Display device and driving method thereof

Abstract

A display device and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The display device includes a display panel including a display area of a first area and a second area having different sub-pixel arrangement densities, and a non-display area disposed outside the display area, and an optical module including a prism disposed below the display panel. The prism includes a first surface parallel to a lower surface of the first area of the display panel and a second surface perpendicular to the first surface. The optical module further includes a sensor reflection plate disposed on the second surface of the prism. The sensor reflection plate includes a pattern portion having a plurality of spaced apart reflection patterns in a region thereof. The optical module further includes a sensor member configured to receive external light passing through the pattern portion of the sensor reflection plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an apparatus, and more specifically, for example, but not limited to, a display apparatus including an optical module configured to perform sensing functions and a driving method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] The display device displays the image.

[0003] This display device includes a display panel and can display images through the display panel.

[0004] Display panels can be classified into self-emissive display panels that are configured to directly generate light to display images and non-self-emissive display panels that are configured to display images by receiving light from an external source.

[0005] For example, in the case of a display device that includes a non-self-emissive display panel, the light source unit can be disposed below the display panel to transmit light to the display panel, and the display panel can use the transmitted light to emit an image to the outside.

[0006] Recently, in addition to the inherent function of displaying images, display devices are also required to sense external light, and research is being conducted on the arrangement of components used to sense external light without interfering with such display devices. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, this disclosure relates to a display device and its driving method that substantially eliminate one or more problems caused by the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.

[0008] One aspect of the display device disclosed herein is to include an optical module that overlaps with the display area without increasing the non-display (bezel) area of ​​the display panel.

[0009] Another aspect of the display device disclosed herein includes a display panel and a backlight unit that is modified according to the settings of an optical module for sensing external light, and reduces the image quality difference between areas overlapping with the optical module and areas not overlapping with the optical module in the display area.

[0010] Another aspect of the display device disclosed herein is to increase light emission in the area corresponding to the sensing area of ​​the optical module to prevent or reduce the visibility of the sensing area.

[0011] This disclosure is not limited to the foregoing aspects, and other aspects of this disclosure not described herein will become clearer to those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0012] In one aspect of this disclosure, a display device includes: a display panel including a display area and a non-display area, the display area including a first area and a second area with different sub-pixel arrangement densities, and the non-display area disposed outside the display area; and an optical module including: a prism disposed below the display panel, the prism including a first surface parallel to a lower surface of the first area of ​​the display panel and a second surface perpendicular to the first surface; a sensor reflector disposed at the second surface of the prism, the sensor reflector including a patterned portion in a region of the sensor reflector having a plurality of reflective patterns spaced apart from each other; and a sensor member configured to receive external light passing through the patterned portion of the sensor reflector.

[0013] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are intended to be included within this specification, within the scope of this disclosure, and protected by the appended claims. Nothing in this section should be construed as limiting those claims. Further aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a plan view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 It is according to one embodiment of this disclosure along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken from line I-I'; Figure 3A This is an observation from above the display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 A plan view of region B; Figure 3B It is based on the target Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the display device for the implementation of region B; Figure 4 This is an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the display device in area B; Figure 5 This illustrates one embodiment according to the present disclosure. Figure 4 A floor plan of the display panel in area C; Figure 6A and Figure 6BAccording to one embodiment of this disclosure, respectively along Figure 5 Cross-sectional views taken from lines II-II' and III-III' in the diagram; Figure 7 This illustrates one embodiment according to the present disclosure. Figure 4 A 3D view of the backlight unit; Figure 8 This illustrates one embodiment according to the present disclosure. Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the backlight unit; Figure 9 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of the optical module, and a diagram showing an embodiment of a sensor reflector disposed on the second surface of a prism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 10 This is a diagram showing a one-to-one correspondence between an optical module and a display panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 11 This illustrates a display mode according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3A The diagram of the display panel in area D; Figure 12 This is an example of an embodiment according to the present disclosure. Figure 3A A diagram showing the wiring layout of the display panel in area D; and Figure 13 This is a timing diagram of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Throughout the accompanying drawings and detailed description, unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals shall be construed as referring to the same elements, features, and structures. For clarity, illustration, and convenience, the relative sizes and depictions of these elements may be exaggerated. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of this disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations relevant to this document will be omitted or may be briefly discussed where it is determined that such detailed descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essential points of the inventive concept. The described process steps and / or order of operations are exemplary; however, the order of steps and / or operations is not limited to the order set forth herein and may be varied as is known in the art, except for steps and / or operations that must occur in a specific order. The same reference numerals always refer to the same elements. The names of the corresponding elements used in the following explanation may be chosen solely for the convenience of writing the specification and may therefore differ from those used in actual products.

[0017] The advantages and features of this disclosure, as well as methods for achieving these advantages and features, will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described in detail herein, together with the accompanying drawings. This disclosure should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms. Therefore, these exemplary embodiments are set forth merely to make this disclosure fully complete and to help those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of this disclosure. The scope of protection of this disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0018] In the following description of this disclosure, detailed descriptions of relevant known steps, components, functions, techniques, and configurations may be omitted where such detailed descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essential points of this disclosure. Furthermore, the names of components used in the following description are chosen for clarity of description and may differ from the names of components in actual products. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description of this disclosure to provide a full and thorough understanding of this disclosure. However, it should be understood that this disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known methods, processes, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of this disclosure.

[0019] The shapes, sizes, scales, angles, quantities, etc., of various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings are given by way of example only. This disclosure is not limited to the illustrations in the drawings.

[0020] In this specification, where terms such as “comprising,” “having,” or “including” are used, one or more components may be added unless a term such as “only” is used. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of a single associated item and two or more associated items.

[0021] Any implementation described in this article as an "example" is not necessarily to be interpreted as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

[0022] When describing a list of components, expressions such as "at least one of" can modify the entire list of components without modifying the individual components in the list. The term "at least one" should be understood to include any and all combinations of one or more of the listed items. For example, "at least one of the first, second, and third components" means a combination of all three listed components, a combination of any two of the three components, and each individual component (the first, second, and third components).

[0023] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific aspects and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the terms “a” and “an” used to describe elements in the singular form are intended to include multiple elements. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, elements described in the singular form are intended to include multiple elements, and vice versa.

[0024] When constructing components or values, even if no explicit description of such error or tolerance range is provided, the components or values ​​should be interpreted as including error or tolerance range.

[0025] In describing various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, terms such as “on,” “above,” “below,” and “adjacent” are used to describe the positional relationship between two elements. Unless “immediately,” “directly,” or “immediately adjacent” is used, at least one intermediate element may exist between two elements. It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to” or “attached to” another element or layer, it may be directly connected to or attached to the other element or layer, or one or more intermediate elements or layers may exist.

[0026] In describing various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, when terms such as “after,” “following,” “next,” and “before” are used to describe the temporal relationship between two events, another event may occur in between, unless more restrictive terms such as “exactly,” “immediately,” or “directly” are used.

[0027] In describing the various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, terms such as “first” and “second” may be used to describe various components. The purpose of these terms is to distinguish identical or similar components from one another, and they do not limit these components. Therefore, throughout the specification, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, a “first” component may be the same as a “second” component within the technical concept of this disclosure.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the example embodiments pertain. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with, for example, their meaning in the context of the relevant field, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein. For example, as one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, the terms “component” or “unit” can be applied to, for example, a single circuit or structure, an integrated circuit, a computational block of a circuit device, or any structure configured to perform the described functions.

[0029] In contrast, these embodiments may be provided to make this disclosure sufficiently thorough and complete to assist those skilled in the art in fully understanding its scope. Furthermore, this disclosure is limited only by the scope of the claims.

[0030] Features of the various embodiments of this disclosure may be partially or entirely linked or combined with each other, and may be interoperable with each other and technically driven in different ways, as will be fully understood by those skilled in the art. Embodiments of this disclosure may be carried out independently of each other or together in an interdependent relationship.

[0031] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When adding reference numerals to elements in each drawing, the same reference numerals may refer to the same elements even if the same elements are shown in other drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken from line I-I'.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a display device 1000 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display panel 100, a backlight unit 200, and an optical module 300.

