Display panel and electronic device comprising same

Abstract

A display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a camera module; a substrate disposed on the camera module; a plurality of display units disposed on the substrate; and a transparent panel disposed on the display unit, wherein the plurality of display units are configured in a plurality of rows, and an interval between the plurality of display units within each of the rows may be one of a first interval or a second interval.

Description

Display panel and electronic device including same

[0001] The present invention relates to a display panel and an electronic device including the same, and more particularly, to a display panel having a camera disposed thereunder and an electronic device including the same.

[0002] Under-Display Camera (UDC) is a technology that places a camera beneath the display. UDC eliminates the need for a notch or punch hole for the front camera. Its advantages include wider screen usability and the implementation of full-screen displays, making it a technology that's gaining attention.

[0003] Recent UDCs essentially use a transparent OLED display, with the camera positioned underneath. This is to allow light, essential for photography, to pass through to the camera. High pixel density blocks a corresponding amount of light, so the pixel density in the area where the camera is located is lowered and placed sparsely. When using UDC, light passes through the empty pixel spaces, while normally, the screen displays with filled pixels. Therefore, increasing pixel density can improve image quality by making the UDC invisible, but the camera cannot receive light, which can degrade photo quality. Conversely, lowering pixel density to improve photo quality increases the amount of light received by the camera, but the UDC becomes larger, which inevitably reduces screen clarity and color. Furthermore, even if the display is transparent, light still enters through it, which inevitably reduces the amount of light refracted or transmitted.

[0004] Accordingly, research is ongoing into technologies that can improve display quality and camera performance while using UDC.

[0005] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a display panel having a camera positioned underneath and an electronic device including the same, which can improve the performance of the camera while maintaining image quality.

[0006] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a display panel applicable to various cameras and an electronic device including the same.

[0007] A display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a camera module, a substrate disposed on the camera module, a plurality of display units disposed on the substrate, and a transparent panel disposed on the display units, wherein the plurality of display units are configured in a plurality of rows, and an interval between the plurality of display units within the plurality of rows may be one of a first interval or a second interval.

[0008] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, one of the first interval and the second interval may be 0.

[0009] In each of the plurality of rows of the display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of display units may be arranged alternately at the first interval and the second interval.

[0010] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of display units are further configured into a plurality of columns, and the interval between the plurality of display units within the plurality of columns may be one of a third interval or a fourth interval.

[0011] In a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, one of the third interval and the fourth interval may be 0.

[0012] In each of the plurality of columns of the display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of display units may be alternately arranged at the third interval and the fourth interval.

[0013] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel, a processor controlling the display panel, and a housing, wherein the display panel includes a camera module, a substrate disposed on the camera module, a plurality of display units disposed on the substrate, and a transparent panel disposed on the display unit, wherein the plurality of display units are configured in a plurality of rows, and an interval between the plurality of display units within the plurality of rows may be one of a first interval or a second interval.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diffraction effect of the camera can be minimized by widening the space between the display units.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the performance of the camera can be secured by minimizing the diffraction effect of the camera.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, even if the space between display units increases, the number of pixels per unit length can be maintained, so that the image quality may not deteriorate.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an electronic device including a display panel with a camera positioned underneath.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel having a camera module disposed thereunder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a display panel disposed on a camera module according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a display panel positioned on a camera module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a display panel with a camera positioned underneath according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a display panel with a camera positioned underneath according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to some of the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, one or more of the components between the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted for use.

[0025] In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted as having a meaning that can be generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, and terms that are commonly used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0026] Additionally, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are intended to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0027] In this specification, the singular may also include the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase, and when it is described as “A and / or at least one (or more) of B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, C.

[0028] Additionally, in describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used.

[0029] These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the component.

[0030] And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another component, it may include not only cases where the component is directly connected, coupled or connected to the other component, but also cases where the component is 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' by another component between the component and the other component.

[0031] Additionally, when described as being formed or arranged "above or below" each component, "above" or "below" includes not only cases where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. Furthermore, when expressed as "above" or "below", it can include the meaning of a downward direction as well as an upward direction based on one component.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an electronic device including a display panel with a camera positioned underneath.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device (100) may include a display panel (110) and a camera (120). The display panel (110) may occupy the remaining portion of the electronic device (100) excluding the upper, lower, left, and right bezels. In FIG. 1, the camera (120) may be positioned on the front of the electronic device (100) and may be referred to as a front camera. The camera (120) may be positioned at the top center of the display panel (110), but is not limited thereto.

[0034] In the past, a display panel (110) was used in which only the camera (120) portion was cut into various shapes (e.g., notch cut, punch hole, teardrop shape, etc.) to allow light to pass through the camera (120). As a result, images could not be displayed only on the camera (120) portion of the display panel (110). However, in the present invention, since the display panel (110) is not cut, images can be displayed on the entire display panel (110), and since the display panel (110) can allow light to pass through, even if the camera (120) is positioned below the display panel (110), the camera (120) can take pictures.

