Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device can include a display panel displaying an image. The display panel can include a substrate including a first display area and a second display area adjacent to each other, and a non-display area surrounding at least one side of each of the first display area and the second display area, a plurality of first pixels provided in the first display area, and a plurality of second pixels provided in the second display area. The second display area can have a light transmittance higher than that of the first display area, and each of the first pixels can have a size different from a size of each of the second pixels.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0160038, filed on December 4, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, as fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] Exemplary embodiments / implementations of the present invention generally relate to an electronic device having a display portion. Background Technology

[0004] Electronic devices, such as typical smartphones, may include at least one display section. The display section is a data output device, and input data can be displayed on the display section. Furthermore, the display section may include a touch sensor to be operated as a touchscreen. The display section may be mounted on the front surface of the electronic device to display various types of information.

[0005] Recently, in electronic devices such as mobile terminals, the display portion has occupied a large portion of the front surface of the device. Therefore, sensors such as cameras, proximity sensors, fingerprint sensors, brightness sensors, and near-infrared sensors can overlap with at least one area of ​​the display portion. In the sensor area overlapping with the display portion, the pixel density can be reduced to increase light transmittance. Variations in pixel density between the sensor area and the display area can cause differences in brightness between the two areas, and these differences in brightness can be perceived by the user as image discontinuities.

[0006] The information disclosed in this background section is only for understanding the background of the inventive concept, and therefore, the above information may include information that does not constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] An exemplary embodiment provides an electronic device having a display portion that can improve image quality.

[0008] Additional features of the inventive concept will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concept.

[0009] In one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device includes: a display panel for displaying an image, wherein the display panel includes: a substrate including a first display area and a second display area adjacent to each other, and a non-display area surrounding at least one side of each of the first display area and the second display area; a plurality of first pixels provided in the first display area; and a plurality of second pixels provided in the second display area.

[0010] The second display area may include a first sub-region having each of the second pixels set therein, and a second sub-region without any second pixels set therein. The second display area may have a higher light transmittance than the first display area.

[0011] Each first pixel in the first pixel can have a different size than each second pixel in the second pixel.

[0012] The first pixel in the first display area may have a higher density than the second pixel in the second display area. The second display area may have a smaller size than the first display area and is connected to the first display area.

[0013] The second pixel can be arranged on the plane in an oblique direction.

[0014] The electronic device may include at least one sensor disposed on the rear surface of the display panel.

[0015] The sensor may include at least one of a camera, proximity sensor, brightness sensor, gesture sensor, motion sensor, fingerprint sensor, and biometric sensor or a combination thereof.

[0016] The second sub-region may include a transmission region through which light is transmitted.

[0017] The first sub-region and the second sub-region can be set alternately. Multiple first sub-regions can be provided in the second display area, and multiple second sub-regions can be provided in the second display area.

[0018] Multiple first sub-regions can be repeatedly arranged in one direction in a second display area to form at least one first column, and multiple second sub-regions can be repeatedly arranged in the same direction in the second display area to form at least one second column. The first and second columns can be alternated.

[0019] Multiple first sub-regions may be repeatedly arranged in a direction in a second display area to form at least one column, and multiple second sub-regions may be repeatedly arranged in a direction orthogonal to that direction to form at least one row.

[0020] Each of the first pixels may include at least one first sub-pixel provided in the first display area. The first sub-pixel may include: a first electrode disposed on a substrate; a first emitting layer disposed on the first electrode; and a second electrode disposed on the first emitting layer.

[0021] Each second pixel in the second pixel may include at least one second sub-pixel provided in the first sub-region. The second sub-pixel may include: a third electrode disposed on the substrate, the third electrode being provided in the same layer as the first electrode; a second emission layer disposed on the third electrode; and a fourth electrode disposed on the second emission layer.

[0022] The first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel can have different sizes.

[0023] The second sub-pixel can have a larger size than the first sub-pixel.

[0024] The first sub-pixel may include a first emission region in which the first electrode, the first emission layer, and the second electrode overlap each other, and the second sub-pixel may include a second emission region in which the third electrode, the second emission layer, and the fourth electrode overlap each other. The second emission region may have a larger size than the first emission region.

[0025] The electronic device may further include an insulating layer disposed between the substrate and the third electrode. The insulating layer may extend into the second sub-region. The fourth electrode may not extend into the second sub-region.

[0026] Each of the first and second sub-pixels can emit any one of red, green, blue, and white light.

[0027] The second sub-pixel may have a size that gradually changes as it approaches the boundary between the first and second display areas.

[0028] The second sub-pixel may have a size that gradually decreases as it approaches the boundary between the first and second display areas.

[0029] The second sub-pixel may have a size that gradually increases as it approaches the boundary between the first and second display areas.

[0030] The second sub-region may include at least one insulating layer disposed on the substrate and including an opening. The second sub-region may include a filler material that fills the opening.

[0031] Each of the first pixel and the second pixel may include a pixel circuit layer disposed on a substrate and including at least one transistor.

[0032] The first display area may include a first unit pixel area configured with each of the first pixels, and the second display area may include a second unit pixel area configured with each of the second pixels. The first unit pixel area and the second unit pixel area may have the same size.

[0033] In one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device includes: at least one sensor for sensing incident light; a display portion overlapping the sensor and displaying an image; a window provided on the display portion to cover the display portion; and a touch sensor provided between the display portion and the window, the touch sensor sensing a user's touch.

[0034] The display portion may include: a substrate, including a first display area, a second display area, and a non-display area surrounding the periphery of each of the first and second display areas; the second display area having an area smaller than that of the first display area, being connected to the first display area, and having a higher light transmittance than that of the first display area; a plurality of first pixels provided in the first display area; and a plurality of second pixels provided in the second display area, each of the plurality of second pixels having a size larger than that of each of the first pixels.

[0035] The second display area may include a first sub-region having each of the second pixels and a transmissive region having no second pixels, the transmissive region allowing light to pass through it.

[0036] When viewed on a flat surface, the first sub-region and the transmission region can be set alternately.

[0037] It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the inventive concept.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0041] Figure 3A This is a simplified perspective view of the front surface of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0042] Figure 3B It is a simplified diagram. Figure 3A A perspective view of the rear surface of the electronic device shown.

[0043] Figure 4A and Figure 4BThis is a simplified plan view of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4A The cross-sectional view shown is taken by line I-I'.

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of a first display area according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 7 The diagram shows the included... Figure 6 The circuit diagram shows an embodiment of the electrical connection relationship of the components in the first sub-pixel.

[0047] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel.

[0048] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of the second display area according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 The cross-sectional view taken by line II-II' shown.

[0050] Figure 11 The diagram shows Figure 10 Another embodiment of the transmission region shown, and is related to Figure 9 The cross-sectional view corresponding to line II-II' shown in the figure.

[0051] Figure 12 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 It's a diagram. Figure 9 A schematic plan view of another embodiment of the second display area shown.

[0052] Figure 16 yes Figure 4A The diagram shows a schematic enlarged plan view of part of EA1.

[0053] Figure 17 yes Figure 16 The diagram shows a schematic enlarged plan view of part of EA2.

[0054] Figure 18 It is along Figure 17 The cross-sectional view taken by line III-III' shown.

[0055] Figure 19 The diagram shows Figure 18 Another embodiment of the transmission region shown, and is related to Figure 17The cross-sectional view corresponding to line III-III' shown in the figure.

[0056] Figure 20 , Figure 21 , Figure 22 and Figure 23 The diagram shows Figure 4A Another embodiment of the first and second display areas, and the first and second pixels shown, and is related to... Figure 4A The enlarged plan view corresponding to part of EA1 shown in the figure. Detailed Implementation

[0057] In the following description, several specific details are set forth for purposes of explanation in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the invention. As used herein, “embodiment” and “implementation” are interchangeable terms as non-limiting examples of apparatuses or methods employing one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that various exemplary embodiments may be implemented without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are shown in block diagram form to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, various exemplary embodiments may be different, but not necessarily exclusive. For example, specific shapes, configurations, and features of exemplary embodiments may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concept.

[0058] Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments should be understood as providing exemplary features detailing variations in some ways in which the inventive concept can be substantially implemented. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and / or aspects of various embodiments (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “elements”) may be combined, separated, interchanged, and / or rearranged without departing from the inventive concept.

[0059] In the accompanying drawings, the use of crosshairs and / or shading is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements. Therefore, unless specified, the presence or absence of crosshairs or shading does not convey or indicate any preference or requirement for the specific material, material properties, dimensions, scale, commonalities between illustrated elements, and / or any other characteristics, properties, or nature of the elements. Furthermore, in the drawings, the dimensions and relative dimensions of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and / or descriptive purposes. When exemplary embodiments can be implemented differently, specific processes may be performed in a different order than those described. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order of their description. Moreover, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements.

[0060] When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "attached to" another element or layer, the element may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly attached to the other element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers present. However, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly" on, "directly connected to," or "directly attached to" another element or layer, there are no intermediate elements or layers present. Therefore, the term "connection" can refer to a physical, electrical, and / or fluid connection with or without intermediate elements. Furthermore, the DR1, DR2, and DR3 axes are not limited to the three axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, such as the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and can be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the DR1, DR2, and DR3 axes can be perpendicular to each other, or can represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other. For the purposes of this disclosure, "at least one of X, Y, and Z" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z" can be interpreted as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for example, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0061] Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of this disclosure, the first element discussed below may be referred to as the second element.

[0062] For descriptive purposes, spatially relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “below,” “down,” “above,” “above,” “higher,” and “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”) may be used herein to describe the relationship of one(s) element(s) relative to another element(s), as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings, the spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” other elements or features will consequently be oriented “above” other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can cover both above and below orientations. Furthermore, the device may be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or oriented in other orientations), and therefore, the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0063] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well. Furthermore, when used in this specification, the terms “comprising” and / or “including” specify the presence of stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. It should also be noted that, as used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms are used as approximate terms rather than terms of degree, and are therefore utilized to account for the inherent biases of measured, calculated, and / or provided values ​​recognized by those skilled in the art.

[0064] Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional and / or exploded views as schematic representations of idealized exemplary embodiments and / or intermediate structures. Thus, variations in the illustrated shapes are contemplated as a result of, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the shapes of specific illustrated regions, but should include deviations in shape resulting from, for example, manufacturing processes. In this way, the regions illustrated in the figures can be schematic in nature, and the shapes of these regions may not reflect the actual shapes of the regions of the device, and are therefore not necessarily intended to be limiting.

[0065] As is customary in the art, exemplary embodiments are described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings from the perspective of functional blocks, units, and / or modules. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these blocks, units, and / or modules are physically implemented via electronic (or optical) circuitry, such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hardwired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, etc., which may be formed using semiconductor-based manufacturing techniques or other manufacturing techniques. Where blocks, units, and / or modules are implemented by microprocessors or other similar hardware, they can be programmed and controlled using software (e.g., microcode) to perform the various functions discussed herein, and may optionally be driven by firmware and / or software. It is also contemplated that each block, unit, and / or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware performing some functions and processors performing other functions (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry). Furthermore, each block, unit, and / or module of some exemplary embodiments may be physically divided into two or more interactive and discrete blocks, units, and / or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, some exemplary embodiments of blocks, units, and / or modules can be physically combined into more complex blocks, units, and / or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

[0066] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Terms such as those defined in common dictionaries shall be interpreted as having the same meaning as they have in the context of the relevant art and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless specifically defined herein.