[0034] The display panel 100 includes a display area (display area) AA and a non-display area (non-display area) BZ. The display area AA includes a first area A1 and a second area A2 with different subpixel arrangement densities. The non-display area BZ is disposed outside the display area AA. The display panel 100 displays images to a viewer through the display area AA. The non-display area BZ is also referred to as the "border area," to which a housing structure, such as a bottom cover or a middle frame, is attached.

[0035] The first area A1 of the display panel 100 may be a low-resolution area, and the second area A2 may be a normal-resolution area.

[0036] Furthermore, normal and low resolutions can be determined based on the subpixel density. Subpixels are defined by the intersection of gating lines and data lines. In the normal resolution region, gating lines and data lines are spaced at regular intervals to ensure that subpixels are arranged regularly. For example, in the normal resolution region, red, green, and blue subpixels can be set with uniform width and uniform length.

[0037] The low-resolution region includes a portion of a gate line and / or a portion of a data line arranged adjacent to each other such that no subpixels are formed between adjacent gate lines and / or adjacent data lines. The low-resolution region may include areas where no subpixels are formed between gate lines and data lines. The shapes of the normal resolution region and the low-resolution region of the display panel 100 will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] In the low-resolution first region A1, external light can pass through the display panel 100 via the sub-pixel non-forming region, and similarly, the transmittance of external light can be improved. The sub-pixel non-forming region is a region in which at least one of light-absorbing components such as gate lines, data lines, and color filters is omitted. Even in the low-resolution first region A1, display can be achieved through subpixels other than the sub-pixel non-forming region, and similarly, it can be used as a display area.

[0039] Subpixels can also be disposed in a first region A1 overlapping with the optical module 300 configured to sense external light. In this respect, display can be performed even in the region overlapping with the optical module 300. Therefore, in the display device of each embodiment of this disclosure, the effective display area is not reduced due to the arrangement of the optical module 300.

[0040] The display device 1000 shown includes a non-self-emissive display panel 100. Therefore, the display device 1000 also includes a backlight unit 200 configured to transmit light to the display panel 100. When the display panel 100 is a self-emissive display panel, the backlight unit 200 may be omitted in some cases.

[0041] An example of a non-self-emissive display panel used as display panel 100 could be a liquid crystal panel.

[0042] The backlight unit 200 is configured to transmit light toward the display panel 100 and may include a light source element 210, a light guide plate 220, a reflector 230, and an optical sheet 240. The light guide plate 220 is disposed below the display panel 100 and is configured to have a size substantially corresponding to the size of the display panel 100. The reflector 230 is configured to reflect light guided downward from the light guide plate 220 so that the light is guided upward. The optical sheet 240 is disposed between the light guide plate 220 and the display panel 100 and is configured to diffuse the light guided upward from the light guide plate 220 and transmit the diffused light to the display panel 100.

[0043] In addition to the components described above, the backlight unit 200 may also include a middle frame 260 and a bottom cover 250. The display panel 100 is mounted on the middle frame 260, and the bottom cover 250 is configured to accommodate a light guide plate 220, a reflector 230, and a light source element 210. A portion of the middle frame 260 may be accommodated within the bottom cover 250.

[0044] The area where the intermediate frame 260 overlaps with the display panel 100 is the non-display area BZ. Within the non-display area BZ, the display panel 100 may further include pad portions and a configuration of circuit films and / or circuit boards connected to the pad portions. The intermediate frame 260 and the cover bottom 250 can be used to accommodate structures disposed therein and prevent or reduce movement of the configuration, and may also include structures with mounting surfaces and / or stepped portions in some areas. For example, the intermediate frame 260 may also include a mounting surface protruding toward the display panel 100 in the area where the display panel 100 is mounted.

[0045] The circuit films and circuit boards that are connected or attached to the display panel 100 can be arranged under the display panel 100 in a folded state.

[0046] The light source element 210 can be configured to emit light towards one side surface of the light guide plate 220. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the light source element 210 may include a circuit board 211 and a light source 212. The light source 212 is a self-emissive element configured to generate light and emit the generated light. For example, the light source 212 may include an inorganic light-emitting element using inorganic semiconductors as the light-emitting medium, an organic light-emitting element using organic semiconductor materials as the light-emitting medium, or a hybrid light-emitting element using a mixture of inorganic and organic materials as the light-emitting medium. The light source 212 may be electrically connected to the circuit board 211 to perform an on / off operation.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the light source element 210 can be attached to the intermediate frame 260 or can contact the light guide plate 220. In another embodiment of the display device, the intermediate frame 260 is not inserted between the light guide plate 220 and the bottom cover 250, and the light source element 210 can directly contact the bottom cover 250.

[0048] The light guide plate 220 receives light from the light source 212 disposed on one side of it and transmits the light uniformly in the horizontal direction. The light guide plate 220 transmits upward light reintroduced into it from the lower reflector 230 as well as horizontally transmitted light.

[0049] The reflector 230 can be attached to the light guide plate 220 or the bottom cover 250.

[0050] exist Figure 2In this example, the optical sheet 240 is configured by including a first optical sheet 241 and a second optical sheet 242. This is just an example, and the number or type of optical sheets can vary.

[0051] Optical sheet 240 can diffuse light transmitted from its lower side to transmit diffused light upward.

[0052] Furthermore, the optical module 300 is configured separately from the backlight unit 200 and is configured to sense external light. The optical module 300 may be disposed below the backlight unit 200.

[0053] The optical module 300 includes: a prism 320 having a first surface parallel to the lower surface of a first region A1 of the display panel 100 and a second surface perpendicular to the first surface; a sensor reflector 340 disposed on the second surface of the prism 320 and including a patterned portion 340SA having a plurality of spaced-apart reflective patterns in its region; and a sensor member 350 configured to receive external light through the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340.

[0054] Sensor component 350 may include, for example, a camera or an infrared (IR) sensor. A camera can sense visible light, and an IR sensor can sense infrared light. In some cases, one of the camera and the IR sensor can output a specific image based on the sensed information.

[0055] In one example, sensor component 350 may include a lens portion on its side facing the patterned portion 340SA, and a mold portion disposed below the lens portion and configured to receive the lens portion. Sensor component 350 may also include a sensor circuit board disposed within the mold portion, the sensor circuit board being configured to sense and analyze external light.

[0056] The prism 320 of the optical module 300 can be configured to have, for example, a triangular prism shape. Figure 2 The diagram shown illustrates the triangular cross-section of the triangular prism 320. Inclined opposing surfaces are disposed between a first surface and a second surface that are perpendicular to each other, and an opposing reflector 330 is disposed on the inclined opposing surfaces to refract light perpendicularly incident on the prism 320 in the horizontal direction such that the refracted light is guided to the sensor member 350.

[0057] The optical module 300 may also include an auxiliary light source 310 configured to deliver light to a first region A1 of the display panel 100. One or more auxiliary light sources 310 may be provided. The auxiliary light source 310 may be attached to the prism 320. Figure 2The example shown illustrates two auxiliary light sources 310, but this is merely an example. Additional auxiliary light sources can be placed on surfaces other than the surface of the prism 320.

[0058] The optical module 300 may also include an optical module housing 360, which is configured to house the aforementioned prism 320, auxiliary light source 310, sensor reflector 340, opposing reflector 330, and sensor component 350.

[0059] The optical module housing 360 can be connected to the underside of the cover bottom 250 via a fixing strap 400.

[0060] Furthermore, in the optical module 300, the first surface of the prism 320 can be exposed from the backlight unit 200 to facilitate the transmission of external light into at least the first region A1. For this purpose, the cover bottom 250, the reflector 230, and the optical sheet 240 may each include a cover bottom hole 250H, a reflector hole 230H, and an optical sheet hole 240H, respectively.

[0061] In the backlight unit 200, the light guide plate 220 may be thicker than the optical sheet 240 or the reflector 230. In the assembly of the backlight unit 200, the optical sheet 240, spaced a relatively large vertical distance from the first surface of the prism 320, may have an optical sheet aperture 240H in a region corresponding to the prism 320. This optical sheet aperture 240H is larger than the reflector aperture 230H of the reflector 230 and the cover bottom 250, and the cover bottom aperture 250H and the cover bottom 250 of the reflector 230 are positioned relatively closer to the prism 320.