[0035] Below, the structure of a display panel capable of displaying images while transmitting light is described in detail.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel having a camera module disposed thereunder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the display panel (210) can be distinguished into two regions, a first region (202) where a camera module (220) is positioned underneath, and a second region (204, 206) where the camera module (220) is not positioned. The first region (202) may be a transparent region that must transmit light to operate the camera module (220), and the second region (204, 206) may be a light-emitting region for the display.

[0038] A first region (202) of a display panel (210) having a camera module (220) disposed therebelow may include a transparent panel (212), a plurality of display units (214-4 to 214-9), and a substrate (216). A plurality of display units (214-4 to 214-9) may be disposed on the substrate (216), and the transparent panel (212) may be disposed on the plurality of display units (214-4 to 214-9). The substrate (216) may fix the plurality of display units (214-4 to 214-9) and supply electrical signals and power to the plurality of display units (214-4 to 214-9). The display units (214-4 to 214-9) may be light-emitting elements, which may be elements that emit light for display. A plurality of display units (214-4 to 214-9) may be arranged at a predetermined interval in the first region (202). The plurality of display units (214-4 to 214-9) may be arranged at a predetermined interval so that light may be transmitted between the plurality of display units (214-4 to 214-9) and transmitted to the camera module (220). The interval between the display units (214-4 to 214-9) may form a diffraction angle, and the larger the interval between the display units (214-4 to 214-9), the smaller the diffraction angle. If the diffraction angle is large, an interference phenomenon may occur, which may lower the resolution and deteriorate the quality. Therefore, in order to improve the performance of the camera, the diffraction angle must be increased. In order to increase the diffraction angle, it may be necessary to widen the interval between the display units (214-4 to 214-9).

[0039] Meanwhile, the second region (204, 206) in which the camera module (220) is not arranged in the display panel (210) may also include a transparent panel (212), a plurality of display units (214-1 to 214-3, 214-10 to 214-12), and a substrate (216). In the second region (204, 206), a plurality of display units (214-1 to 214-3, 214-10 to 214-12) may be arranged on the substrate (216), and the transparent panel (212) may be arranged on the plurality of display units (214-1 to 214-3, 214-10 to 214-12). Since the second region (204, 206) does not have a camera module (220), there is no need to transmit light. Accordingly, in the second region (204, 206), the gap between the display units (214-1 to 214-3, 214-10 to 214-12) may be narrowed to provide better picture quality of the display, and a greater number of display units (214-1 to 214-3, 214-10 to 214-12) may be arranged per unit area than in the first region (202). According to one embodiment, the gap between the display units (214-1 to 214-3, 214-10 to 214-12) in the second region (204, 206) may be 0.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a display panel disposed on a camera module according to one embodiment.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, a display panel disposed above a camera module may include a plurality of display units. The plurality of display units may be configured in a plurality of rows and / or a plurality of columns. For example, in FIG. 3, the plurality of display units are configured in four rows (301, 303, 305, 307) and four columns (311, 313, 315, 317), and each column and each row includes four display units.

[0042] In FIG. 3, display units included in each column may be arranged at equal intervals. For example, display units (321-1, 323-1, 325-1, 327-1) included in a first column (311), display units (321-2, 323-2, 325-2, 327-2) included in a second column (313), display units (321-3, 323-3, 325-3, 327-3) included in a third column (315), and display units (321-4, 323-4, 325-4, 327-4) included in a fourth column (317) may be arranged at equal intervals. In addition, display units included in each row may also be arranged at equal intervals. For example, display units (321-1, 321-2, 321-3, 321-4) included in the first row (301), display units (323-1, 323-2, 323-3, 323-4) included in the second row (303), display units (325-1, 325-2, 325-3, 325-4) included in the third row (305), and display units (327-1, 327-2, 327-3, 327-4) included in the fourth row (307) can be arranged at a second interval (333).

[0043] According to FIG. 3, a plurality of display units are arranged at equal intervals along rows and / or columns, so that the diffraction angle can also be constant along rows and / or columns.

[0044] FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate plan views of a display panel disposed on a camera module according to various embodiments of the present invention. According to FIGS. 4 to 6, the number of display units per unit area or the number of pixels per unit length is the same as the number of display units included in the display panel disclosed in FIG. 3 or the number of pixels per unit length, so that the image quality displayed through the display panel may be the same as or similar to that in FIG. 3.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a display panel positioned on a camera module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 4, a display panel disposed above a camera module may include a plurality of display units. The plurality of display units may be configured in a plurality of rows and / or a plurality of columns. For example, in FIG. 4, the plurality of display units are configured in four rows (401, 403, 405, 407) and four columns (411, 413, 415, 417), and each column and each row includes four display units.

