Transparent Substrate Section for Camera Integration in Display Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of functional devices like cameras into display device frames leads to an increase in frame width, thereby reducing the display area.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a transparent section on its substrate, larger than a pixel, is positioned on the inner side of the display area's edge or cuts out the display area, allowing a functional device to be placed behind it, reducing the frame width and increasing the display area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a functional device such as a camera is provided in a frame surrounding the display area, then the functional device can be integrated, but the frame width increases which reduces the display area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of functional deviceVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the functional device from the frame area and relocates it to the rear surface of the display panel, specifically positioning it to overlap with the black matrix region. This extraction allows the frame to be narrowed or eliminated while maintaining functional device integration, thereby resolving the contradiction between device integration and display area maximization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Area of stationary object

If the frame width is reduced to increase display area, then the display area increases, but it becomes difficult to integrate functional devices like cameras

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidintegration of functional device

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the functional device from a two-dimensional plane (frame surrounding the display) to a three-dimensional arrangement by placing it on the rear surface of the display panel. This dimensional change allows the functional device to be integrated without occupying lateral space that would reduce the display area, effectively resolving the contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If a transparent section is formed including a partial region of the first substrate, then the frame can be narrowed, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transparent section formation process with the existing black matrix formation process. The transparent section is created by removing the color filter and black matrix in a specific region, which can be integrated into the existing manufacturing workflow, thereby reducing the impact on manufacturing complexity while achieving frame narrowing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11057554B2Display device with hollowed part in backlight

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 SHARP KK

AI summary

Disposing a functional device such as a camera on a display surface widens a frame. A display device (2) includes a display panel (DP) including a first substrate (5). The display panel has a transparent section (TS) from which display light does not go out and which has a partial region (5s) of the first substrate. In plan view, the transparent section which is larger than a pixel (PX) is disposed on an inner side of an edge of a display area (3) or is disposed to cut out the display area. The display panel has a back surface on which a functional device (FD) configured to perform at least one of light reception or light emission is disposed to overlap the transparent section.