Under-display optical routing structure for bezel-free cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices face challenges in integrating optical electronic devices, such as cameras and sensors, without increasing the bezel size or creating noticeable notches, which detract from the viewing experience by requiring these components to be exposed on the front surface.
Innovation Solution
A display device design that incorporates a routing structure to electrically connect light emitting elements and transistors, allowing optical electronic devices to be placed under the display panel, thus maintaining a clean front surface while enabling light reception and detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical electronic devices are exposed on the front surface of the display device, then the optical electronic devices can effectively receive incident light, but the bezel size or display area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the optical electronic device from the front surface (2D plane) to the rear side of the display panel, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to resolve the conflict between light reception and display area. The light transmission structure allows light to pass through the display panel to reach the optical device on the rear side.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light transmission structure as an intermediary between the display panel and the optical electronic device. This structure enables light to pass through the display area to reach the optical device without requiring the device to be exposed on the front surface, thus maintaining both display area and light reception capability.
2Area of stationary object
If optical electronic devices are placed under the display panel, then the display area is maintained, but light transmission to the optical device is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The light transmission structure serves as an intermediary that enables light to pass through the display panel to reach the optical electronic device positioned underneath. This structure is specifically designed to be transparent or translucent in the region corresponding to the optical device, allowing light transmission while maintaining the display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel is designed with different optical properties in different regions. The region corresponding to the optical electronic device has enhanced light transmission characteristics, while other regions maintain normal display functionality. This local differentiation allows the optical device to receive sufficient light without compromising the overall display area.
3Ease of manufacture
If routing structure is added to connect light emitting elements and transistors, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The routing structure is divided into multiple segments or layers, with different routing paths for different signal types. This segmentation allows for more flexible and manageable electrical connections between light emitting elements and transistors, reducing the overall complexity of the routing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing structure utilizes multiple layers or levels (3D routing) to connect light emitting elements and transistors. By moving connections to different vertical levels, the patent reduces the complexity of planar routing and enables more efficient electrical connections without increasing surface area.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device can include a display area having a first optical area and a normal area, the first optical area including a central area and a bezel area located outside of the central area; a first row of device elements extending across both of the central area and the bezel area; a second row of device elements extending across both of the central area and the bezel area. The display device can further include a first light emitting element located in the central area of the first optical area and in the first row; a first transistor located in the bezel area of the first optical area and in the second row; and a routing structure electrically connecting the first light emitting element located in the central area and in the first row with the first transistor located in the bezel area and in the second row.