[0062] The reflector aperture 230H and the cover bottom aperture 250H can have shapes that substantially correspond to the shape of the first region A1 of the display panel 100. The optical aperture 240H has a size slightly larger than the first region A1. External light introduced downward from above the display panel 100 into the reflector aperture 230H and the cover bottom aperture 250H may include, in addition to direct light incident perpendicularly through the first region A1, some light incident from the side surface of the first region A1. Light can be introduced into the prism 320 of the optical module 300 through the optical aperture 240H.

[0063] The reflector 230 and the bottom cover 250 may extend into a portion of the interior of the optical sheet 240 (i.e., into the optical sheet aperture 240H) to form an overlapping region OVA. In the display panel 100, the area corresponding to the overlapping region OVA may be a second region A2 with normal resolution.

[0064] The boundary between the first region A1 and the second region A2 can be the region corresponding to the reflector hole 230H of the reflector 230.

[0065] In the components of the backlight unit 200, the light guide plate 220 may include diffuse patterns on its upper and lower surfaces. However, in region 220A of the light guide plate 220 corresponding to the first region A1 of the display panel 100, the diffuse patterns on the upper and lower surfaces may be omitted to allow external light to pass through.

[0066] The optical module 300 senses the amount of external light, images, etc. received from above the display panel 100. In order to improve the external light sensitivity of the optical module 300, the display panel 100 and the backlight unit 200 may have a different configuration in the first region A1 that overlaps with the optical module 300 than the configuration in the second region A2.

[0067] External light passes through the display panel 100 and the backlight unit 200, is refracted by the prism 320 of the optical module 300 located below the display panel 100, and is received by the sensor component 350 through the transmission portion located at the pattern portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340.

[0068] The sensor reflector 340 can be configured to be attached to the prism 320. In the sensor reflector 340, reflective material is disposed in areas other than the patterned portion 340SA, and the patterned portion 340SA includes a plurality of spaced-apart reflective patterns. These spaced-apart reflective patterns can be configured to correspond to the shapes of sub-pixels disposed in the first sub-region SA1 at the center of the first region A1 of the display panel 100. The sensor member 350 can sense external light passing through the transmissive portion disposed at the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340. The reflective patterns in the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 and the reflective material outside the patterned portion 340SA can be directly formed on the second surface of the prism 320. In another embodiment, the sensor reflector 340 can be formed by depositing the reflective patterns and reflective material onto a base substrate and attaching the base substrate to the prism 320.

[0069] In the display panel 100, the first region A1 is a region with low resolution that overlaps with the optical module 300. More specifically, in the components of the optical module 300, the first region A1 may overlap with at least a portion of the first surface of the prism 320 that is parallel to the horizontal plane of the display panel 100. The reflector aperture 230H may be positioned at the overlap with the first region A1 such that the reflector aperture 230H overlaps with the first surface of the prism 320 exposed from the reflector 230 to serve as a complete light transmission path. Therefore, external light passes through the display panel 100, the optical aperture 240H of the backlight unit 200, the region 220A of the light guide plate 220 without a diffuse pattern, and the reflector aperture 230H, and is then transmitted to the prism 320. As a result, the transmittance of external light is improved. In other words, in the optical path along which external light is transmitted, the first region A1 of the display panel 100 is configured to have a low resolution so that the wiring and / or color filter and black matrix structures that cause light absorption are not set in the first region A1, thereby allowing external light to travel with high transmittance. Furthermore, the optical aperture 240H and reflector aperture 230H, which do not have any medium in the external light transmission path, can transmit light without loss of light quantity.

[0070] Furthermore, the first region A1 can be divided into a first sub-region SA1 that corresponds substantially to the region of the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340, and a second sub-region SA2 disposed around the first sub-region SA1. The first sub-region SA1 corresponds to the region of the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 of the optical module 300, and the second sub-region SA2 corresponds to the region around the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 where reflective material is disposed. The patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 includes a plurality of reflective patterns and a transmissive portion between the plurality of reflective patterns. The plurality of reflective patterns can be arranged to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the sub-pixels disposed in the first sub-region SA1. The sensor member 350 can directly receive external light through the transmissive portion disposed at the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340.

[0071] In the optical module 300, a sensor reflector 340 is disposed on a second surface of the prism 320 that is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the display panel 100. When the sensor reflector 340 overlaps with the first region A1 of the display panel 100 in a plan view, the size of the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 can correspond to the size of the first sub-region SA1 within the first region A1 of the display panel 100.

[0072] Furthermore, each reflective pattern in the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 corresponds to a sub-pixel disposed in the first sub-region SA1 of the display panel 100. In the region where the sub-pixel is disposed, light-absorbing components such as color filters, gate lines, and data lines are provided. The region in the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 that overlaps with the region where no light-absorbing components are disposed does not have a reflective pattern, thereby ensuring that light is transmitted through the patterned portion 340SA. Moreover, when the sensor reflector 340 overlaps with the display panel 100, the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 corresponds to the first sub-region SA1 at the center of the first region A1 of the display panel 100, and the region outside the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 corresponds to the second sub-region SA2 outside the first sub-region SA1 of the display panel 100.

[0073] The size of the sensor reflector 340 is equal to or greater than that of the first region A1.

[0074] During external light sensing (sensing mode), the light source element 210 of the backlight unit 200 and the auxiliary light source 310 of the optical module 300 are turned off to prevent or reduce interference caused by light other than external light. In this case, external light incident from above the display panel 100 enters the prism 320 and is transmitted to the sensor member 350 through the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340. In this case, the sub-pixels provided in at least the first region A1 of the display panel 100 are set to a white state to maintain a light-transmitting state. When the display panel 100 is normally black, the transistors of the sub-pixels provided in the first region A1 are turned on to change the sub-pixels to a white state. When the display panel 100 is normally white, the transistors of the sub-pixels provided in the first region A1 are kept in the off state to maintain a white state. External light passes through the display panel 100, the optical aperture 240H, the region 220A of the light guide plate 220, and the reflector aperture 230H, and then enters the prism 320. Subsequently, external light is refracted by the opposing reflector 330 and transmitted to the sensor member 350 after passing through the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340. The patterned portion 340SA has a reflective pattern, but these reflective patterns are configured to correspond to the sub-pixels of the display panel, which includes light-absorbing members. Therefore, in external light sensing, the transmittance of light after passing through the sensor reflector 340 is similar to the transmittance of light in the transmissive portion of the sensor reflector (the area corresponding to the sensor member) without the reflective pattern 340p.

[0075] In the display mode where an image is displayed via the display panel 100, the auxiliary light source 310 of the optical module 300 is driven for the first region A1, and the light source element 210 of the backlight unit 200 is driven for the second region A2. Therefore, light is provided from below the display panel 100, and image data signals are provided to each sub-pixel of the display panel 100. Thus, an image is displayed.

[0076] In display mode, the sensor reflector 340 is visible in the optical path of the prism 320 exposed through the reflector aperture 230H in the first region A1 of the display panel 100. However, the sensor reflector 340 has a reflective pattern 340p at its patterned portion 340SA. Therefore, the brightness difference between the first sub-region SA1 and the second sub-region SA2 within the first region A1 is minimized or reduced by the reflective material outside the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 and the reflective pattern 340p of the sensor reflector 340, which has the same reflective properties. In addition, the sub-pixel of the first sub-region SA1 of the display panel 100 corresponding to the patterned portion 340SA with the transmission portion TA in the sensor reflector 340 can receive light with a relatively higher brightness or higher data voltage than the light in the second sub-region SA2 by the auxiliary light source 310 of the optical module 300 disposed below the sub-pixel or by the data signal provided to the data line provided at the sub-pixel.

[0077] Furthermore, in the region overlapping with the first region A1, the backlight unit 200 does not have an optical sheet or a diffuse pattern. Therefore, in order to prevent or reduce the brightness in the first region A1 from being relatively lower than the brightness in the second region A2 due to the absence of a component such as the backlight unit 200, the brightness of the auxiliary light source 310 can be adjusted to be higher than the brightness of the light source element 210 of the backlight unit 200.

