Under-Display Sensor Light Transmission via Pixel Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In borderless electronic devices with full-face displays, the low light transmission through the display stack poses a challenge for sensors such as cameras, ambient light sensors, and proximity sensors placed under the display.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pixel removal region on the display, where a subset of display subpixels are removed to increase light transmittance to underlying sensors. This region can cover various areas of the display, including edges, corners, or the entire surface, and can be configured to maintain effective pixel density and color balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If sensors are placed under the full-face display to achieve borderless device design, then the display area is maximized, but the light transmission to sensors is severely reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into two distinct regions: a first region with normal pixel structure for display functionality, and a second region with removed or modified pixels for sensor light transmission. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function while coexisting in the same display structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are given different optical properties: the first region maintains normal light emission and blocking characteristics for display, while the second region is modified to maximize light transmission to the sensor. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing the display area to be maximized overall while creating specific zones for sensor functionality.
2Measurement precision
If pixels are removed from the display to increase light transmission, then sensor performance is improved, but the pixel density and visual quality are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into a first region with full pixel density for high-quality display and a second region with removed or modified pixels for sensor access. This segmentation confines the pixel removal to a localized area, minimizing the impact on overall pixel density while providing sufficient light transmission for sensor operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of removing pixels from the entire display, only a partial region is modified. This partial action is sufficient to provide the sensor with adequate light transmission while preserving the majority of the display's pixel density and visual quality.
3Illumination intensity
If the pixel removal region covers the entire display area, then light transmission is maximized, but the display functionality is completely lost
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into a first region that maintains full display functionality with normal pixel structure, and a second region that is modified for sensor light transmission. This segmentation ensures that display functionality is preserved in the first region while the second region provides the necessary optical access for the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical properties are differentiated locally: the first region maintains normal light emission characteristics for display, while the second region is optimized for light transmission to the sensor. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve both display functionality and sensor performance without one completely sacrificing the other.
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 approach significantly enhances the light transmission through the display stack, thereby improving the performance of sensors placed underneath, while ensuring minimal visual impact on the display's pixel density and color balance.
Implementation Method 1
the amount of light transmission through the display stack is very low (i.e., the transmission might be less than 20% in the visible spectrum), which severely limits the sensing performance under the display
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a display and a sensor under the display. The display may include an array of subpixels for displaying an image to a user of the electronic device. At least a portion of the array of subpixels may be selectively removed in a pixel removal region to improve optical transmittance to the sensor through the display. The pixel removal region may include a plurality of pixel free regions that are devoid of thin-film transistor structures, that are devoid of power supply lines, that have continuous open areas due to rerouted row/column lines, that are partially devoid of touch circuitry, that optionally include dummy contacts, and/or have selectively patterned display layers.