[0067] Electronic devices according to embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of smartphones, tablet PCs, mobile phones, video phones, e-book readers, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbooks, workstations, servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-1 Audio Layer-3 (MP3) players, medical devices, cameras, and wearable devices. Wearable devices may include at least one of accessory types (e.g., watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lenses, or head-mounted devices (HMDs)), fabric or clothing integrated types (e.g., electronic clothing), body-mounted types (e.g., skin pads or tattoos), and bio-implanted circuitry. In some embodiments, electronic devices may include at least one of televisions (TVs), digital video disc (DVD) players, audio systems, refrigerators, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, washing machines, air purifiers, set-top boxes, home automation control panels, security control panels, media boxes, game consoles, electronic dictionaries, electronic lock systems, cameras, electronic frames, and holographic display devices (e.g., gate blocks).

[0068] In another embodiment, the electronic device may include at least one of various medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measurement devices, such as blood glucose sensors, heart rate sensors, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), cameras, and ultrasound machines), navigation devices, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), event data loggers (EDR), flight data loggers (FDR), automotive infotainment devices, marine electronic equipment (e.g., navigation devices and gyroscopes), avionics, security devices, automotive master control units, industrial or household robots, drones, automated teller machines (ATMs), point-of-sale (POS) devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices (e.g., light bulbs, various sensors, sprinkler devices, fire alarms, thermostats, streetlights, toasters, exercise equipment, hot water tanks, heaters, or kettles). In some embodiments, the electronic device may include at least a portion of furniture, buildings / structures or automobiles, electronic boards, electronic signature receivers, projectors, and various metering devices (e.g., water, electricity, gas, and radio wave metering devices). In various embodiments, the electronic device may be flexible or a combination of at least two of the foregoing devices. The electronic device according to this disclosure is not limited to the devices described above. In this disclosure, the term "user" may refer to a person using the electronic device or the device using the electronic device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device).

[0069] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0070] Reference Figure 1 Electronic device 101 in network environment 100 according to various embodiments is illustrated.

[0071] Electronic device 101 may include bus 110, processor 120, memory 130, input / output interface 150, display 160, and communication interface 170. In some embodiments, electronic device 101 may omit at least one of the components or additionally have other components.

[0072] Bus 110 may include circuitry that connects components 120, 130, 150, 160 and 170 to each other and transmits communication (e.g., control messages or data) between components 120, 130, 150, 160 and 170.

[0073] Processor 120 may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), and a communication processor (CP). Processor 120 may perform operations or data processing, such as those related to the control and / or communication of at least one other component of electronic device 101.

[0074] Memory 130 may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory. Memory 130 may store, for example, commands or data associated with at least one other element of electronic device 101. According to embodiments of this disclosure, memory 130 may store software and / or program 140.

[0075] Program 140 may include, for example, kernel 141, middleware 143, application programming interface (API) 145, and / or application (or “application”) 147. At least some of kernel 141, middleware 143, and API 145 may be referred to as an operating system (OS).

[0076] Kernel 141 can control or manage system resources (e.g., bus 110, processor 120, and memory 130, etc.) used to perform operations or functions implemented by other programs (e.g., middleware 143, API 145, and application program 147). Furthermore, kernel 141 can provide an interface that enables control or management of system resources by accessing individual components of electronic device 101 from middleware 143, API 145, or application program 147.

[0077] Middleware 143 can serve as a medium, for example, enabling API 145 or application 147 to exchange data with kernel 141 through communication with kernel 141. Furthermore, middleware 143 can process one or more job requests received from application 147 according to priority order. For example, middleware 143 can provide a priority order for at least one of application 147 to use system resources of electronic device 101 (e.g., bus 110, processor 120, or memory 130, etc.) and process one or more job requests according to priority order.

[0078] API 145 is an interface through which its application 147 controls functions provided by kernel 141 or intermediate software 143, and may include at least one interface or function (e.g., commands) for controlling file control, window control, image processing, or text control.

[0079] For example, the input / output interface 150 can transmit commands or data input from a user or other external device to other components of the electronic device 101, or output commands or data received from other components of the electronic device 101 to a user or other external device.

[0080] Display 160 (or display portion) may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) display, an electronic newspaper display, or a holographic display. Display 160 (or display portion) may display various content to the user, such as text, images, videos, icons, and / or symbols. Display 160 (or display portion) may include a touchscreen and receive input such as touch, gesture, proximity, drag, swipe, or hover using an electronic pen or the user's body part.

[0081] For example, communication interface 170 can establish communication between electronic device 101 and external devices (e.g., first external electronic device 102, second external electronic device 104, or server 106). Communication interface 170 can be connected to network 162 via wireless or wired communication to communicate with external devices (e.g., second external electronic device 104 or server 106).

[0082] Wireless communication may include cellular communication, which uses at least one of the following: Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).

[0083] In some embodiments, wireless communication may include short-range communication 164. For example, short-range communication 164 may include at least one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Magnetic Secure Transmission, Radio Frequency (RF), and Body Domain (BAN). In another embodiment, wireless communication may include GNSS. GNSS may be, for example, the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (hereinafter referred to as "BeiDou"), or the Galileo Satellite Navigation System. In this disclosure, "GPS" may be used interchangeably with "GNSS".

[0084] Wired communication may include at least one of, for example, Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), RS-232 (Recommended Standard 232), Power Line Communication, and Common Old-Style Telephone Service (POTS). Network 162 may include at least one of a remote communication network (e.g., a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)), the Internet, and a telephone network.

[0085] Each of the first external electronic device 102 and the second external electronic device 104 may be of the same kind as electronic device 101 or a different kind of device. According to various embodiments, all or some of the operations performed in electronic device 101 may be performed in one or more other electronic devices (e.g., the first external electronic device 102 and the second external electronic device 104 or server 106). In some embodiments, when electronic device 101 wishes to perform a function or service automatically or on demand, instead of automatically performing the function or service or in addition to automatically performing the function or service, electronic device 101 may request at least some functions associated with the function or service from other devices (e.g., the first external electronic device 102 and the second external electronic device 104 or server 106). Another electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device 102 and the second external electronic device 104 or server 106) may perform the requested or additional function and transmit the results obtained by performing the requested or additional function to electronic device 101. Electronic device 101 may provide the requested function or service either by additionally processing the received results or as is. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technologies can be utilized, for example.

[0086] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

[0087] Reference Figure 2 The electronic device 200 may include Figure 1 All or part of the electronic device 101 shown. Electronic device 200 may include one or more processors (e.g., AP) 210, communication module 220, user identification module 224, memory 230, sensor module 240, input device 250, display 260 (or display portion), interface 270, audio module 280, camera module 291, power management module 295, battery 296, indicator 297, and motor 298.

[0088] Processor 210 can control multiple hardware and software components connected to it by running, for example, an operating system (OS) or applications and processing and computing various data. Processor 210 can be implemented as, for example, a system-on-a-chip (SoC). In some embodiments, processor 210 may further include a graphics processing unit (GPU) and / or an image signal processor (ISP). Processor 210 may include... Figure 2 At least some of the components shown (e.g., cellular module 221). Processor 210 can load commands or data received from other components (e.g., non-volatile memory) onto volatile memory, process the commands or data, and store the resulting data in non-volatile memory.

[0089] The communication module 220 may have the same or similar configuration as the communication interface 170. The communication module 220 may include, for example, a cellular module 221, a WiFi module 223, a Bluetooth (BT) module 225, a GNSS module 227, an NFC module 228, and an RF module 229.

[0090] Cellular module 221 can provide voice calls, video calls, text, or internet services via, for example, a communication network. In some embodiments, cellular module 221 can perform identification or authentication of electronic device 200 in the communication network using a user identification module 224 (e.g., a SIM card). In some embodiments, cellular module 221 can perform at least some of the functions that can be provided by processor 210. In another embodiment, cellular module 221 may include a communication processor (CP). In yet another embodiment, at least some (e.g., two or more) of cellular module 221, WiFi module 223, BT module 225, GNSS module 227, and NFC module 229 may be included in a single integrated circuit (IC) or IC package.

[0091] RF module 229 can transmit, for example, communication signals (e.g., RF signals). RF module 229 may include, for example, a transceiver, a power amplifier module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low-noise amplifier (LNA), or an antenna. In another embodiment, at least one of cellular module 221, WiFi module 223, BT module 225, GNSS module 227, and NFC module 228 may transmit RF signals via a discrete RF module. Subscriber Identity Module 224 may include, for example, a card or embedded SIM that includes a Subscriber Identity Module and contains unique identification information (e.g., IC Card Identifier (ICCID)) or user information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)).

[0092] Memory 230 (e.g., memory 130) may include, for example, internal memory 232 or external memory 234. Internal memory 232 may include at least one of the following: volatile memory (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) or non-volatile memory (e.g., one-time programmable read-only memory (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM), flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), hard disk drive, and solid-state drive (SSD). External memory 234 may include a flash drive, such as compact flash (CF) memory, secure digital (SD) memory, micro SD memory, mini SD memory, extreme digital (xD) memory, multimedia card (MMC), or Memory Stick™. External memory 234 may be functionally or physically connected to electronic device 200 through various interfaces.

[0093] For example, sensor module 240 can measure physical quantities or detect the operating state of electronic device 200 and convert the measured or detected information into electrical signals. Sensor module 240 may include at least one of the following: gesture sensor 240A, gyroscope sensor 240B, air (atmospheric) pressure sensor 240C, magnetic sensor 240D, accelerometer sensor 240E, grip force sensor 240F, proximity sensor 240G, color sensor (e.g., red-green-blue (RGB) sensor) 240H, biostatistical sensor 240I, temperature / humidity sensor 240J, brightness sensor 240K, and ultraviolet (UV) sensor 240M. Additionally or alternatively, sensor module 240 may include, for example, an electronic nose sensor, electromyography (EMG) sensor, electroencephalography (EEG) sensor, electrocardiography (ECG) sensor, infrared (IR) sensor, iris sensor, or fingerprint sensor. Sensor module 240 may further include control circuitry for controlling at least one of the sensors included in sensor module 240. In some embodiments, the electronic device 200 may further include a processor configured to control the sensor module 240 as part of or separately from the processor 210 and to control the sensor module 240 when the processor 210 is in a sleep mode.

[0094] Input device 250 may include, for example, a touch panel 252, a pen sensor 254, a button 256, or an ultrasonic input device 258.

[0095] Touch panel 252 may use at least one of capacitive, resistive, infrared, or ultrasonic methods. Furthermore, touch panel 252 may further include control circuitry. Touch panel 252 may further include a tactile layer to provide tactile feedback to the user. Pen sensor 254 may include, for example, a portion of touch panel 252 or a discrete sheet for identification. Button 256 may include, for example, a physical button, an optical button, or a keypad. Ultrasonic input device 258 may sense ultrasonic waves generated from an input tool via a microphone (e.g., microphone 288) to identify data corresponding to the sensed ultrasonic waves.

[0096] Display 260 (e.g., Figure 1 The display 160 (or display portion) shown may include a panel 262, a holographic device 264, a projector 266, and / or control circuitry for controlling it. The panel 262 may be implemented as, for example, flexible, transparent, or wearable. The panel 262, together with the touch panel 252, may be configured in one or more modules. The holographic device 264 can form a three-dimensional (3D) image (hologram) in the air using light interference. In an example, the holographic device 264 may include a gate box as a virtual home robot that communicates with the user by displaying virtual (holographic) characters. The projector 266 can display an image by projecting light onto a screen. The screen may be located, for example, inside or outside the electronic device 200. The interface 270 may include, for example, an HDMI 272, a USB 274, an optical interface 276, or a D-sub 278. The interface 270 may include, for example, an HDMI 272, a USB 274, an optical interface 276, or a D-sub 278. The interface 270 may include, for example, a D-sub 278. Figure 1 The communication interface 170 shown. Additionally or alternatively, interface 270 may include, for example, a Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) interface, an SD card / MMC interface, or an IR Data Association (IrDA) standard interface.

