Transparent Region in Light Shielding Layer for Under-Display Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to increase the screen-to-body ratio of mobile terminals while accommodating a front-facing camera and light intensity sensor, which is hindered by the need for a notch in the screen, limiting the full expansion of the display area despite aspect ratio increases.

Innovation Solution

A display screen design that integrates a light intensity sensor within the display screen, using a first glass substrate with a color filter region and a light shielding region, where the light shielding region includes a transparent region allowing light to reach the sensor, and a second glass substrate with display control circuits, enabling the sensor to detect ambient light intensity without occupying additional space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a notch is created in the screen to accommodate the light intensity sensor and front-facing camera, then these components can be placed on the front of the screen, but the screen area cannot be fully expanded and the screen-to-body ratio is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent placement flexibilityVSAvoidscreen area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The light intensity sensor is integrated within the display screen structure itself, specifically positioned in the black matrix region between pixel units. This nesting approach allows the sensor to be housed within the existing screen boundaries without requiring external notches or cutouts, thereby maximizing the screen-to-body ratio while maintaining component functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical layering of the display screen structure (between the color filter layer and the common electrode layer) to accommodate the light intensity sensor. By placing the sensor in the interstitial space within the multi-layered screen construction, the design eliminates the need for horizontal notches while preserving all functional elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the screen aspect ratio is increased from 16:9 to 18:9 to improve screen-to-body ratio, then more screen area is utilized, but the notch is still required to house the light intensity sensor and front-facing camera

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen areaVSAvoidnotch structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light intensity sensor is extracted from the traditional front-bezel location and repositioned within the active screen area's black matrix region. This extraction eliminates the need for a notch structure while maintaining the sensor's light detection function, allowing the screen to achieve full expansion with increased aspect ratios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the light shielding region is made completely opaque to block light, then light can be blocked effectively, but the light intensity sensor cannot detect ambient light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight blockingVSAvoidlight detection function

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light shielding region is designed with spatially varying optical properties: the black matrix areas between pixel units contain transparent regions that allow light transmission to the sensor, while other black matrix areas maintain opacity for light blocking. This local differentiation enables simultaneous light blocking and light detection functions within the same region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent region in the black matrix acts as an optical intermediary, selectively transmitting ambient light to the light intensity sensor while blocking stray light from reaching other areas. This intermediary structure enables the sensor to detect ambient light intensity without interference from display light leakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design enhances the screen-to-body ratio by minimizing the notch space and effectively detecting ambient light intensity, allowing for a more expansive display area and improved user experience.

Implementation Method 1

generating an induce electric current by using a light intensity sensor to detect a light intensity of ambient light passing through a transparent region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10444555B2Display screen, electronic device, and light intensity detection method

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 LENOVO (BEIJING) LTD

AI summary

A display screen includes a first glass substrate including a color filter region and a light shielding region. The light shielding region includes a transparent region at a first position of the light shielding region. The display screen further includes a second glass substrate including a display control circuit. The display control circuit controls display statuses of the color filter region. The display screen also includes a light intensity sensor at a second position of the second glass substrate. The first position and the second position satisfy a preset relative positional correspondence to allow light transmitted through the first position to reach the light intensity sensor.