Integrated Display Antenna With Optical Uniformity Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices with edge-to-edge bezel-less displays face challenges in maintaining uniform transparency and light distribution due to the presence of optically-transparent wire antennas, which can cause visual artifacts and reduced transparency, especially at antenna edges.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a uniformity layer with optical properties that balance the transparency of the antenna, combined with a backlight configuration that provides equalized light across the display surface, either through adjusted LED arrays or particle-infused substrates, to remove transparency defects and ensure uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optically-transparent wire antennas are used to reduce footprint and improve radiation efficiency, then antenna performance is improved, but visual uniformity and transparency across the display surface deteriorates due to reduced transparency above the antenna region and noticeable edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna performanceVSAvoidvisual uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing a uniformity layer with specific optical properties (refractive index and thickness) positioned adjacent to the antenna structure. This layer locally compensates for the transparency reduction caused by the antenna, creating a gradient or adjusted optical property distribution that restores visual uniformity in the affected region without affecting other areas of the display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The uniformity layer acts as an optical intermediary between the antenna structure and the display surface. It mediates the optical interaction by having a refractive index between that of the antenna material and the surrounding display material, thereby smoothing the optical transition and eliminating the visual artifacts caused by the antenna's presence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If antenna material with different optical transparency than surrounding display material is used, then antenna functionality is achieved, but visual artifacts and reduced transparency are introduced above the antenna region

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna functionalityVSAvoidtransparency uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material principles by creating a multi-layer structure consisting of the antenna material, the uniformity layer with intermediate optical properties, and the surrounding display material. This composite structure combines materials with different optical properties to achieve both antenna functionality and visual uniformity, as the uniformity layer's intermediate refractive index creates a gradual optical transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The uniformity layer is positioned specifically adjacent to the antenna structure, applying local quality modification only where needed. The layer's optical properties (refractive index and thickness) are tailored to compensate for the transparency reduction in the antenna region, restoring visual uniformity locally without affecting other display areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If transparent antenna structures are integrated into the display, then antenna footprint is reduced, but visual effects and transparency reduction are introduced at the antenna edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna footprintVSAvoidedge transparency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The uniformity layer is positioned specifically adjacent to the antenna edges where transparency reduction occurs. By providing a layer with intermediate optical properties at these critical locations, the patent locally compensates for edge effects and restores transparency uniformity precisely where the antenna causes visual artifacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The uniformity layer serves as an optical intermediary at the antenna edges, mediating the transition between the antenna material and the surrounding display material. This intermediary layer with intermediate refractive index smooths the optical discontinuity at the edges, eliminating the visual artifacts that would otherwise be noticeable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3353857B1Integrated antenna with display uniformity
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 APPLE INC
  • EP3353857B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3353857B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3353857B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

A display having an integrated antenna with a substantially uniform transparency and/or light across the display. The display may have a uniformity layer that is an optical balance of the antenna, wherein the uniformity layer and the antenna have respective optical transparencies that provide a substantially uniform transparency across the display. The display may also have a backlight that has a surface brightness intensity corresponding to an optical inverse of the antenna, and is configured to provide a substantially uniform light across the display.