[0047] In FIG. 4, the display units included in each column can be arranged at a first interval (431) or a second interval (433). For example, the gap between some of the display units (421-1 and 423-1, 425-1 and 427-1) among the display units included in the first column (411), the gap between some of the display units (421-2 and 423-2, 425-2 and 427-2) among the display units included in the second column (413), the gap between some of the display units (421-3 and 423-3, 425-3 and 427-3) among the display units included in the third column (415), the gap between some of the display units (421-4 and 423-4, 425-4 and 427-4) among the display units included in the fourth column (417) may be the first gap (431), and the gap between some of the display units (423-1 and 425-1) among the display units included in the first column (411), the second The gap between some of the display units (423-2 and 425-2) included in the column (413), the gap between some of the display units (423-3 and 425-3) included in the third column (415), and the gap between some of the display units (423-4 and 425-4) included in the fourth column (417) may be a second gap (433). According to one embodiment, the value of the second gap (433) may be 0.

[0048] Additionally, the display units included in each row can also be arranged at a third interval (435) or a fourth interval (437). For example, the gap between some of the display units (421-1 and 421-2, 421-3 and 421-4) among the display units included in the first row (401), the gap between some of the display units (423-1 and 423-2, 423-3 and 423-4) among the display units included in the second row (403), the gap between some of the display units (425-1 and 425-2, 425-3 and 425-4) among the display units included in the third row (405), the gap between some of the display units (427-1 and 427-2, 427-3 and 427-4) among the display units included in the fourth row (407) may be a third gap (435), and the gap between some of the display units (421-2 and 421-3) among the display units included in the first row (401), the second The gap between some of the display units (423-2 and 423-3) included in the row (403), the gap between some of the display units (425-2 and 425-3) included in the third row (405), and the gap between some of the display units (427-2 and 427-3) included in the fourth row (407) may be a fourth gap (437). According to one embodiment, the value of the fourth gap (437) may be 0.

[0049] According to FIG. 4, the number of display units per unit area or the number of pixels per unit length is the same as in FIG. 3, but the spacing between the display units is different depending on the row or / and column, so that the diffraction angle may be larger than the diffraction angle due to the spacing between the display units included in the display panel disclosed in FIG. 3.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a display panel with a camera positioned underneath according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] As with FIG. 4, the display panel disposed over the camera module of FIG. 5 may include a plurality of display units. The plurality of display units may be configured in a plurality of rows and / or a plurality of columns. For example, in FIG. 5, the plurality of display units are configured in four rows (501, 503, 505, 507) and four columns (511, 513, 515, 517), and each column and each row includes four display units.

[0052] In FIG. 5, the display units included in each column can be arranged at a first interval (531) or a second interval (533). For example, the gap between some of the display units (521-1 and 525-1, 523-1 and 527-1) among the display units included in the first column (511), the gap between some of the display units (521-2 and 525-2, 523-2 and 527-2) among the display units included in the second column (513), the gap between some of the display units (521-3 and 525-3, 523-3 and 527-3) among the display units included in the third column (515), and the gap between some of the display units (521-4 and 525-4, 523-4 and 527-4) among the display units included in the fourth column (517) may be the first gap (531), and the gap between some of the display units (521-1 and 523-1, The gap between some of the display units (521-2 and 523-2, 525-2 and 527-2) included in the second column (513), the gap between some of the display units (521-3 and 523-3, 525-3 and 527-3) included in the third column (515), and the gap between some of the display units (521-4 and 523-4, 525-4 and 527-4) included in the fourth column (517) may be the second gap (533). According to one embodiment, the display units included in each column may not be arranged on the same line.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the display units included in each row may be arranged at a third spacing (535) or a fourth spacing (537). For example, the gap between some of the display units (521-1 and 521-2, 521-3 and 521-4) among the display units included in the first row (501), the gap between some of the display units (523-2 and 523-3) among the display units included in the second row (503), the gap between some of the display units (525-1 and 525-2, 525-3 and 525-4) among the display units included in the third row (505), the gap between some of the display units (527-2 and 527-3) among the display units included in the fourth row (507) may be a third gap (535), and the gap between some of the display units (521-2 and 521-3) among the display units included in the first row (501), and the gap between some of the display units (523-1 and 521-3) among the display units included in the second row (503) may be a third gap (535). The gap between some of the display units (523-2, 523-3 and 523-4) included in the third row (505), the gap between some of the display units (525-2 and 525-3) included in the third row (505), and the gap between some of the display units (527-1 and 527-2, 527-3 and 527-4) included in the fourth row (507) may be a fourth gap (537). In one embodiment, the value of the fourth gap (537) may be 0.

