PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10777129-B2
Application Number: US-201816148928-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Optical system and method to mimic zero-border display

Abstract:
A system and methods to extending the overall display area for a device. At or near the borders of a device, pixel pitch between adjacent pixels may be increased such that overall pixel placement may be provided closer to a border of a display of a device. In one embodiment, pixel drive circuitry may be located in the spacing between adjacent pixels. Additionally, various optical systems and techniques may be utilized to provide an appearance of a lack of a border around the display such as decreasing the size of border pixels, overdriving the border pixels, or utilizing a light pipe on a surface above the border pixels.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a display comprising:
 an array of pixels that forms an active area of the display, the array of pixels having a first size and a first pixel pitch of a first distance between adjacent pixels of the array of pixels; and 
 a plurality of pixels that forms an active border area of the display that surrounds the active area, the plurality of pixels having a second size and a second pixel pitch of a second distance between adjacent pixels of the plurality of pixels, wherein the second size is the same as the first size and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance; and 
 
 a transparent cover structure that overlaps the display, wherein the transparent cover structure has a first portion that defines a plane and overlaps the active area, wherein the transparent cover structure has a second portion that is bent out of the plane and overlaps the plurality of pixels, and wherein the second portion redirects light from the plurality of pixels. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the transparent cover structure has first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface receiving light from the array of pixels and the plurality of pixels and the second surface having a viewable area from which the light from the array of pixels and the plurality of pixels is viewable. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device defined in  claim 2 , wherein the viewable area is larger than a combined area of the array of pixels and the plurality of pixels. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device defined in  claim 2 , wherein the display further comprises:
 a passive area that includes no light generating elements. 
 
     
     
       5. The electronic device defined in  claim 4 , wherein the active border area is interposed between the active area and the passive area. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device defined in  claim 5 , wherein the viewable area extends over the passive area of the display. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the display further comprises a plurality of drive circuitry elements that provide control signals to the array of pixels and wherein the plurality of drive circuitry elements are interspersed with the plurality of pixels in the active border area. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device has a front face with a rectangular periphery and wherein the display is formed at the front face, the electronic device further comprising:
 a speaker at the front face; and 
 a camera at the front face. 
 
     
     
       9. An electronic device, comprising:
 a display comprising:
 an array of pixels that forms an active area of the display, the array of pixels having a periphery and a first pixel pitch of a first distance between adjacent pixels of the array of pixels; and 
 a plurality of pixels at the periphery of the array of pixels, the plurality of pixels having a second pixel pitch of a second distance between adjacent pixels of the plurality of pixels, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance to provide space for drive circuitry between the adjacent pixels of the plurality of pixels; and 
 
 a transparent cover structure that overlaps the display, wherein the transparent cover structure has a first surface facing the array of pixels and an opposing second surface, wherein the second surface of the transparent cover structure has a first portion that defines a plane and overlaps the active area, wherein the second surface of the transparent cover structure has a second portion that extends out of the plane and overlaps the plurality of pixels, and wherein the second portion redirects light from the plurality of pixels. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device defined in  claim 9 , wherein the display further comprises:
 a passive area that includes no light generating elements. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device defined in  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of pixels is interposed between the active area and the passive area. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device defined in  claim 10 , wherein the transparent cover structure comprises a light pipe that redirects light from at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels to a viewable area that overlaps the passive area of the display. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device defined in  claim 9 , wherein the display has a perceived active area with a first width, wherein the array of pixels and the plurality of pixels have a second width, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device defined in  claim 13 , wherein the transparent cover structure has a first surface that faces the array of pixels and the plurality of pixels and an opposing second surface with a viewable area that defines the perceived active area. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device defined in  claim 9 , wherein the second portion of the transparent cover structure comprises a light pipe. 
     
     
       16. An electronic device, comprising:
 a display comprising:
 an array of pixels that forms an active area of the display, the array of pixels having a first size and a first pixel pitch of a first distance between adjacent pixels of the array of pixels; 
 a plurality of pixels that forms an active border area of the display that surrounds the active area, the plurality of pixels having a second size and a second pixel pitch of a second distance between adjacent pixels of the plurality of pixels, wherein the second size is the same as the first size and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance; and 
 a passive area that includes no light generating elements; and 
 
 a transparent cover structure that overlaps the display, wherein the transport cover structure has first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface receiving light from the array of pixels and the plurality of pixels and the second surface having a viewable area that covers the passive area of the display. 
