Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device that has improved transmittance in an area in which a camera or sensor is disposed.SOLUTION: A display device comprises: a substrate including a non-display area and a display area which includes an optical area containing a light-emitting area and a transmissive area, and a general area surrounding the optical area; a planarization layer disposed on the substrate in the display area; a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed on the planarization layer and including an anode, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode; a bank disposed on the planarization layer to cover an end of the anode; and a deposition-suppressing layer disposed on the light-emitting layer in the transmissive area among the light-emitting area and the transmissive area of the optical area. The bank is disposed in the light-emitting area among the light-emitting area and the transmissive area of the optical area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1a

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device that can prevent lifting of a laminated film in an area where a camera or a sensor is disposed. [Background technology]

[0002] With the advent of the information age, the field of display devices that visually display electrical information signals has been developing rapidly, and research is ongoing to develop various display devices with improved performance, such as thinner, lighter, and lower power consumption.

[0003] Representative display devices include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), field emission displays (FEDs), electro-wetting displays (EWDs), and organic light emitting displays (OLEDs).

[0004] Electroluminescent displays (ELDs), typified by organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs), are self-emitting displays that, unlike LCDs, do not require a separate light source and can be manufactured in a lightweight and thin form. Furthermore, ELDs are advantageous in terms of power consumption due to their low voltage operation, and also have excellent color realization, response speed, viewing angle, and contrast ratio (CR), making them expected to be used in a variety of fields.

[0005] In recent years, the multimedia capabilities of mobile terminals have been improving. For example, a camera or sensor is generally built into the front of a display device. However, a camera or sensor located on the front of a display device limits and makes screen design difficult. In order to reduce the space occupied by the camera or sensor on the front of the display device, designs including a notch or punch hole have been adopted for display devices, but the screen size is still limited by the camera or sensor, making it difficult to realize a full-screen display.

[0006] In order to realize a full-screen display, a method has been proposed in which an area where low-resolution pixels are arranged is provided within the screen of a display device, and a camera and / or various sensors are arranged in the area where the low-resolution pixels are arranged. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The problem to be solved in one embodiment of the present specification is to provide a display device with improved transmittance in the area where the camera or sensor is located.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present specification aims to solve the problem of providing a display device that can prevent lifting of a laminated film in an area where a camera or a sensor is disposed.

[0009] Another problem to be solved in another embodiment of the present specification is to provide a display device that can prevent pixel shrinkage of an emitting part caused by outgassing of organic materials due to transmission of UV light when evaluating UV reliability in an area where a camera or sensor is located.

[0010] The objects of this specification are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A display device according to one embodiment of the present specification includes a substrate including a display area and a non-display area including an optical area including a light-emitting area and a transmissive area and a general area surrounding the optical area, a planarization layer disposed on the substrate in the display area, a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed on the planarization layer and including an anode, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode, a bank disposed on the planarization layer to cover the end of the anode, and a deposition prevention layer disposed on the light-emitting layer in the transmissive area of ​​the light-emitting area and the transmissive area in the optical area, and the bank is disposed in the light-emitting area of ​​the light-emitting area and the transmissive area in the optical area.

[0012] Further details of the embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0013] In a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification, a camera or a sensor is disposed at the lower end of a light emitting element or a touch electrode in a display area, so that the display or touch above it is not interrupted.

[0014] In the display device according to an embodiment of the present specification, a deposition prevention layer is disposed in an area overlapping with an area where a camera or a sensor is disposed, and then a metal electrode is deposited thereon, thereby forming a transmissive area where no opaque components such as a metal electrode are disposed on the deposition prevention layer, thereby improving the light transmittance in the area where the camera or the sensor is disposed, thereby improving the visibility of the display device.

[0015] The effects of this specification are not limited to the examples given above, and various other effects are included within this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1a] 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification; [Figure 1b] 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification; [Figure 1c]1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification; [Figure 1d] 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification; [Figure 2] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a sub-pixel of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of sub-pixels in a display area in a display panel according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 5a] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of signal lines in a first optical region and a general region in a display panel according to an embodiment of the present specification. FIG. [Figure 5b] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating exemplary arrangements of signal lines in a second optical region and a general region in a display panel according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of one pixel region arranged in a general region according to an embodiment of the present specification; [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of a light-emitting region and a transmissive region in an optical region according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 8a] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a transmission region and an evaporation prevention layer according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 8b] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a transmission region according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of a light-emitting region and a transmission region in an optical region according to another embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 10a] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a transmission region and an evaporation prevention layer according to another embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 10b] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a transmission region according to another embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a first optical region of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a Z region in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them, will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. The present embodiment is provided solely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully convey the scope of the embodiments of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0018] The shapes, areas, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings for illustrating the embodiments of this specification are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments of this specification. The same reference symbols refer to the same elements throughout the specification. Furthermore, when describing an embodiment of this specification, if a detailed description of related prior art is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiment of this specification, such a detailed description will be omitted. When using words such as "include," "have," and "be made" in this specification, other parts may be added unless "only" is used. When a component is expressed in the singular, it also includes the plural unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0019] When interpreting elements, they are interpreted as including a margin of error even if there is no other explicit description.

[0020] When describing a positional relationship, for example, when describing the positional relationship of two parts using "above," "at the top," "below," "next to," etc., one or more other parts may be located between the two parts, as long as "immediately" or "directly" is not used.

[0021] When an element or layer is referred to as "on" another element or layer, it includes the case where the element or layer is directly on top of the other element or layer, or where there are other layers or elements interposed therebetween.

[0022] Furthermore, although terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, a first component referred to below may be a second component within the technical concept of this specification.

[0023] Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0024] The area and thickness of each structure shown in the drawings are shown for convenience of explanation, and an embodiment of this specification is not necessarily limited to the area and thickness of the structure shown.

[0025] The features of the various embodiments of this specification may be partially or wholly combined or combined with each other, may be technically interlocked and driven in various ways, and each embodiment may be implemented independently of the other or may be implemented together in a related relationship.

[0026] An embodiment of the present specification will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] 1a to 1d are schematic plan views of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0028] 1a to 1d, a display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display panel DP for displaying an image and one or more optical electronic devices 170, 170a, and 170b. The optical electronic devices 170, 170a, and 170b may include a light receiving device for receiving light, such as a camera or a sensor.

[0029] The display panel DP is a panel for displaying images to the user.

[0030] The display panel DP may include display elements for displaying images, driving elements for driving the display elements, and wiring for transmitting various signals to the display elements and driving elements. The display elements may be defined differently depending on the type of the display panel DP. For example, if the display panel DP is an organic light-emitting display panel, the display elements may be organic light-emitting elements including an anode, an emitting layer, and a cathode. For example, if the display panel DP is a liquid crystal display panel, the display elements may be liquid crystal display elements.

[0031] In the following, it is assumed that the display panel DP is an organic light-emitting display panel, but the display panel DP is not limited to an organic light-emitting display panel.

[0032] Meanwhile, the display panel DP may be configured to include a substrate, a number of insulating films on the substrate, a transistor layer, a light-emitting element layer, etc. The display panel DP may include a number of sub-pixels and various signal lines for driving the sub-pixels to display an image. The signal lines may include a number of data lines, a number of gate lines, a number of power lines, etc. In this case, each of the sub-pixels may include a transistor located in the transistor layer and a light-emitting element located in the light-emitting element layer.

[0033] The display panel DP can include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA.

[0034] The display area DA is an area where an image is displayed on the display panel DP.

[0035] A plurality of sub-pixels constituting a plurality of pixels and a circuit for driving the plurality of sub-pixels may be arranged in the display area DA. The plurality of sub-pixels are the smallest units constituting the display area DA, and a display element may be arranged in each of the plurality of sub-pixels, and the plurality of sub-pixels may constitute a pixel. For example, each of the plurality of sub-pixels may be arranged with an organic light-emitting element including an anode, an emitting layer, and a cathode, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the circuit for driving the plurality of sub-pixels may include a driving element and wiring, etc. For example, the circuit may be composed of a thin film transistor, a storage capacitor, a gate line, a data line, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0036] The non-display area NDA is an area where no video is displayed.

[0037] The non-display area NDA may be bent so that it is not visible on the front surface or may be hidden by a case (not shown), and is also called a bezel area.

[0038] 1a to 1d, the non-display area NDA is shown surrounding the rectangular display area DA, but the shapes and arrangements of the display area DA and the non-display area NDA are not limited to the examples shown in Fig. 1a to 1d. That is, the display area DA and the non-display area NDA may have shapes suitable for the design of an electronic device incorporating the flexible display device 100. For example, exemplary shapes of the display area DA may be pentagonal, hexagonal, circular, elliptical, etc.

[0039] Various wirings and circuits for driving the organic light emitting elements in the display area DA may be arranged in the non-display area NDA, such as, but not limited to, link wirings for transmitting signals to a number of sub-pixels and circuits in the display area DA, GIP (Gate-In-Panel) wirings, or driving ICs such as gate driver ICs and data driver ICs.

[0040] The display device 100 may further include various additional components for generating various signals or driving pixels in the display area DA. Additional components for driving pixels may include an inverter circuit, a multiplexer, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit, etc. The display device 100 may also include additional components associated with functions other than driving pixels. For example, the display device 100 may further include additional components providing a touch sensing function, a user authentication function (e.g., fingerprint recognition), a multi-level pressure sensing function, a tactile feedback function, etc. The aforementioned additional components may be located in the non-display area NDA and / or an external circuit connected to the connection interface.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1a to 1d, the display area DA can include, but is not limited to, a first optical area DA1 and a second optical area DA2.

[0042] In Figures 1a to 1d, one or more optical electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b are electronic components located below (opposite the viewing surface of) the display panel DP.

[0043] Light may be incident on the front (viewing surface) of the display panel DP and transmitted through the display panel DP to one or more opto-electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b located below the display panel DP (opposite the viewing surface).

[0044] One or more of the optical-electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b may be devices that receive light transmitted through the display panel DP and perform a function determined by the received light.

[0045] For example, the optical-electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b may include one or more of a camera or a proximity sensor.

[0046] As described above, the optical electronic devices 170, 170a, and 170b, which are devices that require light reception, may be located below the display panel DP. That is, the optical electronic devices 170, 170a, and 170b may be located on the opposite side of the viewing surface of the display panel DP. The optical electronic devices 170, 170a, and 170b are not exposed on the front surface of the flexible display device 100. Therefore, when a user looks at the front surface of the flexible display device 100, the optical electronic devices 170, 170a, and 170b are not visible.

[0047] For example, the camera located below the display panel DP is a front camera that captures the front, and can also be seen through the camera lens.

[0048] The optical-electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b may be arranged to overlap the display area DA of the display panel DP, i.e., the optical-electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b may be located within the display area DA.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 1a to 1d, the display area DA may include a general area NA and one or more optical areas DA1, DA2.

