CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of US Application No. 62/950,214, filed December 19, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This specification relates generally to electronic displays.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Electronic devices may include electronic displays on which visual images may be shown. Electronic displays can include a border, or bezel, surrounding an active area. A smaller border can allow the active area to occupy a greater area of the electronic display.

SUMMARY

[0004] Techniques are described for reducing electronic display border size. An electronic device can include an electronic display. The electronic display can include an active area that includes a pixel array. The active area can be defined by the area of the pixel array, which can reproduce images on the electronic display.

[0005] The electronic device may include an inactive area adjacent to the active area. The inactive area can include a border, or bezel, that surrounds the active area. The bezel is an area that does not have any active emitting pixels, and is defined as the area between an outer boundary' of the active area and the edge of the electronic display.

[0006] The electronic device can include a display driver connected to the pixel array via signal lines. The display driver can be mounted to the inactive area of the electronic display. The display driver sends signals to the pixel array through the signal lines. The signal lines can pass from the display driver, through the bezel, to the pixel array. The signal lines can enter the bezel through one or more entry points, or branches. The size of the bezel may be based on the number of signal lines passing through the bezel, and the number of branches by which the signal lines pass from the inactive area to the bezel.

[0007] It is desirable to reduce a width of the bezel. The bezel width can be defined as a distance between an edge of the electronic display and the outer boundary, or circumference, of the active area. Bezel width can be, for example, 2.5 millimeters (mm), 2.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.0 mm, or less than 1.0 mm. In some examples, the bezel width may be the same around the bezel. In some examples, the bezel width may be wider at certain regions of the bezel, and narrower at other regions of the bezel. A smaller bezel can allow the active area to occupy a greater area of the electronic display.

[0008] To reduce the bezel width, the number of branches can be increased. Increasing the number of branches can decrease the number of signal lines passing through each branch. Increasing the number of branches can also decrease the number of signal lines passing through each region of the bezel. Reducing bezel width can result in a greater size of the active area in the electronic display, and a corresponding higher screen-to-body ratio in the electronic device.

[0009] Each branch can include one or more bending axes. The bending axes enable portions of the inactive area, including the display driver, to fold behind a face of the electronic display.

[0010] As additional description to the embodiments described below, the present disclosure describes the following embodiments.

[0011] Embodiment 1 is an electronic display comprising an active area comprising a pixel array and configured to display images during operation of the electronic display; and an inactive area adjacent the active area, the inactive area comprising: a bezel surrounding the active area; a connection region separate from the bezel; and two or more branches spaced apart from each other and each connected to the bezel at one end and to the connection region at a separate end, the two or more branches each extending from the bezel in an outward direction relative to the active area, each of the two or more branches being flexible about a corresponding bending axis.

[0012] Embodiment 2 is the electronic display of embodiment 1, wherein the electronic display comprises a display driver mounted to the connection region, and a plurality of signal lines electrically coupling the display driver to the active area, wherein each of the plurality of signal lines passes through one of the two or more branches.

[0013] Embodiment 3 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 2, wherein a face of the electronic display comprises the active area and the bezel, the connection region being folded behind the face by flexing of the branches.

[0014] Embodiment 4 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 3, wherein the pixel array comprises light emitting pixels.

[0015] Embodiment 5 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 4, wherein the array of light emitting pixels comprises an array of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). [0016] Embodiment 6 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 5, wherein the active area is round.

[0017] Embodiment 7 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 6, wherein the bezel is annular.

[0018] Embodiment 8 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 7, wherein each of the two or more branches has a width defined by an arc of the bezel.

[0019] Embodiment 9 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 8, wherein each of the two or more branches extend parallel to each other.

[0020] Embodiment 10 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 9, wherein the two or more branches comprise a first branch extending from a first bezel region, a second branch extending from a second bezel region offset from the first bezel region by an angle less than or equal to ninety degrees, and a third branch extending from a third bezel region offset from the second bezel region by an angle less than or equal to ninety degrees. [0021] Embodiment 11 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 10, wherein each of the two or more branches extends from the bezel in a direction perpendicular to a tangent of the active area.

[0022] Embodiment 12 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 11, wherein the bending axis of each of the two or more branches is parallel to a tangent of the active area.

[0023] Embodiment 13 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 12, comprising: a display driver mounted to the connection region; a first set of multiple signal lines passing from the display driver to a first portion of the active area through a first branch of the two or more branches; and a second set of multiple signal lines passing from the display driver to a second portion of the active area through a second branch of the two or more branches.

[0024] Embodiment 14 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 13, wherein the inactive area defines an aperture; and the first branch is spaced apart from the second branch by the aperture.

[0025] Embodiment 15 is the electronic display of embodiment 14, wherein an aperture- defining edge of the inactive area defines a periphery of the aperture; a first portion of the aperture-defining edge comprises part of an edge of the first branch; a second portion of the aperture-defining edge comprises part of an edge of the second branch; and the connection region is folded behind the active area of the electronic display by a bending of the first branch and a bending of the second branch, such that the aperture-defining edge is bent. [0026] Embodiment 16 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 14 through 15, wherein a third portion of the aperture-defining edge comprises part of an edge of the bezel; and the bezel has an annular shape, such that the third portion of the aperture-defining edge is arcuate.