[0097] Audio module 280 can, for example, convert sound signals into electrical signals and vice versa. At least a portion of audio module 280 may be included in, for example... Figure 1 The input / output interface 150 shown is included. Audio module 280 can process sound signals input or output via, for example, a speaker 282, receiver 284, headphones 286, or microphone 288. For example, camera module 291 can be a means for capturing still and moving images. In embodiments, camera module 291 may include one or more image sensors (e.g., front or rear sensors), lenses, an image signal processor (ISP), or a flash (e.g., an LED, a xenon lamp, etc.).

[0098] For example, power management module 295 can manage the power supply of electronic device 200. In embodiments, power management module 295 may include a power management IC (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery or fuel gauge. The PMIC may have wireless and / or wired recharging schemes. Wireless charging schemes may include, for example, magnetic resonance schemes, magnetic induction schemes, or electromagnetic wave-based schemes, and additional circuitry such as coil loops, resonant circuits, or rectifiers may be added for wireless charging. When battery 296 is being charged, the battery gauge can measure the remaining charge, voltage, current, or temperature of battery 296. Battery 296 may include, for example, a rechargeable battery or a solar cell.

[0099] Indicator 297 can indicate a specific state of electronic device 200 or a part of electronic device 200 (e.g., processor 210), including, for example, a startup state, a message state, or a recharging state. Motor 298 can convert electrical signals into mechanical vibrations and produce vibrational or tactile effects.

[0100] Electronic device 200 may include a mobile TV (TV) support device (e.g., a GPU) that can process media data according to, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), or mediaFlo™ standards.

[0101] Each of the components described above in the electronic device 200 may include one or more components, and the names of the corresponding components may vary depending on the type of electronic device in which the corresponding component is applied. In various embodiments, the electronic device 200 may exclude some components or include additional components, or some of the components may be combined into a single entity that performs the same function as the components before combination.

[0102] In some embodiments, processor 210 can generate an image via an application operation. When the application operation is associated with a sensor (e.g., an image sensor), processor 210 can remove the image corresponding to a first region where the sensor is located from the generated image. Subsequently, processor 210 can display the entire image on display 260, from which the image of the first region has been removed.

[0103] In another embodiment, when the application operation is not associated with the sensor, the processor 210 can correct the image of the first region where the sensor is located in the generated image. For example, the processor 210 can compensate for the image of the first region, which has higher brightness or saturation compared to the original image (e.g., the image of the second region), so that the image of the first region is visually acceptable. For example, the second region can be the peripheral region of the first region in an opaque display area.

[0104] In another embodiment, processor 210 can compensate for the hue of the image in the first region by adjusting the optical characteristics of at least one organic light-emitting device in the second region. In yet another embodiment, processor 210 can compensate for the hue of the image in the first region by adjusting the optical characteristics of at least one organic light-emitting device in the first region and at least one organic light-emitting device in the second region.

[0105] Subsequently, the processor 210 can display the image of the first region on the display 260, along with the entire image on which the image has been corrected.

[0106] Figure 3A This is a simplified perspective view of the front surface of an electronic device according to various embodiments. Figure 3B It is a simplified diagram. Figure 3A A perspective view of the rear surface of the electronic device shown.

[0107] exist Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the middle, electronic device 300 can be with Figure 1 The electronic device 101 shown and Figure 2 The electronic device 200 shown is the same electronic device. In this example, the electronic device 300 may be a portable device including a display panel. Furthermore, for ease of description, in... Figure 3A The figure shows an example in which the main screen is displayed on the display portion 310 of the electronic device 300.

[0108] Reference Figures 1 to 3B According to various embodiments, the display portion 310 may be disposed on the front surface 300a of the electronic device 300. The front surface 300a of the electronic device 300 may include a display area DA in which the display portion 310 is configured to display various data and a non-display area NDA provided on at least one side of the display area DA.

[0109] According to various embodiments, a rear camera 341, a flash 342, and a speaker 343 may be located on the rear surface 300b of the electronic device 300. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a power / reset button, volume buttons, a terrestrial DMB antenna for broadcast reception, and one or more microphones 345 and 347 may be located on the side surface 300c of the electronic device 300. Additionally, according to various embodiments, a connector 346 may be formed on the lower side surface of the electronic device 300. The connector 346 is formed to have multiple electrodes and is connected to an external device via leads. A headphone jack 344 may be located on the upper side surface of the electronic device 300.

[0110] In the electronic device 300 described above, for example, components such as sensors are disposed in the lower portion inside the display portion 310, which improves the appearance of the front surface 300a of the electronic device 300 and ensures a greater extent of the display area DA. The components may be optical components associated with light. In the example, the components may be optical components into which external light is incident, or optical components that emit light. Optical components may include, for example, fingerprint scanners, image capture devices, electronic flashlights, light sensors, proximity sensors, indicators, or solar panels.

[0111] The display portion 310 can be configured as a large screen to occupy the entire front surface 300a of the electronic device 300. When the display portion 310 is entirely disposed on the front surface 300a of the electronic device 300, the electronic device 300 can be generally referred to as a "full front display". In a "full front display", the front surface 300a of the electronic device 300 can be the entire display area DA.

[0112] The display portion 310 described above may be an organic light-emitting display panel. The electronic device 300 including the display portion 310 described above may be an organic light-emitting display device. In some embodiments, the display portion 310 may be configured as a touchscreen including touch electrodes.

[0113] like Figure 3A As shown, the main screen can be located on the display section 310. When the electronic device 300 is powered on, the main screen can be the first screen displayed on the display section 310. Information such as battery charging status, received signal strength, and the current time of the electronic device 300 can be displayed at the top of the display section 310. The display section 310 can display various content to the user (e.g., text, images, videos, icons, and / or symbols).

[0114] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is a simplified plan view of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 It is along Figure 4A The cross-sectional view shown is taken by line I-I'.

[0115] Reference Figures 1 to 5 All or at least a portion of the electronic device 400 may be flexible. In the example, the electronic device 400 may be flexible throughout the entire area, or flexible in areas corresponding to the flexible areas. When the electronic device 400 is flexible as a whole, the electronic device 400 may be a rollable display device. When a portion of the electronic device 400 is flexible, the electronic device 400 may be a foldable display device, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0116] The electronic device 400 may include a display panel 410, a touch sensor 440, a window 450, and at least one component 460.

[0117] The display panel 410 can be located on the front surface of the electronic device 400.

[0118] Display panel 410 displays arbitrary visual information, such as text, video, pictures, or two-dimensional or three-dimensional images, on its front surface (e.g., an image display surface). The type of display panel 410 is not particularly limited to displaying images. Display panel 410 can be a self-emissive display panel, such as an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED panel). Alternatively, display panel 410 can be a non-emissive display panel, such as a liquid crystal display panel (LCD panel), an electrophoretic display panel (EPD panel), or an electrowetting display panel (EWD panel). According to embodiments of this disclosure, when a non-emissive display panel is used as the display panel 410 of an electronic device 400, the electronic device 400 may further include a backlight unit that supplies light to the display panel 410. In exemplary embodiments, the case where the display panel 410 is an OLED panel is described as an example. However, the type of display panel 410 is not limited thereto, and another display panel may be used within the scope (or limitation) of the concept of this disclosure. In embodiments of this disclosure, display panel 410 may have... Figure 3A The electronic device 300 shown has the same configuration as the display portion 310.

[0119] The display panel 410 may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA surrounding at least one side of the display area DA.

[0120] Multiple pixels PXL can be provided in the display area DA. In some embodiments, each of the pixels PXL may include at least one light-emitting device. In some embodiments, the light-emitting device may be a light-emitting unit including an organic light-emitting diode or an ultra-small inorganic light-emitting diode having a size ranging from micrometers to nanometers, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The display panel 410 may drive the pixels PXL in correspondence with input image data to display an image in the display area DA. The display area DA may be configured as a large screen to occupy the entire front surface of the electronic device 400.

[0121] The non-display area NDA is a region surrounding at least one side of the display area DA, and may be a region other than the display area DA. In some embodiments, the non-display area NDA may include line areas, pad areas, and / or various dummy areas.

[0122] In embodiments of this disclosure, the display area DA may be disposed over the entire front surface of the electronic device 400, such as... Figure 4Aand Figure 4B As shown in the diagram. When the display area DA is set across the entire front surface, the non-display area NDA is not set on the front surface, or it can be set in a very narrow area on the front surface. In the example, the display area DA can contact the side edge of the electronic device 400, or it can be set at a distance of 1 mm or less from the side edge. Although in Figure 4A and Figure 4B The illustration shows a scenario where the display area DA is only located on the front surface of the electronic device 400, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the display area DA may be located in at least one region of the side edge of the electronic device 400 or at least one region of the rear surface, etc. The display areas DA located on multiple surfaces of the electronic device 400 may be connected to or separated from each other at least in a portion.

[0123] In embodiments of this disclosure, electronic device 400 may include at least one component 460 disposed to overlap at least a portion of display area DA. Component 460 may be disposed below pixels PXL and / or lines disposed in display area DA to be hidden relative to the front surface of electronic device 400. When component 460 is disposed below and overlaps display area DA, the appearance of electronic device 400, specifically, the appearance of the front surface corresponding to display area DA, is improved, and the display area DA can be secured to a greater extent.

[0124] In embodiments of this disclosure, the display area DA includes a direction (e.g., Figure 4A The second display area (DR2) shown in the diagram is divided into a first display area A1 and a second display area A2. The first display area A1 and the second display area A2 can be connected adjacent to each other. The first display area A1 and the second display area A2 can have different sizes. In the example, the size of the first display area A1 can be larger than the size of the second display area A2.

[0125] The first display area A1 may be an area of ​​display area DA that does not overlap with the component 460 described above, and the second display area A2 may be another area of ​​display area DA that overlaps with component 460. In some embodiments, the second display area A2 may be provided (or configured) to have a wider area than the area overlapping with component 460. For example, the second display area A2 may generally be formed at one end (e.g., the upper portion) of the electronic device 400, such as... Figure 4A As shown. Although Figure 4AThe illustration shows a configuration where at least one second display area A2 is disposed on the upper portion of the front surface of the electronic device 400, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, one or more second display areas A2 may be provided and disposed adjacent to or distributed anywhere within the display area DA. For example, in embodiments where the display area DA is formed on the side edge and / or rear surface of the electronic device 400, a portion of the second display area A2 may be formed within the display area DA at the side edge and / or rear surface of the electronic device 400.

[0126] In some embodiments, the second display area A2 may be provided in a shape located at the center (or middle) of the lower portion of the display area DA and surrounded by the first display area A1, such as... Figure 4B As shown in the image.

[0127] The component 460, positioned to overlap with the second display area A2, can be an optical component. That is, component 460 can be a component that receives or emits light. Component 460 may include, for example, a fingerprint scanner, an image capture device, an electronic flash, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, an indicator, or a solar panel. However, component 460 is not limited to optical components and may include various components such as ultrasonic sensors, microphones, environmental sensors (e.g., barometers, hygrometers, thermometers, radiation detection sensors, thermal sensors, etc.), and chemical sensors (e.g., gas sensors, dust sensors, odor sensors, etc.). In embodiments of this disclosure, component 460 may include multiple sensors overlapping the second display area A2. The multiple sensors may include a camera, a proximity sensor, and a brightness sensor arranged in a row.

[0128] The component 460 described above can be mounted on a discrete substrate (not shown) made of plastic or metal material, such as a bracket or housing, using a surface mount device (SMD) method, to face (or correspond to) at least one area, such as a second display area A2 of display area DA.

