Deformable Display Region for Full-Screen Front Camera Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with high screen-to-body ratios face display area reduction and image feedback time issues due to front-facing camera designs, such as notch screens, hole-punch screens, and under-display cameras, which affect display quality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a deformable display region that switches between flattening and bending states, allowing ambient light to be projected to a camera module through a light transmitting region, and utilizing a reflective member to adjust the light path, enhancing display area and quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a notch screen or hole-punch screen is used to accommodate the front-facing camera, then the camera can be integrated into the display, but the display area is reduced and display quality is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera integrationVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is designed with a deformable region that can dynamically change its state between flat and bent. When bent, the display screen creates a step structure that allows the front-facing camera to be positioned below the display surface, thereby maintaining the full display area without notches or hole-punches while still accommodating the camera module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If an under-display camera is used, then the display area is maintained, but the light transmittance requirement reduces the number of display components and affects display quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddisplay component quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using an under-display camera that requires high light transmittance, the patent employs a deformable display screen that bends to create physical separation between the display surface and the camera module. This allows the use of standard display components with full functionality while the camera operates in a separate optical path below the display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If a pop-up front-facing camera is used, then the display area is guaranteed, but the time duration from camera pop-up to image acquiring is long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidcamera activation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable display screen with integrated camera positioning eliminates the need for mechanical pop-up mechanisms. The camera module remains in a ready position below the display, and the deformable region can quickly transition between states, enabling instant camera activation without the time delay associated with physical camera deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If the deformable region is kept in a bent state to maintain display area, then the display quality is improved, but the camera module cannot capture light effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidcamera light capture
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the deformable region's state based on operational mode. During camera operation, the deformable region transitions to a flat state to align the light path from the environment through the display to the camera module. During normal display operation, it returns to a bent state to maintain full display area, thus achieving both objectives at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 increases the display area and improves display quality by allowing the camera module to operate without obstructing the display surface, while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.

Implementation Method 1

a portion of the second region is a deformable region, the deformation driving part is connected to the deformable region, and drives, through deformation, the deformable region to be switched between a flattening state and a bending state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when the deformable region is in the bending state, the deformable region is a curved surface, a light transmitting region is arranged in the deformable region, and when the deformable region is in the flattening state, ambient light passing through the light transmitting region is projected to the camera module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 3

the first reflective member is connected to the deformation driving part, the deformation driving part drives the first reflective member to move to a working position, and the ambient light passing through the light transmitting region is reflected by the first reflective member at the working position to the camera module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4270908B1Electronic device, and control method and control device thereof
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP4270908B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4270908B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4270908B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application discloses an electronic device and a control method and a control apparatus thereof. The electronic device includes a housing, a display screen, a deformation driving part and a camera module. The display screen includes a first region and a second region which are connected, a display surface of the first region is a first plane, the second region is located on an edge of the display screen, a portion of the second region is a deformable region, the deformation driving part is connected to the deformable region, and drives, through deformation, the deformable region to be switched between a flattening state and a bending state, and when the deformable region is in the flattening state, a display surface of the deformable region is a second plane, and the second plane and the first plane are located within the same plane; and when the deformable region is in the bending state, the deformable region is a curved surface, a light transmitting region is arranged in the deformable region, and when the deformable region is in the flattening state, ambient light passing through the light transmitting region is projected to the camera module.