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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a display comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein a first distance between a first pixel and its neighboring second pixel is greater than a second distance between a third pixel and its neighboring fourth pixel; and   drive circuitry configured to drive the plurality of pixels, wherein a drive circuit element of the drive circuitry is located in the first distance between the first pixel and its neighboring second pixel.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first pixel and its neighboring second pixel are located in a border region of the display. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the each pixel in the border region of the display having a neighboring pixel directly adjacent thereto in a common row is configured to generate light of a different color than its neighboring pixel. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the each pixel in the border region of the display having a neighboring pixel directly adjacent thereto in a common column is configured to generate light of a different color than its neighboring pixel. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the third pixel and the fourth pixel are located in a central region of the display. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the display comprises an organic light emitting diode display. 
     
     
         7 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a display comprising:
 a plurality of pixels configured to emit light; 
 a drive circuitry area adjacent at least a portion of the plurality of pixels in a pixel border area, wherein the drive circuitry area emits no light, 
 wherein light appears to be generated in the drive circuitry area. 
   
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of pixels in the pixel border area generate the light appearing to be generated in the drive circuitry area. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , comprising a light pipe disposed above the pixel border area, wherein the light pipe is configured to transmit light generated in the pixel border area to a region above the drive circuitry area. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , comprising a protective covering surface disposed above the display, wherein the light pipe comprises a portion of the protective covering surface. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the protective covering surface comprises a capacitive touch panel. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the display comprises an organic light emitting diode display. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of pixels in the pixel border area are adjacent a plurality of pixels in an active area of the display. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pixels in the pixel border area are sized differently than the plurality of pixels in the active area of the display. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of pixels in the pixel border area are approximately 50% the size of the pixels in the active area. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pixels in the pixel border area are driven at a different intensity than the plurality of pixels in the active area of the display. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of pixels in the pixel border area driven at approximately twice the intensity of the pixels in the active area. 
     
     
         18 . A method of displaying an image on a display, comprising:
 driving a first plurality of pixels in a border area of the display adjacent drive circuitry in the display at a first intensity; and   driving a second plurality of pixels in an active area of the display adjacent the border area of the display at a second intensity.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first intensity is greater than the second intensity. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first intensity is twice the second intensity.