Display Devices

Abstract

The display device includes: a substrate; a display panel including a first display area, a second display area, and a third display area located between the first display area and the second display area, wherein the first display area, the second display area, and the third display area include a plurality of pixels; and a sensor located between the substrate and the first display area of ​​the display panel and sensing an external object through the first display area. A first pixel density of the first display area is less than a second pixel density of the second display area, and a pixel density of the third display area varies with a relative distance from the first display area.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and all benefits derived from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0071673, filed on Jun. 17, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a display apparatus, and more particularly, to a display apparatus including a display panel and a sensor. Background Art

[0003] The display device displays an image using pixels (or pixel circuits). The display device includes a sensor, a camera, etc. implemented in a frame (or edge portion) to pass through a front surface (e.g., a surface on which an image is displayed) of the display device. For example, the display device may use a photoelectric sensor to recognize an object, and may use a camera to acquire pictures and videos.

[0004] As the bezel of the display device becomes narrower, the user's gaze may be fixed or focused on the image (or the screen of the display device). Recently, full-screen display technology has been studied and developed, in which the bezel (i.e., non-display area) on the front surface of the display device is minimized or eliminated, and the infrared sensor set in the bezel is reset, and the image is displayed on the entire front surface of the display device. Summary of the invention

[0005] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a display device including a pixel array structure in which a pixel density of a third display area increases in a direction farther from a first display area.

[0006] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a display device having a pixel array structure in which the number of black pixels in a third display area decreases in a direction farther from the first display area.

[0007] However, the objects of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned objects and may be expanded in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0008] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide a display device. The display device may include: a substrate; a display panel including a first display area, a second display area, and a third display area between the first display area and the second display area, wherein the first display area, the second display area, and the third display area include a plurality of pixels; and a sensor between the substrate and the first display area of ​​the display panel, and sensing an external object through the first display area. The first pixel density of the first display area may be less than the second pixel density of the second display area, and the pixel density of the third display area may vary with a relative distance from the first display area.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the pixel density of the third display area may increase in a direction farther away from the first display area.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, a pixel density of the third display area may be greater than the first pixel density and less than the second pixel density.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the first display area may further include pixel rows, each pixel row including a pixel area in which a pixel of the plurality of pixels is set and a transmission area in which the plurality of pixels is not set, and the transmission areas are arranged in each of the pixel rows at intervals of a preset first distance.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the third display area may further include first to k-th sub-areas, each of which includes a pixel area and a transmission area, where k is a natural number greater than 1.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the transmission regions included in the pixel row in the first subregion may be arranged at intervals of a second distance greater than the first distance, and the transmission regions included in the pixel row in the kth subregion may be arranged at intervals of a third distance greater than the second distance.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the first subregion may be adjacent to the first display region, and the kth subregion may be adjacent to the second display region, and the distance between the transmissive regions in the first direction may increase in a direction from the first subregion to the kth subregion.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the number of pixels included in each of the first to k-th sub-regions among the plurality of pixels may increase in a direction from the first to k-th sub-regions.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, widths of the first display area, the second display area, and the third display area in the first direction may be substantially equal to each other.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, for the same image, the brightness of the first sub-region may be lower than the brightness of the k-th sub-region.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, in each transmission region, a light emitting element and a transistor may not be arranged.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the third display area may surround the first display area.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the third display area may further include: a first sub-area including pixels surrounding the first display area among the plurality of pixels; and a second sub-area including pixels surrounding the first sub-area among the plurality of pixels.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first display area, the first sub-area, and the second sub-area may further include a transmissive area in which the plurality of pixels are not set, the first display area may further include a pixel area in which the pixels of the first display area are set, the first sub-area may further include a pixel area in which the pixels of the first sub-area are set, and the second sub-area may further include a pixel area in which the pixels of the second sub-area are set.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, a first ratio indicating a ratio of the transmission area to the pixel area in the first display area may be greater than a second ratio indicating a ratio of the transmission area to the pixel area in the first sub-area, and the second ratio may be greater than a third ratio indicating a ratio of the transmission area to the pixel area in the second sub-area.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the transmission area of ​​the first sub-region may be provided along a boundary of the first display area, and the transmission area of ​​the second sub-region may be provided along a boundary of the first sub-region, and the distance between the transmission areas of the first sub-region may be smaller than the distance between the transmission areas of the second sub-region.

[0024] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide a display device. The display device may include: a substrate; a display panel including a first display area, a second display area, and a third display area between the first display area and the second display area, wherein the first display area, the second display area, and the third display area include a plurality of pixels; and a sensor between the substrate and the first display area of ​​the display panel, and sensing an external object through the first display area. The first display area may include a pixel area in which a pixel of a plurality of pixels is set and a transmission area in which a plurality of pixels are not set, the second display area and the third display area may not include the transmission area, the third display area may include effective pixels displaying an image among the plurality of pixels and black pixels displaying a black grayscale or not emitting light among the plurality of pixels, and the number of black pixels may decrease in a direction farther away from the first display area.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, in each transmission area, a light emitting element and a pixel circuit may not be arranged, and each black pixel may include a light emitting element and a pixel circuit.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the third display area may further include a first sub-area surrounding at least a portion of the first display area and a second sub-area arranged outside the first sub-area, and a ratio of black pixels to effective pixels included in the first sub-area may be greater than a ratio of black pixels to effective pixels included in the second sub-area.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the display device may further include a data driver supplying data signals to the plurality of pixels, wherein the data driver may supply only black data signals corresponding to a black grayscale to black pixels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other exemplary embodiments, advantages and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by further describing exemplary embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a display device according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 It is a graphic Figure 1 sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a display device.