[0027] Embodiment 17 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 16, wherein the bezel has an annular shape; the first branch bends along a first axis; the second branch bends along a second axis; and the first axis is coplanar and angled with respect to the second axis due to the first branch connecting with the bezel at a first location of the annular shape that is different from a second location of the annular shape at which the second branch connects.

[0028] Embodiment 18 is the electronic display of any one of embodiments 1 through 17, wherein the inactive area of the electronic display comprises a flexible circuit board; the first branch comprises a first portion of the flexible circuit board; and the second branch comprises a second portion of the flexible circuit board.

[0029] Embodiment 19 is directed to a wearable electronic watch comprising: a housing, a first watchband portion connected to the housing at a first side; a second watchband portion connected to the housing at a second side; a clasp to connect the first watchband portion with the second watchband portion; a processor mounted in the housing; and an electronic display comprising the inactive area of any one of the embodiments 1 through 18.

[0030] The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an example electronic device with an electronic display.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a display system of the example electronic display.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a bending edge region of the example electronic display.

[0034] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an example electronic display with two branches, unfolded and folded.

[0035] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate another example electronic display with two branches, unfolded and folded. [0036] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an example electronic display with three branches offset by angles less than ninety degrees, unfolded and folded.

[0037] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an example electronic display with three branches offset by ninety-degree angles, unfolded and folded.

[0038] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example electronic device 100 with an electronic display 102. The electronic device 100 can be, for example, a wearable device such as a smart watch with a watchband 104 that includes two portions connectable with a clasp. The two portions of the watchband connect to a housing of the electronic device 100 at two sides of the housing. The electronic device 100 can also be a smart phone or a handheld game console. An electronic display 102 is mounted in the housing of the electronic device 100. The electronic display 102 can be, for example, an active matrix organic light emiting diode (OLED) display, or alight emitting diode (LED) liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0040] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a display system 200 of the electronic display 102. The display system 200 is an OLED display system that includes an array 212 of light emiting pixels. Each light emiting pixel includes an OLED. The OLED display is driven by drivers including scan/emission drivers 208 and data drivers 210. In general, the scan/emission drivers 208 selects a row of pixels in the display, and the data drivers 210 provide data signals (e.g. voltage data) to the pixels in the selected row to light the selected OLEDs according to the image data. Signal lines such as scan lines, emission lines, and data lines may be used in controlling the pixels to display images on the display. FIG. 2 illustrates the display system having the scan/emission drivers on one side of the system but the drivers can be placed on both left and right sides of the display improving the driving performance (e.g. speed).

[0041] The display system 200 includes the pixel array 212 that includes a plurality of light emiting pixels, e.g., the pixels PI 1 through P43. A pixel is a small element on a display that can change color based on the image data supplied to the pixel Each pixel within the pixel array 212 can be addressed separately to produce various intensities of color. The pixel array 212 extends in a plane and includes rows and columns. A row extends horizontally across the array . For example, the first row of the pixel array 212 includes pixels PI 1, PI 2, and PI 3. A column extends vertically down the display. For example, the first column of the pixel array 212 includes pixels PI 1, P21, P31, and P41. Only a few pixels are shown in FIG.

2 for simplicity. In practice, there may be several million pixels in the pixel array 212.

Greater numbers of pixels can result in higher image resolution.

[0042] The display system 200 includes scan/emission drivers 208 and data drivers 210. The scan/emission drivers 208 are integrated, i.e., stacked, row line drivers that supply signals to rows of the pixel array 212. For example, the scan/emission drivers 208 supply scan signals SI to S4, and emission signals El to E4, to the rows of pixels. The data drivers 210 supply signals to columns of the pixel array 212. For example, the data drivers 210 supply data signals D1 to D4 to the columns of pixels.

[0043] Each pixel m the pixel array 212 is addressable by a horizontal scan line and emission line, and a vertical data line. For example, the pixel Pll is addressable by the scan line SI, the emission line El, and the data line Dl. In another example, the pixel P32 is addressable by the scan line S3, the emission line E3, and the data line D2.

[0044] The display system 200 includes a controller 206 that receives display input data 202. The controller 206 may include a graphic controller and a timing controller. The controller generates the timing of the signals for delivery to the display. The controller 206 provides the input signals (e.g. clock signals, start pulses) to the scan/emission drivers 208, and the image data to the data drivers 210.

[0045] The scan/emission drivers 208 and the data drivers 210 provide signals to the pixels enabling the pixels reproduce the image on the display screen. The scan/emission drivers 208 and the data drivers 210 provide the signals to the pixels via the scan lines, the emission lines, and the data lines. To provide the signals to the pixels, the scan/emission drivers 208 select a scan line and control the emission operation of the pixels. The data drivers 210 provides data signals to the pixels addressable by the selected scan line to light the selected OLEDs according to the image data.

[0046] Although FIG. 2 illustrates an OLED display, the technique for reducing screen comer bezel size may be applied to any flat panel display that includes an array of pixels. For example, the technique for reducing screen comer bezel size may be applied to light emitting diode (LED) liquid crystal displays (LCD) and plasma electronic displays (PDP).

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a bending edge region 300 of the example electronic display 102.