[0129] The second display area A2 allows signals (e.g., light or beams) input to component 460 to be transmitted through it. The second display area A2 may have a higher transmittance than the first display area A1 to improve signal transmittance. Each of the transmittance of the second display area A2 and the first display area A1 can be the degree to which light is transmitted per unit area (a predetermined area or the same area). For example, transmittance can be the ratio of light transmitted through display panel 410 to light incident on a unit area of ​​display panel 410. Therefore, the second display area A2, having a relatively high transmittance compared to the first display area A1, allows signals (e.g., light or beams) to be transmitted well through it. For example, pixels PXL can be arranged in a lower density in the second display area A2 compared to the first display area A1. The gaps between the low-density pixels PXL form physical and / or optical openings (e.g., transmission windows) to allow signals (e.g., light or beams) to be transmitted better through these openings.

[0130] Multiple pixels PXL can be disposed in a first display area A1 and a second display area A2. In an example, multiple first pixels PXL1 can be disposed in the first display area A1, and multiple second pixels PXL2 can be disposed in the second display area A2. Each of the first pixels PXL1 and the second pixels PXL2 may include a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device may be, for example, an organic light-emitting diode, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the light-emitting device may be an inorganic light-emitting device comprising inorganic light-emitting materials or a light-emitting device that emits light by using quantum dots to change the wavelength of the emitted light (quantum dot display element). In embodiments of this disclosure, each first pixel PXL1 and each second pixel PXL2 may be different from each other. This will be described in detail later.

[0131] The display panel 410 may include a substrate 420 and a display module 430 provided on the substrate 420.

[0132] Substrate 420 is the base substrate of display panel 410 and may be a substantially transparent transmissive substrate. In some embodiments, substrate 420 may be a rigid substrate comprising glass or tempered glass or a flexible substrate made of a plastic material. In embodiments of this disclosure, substrate 420 may be a flexible substrate. Component 460 may be provided on the back side of substrate 420.

[0133] Display module 430 can display information input by the user or information provided to the user as an image. In other words, display module 430 can display data input by the user, as well as the results and reactions obtained by performing operations based on the data, as an image. For this purpose, display module 430 can display images using a plurality of pixels PXL provided on substrate 420. The display module 430 described above will be described in detail later.

[0134] Touch sensor 440 and window 450 can be mounted on display panel 410, which includes the components described above.

[0135] Touch sensor 440 may include touch electrodes and is disposed on the image display surface of display panel 410 to receive touch input and / or hover input from a user. Touch sensor 440 can identify touch input and / or hover input of electronic device 400 by sensing contact and / or proximity of a discrete input tool, such as a user's hand or a conductor similar to a user's hand. Touch input may mean that the user's hand or discrete input tool directly touches (or directly contacts) electronic device 400, and hover input may mean that the user's hand or discrete input tool is near electronic device 400 including touch sensor 440 but does not touch electronic device 400.

[0136] Furthermore, the touch sensor 440 can sense a user's touch operation and, in response to the touch operation, move an object displayed in the electronic device 400 from its original display position to another position. Touch operations can include at least one of single touch, multi-touch, and touch gestures. In the example, various touch operations can exist, including specific gestures that zoom in or out of text or images by moving the user's finger a certain distance while the user's finger is touching the touch surface of the touch sensor 440.

[0137] Window 450 is a component disposed at the uppermost end of the electronic device 400 including display panel 410, and is a generally transparent transmissive substrate. Window 450 reduces external impacts while allowing images from display panel 410 to be transmitted through it, thus preventing damage or malfunction of display panel 410 due to external impacts. External impacts are forces from the outside, which can be expressed as pressure or stress, and can mean forces that can cause defects in display panel 410. Window 450 may include a rigid or flexible substrate, and the material constituting window 450 is not specifically limited.

[0138] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of a first display area according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 The diagram shows the included... Figure 6The circuit diagram shows an embodiment of the electrical connection relationship of the components in the first sub-pixel.

[0139] exist Figure 7 The diagram illustrates active subpixels (e.g., Figure 6 The first sub-pixel shown in the figure is an active sub-pixel connected to the i-th scan line Si and the i-th emission control line Ei disposed on the i-th horizontal pixel row of the first display area A1 and the j-th data line Dj disposed on the j-th vertical pixel column of the first display area A1, and includes seven transistors.

[0140] Reference Figures 1 to 7 The first display area A1 is a region of the display area DA, and multiple first pixels PXL1 can be arranged in the first display area A1.

[0141] Each first pixel PXL1 may include at least one sub-pixel. In the example, the first pixel PXL1 may include four sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4. Specifically, the first pixel PXL1 may include a first sub-pixel SP1, a second sub-pixel SP2, a third sub-pixel SP3, and a fourth sub-pixel SP4. The first sub-pixel SP1 may be a red pixel emitting red light R, each of the second sub-pixels SP2 and the fourth sub-pixel SP4 may be a green pixel emitting green light G, and the third sub-pixel SP3 may be a blue pixel emitting blue light B.

[0142] In the first display area A1, two first sub-pixels SP1 and two third sub-pixels SP3 may be located at four points diagonally relative to one of the second sub-pixels SP2 and the fourth sub-pixel SP4. The two first sub-pixels SP1 and the two third sub-pixels SP3 may face each other, with one of the second sub-pixels SP2 and the fourth sub-pixel SP4 serving as a center between the two first sub-pixels SP1 and the two third sub-pixels SP3. Each of the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixels SP4 may have a rhomboid structure and be formed with the same area or a similar area. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixels SP4 may have different structures. Some of the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixels SP4 may have an area (or size) smaller or larger than the other sub-pixels.

[0143] In embodiments of this disclosure, the first display area A1 may include a first unit pixel region PXA1 in which each first pixel PXL1 is disposed. That is, a plurality of first unit pixel regions PXA1 may be arranged in the first display area A1. A predetermined number of first unit pixel regions PXA1 may be arranged along a first direction DR1 and a second direction DR2, depending on the resolution of the display panel 410. When viewed on a plane, each first unit pixel region PXA1 may have a rhomboid shape. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first unit pixel region PXA1 may include various shapes depending on the combination of sub-pixels included in the first pixel PXL1. Colored light and / or white light may be achieved by the combination of sub-pixels included in each first unit pixel region PXA1.

[0144] In each first unit pixel region PXA1, the second sub-pixel SP2 and the fourth sub-pixel SP4 can be arranged along the same column direction. The first sub-pixel SP1 can be located in a different column than the columns where the second sub-pixel SP2 and the fourth sub-pixel SP4 are located, and the third sub-pixel SP3 can be located in another column different from the columns where the second sub-pixel SP2 and the fourth sub-pixel SP4 are located. In each first unit pixel region PXA1, the second sub-pixel SP2 and the fourth sub-pixel SP4 can be arranged adjacent to each other along a second direction DR2, and the first sub-pixel SP1 and the third sub-pixel SP3 can be arranged adjacent to each other along a first direction DR1 that intersects with the second direction DR2.

[0145] like Figure 6 As shown, each of the first pixels PXL1, including first sub-pixels SP1 to fourth sub-pixels SP4, can be disposed in the first display area A1 at a first density. The first density can be, for example, a density in which the first pixels PXL1 are densely disposed in the first display area A1 such that the total area of ​​the first display area A1 is substantially equal to the area in which the first pixels PXL1 are disposed. For example, the first density can be approximately 100%. The first density can be defined as the total number of first pixels PXL1 per unit area of ​​the first display area A1 (pixels per inch (PPI)).

[0146] Each of the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixels SP4 may include a light-emitting device and a pixel circuit including at least one transistor for driving the light-emitting device. The pixel circuits of the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixels SP4 may have substantially similar or identical structures. Therefore, for ease of explanation, reference will be made to... Figure 7 The description of the pixel circuit PXC of the first sub-pixel SP1 is used instead of the description of the pixel circuit of each of the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixel SP4.

[0147] like Figure 7 As shown, the first sub-pixel SP1 may include a light-emitting element OLED and a pixel circuit PXC connected to the light-emitting element OLED to drive the light-emitting element OLED. The pixel circuit PXC may include a first transistor T1 to a seventh transistor T7 and a storage capacitor Cst. However, in this disclosure, the components included in the pixel circuit PXC of the first sub-pixel SP1 are not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0148] The first electrode of the first transistor T1 (driving transistor) can be connected to the first power supply ELVDD via the fifth transistor T5, and the second electrode of the first transistor T1 can be connected to the anode electrode of the light-emitting element OLED via the sixth transistor T6. Furthermore, the gate electrode of the first transistor T1 can be connected to the first node N1. The first transistor T1 can control the amount of current flowing from the first power supply ELVDD to the second power supply ELVSS via the light-emitting element OLED, corresponding to the voltage of the first node N1.

[0149] The second transistor T2 (switching transistor) can be connected between the j-th data line Dj and the first electrode of the first transistor T1. Furthermore, the gate electrode of the second transistor T2 can be connected to the i-th scan line Si. When a scan signal is supplied to the i-th scan line Si, the second transistor T2 can be turned on to electrically connect the j-th data line Dj and the first electrode of the first transistor T1.

[0150] The third transistor T3 can be connected between the second electrode of the first transistor T1 and the first node N1. Furthermore, the gate electrode of the third transistor T3 can be connected to the i-th scan line Si. When a scan signal with a gate on-state voltage is supplied to the i-th scan line Si, the third transistor T3 can be turned on to electrically connect the second electrode of the first transistor T1 to the first node N1. Therefore, when the third transistor T3 is turned on, the first transistor T1 can be connected by a diode.

[0151] The fourth transistor T4 (initialization transistor) can be connected between the first node N1 and the initialization power supply Vint. Furthermore, the gate electrode of the fourth transistor T4 can be connected to the (i-1)th scan line Si-1. When a scan signal is supplied to the (i-1)th scan line Si-1, the fourth transistor T4 can be turned on to supply the voltage of the initialization power supply Vint to the first node N1.

[0152] exist Figure 7The illustration shows an embodiment in which the (i-1)th scan line Si-1 is used as an initialization control line for initializing the gate node (i.e., the first node N1) of the first transistor T1. However, the technical concept of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment of this disclosure, another control line, such as the (i-2)th scan line (not shown), can be used as an initialization control line for controlling the gate node of the first transistor T1.

[0153] The fifth transistor T5 can be connected between the first power supply ELVDD and the first transistor T1. Furthermore, the gate electrode of the fifth transistor T5 can be connected to the i-th emitter control line Ei. When an emitter control signal with a gate cutoff voltage is supplied to the i-th emitter control line Ei, the fifth transistor T5 can be turned off, and in other cases, it will be turned on.

[0154] The sixth transistor T6 can be connected between the first transistor T1 and the light-emitting element OLED. Furthermore, the gate electrode of the sixth transistor T6 can be connected to the i-th emission control line Ei. When an emission control signal with a gate cutoff voltage (e.g., a high-level voltage) is supplied to the i-th emission control line Ei, the sixth transistor T6 can be turned off, and in other cases, it will be turned on.

[0155] A seventh transistor T7 can be connected between the initialization power supply Vint and the first electrode (e.g., the anode electrode) of the OLED light-emitting element. Furthermore, the gate electrode of the seventh transistor T7 can be connected to the (i+1)th scan line Si+1. When a scan signal with a gate on-state voltage (e.g., a low-level voltage) is supplied to the (i+1)th scan line Si+1, the seventh transistor T7 can be turned on to supply the voltage of the initialization power supply Vint to the anode electrode of the OLED light-emitting element. The voltage of the initialization power supply Vint can be set to a voltage lower than the voltage of the data signal. That is, the voltage of the initialization power supply Vint can be set to the minimum voltage of the data signal or less.