[0078] In each embodiment of the display device 1000 according to the present disclosure, the optical module 300 is disposed below the display panel 100 such that the optical module 300 overlaps with the display area AA, thereby enabling external light sensing without reducing the size of the display area AA. Furthermore, in the display device 1000, since the ineffective area (i.e., the non-display area BZ (border area)) is not used for arranging the optical module 300, the display area of ​​the display device 1000 can be maximized or increased.

[0079] In the following, various configurations in the display device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail.

[0080] Figure 3A Viewed from above the display device Figure 1 Plan view of region B. Figure 3B It is based on the target Figure 1A cross-sectional view of the display device for the implementation of region B. Figure 4 It is aimed at Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the display device in area B. Figure 5 It is shown Figure 4 A floor plan of the display panel in area C. Figure 6A and Figure 6B They are along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view taken from lines II-I' and III-III' in the diagram. Figure 7 It is shown Figure 4 A 3D view of the backlight unit. Figure 8 It is shown Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of an implementation of the backlight unit. Figure 9 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows a perspective view of the optical module and an embodiment of a sensor reflector disposed on the second surface of the prism.

[0081] Figure 3A It is an enlarged view of a first region A1, which includes a first sub-region and a second sub-region, and a portion of a second region A2 outside the first region A1 in the region of the display panel that overlaps with the optical module 300.

[0082] like Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the first region A1 and the second region A2 have different resolutions. The second region A2, which overlaps with the reflector 230, has normal resolution, while the first region A1, exposed from the reflector 230 to enable sensing by the optical module 300, can have low resolution to facilitate the transmission of external light. In the display panel 100, the second region A2 includes a first subpixel group SPG1, in which subpixels are arranged in a regular array. In the display panel 100, the first region A1 may include a second subpixel group SPG2, wherein the subpixels are arranged at a lower density than those in the second region A2.

[0083] The first subpixel group SPG1 may include, for example, red subpixels, green subpixels, and blue subpixels capable of displaying red, green, and blue. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the first sub-pixel group SPG1 of the second region A2 may include a first sub-pixel SP1 with a regular shape.

[0084] In one implementation, in addition to the red, green, and blue subpixels, the second subpixel group SPG2 may include, for example, a region NC without a color filter. The region NC without a color filter can be used as a drivable white subpixel, or it can be a region in which no subpixels are set. In the first region A1, during external light sensing in the area overlapping with the optical module 300, the region NC without a color filter can be used as a transmissive portion TA in the second subpixel group SPG2 located in the first region A1.

[0085] Each of the red, green, blue, and white sub-pixels is equipped with a transistor, which can be turned on or off independently. The width or length of at least one of the red, green, blue, or white sub-pixels is greater than the width or length of the other sub-pixels, and the sub-pixel arrangement density of the second sub-pixel group SPG2 can be less than the sub-pixel arrangement density of the first sub-pixel group SPG1.

[0086] In the second sub-pixel group SPG2, for example, in addition to the red, green, and blue sub-pixels, the gating lines or data lines are densely arranged. Therefore, as... Figure 5 As shown, the second subpixel group SPG2 may include areas where no subpixels are set between the subpixels.

[0087] like Figure 5 As shown, the second sub-pixel SP2 included in the second sub-pixel group SPG2 can be arranged such that the color sub-pixel SPA, which enables color display, and the sub-pixel SPB, representing the white state, are mixed. The sub-pixel SPB representing the white state does not have a color filter and therefore has high transmittance. In the first region A1, more sub-pixels SPB representing the white state are provided than in the second region A2, and they remain in the white state during external light sensing, thereby ensuring the transmittance of the first region A1. The sub-pixels SPB representing the white state can be white sub-pixels that can be turned on and off, or they can be areas in which gate lines, data lines, and thin-film transistor wiring are omitted and no color filter pattern is provided.

[0088] Furthermore, the reflector 230 may extend into a portion of the interior of the optical aperture 240H to have an overlapping region OVA. The display panel 100 overlapping with the overlapping region OVA is included in a second region A2 having normal resolution. In some cases, the optical aperture 240 is not disposed in the second region A2. Therefore, in order to compensate for the brightness difference between the overlapping region OVA and the second region A2 which is disposed further outward beyond the overlapping region OVA, the second region A2 may be divided into the overlapping region OVA and a region other than the overlapping region OVA to provide different voltages to be applied to the data lines to different regions.

[0089] exist Figure 5 In the display panel 100 shown, each data line DL has a curved portion at the vertical center of its corresponding sub-pixels SP1 and SP2, and is configured to intersect the gate line GL at an acute angle. This is to ensure, for example, the viewing angle. In some cases, each of the sub-pixels SP1 and SP2a is provided with multiple curved portions.

[0090] Figure 6A and Figure 6B The display panel 100 shows, for example, an in-plane switching liquid crystal display panel.

[0091] like Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the display panel 100 may include a thin-film transistor array substrate (TFTA), a color filter array substrate (CFA), and a liquid crystal layer (LC) facing each other.

[0092] like Figures 5 to 6B As shown, a thin-film transistor array substrate (TFTA) may include a first substrate 110, intersecting gate lines GL and data lines DL, a thin-film transistor Tr disposed at the intersection of the gate lines GL and data lines DL, a gate insulating layer 111 disposed between the gate lines GL and data lines DL, a first interlayer insulating layer 112 covering the data lines DL, a second interlayer insulating layer 113 protecting the thin-film transistor Tr, a common electrode 130 disposed on the second interlayer insulating layer 113, a protective layer 114 covering the common electrode 130, and pixel electrodes 140 branching from each sub-pixel on the protective layer 114.

[0093] Each thin-film transistor Tr may include, for example, a gate electrode integrally formed with a gate line GL, an active layer overlapping the gate electrode with a gate insulating layer 111 inserted therebetween, and source and drain electrodes respectively connected to opposite sides of the active layer. The thin-film transistor Tr may be connected to at least a portion of the pixel electrode 140 (not shown) in a corresponding one of the sub-pixels SP1 and SP2 to apply an electrical signal.

[0094] The common electrode 130 can be connected to a common voltage line.

[0095] Different voltages are applied to the common electrode 130 and the pixel electrode 140 respectively to form a lateral electric field in each sub-pixel. Figure 6A and Figure 6B An example is shown in which the common electrode 130 is disposed below the protective layer 114 and the pixel electrode 140 is disposed above the protective layer 114. However, in some cases, the common electrode 130 may be disposed above the protective layer 114 and the pixel electrode 140 may be disposed below the protective layer 114.

[0096] The color filter array substrate CFA may include, for example, a second substrate 120, a black matrix 152 overlapping with the gate line GL and the data line DL, and color filters 151R, 151G and 151B that present predetermined colors in the respective sub-pixels SP1 and SP2.

[0097] Color filters 151R, 151G, and 151B may include a red color filter 151R, a green color filter 151G, and a blue color filter 151B.

[0098] like Figure 3B and Figure 6B As shown, the first region A1 with low resolution includes a region NC in which a color filter is not disposed on the second substrate 120. External light can pass through region NC.

[0099] In addition, such as Figure 6B As shown, pixel electrode 140 and common electrode 130 are disposed in at least a portion of the region NC in which no color filter is disposed. Therefore, a portion of region NC can be used as a white sub-pixel, which can be turned on and off according to the driving of transistor Tr.

[0100] like Figure 3B , Figure 4 and Figure 9 As shown, the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 of the optical module 300 (corresponding to the first sub-region SA1 within the first region A1 of the display panel 100) may have a transmissive portion TA, the area of ​​which corresponds to 1 / 2 or more of the total area of ​​the patterned portion 340SA. This ensures that when the sensor component 350 of the optical module 300 senses external light, the external light is sufficiently received through the transmissive portion TA of the patterned portion 340SA.

[0101] The first sub-region SA1 of the first region A1 may have a first width W1, and the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 may have the same width as the first sub-region SA1 (i.e., the first width W1).

