Display device and display panel

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display device and a display panel. The display device includes a display panel and an optical module disposed below the display panel. The display panel includes: a first display area, the optical module disposed below the first display area so as to overlap the first display area in a plan view, the first display area including a transparent area through which light for operating the optical module passes, and a first pixel having a first pixel structure and disposed between the transparent areas; a second display area, in which a second pixel having a second pixel structure is disposed; and a third display area disposed between the first and second display areas, a third pixel having a third pixel structure disposed in the third display area, and only a portion of the third pixel being driven during display operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments generally relate to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device including a display panel having a transparent display area and a non-transparent display area adjacent to the transparent display area. Background Art

[0002] Recently, a display device including a display panel having a transparent display area and a non-transparent display area arranged adjacent to the transparent display area has been installed on an electronic device. Generally, the display panel included in the display device may include: a transparent display area configured to allow light used for the operation of the optical module to pass through the transparent display area and configured to display an image; and a non-transparent display area (or referred to as an opaque display area) configured to perform only image display. In this case, since the optical module is arranged to overlap with the transparent display area, the transparent display area may include a transparent area, through which light used for the operation of the optical module passes, and pixels, which are arranged between the transparent areas and configured to display an image. At the same time, the non-transparent display area may not include a transparent area, but only include pixels that display an image. Therefore, the pixel density of the non-transparent display area may be greater than the pixel density of the transparent display area. Therefore, when an image is displayed on the display panel, due to the difference in brightness between the opaque display area and the transparent display area, a user may recognize the boundary between the opaque display area and the transparent display area. Furthermore, when the brightness of each of the pixels included in the transparent display area is increased for driving purposes to reduce the brightness difference between the non-transparent display area and the transparent display area, the pixels included in the transparent display area may degrade relatively quickly over time, making the boundary between the non-transparent display area and the transparent display area more noticeable. Therefore, there is a need for a display panel in which the boundary between the non-transparent display area and the transparent display area is not discernible to a user while the display panel operates in a manner that does not cause degradation of the pixels included in the transparent display area. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An embodiment provides a display device including a display panel capable of minimizing (or reducing) user recognition of a boundary between a non-transparent display area and a transparent display area while the display panel operates in a manner that does not cause degradation of pixels included in the transparent display area.

[0004] According to an embodiment, a display device may include: a display panel; and an optical module arranged to overlap the display panel. Here, the display panel may include: a first display area, the optical module arranged below the first display area so as to overlap the first display area in a plan view, the first display area including a transparent area through which light for operating the optical module passes, and a first pixel having a first pixel structure and arranged between the transparent areas; a second display area, in which a second pixel having a second pixel structure is arranged; and a third display area arranged between the first and second display areas, third pixels having a third pixel structure being arranged in the third display area, wherein only a portion of the third pixels are driven during display operation.

[0005] In an embodiment, the first pixel structure, the second pixel structure, and the third pixel structure may be identical to each other.

[0006] In an embodiment, one of the first pixel structure, the second pixel structure, and the third pixel structure may be different from the others.

[0007] In an embodiment, the first pixel structure may be an RGB structure, and each of the second pixel structure and the third pixel structure may be a PenTile structure.

[0008] In an embodiment, the first display area may be surrounded by the third display area, and the third display area may be surrounded by the second display area.

[0009] In an embodiment, the third display area may include a first sub-intermediate display area to a kth sub-intermediate display area, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the first sub-intermediate display area may be set to be adjacent to the first display area, the kth sub-intermediate display area may be set to be adjacent to the second display area, and during the display operation, the driving pixel density of the mth sub-intermediate display area may be lower than the driving pixel density of the (m+1)th sub-intermediate display area, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than k.

[0010] In an embodiment, the portion of the third pixels driven in the third display area during the display operation may be selected symmetrically with respect to a horizontal axis and a vertical axis passing through a center of the first display area.

[0011] In an embodiment, the portion of the third pixels driven in the third display area during the display operation may be selected asymmetrically with respect to a horizontal axis or a vertical axis passing through a center of the first display area.

[0012] In an embodiment, the portion of the third pixels driven in the third display area during the display operation may change every frame.

[0013] In an embodiment, the portion of the third pixels driven in the third display area during the display operation may be selected in a preset fixed pattern.

[0014] In an embodiment, the first to kth sub-middle display regions may have the same width.

[0015] In an embodiment, at least one of the first to kth sub-middle display regions may have a width different from widths of other middle display regions.

[0016] According to an embodiment, a display device may include: a display panel; and an optical module disposed below the display panel so as to overlap with the display panel in a plan view. Here, the display panel may include: a first display area, the optical module disposed below the first display area so as to overlap with the display panel in a plan view, the first display area including a first transparent area and a first pixel, light for operating the optical module passing through the first transparent area, the first pixel having a first pixel structure and disposed between the first transparent areas; a second display area, a second pixel having a second pixel structure disposed in the second display area; and a third display area disposed between the first and second display areas, the optical module disposed below the third display area so as to overlap with the third display area in a plan view, the third display area including a second transparent area and a third pixel, the light passing through the second transparent area, the third pixel having a third pixel structure and disposed between the second transparent areas.

[0017] In an embodiment, the first pixel structure, the second pixel structure, and the third pixel structure may be identical to each other.

[0018] In an embodiment, one of the first pixel structure, the second pixel structure, and the third pixel structure may be different from the others.

[0019] In an embodiment, the first pixel structure may be an RGB structure, and each of the second pixel structure and the third pixel structure may be a PenTile structure.

[0020] In an embodiment, the first display area may be surrounded by the third display area, and the third display area may be surrounded by the second display area.

[0021] In an embodiment, the third display area may include a first sub-middle display area to a kth sub-middle display area, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the first sub-middle display area may be set to be adjacent to the first display area, the kth sub-middle display area may be set to be adjacent to the second display area, and the pixel density of the mth sub-middle display area may be lower than the pixel density of the (m+1)th sub-middle display area, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than k.

[0022] In an embodiment, the third pixels in the third display area may be arranged symmetrically with respect to a horizontal axis and a vertical axis passing through a center of the first display area.

[0023] In an embodiment, the third pixels in the third display area may be asymmetrically arranged with respect to a horizontal axis or a vertical axis passing through a center of the first display area.

[0024] In an embodiment, the first to kth sub-middle display regions may have the same width.

[0025] At least one of the first to kth sub-middle display regions may have a width different from widths of other middle display regions.

[0026] According to an embodiment, a display panel may include: a transparent display area including a first transparent area and pixels arranged between adjacent first transparent areas; an intermediate display area surrounding the transparent display area and including a second transparent area and pixels arranged between adjacent second transparent areas; and a non-transparent display area surrounding the intermediate display area. An area ratio of the second transparent area in the intermediate display area may be smaller than an area ratio of the first transparent area in the transparent display area.