 
     
     
       17. The electronic device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the active border area is interposed between the active area and the passive area. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the transparent cover structure comprises a light pipe that redirects light to the viewable area over the passive area. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device defined in  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of drive circuitry elements are formed in the passive area. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device defined in  claim 19 , wherein an additional plurality of drive circuitry elements are formed in the active border area.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/150,278, filed May 9, 2016, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/251,103, filed Sep. 30, 2011, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. This application claims the benefit of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/150,278, filed May 9, 2016, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/251,103, filed Sep. 30, 2011. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to electronic displays and, more particularly, to increasing overall visible area for an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Flat panel displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, are commonly used in a wide variety of electronic devices, including such electronic devices as televisions, computers, and hand-held devices (e.g., cellular telephones, audio and video players, gaming systems, and so forth). Such display panels typically provide a flat display in a relatively thin package that is suitable for use in a variety of electronic goods. In addition, such devices typically use less power than comparable display technologies, making them suitable for use in battery-powered devices or in other contexts where it is desirable to reduce power usage. 
     Electronic displays typically include a border around the display. This border may be utilized to conceal, for example, drive circuitry used to operate the display. However, use of this border reduces the overall visible space available to display images. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to implement a system that increases the overall usable space for a display by reducing the impact of borders around the display. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     Systems and methods are disclosed that extending the overall visible display area for an electronic device. One technique for extending the overall viewable area of an electronic device includes increasing pixel pitch (i.e., the distance between adjacent pixels) in border regions of the electronic device. In this manner, drive circuitry elements may be interspersed between pixel elements of the device in the border region to increase the overall viewing area of a display of the device. Another technique may include utilizing a light pipe to transmit light generated in an active pixel area of the display of the electronic device to an area that does not generate light, for example, over the area of the display containing the drive circuitry. Further techniques may include adjusting the size and or intensity of pixels in a border region adjacent, for example, drive circuitry in an effort to extend the overall perceived display area of the electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device capable of performing the techniques disclosed herein, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  in the form of a computer, n accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in the form of a handheld device, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , with a first perceived active area, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , with a second perceived active area, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5A  is second top view of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , with a first perceived active area, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5B  is a second top view of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , with a second perceived active area, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6A  is a third top view of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , with a first perceived active area, in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6B  is a third top view of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , with a second perceived active area, in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Present embodiments relate to techniques for efficiently increasing the perceived display area of a display for an electronic device. These techniques may include increasing pixel pitch (i.e., the distance between adjacent pixels) in border regions of the electronic device and utilizing the empty space between pixels to include drive circuitry. That is, drive circuitry elements may be interspersed between pixel elements of the device in the border region of the device to increase the overall viewing area of a display of the device. 
     Another embodiment may include utilizing a light pipe to transmit light generated in an active pixel area of the display of the electronic device to an area that does not generate light. For example, light may be transmitted via the light pipe to an area of the display containing the drive circuitry. Additional embodiments may include adjusting the size and or intensity of pixels in a border region adjacent to, for example, drive circuitry, in an effort to extend the overall perceived display area of the electronic device. 
     With the foregoing in mind,  FIG. 1  represents a block diagram of an electronic device  10  employing an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display  14  employing a greater surface area as a result of, for example, reduced bordering around the display  14 . Among other things, the electronic device  10  may include the processor(s)  12 , the display  14 , memory  16 , nonvolatile storage  18 , input structures  20 , an input/output (I/O) interface  22 , network interface(s)  24 , and/or an expansion card  26 . In alternative embodiments, the electronic device  10  may include more or fewer components than those listed above 
     In general, the processor(s)  12  may govern the operation of the electronic device  10 . The processor(s)  12  may provide the processing capability to execute the operating system, programs, user and application interfaces, and any other functions of the electronic device  10 . The processor(s)  12  may include one or more microprocessors, such as one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors and/or ASICS, or some combination of such processing components. For example, the processor(s)  12  may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors, as well as graphics processors, video processors, audio processors and/or related chip sets. 