[0102] like Figure 4 and Figure 9 As shown, the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 may include a plurality of reflective patterns 340p having an island shape and corresponding to color filters of sub-pixels SP2 disposed in the first sub-region SA1 of the display panel 100. In some cases, the plurality of reflective patterns 340p may be arranged according to the arrangement of the color filter group of the forming unit.

[0103] like Figure 3B , Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the backlight unit 200 disposed between the display panel 100 and the optical module 300 may include an optical sheet 240, a light guide plate 220 and a reflector 230 arranged sequentially from the side closer to the display panel 100 to the side further away from the display panel 100, and a light source element 210 disposed on at least one side of the light guide plate 220.

[0104] The optical sheet 240 may include an optical sheet aperture 240H larger than the first region A1 of the display panel 100, and the reflector 230 may include a reflector aperture 230H having a size corresponding to the size of the first region A1. The first region A1 has a second width W2, and the reflector aperture 230H corresponding to the first region A1 may have the same second width W2.

[0105] To prevent or reduce interference when receiving external light, the optical aperture 240H of the optical plate 240 may have a third width W3, which is formed to be wider than the reflector aperture 230H.

[0106] The first width W1, the second width W2, and the third width W3 have larger sizes in that order.

[0107] Figure 8 It shows the relationship with Figure 1 An example of the backlight unit 200 corresponding to region B.

[0108] A reflector 230 is disposed below a light guide plate 220, and multiple optical sheets 240 (240a, 240b and 240c) are disposed on the light guide plate 220. Figure 8 An example in which the optical sheets 240 are arranged in three layers is shown. However, the number of optical sheets 240 can be changed as needed.

[0109] For example, the optical sheet 240 may include a first substrate 240a, a first film 240a disposed on the surface of the first substrate 240a and including particles 240ap with a refractive index different from that of the first substrate 240a, a second film 240b, a second substrate 240cs, and a third film 240c disposed on the surface of the second substrate 240cs and including a plurality of prism patterns 240cp. At least one of the first to third films 240a, 240b and 240c has a diffusion function and is used to transmit light transmitted from below to above without loss.

[0110] Each of the optical plates 240 has an optical plate hole 240H with a diameter corresponding to the third width W3, and the reflector hole 230H has a diameter corresponding to the second width W2.

[0111] The two surfaces 220sa and 220sb of the light guide plate 220 may each include prism patterns 220ap and 220bp in areas that do not overlap with the first area A1 of the display panel 100.

[0112] The reason for setting the reflector aperture 230H, the optical plate aperture 240H, and the region 220A of the light guide plate 220 (where no prism pattern is set) to correspond to the first region A1 is to ensure that the light transmitted through the first region A1 is transmitted to the optical module 300 without distortion in the vertical direction.

[0113] like Figure 9 As shown, in the display device 1000, the optical module 300 includes: a prism 320 configured to adjust the optical path; a sensor member 350 positioned adjacent to the prism 320 and configured to receive external light; and a sensor reflector 340 disposed on a surface of the prism 320 adjacent to the sensor member 350. The sensor reflector 340 includes a patterned portion 340SA facing the sensor member 350. The patterned portion 340SA includes a plurality of spaced reflective patterns 340p corresponding to sub-pixels SP2 disposed in a portion of a low-resolution region (i.e., a first sub-region SA1) of the display panel 100. Due to the reflective patterns 340p of the sensor reflector 340, the reflection path within the prism 320 is extended, thereby increasing the amount of sensing light ultimately entering the sensor member 350. Therefore, sensing sensitivity can be enhanced.

[0114] The prism 320 of the optical module 300 may have the shape of a triangular prism parallel to the display panel 100. The triangular prism 320 may include a first surface R1 parallel to the lower surface of the display panel 100, a second surface R2 adjacent to the first surface R1 and having a direction perpendicular to the first surface R1, a third surface R3 inclined from each of the first surface R1 and the second surface R2 and adjacent to each of the first surface R1 and the second surface R2, and a fourth surface R4 and a fifth surface R5 facing each other and surrounded by the first surface R1, the second surface R2 and the third surface R3.

[0115] The first surface R1 can have a larger area than the first region A1. External light introduced through the first region A1 can be incident on the prism 320 without loss in the vertical direction.

[0116] The second surface R2 on which the sensor reflector 340 is disposed can have a larger area than the first sub-region SA1 of the first region A1 of the display panel 100. This is to ensure the refraction path between the reflective material 340a in the sensor reflector 340 outside the pattern portion 340SA corresponding to the first sub-region SA1 and the opposing reflector 330 disposed at the third surface R3 of the prism 320.

[0117] The sensor reflector 340 can be directly formed on the second surface R2 of the prism 320. The reflective pattern 340p with a patterned shape in the patterned portion 340SA and the reflective material 340a outside the patterned portion 340SA can be made of the same material. The reflective material 340a and the reflective pattern 340p have the same reflective properties, and the optical refraction effect between the reflective material 340a and the opposing reflector 330 in the prism 320, as well as the optical refraction effect between the reflective pattern 340p and the opposing reflector 330, can be the same or similar. Therefore, when viewed from the outside of the display panel 100, the visibility difference between the first sub-region SA1 corresponding to the patterned portion 340SA and the second sub-region SA2 outside the first sub-region SA1 can be reduced or prevented.

[0118] Furthermore, the second surface R2 of the prism 320, on which the sensor reflector 340 is disposed, can be covered by the reflector 330 of the backlight unit 200. Therefore, the sensor reflector 340 can overlap with the second region A2 where the normal resolution of the display panel 100 is applied. The sensor reflector 340 is vertically disposed on the second surface R2 of the prism 320. The second surface R2 of the prism 320, the sensor reflector 340 outside the second surface R2, and the sensor component 350 are hidden by the reflector 30 of the backlight unit 200. Therefore, these components are not directly visible in the second region A2.

[0119] In addition, the optical module 300 may also include a counter-reflector 330 disposed on the third surface R3 of the prism 320 and an auxiliary light source 310 disposed on at least one of the fourth surface R4 or the fifth surface R5.

[0120] The area of ​​the display panel 100 that overlaps with the optical module 300 does not overlap with the optical sheet 240 of the backlight unit 200, and thus, the amount of light provided by the backlight unit 200 can be smaller. Therefore, in each embodiment of the display device of this disclosure, in addition to the backlight unit 200, an auxiliary light source 310 that provides light to the first area A1 of the display panel 100 overlapping with the optical module 300 can also be provided on the fourth surface R4 of the prism 320 of the optical module 300. In a display mode for displaying images, the second area A2 of the display panel 100 that does not overlap with the reflector aperture 330H receives light from the light source of the backlight unit 200, and the first area A1 of the display panel 100 that overlaps with the reflector aperture 330H can receive light from the auxiliary light source 310 provided on one side surface of the prism 320. Therefore, the brightness difference between the first area A1 without the optical sheet 240 and the second area A2 with the optical sheet 240 can be prevented or reduced.

[0121] The sensor reflector 340 contacts the second surface R2 of the prism 320. The second surface R2 of the prism 320 can be exposed in the area of ​​the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 that is not provided with multiple reflective patterns 340p.

[0122] External light can pass through the display panel 100 and can be received by the sensor component 350 via vertical light pointing towards the opposing reflector 330 and horizontal light pointing from the opposing reflector 330 towards the pattern portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340.

[0123] For example, sensor component 350 may include a lens portion 351 on the side facing the pattern portion 340SA and a mold portion 352 disposed below the lens portion 351 to accommodate the lens portion 351. The mold portion 352 may include a sensor circuit board configured to sense and analyze external light.

[0124] When the sensor component 350 receives external light, the external light can pass through the area NC of the display panel 100 that is not provided with sub-pixels and / or color filters, and then can be incident on the prism 320. The light incident on the prism 320 is refracted at the opposing reflector 330 and can travel in the horizontal direction, and can then pass through the area (i.e., the transmission portion TA) of the plurality of reflective patterns 340p that are not provided within the pattern portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340.

[0125] like Figure 9 As shown, the sensor reflector 340 includes a first reflective material 340a surrounding a patterned portion 340SA, and a plurality of reflective patterns 340p in the patterned portion 340SA may be the same as the first reflective material 340a.

