Under-Screen Sensor Color-Changing Layer for Reduced Display Contrast

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The color contrast between sensor areas and surrounding display areas on electronic terminals, such as cameras and optical fingerprint sensors, affects the aesthetics and user experience, particularly when the sensors are under the screen.

Innovation Solution

A color-changing layer is integrated above the display screen to switch between transparent and colored states, ensuring the sensor area blends with the surrounding display when not in use, using electrochromic, thermochromic, or magnetochromic materials controlled by a module to adjust light transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If sensors are placed on the front panel or back cover, then sensor functionality is ensured, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible sensor areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor placementVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is moved from the traditional front panel or back cover position to an under-screen location. This spatial repositioning into a new dimension (below the display surface) allows the sensor to remain functional while being visually concealed, thus improving aesthetic appearance without compromising sensor placement ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

A color-changing layer is introduced above the sensor area that can dynamically change its optical properties. When the sensor is not in use, the layer matches the surrounding display color; when the sensor operates, the layer becomes transparent or changes color to allow sensor functionality. This resolves the contradiction by making the sensor area aesthetically integrated during idle states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If a transparent display area is created for the sensor, then sensor operation is enabled, but visual contrast with surrounding areas increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor operationVSAvoidvisual contrast
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The display area above the sensor is made dynamic through the color-changing layer that can adjust its transparency and color properties in real-time. The layer transitions between opaque (matching surrounding display) and transparent states based on sensor operational needs, thus maintaining visual homogeneity while ensuring sensor reliability when required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The optical parameters (transparency, color) of the display area are made variable through the color-changing layer. By dynamically changing these parameters based on sensor operational status, the system maintains visual consistency with surrounding areas during idle states while enabling sensor functionality when needed, thereby reducing visual contrast without compromising sensor operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively reduces visual contrast, enhancing the terminal's aesthetic appeal and user experience by ensuring seamless integration of sensors with the display, maintaining functionality without visual disruption.

Implementation Method 1

A color-changing layer is integrated above the display screen to switch between transparent and colored states, ensuring the sensor area blends with the surrounding display when not in use, using electrochromic, thermochromic, or magnetochromic materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Implementation Method 2

A color-changing layer is integrated above the display screen to switch between transparent and colored states, ensuring the sensor area blends with the surrounding display when not in use, using electrochromic, thermochromic, or magnetochromic materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromism

Implementation Method 3

A color-changing layer is integrated above the display screen to switch between transparent and colored states, ensuring the sensor area blends with the surrounding display when not in use, using electrochromic, thermochromic, or magnetochromic materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetochromism:

Data Source

PatentEP3716586B1terminal
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3716586B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3716586B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3716586B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Disclosed is a terminal, including: a display screen (120) including a sensor area, the sensor area being a transparent display area on the display screen; a sensor (104)disposed below the display screen, the sensor having a photosensitive portion; and a color-changing layer (130)above the display screen, where the photosensitive portion of the sensor is within a first orthographic projection range of the sensor area, and the sensor area is within a second orthographic projection range of the color-changing layer; the transparent display area is transparent when the sensor is in operation; and the color-changing layer is configured to switch between a colorless state and a colored state.