TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of display screen,
and more particularly, to a terminal screen, a control method thereof and a terminal.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The mobile phone industry has a higher and higher pursuit for screen-to-body ratios
(i.e. the ratio of the viewing screen area to the casing or body areas in a front
view), expecting to produce mobile phones with the screen-to-body ratio approaching
100%.
[0003] The difficulty in increasing the screen-to-body ratio of a mobile phone lies in how
to reasonably dispose the functional devices (e.g., a camera, an earphone, a light
sensor, a distance sensor and a fingerprint sensor, etc.) on a front panel of the
mobile phone to maximize the screen-to-body ratio. Currently, most solutions adopted
by the industry are to design the screen of the mobile phone into a special-shaped
screen structure. For example, a notch is formed in the top of the screen of the mobile
phone. Then, the above-mentioned functional devices are disposed on the front panel
at the notch.
[0004] Although the screen-to-body ratio of the special-shaped screen is increased to some
extent, there still exists a significant problem that due to the notch, the display
content in the screen is partially absent accordingly, leading to poor integrity.
SUMMARY
[0005] The embodiments of the present invention provide a terminal screen, a control method
thereof and a terminal. The technical solutions are as follow.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal
screen, comprising: a substrate and a display layer on the substrate. The display
layer comprises a main display area and n auxiliary display areas, and n is a positive
integer. The main display area and an i-th auxiliary display area in the n auxiliary
display areas have different manufacturing attributes, and i is a positive integer
that is less than or equal to n.
[0007] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided
a terminal (terminal device) comprising the terminal screen in the first aspect or
provided by any optional design in the first aspect.
[0008] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided
a terminal, comprising a terminal screen, wherein
the terminal screen comprises a substrate and a display layer on the substrate. The
display layer comprises a main display area and an auxiliary display area, light transmittance
performance of the auxiliary display area is superior to that of the main display
area. A functional device is disposed below the auxiliary display area.
[0009] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided
a control method of a terminal screen, configured to control the terminal screen in
the first aspect or provided by any optional design in the first aspect. The method
comprises: sending a first synchronizing signal to the main display area and a second
synchronizing signal to the auxiliary display area, the first synchronizing signal
and the second synchronizing signal being configured to control the main display area
and the auxiliary display area to simultaneously display the same content.
[0010] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided
a terminal comprising the terminal screen in the first aspect or provided by any optional
design in the first aspect. The terminal further comprises: a processor; and a memory
for storing instructions executable by the processor. The processor is configured
to: send a first synchronizing signal to the main display area and a second synchronizing
signal to the auxiliary display area, the first synchronizing signal and the second
synchronizing signal being configured to control the main display area and the auxiliary
display area to simultaneously display the same content.
[0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following
detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory, and do not limit the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together
with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a terminal screen in accordance with an aspect of the
invention;
FIG. 2A shows a schematic view of a pixel distribution pattern of a main display area;
FIG. 2B shows a schematic view of a pixel distribution pattern of an auxiliary display
area;
FIG. 3A shows a schematic view of another pixel distribution pattern of a main display
area;
FIG. 3B shows a schematic view of another pixel distribution pattern of an auxiliary
display area;
FIG. 4 shows an example schematic view of a first position relationship of a main
display area and an auxiliary display area;
FIG. 5 shows an example schematic view of a first position relationship of a main
display area and an auxiliary display area;
FIG. 6 shows an example schematic view of a second position relationship of a main
display area and an auxiliary display area;
FIG. 7 shows an example schematic view of a third position relationship of a main
display area and an auxiliary display area;
FIG. 8 shows an example schematic view of a fourth position relationship of a main
display area and an auxiliary display area;
FIG. 9A shows an example schematic view of a first position relationship of a main
display area and an auxiliary display area;
FIG. 9B shows an example schematic view of a first position relationship of a main
display area and an auxiliary display area;
FIG. 9C shows an example schematic view of a first position relationship of a main
display area and an auxiliary display area;
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a terminal in accordance with an aspect of the invention;
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control device of a terminal screen in accordance
with an aspect of the invention; and
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a structure of a terminal in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to
the accompanying drawings in which the same numbers in different drawings represent
the same or similar elements unless otherwise represented. The implementations set
forth in the following description of exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations
consistent with the present invention. Instead, they are merely examples of devices
and methods consistent with aspects related to the invention as recited in the appended
claims.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a terminal screen in accordance with an aspect of the
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal screen may comprise a substrate 10 and
a display layer 20 arranged on the substrate 10.
[0015] The display layer 20 is configured to realize a display function of the terminal
screen. In the embodiment of the present invention, the display layer 20 comprises
a main display area 21 and n auxiliary display areas 22, wherein n is a positive integer.
Both of the main display area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22 have a display
function. There may be one or a plurality of auxiliary display areas 22. In FIG. 1,
there is one auxiliary display area 22 for schematic illustration.
[0016] In the embodiment of the present invention, the display layer 20 comprises the main
display area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22, which are two different display
areas but are an integral whole in physical structure. That is, the display layer
20 is of an integral structure and is not divided into a plurality of independent
constituent portions.
[0017] If the display area 20 comprises a plurality of independent constituent portions,
which are spliced to form the display layer 20, there inevitably exit certain clearances
in splicing positions, which finally results in clearances between the display content
of the constituent portions. Consequently, the display content of the whole display
layer 20 may not be an integral whole or clearance-free.
[0018] However, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the main display area
21 and the auxiliary display area 22 are an integral whole in physical structure and
have no clearances therebetween, there will be no clearances between the display content
of the main display area 21 and the display content of the auxiliary display area
22. Thus, the display content of the whole display layer 20 is an integral whole and
clearance-free.