[0126] The second area A2 of the display panel 100 can be an area of ​​the display area AA with normal resolution.

[0127] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing a one-to-one correspondence between the optical module and the display panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] In the sensing mode used to sense external light, the sensor reflector 340 of the optical module can correspond to the first region A1 of the display panel 100. The low-resolution first region A1 can ensure the transmittance through regions where no subpixels are provided or regions NC where color filters 151R, 151G, and 151B are not provided. The first sub-region SA1 at the center of the first region A1 of the display panel 100 can correspond one-to-one with the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 and can have the same size as the patterned portion 340SA.

[0129] Figure 10 An example is shown in which pixel units with red color filters 151R, green color filters 151G and blue color filters 151B arranged side by side are alternately arranged with an area NC where no color filters are set.

[0130] Outside the first region A1, a second region A2 with normal resolution is set. In the second region A2, pixel units with a red color filter 151R, a green color filter 151G, and a blue color filter 151B arranged side-by-side are regularly arranged. The color filters 151R, 151G, and 151B are located at each of the first sub-pixels SP1 in the second region A2.

[0131] The first sub-pixel SP1 of the pixel unit set in the second region A2 and the second sub-pixel SP2 of the pixel unit set in the first region A1 may include the same red sub-pixel, green sub-pixel and blue sub-pixel.

[0132] The patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 may have the same size as the light-receiving area of ​​the lens portion 351 of the sensor member 350 adjacent to the patterned portion 340SA.

[0133] The first region A1 of the display panel 100 may include a first sub-region SA1 and a second sub-region SA2 surrounding the first sub-region SA1, the first sub-region SA1 having a size corresponding to the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340.

[0134] In the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340, the reflective pattern 340p is configured to correspond to the pixel units disposed in the first sub-region SA1 of the display panel 100. The patterned portion 340SA may have a transmissive portion TA corresponding to the region NC where no color filter is disposed.

[0135] The reflective material 340a outside the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 includes the same reflective material as the reflective pattern 340p and has the same reflectivity as the reflective pattern 340p. Therefore, when the lower structure is visible through the display panel 100, because the reflective pattern 340p within the patterned portion 340SA and the external reflective material 340a have the same reflectivity, the patterned portion 340SA and the external reflective material 340a of the sensor reflector 340 can appear to have similar visual perception. Therefore, the visual difference between corresponding areas in the first sub-region SA1 and the second sub-region SA2 can be reduced.

[0136] Additionally, during external light sensing, the transmissive portion TA of the sensor reflector 340 can transmit light refracted by the prism 320 to the sensor member 350. To ensure sufficient transmittance, the area ratio of the transmissive portion TA in the patterned portion 340SA can be greater than the area ratio of the reflective pattern 340p.

[0137] Figure 11 This illustrates a display mode according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3A The diagram shows the display panel in area D.

[0138] like Figure 11 As shown, in a display mode for displaying images via a display panel, the first region A1, which overlaps with the reflector aperture 230H and the optical aperture 240H, may not receive enough light from the light source element 210 of the backlight unit 200. Therefore, the first region A1 can receive light from the auxiliary light source 310 of the optical module 300.

[0139] When light from the auxiliary light source 310 is provided to the first region A1, the first region A1 can receive light with brightness L1 and L2 that are different from the brightness L0 of the light provided to the second region A2 with normal resolution, compared to the second region A2.

[0140] Additionally, the first region A1 includes a first sub-region SA1 directly corresponding to the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340, and a second sub-region SA2 disposed outside the first sub-region SA1. The first sub-region SA1 and the second sub-region SA2 may have the same low-resolution sub-pixel arrangement. In display mode, the first sub-region SA1 corresponding to the patterned portion 340SA may have a relatively higher brightness intensity than the second sub-region SA2 to prevent or reduce the visibility of the sensor component 350 of the sensor reflector 340. This can be achieved by adjusting the light intensities of the first sub-region SA1 and the second sub-region SA2 to be different from each other using an auxiliary light source 310.

[0141] For example, Figure 11 The second sub-pixel SP2 of the first region A1 is shown to each include a colored sub-pixel SPA with a red color filter, a green color filter and a blue color filter respectively, and a region SPB in which no color filter is provided to present a white state.

[0142] The white area SPB can be white sub-pixels WS1, WS2 and WS3 that can be driven by thin film transistors Tr disposed on thin film transistor array substrate TFTA, or a non-sub-pixel area that has neither wiring (gating lines and data lines) nor thin film transistors Tr disposed.

[0143] like Figure 11 As shown, white sub-pixels WS1, WS2, and WS3 can be configured to have different widths. The number and area of ​​white sub-pixels WS1, WS2, and WS3 can vary depending on the amount of light required to be sensed by the sensor component 350. Figure 11 In the example shown, among the subpixels arranged starting from the top of the first region A1, all even-numbered subpixels are represented by the white subpixel WS3, while odd-numbered subpixels are represented by white subpixels WS1 and WS2 with different widths. This is merely an example and is not consistent with... Figure 11 In different cases, white sub-pixels WS1, WS2, and WS3 can also have the same size.

[0144] The brightness provided to the first region A1 can be determined such that, due to the difference in reflection paths generated within the prism 320, different brightness intensities are provided to the first sub-region SA1 corresponding to the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor component 350 and the sensor reflector 340, and the second sub-region SA2 corresponding to the reflective material 340a outside the sensor component 350. Because different brightness intensities are provided, the second brightness L2 provided to the first sub-region SA1 is higher than the first brightness L1 provided to the second sub-region SA2, thus preventing or reducing the darkening of the first sub-region SA1 due to a lack of reflective material.

[0145] Figure 12 This illustrates one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3A A diagram showing the wiring layout of the display panel in area D.

[0146] like Figure 12 As shown, in a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wiring layout of the display panel may differ between a first region A1 with low resolution and a second region A2 with normal resolution.

[0147] In the display area, which includes the first region A1 and the second region A2, the display panel includes multiple gate lines GL and multiple data lines DL that intersect each other on the first substrate (see [reference]). Figure 6A and Figure 6B The “110” in the text is used to define the sub-pixel.

[0148] The first region A1 includes a first sub-region SA1 and a second sub-region SA2 surrounding the first sub-region SA1. The first sub-region SA1 has a size corresponding to the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340.

[0149] For example, in the second region A2 of the display panel 100, multiple data lines DL can be arranged with a uniform first spacing. When a sub-pixel is defined at the intersection of the gate line GL and the data line DL, the first sub-pixel SP1 in the second region A2 can have the same size.

[0150] The first region A1 may include areas arranged at a second spacing, which is greater than the first spacing of the multiple data lines DL arranged in the second region A2. For example, in the first region A1, each second sub-pixel SP2 may include a colored sub-pixel SP1 with color filters respectively provided for red (R), green (G), and blue (B) and a white sub-pixel SPB without color filters. The white sub-pixel SPB may be provided with a transistor to allow on / off operation.

[0151] It can selectively execute the display mode via the display panel and the external light sensing mode via the optical module.

[0152] In the display mode used to display an image, the second sub-pixel SP2 of the first region A1 and the first sub-pixel SP1 of the second region A2 can be turned on or off individually to display the image.

[0153] In the sensing mode for sensing external light, the white sub-pixel SPB in at least the first sub-region SA1 of the first region A1 is maintained in a white state to allow light to pass through it. In the external light sensing mode, external light introduced from above the display panel 100 passes through the light guide plate 220 of the backlight unit 200, is incident as vertical light onto the prism 320, and is then refracted by the opposing reflector 330 toward the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340, and thus can be sensed by the sensor member 350 via the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340.

[0154] The data lines on both sides of the defined white subpixel are arranged to be adjacent to the data lines of the red, green, and blue subpixels, and the data lines of the red, green, and blue subpixels are adjacent to the data lines of the white subpixel. Therefore, the white subpixel can have a relatively larger size than the red, green, and blue subpixels. The first region A1 may include not only the colored subpixel SP1 containing red (R) subpixels, green (G) subpixels, and blue (B) subpixels, but also the white subpixel SPB.

[0155] In the first region A1, if no transistor is set in each white subpixel W, the white subpixel W is kept in a white state to allow light transmission.

