Virtual borderless display

A display comprising a display panel, wherein the display panel comprises two or more bonding areas; a driver configured to drive the display panel; a layer that provides a medium via which signals can propagate to and from the driver, and wherein the driver is mounted to the layer; and two or more flexible connectors, wherein the two or more flexible connectors provide communication paths between the display panel and the driver, and wherein a first end of each of the two or more flexible connectors connects to the display panel at a corresponding one of the two or more bonding areas, and wherein a second end of each of the two or more flexible connectors connects to the driver via the layer.

BACKGROUND

A device, such as a mobile device or a wearable device, offers various services to its user. Users may interact with the displays of these devices via touch panels and/or touchless panels. While touch and touchless input technologies allow users a great deal of flexibility when operating these devices, designers and manufacturers are continually striving to improve the qualities of the displays.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a display may comprise a display panel, wherein the display panel comprises two or more bonding areas; a driver configured to drive the display panel; a layer that provides a medium via which signals can propagate to and from the driver, and wherein the driver is mounted to the layer; and two or more flexible connectors, wherein the two or more flexible connectors provide communication paths between the display panel and the driver, and wherein a first end of each of the two or more flexible connectors connects to the display panel at a corresponding one of the two or more bonding areas, and wherein a second end of each of the two or more flexible connectors connects to the driver via the layer.

According to another aspect, a user device may comprise a display panel, wherein the display panel comprises two or more bonding areas; a driver configured to drive the display panel; a layer that provides a medium via which signals can propagate to and from the driver, and wherein the driver is mounted to the layer; and two or more flexible connectors, wherein the two or more flexible connectors provide communication paths between the display panel and the driver, and wherein a first end of each of the two or more flexible connectors connects to the display panel at a corresponding one of the two or more bonding areas, and wherein a second end of each of the two or more flexible connectors connects to the driver via the layer. The user device may further comprise a memory, wherein the memory stores software; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute the software.

According to yet another aspect, a touch display may comprise a touch panel operable in at least one of an on-touch mode or a touchless mode; a display panel, wherein the display panel comprises two or more bonding areas; a driver configured to drive the display panel; a layer that provides a medium via which signals can propagate to and from the driver, and wherein the driver is mounted to the layer; and two or more flexible connectors, wherein the two or more flexible connectors provide communication paths between the display panel and the driver, and wherein a first end of each of the two or more flexible connectors connects to the display panel at a corresponding one of the two or more bonding areas, and wherein a second end of each of the two or more flexible connectors connects to the driver via the layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A configuration for a display, which may be a touch display and/or a touchless display (simply referred to herein as “display”), can limit the possibilities of shape and/or size of certain components of the display. For example, an active area of the display may be restricted in terms of shape and available size in view of the configuration and/or architecture of the display. By way of further example,FIG. 1Aillustrates an exemplary display configuration100of various components of a display. As illustrated, display configuration100comprises a front window110, a touch panel115, a display active area120, a color filter (CF) glass125, a display driver130, a display flexible printed circuit (FPC)135, a touch flexible printed circuit (FPC)140, a bonding area141, and a thin-film transistor (TFT) glass145.

According to display configuration100, display active area120is limited in terms of shape and/or size since a space147is needed for display driver130and bonding area141, which bonds display FPC135to thin-film transistor (TFT) glass145. In this way, display signals are routed to a dedicated display driver area. However, as a result of this configuration, the allocated space147for these components (e.g., display driver130, bonding area141, etc.) prevents display active area120extending further towards the edge of thin-film transistor glass145.