[0019] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the content displayed in
the main display area 21 or the auxiliary display area 22 is not limited. For example,
the main display area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22 may display different portions
of the same user interface, and the display content of the two are an integral whole
and clearance-free, bringing a better full-screen experience for a user.
[0020] In the embodiment of the present invention, the main display area 21 and an i-th
auxiliary display area in the n auxiliary display areas 22 have different manufacturing
attributes, wherein i is a positive integer that is less than or equal to n.
[0021] When the display layer 20 comprises one auxiliary display area 22, the main display
area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22 have different manufacturing attributes.
[0022] When the display layer 20 comprises a plurality of auxiliary display areas 22, the
main display area 21 may have different manufacturing attributes from any one of the
auxiliary display areas 22 and may also have different manufacturing attributes from
a plurality of auxiliary display areas 22. For example, the main display area 21 may
have different manufacturing attributes from each auxiliary display area 22. In addition,
the plurality of auxiliary display areas 22 may have the same or different manufacturing
attributes.
[0023] In the embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing attribute may include
physical attribute formed during manufacturing. Optionally, the manufacturing attribute
may include but not limited to at least one of resolution, light transmittance performance,
pixel features and manufacturing processes.
[0024] For example, the manufacturing attribute may include resolution. Optionally, the
resolution of the main display area 21 is higher than that of the i-th auxiliary display
area. The "resolution" involved in the embodiment of the present invention may also
be called display resolution or screen resolution, which is an index for representing
the number of pixels that may be displayed by a screen. For example, the resolution
of the main display area 21 is 400 ppi (pixels per inch), and the resolution of the
i-th auxiliary display area is only 100 ppi or even lower. Under an extreme condition,
the i-th auxiliary display area may only have one pixel. That is, each frame of the
i-th auxiliary display area may only display a color block formed by a single color
or RGB mixing.
[0025] In another example, the manufacturing attribute may include light transmittance performance.
The light transmittance performance of the main display area 21 is different from
that of the i-th auxiliary display area. For example, after the same light passes
through the main display area 21 and the i-th auxiliary display area, emergent light
is different in wavelength, amplitude or phase position. Optionally, when the light
transmittance performance represents the medium-passing capability of light, the light
transmittance performance of the main display area 21 is poorer than that of the i-th
auxiliary display area. The light transmittance performance may be represented by
light transmittance which is the percentage of flux of light passing through a medium
(e.g., the main display area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22 in the embodiment
of the present invention) to incident light flux. The light transmittance may also
be called transmittance. Optionally, the i-th auxiliary display area has the light
transmittance greater than 30%. Alternatively, the i-th auxiliary display area has
the light transmittance greater than 40%. Alternatively, the i-th auxiliary display
area has the light transmittance greater than 50%. Under a possible condition, the
i-th auxiliary display area is completely transparent, that is, the light transmittance
of the i-th auxiliary display area is 100%.
[0026] In another example, the manufacturing attribute comprises pixel features. The pixel
features may include physical features of a pixel formed in the display layer 20 and
comprises but not limited to at least one of pixel size, pixel distribution density
and pixel distribution pattern.
[0027] In a possible implementation, the main display area 21 and the i-th auxiliary display
area have the same pixel distribution pattern, and at least one dummy pixel exists
in the i-th auxiliary display area. For example, FIG. 2A illustrates a pixel distribution
pattern of the main display area 21. FIG. 2B illustrates a pixel distribution pattern
of the i-th auxiliary display area. It can be seen from FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B that the
pixel distribution patterns of the two are the same, and some dummy pixels (e.g.,
pixels with shadows in FIG. 2B) exist in the i-th auxiliary display area. In one case,
the dummy pixel may be a luminous pixel with luminous power weaker than that of a
normal pixel.
[0028] In another case, the dummy pixel may be a non-luminous pixel. Exemplarily, an implementation
mode of the dummy pixel comprises but not limited to at least one of the followings:
the dummy pixel is free from an access circuit, the dummy pixel is free from a driver
TFT (Thin Film Transistor), and the dummy pixel is free from or is short of a material
or a manufacturing layer for light emitting. For example, for an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting
Diode) screen, a pixel definition layer (PLD) may be sealed in a certain pixel area,
such that the pixel area is implemented as a non-luminous dummy pixel. When the main
display area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22 have the same pixel distribution
pattern, process production of the display layer 20 becomes easier.
[0029] In another possible implementation, the main display area 21 and the i-th auxiliary
display area have different pixel distribution patterns. For example, FIG. 3A illustrates
a pixel distribution pattern of the main display area 21. FIG. 3B illustrates a pixel
distribution pattern of the i-th auxiliary display area. It can be seen from FIG.
3A and FIG. 3B that the pixel distribution patterns of the two are different. When
the main display area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22 have different pixel distribution
patterns, process production of the display layer 20 becomes more complicated. However,
if the main display area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22 have different pixel
distribution patterns but the same pixel size and pixel distribution density, the
main display area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22 are closer in light transmittance
and display brightness. Thus, the display effect is enhanced.
[0030] In another example, the manufacturing attribute comprises manufacturing processes.
The manufacturing processes mean process steps adopted for manufacturing the display
layer 20. Optionally, the manufacturing process of the i-th auxiliary display area
is that a certain/some process steps is/are added, reduced or modified on the basis
of the manufacturing process of the main display area 21. In an example, to make the
light transmittance of the i-th auxiliary display area be greater than that of the
main display area 21, some process steps may be added. A material that adversely affects
the light transmittance in the i-th auxiliary display area is removed. Some transparent
materials are appropriately added. Thus, the i-th auxiliary display area and the main
display area 21 are the same in thickness but different in light transmittance.