[0031] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display area of ​​a display device.

[0032] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram including Figure 3 sectional views of exemplary embodiments of some of the pixel regions and the transmission regions in the display region of FIG.

[0033] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram including Figure 3 A perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of area EA in the display area of ​​.

[0034] Figure 5 is a graph illustrating an exemplary embodiment in which a brightness difference depends on a display area.

[0035] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B is a schematic diagram including Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a first display area in a display area.

[0036] Fig. 7A It is a graphic Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display device.

[0037] Figure 7B It is a graphic Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display device.

[0038] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display area of ​​a display device.

[0039] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display area of ​​a display device.

[0040] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display area of ​​a display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same or similar components, and repeated description of the same components will be omitted.

[0042] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, the element may be directly "on" the other element or intervening elements may exist between them. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0043] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Therefore, the "first element", "first component", "first region", "first layer" or "first section" discussed below may be referred to as a second element, second component, second region, second layer or second section without departing from the teachings of this article.

[0044] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "one" and "the" are intended to include plural forms, including "at least one", unless the context makes a clear indication otherwise. "Or" means "and / or". As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the items listed in the association. It should be further understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprise" when used in this specification indicate the presence of the described features, regions, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their combinations.

[0045] In addition, relative terms such as "lower" or "bottom" and "upper" or "top" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the figure. It should be understood that relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device other than the orientation shown in the figure. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, the element described as being on the "lower" side of the other element will then be oriented to be on the "upper" side of the other element. Therefore, depending on the specific orientation of the figure, the exemplary term "lower" can cover both "lower" and "upper" orientations. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, the element described as being "below" or "below" the other element will then be oriented to be "above" the other element. Therefore, the exemplary term "below" or "below" can cover both upper and lower orientations.

[0046] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below", "below", "down", "above", and "on" may be used herein to describe the relationship between an element or feature and another element or feature (other multiple elements or features) as illustrated in the figure. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, the element described as "below" or "below" other elements or features will then be oriented to be "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "below" can cover both above and below orientations. The device can be oriented otherwise (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein can be interpreted accordingly.

[0047] As used herein, "about" or "approximately" includes the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation of the particular value determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, taking into account the measurement in question and the errors associated with the measurement of a particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "about" can mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.

[0048] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It should be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined herein.

[0049] Herein, exemplary embodiments are described with reference to schematic cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of rationalized embodiments. Thus, variations from the illustrated shapes due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances can be expected. Therefore, the embodiments described herein should not be construed as being limited to the specific shapes of the regions illustrated herein, but should include deviations in shapes due to, for example, manufacturing. For example, regions illustrated or described as flat typically have rough and / or nonlinear features. Moreover, the illustrated sharp corners may be rounded. Therefore, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shapes of the regions and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0050] Figure 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a display device according to the present invention, and Figure 2 It is a graphic Figure 1 sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a display device.

[0051] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the display device 1000 may include a display panel 100 , a substrate 200 , and at least one sensor 300 . In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 1000 may include a touch sensor layer 400 and a window layer 500 .

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 1000 may be applied to various electronic devices such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart tablet, a television (“TV”), and a monitor.

[0053] The substrate 200 may support the display panel 100 and the sensor 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 200 may be a bracket or a housing, etc., and may include a plastic material or a metal material. The substrate 200 may form the appearance of the rear surface of the display device 1000 and may protect components included in the electronic device from external stress.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel 100 may be a flat display panel or a flexible display panel. In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel 100 may include: a rigid substrate layer including glass or plastic or a flexible substrate layer such as a plastic film. The display panel 100 may display an image using a pixel circuit (a plurality of transistors) and a light-emitting element such as an organic light-emitting diode ("OLED") disposed on the substrate layer. The light-emitting element and the pixel circuit may be covered with a thin film encapsulation layer. The thin film encapsulation layer may suppress degradation of element characteristics by sealing the light-emitting element from an outdoor air environment including moisture and oxygen. Here, the light-emitting element is not limited to such an OLED. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the light-emitting element may be an inorganic light-emitting element including an inorganic light-emitting material or a light-emitting element (i.e., a quantum dot display element) that emits light by changing the wavelength of the emitted light using quantum dots.

[0055] The display panel 100 may include a display area DA including a plurality of pixels and a non-display area NDA arranged at least one side of the display area DA. The entire front surface of the display panel 100 may substantially correspond to the display area DA so as to minimize the non-display area NDA (eg, a frame).

[0056] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, although the non-display area NDA is illustrated as being located in a portion of the front surface of the display panel 100, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the display area DA may extend to at least one side surface of the display panel 100, and then edge display may be implemented. In this case, the non-display area NDA may exist only on some of the side surfaces of the display panel 100.

