Display device including scan driver for driving display panel in which empty area enclosed by display area is formed

A display device is provided. The display device includes a display driver circuit, and a display panel including a display area including a plurality of pixels, a non-display area, an empty area enclosed by the plurality of pixels, a first scan driving circuit disposed in a first partial area of the non-display area formed outside of a first side of the display area, at least one first scan line extended towards the empty area from the first scan driving circuit, a second scan driving circuit and disposed in a second partial area of the non-display area formed outside a second side adjacent to the first side of the display area, and at least one second scan line extended towards the empty area from the second scan driving circuit to be connected to at least one second pixel of the plurality of pixels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Korean patent application number 10-2018-0059784, filed on May 25, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a display device including a scan driving circuit for driving a display panel in which an empty area enclosed by a display area is formed.

2. Description of the Related Art

Nowadays, with the development of digital technology, various types of electronic devices (e.g., display device) such as a mobile communication terminal, smart phone, tablet personal computer (PC), notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wearable device, or digital camera are widely used.

For example, in an electronic device having spatial restrictions, a display device (e.g., a full screen display that extends a display area of a screen to a bezel area formed outside the electronic device or an area adjacent to the bezel area) for obtaining a maximum screen is required.

In a display device, as a display area that displays a screen is extended gradually, unlike the prior art in which a specific area (e.g., hole area or empty area) required for implementing a function of a camera or a sensor mounted in the display device is disposed at the upper end of a non-display area, which is a bezel area, the specific area (e.g., hole area or empty area) may be formed in a shape enclosed by pixels within the display area.

For example, a pixel or a wiring should not be disposed in the empty area, for function implementation of a camera or a sensor. Therefore, in an area adjacent to the empty area, pixels for outputting image data may not be disposed or a dead space (DS) (e.g., black area) is excessively formed according to a dense disposition structure of wirings for applying a driving signal to pixels disposed in an area adjacent to the empty area and thus the aesthetic sense may be deteriorated.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide a display device for maximizing a display occupied area thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a display device is provided. The display device includes a display driver circuit, and a display panel including a display area including a plurality of pixels, a non-display area formed outside the display area, an empty area in which the plurality of pixels is not disposed in at least part of the display area and enclosed by the plurality of pixels, a first scan driving circuit electrically connected to the display driver circuit and disposed in a first partial area of the non-display area formed outside of a first side of the display area, at least one first scan line extended towards the empty area from the first scan driving circuit to be connected to at least one first pixel of the plurality of pixels, a second scan driving circuit electrically connected to the first scan driving circuit and disposed in a second partial area of the non-display area formed outside a second side adjacent to the first side of the display area, and at least one second scan line extended towards the empty area from the second scan driving circuit to be connected to at least one second pixel of the plurality of pixels.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a display device is provided. The display device includes a display driver circuit, and a display panel including a display area including a plurality of pixels, a non-display area formed outside the display area, an empty area in which the plurality of pixels is not disposed in at least part of the display area and enclosed by the plurality of pixels, a scan driving circuit electrically connected to the display driver circuit and disposed in the non-display area, at least one scan line extended from the scan driving circuit to be connected to the plurality of pixels, at least one first data line electrically connected to the display driver circuit and extended towards the empty area from the display driver circuit to be connected to at least one first pixel disposed at a first side among the plurality of pixels, and at least one second data line electrically connected to the display driver circuit and extended from the display driver circuit to be connected to at least one second pixel disposed at a second side adjacent to the empty area among the plurality of pixels through the non-display area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device101in a network environment100according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The camera module180may capture a still image or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module180may include one or more lenses, image sensors, ISPs, or flashes.

