Electronic devices having housings with image transport layers

An electronic device may have pixels. The pixels may form one or more displays. The displays may be flexible organic light-emitting diode displays or other displays. The electronic device may have first and second display layers that face away from each other and display images in different directions. Image transport layers may overlap the display layers and may have curved edges that overlap a sidewall portion of the electronic device. Image transport layers receive images at input surfaces and transport the received images to corresponding output surfaces. Image transport layers may be provided with hemispherical shapes and other shapes having output surfaces of compound curvature. A folding device may have first and second displays that are overlapped by respective first and second image transport layers that join over a hinge to block the hinge from view. A wristwatch device may have links or other structures with an image transport layer.

FIELD

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices such as cellular telephones, tablet computers, and other electronic equipment may include housing structures. Electrical components such as displays and sensors may be mounted within the housing structures.

If care is not taken, an electronic device may not have a desired appearance or may be difficult to use satisfactorily. For example, housing structures may not have a desired shape and may not accommodate desired electrical components.

SUMMARY

An electronic device may have displays. The displays may be flexible organic light-emitting diode displays or other displays. Pixels in the displays may display images.

The electronic device may be a portable device such as a handheld device, a wristwatch device, or other electronic equipment. Image transport layers for the electronic device may be formed from coherent fiber bundles or Anderson localization material.

In an illustrative configuration, the electronic device has first and second display layers that face away from each other. The pixels of these display layers may display images in different directions. Respective image transport layers may overlap the display layers and may have curved edges that overlap a sidewall portion of the electronic device. The image transport layers may receive images from the first and second display layers at respective input surfaces and transport the received images to corresponding output surfaces, thereby covering the surface of the electronic device with a displayed image.

In some arrangements, image transport layers may be provided with hemispherical shapes and other shapes having output surfaces of compound curvature. Display layers and overlapping image transport layers may be covered with transparent housing structures (display cover layers) to help protect the display layers and image transport layers.

A folding device may have first and second displays that are overlapped by respective first and second image transport layers. These image transport layers may have respective edge portions that are configured to mate over a hinge when the folding device is placed in an unfolded planar configuration. In this configuration, the output surfaces of the image transport layers may be joined to form a unitary display and mating edge portions of the image transport layers may block the hinge from view. In a folded configuration, the first and second displays may face away from each other.

A wristwatch device may have a strap with links or other structures. The strap may be coupled to a main wristwatch unit that has a display and other components. A light source with one or more light-emitting devices such as one or more light-emitting diodes may be used to supply light to an image transport layer. The image transport layer may be located in one of the links of the strap and the light source may have light-emitting diodes mounted in a housing associated with the main unit of the wristwatch device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Electronic devices may be provided with displays and other visual output devices. For example, an electronic device may have a display with an array of pixels that displays an image. To help enhance device aesthetics and/or to help enhance performance, the electronic device may include structures that transport the image or other visual output from an input surface to an output surface through coherent fiber bundle or a layer of Anderson localization material. Structures such as these may sometimes be referred to as image transport layers, image transport structures, image transport layer structures, etc.

As an example, an electronic device may have a display on which an image is displayed. An image transport layer may overlap the display so that an input surface of the image transport layer is adjacent to the display and receives the image from the display. The image transport layer may transport the image from the input surface to a corresponding output surface of the image transport layer. The output surface faces outwardly from the electronic device, so that the image on the output surface may be viewed by a user of the electronic device. If desired, the output surface may have a curved cross-sectional profile and one or more areas of compound curvature.

The image transport layer structures in the electronic device may be configured to accommodate curved surfaces, to hide display seams, to hide hinges or other mechanical structures, to reduce display border widths, to distribute an image or other visual output over multiple surfaces of the device, or to otherwise provide the electronic device with a desired shape and ability to supply a user with visual output.

A schematic diagram of an illustrative electronic device having an image transport layer is shown inFIG.1. Device10may be a cellular telephone, tablet computer, laptop computer, wristwatch device or other wearable device, a television, a stand-alone computer display or other monitor, a computer display with an embedded computer (e.g., a desktop computer), a system embedded in a vehicle, kiosk, or other embedded electronic device, a media player, or other electronic equipment.

Device10may include control circuitry20. Control circuitry20may include storage and processing circuitry for supporting the operation of device10. The storage and processing circuitry may include storage such as nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically-programmable-read-only memory configured to form a solid state drive), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc. Processing circuitry in control circuitry20may be used to gather input from sensors and other input devices and may be used to control output devices. The processing circuitry may be based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, baseband processors and other wireless communications circuits, power management units, audio chips, application specific integrated circuits, etc.

To support communications between device10and external equipment, control circuitry20may communicate using communications circuitry22. Circuitry22may include antennas, radio-frequency transceiver circuitry, and other wireless communications circuitry and/or wired communications circuitry. Circuitry22, which may sometimes be referred to as control circuitry and/or control and communications circuitry, may support bidirectional wireless communications between device10and external equipment over a wireless link (e.g., circuitry22may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry such as wireless local area network transceiver circuitry configured to support communications over a wireless local area network link, near-field communications transceiver circuitry configured to support communications over a near-field communications link, cellular telephone transceiver circuitry configured to support communications over a cellular telephone link, or transceiver circuitry configured to support communications over any other suitable wired or wireless communications link). Wireless communications may, for example, be supported over a Bluetooth® link, a WiFi® link, a wireless link operating at a frequency between 10 GHz and 400 GHz, a 60 GHz link, or other millimeter wave link, a cellular telephone link, or other wireless communications link. Device10may, if desired, include power circuits for transmitting and/or receiving wired and/or wireless power and may include batteries or other energy storage devices. For example, device10may include a coil and rectifier to receive wireless power that is provided to circuitry in device10.