In view of this or similar configuration, which may include a display other than an LCD display, display active area120is limited. For example,FIG. 1Billustrates a top-side view of an exemplary display148in which an area149is designed to place a display driver and a display flexible printed circuit for connection with the display driver (not illustrated).FIG. 1Cillustrates a top-side view of an exemplary display. As illustrated, a display active area150is limited due to a display inactive area160(e.g., where display driver130, etc. resides). In this regard, an image155displayed within display active area150has a non-circular active area. Similarly,FIG. 1Dillustrates a top-side view of another exemplary display. As illustrated, a display active area165is reduced (relative to display active area150ofFIG. 1C) to allow for a display inactive area170(e.g., where display driver130, etc. resides). In this regard, a border175serves as a disguise (from a user's perspective) for display inactive area170and provides a (smaller) circular display active area165.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a display configuration increases an area of display active area for use relative to a total area of the display active area. According to an exemplary embodiment, a driver is mounted to or situated on a system and not a display panel. According to an exemplary implementation, the driver is mounted to or situated on a backside or underside of the system. According to an exemplary embodiment, the driver is connected to the system. According to an exemplary embodiment, the driver comprises a display driver. According to another exemplary embodiment, the driver comprises a display driver and a touch driver.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a substrate or a layer of material which allows signals to propagate. For example, multiple flexible connectors may connect to the display panel and the system. The system routes signals to and/or from the multiple flexible connectors and to and/or from the driver (e.g., a display driver). Additionally, for example, one or multiple flexible connectors may connect to a touch panel and the system. The system routes signals to and/or from the one or multiple flexible connectors and to and/or from the driver (e.g., a touch driver). According to an exemplary embodiment, the system routes signals to and/or from a host printed circuit board. According to an exemplary implementation, the system may be a driver glass (e.g., glass panel, chip-on-glass, etc.), a flexible printed circuit (FPC), a chip-on-flex, a printed circuit board (PCB), or other type of substrate that allows the propagation of signals.

According to an exemplary implementation, the display panel may be a liquid crystal display (LCD). According to other exemplary implementations, the display panel may be implemented using other display technologies, such as, for example, color super twisted nematic (CSTN), thin film diode (TFD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), active-matrix OLED (AMOLED), or some other conventional or known display technology (e.g., an electrophoretic display, etc.).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display panel provides multiple bonding areas to permit multiple connections between the display panel and the multiple flexible connectors. According to an exemplary implementation, the display panel comprises a step configuration in which a step portion of the display panel is used to provide the multiple bonding areas. According to such an implementation, the multiple flexible connectors connect to the display panel at the multiple bonding areas and wrap towards the system to which the driver is connected. According to an exemplary embodiment, one or multiple flexible connectors connect a touch panel, a touchless panel, or a touch and touchless panel (hereinafter simply referred to as a “touch panel”). For example, the touch panel provides one or multiple bonding areas to permit the connection(s). The touch flexible connector also wraps toward the system to which the driver is connected.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a cross-sectional view a display configuration200in which exemplary embodiments of a virtual borderless display may be implemented. As illustrated, display configuration200of a display comprises a front window205, a touch panel210, a display active area215, a display220, a backlight225, a system230, a driver235, a touch FPC240, and a display FPC245.

According to other embodiments, display configuration200may include additional components or layers, fewer components or layers, different components or layers, and/or a different arrangement of components or layers. For example, according to another embodiment, display configuration200may not include touch panel210and touch FPC240. Additionally, or alternatively, display configuration200may not include backlight225. According to other embodiments, display configuration200may include additional components or layers, such as a polarizer, etc. Additionally, althoughFIG. 2Aillustrates a single display FPC240, as illustrated in other figures and described further below, display configuration200comprises multiple display FPCs240.

Front window205comprises a transparent layer of display configuration200through which a user may see visual elements (e.g., graphics, etc.) that are displayed. In addition to being a clear layer, front window205may act as a protective covering. For example, front window205may be oil resistant (e.g., oil on a human's finger), scratch or abrasion resistant, etc. Front window205may be implemented as a film or coating. For example, front window205may be implemented as tempered glass or a plastic layer.

