Back-Side Camera Through Liquid Crystal Display Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with front-facing cameras face challenges in narrowing the frame due to camera placement, and existing imaging and display systems cannot simultaneously display and capture images.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a liquid crystal display panel and an image sensor on the back side, where the image sensor is positioned to overlap the display region and a lighting unit with an optical modulation element is used to control light scattering and transmission states, allowing simultaneous imaging and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the camera is mounted on the front side in the frame portion, then the imaging function is achieved, but the frame cannot be narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the camera from the traditional front-side frame position to the back side of the display panel, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to resolve the spatial conflict. This allows the camera to image through the display panel from the back, enabling narrow-frame design while maintaining front-facing imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel itself serves as an intermediary medium through which light passes from the front to the back-side camera. By utilizing the display panel's transparency when turned off or in specific regions, the system enables imaging without requiring a separate front-facing opening
2Productivity
If the image sensor is disposed on the back side overlapping the display region, then simultaneous imaging and display are enabled, but light management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display panel into different functional regions: a first region that remains transparent for imaging and a second region that displays content. This segmentation allows light to pass through specific areas to the image sensor while other areas maintain normal display functionality, enabling simultaneous operation without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the optical properties of different regions of the display panel, switching between transparent and display states as needed. This dynamic control allows flexible light management where regions can be adjusted in real-time to support either imaging or display functions
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
Enables the electronic device to maintain a narrow frame while allowing for both image capture and display functionality without obstructing the user's view of the screen.
Implementation Method 1
an optical modulation element disposed to overlap the display region and a light source for lighting the optical modulation element
Implementation Method 2
The optical modulation element is configured so that control of a scattering state and a transmission state in a region overlapping the display region is possible
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a liquid crystal display panel having a display region disposed with a plurality of pixels, an image sensor disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal display panel and imaging the front direction through the liquid crystal display panel, and a lighting unit disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the image sensor. The image sensor is disposed in a region overlapping the display region, and the lighting unit includes an optical modulation element disposed to overlap the display region and a light source for lighting the optical modulation element.