WO2016016519A1

WO2016016519A1 - Multifunctional photoactive module integrated into a screen of an electronic apparatus and its management facility

Info

Publication number: WO2016016519A1
Application number: PCT/FR2015/000166
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Coulon; Laurent PEYREMORTE
Original assignee: Sunpartner Technologies
Priority date: 2014-07-30
Filing date: 2015-07-29
Publication date: 2016-02-04
Also published as: FR3024617B1; FR3024617A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a multifunctional photoactive device comprising:- a semitransparent photoactive module disposed on a screen of an electronic apparatus and comprising one or more photoactive zones, said photoactive zones themselves consisting of a plurality of photovoltaic features whose dimensions are such that they are not perceptible to the naked eye, two adjacent photovoltaic features being separated by a transparency zone; - and an electronic management facility comprising at input several pathways, each pathway being connected to a single photoactive zone; characterized in that said electronic management facility furthermore comprises a splitting matrix capable; of grouping or of individualizing said pathways in a dynamic manner as a function of pre-established priorities so that the photoactive zones generate simultaneously or alternately, on the basis of the surrounding light received, either a charging current, or a functional electrical signal representative of the variations of illumination of said photoactive zones.

Description

PLURIFUNCTIONAL PHOTOACTIVE MODULE INTEGRATED IN A SCREEN OF AN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND ITS MANAGEMENT ORGAN

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic device for managing the production of electrical energy and various detection functions from a same semi-transparent photoactive module disposed on the screen of an electronic device and subjected to variable illumination .

STATE OF THE ART

Most smart mobile phone-type electronic devices, more simply called "smartphone" in English terminology, are provided with systems making it possible, during a telephone call, to detect the proximity of said device with its user in order to lock the function. touch screen and / or turn off the light generated by the screen, which avoids inadvertently operating commands, while saving the battery charge of these devices. There are various technologies of proximity sensors ("proxlmity sensors" in English), among which the most usual are the capacitive sensors and the infrared sensors (respectively described in patents US6442013 of Ericsson and US8552979 of Avago Technologies). The former use a detection of the variations of an electromagnetic field modulated by a user near the system, then composed of an antenna and a microcontroller. The second uses a diode emitting infrared radiation generally at a distance of less than 10 cm, as well as an infrared-sensitive receiver photodiode for detecting radiation reflected by the user near the device.

Another known feature in this type of electronic device is the regulation of the brightness of their screen according to the ambient light, which optimizes the use of the energy stored in the battery while maintaining good visibility of the display. This detection of ambient light ("ambient light sensing" in English, also designated by the acronym ALS) is done via a photodiode generally covered with a green filter because the spectral response of this photodiode is photopic, that is to say that is, similar to the spectral response of the human eye. The use of such a detection in an electronic device is in particular known through patent US7292875 (Agite Technologies).

We also know a more recent photovoltaic technology to equip devices with a display screen such as mobile phones, with a semi-transparent photovoltaic module directly integrated on the screen. Such technology is described in US8632201 (Wysips / Sunpartner Technologies). It combines photovoltaic microband imperceptible to the naked eye with a network of microlenses, leaving then the image displayed almost without visual impairment. In this way, these photovoltaic elements make it possible to generate an electric current usable by the devices, almost without changing the visual appearance of the devices that integrate them.

In parallel, the patent US8384541 (LG Electronics) describes the use of the ALS function of a mobile phone to both adjust the brightness of the screen and to enable or disable, depending on the amount of ambient light, the charge of the battery by an opaque photovoltaic module located on the back shell of the phone. In this case of use, the ALS has a double functionality but remains physically independent of the photovoltaic module,

On the other hand, it has never been envisaged of an electronic system making it possible to perform both the functions of electric power production, proximity detection and ALS from a single semi-transparent photoactive module totally integrated in the screen of an electronic device. This unprecedented mutualisation not only reduces costs and congestion, it eliminates several components and inter-component connections, but also makes invisible the proximity and ALS sensors, which improves the aesthetics. of the electronic device.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