[0027] In an embodiment, the middle display region includes a plurality of sub-middle display regions, and area ratios of the second transparent regions in the plurality of sub-middle display regions are different from each other.

[0028] In an embodiment, an area ratio of the second transparent area in a sub-middle display area set adjacent to the transparent display area may be greater than an area ratio of the second transparent area in a sub-middle display area set adjacent to the non-transparent display area.

[0029] In an embodiment, an area of each of the first transparent regions may be greater than an area of each of the second transparent regions.

[0030] In an embodiment, the transparent display area may have a pixel structure different from pixel structures of the middle display area and the non-transparent display area.

[0031] In an embodiment, the transparent display area may have an RGB structure, and the middle display area and the non-transparent display area may have a PenTile structure.

[0032] Therefore, a display device according to an embodiment may include a display panel, the display panel including: a transparent display area, an optical module positioned below the transparent display area so as to overlap the transparent display area, the transparent display area including a transparent area through which light for operation of the optical module passes, and a first pixel having a first pixel structure disposed between the transparent areas; a non-transparent display area, a second pixel having a second pixel structure disposed in the non-transparent display area; and an intermediate display area positioned between the transparent display area and the non-transparent display area, a third pixel having a third pixel structure disposed in the intermediate display area. Here, when only some of the third pixels included in the intermediate display area are driven during display operation, the display panel may perform a progressive drive masking in which the drive pixel density of the intermediate display area gradually increases from the transparent display area to the non-transparent display area. Therefore, while the display panel operates in a manner that does not cause degradation of the first pixels included in the transparent display area (i.e., it is not necessary to perform a drive for intentionally increasing the brightness of each of the first pixels included in the transparent display area), user recognition of the boundary between the non-transparent display area and the transparent display area can be minimized by the progressive drive masking.

[0033] In addition, a display device according to an embodiment may include a display panel, the display panel including: a transparent display area, an optical module is arranged below the transparent display area so as to overlap with the transparent display area, the transparent display area including a first transparent area and a first pixel, light for operating the optical module passes through the first transparent area, and the first pixel has a first pixel structure and is arranged between the first transparent areas; a non-transparent display area, a second pixel having a second pixel structure is arranged in the non-transparent display area; and an intermediate display area positioned between the transparent display area and the non-transparent display area, the optical module is positioned below the intermediate display area so as to overlap with the intermediate display area, the intermediate display area including a second transparent area and a third pixel, light passes through the second transparent area, and the third pixel has a third pixel structure and is arranged between the second transparent areas. Here, the display panel may have a pixel structure in which the pixel density of the intermediate display area gradually increases from the transparent display area to the non-transparent display area. Therefore, while the display panel operates in a manner that does not cause degradation of the first pixels included in the transparent display area (i.e., it is not necessary to perform driving to intentionally increase the brightness of each of the first pixels included in the transparent display area), the user's recognition of the boundary between the non-transparent display area and the transparent display area can be minimized by the progressive design structure. However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to this. Therefore, the effects of the present invention can be expanded without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a conventional display panel.

[0036] Figure 2A is a diagram illustrating a display panel according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 2B is shown where the optical module is arranged Figure 2A An example diagram is shown below the display panel.

[0038] Figure 3 It is shown that the Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a non-transparent display area and an intermediate display area in a display panel.

[0039] Figure 4 It is shown that the Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a transparent display area in a display panel.

[0040] Figure 5Aand Figure 5B Is used to describe Figure 2A Diagram of driven pixels being driven during display operation in a display panel.

[0041] Figure 6 It is shown in Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of driven pixels in a display panel being driven during display operation.

[0042] Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram of another example of driven pixels driven during display operation in a display panel of FIG.

[0043] Figure 8 It is shown in Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram of yet another example of driven pixels in a display panel of FIG. 1 being driven during display operation.

[0044] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a display panel according to an embodiment.

[0045] Figure 10 It is shown that the Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a non-transparent display area in a display panel.

[0046] Figure 11 It is shown that the Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a middle display area in a display panel.

[0047] Figure 12 It is shown that the Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a transparent display area in a display panel.

[0048] Figure 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of first to third sub-middle display regions of the middle display region.

[0049] Figure 13B is used to describe the arrangement of the first to third pixels in Figure 9 A diagram showing the layout of the display panel.

[0050] Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment.

[0051] Figure 15 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0052] Figure 16 It shows that Figure 15 FIG2 is a diagram of an example in which the electronic device is implemented as a smart phone. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Hereinafter, embodiments of the inventive concept will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a conventional display panel.

[0055] Reference Figure 1A conventional display panel may include a transparent display region UPR in which first pixels having a first pixel structure are arranged, and a non-transparent display region NOR in which second pixels having a second pixel structure are arranged. In one embodiment, the first pixel structure and the second pixel structure may be identical to each other. In another embodiment, the first pixel structure and the second pixel structure may be different from each other. For example, the first pixel arranged in the transparent display region UPR may have an RGB structure. For example, each of the first pixels may include a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel. For example, the second pixel arranged in the non-transparent display region NOR may have a PenTile structure. For example, each of the second pixels may include a red sub-pixel and a green sub-pixel, or a blue sub-pixel and a green sub-pixel. However, the above configuration is provided for illustrative purposes, and the pixel structure is not limited thereto. At the same time, the optical module may be arranged below the transparent display region UPR so as to overlap with the transparent display region UPR. Therefore, light used to operate the optical module may pass through the transparent display region UPR and be incident on the optical module. In other words, since the transparent area is provided in the portion of the transparent display region UPR other than the area for the first pixel, the transparent display region UPR may have a lower pixel density than the non-transparent display region NOR in which the transparent area is not provided. As a result, when an image is displayed on a conventional display panel, a user may recognize the boundary between the non-transparent display region NOR and the transparent display region UPR due to the brightness difference caused by the difference in pixel density between the non-transparent display region NOR and the transparent display region UPR. In addition, when the brightness of each of the first pixels included in the transparent display region UPR is increased to reduce the brightness difference between the non-transparent display region NOR and the transparent display region UPR, the first pixels included in the transparent display region UPR may degrade faster than the second pixels included in the non-transparent display region NOR over time, making the boundary between the non-transparent display region NOR and the transparent display region UPR more noticeable. Therefore, a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an intermediate display region provided between the transparent display region UPR and the non-transparent display region NOR. The intermediate display region may include a transparent area. When the middle display area does not have a transparent area, a gradual driving masking is performed on the middle display area. Therefore, the middle display area can have a brightness smaller than that of the non-transparent display area NOR and larger than that of the transparent display area UPR.Therefore, even when the transparent display area UPR is not driven to have increased brightness, the user does not recognize the boundary between the non-transparent display area NOR and the transparent display area UPR, and thus the first pixel included in the transparent display area UPR does not degrade faster than the second pixel included in the non-transparent display area NOR.

