Fiber Optic Plate for Display Border Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with display cover layers often result in larger inactive border regions and undesired image distortion if not properly managed, as the inclusion of a display cover layer can interfere with the display's pixel arrays.
Innovation Solution
A protective display cover layer utilizing a fiber optic plate with a bundle of fibers, each having a core, cladding, and a stray light absorbing layer, is used to expand image size while minimizing border sizes by deforming the fibers into a desired shape and machining them into a fiber optic plate for assembly within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a display cover layer is included in an electronic device, then the display is protected from damage, but the device develops larger inactive border regions
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic plate transforms the two-dimensional display image into a three-dimensional light distribution pattern. By using optical fibers arranged in a matrix pattern with varying densities, the image expands laterally in the third dimension (depth/thickness of the plate), allowing the light to reach peripheral areas that would otherwise remain as inactive borders.
Solution Approach 2:
The display cover layer is segmented into multiple functional layers: the fiber optic plate with its matrix of individual optical fibers, the binder layer, and the protective outer layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the fiber optic plate expands the image, the binder holds the structure, and the outer layer provides protection - while collectively solving the border region problem.
2Reliability
If a display cover layer is included in an electronic device, then the display is protected from damage, but undesired image distortion is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic plate employs local quality variation through non-uniform fiber density distribution. Different regions of the plate have different numbers of optical fibers per unit area, with higher density in certain regions and lower density in others. This localized variation compensates for optical path differences and prevents image distortion while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the optical fibers, specifically their spacing and density distribution across the plate. By varying these parameters locally rather than uniformly, the system achieves both image expansion and distortion prevention, resolving the contradiction between protection and image quality.
3Area of stationary object
If the fiber optic plate expands image size to cover peripheral structures, then display borders are minimized, but the complexity of the cover layer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic plate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it expands the image laterally to minimize borders, protects the underlying display from damage, and distributes light uniformly to prevent distortion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity despite the sophisticated optical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The display cover layer is a composite structure combining optical fibers, binder material, and protective layers. This composite approach integrates multiple functions within a single assembled unit, managing the overall device complexity by consolidating protection, image expansion, and light distribution functions into one integrated component.
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 fiber optic plate effectively expands image size, covers peripheral housing structures, and minimizes display borders without imparting distortion, thereby enhancing the viewing experience by distributing image light laterally and maintaining image integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The fiber optic plate may guide and expand image light from the display and thereby expand the effective size of images on the display
Implementation Method 2
A loose bundle of the fibers may be processed in a heated chamber. The fibers may be deformed in the heated chamber by pressing inwardly with a die that has a recess
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may have a housing with a display. A protective display cover layer for the display may have an image transport layer such as a fiber optic plate. The fiber optic plate may be formed from a bundle of fibers. The fibers may be formed using fiber extruding equipment. Each fiber may have a core covered with a cladding, a stray light absorbing layer, and binder material. The fibers may be deformed in a heated chamber by pressing inwardly with a die that has a recess, causing the fibers to bulge into the recess. A cutter can be used to cut off a layer of the deformed fibers. This layer may be machined and polished to form the fiber optic plate.