Indication device

Abstract

To provide a display device that has an optical structure combining concave and convex lenses, which can increase the field of view (FOV) while maintaining the aperture size of the light transmission region. [Solution] The disclosed specification includes a display panel having a plurality of pixel array regions and a light-transmitting region; a concave lens portion located at the bottom of the display panel and overlapping with the light-transmitting region; an optical guide module located at the bottom of the concave lens; a convex lens disposed on one side of the optical guide module; and an optical sensor module disposed opposite the convex lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0202529 filed on December 31, 2024, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This specification relates to a display device.

Background Art

[0003] Generally, a liquid crystal display device is superior to other flat panel display devices in display resolution, has image quality comparable to that of a cathode ray tube when playing videos, and has a fast response speed.

[0004] The driving principle of a liquid crystal display device utilizes the optical anisotropy and polarization properties of liquid crystals. Since liquid crystals have a thin and long structure, the molecular alignment direction can be adjusted by artificially applying an electric field to liquid crystal molecules that have directionality and polarization in the molecular arrangement.

[0005] Therefore, if the alignment direction of a liquid crystal display device is adjusted arbitrarily, due to the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal, light can be transmitted or blocked depending on the molecular alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules, and thus hues and images can be displayed.

[0006] An active matrix liquid crystal display device adds active elements with aligned non-linear characteristics to each pixel arranged in a matrix form, and controls the operation of each pixel by utilizing the switching characteristics of these elements, and can realize a memory function through the electro-optical effect of the liquid crystal.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention described herein aims to solve is to provide a display device that has an optical structure combining a concave lens and a convex lens, and that can increase the field of view (FOV) while maintaining the aperture size of the light transmission region.

[0008] The problems that the inventions described herein seek to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A display device according to one embodiment of this specification may include a display panel having a plurality of pixel array areas and a light-transmitting area; a concave lens located below the display panel and overlapping the light-transmitting area; an optical guide module located below the concave lens; a convex lens disposed on one side of the optical guide module; and an optical sensor module disposed opposite the convex lens.

[0010] Other embodiments of this specification include a display panel comprising a plurality of pixel array regions and a light-transmitting region, an optical guide module disposed below the display panel, and an optical sensor module disposed opposite to one side of the optical guide module, wherein the optical guide module may comprise a concave lens portion overlapping with the light-transmitting region and a convex lens portion overlapping opposite the optical sensor module.

[0011] Specific details, other than the solutions to the problems mentioned above, are included in the following descriptions and drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this specification, by arranging a concave lens and a convex lens on the upper and one side of the optical guide module, and refracting incoming light in both primary and secondary directions, the field of view (FOV) can be increased using the optical sensor module even with the same aperture size for the light transmission area as existing systems.

[0013] According to this specification, by applying polarization-dependent polarizing concave lenses and polarizing convex lenses whose refraction pattern changes depending on the presence or absence of polarization, the degradation of display image quality can be minimized by refracting only the light received by the optical sensor module and not refracting the light emitted to the outside from the second light source.

[0014] The effects described herein are not limited to those mentioned above, and any other effects not mentioned herein can be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the technical concept of this specification pertains, based on the following description.

[0015] The above-mentioned and other purposes, features, and advantages of this specification will become further apparent to those skilled in the art by describing in detail the exemplary embodiments herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the display surface of the display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the rear view of the display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the display panel of the display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a concave lens in a display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. [Figure 7]It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I' of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] In the display device according to the first embodiment of the present specification, it is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a convex lens. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II' of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to the second embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 11] In the display device according to the second embodiment of the present specification, it is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the traveling path of light entering from the outside and being first refracted. [Figure 12] In the display device according to the second embodiment of the present specification, it is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the traveling path of the light that has been secondarily refracted. [Figure 13] It is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to the third embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 14] In the display device according to the third embodiment of the present specification, it is a cross-sectional view of a polarization concave lens, and it is a cross-sectional view showing the traveling path of the non-polarized light transmitted through the polarization concave lens. [Figure 15] In the display device according to the third embodiment of the present specification, it is a cross-sectional view of a polarization convex lens, and it is a cross-sectional view showing the traveling path of the non-polarized light transmitted through the polarization convex lens. [Figure 16] In the display device according to the third embodiment of the present specification, it is a cross-sectional view of a polarization concave lens, and it is a cross-sectional view showing the traveling path of the polarized light transmitted through the polarization concave lens. [Figure 17] In the display device according to the third embodiment of the present specification, it is a cross-sectional view of a polarization convex lens, and it is a cross-sectional view showing the traveling path of the polarized light transmitted through the polarization convex lens. [[ID=3i]] [Figure 18] In the display device according to the third embodiment of the present specification, it is a cross-sectional view showing the traveling path of the light emitted from the second light source. [Figure 19] In the display device according to the third embodiment of the present specification, it is a cross-sectional view showing the traveling path of the polarized light received by the optical sensor module through the polarization concave lens. [Figure 20]This is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to the fourth embodiment of this specification. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] The advantages and features of this specification, as well as the methods for achieving them, will become clear with reference to the examples described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, this specification is not limited to the examples disclosed below and can be embodied in a variety of different forms, and these examples are provided merely to complete the disclosure of this specification and to fully inform those who are ordinary skill in the art to which this specification pertains.