[0156] When a transistor is provided in the white subpixel W in the first region A1, the white subpixel W has a white state in the external light sensing mode to allow light transmission. For example, when the display panel 100 is normally black, in the external light sensing mode, the white subpixel W is turned on according to the pixel voltage provided by the transistor, so that the white subpixel W is maintained in a white state. When the display panel 100 is normally white, the white subpixel W remains in an off state in the sensing mode to maintain a white state.

[0157] Figure 13 This is a timing diagram of a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0158] Figure 13 The display device shown includes a display panel with n gate lines and m data lines.

[0159] A vertical synchronization signal Vsync is provided for each frame. When the vertical synchronization signal Vsync is high, gating signals are sequentially provided to the first gating line to the nth gating line according to the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync.

[0160] When the data enable signal DE is high, the data signal is provided to m data lines according to the data clock signal DCLK.

[0161] The data signal is provided from the data driver IC. The data driver IC may include: a gamma compensator configured to receive a digital image signal from a timing controller to perform gamma compensation on the digital image signal and output the resulting signal as digital image data; and a data digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the digital image data passed from the gamma compensator into an analog data voltage to be provided to the data line.

[0162] exist Figure 13 In this implementation, the gamma compensator includes a first gamma unit and a second gamma unit. The first gamma unit is configured to perform gamma compensation corresponding to the second region A2, and the second gamma unit is configured to perform gamma compensation corresponding to the first region A1. When the first gamma signal GM1 and the second gamma signal GM2 are respectively in a high-level state, the first gamma unit and the second gamma unit perform gamma compensation for the second region A2 and the first region A1.

[0163] exist Figure 13 In this implementation, for a first sub-region SA1 within the first region A1, the gain signal SA_Gain is selectively provided to the auxiliary light source 310. Therefore, the second brightness of the first sub-region SA1 (see [reference]) can be [adjusted]. Figure 11 The "L2" in the text is adjusted to the first brightness L1, which is higher than that of the second sub-region SA2.

[0164] In a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first region A1 of the display panel overlapping with the optical module can be divided into a first sub-region SA1 corresponding to the patterned portion 340SA of the sensor reflector 340 and a second sub-region SA2 disposed outside the first sub-region SA1. To prevent or reduce the appearance of dark subpixels in the first sub-region SA1 due to their correspondence with the reflective pattern 340p within the sensor reflector or sensor member 350, in the display mode of the display device, light with a brightness higher than that provided to the subpixels disposed in the second sub-region SA2 can be provided to the subpixels disposed in the first sub-region SA1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or reduce the appearance of the first sub-region SA1 as darker than the second sub-region SA2 during the display period.

[0165] The display device according to each embodiment of the present disclosure is driven in a display mode for displaying images and a sensing mode for sensing external light. By controlling the on / off state of the auxiliary light source in the display mode and the sensing mode, interference caused by light other than external light in the sensing mode can be prevented or reduced.

[0166] The display device according to each embodiment of the present disclosure can enhance visual perception and sensing sensitivity without adding separate configurations by changing the configuration and driving method of the patterned portion in the sensor reflector, and can achieve environmental / social / governance (ESG) goals by being important in terms of sustainability through environmentally friendly design.

[0167] The display device according to each embodiment of this disclosure has the following effects.

[0168] First, in each embodiment of this disclosure, by arranging the optical module below the display panel in a state of overlapping with the display area, the display device can sense external light without reducing the display area. Furthermore, the border area, which is a non-effective area, is not used for arranging the optical module. Therefore, the effective area of ​​the display device is maximized or increased.

[0169] Second, in the display device according to each embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical module includes: a prism configured to adjust the optical path; a sensor member disposed adjacent to the prism and configured to receive external light; and a sensor reflector disposed on a surface of the prism adjacent to the sensor member. The sensor reflector includes a patterned portion facing the sensor member. The patterned portion includes a plurality of spaced-apart reflective patterns corresponding to sub-pixels disposed in a portion of a low-resolution area of ​​the display panel. Due to the reflective pattern of the sensor reflector, the reflection path within the prism is extended, thereby increasing the amount of sensing light ultimately entering the sensor member. Therefore, sensing sensitivity can be enhanced.

[0170] Third, the area of ​​the display panel overlapping the optical module does not overlap with the optical sheet of the backlight unit, and thus receives less light from the backlight unit. To this end, in addition to the backlight unit, an auxiliary light source is disposed on a side surface of the prism of the optical module, configured to correspondingly provide light to the first area of ​​the display panel overlapping the optical module. In the display mode for displaying an image, the second area not overlapping the optical module transmits light to the display panel via the light source of the backlight unit, while the first area overlapping the optical module transmits light via the auxiliary light source disposed on a side surface of the prism. Therefore, the brightness difference between the first area overlapping the optical module and the second area not overlapping the optical module can be prevented or reduced.

[0171] Fourth, the first area of ​​the display panel overlapping the optical module can be divided into a first sub-region corresponding to the patterned portion of the sensor reflector and a second sub-region surrounding the first sub-region. To prevent or reduce the darkening of sub-pixels in the first sub-region due to their correspondence with the reflective pattern in the sensor reflector, during the display period of the display device, light with a brightness higher than that provided to sub-pixels in the second sub-region can be provided to the sub-pixels in the first sub-region. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or reduce the first sub-region from appearing darker than the second sub-region during the display period.

[0172] Fifth, the display device according to each embodiment of the present disclosure is driven in a display mode for displaying images and a sensing mode for sensing external light. By controlling the on / off state of the auxiliary light source in the display mode and the sensing mode, interference from light other than external light can be prevented or reduced in the sensing mode.

[0173] Sixth, the display device according to each embodiment of the present disclosure can enhance visual perception and sensing sensitivity without adding a separate configuration by changing the configuration and driving method of the patterned portion in the sensor reflector, and can achieve environmental / social / governance (ESG) goals by being important in terms of sustainability through environmentally friendly design.

[0174] A display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a display panel and an optical module, the display panel including a display area and a non-display area, the display area including a first area and a second area with different sub-pixel arrangement densities, and the non-display area being disposed outside the display area.

[0175] The optical module may include: a prism disposed below the display panel, the prism including a first surface parallel to the lower surface of a first region of the display panel and a second surface perpendicular to the first surface; a sensor reflector disposed at the second surface of the prism, the sensor reflector including a patterned portion in its region having a plurality of reflective patterns spaced apart from each other; and a sensor member configured to receive external light passing through the patterned portion of the sensor reflector.

[0176] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the patterned portion of the sensor reflector may have a transmissive portion having an area corresponding to 1 / 2 or more of the total area of ​​the patterned portion.

[0177] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first region in the display panel may have a smaller subpixel arrangement density than a second region. The first region may include a first sub-region disposed at the center of the first region. The first sub-region may have a size corresponding to the size of the patterned portion of the sensor reflector, and the second sub-region surrounding the first sub-region and the patterned portion of the sensor reflector includes a plurality of reflective patterns corresponding to color filters of the subpixels disposed in the first sub-region of the display panel.

[0178] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sub-pixels of the second sub-region may have a higher brightness than the sub-pixels of the first sub-region.

[0179] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensor reflector may contact a second surface of a prism. The second surface of the prism may be exposed in an area of ​​the patterned portion of the sensor reflector where no plurality of reflective patterns are provided.

[0180] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second surface of the prism of the optical module may overlap with the second region of the display panel.

[0181] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the prism may have a triangular prism shape having a longitudinal direction at a first surface. The prism may include a first and a second surface adjacent to each other, a third surface inclined from and adjacent to each of the first and second surfaces, and a fourth and a fifth surface facing each other and surrounded by the first, second, and third surfaces, respectively. The first surface may have a larger area than a first region, and the second surface may have a larger area than a first sub-region of the first region.

[0182] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical module may further include a counter-reflecting plate disposed on a third surface of a prism, and an auxiliary light source disposed on at least one of the fourth and fifth surfaces.

[0183] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, external light can pass through the display panel and the prism, and can then be received by the sensor component via vertical light pointing towards the opposing reflector and horizontal light from the opposing reflector towards the patterned portion of the sensor reflector.

