Behind-OLED Proximity Sensor Masking for Blinking Artifact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The placement of proximity sensors behind OLED display panels can cause unintended OLED display emissions, leading to a blinking artifact due to interaction between the proximity sensor emitter and the OLED pixels.
Innovation Solution
A proximity emitter mask is positioned between the proximity sensor emitter and the OLED display panel to shield the OLED pixels from the proximity sensor emitter, and the emission pattern of the OLED pixels is controlled to synchronize the proximity sensor emitter's emissions with the non-emissive states of the OLED pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the proximity sensor emitter is positioned behind the OLED display panel, then the device can achieve a bezel-less design with larger display area, but unintended OLED pixel emissions occur causing blinking artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
A proximity emitter mask is introduced as an intermediary component positioned between the proximity sensor emitter and the OLED display panel. This mask selectively blocks infrared light from reaching specific OLED pixels while allowing visible light to pass through, thereby preventing the interaction that causes blinking artifacts without compromising the proximity sensing function or display area
Solution Approach 2:
The proximity emitter mask implements local quality by having different optical properties at different locations. The mask contains transparent regions that allow infrared light to pass through to specific pixels and opaque regions that block infrared light to other pixels. This spatially varying transparency enables selective prevention of blinking artifacts in specific display regions while maintaining proximity sensing functionality
2Reliability
If the proximity sensor emitter continuously emits infrared light, then reliable proximity detection is achieved, but interaction with OLED pixels causes unintended emissions and blinking
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by synchronizing the proximity sensor emitter's infrared light emission with the OLED display's refresh cycle. The emitter is activated only during specific time windows when the OLED pixels are being updated, rather than continuously emitting. This temporal coordination maintains reliable proximity detection while preventing continuous interaction that would cause blinking artifacts
Solution Approach 2:
The proximity emitter mask serves as a mediator that allows the proximity sensor to maintain continuous emission for reliable detection while physically blocking the harmful interaction with OLED pixels in regions where blinking would occur. The mask enables the sensor to emit continuously without generating unwanted visual artifacts
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 effectively mitigates unintended OLED display emissions by shielding the OLED pixels from the proximity sensor emitter and synchronizing the emitter's activity with the OLED's non-emissive states, reducing the occurrence of blinking artifacts.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity emitter mask positioned between the proximity sensor emitter and the one or more OLED pixels to shield the one or more OLED pixels from the proximity sensor emitter
Implementation Method 2
an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel
Data Source
AI summary
Examples are disclosed that relate to mitigating unintended OLED display emissions arising from a proximity sensor emitter located behind an OLED display panel. One example provides a display device comprising an OLED display panel, a proximity sensor having a proximity sensor emitter positioned behind one or more OLED pixels of the OLED display panel with respect to a viewing surface of the OLED display panel, and a proximity emitter mask positioned between the proximity sensor emitter and the one or more OLED pixels to shield the one or more OLED pixels from the proximity sensor emitter.