[0057] The display area DA may include first to third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA3. The first display area DA1 may include a portion overlapping the sensor 300. The first display area DA1 may have a first pixel density. The second display area DA2 may occupy most of the display area DA. The second display area DA2 may have a second pixel density, and the second pixel density may be greater than the first pixel density.

[0058] Here, the pixel density may be defined as the ratio of the total area (size) of the portion where the pixels are actually set to the total area (size) of the corresponding display area, or as the total area of ​​the pixels included in a preset unit area. Here, the area of ​​the portion where each pixel is set may be the area of ​​the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element included in the corresponding pixel. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, when the pixel includes an organic light-emitting element, the area of ​​the pixel may be the area of ​​the anode electrode exposed between the pixel defining layers or the area of ​​the light-emitting layer.

[0059] Therefore, the transmittance of the first display area DA1 may be higher than that of the second display area DA2, and a predetermined sensing operation may be performed by the sensor 300 disposed below the first display area DA1. However, since the first pixel density is lower than the second pixel density, the brightness of the first display area DA1 becomes lower than that of the second display area DA2, so that this brightness difference may be perceived by the user, thereby causing inconvenience.

[0060] The third display area DA3 may be between the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2. The pixel density of the third display area DA3 may vary with the relative distance to the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2. In an exemplary embodiment, the pixel density of the third display area DA3 may increase in a direction farther away from the first display area DA1. In addition, the pixel density of the third display area DA3 may be higher than the first pixel density and lower than the second pixel density.

[0061] Since the pixel density of the third display area DA3 gradually increases in a direction closer to the second display area DA2, the brightness difference between the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2 may gradually change in the third display area DA3. Therefore, a sudden brightness change between the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2 may not be perceived by the user, and image quality may be improved.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, the widths of the first to third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA3 in the first direction DR1 may be substantially equal to each other. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first direction DR1 may correspond to a pixel row direction (i.e., an extending direction of a scan line or a setting direction of pixels commonly coupled to a single scan line). In this case, the first pixel density, the second pixel density, and the pixel density of the third display area DA3 may be calculated for each pixel row and may be derived from the number of pixels corresponding to each pixel row.

[0063] The sensor 300 may be interposed between the substrate 200 and the display panel 100. That is, the sensor 300 may be disposed below the rear surface of the display panel 100. The sensor 300 may overlap the first display area DA1. Figure 1 The first display area DA1 is illustrated as being wider than the sensor 300, but the relationship between the first display area DA1 and the sensor 300 is not limited thereto. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first display area DA1 and the sensor 300 may be provided to have substantially the same area, or alternatively, the first display area DA1 may be provided to be smaller than the sensor 300.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor 300 may be a photoelectric sensing (e.g., infrared sensing) type optical sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor 300 may include a biometric information sensor 310 such as a fingerprint sensor, an iris recognition sensor, and an artery sensor. However, this is merely exemplary, and the photoelectric sensing type sensor 300 may further include a gesture sensor, a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, an illumination sensor, or an image sensor. In addition, optical devices such as a camera 320 and electronic components such as a speaker (receiver) may be arranged below the first display area DA1.

[0065] Since the aperture ratio (transmittance) of the first display area DA1 corresponding to the photoelectric sensing type sensor 300 is higher, the sensitivity and accuracy of the sensor 300 can be improved. Therefore, the pixels set in the first display area DA1 can be arranged at a lower pixel density than the pixel density of other display areas. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the pixels per inch ("PPI") of the first display area DA1 can be lower than the PPI of the second display area DA2.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensor layer 400 may be disposed on the display panel 100. The touch sensor layer 400 may be disposed according to the entire surface of the display area DA of the display panel 100, or may be provided to have a larger area than the display area DA while covering the display area DA. According to an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensor layer 400 may be driven in a capacitive type, a resistive film type, or the like.

[0067] The touch sensor layer 400 may be disposed on the display panel 100 through an adhesive member, or may be directly disposed on the display panel 100 through a continuous process such as patterning in a manufacturing process of the display panel 100. However, this is merely exemplary, and the touch sensor layer 400 may be disposed in the display panel 100.

[0068] The window layer 500 may be arranged on the touch sensor layer 400. The window layer 500 may be disposed in the outermost portion of the front surface (i.e., display surface) of the display device 1000, and may protect the components in the display device 1000 from external attacks, scratches, etc. The window layer 500 may include a glass material or a polymer film. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the window layer 500 may include at least one of polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"), and an additional polymer material. The window layer 500 may include a transparent material.

[0069] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display area of ​​a display device, Figure 4Ais a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an exemplary embodiment of some of a pixel region and a transmission region included in a display region, and Figure 4B is a schematic diagram including Figure 3 A perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of area EA in the display area of ​​.

[0070] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 4A and Figure 4B , the display panel 100 may include first to third display areas DA1 , DA2 , and DA3 .

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, in the first to third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA3, pixel rows may be defined by pixels disposed in a first direction DR1, and pixel columns may be defined by pixels PX disposed in a second direction DR2 crossing the first direction DR1.

[0072] The first display area DA1 may include a portion overlapping the sensor 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the first display area DA1 may include a pixel area PA in which the pixel PX is disposed and a transmissive area TA in which the pixel PX is not disposed.