[0018] The shapes, sizes, proportions, angles, numbers, etc., disclosed in the drawings illustrating the embodiments of this specification are illustrative, and this specification is not limited to what is shown in the drawings. Throughout this specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. Furthermore, in describing this specification, if a specific description of the relevant prior art is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of this specification, such detailed description is omitted. Where words such as "includes," "has," or "consists of" are used in this specification, other parts may be added unless "only" or "only" is used. When a component is expressed singly, it may be interpreted as including multiple components unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0019] When interpreting the constituent elements, even if there is no separate explicit mention of the margin of error, it shall be interpreted as including the margin of error.

[0020] When describing a spatial relationship, for example, using phrases like "on top of," "above," "below," "next to," or "adjacent," unless words like "immediately," "directly," or "near" are used, it is possible for one or more other parts to be located between the two parts.

[0021] When describing temporal relationships, if a temporal sequence is described using phrases like "after," "following," "next," or "before," then, as long as "immediately" or "directly" are not used, it can also include cases that are not continuous.

[0022] The term "exemplary" is used to mean "example" and is sometimes used almost interchangeably with the word "example." Furthermore, "embodiments" are exemplary embodiments, and "aspects" are exemplary aspects. Any implementation described as an "example" in this specification is not necessarily construed as being preferable or advantageous to other embodiments.

[0023] While terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are simply used to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, the first component mentioned below may also be the second component within the technical concept of this specification.

[0024] In describing the components of this specification, terms such as 1st, 2nd, A, B, (a), or (b) may be used. Such terms are used solely to distinguish a component from other components, and do not limit the nature, order, sequence, or number of the component. In other words, a specified (directed) connection between connected components is not required.

[0025] Where it is stated that one component is “connected,” “joined,” “attached,” or “attached” to another component, that component may be directly connected, joined, attached, or attached to the other component, but unless otherwise explicitly stated, it should be understood that other components may be interposed between each component that may be indirectly connected, joined, attached, or attached.

[0026] Where it is stated that a component or layer "contacts" or "overlaps" with another component or layer, it should be understood that while the component or layer may directly contact or overlap with other components or layers, other components may also be interposed between each component that can indirectly contact or overlap, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0027] "At least one" should be understood to include all combinations of one or more of the relevant components. For example, "at least one of the first, second, and third components" can be interpreted as including not only the first, second, or third component alone, but also all combinations of two or more of the first, second, and third components.

[0028] The terms "first direction," "second direction," "third direction," "X-axis direction," "Y-axis direction," and "Z-axis direction" should not be interpreted solely as geometric relationships in which the relationships between them are perpendicular, but rather can mean a broader range of directions within which the configuration of this specification can function.

[0029] In this specification, “apparatus” may include display devices such as liquid crystal modules (LCMs) and organic light-emitting display modules (OLED modules), which include a display panel and a drive unit for driving the display panel. It may also include set electronic apparatuses or set devices, such as complete products or final products including LCMs, OLED modules, etc., such as laptop computers, televisions, personal computer monitors, automotive apparatuses, or other forms of vehicles, as well as set electronic apparatuses or set devices, such as smartphones or electronic pads.

[0030] Therefore, the apparatus described herein may include display devices themselves, such as LCMs and OLED modules, as well as application products including LCMs and OLED modules, or set devices intended for end consumers.

[0031] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the LCM and OLED modules, which consist of a display panel and a drive unit, can be referred to as "display devices," while the finished electronic device including the LCM and OLED modules (or panels) can be distinguished and referred to as a "set device."

[0032] For example, a display device may include a liquid crystal (LCD) or organic light-emitting (OLED) display panel and a source PCB which is a control unit for driving the display panel. A set device may further include a set PCB which is a set control unit electrically connected to the source PCB and driving the entire set device.

[0033] The display panels used in the embodiments of this specification can be any form of display panel, such as liquid crystal display panels, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels, and electroluminescent display panels. The embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the display panel may be a display panel that can generate sound by being vibrated by a vibration device according to the embodiments of this specification. The display panels applied to the display devices according to the embodiments of this specification are not limited to the shape or size of the display panel.

[0034] The features of each of the various embodiments described herein can be combined or linked together in part or in whole, enabling a variety of technically interconnected and driven configurations, and each embodiment can be performed independently or in conjunction with one another.

[0035] Various embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. All components of each display device / device in all embodiments of this disclosure are configured in an operationally coupled manner. Note that the scale of the components shown in the drawings is different from the actual scale for the sake of explanation and is not limited to the scale shown in the drawings.

[0036] The display devices described herein can include a variety of devices such as liquid crystal displays, organic electroluminescent displays, electrophoretic displays, mini-LED (Light Emitting Diode) displays, and micro-LED displays. However, for the sake of convenience, a liquid crystal display will be used as an example in the following explanation.

[0037] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the display surface of the display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the rear surface of the display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to the first embodiment of this specification.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the display device 1000 may include a display panel 100, a bottom cover 140 covering the display panel 100, an optical guide module 160 positioned on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140, and an optical sensor module 190 positioned on the side of the optical guide module 160 so as to avoid the optical transmission region UDC defined on the upper surface of the display panel 100.

[0039] Here, the display panel 100 may include a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), and other display devices, but in this specification, we will use a liquid crystal display panel as an example. However, the invention described herein (the present invention) is not limited to this.

