Smartphone Display-Side Lighting Structure for Low-Light Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smartphones lack a suitable light source for illuminating subjects during imaging, especially in low-light conditions, leading to poor quality images and difficulty in capturing high-quality still and moving images for selfie video recording and personal authentication.
Innovation Solution
An image display device with a light-emitting structure that protrudes from the outer surface of the smartphone housing, incorporating a light-transmissive member and a light source unit to provide auxiliary lighting for imaging, allowing the light source to be disposed in an existing operation button or protruding portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source unit is added to provide auxiliary lighting for imaging, then imaging quality in low-light conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation button structure is designed to serve dual purposes: its original function as a user interface element and its new function as a housing for the light source unit. The protruding portion that originally served only as a button now accommodates the light-emitting component, eliminating the need for separate housing structures and reducing overall device complexity while providing auxiliary lighting for imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the operation button structure with the light source unit housing. The button's protruding portion is integrated with the light-transmissive member and light source, combining what were previously separate components into a unified structure that reduces part count and simplifies assembly while delivering both mechanical input functionality and optical illumination
2Device complexity
If a light source unit is disposed in an existing operation button, then device complexity is reduced, but the existing portion must be modified
Solution Approach 1:
The operation button is segmented into functional zones: the protruding portion houses the light source unit while the remaining portion maintains button press functionality. The light-transmissive member is positioned within the protruding portion, separating the optical function from the mechanical input function, allowing independent optimization and assembly of each component
Solution Approach 2:
The light source unit is nested within the operation button's protruding portion. The light-emitting element, light-transmissive member, and housing components are arranged in a nested configuration where smaller components fit within the existing button structure, maximizing space utilization and simplifying integration into the smartphone assembly
3Illumination intensity
If a light-transmissive member is used to emit light in the direction of the display surface, then lighting direction is optimized for imaging, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light-transmissive member is positioned specifically within the protruding portion of the operation button, creating a localized light emission zone oriented toward the display surface. This local placement optimizes lighting for selfie imaging without requiring precise positioning across the entire device, as the light source is confined to a specific functional area where it is most needed
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 high-quality imaging in low-light conditions by providing auxiliary lighting, allowing users to capture clear still and moving images while visually recognizing the scene, enhancing the imaging experience.
Implementation Method 1
a light source unit configured to emit light to the incident surface of the light-transmissive member and through the light-transmissive member in a direction in which the display surface faces
Implementation Method 2
a light-transmissive member including an emission surface and an incident surface
Data Source
AI summary
An image display device includes: a housing including an inner surface defining an opening, and an outer surface located on a side opposite to the inner surface; a display unit including a display surface and disposed in the opening and; and a structure including a light-emitting surface, the structure at least partially protruding from the outer surface when viewed facing the display surface. The structure includes: a light-transmissive member including an emission surface and an incident surface, the emission surface at least partially constituting the light-emitting surface, and a light source unit that is configured to emit light to the incident surface of the light-transmissive member and through the light-transmissive member in a direction in which the display surface faces.