Fingerprint sensor and display device including the same

Abstract

The present application discloses a fingerprint sensor and a display device including the fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor includes a first layer, a light-transmitting hole array layer, and a sensor layer. The first layer includes a plurality of pixels; the light-transmitting hole array layer includes a plurality of light-transmitting holes, the plurality of light-transmitting holes providing a light transmission path for light incident through the first layer; and the sensor layer includes a plurality of photosensors configured to sense light that passes through the light-transmitting holes and is incident on the sensor layer. The resolution of the photosensors provided in a first region on the sensor layer is different from the resolution of the photosensors provided in a second region on the sensor layer.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0001340, filed on January 4, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a fingerprint sensor and a display device including the same. Background Art

[0004] Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet personal computers include a lock function to prevent access by unauthorized users. Examples of lock functions include requiring users to enter a password / personal identification number (PIN), draw a specific shape, or apply their finger to a fingerprint sensor to unlock their device. However, users may forget their password / PIN, or forget how to draw a shape. In addition, if an unauthorized user is able to determine the password / PIN or shape, the unauthorized user may access their device. Therefore, the security of mobile devices can be greatly improved by using a fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor can be installed in or to the display device of the mobile device to provide fingerprint sensing functionality.

[0005] For example, the fingerprint sensor can be configured as an optical sensing type sensor. An optical sensing fingerprint sensor includes a light source and at least one photoelectric sensor. However, if the photoelectric sensor is used in the entire display panel of the display device, the production cost of the display device may be unnecessarily increased. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept relate to an optical sensing fingerprint sensor capable of reducing production costs of a display device, and a display device including the fingerprint sensor.

[0007] Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a fingerprint sensor in which photosensors are arranged in areas on a sensor layer with different resolutions, and a display device including the fingerprint sensor.

[0008] An exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept provides a fingerprint sensor, which includes a first layer, a light-transmitting hole array layer, and a sensor layer, wherein the first layer includes a plurality of pixels; the light-transmitting hole array layer includes a plurality of light-transmitting holes, and the plurality of light-transmitting holes provide a light transmission path for light incident through the first layer; the sensor layer includes a plurality of photosensors, and the plurality of photosensors are configured to sense light that passes through the light-transmitting holes and is incident on the sensor layer, wherein the resolution of setting the photosensors in a first area on the sensor layer can be different from the resolution of setting the photosensors in a second area on the sensor layer.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the photosensor is disposed in the first region with a high resolution and in the second region with a low resolution.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, a pitch between the photosensors disposed in the second area is greater than a pitch between the photosensors disposed in the first area.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, an area of each of the photosensors disposed in the second region is larger than an area of each of the photosensors disposed in the first region.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the photosensor is not provided in the second area.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the first region and the second region form a target region on which the light passing through the light-transmitting hole is incident.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the first areas are respective central areas of the target area, and the second areas are respective peripheral areas of the target area excluding the central area.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first regions at least partially overlaps with a corresponding one of the light-transmitting holes.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the target areas at least partially overlap with each other, and the second area is an area in which the target areas overlap with each other.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the target regions do not overlap with each other, and the sensor layer further includes a third region formed in a region of the sensor layer other than the target region.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, a resolution at which the photosensors are provided in at least one of the first, second, and third regions is different from a resolution at which the photosensors are provided in at least one remaining region of the first, second, and third regions.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the resolution at which the photosensors are provided in each of the third areas is equal to or lower than the resolution at which the photosensors are provided in each of the second areas.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the photosensor is not provided in the third area.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the first layer includes a circuit element layer and a light emitting element layer, wherein the circuit element layer includes a plurality of circuit elements constituting a pixel circuit of each of the pixels, and the light emitting element for the pixel is located on the light emitting element layer.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the photosensor is coupled to both a first sensing line configured to receive a driving signal and a second sensing line configured to output a sensing signal in response to the sensed light.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the number of photosensors electrically coupled to the first group of first sensing lines is greater than the number of photosensors electrically coupled to the second group of first sensing lines. In an exemplary embodiment, the number of photosensors electrically coupled to the first group of second sensing lines is greater than the number of photosensors electrically coupled to the second group of second sensing lines.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, a first group of first sensing lines and a first group of second sensing lines are electrically coupled to the photosensors disposed in the first region.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the first group of first sensing lines and the first group of second sensing lines electrically couple any one of the photosensors provided in each of the first regions with any one of the photosensors provided in a corresponding one of the second regions.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the first group of first sensing lines and the first group of second sensing lines are bent between any one of the photosensors disposed in the first region and any one of the photosensors disposed in the second region.

[0027] An exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept provides a display device including a display panel and a sensor layer, wherein the display panel includes a light-transmitting hole array layer and a plurality of pixels, the light-transmitting hole array layer including a plurality of light-transmitting holes providing a light-transmitting path for light incident from the outside; the sensor layer is arranged on one surface of the display panel and includes a plurality of photosensors, the plurality of photosensors being configured to sense light incident through the display panel, wherein a resolution of setting the photosensors in a first area on the sensor layer is different from a resolution of setting the photosensors in a second area on the sensor layer.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the photosensor is disposed in the first region with a high resolution and is disposed in the second region with a low resolution, or is not disposed in the second region.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the first area and the second area form a target area on which light passing through the light-transmitting hole is incident. In an exemplary embodiment, the first area is a corresponding central area of the target area, and the second area is a corresponding peripheral area of the target area excluding the central area.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the target areas at least partially overlap with each other, and the second area is an area in which the target areas overlap with each other.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the target regions do not overlap with each other, and the sensor layer further includes a third region formed in a region of the sensor layer other than the target region.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, a resolution at which the photosensors are provided in at least one of the first, second, and third regions is different from a resolution at which the photosensors are provided in at least one remaining region of the first, second, and third regions.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display device further includes a driving circuit, and pixels of the display device are coupled to scan lines and data lines. In the exemplary embodiment, the driving circuit includes first to n-th scan drivers, a data driver, and a timing controller, wherein the first to n-th scan drivers are configured to supply scan signals to the pixels via the scan lines; the data driver is configured to supply data signals and bias signals to the pixels via the data lines; and the timing controller is configured to supply image data and bias data to the data drivers and sequentially supply first to n-th start signals to the first to n-th scan drivers, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, when the scan signal is supplied during a display period, the data signal is supplied to the pixel, and when the scan signal is supplied during a bias period between display periods, the bias signal is supplied to the pixel, and n is a natural number greater than 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present inventive concept will be more clearly understood by describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0036] Figures 3A to 3Eis a plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement structure of pixels and photosensors according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0037] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment according to the present inventive concept. Figures 1 to 3E A circuit diagram of an example of a pixel is shown in FIG.

[0038] Figure 5 It is shown in Figures 1 to 3E A circuit diagram of an example of a photosensor is shown in FIG.

[0039] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0040] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 A plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a pinhole array layer.

[0041] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0042] Figures 9A to 12 It shows Figure 6 An enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of region A of FIG.

[0043] Figure 13 is a plan view schematically illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0044] 14A to 14D is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment according to the present inventive concept in more detail. Figure 13 A plan view of a portion of the sensing area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept provide an optical sensing fingerprint sensor capable of reducing production costs of a display device, and a display device including the fingerprint sensor.

[0046] Throughout this specification, when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or indirectly connected or coupled to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “between” two elements, it can be the only element between the two elements, or one or more intervening elements may also be present.

[0047] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.Throughout this application, like reference numerals may refer to like elements.

[0048] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Schematically illustrates a display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. In detail, Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display panel 110 and a driving circuit 200 for driving the display panel 110 provided in a display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display panel 110 and the driving circuit 200 are shown as being separately provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, all or part of the driving circuit 200 may be integrally formed on the display panel 110 .

