Electrochromic Display Module Hiding Under-Display Camera

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of a front camera into mobile devices often reduces the screen-to-body ratio, and when positioned under the screen, it can be visible in screen-off states, compromising the integrity and user experience of the display.

Innovation Solution

A display module incorporating an electrochromic component that changes transparency based on an electric signal, allowing high transparency during screen-on or image acquisition states and low transparency during screen-off states, thereby maintaining the display's integrity and hiding the camera or image acquisition module when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the front camera is arranged under the screen, then the screen-to-body ratio is improved, but the camera becomes visible in screen-off state which affects display integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen-to-body ratioVSAvoiddisplay integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a dynamic transparency control mechanism where the screen transitions between transparent and opaque states based on operational mode. When the camera needs to be hidden (screen-off state), the display becomes opaque, dynamically changing its optical properties to maintain integrity while preserving the high screen-to-body ratio design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameter (transparency) of the display screen based on operational conditions. By adjusting the transparency parameter from high (when camera functionality is needed) to low (when camera should be hidden), the system resolves the contradiction between maintaining visible camera access and preserving display integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the electrochromic component presents high transparency, then normal display and image acquisition are ensured, but the camera structure is directly exposed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay functionalityVSAvoiddisplay integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The electrochromic component dynamically adjusts its transparency based on the operational state. During screen-on or image acquisition states, it maintains high transparency for functionality. During screen-off states, it transitions to low transparency to hide the camera structure, thus dynamically resolving the contradiction between functional visibility and structural hiding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Shape

If the electrochromic component presents low transparency, then the camera structure is hidden, but normal display and image acquisition are affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay integrityVSAvoidimage acquisition functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically controls the electrochromic component's transparency state based on real-time operational requirements. When image acquisition is needed, the system switches to high transparency state, ensuring functionality. When not in use, it switches to low transparency state for aesthetic integrity, thus dynamically resolving the functional-integrity contradiction.

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

Ensures normal display and image acquisition functionality while maintaining the display's integrity by adjusting transparency, ensuring a seamless user experience and reducing exposure of the camera or image acquisition module.

Implementation Method 1

an electrochromic component configured to present first transparency when the display module is in a screen-on state or the image acquisition module is in an image acquisition state and present second transparency when the display module is in a screen-off state, the second transparency being lower than the first transparency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentEP3745192B1Display device
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3745192B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3745192B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3745192B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Provided is a display module, including: cover glass (11), a first region of an inner surface of the display module covering a photosensitive surface of an image acquisition module and the inner surface opposite to an outer surface of the display module; a display component (12); a polarization component (13), located between the display component (12) and the cover glass (11) and for filtering ambient light reflected from the display component (12) based on a polarization action in a display region outside a second region covering the first region; and an electrochromic component (14), located between the cover glass (11) and the display component (12), adjacent to the polarization component (13), filling the second region and for, based on an applied electric signal, presenting first transparency when the display module is in a screen-on state or the image acquisition module is in an image acquisition state and presenting second transparency when the display module is in a screen-off state.