The power management module188may manage power supplied to the electronic device101. The power management module188may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating the display device160according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 2, the display device160may include a display210and a display driver integrated circuit (DDI)230to control the display210. The DDI230may include an interface module231, memory233(e.g., buffer memory), an image processing module235, or a mapping module237. The DDI230may receive image information that contains image data or an image control signal corresponding to a command to control the image data from another component of the electronic device101via the interface module231. For example, the image information may be received from the processor120(e.g., the main processor121(e.g., an AP)) or the auxiliary processor123(e.g., a GPU) operated independently from the function of the main processor121. The DDI230may communicate, for example, with touch circuitry150or the sensor module176via the interface module231. The DDI230may also store at least part of the received image information in the memory233on a frame by frame basis.

The image processing module235may perform pre-processing or post-processing (e.g., adjustment of resolution, brightness, or size) with respect to at least part of the image data. The pre-processing or post-processing may be performed based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the image data or one or more characteristics of the display210.

The mapping module237may generate a voltage value or a current value corresponding to the image data pre-processed or post-processed by the image processing module235. The generating of the voltage value or current value may be performed based at least in part on one or more attributes of the pixels (e.g., an array, such as an RGB stripe or a pentile structure, of the pixels, or the size of each subpixel). At least some pixels of the display210may be driven based at least in part on the voltage value or the current value such that visual information (e.g., a text, an image, or an icon) corresponding to the image data may be displayed via the display210.

The display device160may further include the touch circuitry250. The touch circuitry250may include a touch sensor251and a touch sensor IC253to control the touch sensor251. The touch sensor IC253may control the touch sensor251to sense a touch input or a hovering input with respect to a certain position on the display210. To achieve this the touch sensor251may detect (e.g., measure) a change in a signal (e.g., a voltage, a quantity of light, a resistance, or a quantity of one or more electric charges) corresponding to the certain position on the display210. The touch circuitry250may provide input information (e.g., a position, an area, a pressure, or a time) indicative of the touch input or the hovering input detected via the touch sensor251to the processor120. At least part (e.g., the touch sensor IC253) of the touch circuitry250may be formed as part of the display210or the DDI230, or as part of another component (e.g., the auxiliary processor123) disposed outside the display device160.

The display device160may further include at least one sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, a pressure sensor, or an illuminance sensor) of the sensor module176or a control circuit for the at least one sensor. In such a case, the at least one sensor or the control circuit for the at least one sensor may be embedded in one portion of a component (e.g., the display210, the DDI230, or the touch circuitry150)) of the display device160. For example, when the sensor module176embedded in the display device160includes a biometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor), the biometric sensor may obtain biometric information (e.g., a fingerprint image) corresponding to a touch input received via a portion of the display210. When the sensor module176embedded in the display device160includes a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor may obtain pressure information corresponding to a touch input received via a partial or whole area of the display210. The touch sensor251or the sensor module176may be disposed between pixels in a pixel layer of the display210, or over or under the pixel layer.

A display device (e.g., the display device160ofFIG. 2) according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), field emission display (FED), plasma display panel (PDP), or organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. For example, by displaying an image (or video) using an OLED that generates light by recombination of electrons and holes, the OLED display may drive a display screen with low consumption power while having a fast response speed.

The OLED display may include a display panel including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and a driving circuit that transfers an image data (e.g., red, green, and blue (RGB)) signal to each of a plurality of pixels to display an image. For example, the driving circuit may include a data driver that transfers image data signals through data lines (DL) connected to each pixel and a gate driver (or scan driver) (e.g., scan driving circuit) that transfers scan signals through scan lines (SL) connected to each pixel in order to activate each pixel so as to display an image according to the data signals. Hereinafter, an OLED display is exemplified, but the disclosure is not limited thereto and a driving circuit and a display enhancement structure according to various embodiments may be used.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating a display driving operation of a display device (e.g., the display device160ofFIGS. 1 and 2) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 3, a display310of the display device may include a display area311that may output image data to the outside and a non-display area312, which is an area other than the display area. For example, the display area311may mean an area that may output image data to the outside of the display device and in which a plurality of pixels is disposed. For example, the non-display area312may mean an area, except for the display area311among areas forming an external shape of the display device. The non-display area312may include an area in which a predetermined circuit element (e.g., gate driver, emission driver) and a wiring (e.g., scan line, data line, ELVDD wiring, ELVSS wiring) are disposed. The non-display area312may include an area in which a display driver IC (DDI) for applying signals to pixels of the display area311and/or wiring for electrically connecting the DDI (e.g., the DDI230ofFIG. 2) and pixels are disposed. At least part of the wiring may be disposed in at least a partial area of the display area311as well as the non-display area312.