[0056] Figure 2A is a diagram showing a display panel according to an embodiment, Figure 2B is shown where the optical module is arranged Figure 2A The following example shows the display panel. Figure 3 It is shown that the Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a non-transparent display area and an intermediate display area in a display panel, Figure 4 It is shown that the Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a transparent display area in a display panel, and Figure 5A and Figure 5B Is used to describe Figure 2A Diagram of driven pixels being driven during display operation in a display panel.

[0057] Reference Figures 2A to 5B The display panel 100 may include a transparent display area UPR (or referred to as a first display area), a non-transparent display area NOR (or referred to as a second display area), and an intermediate display area MID (or referred to as a third display area) arranged between the transparent display area UPR and the non-transparent display area NOR.

[0058] like Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 4As shown in , the transparent display region UPR can be configured so that the optical module 105 is disposed below the transparent display region UPR to overlap with the transparent display region UPR, and may include a transparent region TR, through which light LIG for the operation of the optical module 105 passes. In this case, the transparent region TR may be defined as a region in which no pixels are disposed. For example, pixels and / or conductive wiring for supplying signals to pixels may not be disposed in the transparent region TR. In some embodiments, the common electrode (cathode) and / or the insulating layer of the organic light emitting diode may be removed from the transparent region TR so that the transparent region TR may have a high transmittance. For example, the optical module 105 may include: a proximity sensor module for detecting the proximity of a predetermined object relative to the front surface of the display panel 100; an illuminance sensor module for detecting the illuminance on the front surface of the display panel 100; an iris recognition sensor module for identifying the user's iris; a camera module for capturing still images and / or moving images; and similar modules. In the transparent display region UPR, a first pixel having a first pixel structure may be disposed between the transparent regions TR. For example, as Figure 4 As shown in , the first pixels provided in the transparent display region UPR may have an RGB structure. For example, each of the first pixels may include a red sub-pixel R, a green sub-pixel G, and a blue sub-pixel B. Since the optical module 105 is provided below the transparent display region UPR to overlap with the transparent display region UPR, the light LIG used for the operation of the optical module 105 may pass through the transparent display region UPR. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the transparent display region UPR may include a transparent region TR disposed between the first pixels. Figure 4 , the transparent region TR may have various shapes (e.g., a rectangular shape). As described above, since the transparent display region UPR includes the transparent region TR, the transparent display region UPR may have a lower pixel density (lower resolution) than the pixel density of the non-transparent display region NOR that does not include a transparent region. In some embodiments, in order to relatively increase the brightness of each of the first pixels included in the transparent display region UPR, the size of each of the first pixels included in the transparent display region UPR may be increased to have a size that is larger than the size of each of the second pixels included in the non-transparent display region NOR and / or the size of each of the third pixels included in the intermediate display region MID.

[0059] The second pixel having the second pixel structure may be arranged in the non-transparent display area NOR. Figure 3As shown in FIG, the second pixel disposed in the non-transparent display region NOR may have a PenTile structure (eg, as shown in FIG. Figure 5B ). For example, each of the second pixels may include a red sub-pixel R and a green sub-pixel G, or a blue sub-pixel B and a green sub-pixel G. However, the above configuration is provided for illustrative purposes, and thus the pixel structure is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, during display operation of the display panel 100, all second pixels included in the non-transparent display region NOR may be driven. In other words, all second pixels included in the non-transparent display region NOR may be driven according to the data signal applied to the second pixels. As described above, since the non-transparent display region NOR does not include a transparent region, the non-transparent display region NOR may have a higher pixel density than the transparent display region UPR (some pixels in the transparent display region UPR are replaced by transparent regions TR). As a result, under the same conditions (e.g., application of the same data voltage, etc.), the brightness of the non-transparent display region NOR may be higher than that of the transparent display region UPR. Therefore, when the intermediate display region MID is not present, due to the brightness difference between the non-transparent display region NOR and the transparent display region UPR, a user may recognize the boundary between the non-transparent display region NOR and the transparent display region UPR.

[0060] The middle display area MID may be disposed between the transparent display area UPR and the non-transparent display area NOR. A third pixel having a third pixel structure may be disposed in the middle display area MID. In one embodiment, the first pixel structure, the second pixel structure, and the third pixel structure may be identical to each other. In another embodiment, at least one of the first pixel structure, the second pixel structure, and the third pixel structure may be different from the others. For example, Figure 3 As shown in , the third pixels provided in the middle display area MID may have a PenTile structure. For example, each of the third pixels may include a red sub-pixel R and a green sub-pixel G, or a blue sub-pixel B and a green sub-pixel G. However, the above configuration is proposed for illustrative purposes, so the pixel structure is not limited thereto. At the same time, during the display operation of the display panel 100, only part of the third pixels included in the middle display area MID may be driven. In other words, during the display operation of the display panel 100, only some of the third pixels included in the middle display area MID may emit light. In one embodiment, as Figure 2A As shown in FIG, the transparent display region UPR may be surrounded by the middle display region MID, and the middle display region MID may be surrounded by the non-transparent display region NOR. In this case, the middle display region MID and the transparent display region UPR may have the same shape. For example, as shown in FIG. Figure 2AAs shown in , when the transparent display area UPR has a circular shape, the middle display area MID surrounding the transparent display area UPR can have a circular shape (i.e., a ring shape) with a circular blank space corresponding to the transparent display area UPR. As another example, when the transparent display area UPR has a square shape, the middle display area MID surrounding the transparent display area UPR can have a square shape with a square blank space corresponding to the transparent display area UPR. As another example, when the transparent display area UPR has a diamond shape, the middle display area MID surrounding the transparent display area UPR can have a diamond shape with a diamond blank space corresponding to the transparent display area UPR. In some embodiments, the transparent display area UPR, the middle display area MID, and the non-transparent display area NOR can be arranged sequentially in one direction (e.g., a strip type, etc.). However, for ease of description, in the present disclosure, the following description will focus on an embodiment in which the transparent display area UPR is surrounded by the middle display area MID and the middle display area MID is surrounded by the non-transparent display area NOR.