[0050] One or more of the optical areas DA1, DA2 may be areas that overlap one or more of the optical-electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b.

[0051] 1a, the display area DA may include a general area NA and a first optical area DA1, where at least a portion of the first optical area DA1 may overlap with the first optical-electronic device 170.

[0052] Although FIG. 1a shows a structure in which the first optical area DA1 is circular, the shape of the first optical area DA1 according to the embodiments of the present specification is not limited thereto.

[0053] For example, as shown in FIG. 1b, the shape of the first optical area DA1 may be an octagon, or may be any other polygonal shape.

[0054] 1c, the display area DA may include a general area NA, a first optical area DA1, and a second optical area DA2. In the example of FIG. 1c, the general area NA may be present between the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2. Here, at least a portion of the first optical area DA1 may overlap with the first opto-electronic device 170a, and at least a portion of the second optical area DA2 may overlap with the second opto-electronic device 170b.

[0055] 1d, the display area DA may include a general area NA, a first optical area DA1, and a second optical area DA2. In the example of FIG. 1d, the general area NA does not exist between the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2. That is, the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 may be adjacent to each other. Here, at least a portion of the first optical area DA1 may overlap with the first opto-electronic device 170a, and at least a portion of the second optical area DA2 may overlap with the second opto-electronic device 170b.

[0056] The one or more optical regions DA1, DA2 must have both an image display structure and a light-transmitting structure formed therein. That is, since the one or more optical regions DA1, DA2 are a part of the display region DA, sub-pixels for image display must be arranged in the one or more optical regions DA1, DA2. The one or more optical regions DA1, DA2 must have a light-transmitting structure formed therein to transmit light to the one or more optical-electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b.

[0057] One or more optical electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b are devices that need to receive light and are located behind (below, opposite the viewing surface) the display panel DP to receive light that has passed through the display panel DP.

[0058] One or more of the optical-electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b are not exposed on the front (viewing surface) of the display panel DP, so when a user looks at the front of the flexible display device 100, the optical-electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b are not visible to the user.

[0059] For example, the first optical-electronic device 170, 170a may be a camera, and the second optical-electronic device 170b may be a detection sensor such as a proximity sensor, an illuminance sensor, etc. For example, the detection sensor may be an infrared sensor that detects infrared rays.

[0060] Conversely, the first optical-electronic device 170, 170a may be a sensing sensor, and the second optical-electronic device 170b may be a camera.

[0061] For convenience of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that the first optical / electronic device 170, 170a is a camera and the second optical / electronic device 170b is a sensing sensor, where the camera may be a camera lens or an image sensor.

[0062] When the first optical-electronic device 170, 170a is a camera, the camera may be a front camera located behind (below) the display panel DP, capturing images in the front direction of the display panel DP. Thus, a user can capture images through a camera that is invisible to the viewing surface while looking at the viewing surface of the display panel DP.

[0063] The general area NA and one or more optical areas DA1 and DA2 included in the display area DA are areas where images can be displayed, but the general area NA is an area where a light-transmitting structure does not need to be formed, and one or more optical areas DA1 and DA2 are areas where a light-transmitting structure must be formed.

[0064] Therefore, one or more optical regions DA1 and DA2 must have a transmittance above a certain level, and the general region NA may have no light transmittance or a low transmittance below a certain level.

[0065] For example, one or more of the optical areas DA1, DA2 and the general area NA may differ from each other in resolution, subpixel arrangement structure, number of subpixels per unit area, electrode structure, line structure, electrode arrangement structure, or line arrangement structure.

[0066] For example, the number of subpixels per unit area in one or more optical regions DA1 and DA2 may be smaller than the number of subpixels per unit area in the general region NA. That is, the resolution of one or more optical regions DA1 and DA2 may be lower than the resolution of the general region NA. In this case, the number of subpixels per unit area is a unit for measuring resolution and can also be referred to as PPI (Pixels Per Inch), which means the number of pixels per inch.

[0067] For example, the number of subpixels per unit area in the first optical region DA1 may be smaller than the number of subpixels per unit area in the general region NA, and the number of subpixels per unit area in the second optical region DA2 may be equal to or greater than the number of subpixels per unit area in the first optical region DA1.

[0068] The first optical area DA1 may have various patterns, such as a circle, an ellipse, a square, a hexagon, an octagon, etc. The second optical area DA2 may have various patterns, such as a circle, an ellipse, a square, a hexagon, an octagon, etc. The first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 may have the same pattern or different patterns.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 1c, when the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 are adjacent, the entire optical area including the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 may also have various patterns such as a circle, an ellipse, a square, a hexagon, or an octagon.

[0070] In the following, for convenience of explanation, an example will be given in which the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 are each circular.

[0071] In the flexible display device 100 according to one embodiment of the present specification, if the first optical electronic device 170, 170a, which is not exposed to the outside and is hidden under the display panel DP, is a camera, the flexible display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present specification can be said to be a display to which UDC (Under Display Camera) technology is applied.

[0072] Accordingly, in the case of the flexible display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present specification, a notch or a camera hole for exposing a camera does not need to be formed in the display panel DP, so that the area of ​​the display area DA does not decrease.

[0073] As a result, a notch or camera hole for exposing the camera does not need to be formed in the display panel DP, which reduces the size of the bezel area, eliminates design restrictions, and increases design freedom.

[0074] In the flexible display device 100 according to one embodiment of the present specification, although one or more optical electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b are located behind the display panel DP and are hidden, the one or more optical electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b must be able to receive light normally and perform their designated functions normally.

[0075] Furthermore, in the flexible display device 100 according to one embodiment of the present specification, although one or more optical electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b are positioned behind the display panel DP and overlap with the display area DA, normal image display must be possible in one or more optical areas DA1, DA2 that overlap with one or more optical electronic devices 170, 170a, 170b in the display area DA.

[0076] Therefore, the flexible display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present specification may have a structure that can improve the transmittance of the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 that overlap with the optical electronic devices 170, 170a, and 170b.

[0077] FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 2, the display device 100 may include a display panel DP and a display driver circuit as components for displaying images.

[0079] The display driving circuit is a circuit for driving the display panel DP, and may include a data driving circuit DDC, a gate driving circuit GDC, a display controller DCTR, and the like.

[0080] The display panel DP may include a display area DA where an image is displayed and a non-display area NDA where an image is not displayed. The non-display area NDA may be an outer peripheral area of ​​the display area DA and may also be referred to as a bezel area. The entire or a part of the non-display area NDA may be an area that is visible from the front surface of the display device 100, or an area that is bent so that it is not visible from the front surface of the display device 100.

[0081] The display panel DP may include a substrate SUB and a plurality of sub-pixels SP disposed on the substrate SUB, and may further include various types of signal lines for driving the plurality of sub-pixels SP.

[0082] The display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present specification may be a liquid crystal display device or a self-emitting display device in which the display panel DP emits light by itself. When the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present specification is a self-emitting display device, each of the plurality of sub-pixels SP may include a light-emitting element.

[0083] For example, the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present specification may be an organic light emitting display device in which the light emitting elements are organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). As another example, the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present specification may be an inorganic light emitting display device in which the light emitting elements are inorganic-based light emitting diodes. As yet another example, the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present specification may be a quantum dot display device in which the light emitting elements are quantum dots, which are semiconductor crystals that emit light themselves.

[0084] The structure of each of the subpixels SP may vary depending on the type of display device 100. For example, if the display device 100 is a self-emitting display device in which the subpixels SP emit light themselves, each subpixel SP may include a light-emitting element that emits light itself, one or more transistors, and one or more capacitors.

[0085] For example, various types of signal lines may include a plurality of data lines DL that transmit data signals (also called data voltages or video signals) and a plurality of gate lines GL that transmit gate signals (also called scan signals).

[0086] The data lines DL and the gate lines GL may cross each other. Each of the data lines DL may extend in a first direction. Each of the gate lines GL may extend in a second direction.

[0087] Here, the first direction may be the column direction and the second direction may be the row direction, or the first direction may be the row direction and the second direction may be the column direction.

[0088] The data driving circuit DDC is a circuit for driving a plurality of data lines DL and can output data signals to the plurality of data lines DL. The gate driving circuit GDC is a circuit for driving a plurality of gate lines GL and can output gate signals to the plurality of gate lines GL.

[0089] The display controller DCTR is a device for controlling the data driving circuit DDC and the gate driving circuit GDC, and can control the driving timing for a plurality of data lines DL and the driving timing for a plurality of gate lines GL.

[0090] The display controller DCTR can supply a data drive control signal DCS to the data drive circuit DDC for controlling the data drive circuit DDC, and can supply a gate drive control signal GCS to the gate drive circuit GDC for controlling the gate drive circuit GDC.

[0091] The display controller DCTR can receive input video data from the host system HSYS and supply video data Data to the data driving circuit DDC based on the input video data.

[0092] The data driving circuit DDC can supply data signals to a plurality of data lines DL under the drive timing control of the display controller DCTR.

[0093] The data driving circuit DDC receives digital image data Data from the display controller DCTR, converts the received image data Data into analog data signals, and outputs the analog data signals to a plurality of data lines DL.

[0094] The gate driving circuit GDC can supply gate signals to the gate lines GL under timing control of the display controller DCTR. The gate driving circuit GDC receives a first gate voltage corresponding to a turn-on level voltage and a second gate voltage corresponding to a turn-off level voltage along with various gate driving control signals GCS, generates gate signals, and supplies the generated gate signals to the gate lines GL.

[0095] The gate driving circuit GDC supplies gate signals to the gate lines GL in response to gate driving control signals GCS supplied from the display controller DCTR. The gate driving circuit GDC may be arranged on one or both sides of the display panel 100 in a GIP (Gate In Panel) manner.

[0096] The gate driving circuit GDC sequentially outputs gate signals to a plurality of gate lines GL under the control of the display controller DCTR. The gate driving circuit GDC can sequentially supply the signals to the gate lines GL by shifting the gate signals using a shift register.

[0097] In the organic light emitting display device, the gate signal may include a scan signal SC and an emission control signal EM. The scan signal SC may include a scan signal pulse that swings between a first gate voltage and a second gate voltage. The emission control signal EM may include a light emitting control signal pulse that swings between a third gate voltage and a fourth gate voltage.

[0098] The scan pulse is synchronized with the data voltage Vdata to select the sub-pixels SP of the line to which data is written. The light emission control signal EM defines the light emission time of each sub-pixel SP.

[0099] The gate driving circuit GDC may include an emission control signal driving part EDC that outputs an emission control signal EM and at least one scan driving part SDC that outputs a scan signal SC.

[0100] The light emission control signal driver EDC outputs a light emission control signal EM in response to a start pulse and a shift clock from the display controller DCTR, and sequentially shifts the light emission control signal pulses according to the shift clock.

[0101] At least one scan driver SDC outputs a scan signal SC in response to a start pulse and a shift clock from the display controller DCTR, and shifts the scan signal pulse in accordance with the shift clock timing.