For example, each pixel of the display area311may include at least one subpixel P. The display310may include a plurality of gate lines (GL) (e.g., GL1to GLn) and a plurality of DL (e.g., DL1to DLm) crossing each other. Subpixels P may be formed in an area in which the GL and the DL cross. Each subpixel P may include an OLED and at least one driving circuit for driving the OLED.

In order to drive the display310, the display panel or the display driver circuit (e.g., the DDI230ofFIG. 2) may include a gate driver320, scan driver, or scan driving circuit; data driver330or data driver circuit; timing control340; and interface block350. The display area311may include a sensor hole area (not illustrated) in which at least one sensor (e.g., camera sensor, proximity sensor, infrared sensor) is disposed.

The driving circuit provided in each subpixel P may include at least one of at least one switch (e.g., thin film transistor (TFT) and at least one capacitor (e.g., storage capacitor (CST)) or light emitting element (e.g., OLED)).

At least one TFT may charge a data voltage supplied from the data line (DL) in a capacitor in response to a scan signal supplied from the GL. At least one TFT may control an amount of currents supplied to each subpixel P (e.g., OLED or liquid crystal) according to a data voltage charged in the capacitor.

The gate driver320may supply scan signals or scan pulses to a plurality of gate lines (GL1to GLn) according to at least one gate control signal (GCS) provided from the timing control340. The gate driver320may include a gate shift register for outputting scan signals. The scan signals are sequentially supplied to each pixel and may be configured with a single signal or a plurality of signals. When the scan signal is configured with a plurality of signals, each GL may be configured with a plurality of lines for supplying a plurality of scan signals to each pixel. For example, the gate driver320may be connected to a column line, which is a cathode terminal of the display310to select sequentially the corresponding column line.

The data driver330may convert image data (RGB) provided from the timing control340to a data voltage according to at least one data control signal (DCS) provided from the timing control340. The data driver330may generate a data voltage using a plurality of gamma compensation voltage. The data driver330may supply the generated data voltage sequentially in a line unit (or row unit) to a plurality of pixels. The data driver330may include a data shift register for outputting a sampling signal, a latch circuit for latching image data (RGB) in a line unit in response to the sampling signal, and a digital analog converter (DAC) for converting the latched image data to an analog gradation voltage.

The timing control340may align image data (RGB) provided from the interface block350to correspond to a size and resolution of the display310. The timing control340may supply the aligned image data (RGB) to the data driver330. The timing control340may transmit a plurality of control signals (e.g., GCS, DCS) using at least one synchronization signal (SYNC) provided from the interface block350. A plurality of control signals (e.g., GCS, DCS) may include at least one GCS and at least one DCS. The GCS may be a signal for controlling driving timing of the gate driver320. The DCS may be a signal for controlling driving timing of the data driver330. Synchronization signals (SYNC) may include a dot clock (DCLK), data enable signal (DE), horizontal synchronization signal (Hsync), or vertical synchronization signal (Vsync).

The interface block350may receive image data (RGB) from the processor (e.g., the processor120ofFIG. 1) and transmit the received image data (RGB) to the timing control340. The interface block350may generate at least one synchronization signal (SYNC) to transmit the generate SYNC to the timing control340. The interface block350may control a power supply unit360(e.g., the power management module188ofFIG. 1) to supply at least one driving voltage to the display310.

