Transparent Display Camera for Video Call Eye Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
During video calls or chats, users cannot make eye contact due to the camera's position being far from their line of sight, leading to a poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A display screen configuration with a camera unit integrated into the display panel or backlight unit, allowing the camera to be positioned directly in the user's line of sight by temporarily turning off the backlight and making the corresponding area transparent, enabling the camera to capture images without obstructing the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the camera component is placed above the screen, then the camera can capture images, but the user cannot make eye contact with the correspondent
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel dynamically changes its optical properties between transparent and opaque states to accommodate different functional requirements. During image capture, the display panel becomes transparent to allow camera access to the external environment. During normal display, it becomes opaque to show images to users, thus resolving the eye contact issue without requiring a fixed complex mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically switches the display panel between transparent and opaque states synchronized with the camera's image capture cycles. This periodic switching allows the camera to capture images when the panel is transparent while maintaining display functionality when the panel is opaque, enabling eye contact capability without continuous structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the camera unit is integrated into the display panel area, then eye contact is enabled, but the display area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel applies different optical properties to different regions: the area where the camera unit is located becomes transparent to allow image capture and eye contact, while the surrounding areas maintain opaque properties for normal display functionality. This local differentiation maximizes the effective display area while enabling the camera function.
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel serves multiple functions: it acts as both a display surface and an optical switch for the camera. By integrating these functions, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated camera apertures, thereby maximizing the display area while maintaining eye contact capability.
3Productivity
If the backlight unit is always on, then the display is visible, but the camera cannot capture images through the display panel
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight unit periodically switches between on and off states synchronized with the camera's image capture cycles. During image capture, the backlight turns off to allow the camera to capture external scenes without backlight interference. During normal operation, the backlight remains on to ensure display visibility, thus resolving the contradiction between image capture capability and display illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system preemptively turns off the backlight before the camera captures images and turns it back on immediately after capture completes. This preliminary action ensures that the camera can capture images through the display panel without backlight interference while minimizing the duration of display dimming, thus maintaining overall display visibility.
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
Enhances user experience by allowing users to maintain eye contact during video calls, while maintaining a simple structure and low manufacturing costs, without affecting the display panel's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
controlling at least the area corresponding to the first area on the display panel portion to enter a transparent state
Data Source
AI summary
A display screen, terminal device using same and method for controlling same are described. The display screen includes a display panel portion configured to display an image based on inputted image data; a transparent fixing component, which is located above the display panel portion, configured to protect the display panel portion; and a camera unit provided on a first area of the display panel portion. By way of the above configuration, a user looks directly at the display screen during a video call or video chat. In this way, the user looks directly at the camera component which takes a video of the user, so that the users participating in the video call feel they are achieving eye contact, thus enhancing the experience of video calls and chats.