Electrically Adjustable Optical Shutter for Display Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with optical components often have visually unappealing windows due to the difficulty in effectively hiding these components behind windows, leading to unsightly appearances.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electrically adjustable shutters that can be dynamically controlled to change their transparency and spectral properties, allowing them to function as both opaque and transparent filters, thereby hiding or revealing optical components as needed while blending with the device's housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical components are placed behind windows in electronic devices, then the device can integrate multiple functions in a compact structure, but the windows become visually unappealing due to the visible optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic shutter mechanism that can switch between opaque and transparent states. When the shutter is opaque, it conceals the optical component (camera, flash, sensor) behind the window, providing a clean cosmetic appearance. When the shutter becomes transparent, it allows light transmission for the optical component to function. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by adapting the window's appearance based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter mechanism changes the optical properties (transparency/opaqueness) of the window region. By transitioning from a transparent state (when the component needs to function) to an opaque state (when concealment is needed), the system effectively changes the 'color' or optical appearance of the window, allowing it to blend with the device housing while maintaining functionality.
2Shape
If optical components are concealed behind windows, then the cosmetic appearance is improved, but the optical components cannot function when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed as a dynamic element that responds to operational signals. When the optical component (camera, flash, sensor) needs to function, the shutter transitions to a transparent state, allowing light to pass through. When the component is not in use, the shutter becomes opaque to conceal the component. This dynamic switching ensures both cosmetic appearance and functionality are maintained as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter acts as an intermediary element between the window and the optical component. It mediates between the desire for cosmetic appearance (concealment) and the need for functionality (light transmission). By controlling the shutter's transparency state, the system allows selective interaction between light and the optical component while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the device housing.
3Shape
If fixed opaque windows are used to hide optical components, then the cosmetic appearance is maintained, but light cannot pass through for optical operations
Solution Approach 1:
The window region incorporates a dynamic shutter that can switch between opaque and transparent states. When the shutter is opaque, it provides visual blending with the device housing. When light transmission is needed for optical operations, the shutter transitions to a transparent state, allowing illumination to pass through to the optical component. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between visual blending and light transmission requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the cosmetic appearance of electronic devices by allowing the optical components to be concealed or revealed based on operational needs, improving the visual integration of these components with the device's structure.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid crystal layer may be provided between the first and second transparent substrates. The liquid crystal layer may be configured to change an optical property of the shutter in response to an applied voltage.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device has an electrically adjustable shutter. The shutter may be placed in a transparent state or a nontransparent state. The shutter may overlap a portion of a display, may overlap a liquid contact indictor or a structure with text in a device, or may overlap an optical component such as an optical proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, visible light-emitting diode or laser, infrared light-emitting diode or laser, visible light image sensor, or infrared light image sensor. Control circuitry in the electronic device may place the shutter in an opaque state to hide an overlapped component from view or may place the shutter in a transparent state to allow the overlapped component to transmit or receive light. The adjustable shutter may exhibit changes in its transmission spectrum in different modes of operation and may be used as a camera filter or neutral density filter.