[0031] In addition, the main display area 21 has a color display function. Any one (e.g.,
the i-th auxiliary display area) of the auxiliary display areas 22 may have a monochrome
display function and may also have a color display function. When the auxiliary display
area 22 has the monochrome display function, the whole auxiliary display area 22 may
only present one color at the same time and may present different colors at different
time. When the auxiliary display area 22 has the color display function, the whole
auxiliary display area 22 may present various different colors at the same time. For
example, part of pixels are red and the other part of the pixels are brown.
[0032] Optionally, functional devices are disposed below the auxiliary display area 22.
The functional devices comprise but not limited to at least one of following hardware
units: a camera, an earphone, a light sensor, a distance sensor, a biosensor, an environmental
sensor, a food safety detection sensor, a health sensor and an optical transmitter.
Here, the camera is configured to play a picture shooting role, e.g., a common camera,
an infrared camera, a depth camera, etc. The earphone is configured to achieve a sound
playing function. The light sensor is configured to acquire the intensity of ambient
light. The distance sensor is configured to acquire the distance of an object in front.
The biosensor is configured to identify a biological feature of the user, e.g., a
fingerprint recognition sensor, an iris recognition sensor, etc. The environmental
sensor is configured to acquire environmental information, e.g., a temperature sensor,
a humidity sensor, a gas pressure sensor, etc. The food safety detection sensor is
configured to detect indexes of some harmful substances in food, e.g., an optical
sensor, a biometric sensor, etc. The health sensor is configured to acquire health
information of the user, e.g., a sensor for acquiring heart rate, blood pressure,
heartbeat or other human body data of the user. The optical transmitter is a functional
device for transmitting light, e.g., an infrared transmitter or some transmitters
for transmitting other light.
[0033] One or a plurality of functional devices may be disposed below the auxiliary display
area 22. For example, a camera and a distance sensor are disposed below a certain
auxiliary display area 22. In addition, when the display layer 20 comprises a plurality
of auxiliary display areas 22, the above-mentioned function devices may or may not
be disposed below some auxiliary display areas 22, and the same or different functional
devices may be disposed below two different auxiliary display areas 22. For example,
the camera and the distance sensor are disposed below one auxiliary display area 22,
and a fingerprint recognition sensor is disposed below another auxiliary display area
22.
[0034] Optionally, the n auxiliary display areas 22 include at least one of the followings:
- 1. a first auxiliary display area 22a arranged in a notch portion formed in an edge
at the top of the main display area 21, as shown in FIG. 4;
- 2. a second auxiliary display area 22b arranged in a notch portion formed in an edge
on the left side of the main display area 21, as shown in FIG. 5;
- 3. a third auxiliary display area 22c arranged in a notch portion formed in an edge
on the right side of the main display area 21, as shown in FIG. 6;
- 4. a fourth auxiliary display area 22d arranged in a notch portion formed in an edge
at the bottom of the main display area 21, as shown in FIG. 7; and
- 5. a fifth auxiliary display area 22e arranged in a notch portion formed in the middle
of the main display area 21, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0035] It should be noted that the types of the auxiliary display areas 22 in the display
area 20 may be designed in accordance with actual needs. For example, the display
layer 20 may only comprise the first auxiliary display area. Such functional devices
as a camera and a distance sensor are disposed below the first auxiliary display area.
For another example, the display layer 20 may comprise the first auxiliary display
area, the second auxiliary display area and the third auxiliary display area. Wherein
the camera and the distance sensor are disposed below the first auxiliary display
area. The light sensor is disposed below the second auxiliary display area. The environmental
sensor is disposed below the third auxiliary display area. For another example, the
display area 20 may comprise the first auxiliary display area and the fourth auxiliary
display area. The camera and the distance sensor are disposed below the first auxiliary
display area. The fingerprint recognition sensor is disposed below the fourth auxiliary
display area. For another example, the display layer 20 may comprise the first auxiliary
display area and the fifth auxiliary display area. The camera and the distance sensor
are disposed below the first auxiliary display area. The fingerprint recognition sensor
is disposed below the fifth auxiliary display area. The above description is merely
exemplary and explanatory, and is not intended to limit the technical solutions of
the present invention.
[0036] Considering that there usually exists a limited space below an edge portion of the
terminal screen, if the auxiliary display area 22 is located at a notch portion formed
in an edge of the main display area 21, some functional devices in relatively smaller
sizes are more suitable for being disposed below the auxiliary display area 22. If
the auxiliary display area 22 is located at a notch portion formed in the middle of
the main display area 21, some functional devices in relatively greater sizes are
more suitable for being disposed below the auxiliary display area 22. In practice,
the position of the auxiliary display area 22 may be reasonably designed in accordance
with the functional devices required to be disposed in the terminal, such that enough
space may be provided for the functional devices and a use habit of the user is met
better.
[0037] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present invention, the cross-section
shape of the auxiliary display area 22 is not limited, which may be regular shapes
such as a rectangle, a rounded rectangle, a circle, etc., and may also be irregular
shapes such as a water drop, an arc, etc.
[0038] In addition, as shown in FIGs. 4-8, the embodiments merely take that a notch portion
is formed in an edge or in the middle of the main display area 21 and the auxiliary
display area 22 is arranged at the notch portion as an example for explanation. In
some other possible embodiments, the main display area 21 may be free from a notch
portion. The auxiliary display area 22 may be arranged beside a certain side edge
of the main display area 21 and is in close connection with the main display area
21. Or, the display layer 20 may comprise not only the auxiliary display area 22 at
the notch portion formed in the main display area 21 but also the auxiliary display
area 22 arranged beside a certain side edge of the main display area 21.
