Dynamic Virtual Mask Layer for Under-Display Camera Cutouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display panels with cutout regions for front cameras often suffer from manufacturing errors in shape, dimensions, and position, leading to aesthetic issues and reduced conformance rates, as conventional physical masking techniques fail to fully cover imperfections.
Innovation Solution
A computing device generates a dynamic virtual mask layer based on precise measurements of the cutout region, adjusting its size and shape to hide defects and create a perfect aperture appearance, reducing device failure rates and allowing for edge-to-edge displays with minimal impact from camera inclusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a physical removal process is used to create cutout regions for front cameras, then the display can accommodate the camera, but manufacturing errors cause non-uniform and imprecise cutout regions that negatively affect aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual mask layer that is a digital copy or representation of the ideal cutout region geometry. This virtual mask is generated based on measured actual cutout dimensions and is used to render the perfect aperture appearance, replacing the need for physically perfect cutouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts parameters of the virtual mask layer including its size, shape, and position based on the measured actual cutout region characteristics. This allows the virtual mask to compensate for manufacturing variations and present a consistent perfect appearance regardless of physical imperfections.
2Shape
If the cutout region is made smaller to improve aesthetics, then the aperture appearance is better, but it becomes more difficult to fully cover manufacturing imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual mask layer is dynamically generated and adjusted based on measured cutout region characteristics. Its size, shape, and position are not fixed but are adapted to each specific cutout, allowing it to optimally cover imperfections while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual mask is customized for each local cutout region based on its specific measurements and characteristics. Each cutout receives a tailored virtual mask that precisely matches its geometry, providing optimal defect coverage for each location rather than using a uniform approach.
3Reliability
If conventional physical masking techniques are used to cover cutout imperfections, then defect coverage is attempted, but the techniques fail to fully hide manufacturing errors and reduce conformance rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical masking mechanisms with a software-based virtual masking system. Instead of using physical materials to cover defects, the system uses computational rendering to present a perfect aperture appearance, eliminating the limitations of physical masking techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual mask layer acts as an intermediary between the actual imperfect cutout region and the visual presentation. It mediates the appearance by rendering what the perfect cutout should look like, rather than attempting to physically correct or cover the imperfections.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for generating, in a display panel, a virtual mask layer around a cutout region for a front camera. The front camera may be positioned under the display panel and receive light through the cutout region. The mask layer may hide defects of the cutout region that does not have functional pixels. The disclosed techniques may improve aesthetic appearance of displays having punch-hole cameras with reduced hole sizes and increased production quality conformance rate.