Under-Display Camera Polarization Correction for Narrow Bezel Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to minimize the bezel width of electronic devices while maintaining image quality, as a narrower bezel is required to increase the screen size without increasing the device's external size, and existing camera placements lead to issues with light reflection and diffraction affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a capture unit placed on the side opposite the displaying surface, featuring photoelectric-conversion units and polarization elements to correct image quality by removing reflected and diffracted light components, using subtraction processing based on polarization information and signal processing units for noise reduction and edge emphasis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a camera module is arranged in the bezel, then videotelephony and movie imaging can be performed, but the bezel width cannot be made smaller than the outer diameter of the camera
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the camera module from the traditional bezel area (2D plane) to the back surface of the displaying unit (3D space), utilizing the Z-dimension to resolve the conflict between minimizing bezel width and accommodating the camera module
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the camera in the conventional front bezel area, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the camera module on the back surface of the displaying unit, capturing light that passes through the display
2Ease of operation
If a camera is arranged in the bezel with line-of-sight near the center of the displaying screen, then videotelephony can be performed, but the line-of-sight is away from the optical axis of the camera causing incongruity in the imaged picture
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the camera to the back surface, the optical axis can be aligned with the line-of-sight direction while maintaining a centered display layout, as the camera captures light passing through the display rather than requiring direct line-of-sight access
3Length of moving object
If a camera module is arranged on the side opposite the displaying surface to capture light that has passed the displaying unit, then the bezel width can be decreased, but reflection or diffraction of light causes flare that decreases image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polarization element as an intermediary component between the displaying unit and the camera module. This element selectively transmits polarized light while blocking reflected and diffracted light components, thereby eliminating flare and maintaining high image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the polarization state of light as a key parameter, using the polarization element to filter light based on its polarization properties. This allows selective transmission of desired light while blocking harmful reflected and diffracted components
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 configuration allows for a thinner bezel while maintaining high image quality by effectively removing flare and diffraction effects, enhancing the captured image without saturating the output values from photoelectric-conversion units.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of polarization elements arranged on a light entering side of at least one photoelectric-conversion unit of the plurality of photoelectric-conversion units
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of photoelectric-conversion units that converts light that has been made to enter through the displaying unit into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electronic device that decreases a width of a bezel, and restricts a decrease in an image quality of an image captured with a camera.The electronic device includes: a displaying unit; and a capture unit arranged on a side opposite a displaying surface of the displaying unit. The capture unit includes: a plurality of photoelectric-conversion units that converts light that has been made to enter through the displaying unit into electricity; and a plurality of polarization elements arranged on a light entering side of at least one photoelectric-conversion unit of the plurality of photoelectric-conversion units.