[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, in each transmission area TA, a light emitting element and a transistor constituting a pixel PX are not provided. That is, the fact that a pixel PX is not provided may be understood to indicate that a light emitting element and a transistor constituting a pixel circuit are not provided (or arranged).

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, the pixel area PA and the transmission area TA included in the first display area DA1 may have a stack structure provided in the third direction DR3, such as Figure 4A The sensor 300 disposed on the substrate 200 such as a housing may overlap both the pixel area PA and the transmission area TA.

[0075] The display panel 100 may include a base layer 210 , a pixel circuit layer PCL, a light emitting element layer EML, and an encapsulation layer ECL.

[0076] The base layer 210 may be disposed on the sensor 300. The base layer 210 may include a transparent insulating material such as glass or transparent plastic.

[0077] The pixel circuit layer PCL may be arranged on the base layer 210 in the pixel area PA. The pixel circuit layer PCL may include at least one transistor coupled to the light emitting element, at least one capacitor, and at least one signal line. The pixel circuit layer PCL may be provided by stacking a semiconductor layer, a plurality of insulating layers, and a plurality of conductive layers. Figure 4BAs shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of signal lines CL1, CL2, and CL3 may be coupled to the pixel circuit layer PCL. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the signal lines CL1, CL2, and CL3 may include a scan line for transmitting a scan signal, a data line for transmitting a data signal, an emission control line for transmitting an emission control signal, a power line for transmitting a power supply voltage, and the like.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, the pixel circuit layer PCL and the signal lines CL1, CL2, and CL3 may be arranged to avoid the transmission area TA. However, this structure is merely exemplary, and at least some of the signal lines CL1, CL2, and CL3 may be provided to pass through the transmission area TA.

[0079] The light emitting element layer EML may be disposed on the pixel circuit layer PCL. The light emitting element layer EML may include a light emitting layer and a plurality of electrode layers. The light emitting element layer EML may also be disposed to avoid the transmission area TA.

[0080] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, when the light emitting element layer EML includes an organic light emitting element, the light emitting element layer EML may include a first electrode layer (e.g., an anode electrode), a second electrode layer (e.g., a cathode electrode), and an organic light emitting layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. However, the second electrode layer may be implemented as a common electrode layer and may be arranged as a transparent electrode while extending to the transmission area TA.

[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, if Figure 4B As illustrated in FIG. 1 , each pixel PX included in the pixel area PA may include a plurality of sub-pixels R, G, and B. The sub-pixels R, G, and B may emit light of different colors, respectively. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, each of the sub-pixels R, G, and B may emit one of red light, green light, and blue light. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sub-pixels may emit light of various other colors.

[0082] The transparent insulating layer 230 may be disposed on the base layer 210 in the transmission area TA. In an exemplary embodiment, the transparent insulating layer 230 may have a structure in which at least one inorganic insulating layer and at least one organic insulating layer are stacked.

[0083] like Figure 4B As shown in FIG. 1 , the signal lines CL1, CL2, and CL3 may be arranged to avoid the transmission area TA in order to improve the aperture ratio. However, since this structure is merely exemplary, at least some of the signal lines CL1, CL2, and CL3 may be arranged to pass through the transmission area TA, and the signal lines CL1, CL2, and CL3 passing through the transmission area TA may include a transparent conductive material.

[0084] The encapsulation layer ECL may be disposed on the light emitting element layer EML and the transparent insulating layer 230. The encapsulation layer ECL may be provided by alternately disposing at least one inorganic insulating layer and at least one organic insulating layer.

[0085] On the encapsulation layer ECL, a touch sensor layer 400 and a window layer 500 may be sequentially disposed.

[0086] In this manner, each transmission area TA may be understood as an area in which the pixel PX is removed from the display area DA, and the sensor 300 may sense various information such as biometric information, proximity information, gesture information, etc. using light having passed through the transmission area TA.

[0087] In an exemplary embodiment, the first display area DA1 may include a plurality of pixel rows. In each of the pixel rows of the first display area DA1, the transmissive areas TA may be arranged at intervals of a first distance W1 along the first direction DR1. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first distance W1 may correspond to the width of one pixel area PA. Here, in a first pixel row included in the first display area DA1, the pixel PX may be disposed at a position corresponding to an even pixel column, and in a second pixel row of the first display area DA1, the pixel PX may be disposed at a position corresponding to an odd pixel column.

[0088] In order to minimize the degradation of image quality while ensuring the transmittance of the first display area DA1, the pixel areas PA and the transmission areas TA may be alternately arranged in a lattice pattern, such as Figure 3 That is, the pixel areas PA and the transmission areas TA may be alternately arranged in the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. However, this is merely exemplary, and the position and arrangement relationship between the pixel areas PA and the transmission areas TA in the first display area DA1 is not limited thereto.

[0089] The second display area DA2 may occupy most of the display area DA. In an exemplary embodiment, the second display area DA2 does not include the transmissive area TA.

[0090] like Figure 3 As illustrated in , the first pixel density of the first display area DA1 may be approximately half of the second pixel density of the second display area DA2. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the number of pixels PX included in one pixel row of the first display area DA1 may be half of the number of pixels PX included in one pixel row of the second display area DA2.