The main purpose of the invention is to propose a multifunctional photoactive device totally integrated in an electronic device and which can play the role of both an electrical energy generator, a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor. This device is provided with a semi-transparent module composed of several photoactive zones, as well as an electronic management member of said module.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In its basic principle, the subject of the invention is a multifunctional photoactive device comprising:

a semitransparent module disposed on a screen of an electronic apparatus comprising one or more photoactive zones, said photoactive zones being themselves constituted by a plurality of photovoltaic patterns whose dimensions are such that they are not perceptible to the naked eye, two adjacent photovoltaic patterns being separated by a zone of transparency; And an electronic management unit comprising several input channels, each channel being connected to a single photoactive zone;

characterized in that said electronic management element further comprises a flight routing matrix, configured to dynamically group or individualize said channels according to pre-established priorities, so that the photoactive areas generate simultaneously or alternatively, from the surrounding light received, electrical signals that can be used downstream of the switching matrix, either as a charging current, for example to charge a battery via a voltage converter, or as a signal electrical functional representative of the variations of illumination of said photoactive zones.

A "photoactive zone" is defined as a set of photovoltaic patterns connected so that a single electrical signal is generated by said photoactive zone. A "charging current" is a current associated with an electrical voltage and capable of either being accumulated in a device for storing electrical energy, or for supplying internal or external components to the electronic management device. A "functional electrical signal" is an electrical signal carrying information about the environment of the device. The switching matrix specific to the electronic management member makes it possible to group or, conversely, to deal individually with the electrical signals representative of each of said photoactive zones. This is a set of components commonly called "power analog switch". The routing algorithm can be preloaded at the factory in the device in the form of firmware ("firmware") so that said switching matrix is autonomously managed. Alternatively, the routing algorithm can be loaded into said matrix from the electronic device in the form of an update of the firmware. The ultimate goal being that the switching matrix is autonomous and that the routing strategy can be modified by the loading of an alternative micro-software,

The electronic management unit is electrically connected on the one hand to a DC converter, optionally integrating a maximum power point tracking system (MPPT), and on the other hand to an integrated circuit for processing the one or more functional electrical signals in an analog or digital manner to retrieve information on the operating environment of the device. In this way, all the charging currents generated by different photoactive zones can be grouped together by the switching matrix and sent to the DC converter. In parallel, the signals: electrical functional are sent to the integrated circuit where they can be processed by an analog / digital converter or directly analogically. The analog or digital signals at the output of the integrated circuit can then be processed on a dedicated electronic component of the microcontroller type and / or via an executable program to extract the information. In an alternative embodiment, the microcontroller can be directly included in the integrated circuit.

According to the embodiments, said functional electrical signal is either an electrical voltage or an electric current. The choice of one or the other of the electrical signals depends in particular on the quantity of surrounding light received by the photoactive zones.

According to the embodiments, the information extracted from the functional electrical signal or signals relates to the immediate proximity of a user to the device and / or to the ambient brightness, so as to optimize in return the consumption of the screen. electronic device and / or enable or disable electronic device functionality.

In a particular embodiment, the information is processed from the simultaneous measurement on at least two channels of the functional electrical signals generated by at least two distinct photoactive areas. This embodiment is particularly adapted to the use case where the proximity of a user to the device is detected. Indeed, the proximity detection is done by comparing the functional electrical signals representative of two different photoactive zones, a reference zone and one or more measurement zones. For example, the user's ear near the electronic device shades the reference area and the measurement areas differently. Thus, an adapted signal processing methodology makes it possible to effectively detect the presence of a user. compared to other parasitic variations of the surrounding light. In another particular embodiment not shown, all or part of the photovoltaic patterns are covered with one or more color filters. Indeed, the response of an ambient light sensor is generally photopic, ^that is to say, similar to the spectral response of the human eye. As a result, it may be advantageous to modulate, via colored filters, the spectrum of visible light received by the photovoltaic patterns constituting all or part of the photoactive zones dedicated to the detection of ambient light, In an alternative embodiment of the preceding embodiment, all or part of the photovoltaic patterns are covered with a layer of a wavelength shift material. This may include fluorescent or phosphorescent materials that absorb in the ultraviolet and reemerge in the visible or infra-red. This variant thus makes it possible to determine, by comparison with reference data, the amount of ultraviolet radiation present in the ambient light.

According to the embodiments, said photoactive areas consist of a single photovoltaic cell or a set of photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series or in parallel.

According to the embodiments, the photovoltaic patterns consist of at least two electrodes including a transparent electrode and at least one absorber absorber layer composed of inorganic or organic, crystalline or amorphous materials. These are, for example, thin films based on amorphous silicon or microeristailin, GaAs (gallium arsenide), CdTe (cadmium telluride), CIGS (copper - indium - gallium - selenium) or based on polymers. . M can be p-i-n or p-n junctions, or tandem architectures, that is to say having several thin layers of materials that preferentially absorb a different part of the light spectrum. They can be designed to convert visible light and / or infrared light into electricity.

