein: The second substrate also covers the waveguide sheet.

18. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein: The first substrate includes an array substrate, and the second substrate includes a transparent cover.

19. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein: The bottom of the backlight module is flush with the bottom of the second display module.

20. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The second display module includes one of LCOS, Micro-OLED and Micro-LED.

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