Shared Optical-Audio Port Layout for Minimal Display Bezel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating optical and audio components into electronic devices without increasing space or altering their appearance is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A shared optical and audio port is formed in the housing, allowing both light and sound to pass through, with a port cover that includes mesh or perforated layers to block contaminants while being transparent to sound and light, and internal structures to guide light and sound efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate ports are provided for optical and audio components, then each component can function independently, but the device occupies more space and increases inactive display area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical and audio ports into a single shared opening in the housing. This merging of previously separate ports allows both optical components (such as sensors or emitters) and audio components (such as speakers or microphones) to share the same physical aperture, thereby reducing the total inactive display area while maintaining independent functionality of each component type.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared port structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as both an optical port and an audio port. The port cover incorporates mesh or perforated structures that are acoustically transparent while also being optically transparent, enabling the same physical structure to facilitate both light transmission and sound transmission without compromising either function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a port cover is added to block contaminants, then environmental protection is improved, but light and sound transmission may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The port cover incorporates mesh or perforated structures that function as porous materials. These structures have openings sized to block environmental contaminants such as dust and moisture while remaining sufficiently large to allow acoustic waves to pass through with minimal attenuation. The porous structure achieves simultaneous contaminant filtration and acoustic transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The port cover is constructed as a composite structure combining multiple materials and functions - it integrates mesh layers for contaminant blocking with acoustically transparent materials for sound transmission, and optically transparent materials for light transmission. This composite construction allows the single port cover to simultaneously protect against contaminants while maintaining reliable light and sound transmission.
3Area of stationary object
If optical and audio components share the same port, then inactive display area is minimized, but component integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the port is shared, the internal structure segments the optical and audio pathways within the housing. The housing includes separate cavities or mounting structures for optical components and audio components, allowing independent placement and adjustment of each component type while still accessing the shared port. This segmentation reduces integration complexity by maintaining functional separation within the unified port structure.
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 minimizes inactive display area and effectively accommodates both optical and audio components without enlarging the device, maintaining its appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The port cover may include one or more layers of mesh or other materials that allow light and sound to pass while blocking environmental contaminants. Mesh may, for example, have openings that are small enough to prevent droplets of moisture and pieces of dirt from passing while being sufficiently large to be transparent to sound.
Implementation Method 2
During operation of the device, light (e.g., infrared light, visible light, and/or ultraviolet light) associated with operation of an optical component may pass through the port
Implementation Method 3
sound associated with operation of the audio component may pass through the same port
Implementation Method 4
An optical structure such as a mirror or diffuser may be supported by the structure
Implementation Method 5
An optical structure such as a mirror or diffuser may be supported by the structure
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device housing may include a display cover layer that overlaps an array of pixels. The cover layer or other portion of the housing may have an opening that forms an optical and audio port. Optical and audio components may be coupled to the port. A port cover may cover some or all of the port. The port cover may include one or more layers of mesh or other materials that allow light and sound to pass while blocking environmental contaminants. The optical components may include an ambient light sensor or other devices that receive light and/or may include devices that emit light. The audio components may include a microphone and/or a speaker. The optical component may emit or receive light that passes through the audio component. A structure in the interior of the housing may form a passageway coupled to the port through which sound and light passes.