[0156] although Figure 7 The illustration shows a case where the gate electrode of the seventh transistor T7 is connected to the (i+1)th scan line Si+1, but the concept of this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment of this disclosure, the gate electrode of the seventh transistor T7 can be connected to the i-th scan line Si. Therefore, when a scan signal with a gate conduction voltage is supplied to the i-th scan line Si, the voltage of the initialization power supply Vint can be supplied to the anode electrode of the light-emitting element OLED via the seventh transistor T7.

[0157] The storage capacitor Cst can be connected between the first power supply ELVDD and the first node N1. The storage capacitor Cst can store a voltage corresponding to the data signal and the threshold voltage of the first transistor T1.

[0158] The anode of the OLED can be connected to the first transistor T1 via a sixth transistor T6, and the cathode of the OLED can be connected to the second power supply ELVSS. The OLED generates light with a predetermined brightness in accordance with the amount of current supplied from the first transistor T1. The voltage of the first power supply ELVDD can be set to be higher than the voltage of the second power supply ELVSS so that current can flow through the OLED.

[0159] The light-emitting element OLED can be, for example, an organic light-emitting diode. The light-emitting element OLED can emit light in one of the following colors: red, green, and blue. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0160] Meanwhile, the structure of the first sub-pixel SP1 is not limited to Figure 7 The embodiment shown is illustrated. For example, it is obvious that pixel circuits PXC having various structures currently known in the art can be applied to the first sub-pixel SP1.

[0161] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the display panel.

[0162] exist Figure 8 For ease of explanation, only illustrations are shown in the text. Figure 7 The cross-section of one of the first transistors T1 to the seventh transistor T7 shown corresponds to each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6.

[0163] Reference Figures 1 to 8 The display panel 410 may include a substrate 420, a display module 430, and a thin film encapsulation layer 436.

[0164] The substrate 420 may include a transparent insulating material to allow light to pass through it. The substrate 420 may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

[0165] The substrate 420 can be a rigid substrate. For example, the rigid substrate can be one of a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a glass-ceramic substrate, and a crystal glass substrate.

[0166] Substrate 420 may be a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate may be one of a film substrate comprising a polymeric organic material and a plastic substrate. For example, the flexible substrate may include at least one of polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, cellulose triacetate, and cellulose acetate propionate. However, the material constituting substrate 420 is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be modified in various ways.

[0167] The display module 430 may include a pixel circuit layer 430a disposed on the substrate 420 and a display element layer 430b disposed on the pixel circuit layer 430a. The pixel circuit layer 430a may include a pixel circuit PXC containing at least one insulating layer and at least one transistor. The display element layer 430b may include at least one light-emitting element OLED.

[0168] The pixel circuit layer 430a may include a buffer layer 431, a second transistor T2, a sixth transistor T6, and a passivation layer 434.

[0169] A buffer layer 431 may be disposed on the substrate 420 and prevent impurities from diffusing into the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6. The buffer layer 431 may be provided as a single layer, or it may be provided as a multilayer comprising at least two layers. The buffer layer 431 may be omitted depending on the material and process conditions of the substrate 420.

[0170] Each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 may include a semiconductor layer SCL, a gate electrode GE, a first terminal SE, and a second terminal DE. The first terminal SE may be either a source electrode or a drain electrode, and the second terminal DE may be the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode. In the example, when the first terminal SE is the source electrode, the second terminal DE may be the drain electrode. Each of the first transistor T1, the third transistors T3 through T5, and the seventh transistor T7, which are included together with the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 in a pixel circuit PXC of a sub-pixel, may include a semiconductor layer SCL, a gate electrode GE, a first terminal SE, and a second terminal DE.

[0171] The semiconductor layer SCL of each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 may be disposed and / or formed on the buffer layer 431. The semiconductor layer SCL may include a first region contacting the first terminal SE and a second region contacting the second terminal DE. The region between the first region and the second region may be a channel region. The semiconductor layer SCL may be a semiconductor pattern made of polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, oxide semiconductor, etc. The channel region is an undoped semiconductor pattern and may be an intrinsic semiconductor. Each of the first region and the second region may be a doped semiconductor pattern. Impurities may include n-type impurities, p-type impurities, and other metallic impurities.

[0172] The gate electrode GE of each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 may be disposed and / or formed on the corresponding semiconductor layer SCL, while the gate insulating layer 432 is located between the gate electrode GE and the corresponding semiconductor layer SCL.

[0173] The first terminal SE and the second terminal DE of each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 can contact the first and second regions of the corresponding semiconductor layer SCL, respectively, through contact holes penetrating the interlayer insulating layer 433 and the gate insulating layer 432.

[0174] Although the embodiments described above depict the first terminal SE and the second terminal DE of each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 as discrete electrodes electrically connected to the corresponding semiconductor layer SCL, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first terminal SE of each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 may be one of the first and second regions adjacent to the channel region of the corresponding semiconductor layer SCL, and the second terminal DE of each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 may be the other of the first and second regions adjacent to the channel region of the corresponding semiconductor layer SCL. The second terminal DE of each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 may be electrically connected to the light-emitting element OLED of the corresponding sub-pixel via a bridging electrode or a contact electrode, etc.

[0175] Each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 may be configured as an LTPS thin-film transistor, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 may be configured as an oxide semiconductor thin-film transistor. Furthermore, although a case in which each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 is a thin-film transistor with a top-gate structure has been described, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, each of the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 may be a thin-film transistor with a bottom-gate structure.

[0176] In embodiments of this disclosure, each of the interlayer insulating layer 433 and the gate insulating layer 432 may be an inorganic insulating layer comprising inorganic materials or an organic insulating layer comprising organic materials.

[0177] The passivation layer 434 may be provided and / or formed on the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 to cover the second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6.

[0178] Display element layer 430b may include a light-emitting element OLED provided on passivation layer 434 and emitting light.

[0179] An OLED (Organic Light Emitting Device) may include a first electrode AE ​​and a second electrode CE, and an emitting layer EML disposed between the two electrodes AE and CE. Either the first electrode AE ​​or the second electrode CE may be an anode electrode, and the other may be a cathode electrode. When the OLED is a top-emitting organic light-emitting device, the first electrode AE ​​may be a reflective electrode, and the second electrode CE may be a transmissive electrode. In embodiments of this disclosure, the case where the OLED is a top-emitting organic light-emitting device and the first electrode AE ​​is an anode electrode is described as an example.

[0180] The first electrode AE ​​can be electrically connected to the second electrode DE of the sixth transistor T6 through the fifth contact hole penetrating the passivation layer 434. The first electrode AE ​​may include a reflective layer (not shown) capable of reflecting light and a transparent conductive layer (not shown) disposed on the top or bottom of the reflective layer. At least one of the transparent conductive layer and the reflective layer can be electrically connected to the second electrode DE of the sixth transistor T6.

[0181] The display element layer 430b may further include a pixel defining layer 435 having an opening that exposes a portion of the first electrode AE ​​(e.g., the upper surface of the first electrode AE).

[0182] Each of the first sub-pixels SP1 to SP4 included in each first unit pixel region PXA1 in the first display region A1 may include an emission region EMA and a non-emission region NEMA adjacent to the emission region EMA. The non-emission region NEMA may surround the emission region EMA. In this embodiment, the emission region EMA may be defined corresponding to the portion of the first electrode AE ​​exposed by the opening or the emission layer EML.

[0183] The emission layer EML can be disposed in the region corresponding to the opening of the pixel defining layer 435. That is, the emission layer EML can be separately provided in each of the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixels SP4. The emission layer EML can include organic and / or inorganic materials. In embodiments of this disclosure, a patterned emission layer EML is illustrated by way of example. However, in some embodiments, the emission layer EML can be provided collectively in pixel PXL. The color of the light produced in the emission layer EML can be one of red, green, blue, and white, but this embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the color of the light produced in the emission layer EML can be one of magenta, cyan, and yellow.

[0184] The second electrode CE can be disposed on the emitter layer EML. The second electrode CE can be provided jointly in the first sub-pixels SP1 to SP4. The second electrode CE can be provided in a flat plate shape to completely correspond to the first display area A1, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. A hole injection layer (not shown) can be disposed between the first electrode AE ​​and the emitter layer EML, and an electron injection layer (not shown) can be disposed between the emitter layer EML and the second electrode CE. The hole injection layer and the electron injection layer can be provided jointly in the first sub-pixels SP1 to SP4.

[0185] A thin-film encapsulation layer 436 may be provided on top of the second electrode CE. The thin-film encapsulation layer 436 may be provided as a single layer, but may also be provided as multiple layers. The thin-film encapsulation layer 436 may include multiple insulating layers covering the light-emitting element OLED. Specifically, the thin-film encapsulation layer 436 may include at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer. For example, the thin-film encapsulation layer 436 may have a structure in which the inorganic and organic layers are alternately stacked.

[0186] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of the second display area according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 The cross-sectional view taken by line II-II' shown. Figure 11 The diagram shows Figure 10 Another embodiment of the transmission region shown, and is related to Figure 9 The cross-sectional view corresponding to line II-II' shown in the figure. Figures 12 to 15 It's a diagram. Figure 9 A schematic plan view of another embodiment of the second display area shown.

[0187] Reference Figures 1 to 15 The display panel 410 may include a first display area A1 and a second display area A2 in which pixels PXL are arranged with different densities. That is, pixels PXL can be arranged with different densities in the first display area A1 and the second display area A2. In the example, the first pixel PXL1 can be arranged with a first density in the first display area A1, and the second pixel PXL2 can be arranged with a second density in the second display area A2. The second density can be set to be less than the first density.

[0188] In embodiments of this disclosure, density (or pixel density) can be defined as the ratio (%) of the area of ​​the pixels PXL to the total area of ​​the corresponding display area. The area of ​​the pixels PXL can be the sum of the areas of each pixel PXL. The area of ​​each pixel PXL can mean the area including the pixel circuit PXC and the light-emitting element OLED. In some embodiments, the area of ​​each pixel PXL can mean the area of ​​the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element OLED, for example, the size of the light-emitting emission region EMA. For example, the area of ​​each pixel PXL can be the area of ​​the first electrode AE ​​included in the light-emitting element OLED or the area of ​​the emission layer EML included in the light-emitting element OLED.

[0189] In the following embodiments, the first density is defined as the ratio of the area where the first pixel PXL1 is disposed to the total area of ​​the first display area A1, and the second density is defined as the ratio of the area where the second pixel PXL2 is disposed to the total area of ​​the second display area A2.

[0190] The second display area A2 may include a plurality of first sub-regions SA1 and a plurality of second sub-regions SA2 that are adjacent to each other and have the same size (or area). In embodiments of this disclosure, each first sub-region SA1 is a second unit pixel region PXA2 provided with a second pixel PXL2, and each second sub-region SA2 is a transmissive region TA through which light is transmitted without a second pixel PXL2. In the embodiments below, the first sub-region SA1 is referred to as the second unit pixel region PXA2, and the second sub-region SA2 is referred to as the transmissive region TA.

[0191] Each second unit pixel region PXA2 and each transmission region TA can be alternately arranged along a diagonal direction (e.g., a third direction DR3) of either the first direction DR1 or the second direction DR2. The second pixel PXL2 located in the second display area A2 can be arranged along the third direction DR3. In the example, the second pixel PXL2 can be arranged diagonally (i.e., diagonally) in the second display area A2.

