Sensor Panel Apertures for Incident Light Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display apparatuses face limitations in accurately sensing incident light while operating in both capturing and displaying modes due to low resolution capabilities and issues with backlight non-uniformity, particularly when using external cameras or single large-format sensors.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus comprising a display panel, a sensor panel with apertures, and a backlight unit, where the display panel selectively forms patterns to pass or block light, allowing the sensor panel to sense incident light without blocking the backlight, and the controller manages switching between capturing and displaying modes to optimize image acquisition and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single large-format sensor is used to detect incident light, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and image resolution are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidimage resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor panel is divided into multiple sensor units arranged in a matrix, where each sensor unit corresponds to a specific aperture. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high-resolution image capture while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the display panel is controlled to generate MURA coding pattern, then the image data capturing is enhanced, but the displaying function is compromised and flickering occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage data capturing qualityVSAvoiddisplaying function
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel alternates between displaying normal images and generating MURA coding patterns in periodic time slots. During capturing mode, the display panel generates MURA patterns for a brief period to enable high-quality image data acquisition, then switches back to normal displaying mode. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by enabling high-quality capturing without permanently compromising the displaying function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-allocates specific time slots for capturing mode before users experience flickering or display issues. By performing the MURA pattern generation in advance during designated capturing intervals, the system ensures high-quality image acquisition while maintaining normal display functionality during user viewing periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the sensor units block light, then the incident light sensing is improved, but the backlight uniformity is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveincident light sensing accuracyVSAvoidbacklight uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor panel is designed with a matrix of discrete sensor units, each associated with specific apertures, rather than a continuous light-blocking structure. This local quality approach allows light to pass through non-sensor regions, maintaining backlight uniformity while enabling precise incident light sensing at specific locations where sensor units are positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Measurement precision

If the capturing mode uses extended time period, then the image data quality is improved, but the productivity and response time are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage data qualityVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic capturing intervals with MURA pattern generation followed by rapid switching back to displaying mode. This periodic action enables sufficient image data acquisition during capturing slots while maintaining high productivity during displaying slots, resolving the contradiction between image quality and response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables simultaneous image capturing and displaying with improved resolution and reduced ambient light effects, providing a more intuitive user experience, such as maintaining eye contact during video calls and allowing gesture detection without compromising image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor panel (107) configured to sense the incident first light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a backlight unit (113) disposed behind the sensor panel (107) and configured to transfer light to the display panel (103)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP2390872B1Image capturing and display apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2390872B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2390872B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2390872B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

Provided is a display apparatus and method. The display apparatus may sense light reflected from an object and passed through a display panel, and may control a power of a backlight unit depending on whether the light has passed through the display panel.