[0040] An optical sheet 115 may be positioned below the display panel 100, and a light guide plate 120 may be positioned below the optical sheet 115. A first opening 115a may be formed on the upper surface of the optical sheet 115 so as to overlap with the light-transmitting region UDC. The first opening 115a may be located at one end of the optical sheet 115. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0041] Furthermore, a first light source 130 can be positioned on one side of the light guide plate 120, facing the light guide plate 120. For example, the first light source 130 can be located on the side of the light guide plate 120 that is away from the first opening 115a. The first light source 130 can be composed of LEDs. Here, the LEDs can be composed of white LEDs, or they can be composed of red LEDs / green LEDs / blue LEDs. The first light source 130 can also be composed of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0042] At this time, the light emitted from the first light source 130 travels straight upward through the light guide plate 120, passes through the optical sheet 115, and heads toward the display panel 100.

[0043] A reflective sheet 125 may be placed below the light guide plate 120. A second opening 125a may be formed on the upper surface of the reflective sheet 125 so as to overlap with the light transmission region UDC. The width of the second opening 125a may correspond to the width of the first opening 115a.

[0044] The bottom cover 140, positioned below the reflective sheet 125, may contain the reflective sheet 125, the light guide plate 120, the first light source 130, the optical sheet 115, and the display panel 100. The bottom cover 140 covers the reflective sheet 125, the light guide plate 120, the first light source 130, the optical sheet 115, and the display panel 100, thereby constituting the display device 1000.

[0045] Here, a third opening 143 may be formed on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140 so as to overlap with the first opening 115a and the second opening 125a, which overlap with the light-transmitting region UDC. The width of the third opening 143 can correspond to the width of the second opening 125a and the first opening 115a.

[0046] Furthermore, a triangular prism-shaped optical guide module 160 may be positioned below the bottom cover 140. The optical guide module 160 can be coupled to and fixed to the bottom cover 140 by a guide module support base 152 provided on the underside of the bottom cover 140. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0047] Furthermore, a concave lens 150 may be placed within a third opening 143 provided on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140. The concave lens 150 can be positioned so as to overlap with the light transmission region UDC, the first and second openings 115a and 125a, and the upper surface of the optical guide module 160. In this case, by positioning the concave lens 150 within the third opening 143 provided on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140 so as to overlap with the optical guide module 160, it can perform a primary refraction of the angle of the light path entering from the outside.

[0048] A convex lens 180 may be positioned between one side of the optical guide module 160 and the optical sensor module 190. Optical filters 184 and 186 that selectively transmit light in a specific wavelength band may be positioned between the optical guide module 160 and the convex lens 180. The optical filters 184 and 186 can overlap each other in the direction of reflection of the transmitted light. Furthermore, the thickness of optical filter 184 may be configured to be greater than the thickness of optical filter 186. The convex lens 180 can be coupled and fixed by a lens support base 182.

[0049] The convex lens 180 is coupled to and fixed to the lens support base 182 and can be positioned to overlap with the optical guide module 160 and the optical sensor module 190. External light incident through the display panel 100 is primary refracted through the concave lens 150, and the primary refracted light is secondary refracted through the convex lens 180 via the optical guide module 160 and can be received by the optical sensor module 190.

[0050] Furthermore, a second light source 170 may be positioned on the other side of the optical guide module 160. The second light source 170 may be provided to prevent dark areas from forming within the optical guide module 160. The operation of the second light source 170 can improve the brightness inside the optical guide module 160.

[0051] The second light source 170 can be composed of LEDs. Here, the LEDs can be white LEDs, or they can be composed of red LEDs / green LEDs / blue LEDs. The second light source 170 can also be composed of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL). The second light source 170 can be positioned on the other side of the light guide module 160 and is positioned so as not to overlap with the light transmission area (UDC), the first to third apertures 115a, 125a, 143, and the concave lens 150. Furthermore, the second light source 170 is positioned so as not to overlap with the convex lens 180 and the light sensor module 190. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0052] The optical sensor module 190 may include one or more optical sensors, such as an imaging module (or camera) with an image sensor, an infrared sensor module, or an illuminance sensor module. The optical sensor module 190 can be positioned below the display panel 100 to avoid the light-transmitting area UDC, i.e., in a position that does not overlap with the light-transmitting area UDC. The optical sensor module 190 may, but is not limited to, overlap with the optical guide module 160.

[0053] The optical guide module 160 is positioned between the light-transmitting region UDC of the display panel 100 and the optical sensor module 190, allowing light from the second light source 170 to proceed to the light-transmitting region UDC. On the other hand, the optical guide module 160 can refract external light incident through the light-transmitting region UDC of the display panel 100 towards the optical sensor module 190 via the convex lens 180. That is, external light propagated by the optical guide module 160 can proceed to the optical sensor module 190, which is positioned to avoid the light-transmitting region UDC. Therefore, light entering through the light-transmitting region UDC can be reflected by the convex lens 180 and the optical sensor module 190.

[0054] Therefore, since there are no pixels or wiring connected to pixels in the path of external light traveling towards the light sensor module 190, the external light can enter the light sensor module 190 without interference.

[0055] Light emitted from the second light source 170 travels through the optical guide module 160 towards the upper surface of the optical guide module 160 and can be emitted to the outside of the display panel 100. When a user views the screen of the display device 1000 from the outside, they can see the image reproduced on the display panel 100.

[0056] Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the display panel of the display device according to the first embodiment of this specification.

[0057] As shown in Figure 5, the pixel array cross-sectional structure of the display panel 100 that constitutes the display device 1000 can be configured to include a lower display panel 10, an upper display panel 50 positioned above and below the lower display panel 10, and a liquid crystal cell 70 provided between the lower display panel 10 and the upper display panel 50.