The display panel of the display310may also include a backlight module (BLU) (not illustrated).

The power supply unit360may generate at least one driving voltage necessary for driving the display310and supply the generated driving voltage to the display310. The power supply unit360is configured with a single unit or plural units to independently supply at least one driving voltage to an area (e.g., at least a partial area of the display area311) in which at least one sensor is disposed. At least one driving voltage may include, for example, an ELVDD, ELVSS, gate-on voltage, gate-off voltage, or initialization voltage. The gate-on voltage may be a voltage for turning on at least one TFT provided in the display310. The gate-off voltage may be a voltage for turning off at least one TFT provided in the display310. The initialization voltage may be a voltage for initializing at least one node provided in a driving circuit for driving at least one subpixel P of a plurality of subpixels (P).

FIG. 4is a front view illustrating a display device (e.g., the electronic device101ofFIG. 1or the display device160ofFIGS. 1 and 2) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 4, the display device may include a display410(e.g., the display210ofFIG. 2, the display310ofFIG. 3) that may output image data through at least a partial area of a front surface and/or a side surface.

For example, the display410may include a display area411, which is an area in which image data are output and a non-display area412, which is an area other than the display area.

The display area411may include an area in which a plurality of pixels is disposed. The non-display area412may mean an area, except for the display area411among areas forming an external shape of the display410of the display device.

For example, the non-display area412may include an area in which predetermined circuit elements (e.g., gate driver, emission driver) and wiring (e.g., scan line, data line, ELVDD wiring, ELVSS wiring) are disposed. The non-display area412may include an area in which a DDI for applying signals to pixels disposed in the display area411and/or elements and wirings for electrically connecting the DDI and the pixels are disposed.

The display device may include at least one empty area430(e.g., camera hole and/or sensor hole) for function implementation of a sensor or a camera420in the display area411or the non-display area412of the display410. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the display device may include the empty area430inside the display area411. The empty area430may be formed to be enclosed by a plurality of pixels of the display area411. For example, the empty area430may include an area in which pixels are not disposed among the display area411and enclosed by the pixels. According to another embodiment, the empty area430may mean an area in which a small number of pixels are disposed in the same area, compared to pixels of the display area411.

In the empty area430, the pixel (or subpixels) of the display area and at least one wiring (e.g., scan line, data line, EM line, ELVDD wiring, ELVSS wiring) electrically connected to the pixel may not be disposed.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating a structure in which wiring of a display panel are disposed to bypass an empty area in a display device (e.g., the electronic device101, the display device160) according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 5, the display panel may include a display area510and a non-display area520. For example, the display area510may include an area in which a plurality of pixels (or subpixels) is disposed, and the non-display area520may include an area in which predetermined circuit elements and wirings are disposed.

The display device may include a display driver circuit (not illustrated) (e.g., the DDI230ofFIG. 2). The display driver circuit may apply a driving signal to the display panel. The display driver circuit may be connected electrically to wiring and pixels disposed in the display panel. The display driver circuit may receive image data to be output through the display through the processor and provide signals and power corresponding to the image data to the display panel.

The display panel may include scan driver circuits (scan(1), scan(2), . . . , scan(6)) and at least one scan line (e.g., SL or gate lines) (SL1to SL6, SL3′ to SL5′). For example, the scan driving circuit may include a gate driver (or scan driver) (e.g., the gate driver320ofFIG. 3).

For example, the scan driving circuit may be electrically connected to a display driver circuit (not illustrated) of the display device and be disposed in the non-display area520of the display panel. Further, the scan line may be connected to pixels extended from the scan driving circuit to be disposed in the display area510.

The scan driving circuit may supply scan signals or a gate signal to the pixels of the display panel through the scan line (e.g., gate line or scan line). For example, the scan driving circuit may control a voltage of a gate terminal of the scan TFT based on the scan signals, thereby controlling light emission of each pixel. The scan driving circuit may be disposed at one side (e.g., left non-display area of the display device) of the display panel. As illustrated inFIG. 5, in order to prevent voltage drop of scan signals, the gate driver may be disposed at each of both sides (e.g., left and right non-display area of the display device) of the display panel to supply scan signals.