[0091] The third display area DA3 may be between the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2. The third display area DA3 may reduce the perception of a brightness difference between the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the third display area DA3 may include a transmissive area TA at a preset position.

[0092] The pixel density of the third display area DA3 may increase in a direction farther away from the first display area DA1. In an exemplary embodiment, the third display area DA3 may include first to k-th sub-areas SA1 to SAk (where k is a natural number greater than 1). Among the first to k-th sub-areas SA1 to SAk, the first sub-area SA1 may be closest to the first display area DA1, and the k-th sub-area SAk may be closest to the second display area DA2.

[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first to kth subregions SA1 to SAk may correspond to one pixel row. In a direction from the first to kth subregions SA1 to SAk, distances between the transmissive regions TA in the first direction DR1 (ie, W2, W3, W4, and W5) may gradually increase.

[0094] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the transmission areas TA may be arranged at intervals of the second distance W2 in the first sub-area SA1, at intervals of the third distance W3 in the second sub-area SA2, and at intervals of the fifth distance W5 in the kth sub-area SAk. The third distance W3 may be greater than the second distance W2, and the fifth distance W5 may be greater than the third distance W3.

[0095] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, three pixels PX may be continuously disposed between the transmission areas TA included in the first sub-area SA1, and seven pixels PX may be continuously disposed between the transmission areas TA included in the second sub-area SA2. More than seven pixels PX may be continuously disposed between the transmission areas TA included in the kth sub-area SAk.

[0096] In other words, in the direction from the first subregion SA1 to the kth subregion SAk, the number of pixels PX included in each of the first to kth subregions SA1 to SAk having the same area (size) may increase. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a ratio of the transmission area TA to the pixel area PA in the first subregion SA1 may be greater than a ratio of the transmission area TA to the pixel area PA in the second subregion SA2.

[0097] Therefore, the brightness of the image may gradually increase in a direction from the first sub-region SA1 to the k-th sub-region SAk.

[0098] Figure 3 The arrangement of the transmission area TA illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely exemplary, and the position, distance, and size of the transmission area TA arranged in the third display area DA3 are not limited thereto. The third display area DA3 may include an array structure of pixels PX and the transmission area TA, which may reduce the perception of the brightness difference between the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2.

[0099] Figure 5 is a graph illustrating an exemplary embodiment in which a brightness difference depends on a display area.

[0100] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 , for the same image, the brightness values ​​of the first to third display areas DA1 to DA3 may be different from each other.

[0101] In an exemplary embodiment, a first pixel density of the first display area DA1 may be lower than a second pixel density of the second display area DA2. Therefore, the brightness of the first display area DA1 may be lower than the brightness of the second display area DA2.

[0102] The pixel density of the third display area DA3 may increase in the direction from the first display area DA1 to the second display area DA2. Therefore, the brightness of the third display area DA3 may gradually increase in the direction closer to the second display area DA2. Figure 5 2 shows a case where the brightness of the third display area DA3 changes linearly with position, but the brightness of the third display area DA3 may also increase nonlinearly in a direction closer to the second display area DA2.

[0103] As described above, the display device 1000 including the sensor 300 overlapping the display area under the display area in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the third display area DA3 in which the pixel density changes with the relative distance to the first display area DA1, thereby minimizing (or alleviating) the perception of the sudden brightness difference between the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2. Therefore, the image quality of the display device 1000 for implementing full screen display together with the camera function and the biosensor function can be improved.

[0104] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B is a schematic diagram including Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a first display area in a display area.

[0105] refer to Figure 3 , Fig. 6A and Figure 6B, the first display area DA1 may include: a pixel area PA including pixels PX and a sensor for transmitting external light to the sensor (eg, Figure 1 300) of the transmission area TA.

[0106] Each pixel PX may include a plurality of sub-pixels. Fig. 6A As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a pixel PX (or one pixel area PA) may include first to third sub-pixels SPX1, SPX2, and SPX3 that emit light of different colors. The first to third sub-pixels SPX1, SPX2, and SPX3 may be arranged in a stripe pattern. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first sub-pixel SPX1 may be a red sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel SPX2 may be a green sub-pixel, and the third sub-pixel SPX3 may be a blue sub-pixel.

[0107] In an exemplary embodiment, if Figure 6B As illustrated in , the pixel PX (or one pixel area PA) may include first to fourth sub-pixels SPX1, SPX2, SPX3, and SPX4 that emit light of different colors. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first sub-pixel SPX1 may be a red sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel SPX2 may be a green sub-pixel, the third sub-pixel SPX3 may be a blue sub-pixel, and the fourth sub-pixel SPX4 may be a green sub-pixel.

[0108] However, this configuration is merely exemplary, and the arrangement of the sub-pixels and the color of the emitted light are not limited thereto. In addition, the area of ​​at least one of the sub-pixels may be different from the areas of the remaining sub-pixels.

[0109] Fig. 7A It is a graphic Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display device.