[0058] Furthermore, the lower display panel 10 may include an array element having thin-film transistors and pixel electrodes formed on the array element that transmit incident light to display an image.

[0059] An array element can be configured to include a plurality of gate lines formed in a first direction, a plurality of data lines formed perpendicular to the gate lines, a pixel region separated by the gate lines and the data lines, and thin-film transistors formed in the intersection region of the gate lines and the data lines.

[0060] The upper display panel 50 is positioned opposite the lower display panel 10 and can be configured to include a color filter 60 formed at a corresponding position in the region where the pixel electrodes of the lower display panel 10 are formed, a black matrix 53 formed between the color filters 60, and a common electrode 63 formed below the color filters 60. The black matrix 53 can contact the color filters 60.

[0061] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the lower display panel 10 can be configured to include a transparent first insulating substrate 11, a thin-film transistor Tr, a protective layer 25, and a pixel electrode 30.

[0062] The upper display panel 50 can be configured to include a transparent second insulating substrate 51, a black matrix 53, a color filter 60, an overcoat layer 61, and a common electrode 63.

[0063] A liquid crystal cell 70 is formed between the lower display panel 10 and the upper display panel 50, and the liquid crystal cell 70 can be configured to include liquid crystal 73.

[0064] Liquid crystal alignment layers 35 and 65 can be formed on the pixel electrode 30 and the common electrode 63. Therefore, the liquid crystal cell 70 can be positioned between the liquid crystal alignment layers 35 and 65.

[0065] The first insulating substrate 11 and the second insulating substrate 51 may be made of a transparent glass substrate such as soda-lime glass or borosilicate glass, or a transparent plastic such as polyethersulfone and polycarbonate. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0066] Furthermore, the first insulating substrate 11 can be a flexible substrate made of, for example, polyimide.

[0067] Gate wiring and data wiring can be formed on the first insulating substrate 11. The gate wiring comprises a gate wire and a gate electrode 13. The gate electrode 13 can be formed to protrude from the gate wire.

[0068] Gate wiring serves to transmit gate signals or gate voltages. Gate wiring can be made of aluminum-based metals such as aluminum (Al) and aluminum alloys, silver-based metals such as silver (Ag) and silver alloys, copper-based metals such as copper (Cu) and copper alloys, molybdenum-based metals such as molybdenum (Mo) and molybdenum alloys, chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), etc. However, the present invention is not limited to these.

[0069] The data wiring may comprise a data line, a source electrode 21, and a drain electrode 23. The data wiring can serve to transmit data signals or data voltages. The data wiring may be made of refractory metals such as chromium, molybdenum-based metals, tantalum, and titanium.

[0070] Here, the gate lines are formed in the transverse direction, and the data lines are formed in the longitudinal direction, and they can intersect each other. A pixel electrode 30 can be formed within the region enclosed by the intersecting gate lines and data lines. The pixel electrode 30 can contact the drain electrode 23 through contact holes provided in the protective layer 25. One gate line may be assigned to each pixel.

[0071] A gate insulating layer 15 made of silicon nitride (SiNx) or the like may be formed on the gate wiring. A semiconductor layer 17 made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon or the like may be formed on the gate insulating layer 15.

[0072] The upper part of each semiconductor layer 17 is doped with a high concentration of silicide or n-type impurities. + Ohmic contact layers 19 and 20 made of materials such as hydrogenated amorphous silicon can be formed. The ohmic contact layers 19 and 20 are located between the semiconductor layer 17 below them and the source electrode 21 and drain electrode 23 above them, and play a role in reducing contact resistance. The ohmic contact layers 19 and 20 are located on the semiconductor layer 17 in a state of mutual separation, and a portion of the semiconductor layer 17 can be exposed between the ohmic contact layers 19 and 20.

[0073] A source electrode 21 and a drain electrode 23 can be formed on the ohmic contact layers 19, 20 and the gate insulating layer 15. Furthermore, the source electrode 21 and the drain electrode 23 can be positioned apart such that a portion of the protective layer 25 is located between them.

[0074] The source electrode 21 overlaps with the semiconductor layer 17 in at least a portion, and the drain electrode 23 faces the source electrode 21 with the gate electrode 13 at its center, and may overlap with the semiconductor layer 17 in at least a portion. In other words, the source electrode 21 and the drain electrode 23 are formed spaced apart from each other, and a portion of the semiconductor layer 17 may be exposed between the source electrode 21 and the drain electrode 23.

[0075] A passivation layer 25 may be formed on the data wiring and exposed semiconductor layer 17. The passivation layer 25 can be made of an inorganic material consisting of silicon nitride or silicon oxide, an organic material with excellent planarization properties and photosensitivity, or a low dielectric constant insulating material such as a-Si:C:O or a-Si:O:F formed by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0076] The protective layer 25 can have a double-layer structure consisting of a lower inorganic film and an upper organic film in order to protect the exposed semiconductor layer 17 while taking advantage of the excellent properties of the organic film. A red, green, or blue color filter layer can also be used in the protective layer 25.

[0077] The protective layer 25 has contact holes, and the pixel electrode 30 is electrically connected to the drain electrode 23 via the contact holes, allowing data voltage and control voltage to be applied.