     The instructions or data to be processed by the processor(s)  12  may be stored in a computer-readable medium, such as a memory  16 . Such a memory  16  may be provided as a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or as a non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory  16  may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory  16  may store firmware for the electronic device  10  (such as a basic input/output instruction or operating system instructions), various programs, applications, or routines executed on the electronic device  10 , user interface functions, processor functions, and so forth. In addition, the memory  16  may be used for buffering or caching during operation of the electronic device  10 . 
     The components of electronic device  10  may further include other forms of computer-readable media, such as a non-volatile storage  18 , for persistent storage of data and/or instructions. The non-volatile storage  18  may include flash memory, a hard drive, or any other optical, magnetic, and/or solid-state storage media. The non-volatile storage  18  may be used, for example, to store firmware, data files, software, wireless connection information, and any other suitable data. 
     In some embodiments, based on instructions loaded into the memory  16  from the nonvolatile storage  18 , the processor(s)  12  may respond to user touch gestures input via the display  14 . The display  14  may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. Accordingly, the display  14  may be used to display various images generated by the device  10 . Additionally, in certain embodiments of the electronic device  10 , the display  14  may be provided in conjunction with touch-sensitive element, such as a touch screen, that may be used as part of the control interface for the device  10 . In this manner, the display  14  may represent one of the input structures  20  by providing interactive functionality, thus allowing a user to navigate the displayed interface by touching the display  10 . 
     Other input structures  20  may include, for example, buttons, sliders, switches, control pads, keys, knobs, scroll wheels, keyboards, mice, touchpads, and so forth. Accordingly, the input structures  20  may include various devices and/or circuitry by which user input or feedback is provided to the processor(s)  12 . For example, the input structures  20  may allow a user to navigate a displayed user interface or application interface. In this way, the displayed interface may provide interactive functionality, allowing a user to navigate the displayed interface by touching the display  10 . 
     The electronic device may also include an I/O interface  22 . The I/O interface  22  may enable the electronic device  10  to transmit data to and receive data from other electronic devices  10  and/or various peripheral devices. The I/O interface  22  may thus include ports configured to connect to a variety of external devices, such as a power source, headset or headphones, external keyboards, mice, or other electronic devices (such as handheld devices and/or computers, printers, projectors, external displays, modems, docking stations, and so forth). The I/O interface  22  may support any interface type, such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, a video port, a serial connection port, an II-EE-1394 port, and/or an Ethernet or modem port. 
     Additionally, the electronic device  10  may include a network interface  24  that may include a network controller or a network interface card (NIC). Thus, in one embodiment, the network interface  24  may be a wireless NIC providing wireless connectivity over any 802.11 standard or any other suitable wireless networking standard. The network interface  24  may allow the electronic device  10  to communicate over a network, such as a personal area network (PAN) (e.g., Bluetooth), a local area network (LAN) (e.g., Wi-Fi), a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., 3G or 4G). 
     The embodiment of the electronic device  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  may also include one or more card or expansion slots. The card slots may be configured to receive an expansion card  26  that may be used to add functionality, such as additional memory, I/O functionality, or networking capability, to the electronic device  10 . Such an expansion card  26  may connect to the device through any type of suitable connector, and may be accessed internally or external to the housing of the electronic device  10 . For example, in one embodiment, the expansion card  26  may be flash memory card, such as a SecureDigital (SD) card, mini- or microSD, CompactFlash card, Multimedia card (MMC), or the like. 
     Additionally, the electronic device  10  may also include a power source  28 . In one embodiment, the power source  28  may be one or more batteries, such as a lithium-ion polymer battery or other type of suitable battery. The battery may be user-removable or may be secured within the housing of the electronic device  10 , and may be rechargeable. Additionally, the power source  28  may include AC power, such as provided by an electrical outlet, and the electronic device  10  may be connected to the power source  28  via a power adapter. This power adapter may also be used to recharge one or more batteries of the electronic device  10 , if present. 