[0048] The bending edge region 300 includes multiple layers. For example, the bending edge region 300 includes a cover window 302, an optical clear adhesive (OCA) 304, a polarizer 306, an optional touch layer 308, a thin film encapsulation (TFE) layer 310, a fan out layer 315, an electroluminescent (EL) layer 312, an active area (AA) 320, a bottom film 314, a display module protection stack (DMPS) layer 316, a bending spacer 318, and a panel 324.

[0049] The touch layer 308 can be a physical film with etched metal mesh or Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). In some implementations, the touch layer 308 can be positioned between the cover window 302 and the OCA 304, between the OCA 304 and the polarizer 306, or adjacent to the active area 320 and the fan out layer 315.

[0050] The TFE layer 310 can be a succession of organic and/or inorganic materials that creates a protective barrier for the EL layer 312 and the active area 320. The EL layer 312 includes OLEDs. The active area 320 includes pixel circuitry, e.g., thin-film-transistors. The DMPS layer 316 can include a stack of films, e.g., adhesive films, foam films, and metal films.

[0051] In some implementations, the electronic display 102 can include a chip-on-panel configuration. In a chip-on-panel configuration, a display driver integrated circuit (IC) 350a bonds directly to the panel 324.

[0052] In some implementations, the electronic display 102 can include a chip-on-flex configuration. In a chip-on-flex configuration, a display driver IC 350b can be mounted to an inner surface of flexible circuitry (FLEX) 354 (e.g., a flexible circuit board). In some examples, a display driver IC 350c can be mounted to an outer surface of the flexible circuitry 354. The flexible circuitry 354 can bond directly to the panel, e.g., using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) 352.

[0053] The bending edge region 300 includes a bezel 322. The bezel 322 extends from an edge 334 of the electronic display 102 to an outer boundary 336 of the active area 320. The bezel 322 includes a flat region 328 and a bending region 326. The bending region 326 can include the panel 324, the flexible circuitry 354, or both. The flat region 328 extends from the outer boundary 336 of the active area 320 to an outer boundary 338 of the fan out layer 315. [0054] The panel 324 includes a panel curve 330. The panel curve has a curve radius 340. The size of the curve radius 340 is dependent on a thickness of the bending spacer 318. The panel curve 330 has a panel bending protection film 332. The panel bending protection film 332 protects the panel 324 and controls the bending of the panel curve 330.

[0055] Within the fan out region 315, signal lines fan out from the active area 320 toward the panel curve 330 and the display driver IC 350. The minimum width of the flat region 328 is dependent on the number of signal lines that are required to pass through the fan out layer 315. A smaller number of signal lines passing through the fan out layer 315 can reduce the minimum width of the flat region 328.

[0056] FIG. 4A illustrates an example electronic display 400 with two branches 422, 424, unfolded. The electronic display 400 includes an active area 404 and an inactive area 410.

The active area 404 includes a pixel array. The active area 404 can be defined by the area of the pixel array, which can reproduce images on the electronic display. The active area 404 of the electronic display 400 is round. In some examples, the active area 404 can take other shapes. For example, the active area 404 may be rectangular, rounded rectangular, or elliptical. The active area 404 includes multiple portions, including atop area 401, bottom area 403, left area 405, and right area 407.

[0057] The active area 404 has an outer boundary 406. The inactive area 410 is adjacent to the active area 404. The inactive area 410 includes a bezel 408 surrounding the outer boundary 406 of the active area 404. The bezel 408 is an area that does not have any active emitting pixels. The bezel 408 is defined as the area between an edge 412 of the electronic display 400 and the outer boundary 406 of the active area 404. Thus, the bezel 408 is annular, or ring-shaped.

[0058] A face 402 of the electronic display 400 includes the active area 404 and the bezel 408. A bezel width can be defined as a distance between the edge 412 of the electronic display 400 and the outer boundary 406 of the active area 404. In some examples, the bezel width may be the same around the bezel 408. In some examples, the bezel width may be wider in certain regions of the bezel, and may be narrower at certain other regions of the bezel.

[0059] The electronic display 400 includes a display driver 420 connected to the pixel array via signal lines 414. For clarity of illustration, only two example signal lines 414 are depicted in FIG. 4A. Each of the example signal lines 414 depicted in FIG. 4A represent multiple signal lines that connect the display driver 420 to the pixel array. The display driver 420 can be mounted to the inactive area 410 of the electronic display 400. The display driver 420 can send signals to the pixel array through the signal lines 414. In some examples, each signal line 414 can connect the display driver 420 to a row of the pixel array. The signal lines 414 can pass from the display driver 420, to the bezel 408, to the pixel array within the active area 404.

[0060] The signal lines 414 enter the bezel 408 through one or more entry points, or branches. The bezel width may be based on the number of signal lines 414 passing through the bezel 408, and the number of branches through which the signal lines 414 pass from the inactive area 410 to the bezel 408.