[0078] When a data voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 30, it generates an electric field together with the common electrode 63 of the upper display panel 50, thereby determining the arrangement of the liquid crystal between the common electrode 63 and the pixel electrode 30. In other words, the pixel electrode 30 can be positioned inside the contact hole.

[0079] The black matrix 53 is formed beneath the second insulating substrate 51 to prevent light leakage and define the pixel area. The black matrix 53 can also be in contact with the second insulating substrate 51.

[0080] The black matrix 53 can be formed in portions corresponding to gate lines and data lines, and portions corresponding to thin-film transistors. The black matrix 53 can have various shapes to block light leakage near the pixel electrodes 30 and thin-film transistors.

[0081] The black matrix 53 can be made of a metal (metal oxide) such as chromium or chromium oxide, or an organic black resist. Red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color filters 60 can be sequentially arranged in the pixel regions between the black matrix 53. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0082] An overcoat layer 61 may be formed beneath the color filter 60 to flatten these steps. A common electrode 63 made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO may be formed beneath the overcoat layer 61.

[0083] The common electrode 63 is positioned opposite the pixel electrode 30, and a liquid crystal cell 70 may be interposed between the common electrode 63 and the pixel electrode 30.

[0084] The liquid crystal cell 70 can be pre-tilted relative to the surfaces of the lower display panel 10 and the upper display panel 50. For example, the liquid crystal cell 70 can be pre-tilted by liquid crystal alignment layers 35 and 65 formed on the pixel electrode 30 and the common electrode 63.

[0085] In this specification, when no voltage is applied to the display panel 100, an image can be displayed in white on the front surface of the display panel 100 using light provided from a first light source (130 in Figure 4) located on the side of the light guide plate 120.

[0086] The light provided by the light guide plate 120 can then be linearly polarized light while passing through a polarizing plate (not shown).

[0087] Light that passes through the display panel 100 can be reflected by the reflective sheet 125 at the bottom of the light guide plate 120 and re-entered into the display panel 100.

[0088] Thus, when no voltage is applied to the display panel 100, the image can be displayed in white on the front of the display panel 100 (Normally White Mode), and the image can be displayed in black on the rear of the display panel 100 (Normally Black Mode).

[0089] On the other hand, when voltage is applied to the display panel 100, an image can be displayed in white on the rear surface of the display panel 100 using the light provided from the first light source 130 of the light guide plate 120.

[0090] The display panel 100 may include a pixel array region where pixel data of the input image is written and a light-transmitting region UDC (UDC) without pixels. The light-transmitting region UDC does not include a circuit layer (not shown) with a thin-film transistor Tr as shown in Figure 5. The light-transmitting region (UDC in Figure 4) may be located within the pixel array region.

[0091] The UDC (Upper Light Distribution) of the display panel 100 does not contain any opaque material layer that blocks or interferes with light. Therefore, light emitted from the first light source (130 in Figure 4) can travel towards the display panel 100 through the UDC.

[0092] Then, light entering from the outside passes through the light-transmitting region UDC and proceeds beneath the display panel 100, where it can be first refracted via the concave lens 150 located at the bottom of the light guide plate 120.

[0093] The light that has been refracted first is then secondarily refracted through a convex lens 180 positioned at the boundary between the optical guide module 160 and the optical sensor module 190, thereby increasing the field of view by utilizing the optical sensor module 190 even with the same aperture size (hole size) as before.

[0094] Figure 6 is a magnified perspective view of a concave lens in the display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I' in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a magnified perspective view of a convex lens in the display device according to the first embodiment of this specification. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II' in Figure 8.

[0095] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the concave lens 150 can be located below the display panel 100 and fitted into a third opening 143 provided on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140 that covers the structure comprising the display panel 100. The concave lens 150 can be positioned so as to directly face and overlap the lower surface of the display panel 100. The concave lens 150 can also be positioned to overlap the light-transmitting region UDC of the display panel 100.

[0096] Therefore, the concave lens 150 can primarily refract external light entering through the light-transmitting region UDC of the display panel 100 and direct it into the light guide module 160 located below the concave lens 150.

[0097] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the convex lens 180 can be positioned on one side of the optical guide module 160, which is located beneath the bottom cover 140, and between the optical guide module 160 and the optical sensor module 190 facing it. The convex lens 180 can be positioned on one side of the optical guide module 160 that does not overlap with the light transmission region UDC and the first to third apertures (115a, 125a, 143 in Figure 4).

[0098] Therefore, the convex lens 180 can perform the role of first refracting the external light that has passed through the optical guide module 160 via the concave lens 150, and then second-refracting it so that it can be received by the optical sensor module 190.

[0099] Furthermore, the concave lens 150 may have a maximum length extending in a direction perpendicular to the maximum length of the convex lens 180.

[0100] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to the second embodiment of this specification. Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the propagation path of light that enters from the outside and undergoes primary refraction in the display device according to the second embodiment of this specification. Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the propagation path of light that has undergone secondary refraction in the display device according to the second embodiment of this specification.

[0101] The display device 1000 according to the second embodiment of this specification differs from that of the first embodiment of this specification only in the configuration of the concave and convex lenses, with the remaining components being the same. Therefore, the description of the display device 1000 according to the second embodiment of this specification will focus on the Fresnel concave lens 250 and the Fresnel convex lens 280.

