Under-display Camera Light Adjusting Component

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Solution Overview

Problem

In smartphones with full display designs, incorporating a front camera is challenging due to the need for a groove or opening that reduces the screen-to-body ratio and aesthetic appeal, as existing solutions either compromise on display functionality or camera quality.

Innovation Solution

A display structure with a light adjusting component that has independently controllable regions, allowing it to switch between a display state and a partial light transmitting state, enabling the camera to function without a physical opening by disabling pixels in the display screen to allow light penetration for the camera while maintaining display functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a groove or opening is provided in the display for mounting the front camera, then the camera can be mounted and function normally, but the screen-to-body ratio is reduced and aesthetic appeal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera mountingVSAvoidscreen-to-body ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The light adjusting component is divided into multiple independently controllable regions (first region and second region) that can be selectively controlled to achieve different light transmission states, allowing the camera area to be transparent while other areas maintain display function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light adjusting component can dynamically switch between different light transmission states (first light transmission state and second light transmission state) based on operational requirements, enabling transition between camera capture mode and display mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the display is set to transparent mode for camera capture, then the camera can function through the display, but display functionality is lost in the sensor region

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera capture functionVSAvoiddisplay functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light adjusting component is segmented into independently controllable regions, allowing the first region to be transparent for camera capture while the second region maintains display functionality simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the light adjusting component have different light transmission properties - the first region provides high light transmission for camera capture while the second region provides controlled light transmission for display, allowing each region to optimize its local function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If a full display design is implemented, then the aesthetic appeal and screen-to-body ratio are improved, but there is no space for mounting camera components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen-to-body ratioVSAvoidcamera component mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The light adjusting component merges the display function with the camera cover function, allowing a single component to serve both purposes without requiring separate openings or grooves in the display

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light adjusting component performs multiple functions - it serves as both a display element and a camera cover, and can dynamically switch between display mode and transparent mode for camera capture, eliminating the need for dedicated camera openings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution allows for simultaneous and normal use of the display and camera functions without a physical opening, increasing the screen-to-body ratio and enhancing the device's appearance by ensuring optimal display and camera performance.

Implementation Method 1

a light adjusting component (12) having a light transmitting state and a polarization state; a first region (121) and a second region (122) in the light adjusting component (12), each of the first and second regions being independently controllable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission control:

Implementation Method 2

a display screen (11) including a plurality of pixels; when the first region (121) is in the light transmitting state, the pixels that are in the display screen (11) and correspond to the first region (121) are controlled to be disabled to allow light from the first region (121) to penetrate through the display screen (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission and transmission control:

Data Source

PatentEP3576158B1Display structure and electronic device
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3576158B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3576158B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3576158B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A display structure (1) and an electronic device having the same are provided. The display structure includes a display screen (11) and a light adjusting component (12) located at a light emitting side of the display screen (11). An operating state of the light adjusting component (12) comprises a light transmitting state and a polarization state, and the light adjusting component comprises a first region (121) and a second region (122) which are independently controllable. The display screen (11) comprises a plurality of independently controllable pixels. Further, when the first region (121) of the light adjusting component (12) is in the light transmitting state, the pixels that are in the display screen (11) and correspond to the first region (121) are disabled to allow light emitted from the first region (121) to penetrate through the display screen (11).