[0049] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the display device 10 includes a display panel 110 and a driving circuit 200 configured to drive the display panel 110 .

[0050] The display panel 110 includes a display area AA and a non-display area NA. The display area AA is a region in which a plurality of pixels PXL are disposed and may be referred to as an active area. In an exemplary embodiment, each pixel PXL includes at least one light-emitting element. For example, the light-emitting element may be an organic light-emitting diode. The display device 10 may drive the pixels PXL in response to image data input from an external device, thereby displaying an image on the display area AA. For example, the external device may be a data driver circuit.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display area AA includes the sensing area SA. The sensing area SA includes at least some of the pixels PXL disposed in the display area AA.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 As shown in FIG, at least a portion of the display area AA is set as the sensing area SA. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown in FIG, the entire display area AA is set as the sensing area SA.

[0053] although Figure 1 Although an example is shown in which only one sensing area SA is formed on the display area AA, the technical spirit of the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In other words, in exemplary embodiments, multiple sensing areas SA arranged in a regular pattern or an irregular pattern may be formed on the display area AA. In these exemplary embodiments, the multiple sensing areas SA may have the same or different areas and shapes.

[0054] although Figure 1While an example is shown in which the sensing area SA is formed in at least a portion of the display area AA, the technical spirit of the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, the display area AA and the sensing area SA may be arranged to overlap each other only in some areas. For example, a portion of the sensing area SA may overlap with a portion of the non-display area NA, while the remaining portion of the sensing area SA overlaps with the display area AA.

[0055] The non-display area NA may be an area arranged around the display area AA. The non-display area NA may be referred to as a non-active area. In an exemplary embodiment, the non-display area NA comprehensively refers to any area of the display panel 110 other than the display area AA. In an exemplary embodiment, the non-display area NA includes, for example, a line area, a pad area, and various virtual areas. For example, the line area may include a signal line such as a scan line, a data line, or a sense line. For example, the pad area may include a conductive pad connected to one of the signal lines and connected to another circuit element. For example, the virtual area may include a virtual pad that is not connected to any of the signal lines.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display device 10 further includes a plurality of photosensors PHS disposed in the sensing area SA. In the exemplary embodiment, the photosensors PHS sense light reflected by a user's finger after being emitted from a light source and analyze the reflected light to sense the user's fingerprint. Although the photosensors PHS are described below as being used for fingerprint sensing by way of example, the photosensors PHS can be used for various purposes and perform various functions, such as as a touch sensor and a scanner.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the photosensor PHS is disposed in the sensing area SA. Here, the photosensor PHS may overlap with at least some or all of the pixels PXL disposed on the sensing area SA, or may be disposed around the pixels PXL. For example, at least some or all of the photosensors PHS may be disposed between the pixels PXL. When the photosensor PHS is used to sense a fingerprint, the display device 10 including the photosensor PHS overlapping with some or all of the pixels PXL or including the photosensor PHS located between the pixels PXL may be referred to as a fingerprint sensor embedded display device. Figures 3A to 3E An exemplary embodiment of the arrangement relationship between the photosensor PHS and the pixel PXL is described in more detail.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment in which the photosensor PHS is positioned adjacent to the pixels PXL, the photosensor PHS uses a light-emitting element disposed in at least one pixel PXL as a light source, wherein the at least one pixel PXL is disposed in or around the sensing area SA. For example, the light-emitting element may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) of the pixel PXL. In this exemplary embodiment, the photosensor PHS, together with the pixels PXL of the sensing area SA, specifically the light-emitting element disposed in the pixel PXL, may form a light-sensing fingerprint sensor. Thus, when a fingerprint sensor-embedded display device is configured to use the pixels PXL as a light source without using a separate external light source, the thickness of the light-sensing fingerprint sensor and the portion of the display device including the fingerprint sensor can be reduced, and production costs can also be reduced.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, the photosensor PHS is provided on both the image display surface (eg, front surface) and the other surface (eg, rear surface) opposite to the front surface of the display panel 110. However, the present inventive concept is not limited thereto.

[0060] In exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept, the display device 10 further includes an optical system for configuring a light-sensing fingerprint sensor together with the photosensor PHS. In these exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the optical system may be integrally formed with the display panel 110. For example, the display panel 110 may be an optical system-integrated display panel including a pinhole array layer.

[0061] The driving circuit 200 drives the display panel 110. For example, the driving circuit 200 may output a data signal corresponding to image data to the display panel 110, or may output a driving signal for the photosensor PHS and receive a sensing signal from the photosensor PHS. The driving circuit 200, having received the sensing signal, may detect the shape of the user's fingerprint based on the sensing signal.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the driving circuit 200 includes a panel driving unit 210 (eg, a panel driving circuit) and a fingerprint detection unit 220 (eg, a fingerprint detection circuit). Figure 1 and Figure 2 The panel driving unit 210 and the fingerprint detecting unit 220 are shown as being separately provided, but the technical spirit of the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, at least a portion of the fingerprint detecting unit 220 may be integrated with the panel driving unit 210 or interlocked with the panel driving unit 210 .

[0063] In an embodiment, the panel drive unit 210 continuously scans the pixels PXL of the display area AA and provides data signals corresponding to the image data to the pixels PXL. Thus, the display panel 110 can display an image corresponding to the image data. For example, the panel drive unit 210 can activate the first row of pixels PXL during a first cycle and apply a data signal to the activated first row, activate the second row of pixels PXL during a second cycle after the first cycle and apply a data signal to the activated second row, ..., and activate the last row of pixels PXL during a last cycle and apply a data signal to the activated last row. In an exemplary embodiment, the panel drive unit 210 includes a scan drive circuit and a data drive circuit (e.g., a data driver). The scan drive circuit may include multiple scan drivers (e.g., a first scan driver to an nth scan driver), each scan driver for each row of pixels PXL. The pixels PXL can be connected to scan lines and data lines. The scan driver can be configured to supply scan signals to the pixels PXL via the scan lines. The data driver can be configured to supply data signals to the pixels PXL via the data lines. In an embodiment, the data driver supplies both a data signal and a bias signal to the pixel PXL via a data line. The panel drive unit 210 may further include a timing control circuit (e.g., a timing controller). The timing controller may provide image data and bias data to the data driver. The data driver may generate a data signal from the image data and a bias signal from the bias data. The timing controller may sequentially supply a first start signal to an nth start signal to the first scan driver to the nth scan driver. The start signal may indicate to a given scan driver when to start outputting a given one of the scan signals. In an exemplary embodiment, during a display period, when a scan signal is supplied, a data signal is supplied to the pixel PXL, and during a bias period between display periods, when a scan signal is supplied, a bias signal is supplied to the pixel PXL.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the panel drive unit 210 supplies a drive signal for fingerprint sensing to the pixels PXL. The drive signal may be provided to cause the pixels PXL to emit light and operate as a light source for the photosensor PHS. In this exemplary embodiment, the drive signal for fingerprint sensing may be provided to pixels PXL disposed in a specific area of the display panel 110, for example, pixels PXL disposed in the sensing area SA. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive signal for fingerprint sensing may be provided by the fingerprint detection unit 220.

[0065] The fingerprint detection unit 220 may transmit a driving signal for driving the photosensor PHS to the photosensor PHS and detect the user's fingerprint based on a sensing signal received from the photosensor PHS. For example, the sensing signal is received in response to the transmission of the driving signal.

[0066] Figures 3A to 3E is a plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement structure of a pixel PXL and a photosensor PHS according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figures 3A to 3E Various exemplary embodiments are shown regarding relative sizes, resolutions, and arrangement relationships between at least one or more pixels PXL and the photosensors PHS provided in the sensing area SA.