[0061] The display panel 100 can be driven to perform progressive drive masking, in which the drive pixel density of the intermediate display area MID gradually increases from the transparent display area UPR to the non-transparent display area NOR by driving a portion of the third pixel set in the intermediate display area MID. In this case, the drive pixel density can be defined as the number of drive pixels per unit area. In detail, the intermediate display area MID may include a first sub-intermediate display area to a k-th sub-intermediate display area SMID1, SMID2, SMID3, ... and SMIDk (not shown), where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the first sub-intermediate display area SMID1 may be arranged adjacent to the transparent display area UPR, the k-th sub-intermediate display area SMIDk (not shown) may be arranged adjacent to the non-transparent display area NOR, and during the display operation of the display panel 100, the drive pixel density of the m-th sub-intermediate display area SMIDm (not shown) may be lower than the drive pixel density of the (m+1)-th sub-intermediate display area SMIDm+1 (not shown), where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than k. For example, the first to kth sub-middle display areas SMID1, SMID2, SMID3, ... and SMIDk (not shown) may have the same pixel density, but may have different driving pixel densities. Figure 5AAs shown in , the first to third sub-middle display areas SMID1, SMID2, and SMID3 may have the same widths SW1, SW2, and SW3. In another embodiment, two or more of the first to third sub-middle display areas SMID1, SMID2, and SMID3 may have different widths SW1, SW2, and SW3. For example, Figure 5A As shown in , when the middle display area MID includes first to third sub-middle display areas SMID1, SMID2, and SMID3, the first sub-middle display area SMID1 may be disposed adjacent to the transparent display area UPR, and the third sub-middle display area SMID3 may be disposed adjacent to the non-transparent display area NOR. In this case, as Figure 5B As shown in , during the display operation of the display panel 100, the driving pixel density of the first sub-middle display area SMID1 may be lower than the driving pixel density of the second sub-middle display area SMID2, and the driving pixel density of the second sub-middle display area SMID2 may be lower than the driving pixel density of the third sub-middle display area SMID3. In other words, during the display operation of the display panel 100, the driving pixel density of the middle display area MID may gradually increase from the transparent display area UPR to the non-transparent display area NOR.

[0062] For example, Figure 5BAs shown in , since the transparent display region UPR includes the transparent region TR and the first pixels are arranged between the transparent regions TR, during the display operation of the display panel 100, all the first pixels can be driven, but the transparent display region UPR can have the lowest driving pixel density (for example, the transparent display region UPR can have a driving pixel density of 1 / 9). In this case, since the intermediate display region MID is an area configured to perform only image display, unlike the transparent display region UPR, the driving pixel density of the first sub-intermediate display region SMID1 surrounding the transparent display region UPR can be higher than the driving pixel density of the transparent display region UPR (for example, the first sub-intermediate display region SMID1 can have a driving pixel density of 2 / 9). In addition, since the driving pixel density of the intermediate display region MID must gradually increase from the transparent display region UPR to the non-transparent display region NOR, the driving pixel density of the second sub-intermediate display region SMID2 surrounding the first sub-intermediate display region SMID1 can be higher than the driving pixel density of the first sub-intermediate display region SMID1 (for example, the second sub-intermediate display region SMID2 can have a driving pixel density of 1 / 2). In addition, since the drive pixel density of the middle display area MID must gradually increase from the transparent display area UPR to the non-transparent display area NOR, the drive pixel density of the third sub-middle display area SMID3 surrounding the second sub-middle display area SMID2 can be higher than the drive pixel density of the second sub-middle display area SMID2 (for example, the third sub-middle display area SMID3 can have a drive pixel density of 2 / 3). At the same time, since the non-transparent display area NOR is an area configured to perform only image display, the drive pixel density of the non-transparent display area NOR surrounding the third sub-middle display area SMID3 can be higher than the drive pixel density of the third sub-middle display area SMID3 (for example, the non-transparent display area NOR can have a drive pixel density of 1 / 1). However, the above configuration is proposed for illustrative purposes, and therefore the progressive drive masking according to the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0063] In one embodiment, during display operation of the display panel 100, some of the third pixels driven in the middle display area MID may be selected symmetrically with respect to a horizontal axis and a vertical axis passing through the center of the transparent display area UPR. Because the middle display area MID surrounds the transparent display area UPR, the center of the middle display area MID may coincide with the center of the transparent display area UPR. Because some of the third pixels driven in the middle display area MID are selected symmetrically with respect to a horizontal axis and a vertical axis passing through the center of the middle display area MID, an image displayed in the middle display area MID can be prevented from being viewed asymmetrically. In another embodiment, during display operation of the display panel 100, some of the third pixels driven in the middle display area MID may be selected asymmetrically with respect to a horizontal axis or a vertical axis passing through the center of the transparent display area UPR. Because the middle display area MID surrounds the transparent display area UPR, the center of the middle display area MID may coincide with the center of the transparent display area UPR. Because some of the third pixels driven in the middle display area MID are selected asymmetrically relative to the horizontal axis or vertical axis passing through the center of the middle display area MID, the image displayed in the middle display area MID can be viewed asymmetrically, but the image quality can be improved under a specific image pattern or mode. At the same time, in one embodiment, during the display operation of the display panel 100, some of the third pixels driven in the middle display area MID can be changed per frame. In this case, since the drive pixels selected from the third pixels included in the middle display area MID are changed when the display panel 100 performs progressive drive masking, the degradation of the third pixels included in the middle display area MID can be uniform, and a time-division effect can be achieved in the displayed image. In another embodiment, during the display operation of the display panel 100, some of the third pixels driven in the middle display area MID can be selected to have a preset fixed pattern. In this case, since the driving pixels selected from the third pixels included in the middle display area MID are not changed when the display panel 100 performs progressive driving masking, progressive driving masking can be quickly performed on the middle display area MID (i.e., there is no hardware and / or software burden for changing the driving pixels in the middle display area MID).

[0064] As described above, the display panel 100 may include: a transparent display region UPR, wherein the optical module 105 is disposed below the transparent display region UPR to overlap with the transparent display region UPR, the transparent display region UPR including a transparent region TR and a first pixel, light LIG for operation of the optical module 105 passes through the transparent region TR, the first pixel having a first pixel structure and disposed between the transparent regions TR; a non-transparent display region NOR, in which a second pixel having a second pixel structure is disposed; and an intermediate display region MID, disposed between the transparent display region UPR and the non-transparent display region NOR, in which a third pixel having a third pixel structure is disposed (wherein, since the intermediate display region MID does not include the transparent region TR, the intermediate display region MID actually corresponds to the non-transparent display region NOR). In this case, while driving only a portion of the third pixels included in the middle display area MID during display operation, the display panel 100 performs a gradual drive masking operation in which the drive pixel density of the middle display area MID gradually increases from the transparent display area UPR to the non-transparent display area NOR, so that while the display panel 100 operates in a manner that does not cause degradation of the first pixels included in the transparent display area UPR (i.e., it is not necessary to perform a drive for intentionally increasing the brightness of each of the first pixels included in the transparent display area UPR), the user does not recognize the boundary between the non-transparent display area NOR and the transparent display area UPR through the gradual drive masking operation. Meanwhile, although the above description has focused on an embodiment in which the transparent display area UPR is surrounded by the middle display area MID and the middle display area MID is surrounded by the non-transparent display area NOR, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to an embodiment in which the transparent display area UPR, the middle display area MID, and the non-transparent display area NOR are arranged sequentially in one direction.

