Patent Description:
Recently, electronic devices have been developed in various types for user convenience, and various services or functions are provided.

An electronic device may be implemented to have a hole bored through the upper end of a display such that a front camera is disposed in a hole display type, or to have a camera sensor disposed on the left or right side in a notch display type.

Electronic devices have recently been implemented to expand the display screen by utilizing exposed regions of the display to the maximum extent, while reducing the display bezel, in order to effectively display content and information related to execution of various services or functions and to enhance immersive experiences of users. To this end, electronic devices may be implemented to include an under display camera (UDC) such that a front camera is mounted under the display panel, instead of the notch or hole display type. The corresponding portion of the display may be deactivated only when the UDC is activated such that light is transmitted to the camera lens. Such electronic devices are for example known from patent documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

Conventional electronic devices have a UDC disposed under a display panel, thereby making it difficult to secure a sufficient amount of light, and influence may be caused by light occurring in the display panel when capturing an image through the UDC. Accordingly, the quality of images captured through the UDC of conventional electronic devices may be degraded.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device including a camera such that images are captured through a UDC without interference of light occurring in a display panel, and a method for operating the electronic device.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes display circuitry, a camera disposed on a rear surface of the display circuitry, a memory storing instructions, and at least one processor , wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to identify camera driving information set with regard to the camera, identify a shutter speed included in the set camera driving information, change set display driving information such that a time of a non-light-emitting interval of a duty cycle of the display circuitry is larger than the shutter speed, and based on the changed display driving information, control a driving of the camera.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method for operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes identifying camera driving information set with regard to a camera disposed on a rear surface of display circuitry of the electronic device, identifying a shutter speed included in the set camera driving information, changing set display driving information such that a time of a non-light-emitting interval of a duty cycle of the display circuitry is larger than the shutter speed, and based on the changed display driving information, controlling a driving of the camera.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may have one or more programs stored therein is provided. The one or more programs includes executable instructions which, when executed by a processor of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to execute operations including identifying camera driving information set with regard to a camera disposed on a rear surface of display circuitry of the electronic device, identifying a shutter speed included in the set camera driving information, changing set display driving information such that a time of a non-light-emitting interval of a duty cycle of the display circuitry is larger than the shutter speed, and based on the changed display driving information, controlling a driving of the camera.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device may capture images through a UDC without interference of light occurring in a display panel, may improve the quality of images captured through the UDC, and may use the entire visible display region with no sense of difference by removing light interference of effective pixels of the display panel.

Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or at least one of an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an input module <NUM>, a sound output module <NUM>, a display module <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a connecting terminal <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal <NUM>) may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. In some embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module <NUM>).

According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor <NUM> may store a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> or the communication module <NUM>) in a volatile memory <NUM>, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory <NUM>, and store resulting data in a non-volatile memory <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the audio module <NUM> may obtain the sound via the input module <NUM>, or output the sound via the sound output module <NUM> or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device <NUM>.

The connecting terminal <NUM> may include a connector via which the electronic device <NUM> may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>).

A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device <NUM> via the first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a fifth generation (<NUM>) network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)).

The wireless communication module <NUM> may support a <NUM> network, after a fourth generation (<NUM>) network, and next-generation communication technology, e.g., new radio (NR) access technology. The wireless communication module <NUM> may support a high-frequency band (e.g., the millimeter wave (mmWave) band) to achieve, e.g., a high data transmission rate. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module <NUM> may support a peak data rate (e.g., <NUM> gigabits per second (Gbps) or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., <NUM> decibels (dB) or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., <NUM> milliseconds (ms) or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a round trip of <NUM> or less) for implementing URLLC.

According to an embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on a first surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or a side surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high-frequency band.

