Transparent Collimator Display Panel for Camera-Under-Screen

Solution Overview

Problem

Current camera-under-screen technologies in OLED displays face challenges with low transmittance and resolution due to the 'window effect' caused by the placement of cameras under the screen, which limits the pixel area density and image quality.

Innovation Solution

A display panel design with a first and second display area, featuring sub-pixels and collimators in the first display area to improve light transmittance while maintaining the same screen resolution as the second display area, utilizing a thinner transparent substrate and specific layer structures to enhance light gathering and reduce scattering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the camera is placed under the OLED screen to achieve full-screen display, then the screen coverage is improved, but the transmittance decreases to about 40% and resolution deteriorates due to the window effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen coverageVSAvoidtransmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a dual-mode display area where the first display area has different optical properties than the second display area. The first display area contains transparent sub-pixels with larger pixel gaps that allow light transmission for camera operation, while the second display area has standard opaque sub-pixels for normal display. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing high transmittance in the camera region while maintaining full screen coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display area into two distinct regions: a first display area with transparent sub-pixels and larger pixel gaps for camera functionality, and a second display area with standard sub-pixels for normal display. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between screen coverage and transmittance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If the pixel area density is reduced to eliminate the window effect, then the transmittance is improved, but the screen resolution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransmittanceVSAvoidscreen resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a dual-mode display area where the first display area has different optical properties than the second display area. The first display area contains transparent sub-pixels with larger pixel gaps that allow light transmission for camera operation, while the second display area has standard opaque sub-pixels for normal display. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing high transmittance in the camera region while maintaining full screen coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display area into two distinct regions: a first display area with transparent sub-pixels and larger pixel gaps for camera functionality, and a second display area with standard sub-pixels for normal display. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between screen coverage and transmittance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Illumination intensity

If the pixel area density of the first sub-pixels is made different from the second sub-pixels to improve transmittance, then the transmittance is improved, but the screen resolution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransmittanceVSAvoidscreen resolution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally creating different pixel area densities in the first display area compared to the second display area. The first display area has transparent sub-pixels with larger pixel gaps to maximize light transmission, while the second display area maintains standard pixel density for optimal display quality. This asymmetric design resolves the contradiction by accepting non-uniformity as a necessary trade-off for achieving high transmittance in the camera region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

The solution improves light transmittance for photography while maintaining the same screen resolution as the rest of the display, addressing the limitations of previous camera-under-screen technologies by optimizing pixel gaps and collimator placement.

Implementation Method 1

two or more collimators are located in the first display area, wherein each of the collimators is disposed in one first pixel gap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight gathering and collimation: Lens

Implementation Method 2

the organic layer completely fills the via hole to form a corresponding collimator; wherein a refractive index of the organic layer is greater than a refractive index of the pixel definition layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS10950674B2Display panel

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a display panel, including a first display area and a second display area. A transparent collimator is provided in a gap between two adjacent sub-pixels in the first display area, and meanwhile, a substrate under the collimator is a thinner substrate or a transparent substrate. Thus, a certain display area of the display panel possesses good light transmittance and resolution.