[0067] Reference Figure 3A , the photosensors PHS are arranged in the sensing area SA with the same resolution as the resolution of the pixels PXL (or with the same density as the density of the pixels PXL). In other words, the number of photosensors PHS arranged in the sensing area SA is the same as the number of pixels PXL. In this exemplary embodiment, the pixels PXL and the photosensors PHS are arranged to be paired with each other one to one. Figure 3A In the exemplary embodiment, the pixel PXL and the photosensor PHS have been illustrated as overlapping each other. However, in the exemplary embodiment, the pixel PXL and the photosensor PHS do not overlap with each other, or overlap with each other only in some areas.

[0068] Despite Figure 3A In the exemplary embodiment, each photosensor PHS has been shown to have a size smaller than that of each pixel PXL, but the technical spirit of the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, each photosensor PHS may have a size equal to or larger than that of each pixel PXL. Figure 3C and Figure 3D middle.

[0069] Reference Figures 3B to 3E , the photosensors PHS are arranged in the sensing area SA with a resolution smaller than that of the pixels PXL. In other words, the number of photosensors PHS arranged in the sensing area SA is smaller than the number of pixels PXL. Although Figures 3B to 3E An example is shown in which one photosensor PHS is provided for every four pixels PXL, but the present inventive concept is not limited thereto.

[0070] In this exemplary embodiment, Figure 3B and Figure 3E As shown in , each photosensor PHS has a size smaller than that of each pixel PXL, or as Figure 3C and Figure 3D As shown in , each photosensor PHS has a size larger than that of each pixel PXL.

[0071] When the photosensors PHS are provided with a resolution smaller than that of the pixels PXL, some or all of the photosensors PHS may be provided to overlap with the pixels PXL. Figure 3B and Figure 3C As shown in , the photosensor PHS may partially overlap with some of the pixels PXL.

[0072] Alternatively, as Figure 3D As shown in FIG, the photosensor PHS is disposed between the pixels PXL and partially overlaps with the pixels PXL. In this exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 3D As shown in , each photosensor PHS has a size larger than that of each pixel PXL. For example, each photosensor PHS may have a size suitable for covering at least one pixel PXL.

[0073] Alternatively, as Figure 3E As shown in FIG, the photosensor PHS does not overlap with the pixel PXL.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement structure between the pixels PXL and the photosensors PHS is not limited to the above-mentioned arrangement structure. In other words, within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention, the shape, arrangement, relative size, number, resolution, etc. of the pixels PXL and the photosensors PHS in the sensing area SA can be modified in various ways. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the pixels PXL and the photosensors PHS can be arranged in a manner such that Figures 3A to 3E For example, in one combination, the first portion of the sensing area SA may correspond to Figure 3A The one-to-one mapping of the photosensors to the pixels in the sensing area SA corresponds to the remaining second portion of the sensing area SA. Figure 3B A one-to-four mapping of photosensors to pixels in .

[0075] Despite Figures 3A to 3E , the photosensors PHS have been illustrated as being regularly arranged in the sensing area SA, but the technical spirit of the inventive concept is not limited thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the photosensors PHS may be irregularly arranged in the sensing area SA.

[0076] Figure 4 It is shown in Figures 1 to 3E For descriptive purposes, Figure 41 shows an effective pixel, which is arranged on the i-th scan line Si (i is a natural number) and the j-th data line Dj (j is a natural number), and includes two transistors, wherein the i-th scan line Si is arranged on the i-th horizontal pixel line and the j-th data line Dj is arranged on the j-th vertical pixel line. However, the structure of the pixel PXL according to the present invention is not limited to Figure 4 The structure shown in .

[0077] Reference Figure 4 , a pixel PXL according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept includes a first transistor M1, a second transistor M2, a capacitor C, and a light emitting element LD.

[0078] The first transistor M1 is coupled between the jth data line Dj and the first node N1. A gate electrode of the first transistor M1 is coupled to the i-th scan line Si. When a scan signal having a gate-on voltage (e.g., a low voltage) is supplied from the i-th scan line Si, the first transistor M1 is turned on. When the first transistor M1 is turned on, the j-th data line Dj can be electrically coupled to the first node N1. For example, a scan driver can provide a scan signal, and a data driver can provide a data voltage to the j-th data line Dj.

[0079] The second transistor M2 is coupled between the first power source ELVDD and the light-emitting element LD. A gate electrode of the second transistor M2 is coupled to a first node N1. The second transistor M2 can control the amount of current flowing from the first power source ELVDD to the second power source ELVSS via the light-emitting element LD in response to the voltage of the first node N1. In an exemplary embodiment, the first power source ELVDD is a high potential power source, and the second power source ELVSS is a low potential power source.

[0080] The capacitor C may be coupled between the first power source ELVDD and the first node N1. The capacitor C may store a voltage corresponding to a data signal to be supplied to the first node N1.

[0081] The light emitting element LD may be coupled between the second transistor M2 and the second power source ELVSS. The light emitting element LD emits light at a brightness corresponding to the current controlled by the second transistor M2. In an exemplary embodiment, the light emitting element LD is an organic light emitting diode (OLED).

[0082] Figure 5 It is shown in Figures 1 to 3E The circuit diagram of an example of a photosensor PHS is shown in FIG. For the purpose of convenience, Figure 5 Only the photosensor PHS coupled to the m-th horizontal sensing line Txm (m is a natural number) and the n-th vertical sensing line Rxn (n is a natural number) is shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the horizontal sensing lines and the vertical sensing lines may be arranged in a manner similar to Figure 5In these exemplary embodiments, the elements constituting the photosensor PHS may also be oriented in directions corresponding thereto.

[0083] Reference Figure 5 , the photosensor PHS according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept includes a photodiode PD and a transistor M.

[0084] The photodiode PD may be coupled between the ground and the electrode of the transistor M. The photodiode PD may be configured to convert light energy into electric energy, and have a photoelectromotive force that changes current according to the intensity of light around it.

[0085] A transistor M is coupled between the nth vertical sensing line Rxn and the photodiode PD. A gate electrode of the transistor M is coupled to the mth horizontal sensing line Txm. When a driving signal having a gate-on voltage (e.g., a low voltage) is supplied to the mth horizontal sensing line Txm, the transistor M is turned on. If the transistor M is turned on, current flowing through the photodiode PD may flow to the nth vertical sensing line Rxn.

[0086] The display device 10 may apply a driving signal to a horizontal sensing line coupled to the photosensor PHS and sense a user's fingerprint based on a current (hereinafter, referred to as a sensing signal) supplied to a vertical sensing line.

[0087] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a pinhole array layer PHL.

[0088] Reference Figure 6 , a display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept includes a display panel 110, a sensor layer 120, and a window 130, wherein the display panel 110 includes a plurality of pixels PXL, the sensor layer 120 is provided on one surface of the display panel 110, and the window 130 is provided on the other surface of the display panel 110.

[0089] The display panel 110 may include a first substrate SUB1, a circuit element layer BPL, a light emitting element layer LDL, a first protection layer PTL1, and a first adhesive layer ADL1 sequentially disposed on a first surface (eg, upper surface) of the first substrate SUB1.

[0090] The first substrate SUB1 may be a base substrate of the display panel 110 and may be formed of a substantially transparent or completely transparent light-transmitting substrate. In an exemplary embodiment, the first substrate SUB1 is a thin film substrate formed of polyimide (PI). In an exemplary embodiment, the first substrate SUB1 is formed of a rigid substrate including glass or tempered glass or a flexible substrate made of plastic. However, the material of the first substrate SUB1 is not limited thereto, and the first substrate SUB1 may be formed of various materials. The window 130 may be formed of a material that is the same as or similar to that of the first substrate SUB1. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first substrate SUB1 includes a Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display area AA and the non-display area NA are shown in FIG.

