Emissive Display Panel Diffracting Light for Spectrometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile devices, the expansion of the emissive display area to cover more space competes with the placement of optical sensors like spectrometers, leading to a compromise in display size and the need for additional components that occupy valuable real estate.
Innovation Solution
An emissive display panel with a periodic pattern of pixels and circuit elements that diffract light in a wavelength-dependent manner, allowing a spectrometer positioned below the display to detect and analyze light, thereby integrating spectrographic sensing without requiring additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the emissive display area is expanded to cover more space, then the display size is improved, but the space for optical devices like spectrometers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display panel and spectrometer into a single integrated structure where the spectrometer is positioned behind the display panel. The display panel serves dual functions: visual display and optical diffraction grating for the spectrometer, eliminating the need for separate space allocation for the spectrometer.
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the visual display surface and as a diffraction grating for the spectrometer. The periodic pattern of pixels and circuit elements in the display panel creates wavelength-dependent diffraction that enables spectrographic analysis without requiring additional components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional optical devices are added to the display side, then the sensing capability is improved, but the display area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrometer is integrated behind the display panel, merging two previously separate functions (display and spectrographic sensing) into a single compact unit. This eliminates the need to choose between display area and sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectrometer is positioned in the depth dimension (behind the display panel) rather than competing for lateral space on the display surface. This vertical integration allows both full display area and spectrographic sensing to coexist without compromising either function.
3Area of moving object
If a spectrometer is positioned below the display panel, then the display area is improved, but the light detection path must be maintained through the display
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is designed with a periodic pattern that serves dual purposes: displaying visual information and acting as a diffraction grating for wavelength separation. This eliminates the need for separate diffraction grating components and simplifies the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel's own periodic structure (pixels and circuit elements) is utilized to provide the diffraction function needed by the spectrometer. The display panel serves itself by providing both its primary display function and the optical diffraction function required for spectrographic analysis.
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
Enables the extension of the active display area to the edges of mobile devices without compromising space for optical devices, allowing for efficient spectrographic sensing and analysis of light, enhancing user experience and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Light detected and analyzed by the spectrometer passes through the display panel and is diffracted, in a wavelength-dependent manner, by elements of the display panel
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile computing device includes an emissive display panel, where the panel is used as a grating, and spectrometer optics positioned behind/below the emissive display panel. A mobile computing device includes an emissive display panel and a spectrometer positioned below the emissive display panel. The emissive display panel includes a first periodic pattern of pixels that include one or more LEDs and a second periodic pattern of circuit elements that control the pixels, where the first and second periodic patterns are configured to diffract light received from outside the device, which passes through the emissive display, and where the diffraction is wavelength-dependent. The spectrometer is configured to detect intensities of different wavelength ranges of the diffracted light.