[0102] In the gate driving circuit GDC arranged in the GIP manner, the shift registers may be configured symmetrically on both sides of the display area DA. Also, in the gate driving circuit GDC, the shift register on one side of the display area DA may include at least one scan driver SDC and an emission control signal driver 310, and the shift register on the other side of the display area DA may include at least one scan driver SDC. However, the arrangement is not limited thereto, and the emission control signal driver EDC and the at least one scan driver SDC may be different depending on the embodiment.

[0103] The data driving circuit DDC may be connected to the display panel DP using a tape automated bonding (TAB) method, connected to a bonding pad of the display panel DP using a chip on glass (COG) or chip on panel (COP) method, or implemented using a chip on film (COF) method and connected to the display panel DP.

[0104] The gate driver circuit GDC may be connected to the display panel DP using a tape automated bonding (TAB) method, a bonding pad of the display panel DP using a chip-on-glass (COG) or chip-on-panel (COP) method, or a chip-on-film (COF) method. Alternatively, the gate driver circuit GDC may be formed in the non-display area (NDA) of the display panel DP in a gate-in-panel (GIP) type. The gate driver circuit GDC may be disposed on or connected to a substrate. That is, in the case of a GIP type, the gate driver circuit GDC may be disposed in the non-display area (NDA) of the substrate. In the case of a chip-on-glass (COG) type or chip-on-film (COF) type, the gate driver circuit GDC may be connected to the substrate.

[0105] Meanwhile, at least one of the data driving circuit DDC and the gate driving circuit GDC may be disposed in the display area DA of the display panel DP. For example, at least one of the data driving circuit DDC and the gate driving circuit GDC may be disposed so as not to overlap with the sub-pixels SP, or may be disposed so as to overlap partially or entirely with the sub-pixels SP.

[0106] The data driving circuit DDC may be connected to one side (e.g., upper or lower side) of the display panel DP. Depending on the driving method, panel design method, etc., the data driving circuit DDC may be connected to both sides (e.g., upper and lower sides) of the display panel DP, or to two or more of the four sides of the display panel DP.

[0107] The gate driving circuit GDC may be connected to one side (e.g., the left or right side) of the display panel DP. Depending on the driving method, panel design method, etc., the gate driving circuit GDC may be connected to both sides (e.g., the left and right sides) of the display panel DP, or to two or more of the four sides of the display panel DP.

[0108] The display controller DCTR may be implemented as a separate component from the data driving circuit DDC, or may be integrated with the data driving circuit DDC into an integrated circuit.

[0109] The display controller DCTR may be a timing controller used in conventional display technology, a control device that includes a timing controller and can perform other control functions, a control device different from the timing controller, or a circuit within the control device. The display controller DCTR may be embodied in various circuits or electronic components such as an integrated circuit (IC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a processor.

[0110] The display controller DCTR may be mounted on a printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit, or the like, and may be electrically connected to the data driving circuit DDC and the gate driving circuit GDC through the printed circuit board, the flexible printed circuit, or the like.

[0111] The display controller DCTR can transmit and receive signals to and from the data driving circuit DDC via one or more predetermined interfaces, for example, an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) interface, an EPI (Embedded Clock Point-to-Point Interface), an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), etc.

[0112] The display device 100 according to the embodiments of the present specification may include a touch sensor and a touch sensing circuit that senses the touch sensor to detect whether a touch has occurred by a touch object such as a finger or a pen, or to detect the touch position, in order to provide not only an image display function but also a touch sensing function.

[0113] The touch sensing circuit may further include a touch driving circuit that drives and senses the touch sensor, generates and outputs touch sensing data, and a touch controller that can sense the occurrence of a touch or detect the touch position using the touch sensing data.

[0114] The touch sensor may include a plurality of touch electrodes, and may further include a plurality of touch lines for electrically connecting the plurality of touch electrodes to a touch driving circuit.

[0115] The touch sensor may be present outside the display panel DP in the form of a touch panel, or may be present inside the display panel DP. When the touch sensor is present outside the display panel DP in the form of a touch panel, the touch sensor is called an external type. When the touch sensor is an external type, the touch panel and the display panel DP may be fabricated separately and combined during the assembly process. An external type touch panel may include a touch panel substrate and a plurality of touch electrodes on the touch panel substrate.

[0116] When the touch sensor is present inside the display panel DP, the touch sensor may be formed on the substrate SUB together with signal lines and electrodes related to display driving during the manufacturing process of the display panel DP.

[0117] The touch driving circuit TDC may supply a touch driving signal to at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes and sense at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes to generate touch sensing data.

[0118] The touch sensing circuit can perform touch sensing using a self-capacitance sensing method or a mutual-capacitance sensing method.

[0119] When the touch sensing circuit performs touch sensing using a self-capacitance sensing method, the touch sensing circuit can perform touch sensing based on the capacitance between each touch electrode and a touch object (e.g., a finger, a pen, etc.).

[0120] According to the self-capacitance sensing method, each of the plurality of touch electrodes can serve as both a driving touch electrode and a sensing touch electrode. The touch driving circuit TDC can drive all or part of the plurality of touch electrodes and sense all or part of the plurality of touch electrodes.

[0121] When the touch sensing circuit performs touch sensing using a mutual-capacitance sensing method, the touch sensing circuit may perform touch sensing based on the capacitance between the touch electrodes.

[0122] According to the mutual-capacitance sensing method, the plurality of touch electrodes are divided into driving touch electrodes and sensing touch electrodes, and the touch driving circuit can drive the driving touch electrodes and sense the sensing touch electrodes.

[0123] The touch driving circuit and the touch controller included in the touch sensing circuit may be implemented in separate devices or in a single device, and the touch driving circuit and the data driving circuit DDC may be implemented in separate devices or in a single device.

[0124] The display device 100 may further include a power supply circuit that supplies various power sources to the display driving circuit and / or the touch sensing circuit.

[0125] The display device 100 according to the embodiments of the present specification may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet, or a monitor or television (TV) of various sizes, but is not limited thereto and may be a display of various types and sizes capable of displaying information or images.

[0126] As mentioned above, in the display panel DP, the display area DA can include a general area NA and one or more optical areas DA1, DA2.

[0127] The general area NA and one or more optical areas DA1 and DA2 are areas where an image can be displayed. However, the general area NA is an area where a light-transmitting structure does not need to be formed, while the one or more optical areas DA1 and DA2 are areas where a light-transmitting structure must be formed.

[0128] As mentioned above, in the display panel DP, the display area DA can include one or more optical areas DA1, DA2 along with the general area NA, but for convenience of explanation, we will assume that the display area DA includes both the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 (Figures 1c and 1d).

[0129] FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a sub-pixel in a display panel according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0130] 3 merely illustrates an exemplary pixel circuit for the sake of explanation, and is not limited to a specific structure as long as the pixel circuit can control the emission of the light emitting element ED, 120 by applying an emission signal EM(n). For example, the pixel circuit may include an additional scan signal and a switching thin film transistor connected thereto, and a switching thin film transistor to which an additional initialization voltage is applied, and the connection relationship of the switching elements and the connection positions of the capacitors may also be variously arranged. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, a display device having the pixel circuit structure of FIG. 3 will be described.

[0131] Referring to FIG. 3, each of the sub-pixels SP may include a pixel circuit having a driving transistor Td and a light emitting element ED, 120 coupled to the pixel circuit.

[0132] Each of the sub-pixels SP arranged in the general area NA, the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 included in the display area DA of the display panel DP may include a light-emitting element ED, 120, a driving transistor Td for driving the light-emitting element ED, 120, a plurality of scan transistors T1 to T7 for operating the driving transistor Td, and a capacitor Cst for maintaining a constant voltage during one frame.

[0133] The pixel circuit can drive the light emitting element ED, 120 by controlling the driving current flowing through the light emitting element ED, 120. The pixel circuit can include a driving transistor Td, first to seventh transistors T1 to T7, and a capacitor Cst. Each of the transistors DT, T1 to T7 can include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a gate electrode. One of the first electrode and the second electrode can be a source electrode, and the other of the first electrode and the second electrode can be a drain electrode.

[0134] Each of the transistors DT and T1 to T7 may be a P-type thin film transistor or an N-type thin film transistor. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the first transistor T1 and the seventh transistor T7 are N-type thin film transistors, and the remaining transistors DT, T2 to T6 are P-type thin film transistors. However, this is not limited thereto, and depending on the embodiment, all or some of the transistors DT and T1 to T7 may be P-type thin film transistors or N-type thin film transistors. Furthermore, the N-type thin film transistors may be oxide thin film transistors, and the P-type thin film transistors may be polycrystalline silicon thin film transistors.

[0135] In the following description, the first transistor T1 and the seventh transistor T7 are N-type thin film transistors, and the remaining transistors DT, T2 to T6 are P-type thin film transistors. Therefore, the first transistor T1 and the seventh transistor T7 are turned on when a high voltage is applied, and the remaining transistors DT, T2 to T6 are turned on when a low voltage is applied.

[0136] According to one example, the first transistor T1 constituting the pixel circuit can function as a compensation transistor, the second transistor T2 as a data supply transistor, the third and fourth transistors T3 and T4 as light-emitting control transistors, the fifth transistor T5 as a bias transistor, and the sixth and seventh transistors T6 and T7 as initialization transistors.

[0137] The light emitting element ED 120 may include an anode electrode (or anode electrode) and a cathode electrode. The anode electrode of the light emitting element ED 120 may be connected to the fifth node N5, and the cathode electrode may be connected to the low potential driving voltage EVSS.

[0138] The driving transistor Td may include a first electrode connected to the second node N2, a second electrode connected to the third node N3, and a gate electrode connected to the first node N1. The driving transistor Td may provide a driving current Id to the light emitting element ED 120 based on the voltage of the first node N1 (or a data voltage stored in a capacitor Cst, which will be described later).

[0139] The first transistor T1 includes a first electrode connected to the first node N1, a second electrode connected to the third node N3, and a gate electrode receiving a first scan signal SC1(n). The first transistor T1 is turned on in response to the first scan signal SC1(n), and the data voltage Vdata is diode-coupled between the first node N1 and the third node N3 to sample the threshold voltage Vth of the driving transistor Td. The first transistor T1 may be a compensation transistor.

[0140] The capacitor Cst may be connected or formed between the first node N1 and the fourth node N4. The capacitor Cst may store or maintain the high potential driving voltage EVDD provided. In addition, the capacitor Cst may further include one or more capacitors.

[0141] The second transistor T2 may include a first electrode coupled to the data line DL (or receiving the data voltage Vdata), a second electrode coupled to the second node N2, and a gate electrode receiving the second scan signal SC2(n). The second transistor T2 may be turned on in response to the second scan signal SC2(n) to transfer the data voltage Vdata to the second node N2. The second transistor T2 may be a data supply transistor.