Said photovoltaic patterns can be organized in networks of rectilinear, circular or polygonal shapes.

In a broad manner, the screen of the electronic device on which the semitransparent module is positioned can be indifferently an emissive, reflective or even transflective screen. The most common are liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCD, TN-LCD, IPS-LCD, LCD cholesteric, ferroelectric LCD), electroluminescent displays (OLED), electrophoretic displays, screens based on the principle of electro Wetting or MEMS-based screens. In an advantageous embodiment, the screen of the electronic device is an emissive type screen. it is then a screen provided with a backlight (for example a TFT-LCD, a TN-LCD or an IPS-LCD) or electroluminescent pixels (for example an OLED). In most contemplated embodiments, the surrounding light is ambient light from a natural or artificial light source. This is mainly outdoor sunlight, and the light generated by indoor or outdoor lighting sources at night.

In a particular embodiment, the surrounding light is the light generated by the emissive screen and reflected by a user to the photoactive areas. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in dark environments or at night, when there is no or very little ambient light. Indeed, the device according to the invention can detect, as a function of the distance of a user to the electronic device, a variation of the amount of light reflected by said user on the photoactive areas of said device. Thus, the proximity detection function is preserved even in the dark. The invention also relates to an electronic device, fixed or portable, rigid or flexible, such as a mobile phone, a tablet or a computer, comprising a multifunctional photoactive device as described above.

FIGURES

The invention is now described in more detail using the description of the indexed FIGS. 1 to 2.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the multifunctional photoactive device according to the invention.

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate two different modes of operation of the electronic management device of the device according to the invention.

The figures are not to scale, the relative thicknesses of the components of the device being deliberately exaggerated to better reveal its structure.

List of landmarks used in the figures

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The figure _. . J. schematically represents an example of multi-functional photoactive device according to the invention. This device is composed of a semitransparent module 1 comprising four photoactive zones (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) and an electronic management element S. Each photoactive zone 2 is itself composed of a plurality of photovoltatic patterns 3 whose dimensions are such that they are not perceptible to the naked eye, two adjacent photovoltaic patterns 3 being separated by a zone of transparency 4, the electronic management member 6 has four channels (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D) which are electrically connected to the four corresponding photoactive areas (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D), and two output channels (6E, 6F) respectively connected to a DC converter 10 and to an integrated circuit 11. Said input and output channels 6 are dynamically and inter-connected dynamically via a switching matrix 9 capable of grouping or individualizing said channels 6. Thus, the photogenerated electrical signals at each of the pho zones 2 can be sent simultaneously and / or alternatively on the one hand on the DC converter 10 and serve as charging current to power the device, and secondly on the integrated circuit 11 to recover a signal 12 carrying a information on the operating environment of the device.

The dynamic interconnections by the switching matrix 9 can be done either punctually at the request of the user acting on a user interface of the device, or according to pre-established priorities programmed in a software or a micro-software stored in a device. the memory of the device, for example a memory of the management unit S. Thus, for example, the priority can be allocated, depending on the ambient lighting conditions, to the connection of the input channels 6 to the converter direct current 10, in order firstly to power the device or to charge its battery. The input channels 6 are then connected dynamically to the integrated circuit 11 only in the case of a significant variation of the lighting conditions, for example a variation of the current produced by the photoactive zones 2, beyond a certain predetermined threshold. . But of course, depending on the use cases, a priority could be given to the interconnection by the switching matrix 9, between the input channels 6, and the integrated circuit 11, in order to manage, as a priority, a information about the environment of the device, for example a change in the proximity between the user and the device. Finally, the priority may be modified by the device depending on the strategy to be adopted by updating the software or the firmware. Figures 2a and 2b schematically show two different operating modes of the electronic component management 6 of the device according to the invention, for which said device is bi-functional and allows to perform both the functions of production ^of electrical energy and for detecting a physico-chemical quantity related to the environment of the device

In the first exemplary embodiment (shown), the photoactive zone connected to the channel 6A generates a functional electrical signal 8 directed by the switching matrix 9 to the integrated circuit 11 via the channel 8F. This is typically the operation for ALS detection, wherein said signa! Electrical functional 8 carries information 12 on ia ambient brightness. Simultaneously, the set of signals collected at the level of the channels (6B, 60, 6D) are load currents 7 sent via the channel 6E to the DC converter 10 to produce electrical energy, used in particular either to supply directly the electronic device equipped with the photoactive module, either to charge its electricity storage device.