[0065] Figure 6 It is shown in Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of driven pixels driven during display operation in a display panel of FIG. 1 , Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram of another example of driven pixels driven during display operation in a display panel of FIG. 1 , and Figure 8 It is shown in Figure 2A FIG. 1 is a diagram of yet another example of driven pixels in a display panel of FIG. 1 being driven during display operation.

[0066] Reference Figures 6 to 8, the transparent display region UPR may be surrounded by the middle display region MID, and the middle display region MID may be surrounded by the non-transparent display region NOR. In this case, the transparent display region UPR and the middle display region MID may have the same shape, and the center of the transparent display region UPR may coincide with the center of the middle display region MID.

[0067] Reference Figure 6 , when the transparent display region UPR has a circular shape, the middle display region MID may also have a circular shape, and the driving pixel density of the middle display region MID may gradually increase from the transparent display region UPR to the non-transparent display region NOR. In one embodiment, as Figure 6 As shown in , during the display operation of the display panel 100, some of the third pixels (i.e., driving pixels) driven in the middle display area MID may be selected symmetrically with respect to the horizontal axis and the vertical axis passing through the center of the transparent display area UPR. In another embodiment, during the display operation of the display panel 100, some of the third pixels driven in the middle display area MID may be selected asymmetrically with respect to the horizontal axis or the vertical axis passing through the center of the transparent display area UPR. Figure 7 , when the transparent display region UPR has a square shape, the middle display region MID may also have a square shape, and the driving pixel density of the middle display region MID may gradually increase from the transparent display region UPR to the non-transparent display region NOR. In one embodiment, as Figure 7 As shown in , during the display operation of the display panel 100, some of the third pixels (i.e., driving pixels) driven in the middle display area MID may be selected symmetrically with respect to the horizontal axis and the vertical axis passing through the center of the transparent display area UPR. In another embodiment, during the display operation of the display panel 100, some of the third pixels driven in the middle display area MID may be selected asymmetrically with respect to the horizontal axis or the vertical axis passing through the center of the transparent display area UPR. Figure 8 , when the transparent display region UPR has a rhombus (or oblique square) shape, the middle display region MID may also have a rhombus shape, and the driving pixel density of the middle display region MID may gradually increase from the transparent display region UPR to the non-transparent display region NOR. In one embodiment, as Figure 8As shown in , during the display operation of the display panel 100, some of the third pixels driven in the middle display area MID (i.e., driving pixels) may be selected symmetrically with respect to the horizontal axis and the vertical axis passing through the center of the transparent display area UPR. In another embodiment, during the display operation of the display panel 100, some of the third pixels driven in the middle display area MID may be selected asymmetrically with respect to the horizontal axis or the vertical axis passing through the center of the transparent display area UPR.

[0068] Figure 9 is a diagram showing a display panel according to an embodiment, Figure 10 It is shown that the Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a non-transparent display area in a display panel, Figure 11 It is shown that the Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a middle display area in a display panel, Figure 12 It is shown that the Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a structure of a transparent display area in a display panel, Figure 13A is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the first to third sub-middle display regions of the middle display region, and Figure 13B is used to describe the arrangement of the first to third pixels in Figure 9 A diagram showing the layout of the display panel.

[0069] Reference Figures 9 to 13B The display panel 200 may include a transparent display area UPR (or referred to as a first display area), a non-transparent display area NOR (or referred to as a second display area), and an intermediate display area MID (or referred to as a third display area) arranged between the transparent display area UPR and the non-transparent display area NOR.

[0070] The transparent display region UPR below which the optical module is positioned may include a first transparent region FTR. Light used for the operation of the optical module may pass through the first transparent region FTR. For example, the optical module may include: a proximity sensor module for detecting the proximity of a predetermined object relative to the front surface of the display panel 200; an illuminance sensor module for detecting the illuminance on the front surface of the display panel 200; an iris recognition sensor module for recognizing the user's iris; a camera module for capturing still images and / or moving images; and similar modules. In the transparent display region UPR, first pixels having a first pixel structure may be arranged between the first transparent regions FTR. For example, as Figure 12As shown in , the first pixels provided in the transparent display region UPR may have an RGB structure. For example, each of the first pixels may include a red sub-pixel R, a green sub-pixel G, and a blue sub-pixel B. Since the optical module is provided below the transparent display region UPR to overlap with the transparent display region UPR, light for operation of the optical module may pass through the transparent display region UPR. For this purpose, as shown in Figure 12 As shown in FIG, the transparent display region UPR may include a first transparent region FTR and a first pixel, and the first transparent region FTR and the first pixel are alternately arranged along a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Figure 12 , the transparent display region UPR includes the first transparent region FTR, and the transparent display region UPR may have a lower pixel density than the non-transparent display region NOR that does not include a transparent region. In some embodiments, in order to relatively increase the emission brightness of each of the first pixels included in the transparent display region UPR, the size of each of the first pixels included in the transparent display region UPR may be formed to have a size that is larger than the size of each of the second pixels included in the non-transparent display region NOR and / or the size of each of the third pixels included in the middle display region MID.

[0071] The second pixel having the second pixel structure may be arranged in the non-transparent display area NOR. Figure 10 As shown in FIG, the second pixel disposed in the non-transparent display region NOR may have a PenTile structure (eg, as shown in FIG. Figure 13B ). For example, each of the second pixels may include a red sub-pixel R and a green sub-pixel G, or a blue sub-pixel B and a green sub-pixel G. However, the above configuration is proposed for illustrative purposes, and therefore the pixel structure is not limited thereto. As described above, since the non-transparent display area NOR does not include a transparent area through which light for the operation of the optical module passes, the non-transparent display area NOR may have a pixel density higher than the pixel density of the transparent display area UPR including the first transparent area FTR. As a result, under the same conditions (for example, applying the same data voltage, etc.), the brightness of the non-transparent display area NOR may be higher than the brightness of the transparent display area UPR. Therefore, when there is no intermediate display area MID, due to the brightness difference between the non-transparent display area NOR and the transparent display area UPR, the user may recognize the boundary between the non-transparent display area NOR and the transparent display area UPR.

[0072] The middle display area MID may be provided between the transparent display area UPR and the non-transparent display area NOR. Figure 11 As shown in , the middle display area MID may include a second transparent area STR, wherein the optical module is arranged below the second transparent area STR to overlap with the second transparent area STR. Light for the operation of the optical module may pass through the second transparent area STR. In the middle display area MID, a third pixel having a third pixel structure may be arranged between the second transparent areas STR. In one embodiment, the first pixel structure, the second pixel structure, and the third pixel structure may be identical to each other. In another embodiment, at least one of the first pixel structure, the second pixel structure, and the third pixel structure may be different from the others. For example, as Figure 11 As shown in , the third pixel set in the middle display area MID can have a PenTile structure. For example, each of the third pixels can include a red sub-pixel R and a green sub-pixel G, or a blue sub-pixel B and a green sub-pixel G. However, the above configuration is proposed for illustrative purposes, so the pixel structure is not limited thereto. The optical module can also be set below the middle display area MID to overlap with the middle display area MID. Therefore, the light used for the operation of the optical module can also pass through the middle display area MID. To this end, as Figure 11 As shown in FIG, the middle display area MID may include a second transparent area STR and a third pixel. Figure 11 Although the middle display area MID is shown as having a rectangular shape, the above shape is proposed for the purpose of explanation, and the second transparent area STR may have various shapes (e.g., a circular shape). As described above, since the middle display area MID includes the second transparent area STR, the middle display area MID may have a lower pixel density than the non-transparent display area NOR that does not include the second transparent area STR.

[0073] The display panel 200 may have a structure in which the pixel density of the middle display area MID gradually increases from the transparent display area UPR to the non-transparent display area NOR. In this case, the pixel density of the middle display area MID may be determined according to the number and / or area of the second transparent areas STR provided in the middle display area MID. In one embodiment, as Figure 9 As shown in FIG, the transparent display region UPR may be surrounded by the middle display region MID, and the middle display region MID may be surrounded by the non-transparent display region NOR. In this case, the middle display region MID and the transparent display region UPR may have the same shape. For example, as shown in FIG. Figure 9As shown in , when the transparent display area UPR has a circular shape, the intermediate display area MID surrounding the transparent display area UPR may also have a circular shape. As another example, when the transparent display area UPR has a square shape, the intermediate display area MID surrounding the transparent display area UPR may also have a square shape. As another example, when the transparent display area UPR has a diamond shape, the intermediate display area MID surrounding the transparent display area UPR may also have a diamond shape. In some embodiments, the transparent display area UPR, the intermediate display area MID, and the non-transparent display area NOR may be arranged sequentially in one direction. However, for ease of description, in the present disclosure, the following description will focus on an embodiment in which the transparent display area UPR is surrounded by the intermediate display area MID and the intermediate display area MID is surrounded by the non-transparent display area NOR.

[0074] As described above, the pixel density of the middle display area MID may gradually increase from the transparent display area UPR to the non-transparent display area NOR. In this case, the pixel density may be defined as the number of pixels per unit area. In detail, the middle display area MID may include a first sub-middle display area to a k-th sub-middle display area SMID1, SMID2, SMID3, ... and SMIDk (not shown), where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the first sub-middle display area SMID1 may be set to be adjacent to the transparent display area UPR, the k-th sub-middle display area SMIDk (not shown) may be set to be adjacent to the non-transparent display area NOR, and the pixel density of the m-th sub-middle display area SMIDm (not shown) may be lower than the pixel density of the (m+1)-th sub-middle display area SMIDm+1 (not shown), where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than k. For example, the first sub-middle display area to the k-th sub-middle display area SMID1, SMID2, SMID3, ... and SMIDk (not shown) may have the same driving pixel density, but may have different pixel densities from each other. In one embodiment, as Figure 13A As shown in , the first to third sub-middle display areas SMID1, SMID2, and SMID3 may have the same widths SW1, SW2, and SW3. In another embodiment, two or more of the first to third sub-middle display areas SMID1, SMID2, and SMID3 may have different widths SW1, SW2, and SW3. For example, Figure 13AAs shown in , when the middle display area MID includes first to third sub-middle display areas SMID1, SMID2, and SMID3, the first sub-middle display area SMID1 may be disposed adjacent to the transparent display area UPR, and the third sub-middle display area SMID3 may be disposed adjacent to the non-transparent display area NOR. In this case, as Figure 13B As shown in , the pixel density of the first sub-middle display area SMID1 can be lower than the pixel density of the second sub-middle display area SMID2, and the pixel density of the second sub-middle display area SMID2 can be lower than the pixel density of the third sub-middle display area SMID3. In other words, the pixel density of the middle display area MID can gradually increase from the transparent display area UPR to the non-transparent display area NOR. From the perspective of area or area ratio, the area ratio of the second transparent area STR in the middle display area MID is smaller than the area ratio of the first transparent area FTR in the transparent display area UPR. The area of each of the first transparent areas FTR can be larger than the area of each of the second transparent areas STR. The middle display area MID includes a plurality of sub-middle display areas SMID1, SMID2 and SMID3, and the area ratios of the second transparent areas STR in the plurality of sub-middle display areas SMID1, SMID2 and SMID3 are different from each other. An area ratio of the second transparent region STR in the first sub-middle display region SMID1 disposed adjacent to the transparent display region UPR is greater than an area ratio of the second transparent region STR in the third sub-middle display region SMID3 disposed adjacent to the non-transparent display region NOR.

[0075] For example, Figure 13BAs shown in , since the transparent display area UPR is the central part through which light for the operation of the optical module passes, the transparent display area UPR can have the lowest pixel density (for example, the transparent display area UPR can have a pixel density of 1 / 9). At the same time, since the intermediate display area MID is the peripheral part through which light for the operation of the optical module passes, the pixel density of the intermediate display area MID can be greater than the pixel density of the transparent display area UPR. Therefore, the pixel density of the first sub-intermediate display area SMID1 surrounding the transparent display area UPR can be higher than the pixel density of the transparent display area UPR (for example, the first sub-intermediate display area SMID1 can have a pixel density of 2 / 9). In addition, since the pixel density of the intermediate display area MID gradually increases from the transparent display area UPR to the non-transparent display area NOR, the pixel density of the second sub-intermediate display area SMID2 surrounding the first sub-intermediate display area SMID1 can be higher than the pixel density of the first sub-intermediate display area SMID1 (for example, the second sub-intermediate display area SMID2 can have a pixel density of 1 / 2). In addition, since the pixel density of the middle display area MID gradually increases from the transparent display area UPR to the non-transparent display area NOR, the pixel density of the third sub-middle display area SMID3 surrounding the second sub-middle display area SMID2 can be higher than the pixel density of the second sub-middle display area SMID2 (for example, the third sub-middle display area SMID3 can have a pixel density of 2 / 3). At the same time, since the non-transparent display area NOR is an area configured to perform only image display, the pixel density of the non-transparent display area NOR surrounding the third sub-middle display area SMID3 can be higher than the pixel density of the third sub-middle display area SMID3 (for example, the non-transparent display area NOR can have a pixel density of 1 / 1). However, the above configuration is proposed for illustrative purposes, and therefore the pixel structure according to the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0076] In one embodiment, the third pixel in the middle display area MID can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the horizontal axis and the vertical axis passing through the center of the transparent display area UPR. Because the middle display area MID surrounds the transparent display area UPR, the center of the middle display area MID can coincide with the center of the transparent display area UPR. Since the third pixel in the middle display area MID is arranged symmetrically with respect to the horizontal axis and the vertical axis passing through the center of the middle display area MID, the image displayed in the middle display area MID can be prevented from being viewed asymmetrically. In another embodiment, the third pixel in the middle display area MID can be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the horizontal axis or the vertical axis passing through the center of the transparent display area UPR. As described above, since the middle display area MID surrounds the transparent display area UPR, the center of the middle display area MID can coincide with the center of the transparent display area UPR. In this case, since the third pixel in the middle display area MID is arranged asymmetrically with respect to the horizontal axis or the vertical axis passing through the center of the middle display area MID, the image displayed in the middle display area MID can be viewed asymmetrically, but image quality can be improved under certain image patterns.

[0077] As described above, the display panel 200 may include: a transparent display area UPR, wherein the optical module is arranged below the transparent display area UPR to overlap with the transparent display area UPR, the transparent display area UPR includes a first transparent area FTR and a first pixel, light for operation of the optical module passes through the first transparent area FTR, the first pixel has a first pixel structure and is arranged between the first transparent areas FTR; a non-transparent display area NOR, a second pixel having a second pixel structure is arranged in the non-transparent display area NOR; and an intermediate display area MID, positioned between the transparent display area UPR and the non-transparent display area NOR, wherein the optical module is arranged below the intermediate display area MID to overlap with the intermediate display area MID, the intermediate display area MID includes a second transparent area STR and a third pixel, light passes through the second transparent area STR, the third pixel has a third pixel structure and is arranged between the second transparent areas STR (wherein, because the intermediate display area MID includes the second transparent area STR, the intermediate display area MID actually corresponds to the transparent display area UPR). In this case, the display panel 200 has a pixel structure in which the pixel density of the intermediate display area MID gradually increases from the transparent display area UPR to the non-transparent display area NOR, so that while the display panel 200 operates in a manner that does not cause degradation of the first pixels included in the transparent display area UPR (i.e., it is not necessary to perform a drive for intentionally increasing the brightness of each of the first pixels included in the transparent display area UPR), the user's recognition of the boundary between the non-transparent display area NOR and the transparent display area UPR can be minimized by the progressive design structure. At the same time, although the above description has focused on an embodiment in which the transparent display area UPR is surrounded by the intermediate display area MID and the intermediate display area MID is surrounded by the non-transparent display area NOR, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to an embodiment in which the transparent display area UPR, the intermediate display area MID, and the non-transparent display area NOR are arranged sequentially in one direction. In addition, although the display panel 200 has been described above as having a pixel structure in which the pixel density of the middle display region MID gradually increases from the transparent display region UPR to the non-transparent display region NOR, in some embodiments, the display panel 200 may have a pixel structure in which the transmittance per unit area of the middle display region MID gradually increases from the non-transparent display region NOR to the transparent display region UPR. In this case, the transmittance per unit area of the middle display region MID may be determined based on the number and / or area of the second transparent regions STR, or may be determined based on the transmittance of the material constituting the third pixel.

[0078] Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment.

[0079] Reference Figure 14 , the display device 500 may include a display panel 520 and a display panel driving circuit 540. In some embodiments, the display device 500 may be an organic light emitting display device. However, the display device 500 is not limited thereto.

[0080] The display panel 520 may include a plurality of pixels. The display panel driving circuit 540 may drive the display panel 520. In this case, the display panel driving circuit 540 may include a data driver, a scan driver, a timing controller, and the like. The display panel 520 may be connected to the data driver via data lines and to the scan driver via scan lines. The data driver may provide a data signal DS to the display panel 520 via the data lines. In other words, the data driver may provide the data signal DS to the pixels included in the display panel 520. The scan driver may provide a scan signal SS to the display panel 520 via the scan lines. In other words, the scan driver may provide the scan signal SS to the pixels included in the display panel 520. The timing controller may generate a plurality of control signals and may provide the control signals to the data driver and the scan driver so as to control the data driver and the scan driver. In some embodiments, the timing controller may perform predetermined processing (e.g., data compensation processing, etc.) on data input from the outside.

[0081] Meanwhile, the display panel 520 may include a transparent display area, a non-transparent display area, and an intermediate display area positioned between the transparent display area and the non-transparent display area. In one embodiment, the display panel 520 may include: a transparent display area, wherein the optical module is disposed below the transparent display area to overlap with the transparent display area, the transparent display area including a transparent area and a first pixel, light for operation of the optical module passes through the transparent area, the first pixel having a first pixel structure and disposed between the transparent areas; a non-transparent display area, wherein a second pixel having a second pixel structure is disposed in the non-transparent display area; and an intermediate display area, positioned between the transparent display area and the non-transparent display area, wherein a third pixel having a third pixel structure is disposed in the intermediate display area, wherein while only a portion of the third pixels included in the intermediate display area are driven during display operation, a gradual drive masking may be performed, in which a drive pixel density of the intermediate display area gradually increases from the transparent display area to the non-transparent display area.

[0082] In another embodiment, the display panel 520 may include: a transparent display area, wherein the optical module is disposed below the transparent display area so as to overlap with the transparent display area, the transparent display area including a first transparent area and a first pixel, light for operation of the optical module passes through the first transparent area, the first pixel having a first pixel structure and being disposed between the first transparent areas; a non-transparent display area, in which a second pixel having a second pixel structure is disposed; and an intermediate display area positioned between the transparent display area and the non-transparent display area, wherein the optical module is disposed below the intermediate display area so as to overlap with the intermediate display area, the intermediate display area including a second transparent area and a third pixel, light passes through the second transparent area, the third pixel having a third pixel structure and being disposed between the second transparent areas, wherein the display panel 520 may have a pixel structure in which the pixel density of the intermediate display area gradually increases from the transparent display area to the non-transparent display area. Therefore, even when the display panel 520 operates in a manner that does not cause degradation of the first pixels included in the transparent display area (i.e., without having to perform driving for intentionally increasing the brightness of each of the first pixels included in the transparent display area), the user does not recognize that the boundary between the non-transparent display area and the transparent display area is intentionally increased. As a result, the display device 500 including the display panel 520 can provide a high-quality image to the user.