     One embodiment of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Specifically,  FIG. 2  illustrates the electronic device  10  in the form of a computer  30 . The computer  30  may be generally portable (such as a laptop, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a netbook, and so forth) and may be a model of a MacBook®, MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®, iMac®, Mac® mini, or Mac Pro® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. In another embodiment, the electronic device  10  may be a tablet computing device, such as an iPad® available from Apple Inc. By way of example, a laptop computer  30  is illustrated in  FIG. 3  and represents an embodiment of the electronic device  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Among other things, the computer  30  includes a housing  32 , the display  14  (such as the depicted OLED display panel), input structures  20 , and input/output interfaces  22 . In one embodiment, the input structures  20  (such as a keyboard and/or touchpad) may enable interaction with the computer  30 , such as to start, control, or operate a graphical user interface (GUI) or applications running on the computer  30 . For example, a keyboard and/or touchpad may allow a user to navigate a user interface or application interface displayed on the display  14 . Also as depicted, the computer  30  may also include various I/O interfaces  22 , such as a USB port or other ports suitable for connecting to other electronic devices. In addition, the computer  30  may include network connectivity, memory, and storage capabilities, as described with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated, the computer  30  may have a perceived active area  34  for the display  14  on which a user may perceive images as being displayed. As will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 4A-6B , techniques may be implemented in the computer  30  to increase the size of this perceived active area  34  to perceived active area  36 . That is, techniques will be discussed to generate the perceived active area  36 , effectively shrinking the border area  38  surrounding the display  14  and, thus, providing a user an effective larger display  14  area. 
     In addition to computers, such as the depicted laptop computer  30  of  FIG. 2 , the electronic device  10  may take other forms, such as the electronic handheld device  40  depicted in  FIG. 3 . It should be noted that while the depicted handheld device  40  is provided in the context of a cellular telephone, other types of handheld devices (such as media players for playing music and/or video, a camera or video recorder, personal data organizers, handheld game platforms, and/or combinations of such devices) may also be suitably provided as the electronic device  10 . Further, a suitable handheld device  40  may incorporate the functionality of more than one of these types of devices, such as a device that incorporates the functionality of two or more of a media player, a cellular phone, a gaming platform, a personal data organizer, and so forth. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the handheld device  40  is in the form of a cellular telephone that may provide various additional functionalities (such as the ability to take pictures, record audio and/or video, listen to music, play games, and so forth). Moreover, as discussed with respect to the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 , the handheld device  40  may allow a user to connect to and communicate through the Internet or through other networks, such as local or wide area networks. Additionally, the handheld device  40  also may communicate with other devices using short-range connections, such as Bluetooth and/or near field communication (NFC). By way of example, the handheld device  40  may be a model of an iPod® or iPhone® available from Apple Inc. 
     The handheld device  40  may include a display  14  that may include an OLED display panel. The display  14  may be used to display a graphical user interface (GUI), which may allows a user to interact with the handheld device  40 . For example, the GUI may include graphical elements that represent applications and functions of the electronic device such as icons  35  and/or indicators  37 . The icons  35  may be selected and/or activated via a touch screen included in the display  10 , or may be selected by a user input structure  20 , such as a wheel or button. The handheld device may further include other elements, such as a camera  39  and a speaker  41 . 
     The handheld device  40  may also include an enclosure  42  or body that protects the interior components of the handheld electronic device  40  from physical damage and shields them from electromagnetic interference. The enclosure may be formed from any suitable material such as plastic, metal or a composite material and may allow certain frequencies of electromagnetic radiation to pass through to wireless communication circuitry within the handheld device  40  to facilitate wireless communication. 