Device10may include input-output devices such as devices24. Input-output devices24may be used in gathering user input, in gathering information on the environment surrounding the user, and/or in providing a user with output. Devices24may include one or more displays such as display(s)14. Display14may be an organic light-emitting diode display, a liquid crystal display, an electrophoretic display, an electrowetting display, a plasma display, a microelectromechanical systems display, a display having a pixel array formed from crystalline semiconductor light-emitting diode dies (sometimes referred to as microLEDs), and/or other display. Display14may have an array of pixels configured to display images for a user. The display pixels may be formed on one or more substrates such as one or more flexible substrates (e.g., display14may be formed from a flexible display panel). Conductive electrodes for a capacitive touch sensor in display14and/or an array of indium tin oxide electrodes or other transparent conductive electrodes overlapping display14may be used to form a two-dimensional capacitive touch sensor for display14(e.g., display14may be a touch sensitive display).

Sensors16in input-output devices24may include force sensors (e.g., strain gauges, capacitive force sensors, resistive force sensors, etc.), audio sensors such as microphones, touch and/or proximity sensors such as capacitive sensors (e.g., a two-dimensional capacitive touch sensor integrated into display14, a two-dimensional capacitive touch sensor overlapping display14, and/or a touch sensor that forms a button, trackpad, or other input device not associated with a display), and other sensors. If desired, sensors16may include optical sensors such as optical sensors that emit and detect light, ultrasonic sensors, optical touch sensors, optical proximity sensors, and/or other touch sensors and/or proximity sensors, monochromatic and color ambient light sensors, image sensors, fingerprint sensors, temperature sensors, sensors for measuring three-dimensional non-contact gestures (“air gestures”), pressure sensors, sensors for detecting position, orientation, and/or motion (e.g., accelerometers, magnetic sensors such as compass sensors, gyroscopes, and/or inertial measurement units that contain some or all of these sensors), health sensors, radio-frequency sensors, depth sensors (e.g., structured light sensors and/or depth sensors based on stereo imaging devices that capture three-dimensional images), optical sensors such as self-mixing sensors and light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors that gather time-of-flight measurements, humidity sensors, moisture sensors, gaze tracking sensors, and/or other sensors. In some arrangements, device10may use sensors16and/or other input-output devices to gather user input. For example, buttons may be used to gather button press input, touch sensors overlapping displays can be used for gathering user touch screen input, touch pads may be used in gathering touch input, microphones may be used for gathering audio input, accelerometers may be used in monitoring when a finger contacts an input surface and may therefore be used to gather finger press input, etc.

If desired, electronic device10may include additional components (see, e.g., other devices18in input-output devices24). The additional components may include haptic output devices, audio output devices such as speakers, light-emitting diodes for status indicators, light sources such as light-emitting diodes that illuminate portions of a housing and/or display structure, other optical output devices, and/or other circuitry for gathering input and/or providing output. Device10may also include a battery or other energy storage device, connector ports for supporting wired communication with ancillary equipment and for receiving wired power, and other circuitry.

FIG.2is a front (plan) view of electronic device10in an illustrative configuration in which display14covers some or all of the front face FR of device10. Opposing rear face RR of device10may be covered by a housing wall formed from glass, metal, polymer, and/or other materials. Rear face RR may be free of display pixels and/or may be partly or fully covered by display14.

Device10may include a housing (e.g., housing12) that forms sidewall structures for device10and/or internal supporting structures (e.g., a frame, midplate member, etc.). Glass structures, transparent polymer structures, image transport layer structures, and/or other transparent structures that cover display14and other portions of device10may provide structural support for device10and may sometimes be referred to as housing structures. For example, a glass or polymer layer that covers and protects a pixel array in display14may serve as a display cover layer while also serving as a housing structure for device10.

In some illustrative arrangements, sidewall portions of device10may be covered with portions of display14. In the example ofFIG.2, device10is characterized by four peripheral edges: upper edge T, lower edge B, left edge L, and right edge R. Upper edge T and opposing lower edge B may run parallel to each other and parallel to the X axis ofFIG.2. Left edge L and opposing right edge R may run parallel to each other and parallel to the Y axis ofFIG.2. Front face FR and rear face RR may be planar (e.g., two parallel planes offset by a distance along the Z axis) and/or may include curved portions.

Touch sensor circuitry such as two-dimensional capacitive touch sensor circuitry may be incorporated into one or more displays in device10as separate touch sensor panels overlapping display pixels or as part of one or more display panels in device10. Touch sensors may be formed on front face FR, rear face RR, and/or edges (sidewall faces) T, B, R, and/or L. If desired, icons and other images for virtual buttons may be displayed by the pixels of device. For example, virtual buttons and/or other images may be displayed on front face FR, rear face RR, and/or edges T, B, R, and/or L and may overlap touch sensor circuitry. Haptic output devices may be used to provide haptic feedback when virtual buttons are selected (as an example).

Device10ofFIG.2has a rectangular outline (rectangular periphery) with four rounded corners. If desired, device10may have other shapes. For example, device10may have a shape that folds and unfolds along a bend (folding) axis and may include a display that overlaps or that does not overlap the bend axis, may have a shape with an oval footprint or circular outline, may have a cubic shape, may have a pyramidal, cylindrical, spherical, or conical shape, or may have other suitable shapes. The configuration ofFIG.2is illustrative.