[0110] exist Fig. 7A The same reference numerals are assigned to reference Figures 1 to 3 The same or similar components are described herein, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0111] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Fig. 7A , the display device 1000 may include a display panel 100 , a sensor 300 , and a panel driver. The panel driver may include a scan driver 20 , a data driver 30 , and a timing controller 40 .

[0112] In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 1000 may further include an emission driver for supplying an emission control signal to the pixel PX and a power supply for supplying predetermined power supply voltages VDD and VSS to the pixel PX.

[0113] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor 300 may be a photosensor that may be disposed under the first display area DA1 of the display panel 100 .

[0114] The display panel 100 may include first to third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA3. In an exemplary embodiment, the widths of the first to third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA3 in the first direction DR1 may be equal to each other. However, the pixel densities of the first to third display areas DA1, DA2, and DA3 may be different from each other.

[0115] The first display area DA1 may include first to p-th pixel rows (where p is a natural number greater than 1) respectively coupled to the first to p-th scan lines SL1 to SLp. In an exemplary embodiment, i (where i is a natural number greater than 1) pixels PX may be coupled to each of the first to p-th scan lines SL1 to SLp.

[0116] The third display area DA3 may include p+1th to qth pixel rows (where q is a natural number greater than p+1) coupled to the p+1th to qth scan lines SLp+1 to SLq, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, different numbers of pixels PX may be coupled to the p+1th to qth scan lines SLp+1 to SLq, respectively. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, j (where j is a natural number greater than i) pixels PX may be coupled to the p+1th scan line SLp+1, and k (where k is a natural number greater than j) pixels PX may be coupled to the qth scan line SLq. That is, the number of pixels PX coupled to the qth scan line SLq may be greater than the number of pixels PX coupled to the p+1th scan line SLp+1. In this regard, the distance between the transmission areas TA corresponding to the qth pixel row may be greater than the distance between the transmission areas TA corresponding to the p+1th pixel row.

[0117] The second display area DA2 may actually occupy most of the display area. The second display area DA2 may include q+1th to nth pixel rows (where n is a natural number greater than q+1) respectively coupled to q+1th to nth scan lines SLq+1 to SLn.

[0118] Here, m (where m is a natural number greater than 1) pixels PX may be coupled to each of the p+1th to nth scan lines SLp+1 to SLn. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the number of pixels PX coupled to the nth scan line SLn may be twice the number of pixels PX coupled to the first scan line SL1. In addition, the second display area DA2 does not include the transmissive area TA.

[0119] The scan driver 20 may supply a scan signal to the first to n-th scan lines SL1 to SLn in response to the first control signal SCS. In an exemplary embodiment, the scan driver 20 may supply a scan signal (i.e., a scan signal having a gate-on level) to all pixels PX simultaneously, or may sequentially supply a scan signal to the first to n-th scan lines SL1 to SLn for each pixel row.

[0120] The data driver 30 may provide a data signal (data voltage) to the data lines DL1 to DLm based on the second control signal DCS and the image data DATA provided from the timing controller 40. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the data driver 30 may convert the digital image data DATA into an analog data signal and may provide the data signal to the pixel PX through the first data line DL1 to the mth data line DLm. The image data DATA may include a grayscale value corresponding to the corresponding pixel PX.

[0121] The timing controller 40 may receive input image data, a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, a main clock signal, a data enable signal, etc. from an external graphic controller (not shown), and may generate first and second control signals SCS and DCS and image data DATA based on the received signals.

[0122] Figure 7B It is a graphic Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display device.

[0123] exist Figure 7B The same reference numerals are assigned to reference Fig. 7A The same or similar components are described herein, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0124] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 7B , the display device 1001 may include a display panel 100 , a sensor 300 , and a panel driver. The panel driver may include a scan driver 20 , a data driver 30 , and a timing controller 40 .

[0125] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the third display area DA3 and the second display area DA2 does not include the transmissive area TA. The third display area DA3 may include effective pixels PX and black pixels BP. That is, the third display area DA3 may include substantially the same pixel array as the second display area DA2.

[0126] The valid pixel PX may be a normal pixel for displaying an image, and the black pixel BP may display a black grayscale or may not emit light. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the black pixel BP included in the third display area DA3 may replace the Figure 3 and Fig. 7A Therefore, the number of black pixels BP may decrease in a direction farther from the first display area DA1.

[0127] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a black pixel BP may be used instead of Figure 3 The transmission area TA in the first to k-th sub-areas SA1 to SAk may include a transmission area TA in the first to k-th sub-areas SA1 to SAk. A ratio of the black pixels BP to the valid pixels PX included in the first sub-area SA1 may be greater than a ratio of the black pixels BP to the valid pixels PX included in the second sub-area SA2.

[0128] In an exemplary embodiment, the black pixel BP may be provided in a form disconnected from the scan line and / or the data line. Therefore, the black pixel BP does not perform the function of an actual pixel. Therefore, the brightness of the third display area DA3 may decrease in a direction closer to the first display area DA1.

[0129] In an exemplary embodiment, the black pixel BP may display only a black image. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the timing controller 40 may supply black grayscale image data corresponding to the black pixel BP to the data driver 30, and the data driver 30 may convert the black grayscale image data into a black data signal (black data voltage) and supply the black data signal to the black pixel BP in each frame. Therefore, by means of the third display area DA3, the display device 1001 may have an effect of gradually reducing brightness according to the area.