[0102] Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 to 12, a Fresnel concave lens (250) may be placed in the third opening 143 provided on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140, instead of the concave lens 150 in the first embodiment shown in Figure 4. The Fresnel concave lens 250 can be positioned so as to overlap with the light transmission region UDC, the first and second openings 115a and 125a, and the upper surface of the optical guide module 160. In this case, by positioning the Fresnel concave lens 250 in the third opening 143 provided on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140 so as to overlap with the optical guide module 160, it can perform a primary refraction of the angle of the light path entering from the outside.

[0103] A Fresnel convex lens 280 may be placed between one side of the optical guide module 160 and the optical sensor module 190. Optical filters 184 and 186 that selectively transmit light in a certain wavelength band may be placed between the optical guide module 160 and the Fresnel convex lens 280. The Fresnel convex lens 280 can be coupled and fixed by a lens support base 182.

[0104] The Fresnel convex lens 280 is coupled to and fixed to the lens support base 182 and can be positioned to overlap with the optical guide module 160 and the optical sensor module 190.

[0105] Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, external light entering through the display panel 100 can be primary refracted through the Fresnel concave lens 250.

[0106] Then, as shown in Figure 12, the light that has been refracted first is refracted secondly via the Fresnel convex lens 280 after passing through the optical guide module 160, and can be received by the optical sensor module 190.

[0107] For example, by dividing the Fresnel concave lens 250 and the Fresnel convex lens 280 into concentric annular sections, the amount of material required can be reduced compared to existing lenses. The Fresnel concave lens 250 and the Fresnel convex lens 280 can have an infinite number of cross-sectional structures. The overall thickness in each cross-sectional structure can be smaller than that of a comparable simple lens. This is achieved by effectively dividing the continuous surface of a standard lens into a set of surfaces having the same curvature, with stepped discontinuities in between.

[0108] Furthermore, the Fresnel concave lens 250 may have a maximum length extending perpendicular to the maximum length of the Fresnel convex lens 280.

[0109] Furthermore, some lenses may have flat surfaces instead of curved surfaces, and each step may have a different angle. Such lenses can be considered as a circular arrangement of prisms having steeply sloped prism edges and flat or slightly bulging centers. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0110] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to the third embodiment of this specification. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a polarizing concave lens in the display device according to the third embodiment of this specification, showing the path of unpolarized light passing through the polarizing concave lens. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a polarizing convex lens in the display device according to the third embodiment of this specification, showing the path of unpolarized light passing through the polarizing convex lens. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a polarizing concave lens in the display device according to the third embodiment of this specification, showing the path of polarized light passing through the polarizing concave lens. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of a polarizing convex lens in the display device according to the third embodiment of this specification, showing the path of polarized light passing through the polarizing convex lens.

[0111] The display device 1000 according to the third embodiment of this specification differs from the first embodiment of this specification only in the configuration of the concave and convex lenses provided; the remaining components are the same. Therefore, the description of the display device 1000 according to the third embodiment of this specification will focus on the polarizing concave lens 350 and the polarizing convex lens 380 as polarization-dependent lenses.

[0112] Specifically, as shown in Figure 13, a polarizing concave lens 350 may be placed in the third opening 143 provided on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140, instead of the concave lens 150 in the first embodiment shown in Figure 4. The polarizing concave lens 350 can be positioned so as to overlap the light transmission region UDC, the first and second openings 115a and 125a, and the upper surface of the optical guide module 160.

[0113] As shown in Figure 13, the polarizing concave lens 350 may comprise a concave lens layer 351 and a first transparent layer 353. The first transparent layer 353 may be positioned closer to the display panel 100 than the concave lens layer 351. The polarizing concave lens 350 is a polarization-dependent lens, and as shown in Figure 14, it allows unpolarized light to pass through without refraction, while as shown in Figure 16, it allows polarized light to pass through after refraction.

[0114] As shown in Figure 14, the concave lens layer 351 and the first transparent layer 353 can have the same refractive index for unpolarized light. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 16, in the case of polarized light, the concave lens layer 351 can have a higher refractive index than the first transparent layer 353.

[0115] Furthermore, by positioning the polarizing concave lens 350 within a third opening 143 located on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140 so as to overlap with the optical guide module 160, it can perform the role of first-order refraction of the angle of the polarized light path entering from the outside.

[0116] As shown in Figure 13, a polarizing convex lens 380 may be placed between one side of the optical guide module 160 and the optical sensor module 190. Optical filters 184 and 186 that selectively transmit light in a certain wavelength band may be placed between the optical guide module 160 and the polarizing convex lens 380. The polarizing convex lens 380 can be coupled and fixed by a lens support base 182.

[0117] As shown in Figure 13, the polarizing convex lens 380 may comprise a convex lens layer 381 and a second transparent layer 383. The second transparent layer 383 may be positioned even closer to the optical sensor module 190 than the convex lens layer 381.

[0118] The polarizing convex lens 380 is a polarization-dependent lens, and as shown in Figure 15, it allows unpolarized light to pass through without refraction, while as shown in Figure 17, it allows polarized light to pass through after refraction.

[0119] Furthermore, the convex lens layer 381 and the second transparent layer 383 can have the same refractive index value for unpolarized light. On the other hand, in the case of polarized light, the convex lens layer 381 can have a higher refractive index than the second transparent layer 383.

[0120] The polarizing convex lens 380 is coupled and fixed to the lens support base 182, allowing the optical guide module 160 and the optical sensor module 190 to be positioned so that they overlap.

[0121] Therefore, as shown in Figures 13 and 16, polarized external light entering through the display panel 100 can be primary refracted through the polarizing concave lens 350.