If desired, openings may be formed in the surfaces of device10. For example, a speaker port and optical windows for an ambient light sensor, an infrared proximity sensor, and a depth sensor may be formed in a region such as upper region30of front face FR. A fingerprint sensor, touch sensor button, force-sensitive button, or other sensor that operates through display14may be formed under the portion of display in lower region32on front face FR and/or other portions of front face FR and/or other external surfaces of device10. Device10may be free of connector openings or an opening for a connector (e.g., a digital data connector, analog signal connector, and/or power connector) may be formed in portion34of the lower sidewall of device10running along lower edge B or elsewhere in device10. Openings may be omitted when power is received wirelessly or is received through contacts that are flush with the surface of device10and/or when data is transferred and received wirelessly using wireless communications circuitry in circuitry22or through contacts that are flush with the exterior surface of device10.

FIG.3is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device. As shown inFIG.3, device10may have a housing such as housing12. Housing12may include structures formed from glass, polymer, metal, wood, sapphire or other crystalline material, ceramic, fabric, other materials, and/or combinations of these materials. In some configurations, transparent portions of housing12may be configured to form display cover layers that overlap one or more displays or other light-emitting optical components. In the example ofFIG.3, display14is formed on front face FR of device10. Display14includes an array of pixels. During operation, the pixels are used to display an image for viewing by a user of device10. Arrays of pixels for displays in device10may sometimes be referred to as pixel layers, pixel array layers, displays, display structures, display layers, or display panels. In general, displays and other optical components may be located on front face FR, rear face RR, and/or sidewalls W of device10(e.g., sidewalls on edges T, B, R, and/or L that extend between front face FR and rear face RR). Housing12may have planar portions (e.g., in central portions of front face FR and rear face RR and/or on sidewalls W of device10) and/or curved portions (e.g., curved edges, curved corners, portions of front face FR and/or rear face RR that have curved cross-sectional profiles, etc.).

As shown inFIG.3, device10may include electrical components50in interior46(e.g., integrated circuits, sensors and other input-output devices, control circuitry, display layers such as organic light-emitting diode panels or other display layers, etc.). Electrical components50may, if desired, be mounted on printed circuits such as printed circuit48(e.g., flexible printed circuits and/or printed circuits formed from rigid printed circuit board material). In some configurations, a display may be formed on rear face RR. In other configurations, no display is present on rear face RR. In configurations in which no display is present on rear face RR, the portion of housing12on rear face RR may be formed from metal (e.g., a stainless steel or aluminum layer). For example, device10may have a rear housing wall formed from metal and may have optional sidewalls that extend upwardly from the rear housing wall. If desired, device10may have a rear housing wall and/or other housing walls formed from opaque glass, transparent glass coated with opaque materials such as ink or metal, and/or other housing wall materials.

In some configurations for device10, an opaque material such as metal or opaque polymer may form some or all of sidewalls W of device10. As an example, metal that forms some or all of a rear housing wall on rear face RR of device10may protrude upwardly along the edges of device10to form some or all of the sidewalls for device10. As another example, a peripheral metal band that forms some or all of the sidewalls of device10may extend around the rectangular periphery of device10(e.g., along upper edge T, right edge R, lower edge B, and left edge L). Sidewalls may have vertically extending planar surfaces and/or may exhibit other surface profiles (e.g., curved profiles).

If desired, some or all of the sidewalls of device10may be formed from clear material and may overlap light-producing components. This material may, as an example, be part of a display cover layer (e.g., a sidewall may be formed from an extension of a central display cover layer portion and may be formed from glass, polymer, crystalline material, etc.). Because clear layers of glass, plastic, crystalline material, and/or other clear layers of material in device10may enclose and protect internal device components, these outer layers of material in device10may serve as portions of housing12for device10.

In configurations for device10in which sidewalls have transparent portions formed from extending portions of a display cover layer or other transparent material, the sidewalls may overlap light-emitting components. Transparent sidewalls may have planar and/or curved surfaces and may be formed from clear glass, clear polymer, transparent crystalline material such as sapphire, and/or other transparent protective material. Displays (pixel arrays), light-emitting diodes covered with diffusing material, light-emitting diodes covered with patterned masks (e.g., opaque coatings with icon-shaped openings or openings of other shapes), and/or other light-emitting devices may be placed under clear sidewalls.

If desired, device10may have external surfaces with compound curvature. A perspective view of an illustrative corner portion of device10is shown inFIG.4. In the example ofFIG.4, device10has edge portions68and70formed from sidewalls W (FIG.3). Edge portions68and70may have surfaces that curve about axes62and64, respectively. These portions of housing12extend along the straight sides of device10and are characterized by curved surfaces that can be flattened into a plane without distortion (sometimes referred to as developable surfaces). At the corner of device10ofFIG.4, device10has curved surface portions CP with compound curvature (e.g., a surface that can only be flattened into a plane with distortion, sometimes referred to as a surface with Gaussian curvature). Each of the four corners of device10may have this arrangement, if desired.

Flexible displays such as organic light-emitting diode displays with flexible polyimide substrates or other bendable polymer substrates can be bent about axes such as axes62and64to form curved surfaces in portions68and70(e.g., these substrates may be bent without wrinkling or other undesired deformation). In compound curvature regions such as corner regions of device10, display14can be formed from materials that stretch (e.g., displays formed from mesh-shaped elastomeric substrate material), may be formed from flexible displays that are patterned to create one or more flexible strips and/or other structures that can be bent to cover at least part of the compound curvature regions, may be formed from bent tab portions that are part of a display (display substrate) that also is overlapped by a display cover layer on front face FR and/or other portions of device10, may be formed using pixels on one or more display substrates that are separate from a main central display substrate, and/or may be formed from other display structures.