[0091] The circuit element layer BPL may be provided on the first surface of the first substrate SUB1 and may include at least one conductive layer. For example, the circuit element layer BPL may include a plurality of circuit elements constituting the pixel circuit of each pixel PXL, and lines configured to supply power and signals for driving the pixel PXL. In this exemplary embodiment, the circuit element layer BPL may include circuit elements such as transistors and capacitors, and a plurality of conductive layers configured to form lines connected to the circuit elements.

[0092] The light-emitting element layer LDL may be disposed on the circuit element layer BPL. In an exemplary embodiment, the light-emitting element layer LDL includes a plurality of light-emitting elements LD, wherein the plurality of light-emitting elements LD are coupled to circuit elements and / or lines of the circuit element layer BPL via contact holes, etc. Each pixel PXL may be formed from such light-emitting elements LD. For example, each pixel PXL may include one of the light-emitting elements LD.

[0093] In these exemplary embodiments, each of the pixels PXL may be formed of a circuit element provided in the circuit element layer BPL and a light emitting element LD provided in the light emitting element layer LDL.

[0094] The first protective layer PTL1 may be provided on the light emitting element layer LDL to cover all or part of the display panel 110, for example, the display area AA. In an exemplary embodiment, the first protective layer PTL1 includes a thin film encapsulation (TFE) layer or a sealing member such as an encapsulation substrate. The first protective layer PTL1 may also include a protective film, etc.

[0095] The first adhesive layer ADL1 may be disposed between the first protective layer PTL1 and the window 130 and couple the first protective layer PTL1 with the window 130. In an exemplary embodiment, the first adhesive layer ADL1 includes a transparent adhesive such as an optically clear adhesive (OCA), but the adhesive material is not limited thereto.

[0096] In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel 110 further includes a second protection layer PTL2 and a second adhesive layer ADL2 sequentially disposed on the second surface (eg, lower surface) of the first substrate SUB1.

[0097] The second protection layer PTL2 may be disposed on the second surface of the first substrate SUB1 and include at least one film layer such as a protection film layer.

[0098] The second adhesive layer ADL2 may be disposed between the second protection layer PTL2 and the sensor layer 120 and couple the second protection layer PTL2 with the sensor layer 120. Although the second adhesive layer ADL2 may include a transparent adhesive such as OCA, the adhesive material is not limited thereto.

[0099] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display panel 110 further includes a pinhole array layer PHL. The pinhole array layer PHL may be disposed to overlap with the sensing area SA. In other words, the sensing area SA of the display device 10 may be defined corresponding to the deployment state of the pinhole array layer PHL.

[0100] The pinhole array layer PHL is disposed between the light emitting element layer LDL and the sensor layer 120 and is configured to selectively transmit incident light therethrough. Figure 7 As shown in FIG, the pinhole array layer PHL is formed by a light blocking mask LBM having a plurality of pinholes PIH. For example, the pinholes PIH may be through holes of the light blocking mask LBM.

[0101] The light blocking mask LBM may be formed of an opaque metal layer partially opened in the portion where the corresponding pinholes PIH are formed. However, the material of the light blocking mask LBM is not limited to metal, and the light blocking mask LBM may be formed of various materials capable of blocking light transmission. For example, the light blocking mask LBM may be formed of a black matrix material. In an exemplary embodiment, the light blocking mask LBM may be rigid or flexible.

[0102] The pinholes PIH may form openings distributed throughout the light blocking mask LBM. In other words, the pinhole array layer PHL may include a plurality of pinholes PIH having the same or different sizes and being regularly or irregularly arranged at locations spaced apart from one another at the same or different intervals within the light blocking mask LBM. For example, when a group of pinholes PIH are spaced apart at the same interval, a given pinhole in the group is spaced the same distance from adjacent pinholes.

[0103] The pinholes (PIH) can be formed with appropriate size and spacing to prevent diffraction of incident light and more clearly sense the shape of the user's fingerprint. For example, the width of each pinhole (PIH) can be set to a value that is ten times or greater than the wavelength of the incident light to prevent light diffraction. For example, the width of the pinholes (PIH) can be in the range of 2μm to 15μm.

[0104] The spacing between the pinholes PIH can be determined based on the distance between the pinhole array layer PHL and the sensor layer 120, the wavelength of the incident light, and the field of view (FOV, also called "viewing angle") required for each pinhole PIH. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle of the FOV of the pinhole PIH can be approximately in the range of 30° to 60°, for example, it can be 45°, but is not limited thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, when the angle of the FOV is about 45°, the spacing between the pinholes PIH is set to a value that is twice or greater than the distance between the pinhole array layer PHL and the sensor layer 120, or can be set to a value obtained by adding a predetermined error range to the distance or greater. For example, each pinhole PIH can have a width in the range of about 5 μm to about 15 μm (or in the case of a circular shape, can have such a diameter) along a first direction (e.g., horizontal direction) and / or a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (e.g., vertical direction).

[0105] The technical spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the size, shape, number, resolution, and arrangement of the pinholes PIH can be modified in various ways. For example, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pinholes PIH are arranged in an irregular pattern in the light-blocking mask LBM. In addition, the size of each pinhole PIH can vary depending on various factors, such as the wavelength bandwidth of the light used to sense the fingerprint and the thickness of each of the layers constituting the display device 10.

[0106] Due to the pinhole array layer PHL having the above-mentioned structure, some of the light incident on the pinhole array layer PHL is blocked by the light blocking mask LBM, and the remaining light passes through the pinholes PIH and reaches the sensor layer 120 disposed under the pinhole array layer PHL.

[0107] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the light incident on the pinhole array layer PHL may be light reflected by, for example, a finger placed on the display device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "reflected light"). Specifically, reflected light emitted from the pixel PXL and reflected by the user's finger may be incident on the pinhole array layer PHL. Among the incident reflected light, some reflected light reaching the light blocking mask LBM may be blocked by the light blocking mask LBM, and only some reflected light incident on the pinholes PIH may pass through the pinholes PIH and reach the sensor layer 120.

[0108] Although not shown, in various embodiments of the present inventive concept, a buffer layer is further provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the pinhole array layer PHL. The buffer layer may be provided to prevent impurities from diffusing on the pinhole array layer PHL and may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure. In the case where the buffer layer has a multi-layer structure, the multiple layers of the buffer layer may be formed of the same or different materials.

[0109] As described above, when the pinhole array layer PHL is integrally provided in the display panel 110, the thickness of a portion of the display device 10 can be reduced. However, in some exemplary embodiments, the pinhole array layer PHL is separately provided under the display panel 110, rather than being integrally provided with the display panel 110. In these exemplary embodiments, the pinhole array layer PHL may be attached to the lower surface of the display panel 110 by an adhesive or the like.

[0110] In another exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display panel 110 is transparent in the area where the pinholes PIH are provided, so as to allow reflected light to pass through the corresponding pinholes PIH. In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel 110 is transparent at positions corresponding to the pinholes PIH and the corresponding peripheral areas of the pinholes PIH to meet the FOV required for each pinhole PIH.

[0111] The sensor layer 120 may be disposed on one surface of the display panel 110 such that the sensor layer 120 overlaps at least a portion of the display panel 110. For example, the sensor layer 120 may be disposed to overlap the sensing area SA of the display panel 110.