[0039] FIG. 9A-9C illustrate several possible position relationships between the main display
area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22. In FIG. 9A, the main display area 21 has
a rectangular shape and is disposed below the auxiliary display area 22. In FIG. 9B,
there are two auxiliary display areas 22 disposed at the top and bottom of the terminal
device. In FIG. 9C, the terminal device has a round display screen including an auxiliary
display area 22 near the upper edge and the main display area 21 below the auxiliary
display area 22.
[0040] Optionally, the terminal screen is in a regular shape which comprises at least one
of a rectangle, a rounded rectangle, and a circle. Certainly, in some other possible
embodiments, the terminal screen may be in an irregular shape, which will not be limited
by the present invention.
[0041] In addition, the substrate 10 may comprise a first substrate area arranged below
the main display area 21 and n second substrate areas arranged below the n auxiliary
display areas 22 respectively. Wherein a projection area of the main display area
21 on the substrate 10 is the first substrate area, a projection area of any auxiliary
display area 22 on the substrate 10 is the second substrate area that corresponds
to the auxiliary display area 22.
[0042] In a possible implementation, the first substrate area and the n second substrate
areas are made of the same material. That is, the substrate 10 is an entire board
made of the same material. For example, the substrate 10 may be made of glass or PI.
[0043] In another possible implementation, the first substrate area and at least one second
substrate area are made of different materials. For example, the first substrate area
and a j-th second substrate area in the n second substrate areas are made of different
materials, wherein j is a positive integer that is less than or equal to n. Exemplarily,
the first substrate area is made of PI, and the j-th second substrate area is made
of glass. Glass has better light transmittance than PI. However, glass is a hard material
and is inflexible while a flexible screen may be made by PI. By adoption of the above
mode, since the first substrate area that corresponds to the main display area 21
is made of PI, most area of the terminal screen is bendable to realize the design
of the flexible screen. Further, since the second substrate area that corresponds
to the auxiliary display area 22 is made of glass with better light transmittance,
such light-sensitive devices as the camera and the sensor, disposed below the auxiliary
display area 22, are better in working performance.
[0044] Certainly, in some other implementations, the first substrate area may be made of
glass with a first attribute, and the j-th second substrate area is made of glass
with a second attribute. The first attribute and the second attribute are two different
attributes. For example, the glass with the first attribute and the glass with the
second attribute have different glass fiber components. Or, the first substrate area
may be made of PI with a third attribute, and the j-th second substrate area is made
of PI with a fourth attribute, wherein the third attribute and the fourth attribute
are two different attributes. For example, PI with the third attribute is yellow PI,
and PI with the fourth attribute is color PI. The light transmittance performance
of the color PI is superior to that of the yellow PI.
[0045] It should be noted that the substrate 10 of the terminal screen is of an integrated
structure. That is, the main display area and the auxiliary display area are formed
on the same substrate. If the first substrate area and the second substrate area are
made of the same material, the substrate 10 is an entire plate made of the same material.
If the first substrate area and the second substrate area are made of different materials,
the first substrate area and the second substrate area may be spliced without seams
by a relevant process to form the substrate 10 of the integrated structure.
[0046] In addition, the display layer 20 is usually controlled by a driver IC. In an example,
the main display area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22 share the same driver IC.
For example, the driver IV may be divided into two portions, one for driving the main
display area 21 and the other for driving the auxiliary display area 22. In another
example, the main display area 21 and the auxiliary display area 22 use different
driver ICs. For example, the terminal screen comprises two driver ICs, one for driving
the main display area 21, and the other for driving the auxiliary display area 22.
Besides, when the display layer 20 comprises a plurality of auxiliary display areas
22, the plurality of auxiliary display areas 22 may share the same driver IC, and
may also use different driver ICs, which will not be limited by the present invention.
[0047] Besides, the terminal screen may further comprise a touch sensitive layer and a glass
cover plate besides the substrate 10 and the display layer 20 described above. The
touch sensitive layer is arranged on the display layer 20, and the glass cover plate
is arranged on the touch sensitive layer. The touch sensitive layer is configured
to achieve a touch sensitive function, for example, to detect such operations as clicking,
sliding and pressing of a finger of the user. The glass cover plate is configured
to protect the terminal screen so as to prolong its service life.
[0048] The terminal screen provided by the embodiment of the present invention may be an
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen or an OLED screen. When being the OLED screen,
the terminal screen may be a flexible screen or an inflexible screen.
[0049] When the terminal screen is the LCD screen, the display layer 20 may comprise a TFT
array, a liquid crystal layer and a CF (Color Filter) which are sequentially arranged
from bottom to top. The substrate arranged below the display layer 20 may be made
of glass and called a lower substrate. Usually, an upper substrate which may also
be made of glass is further disposed above the display layer 20. Besides, a lower
polaroid may also be disposed below the lower substrate, and an upper polaroid may
also be disposed on the upper substrate. Besides, the LCD screen further comprises
a backlight module arranged below the lower polaroid.
[0050] When the terminal screen is the OLED screen, the display layer 20 may comprise an
ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) anode, a hole transport layer, an organic light-emitting layer,
an electron transport layer and a metal cathode which are sequentially arranged from
bottom to top. The substrate arranged below the display layer 20 may be made of glass,
plastic, a metal foil or other materials.
[0051] Certainly, the above description about a layered structure of the LCD screen and
the OLED screen is merely exemplary and explanatory, and is not intended to limit
the technical solutions of the present invention.
