Switchable continuous display information system above camera

Abstract

Systems comprising a display having a first pixel array and a gap in the first pixel array in which at least some pixels of the first pixel array are missing, a device such as a camera, a light emitting device or a light receiving device, and a second pixel array. The systems are operable in a first operation mode in which the camera or light emitting device are operative while the second pixel array is not operative to display information, and in a second operation mode in which the camera or light emitting device are not operative while the second pixel array is operative to display the second array pixel information in the gap in the first pixel array. Systems are also operable in a third operation mode.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter is related in general to the field of digital cameras and displays.

BACKGROUND

In many modern electronic devices (e.g. a cellphone. TV, tablet, laptop etc.) a camera or another electronic device such a light emitting device can be placed below a non-active area or a gap in a device display. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a known display information system 100 in, respectively, a top view and a cross section. System 100 comprises a display 102 (e.g. LCD, LED, etc.) and a camera 110. The display is positioned “above” the camera in an imaging optical path. The term “above” refers to the position of the display being between an imaged scene (not shown) and the camera. Display 102 includes a primary (first) pixel array 104. Primary pixel array 104 may have a pixel density in the range of few hundreds pixels-per-inch (PPI), for example 400 to 500 PPI. A gap 106 in primary pixel array 104 allows light to enter a camera 110, as indicated by an arrow 132 in FIG. 1B. Camera 110 can therefore capture the scene.

Gap 106 may have several shapes, for example circular, rectangular or square shapes. A typical dimension of gap 106 (circle diameter or square side) may be on the order of 0.5-5 mm. As a result, primary pixel array 104 may be missing information of a few hundreds of pixels in the area of gap 106. Camera 110 comprises a lens 112 and an image sensor 114. Camera 110 may have a typical entrance pupil of 1-4 mm, such that the entrance pupil can be accommodated below gap 106. The term “below” refers to the position of the entrance pupil being between the primary pixel display plane and the camera. In the schematic FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4A and 4B, gap 106 is only a few pixels in size, and the figures should be understood as illustrative only and not to scale. As a result, system 100 does not have continuous display information, in particular in the area of gap 106.

It would be desirable to have the camera hidden behind the display, unseen by a user, such that the display area is maximized and display information is provided even in the area above the camera, i.e. to have continuous display information.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein provide several ways for showing continuous display information, while having a camera, a light emitting device or a light receiving device located below a non-active area in the display. As used herein, the term “continuous” means that no information is missing in a section of the display that includes display pixels and a camera.

In exemplary embodiments there are provided systems, comprising a display having a first pixel array and a gap in the first pixel array in which at least some pixels of the first pixel array are missing, a camera, and a second pixel array, wherein the system is operable in a first operation mode in which the camera is operative to capture images and the second pixel array is not operative to display information, and in a second operation mode in which the camera is not operative to capture images and the second pixel array is operative to display the second array pixel information in the gap in the first pixel array.

In an exemplary embodiment, a system is further operable in a third operation mode in which the camera is operative to capture images and the second pixel array is operative to display information.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second pixel array is operative to display second pixel array information continuously with displayed first pixel array information.

In an exemplary embodiment, a system further comprises a projection lens, wherein, when the second pixel array is operative to display second pixel array information, the displayed second pixel array information is projected to fill in display information missing in the gap using the projection lens.

In an exemplary embodiment, a system further comprises an optical element, capable of splitting light entering the gap between the camera and the second pixel array.

In an exemplary embodiment, the optical element is a beam splitter and the light is split evenly between the camera and the second pixel array.

In an exemplary embodiment, the optical element is a beam splitter the light is split unevenly between the camera and the second pixel array, such that a majority of light is transferred to the camera. In an embodiment, the majority of light includes more than 80% of the light. In an embodiment, the majority of light includes more than 90% of the light.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second pixel array is mechanically moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the displayed second pixel array information is displayed in the gap in the primary pixel array and wherein in the second position the displayed second pixel array information is not displayed in the gap in the first pixel array. In an embodiment, wherein in the second position the camera is operative to capture an image.

In an exemplary embodiment there is provided a system, comprising a display having a first pixel array and a gap in the first pixel array in which at least some pixels of the first pixel array are missing, a camera, and a second pixel array, wherein the camera is operative to capture images and the second pixel array is operative to display information in the gap in the first pixel array.

