OLED Display Light Field Camera Gradient Lens Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cameras in smartphones require a focusing module to achieve clear images across varying depths, and there is a lack of integration between the display panel and camera, limiting the camera's field depth and image clarity.

Innovation Solution

An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel with a light field camera is developed, featuring a glass covering plate with a gradient refractive index lens and an OLED pixel layer containing micro lenses, which work together with an image sensor to form a light field camera without the need for a focusing function, utilizing a micro lens array to control light beams and record depth of field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional camera with a focusing module is used, then image clarity at specific depths is improved, but the device complexity and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage clarityVSAvoidcamera structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the focusing module from the camera system by adopting a light field camera architecture. The light field camera uses a micro lens array directly coupled with the image sensor, removing the need for traditional focusing mechanisms while maintaining image clarity through computational photography techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and the camera sensor substrate. The touch sensor layer integrated in the display panel also functions as the image sensor, enabling the display panel to perform both display and imaging functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional camera is separately integrated with a display panel, then each component performs its function, but the overall device thickness and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the display panel and camera into a single integrated structure. The camera is formed by adding a micro lens array on top of the existing display panel's touch sensor layer, combining both functions into one compact assembly that reduces overall device thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera components are nested within the display panel structure. The micro lens array is positioned on the display panel surface, with the image sensor functions embedded within the touch sensor layer of the display panel, creating a nested configuration that minimizes thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a conventional camera without focusing capability is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the field depth and image clarity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera structureVSAvoiddepth of field

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical focusing system with an optical-microscopic approach using a micro lens array. This substitution eliminates moving parts and mechanical adjustment mechanisms while achieving depth information capture through the light field approach, maintaining reliability without mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduced photographing time without sacrificing depth of field and eliminates the need for a focusing module, while integrating the OLED display panel and camera into a compact structure, enabling thinner devices like smartphones and tablets.

Implementation Method 1

a gradient refractive index lens formed on the glass covering plate, and a refractive index of the gradient refractive index lens gradually varying from a center of the gradient refractive index lens to an outer periphery of the gradient refractive index lens radially

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11271189B2Organic light emitting diode display panel with a light field camera

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel with a light field camera includes a glass covering plate, an OLED pixel layer, and image sensor. A gradient refractive index lens is formed on the glass covering plate. A refractive index of the gradient refractive index lens gradually varies from a center of the gradient refractive index lens to an outer periphery. The OLED pixel layer is disposed on a bottom surface of the glass covering plate and includes OLED pixel units. A micro lens array is embedded on the OLED pixel layer and includes gradient refractive index micro lenses. A refractive index of each gradient refractive index micro lens gradually varies from a center of the gradient refractive index micro lens to an outer periphery. The image sensor is disposed on a bottom surface of the OLED pixel layer. The light field camera can acquire clear images without focusing.