[0061] The inactive area 410 of the electronic display 400 includes two branches 422, 424. In some examples, the inactive area 410 of the electronic display 400 includes a flexible circuit board. In some examples, the branch 422 includes a first part of the flexible circuit board, and the branch 424 includes a second part of the flexible circuit board. The branches 422, 424 each extend from the bezel 408 in an outward direction relative to the active area 404. The branches 422, 424 extend parallel to each other. The two branches 422, 424 each have a width that is defined by an arc of the bezel 408. The two branches 422, 424 are spaced apart from each other. The inactive area 410 defines an aperture 425. For example, the aperture 425 is defined by edges of the branches 422 and 424 and the edge 412 of the electronic display. Because the bezel 408 has an annular shape, the portion of the edge 412 that defines the aperture 425 is arcuate. The branches 422, 424 are spaced apart from each other by the aperture 425.

[0062] The inactive area 410 also includes a connection region 430. The connection region 430 is separate from the bezel 408. Each of the branches 422, 424 are connected to the bezel 408 at one end, and to the connection region 430 at a separate end.

[0063] Each of the branches 422, 424 is flexible about a corresponding bending axis 426. The bending axis 426 is located in a position that allows the branches 422, 424 to bend, or flex, such that the connection region 430 is folded behind the face 402 of the electronic display 400.

[0064] The display driver 420 is mounted to the inactive area 410 within the connection region. Thus, when the connection region 430 is folded behind the face 402, the display driver 420 is also folded behind the face 402.

[0065] Increasing the number of branches can decrease the number of signal lines 414 passing through each branch. A first set of multiple signal lines can pass through the branch 422, and a second set of multiple signal lines can pass through the branch 424. For example, with the two branches 422, 424, half of the signal lines 414 can pass through the branch 422 to a first portion of the active area, and half of the signal lines 414 can pass through the branch 424 to a second portion of the active area.

[0066] Increasing the number of branches can also decrease the number of signal lines 414 passing through each region of the bezel. Regions of the bezel near to the branches include more signal lines 414 than regions of the bezel further away from the branches. In the electronic display 400 with the two branches 422, 424, regions near the branches can include less than half of the total number of signal lines 414.

[0067] The region 434 of the bezel 408 is located between the branches 422, 424. A small fraction of total signal lines 414 can pass through the region 434 to drive pixels in the bottom area 403. For example, ten percent of the total signal lines 414 may pass through the region 434. The remaining signal lines 414 can pass through the region 432 and 436. For example, forty-five percent of the signal lines 414 may pass through the region 432 to drive pixels in the left area 405 and the top area 401. Similarly, forty-five percent of the signal lines 414 may pass through the region 436 to drive pixels in the right area 407 and the top area 401. [0068] The electronic display 400 having two branches instead of one branch reduces the number of signal lines 414 passing through each branch, and thus reduces the number of signal lines 414 passing through each bezel region. Reducing the number of signal lines 414 passing through a region of the bezel can enable the bezel width at the region to be reduced. Reducing bezel width can result in a greater size of the active area in the electronic display, and a corresponding higher screen-to-body ratio in the electronic device.

[0069] FIG. 4B illustrates the example electronic display 400 with two branches 422,

424, folded. When the branches 422, 424 are folded along the bending axis 426, a portion of the bezel in between the branches 422, 424 also folds along the bending axis. Portions 442, 444 of the branches 422, 424 remain in the same plane as the face 402. Thus, when folded, the electronic display includes a rectangular side 446 located where the branches 424, 424 and the portion of the bezel in between the branches 422, 424 are folded.

[0070] The minimum bezel width 440 in the bezel region that includes the branches 422, 424 is limited by the distance from the outer boundary 406 of the active area 404 to the bending axis 426. Thus, by folding the two branches 422, 424 at the bending axis 426, the minimum bezel width 440 can be reduced. The minimum bezel width 440 may be reduced, for example, to a width of 1.3 mm.

[0071] FIG. 5 A illustrates an example electronic display 500 with two branches 522, 524, unfolded. The electronic display 500 includes an active area 504 and an inactive area 510.

The active area 504 includes a pixel array. The active area 504 can be defined by the area of the pixel array, which can reproduce images on the electronic display. The active area 504 of the electronic display 500 is round. In some examples, the active area 504 can take other shapes. For example, the active area 504 may be rectangular, rounded rectangular, or elliptical. The active area 504 includes multiple portions, including atop area 501, bottom area 503, left area 505, and right area 507. [0072] The active area 504 has an outer boundary 506. The inactive area 510 is adjacent to the active area 504. The inactive area 510 includes a bezel 508 surrounding the outer boundary 506 of the active area 504. The bezel 508 is an area that does not have any active emitting pixels. The bezel 508 is defined as the area between the edge 512 of the electronic display 500 and the outer boundary 506 of the active area 504. Thus, the bezel 508 is annular, or ring-shaped. A face 502 of the electronic display 500 includes the active area 504 and the bezel 508.

[0073] A bezel width can be defined as a distance between the edge 512 of the electronic display 500 and the outer boundary 506 of the active area 504. In some examples, the bezel width may be the same around the bezel 508. In some examples, the bezel width may be wider in certain regions of the bezel, and may be narrower at certain other regions of the bezel.

