Proximity Sensor Behind Touch-Screen for High Screen-to-Body Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in accurately detecting user proximity to control the display screen, leading to potential misoperations during calls or other functions, as current proximity sensors may not effectively differentiate between intended and unintended interactions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor unit with a signal emitter and receiver arranged below the display screen, where the emitter emits a detecting signal that is reflected by external objects and received through a non-display area, enhancing detection accuracy and reducing the need for additional openings in the screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the proximity sensor is placed on the front surface of the display screen, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the screen-to-body ratio is reduced due to the need for additional openings
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is merged with the display screen structure, where the signal emitter and receiver are integrated into the display screen assembly. The emitter is positioned in the non-display area and the receiver in the display area, combining sensing functionality with the existing display structure without requiring separate sensor openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit transitions from a traditional front-surface placement to a multi-dimensional arrangement within the display screen thickness. The emitter and receiver are positioned at different depths and locations (non-display area vs. display area), utilizing the third dimension (depth) to achieve sensing functionality without compromising the front surface area.
2Reliability
If traditional proximity sensors are used with separate openings, then the detection function is achieved, but the device design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is integrated into the display screen assembly, merging the proximity sensing function with the existing display structure. This eliminates the need for separate sensor modules and their associated openings, thereby simplifying the overall device design while maintaining reliable proximity detection.
3Area of stationary object
If the signal emitter is placed in the non-display area, then the screen-to-body ratio is improved, but the signal transmission efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen itself acts as an intermediary medium for signal transmission. The emitter in the non-display area transmits signals through the display screen layers (liquid crystal layer, color filter layer, etc.) to reach the receiver in the display area, utilizing the display screen structure as the transmission path rather than requiring separate openings.
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 improves the accuracy of proximity sensing, allowing for precise control of the display screen state, reducing misoperations, and enhancing the screen-to-body ratio by eliminating the need for extra openings, thus simplifying the device design.
Implementation Method 1
the signal receiver is arranged below the display area, and is configured to receive a reflected signal from the outside through the display screen, in which the detecting signal is changed into the reflected signal after being reflected by an external object
Data Source
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AI summary
A display screen component (20) and an electronic device (100) are provided. The display screen component (20) includes a display screen (21) and a sensor unit (22) arranged at a side of the display screen. The display screen includes a display area (215) and a non-display area (216). The sensor unit (22) includes a signal emitter (221) and a signal receiver (222), the signal emitter (221) is arranged at a side of the non-display area (216), and the signal receiver (222) is arranged at a side of the display area (215). The non-display area (216) includes a functional portion (2160), the signal emitter (221) is configured to emit a detecting signal to outside through the functional portion (2160) and the signal receiver (222) is configured to receive a reflected signal from the outside through the display screen (21), in which the detecting signal is changed into the reflected signal after being reflected by an external object (200).