Electronic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021181402-A1
Application number	US-202117184665-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 25, 2021
Priority date	Aug 30, 2018
Publication date	Jun 17, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a liquid crystal panel and an illumination unit which illuminates the liquid crystal panel. The illumination unit includes a light guide comprising a first side surface, a main surface opposing the liquid crystal panel and an opening made by a notch or a through hole, a first light source opposing to the first side surface, and a second light source provided closer to the opening than to the first light source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An electronic device comprising:
a liquid crystal panel; and an illumination unit which illuminates the liquid crystal panel, the illumination unit comprising: a light guide comprising a first side surface, a main surface opposing the liquid crystal panel and an opening made by a notch or a through hole; a first light source opposing to the first side surface; and a second light source provided closer to the opening than to the first light source.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein
the second light source is smaller than the first light source.

3 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a camera overlapping the liquid crystal panel and receiving light via the liquid crystal panel, wherein the camera is provided in the opening.

4 . The device of claim 3 , further comprising:
a sensor overlapping the liquid crystal panel and sensing through the liquid crystal panel, wherein the sensor is provided in the opening.

5 . The device of claim 4 , further comprising:
a wiring substrate, wherein at least one of the camera and the sensor, and the second light source is electrically connected to the wiring substrate.

6 . The device of claim 3 , wherein
the light guide comprises a second side surface on an opposite side to the first side surface, the opening is a through hole and located between the first side surface and the second side surface, and the second light source opposes the second side surface.

7 . The device of claim 3 , wherein
the opening is a notch, and the second light source is provided in the opening.

8 . The device of claim 3 , wherein
the second light source comprises a light-emitting surface opposing the liquid crystal panel, and a normal of the light-emitting surface is inclined so as to cross a region of the liquid crystal panel, which is directly above the camera.

9 . The device of claim 8 , further comprising:
a scattering control element located between the liquid crystal panel and the second light source, wherein the scattering control element is configured to switch over between a transparent state and a scattering state.

10 . The device of claim 3 , wherein
the second light source is provided inside the camera.

11 . The device of claim 3 , wherein
the second light source is provided between the camera and the liquid crystal panel.

12 . The device of claim 11 , further comprising:
a wavelength conversion element located between the second light source and the liquid crystal panel, wherein the wavelength conversion element converts a wavelength of light from the second light source into another wavelength.

13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein
the light guide comprises a second side surface on an opposite side to the first side surface, the opening is a through hole and located between the first side surface and the second side surface, and the second light source opposes the second side surface.

14 . The device of claim 13 , further comprising:
a case incorporating the light guide therein, wherein the case comprises a first side wall and a second side wall opposing the second side surface, and the second light source is provided between the first side wall and the second side wall.

15 . The device of claim 1 , wherein
the opening is a notch, and the second light source is provided in the opening.

16 . The device of claim 15 , further comprising:
a scattering control element located between the liquid crystal panel and the second light source, wherein the scattering control element is configured to switch over between a transparent state and a scattering state.

Assignees

• Japan Display Inc

Inventors

• Ota Takashi
• Nagaoka Kazutaka
• Shibata Michihide
• Yajima Toshihiro

Classifications

• H04N23/57

  Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices · CPC title

• G02B6/0068

  Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources · CPC title

• G02B6/0051 Primary

  Diffusing sheet or layer · CPC title

• H04M1/0266

  for a display module assembly · CPC title

• G02F1/133614

  using photoluminescence, e.g. phosphors illuminated by UV or blue light · CPC title