Display Hole Visibility Reduction via Optical Member

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with minimized bezel areas and enlarged display surfaces face challenges in minimizing the visibility of holes within the display area, affecting user satisfaction and image uniformity.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus is designed with a display panel, an optical module partially overlapping the hole, a light source module arranged below the display panel, and an optical member between the hole and the light source module, which emits light or images to the hole, enhancing luminance and color reproduction while minimizing visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hole is provided in the display area for camera module, then the camera function is enabled, but the visibility of the hole increases and image uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera functionVSAvoidhole visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An optical member is introduced as an intermediary between the light source module and the hole to redirect light toward the hole, making the hole area display images or light sources and thereby reducing its visibility as a defect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical member redirects light to make the hole area display images or light sources that match the surrounding display area, achieving visual uniformity and making the hole invisible to users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a hole is provided in the display area for camera module, then the camera function is enabled, but the image uniformity across the display panel deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera functionVSAvoidimage uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The optical member acts as a mediator to redirect light from the light source module toward the hole, enabling the hole area to display images that match the surrounding display area, thereby achieving uniformity across the entire display panel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By redirecting light to the hole area through the optical member, the hole is made to display images or light sources that are homogeneous with the surrounding display area, achieving visual uniformity across the entire display surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Area of stationary object

If bezel area is minimized and display surface is enlarged, then the display area is increased, but the visibility of holes in the display area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidhole visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical member serves as an intermediary to redirect light toward the hole, making the hole area display content that matches the surrounding display area, thereby reducing hole visibility even as the display area is enlarged

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical member enables the hole area to display images or light sources that match the color and brightness of the surrounding display area, achieving visual uniformity that makes holes invisible despite the enlarged display area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 improves user satisfaction by reducing the visibility of holes and achieving uniformity in image output, with high luminance and improved color reproduction rates, enhancing the overall display experience.

Implementation Method 1

an optical member arranged between the hole and the light source module and provided to partially overlap each of the hole and the light source module, wherein the optical member emits a light source or image output from the light source module toward the hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection and redirection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11316960B2Electronic apparatus comprising display panel including at least one hole

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic apparatus comprises a display panel defined by a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, including at least one hole formed in the display area, an optical module arranged below the display panel and overlaps with the at least one hole, a light source module arranged at one side of the optical module, and an optical member arranged between the at least one hole and the light source module and partially overlaps with each of the at least one hole and the light source module, wherein the optical member emits a light source or image output from the light source module toward the at least one hole.