Touch panel210comprises a device that senses the touch of a user and/or an instrument (e.g., a stylus, gloved touch, etc.). Touch panel may use one or multiple sensing technologies, such as, for example, capacitive sensing (e.g., resistive, projected, etc.), surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensing, resistive sensing, optical sensing, pressure sensing, infrared sensing, acoustic sensing, and/or gesture sensing. Touch panel210may detect a single-point input, a multipoint input, etc. Additionally, or alternatively, touch panel210comprises a device that senses air-touch and air-gestures of the user and/or an instrument. In this regard, touch panel210may be operable in an on-touch and/or touchless mode.

Display active area215comprises a portion of the total display area occupied by pixels. Display220comprises a display. For example, display220may be implemented as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a field emission display (FED), or some other type of display technology (e.g., organic light-emitting diode (OLED), active matrix OLED (AMOLED), an electrophoretic display, etc). Display220can present to a user various types of graphics, such as displaying text, pictures, video, and various images (e.g., icons, objects, etc.). Backlight225comprises a device that produces light. For example, a display, such as an LCD may require backlight225. As previously described, since display configuration200may comprise various types of displays, backlight225is an optional component of display configuration200. For example, if display220comprises an OLED, display configuration200may not comprise backlight225.

System230comprises a medium via which signals may propagate. For example, the signals may include display signals, touch signals, control signals, power supply signals, or other types of signals that may contribute to the operation of a component included in display configuration200. System230may also comprise other forms of components. As an example, system230may comprise a processor, an analog-to-digital converter, a microchip to enable communication with a main processing system, etc. By way of example, system230may be implemented as a flexible printed circuit, a chip-on-flex, a glass panel (e.g., a driver glass, a chip-on-glass, etc.), a printed circuit board, or other type of substrate that allows the propagation of signals. According to an exemplary embodiment, system230connects to driver235. According to an exemplary embodiment, system230connects to touch FPC240, which in turn connects to touch panel210. Additionally, according to an exemplary embodiment, system230connects to display FPC245, which in turn connects to display220. Based on these connections, system230enables correct routing of all signals from touch FPC240and display FPC245to driver235. According to an exemplary embodiment, system230connects to a host printed circuit board (e.g., a main processing system of a user device) (not illustrated).

Driver235comprises a display driver or a display driver and a touch driver. For example, driver235may comprise a register-based microprocessor. The display driver drives display220and the touch driver drives touch panel210. Touch FPC240carries touch signals from touch panel210to driver235. Display FPC245carries display signals from display220to driver235. According to an exemplary implementation, display FPC245may be a flexible printed circuit, a chip-on-flex, a chip-on-foil, or some other flexible material that can propagate signals. Touch FPC240may be implemented in a similar manner.

As illustrated, a bonding area247connects display FPC245to display220. For example, a connection between display220and display FPC245may be implemented by way of heat sealing display FPC245to display220at bonding area247. Additionally, for example, epoxy glue may be added between display FPC245and display220to provide reliability (e.g., so display FPC245is adhered securely). In this way, bonding area247provides a connection between display FPC245and display220and permits signals to be routed. Additionally, driver235is mounted to the backside or underside of system230. As a result, display active area215is less restricted in terms of size and/or shape since driver235is not mounted on display220and, as described further below, multiple display FPCs245may be used to route display signals to driver235.

FIG. 2Billustrates an elevational view of an exemplary display220. As illustrated, display220has a circular configuration comprising a base layer221and a top layer222. For example, when display220is an LCD, base layer221may comprise a TFT layer and top layer222may comprise a color filter layer. According to another example, when display220is an OLED, base layer221may comprise a TFT layer, and top layer222may comprise an encapsulation layer. According to yet another example, when display is an electrophoretic display, base layer221may comprise a TFT layer and top layer222may comprise an encapsulation layer. Since this description is not intended to provide an exhaustive treatment of every display technology that may be implemented, as well as the layers, materials, configuration, etc. associated with every display technology, the exemplary display technologies described above, such as LCD, OLED, electrophoretic, etc., may include additional layers, different layers, and/or a different arrangement of layers than those specifically described herein. Since base layer221has a larger circular shape than top layer222, a step portion223is formed. Although not entirely illustrated, step portion223is present around the entire perimeter. According to other embodiments, display220may have a different configuration, such as elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, or other type of three-dimensional shape. Additionally, or alternatively, display220may comprise another type of configuration that provides a similarly functioning bonding area247.