[0130] In this way, the display device 1001 in the exemplary embodiment can differently adjust the brightness values ​​of corresponding areas in the third display area DA3 without making major changes to the arrangement of the pixels PX and signal wirings in the third display area DA3. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0131] In an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 7A The transmission area TA and Figure 7B The black pixel BP scheme may be simultaneously applied to the third display area DA3.

[0132] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display area of ​​a display device.

[0133] exist Figure 8 The same reference numerals are assigned to reference Figure 3 The same or similar parts described above will be described, and their repeated description will be omitted. Figure 8 The display panel may have Figure 3 The display panels have substantially the same or similar configurations, except for the configuration of the third display area DA3.

[0134] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 8 , the display panel 100 may include first to third display areas DA1 , DA2 , and DA3 .

[0135] The pixel density of the third display area DA3 may increase in a direction away from the first display area DA1 to the second display area DA2. In an exemplary embodiment, the third display area DA3 may include first to k-th sub-areas SA1 to SAk.

[0136] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first to k-th sub-regions SA1 to SAk may include two or more pixel rows. In each of the pixel rows included in the first sub-region SA1, the transmission regions TA may be arranged at intervals of the second distance W2, and in each of the pixel rows included in the second sub-region SA2, the transmission regions TA may be arranged at intervals of the third distance W3. The third distance W3 may be greater than the second distance W2. Therefore, for the same image, the brightness of the second sub-region SA2 may be higher than the brightness of the first sub-region SA1.

[0137] In adjacent pixel rows included in the third display area DA3, the transmission areas TA may be provided not to be continuously disposed in the second direction DR2.

[0138] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display area of ​​a display device.

[0139] exist Fig. 9 The same reference numerals are assigned to reference Figure 3 The same or similar parts described above will be described, and their repeated description will be omitted. Fig. 9 The display panel may have Figure 3 The display panels of the first display area DA1 and the third display area DA3 have substantially the same or similar configurations except for the plan shapes of the first display area DA1 and the third display area DA3.

[0140] refer to Figure 3 and Fig. 9 , the first display area DA1 may be arranged with a sensor (eg, Figure 1 The third display area DA3 may overlap with the first display area DA1 and may include only a portion of some pixel rows. In addition, the third display area DA3 may be arranged to surround the first display area DA1. The second display area DA2 may be arranged outside the third display area DA3.

[0141] The first display area DA1 may have a polygonal form or a form in which at least one corner has a curved shape. Figure 3As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the first display area DA1 may include pixel areas PA and transmission areas TA that are alternately disposed.

[0142] The third display area DA3 may include a first sub-area SA1 including pixels PX surrounding the first display area DA1, a second sub-area SA2 including pixels PX surrounding the first sub-area SA1, and a third sub-area SA3 including pixels PX surrounding the second sub-area SA2. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first sub-area SA1, the second sub-area SA2, and the third sub-area SA3 may be provided within a boundary to which the first display area DA1 extends.

[0143] Despite Fig. 9 The third display area DA3 is illustrated as including three sub-areas SA1, SA2, and SA3, but the shape and number of the sub-areas are not limited thereto.

[0144] Each of the first to third sub-regions SA1, SA2, and SA3 may include a pixel region PA and a transmission region TA. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first sub-region SA1 may include a first transmission region TA1, the second sub-region SA2 may include a second transmission region TA2, and the third sub-region SA3 may include a third transmission region TA3.

[0145] The ratio of the transmission area TA to the pixel area PA in the first display area DA1 may be set to a first ratio. A second ratio, which is a ratio of the first transmission area TA1 to the pixel area PA in the first sub-area SA1, may be smaller than the first ratio. In addition, a third ratio, which is a ratio of the second transmission area TA2 to the pixel area PA in the second sub-area SA2, may be smaller than the second ratio. Similarly, a fourth ratio, which is a ratio of the third transmission area TA3 to the pixel area PA in the third sub-area SA3, may be smaller than the third ratio.

[0146] In addition, the first transmission area TA1 of the first sub-area SA1 may be provided along the boundary of the first display area DA1, the second transmission area TA2 of the second sub-area SA2 may be provided along the boundary of the first sub-area SA1, and the third transmission area TA3 of the third sub-area SA3 may be provided along the boundary of the second sub-area SA2. Here, the distance between the first transmission areas TA1 may be smaller than the distance between the second transmission areas TA2, and the distance between the second transmission areas TA2 may be smaller than the distance between the third transmission areas TA3.

[0147] Therefore, the brightness value of the same image may gradually increase in the direction from the first sub-area SA1 to the third sub-area SA3. Therefore, the perception of a sudden brightness difference between the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2 may be minimized (or mitigated).

[0148] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display area of ​​a display device.

[0149] exist Fig.10 The same reference numerals are assigned to reference Fig. 9 The same or similar parts described above will be described, and their repeated description will be omitted. Fig.10 The display panel may have Fig. 9 The display panels of the first display area DA1 and the third display area DA3 have substantially the same or similar configurations except for the plan shapes of the first display area DA1 and the third display area DA3.