[0074] The electronic display 500 includes a display driver 520 connected to the pixel array via signal lines 514. For clarity of illustration, only two example signal lines 514 are depicted in FIG. 5 A. Each of the example signal lines 514 depicted in FIG. 5 A represent multiple signal lines that connect the display driver 520 to the pixel array. The display driver 520 can be mounted to the inactive area 510 of the electronic display 500. The display driver 520 can send signals to the pixel array through the signal lines 514. In some examples, each signal line 514 can connect the display driver 520 to a row of the pixel array. The signal lines 514 can pass from the display driver 520, to the bezel 508, to the pixel array within the active area 504.

[0075] The signal lines 514 enter the bezel 508 through one or more entry points, or branches. The bezel width may be based on the number of signal lines 514 passing through the bezel 508, and the number of branches through which the signal lines 514 pass from the inactive area 510 to the bezel 508

[0076] The inactive area 510 of the electronic display 500 includes two branches 522,

524. The branches 522, 524 each extend from the bezel 508 in an outward direction relative to the active area 504. The branches 522, 524 extend parallel to each other. The two branches 522, 524 each have a width defined by an arc of the bezel 508. The two branches 522, 524 are spaced apart from each other. The inactive area 510 defines an aperture 525. For example, the aperture 525 is defined by edges of the branches 522 and 518 and the edge 512 of the electronic display. Because the bezel 508 has an annular shape, the portion of the edge 512 that defines the aperture 525 is arcuate. The branches 522, 524 are spaced apart from each other by the aperture 525. The distance between the branches 522, 524 is larger than the distance between the branches 422, 424 of the electronic display 400.

[0077] The inactive area 510 also includes a connection region 530. The connection region 530 is separate from the bezel 508. Each of the branches 522, 524 are connected to the bezel 508 at one end, and to the connection region 530 at a separate end.

[0078] Each of the branches 522, 524 is flexible about a corresponding bending axis 526. The bending axis 526 is located in a position that allows the branches 522, 524 to bend, or flex, such that the connection region 530 is folded behind the face 502 of the electronic display 500.

[0079] The display driver 520 is mounted to the inactive area 510 within the connection region. Thus, when the connection region 530 is folded behind the face 502, the display driver 520 is also folded behind the face 502.

[0080] Increasing the number of branches can decrease the number of signal lines 514 passing through each branch. For example, with the two branches 522, 524, half of the signal lines 514 can pass through the branch 522, and half of the signal lines 514 can pass through the branch 524.

[0081] Increasing the number of branches can also decrease the number of signal lines 514 passing through each region of the bezel. Regions of the bezel near to the branches include more signal lines 514 than regions of the bezel further away from the branches. In the electronic display 500 with the two branches 522, 524, regions near the branches include less than half of the total number of signal lines 514.

[0082] The region 534 of the bezel 508 is located between the branches 522, 524. A small fraction of total signal lines 514 can pass through the region 534 to drive pixels in the bottom area 503. For example, twenty percent of the total signal lines 514 may pass through the region 534. The remaining signal lines 514 can pass through the region 532 and 536. For example, forty percent of the signal lines 514 may pass through the region 532 to drive pixels in the left area 505 and the top area 501. Similarly, forty percent of the signal lines 514 may pass through the region 536 to drive pixels in the right area 507 and the top area 501.

[0083] The electronic display 500 having two branches instead of one branch reduces the number of signal lines 514 passing through each branch, and thus reduces the number of signal lines 514 passing through each bezel region. Reducing the number of signal lines 514 passing through a region of the bezel can enable the bezel width at the region to be reduced. Reducing bezel width can result in a greater size of the active area in the electronic display, and a corresponding higher screen-to-body ratio in the electronic device. [0084] FIG. 5B illustrates the example electronic display 500 with two branches 522,

524, folded. The branches 522, 524 are folded along the bending axis 526, while no portions of the bezel 508 are folded. When the branches 522, 524 are folded along the bending axis 526, portions 542, 544 of the branches 522, 524 remain in the same plane as the face 502.

The minimum bezel width 540 in the bezel region that includes the branches 522, 524 is limited by the distance from the outer boundary 506 of the active area 504 to the bending axis 526. Thus, by folding the branches 522, 524 at the bending axis 526, the minimum bezel width 540 can be reduced. The minimum bezel width 540 may be reduced, for example, to a width of 1.0 mm.

[0085] In some examples, the branches 522, 524 may each include a bending axis 548 that is in a tangential direction to the bezel 508. The tangential direction is parallel to a tangent of the active area 504. The branches 522, 524 can each flex at the bending axis 548, instead of at the axis 526, to further reduce the bezel width. The minimum bezel width can thus be reduced to bezel width 550, where bezel width 550 is smaller than bezel width 540. [0086] The bezel width in regions near the branches 522, 524 may be wider than the bezel width in regions further from the branches 522, 524. The bezel width in regions near the branches 522, 524 may be wider due to a large number of signal lines 514 passing through those regions of the bezel 508. For example, the bezel width adjacent to the bottom area 503 may be 1.3 mm, while the bezel width adjacent to the top area 501 may be 1.0 mm. [0087] FIG. 6A illustrates an example electronic display 600 with three branches 618, 622, 624, offset by angles less than ninety degrees, unfolded. The electronic display 600 includes an active area 604 and an inactive area 610. The active area 604 includes a pixel array. The active area can be defined by the area of the pixel array, which can reproduce images on the electronic display. The active area 604 of the electronic display 600 is round.