[0052] In an example, taking a rigid AMOLED (Active-matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode)
screen as an example, a production process of the rigid AMOLED may include the following
steps: preparing a substrate, for example, a glass substrate with excellent light
transmittance (e.g., greater than 90%); forming a display layer that includes a plurality
of functional layers on the substrate, for example, forming an insulating layer and
a flattening layer on the whole surface of the substrate first, and then, sequentially
forming an anode, a pixel definition layer, a hole injection layer, a hole transport
layer, an electron excitation layer (including a plurality of layers to form different
colors), an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer and a cathode; and
finally, performing a package process to form the AMOLED screen. To produce the AMOLED
screen that includes a main display area and an auxiliary display area according to
the embodiment of the present invention, a relevant operation needs to be performed
in the position, where the auxiliary display area is located, of a screen body. For
example, during production of the cathode in the auxiliary display area, a cathode
material with high light transmittance, e.g., a transparent ITO material, is selected.
During production, the whole AMOLED screen (including the main display area and the
auxiliary display area) may be made from the above-mentioned cathode material with
high light transmittance.
[0053] Alternatively, only the auxiliary display area is made from the cathode material
with high light transmittance, but the main display area is still made from a traditional
cathode material with low light transmittance. If the main display area and the auxiliary
display area are made from different cathode materials, a cathode of the main display
area may be generated first (at this time, the auxiliary display area is shielded).
After that, a cathode of the auxiliary display area is generated (at this time, the
main display area is shielded). The production process of the cathode includes but
not limited to at least one of evaporation, coating, spray printing and sputtering.
Certainly, the production process of the rigid AMOLED screen, introduced above, is
merely exemplary and explanatory. The forgoing technological processes may be increased,
reduced or adjusted in accordance with actual conditions to meet actual production
demands. In addition, the above introduction only takes the technological production
processes of the rigid AMOLED screen as an example for explanation. On the basis of
the content provided by the embodiment of the present invention, it is obvious for
those skilled in the art to expand the foregoing technological processes by professional
knowledge to obtain technological production processes of a flexible AMOLED screen,
other OLED screens or an LCD screen. It should be understood that during forming of
the main display area and the auxiliary display area, part of the functional layers
may be synchronously formed on the integrated substrate without processing the main
display area and the auxiliary display area differently.
[0054] To sum up, in the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present invention,
the display layer of an integrated structure is disposed on the substrate and divided
into the main display area and the auxiliary display area by the manufacturing process.
The main display area and the auxiliary display area have different manufacturing
attributes. Since both the main display area and the auxiliary display area have a
display function and no splicing clearances exists therebetween, the display content
of the main display area and the auxiliary display area may be an integral whole and
free from such defects as incompleteness and clearance. Besides, compared with a special-shaped
screen, the terminal screen has the advantage that the screen-to-body ratio is further
increased to be closer to or even reach 100%.
[0055] In addition, as such functional devices as the camera, the light sensor and the fingerprint
recognition sensor may be disposed below the auxiliary display area, the functional
devices that occupy the space of the front panel of the terminal are disposed below
the screen. Thus, the space of the front panel of the terminal is maximally released,
increasing the screen-to-body ratio. Further, by adopting that the light transmittance
of the auxiliary display area is greater than that of the main display area, such
light-sensitive functional devices as the camera and the light sensor arranged below
the auxiliary display area can work normally, maximally guaranteeing the working performance
of the functional devices.
[0056] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention further discloses a terminal, which
may be such electronic devices as a mobile phone, a tablet PC, an e-book reader, a
multimedia player, a wearable device and a vehicle-mounted terminal. The terminal
comprises the terminal screen provided by the embodiment of FIG. 1 or any of the above
optional embodiments.
[0057] In an example, as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal 1 comprises a terminal screen, which
comprises a substrate (not shown) and a display layer 20 arranged on the substrate.
Optionally, a touch sensitive layer and a glass cover plate may be further disposed
on the display layer 20.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 10 the display layer 20 comprises a main display area 21 and an
auxiliary display area 22. FIG. 10 only takes that the display layer 20 comprises
one auxiliary display area 22 arranged in a notch portion formed in an edge at the
top of the main display area, and the auxiliary display area 22 and the main display
area 21 together form the display layer 20 of which a cross-section is in the shape
of a rounded rectangle as an example. Referring to the forgoing embodiments for other
design solutions of the auxiliary display area 22 and the main display area 21, which
will not be repeated by embodiments.
[0059] The light transmittance performance of the auxiliary display area 22 is superior
to that of the main display area 21. For example, the light transmittance of the auxiliary
display area 22 is greater than that of the main display area 21. Optionally, the
light transmittance of the auxiliary display area 22 is greater than 30% to meet normal
working demands of the functional devices. In practice, an appropriate material, process
or pixel distribution pattern may be selected in accordance with requirements of the
functional devices on light transmittance to produce the auxiliary display area 22
that conforms to the forgoing requirement on the light transmittance. Optionally,
as technology advances, the light transmittance of the auxiliary display area 22 may
reach or approach 100%.
[0060] Functional devices (not shown) are disposed below the auxiliary display area 22.
The functional devices comprise but not limited to at least one of a camera, an earphone,
a light sensor, a distance sensor, a biosensor, an environmental sensor, food safety
detection sensor, a health sensor and an optical transmitter. Referring to the text
above for the description of each functional device, which will not be repeated herein.
In an example, the camera, the earphone, the light sensor and the distance sensor
are disposed below the auxiliary display area 22.