[0122] As shown in Figures 13 and 17, the primary refracted light is then secondary refracted via the optical guide module 160 and polarizing convex lens 380, and can be received by the optical sensor module 190.

[0123] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the path of light emitted from a second light source in a display device according to the third embodiment of this specification. Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the path of polarized light received by a light sensor module via a polarizing concave lens in a display device according to the third embodiment of this specification.

[0124] As shown in Figure 18, the light emitted from the second light source 170 can be received by the display panel 100 side via the polarizing concave lens 350 in an unpolarized state. In this case, since the polarizing concave lens 350 does not refract unpolarized light, the light emitted from the second light source 170 can pass through the polarizing concave lens 350 without refraction and be incident on the light transmission region UDC of the display panel 100.

[0125] As shown in Figure 19, the polarized external light incident through the display panel 100 is first-orderly refracted through the polarizing concave lens 350 and can proceed into the optical guide module 160. At this time, the concave lens layer 351 and the first transparent layer 353 that constitute the polarizing concave lens 350 can first-orderly refract the light polarized through the display panel 100 due to the difference in refractive index. In other words, since the refractive index of the concave lens layer 351 is greater than that of the first transparent layer 353, it can refract polarized light entering from the outside.

[0126] The light that has been primary refracted and passed through the optical guide module 160 is then secondary refracted again as it passes through the polarizing convex lens 380, and can be received by the optical sensor module 190.

[0127] In this case, the convex lens layer 381 and the second transparent layer 383 constituting the polarizing convex lens 380 cause the polarized light that has been primary refracted to undergo secondary refraction due to the difference in refractive index, allowing it to be received by the light sensor module 190. In other words, since the refractive index of the convex lens layer 381 is greater than that of the second transparent layer 383, it can cause the polarized light that would otherwise be primary refracted to undergo secondary refraction.

[0128] Thus, according to this specification, by applying polarization-dependent polarizing concave lens 350 and polarizing convex lens 380, whose refraction pattern changes depending on the presence or absence of polarization, it is possible to refract only the light received by the light sensor module 190, and to prevent the light emitted to the outside by the second light source 170 from being refracted, thereby minimizing the degradation of display image quality.

[0129] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to the fourth embodiment of this specification.

[0130] As shown in Figure 20, the display device 1000 according to the fourth embodiment of this specification differs from the first embodiment of this specification only in the configuration of the optical guide module, concave lens, and convex lens; the remaining components are the same. Therefore, the description of the display device 1000 according to the fourth embodiment of this specification will focus on the concave lens portion 463 and the convex lens portion 465 which are integrally configured with the optical guide module 460.

[0131] Specifically, a prism-shaped optical guide module 460 may be positioned on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140. A concave lens portion 463 may be formed on the upper surface of the optical guide module 460 so as to overlap with a third opening 143 provided on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140. In this case, the concave lens portion 463 can be configured integrally with the optical guide module 460. The concave lens portion 463 can be positioned so as to overlap with the light transmission region UDC and the first to third openings 115a, 125a, and 143.

[0132] Here, the concave lens portion 463 provided on the upper surface of the optical guide module 460 is positioned to overlap with the third opening 143 provided on the lower surface of the bottom cover 140, thereby playing a role in first-order refraction of the angle of the light path entering from the outside through the light transmission region UDC and the first to third openings 115a, 125a, and 143.

[0133] Furthermore, a convex lens portion 465 may be formed on one side of the optical guide module 460 so as to overlap with the optical sensor module 190. In this case, the convex lens portion 465 can be configured integrally with the optical guide module 460.

[0134] Furthermore, optical filters 184 and 186 that selectively transmit light in a certain wavelength band may be placed between the convex lens portion 465 and the light sensor module 190. The optical filters 184 and 186 may also be positioned away from the convex lens portion 465.

[0135] Therefore, as shown in Figure 20, external light entering through the display panel 100 can be primary refracted through the concave lens portion 463 on the upper surface of the optical guide module 460.

[0136] The light that has been refracted first is then refracted secondly via the optical guide module 460 and the convex lens portion 465 on one side of the optical guide module 460, and can be received by the optical sensor module 190.

[0137] Thus, according to this specification, by arranging a concave lens and a convex lens on the upper and one side of the optical guide module, and refracting the light entering from the outside in primary and secondary directions, the field of view (FOV) can be increased by utilizing the optical sensor module even with the same aperture size of the light transmission area as existing systems.

[0138] According to this specification, by applying polarization-dependent polarizing concave lenses and polarizing convex lenses whose refraction pattern changes depending on the presence or absence of polarization, the degradation of display image quality can be minimized by refracting only the light received by the light sensor module, while preventing the light emitted from the second light source from being refracted.

[0139] A display device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel including a first region including a light-transmitting region and a second region surrounding the first region; a first lens located below the light-transmitting region and configured to receive light transmitted through the light-transmitting region of the display panel; an optical guide module located below the first lens and including a prism configured to reflect light passing through the first lens; a second lens located on the side of the optical guide module and configured to receive light that has passed through the first lens and been reflected by the optical guide module; and an optical sensor module located adjacent to the second lens and configured to receive light passing through the second lens.

[0140] Furthermore, the first lens is a concave lens, the second lens is a convex lens, and the prism may include a first surface closest to the first lens, a second surface closest to the second lens, and a third surface which is an inclined surface.

