Meta-surface Illumination Device for Smartphone Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In smartphones equipped with sensors like proximity and 3D depth sensors, the integration of a light-emitting device to generate necessary light is challenging due to the presence of metallic materials in circuit elements that block light, making it difficult to provide a light source without increasing the device size or complicating the display design.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device that outputs light through the edge portion of a display surface using a light source spaced apart from the display panel, with a light transmitting unit comprising meta-surfaces that deflect, collimate, and diffuse light to achieve flood illumination, allowing light to be transmitted through a window panel and directed towards an object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light-emitting device is provided in a region separate from the display panel, then light for sensing operations can be generated, but the size of the smartphone increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light-emitting device with the display panel by placing it in a notch region of the display surface, merging two previously separate components (display and illumination) into a single integrated structure, thereby avoiding additional device area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the notch dimension (a cutout in the display surface) to accommodate the light-emitting device, effectively using a different spatial dimension (the notch space) rather than adding area in the traditional plane, thus maintaining the overall device footprint
2Illumination intensity
If a notch is formed in a region of a display panel to place a light-emitting device, then light for sensing can be transmitted, but the design of the display surface becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display surface into distinct functional regions: a first area for display pixels and a second area (notch) for the light-emitting device, allowing each region to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of integrating the light-emitting device within the display pixel structure (which would complicate the display design), the patent inverts the approach by creating a notch in the display surface to accommodate the light source, thereby simplifying the display pixel structure while still achieving integrated functionality
3Ease of manufacture
If metallic materials are included in circuit elements of display pixels, then circuit functionality is achieved, but light necessary for sensing operations cannot pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-emitting function from the display pixel structure and places it in a separate notch region, eliminating the conflict between metallic circuit materials (which block light) and the need for light transmission, while maintaining both display and sensing illumination functionalities
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 effective light distribution for sensor operations without increasing the smartphone's size or complicating the display design, providing a uniform field of view and efficient light transmission for sensing applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first meta-surface configured to deflect the light emitted from the light source such that the light deflected by the first meta-surface has a first directivity
Implementation Method 2
configured to collimate the light emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 3
a third meta-surface configured to diffuse the light deflected by the second meta-surface
Implementation Method 4
the light transmitting unit configured to transmit the light emitted from the light source to an object through the second area
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an illumination device including a display panel including a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface, the display panel being configured to output light including image information through the first surface, a light source configured to emit light, the light source being spaced apart from the display panel in a direction away from and normal to the second surface of the display panel, a window panel including a first area configured to transmit the light output from the display panel and a second area configured to transmit the light emitted from the light source, and a light transmitting unit provided between the window panel and the light source, the light transmitting unit configured to transmit the light emitted from the light source to an object through the second area, the light transmitting unit including at least one meta-surface.