In some examples, the active area 604 can take other shapes. For example, the active area 604 may be rectangular, rounded rectangular, or elliptical. The active area 604 includes multiple portions, including a top area 601, bottom area 603, left area 605, and right area 607.

[0088] The active area 604 has an outer boundary 606. The inactive area 610 is adjacent to the active area 604. The inactive area 610 includes a bezel 608 surrounding the outer boundary 606 of the active area 604. Hie bezel 608 is an area that does not have any active emitting pixels. The bezel 608 is defined as the area between the edge 612 of the electronic display 600 and the outer boundary 606 of the active area 604. Thus, the bezel 608 is annular, or ring-shaped. A face 602 of the electronic display 600 includes the active area 604 and the bezel 608. [0089] A bezel width can be defined as a distance between the edge 612 of the electronic display 600 and the outer boundary 606 of the active area 604. In some examples, the bezel width may be the same around the bezel 608. In some examples, the bezel width may be wider in certain regions of the bezel 608, and may be narrower at certain other regions of the bezel 608.

[0090] The electronic display 600 includes a display driver 620 connected to the pixel array via signal lines 614. For clarity of illustration, only two example signal lines 614 are depicted in FIG. 6A. Each of the example signal lines 614 depicted in FIG. 6A represent multiple signal lines that connect the display driver 620 to the pixel array. The display driver 620 can be mounted to the inactive area 610 of the electronic display 600. The display driver 620 can send signals to the pixel array through the signal lines 614. In some examples, each signal line 614 can connect the display driver 620 to a row of the pixel array. The signal lines 614 can pass from the display driver 620, to the bezel 608, to the pixel array within the active area 604.

[0091] The signal lines 614 enter the bezel 608 through one or more entry points, or branches. The bezel width may be based on the number of signal lines 614 passing through the bezel 608, and the number of branches through which the signal lines 614 pass from the inactive area 610 to the bezel 608.

[0092] The inactive area 610 of the electronic display 600 includes three branches 618, 622, 624. The branches 618, 622, 624 each extend from the bezel 608 in an outward direction relative to the active area 604. The branches 618, 622, 624 each extend in a radial direction from the active area 604. The radial direction is a direction perpendicular to a tangent of the active area 604. The three branches 618, 622, 624 each have a width defined by an arc of the bezel 608. The branches 618, 622, 624 are spaced apart from each other at angles less than ninety-degrees, relative to a center of the electronic display 600. The inactive area 610 defines apertures 625a, 625b. For example, the aperture 625a is defined by edges of the branches 622 and 618 and the edge 612 of the electronic display. The aperture 625b is defined by edges of the branches 618 and 624 and the edge 612 of the electronic display. The branches 622, 618 are spaced apart from each other by the aperture 625a. Because the bezel 608 has an annular shape, the portions of the edge 612 that define the apertures 625a and 625b are arcuate. The branches 618, 624 are spaced apart from each other by the aperture 625b. [0093] The inactive area 610 also includes a connection region 630. The connection region 630 is separate from the bezel 608. Each of the branches 618, 622, 624 are connected to the bezel 608 at one end, and to the connection region 630 at a separate end.

[0094] Each of the branches 618, 622, 624 is flexible about a corresponding bending axes 626a, 626b, 626c, respectively (“bending axes 626”). The bending axes 626 are located in positions that allow the branches 618, 622, 624 to bend, or flex, such that the connection region 630 is folded behind the face 602 of the electronic display 600. The bending axes 626 for each of the branches can be in a tangential direction to the bezel 608. The tangential direction is parallel to a tangent of the active area 604. The bending axes 626 are coplanar with each other. Because the branches 618, 622, 624 connect with the bezel 608 at different locations of the annular shape of the bezel 608, the bending axes 626 are angled with respect to each other.

[0095] The connection region 630 also includes a bending axis 646. The bending axis 646 enables the connection region 630 to fold such that the entire connection region 630 is behind the face 602. The display driver 620 is mounted to the inactive area 610 within the connection region. Thus, when the connection region 630 is folded behind the face 602, the display driver 620 is also folded behind the face 602.

[0096] Increasing the number of branches can decrease the number of signal lines 614 passing through each branch. For example, with the three branches 618, 622, 624, a fraction of the signal lines 614 can pass through each branch. For example, one-third of the signal lines 614 may pass through each branch 618, 622, 624.

[0097] Increasing the number of branches can also decrease the number of signal lines 614 passing through each region of the bezel. Regions of the bezel near to the branches include more signal lines 614 than regions of the bezel further away from the branches. In the electronic display 600 with the three branches 618, 622, 624, regions near the branches include less than half of the total number of signal lines 614.

[0098] The region 634 of the bezel 608 is located between the branches 622, 618. A small fraction of total signal lines 614 can pass through the region 634 to drive pixels in the bottom area 603. For example, twenty percent of the total signal lines 614 may pass through the region 634. The region 636 of the bezel 608 is located between the branches 624, 618. A small fraction of total signal lines 614 can also pass through the region 636 to drive pixels in the bottom area 603. For example, twenty percent of the total signal lines 614 may pass through the region 636. The remaining signal lines 614 can pass through the regions 632 and 638. For example, thirty percent of the signal lines 614 may pass through the region 632 to drive pixels in the left area 605 and the top area 601. Similarly, thirty percent of the signal lines 614 may pass through the region 638 to drive pixels in the right area 607 and the top area 601.