[0054] According to FIG. 5, the number of display units per unit area or the number of pixels per unit length is the same as in FIGS. 3 and 4, but the spacing between the display units is different depending on the row or / and column, so that the diffraction angle may be larger than the diffraction angle due to the spacing between the display units included in the display panel disclosed in FIG. 3.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a display panel with a camera positioned underneath according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] As with FIG. 4, the display panel disposed over the camera module of FIG. 6 may include a plurality of display units. The plurality of display units may be configured in a plurality of rows and / or a plurality of columns. For example, in FIG. 6, the plurality of display units are configured in four rows (601, 603, 605, 607) and four columns (611, 613, 615, 617), and each column and each row includes four display units.

[0057] In FIG. 6, the display units included in each column can be arranged at a first interval (631) or a second interval (633). For example, the gap between some of the display units (621-1 and 623-1, 625-1 and 627-1) among the display units included in the first column (611), the gap between some of the display units (623-2 and 625-2) among the display units included in the second column (613), the gap between some of the display units (623-3 and 625-3) among the display units included in the third column (615), the gap between some of the display units (621-4 and 623-4, 625-4 and 627-4) among the display units included in the fourth column (617) may be the first gap (631), and the gap between some of the display units (623-1 and 625-1) among the display units included in the first column (611), and the gap between some of the display units (621-2 and 625-1) among the display units included in the second column (613) may be the first gap (631). The gap between some of the display units included in the third column (615) (623-2, 625-2 and 627-2), the gap between some of the display units included in the third column (615) (621-3 and 623-3, 625-3 and 627-3), and the gap between some of the display units included in the fourth column (617) (623-4 and 625-4) may be a second gap (633). In one embodiment, the value of the second gap (633) may be 0.

[0058] Additionally, the display units included in each row may be arranged at a third interval (635) or a fourth interval (637). For example, the gap between some of the display units (621-1 and 621-2, 621-3 and 621-4) among the display units included in the first row (601), the gap between some of the display units (623-1 and 623-2, 623-3 and 623-4) among the display units included in the second row (603), the gap between some of the display units (625-1 and 625-2, 625-3 and 625-4) among the display units included in the third row (605), the gap between some of the display units (627-1 and 627-2, 627-3 and 627-4) among the display units included in the fourth row (607) may be a third gap (635), and the gap between some of the display units (621-2 and 621-3) among the display units included in the first row (601), the second The spacing between some of the display units (623-2 and 623-3) included in the row (603), the spacing between some of the display units (625-2 and 625-3) included in the third row (605), and the spacing between some of the display units (627-2 and 627-3) included in the fourth row (607) may be a fourth spacing (637). In one embodiment, the value of the fourth spacing (637) may be 0. In one embodiment, the display units included in each row may not be arranged on the same line.

[0059] According to FIG. 6, the number of display units per unit area or the number of pixels per unit length is the same as in FIGS. 3 to 5, but the spacing between the display units is different depending on the row and / or column, so that the diffraction angle may be larger than the diffraction angle due to the spacing between the display units included in the display panel disclosed in FIG. 3.

[0060] According to one embodiment, an electronic device including a display panel according to FIGS. 4 to 6 can be used for structured light, Time of Flight (ToF) transmission and reception, which is used to recognize the shape of an object in three-dimensional space, thereby increasing efficiency.

[0061] Although the above description focuses on examples, these are merely examples and do not limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. For example, each component specifically shown in the examples can be modified and implemented. In addition, differences related to such modifications and applications should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Camera module; A substrate placed on the above camera module; a plurality of display units arranged on the substrate; and including a transparent panel disposed on the display unit; The above plurality of display units are, It consists of multiple rows, A display panel, wherein the spacing between the plurality of display units within the plurality of rows is either a first spacing or a second spacing.

2. In paragraph 1, A display panel, wherein one of the first interval and the second interval is 0.

3. In paragraph 1, A display panel, wherein the plurality of display units are arranged alternately at the first interval and the second interval within each of the plurality of rows.

4. In paragraph 1, The above plurality of display units are, It is further composed of multiple columns, A display panel, wherein the spacing between the plurality of display units within the plurality of columns is one of a third spacing or a fourth spacing.

5. In paragraph 4, A display panel, wherein one of the third interval and the fourth interval is 0.

6. In paragraph 4, A display panel, wherein the plurality of display units are arranged alternately at the third interval and the fourth interval within each of the plurality of columns.

7. Display panel; a processor controlling the display panel; and Including housing, The above display panel, camera module; A substrate placed on the above camera module; a plurality of display units arranged on the substrate; and including a transparent panel disposed on the display unit; The above plurality of display units are, It consists of multiple rows, An electronic device wherein the spacing between the plurality of display units within the plurality of rows is one of a first spacing or a second spacing.

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