Generating a dynamic virtual mask layer for a region of a display

Abstract

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for generating a mask layer for a display of a computing device. For example, a method includes retrieving, from a non-volatile memory of a computing device, region information indicative of dimensions of a region of a display not having functional pixels and indicative of a position of the region on the display. The method further includes generating a mask layer having a size, shape, and position based on the region information. The method further includes composing an image based on the mask layer and one or more layers, the mask layer preventing display of any portion of the one or more layers that overlap with the mask layer. The method further includes outputting the image on the display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computing device comprising:
 a display comprising a region that does not have functional pixels;   a non-volatile memory; and   a processor configured to:
 retrieve, from the non-volatile memory, region information indicative of dimensions of the region and a position of the region on the display; 
 generate a mask layer having a size, shape, and position based on the region information; 
 compose an image based on the mask layer and one or more layers, the mask layer preventing display of any portion of the one or more layers that overlap with the mask layer; and 
 output the image on the display. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the region information comprises the dimensions of the region and the position of the region. 
     
     
         3 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the region information comprises a mask based on the dimensions of the region and the position of the region. 
     
     
         4 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 generate a second mask layer based on the region information;   compose a second image based on at least the second mask layer; and   output the second image on the display.   
     
     
         5 . The computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a camera positioned under the region of the display. 
     
     
         6 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive the region information from a second computing device and store the region information in the non-volatile memory. 
     
     
         7 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a display processing unit. 
     
     
         8 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the region information is specific to the computing device. 
     
     
         9 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the mask layer fully overlaps with the region. 
     
     
         10 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the region is physically cutout from the display. 
     
     
         11 . A method for generating a mask layer for a display of a computing device, the method comprising:
 retrieving, from a non-volatile memory of the computing device, region information indicative of (1) dimensions of a region of the display, the region not having functional pixels, and (2) a position of the region on the display;   generating a mask layer having a size, shape, and position based on the region information;   composing an image based on the mask layer and one or more layers, the mask layer preventing display of any portion of the one or more layers that overlap with the mask layer; and   outputting the image on the display.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the region information comprises the dimensions of the region and the position of the region. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the region information comprises a mask based on the dimensions of the region and the position of the region. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 generating a second mask layer based on the region information;   composing a second image based on at least the second mask layer; and   outputting the second image on the display.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a camera is positioned under the region of the display. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving the region information from a second computing device; and   storing the region information in the non-volatile memory.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method is performed by a display processing unit of the computing device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the region information is specific to the display of the computing device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the mask layer fully overlaps with the region. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the region is physically cutout from the display. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for generating a mask layer for a display, comprising:
 means for retrieving region information indicative of (1) dimensions of a region of the display, the region not having functional pixels, and (2) a position of the region on the display;   means for generating a mask layer having a size, shape, and position based on the region information;   means for composing an image based on the mask layer and one or more layers, the mask layer preventing display of any portion of the one or more layers that overlap with the mask layer; and   means for outputting the image.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the region information comprises the dimensions of the region and the position of the region. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the region information comprises a mask based on the dimensions of the region and the position of the region. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 means for generating a second mask layer based on the region information;   means for composing a second image based on at least the second mask layer; and   means for outputting the second image.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising means for acquiring an image through the region of the display panel. 
     
     
         26 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to:
 retrieve, from the non-volatile memory, region information indicative of dimensions of the region and a position of the region on the display;   generate a mask layer having a size, shape, and position based on the region information;   compose an image based on the mask layer and one or more layers, the mask layer preventing display of any portion of the one or more layers that overlap with the mask layer; and   output the image on the display.   
     
     
         27 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 26 , wherein the region information comprises the dimensions of the region and the position of the region. 
     
     
         28 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 26 , wherein the region information comprises a mask based on the dimensions of the region and the position of the region. 
     
     
         29 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 26 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the computing device, further cause the computing device to:
 generate a second mask layer based on the region information;   compose a second image based on at least the second mask layer; and   output the second image on the display.   
     
     
         30 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 26 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the computing device, further cause the computing device to:
 receive the region information from a second computing device; and   store the region information.