[0112] like Figure 6 As shown in , the sensor layer 120 may be provided on the lower surface (e.g., the surface opposite to the surface on which an image is displayed) of the display panel 110. For example, the sensor layer 120 may be implemented as a sensor integrated circuit (IC) attached to the lower surface of the display panel 110. In an exemplary embodiment in which the sensor layer 120 is provided on the lower surface of the display panel 110, degradation of the image quality of the display device 10 due to the sensor layer 120 may be prevented.

[0113] The sensor layer 120 includes a plurality of photosensors PHS arranged with a predetermined resolution (density, pitch). Figures 3A to 3E As described, the photosensors PHS may have various sizes, numbers, resolutions, and arrangements relative to the pixels PXL in the display panel 110 .

[0114] The photosensor PHS can output an electrical signal corresponding to the reflected light received after passing through the pinhole PIH as a sensing signal. The reflected light received at the photosensor PHS can have different optical characteristics (e.g., frequency, wavelength, and intensity) depending on whether the reflected light is formed by the valleys or ridges of the user's fingerprint. Therefore, the photosensor PHS can output a sensing signal having different electrical characteristics corresponding to the optical characteristics of the reflected light. The sensing signal output from the photosensor PHS can be converted into image data and used to identify the user's fingerprint.

[0115] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the reflected light may reach at least a portion of the sensor layer 120. Here, the portion of the sensor layer 120 on which the reflected light having passed through each pinhole PIH is incident may be referred to as a target area TA.

[0116] The size and arrangement of the target area TA can be determined based on the size, shape, arrangement, and FOV of the pinhole PIH and the thickness of the layer provided on the pinhole array layer PHL. In an exemplary embodiment, the target area TA has an area larger than that of the pinhole PIH. Alternatively, for example, the target area TA may have the same shape as that of the pinhole PIH. As another alternative, for example, the target area TA may be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the pinhole PIH. All or some of the target areas TA may or may not overlap with the pinhole PIH. However, the technical spirit of the inventive concept is not limited to that described above.

[0117] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG, the target areas TA corresponding to the respective pinholes PIH may overlap with each other. However, the technical spirit of the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and in an exemplary embodiment, the target areas TA do not overlap with each other and are spaced apart from each other. Whether the target areas TA overlap with each other may be determined based on, for example, the size of the pinholes PIH and the distance between the pinhole array layer PHL and the sensor layer 120.

[0118] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the photosensors PHS are arranged in each target area TA with different resolutions (density, pitch). For example, the photosensors PHS may be arranged in a first area of the target area TA with a first resolution and in a second area of the target area TA with a second resolution.

[0119] In an exemplary embodiment, the first area is the central area of the target area TA. For example, the central area may be an area that at least partially overlaps with the pinhole PIH. In an exemplary embodiment, the size of each first area is larger than the size of the pinhole PIH. However, the technical spirit of the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the size of the first area may be equal to or smaller than the size of the pinhole PIH. The first area may be configured to be sufficiently large in size and shape to enable fingerprint recognition using image data generated from sensing signals of the photosensor PHS disposed in the first area.

[0120] In an embodiment, the second region is an area formed in the perimeter (periphery) of the target area TA and is an area on the sensor layer 120 excluding the central area of the target area TA. In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the second region is an area that overlaps with each other between adjacent target areas TA, but the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment in which the target areas TA do not overlap with each other, the second region is an area that does not overlap with adjacent target areas TA. In an exemplary embodiment, the first area of the target area TA is located in a given area centrally located within the target area, and the second area of the target area TA surrounds the given area.

[0121] In an exemplary embodiment, the first resolution is higher than the second resolution.In some exemplary embodiments, the photosensor PHS is not disposed in the second area.

[0122] In an exemplary embodiment, the photosensor PHS is arranged at different resolutions between the target area TA and other areas other than the target area TA. For example, the photosensor PHS may be arranged at a first resolution in the target area TA and at a second resolution in other areas other than the target area TA. In an embodiment, the first resolution is higher than the second resolution. In some exemplary embodiments, the photosensor PHS is not arranged in other areas other than the target area TA.

[0123] Will refer to Figures 9A to 12 Exemplary embodiments related to the arrangement of the photosensor PHS are described in more detail.

[0124] The window 130 may be a protective member provided on the uppermost surface of the module including the display panel 110 of the display device 10. The window 130 may be a substantially transparent light-transmitting substrate. The window 130 may include a rigid or flexible substrate, and the constituent material of the window 130 is not limited to a specific material.

[0125] In an exemplary embodiment, although not shown, the display device 10 further includes a polarizing plate and / or a touch sensor layer (touch electrode layer). The polarizing plate and / or the touch sensor layer may be disposed between the first protective layer PTL1 and the window 130, but is not limited thereto. The polarizing plate may be used to polarize incident light.

[0126] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. Figure 8 In addition to the fact that the display device 10 shown in FIG further includes a second substrate SUB2, Figure 8 The display device 10 shown in FIG. Figure 6 The display device 10 shown in FIG is substantially the same. In the following, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same display device 10 as FIG. Figure 6 The same or similar elements as those shown in FIG. 1 are used as the same or similar elements, and further description of these same or similar elements will be omitted.

[0127] Reference Figure 8 The display panel 110 further includes a second substrate SUB2 disposed on a second surface (e.g., a lower surface) of the first substrate SUB1. In an exemplary embodiment, the second substrate SUB2 is disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the sensor layer 120. In this exemplary embodiment, a pinhole array layer PHL is disposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2.

[0128] The second substrate SUB2 may be formed of a material that is the same as or different from that of the first substrate SUB 1. For example, each of the first substrate SUB 1 and the second substrate SUB 2 may be a thin film substrate made of polyimide.

[0129] Figures 9A to 12 It shows Figure 6 An enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of region A. In more detail, Figures 9A to 12 Various exemplary embodiments are shown regarding the resolution, size, and / or arrangement relationship of the photosensors PHS provided on the sensor layer 120 .

[0130] exist Figures 9A to 9C In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the target areas TA corresponding to the respective pinholes PIH at least partially overlap with each other. In these exemplary embodiments, the photosensors PHS may be arranged with different resolutions between an area in which the target areas TA do not overlap with each other (hereinafter, referred to as a first area A1) and an area in which the target areas TA overlap with each other (hereinafter, referred to as a second area A2).

[0131] exist Figures 9A to 9C In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the first area A1 at least partially overlaps the pinhole PIH. Figures 9A to 9C In FIG, each first region A1 is shown to have an area larger than that of each pinhole PIH, but the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In other words, in some exemplary embodiments, each first region A1 may have an area equal to or smaller than that of each pinhole PIH. Figure 12 Some of these exemplary embodiments are shown in FIG.

[0132] Reference Figures 9A to 9C , the photosensors PHS are disposed in a first area A1 on the sensor layer 120 with a first resolution, and the photosensors PHS are disposed in a second area A2 on the sensor layer 120 with a second resolution. In an embodiment, the first resolution is higher than the second resolution.

[0133] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 9A As shown in FIG, the photosensors PHS arranged in the second area A2 are arranged at a greater pitch than the photosensors PHS arranged in the first area A1, thereby achieving a low-resolution structure. In an embodiment, a given photosensor in the second area A2 is spaced the same first distance from an adjacent photosensor PHS in the second area A2, and a given photosensor in the first area A1 is spaced the same second distance from an adjacent photosensor PHS in the first area A1, with the first distance being greater than the second distance. In this exemplary embodiment, the photosensors PHS arranged in the second area A2 may be arranged collinearly with at least some of the photosensors PHS arranged in the first area A1, but the technical spirit of the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In other words, for example, the photosensors PHS arranged in the second area A2 may be aligned with the spaces between the photosensors PHS arranged in the first area A1.