[0099] The electronic display 600 having three branches instead of one or two branches reduces the number of signal lines 614 passing through each branch, and thus reduces the number of signal lines 614 passing through each bezel region. Reducing the number of signal lines 614 passing through a region of the bezel can enable the bezel width at the region to be reduced. Reducing bezel width can result in a greater size of the active area in the electronic display, and a corresponding higher screen-to-body ratio in the electronic device.

[0100] FIG. 6B illustrates the example electronic display 600 with three branches 618, 622, 624, folded. The branches 618, 622, 624 are folded along the bending axes 626, while no portions of the bezel 608 are folded. The connection region 630 is folded along the bending axis 646. When the branches 618, 622, 624 are folded along the bending axes 626, portions 652, 654, 656 of the branches 618, 622, 624 remain in the same plane as the face 602. The minimum bezel width 640 in the bezel regions that include the branches 618, 622, 624 is limited by the distance from the outer boundary 606 of the active area 604 to the bending axes 626. Thus, by folding the branches 618, 622, 624 at the bending axes 626, the minimum bezel width 640 can be reduced. The minimum bezel width 640 may be reduced, for example, to a width of 1.0 mm, or less than 1.0 mm.

[0101] The bezel width in regions near the branches 618, 622, 624 may be wider than the bezel width in regions further from the branches 618, 622, 624. The bezel width in regions near the branches 618, 622, 624 may be wider due to a large number of signal lines 614 passing through those regions of the bezel 608. For example, the bezel width adjacent to the bottom area 603 may be 1.0 mm, while the bezel width adjacent to the top area 601 may be less than 1.0 mm.

[0102] FIG. 7A illustrates an example electronic display 700 with three branches 718,

722, 724, offset by ninety-degree angles, unfolded. The electronic display 700 includes an active area 704 and an inactive area 710. The active area 704 includes a pixel array. The active area can be defined by the area of the pixel array, which can reproduce images on the electronic display. The active area 704 of the electronic display 700 is round. In some examples, the active area 704 can take other shapes. For example, the active area 704 may be rectangular, rounded rectangular, or elliptical. The active area 704 includes multiple portions, including a top area 701, bottom area 703, left area 705, and right area 707. [0103] The active area 704 has an outer boundary 706. The inactive area 710 is adjacent to the active area 704. The inactive area 710 includes a bezel 708 surrounding the outer boundary' 706 of the active area 704, The bezel 708 is an area that does not have any active emitting pixels. The bezel 708 is defined as the area between the edge 712 of the electronic display 700 and the outer boundary 706 of the active area 704. Thus, the bezel 708 is annular, or ring-shaped. A face 702 of the electronic display 700 includes the active area 704 and the bezel 708.

[0104] A bezel width can be defined as a distance between the edge 712 of the electronic display 700 and the outer boundary 706 of the active area 704. In some examples, the bezel width may be the same around the bezel 708. In some examples, the bezel width may be wider in certain regions of the bezel 708, and may be narrower at certain other regions of the bezel 708.

[0105] The electronic display 700 includes a display driver 720 connected to the pixel array via signal lines 714. For clarity of illustration, only two example signal lines 714 are depicted in FIG. 7A. Each of the example signal lines 714 depicted in FIG. 6A represent multiple signal lines that connect the display driver 720 to the pixel array. The display driver 720 can be mounted to the inactive area 710 of the electronic display 700. The display driver 720 can send signals to the pixel array through the signal lines 714. In some examples, each signal line 714 can connect the display driver 720 to a row of the pixel array. The signal lines 714 can pass from the display driver 720, to the bezel 708, to the pixel array within the active area 704.

[0106] The signal lines 714 enter the bezel 708 through one or more entry points, or branches. The bezel width may be based on the number of signal lines 714 passing through the bezel 708, and the number of branches through which the signal lines 714 pass from the inactive area 710 to the bezel 708

[0107] The inactive area 710 of the electronic display 700 includes three branches 718, 722, 724. The branches 718, 722, 724 each extend from the bezel 708 in an outward direction relative to the active area 704. The branches 718, 722, 724 each extend in a radial direction from the active area 704. The radial direction is a direction perpendicular to a tangent of the active area 704. The three branches 718, 722, 724 each have a width defined by an arc of the bezel 708. The branches 718, 722, 724 are spaced apart from each other at ninety-degree angles relative to a center of the electronic display 700. The inactive area 710 defines apertures 725a, 725b. For example, the aperture 725a is defined by edges of the branches 722 and 718 and the edge 712 of the electronic display. The aperture 725b is defined by edges of the branches 718 and 724 and the edge 712 of the electronic display. The branches 722, 718 are spaced apart from each other by the aperture 725a. Because the bezel 708 has an annular shape, the portions of the edge 712 that define the apertures 725a and 725b are arcuate. The branches 718, 724 are spaced apart from each other by the aperture 725b.