[0142] The third transistor T3 and the fourth transistor T4 (or the first and second light-emitting control transistors) are connected between the high-potential driving voltage EVDD and the light-emitting element ED, 120, and can form a current transfer path through which the driving current Id generated by the driving transistor Td moves.

[0143] The third transistor T3 may include a first electrode connected to the fourth node N4 to receive the high potential driving voltage EVDD, a second electrode connected to the second node N2, and a gate electrode receiving the light emitting control signal EM(n).

[0144] The fourth transistor T4 may include a first electrode connected to the third node N3, a second electrode connected to the fifth node N5 (or the anode electrode of the light emitting element ED, 120), and a gate electrode receiving the light emitting control signal EM(n).

[0145] The third and fourth transistors T3 and T4 are turned on in response to the light emitting control signal EM(n), in which case the driving current Id is provided to the light emitting element ED, 120, and the light emitting element ED, 120 can emit light with a brightness corresponding to the driving current Id.

[0146] The fifth transistor T5 may include a first electrode receiving a bias voltage Vobs, a second electrode connected to the second node N2, and a gate electrode receiving a third scan signal SC3(n), and may be a bias transistor.

[0147] The sixth transistor T6 may include a first electrode receiving a first initialization voltage Var, a second electrode coupled to a fifth node N5, and a gate electrode receiving a third scan signal SC3(n).

[0148] The sixth transistor T6 is turned on in response to the third scan signal SC3(n) before the light emitting element ED, 120 emits light (or after the light emitting element ED, 120 emits light), and can initialize the anode electrode (or pixel electrode) of the light emitting element ED, 120 using a first initialization voltage Var. The light emitting element ED, 120 may have a parasitic capacitor formed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. While the light emitting element ED, 120 emits light, the parasitic capacitor is charged, and the anode electrode of the light emitting element ED, 120 may have a specific voltage. Therefore, by applying the first initialization voltage Var to the anode electrode of the light emitting element ED, 120 through the sixth transistor T6, the amount of charge stored in the light emitting element ED, 120 can be initialized.

[0149] In this specification, the gate electrodes of the fifth and sixth transistors T5 and T6 are configured to commonly receive the third scan signal SC3(n), but this is not necessarily limited thereto, and the gate electrodes of the fifth and sixth transistors T5 and T6 may be configured to receive separate scan signals and be independently controlled.

[0150] The seventh transistor T7 may include a first electrode receiving the second initialization voltage Vini, a second electrode coupled to the first node N1, and a gate electrode receiving the fourth scan signal SC4(n).

[0151] The seventh transistor T7 is turned on in response to the fourth scan signal SC4(n) and can initialize the gate electrode of the driving transistor Td using the second initialization voltage Vini. Unwanted charges may remain on the gate electrode of the driving transistor Td due to the high-potential driving voltage EVDD stored in the capacitor Cst. Therefore, the remaining charges can be initialized by applying the second initialization voltage Vini to the gate electrode of the driving transistor Td through the seventh transistor T7.

[0152] Meanwhile, as a method for increasing the transmittance of at least one of the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2, the pixel density difference design method may be applied, as described above. According to the pixel density difference design method, the display panel DP may be designed so that the number of sub-pixels per unit area of ​​at least one of the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2 is less than the number of sub-pixels per unit area of ​​the general region NA.

[0153] However, in some cases, a pixel size difference design method may be applied as another method for increasing the transmittance of at least one of the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2. According to the pixel size difference design method, the display panel DP may be designed so that the number of subpixels per unit area of ​​at least one of the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2 is the same as or similar to the number of subpixels per unit area of ​​the general region NA, and the size of each subpixel SP (i.e., the size of the light-emitting region) arranged in at least one of the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2 is smaller than the size of each subpixel SP (i.e., the size of the light-emitting region) arranged in the general region NA.

[0154] For ease of explanation, the following description will be made assuming that the pixel density difference design method is applied out of the two methods (pixel density difference design method, pixel size difference design method) for increasing the transmittance of at least one of the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2.

[0155] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement of sub-pixels in a display area of ​​a display panel according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0156] That is, FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of sub-pixels SP in three areas NA, DA1, and DA2 included in the display area of ​​the display panel according to the embodiment of this specification.

[0157] Referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of sub-pixels SP may be arranged in each of a general area NA, a first optical area DA1, and a second optical area DA2 included in the display area.

[0158] For example, the plurality of sub-pixels SP may include a red sub-pixel Red SP that emits red light, a green sub-pixel Green SP that emits green light, and a blue sub-pixel Blue SP that emits blue light.

[0159] Accordingly, the general area NA, the first optical area DA1, and the second optical area DA2 may each include a light-emitting area EA of the red sub-pixel Red SP, a light-emitting area EA of the green sub-pixel Green SP, and a light-emitting area EA of the blue sub-pixel Blue SP.

[0160] Referring to FIG. 4, the general area NA does not include a light-transmitting structure and may include the light-emitting area EA.

[0161] However, the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 must not only include the light-emitting area EA, but also include a light-transmitting structure.

[0162] Therefore, the first optical area DA1 may include the luminescent area EA and the first transmissive area TA1, and the second optical area DA2 may include the luminescent area EA and the second transmissive area TA2.

[0163] The luminescent area EA and the transmissive areas TA1 and TA2 can be distinguished based on whether they are light transmissive or not. That is, the luminescent area EA can be an area that does not transmit light, and the transmissive areas TA1 and TA2 can be areas that transmit light.

[0164] The luminescent area EA and the transmissive areas TA1 and TA2 can be distinguished by the presence or absence of a specific metal layer. For example, a cathode electrode may be formed in the luminescent area EA, but not in the transmissive areas TA1 and TA2. Also, a light-shielding layer may be formed in the luminescent area EA, but not in the transmissive areas TA1 and TA2.

[0165] In this case, the first optical region DA1 includes the first transmission region TA1, and the second optical region DA2 includes the second transmission region TA2, so that both the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2 are regions through which light can pass.

[0166] In this case, the transmittance (degree of transmission) of the first optical area DA1 and the transmittance (degree of transmission) of the second optical area DA2 may be the same.

[0167] In this case, the first transmission regions TA1 in the first optical region DA1 and the second transmission regions TA2 in the second optical region DA2 may have the same pattern or size. Alternatively, even if the first transmission regions TA1 in the first optical region DA1 and the second transmission regions TA2 in the second optical region DA2 have different patterns or sizes, the ratio of the first transmission regions TA1 in the first optical region DA1 to the ratio of the second transmission regions TA2 in the second optical region DA2 may be the same.

[0168] Alternatively, the transmittance (degree of transmission) of the first optical area DA1 and the transmittance (degree of transmission) of the second optical area DA2 may be different from each other.

[0169] In this case, the first transmission regions TA1 in the first optical region DA1 and the second transmission regions TA2 in the second optical region DA2 may have different patterns or sizes. Alternatively, even if the first transmission regions TA1 in the first optical region DA1 and the second transmission regions TA2 in the second optical region DA2 have the same patterns or sizes, the ratio of the first transmission regions TA1 in the first optical region DA1 and the ratio of the second transmission regions TA2 in the second optical region DA2 may be different.

[0170] For example, if the first optical electronic device overlapped with the first optical area DA1 is a camera and the second optical electronic device overlapped with the second optical area DA2 is a sensing sensor, the camera may require a greater amount of light than the sensing sensor.

[0171] Therefore, the transmittance (degree of transmission) of the first optical area DA1 can be higher than the transmittance (degree of transmission) of the second optical area DA2.

[0172] In this case, the first transmission region TA1 of the first optical region DA1 may be larger than the second transmission region TA2 of the second optical region DA2. Alternatively, even if the first transmission region TA1 of the first optical region DA1 and the second transmission region TA2 of the second optical region DA2 are the same size, the ratio of the first transmission region TA1 in the first optical region DA1 may be larger than the ratio of the second transmission region TA2 in the second optical region DA2.

[0173] For convenience of explanation, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the transmittance (degree of transmission) of the first optical area DA1 is greater than the transmittance (degree of transmission) of the second optical area DA2.

[0174] In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment of this specification, the transmissive regions TA1 and TA2 can also be called transparent regions, and the transmittance can also be called transparency.

[0175] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment of this specification, it is assumed that the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 are located at the upper end of the display area of ​​the display panel and are arranged side by side.

[0176] Referring to Figure 4, the horizontal display area in which the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 are arranged is called the first horizontal display area HA1, and the horizontal display area in which the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 are not arranged is called the second horizontal display area HA2.

[0177] 4, the first horizontal display area HA1 may include a general area NA, a first optical area DA1, and a second optical area DA2, whereas the second horizontal display area HA2 may include only the general area NA.

[0178] FIG. 5a is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of signal lines in the first optical region and the general region in a display panel according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0179] FIG. 5b is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of signal lines in the second optical region and the general region in a display panel according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0180] That is, Figure 5a shows the arrangement of signal lines in each of the first optical area DA1 and the general area NA in a display panel according to one embodiment of this specification, and Figure 5b shows the arrangement of signal lines in each of the second optical area DA2 and the general area NA in a display panel according to one embodiment of this specification.

[0181] The first horizontal display area HA1 shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b is a part of the first horizontal display area HA1 on the display panel DP, and the second horizontal display area HA2 is a part of the second horizontal display area HA2 on the display panel.

[0182] The first optical area DA1 shown in FIG. 5a is a part of the first optical area DA1 in the display panel, and the second optical area DA2 shown in FIG. 5b is a part of the second optical area DA2 in the display panel.

[0183] 5a and 5b, the first horizontal display area HA1 may include a general area, a first optical area DA1, and a second optical area DA2, and the second horizontal display area HA2 may include a general area.

[0184] Various types of horizontal lines HL1 and HL2 and various types of vertical lines VLn, VL1, and VL2 may be arranged on the display panel.

[0185] In one embodiment of the present specification, the horizontal direction and the vertical direction refer to two intersecting directions, and the horizontal direction and the vertical direction may differ depending on the viewing direction. For example, in one embodiment of the present specification, the horizontal direction may refer to the direction in which one gate line extends, and the vertical direction may refer to the direction in which one data line extends. Thus, the horizontal and vertical directions will be taken as an example.

[0186] Referring to Figures 5a and 5b, the horizontal lines arranged on the display panel may include a first horizontal line HL1 arranged in the first horizontal display area HA1 and a second horizontal line HL2 arranged in the second horizontal display area HA2.

[0187] The horizontal lines arranged on the display panel may be gate lines, i.e., the first horizontal line HL1 and the second horizontal line HL2 may be gate lines, and may include various types of gate lines depending on the structure of the sub-pixels.

[0188] Referring to Figures 5a and 5b, the vertical lines arranged on the display panel may include a general vertical line VLn arranged only in the general region, a first vertical line VL1 passing through the first optical region DA1 and the general region, and a second vertical line VL2 passing through the second optical region DA2 and the general region.

[0189] The vertical lines arranged on the display panel may include data lines, driving voltage lines, etc., and may further include reference voltage lines, initialization voltage lines, etc. That is, the general vertical line VLn, the first vertical line VL1, and the second vertical line VL2 may include data lines, driving voltage lines, etc., and may further include reference voltage lines, initialization voltage lines, etc.

[0190] In one embodiment of the present specification, the term "horizontal" in the second horizontal line HL2 only means that a signal is transmitted from left (or right) to right (or left), and does not necessarily mean that the second horizontal line HL2 extends in a straight line only in the strict horizontal direction. That is, although the second horizontal line HL2 is shown in a straight line in Figures 5a and 5b, the second horizontal line HL2 may alternatively include bent or curved portions. Similarly, the first horizontal line HL1 may also include bent or curved portions.

[0191] In one embodiment of the present specification, the term "vertical" in the general vertical line VLn means that a signal is transmitted from top (or bottom) to bottom (or top), and does not mean that the general vertical line VLn extends in a straight line only in the vertical direction. That is, although the general vertical line VLn is shown in a straight line in Figures 5a and 5b, the general vertical line VLn may include bent or curved portions. Similarly, the first vertical line VL1 and the second vertical line VL2 may also include bent or curved portions.

[0192] 5a, the first optical region DA1 included in the first horizontal region HA1 may include a light-emitting region and a first transmissive region, and within the first optical region DA1, an area outside the first transmissive region may include the light-emitting region.

[0193] Referring to FIG. 5a, in order to improve the transmittance of the first optical area DA1, the first horizontal line HL1 passing through the first optical area DA1 can pass through the first transmission area within the first optical area DA1.

[0194] Therefore, each of the first horizontal lines HL1 passing through the first optical areas DA1 may include a curved section or a bending section that detours around the outside of the outer frame of each first transmission area.

[0195] Therefore, the first horizontal lines HL1 arranged in the first horizontal region HA1 and the second horizontal lines HL2 arranged in the second horizontal region HA2 may have different patterns, lengths, etc. That is, the first horizontal lines HL1 that pass through the first optical region DA1 and the second horizontal lines HL2 that do not pass through the first optical region DA1 may have different patterns, lengths, etc.

[0196] Furthermore, in order to improve the transmittance of the first optical area DA1, the first vertical line VL1 passing through the first optical area DA1 can pass through while avoiding the first transmission area within the first optical area DA1.

[0197] Therefore, each of the first vertical lines VL1 passing through the first optical area DA1 may include a curved section or a bending section that detours around the outside of the outer frame of each first transmission area.

[0198] Therefore, the first vertical line VL1 passing through the first optical area DA1 and the general vertical line VLn arranged in the general area without passing through the first optical area DA1 may have different patterns or lengths.

[0199] Referring to FIG. 5a, the first transmission regions included in the first optical region DA1 within the first horizontal region HA1 may be arranged in a diagonal direction.

[0200] 5a, in the first optical region DA1 in the first horizontal region HA1, a light emitting region may be disposed between two adjacent first transmission regions on the left and right, and in the first optical region DA1 in the first horizontal region HA1, a light emitting region may be disposed between two adjacent first transmission regions on the top and bottom.

[0201] Referring to FIG. 5a, the first horizontal line HL1 arranged in the first horizontal region HA1, i.e., the first horizontal line HL1 passing through the first optical region DA1, may all include at least one curved or bending section that detours outside the outer frame of the first transmission region.

[0202] 5b, the second optical region DA2 included in the first horizontal region HA1 may include a light-emitting region and a second transmissive region TA2, and within the second optical region DA2, an outer region of the second transmissive region TA2 may include a light-emitting region.

[0203] The positions and arrangement of the light-emitting region and the second transmission region TA2 in the second optical region DA2 may be the same as the positions and arrangement of the light-emitting region and the second transmission region in the first optical region DA1 in FIG. 5a.

[0204] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5b, the position and arrangement of the light-emitting region and second transmission region TA2 in the second optical region DA2 may be different from the position and arrangement of the light-emitting region and second transmission region in the first optical region DA1 in FIG. 5a.

[0205] For example, referring to FIG. 5b, within the second optical region DA2, the second transmission regions TA2 may be arranged in the horizontal direction (left-right direction). A light-emitting region may not be disposed between two horizontally adjacent second transmission regions TA2. Alternatively, a light-emitting region within the second optical region DA2 may be disposed between two vertically adjacent second transmission regions TA2. That is, a light-emitting region may be disposed between two rows of the second transmission regions TA2.

[0206] When the first horizontal line HL1 passes through the second optical area DA2 in the first horizontal area HA1 and the surrounding general area, it may follow the same pattern as in FIG. 5a.

[0207] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5b, the first horizontal line HL1 may take a different form from that shown in FIG. 5a when passing through the second optical area DA2 and the surrounding general area within the first horizontal area HA1.

[0208] That is, the position and arrangement of the light-emitting region and second transmission region TA2 in the second optical region DA2 in FIG. 5b are different from the position and arrangement of the light-emitting region and second transmission region in the first optical region DA1 in FIG. 5a.

[0209] Referring to FIG. 5b, when the first horizontal line HL1 passes through the second optical area DA2 and the surrounding general area within the first horizontal area HA1, it can pass in a straight line between the adjacent second transmission areas TA2 above and below without any curved or bending sections.

[0210] In other words, one first horizontal line HL1 may have a curved section or a bending section in the first optical area DA1, but may not have a curved section or a bending section in the second optical area DA2.

[0211] To improve the transmittance of the second optical area DA2, the second vertical line VL2 passing through the second optical area DA2 can pass through while avoiding the second transmission area TA2 within the second optical area DA2.

[0212] Therefore, each of the second vertical lines VL2 passing through the second optical areas DA2 may include a curved section or a bending section that detours around the outside of the outer frame of each of the second transmission areas TA2.

[0213] Therefore, the second vertical line VL2 passing through the second optical area DA2 and the general vertical line VLn arranged in the general area without passing through the second optical area DA2 may have different patterns or lengths.

[0214] As shown in FIG. 5a, the first horizontal line HL1 passing through the first optical area DA1 may have a curved or bent section that detours around the outside of the outer frame of the first transmission area.

[0215] Therefore, the length of the first horizontal line HL1 passing through the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 may be slightly longer than the length of the second horizontal line HL2 that is arranged only in the general area without passing through the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2.

[0216] As a result, the resistance of the first horizontal line HL1 (hereinafter also referred to as the first resistance) passing through the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 may be slightly larger than the resistance of the second horizontal line HL2 (hereinafter also referred to as the second resistance) which does not pass through the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 and is arranged only in the general area.

[0217] Referring to Figures 5a and 5b, due to the light transmission structure, the first optical region DA1, which is at least partially overlapped with the first optical-electronic device 170a, includes a plurality of first transmission regions TA1, and the second optical region DA2, which is at least partially overlapped with the second optical-electronic device 170b, includes a plurality of second transmission regions TA2, so that the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2 may have a smaller number of sub-pixels per unit area than the general region NA.

[0218] The number of sub-pixels connected to the first horizontal line HL1 passing through the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2 may be different from the number of sub-pixels connected to the second horizontal line HL2 that is arranged only in the general region NA and does not pass through the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2.

[0219] The number (first number) of sub-pixels connected by the first horizontal line HL1 passing through the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2 may be less than the number (second number) of sub-pixels connected by the second horizontal line HL2 that is arranged only in the general region without passing through the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2.

[0220] The difference between the first and second numbers may vary depending on the difference between the resolution of the first and second optical regions DA1 and DA2 and the resolution of the general region. For example, the difference between the first and second numbers may increase as the difference between the resolution of the first and second optical regions DA1 and DA2 and the resolution of the general region increases.

[0221] As described above, since the number of sub-pixels (first number) connected to the first horizontal line HL1 passing through the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2 is smaller than the number of sub-pixels (second number) connected to the second horizontal line HL2 that is arranged only in the general region without passing through the first optical region DA1 and the second optical region DA2, the area where the first horizontal line HL1 overlaps with other surrounding electrodes and lines may be smaller than the area where the second horizontal line HL2 overlaps with other surrounding electrodes and lines.

[0222] Therefore, the parasitic capacitance (hereinafter referred to as the first capacitance) formed by the first horizontal line HL1 with other surrounding electrodes or lines may be significantly smaller than the parasitic capacitance (hereinafter referred to as the second capacitance) formed by the second horizontal line HL2 with other surrounding electrodes or lines.

[0223] When considering the magnitude relationship between the first resistance and the second resistance (first resistance ≧ second resistance) and the magnitude relationship between the first capacitance and the second capacitance (first capacitance << second capacitance), the RC (Resistance-Capacitance) value (hereinafter also referred to as the first RC value) of the first horizontal line HL1 passing through the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 can be much smaller than the RC value (hereinafter also referred to as the second RC value) of the second horizontal line HL2 that does not pass through the first optical area DA1 and the second optical area DA2 and is arranged only in the general area (first RC value << second RC value).

[0224] The difference between the first RC value of the first horizontal line HL1 and the second RC value of the second horizontal line HL2 (hereinafter referred to as RC Load deviation) may change the signal transmission characteristics through the first horizontal line HL1 and the signal transmission characteristics through the second horizontal line HL2.

[0225] In the following, reference will be made to FIG. 6 for a more detailed description of the cross-sectional structure of the general area NA of the display device 100. FIG.

[0226] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of one pixel region arranged in a general region according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0227] In the general region NA, a transistor layer TRL may be disposed on the substrate SUB, and a planarization layer PLN may be disposed on the transistor layer TRL. Furthermore, a light-emitting element layer EDL may be disposed on the planarization layer PLN, an encapsulation layer ENCAP may be disposed on the light-emitting element layer EDL, a touch-sensing layer TSL may be disposed on the encapsulation layer ENCAP, and a protective layer PAC may be disposed on the touch-sensing layer TSL. Furthermore, an organic layer PCL may be disposed on the protective layer PAC, and a polarizing layer POL may be disposed on the organic layer PCL.

[0228] The substrate SUB is configured to support various components included in the display device 100 and may be made of an insulating material. The substrate SUB may include a first substrate 110a, a second substrate 110b, and an interlayer insulating film 110c. The interlayer insulating film 110c may be disposed between the first substrate 110a and the second substrate 110b. By configuring the substrate SUB with the first substrate 110a, the second substrate 110b, and the interlayer insulating film 110c in this manner, moisture penetration can be prevented. For example, the first substrate 110a and the second substrate 110b may be polyimide (PI) substrates.

[0229] In the general region NA, the transistor layer TRL may be arranged with various patterns 131, 132, 133, 134, 231, 232, 233, 234, various insulating films 111a, 111b, 112, 113a, 113b, 114, and various metal patterns TM, GM, 135 for forming transistors such as a driving transistor Td and at least one switching transistor Ts, and at least one transistor such as a capacitor.

