Optical Fiber Screen Layout for Full-Screen Front Camera

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face a challenge in increasing screen ratio while maintaining the front light acquiring function, as structures like blind holes or pop-up cameras either reduce display area or increase thickness and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates an optical fiber structure with a main screen and an auxiliary screen that alternately overlap a light transmitting hole, using a slide rail mechanism to transmit images without parallax, allowing for full-screen display and camera functionality without occupying display space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a blind hole structure is used for the front camera on the screen, then the front light acquiring function is achieved, but the display area of the screen is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront light acquiring functionVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a 2D screen surface to a 3D spatial arrangement by placing the auxiliary screen and front camera in different depth layers. The auxiliary screen is positioned below the main screen, and both can alternately occupy the same lateral position, creating a multi-layered structure that resolves the conflict between display area and camera function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism where the auxiliary screen and front camera alternately occupy the light transmitting hole position. This dynamic arrangement allows the system to switch between display mode (auxiliary screen visible) and camera mode (camera exposed), resolving the contradiction by making the conflict temporary rather than permanent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a pop-up camera mechanism is used, then the front light acquiring function is achieved, but the thickness and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront light acquiring functionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the auxiliary screen and front camera into a single integrated assembly that shares common support structures and control mechanisms. Both components are mounted on the same slide rail and controlled by the same switching mechanism, reducing overall structural complexity compared to separate implementations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light transmitting hole serves multiple functions: it acts as a display area for the auxiliary screen during normal operation and as an aperture for the front camera when needed. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate structures, reducing overall device complexity.

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

3Reliability

If a pop-up camera mechanism is used, then the front light acquiring function is achieved, but the thickness of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront light acquiring functionVSAvoidthickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the auxiliary screen and front camera within the same lateral footprint by positioning them in different depth layers. The auxiliary screen is located below the main screen, and both components share the same horizontal space, allowing them to be nested within the device thickness rather than extending it laterally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enhances the full-screen display effect and camera functionality while reducing structural complexity and thickness, improving user experience by maintaining a high screen ratio and efficient light transmission.

Implementation Method 1

The optical fiber structure (113) includes a first end surface (1131) adjacent to the auxiliary screen (112) and a second end surface (1132) opposite thereto. When the auxiliary screen (112) overlaps the light transmitting hole (1111), the optical fiber structure (113) transmits the image on the auxiliary screen (112) to the second end surface (1132)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP3684034B1Electronic device and screen
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3684034B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3684034B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an electronic device and a screen, and the electronic device includes a screen and a light acquiring component. The screen includes a main screen, an auxiliary screen and an optical fiber structure. The main screen comprises a light transmitting hole, and the auxiliary screen and the light acquiring component are disposed under the main screen, and alternately overlap the light transmitting hole. The optical fiber structure includes a first end surface adjacent to the auxiliary screen and a second end surface opposite to the first end surface. When the auxiliary screen overlaps the light transmitting hole, the optical fiber structure transmits an image on the auxiliary screen to the second end surface. The second end surface is flush with an imaging surface of the main screen.