The display panel may further include power driving circuits (EM(1), EM(2), . . . , EM(6)) and at least one power line (e.g., EM line) (EL1to EL6, EL3′ to EL5′). For example, the power driving circuit may include an emission driver.

For example, the power driving circuit (e.g., emission driver) may be connected electrically to the display driver circuit (not illustrated) of the display device and be disposed in the non-display area of the display panel. For example, the power line (e.g., EM line) may be connected to pixels extended from the power driving circuit to be disposed in the display area510.

By applying light emission control signals (e.g., EM signals) to each pixel, the power driving circuit may control light emission timing of the pixel. The power driving circuit may be divided into a plurality of blocks. Each of the divided blocks may mean an emission driving block or an EM block. The power driving circuit may alternatively be included in the display driver circuit instead of the display panel.

The display panel may include a data driving circuit (data driver) (e.g., the data driver330ofFIG. 3) and at least one data line (D1to D4, D1′ to D4′) connected to pixels extended from the data driving circuit and disposed in the display area510. For example, the data driving circuit may supply a data signal (or source signal) to each pixel (or subpixel) through a data line. The data driving circuit may apply a data signal to control light emission intensity of each pixel.

The display panel may include an empty area530, which is an area in which pixels (or subpixels) are not disposed in at least part of the display area510and enclosed by the pixels on the display area510.

At least one wiring (e.g., scan line, power line, and data line) used for supplying signals or power to the pixels may not be disposed in the empty area530.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the at least one wiring may be disconnected (e.g., SL (SL3to SL5, SL3′ to SL5′) and power lines (EL3to EL5, EL3′ to EL5′)) in the vicinity of the empty area530or may be disposed (e.g., DL (D1, D2, D1′, D2′)) to bypass the empty area. For example, when at least one wiring is disposed in a portion of the empty area, the display device may further include an opaque member for shielding at least one wiring that bypasses the empty area.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, at least part of the at least one wiring may be disposed in the empty area530.

FIG. 6Ais a diagram illustrating a disposition structure of wiring of a display panel in a display device (e.g., the electronic device101, the display device160) according to an embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG. 6Bis a diagram illustrating a disposition structure of wiring of a display panel in a display device (e.g., the electronic device101, the display device160) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 6A and 6B, the display panel may include a display area610including a plurality of pixels and a non-display area620formed outside the display area.

The display panel may further include an empty area630in which the plurality of pixels is not disposed in at least a partial area of the display area610and that is an area enclosed by a plurality of pixels of the display area610. For example, the empty area630may correspond to a hole area in which a camera or a sensor included in the display device is disposed.

The display device may include a display driver circuit (not illustrated) for applying a driving signal to the display panel. The display driver circuit (not illustrated) may be disposed on the non-display area620of the display panel. For example, the display driver circuit may be disposed in a third partial area of the non-display area620and corresponding to the outside of a third side of the display area610.

Referring toFIGS. 6A and 6B, a display panel may include first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) electrically connected to the display driver circuit (not illustrated) of the display device and corresponding to the outside of a first side of the display area610and disposed in the first partial area of the non-display area620. For example, the first partial area may include at least part of the non-display area620of the side (left side and/or right side) of the display device.

The display panel may include at least one first scan line (SL3to SL8and SL3′ to SL7′) extended towards the empty area630from the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) to be connected to at least one pixel (e.g., first pixel)615and613of a plurality of pixels of the display area610.

The display panel may further include second scan driving circuits (scan(1), scan(2)) corresponding to the outside of the second side adjacent to the first side of the display area610and disposed in the second partial area of the non-display area620. The second partial area may include at least a partial area of the non-display area620of an upper surface of the display device.