[0134] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 9B As shown in , each of the photosensors PHS disposed in the second area A2 has a width greater than that of each of the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1, thereby realizing a low-resolution structure. Figure 9B In the exemplary embodiment, the photodiode of each of the photosensors PHS disposed in the second area A2 has a larger area than the photodiode of each of the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1. However, the technical spirit of the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the photosensors PHS disposed in the second area A2 is manufactured to have a relatively large area in such a manner that its circuit elements are disposed at a larger pitch than the pitch of the circuit elements of each of the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1.

[0135] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, Figure 9C As shown in FIG, the photosensor PHS is not provided in the second area A2.

[0136] exist Figure 10 In the exemplary embodiment, the target areas TA corresponding to the respective pinholes PIH are in contact with each other without overlapping. In this exemplary embodiment, the first area A1 has a size and shape large enough to recognize a fingerprint based on image data generated from a sensing signal of the photosensor PHS disposed in the first area A1. The second area A2 may be disposed in an area on the sensor layer 120 other than the first area A1. Here, the first area A1 may at least partially overlap with the pinhole PIH.

[0137] Reference Figure 10 , the photosensors PHS are disposed in a first area A1 on the sensor layer 120 with a first resolution, and the photosensors PHS are disposed in a second area A2 on the sensor layer 120 with a second resolution. Here, the first resolution is higher than the second resolution.

[0138] although Figure 10 An example is shown in which the photosensors PHS are provided in the first area A1 with a relatively high resolution and in the second area A2 with a relatively low resolution, and have the same area, but the technical spirit of the inventive concept is not limited thereto. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment in which the target areas TA corresponding to the corresponding pinholes PIH do not overlap with each other, the photosensors PHS provided in the second area A2 may have an area larger than that of the photosensors PHS provided in the first area A1. Alternatively, in an exemplary embodiment in which the target areas TA corresponding to the corresponding pinholes PIH do not overlap with each other, the photosensors PHS are not provided in the second area A2. These exemplary embodiments are different from those of the reference embodiment. Figures 9A to 9C The described embodiments are the same; therefore, further description of these same embodiments will be omitted.

[0139] exist Figures 11A to 11C In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the target areas TA corresponding to the respective pinholes PIH are spaced apart from each other. In these exemplary embodiments, the first area A1 has a size and shape large enough to recognize a fingerprint based on image data generated from the sensing signal of the photosensor PHS disposed in the first area A1. The second area A2 may be disposed as an area on the target area TA other than the first area A1. Here, the area between the target areas TA (hereinafter referred to as the third area A3) may have various shapes and sizes depending on the size and arrangement of the pinholes PIH and the distance between the pinhole array layer PHL and the sensor layer 120.

[0140] exist Figures 11A to 11C In the exemplary embodiment, the photosensor PHS corresponding to each of the pinholes PIH may have different resolutions between at least two areas of the first area A1, the second area A2, and the third area A3.

[0141] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 11A As shown in FIG, the photosensor PHS is arranged in the first area A1 with a first resolution, and in the second area A2 and the third area A3 with a second resolution. Here, the first resolution is higher than the second resolution.

[0142] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 11A As shown in FIG, the photosensors PHS arranged in the second and third areas A2 and A3 are arranged at a greater pitch than the photosensors PHS arranged in the first area A1, thereby achieving a low-resolution structure. In this exemplary embodiment, the photosensors PHS arranged in the second and third areas A2 and A3 may be arranged collinearly with at least some of the photosensors PHS arranged in the first area A1, but the technical spirit of the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In other words, for example, the photosensors PHS arranged in the second and third areas A2 and A3 may be aligned with the spaces between the photosensors PHS arranged in the first area A1.

[0143] In the exemplary embodiment, each of the photosensors PHS disposed in the second area A2 and the third area A3 is manufactured to have an area larger than that of each of the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1, thereby realizing a low-resolution structure. Figure 9B The detailed description of the described embodiments is the same; therefore, further explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0144] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 11B As shown in FIG, the photosensor PHS is arranged in a first area A1 with a first resolution, in a second area A2 with a second resolution, and in a third area A3 with a third resolution. Here, the first resolution is higher than the second resolution, and the second resolution is higher than the third resolution.

[0145] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 11BAs shown in FIG, the photosensors PHS arranged in the third area A3 are arranged at a larger pitch than the photosensors PHS arranged in the second area A2, thereby achieving a low-resolution structure. In this exemplary embodiment, the photosensors PHS arranged in the third area A3 may be arranged collinearly with at least some of the photosensors PHS arranged in the second area A2, but the technical spirit of the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. In other words, for example, the photosensors PHS arranged in the third area A3 may be aligned with the spaces between the photosensors PHS arranged in the second area A2.

[0146] In this exemplary embodiment, according to the alignment between the photosensors PHS set in the first area A1 and the photosensors PHS set in the second area A2, the photosensors PHS set in the third area A3 can be aligned with at least some of the photosensors PHS set in the first area A1, or aligned with the space between the photosensors PHS set in the first area A1.

[0147] In the exemplary embodiment, each of the photosensors PHS disposed in the third area A3 is manufactured to have an area larger than that of each of the photosensors PHS disposed in the second area A2, thereby realizing a low-resolution structure. Figure 9B The detailed description of the described exemplary embodiments is the same; therefore, further explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0148] In the exemplary embodiment, the photosensor PHS is not provided in at least one of the second area A2 and the third area A3. Figure 11C An example in which the photosensor PHS exists in the second area A2 but not in the third area A3 is shown, but the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, the photosensor PHS does not exist in the second area A2 but exists in the third area A3, and in yet another embodiment, the photosensor PHS does not exist in both the second area A2 and the third area A3.

[0149] exist Figure 12 In an exemplary embodiment, each first area A1 has a size (area, width, and diameter) smaller than the size (area, width, and diameter) of each pinhole PIH. In this exemplary embodiment, each second area A2 may partially overlap with the pinhole PIH. For example, if the target area TA is larger than the pinhole PIH, the second area A2 may partially overlap with the pinhole PIH. Alternatively, for example, if the target area TA is smaller than the pinhole PIH, the entire second area A2 may overlap with the pinhole PIH.

[0150] Reference Figure 12 , the photosensors PHS are disposed in a first area A1 on the sensor layer 120 with a first resolution, and the photosensors PHS are disposed in a second area A2 on the sensor layer 120 with a second resolution. Here, the first resolution is higher than the second resolution.

[0151] The technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to Figure 12 In other words, in the exemplary embodiment where the first area A1 is smaller than the pinhole PIH, the photosensor PHS can be as shown in FIG. 9A to 11C The detailed description of these exemplary embodiments and references 9A to 11C The detailed description of the described exemplary embodiments is the same; therefore, further explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0152] like Figures 9A to 12 As shown in , if the photosensors PHS are provided in some areas on the sensor layer 120 with low resolution, the production cost of the sensor layer 120 can be reduced, and thus the production cost of the display device 10 can be reduced.

[0153] In the exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the method of arranging the photosensors PHS is not limited to the method described above. In other words, in the exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the arrangement and size of the photosensors PHS relative to the pinholes PIH may be modified in various ways as long as the photosensors PHS are arranged with different resolutions between different regions in the sensor layer 120.

[0154] Figure 13 is a plan view schematically illustrating a display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

[0155] and Figure 1 Compared with the display device 10 shown in FIG. Figure 13 The display device 10 further includes a pad unit P. A plurality of electrodes IE electrically coupled to the photosensor PHS may be formed in the pad unit P. In an exemplary embodiment, some of the electrodes IE are coupled to the horizontal sensing lines Tx, and some of the electrodes IE are coupled to the vertical sensing lines Rx. In an exemplary embodiment, some of the electrodes IE may be provided as dummy electrodes that are not coupled to either the horizontal sensing lines Tx or the vertical sensing lines Rx.