To help accommodate optical components within housing12, device10(e.g., housing12) may include one or more image transport layer structures (e.g., coherent fiber bundles or Anderson localization material). The image transport layer structures may transport light (e.g., image light and/or other light) from one surface to another while preventing the light from spreading laterally and thereby preserving the integrity of the image light or other light. This allows an image produced by an array of pixels in a flat or curved display to be transferred from an input surface of a first shape at a first location to an output surface with compound curvature or other desired second shape at a second location. The image transport layer may therefore move the location of an image and may optionally change the shape of the surface on which the image is presented.

Fiber bundles include fiber cores of a first refractive index surrounded by cladding (e.g., polymer) of a second, lower refractive index. In some configurations, additional polymer, which may sometimes be referred to as binder or secondary cladding, may be included. A cross-sectional view of an illustrative image transport layer formed from a fiber bundle is shown inFIG.5. In the example ofFIG.5, image transport layer80is formed from a bundle of fibers82. Fibers82may have respective fiber cores84. Cores84may be surrounded by material with a different index of refraction than cores84. For example, each core84may have a first index of refraction and the material surrounding that core may have a second index of refraction that is lower than the first index of refraction by an index difference of at least 0.05, at least 0.1, at least 0.15, at least 10%, at least 20%, less than 50%, less than 30%, or other suitable amount. When the material surrounding cores84has a refractive index that is lower than cores84, light may be guided within cores84in accordance with the principal of total internal reflection.

In the example ofFIG.5, cores84, which may be formed from transparent material such as glass or polymer, are surrounded by lower index structures such as claddings86(e.g., glass or polymer of lower refractive index). Additional material (e.g., optional binder88) may be included in image transport layer80(e.g., to hold fibers82in place, etc.). Binder88may be formed from a material (e.g., polymer or glass) with a refractive index lower than that of cores84and/or lower than that of cladding86to promote total internal reflection in cores84. In some configurations, cores84may be coated with metal and/or surrounded by air or other material to help confine light within cores84. Arrangements in which some of cores84, some of cladding86, and/or some of binder82are formed from materials such as opaque material, colored transparent material, infrared-light-blocking-and-visible-light-transmitting material, infrared-light-transmitting-and-visible-light-blocking material, and/or other materials may also be used. For example, some of these structures may be formed from a black polymer or other light-absorbing material to help absorb stray light (e.g., light that is not being guided within cores84). If desired, polymer88may be omitted (e.g. in arrangements in which cladding86is used to hold fibers82together in image transport layer80).

The diameters of cores84may be, for example, at least 5 microns, at least 7 microns, at least 8 microns, at least 9 microns, less than 40 microns, less than 17 microns, less than 14 microns, less than 11 microns, or other suitable diameter. Fibers82may have diameters of at least 6 microns, at least 7 microns, at least 8 microns, at least 9 microns, less than 50 microns, less than 17 microns, less than 14 microns, less than 11 microns, or other suitable diameter.

As shown inFIG.6, fibers82may extend parallel to each other in image transport layer80(e.g., the fibers may run next to each other along the direction of light propagation through the fiber bundle). This allows image light or other light that is presented at input surface90to be conveyed to output surface92. In the example ofFIG.6, surfaces90and92are planar and fibers82extend in straight lines between surfaces90and92. Other arrangements such as arrangements in which fibers82are bent and/or taper and/or in which surface90and/or surface92have curved cross-sectional profiles may also be used.

In general, image transport layers such as image transport layer80ofFIG.6and the other FIGS. may be formed from a coherent fiber bundle (see, e.g.,FIG.5) or may be formed from Anderson localization material instead of a coherent fiber bundle. Anderson localization material is characterized by transversely random refractive index features (higher index regions and lower index regions) of about two wavelengths in lateral size that are configured to exhibit two-dimensional transverse Anderson localization of light (e.g., the light output from the display of device10). These refractive index variations are longitudinally invariant (e.g., along the direction of light propagation, perpendicular to the surface normal of a layer of Anderson localization material). Configurations in which image transport layer80has a bundle of fibers82are sometimes described herein as an example.

Fiber bundles and Anderson localization material can be used to form plates (e.g., layers with a thickness of at least 0.2 mm, at least 0.5 m, at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, at least 5 mm, less than 20 mm, or other suitable thickness) and/or other image transport structures (e.g., straight and/or bent elongated light pipes, spherical shapes, cones, tapered shapes, etc.). As described in connection withFIG.6, the surfaces of image transport structures may be planar and/or may have curved profiles.

Image transport layers can be used to transport an image from a first surface (e.g., the surface of a pixel array) to a second surface (e.g., a surface in device10with compound curvature or other curved and/or planar surface shape) without causing the image light to spread laterally. For example, an image that is produced by a display can be transported 5 mm vertically through an image transport layer that is 5 mm thick and can then be viewed on the output surface of the image transport layer. As another example, an image transport layer may have a planar input surface and an output surface with a planar central region surrounded by curved edges and corners of compound curvature. With this type of arrangement, images produced by a display that rests against the planar input surface can be smoothly transported to an output surface without becoming blurred, even if the output surface contains curved portions such as areas of compound curvature. Curved image transport layer surfaces can be formed by polishing, slumping heated fiber bundle material, molding under heat and/or pressure, etc. In devices with optical sensors and other optical components, light may, if desired, be transported through an image transport structure to and/or from an optical component.

In portions of device10that have an externally viewable display, a display cover layer that forms at least part of housing12may be used to cover and protect image transport layer80or an image transport layer that is uncovered by a separate display cover layer may be used in forming at least part of housing12.