[0061] Moreover, in consideration of a relatively short distance between the display layer
20 and the substrate 10, for example, a distance of only 0.1 mm between the display
layer 20 and the substrate 10, it is impossible that the functional devices are disposed
between the display layer 20 and the substrate 10. Optionally, the functional devices
are disposed below the substrate 10. That is, the functional devices and the terminal
screen are stacked. The functional devices are located below the terminal screen without
occupying the space of the terminal screen. Certainly, in some possible examples,
the functional devices that are relatively thin in thickness may be disposed between
the display layer 20 and the substrate 10, which will not be limited by the present
invention.
[0062] In addition, there is no hole in the terminal screen provided by the embodiment of
the present invention. That is, no hole exits in the main display area 21 or the auxiliary
display area 22. Since such functional devices as the camera and the sensor may be
disposed below the terminal screen, no hole needs to be formed in the terminal screen
to place these functional devices. Besides, since the manufacturing attribute of the
auxiliary display area 22 is different from that of the main display area 21, the
functional devices disposed below the terminal screen may work normally so long as
the manufacturing attribute of the auxiliary display area 22 is reasonably designed
to ensure that the light transmittance of the auxiliary display area 22 meets the
normal working demands instead of forming a hole in the terminal screen to improve
the light-transmitting performance. Thus, the display content of neither the main
display area 21 nor the auxiliary display area 22 may be incomplete due to hole forming.
Taking the terminal screen illustrated by FIG. 1 as an example, since the whole display
layer 20 formed by combining the main display area 21 with the auxiliary display area
22 has a rectangular section, the display content of the whole display layer 20, formed
by combining the display content of the main display area 21 with the display content
of the auxiliary display area 22, is a rectangular picture in which neither incompleteness
nor clearance exits due to hole forming.
[0063] It should be noted that in the terminal screen provided by the present invention,
the whole auxiliary display area 22 has the ability to display. However, in some specific
situations, a certain portion of or the whole auxiliary display area 22 may be controlled
not to display. That is, whether the auxiliary display area 22 displays the content
and the content is displayed in or not in which portion of the auxiliary display area
may be flexibly controlled in accordance with actual demands.
[0064] In addition, the terminal may comprise one terminal screen described by the present
invention, or a plurality of terminal screens described by the present invention,
or one or a plurality of terminal screens described by the present invention and one
or a plurality of conventional terminal screens, which will not be limited by the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0065] According to the terminal provided by the embodiment of the present invention, such
functional devices as the camera, the light sensor and the fingerprint recognition
sensor are disposed below the auxiliary display area, so that these functional devices
that occupy the space of a front panel of the terminal are disposed below the screen,
maximally releasing the space of the front panel of the terminal and increasing the
screen-to-body ratio. If the terminal screen has a border, only the border will reduce
the screen-to-body ratio to some extent. If the terminal screen does not have a border,
the screen-to-body ratio may reach 100%, realizing a full screen in its true sense.
[0066] Further, as the light transmittance of the auxiliary display area is designed to
be greater than that of the main display area, such light-sensitive functional devices
as the camera and the light sensor arranged below the auxiliary display area can work
normally, maximally guaranteeing the working performance of the functional devices.
[0067] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention further provides a control method
of a terminal screen, which is used for controlling the terminal screen provided by
the embodiment of FIG. 1 or any of the above optional embodiments. The method may
be executed by a driver IC of the terminal screen, or a processor in a terminal, or
executed through interaction and cooperation between a plurality of components with
the processing capacity in the terminal. The method comprises the following steps:
sending a first synchronizing signal to the main display area and a second synchronizing
signal to the auxiliary display area.
[0068] The first synchronizing signal and the second synchronizing signal are configured
to control the main display area and the auxiliary display area to simultaneously
display the same content. The same content may also be called the same display or
the same frame. Since the main display area and the auxiliary display area are respectively
controlled by two different driver ICs or different portions of the same driver IC,
when the main display area and the auxiliary display area need to display different
portions of the same content, frame synchronization between the main display area
and the auxiliary display area needs to be ensured, so as to prevent the main display
area and the auxiliary display area from displaying different frames and adversely
affecting a display effect thereof.
[0069] By adoption of the terminal screen provided by the embodiment of the present invention,
the display contents of the main display area and the auxiliary display area are combined
to form a complete display content. The complete display content is equivalent to
a complete display content that may be displayed by another terminal screen, which
has the same size and shape as this terminal screen but is not divided into the main
display area and the auxiliary display area. However, owing to high light transmittance
of the auxiliary display area, some functional devices may be disposed below the auxiliary
display area, and their normal working performance is guaranteed. Thus, the functional
devices that originally need to be disposed on the front panel of the terminal may
be disposed below the terminal screen without sacrificing the display quality of the
terminal screen. Accordingly, the screen-to-body ratio of the terminal screen may
be closer to or even reach 100%.
[0070] Optionally, the method further comprises the following steps: sending a first color
parameter that corresponds to a first color to the main display area in accordance
with the first color required to be displayed by a first pixel in the main display
area; and sending a second color parameter that corresponds to a second color to the
auxiliary display area in accordance with the second color required to be displayed
by a second pixel in the auxiliary display area.
[0071] The first pixel may be any pixel in the main display area. The second pixel may be
any pixel in the auxiliary display area. Since the main display area and the auxiliary
display area have different manufacturing attributes, when the main display area and
the auxiliary display area present the same color effect, the employed color parameters
may also be different. The color parameter may comprise the value of each color component
of R, G and B. Through the above mode, the first color parameter and second color
parameter are respectively provided for the main display area and the auxiliary display
area. When the first color and the second color are the same, a color effect presented
by the first pixel in accordance with the first color parameter is the same as a color
effect presented by the second pixel in accordance with the second color parameter,
thereby ensuring color match between the main display area and the auxiliary display
area.
