Movable Display Screen for Camera Coverage and Light Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices with integrated cameras face a challenge in achieving a high screen-to-body ratio due to the camera's placement, which obstructs the display area and affects both display quality and photography performance.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device features a camera housed within the device, with a movable display screen that switches between states, allowing the camera to be covered by the display portion for full-screen display and to face a non-display portion for photography, optimizing space and image reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the camera is placed in the display panel to enable selfie photography, then the photographing function is realized, but the camera occupies part of the display area, resulting in a low screen-to-body ratio

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotography functionVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is made movable relative to the camera, allowing it to switch between covering and exposing the camera. This dynamic configuration enables the screen-to-body ratio to be maximized during display mode while still providing camera access for photography, thus resolving the contradiction between display area and photography function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display screen is divided into a display portion and a light-transparent non-display portion. The light-transparent portion allows light to pass through to the camera when needed, while the display portion maintains full coverage for display purposes. This segmentation enables both full-screen display and camera functionality without mutual interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the camera is covered by the display portion, then full-screen display is achieved, but the camera cannot receive light for imaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidlight reception capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen can be dynamically positioned to either cover or expose the camera. When full-screen display is needed, the screen covers the camera. When photography is needed, the screen moves to expose the camera, allowing light reception. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between display coverage and light reception capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display screen has different optical properties in different regions: the display portion is opaque for full coverage, while the light-transparent non-display portion allows light to pass through to the camera. This local differentiation in optical quality enables the screen to simultaneously provide full coverage and light transmission when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration enhances the screen-to-body ratio, enabling full-screen display and improved photography quality by allowing the camera to receive light from the side, thus addressing the trade-off between display and photography functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a light-transparent non-display portion... configured to collect light through the non-display portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3576399B1Electronic device and photographing control method thereof
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3576399B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3576399B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3576399B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electronic device and a photographing control method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes: a housing; a camera provided in the housing; a display screen movably assembled to the housing, and switchable between a first state and a second state with respect to the housing. The display screen has a display portion and a non-display portion, and the non-display portion is light transparent. When the display screen is in the first state, the camera is covered by the display portion. When the display screen is in the second state, the camera faces to the non-display portion, and configured to collect light through the non-display portion and performs imaging.