According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device <NUM> may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> or the server <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may provide ultralow-latency services using, e.g., distributed computing or mobile edge computing.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrate examples of a duty cycle and a camera driving cycle in an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (for example, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) according to an embodiment may include a display module <NUM> (for example, the display module <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed on a front surface <NUM> of a housing <NUM>, and a camera <NUM> (for example, the camera module <NUM> in <FIG>). The electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a memory <NUM> and at least one processor <NUM> electrically connected to the display module <NUM>, the camera <NUM>, and the memory <NUM>. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may further include other components described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment, the display module <NUM> may be disposed on the front surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to be exposed, a window <NUM> may be disposed such that the first surface thereof is exposed, and a display panel <NUM> may be disposed under the second surface (back surface) of the window <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may include a substrate (for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB)) <NUM> and a display element layer <NUM> disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may include a touch sensitive panel (TSP). The display element layer <NUM> may include a circuit layer including a thin film transistor (TFT) (not illustrated), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) (not illustrated) as a display element, and an insulating layer (IL) therebetween. The display panel <NUM> may include a display driver integrated circuit (not illustrated). According to an embodiment, at least a part of each of the transparent glass layer (e.g., the window <NUM>) and the display panel <NUM> may have a bent shape, and the display panel <NUM> may be made of a flexible polymer film and may include, for example, polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, or other polymer material. The display panel <NUM> may include a first polymer layer <NUM> (for example, polyimide) and a second polymer layer <NUM> (for example, polyethylene terephthalate), which are disposed under the display element layer <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the camera <NUM> may be disposed under the back surface (for example, second surface) of the display module <NUM>, which is not exposed to the outside. As illustrated in <FIG>, the camera <NUM> may be an under display camera (UDC) <NUM> configured such that at least a part of the camera module <NUM> is disposed under the display panel <NUM>. The camera <NUM> may be disposed between the display panel <NUM> and the substrate <NUM>. For example, the camera <NUM> may be at least a part of the camera module <NUM> in <FIG>, and may be included inside the housing <NUM> so as not to be exposed. The camera <NUM> may include at least one of a camera sensor (for example, an image sensor) (not illustrated) configured to sense light incident through the window <NUM> through a lens and convert the light into digital signals, thereby acquiring images, an image processing module (not illustrated) configured to process images, or a memory (not illustrated) configured to store images.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a processor <NUM> of an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may adaptively apply camera driving information and/or display driving information according to the situation or environment so as to eliminate light interference occurring when light leaking inside the display module <NUM> enters the lens of the camera <NUM>. For example, the camera driving information may include at least one of a shutter speed related to driving of the camera <NUM>, an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sensitivity, or an aperture value (F). The camera driving information may include various other parameters related to driving of the camera <NUM>. For example, the display driving information may include a refresh rate related to duty cycle determination, and a duty rate. The display driving information may include various other parameters related to driving of the display module <NUM>. A duty cycle may refer to a method for describing, when one frame is displayed (for example, in the case of <NUM> hertz (Hz), one frame is displayed for <NUM>/<NUM> second), how many light emissions one frame is divided into and then displayed (for example, <NUM> duty: on, off, <NUM> duty: on, off, on, off). A duty ratio may refer to a ratio between an on-duty time (for example, light-emitting time) for screen display and an off-duty time (for example, non-light-emitting time). A refresh rate may refer to the number of times the display screen can be output for one second, and may also be referred to as a screen scan rate or a refresh frequency. The unit of the refresh rate is hertz (Hz), and the larger the hertz number, the higher the refresh rate may be.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may use the duty cycle of the display module <NUM> when capturing an image by using the camera <NUM>. During the duty cycle, as illustrated in <FIG>, an on duty and an off duty of each pixel of the display panel <NUM> may occur regularly according to display driving information (for example, a screen refresh rate, a duty cycle, and/or a duty ratio). For example, if the duty ratio increases to a ratio (for example, <NUM>%) higher than a designated ratio (for example, <NUM>%), the on-duty time may increase (for example, <NUM>), while the off-duty time may decrease (for example, <NUM>), as illustrated in <FIG>. The on-duty time may increase as the pitch value (amplitude) decreases, as in <FIG>, such that the intensity of emitted light may be identical to the size of the on-duty area. The on-duty interval of the duty cycle may correspond to a light-emitting interval in which the display module <NUM> emits light. If an image is captured during the on-duty time, the quality of the captured image may be degraded by light interference occurring when light emitted by the display module <NUM> is received by the image sensor of the camera <NUM>. The off-duty interval of the duty cycle may correspond to a non-light-emitting interval in which the display modules <NUM> emits no light. The processor <NUM> may control the camera <NUM> such that an image can be captured during the off-duty time of pixels, and may adjust variable elements (for example, camera driving information or display driving information) conforming to the situation or environment. Hereinafter, the off-duty time will be referred to as a time during a non-light-emitting interval, and the on-duty time will be referred to as a time during a light-emitting interval, for convenience of description.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may acquire camera driving information determined optimally according to the operating mode of the camera <NUM> at a timepoint at which an image is to be captured, and may identify a shutter speed of the camera <NUM> included in the camera driving information. The processor <NUM> may identify display driving information set in the display module <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify that the shutter speed of the camera <NUM> is <NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>), may identify that a refresh rate included in the set display driving information is <NUM>, and may identify that the duty ratio of the duty cycle is <NUM>%.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may compare the identified shutter speed value and the value of the off-duty time of the duty cycle, thereby confirming whether the shutter speed is longer than the off-duty time. If the shutter speed is longer than the off-duty time, image capture by the camera <NUM> partially occurs in a light-emitting interval, and a part of the capture image may thus undergo light interference by the display module <NUM>. In order to prevent this, the processor <NUM> may change the display driving information, based on the camera driving information, such that, if the shutter speed is longer than the off-duty time, the camera <NUM> operates only during the off-duty time (interval in which no light interference occurs).