FIGS. 2C and 2Dillustrate elevational views of an exemplary configuration of display220and display FPCs245connections. As illustrated, display FPC245-1through display FPC245-8(also referred to collectively as display FPCs245and generally or individually as display FPC245) connect to display220at bonding areas247-1through247-8(also referred to collectively as bonding areas247or generally or individually as bonding area247). The number of display FPCs245and bonding areas247are exemplary. According to other embodiments, a larger number or a fewer number of display FPCs245and bonding areas247may be implemented. Additionally, or alternatively, the placement and/or positioning of display FPCs245and bonding areas247are exemplary. According to other embodiments, the placement and/or positioning of display FPCs245and bonding areas247may be implemented differently. For example, as indicated by the ellipses inFIG. 2C, the number and/or placement of display FPCs245and bonding areas247may be greater or fewer, and situated anywhere around the perimeter of top layer222. According to this configuration, in contrast to the configuration depicted inFIG. 1Ain which display driver130is located on the display (e.g., a thin-film transistor glass145), driver235is not located on display220.

Referring toFIG. 2D, display FPCs245may be folded or wrapped around display220towards driver235. Purely for illustrative purposes, the number and placement of display FPCs245are different than the number and placement of display FPCs245depicted inFIG. 2C.

FIG. 2Eillustrates a bottom-side view of display configuration200. Referring toFIGS. 2C through 2E, display FPCs245connect to system230. System230may be attached (e.g., laminated, etc.) to backlight225or a backlight frame (when present—not illustrated) or display220(e.g., base layer221) when backlight225is omitted (e.g., for display technologies that do not require a backlight). Driver235is connected to system230. Although not illustrated, display FPCs245are connected to driver235. Touch FPC240also connects to driver235. Additionally, a different FPC250may connect driver235to a main board or a main processing system of a device that comprises display configuration200.

FIG. 2Fillustrates a top-side view of a virtual borderless display. As illustrated, relative toFIGS. 1C and 1D, a display active area275is less restricted in terms of size and/or shape. For example, a display inactive area280(e.g., where display FPCs245are connected to display220) can be configured such that a border279of the display provides a (larger) circular display active area275relative toFIG. 1D. Thus, by virtue of a y-dimension282being reduced, an image285can be presented via a larger and, in this case circular, display area. By way of example, referring toFIG. 2B, step portion223constitutes display inactive area280. Similarly, as previously illustrated inFIG. 1D, border279is analogous to border175in which a perimeter283constitutes the outer dimension of the display. For round or circular displays, for example, the less wide each display FPC245is due to the multiplicity of display FPCs245implemented, the smaller border279becomes and the larger display active area275becomes.

As previously described, display configuration200may be implemented to provide displays having various shapes, other than circular, and may increase the display active area of the displays being used. By way of further example, and referring toFIG. 2G, display configuration200may be implemented on an elliptical display291, a square display292, a rectangular display293, and a hexagonal display294. Since this description is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of possible shapes of a display, shapes other than those specifically described and illustrated may be implemented.

Additionally, display configuration200may be implemented for various types of user devices.FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary user device300in which an embodiment of the virtual borderless display may be implemented. While illustratively speaking based onFIG. 3, user device300may be representative of, for example, a smartphone, a cellphone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA), user device300may be implemented as various other types of user devices. For example, user device300may take the form of a tablet device, a data organizer, a picture capturing device, a video capturing device, a Web-access device, a computer, a palmtop device, a netbook, a gaming device, a location-aware device, a music playing device, a television, or some other type of consumer device that comprises a display. Alternatively, user device300may be implemented as a non-consumer device, a non-mobile device, or any other form of an electronic device. As illustrated inFIG. 3, user device300comprises a housing305, a microphone310, a speaker315, a button320, and a display325. Display325may be implemented based on display configuration200, as described herein. According to other embodiments, user device300may comprise fewer components, additional components, different components, and/or a different arrangement of components than those illustrated inFIG. 3and described herein.