[0156] In an exemplary embodiment, the pad unit P may include Figure 1 and Figure 2, or is coupled to the driving circuit 200. The driving signal output from the fingerprint detection unit 220 of the driving circuit 200 can be transmitted to the horizontal sensing line Tx through the electrode IE of the pad unit P. The sensing signal output through the vertical sensing line Rx can be transmitted to the fingerprint detection unit 220 of the driving circuit 200 through the electrode IE of the pad unit P.

[0157] The horizontal sensing line Tx is electrically coupled to a plurality of photosensors PHS arranged in a horizontal direction (first direction D1) on the display area AA. In an exemplary embodiment, the horizontal sensing line Tx may supply a driving signal received from the electrode IE to the photosensors PHS coupled to the horizontal sensing line Tx.

[0158] The vertical sensing line Rx is electrically coupled to a plurality of photosensors PHS arranged in a vertical direction (second direction D2) on the display area AA. In an exemplary embodiment, the vertical sensing line Rx may receive a sensing signal output from the photosensor PHS and transmit the received sensing signal to the electrode IE.

[0159] In the display device 10 having the above configuration, the photosensor PHS may be provided at the intersection between the horizontal sensing line Tx and the vertical sensing line Rx. The photosensor PHS may be configured to be turned on when receiving a driving signal from the horizontal sensing line Tx, and to output a sensing signal in response to the driving signal and the amount of light incident on the photosensor PHS.

[0160] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the number of photosensors PHS electrically coupled to the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may be greater than (or less than) the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the second group of horizontal sensing lines Tx. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the number of photosensors PHS electrically coupled to the first group of vertical sensing lines Rx may be greater than (or less than) the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the second group of vertical sensing lines Rx.

[0161] The technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to that described above. In an exemplary embodiment, the number of photosensors PHS electrically connected to the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx and the second group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may be the same, and the number of photosensors PHS electrically connected to the first group of vertical sensing lines Rx and the second group of vertical sensing lines Rx may also be the same. In this exemplary embodiment, the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx and the second group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may be spaced apart from each other, and the first group of vertical sensing lines Rx and the second group of vertical sensing lines Rx may be spaced apart from each other. However, the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to this.

[0162] exist 14A to 14DAn exemplary embodiment regarding a connection relationship between the horizontal sensing lines Tx, the vertical sensing lines Rx, and the photosensors PHS is shown in FIG.

[0163] In exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept, the arrangement of the horizontal sensing lines Tx and the vertical sensing lines Rx is not limited to Figure 13 . In other words, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" used in this specification are only used to distinguish their relative arrangements. The horizontal sensing line Tx does not necessarily need to extend in the first direction D1 (e.g., horizontal direction), and the vertical sensing line Rx does not necessarily need to extend in the second direction D2 (e.g., vertical direction). Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the horizontal sensing line Tx can extend in the second direction D2, and the vertical sensing line Rx can extend in the first direction D1.

[0164] 14A to 14D is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment according to the present inventive concept Figure 13 Specifically, 14A to 14D An exemplary embodiment regarding a connection relationship between the horizontal sensing lines Tx, the vertical sensing lines Rx, and the photosensors PHS is shown.

[0165] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the number of photosensors PHS electrically coupled to the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may be greater than (or less than) the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the second group of horizontal sensing lines Tx. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the number of photosensors PHS electrically coupled to the first group of vertical sensing lines Rx may be greater than (or less than) the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the second group of vertical sensing lines Rx.

[0166] The technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to that described above. In an exemplary embodiment, the number of photosensors PHS electrically connected to the first and second groups of horizontal sensing lines Tx and Tx may be the same, and the number of photosensors PHS electrically connected to the first and second groups of vertical sensing lines Rx and Rx may also be the same. In this exemplary embodiment, the first and second groups of horizontal sensing lines Tx and Tx may be spaced apart from each other, and the first and second groups of vertical sensing lines Rx and Rx may be spaced apart from each other.

[0167] Reference 14A to 14D The mth to m+5th horizontal sensing lines Txm to Txm+5 and the nth to n+5th vertical sensing lines Rxn to Rxn+5 are disposed in the sensing area SA. The photosensors PHS are disposed at intersections between the horizontal sensing lines Tx and the vertical sensing lines Rx.

[0168] exist 14A to 14D In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx includes the (m+1)th to (m+4)th horizontal sensing lines Txm+4, and the second group of horizontal sensing lines Tx includes the (m)th and (m+5)th horizontal sensing lines Txm+5. In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx is greater than the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the second group of horizontal sensing lines Tx.

[0169] In these exemplary embodiments, the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may be Figures 9A to 12 In addition, the second set of horizontal sensing lines Tx does not overlap with the first area A1 shown in FIG. Figures 9A to 12 However, the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, the second group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may also overlap with the first area A1 shown in FIG. Figures 9A to 12 However, in this exemplary embodiment, the area where the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx overlaps with the first area A1 is larger than the area where the second group of horizontal sensing lines Tx overlaps with the first area A1.

[0170] As described above, the number of photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1 on the sensor layer 120 is greater than the number of photosensors PHS disposed in the second area A2. Therefore, the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx overlapping the first area A1 is greater than the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the second group of horizontal sensing lines Tx that do not overlap with the first area A1 or have a smaller overlapping area than the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx.

[0171] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, Figure 14A As shown in FIG, in the case where the photosensors PHS disposed in the second area A2 are aligned with some of the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1, the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may extend in the horizontal direction without being bent.

[0172] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, Figure 14B As shown in , in the case where the photosensors PHS disposed in the second area A2 are not aligned with the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1, the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may be bent in at least one area. In other words, in this exemplary embodiment, the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may be bent in at least one area to couple the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1 and the second area A2.

[0173] The curved portion of the horizontal sensing line Tx may be formed in the boundary between the first area A1 and the second area A2. However, the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may be formed in a curved shape in the boundary between the first area A1 and the second area A2. Alternatively, the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx may be curved in other areas other than the boundary between the first area A1 and the second area A2, or may be formed in a curved shape in such other areas.

[0174] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, Figure 14C As shown in , in a case where the area of each of the photosensors PHS arranged in the second area A2 is larger than the area of each of the photosensors PHS arranged in the first area A1, the first group of horizontal sensing lines Tx can be bent in at least one area so that the photosensors PHS arranged in the first area A1 do not overlap with the photosensors PHS arranged in the second area A2.

[0175] For example, in Figure 14B and Figure 14C , the vertical sensing lines Rxn+1 and Rxn+4 each include a first curved portion when transitioning from the second area A2 to the first area A1, and include a second curved portion when transitioning from the first area A1 to another second area A2, and the horizontal sensing lines Txm+1 and Txm+4 each include a first curved portion when transitioning from the second area A2 to the first area A1, and include a second curved portion when transitioning from the first area A1 to another second area A2.

[0176] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, in a case where the photosensor PHS is not provided in the second area A2, as shown in FIG. Figure 14D As shown in , the number of photosensors PHS connected to the corresponding horizontal sensing lines Tx may be the same. In this exemplary embodiment, at least some of the horizontal sensing lines Tx may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the second area A2. The distance between the horizontal sensing lines Tx may be determined in various ways depending on whether the target areas TA overlap with each other, the size of the target areas TA, and the sizes of the first area A1 and the second area A2.