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may change the display driving information such that the off-duty time of the duty cycle of the display module <NUM> becomes longer than the shutter speed. The processor <NUM> may change the refresh rate such that the shutter speed can operate during the off-duty time while maintaining a necessary camera parameter (for example, at least one of the shutter speed, the ISO, or the aperture value) included in the camera driving information. For example, the set refresh rate may be decreased from <NUM> to <NUM>, based on the shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>)). The processor <NUM> may decrease the refresh rate to <NUM> such that the off-duty time becomes equal to or longer than the shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>)) in one period of the duty cycle. The total light-emitting area on duty may be identical.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may configure the image capture timing of the camera <NUM> during the off-duty time or change the set image capture timing, and may provide a synchronization signal for synchronization between the display module <NUM> and the camera <NUM> to each of the display module <NUM> and the camera <NUM>. The synchronization signal may be generated based on information regarding the off-duty time and the image capture timing. For example, the processor <NUM> may simultaneously provide each of the display module <NUM> and the camera <NUM> with a synchronization signal for timing an image capture timepoint such that, if an input requesting image capture by the camera <NUM> is received in an on-duty interval, the camera <NUM> stands by without capturing an image and then starts capturing an image at a set or changed image capture timing during the off-duty time. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may control the camera <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> so as to capture an image at the set shutter speed during the off-duty time, based on the changed display driving information. For example, the processor <NUM> may acquire an image captured by the camera <NUM> during the off-duty time increased to/beyond the shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>)) as the refresh rate is decreased to <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may confirm whether to maintain the display driving information set in the display module <NUM>. If the display driving information is deemed to be changed, the processor <NUM> may control camera driving, based on the set display driving information and the set camera driving information. For example, if the display driving information is deemed to be changed, the processor <NUM> may perform an operation of maintaining the camera driving information and changing the display driving information. If the display driving information is deemed to be maintained, the processor <NUM> may identify the display driving information set in the display module and may identify the off-duty time of the duty cycle determined by the set display driving information. The processor <NUM> may change (or configure) the camera driving information, based on the identified off-duty time. For example, the processor <NUM> may change the shutter speed included in the camera driving information to be identical to or smaller than the off-duty time so as to prevent the occurrence of light interference of the display module during the on-duty time. For example, if the refresh rate included in the display driving information is <NUM>, and if the duty ratio is <NUM>%, the value of the off-duty time may be <NUM>. The electronic device may maintain the value of the off-duty time to be <NUM> and may change the shutter speed to <NUM>/500sec (<NUM>) so as to have an identical value or a smaller value, based on <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control camera driving so as to capture an image, based on the changed camera driving information (for example, at a shutter speed of <NUM>/500sec (<NUM>)).

