Hidden Region Display With Electrochromic Dimming Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices with high screen-to-body ratios cannot achieve full-screen displays due to the presence of functional elements like cameras and sensors on the front panel, which obstruct the display.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a hidden region in the display screen, featuring a dimming layer below the display layer that can switch between transparent and opaque states to reveal or conceal functional elements such as cameras, sensors, and an earpiece, controlled via electric, temperature, light, or pressure signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If functional elements (camera, sensor, earpiece) are placed on the front panel, then these elements can be accessible and functional, but the display screen cannot achieve full-screen coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The functional elements (camera, sensor, earpiece) are nested within the display screen structure, specifically positioned behind the display layer. The dimming layer acts as a container that can reveal or conceal these nested elements, allowing full-screen display when hidden and accessibility when revealed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimming layer is made dynamic by enabling it to switch between transparent and opaque states. This dynamic property allows the functional elements to be concealed during normal display and revealed when needed, resolving the contradiction between full-screen coverage and accessibility.
2Area of stationary object
If the dimming layer is made transparent to reveal functional elements, then full-screen display is achieved, but the functional elements become visible and may distract from the display
Solution Approach 1:
The dimming layer dynamically adjusts its transparency state based on operational needs. During normal display, it remains opaque to conceal functional elements and maintain full-screen appearance. When functional elements need to be used, it becomes transparent to reveal them, thus managing visual distraction while preserving display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimming layer changes its optical property (from opaque to transparent) similar to color change principles, allowing it to adapt its visibility state. This transformation enables the functional elements to be hidden or revealed as needed, preventing visual distraction during display while maintaining accessibility when required.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple functional elements are concealed behind the display layer, then full-screen display is achieved, but the complexity of controlling individual element visibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dimming layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a display component, a concealment layer, and a control interface. By making the dimming layer itself controllable (through touch, gesture, or system commands), the patent eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms for each functional element, thus managing complexity while achieving full-screen display with selective visibility.
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 full-screen functionality by hiding or revealing functional elements, increasing the screen-to-body ratio and enhancing the integrality of the display screen.
Implementation Method 1
When the dimming layer receives a first signal, a region of the dimming layer corresponding to the hidden region becomes transparent. When the dimming layer receives a second signal, the region of the dimming layer corresponding to the hidden region becomes opaque.
Implementation Method 2
The region of the dimming layer corresponding to the hidden region is controlled to become transparent or opaque through electric control, temperature control, light control, or pressure control.
Implementation Method 3
The region of the dimming layer corresponding to the hidden region is controlled to become transparent or opaque through electric control, temperature control, light control, or pressure control.
Implementation Method 4
The region of the dimming layer corresponding to the hidden region is controlled to become transparent or opaque through electric control, temperature control, light control, or pressure control.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device having a hidden region and a control method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a display screen and a hidden region located in the display screen. The display screen includes a display layer and a dimming layer located below the display layer. The hidden region includes multiple functional elements. The functional elements are disposed below the dimming layer. When the dimming layer receives a first signal, the dimming layer corresponding to the hidden region becomes transparent. The functional elements are in a visible state. When the light-adjusting receives a second signal, the dimming layer corresponding to the hidden region becomes opaque. The functional elements are in a hidden state. By disposing the functional elements below the hidden region, the problem that the electronic device cannot achieve full screen can be solved.