[0072] In a possible implementation, the first color parameter that corresponds to the first
color is acquired by the following steps: searching for a first corresponding relationship
which comprises a corresponding relationship between a color and a color parameter
in the main display area; and acquiring the first color parameter that corresponds
to the first color from the first corresponding relationship. Likewise, the second
color parameter that corresponds to the second color is acquired by the following
steps: searching for a second corresponding relationship which comprises a corresponding
relationship between a color and a color parameter in the auxiliary display area;
and acquiring the second color parameter that corresponds to the second color from
the second corresponding relationship.
[0073] In another possible implementation, the first color parameter that corresponds to
the first color is acquired by obtaining the first color parameter that corresponds
to the first color through calculation in accordance with the first color and a screen
parameter of the main display area. Likewise, the second color parameter that corresponds
to the second color is acquired by obtaining the second color parameter that corresponds
to the second color through calculation in accordance with the second color and a
screen parameter of the auxiliary display area.
[0074] Optionally, in consideration that resolution of the main display area may be higher
than that of the auxiliary display area, to ensure a smooth transition from a display
effect of the main display area to a display effect of the auxiliary display area
when the two display areas display different portions of the same user interface,
the method further comprises the following steps: determining a display parameter
of a portion joined with the auxiliary display area in the main display area in accordance
with the content required to be displayed by the main display area and the auxiliary
display area; and sending the display parameter of the joined portion to the main
display area. The main display area is configured to control the joined portion to
display in accordance with the display parameter of the joined portion.
[0075] The joined portion may comprise a plurality of pixels, which are closest to the auxiliary
display area, in the main display area. The display parameter of the joined portion
is used for ensuring the smooth transition from the display effect of the main display
area to the display effect of the auxiliary display area. Thus, the display effects
in the two display areas may not be obviously different due to inconsistent resolutions.
The screen reading experience of the user is improved.
[0076] Moreover, when the terminal is in different working statuses, the auxiliary display
area may have different display contents. Optionally, when the terminal in a target
working status, a target display content that needs to be displayed by the auxiliary
display area and corresponds to the target working status is determined, and the auxiliary
display area is controlled to display the target display content. In the embodiment
of the present invention, a division mode of the working status of the terminal is
not limited. For example, the working status of the terminal may include a shooting
mode, a talk mode, a reading mode, etc. The target display content may include one
or a plurality of color blocks.
[0077] In an example, taking that the target working status is the shooting mode as an example,
in the shooting mode, the camera located below the auxiliary display area needs to
work. The terminal may control the auxiliary display area to display a pure color
(e.g., black) block to improve the light transmittance of the auxiliary display area.
Thus, interference to an image is reduced as much as possible, improving the image
quality.
[0078] The device embodiments of the present invention may be used to implement the method
embodiments of the present invention. For details which are not disclosed in the device
embodiments of the present invention may be made reference to the method embodiments.
[0079] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control device of a terminal screen in accordance
with an aspect of the invention. The device has the function of implementing the above
method examples. The device may be implemented through hardware or relevant software
executed by hardware. The device may be the terminal described above, and may also
be set in the terminal described above. The device is configured to control the terminal
screen provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or any of the above optional embodiments.
As shown in FIG. 11, the device 1100 may include: a sending module 1110.
[0080] The sending module 1110 is configured to send a first synchronizing signal to the
main display area and a second synchronizing signal to the auxiliary display area,
the first synchronizing signal and the second synchronizing signal being configured
to control the main display area and the auxiliary display area to simultaneously
display the same content.
[0081] Optionally, the sending module 1110 is further configured to:
send a first color parameter that corresponds to a first color to the main display
area in accordance with the first color required to be displayed by a first pixel
in the main display area; and
send a second color parameter that corresponds to a second color to the auxiliary
display area in accordance with the second color required to be displayed by a second
pixel in the auxiliary display area, wherein
when the first color and the second color are the same, a color effect presented by
the first pixel in accordance with the first color parameter is the same as a color
effect presented by the second pixel in accordance with the second color parameter.
[0082] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the device 1100 further includes: a processing module
1120.
[0083] The processing module 1120 is configured to determine a display parameter of a portion
joined with the auxiliary display area in the main display area in accordance with
the content required to be displayed by the main display area and the auxiliary display
area, the display parameter of the joined portion being configured to ensure a smooth
transition from a display effect of the main display area to a display effect of the
auxiliary display area.
[0084] The sending module 1110 is further configured to send the display parameter of the
joined portion to the main display area, the main display area being configured to
control the joined portion to display in accordance with the display parameter of
the joined portion.
[0085] It should be noted that the device provided by the above embodiment is exemplified
only by the above division of each of the functional modules when the implementing
the functions. In practice, the above-described functions may be assigned and completed
by different functional modules in accordance with requirements, that is, the internal
structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete
all or part of the functions described above.
[0086] With respect to the device of the above embodiment, the specific method of operation
performed by each module has been described in details in the embodiment of the method,
and the description thereof may not be described in details herein.
[0087] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention further provides a terminal, capable
of implementing the control method of a terminal screen provided by the present invention.
The terminal includes the terminal screen provided in the embodiment shown in FIG.
1 or any optional embodiment, and the terminal further includes: a processor; and
a memory for storing instructions executable by the processor. The processor is configured
to: send a first synchronizing signal to the main display area and a second synchronizing
signal to the auxiliary display area, the first synchronizing signal and the second
synchronizing signal being configured to control the main display area and the auxiliary
display area to simultaneously display the same content.