[0177] like 14A to 14D As shown in FIG, the first group of vertical sensing lines Rx includes the n+1th vertical sensing line Rxn+1 to the n+4th vertical sensing line Rxn+4, and the second group of vertical sensing lines Rx includes the nth vertical sensing line Rxn and the n+5th vertical sensing line Rxn+5. In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the first group of vertical sensing lines Rx is greater than the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the second group of vertical sensing lines Rx.

[0178] In these exemplary embodiments, the first group of vertical sensing lines Rx may be connected to Figures 9A to 12 In addition, the second set of vertical sensing lines Rx does not overlap with the first area A1 shown in FIG. Figures 9A to 12 However, the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, the second group of vertical sensing lines Rx may also overlap with the first area A1 shown in FIG. Figures 9A to 12 However, in this exemplary embodiment, the area where the first group of vertical sensing lines Rx overlaps with the first area A1 is larger than the area where the second group of vertical sensing lines Rx overlaps with the first area A1.

[0179] In this exemplary embodiment, the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the first group of vertical sensing lines Rx is greater than the number of photosensors PHS coupled to the second group of vertical sensing lines Rx. The connection relationship between the vertical sensing lines Rx and the photosensors PHS is similar to that of the reference 14A to 14D The connection relationship described for the horizontal sensing lines Tx is the same; therefore, further description thereof will be omitted.

[0180] although 14A to 14D An exemplary embodiment in which the horizontal sensing lines Tx and the vertical sensing lines Rx are arranged in the same shape is shown, but the technical spirit of the inventive concept is not limited thereto. In the exemplary embodiment, the arrangement shape of the horizontal sensing lines Tx and the vertical sensing lines Rx can be modified in various ways according to the array state of the photosensor PHS.

[0181] For example, in an exemplary embodiment in which the photosensors PHS disposed in a portion of the second area A2 are aligned with the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1 and the photosensors PHS disposed in other portions of the second area A2 are not aligned with the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1, the horizontal sensing lines Tx and / or the vertical sensing lines Rx may be aligned with the horizontal sensing lines Tx and / or the vertical sensing lines Rx. Figure 14A is arranged in an area in the same manner as shown in Figure 14B The same method as shown in is set in other areas.

[0182] Alternatively, for example, in an exemplary embodiment in which the photosensors PHS disposed in a portion of the second area A2 have the same size as the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1 and the photosensors PHS disposed in other portions of the second area A2 have a size larger than that of the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1, the horizontal sensing lines Tx and / or the vertical sensing lines Rx may be arranged in a manner similar to that of the photosensors PHS disposed in the first area A1. Figure 14A or Figure 14B is arranged in an area in the same manner as shown in Figure 14CThe same method as shown in is set in other areas.

[0183] As described above, in the fingerprint sensor and the display device including the fingerprint sensor according to the exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, high-resolution photosensors are arranged only in some areas of the sensor layer, and low-resolution photosensors may be arranged in other areas, or photosensors may not be provided therein. Therefore, the production cost of the display device can be reduced.

[0184] While the present inventive concept has been shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will readily understand that changes may be made in form and details without materially departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventive concept.

Claims

1. Fingerprint sensor, including: The first layer includes multiple pixels; a light-transmitting hole array layer, comprising a plurality of light-transmitting holes, wherein the plurality of light-transmitting holes provide a light-transmitting path for light incident through the first layer; as well as a sensor layer comprising a plurality of photosensors configured to sense the light passing through the light-transmitting hole and incident on the sensor layer; The sensor layer further includes a plurality of target areas corresponding to the plurality of light-transmitting holes, and the light passing through each of the plurality of light-transmitting holes is incident on a corresponding target area among the plurality of target areas. wherein each of the target areas is formed of a first area and a second area, wherein the first area is an area at least partially overlapping with the corresponding light-transmitting hole, and the second area is an area of each of the target areas excluding the first area, and The resolution of arranging the photosensors in the first area is greater than the resolution of arranging the photosensors in the second area.

2. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 1, wherein: A pitch between the photosensors disposed in the second area is greater than a pitch between the photosensors disposed in the first area.

3. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 1, wherein: An area of each of the photosensors provided in the second region is larger than an area of each of the photosensors provided in the first region.

4. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The photosensor is not provided in the second area.

5. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 1, in, The first area is a corresponding central area of the target area, and The second area is a corresponding peripheral area of the target area except the central area.

6. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 1, in, The target areas at least partially overlap with each other, and Here, the second area includes an area in which the target areas overlap with each other.

7. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 1, in, The target areas do not overlap with each other, and The sensor layer further includes a third region, and the third region is located in a region of the sensor layer other than the target region.

8. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 7, wherein: The resolution at which the photosensors are provided in at least one of the first, second, and third regions is different from the resolution at which the photosensors are provided in at least one remaining region of the first, second, and third regions.

9. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 8, wherein: The resolution at which the photosensors are provided in each of the third areas is equal to or lower than the resolution at which the photosensors are provided in each of the second areas.

10. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 8, wherein: The photosensor is not provided in the third area.

11. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The first layer includes: a circuit element layer including a plurality of circuit elements constituting a pixel circuit of each of the pixels; and A light-emitting element layer on which the light-emitting element for the pixel is located.

12. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The photosensor is coupled to both a first sensing line configured to receive a driving signal and a second sensing line configured to output a sensing signal in response to the sensed light.

13. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 12, in, The number of the photosensors electrically coupled to a first set of the first sensing lines is greater than the number of the photosensors electrically coupled to a second set of the first sensing lines, and The number of the photosensors electrically coupled to the first group of the second sensing lines is greater than the number of the photosensors electrically coupled to the second group of the second sensing lines.

14. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 13, wherein: The first group of the first sensing lines and the first group of the second sensing lines are electrically coupled to the photosensors disposed in the first region.

15. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 14, wherein: The first group of the first sensing lines and the first group of the second sensing lines electrically couple any one of the photosensors provided in each of the first regions with any one of the photosensors provided in a corresponding one of the second regions.

16. The fingerprint sensor according to claim 15, wherein: The first group of the first sensing lines and the first group of the second sensing lines bend between any one of the photosensors provided in one of the first regions and any one of the photosensors provided in a corresponding one of the second regions.

17. A display device comprising: The display panel includes a light-transmitting hole array layer and a plurality of pixels, wherein the light-transmitting hole array layer includes a plurality of light-transmitting holes, and the plurality of light-transmitting holes provide a light transmission path for light incident from the outside; as well as a sensor layer disposed on one surface of the display panel and comprising a plurality of photosensors configured to sense the light incident through the display panel, The sensor layer further includes a plurality of target areas corresponding to the plurality of light-transmitting holes, and the light passing through each of the plurality of light-transmitting holes is incident on a corresponding target area among the plurality of target areas. wherein each of the target areas is formed of a first area and a second area, wherein the first area is an area at least partially overlapping with the corresponding light-transmitting hole, and the second area is an area of each of the target areas excluding the first area, and The resolution of arranging the photosensors in the first area is greater than the resolution of arranging the photosensors in the second area.

18. The display device according to claim 17, wherein: The photosensor is not provided in the second area.

19. The display device according to claim 17, in, The first area is a corresponding central area of the target area, and The second area is a corresponding peripheral area of the target area except the central area.

20. The display device according to claim 19, in, The target areas at least partially overlap with each other, and Here, the second area includes an area in which the target areas overlap with each other.

21. The display device according to claim 19, in, The target areas do not overlap with each other, and The sensor layer further includes a third region formed in a region of the sensor layer other than the target region.

22. The display device according to claim 21, wherein The resolution at which the photosensors are provided in at least one of the first, second, and third regions is different from the resolution at which the photosensors are provided in at least one remaining region of the first, second, and third regions.

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