[0192] In some embodiments, such as Figures 12 to 15 As shown, each second unit pixel region PXA2 and each transmissive region TA can be alternately arranged along a first direction DR1. Furthermore, in some embodiments, each second unit pixel region PXA2 and each transmissive region TA can be alternately arranged along a second direction DR2. Additionally, in some embodiments, at least two adjacent second unit pixel regions PXA2 and at least two adjacent transmissive regions TA can be alternately arranged along a first direction DR1, a second direction DR2, or a third direction DR3.

[0193] like Figure 9As shown, the second unit pixel region PXA2 can be repeatedly arranged along the third direction DR3 to form the first column, and the transmission region TA can be repeatedly arranged along the third direction DR3 to form the second column.

[0194] In some embodiments, such as Figure 12 As shown, the second unit pixel region PXA2 can be repeatedly arranged along the second direction DR2 to form at least one column, and the transmissive region TA can be repeatedly arranged along the first direction DR1, which intersects the second direction DR2, to form at least one row. Furthermore, as... Figure 12 As shown, in the second display area A2, a transmissive area TA can be positioned at each of four points in the diagonal direction relative to a second unit pixel area PXA2. Similarly, in the second display area A2, a second unit pixel area PXA2 can be positioned at each of four points in the diagonal direction relative to a transmissive area TA.

[0195] A second pixel PXL2 may include at least one sub-pixel disposed in a second unit pixel region PXA2. In the example, a second pixel PXL2 may include first to fourth sub-pixels SP1', SP2', SP3', and SP4' disposed in the second unit pixel region PXA2.

[0196] In each second unit pixel region PXA2, the arrangement of the first to fourth sub-pixels SP1', SP2', SP3', and SP4' can be the same as the arrangement of the first to fourth sub-pixels SP1 to SP4 in each first unit pixel region PXA1. That is, in each second unit pixel region PXA2, the second sub-pixel SP2' and the fourth sub-pixel SP4' can be arranged adjacent to each other along the same column direction, the first sub-pixel SP1' can be located in a different column than the columns on which the second sub-pixels SP2' and the fourth sub-pixels SP4' are located, and the third sub-pixel SP3' can be located in another column different from the columns on which the second sub-pixels SP2' and the fourth sub-pixels SP4' are located.

[0197] In each second unit pixel region PXA2, the second sub-pixel SP2' and the fourth sub-pixel SP4' can be arranged adjacent to each other along the second direction DR2, and the first sub-pixel SP1' and the third sub-pixel SP3' can be arranged adjacent to each other along the first direction DR1. Each of the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' can have a rhomboid structure and be formed with the same or similar area. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' can have different structures. Some of the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' can have an area (or size) that is smaller or larger than that of the other sub-pixels.

[0198] In embodiments of this disclosure, the first sub-pixel SP1' may be a red pixel emitting red light R, each of the second sub-pixel SP2' and the fourth sub-pixel SP4' may be a green pixel emitting green light G, and the third sub-pixel SP3' may be a blue pixel emitting blue light B. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first sub-pixel SP1' may be a green pixel emitting green light G or a blue pixel emitting blue light B, the second sub-pixel SP2' may be a red pixel emitting red light R or a blue pixel emitting blue light B, the third sub-pixel SP3' may be a red pixel emitting red light R or a green pixel emitting green light G, and the fourth sub-pixel SP4' may be a red pixel emitting red light R or a blue pixel emitting blue light B. A second pixel PXL2 can achieve white light by combining the light emitted from the first sub-pixel SP1' to the fourth sub-pixel SP4' respectively. Although the case in which the first sub-pixel SP1' to the fourth sub-pixel SP4' constitute a second pixel PXL2 has been described in the above embodiments, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, a second pixel PXL2 may include two sub-pixels or three sub-pixels.

[0199] although Figure 9 The illustration shows a case where each second unit pixel region PXA2 has a rhombus shape, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the second unit pixel region PXA2 may have various shapes such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, and octagonal shapes.

[0200] In some embodiments, such as Figure 13 As shown, a second pixel PXL2 may include first sub-pixels SP1' to third sub-pixels SP3' arranged in the same pixel row along a first direction DR1. In each second unit pixel region PXA2, the first sub-pixels SP1' to third sub-pixels SP3' may be arranged in a strip-shaped configuration. The first sub-pixel SP1' may emit red light R, the second sub-pixel SP2' may emit green light G, and the third sub-pixel SP3' may emit blue light B. The first sub-pixels SP1' to third sub-pixels SP3' may have a rectangular structure and be formed with equal or similar areas (or dimensions) to each other.

[0201] In another embodiment, such as Figure 14As shown, a second pixel PXL2 may include first sub-pixels SP1' to fourth sub-pixels SP4'. The first sub-pixel SP1' may emit red light R, each of the second sub-pixels SP2' and fourth sub-pixels SP4' may emit green light G, and the third sub-pixel SP3' may emit blue light B. Among the first sub-pixels SP1' to fourth sub-pixels SP4', the first sub-pixels SP1' and the third sub-pixels SP3' may be repeatedly arranged in the second display area A2 along a second direction DR2 (e.g., "column direction") to form a pixel column, and the second sub-pixels SP2' and the fourth sub-pixels SP4' may be repeatedly arranged in the second display area A2 along the second direction DR2 to form another pixel column. The first sub-pixels SP1' to fourth sub-pixels SP4' may form a five-grid arrangement. Although the embodiment described above has shown the case where the fourth sub-pixel SP4' emits green light G, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the fourth sub-pixel SP4' may emit white light W, such as... Figure 15 As shown in the diagram, when the fourth sub-pixel SP4' emits white light W, the second sub-pixel SP2' and the fourth sub-pixel SP4', which emit green light G and white light W respectively, can be repeatedly arranged along the second direction DR2 to form a pixel column.

[0202] Each of the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' may include a pixel circuit layer 430a containing at least one transistor and a display element layer 430b including a light-emitting element OLED. The first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' may have substantially similar structures or have the same structure. Therefore, reference will be made to... Figure 10 The description of the configuration of the first sub-pixel SP1' is used instead of the description of the configuration of each of the second sub-pixels SP2' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4'.

[0203] The first sub-pixel SP1' may include a substrate 420 and a pixel circuit having at least one transistor provided on the substrate 420 (see [link]). Figure 7 The pixel circuit (PXC) shown includes a pixel circuit layer 430a, a display element layer 430b provided on the pixel circuit layer 430a, and a thin-film encapsulation layer 436. The thin-film encapsulation layer 436 has a pixel circuit layer 430a, a display element layer 430b provided on the pixel circuit layer 430a, and a thin-film encapsulation layer 436. Figure 8 The thin-film encapsulation layer 436 of the first display area A1 shown has the same configuration. Figure 10 For ease of explanation, only the driving transistor T used to drive the light-emitting element OLED is shown in the diagram. Figure 10 The driving transistor T shown is... Figure 7 The first transistor T1 shown has the same configuration.

[0204] The pixel circuit layer 430a may include a driving transistor T and at least one insulating layer. The insulating layer may include a buffer layer 431, a gate insulating layer 432, an interlayer insulating layer 433, and a passivation layer 434 sequentially stacked on the substrate 420. The buffer layer 431, the gate insulating layer 432, the interlayer insulating layer 433, and the passivation layer 434 have [a certain characteristic / feature]... Figure 8 The buffer layer 431, gate insulating layer 432, interlayer insulating layer 433, and passivation layer 434 of the first display area A1 shown have the same configuration. The driving transistor T may include a semiconductor layer SCL, a gate electrode GE, and a first terminal SE and a second terminal DE, and is configured to... Figure 8 The second transistor T2 and the sixth transistor T6 in the first display area A1 shown are thin-film transistors with the same structure.

[0205] Display element layer 430b may include a light-emitting element OLED comprising a first electrode AE, an emission layer EML, and a second electrode CE. The emission layer EML may emit red light R. The emission region EMA of the first sub-pixel SP1' is the region in which red light R is emitted, and may be defined (or divided) to correspond to the portion of the first electrode AE ​​exposed by the opening of the pixel defining layer 435 or the emission layer EML.

[0206] The transmissive region TA is the area where the second pixel PXL2 is not located, and can be a transmissive window (or a transparent window). That is, each transmissive region TA can be a portion of a component (e.g., a pixel circuitry) included in the pixel circuitry layer 430a in the second pixel PXL2. Figure 7 The pixel circuit PXC shown is located in the area where some components (e.g., light-emitting element OLED) of the display element layer 430b included in the second pixel PXL2 are removed. When some components of each of the pixel circuit layer 430a and the display element layer 430b are removed, an insulating layer may be provided only between the components included in the pixel circuit layer 430a and between the components included in the display element layer 430b in each transmissive region TA. In other words, each transmissive region TA may be provided in such a way that the components included in the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' (e.g., pixel circuit layer 430a and display element layer 430b) are not disposed therein.

[0207] like Figure 10As shown, each transmissive region TA can serve as a transmissive window in which only the buffer layer 431, gate insulating layer 432, interlayer insulating layer 433, passivation layer 434, pixel defining layer 435, and thin film encapsulation layer 436, sequentially stacked on the substrate 420, are disposed to allow incident light to pass through the transmissive window. Specifically, each transmissive region TA can be a region in which the second electrode CE, which has the greatest impact on light transmittance, is removed. The second electrode CE is provided only in the second unit pixel region PXA2 and may not be provided in the transmissive region TA. In some embodiments, when transparent electrodes are used to form some of the electrodes included in each of the pixel circuit layer 430a and display element layer 430b disposed in each transmissive region TA and opaque electrodes are used to form the other electrodes, the transmissive region TA can be a region in which only the opaque electrodes are removed.

[0208] In embodiments of this disclosure, the second electrode CE2 located in the first display area A1 and the second electrode CE located in the second display area A2 can be electrically connected and / or physically connected to each other.

[0209] In some embodiments, such as Figure 11 As shown, each transmission region TA may include an opening OPN, which allows light passing through the transmission region TA to be transmitted through the opening OPN without any loss. In embodiments of this disclosure, the opening OPN may be formed such that a corresponding portion of the insulating layer for each transmission region TA is removed. For example, an opening OPN may be formed when the interlayer insulating layer 433, the passivation layer 434, and the pixel defining layer 435 are removed in each transmission region TA. However, the insulating layer removed to form the opening OPN is not limited to the examples described above. For example, it is apparent that the gate insulating layer 432 or the buffer layer 431 may be removed to form the opening OPN.

[0210] When an opening OPN is formed in each of the transmission regions TA, a thin-film encapsulation layer 436 may be provided in a shape that fills the opening OPN. The thin-film encapsulation layer 436 may be made of a material (or substance) that allows light to pass through it, thereby minimizing the loss of light penetrating the opening OPN. In some embodiments, when an opening OPN is formed in each of the transmission regions TA, an intermediate layer 437 may be provided in a shape that fills the opening OPN. In an example, the intermediate layer 437 may be an air layer filling the opening OPN, thereby minimizing the loss of light passing through (or penetrating) the opening OPN. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer 437 may be a transparent adhesive layer (or bonding layer) for enhancing the adhesion between the thin-film encapsulation layer 436 and an insulating layer (e.g., the gate insulating layer 432 exposed by the opening OPN) while minimizing the loss of light passing through the opening OPN, such as an optically clear adhesive (OCA). The material of the intermediate layer 437 is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be selected differently from materials used to minimize the loss of light passing through (or penetrating) the transmission region TA.

[0211] As described above, the second display area A2 includes a transmissive area TA without a second pixel PXL2, so as to have a relatively high transmittance per unit area compared with the first display area A1.

