Light-Guiding Column for Full-Screen Terminal Ambient Light Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of full screen terminal devices is restricted by the layout of ambient light sensors, which occupy bezel space and affect the screen-to-body ratio, and existing solutions like ambient light sensors on cover plates lead to inconsistent light sensing and poor aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A terminal device with a light-guiding column embedded on the middle frame, where the ambient light sensor is located at the bottom, guiding ambient light through a controlled optical path using a light-entry surface, reflection surfaces, and a textured light-exit surface to enhance light sensitivity without occupying bezel space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ambient light sensor is arranged at the upper part of the front face of the display module to accurately simulate human eye detection, then the light sensing accuracy is improved, but the cover plate width must be increased to accommodate the sensor, restricting full screen design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the ambient light sensor from the traditional upper front face position to the bottom of the display module, utilizing the vertical dimension differently. By positioning the sensor at the bottom and using a light-guiding column to redirect light upward, the design achieves accurate ambient light detection without occupying bezel space at the top, thus enabling full screen design while maintaining sensing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The light-guiding column acts as an intermediary component that redirects ambient light from the bottom of the display module to the ambient light sensor. This mediator allows the sensor to be positioned at the bottom while still receiving light as if positioned at the top, resolving the contradiction between sensor positioning for accuracy and space utilization for full screen design
2Measurement precision
If the ambient light sensor is placed on the cover plate, then the light sensing function is achieved, but it occupies bezel space and affects the screen-to-body ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ambient light sensor from its traditional position on the cover plate/bezel area and relocates it to the bottom of the display module. This extraction eliminates the need for additional bezel space to accommodate the sensor, enabling full screen design while preserving the ambient light detection function through the light-guiding column mechanism
3Measurement precision
If existing ambient light sensor arrangements are used, then the sensing function is provided, but inconsistent light sensing and poor aesthetics result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light-guiding column with the bottom frame structure, integrating the optical guiding function into the existing structural component. This integration eliminates the need for separate sensor openings or additional aesthetic considerations, achieving consistent light sensing across different angles while maintaining clean, uninterrupted bezel aesthetics for full screen design
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 allows for effective ambient light sensing over a wide angle, maintaining a high screen-to-body ratio and avoiding issues like inconsistent sensitivities and poor aesthetics, while enabling full screen design without extra windows or ink-related problems.
Implementation Method 1
A light-entry surface of the light-guiding column guides ambient light to the ambient light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal device mainly includes: a display module (21), a middle frame (22) for fixing the display module (21), a light-guiding column (23) embedded on the middle frame (22), and an ambient light sensor (24) located at bottom of the light-guiding column (23), wherein a light-entry surface of the light-guiding column (23) guides ambient light to the ambient light sensor (24).