Under-Display Proximity Sensing to Prevent Light Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to design an electronic device with an expanded display while maintaining its size, incorporating a light sensor without the electrical influence of light energy from the sensor on the display and minimizing the visibility of spots generated by the sensor's light output.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a proximity sensor positioned behind the display, with a light blocking element to reduce the electrical influence of the sensor's light output on the display and controls the display to deactivate pixels corresponding to the sensor's position during phone calls to identify object distances, thereby minimizing visibility of sensor-generated spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display is expanded to occupy more space, then the user interface area is improved, but the space available for installing the light sensor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light sensor is nested within the display structure by positioning it behind the display layer, allowing the display to be expanded to the maximum area while the sensor is integrated into the existing display assembly without requiring additional external space
Solution Approach 2:
The light sensor is relocated from a traditional side-mounted position to a position behind the display, utilizing the depth dimension of the device structure. This allows the display area to be maximized in the planar dimensions while the sensor is accommodated in the vertical dimension behind the display
2Area of stationary object
If the light sensor is installed behind the display, then the display area is expanded, but the light from the sensor affects the display quality
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful light effect is extracted and isolated by introducing a light blocking element that specifically blocks the light from the light emitting unit, preventing it from reaching the display while allowing the display to occupy the maximum area behind which the sensor is positioned
Solution Approach 2:
A light blocking element is introduced as an intermediary component between the light emitting unit and the display. This mediator selectively blocks the harmful light from the sensor while allowing the display to function normally, resolving the conflict between maximizing display area and preventing light interference
3Reliability
If the light emitting unit is activated continuously, then the light detection function is maintained, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting unit operates periodically rather than continuously, being activated only during specific operations such as proximity detection during phone calls. This periodic operation maintains the necessary light detection function while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The operation state of the light emitting unit is dynamically adjusted based on the operational context. The unit is activated only when needed for light detection tasks and deactivated during normal display operation, creating a dynamic system that balances functional reliability with energy efficiency
4Illumination intensity
If the pixels corresponding to the sensor position are activated, then the display shows content, but the sensor light creates visible spots on the display
Solution Approach 1:
The visible spot problem is extracted and addressed by selectively deactivating only the specific pixels that would display the sensor light, rather than deactivating the entire light emitting unit or reducing overall display brightness. This removes the harmful visual effect while preserving the illumination quality of the rest of the display
Solution Approach 2:
Different pixel regions are treated differently: pixels corresponding to the light emitting unit position are deactivated to prevent visible spots, while all other pixels remain activated to maintain normal display brightness and content visibility. This local differentiation resolves the conflict between display quality and spot visibility
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 an expanded display with integrated light detection functionality, reducing power consumption and preventing display malfunctions caused by sensor light, while maintaining the device's compact size and improving user experience by minimizing visible spots.
Implementation Method 1
the light emitted by the proximity sensor and reflected by an object is received to identify a distance between the electronic device and the object
Implementation Method 2
a light blocking element to reduce the electrical influence of the sensor's light output on the display
Data Source
AI summary
An operation method and an electronic device are provided. A phone call is established while a display of the electronic device is activated. A proximity sensor of the electronic device is turned on. A supply of power to the proximity sensor is controlled to emit light through a plurality of pixels in a portion of the display corresponding to a position of the proximity sensor and the light emitted by the proximity sensor and reflected by an object is received to identify a distance between the electronic device and the object, if the plurality of the pixels in the position corresponding to the proximity sensor are deactivated during the phone call. The supply of power to the proximity sensor is blocked if the plurality of pixels in the portion of the display corresponding to the proximity sensor are activated during the phone call.