[0083] Figure 15 is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment, and Figure 16 It shows that Figure 15 FIG2 is a diagram of an example in which the electronic device is implemented as a smart phone.

[0084] Reference Figure 15 and Figure 16 , the electronic device 1000 may include a processor 1010, a memory device 1020, a storage device 1030, an input / output (I / O) device 1040, a power supply 1050, and a display device 1060. Here, the display device 1060 may be Figure 14 In addition, the electronic device 1000 may further include a plurality of ports for communicating with a video card, a sound card, a memory card, a universal serial bus (USB) device, other electronic devices, etc. In an embodiment, as Figure 16 As shown in FIG, the electronic device 1000 may be implemented as a smart phone. However, the electronic device 1000 is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device 1000 may be implemented as a cellular phone, a video phone, a smart tablet, a smart watch, a tablet PC, a car navigation system, a computer monitor, a laptop computer, and a head-mounted display (HMD) device.

[0085] The processor 1010 can perform various computing functions. The processor 1010 can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), etc. The processor 1010 can be coupled to other components via an address bus, a control bus, a data bus, etc. In addition, the processor 1010 can be coupled to an expansion bus such as a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus. The memory device 1020 can store data used for the operation of the electronic device 1000. For example, the memory device 1020 may include at least one non-volatile memory device such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) device, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) device, a flash memory device, a phase change random access memory (PRAM) device, a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, a nano-floating gate memory (NFGM) device, a polymer random access memory (PoRAM) device, a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device, and a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) device, and / or at least one volatile memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, and a mobile DRAM device. The storage device 1030 may include a solid-state drive (SSD) device, a hard disk drive (HDD) device, and a CD-ROM device. The I / O device 1040 may include input devices such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse device, a touchpad, and a touch screen, as well as output devices such as a printer and a speaker. In some embodiments, the display device 1060 may be included in the I / O device 1040. The power supply 1050 may provide power for the operation of the electronic device 1000. The display device 1060 may be coupled to other components via a bus or other communication link.

[0086] The display device 1060 may display an image corresponding to the visual information of the electronic device 1000. To this end, the display device 1060 may include a display panel including a plurality of pixels and a display panel driving circuit configured to drive the display panel. In this case, while the display panel included in the display device 1060 operates in a manner that does not cause degradation of the first pixel included in the transparent display area, user recognition of the boundary between the non-transparent display area and the transparent display area can be minimized. In one embodiment, the display panel included in the display device 1060 may include: a transparent display area, wherein the optical module is arranged below the transparent display area to overlap with the transparent display area, the transparent display area includes a transparent area and a first pixel, light for operation of the optical module passes through the transparent area, the first pixel has a first pixel structure and is arranged between the transparent areas; a non-transparent display area, a second pixel having a second pixel structure is arranged in the non-transparent display area; and an intermediate display area positioned between the transparent display area and the non-transparent display area, a third pixel having a third pixel structure is arranged in the intermediate display area, wherein while driving only a portion of the third pixels included in the intermediate display area during display operation, progressive drive masking can be performed, in which the drive pixel density of the intermediate display area gradually increases from the transparent display area to the non-transparent display area. In another embodiment, the display panel included in the display device 1060 may include: a transparent display area, wherein the optical module is disposed below the transparent display area to overlap with the transparent display area, the transparent display area including a first transparent area and a first pixel, light for operating the optical module passes through the first transparent area, the first pixel having a first pixel structure and being disposed between the first transparent areas; a non-transparent display area, in which a second pixel having a second pixel structure is disposed; and an intermediate display area positioned between the transparent display area and the non-transparent display area, wherein the optical module is disposed below the intermediate display area to overlap with the intermediate display area, the intermediate display area including a second transparent area and a third pixel, light passes through the second transparent area, the third pixel having a third pixel structure and being disposed between the second transparent areas, wherein the display panel may have a pixel structure in which the pixel density of the intermediate display area gradually increases from the transparent display area to the non-transparent display area. Since these have been described above, repeated descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0087] The present invention can be applied to display devices and electronic devices including display devices. For example, the present invention can be applied to smartphones, cellular phones, video phones, smart tablets, smart watches, tablet PCs, car navigation systems, televisions, computer monitors, laptop computers, head-mounted display (HMD) devices, and MP3 players.

[0088] The above is an illustration of an embodiment and should not be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few embodiments have been described, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible in the embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present inventive concept. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventive concept as defined in the claims. Therefore, it should be understood that the above is an illustration of various embodiments and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: Display panel; and An optical module is provided below the display panel. Wherein, the display panel includes: a first display area, the optical module being disposed below the first display area to overlap the first display area in a plan view, the first display area including first transparent areas, light for operation of the optical module passing through the first transparent areas, and first pixels having a first pixel structure and disposed between the first transparent areas; a second display area, in which second pixels having a second pixel structure are disposed; and a third display area disposed between the first display area and the second display area, the optical module being disposed below the third display area to overlap with the third display area in a plan view, the third display area including a second transparent area and a third pixel, the light passing through the second transparent area, the third pixel having a third pixel structure and disposed between the second transparent areas, The third display area includes a first sub-middle display area to a kth sub-middle display area, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the first sub-middle display area is set to be adjacent to the first display area, and the kth sub-middle display area is set to be adjacent to the second display area. The first sub-intermediate display area to the kth sub-intermediate display area have the same driving pixel density, but have different pixel densities. The pixel density of the third display area gradually increases from the first display area to the second display area, and the pixel density of the mth sub-intermediate display area is lower than the pixel density of the (m+1)th sub-intermediate display area, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than k.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first pixel structure, the second pixel structure, and the third pixel structure are identical to each other.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein One of the first pixel structure, the second pixel structure, and the third pixel structure is different from the others.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein The first pixel structure is an RGB structure, and each of the second pixel structure and the third pixel structure is a PenTile structure.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first display area is surrounded by the third display area, and the third display area is surrounded by the second display area. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein: The third pixels in the third display area are arranged symmetrically with respect to a horizontal axis and a vertical axis passing through a center of the first display area.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The third pixels in the third display area are asymmetrically arranged with respect to a horizontal axis or a vertical axis passing through a center of the first display area.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first to kth sub-middle display regions have the same width.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the first to kth sub-intermediate display regions has a width different from widths of the other intermediate display regions.

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