[0141] Furthermore, the system may include a first light source located below the upper surface of the display panel below the second region and configured to emit light toward the upper surface of the display panel, and a second light source located on the prism side of the optical guide module so as not to overlap with the light-transmitting region and the first lens, and configured to emit light toward the optical guide module so that the optical guide module can propagate the light back into the light-transmitting region.

[0142] While embodiments of the present invention have been described in more detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms without departing from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0143] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this invention are intended to illustrate, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments.

[0144] Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not limiting.

[0145] The scope of protection of this invention shall be interpreted in accordance with the claims, and any technical ideas within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the technical scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A display panel including a light-transmitting area, A concave lens is positioned at the bottom of the display panel and overlaps with the light-transmitting region, An optical guide module is positioned below the concave lens, A convex lens is positioned on the first surface of the optical guide module, A light sensor module is positioned opposite the aforementioned convex lens, A display device equipped with the following features.

2. An optical sheet is disposed between the display panel and the concave lens, A light guide plate is disposed between the display panel and the concave lens, A reflective sheet is placed between the display panel and the concave lens, A first light source is positioned on one side of the light guide plate, The optical sheet, the light guide plate, the reflective sheet, and the bottom cover covering the first light source, A second light source is arranged on the second surface of the light guide plate, The display device according to claim 1, comprising:

3. The optical sheet is provided with a first opening, The reflective sheet is provided with a second opening. The bottom cover is provided with a third opening. The first opening, the second opening, and the third opening overlap the concave lens. The display device according to claim 2.

4. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the first light source and the second light source each comprise at least one of an LED, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), and an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL).

5. The concave lens comprises a concave Fresnel lens or a polarizing concave lens, The aforementioned convex lens comprises a convex Fresnel lens or a polarizing convex lens. The display device according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned polarizing concave lens comprises a concave lens layer and a transparent material layer, The polarizing convex lens comprises a convex lens layer and a transparent material layer. The display device according to claim 5.

7. When polarized light is received by the optical sensor module through the polarizing concave lens, the polarized light is first refracted through the concave lens layer and the transparent material layer, and second refracted through the convex lens layer and the transparent material layer of the polarizing convex lens. The display device according to claim 6.

8. The concave lens layer has a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the transparent material layer, and the convex lens layer has a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the transparent material layer. The display device according to claim 7.

9. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the light emitted from the second light source to the outside of the display device is not refracted through the polarizing concave lens.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor module comprises one or more optical sensors including an imaging module, and the imaging module comprises one or more of a camera, an image sensor, an infrared sensor module, and an illuminance sensor module.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein external light incident through the display panel is primary refracted through the concave lens, the primary refracted light is secondary refracted through the convex lens via the optical guide module, and is received by the optical sensor module.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display panel further comprises a liquid crystal display panel.

13. A display panel including a light-transmitting area, An optical guide module is located at the bottom of the display panel, Equipped with, The aforementioned optical guide module is A concave lens portion overlapping the aforementioned light transmission region, The convex lens part, A light sensor module located on the side of the aforementioned light guide module, Equipped with, The light sensor module is arranged adjacent to the convex lens portion, Display device.

14. An optical sheet is disposed between the display panel and the optical guide module, A light guide plate is disposed between the display panel and the optical guide module, A reflective sheet is placed between the display panel and the optical guide module, A first light source is arranged on the first surface of the light guide plate, The optical sheet, the light guide plate, the reflective sheet, and the bottom cover covering the first light source, A second light source is arranged on the second surface of the light guide plate, The display device according to claim 13, further comprising:

15. The optical sheet is provided with a first opening, The reflective sheet is provided with a second opening. The bottom cover is provided with a third opening. The first opening, the second opening, and the third opening overlap with the concave lens. The display device according to claim 14.

16. The first light source and the second light source each include at least one of an LED, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), and an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL). The display device according to claim 14.

17. The concave lens portion comprises a concave Fresnel lens or a polarizing concave lens. The convex lens portion comprises a convex Fresnel lens or a polarizing convex lens. The display device according to claim 13.

18. The aforementioned optical sensor module comprises one or more optical sensors, each including an imaging module. The imaging module comprises one or more of the following: a camera, an image sensor, an infrared sensor module, and an illuminance sensor module. The display device according to claim 13.

19. The display device according to claim 13, wherein the concave lens portion and the convex lens portion are integrally configured with the optical guide module.

20. The display device according to claim 13, wherein the display panel comprises a liquid crystal display panel.

21. A display panel including a first region containing a light-transmitting region and a second region surrounding the first region, A first lens located below the light-transmitting region and configured to receive light transmitted through the light-transmitting region, An optical guide module including a prism located below the first lens and configured to reflect light passing through the first lens, A second lens is located on the side of the optical guide module and is configured to receive light that has passed through the first lens and been reflected by the optical guide module, A light sensor module positioned adjacent to the second lens and configured to receive light passing through the second lens, A display device equipped with the following features.

22. The first lens is a concave lens, The second lens is a convex lens, The prism includes a first surface closest to the first lens, a second surface closest to the second lens, and a third surface which is an inclined surface. The display device according to claim 21.

23. A first light source is located below the upper surface of the display panel below the second region and configured to emit light toward the upper surface of the display panel, A second light source is positioned on the prism side of the optical guide module so as not to overlap with the light-transmitting region and the first lens, and is configured to emit light toward the optical guide module so that the optical guide module can propagate light back into the light-transmitting region. Equipped with, The display device according to claim 21.

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