Integrated Image Sensor Panel with Liquid Crystal FOV Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with integrated image sensing elements face challenges such as gaze mismatch during self-photographing and limitations in implementing bezel-less full screen displays due to camera arrangement constraints.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a panel device featuring image display pixels and image sensing elements, where each image sensing element is disposed between the display pixels, an optical element, a viewing zone adjusting assembly, and a processor that controls the FOV of the image sensing elements and adjusts the display accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a camera is located on the top of the smartphone, then the device can capture images for display, but the user's gaze direction becomes mismatched (looking at the front display while the camera captures from above)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegaze matchingVSAvoidcamera arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the image sensing element with the display panel by integrating multiple image sensing elements between the display pixels, creating a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate camera modules and resolves the gaze mismatch problem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If a camera is arranged on the top of the smartphone, then image capture is enabled, but it requires additional space and limits the implementation of bezel-less full screen displays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidcamera arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the camera functionality into the display panel itself by integrating image sensing elements within the panel structure, eliminating the need for separate camera modules and enabling bezel-less full screen designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel serves dual functions as both a display device and an image sensing device, with the integrated image sensing elements enabling photographing functions within the same structural framework

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If multiple image sensing elements are integrated within the panel device, then gaze mismatch is reduced and bezel-less display is enabled, but the field of view of each sensing element needs to be precisely adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interactionVSAvoidFOV adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a viewing zone adjusting assembly with liquid crystal shutters that can dynamically change the field of view of each image sensing element by controlling light transmission, allowing flexible adjustment of viewing zones to optimize user interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a viewing zone adjusting assembly as an intermediary component between the optical element and image sensing elements, using liquid crystal shutters to mediate and control the field of view for each sensing element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces or prevents gaze mismatch issues and enables the implementation of bezel-less full screen displays by integrating image sensing elements within the panel device, allowing for adjustable fields of view and improved user interaction.

Implementation Method 1

the viewing zone adjusting assembly comprises a liquid crystal shutter disposed on or below the optical element, the liquid crystal shutter including a plurality of cells having a smaller size than that of the plurality of image sensing elements, and the processor may be further configured to control an opening or closing operation of each of the plurality of cells by controlling whether or not a voltage is applied to each of the plurality of cells included in the liquid crystal shutter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal effect: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

the plurality of image sensing elements are configured to sense an incident light through the optical element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3847637B1Electronic apparatus and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3847637B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2a
  • EP3847637B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~2c
  • EP3847637B1 patent drawingFigure 2d~3a

AI summary

Provided is an electronic apparatus including a panel device including a plurality of image display pixels and a plurality of image sensing elements, wherein each image sensing element is disposed between the plurality of image display pixels, an optical element disposed on an upper portion of the panel device, wherein the plurality of image sensing elements are configured to sense an incident light through the optical element, a viewing zone adjusting assembly configured to adjust a field of view (FOV) of the plurality of image sensing elements, and a processor configured to control the viewing zone adjusting assembly to adjust the FOV of at least one image sensing element, and control the panel device to display an image generated based on the sensed incident light.