In exemplary embodiments, there are provided systems, comprising a display having a first pixel array and a gap in the first pixel array in which at least some pixels of the first pixel array are missing, a light emitting device, and a second pixel array, wherein the system is operable in a first operation mode in which the light emitting device is operative to emit light and the second pixel array is not operative to display information, and in a second operation mode in which the light emitting device is not operative to emit light and the second pixel array is operative to display the second array pixel information in the gap in the first pixel array. In an exemplary embodiment the system is further operable in a third operation mode in which the light emitting device is operative to emit light and the second pixel array is operative to display information.

In an exemplary embodiment there is provided a system, comprising a display having a first pixel array and a gap in the first pixel array in which at least some pixels of the first pixel array are missing, a light emitting device, and a second pixel array, wherein the light emitting device is operative to emit light and the second pixel array is operative to display information in the gap in the first pixel array.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting examples of embodiments disclosed herein are described below with reference to figures attached hereto that are listed following this paragraph. The drawings and descriptions are meant to illuminate and clarify embodiments disclosed herein, and should not be considered limiting in any way. Like elements in different drawings may be indicated like numerals.

FIG. 1A shows a known display information system in a top view;

FIG. 1B shows the display information system of FIG. 1A in cross section,

FIG. 2 shows in cross section one embodiment of a display information system disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 shows in cross section another embodiment of a display information system disclosed herein;

FIG. 4A shows in cross section yet another embodiment of a display information system disclosed herein in a first operation mode:

FIG. 4B shows in cross section the embodiment of FIG. 4A in a second operation mode;

FIG. 5 shows in cross section yet another embodiment of a display information system disclosed herein in a second operation mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 shows in cross section an embodiment numbered 200 of a continuous display information system disclosed herein. System 200 comprises a display 202 (e.g. a LCD, a LED, etc.) and a device 210 (e.g. a camera such as a red-green-blue (RGB) camera, a monochrome camera, an infrared (IR) camera, a time-of-flight (TOF) camera, etc.). While the embodiments below are described with reference to device 210 being a camera, in other embodiments device 210 may be a light emitting device, such as (but not limited to) a flood illuminator, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array, a pattern projector, a laser pointer, an IR source, etc. In yet other embodiments, 210 may be a light receiving device such as a photodiode or photodiode array. For simplicity, the following description refers to device 210 as “camera”, with the understanding that it may also be a light emitting device or a light receiving device. Display 202 includes a primary (first) pixel array 204. A gap 206 in primary pixel array 204 allows light to enter camera 210. Camera 210 comprises a lens 212 and an image sensor 214. System 200 further comprises a beam splitter 208. Beam splitter 208 may be polarized or may be a standard beam splitter.

The following description for the operation modes and methods involving cameras applies also to a light receiving device. Thus, analyses and methods of use presented herein should apply to any light emitting or receiving optical device.

In an exemplary operation mode, beam splitter 208 allows some (in some cases 50% and in other cases up to 90%) of the light arriving at gap 206 to be reflected to camera 210, as indicated by an arrow 234 in FIG. 2. Camera 210 can therefore capture a scene (not shown in the figure). System 200 further comprises a secondary (second) pixel array 220. In an operation method, indicated by arrow 232 in FIG. 2, secondary pixel array 220 can provide information by illuminating the area of the missing pixels in primary pixel array 202, namely in gap 206. In a method of operation, light from secondary pixel array 220 indicated by an arrow 232 in FIG. 2 may pass through beam splitter 208 such that the light is seen to a user as being a part of primary pixel array 204, and seamless information is provided on the display. Since some of the light from secondary pixel array 220 may not arrive at gap 206, the illumination intensity of pixel array 220 may be higher than that of the primary pixel array such that the light intensity at gap 206 is equal to the light intensity of primary pixel array 204.

FIG. 3 shows in cross section another embodiment numbered 300 of a continuous display information system disclosed herein. System 300 is similar to system 200, except for the following differences: (1) in system 300, a secondary pixel array 320 is located to a side of beam splitter 208, and (2), system 300 further comprises an optical imaging lens 302 located between secondary pixel array 320 and beam splitter 208, and a mirror 304 located below beam splitter 208.

In system 300, in one operation mode and as indicated by an arrow 322 in FIG. 3, light from secondary pixel array 320 may pass through imaging lens 302, be reflected by beam splitter 208 to mirror 304, be reflected back by mirror 304 to beam splitter 208 and be imaged in gap 206 in an embodiment, beam splitter 208 may be a polarized beam splitter and secondary pixel array 320 may be polarized such that all the light from secondary pixel array 320 may be reflected by the beam splitter to mirror 304. In another embodiment, mirror 304 can rotate the polarization of the light arriving from beam splitter 208 by 90 degrees (e.g. by being coupled to a lambda/4 plate) such that all the light arriving from mirror 304 will pass to gap 206.

