In-Display Illumination Control via Optical Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in providing effective control signals to in-display illumination elements due to high-frequency signal requirements and parasitic capacitances, especially with optical sensors like Time-of-Flight sensors, which necessitate a more efficient method for signal transmission without compromising electromagnetic shielding.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with an integrated illumination element, optical transmitter, receiver, and driver circuit within the display, utilizing optical signals to control light emission, thereby eliminating the need for extensive wiring and reducing parasitic capacitances, and allowing for improved control of in-display illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wired electrical connection is used to transmit control signals from the optical sensor to the illumination unit, then the illumination unit can be controlled, but parasitic capacitances are introduced and electromagnetic shielding is compromised due to the need to route connections through RGB pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical wiring system with an optical communication system. The optical sensor transmits control signals to the illumination unit via optical waves through the display medium, eliminating the need for electrical connections through RGB pixels and thereby removing parasitic capacitances and electromagnetic interference issues
Solution Approach 2:
The display medium itself serves as an intermediary carrier for optical signals. Instead of using separate electrical wiring, the control signals are transmitted through the display's optical path, utilizing the display structure as the transmission medium and avoiding interference with the electrical pixel circuitry
2Reliability
If the display is bonded to the optical sensor module with a direct electrical connection, then control signal transmission is achieved, but the display structure becomes more complex and requires additional electrical terminals on the rear side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complex electrical bonding structure by substituting it with optical communication. The illumination unit and optical sensor communicate via optical signals transmitted through the display, removing the need for rear-side electrical terminals and simplifying the overall display-sensor module structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the control signal transmission function from the electrical domain and relocates it to the optical domain. This separates the control signaling from the electrical pixel circuitry, allowing the display to maintain its standard electrical structure while adding optical communication capabilities without requiring additional electrical terminals or complex bonding
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
This solution enables efficient control of in-display illumination units, reduces energy consumption, and avoids frequency conflicts, achieving better performance compared to under-display approaches by using optical connections for signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an optical transmitter configured to transmit an optical control signal encoded with control information for controlling light emission by the illumination element
Implementation Method 2
an optical receiver integrated into the display device. The optical receiver is configured to receive the optical control signal and generate an electrical control signal based on the optical control signal
Implementation Method 3
an illumination element integrated into the display device and configured to emit light for illuminating a scene in front of the front side of the display device
Implementation Method 4
an optical sensor configured to sense reflections of the emitted light from the scene
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: a display device including a plurality of light-emitting elements for displaying an optical image on a front side of the display device; an illumination element integrated into the display device and configured to emit light for illuminating a scene in front of the front side of the display device; an optical sensor configured to sense reflections of the light from the scene; an optical transmitter configured to transmit an optical control signal encoded with control information for controlling light emission by the illumination element; and an optical receiver integrated into the display device and configured to receive the optical control signal and generate an electrical control signal based on the optical control signal. The electronic device further includes a driver circuit integrated into the display device and configured to drive the illumination element based on the electrical control signal.