[0108] The inactive area 710 also includes a connection region 730. The connection region 730 is separate from the bezel 708. Each of the branches 718, 722, 724 are connected to the bezel 708 at one end, and to the connection region 730 at a separate end.

[0109] Each of the branches 718, 722, 724 is flexible about a corresponding bending axes 726a, 726b, 726c, respectively (“bending axes 726”). The bending axes 726 are located in positions that allow the branches 718, 722, 724 to bend, or flex, such that the connection region 730 is folded behind the face 702 of the electronic display 700. The bending axes 726 for each of the branches can each be in a tangential direction to the bezel 708. The tangential direction is parallel to a tangent of the active area 704. The bending axes 726 are coplanar with each other. Because the branches 718, 722, 724 connect with the bezel 708 at different locations of the annular shape of the bezel 708, the bending axes 726 are angled with respect to each other.

[0110] The connection region 730 also includes bending axes 746, 748. The bending axes 746, 748 enable the connection region 730 to fold such that the entire connection region 730 is behind the face 702. For example, the inactive area of the electronic display can bend first at the axis 726 for each branch, and can bend second at the bending axes 746, 748.

[0111] The display driver 720 is mounted to the inactive area 710 within the connection region. Thus, when the connection region 730 is folded behind the face 702, the display driver 720 is also folded behind the face 702.

[0112] Increasing the number of branches can decrease the number of signal lines 714 passing through each branch. For example, with the three branches 718, 722, 724, a fraction of the signal lines 714 can pass through each branch. For example, one-third of the signal lines 714 may pass through each branch 718, 722, 724.

[0113] Increasing the number of branches can also decrease the number of signal lines 714 passing through each region of the bezel. Regions of the bezel near to the branches include more signal lines 714 than regions of the bezel further away from the branches. In the electronic display 700 with the three branches 718, 722, 724, regions near the branches include less than half of the total number of signal lines 714.

[0114] The region 734 of the bezel 708 is located between the branches 722, 718. A fraction of total signal lines 714 can pass through the region 734 to drive pixels in the bottom area 703 and left area 705. For example, twenty-five percent of the total signal lines 714 may pass through the region 734. The region 736 of the bezel 708 is located between the branches 724, 718. A fraction of total signal lines 714 can also pass through the region 736 to drive pixels in the bottom area 703 and right area 707. For example, twenty-five percent of the total signal lines 714 may pass through the regions 736. The remaining signal lines 714 can pass through the regions 732 and 738. For example, twenty-five percent of the signal lines 714 may pass through the region 732 to drive pixels in the left area 705 and the top area 701. Similarly, twenty-five percent of the signal lines 714 may pass through the region 738 to drive pixels in the right area 707 and the top area 701.

[0115] The electronic display 700 having three branches instead of one or two branches reduces the number of signal lines 714 passing through each branch, and thus reduces the number of signal lines 714 passing through each bezel region. Reducing the number of signal lines 714 passing through a region of the bezel can enable the bezel width at the region to be reduced. Reducing bezel width can result in a greater size of the active area in the electronic display, and a corresponding higher screen-to-body ratio in the electronic device.

[0116] FIG. 7B illustrates the example electronic display 700 with three branches 718, 722, 724, folded. The branches 718, 722, 724 are folded along the bending axes 726, while no portions of the bezel 708 are folded. The connection region 730 is folded along the bending axis 746. When the branches 718, 722, 724 are folded along the bending axes 726, portions 752, 754, 756 of the branches 718, 722, 724 remain in the same plane as the face 702. The minimum bezel width 740 in the bezel regions that include the branches 718, 722, 724 is limited by the distance from the outer boundary of the active area to the bending axes 726. Thus, by folding the branches 718, 722, 724 at the bending axes 726, the minimum bezel width 740 can be reduced. The minimum bezel width 740 may be reduced, for example, to a width of 1.0 mm, or less than 1.0 mm.

[0117] The bezel width in regions near the branches 718, 722, 724 may be wider than the bezel width in regions further from the branches 718, 722, 724. The bezel width in regions near the branches 718, 722, 724 may be wider due to a large number of signal lines 714 passing through those regions of the bezel 708. For example, the bezel width adjacent to the bottom area 703 may be 1.0 mm, while the bezel width adjacent to the top area 701 may be less than 1.0 mm.

[0118] Embodiments of the subject matter and the functional operations described in this specification can be implemented in any suitable electronic device such as a personal computer, a mobile telephone, a smart phone, a smart watch, a smart TV, a mobile audio or video player, a game console, or a combination of one or more of these devices.

[0119] The electronic device may include various components such as a memory, a processor, a display, and input/output units. The input/output units may include, for example, a transceiver which can communicate with the one or more networks to send and receive data. The display may be any suitable display including, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or light emitting diode (LED) display, for displaying images.

[0120] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various implementations can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0121] Embodiments may be implemented as one or more computer program products, e.g., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. The computer readable medium may be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or more of them. The term "data processing apparatus" encompasses all apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. The apparatus may include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them. A propagated signal is an artificially generated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal that is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus.

[0122] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it may be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system.

A program may be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program may be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0123] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memory or both.

[0124] Elements of a computer may include a processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer may not have such devices. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0125] While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. [0126] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system modules and components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0127] Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

[0128] What is claimed is: