Optical Sensor Arrangement for Sub-1mm Bezel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face design constraints due to the bulkiness and increased size caused by traditional optical sensor placements, which require large bezel sizes, limiting the optimization of display design, especially for frameless full display applications.
Innovation Solution
The optical sensor arrangement places optically active components, such as light detectors and transmitters, closely outside the active display area's edge, allowing for a bezel size less than 1 mm, with the rest of the sensor components placed behind the active display, enabling smaller apertures and improved IR transmissivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical sensor is placed behind the bezel layer, then the optical requirements can be fulfilled, but the bezel size increases to 4-5 mm resulting in a bulky device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical sensor into two separate functional components: the optically active sensor component (detector/transmitter) is placed in the bezel layer, while the optically inactive sensor circuitry is placed behind the active display area. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned for its specific function, enabling small bezel size while maintaining optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical waveguide layer as an intermediary between the optically active sensor component in the bezel and the optically inactive circuitry behind the display. The waveguide couples optical signals from the sensor component to the circuitry, enabling separation of these components while maintaining their functional connection, thus allowing small bezel size without compromising optical requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If the complete optical sensor is placed behind the bezel, then manufacturing is simplified, but the required aperture size increases leading to larger bezel dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical sensor into optically active and optically inactive parts that can be manufactured separately using different packaging approaches. The active component in the bezel uses minimal packaging with small aperture, while the inactive circuitry behind the display can use standard packaging, overall simplifying manufacturing while reducing aperture size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the optically active sensor component from the complete sensor package and places it directly in the bezel layer. This extraction eliminates the need for a large aperture in the bezel, as only the essential optical detection/transmission function remains in the bezel, while the bulk of the sensor package with circuitry is placed behind the display.
3Volume of moving object
If the optical sensor is integrated into the display, then space is saved, but proximity pulses disturb the display operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optically active sensor component from the display structure and places it in the bezel layer, physically separating it from the active display area. This extraction prevents the proximity pulses emitted by the sensor from disturbing the display operation, while still achieving space efficiency by placing the component adjacent to the display rather than completely behind it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the waveguide as an intermediary to channel optical signals from the sensor component in the bezel to the circuitry behind the display. This intermediary structure allows the sensor to be positioned in the bezel (avoiding display disturbance) while maintaining functional integration, solving both the space utilization and display disturbance problems.
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 allows for more design freedom in electronic devices by reducing bezel size, enhancing IR transmissivity, and maintaining sensitivity comparable to current implementations, while minimizing the disturbance of display pixels by IR radiation.
Implementation Method 1
light sensors in electronic devices are often emitting and/or detecting infrared (IR) radiation
Implementation Method 2
the bezel layer is adapted to the infrared as well and passes IR while visual light is mostly blocked
Data Source
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AI summary
The proposed concept relates to an optical sensor arrangement comprising an optical sensor (20) with an integrated circuit (21) arranged in or on a substrate (22). The substrate (22) comprises at least a first surface area (23) and a second surface area (24). At least one optically active sensor component is arranged on or in the substrate (22) of the first surface area (23). The optically active sensor component is arranged for emitting and/or detecting light of a desired wavelength range. Optically inactive sensor circuitry (27) is arranged on or in the substrate (22) of the second surface area (24). A display panel (10) comprises an active display area (11) and a non-active display area (12), wherein the non-active display area (11) comprises a material which is optically transparent in the desired wavelength range and wherein the non-active display area (12) at least partly frames the active display layer (11). The optical sensor (20) and the display panel (10) are stacked such that, with respect to a main direction (13) of display emission, the first surface area (23) is arranged below the non-active display area (12) and the second surface area (24) is arranged below the active display area (11).