Image Transport Layer for Electronic Devices

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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, limiting the effective size of the display.

Innovation Solution

An image transport layer formed from Anderson localization material or coherent fiber bundles is used to cover the display, allowing images to be transported from an inner input surface to an outer output surface without distortion, thereby expanding the effective image size while minimizing border regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional transparent display cover layer is used, then the display is protected, but the device has larger inactive border regions and undesired image distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay protectionVSAvoideffective display area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The image transport layer is divided into multiple coherent fiber bundles, where each bundle transports images from a specific region of the display to corresponding regions on the cover layer. This segmentation allows the optical function to be distributed across the entire cover layer area, eliminating the need for large inactive borders while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image transport layer as an intermediary component between the display and the transparent cover layer. This intermediate layer actively transports and redirects light paths, enabling images to be delivered to edge regions that would otherwise be lost, thereby expanding the effective display area without compromising protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a traditional transparent display cover layer is used, then the display is protected, but undesired image distortion is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay protectionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the cover layer into multiple coherent fiber bundles, each bundle maintains precise optical pathways from specific display regions to corresponding cover layer regions. This segmentation prevents cross-talk and image distortion that would occur with traditional homogeneous cover layers, delivering sharp, undistorted images across the entire display area including edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The image transport layer exhibits local quality variations, with different regions containing fiber bundles oriented and configured to transport images from their corresponding display regions. This localized optimization ensures that each region of the cover layer receives images with the appropriate optical properties, eliminating distortion while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If the display cover layer is designed to expand effective image size, then border regions are minimized, but image distortion may be introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective display areaVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coherent fiber bundle segmentation enables the cover layer to expand the effective display area to include edge regions while maintaining image quality. Each fiber bundle acts as an independent optical channel that preserves image fidelity, allowing the display to utilize the entire cover layer area without introducing distortion that would normally accompany such expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively enlarges the display size without introducing image distortion, utilizing materials like polymers and optical fibers to form the image transport layer, which can be processed using various equipment to achieve the desired optical properties.

Implementation Method 1

The image transport layer may include a coherent fiber bundle or Anderson localization material. During operation, images presented to an inner input surface of the image transport layer are transported to and presented on a corresponding outer output surface of the image transport layer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The image transport layer may include a coherent fiber bundle or Anderson localization material.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnderson localization:

Implementation Method 3

Elevated temperatures such as temperatures above the melting points of the polymers may be used during extrusion, fusion, drawing, and other operations.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS11534995B1Methods for forming image transport layers for electronic devices

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 APPLE INC

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 an image transport layer formed from Anderson localization material. Anderson localization material may be formed using equipment such as heated molds, extrusion equipment, fusion tools, and fiber drawing equipment. The materials used to form a block of Anderson localization material may be polymers or other transparent materials. Elevated temperatures such as temperatures above the melting points of the polymers may be used during extrusion, fusion, drawing, and other operations.