Display Bezel Layout Using Dummy Pixels to Hide Boundary Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

The aesthetic appeal of electronic devices is compromised by visible gaps between the bezel and active area due to the tilt of the cover glass, which can be difficult to align, and these gaps create boundary lines that detract from the overall appearance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating dummy screen pixels between the bezel and active area that are not electrically connected, making them appear black and thus blending seamlessly with the bezel, thereby hiding the boundary line.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a gap is left between the bezel and active area to compensate for cover glass tilt, then alignment difficulty is reduced, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible boundary lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment easeVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate region with dummy pixels between the active display area and the bezel. This intermediary zone serves as a buffer that masks the boundary line created by the gap, allowing the gap to remain for alignment compensation while preventing it from degrading aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dummy pixels in the intermediate region are configured to display a color matching the bezel color, creating a visual transition zone. This color matching strategy allows the gap and boundary line to become imperceptible, resolving the conflict between manufacturing ease and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cover glass is obliquely coupled to the display, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but matching precision with other parts deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling flexibilityVSAvoidmatching precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display region into three segments: the active display area, an intermediate region with dummy pixels, and the bezel area. This segmentation allows the gap to be positioned in the intermediate region where it can compensate for tilt without affecting the precision matching between the active display area and the bezel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If lines are extended from screen pixels to display driver circuit, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the display requires additional gap space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension (depth) by placing the dummy pixels and gap in an intermediate zone between the active display and bezel. This allows wiring and electrical connectivity to be accommodated in the vertical space created by the gap, without reducing the horizontal display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3622368B1Electronic device including inactive area
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3622368B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3622368B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3622368B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a cover glass, a back cover facing the cover glass, a housing surrounding a space between the cover glass and the back cover, a bezel surrounding an edge of a plane arranged below the cover glass; a display panel including a first area that is exposed through an area of the cover glass not overlapping the bezel and a second area that surrounds the first area and is arranged below the bezel, a first group of screen pixels arranged along an edge of the first area; a second group of screen pixels arranged in an area except for the first area; a display driver integrated circuit electrically connected to the second group pixels, and a processor controlling, through the display driver integrated circuit, whether to allow the second group pixels to emit light.