The display panel may include at least one second scan line SL1and SL2extended towards the empty area630from the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) to be connected to at least one pixel (e.g., second pixel) of a plurality of pixels611.

The second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) may be electrically connected to the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)).

For example, the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) and the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) receive driving signals from the display driver circuit (not illustrated) of the display device to transfer the driving signals to each pixel through the first scan line or the second scan line. A first scan signal for driving the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) and a second scan signal for driving the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) may be separated and transmitted into separate signals from the display driver circuit.

The display panel may further include a switch that may connect or disconnect the first scan line and the second scan line and may separate and transfer a first scan signal and a second scan signal using the switch.

A pixel and a wiring (e.g., data line) may not be disposed in the empty area630of the display panel.

At least one pixel611disposed at one side (e.g., upper side) of the empty area630and at least one pixel613disposed at the other side (e.g., lower side) of the empty area630may be connected to the display driver circuit (or data driving circuit (data driver)) through different DL.

For example, at least one first pixel615on an area corresponding to the first side based on the empty area630may be connected to the display driver circuit through at least one first data line (D1to D4, D1′ to D4′).

For example, at least one second pixel611on an area corresponding to the second side based on the empty area630may be connected to the display driver circuit through at least part (D1, D2, D1′, D2′) of at least one first data line (D1to D4, D1′ to D4′).

In order to connect each of at least part of the first pixel615and at least part of the second pixel611to the display driver circuit, at least part of the at least one first data line may be disposed in a form passing through an area corresponding to the second side among the non-display area620. For example, an area corresponding to the second side through which at least part of the first data line passes may include at least part of a second partial area of the non-display area620in which the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) are disposed or at least part of a partial area of the non-display area620through which at least one scan line SL1and SL2extended from the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) passes.

At least part of at least one third pixel613on an area corresponding to the third side based on the empty area630may be connected to the display driver circuit through third DL (D5, D6, D5′, and D6′).

In the display panel, because pixels of the second side (e.g., an upper area of the empty area630) and the third side (e.g., a lower area of the empty area630) of the empty area630may be connected to the display driver circuits through different DL, in order to connect the pixels of the second side and the third side of the empty area630through the same data line, an effective display area may be increased relatively in which pixels are disposed in the display area610, compared to a structure in which the data line is disposed to bypass the empty area630.

At least one first pixel615and at least one second pixel611may receive the same data signal through any one of at least one first data line (D1, D2, D1′, and D2′).

For example, the at least one first pixel615may receive a first scan signal from the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) through at least one first scan line. Further, the at least one second pixel611may receive a second scan signal from the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) through at least one second scan line.

Even if the at least one first pixel615and the at least one second pixel611receive the same data signal through have the same data line, by separating and transmitting the first scan signal and the second scan signal into separate signals from the display driver circuit, the display panel may control by sequentially dividing driving of the at least one first pixel615and the at least one second pixel611.

The display panel may further include first power driving circuits (EM(3), EM(4), . . . , EM(8)) and second driver circuits EM(1) and EM(2), as illustrated inFIG. 6B. For example, the first power driving circuits (EM(3), EM(4), . . . , EM(8)) may be disposed on a first partial area of a non-display area, which is an area in which the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) are disposed. The second power driver circuits EM(1) and EM(2) may be disposed on a second partial area of a non-display area, which is an area in which the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) are disposed.

The display panel may further include at least one first power line (EL3to EL8and EL3′ to EL7′) and at least one second power line EL1and EL2, as illustrated inFIG. 6B. For example, the at least one first power line (EL3to EL8and EL3′ to EL7′) may be extended towards the empty area630from the first power driving circuit (EM(3), EM(4), . . . , EM(8)) to be connected at least one first pixel615and613connected to the at least one first SL (SL3to SL8and SL3′ to SL7′). For example, the at least one second power line EL1and EL2may be extended towards the empty area630from the second power driving circuits EM(1) and EM(2) to be connected to at least one second pixel611connected to the at least one second SL SL1and SL2.

