TOLED Camera Mounting via Dynamic Pixel Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices with narrow bezels lack sufficient space for camera placement, resulting in odd camera angles and optical distortion during video conferencing, which affects the user experience.
Innovation Solution
A camera is positioned behind a transparent organic light emitting diode (TOLED) display panel, with specific pixels temporarily made transparent to capture images while maintaining minimal optical distortion and user perspective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the bezel is made narrower to achieve an infinity edge display, then the display area is increased and the device appearance is improved, but there is insufficient space to incorporate a camera in the bezel
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is relocated from the traditional bezel area to the back panel of the display device, utilizing the z-dimension (depth) rather than the x-y plane of the bezel. This allows the camera to be positioned behind the display panel while maintaining a narrow bezel design, effectively adding a third dimension to the camera placement solution.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the camera in front of the display in the bezel, the camera is inverted to the opposite side - the back panel. This inversion allows the camera to capture images through the display panel itself, transforming the display panel from solely a viewing surface to a dual-purpose component that also serves as a window for the camera.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is placed in the bottom edge of the display device, then there is sufficient space for the camera, but images are captured at an odd angle looking up at the user's nostrils
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is inverted from the front bezel area to the back panel, which reverses the optical path. Instead of the camera looking up from the bottom edge, the camera now looks through the display panel from behind, achieving a proper front-facing angle for video conferencing and selfies.
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel acts as an optical window that copies or transmits the visual scene from the front to the back, allowing the camera positioned behind the panel to capture images as if it were positioned in front, thereby achieving proper image angles without the physical constraints of bezel placement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pixels are made transparent to allow camera capture, then the camera can capture images through the display panel, but the display quality may be affected in those regions
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel alternates between displaying content and becoming transparent for camera capture, using time-division multiplexing. During video conferencing, the pixels corresponding to the camera area are temporarily turned off or set to transparent states during capture moments, then restored to normal display function, creating a periodic cycle that satisfies both display and camera requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparency of the pixels is made dynamic rather than static. The pixels can switch between opaque (for normal display) and transparent (for camera capture) states based on operational requirements. This dynamic control allows the same pixel structure to serve dual purposes without permanent degradation of display quality.
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 reduces optical distortion and enhances the user experience in applications like video conferencing by allowing the camera to capture images with reduced angle issues and minimal impact on display quality.
Implementation Method 1
a display panel comprising a transparent organic light emitting diode panel
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a computing device includes a display panel comprising a transparent organic light emitting diode panel. A camera is located behind a particular portion of the display panel. A set of pixels cover the particular portion of the display panel. The computing device creates a capture frame comprised of layers that includes a camera layer having a higher priority than a remainder of the layers. The computing device sets the set of pixels in the camera layer to be clear pixels and instructs the display panel to display the capture frame. The computing device instructs the camera located behind the particular portion of the display panel to capture image data when the display panel displays the capture frame. The computing device creates a data frame comprised of additional layers and instructs the display panel to display the data frame after displaying the capture frame.