[0184] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the sensor component senses external light, vertical light passes through the white sub-pixels and prisms of the display panel, and horizontal light passes through the area in the patterned portion of the prism and sensor reflector where no multiple reflective patterns are provided.

[0185] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a display panel may include a first substrate, and a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines disposed in a display area of ​​the first substrate and intersecting each other to define sub-pixels. The first area of ​​the display panel may include a first sub-area corresponding to the size of a patterned portion of a sensor reflector and a second sub-area surrounding the first sub-area. The plurality of data lines may be arranged at a first spacing in the second area of ​​the display panel, and the first area includes an area where the plurality of data lines are arranged at a second spacing greater than the first spacing.

[0186] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first region may include a first sub-pixel group and a second sub-pixel group, wherein multiple data lines are arranged at a first spacing in the first sub-pixel group and multiple data lines are arranged at a second spacing in the second sub-pixel group.

[0187] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first sub-region and the second sub-region may include the second sub-pixel group in the same manner.

[0188] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first sub-pixel group and the second sub-pixel group may be arranged alternately in at least one of the row direction and the column direction.

[0189] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, during the sensing of external light, a second sub-pixel group in a first sub-region exhibits a white state.

[0190] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel may further include a second substrate facing the first substrate, a color filter overlapping with a first spacing between multiple data lines in the display area of ​​the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer filling between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the color filter is not disposed among the data lines spaced apart from each other by a second spacing.

[0191] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel may include a liquid crystal panel, and a backlight unit may be further disposed between the display panel and the optical module. The backlight unit may include an optical sheet, a light guide plate, and a reflector arranged sequentially from the side closer to the display panel to the side farther away from the display panel, and a light source disposed on at least one side of the light guide plate. The optical sheet includes an optical sheet aperture larger than the first region, and the reflector includes a reflector aperture having a size corresponding to the first region.

[0192] In a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensor reflector may include a first reflective material surrounding a patterned portion, and a plurality of reflective patterns in the patterned portion include the first reflective material.

[0193] A driving method for a display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: executing a display mode via a display panel during a non-display mode, and executing an external light sensing mode via an optical module. The external light sensing mode can be executed in a sensor component under conditions where external light introduced from above the display panel is refracted in a prism and then transmitted through a patterned portion of a sensor reflector.

[0194] In the display panel, the first region has a smaller subpixel density than the second region, and the first region includes a first sub-region disposed at the center of the first region and a second sub-region surrounding the first sub-region. The first sub-region has a size corresponding to the patterned portion of the sensor reflector. In the display mode of the display panel, the brightness provided to the first sub-region can be higher than the brightness provided to the second sub-region.

[0195] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, additions, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and technical concept of the present disclosure as disclosed in the appended claims.

[0196] Cross-reference to related applications

[0197] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0056382, filed on April 29, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.

Claims

1. A display device, the display device comprising: The display panel includes a display area and a non-display area. The display area includes a first area and a second area with different sub-pixel arrangement densities, and the non-display area is disposed outside the display area. as well as An optical module, the optical module comprising: A prism is disposed below the display panel, and the prism includes a first surface parallel to the lower surface of the first region of the display panel and a second surface perpendicular to the first surface. A sensor reflector, disposed on the second surface of the prism, includes a patterned portion in a region of the sensor reflector having a plurality of spaced-apart reflective patterns. A sensor component configured to receive external light passing through the patterned portion of the sensor reflector.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The patterned portion of the sensor reflector has a transmissive portion, which has an area corresponding to 1 / 2 or more of the total area of ​​the patterned portion.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, In the display panel, the first region has a smaller subpixel arrangement density than the second region. The first region includes a first sub-region and a second sub-region. The first sub-region is located at the center of the first region and corresponds to the patterned portion of the sensor reflector. The second sub-region surrounds the first sub-region. The patterned portion of the sensor reflector includes multiple reflective patterns corresponding to color filters of sub-pixels disposed in the first sub-region of the display panel.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein, The sub-pixels of the second sub-region have higher brightness than the sub-pixels of the first sub-region.

5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein, The sensor reflector contacts the second surface of the prism, and The second surface of the prism is exposed in the area of ​​the patterned portion of the sensor reflector where the plurality of reflective patterns are not set.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The second surface of the prism of the optical module overlaps with the second region of the display panel.

7. The display device according to claim 3, wherein, The prism has a triangular prism shape with a longitudinal direction at the first surface. The prism includes a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, a fourth surface, and a fifth surface. The first and second surfaces are adjacent to each other. The third surface is inclined from each of the first and second surfaces and is adjacent to each of the first and second surfaces. The fourth and fifth surfaces face each other and are surrounded by the first, second, and third surfaces, respectively. The first surface has a larger area than the first region, and The second surface has a larger area than the first sub-region of the first region.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein, The optical module further includes a counter-reflector and an auxiliary light source. The counter-reflector is disposed on the third surface of the prism, and the auxiliary light source is disposed on at least one of the fourth and fifth surfaces.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein, External light passes through the display panel and the prism, and is then received by the sensor component via vertical light directed towards the opposing reflector and horizontal light from the opposing reflector towards the patterned portion of the sensor reflector.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein, When the sensor component senses external light, the vertical light passes through the white sub-pixels of the display panel and the prism, and the horizontal light passes through the areas in the patterned portion of the prism and the sensor reflector where the plurality of reflective patterns are not set.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The display panel includes a first substrate, multiple gate lines, and multiple data lines. The multiple gate lines and multiple data lines are disposed in the display area of ​​the first substrate and intersect each other to define sub-pixels. The first area of ​​the display panel includes a first sub-area and a second sub-area, the first sub-area corresponding to the patterned portion of the sensor reflector, and the second sub-area surrounding the first sub-area. The plurality of data lines are arranged at a first spacing in the second region of the display panel, and the first region includes the region in which the plurality of data lines are arranged at a second spacing that is larger than the first spacing.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein, The first region includes a first sub-pixel group and a second sub-pixel group. In the first sub-pixel group, the plurality of data lines are arranged at the first spacing, and in the second sub-pixel group, the plurality of data lines are arranged at the second spacing.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein, The first sub-region and the second sub-region include the second sub-pixel group.

14. The display device according to claim 12, wherein, The first sub-pixel group and the second sub-pixel group are arranged alternately in at least one of the row direction and the column direction.

15. The display device according to claim 12, wherein, During the sensing of external light, the second sub-pixel group in the first sub-region exhibits a white state.

16. The display device according to claim 11, wherein, The display panel also includes: A second substrate, facing the first substrate, wherein the color filter overlaps with the first spacing between the plurality of data lines in the display area of ​​the second substrate; and A liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal layer filling the space between the first substrate and the second substrate, and The color filter is not positioned between the data lines spaced apart by the second pitch.

17. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The display panel includes a liquid crystal panel. The backlight unit is disposed between the display panel and the optical module. The backlight unit includes a light source, an optical sheet, a light guide plate, and a reflector. The optical sheet, the light guide plate, and the reflector are arranged sequentially from the side closer to the display panel to the side farther away from the display panel, and the light source is disposed on at least one side of the light guide plate. The optical plate includes an optical plate aperture larger than the first region, and The reflector includes a reflector hole, the reflector hole having a size corresponding to the first region.

18. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The sensor reflector includes a first reflective material surrounding the patterned portion, and The plurality of reflective patterns in the patterned portion include the first reflective material.

19. A driving method for a display device according to claim 1, the driving method comprising the following steps: The display mode is executed through the display panel; as well as During non-display mode, the external light sensing mode is executed via the optical module. The external light sensing mode is performed in the sensor component under the condition that external light introduced from above the display panel is refracted in the prism and then transmitted through the patterned portion of the sensor reflector.

20. The driving method according to claim 19, wherein, In the display panel, the first region has a smaller subpixel arrangement density than the second region, and the first region includes a first sub-region and a second sub-region. The first sub-region is located in the center of the first region and has a size corresponding to the patterned portion of the sensor reflector. The second sub-region surrounds the first sub-region. In the display mode of the display panel, the brightness provided to the first sub-region is higher than the brightness provided to the second sub-region.

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