In another operation mode, similar to the case in system 200 and as indicated by an arrow 234 in FIG. 3, light can enter from gap 206, be reflected by beam splitter 208 and enter camera 210 to form an image of a scene (the scene is not shown).

In yet another operation mode, light from secondary pixel array 320 may pass through imaging lens 302, be reflected by beam splitter 208 to mirror 304, be reflected back by mirror 304 to beam splitter 208 and be imaged in gap 206. Light can then enter through gap 206, be reflected by beam splitter 208 and enter camera 210 to form an image of a scene (not shown).

FIGS. 4A and 4B show in cross section yet another embodiment numbered 400 of a continuous display information system disclosed herein. As in systems 200 and 300, system 400 comprises display 202 and camera 210, display 202 has a primary pixel array 204, and camera 210 comprise lens 212 and image sensor 214. System 400 further comprises a secondary pixel array 420. In a first operational mode (FIG. 4A), secondary pixel array 420 may be located under gap 206 such that a continuous display information is provided when camera 210 is not operational. In a second operational mode (FIG. 4B), secondary pixel array 420 may be mechanically shifted (e.g. using an electrical motor, an actuator, etc.) such that light can arrive to camera 210 from gap 206 to capture an image with camera 210.

FIG. 5 shows in cross section yet another embodiment numbered 500 of a continuous display information system disclosed herein. System 500 is similar to system 300 except that beam splitter 302 is replaced with an optical element 502. Optical element 502 comprises four sections: two beam splitters 502a and 502b, each beam splitter having a reflection (or transmission) coefficient between 10% to 90%, and two fully reflective mirrors 502c and 502d with a 100% reflection coefficient.

In system 500, in a first operation mode, and as indicated by an arrow 522 in FIG. 5, light from secondary pixel array 320 may pass through imaging lens 302, be reflected by mirror 502c and be imaged in a left part of gap 206. In the same (first) operation mode, and as indicated by an arrow 524 in FIG. 5, light from secondary pixel array 320 may pass through imaging lens 302, pass beam splitter 502a and be reflected by beam splitter 502d and be imaged in a right part of gap 206. In a second operation mode, as indicated by arrows 526 and 528 in FIG. 5, light can enter from gap 206, be reflected by either beam splitter 502a or mirror 502d and enter camera 210 to form an image of a scene (not shown). In a third operation mode, light from secondary pixel array 320 may pass through imaging lens 302, be reflected by mirror 502c and be imaged in a left part of gap 206. In the third operation mode, and as indicated by an arrow 524 in FIG. 5, light from secondary pixel array 320 may pass through imaging lens 302, pass beam splitter 502a, be reflected by beam splitter 502d and be imaged in a right part of gap 206. Light can then enter from gap 206, be reflected by either beam splitter 502a or mirror 502d and enter camera 210 to form an image of a scene (not shown).

While this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of the embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: a display having a first pixel array and a gap in the first pixel array in which at least some pixels of the first pixel array are missing;a camera;a second pixel array; andan optical element, capable of splitting light entering the gap between the camera and the second pixel array,wherein the system is operable in a first operation mode in which the camera is operative to capture images and the second pixel array is not operative to display information, and in a second operation mode in which the camera is not operative to capture images and the second pixel array is operative to display the second array pixel information in the gap in the first pixel array.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical element is a beam splitter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the light is split evenly between the camera and the second pixel array.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the light is split unevenly between the camera and the second pixel array, such that a majority of light is transferred to the camera.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the majority of light includes more than 80% of the light.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the majority of light includes more than 90% of the light.

7. A system, comprising: a display having a first pixel array and a gap in the first pixel array in which at least some pixels of the first pixel array are missing;a camera; anda second pixel array;wherein the system is operable in a first operation mode in which the camera is operative to capture images and the second pixel array is not operative to display information, and in a second operation mode in which the camera is not operative to capture images and the second pixel array is operative to display the second array pixel information in the gap in the first pixel array, andwherein the second pixel array is mechanically moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the displayed second pixel array information is displayed in the gap in the primary pixel array, and wherein in the second position the displayed second pixel array information is not displayed in the gap in the first pixel array.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein in the second position the camera is operative to capture an image.