In arrangements in which a display cover layer is used to cover and project layer80, adhesive, touch sensor structures, diffuser layers, masking layers, filter layers, antireflection layers, and/or other structures may optionally be interposed between layer80and the display cover layer. The display cover layer may be formed from glass, polymer, ceramic, crystalline material such as sapphire, multiple layers of these materials and/or other materials and may have optional coatings (e.g., an antireflection layer, an antiscratch layer, an antismudge layer, etc.). The display cover layer may form some or all of housing12ofFIG.3. A display layer with an array of pixels that displays an image may be located within the interior of housing12. Image transport layer80may be interposed between the array of pixels and the display cover layer so that the image on the pixel array is transported from the input surface of the image transport layer to the output surface of the image transport layer. The image on the output surface of the image transport layer is visible through the display cover layer forming the portion of housing12that overlaps the image transport layer.

In arrangements in which no display cover layer is present, one or more portions of housing12ofFIG.3may be formed from an image transport layer that is not covered with a separate protective member. For example, an image transport layer with a planar central portion, curved peripheral edges, and corners of compound curvature may be used to form an upper portion and sidewall portion of housing12. In this type of configuration, the outside of image transport layer80is not covered with a separate display cover layer member so that output surface92forms the outermost surface of housing12ofFIG.3. The pixel array may be formed against input surface90of the image transport layer, which may form the innermost surface of housing12ofFIG.3.

During use, output surface92may contact external objects. To prevent damage to image transport layer80(e.g., the portion of housing12ofFIG.3that overlaps the pixel array), output surface92may be strengthened using a chemical strengthening process or other strengthening process. For example, in a scenario in which layer80is formed from glass, surface92of layer80may be strengthened using an ion exchange chemical strengthening treatment and/or other strengthening processes (e.g., heat treatment, etc.). Chemical strengthening may be performed by placing a glass image transport layer in a heated potassium salt bath to perform an ion-exchange process. Chemical strengthening in this way may enhance the compressive stress of the outermost surfaces of the glass image transport layer relative to deeper portions. Heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering) may also be used to create compressive stress on outer surfaces of image transport layer80. By creating compressive stress on the surface of image transport layer80, the strength of output surface92may be enhanced. If desired, an antiscratch coating, an antireflection coating, an antismudge coating, and/or other exterior coating layers may be applied to surface92. When layer80is strengthened at output surface92, layer80is able to withstand damage during drop events and other events that impose stress on layer80.

Illustrative image transport layers80are shown inFIGS.7,8,9,10, and11. Structures such as these may have lower surfaces that serve as input surfaces (e.g., to receive image light from a display) and opposing upper surfaces (e.g., surfaces with curved edges aligned with the periphery of device10). For example, structures such as these may be provided on front face FR so that the curved edges of these structures run around the periphery of device10while the planar portions of these structures overlap the center of display14on front face FR (as an example). Image transport layers80may also be provided on rear face RR. With an illustrative configuration, a first image transport layer covers front face FR and partly overlaps sidewalls W, wherein a second image transport layer covers the rear face RR and partly overlaps sidewalls W. In this type of illustrative arrangement, the output surfaces of the first and second image transport layers may meet along sidewalls W.

As shown in the example ofFIG.7, fibers82may be oriented to extend vertically through image transport layer80.

FIG.8shows how fibers82may be tilted by progressively increasing amounts at increasing distances toward the curved outer peripheral edge of image transport layer80.

In the example ofFIG.9, fibers82are both tilted and curved.

FIG.10shows how fibers82may contain multiple bends along their lengths. This allows the entrances and exit portions of the fibers to be oriented along the desired direction of light propagation. As an example, fiber82′ may have an entrance portion with a longitudinal axis that is aligned parallel or nearly parallel to light entrance direction94so that light from a display or other optical component may be emitted efficiently into fiber82in direction94. Fiber82′ may also have an exit portion with a longitudinal axis that is aligned parallel or nearly parallel to light emission direction96(e.g., a direction facing a viewer) so that light emitted from the curved edge portion of image transport layer will be directed toward the viewer rather than being angled away from the viewer. If desired, the entrance and output faces of each fiber may be oriented to facilitate light output in desired directions. Optional grooves and other structures may also be formed in image transport layer80(see, e.g., illustrative peripheral groove98). This may facilitate the coupling of layer80to a housing structure and/or may otherwise facilitate the mounting of image transport layer80within device10(as an example).

In the illustrative configuration ofFIG.11, image transport layer80has multiple overlapped portions such as lower portion80-1and upper portion80-2. Portions80-1and80-2may be plates or other layers that have fibers82with different orientations. As an example, portion80-1may have vertically oriented fibers82and portion80-2may have tilted fibers that are oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to fibers82in portion80-1. Fibers82in different portions of layer80may, if desired, be aligned end-to-end. Arrangements in which fibers82in different portions of layer80are not aligned may also be used. If desired, image transport layer80may have three or more overlapped layers of fibers with potentially different orientations and/or shapes. Each sublayer of fibers82in layer80may have input and/or output surfaces that are planar and/or that are curved. The configuration ofFIG.11is merely illustrative.

Device10may include one or more protective structures formed from clear portions of housing12. As an example, housing12of device10may have a clear portion such as portion12-1ofFIG.12that overlaps image transport layer80and display layer100. Housing12may also have a portion such as portion12-2(e.g., a metal housing wall, a transparent housing wall such as a glass housing wall with an inner surface covered with an opaque masking material such as ink, metal, and/or other coating materials, and/or other housing wall materials).

Portion12-1may form a display cover layer that covers a display layer such as display layer100. Display layer100may have an active area such as active area104with an array of pixels102that display an image for a viewer such as viewer108who is viewing device10in direction110. Display layer100may also have an inactive area such as inactive border area106that contains metal signal paths, display driver circuitry, encapsulation structures, and other structures that do not emit light. Inactive border area106of display layer100is free of pixels and therefore does not display any part of the image that is displayed by display layer100. In some configurations, portion12-1may be omitted, so that image transport layer80forms housing12over display layer100and so that output surface92forms the outermost portion of housing12above display layer100. The arrangement ofFIG.12is illustrative.