[0212] The second display area A2 may overlap with the component 460 disposed on the bottom of the substrate 420 and receiving or emitting light. When multiple transmission areas TA that allow light to pass through are provided in the second display area A2, the amount (or intensity) of light incident on the component 460, which is configured to correspond to the second display area A2, is increased, thereby improving the sensing capability (sensing accuracy or recognition rate) of the component 460.

[0213] The second pixel PXL2 can be disposed in the second display area A2 with a second density. The second density can be the ratio of the area excluding the area in which the second sub-region SA2, which serves as the transmission region TA through which light is transmitted, is disposed to the total area of ​​the second display area A2. The second density can be smaller than the density of the first pixel PXL1 disposed in the first display area A1. The second density can be defined as the total number of second pixels PXL2 per unit area of ​​the second display area A2 (pixels per inch (PPI)).

[0214] When the density of pixels PXL in the second region A2 is less than the density of pixels PXL in the first region A1, the image displayed in the second display region A2 may appear relatively darker (i.e., have lower brightness) than the image displayed in the first display region A1. To address this issue, in embodiments of this disclosure, the area (or size) of sub-pixels SP1' to SP4' included in each of the second pixels PXL2 in the second display region A2 can be designed to be larger than the area (or size) of sub-pixels SP1' to SP4 included in each of the first pixels PXL1 in the first display region A1. In an example, the area (or size) of the emission region EMA of each of the sub-pixels SP1' to SP4' in the second display region A2 can be designed to be relatively larger than the area (or size) of the emission region EMA of each of the sub-pixels SP1' to SP4 in the first display region A1.

[0215] The abrupt change in density and brightness of pixel PXL between the first display area A1 and the second display area A2 can be perceived by the user as a discontinuity in the image. Therefore, in this disclosure, the area (or size) of sub-pixels SP1' to SP4' disposed in the second display area A2 is designed to be larger than the area (or size) of sub-pixels SP1' to SP4' disposed in the first display area A1, so that the amount (or intensity) of light emitted from each of the sub-pixels SP1' to SP4' in the second display area A2 can be further ensured. Therefore, the brightness difference generated in the boundary region between the first display area A1 and the second display area A2 can be minimized.

[0216] The above-described technical features of this disclosure will be described in more detail below.

[0217] Figure 16 yes Figure 4A The diagram shows a schematic enlarged plan view of part of EA1. Figure 17 yes Figure 16 The diagram shows a schematic enlarged plan view of part of EA2. Figure 18 It is along Figure 17 The cross-sectional view taken by line III-III' shown. Figure 19 The diagram shows Figure 18 Another embodiment of the transmission region shown, and is related to Figure 17 The cross-sectional view corresponding to line III-III' shown in the figure.

[0218] For ease of description, only the driving transistor DT1 electrically connected to the light-emitting element OLED is provided in the pixel circuit layer 430a in each first unit pixel region PXA1, and only the driving transistor DT2 electrically connected to the light-emitting element OLED is provided in the pixel circuit layer 430a in each second unit pixel region PXA2. Figure 18 and Figure 19 The diagram is shown in the image. Each of the driving transistors DT1 and DT2 can be connected to a reference. Figure 7 The first transistor T1 described has the same configuration.

[0219] Reference Figures 1 to 19 The display area DA may include a first display area A1 and a second display area A2, which are divided relative to a virtual line VL extending along the first direction DR1.

[0220] The first display area A1 may include multiple first unit pixel areas PXA1, each with a first pixel PXL1. The second display area A2 may include multiple second unit pixel areas PXA2, each with a second pixel PXL2, and multiple transmissive areas TA, which do not have second pixels PXL2.

[0221] Line unit 438 may be located in each transmission region TA. Line unit 438 may be a component that electrically and / or physically connects adjacent second unit pixel regions PXA2, with each transmission region TA situated between adjacent second unit pixel regions PXA2. Line unit 438 may include multiple conductive lines located in different layers within pixel circuit layer 430a. Line unit 438 may be configured to bypass each of the adjacent second unit pixel regions PXA2, thereby minimizing light loss that penetrates (or passes through) each transmission region TA.

[0222] like Figure 19 As shown, each transmission region TA may include an opening OPN for further ensuring the amount of light incident on component 460. The opening OPN may be related to a reference... Figure 11 The described opening OPN is the same. An intermediate layer 437 can be used to fill the opening OPN.

[0223] Some regions of the first unit pixel region PXA1 may be provided throughout the first display area A1 and the second display area A2, near the virtual line VL between the first display area A1 and the second display area A2, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first unit pixel region PXA1 is provided only in the first display area A1 and may not be provided in the second display area A2.

[0224] A first pixel PXL1 may include first to fourth sub-pixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4, and a second pixel PXL2 may include first to fourth sub-pixels SP1', SP2', SP3', and SP4'. The first sub-pixels SP1 to SP4 of the first pixel PXL1 and the first sub-pixels SP1' to SP4' of the second pixel PXL2 may include a substrate 420, including pixel circuitry (see...). Figure 7 The pixel circuit layer 430a (PXC) shown in the figure includes a pixel circuit layer 430a and a display element layer 430b including an OLED light-emitting element.

[0225] In embodiments of this disclosure, within a first unit pixel region PXA1, first sub-pixels SP1 to fourth sub-pixels SP4 included in a first pixel PXL1 can be configured to be spaced apart from each other. Each of the first sub-pixels SP1 to fourth sub-pixels SP4 can be spaced apart from neighboring sub-pixels. In the example, neighboring sub-pixels in the first unit pixel region PXA1 can be spaced apart from each other by a first width W1. The distance between neighboring sub-pixels in a first unit pixel region PXA1 can be equal to the distance between areas in which no light is emitted (i.e., referenced to...). Figure 8 The description corresponds to the non-emission region (NEMA).

[0226] In the second unit pixel region PXA2, the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' included in a second pixel PXL2 can be spaced apart from each other. Each of the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' can be spaced apart from its neighboring sub-pixels. In the example, neighboring sub-pixels in the second unit pixel region PXA2 can be spaced apart from each other with a second width W2 that is narrower than the first width W1. The distance between neighboring sub-pixels in a second unit pixel region PXA2 can correspond to the non-emitting region NEMA in which no light is emitted.

[0227] In embodiments of this disclosure, the area (or size) of the non-emissive region NEMA of each of the second unit pixel regions PXA2 can be smaller than the area (or size) of the non-emissive region NEMA of each of the first unit pixel regions PXA1. That is, the area (or size) of the emissive region EMA of a second unit pixel region PXA2 can be larger than the area (or size) of the emissive region EMA of a first unit pixel region PXA1.

[0228] In the following embodiments, for ease of explanation, the first sub-pixel SP1' provided in each second unit pixel region PXA2 is referred to as the 2-1st sub-pixel SP1', the second sub-pixel SP2' provided in the second unit pixel region PXA2 is referred to as the 2-2nd sub-pixel SP2', the third sub-pixel SP3' provided in the second unit pixel region PXA2 is referred to as the 2-3rd sub-pixel SP3', and the fourth sub-pixel SP4' provided in the second unit pixel region PXA2 is referred to as the 2-4th sub-pixel SP4'.

[0229] Subpixels SP1' to SP4' in each second unit pixel region PXA2 can have the same area (or size). Similarly, subpixels SP1 to SP4 in a first unit pixel region PXA1 can have the same area (or size).

[0230] In embodiments of this disclosure, each of the 2-1st sub-pixel SP1' to the 2-4th sub-pixel SP4' can be designed to have an area (or size) larger than that of each of the first sub-pixel SP1 to the fourth sub-pixel SP4. That is, the emission region EMA of each of the 2-1st sub-pixel SP1' to the 2-4th sub-pixel SP4' can be designed to have an area (or size) larger than that of the emission region EMA of each of the first sub-pixel SP1 to the fourth sub-pixel SP4.

[0231] like Figure 18 As shown, the emission region EMA of the second-1st sub-pixel SP1' that emits red light R in a second unit pixel region PXA2 can be designed to have a larger area (or size) than the emission region EMA of the second sub-pixel SP2 that emits green light G in a first unit pixel region PXA1.

[0232] When the first electrode AE ​​(anode electrode) exposed by the opening of the pixel-defining layer 435 in the second-1st sub-pixel SP1' is designed to have an area (or size) larger than that of the first electrode AE ​​(anode electrode) exposed by the opening of the pixel-defining layer 435 in the second sub-pixel SP2, the area (or size) of the emission region EMA of the second-1st sub-pixel SP1' can be larger than the area (or size) of the emission region EMA of the second sub-pixel SP2. When the area (or size) of the emission region EMA of the second-1st sub-pixel SP1' is larger than the area (or size) of the emission region EMA of the second sub-pixel SP2, when the second-1st sub-pixel SP1' is controlled to emit light with a brightness relatively higher than that of the second sub-pixel SP2 relative to the same image data, the amount (or intensity) of light emitted in the emission region EMA of the second-1st sub-pixel SP1' can be greater than the amount (or intensity) of light emitted in the emission region EMA of the second sub-pixel SP2.

[0233] Although the second display area A2 includes multiple transmissive areas TA that allow light emitted from the second pixel PXL2 to pass through a component 460 disposed at the bottom of the second display area A2 without emitting light, the amount of light emitted from each identical area (unit area or predetermined area) of the first display area A1 and the second display area A2 can be substantially similar or equal to each other. Therefore, the brightness difference between the first display area A1 and the second display area A2 caused by the density difference of the pixels PXL between the first display area A1 and the second display area A2 can be reduced. Thus, the image quality of the display panel 410 can be improved.

[0234] Simultaneously, the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' included in each second pixel PXL2 can be designed to have an area (or size) equal to that of the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixels SP4 included in each first pixel PXL1. To compensate for the brightness difference between the first display area A1 and the second display area A2, the second pixel PXL2 can be controlled to emit light with a brightness much higher than that of the first pixel PXL1 by supplying an excessive current to the second pixel PXL2. When an excessive current is continuously supplied to the second pixel PXL2, the emission layer EML included in each of the second pixels PXL2 degrades rapidly, and therefore, the lifetime of the light-emitting element OLED including the emission layer EML can be shortened. Therefore, in this disclosure, the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' included in each second pixel PXL2 are designed to have a larger area (or size) than the area (or size) of the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixels SP4 included in each first pixel PXL1, such that the light emitted from the second pixel PXL2 relative to the same image data is further ensured compared to the first pixel PXL1. Thus, the degradation of the emission layer EML included in the second pixel PXL2 can be minimized.

[0235] The lifetime of the OLED, which includes the light-emitting elements in each of the first pixel PXL1 and the second pixel PXL2, can be predicted using the following equation.

[0236]

[0237] τ0 can refer to the reference lifetime, L0 can refer to the reference initial brightness, τ1 can refer to the lifetime, L1 can refer to the initial brightness, and acc can refer to the acceleration factor. The acceleration factor can represent other conditions (e.g., temperature, device characteristics, and material characteristics). The reference lifetime can be, for example, the lifetime of a pixel PXL with 100% aperture, and for ease of illustration, it is assumed that the reference lifetime is 1000. That is, the lifetime τ0 of a pixel PXL with 100% aperture can be 1000.

[0238] For example, when the area (or size) of the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' included in each second pixel PXL2 is equal to the area (or size) of the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixels SP4 included in each first pixel PXL1, the aperture ratio of the second unit pixel region PXA2 of a second pixel PXL2 and its adjacent transmission region TA can be approximately half the aperture ratio of the first unit pixel region PXA1 of a first pixel PXL1. In the example, when the aperture ratio of the first unit pixel region PXA1 is 20%, the aperture ratio of the second unit pixel PXA2 and its adjacent transmission region TA can be 10%.