[0230] The stacked structure of the transistor layer TRL will be described in further detail below.

[0231] A multi-buffer layer 111a may be disposed on the second substrate 110b, and an active buffer layer 111b may be disposed on the multi-buffer layer 111a.

[0232] A metal layer 135 may be disposed on the multi-buffer layer 111a.

[0233] Here, the metal layer 135 can function as a light shield and can also be referred to as a light blocking layer.

[0234] An active buffer layer 111b may be disposed on the metal layer 135.

[0235] A first active layer 134 of the driving transistor Td may be disposed on the active buffer layer 111b. For example, the first active layer 134 may be formed of, but is not limited to, polycrystalline silicon (p-Si), amorphous silicon (a-Si), or an oxide semiconductor. Meanwhile, the driving transistor Td is formed on the active buffer layer 111b and includes the first active layer 134, a first gate insulating film 112 covering the first active layer 134, a first gate electrode 131 disposed on the first gate insulating film 112, a first interlayer insulating film 113a covering the first gate electrode 131, a second gate insulating film 113b disposed on the first interlayer insulating film 113a, a third interlayer insulating film 113c disposed on the second gate insulating film 113b, and a first source electrode 132 and a first drain electrode 133 disposed on the third interlayer insulating film 113c.

[0236] A first gate insulating film 112 may be disposed on the first active layer 134. The first gate insulating film 112 may be made of silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), or a combination thereof.

[0237] In addition, a first gate electrode 131 of the driving transistor Td may be disposed on the first gate insulating layer 112. The first gate electrode 131 is disposed on the first gate insulating layer 112 to overlap the first active layer 134. The first gate electrode 131 may be formed of various conductive materials, such as, but not limited to, magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), gold (Au), or alloys thereof.

[0238] A gate material layer GM may be disposed on the first gate insulating film 112 at a position different from the position where the driving transistor Td is formed.

[0239] A first interlayer insulating film 113a may be disposed on the first gate electrode 131 and the gate material layer GM. A metal pattern TM may be disposed on the first interlayer insulating film 113a. A second interlayer insulating film 113b may be disposed to cover the metal pattern TM disposed on the first interlayer insulating film 113a.

[0240] The second interlayer insulating film 113b separates the second active layer 234 from the first active layer 134 and provides a base on which the second active layer 234 can be formed.

[0241] A second active layer 234 of the switching transistor Ts may be disposed on the second interlayer insulating film 113b. For example, the second active layer 234 may be formed of polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, or an oxide semiconductor, but is not limited thereto.

[0242] A second gate insulating film 113c may be disposed on the second active layer 234. Furthermore, a second gate electrode 231 of the switching transistor Ts may be disposed on the second gate insulating film 113c. The second gate electrode 231 is disposed so as to overlap the second active layer 234 on the second gate insulating film 113c.

[0243] The second gate insulating film 113c covers the second active layer 234 of the switching transistor Ts. The second gate insulating film 113c is embodied as an inorganic film because it is formed on the second active layer 234. For example, the second gate insulating film 113c may be silicon oxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx), or a combination thereof.

[0244] The second gate electrode 231 is made of a metal material, and may be, for example, a single layer or multiple layers made of any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0245] On the other hand, the switching transistor Ts is formed on the second interlayer insulating film 113b, and includes a second active layer 234, a second gate insulating film 113c covering the second active layer 234, a second gate electrode 231 arranged on the second gate insulating film 113c, a third interlayer insulating film 113c covering the second gate electrode 231, and a second source electrode 232 and a second drain electrode 233 arranged on the third interlayer insulating film 113c.

[0246] The switching transistor Ts further includes a gate material layer GM located under the first interlayer insulating film 113a and overlapping the second active layer 234. The gate material layer GM can block light incident on the second active layer 234 to ensure reliability of the switching transistor Ts. The gate material layer GM may be formed of the same material as the first gate electrode 131 and on the upper surface of the first gate insulating film 112. The gate material layer GM may be electrically connected to the second gate electrode 234 to form a dual gate. A first source electrode 132 and a first drain electrode 133 of the driving transistor Td and a second source electrode 232 and a second drain electrode 233 of the switching transistor Ts may be disposed on the third interlayer insulating film 113d.

[0247] The second source electrode 232 and the second drain electrode 233 are simultaneously formed with the first source electrode 132 and the first drain electrode 133 using the same material on the third interlayer insulating film 113d, thereby reducing the number of mask processes.

[0248] The first source electrode 132 and the first drain electrode 133 may be connected to one side and the other side of the first active layer 134 through contact holes provided in the third interlayer insulating film 113d, the second gate insulating film 113c, the second interlayer insulating film 113b, the first interlayer insulating film 113a and the first gate insulating film 112, respectively.

[0249] The second source electrode 232 and the second drain electrode 233 may be connected to one side and the other side of the second active layer 234 through contact holes formed in the third interlayer insulating layer 113d and the second gate insulating layer 113c, respectively.

[0250] The first source electrode 132 and the first drain electrode 133 and the second source electrode 232 and the second drain electrode 233 may be a single layer or multiple layers made of various conductive materials, such as, but not limited to, magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), gold (Au), or alloys thereof.

[0251] The portion of the first active layer 134 overlapping with the first gate electrode 131 is a channel region. One of the first source electrode 132 and the first drain electrode 133 is connected to one side of the channel region in the first active layer 134, and the other is connected to the other side of the channel region in the first active layer 134. The second active layer 234 may be configured in the same shape as the first active layer 134, and when the second active layer 234 is embodied with an oxide semiconductor material, it includes an intrinsic second channel region that is not doped with impurities and second source and drain regions that are doped with impurities to make them conductive.

[0252] A passivation layer 114 may be disposed on the first source electrode 132, the first drain electrode 133, and the second source electrode 232, the second drain electrode 233. The passivation layer 114 is for protecting the driving transistor Td, and may be made of an inorganic film, for example, silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon nitride (SiNx), or a composite layer thereof.

[0253] Meanwhile, the capacitor Cst may be implemented by arranging a gate material layer GM and a metal pattern TM to overlap on the first gate insulating film 112. The metal pattern TM may be a single layer or multiple layers made of, for example, any one of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and copper (Cu), or an alloy thereof.

[0254] The capacitor Cst stores the data voltage applied through the data line DL for a certain period of time and then supplies it to the light emitting element ED 120. The capacitor Cst includes two electrodes corresponding to each other and a dielectric disposed therebetween. A first interlayer insulating film 113a is disposed between the gate material layer GM and the metal pattern TM.

[0255] In the capacitor Cst, the gate material layer GM or the metal pattern TM may be electrically connected to the switching transistor Ts, the second source electrode 232, or the second drain electrode 233. However, the connection relationship of the capacitor Cst may be changed depending on the pixel driving circuit.

[0256] Also, a metal layer 135 may be disposed on the multi-buffer layer 111a so as to overlap the gate material layer GM and the metal pattern TM, thereby forming a double capacitor Cst.

[0257] In the embodiments of the present specification, at least one switching transistor Ts uses an oxide semiconductor as an active layer. A transistor using an oxide semiconductor as an active layer has a superior leakage current blocking effect and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture compared to a transistor using polycrystalline silicon as an active layer. Therefore, in order to reduce power consumption and manufacturing costs, the pixel circuit according to the embodiments of the present specification includes a driving transistor or at least one switching transistor using an oxide semiconductor material.

[0258] All of the transistors constituting the pixel circuit, including the driving transistor, may be made of oxide semiconductor to implement an active layer, or only some of the transistors may be made of oxide semiconductor.

[0259] However, since it is difficult to ensure the reliability of a transistor using an oxide semiconductor, and a transistor using polycrystalline silicon has high operating speed and excellent reliability, the examples in this specification include both a transistor using an oxide semiconductor and a transistor using polycrystalline silicon. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a pixel circuit can be configured using only transistors using an oxide semiconductor or only transistors using polycrystalline silicon depending on the design.

[0260] A planarization layer PLN may be located on top of the transistor layer TRL.

[0261] The planarization layer PLN may include a first planarization layer 115a and a second planarization layer 115b. The planarization layer PLN protects the driving transistor Td and planarizes the upper surface thereof.

[0262] A first planarization layer 115 a may be disposed on the passivation layer 114 .

[0263] A connecting electrode 125 may be disposed on the first planarization layer 115a.

[0264] The connecting electrode 125 may be connected to one of the first source electrode 132 and the first drain electrode 133 through a contact hole formed in the first planarization layer 115a.

[0265] A second planarization layer 115b may be disposed on the connecting electrode 125.

[0266] The light emitting element layer EDL may be located on the second planarization layer 115b.

[0267] The laminated structure of the light emitting element layer EDL will be examined in detail below.

[0268] An anode 121 may be disposed on the second planarization layer 115b. In this case, the anode 121 may be electrically connected to the connecting electrode 125 through a contact hole provided in the second planarization layer 115b. The anode 121 may be made of a metallic material.

[0269] If the display device 100 is a top emission type in which light emitted from the light emitting element ED, 120 is emitted above the substrate SUB on which the light emitting element ED, 120 is disposed, the anode 121 may further include a transparent conductive layer and a reflective layer on the transparent conductive layer. The transparent conductive layer may be made of a transparent conductive oxide such as ITO or IZO, and the reflective layer may be made of silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), gold (Au), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), chromium (Cr), or an alloy thereof.

[0270] The bank 116 may be disposed to cover the anode 121. A portion of the bank 116 corresponding to the light-emitting region of the sub-pixel may be open. A portion of the anode 121 may be exposed in the open portion of the bank 116 (hereinafter referred to as the open region). In this case, the bank 116 may be made of an inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride (SiNx) or silicon oxide (SiOx), or an organic insulating material such as a benzocyclobutene-based resin, an acrylic-based resin, or an imide-based resin, but is not limited thereto.

[0271] Although not shown, spacers may further be positioned on the banks 116. The spacers may be made of the same material as the banks 116.

[0272] The light-emitting layer 122 can be disposed in and around the open areas of the bank 116. This allows the light-emitting layer 122 to be disposed on the anode 121 exposed through the open areas of the bank 116.

[0273] A cathode 123 may be disposed on the light-emitting layer 122 .

[0274] The anode 121, the light emitting layer 122, and the cathode 123 may form a light emitting element ED 120. The light emitting layer 122 may include a number of organic films.

[0275] An encapsulation layer ENCAP may be located on the light emitting element layer EDL.

[0276] The encapsulation layer ENCAP may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. For example, the encapsulation layer ENCAP may include a first encapsulation layer 117a, a second encapsulation layer 117b, and a third encapsulation layer 117c.

[0277] In this case, the first encapsulating layer 117a and the third encapsulating layer 117c may be made of an inorganic film, and the second encapsulating layer 117b may be made of an organic film. Among the first encapsulating layer 117a, the second encapsulating layer 117b, and the third encapsulating layer 117c, the second encapsulating layer 117b is the thickest and can serve as a planarizing layer.