To help hide inactive border area106from view by viewer (user)108, some of fibers82of image transport layer80may be tilted as shown inFIG.12. As a result, the image from the pixel array in active area104on input surface90of layer80will be transported to an enlarged output surface92. Surface92overlaps inactive border area106when device10and display layer100are viewed in direction110as viewer108is viewing front face FR of device10, so that the image on surface92extends to the outermost periphery of device10or nearly to the outermost periphery of device10, thereby hiding inactive border area106from view. Image transport layer80ofFIG.12also has a curved edge profile and may have corners of compound curvature.

In the example ofFIG.12, fibers82are tilted by increasing amounts at increasing distances from the outer edge of area104toward the periphery of device10. If desired, fibers82may have one or more bends along their lengths, as shown in the illustrative arrangement for device10that is shown inFIG.13.FIG.14shows how display layer100may, if desired, have one or more portions that are bent. Layer100may, as an example, be formed from an organic light-emitting diode display substrate of polyimide or other flexible polymer covered with thin-film transistors, thin-film organic light-emitting diode pixels, and/or other thin-film circuitry. In this type of arrangement, layer100may have one, two, three, four, or more than four edges with curved cross-sectional profiles as shown inFIG.14. Image transport layer80may have a mating curved input surface that receives an image from layer100and may have a curved output surface. The curved output surface of image transport layer80may mate with the curved inner surface of housing portion12-1.

Other arrangements for placing image transport layer80over display layer100may be used, if desired. For example, portions of image transport layer80may, if desired, overlap opaque housing structures (e.g., to provide device10with a borderless appearance). Image transport layer80may also serve as the outermost structure of device10(e.g., housing portion12-1may be omitted). The configurations ofFIGS.12,13, and14are illustrative.

In some configurations, portions of device10are not covered with active portions of display14and are therefore available to accommodate components such as sensors16, speakers, and/or other electrical components. For example, one or more areas on front face FR of device10may be available to accommodate electrical components. These areas may be free of pixels and free of any of the output surface of image transport layer80that is emitting an image presented to the input surface of that image transport layer.

Sensors such as capacitive sensors, radio-frequency circuitry, signal lines, electrical components for forming sensors and other input and output devices, and other circuitry may be incorporated into image transport layer80. This type of arrangement may help place electrical components at a desired distance (e.g., a small distance) from the outermost surface of device10. For example, by placing capacitive sensor circuitry in image transport layer80, capacitive sensor electrodes in layer80may be placed close to the exterior surface of device10, thereby enhancing sensor accuracy and sensitivity when making sensor measurements. As another example, placement of wireless circuitry such as antennas within image transport layer80may help separate such wireless circuitry from potentially interfering conductive structures in the interior of device10and can enhance wireless signal transmission and reception.

FIG.15is a cross-sectional side view of image transport layer80in an illustrative configuration in which output surface92is curved. Output surface92may be curved about a single axis (e.g., surface92may have left and right edges that are bowed inwardly towards a user who is viewing surface92) or may form a surface that curves in two lateral dimensions (e.g., surface92may be a concave surface). Image transport layers of the type shown inFIG.15may be used in computer displays and other displays for which it is desirable to curve the outer edges of the display toward the user to enhance viewing comfort (as an example).

FIG.16is a cross-sectional side view of device10in an illustrative configuration in which device10displays images on front face FR, rear face RR, and the surfaces of sidewalls W. Image transport layers80may be associated with the front and rear of device10. The peripheral edges of image transport layers80may contain fibers82that are bent to distribute image light from active areas106of display layers100to sidewalls W. This allows device10to display an image over most or all of its exposed surface including front face FR, rear face RR, and sidewall W.

Housing12may be formed from one or more structures (e.g., glass layers, layers of polymer or crystalline material such as sapphire, etc.). Housing12may have peripheral edges and, if desired, corners with curved cross-sectional profiles. Display layers100may be planar and/or may have curved portions. For example, the peripheral edges of display layers100may be bent (see, e.g.,FIG.16) to help hide inactive areas106of display layers100. The input surface of each image transport layer80may overlap a corresponding active area104of a respective display layer100. There may be any suitable number of display layers100in device10. In the example ofFIG.16, a first (upper) display layer100has an array of pixels forming a first active area104that displays a first image that is viewable on the output surface of a first image transport layer80through a first (upper) portion of transparent housing12and a second (lower) display layer100has an array of pixels forming a second active area104that displays a second image that is viewable on the output surface of the second image transport layer through a second (lower) portion of transparent housing12. Due to the flared edge portions of image transport layers80, the output surfaces of image transport layers80may present an image over most or all of the exposed outwardly facing surface of device10, including sidewall W and surfaces in the corners of device10and other portions of device10with compound curvature, while hiding components in interior46from view.

If desired, image transport layers may be incorporated into wearable devices. As an example, consider device10ofFIG.17. As shown in the side view of device10ofFIG.17, device10may be a wristwatch device having a main portion such as main unit (control unit)112and a strap such as strap116. Main portion112may have a housing that supports a display and other components such as control circuitry20, communications circuitry22, and input-output devices24ofFIG.1. Strap116may have a first portion coupled to one side of unit112(e.g., the housing of unit112) and a second portion coupled to an opposing side of unit112(e.g., the opposing side of the housing of unit112). Clasps118may be formed at the ends of the first and second portions, respectively. When strap116is wrapped around a user's wrist, clasps118may mate to secure device10to the user's wrist. Clasps118may be magnetic clasps, clasps formed from mating clasp mechanisms (e.g., tangs and holes), hook-and-loop fasteners, or other structures for closing strap116around a user's wrist or other body part.

