Aperture Element Shielding Diffracted Light in Transparent Display Cameras

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Solution Overview

Problem

The quality of images captured by a camera placed behind a transparent display is degraded due to optical disturbances such as diffraction and internal reflection caused by the display's electrical elements, with existing solutions failing to effectively address these issues.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device is designed with an aperture element attached to the display, featuring an aperture and a shield area that blocks diffracted light, preventing it from reaching the camera's optical lens, thereby improving image sharpness by shielding the diffracted light and reducing blurring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a camera is placed behind a transparent display to increase display area, then the display area is increased, but image quality is degraded due to diffraction and internal reflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture element is divided into two functional segments: an aperture portion that allows light transmission and a shield area portion that blocks diffracted light. This segmentation enables the system to simultaneously achieve light transmission for imaging and diffraction suppression, resolving the contradiction between maintaining display area and improving image quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful diffracted light is extracted and blocked by the shield area of the aperture element before reaching the camera. This extraction approach removes the harmful optical effects from the imaging path while preserving the beneficial light transmission, thereby improving image quality without reducing display area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If light passes through the display to reach the camera, then imaging function is enabled, but diffracted light causes blurring and artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging functionVSAvoiddiffraction and internal reflection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture element serves as an intermediary component positioned between the display and the camera. It mediates the light transmission process by allowing useful light to pass through the aperture while blocking harmful diffracted light through the shield area, thus enabling imaging function while suppressing optical disturbances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shield area of the aperture element converts the harmful diffracted light into a beneficial filtering effect. By strategically positioning the shield area, the design transforms the problematic diffraction pattern into a useful tool for blocking unwanted light paths, thereby improving image sharpness while maintaining the imaging function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The solution effectively suppresses blurring caused by diffraction and internal reflection, resulting in sharper images captured by the camera, as the diffracted light is blocked by the aperture element's shield area, enhancing the overall image quality.

Implementation Method 1

the light from the front side of the display passes through the aperture and reaches the optical lens of the camera. The optical lens focuses the light on the imaging sensor.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 2

The optical lens focuses the light on the imaging sensor.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 3

the diffracted light at/in the display is shielded by the shield area of the aperture element. As a result, the diffracted light cannot reach the optical lens and the sharpness of the image captured by the imaging sensor of the camera can be improved.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 4

the diffracted light at/in the display is shielded by the shield area of the aperture element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4066477B1Imaging device and electric device
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4066477B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4066477B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4066477B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An imaging device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a display; a camera located at a back side of the display, the camera including an optical lens and an imaging sensor to sense light through the display to capture an image; and an aperture element attached to a back surface which is a surface of the back side of the display, wherein the aperture element has an aperture through which the light from the display passes, and the light passing the aperture reaches the camera.