[0278] The first encapsulating layer 117a may be disposed on the cathode 123 and may be disposed closest to the light emitting element ED 120. The first encapsulating layer 117a may be formed of an inorganic insulating material that can be deposited at low temperatures. For example, the first encapsulating layer 117a may be made of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), or the like. Because the first encapsulating layer 117a is deposited in a low-temperature atmosphere, it is possible to prevent damage to the light emitting layer 122, which includes organic materials that are vulnerable to high-temperature atmospheres, during the deposition process.

[0279] The second encapsulation layer 117b may be formed to have a smaller area than the first encapsulation layer 117a. In this case, the second encapsulation layer 117b may be formed to expose both ends of the first encapsulation layer 117a. The second encapsulation layer 117b may serve as a buffer to relieve stress between layers due to warping of the flexible display device and to enhance planarization performance.

[0280] For example, the second sealing layer 117b may be made of an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, polyethylene, silicon oxycarbonate (SiOC), etc. For example, the second sealing layer 117b may be formed using an inkjet method, but is not limited thereto.

[0281] The third encapsulation layer 117c may be formed on the substrate SUB on which the second encapsulation layer 117b is formed, to cover the top and side surfaces of the second encapsulation layer 117b and the first encapsulation layer 117a. In this case, the third encapsulation layer 117c may minimize or block external moisture or oxygen from penetrating into the first encapsulation layer 117a and the second encapsulation layer 117b. For example, the third encapsulation layer 117c may be made of an inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3).

[0282] Although not shown, a color filter may be disposed on the encapsulation layer ENCAP, but is not limited thereto.

[0283] A touch sensing layer TSL may be disposed on top of the encapsulation layer ENCAP mentioned above.

[0284] A touch buffer film 118a may be disposed on top of the encapsulation layer ENCAP, and a touch line 140 may be disposed on the touch buffer film 118a.

[0285] The touch line 140 may include a touch sensor metal 141 and a bridge metal 142 located in different layers. A touch interlayer insulating film 118b may be disposed between the touch sensor metal 141 and the bridge metal 142.

[0286] For example, the touch sensor metal 141 may include a first touch sensor metal, a second touch sensor metal, and a third touch sensor metal arranged adjacent to each other. The first touch sensor metal and the second touch sensor metal are electrically connected to each other. However, if a third touch sensor metal is present between the first touch sensor metal and the second touch sensor metal, the first touch sensor metal and the second touch sensor metal may be electrically connected to each other through a bridge metal 142 in another layer. The bridge metal 142 may be insulated from the third touch sensor metal by the touch interlayer insulating film 118b.

[0287] When the touch sensing layer TSL is formed, chemicals (such as a developer or an etchant) used in the process or moisture from the outside may be generated. By disposing the touch buffer film 118a and then disposing the touch sensing layer TSL thereon, it is possible to prevent chemicals or moisture from penetrating into the light emitting layer 122 containing organic matter during the manufacturing of the touch sensing layer TSL. As a result, the touch buffer film 118a can prevent damage to the light emitting layer 122, which is vulnerable to chemicals or moisture.

[0288] The touch buffer film 118a may be formed of an organic insulating material that can be formed at a certain temperature (e.g., a low temperature of 100°C or less) and has a low dielectric constant of 1 to 3 to prevent damage to the light emitting layer 122, which includes an organic material that is sensitive to high temperatures. For example, the touch buffer film 118a may be formed of an acrylic-based, epoxy-based, or siloxane-based material. Warping of the flexible display device may damage the encapsulation layer ENCAP and crack the touch sensor metal 141 located on the touch buffer film 118a. Even if the flexible display device warps, the touch buffer film 118a, which is made of an organic insulating material and has planarization properties, can prevent damage to the encapsulation layer ENCAP and cracking of the metals 141 and 142 that form the touch line 140.

[0289] A protective layer PAC 119 may be disposed to cover the touch line 140. The protective layer 119 may be made of an organic insulating film.

[0290] An organic layer PCL 150 is disposed so as to cover the protective layer 119 .

[0291] If only the protective layer 119 made of an organic insulating film is disposed on the top layer of the display device 100, the protective layer 119 alone cannot completely compensate for the step caused by the touch sensing layer TSL disposed below the protective layer 119, and a problem may occur in which the user sees spots caused by the touch line 140.

[0292] By adding an organic layer 150 made of an organic insulating film on the protective layer 119, steps at the top layer of the display device 100 can be prevented, and the visibility of the display device 100 can be improved.

[0293] The organic layer 150 may be formed of the same material as the second encapsulation layer 117b of the encapsulation layer ENCAP, and may be made of an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, polyethylene, silicon oxycarbonate (SiOC), etc. The organic layer 150 may be formed using an inkjet method, but is not limited thereto.

[0294] On the organic layer 150, a polarizing layer POL, 160 is disposed.

[0295] The polarizing layer 160 suppresses reflection of external light on the display area DA of the substrate SUB. When the display device 100 is used outdoors, external natural light enters and may be reflected by a reflective layer included in the anode 121 of the light-emitting element or by an electrode made of metal disposed under the light-emitting element 120. Such reflected light may make it difficult to view images displayed on the display device 100. The polarizing layer 160 polarizes the external light in a specific direction and prevents the reflected light from being emitted outside the display device 100.

[0296] Although not shown, a cover glass may be adhered by an adhesive layer onto the polarizing layer 160. The adhesive layer may serve to adhere each component of the display device 100 to one another, and may be formed using an optically transparent adhesive for displays, such as, but not limited to, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, an optically clear adhesive (OCR), an optically clear resin (OCR), or the like.

[0297] The cover glass protects the components of the display device 100 from external impacts and can prevent damage such as scratches.

[0298] In the following, reference will be made to both FIGS. 7 and 8 for a more detailed description of the first optical area DA1 of the display device 100. FIG.

[0299] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the light-emitting region and the transmissive region in the optical region according to one embodiment of the present specification. Fig. 8a is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the transmissive region and the deposition prevention layer according to one embodiment of the present specification. Fig. 8b is an enlarged view showing the transmissive region according to one embodiment of the present specification.

[0300] For ease of explanation, the following will use the example where the display area DA of the display panel DP includes a general area NA and a first optical area DA1 (Figures 1a and 1b), but the explanation of the first optical area DA1 can also be applied equally to the second optical area DA2.

[0301] Referring to FIG. 7, the first optical area DA1 includes a light-emitting area EA and a transmissive area TA.

[0302] The light-emitting area EA and the transmissive area TA of the first optical area DA1 can basically include a substrate SUB, a transistor layer TRL, a planarization layer PLN, a light-emitting element layer EDL, an encapsulation layer ENCAP, a touch sensor layer TSL, a protective layer PAC, an organic layer PCL, and a polarizing layer POL.

[0303] The substrate SUB, transistor layer TRL, planarization layer PLN, light-emitting element layer EDL, sealing layer ENCAP, touch sensor layer TSL, protective layer PAC, organic layer PCL and polarizing layer POL included in the first optical region DA1 are substantially identical to the components having the same reference symbols arranged in the general region NA of the display panel DP, and therefore redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0304] The light emitting area EA in the first optical area DA1 has substantially the same structure as the general area NA of the display panel DP, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0305] In the following, the transmission area TA arranged in the first optical area DA1 will be described.

[0306] The substrate SUB and various insulating films 111a, 111b, 112, 113a, 113b, 114, 115a, 115b, 117a, 117b, 117c, and PAC arranged in the light-emitting area EA of the first optical area DA1 may also be arranged in the transmission area TA of the first optical area DA1.

[0307] However, other than the insulating material disposed in the light-emitting area EA of the first optical area DA1, a material layer having electrical properties or opaque properties may not be disposed in the transmission area TA of the first optical area DA1.

[0308] According to one embodiment of the present specification, in order to ensure the transmittance of the transmissive area TA, the cathode 123 is not disposed in the transmissive area TA.

[0309] To achieve this, a deposition prevention layer 150 is disposed on the light emitting layer 122 in the transmissive area TA.

[0310] For example, the deposition prevention layer 150 may be deposited using a fine metal mask (FMM) to correspond to the transmissive region TA. Specifically, the deposition prevention layer 150 may be formed after the FMM is positioned to expose the transmissive region TA.

[0311] When depositing the cathode 123 after disposing the deposition prevention layer 150 on the light-emitting layer 122 in the transmissive region TA, the deposition prevention layer 150 has low adhesion to the layer disposed above it, so the cathode 123 may not be deposited in the region where the deposition prevention layer 150 is disposed.

[0312] Therefore, the cathode 123 does not need to be disposed in the transmissive area TA according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0313] In addition, the metal material layers 135, 131, GM, TM, 132, 133, 125 and the semiconductor layer 134 associated with the transistors are not disposed in the transmissive region TA. The anode 121 included in the light emitting element 120 may not be disposed in the transmissive region TA. The touch line may not be disposed in the transmissive region TA.

[0314] That is, since the transmissive area TA of the first optical region overlaps with the optical electronic device 170, the transmittance of the transmissive area TA can be increased by not placing opaque components such as metal electrodes in the transmissive area TA to ensure normal operation of the optical electronic device 170.

[0315] Furthermore, since no components such as metal electrodes are disposed in the transmission area TA of the first optical area DA1, the transmission area TA of the first optical area DA1 can be configured only by a flat layer.

[0316] On the other hand, if the cathode is removed to ensure the transmittance of the transmissive region TA in the UDC or UDIR model, UV reliability may be weakened. That is, pixel shrinkage defects in the light-emitting area may occur due to outgassing of organic materials caused by UV light transmission.

[0317] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present specification, by removing a part of the organic material in the transmission area TA to reduce the volume of the organic material, it is possible to suppress the generation of outgassing of the organic material due to the transmission of UV light.

[0318] According to one embodiment of the present specification, in the transmissive area TA of the first optical area DA1, the lower surface of the light-emitting layer 122 may be in contact with the planarization layer PLN. That is, the bank 116 may not be disposed in the transmissive area TA. This reduces the volume of the organic material disposed in the transmissive area TA.

[0319] For example, when the volume of an organic material such as a bank is reduced in the transmissive region, the deposition prevention layer disposed in the transmissive region may be disposed not only on the top of the emissive layer but also on the side of the bank. Because the deposition prevention layer has low adhesive strength with layers disposed above or below it, if there is a step below the deposition prevention layer, lifting of the film due to the step may occur.

[0320] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present specification, the deposition prevention layer 150 may be disposed on a flat surface in the optical region DA1. That is, according to one embodiment of the present specification, the bottom of the deposition prevention layer 150 in the optical region DA1 may be flat, and the deposition prevention layer 150 may not overlap with the bank 116.

[0321] According to one embodiment of the present specification, since there is no step under the deposition prevention layer 150, lifting of the film due to the deposition prevention layer 150 can be prevented.

