Vertically long apertures for computing device cameras

Abstract

A computing device includes a display panel having a first end and a second end, a sensor, and a processing circuitry. The display panel includes a matrix of pixels and defines an aperture surrounded by pixels of the matrix of pixels but that does not include pixels of the matrix of pixels. A length of the aperture parallel to an axis connecting the first end and the second end is greater than a length of the aperture perpendicular to the axis. The sensor is configured to capture light that passes through the aperture. The processing circuitry, disposed proximal to the second end, is configured to output control signals to pixels of the matrix of pixels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computing device comprising:
 a display panel having a first end and a second end, wherein the display panel includes a matrix of pixels and defines an aperture surrounded by pixels of the matrix of pixels but that does not include pixels of the matrix of pixels, and wherein a length of the aperture parallel to an axis connecting the first end and the second end is greater than a length of the aperture perpendicular to the axis;   a sensor configured to capture light that passes through the aperture; and   a processing circuitry, disposed proximal to the second end, configured to output control signals to pixels of the matrix of pixels.   
     
     
         2 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the display panel defines the aperture such that the sensor is not optically obstructed by the display panel. 
     
     
         3 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the aperture is oblong. 
     
     
         4 . The computing device of  claim 2 , wherein a shape of the aperture is a rectangle. 
     
     
         5 . The computing device of  claim 4 , wherein one or more corners of the aperture are rounded. 
     
     
         6 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the aperture is one of an ellipse or a discorectangle. 
     
     
         7 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry comprises first processing circuitry, the computing device further comprising:
 second processing circuitry configured to control operation of the first processing circuitry such that pixels of the matrix of pixels surrounding the aperture are selectively deactivated to modify an appearance of a shape of the aperture.   
     
     
         8 . The computing device of  claim 6 , wherein the first processing circuitry comprises a display driver integrated circuit (DDIC), and wherein the second processing circuitry comprises one or both of a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphical processing unit (GPU). 
     
     
         9 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the display comprises an organic light emitting diode display (OLED) configured to allow the sensor to operate through the OLED display via omission of back cover material from an area of a back cover of the OLED display above the sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an electronic image sensor, and wherein an aspect ratio of the sensor is one of 4:3, 3:2, or 1.85:1.