In a second alternative embodiment (Figure 2b), the photoactive areas connected to the channels {6A, 6B, 6D) generate three functional electrical signals 8 directed by the switching matrix 9 to the integrated circuit 11 via the channel 6F. This is typically the operation for proximity detection, in which the electrical electrical signals 8 from the channels (SA, 60) for example are compared to those from the reference channel 6B. The differences in illumination of the photoactive zones connected to said channels (6A, 6B, 6D) make it possible to deduce, via a suitable signal processing methodology, a signal 12 carrying information on the proximity of a user to the device. . Simultaneously, the signal collected at the channel 6C is a load current 7 sent via the channel 6E to the DC converter 10 to produce electric power.

Of course, it will be readily understood that the examples of FIGS. 2a, 2b are in no way limiting, and that the invention applies to a multiplicity of configurations of photoactive zones 2, of management members S, as a function of the multiplicity of use cases that can be considered in practice.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION Ultimately the invention responds well to the goals set by allowing, from a single integrated photoactive module, to combine the functions of electrical energy generation, proximity sensor and ambient light sensor, there is mutualization of these three functions in a single semi-transparent module totally integrated in the screen, thus invisible to the naked eye for a user, it is therefore possible, thanks to the device object of the invention, to reduce the cost and the congestion of this multi-functional system (due to the connectors and to the size of each individualized component), while maximizing its integration into an electronic device such as a "smartphone".

Claims

1 - Multifunctional photoactive device comprising;

- A semi-transparent photoactive module (1) has on a screen of an electronic device and comprising a plurality of photoactive zones (2), which are themselves composed of a plurality of photovoltaic patterns (3) whose dimensions are such that that they are not visible to the naked eye, two adjacent photovoltaic patterns (3) being separated by a zone of transparency (4);

- And an electronic management unit (5) having several input channels (6), each channel (8) being connected to a single photoactive area (2).

characterized in that said electronic management member (5) further comprises a switch matrix (9) of the channels (6), configured to ^" be able to group or individualize said channels (6) dynamically as a function of pre-established priorities stored in a memory of the electronic management unit (5), so that the photoactive zones (2) generate simultaneously or alternatively, from the surrounding light (6) received, electrical signals that can be used in downstream of the switching matrix (9) either as a charging current (7) or as a functional electrical signal (8) representative of the illumination variations of said photoactive zones (2).

2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic management unit (5) is electrically connected firstly to a DC converter (10), optionally integrating a tracking system of the maximum power point ( MPPT), and on the other hand to an integrated circuit (11) for processing the one or more functional electrical signals (8) analogically or numerically to retrieve information on the operating environment of the device.

3 - Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said information extracted from the functional electrical signal (s) (8) relates to the immediate proximity of a user to the device or the ambient brightness, so as to optimize in return the consumption of the screen of the electronic device and / or to activate or deactivate features of the electronic device. 4 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said information is processed from the simultaneous measurement on at least two votes (6) of the functional electrical signals (8) generated by at least two separate photoactive areas (2). 5 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all or part of said photovoltaic patterns (3) are covered with one or more color filters.

6 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all or part of said photovoltaic patterns (3) are covered with a wavelength shift layer.

7 ~ Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said functional electrical signal (8) is either an electrical voltage or an electric current.

8 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said photoactive areas (2) consist of a single photovoltaic cell or a set of photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series or in parallel.

9 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said photovoltaic patterns (3) consist of at least two electrodes including a transparent electrode and at least one thin absorber layer composed of inorganic materials or organic, crystalline or amorphous.

10 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said photovoltaic patterns (3) are organized in networks of rectilinear, circular or polygonal shapes.

11 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen of the electronic device is an emissive type screen.

12 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surrounding light is ambient light from a natural or artificial light source. 13 - Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the surrounding light is the light generated by the emissive screen and reflected by a user to the photoactive areas (2).

14 - electronic device, fixed or portable _* rigid or flexible, such as a mobile phone, tablet or computer, characterized in that it comprises a multifunctional photoactive device according to any one of the preceding claims.