[0322] Meanwhile, by disposing the deposition prevention layer 150, when the cathode 123 is subsequently deposited, the cathode 123 is not disposed on the deposition prevention layer 150. That is, the cathode 123 may be disposed only in the light-emitting area EA of the optical area DA1. The side of the cathode 123 disposed in the light-emitting area EA and the side of the deposition prevention layer 150 disposed in the transmissive area TA of the optical area DA1 may be in contact with each other, but are not limited thereto.

[0323] 8a and 8b, the area of ​​the transmissive region TA may be the same as the area of ​​the deposition prevention layer 150. In this case, the thickness of the deposition prevention layer 150 may be constant.

[0324] That is, by disposing the deposition prevention layer 150 over the entire transmissive region TA, an opaque electrode such as the cathode 123 is not disposed in the transmissive region TA, thereby improving transmittance.

[0325] 8a shows a triangular structure of the transmissive region TA, but the shape of the transmissive region TA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the transmissive region TA may have various shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, a square, a hexagon, or an octagon.

[0326] Hereinafter, a display device according to another embodiment of the present specification will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0327] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the light-emitting area EA and the transmissive area TA in the optical area DA1 of a display device 200 according to another embodiment of the present specification. Fig. 10a is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the transmissive area TA and the deposition prevention layer 250 according to another embodiment of the present specification. Fig. 10b is an enlarged view showing the transmissive area TA according to another embodiment of the present specification.

[0328] 9 is substantially the same as the display devices of FIGS. 1 to 8 except for the deposition prevention layer 250. Therefore, for the sake of convenience, a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0329] 9 and 10, an deposition prevention layer 250 according to an embodiment of the present specification may include a first portion 253 having a uniform thickness and a second portion 255 arranged to surround the first portion and having a thickness thinner than the first portion.

[0330] In this case, the first portion 253 and the second portion 255 may be integral and made of the same material.

[0331] For example, the thickness of the second portion 255 may decrease away from the first portion 253 .

[0332] Specifically, according to another embodiment of the present specification, the deposition prevention layer 250 is formed by using an FMM to deposit the deposition prevention layer 250. At this time, when the deposition prevention layer 250 is formed by arranging the FMM to overlap a portion of the flat surface of the transmissive region TA in consideration of the process margin, the region exposed by the FMM is formed as a first portion 253 with a constant thickness, and the region overlapping with the FMM is formed as a second portion 255 with a thickness that decreases with increasing distance from the first portion 253 due to the process margin.

[0333] 10a and 10b, the area of ​​the transmissive region TA may be the same as the area of ​​the deposition prevention layer 250 composed of the first portion 253 and the second portion 255. In this case, the width w in FIG. 10a corresponds to the width w of the second portion 255, which decreases in thickness as it moves away from the first portion 253 in FIG. 10b.

[0334] Therefore, since the thickness of the second portion 255 decreases as it approaches the light-emitting area EA, the deposition prevention layer 250 composed of the first portion 253 and the second portion 255 in other embodiments of this specification can be more easily placed only on the flat surface of the optical area DA1, rather than being placed in areas where steps are formed, such as the bank 116 placed in the light-emitting area EA.

[0335] According to another embodiment of the present specification, the effect of preventing film lift-up due to the deposition prevention layer 250 may be further improved.

[0336] 11 is a plan view showing a first optical region of a flexible display device according to another embodiment of the present specification, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of region X of FIG.

[0337] First, referring to FIG. 11, the first optical area DA1 may include a central area 310 and a bezel area 320 located on the outer periphery of the central area 310.

[0338] The first optical region DA1 may include a plurality of horizontal lines HL, which may connect the transistors located in the bezel region 320 and the light emitting elements located in the central region 310.

[0339] The flexible display device 300 according to the embodiment may include a routing structure 340. By including the routing structure 340, the central region 310 may be expanded by the predetermined region a because the pixels located in the predetermined region a may be connected to transistors located in the bezel region 320 by the routing structure 340.

[0340] A specific consideration of the structure of the first optical area DA1 including the routing structure 340 is as follows.

[0341] 12, the first optical region may include a plurality of light-emitting elements ED located in a central region 310 and a bezel region 320. The first optical region may include a plurality of light-emitting elements ED, thereby enabling the first optical region to display a screen.

[0342] The first optical region may include a plurality of transistors 350 located in the bezel region 320. The central region 310 may not have any transistors 350. By not having any transistors located in the central region 310, the central region 310 may have a higher transmittance.

[0343] The first optical region includes multiple rows, including a first row R1 and a second row R2. The multiple rows included in the first optical region may be any region that traverses the first optical region in the horizontal direction and may be defined by the pattern of the transistors 350.

[0344] The flexible display device may include light emitting elements ED located in a central region 310 and arranged in a first row R1, and transistors 350 located in a bezel region 320 and arranged in a second row R2.

[0345] The flexible display device may include a routing structure 340 that electrically connects the light emitting elements ED located in the first row R1 to the transistors 350 located in the second row R2.

[0346] The routing structure 340 can connect the transistors 350 and light-emitting elements ED located in different rows, so that the transistors 350 located in a row where a larger number of transistors 350 than the light-emitting elements ED are arranged can be connected to the light-emitting elements ED located in a row where a larger number of light-emitting elements ED are arranged.

[0347] The number of light emitting elements ED included in the first row R1 of the central region 310 may be greater than the number of light emitting elements ED included in the second row R2 of the central region 310. Therefore, a greater number of transistors 350 are required to drive the light emitting elements ED included in the first row R1, and a smaller number of transistors 350 are required to drive the light emitting elements ED included in the second row R2. Therefore, among the transistors 350 located in the second row R2 of the bezel region 320, the surplus transistors 350 that are not electrically connected to the light emitting elements ED located in the second row R2 may be electrically connected to the light emitting elements ED located in the first row R1 by the routing structure 340.

[0348] The central region 310 may have a substantially uniform number of pixels per unit area throughout the central region 310. A substantially uniform number of pixels per unit area may mean, for example, that one pixel pattern is substantially uniform throughout the central region 310. Therefore, a larger number of light-emitting elements ED may be located in the first row R1, which has a larger area overlapping with the central region 310 than the second row R2.

[0349] For example, the number of transistors 350 included in the first row R1 of the bezel region 320 may be substantially the same as the number of transistors 350 included in the second row R2 of the bezel region 320. In the above example, if the central region 310 includes more light emitting elements ED in the first row R1 and fewer light emitting elements ED in the second row R2 of the central region 310, some of the transistors 350 included in the second row R2 may not be electrically connected to the light emitting elements ED located in the second row R2 but may be electrically connected to the light emitting elements ED located in the first row R1.

[0350] The bezel region 320 may have a substantially identical number of transistors 350 per unit area throughout the bezel region 320. A substantially identical pattern of transistors per unit area may mean that one transistor pattern is substantially uniform throughout the bezel region 320.

[0351] The area of ​​the area where the bezel region 320 overlaps with the first row R1 may be substantially the same as the area of ​​the area where the bezel region 320 overlaps with the second row R2. In such an example, the number of transistors 350 located in the first row R1 of the bezel region 320 may be substantially the same as the number of transistors 350 located in the second row R2 of the bezel region.

[0352] In such a case, the number of transistors 350 located in the rows of the bezel region 320 can be maintained constant, and the routing structure 340 can electrically connect the excess transistors in a particular row to the excess light-emitting elements in other rows, so that the flexible display device according to the embodiment can have a wider central region 310 than the flexible display device according to the comparative example.

[0353] Display devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can be described as follows.

[0354] A display device according to one embodiment of the present specification includes a substrate including a display area and a non-display area including an optical area including a light-emitting area and a transmissive area and a general area surrounding the optical area, a planarization layer disposed on the substrate in the display area, a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed on the planarization layer and including an anode, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode, a bank disposed on the planarization layer to cover the end of the anode, and a deposition prevention layer disposed on the light-emitting layer in the transmissive area of ​​the light-emitting area and the transmissive area in the optical area, and the bank is disposed in the light-emitting area of ​​the light-emitting area and the transmissive area in the optical area.

[0355] According to another feature of the present disclosure, the display device may further include an optical-electronic device disposed below the substrate in the optical region.

[0356] According to another feature of the present disclosure, the deposition prevention layer in the transmissive area of ​​the optical area may be disposed on a flat surface.

[0357] According to another feature herein, the lower surface of the light-emitting layer in the transmissive region of the optical region may be in contact with a planarizing layer.

[0358] According to another feature of the present disclosure, the deposition prevention layer and the bank may not overlap each other in the optical region.

[0359] According to another feature herein, a side of the cathode disposed in the light-emitting region of the optical region and a side of the deposition prevention layer disposed in the transmissive region of the optical region may abut each other.

[0360] According to another feature herein, the deposition prevention layer may have a constant thickness.

[0361] According to another feature of the present specification, the deposition prevention layer may include a first portion having a constant thickness and a second portion disposed to surround the first portion and having a thickness thinner than the first portion.

[0362] According to another feature herein, the thickness of the second portion can decrease away from the first portion.

[0363] According to another feature herein, the first and second parts may be integral and made of the same material.

[0364] Although the embodiments of the present specification have been described in more detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present specification is not necessarily limited to these embodiments and may be variously modified within the scope of the technical concept of the present specification. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting the technical concept of the present specification, and the scope of the technical concept of the present specification is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be understood to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present specification should be interpreted by the scope of the following claims, and all technical concepts within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present specification.

Claims

1. a substrate including a display area including an optical area including a light-emitting area and a transmissive area and a general area surrounding the optical area, and a non-display area; a planarization layer disposed on the substrate in the display area; a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed on the planarization layer, the light-emitting elements including an anode, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode; a bank disposed on the planarization layer so as to cover an end of the anode; and a deposition prevention layer disposed on the light-emitting layer in the transmission region of the light-emitting region and the transmission region of the optical region; A display device, wherein the bank is disposed in the light-emitting region of the light-emitting region and the transmissive region of the optical region.

2. The display device of claim 1 , further comprising an optoelectronic device disposed below the substrate in the optical region.

3. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the deposition prevention layer in the transmissive area of ​​the optical area is disposed on a flat surface.

4. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein a lower surface of the light-emitting layer in the transmissive region of the optical region is in contact with the planarization layer.

5. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the deposition prevention layer and the bank do not overlap each other in the optical region.

6. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein a side of the cathode disposed in the light-emitting region of the optical region and a side of the deposition prevention layer disposed in the transmissive region of the optical region are in contact with each other.

7. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the deposition prevention layer has a constant thickness.

8. The deposition prevention layer is a first portion having a constant thickness; and The display device according to claim 7 , further comprising a second portion disposed to surround the first portion and having a thickness smaller than that of the first portion.

9. The display device of claim 8 , wherein the thickness of the second portion decreases with increasing distance from the first portion.

10. The display device of claim 8 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are integral and made of the same material.

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