[0088] Optionally, the processor is further configured to: send a first color parameter
that corresponds to a first color to the main display area in accordance with the
first color required to be displayed by a first pixel in the main display area; and
send a second color parameter that corresponds to a second color to the auxiliary
display area in accordance with the second color required to be displayed by a second
pixel in the auxiliary display area. When the first color and the second color are
the same, a color effect presented by the first pixel in accordance with the first
color parameter is the same as a color effect presented by the second pixel in accordance
with the second color parameter.
[0089] Optionally, the processor is further configured to: determine a display parameter
of a portion joined with the auxiliary display area in the main display area in accordance
with the content required to be displayed by the main display area and the auxiliary
display area, the display parameter of the joined portion being configured to ensure
a smooth transition from a display effect of the main display area to a display effect
of the auxiliary display area; and send the display parameter of the joined portion
to the main display area, the main display area being configured to control the joined
portion to display in accordance with the display parameter of the joined portion.
[0090] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a structure of a terminal 1200 shown in accordance
with an aspect of the invention. For example, the terminal 1200 may be such electronic
devices as a mobile phone, a tablet PC, an e-book reader, a multimedia player, a wearable
device, a vehicle-mounted terminal.
[0091] Referring to FIG. 12, the terminal 1200 may include one or more of the following
components: a processing component 1202, a memory 1204, a power component 1206, a
multimedia component 1208, an audio component 1210, an input/output (I/O) interface
1212, a sensor component 1214, and a communication component 1216.
[0092] The processing component 1202 typically controls the overall operations of the terminal
1200, such as the operations associated with display, telephone calls, data communications,
camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component 1202 may include
one or more processors 1220 to execute instructions to perform all or part of the
steps in the methods described above. Moreover, the processing component 1202 may
include one or more modules which facilitate the interaction between the processing
component 1202 and other components. For instance, the processing component 1202 may
include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component
1208 and the processing component 1202.
[0093] The memory 1204 is configured to store various types of data to support the operation
of the terminal 1200. Examples of such data include instructions for any applications
or methods operated on the terminal 1200, contact data, phonebook data, messages,
pictures, videos, etc. The memory 1204 may be implemented by using any type of volatile
or non-volatile memory devices, or a combination thereof, such as a static random
access memory (SRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM),
an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a programmable read-only memory
(PROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, a magnetic or
optical disk.
[0094] The power component 1206 provides power to various components of the terminal 1200.
The power component 1206 may include a power management system, one or more power
sources, and any other components associated with the generation, management, and
distribution of power in the terminal 1200.
[0095] The multimedia component 1208 includes a terminal screen providing an output interface
between the terminal 1200 and the user. The terminal screen may be the terminal screen
provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or any of the above optional embodiments.
In some embodiments, the multimedia component 1208 includes a front camera and/or
a rear camera. The front camera and/or the rear camera may receive external multimedia
data while the terminal 1200 is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode
or a video mode. Each of the front camera and the rear camera may be a fixed optical
lens system or have focus and optical zoom capability.
[0096] The audio component 1210 is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For
example, the audio component 1210 includes a microphone (MIC) configured to receive
external audio signals when the terminal 1200 is in an operation mode, such as a call
mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signals may
be further stored in the memory 1204 or transmitted via the communication component
1216. In some embodiments, the audio component 1210 further includes a speaker for
outputting audio signals.
[0097] The I/O interface 1212 provides an interface between the processing component 1202
and peripheral interface modules, the peripheral interface modules may be a keyboard,
a click wheel, buttons, and the like. The buttons may include, but are not limited
to, a home button, a volume button, a start button, and a lock button.
[0098] The sensor component 1214 includes one or more sensors to provide status assessments
of various aspects of the terminal 1200. For instance, the sensor component 1214 may
detect an on/off status of the terminal 1200, relative positioning of components,
e.g., the displayer and the mini keyboard of the terminal 1200, and the sensor component
1214 may also detect a position change of the terminal 1200 or a component of the
terminal 1200, presence or absence of user contact with the terminal 1200, orientation
or acceleration/deceleration of the terminal 1200, and temperature change of the terminal
1200. The sensor component 1214 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect
the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The sensor component
1214 may also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, used for
imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor component 1214 may also include
an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor,
or a temperature sensor.
[0099] The communication component 1216 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication
between the terminal 1200 and other devices. The terminal 1200 can access a wireless
network based on a communication standard, such as Wi-Fi, 2G, or 3G, 4G, 5G, or a
combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 1216
receives broadcast signals or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast
management system via a broadcast channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication
component 1216 further includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate
short-range communications.
[0100] In exemplary embodiments, the terminal 1200 may be implemented with one or more application
specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal
processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable
gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, or other electronic
components, for performing the above described methods.
[0101] In exemplary embodiments, there is also provided a non-transitory computer-readable
storage medium including instructions, such as-the memory 1204 including instructions
which is executable by the processor 1220 in the terminal 1200, for performing the
above-described methods. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium may be a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy
disc, an optical data storage device, and the like.
[0102] There is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored
therein computer programs that, when executed by the processor of the terminal 1200,
may implement the control method of the terminal screen described above.
[0103] It should be understood that the term "plurality" herein refers to two or more. "And/or"
herein describes the correspondence of the corresponding objects, indicating three
kinds of relationship. For example, A and/or B, can be expressed as: A exists alone,
A and B exist concurrently, B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates
that the context object is an "OR" relationship.
[0104] Other embodiments of the present invention can be available to those skilled in the
art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed
herein. The present application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations
of the present invention following general principles of the present invention and
including the common general knowledge or conventional technical means in the art
without departing from the present invention. The specification and examples can be
shown as illustrative only, and the true scope of the invention are indicated by the
following claims.
[0105] It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction
that has been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and that
various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof.
It is intended that the scope of the present invention only be limited by the appended
claims.