[0150] refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the first display area DA1 may be provided with a sensor (eg, Figure 1 The third display area DA3 may overlap with the first display area DA1 and may include only a portion of some pixel rows. In addition, the third display area DA3 may be arranged to surround the first display area DA1. The second display area DA2 may be arranged outside the third display area DA3.

[0151] The first display area DA1 may have a circular shape or an oval shape.

[0152] The third display area DA3 may include a first sub-area SA1 including pixels PX surrounding the first display area DA1 and a second sub-area SA2 including pixels PX surrounding the first sub-area SA1. The third display area DA3 may further include another sub-area extending outward from the second sub-area SA2.

[0153] Since the ratio of the first transmission area TA1 to the pixel area PA in the first sub-area SA1 is greater than the ratio of the second transmission area TA2 to the pixel area PA in the second sub-area SA2, the brightness value of the same image may gradually increase in the direction from the first display area DA1 to the second display area DA2. Therefore, the perception of a sudden brightness difference between the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2 may be minimized (or mitigated).

[0154] As described above, the display device in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a photoelectric sensing type sensor (eg, Figure 1 300), and further including a third display area DA3 in which the pixel density varies with the relative distance to the first display area DA1, thereby minimizing (or alleviating) the perception of a sudden brightness difference between the first display area DA1 and the second display area DA2. Therefore, the image quality of the display device for realizing full screen display together with the camera function and the biosensor function can be improved.

[0155] However, the advantages of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned advantages and can be extended in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0156] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be modified and changed in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display device, include: substrate; The display panel comprises a first display area, a second display area and a third display area located between the first display area and the second display area, wherein the first display area, the second display area and the third display area comprise a plurality of pixels; as well as a sensor located between the substrate and the first display area of ​​the display panel and sensing an external object through the first display area, wherein a first pixel density of the first display area is less than a second pixel density of the second display area, wherein the pixel density of the third display area is greater than the first pixel density and less than the second pixel density, and increases in a direction away from the first display area, and The third display area includes pixel rows extending in a first direction intersecting the direction, each pixel row includes a pixel area in which pixels of the multiple pixels are set and a transmission area in which the multiple pixels are not set, and the distance between adjacent transmission areas in each pixel row gradually increases in the direction away from the first display area.

2. The display device according to claim 1, in: The first display area further includes pixel rows, each pixel row including a pixel region in which pixels of the plurality of pixels are disposed and a transmissive region in which the plurality of pixels are not disposed, and The transmission areas in the first display area are arranged at intervals of a preset first distance in each of the pixel rows.

3. The display device according to claim 2, in, The third display area further includes a first sub-area to a k-th sub-area, each sub-area includes the pixel area and the transmission area, wherein k is a natural number greater than one, and in: The transmission areas in the pixel row included in the first sub-area are arranged at intervals of a second distance greater than the first distance, and The transmission regions in a pixel row included in the kth sub-region are arranged at intervals of a third distance greater than the second distance.

4. The display device according to claim 3, in: The first sub-area is adjacent to the first display area, and the kth sub-area is adjacent to the second display area, and The distance between the transmission regions in the first direction increases in a direction from the first sub-region to the kth sub-region.

5. The display device according to claim 4, in, The number of pixels included in each of the first to k-th sub-regions among the plurality of pixels increases in the direction from the first sub-region to the k-th sub-region, and The widths of the first display area, the second display area and the third display area in the first direction are equal to each other.

6. The display device according to claim 4, in, For the same image, the brightness of the first sub-region is lower than the brightness of the k-th sub-region.

7. The display device according to claim 3, in, In each transmission region, a light emitting element and a transistor are not arranged.

8. A display device, include: substrate; The display panel comprises a first display area, a second display area and a third display area located between the first display area and the second display area, wherein the first display area, the second display area and the third display area comprise a plurality of pixels; as well as a sensor located between the substrate and the first display area of ​​the display panel and sensing an external object through the first display area, wherein a first pixel density of the first display area is less than a second pixel density of the second display area, wherein the pixel density of the third display area is greater than the first pixel density and less than the second pixel density, and increases in a direction away from the first display area, wherein the third display area surrounds the first display area, The third display area further includes: a first sub-area including pixels of the plurality of pixels surrounding the first display area; and a second sub-area including pixels of the plurality of pixels surrounding the first sub-area, wherein each of the first display area, the first sub-area, and the second sub-area further includes a transmissive area in which the plurality of pixels are not arranged, the first display area further includes a pixel area in which the pixels of the first display area are arranged, the first sub-area further includes a pixel area in which the pixels of the first sub-area are arranged, and the second sub-area further includes a pixel area in which the pixels of the second sub-area are arranged, in: A first ratio indicating a ratio of the transmission area to the pixel area in the first display area is greater than a second ratio indicating a ratio of the transmission area to the pixel area in the first sub-area, and The second ratio is greater than a third ratio indicating a ratio of the transmission area to the pixel area in the second sub-area, and in: The transmission area of ​​the first sub-area is provided along a boundary of the first display area, and the transmission area of ​​the second sub-area is provided along a boundary of the first sub-area, and A distance between the transmission areas of the first sub-area is smaller than a distance between the transmission areas of the second sub-area.

Images