[0239] When the required brightness in each of the first pixel PXL1 and the second pixel PXL2 is 100 cd / m², the actual brightness of the first pixel PXL1 can become 500 cd / m², and the actual brightness of the second pixel PXL2 can become 1000 cd / m². When the lifetime of the first pixel PXL1 is calculated according to the equation described above, the lifetime of the first pixel PXL1 can be 1000*(0.2)1.8. Furthermore, when the lifetime of the second pixel PXL2 is calculated according to the equation described above, the lifetime of the second pixel PXL2 can be 1000*(0.1)1.8. Assuming the lifetime of the first pixel PXL1 is 100%, the lifetime of the second pixel PXL2 can be 28.70%. As described above, when the area (or size) of the first sub-pixel SP1 to the fourth sub-pixel SP4 included in the first pixel PXL1 is the same as the area (or size) of the first sub-pixel SP1' to the fourth sub-pixel SP4' included in the second pixel PXL2, the lifespan of the second pixel PXL2 can be relatively shorter than the lifespan of the first pixel PXL1.

[0240] When the area (or size) of the first sub-pixels SP1' to the fourth sub-pixels SP4' included in the second pixel PXL2 is twice that of the first sub-pixels SP1 to the fourth sub-pixels SP4 included in the first pixel PXL1, the aperture ratio of the second unit pixel region PXA2 where the second pixel PXL2 is disposed and the adjacent transmission region TA can be equal to the aperture ratio of the first unit pixel region PXA1 where the first pixel PXL1 is disposed. The lifetime of the second pixel PXL2 can be equal to that of the first pixel PXL1.

[0241] Several factors can influence the lifetime of each of the first pixel PXL1 and the second pixel PXL2 in a complex manner. However, when the aperture ratio, which is a major factor, increases, the current density applied to the emissive layer EML of the OLED included in each pixel PXL can decrease. In particular, when the aperture ratio of the second pixel PXL2 located in the second display area A2 increases, the current density applied to the emissive layer EML of the OLED included in the second pixel PXL2 decreases. Therefore, the initial brightness can be reduced, and the degradation of the emissive layer EML can be minimized. Thus, the lifetime of the second pixel PXL2 can be improved.

[0242] Figure 20 , Figure 21 , Figure 22 and Figure 23 The diagram shows Figure 4A Another embodiment of the first and second display areas, and the first and second pixels shown, and is related to... Figure 4A The enlarged plan view corresponding to part of EA1 shown in the figure.

[0243] about Figure 20 , Figure 21 , Figure 22 and Figure 23 The first and second display areas shown herein will primarily describe the parts that differ from the first and second display areas of the embodiments described above, in order to avoid redundancy. Parts not specifically described in this embodiment follow the parts of the embodiments described above. Furthermore, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts, and similar reference numerals refer to similar parts.

[0244] Reference Figures 1 to 15 as well as Figures 20 to 23 The display area DA may include a first display area A1 and a second display area A2, defined relative to a virtual line VL extending along a first direction DR1. A first pixel PXL1 may be provided in the first display area A1.

[0245] The second region A2 may include a plurality of second unit pixel regions PXA2 in which each of the second pixels PXL2 is arranged (or provided) and a plurality of transmission regions TA in which the second pixels PXL2 are not arranged. Each second pixel PXL2 may include one or more sub-pixels SP1' to SP4', and each first pixel PXL1 may include one or more sub-pixels SP1 to SP4.

[0246] In embodiments of this disclosure, subpixels SP1' to SP4' included in each second pixel PXL2 may be designed to have a relatively larger area (or size) than the subpixels SP1' to SP4 included in each first pixel PXL1. In an example, subpixels SP1' to SP4' included in each second pixel PXL2 may be designed to have an area (or size) that is twice or more than the area (or size) of the subpixels SP1' to SP4 included in each first pixel PXL1. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, subpixels SP1' to SP4' included in each second pixel PXL2 may be designed to have a relatively larger area (or size) than the subpixels SP1' to SP4 included in each first pixel PXL1, and have various sizes within a range in which subpixels SP1' to SP4' may be set to be spaced apart from neighboring subpixels at a certain distance in the second display area A2.

[0247] In some embodiments, such as Figure 22 As shown, the subpixels SP1' to SP4' included in each second pixel PXL2 can be designed to have a gradually increasing area (or size) as they approach the virtual line VL located at the boundary between the first display area A1 and the second display area A2. In some embodiments, such as Figure 23 As shown, the subpixels SP1' to SP4' included in a second pixel PXL2 can be designed to have a gradually decreasing area (or size) as they approach the virtual line VL. In another embodiment, the subpixels SP1' to SP4' included in each second pixel PXL2 can be designed to have an area (or size) that gradually increases or decreases along a specific direction (e.g., any one of the first direction DR1 to the third direction DR3).

[0248] like Figure 20 As shown, the second unit pixel region PXA2 can form at least one column repeatedly arranged along the second direction DR2 in the second display area A2, and the transmissive region TA can form at least one row repeatedly arranged along the first direction DR1 orthogonal to the second direction DR2 in the second display area A2. Furthermore, the second unit pixel region PXA2 can form at least another row repeatedly arranged along the first direction DR1 in the second display area A2, and the transmissive region TA can form at least another column repeatedly arranged along the second direction DR2 orthogonal to the first direction DR1 in the second display area A2. This column and the other column can be alternately arranged. In the example, a second unit pixel region PXA2 and a transmissive region TA can be alternately arranged in the second display area A2.

[0249] In some embodiments, such as Figure 21As shown, the second unit pixel region PXA2 can be repeatedly arranged along the second direction DR2 in the second display area A2 to form a first column, and the transmissive region TA can be repeatedly arranged along the second direction DR2 to form a second column. The first column and the second column can be alternately arranged along the first direction DR1 in the second display area A2. When viewed on a plane, the second unit pixel region PXA2 and the transmissive region TA can have continuity in the vertical direction (e.g., the second direction DR2).

[0250] In another embodiment, the second unit pixel region PXA2 can be repeatedly arranged along the first direction DR1 in the second display area A2 to form a first row, and the transmissive region TA can be repeatedly arranged along the first direction DR1 to form a second row. The first row and the second row can be alternately arranged along the second direction DR2 in the second display area A2. When viewed on a plane, the second unit pixel region PXA2 and the transmissive region TA can have continuity in the horizontal direction (e.g., the first direction DR1).

[0251] According to this disclosure, an electronic device having a display portion can be provided that minimizes image discontinuities at the boundary between a first display area and a second display area, and improves the visibility of the image to the user.

[0252] While certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from the description. Therefore, the inventive concept is not limited to these embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the appended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: The display panel is configured to display images. The display panel includes: The substrate includes a first display area and a second display area adjacent to each other, and a non-display area surrounding at least one side of each of the first display area and the second display area; Multiple first pixels are disposed in the first display area; and Multiple second pixels are disposed in the second display area. The second display area includes a first sub-region having each of the second pixels set therein and a second sub-region having no second pixels set therein. The second display area has a higher light transmittance than the first display area. Each first pixel in the first pixel group has a size different from the size of each second pixel in the second pixel group. Each of the first pixels includes a first sub-pixel provided in the first display area. The first sub-pixel includes: A first electrode is disposed on the substrate; A first emitter layer is disposed on the first electrode; and The second electrode is disposed on the first emission layer. Each of the second pixels in the second pixel includes a second sub-pixel provided in the first sub-region. The second sub-pixel includes: A third electrode is disposed on the substrate, and the third electrode and the first electrode are provided in the same layer. A second emission layer is disposed on the third electrode; and The fourth electrode is disposed on the second emission layer, and The area of ​​the second emission layer is larger than the area of ​​the first emission layer.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The first pixel in the first display area has a higher density than the second pixel in the second display area, and The second display area has a smaller size than the first display area and is connected to the first display area.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein, The second pixel is arranged on the plane in an inclined direction.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2, comprising: At least one sensor is disposed on the rear surface of the display panel.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein, The at least one sensor includes at least one of a camera, a proximity sensor, a brightness sensor, a gesture sensor, a motion sensor, a fingerprint sensor, and a biometric sensor, or a combination thereof.

6. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein, The second sub-region includes a transmission region through which light is transmitted.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein, The first sub-region and the second sub-region are set alternately.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein, The second display area includes multiple first sub-areas and multiple second sub-areas.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein, The plurality of first sub-regions are repeatedly arranged in one direction in the second display area to form at least one first column, and The plurality of second sub-regions are repeatedly arranged in the second display area along the one direction to form at least one second column. The first column and the second column are set alternately.

10. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein, The plurality of first sub-regions are repeatedly arranged in one direction in the second display area to form at least one column, and The plurality of second sub-regions are repeatedly arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first direction to form at least one row.

11. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein, The first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel have different sizes.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein, The second sub-pixel has a larger size than the first sub-pixel.

13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein, The first sub-pixel includes a first emission region, in which the first electrode, the first emission layer, and the second electrode overlap each other, and The second sub-pixel includes a second emission region, in which the third electrode, the second emission layer, and the fourth electrode overlap each other. The second emission region has a larger size than the first emission region.

14. The electronic device according to claim 6, further comprising: An insulating layer is disposed between the substrate and the third electrode, wherein the insulating layer extends into the second sub-region, and The fourth electrode does not extend into the second sub-region.

15. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein, Each of the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel emits any one of red, green, blue, and white light.

16. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein, The size of the second sub-pixel gradually changes as it approaches the boundary between the first display area and the second display area.

17. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein, The second sub-pixel has a size that gradually decreases as it approaches the boundary portion between the first display area and the second display area.

18. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein, The second sub-pixel has a size that gradually increases as it approaches the boundary portion between the first display area and the second display area.

19. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein, The second sub-region includes at least one insulating layer disposed on the substrate and including an opening.

20. The electronic device according to claim 19, wherein, The second sub-region includes a filler material that fills the opening.

21. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the first pixel and the second pixel includes a pixel circuit layer disposed on the substrate and including at least one transistor.

22. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The first display area includes a first unit pixel area configured with each of the first pixels, and the second display area includes a second unit pixel area configured with each of the second pixels. The first unit pixel region and the second unit pixel region have the same size.

23. An electronic device comprising: The sensor is configured to sense incident light; A display portion overlaps with the sensor, and the display portion is configured to display an image; A window is provided on the display portion to cover the display portion; as well as A touch sensor is provided between the display portion and the window, and the touch sensor is configured to sense the user's touch. The display portion includes: The substrate includes a first display area, a second display area, and a non-display area surrounding the periphery of each of the first display area and the second display area; the second display area has a smaller area than the first display area, is connected to the first display area, and has a higher light transmittance than the first display area; A plurality of first pixels are provided in the first display area; and A plurality of second pixels are provided in the second display area, each of the plurality of second pixels having a size larger than the size of each of the first pixels. The second display area includes a first sub-region having each of the second pixels, and a transmissive region without any second pixels, the transmissive region allowing light to pass through it. When viewed on a plane, the first sub-region and the transmissive region are alternately arranged. Each of the first pixels includes a first sub-pixel provided in the first display area. The first sub-pixel includes: A first electrode is disposed on the substrate; A first emitter layer is disposed on the first electrode; and The second electrode is disposed on the first emission layer. Each of the second pixels in the second pixel includes a second sub-pixel provided in the first sub-region. The second sub-pixel includes: A third electrode is disposed on the substrate, and the third electrode and the first electrode are provided in the same layer. A second emission layer is disposed on the third electrode; and The fourth electrode is disposed on the second emission layer, and The area of ​​the second emission layer is larger than the area of ​​the first emission layer.

Images