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may compare the value of the identified shutter speed and the value of the off-duty time of the duty cycle and may change the camera driving information such that, if the shutter speed is larger than the off-duty time, the off-duty time of the duty cycle of the display module <NUM> becomes larger than the shutter speed. The processor <NUM> may maintain the display driving information and may change a necessary camera parameter (for example, at least one of the shutter speed, the ISO, or the aperture value) included in the camera driving information such that an image is captured with an optimal image quality. For example, if the configures refresh rate is <NUM>, and if the duty ratio is <NUM>%, the processor <NUM> may change the shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/125sec (<NUM>)) set in the camera <NUM> to a shorter time (for example, <NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>) or <NUM>/<NUM> (<NUM>)), and may change the set ISO value (for example, <NUM>) to a higher value (for example, <NUM>). For example, if the duty ratio is <NUM>%, the off-duty time may be <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may determine the image capture timing (image capture timepoint) of the camera <NUM> for capturing an image after the camera driving information of the camera <NUM> is changed, and may control the camera <NUM> to capture an image at the set shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/500sec (<NUM>)) at the determined image capture timing, based on the changed camera driving information. If the value of the off-duty time of the duty cycle is larger than the value of the shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/500sec (<NUM>)), the processor <NUM> may determine an image capture timing for starting a shutter operation during the off-duty time.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify a screen region <NUM> of the display module <NUM> corresponding to the region in which the camera <NUM> is disposed, and may control the refresh rate with regard to each sensor line (sensor array) such that the refresh rate of only pixels of a sensor line in the identified screen region <NUM>. For example, assuming that the refresh rate is <NUM>, the duty ratio is <NUM>%, the peripheral environment is a dark indoor environment, and the shutter speed of the camera necessary for image capture by the camera is <NUM>/30sec, the processor <NUM> may identify that the refresh rate needs to be changed to <NUM>, based on the shutter speed. The processor <NUM> may change the refresh rate to <NUM> value by calculating a value corresponding to <NUM> (for example, (<NUM>/<NUM>)*<NUM>=<NUM>). Since a change in the refresh rate results in a flickering phenomenon, the processor <NUM> may configure a low refresh rate at the set image capture timing with regard to only sensor lines related to the camera, and may maintain the set refresh rate (for example, <NUM>) with regard to sensor lines in the remaining region. Accordingly, the electronic device may minimize the flickering phenomenon visible to the user's eyes.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify a screen region <NUM> of the display module <NUM> corresponding to the region in which the camera <NUM> is disposed, and may control pixels of a peripheral region <NUM> expanded from the screen region <NUM> as black only when capturing an image (image capture timing), thereby increasing the off-duty time. The processor <NUM> may control both the on-duty time and the off-duty time of the duty cycle corresponding to the image capture timing as black, based on the camera shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/60sec (<NUM>)), such that no light is emitted during these times, thereby obtaining an advantage in that, by increasing the off-duty time, the refresh rate is decreased only at the image capture timing. The processor <NUM> may maintain the set refresh rate (for example, <NUM>) in regions other than the peripheral region <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may change the duty ratio of the duty cycle so as to change the off-duty time. For example, the processor <NUM> may increase (or adjust) the duty ratio if the value (for example, <NUM>) of the off-duty time according to the set duty ratio (for example, <NUM>%) is e qual to/larger than the value (for example, <NUM>) of the off-duty time set according to the refresh rate (for example, <NUM>). For example, the set duty ratio may be <NUM>% at a refresh rate of <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may thus change the duty ratio to <NUM>% or higher if the refresh rate is maintained at <NUM>, thereby reducing the off-duty time to a value of <NUM> or less.

According to an embodiment, considering that the peak (amplitude) of a light-emitting timepoint (on-duty timepoint) of a pixel at a duty cycle and the peak (amplitude) of a non-light-emitting timepoint (off-duty timepoint) may have a slope, the processor <NUM> may adjust the shutter operation image capture timing so as to conform to a fully off timepoint, excluding the slope range, even during the off-duty time.

At least some of the operations of the processor according to an embodiment described above may be performed by an image signal processor (ISP). For example, the ISP may be included in the camera module <NUM> and/or the processor <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a memory <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment stores commands (for example, instructions) set such that operations executed by the processor are performed. The at least one processor <NUM> executes the commands stored in the memory <NUM>.

As such, in an embodiment, major components of the electronic device have been described with reference to the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. However, in various embodiments, not all components illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are essential components, and the electronic device <NUM> may be implemented by more components than illustrated therein or by less components than illustrated therein. In addition, the position of major components of the electronic device <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and 3may be changed according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device (for example, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) may include a display module (for example, the display module <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>), a camera (for example, the camera module <NUM> in <FIG>, the camera <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) disposed on a rear surface of the display module, a memory (for example, the memory <NUM> in <FIG>), and at least one processor (for example, the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) electrically connected to the display module, the camera, and the memory. The at least one processor may be configured to identify camera driving information set with regard to the camera, identify a shutter speed included in the set camera driving information, change display driving information set such that the time of a non-light-emitting interval of a duty cycle of the display module is larger than the shutter speed, and control driving of the camera, based on the changed display driving information.

According to an embodiment, the at least one processor may be configured to configure an capture timing of the camera within the time of the non-light-emitting interval or change the set image capture timing, and provide a synchronization signal for synchronization between the display module and the camera to each of the display module and the camera to start image capturing of the camera at the image capture timing within the non-light-emitting interval, and the synchronization signal may be generated based on information regarding the time of the non-light-emitting interval and the image capture timing.

According to an embodiment, the camera driving information may include the shutter speed, the display driving information may include at least one of a refresh rate, a duty cycle, or a duty ratio, and the at least one processor may be configured to control the camera to be driven based on the identified shutter speed within the time of a non-light-emitting interval changed according to the changed display driving information, and control the camera not to be driven during the time of the duty cycle light-emitting interval.

According to an embodiment, the at least one processor may be configured to identify whether to change or maintain the set display driving information, based on the shutter speed and the time of the non-light-emitting interval.

According to an embodiment, the at least one processor may be configured to identify that the set display driving information needs to be changed and, in case that the shutter speed value is larger than the time value of the non-light-emitting interval, change the refresh rate included in the display driving information such that the time of the non-light-emitting interval is larger than the shutter speed, and the time of the non-light-emitting interval may be changed according to a change in the refresh rate.

According to an embodiment, the at least one processor may be configured to identify that the set display driving information needs to be changed and, in case that the shutter speed value is larger than the time value of the non-light-emitting interval, change the duty ratio of the duty cycle such that the time of the non-light-emitting interval is larger than the shutter speed, and the time of the non-light-emitting interval may be changed according to a change in the duty ratio.

According to an embodiment, the at least one processor may be configured to maintain the set display driving information in case that the set display driving information is identified to be maintained, and change the camera driving information, based on the set display driving information.

According to an embodiment, the at least one processor may be configured to identify that the set display driving information is to be maintained and, in case that the shutter speed value is larger than the time value of the non-light-emitting interval, maintain the set display driving information, and change the camera driving information, based on the set display driving information.

According to an embodiment, the at least one processor may be configured to change a refresh rate of pixels of a pixel line in a first region of the display corresponding to a region in which the camera is disposed, and maintain a refresh rate of pixels of a remaining region excluding the first region to be a configured refresh rate included in the display driving information.

According to an embodiment, the at least one processor may be configured to control pixels in a first region of the display corresponding to a region in which the camera is disposed at a timepoint at which the image is captured and in a second region including a peripheral region of the first region as black such that the pixels do not emit light, and maintain display driving information of pixels in a remaining region excluding the second region to be the configured display driving information.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment (for example, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) described with reference to <FIG> may be performed by a processor or an ISP, for example.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device may acquire camera driving information configured in a camera (the camera <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>), in operation <NUM>. For example, the camera driving information may include at least one of a shutter speed related to driving of the camera <NUM>, an ISO sensitivity, and an aperture value (F). The camera driving information may include various other parameters related to driving of the camera <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify a shutter speed included in the camera driving information set in the camera <NUM>. The electronic device may identify an off-duty time of a duty cycle determined by display driving information set to be compared with the shutter speed. For example, the display driving information may include a refresh rate, a duty rate, and a duty cycle. The display driving information may include various other parameters related to driving of the display module <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may confirm, based on the identified shutter speed, whether the display driving information needs to be changed. The electronic device <NUM> may compare the identified shutter speed and the off-duty time identified by the display driving information, thereby confirming whether the shutter speed value exceeds the value of the off-duty time.

If it is confirmed in operation <NUM> that the shutter speed value exceeds the value of the off-duty time, the electronic device may identify that the display needs to be changed (Yes in operation <NUM>), and may change the set display driving information, based on the shutter speed included in the camera driving information, such that no light interference occurs, because the shutter speed is larger than the off-duty time, in operation <NUM>. The electronic device may maintain the shutter speed of the camera and may change at least one of the refresh rate, the duty cycle, or the duty ratio included in the display driving information, based on the shutter speed.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may control driving of the camera so as to capture an image at the identified shutter speed, based on the changed display driving information. The camera may capture an image at a set image capture timing without light interference during the off-duty time of the duty cycle changed according to the changed display driving information.

If it is confirmed in operation <NUM> that the shutter speed value is equal to/lower than the value of the off-duty time, the electronic device may identify that there is no need to change the display driving information (No in operation <NUM>). In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may maintain the configured display driving information (for example, refresh rate, duty cycle, and/or duty ratio) with no change. Without changing the configured display driving information, the electronic device may control driving of the camera so as to capture an image according to the identified shutter speed, based on the configured display driving information. Since the off-duty time of the duty cycle determined by the configured display driving information is longer than the identified shutter speed, the camera may capture an image at the configured image capture timing without light interference during the off-duty time.

<FIG> illustrate an example of a duty cycle and a camera driving cycle in an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a duty cycle and a camera driving cycle in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, an electronic device according to an embodiment may identify that a shutter speed value included in camera driving information set in a camera (for example, the camera <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) is <NUM>/60sec (<NUM>), for example, may identify that a refresh rate included in set display information is <NUM>, for example, and may identify that the duty ratio of a duty cycle <NUM> is <NUM>%, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>. If the refresh rate <NUM>, if the duty ratio is <NUM>%, the electronic device, and if one frame of the duty cycle <NUM> is described as four duties (on, off, on, off), for example, the electronic device may identify that the value of the on-duty time and the off-duty time is <NUM>. If it is confirmed in operation <NUM> in <FIG> that the shutter speed value exceeds the off-duty time value, the electronic device may identify that there is a need to change the display driving information. Accordingly, the electronic device may change the refresh rate to <NUM>, for example, and maintain the duty ratio at <NUM>%, based on the value of the shutter speed being <NUM>/60sec (<NUM>), such that the off-duty time value becomes equal to/larger than the shutter speed value. Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device may change a time <NUM> of one period of the duty cycle <NUM> as the refresh rate is changed. For example, as the refresh rate is decreased to <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the time <NUM> of one period may be increased to <NUM>, and an off-duty time <NUM> may be increased to <NUM>. The pitch value (amplitude) may be decreased as the time <NUM> of one period is increased in the duty cycle <NUM>. The electronic device may identify that the off-duty time <NUM> of <NUM> is equal to (or larger than) the camera shutter speed value of <NUM>/60sec (<NUM>), as illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device may control driving of the camera, like a driving cycle <NUM> of the camera, in response to the off-duty time <NUM> of the duty cycle <NUM> and an on-duty time <NUM> thereof. Since no light interference occurs due to the display module during the off-duty time <NUM> of the duty cycle <NUM>, the camera may be driven according to the shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/60sec (<NUM>)) set in a time interval <NUM> of the driving cycle <NUM> corresponding to the off-duty time <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. Since light interference occurs due to the display module during the on-duty time <NUM> of the duty cycle <NUM>, the camera may not be drive in a time interval <NUM> of the driving cycle <NUM> corresponding to the on-duty time <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may configure an image capture timing (camera driving timepoint) such that an image is captured at the camera shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/60sec (<NUM>)) during the increased off-duty time <NUM> (for example, <NUM>). For example, if the off-duty time <NUM> (for example, <NUM>) is increased according to the shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/<NUM> sec(<NUM>)), the image capture timing may be set to be a timepoint at which pixels are changed off duty because the two values are identical (or have an insignificant difference).

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, if the camera shutter speed has a value (for example, <NUM>/500sec (<NUM>)) smaller than the off-duty time (for example, <NUM>), the electronic device may change and configure the capture timing of the camera during the off-duty time (for example, <NUM>). For example, if the image capture timing is set at a timepoint <NUM> of initial change to the off-duty time, a changed image capture timing may be set at a timepoint <NUM> after a predetermined period of time from the timepoint <NUM> of change to the off-duty time. The changed image capture timing may be adjusted within a range such that the shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/500sec (<NUM>)) does not deviate from a timepoint <NUM> at which another on-duty time begins.

An electronic device according to an embodiment may identify that a shutter speed value included in camera driving information set in a camera (for example, the camera <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) is <NUM>/60sec (<NUM>), for example, and may identify that a refresh rate included in set display driving information is <NUM>, for example. Provided that one frame of a duty cycle is described as four duties (on, off, on, off), the electronic device may identify that the value of the on-duty time and the off-duty time is <NUM>. The electronic device may change the duty cycle to two duties (for example, on, off), for example, so as to secure the off-duty time. For example, if the refresh rate is maintained at <NUM>, and if the duty cycle is changed to two duties, the off-duty time may be increased to <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device (for example, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) according to an embodiment may prioritize maintaining display driving information according to the situation or peripheral environment. Accordingly, the electronic device may perform an operation of maintaining display driving information and changing camera driving information, as illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the camera driving information may include a shutter speed related to driving of the camera <NUM>, an ISO sensitivity, and an aperture value (F). The camera driving information may include various other parameters related to driving of the camera <NUM>. The method for operating an electronic device according to an embodiment. Described with reference to <FIG> may be performed by a processor or an ISP, for example. Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device may confirm whether or not to maintain display driving information, in operation <NUM>. If the display driving information is confirmed to be maintained (Yes in operation <NUM>), the electronic device may perform operation <NUM>. If the display driving information is confirmed to be changed (No in operation <NUM>), the electronic device may perform operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify display driving information set in a display module.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may identify the off-duty time of a duty cycle determined by the set display driving information. For example, the display driving information may include a refresh rate and a duty rate.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may change (or configure) camera driving information, based on the identified off-duty time. For example, the electronic device may change the shutter speed included in the camera driving information to be identical to or smaller than the off-duty time so as to avoid light interference of a display module occurring during the on-duty time. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, if the refresh rate included in the display driving information is <NUM>, and if the duty ratio is <NUM>%, the value of the off-duty time may be <NUM>. The electronic device may maintain the value of the off-duty time at <NUM> and may change (or configure) the camera shutter speed so as to have an identical value or a smaller value, based on <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the camera shutter speed value may be changed to <NUM>/<NUM> sec (<NUM>).

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may control driving of the camera so as to capture an image, based on the changed camera driving information. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the camera may be driven at the changed shutter speed (for example, <NUM>) during the set off-duty time (for example, <NUM>) of the duty cycle, thereby capturing an image.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may perform an operation of changing the display driving information and controlling display driving (for example, the operating method described above with reference to <FIG>). For example, the electronic device may display a UI for changing the display driving information, in operation <NUM>, and may then perform the operating method described above with reference to <FIG> in response to a user request.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, prior to performing operation <NUM> after performing operation <NUM> to operation <NUM>, the electronic device may further perform an operation of confirming whether the camera driving information set with regard to the camera needs to be changed. The electronic device may compare the set shutter speed included in the camera driving information and the off-duty time identified by the display driving information, thereby confirming whether the shutter speed value exceeds the off-duty time value. As illustrated in <FIG>, the shutter speed value (for example, <NUM>/<NUM> sec(<NUM>)) exceeds the value (for example, <NUM>) of the off-duty time identified by the display driving information, and the electronic device may thus change the camera driving information, based on the value (for example, <NUM>) of the off-duty time. For example, the electronic device may change the shutter speed value to a value (for example, <NUM>/250sec) lower than a set value (for example, <NUM>/125sec), and may change the ISO value to a value (for example, <NUM>) higher than a set value (for example, <NUM>). The electronic device may identify that a sensor light-receiving interval for image capture by the camera corresponding to the speed value (for example, <NUM>) changed by changing the shutter speed value and/or ISO value is changed to fall within the off-duty time.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device according to an embodiment may identify a screen region (for example, the screen region <NUM> in <FIG>) of a display module (for example, the display module <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) corresponding to a region in which a camera (for example, the camera <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) is disposed, and may control the refresh rate with regard to each sensor line (sensor array), thereby decreasing the refresh rate with regard to only pixels of a sensor line of the identified screen region <NUM>. For example, assuming that the refresh rate is <NUM>, the duty ratio is <NUM>%, the peripheral environment is a dark indoor environment, and the shutter speed of the camera necessary for image capture by the camera is <NUM>/120sec, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device may identify that the refresh rate needs to be changed to <NUM>, based on the shutter speed. The electronic device may change the refresh rate to <NUM> value by calculating a value corresponding to <NUM> (for example, (<NUM>/<NUM>)*<NUM>=<NUM>). Since a change in the refresh rate results in a flickering phenomenon, the electronic device may configure a low refresh rate at the set capture timing with regard to only sensor lines related to the camera, and may maintain the set refresh rate (for example, <NUM>) with regard to sensor lines in the remaining region. Accordingly, the electronic device may minimize the flickering phenomenon visible to the user's eyes.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device according to an embodiment may identify a screen region (for example, the screen region <NUM> in <FIG>) of a display module (for example, the display module <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) corresponding to a region in which a camera (for example, the camera <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) is disposed, and may control pixels of a peripheral region (for example, the peripheral region <NUM> in <FIG>) expanded from the screen region as black only when capturing an image (image capture timing), thereby increasing the off-duty time. The electronic device may control both the on-duty time and the off-duty time of the duty cycle corresponding to the image capture timing as black, based on the camera shutter speed (for example, <NUM>/60sec (<NUM>)), such that no light is emitted during these times, thereby obtaining an advantage in that, by increasing the off-duty time, the refresh rate is decreased only at the image capture timing. The electronic device may maintain the set refresh rate (for example, <NUM>) in regions other than the peripheral region <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device according to an embodiment may change the duty ratio of the duty cycle, thereby changing the off-duty time. For example, the duty ratio may be changed according to the operating method for changing display driving information described with reference to <FIG>, and camera driving may be controlled based on the changed duty ratio. For example, the electronic device may increase (or adjust) the duty ratio if the value (for example, <NUM>) of the off-duty time according to the set duty ratio (for example, <NUM>%) is equal to/larger than the value (for example, <NUM>) of the off-duty time set according to the refresh rate (for example, <NUM>), as illustrated in <FIG>. For example, the duty ratio may be set to be <NUM>% at a refresh rate of <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, and the electronic device may thus change the duty ratio to <NUM>% or higher if the refresh rate is maintained at <NUM>, thereby decreasing the off-duty time to a value of <NUM> or less.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment, a processor <NUM> of an electronic device may adjust the shutter operating image capture timing so as to conform to a fully off timepoint even during the off-duty time. The electronic device may calculate the off-duty time according to the fully off timepoint. This may require a prerequisite. For example, the prerequisite may include at least one condition among synchronization (Delay) between the off-duty time and the light-receiving operation of the camera sensor, interworking (interface) between a camera I2C signal and a refresh rate changing operation, selection of a condition (for example, maintaining display driving information or maintaining camera driving information) that is prioritized according to the situation or peripheral environment, an operation of the camera similar to shutter speed changing (shutter preferential mode), or an image capture mode that allows only a shutter speed corresponding to a specific time or longer according to the refresh rate of the display module (for example, images can be taken without restrictions in a daylight situation in which the shutter speed is sufficiently high).

According to another embodiment, depending on the display module type, the duty cycle may have a slope (for example, slow rate characteristics) at a peak (amplitude) of a light-emitting timepoint (on-duty timepoint) of a pixel and at a peak (amplitude) of a non-light-emitting timepoint (off-duty timepoint). An effective image capture timing in a fully off case may vary according to the slope in an interval in which a slope occurs during the off-duty time. The electronic device may calculate the off-duty time according to the fully off timepoint in view of the degree of the slope.

According to an embodiment, a method for operating an electronic device (for example, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>) may include an operation of identifying camera driving information set with regard to a camera disposed on a rear surface of a display module of the electronic device, an operation of identifying a shutter speed included in the set camera driving information, an operation of changing set display driving information such that the time of a non-light-emitting interval of a duty cycle of the display module is larger than the shutter speed, and an operation of controlling driving of the camera, based on the changed display driving information.

According to an embodiment, the method may further include an operation of configuring an image capture timing of the camera within the time of the non-light-emitting interval or changing the set image capture timing, and an operation of providing a synchronization signal for synchronization between the display module and the camera to each of the display module and the camera to start image capturing of the camera at the image capture timing within the non-light-emitting interval, and the synchronization signal may be generated based on information regarding the time of the non-light-emitting interval and the image capture timing.

According to an embodiment, the camera driving information may include the shutter speed, the display driving information may include at least one of a refresh rate, a duty cycle, or a duty ratio, and the method further include an operation of controlling the camera to be driven based on the identified shutter speed within the time of a non-light-emitting interval changed according to the changed display driving information, and an operation of controlling the camera not to be driven during the time of the duty cycle light-emitting interval.

According to an embodiment, the method may further include an operation of identifying whether to change or maintain the set display driving information, based on the shutter speed and the time of the non-light-emitting interval.

According to an embodiment, the operation of changing set display driving information may include an operation of identifying that the set display driving information needs to be changed and, in case that the shutter speed value is larger than the time value of the non-light-emitting interval, changing at least one of the refresh rate, the duty cycle, or the duty ratio included in the display driving information such that the time of the non-light-emitting interval is larger than the shutter speed, and the time of the non-light-emitting interval may be changed according to a change in the refresh rate.

According to an embodiment, the method may further include an operation of maintaining the set display driving information in case that the set display driving information is identified to be maintained, and changing the camera driving information, based on the set display driving information.

According to an embodiment, the method may further include an operation of identifying that the set display driving information is to be maintained and, in case that the shutter speed value is larger than the time value of the non-light-emitting interval, maintaining the set display driving information, and changing the camera driving information, based on the set display driving information.

According to an embodiment, the method may further include an operation of changing a refresh rate of pixels of a pixel line in a first region of the display corresponding to a region in which the camera is disposed, and maintaining a refresh rate of pixels of a remaining region excluding the first region to be a refresh rate included in the display driving information.

According to an embodiment, the method may further include an operation of controlling pixels in a first region of the display corresponding to a region in which the camera is disposed at a timepoint at which the image is captured and in a second region including a peripheral region of the first region as black such that the pixels in the first region and the second region do not emit light, and maintaining display driving information of pixels in a remaining region excluding the second region to be the set display driving information.

According to an embodiment, in connection with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in which one or more programs are stored, the one or more programs may include executable instructions which, when executed by a processor of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to execute the operations of identifying camera driving information set with regard to a camera disposed on a rear surface of a display module of the electronic device, identifying a shutter speed included in the set camera driving information, changing display driving information set such that the time of a non-light-emitting interval of a duty cycle of the display module is larger than the shutter speed, and controlling driving of the camera, based on the changed display driving information.

In addition, embodiments disclosed herein are presented to describe and understand disclosed technical content, and are not intended to limit the scope of technology disclosed herein. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is to be interpreted as encompassing all changed or various other embodiments based on the technical idea of the disclosure.

It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), it denotes that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used in connection with various embodiments of the disclosure, the term "module" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, "logic," "logic block," "part," or "circuitry. " A module may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions.

The term "non-transitory" simply denotes that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
display circuitry (<NUM>);
a camera (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on a rear surface of the display circuitry;
memory (<NUM>) storing instructions; and
at least one processor (<NUM>);
wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to:
identify camera driving information set with regard to the camera,
identify a shutter speed included in the camera driving information,
change set display driving information such that a time of a non-light-emitting interval of a duty cycle of the display circuitry is larger than the shutter speed, and
based on the changed display driving information, control a driving of the camera.