FIG. 4illustrates another example of a user device400in which an embodiment of the virtual borderless display may be implemented. In this example, user device400is representative of a wearable device (e.g., a watch-type user device) that comprises a circular display405. Circular display405may be implemented based on display configuration200, as described herein.

FIG. 5illustrates exemplary components of user devices300and400(simply referred to as user device300). As illustrated, according to an exemplary embodiment, user device300comprises a processor505, memory/storage510, software515, a communication interface520, an input525, and an output530. According to other embodiments, user device300may comprise fewer components, additional components, different components, and/or a different arrangement of components than those illustrated inFIG. 5and described herein.

Processor505comprises one or multiple processors, microprocessors, data processors, co-processors, and/or some other type of component that interprets and/or executes instructions and/or data. Processor505may be implemented as hardware (e.g., a microprocessor, etc.) or a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a system-on-chip (SoC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.). Processor505performs one or multiple operations based on an operating system and/or various applications or programs (e.g., software515).

Memory/storage510comprises one or multiple memories and/or one or multiple other types of storage mediums. For example, memory/storage510may include a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a cache, a read only memory (ROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), and/or some other type of memory. Memory/storage510may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, a solid state disk, etc.).

Software515comprises an application or a program that provides a function and/or a process. Software515may include firmware. By way of example, software515may comprise a telephone application, a multi-media application, an e-mail application, a contacts application, a calendar application, an instant messaging application, a web browsing application, a location-based application (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS)-based application, etc.), a camera application, etc. Software515comprises an operating system (OS). For example, depending on the implementation of user device300, the operating system may correspond to iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Symbian, or another type of operating system (e.g., proprietary, BlackBerry OS, Windows, Linux, etc.).

Communication interface520permits user device300to communicate with other devices, networks, systems, etc. Communication interface520may include one or multiple wireless interfaces and/or wired interfaces. Communication interface520may include one or multiple transmitters, receivers, and/or transceivers. Communication interface520operates according to one or multiple protocols, a communication standard, and/or the like.

Input525permits an input into user device300. For example, input525may include a button, a switch, a touch pad, an input port, speech recognition logic, and/or a display (e.g., a touch display, a touchless display). Output230permits an output from user device300. For example, output530may include a speaker, a display, a light, an output port, and/or some other type of output component.

User device300may perform a process and/or a function in response to processor505executing software515stored by memory/storage510. By way of example, instructions may be read into memory/storage510from another memory/storage510or read into memory/storage510from another device via communication interface520. The instructions stored by memory/storage510causes processor505to perform the process or the function. Alternatively, user device300may perform a process or a function based on the operation of hardware (processor505, etc.).

The foregoing description of embodiments provides illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Accordingly, modifications to the embodiments described herein may be possible.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to be interpreted to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to be interpreted as “based, at least in part, on,” unless explicitly stated otherwise. The term “and/or” is intended to be interpreted to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated items.

The terms “comprise,” “comprises” or “comprising,” as well as synonyms thereof (e.g., include, etc.), when used in the specification is meant to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. In other words, these terms are to be interpreted as inclusion without limitation.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example.” Any embodiment or implementation described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or implementations.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. For example, if the element in the figure is turned over, an element described as “below” or “beneath” another element or another feature would then be oriented “above” the other element or the other feature. Thus, for example, the exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” may encompass both an orientation of above and below depending on the orientation of a display device or a user device. In the instance that the display device may be oriented in a different manner (e.g., rotated at 90 degrees or at some other orientation), the spatially relative terms used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

No element, act, or instruction described in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the embodiments described herein unless explicitly described as such.