Optical sensors disposed beneath the display of an electronic device

A method of modifying the transparency of a variable transparency layer disposed directly above a camera in an electronic user device, the method comprising:

• providing an electronic user device that includes
• a protective substrate,
• a display assembly located below a first portion of the protective substrate,
• a processor coupled to the display assembly;
• a voltage source;
• a variable transparency layer located below a second portion of the protective substrate,
• wherein the variable transparency layer is electrically coupled to the voltage source, and
• wherein opacity level of the variable transparency layer varies in response to a voltage being applied to the variable transparency layer by the voltage source, and
• a camera disposed directly beneath the variable transparency layer;
• enabling a user to initiate an application program executed by the processor;
• determining whether the user initiated the application program;
• in response to said determining,
• causing the voltage source to continually apply a first voltage to the variable transparency layer, wherein application of the first voltage causes the variable transparency layer to become more transparent;
• receiving an input indicative of a user selection of a camera setting made via the application program;
• in response to said receiving,
• causing the voltage source to reduce the first voltage to the variable transparency layer, wherein reduction of the first voltage causes the variable transparency layer to become less transparent;
• capturing an image using the camera in response to receiving user input at the application program;
• and
• storing the image in a memory that is accessible to the electronic user device.