Strap116may be flexible, which allows strap116to be wrapped around a user's wrist. For example, strap116may be formed from fabric, flexible polymer, leather, or other flexible materials, and/or strap116may have multiple hinged segments114. Segments114, which may sometimes be referred to as wristband segments, strap segments, or links, may be formed from rigid materials (glass, rigid polymer, metal, etc.) and/or may be formed from flexible materials (e.g., fabric, flexible polymer, etc.). Hinges120may be formed at joints between adjacent pair of segments114and between segments114and main unit112. Hinges120, which may be metal hinges, fabric hinges, hinges formed from polymer and/or metal or other materials, and/or other hinge structures, may be used to allow segments114to rotate with respect to each other and with respect to main unit112. If desired, strap116may be detachable.

Main unit112may include a touch screen display, buttons, sensors, and/or other input-output devices24(e.g., integrated circuits and other components forming control circuitry20, communications circuitry22, and input-output devices24ofFIG.1). Flexible printed circuits, wires, metal traces formed on housing structures and other substrates in unit112and strap116, and/or other signal path structures may be used to electrically couple circuitry in main unit112to optional circuitry in strap116.

To provide a user of device10with visual output in desired locations (e.g., to display an image containing content such as text, graphics, and video), device10may include image transport layers80. One or more image transport layers80may, as an example, be included in main unit112and may overlap one or more arrays of pixels associated with display14in main unit112. If desired, strap116may also include one or more image transport layers80. As shown in the cross-sectional side view of the illustrative portion of strap116ofFIG.18, each segment114of strap116may have a respective display layer100that is coupled to circuitry in main unit112using signal paths on flexible printed circuits or other signal path structures. The pixel array of each display layer100may generate an image that is received at the input surface of a corresponding image transport layer80. The received image at the input surface of each layer80may be transported to a corresponding output surface for viewing by a user. The output surface of each layer80may serve as the exterior surface of strap116or each segment114of strap116may be provided with a rigid display cover layer (e.g., a polymer layer or glass layer, as described in connection with housing structures12-1). The use of image transport layers80in segments114of strap116may allow these segments to have peripheral edges with curved cross-sectional profiles and inactive borders that are narrow or that are completely absent.

If desired, light sources such as light-emitting diodes may supply backlight illumination for a pixel array (e.g., a liquid crystal pixel array), illumination for a patterned ink layer (e.g., ink patterned into the shape of an icon), or other illumination. The light from multiple individually controlled light-emitting diodes or other light sources may be used to provide this illumination or this illumination may be provided by one or more light-emitting diodes or other light sources that are controlled in unison.

Consider, as an example, the cross-sectional side view of wristwatch device10ofFIG.19. As shown inFIG.19, main unit112may have a housing such as housing12in which a display14has been mounted. Main unit112may include a light source with one or more light-emitting diodes such as light-emitting diodes122. Each light-emitting diode122may supply light to a corresponding set of fibers82in image transport layer80. Image transport layer80may be configured to route laterally emitted light in an outwards direction away from strap116. For example, light from a first of light-emitting diodes122may be emitted into image transport layer80in direction X and may be routed by a first set of fibers82in image transport layer80in outwards direction Z, thereby creating light output on the output surface of image transport layer80in first region128, whereas light from a second of light-emitting diodes122may be emitted into image transport layer80in direction X and may be routed by a second set of fibers82in image transport layer80in outwards (upwards) direction Z, thereby creating light output on the output surface of image transport layer80in second region130.

As shown in the top view ofFIG.20, the output surface of image transport layer80may have multiple separate areas that are illuminated in this way. Fibers82may be configured to from patterns (e.g., logos, icons associated with actions such as receiving a message, expiration of an alarm, battery charge status, power status, etc.). By selectively illuminating desired light-emitting diodes122, corresponding desired patterns of the surface of strap116may be illuminated (e.g., to convey information to a user). For example, different icons can be illuminated, different portions of a pattern can be illuminated (e.g., a selected number of bars in a status bar indicator may be illuminated), an opening in an ink layer and/or colored transparent regions may be illuminated, etc. Light-emitting diodes122(or laser diodes or other light sources including light sources associated with pixels in an optional laterally oriented display in unit112) may supply fibers82in image transport layer80with one or more different colors of light. Color adjustments, illumination timing adjustments, illumination pattern adjustments, and/or light intensity adjustments light flashing pattern adjustments, and/or light intensity adjustments may be used in conveying desired visual output to a user.

In the example ofFIGS.19and20, image transport layer80has an input surface that faces main unit112to receive light output from light-emitting diodes122mounted in housing12of main unit112. If desired, light sources such as light-emitting diodes122may be mounted within strap116. The output surface of image transport layer80inFIG.19has a planar surface. As shown inFIG.18, the output surface of image transport layer80may have a curved profile. Multiple segments114may receive light by configuring a respective image transport layer80in each segment to receive light from an adjacent image transport layer80in an adjacent segment114. In this way, illumination may be distributed throughout strap116. In some configurations, image transport layer80may provide backlight illumination (e.g., to an overlapping liquid crystal display having an array of pixels that are backlit by image transport layer80). In this type of arrangement, light-emitting diodes122may be individually adjusted to provide local dimming of the backlight illumination.

Another illustrative electronic device with image transport layer structures is shown inFIG.21. In the example ofFIG.21, device10is a foldable device having a first portion10-1that is coupled to a second portion10-2with hinge130. Hinge130allows first portion10-1to rotate relative to a second portion10-2. Portion10-1may have first housing structures12A that are coupled to hinge130and that support first display layer100-1and may have second housing structures12B that are coupled to hinge130and that support second display layer100-2. Display layers100-1and100-2may be planar and/or may have portions with curved profiles. For example, display layers100-1and100-2may be organic light-emitting diode display layers or other display layers with flexible substrates and bent edges.

Portion10-1may include image transport layer80-1and portion10-2may include image transport layer80-2. Image transport layer80-1may have an input surface that receives an image from an array of pixels in display layer100-1and a corresponding output surface at which a transported version of the received image is viewed. Image transport layer80-2may similarly have an input surface that receives an image from an array of pixels in display layer100-2and a corresponding output surface at which a transported version of the received image is viewed. When it is desired to create a single unitary display for device10, portions10-1and10-2may be rotated in directions140about hinge130until device10has the planar configuration shown inFIG.21(e.g., so that device10is in an unfolded configuration and the display layers on portions10-1and10-2form unified display14). When it is desired to reduce the size of device10, portion10-1and portion10-2may be rotated in directions142about hinge130(e.g., so that portions10-1and10-2are in locations10-1′ and10-2′, device10is in a folded configuration, and display layers100-1and100-2face in different directions by facing outwardly and away from each other). An optional transparent display cover layer may cover the output surfaces of image transport layers80-1and80-2. Using an arrangement of the type shown inFIG.21, fibers82of image transport layers80-1and80-2may be configured so that the output surfaces of image transport layers80-1and80-2overlap and hide hinge130from view when device10is in the unfolded (planar display) configuration (e.g., the top surface of device10ofFIG.21may be covered with a seamless display).

Another illustrative configuration for device10is shown inFIG.22. Device10ofFIG.22may be a voice-controlled speaker (sometimes called a voice activated assistant) or other electronic device. In the illustrative configuration ofFIG.22, device10extends vertically along axis146. Device10may, as an example, have a cylindrical shape and may be symmetric or nearly symmetric when rotated about axis146. Surface BB of device10may rest on a supporting surface such as a table top. The sides of device10may be covered with housing12(e.g., fabric to allow sound to pass). Interior46may include speakers and other components (e.g., control circuitry20, communications circuitry22, and input-output devices24ofFIG.1).

Optional display layers such as display layer100A may be wrapped around some or all of a cylindrical inner or outer surface associated with a layer of polymer or other supporting material (e.g., a housing structure). In the example ofFIG.22, display layer100A is attached to the cylindrical inner surface of a transparent housing (housing12). Other support arrangements may be used, if desired.

Housing12may have openings and/or transparent regions formed from polymer, glass, etc. so that an image on the pixel array of layer100A may be viewed on the sidewalls W of device10. Top surface TT may have a circular outline or other suitable outline when viewed from above along axis146. Image transport layer80may have an input surface that receives an image displayed on display layer100B and an output surface facing the exterior of device10to which the received image is transported through fibers82. Image transport layer80may have a curved cross-sectional profile and may, if desired, be rotationally symmetric (e.g., image transport layer80and optional overlapping transparent portions of housing12at top surface TS may have a circular shape and may be rotationally symmetric about axis146). Images may be displayed using the pixel array of layers100A and100B. Using this type of arrangement, some or all of the exposed surfaces of device10may be covered with still and/or moving image content (e.g., when bottom surface BB is resting on a table). The image that is displayed by display layer100A and/or display layer100B may include text such as song titles and other information related to audio content that is being presented to a user by speakers in interior46. If desired, display layers100A and/or100B may be used to display visual content such as swirling light patterns that serve as feedback as a user interacts with device10using touch commands, voice commands, and/or other user input commands.

FIG.23is a cross-sectional side view of device10in an illustrative configuration in which device10has at least four display layers100L-1,100L-2,100L-3, and100L-4, each of which may include an array of pixels for displaying images and each of which may face in a different direction. A set of four corresponding image transport layers80may be used to cover the display layers. Each display layer may have a planar shape or other suitable shape and may be covered by a respective image transport layer. Each display layer and image transport layer may be covered and protected by an optional transparent housing12. Device10may have a cube shape and may have pixel arrays on four, five, or six sides of the cube or may have other suitable shapes. Interior46of device10ofFIG.23may include control circuitry20, communications circuitry22, and input-output devices24ofFIG.1.

In the example ofFIG.24, device10has a pair of display layers100that are separated by a distance HD to create interior46(e.g., to house control circuitry20, communications circuitry22, and input-output devices24ofFIG.1). Display layers100ofFIG.24may face away from each other. One of display layers100may, for example, provide an image to the input surface of a first image transport layer80A and another of display layers100may provide an image to the input surface of a second image transport layer80B. Layers80A and80B may be hemispherical (and may therefore have surfaces of compound curvature) and may be joined together to form a spherical shape for device10and/or may have other suitable shapes (e.g., half cylinders, etc.). An optional display cover layer may cover the surface of device10.

The display structures in device10may include capacitive touch sensors or other touch sensors that are configured to gather touch input. The touch input may be provided by a user's fingers or other external objects. These external objects may touch the surfaces of the image transport layers and/or the surfaces of the display cover layers of device10. The touch sensors may be formed as part of the display layers and/or may be formed separately. Device10may incorporate one or more portions with cube shapes, spherical shapes, hemispherical shapes, cylindrical shapes, shapes with rounded corners, and/or other shapes. These shapes may, if desired, be used in combination with each other. (e.g., a hemisphere may be formed on top of a cylinder, etc.).

As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of information such as sensor information. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, data may be gathered that includes personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to a user's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, username, password, biometric information, or any other identifying or personal information.

Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of information that may include personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data.