     The handheld device  40  also includes user input structures  20 , through which a user may interface with the device. Each user input structure  20  may be configured to help control a device function of the handheld device  40  when actuated. For example, in a cellular telephone implementation, one or more of the input structures  20  may be configured to invoke a “home” screen or menu to be displayed, to toggle between a sleep and a wake mode, to silence a ringer for a cell phone application, to increase or decrease a volume output, and so forth. The handheld device  40  may additionally include various I/O interfaces  22  that allow connection of the handheld device  40  to external devices. For example, one I/O interface  22  may be a port that allows the transmission and reception of data or commands between the handheld device  40  and another electronic device, such as the computer  30 . Such a port may be a proprietary port from Apple Inc. or may be an open standard I/O port. Another I/O interface  22  may include a headphone jack to allow a headset to connect to the handheld device  40 . 
     Furthermore, similar to the computer  30  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the handheld device  40  may have a perceived active area  34  for the display  14  on which a user may perceive images as being displayed. As will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 4A-6B , techniques may be implemented in the handheld device  40  to increase the size of this perceived active area  34  to perceived active area  36 . That is, techniques will be discussed to generate the perceived active area  36 , effectively shrinking the border area  38  surrounding the display  14  and, thus, providing a user an effective larger display  14  area. 
     With the foregoing discussion in mind, it may be appreciated that an electronic device  10  in either the form of a computer  30  or a handheld device  40  may be provided with a display  14  that includes an OLED display panel or layer. Such a display  14  may be utilized to display the respective operating system and application interfaces running on the electronic device  10  and/or to display data, images, or other visual outputs associated with an operation of the electronic device  10 . Furthermore, techniques to increase the perceived size of this display  14  will be discussed below. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4A , one embodiment of a display  14  for use in an electronic device  10 , as discussed above, is depicted.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of the display  14  of the electronic device  10 , which may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED). The display  14  may be made up of pixels  44  disposed in a pixel array or matrix. In such an array, each pixel  44  may be defined by the intersection of rows and columns, represented here columns  46 ,  48 , and  50 . In one embodiment, pixels  44  in column  46  may represent red pixels (i.e., pixels  44  that are used to generate red light), pixels  44  in column  48  may represent green pixels (i.e., pixels  44  that are used to generate green light), and pixels  44  in column  48  may represent blue pixels (i.e., pixels  44  that are used to generate blue light). Although only eighty one pixels  44  are shown for purposes of simplicity, it should be understood that in an actual implementation, each pixel array may include thousands, hundreds of thousands, or millions of such pixels  44 . Moreover, in some embodiments, three pixels  44  of three different colors (e.g., red, green, and blue) may be stacked atop each other rather than side-by-side. 
     Thus, as shown in the present embodiment, each pixel  44  includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED) capable of emitting light of a particular color. Each unit pixel  44  may be electrically connected drive circuitry, represented in column  52 . This drive circuitry may select any particular pixel on a given line (horizontal selection) and column (vertical selection). Thus, the drive circuitry in column  52  may operate to activate and/or provide a brightness control signal to any given pixel  44  in the array. In conjunction, as various pixels  44  are activated, an overall image is generated on the display  14 . 
     In addition to drive circuitry in column  52 , the display  14  includes an inactive border area  54 . This inactive border  54  area may correspond to a mask, which may be a dark area through which no light may be emitted. Thus, the display  14  may include an active area  56  that includes each of the pixels  44  in the array (e.g., light emitting elements), as well as a passive area  58  of the display  14  that includes no light generating elements. As such, the viewable area  60  of the display  14  (i.e., the area of the display that is illuminated to a user) corresponds to the size of the active area  56 . This is further shown in  FIG. 4A  with respect to a side view of a protective covering surface  62  that may cover the display  14  and extend to, for example, the enclosure  42  or body that protects the interior components of the handheld electronic device  40 . In one embodiment, this protective covering surface  62  may be touch screen such as a glass-based capacitive touch panel. As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the viewable area  60  corresponds to the perceived active area  34  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Past the viewable area  60 , the border  38  (i.e., non-illuminated portion of display  14 ) is present. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a technique to extend the perceived active area  34  of  FIG. 4A  to the perceived active area  36  illustrated in  FIG. 4B .  FIG. 4B  illustrates the display  14  with pixels  44  aligned in columns  46 ,  48 , and  50 , as previously discussed with respect to  FIG. 4A . Additionally,  FIG. 4B  illustrates drive circuitry, represented in column  52  and the inactive border area  54  as previously discussed with respect to  FIG. 4A . As such, the display  14  in  FIG. 4B  has an identical active area  56  and passive area  58  as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . However, the viewable area  64  of the display  14  in  FIG. 4B  differs from the viewable area  60  in  FIG. 4A . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the viewable area  64  of the display  14  (i.e., the area of the display that is illuminated to a user) covers both the pixels  44  and the drive circuitry in column  52 . This extension of the viewable area  64  with respect to viewable area  60  may be accomplished by modification of the protective covering surface  62 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the protective covering surface  62  may include a flat area  70  that extends over a portion of the pixel array. This flat area  70  may cover, for example, approximately 50%, 60%, 66%, 70%, 75% or more of the pixel array of the display  14 . Extending from this flat area  70  of the protective covering surface  62  is a light pipe  66 . The light pipe  66  may function to transport or distribute light from the pixel array across, for example, the drive circuitry area in column  52  of the display  14  to generate a perceived active area  36  corresponding to the perceived active area  36  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     In one embodiment, the light pipe  66  may extend the thickness of the protective covering surface  62  by an amount  72  equal to, for example, approximately 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 33%, 40%, 45%, 50% or more of the thickness of the protective covering surface  62  in flat area  70 . Additionally, the light pipe may extend from the flat area  70  of the protective covering surface  62  at an angle  68  of, for example, approximately 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30?, 33%, 40% or more with respect to the flat area  70 . In this manner, through the use of the light pipe  66 , the viewable area  64  of the display  14  covers both the pixels  44  and the drive circuitry in column  52 , thus generating a perceived active area  36  greater than perceived active area  34  of  FIG. 4A . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate another technique to extend the perceived active area  34  of an electronic device  10  to a perceived active area  36 .  FIG. 5A  illustrates a display  14  of the electronic device  10  that includes pixels  44  aligned in columns  46 ,  48 , and  50 , drive circuitry, represented in column  52 , and an inactive border area  54  as previously discussed with respect to  FIG. 4A . In this configuration, the display  14  of  FIG. 5A  has an active area  56 , passive area  58 , and viewable area  60  similar to those illustrated in  FIG. 4A . A technique to extend this viewable area  60  of  FIG. 5A  is illustrated in  FIG. 5B . 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a configuration of the display  14  that extends the viewable area  60  (and, thus, the perceived active area  34  of the display  14 ) of  FIG. 5A .  FIG. 5B  illustrates the display  14  with pixels  44  aligned in columns  46 ,  48 , and  50 , as previously discussed with respect to  FIG. 5A . These columns  46 ,  48 , and  50  may be separated from both the drive circuitry in column  52  and the inactive border area  54  by an active border area  84 , represented by columns  74 ,  76 ,  78 , and  80 . That is, an active area  82  includes pixels  44  aligned in columns  46 ,  48 , and  50 , while the active border area  84  includes pixels  44  intermixed with drive circuitry elements  81 . In this manner the pixel pitch (i.e., the distance between pixels) at the border area (the area of the display adjacent the drive circuitry in column  52  and the inactive border area  54 ) is increased relative to the pixel pitch of the pixels  44  in the active area  82  (i.e., a central area of the display  14  adjacent the border area) such that a pixel  44  may be spaced apart from a neighboring pixel  44  and separated therefrom by a drive circuit element. 
     In the illustrated example in  FIG. 5B , it should be noted that the equivalent of columns  46 ,  48 ,  50 , and drive circuitry column  52  are interlaced to generate columns  74 ,  76 ,  78 , and  80 . That is, red, green, and blue pixels  44  are interspersed drive circuitry elements  81 . Moreover, it is noted that during the interspersing of the pixels  44  and drive elements  81 , no pixel  44  in any of the columns  74 ,  76 ,  78 , or  80  is placed directly above, below, to the left, or to the right of a similarly colored pixel  44 . By avoiding placement of adjacent similar colored pixels  44 , undesirable visual artifacts may be minimized. Moreover, while one particular configuration of the interspersed of pixels  44  with drive circuitry elements  81  is illustrated in  FIG. 5B , it should be noted that other configurations are contemplated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , by interspersing drive circuitry in columns  74 ,  76 ,  78 , and  80  of the active border area  84 , a viewable area  86  may be generated. It should be noted that this viewable area  86  is larger than the viewable area  60  of  FIG. 5A . That is, while viewable area  60  of  FIG. 5A  corresponds to perceived active area  34  of the display  14 , the viewable area  86  of  FIG. 5B  corresponds to perceived active area  36  of the display  14 . In this manner, a user viewing the display  14  of  FIG. 5B  will perceive the display to be larger than a user viewing the display  14  of  FIG. 5A . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate an additional technique to extend the perceived active area  34  of an electronic device  10  to a perceived active area  36 .  FIG. 6A  illustrates a display  14  of the electronic device  10  that includes pixels  44  aligned in columns  46 ,  48 , and  50 , drive circuitry, represented in column  52 , and an inactive border area  54  as previously discussed with respect to  FIGS. 4A and 5A . In this configuration, the display  14  of  FIG. 6A  has an active area  56 , passive area  58 , and viewable area  60  similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 5A . A technique to extend this viewable area  60  of  FIG. 6A  is illustrated in  FIG. 6B . 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a configuration of the display  14  that extends the viewable area  60  (and, thus, the perceived active area  34  of the display  14 ) of  FIG. 6A .  FIG. 6B  illustrates the display  14  with pixels  44  aligned in columns  46 ,  48 , and  50 , as previously discussed with respect to  FIG. 6A . These columns  46 ,  48 , and  50  may be grouped into an active area  88  and a condensed active area  90 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . In one embodiment, the pixels  44  in the active area  88  are identically sized to the pixels in active area  56  of  FIG. 6A . In contrast, the pixels  44  in the condensed active area  90  may be smaller than the pixels in the active area  88  of  FIG. 6B . In one embodiment, the pixels  44  in the condensed active area  90  may be equal to, for example, approximately 20%, 25%, 30%, 33%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75% the size of the pixels  44  in the active area  88  of  FIG. 6B . In addition, the pixels  44  in the condensed active area  90  of  FIG. 6B  may be driven at a greater intensity than the pixels  44  in the active area  88 . For example, the pixels  44  in the condensed active area  90  may driven at an intensity equal to approximately 110%, 120%, 125%, 130%, 133%, 140%, 145%, 150%, 160%, 170%, 175%, 200%, 250%, or 300% of the intensity that the pixels  44  in the active area  88  of  FIG. 6B  are driven. That is, the pixels  44  in the condensed active area  90  (i.e., a border area of the display  14  adjacent the drive circuitry) may be sized differently and driven differently than pixels  44  in the active area  88  (i.e., a central area of the display  14  adjacent the border area). 
     Accordingly, through the use of smaller pixels  44  driven at a greater intensity in the condensed active area  90 , viewable area  92  may be generated. It should be noted that this viewable area  92  is larger than the viewable area  60  of  FIG. 6A . That is, while viewable area  60  of  FIG. 5A  corresponds to perceived active area  34  of the display  14 , the viewable area  92  of  FIG. 5B  corresponds to perceived active area  36  of the display  14 . In this manner, a user viewing the display  14  of  FIG. 6B  will perceive the display to be larger than a user viewing the display  14  of  FIG. 6A . 
     The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments ay be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20181001
Publication Date: 20200915
Grant Date: 20200915
Priority Date: 20110930
Inventors: RAPPOPORT, BENJAMIN MARK
ROTHKOPF, FLETCHER R.
TERNUS, JOHN PATRICK
DRZAIC, PAUL STEPHEN
MYERS, SCOTT ANDREW
LYNCH, STEPHEN BRIAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G09G3/20", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2310/0232", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/0408", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2320/0233", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/0408", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/3225", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/0439", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2310/0232", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/0465", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2320/0233", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/20", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/0465", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L27/326", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2310/0232", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/0408", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/0439", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2320/0233", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/3225", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/0465", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/20", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10K59/353", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10K59/121", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10K59/352", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10K59/121", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10K59/875", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47143271