FIG. 7Ais a diagram illustrating a disposition structure of wirings of a display panel in a display device (e.g., the electronic device101, the display device160) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 7A, the display panel may include a display area710including a plurality of pixels and a non-display area720formed outside the display area.

The display panel may further include an empty area730in which the plurality of pixels is not disposed in at least part of the display area710and that is an area enclosed by the plurality of pixels. For example, the empty area730may correspond to a hole area in which a camera or a sensor included in the display device is disposed.

The display device may include a display driver circuit (not illustrated) for applying a driving signal to the display panel. According to an embodiment, the display driver circuit (not illustrated) may be disposed on the non-display area720of the display panel. For example, the display driver circuit may be disposed in a third partial area of the non-display area720corresponding to the outside of the third side of the display area710.

The display panel may include first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) electrically connected to the display driver circuit (not illustrated) of the display device and corresponding to the outside of a first side of the display area710and disposed in a first partial area of the non-display area720. For example, the first partial area may mean at least a partial area of the non-display area720of the left side and/or the right side of the display device.

The display panel may include at least one first scan line (SL3to SL8and SL3′ to SL7′) extended towards the empty area730of the display panel from the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) to be connected to at least one pixel (e.g., the first pixel)715and713of a plurality of pixels of the display area710.

The display panel may further include second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) corresponding to the outside of the second side adjacent to the first side of the display area710and disposed on a second partial area of the non-display area720. The second partial area may mean at least a partial area of the non-display area720of an upper surface of the display device.

The display panel may further include at least one second scan line SL1and SL2extended towards the empty area730from the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) to be connected to at least one pixel (e.g., a second pixel711) of a plurality of pixels of the display area710.

Although not illustrated, the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) may be electrically connected to the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) For example, the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) and the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) may receive driving signals from the display driver circuit (not illustrated) of the display device to transfer the driving signals to each pixel through the first SL (SL3to SL8and SL3′ to SL7′) and the second SL SL1and SL2.

first scan signal for driving the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) and a second scan signal for driving the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) may be separated and transmitted into separate signals from the display driver circuit.

A pixel and a wiring may not be disposed in the empty area730of the display panel according to various embodiments.

At least one pixel711disposed at one side (e.g., upper side) of the empty area730and at least one pixel713disposed at the other side (e.g., lower side) of the empty area730may be connected to a display driver circuit (or a data driving circuit (data driver)) through different DL.

For example, at least one first pixel715on the area corresponding to the first side based on the empty area730of the display panel may be connected to the display driver circuit through at least one first data line (D3, D4, D3′, and D4′).

At least one second pixel711on an area corresponding to the second side based on the empty area730may be connected to the display driver circuit through at least one second data line (D1, D2, D1′, and D2′).

At least one third pixel713on an area corresponding to the third side based on the empty area730may be connected to the display driver circuit through at least one third data line (D5, D6, D5′, and D6′).

The display panel may further include at least one connecting wiring for connecting at least one first data line (D3, D4, D3′, and D4′) and at least one second data line (D1, D2, D1′, and D2′).

For example, any one of the first DL (D3, D4, D3′, and D4′) and any one of the second DL (D1, D2, D1′, and D2′) may be connected to each other through a connecting wiring.

At least one second pixel711connected to the second data line may receive data signals transmitted from the display driver circuit through the first data line, a connection wiring for connecting the first data line and the second data line, and the second data line.

At least part of the first pixel715and at least part of the second pixel711may receive the same data signal through the connection wiring. However, at least part of the first pixel715may receive a first scan signal from the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) through at least one first scan line (SL3to SL8and SL3′ to SL7′), and at least part of the second pixel711may receive a second scan signal from the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) through the second SL SL1and SL2.

By separating and transmitting the first scan signal and the second signal into separate signals from the display driver circuit, the display panel according to various embodiments may control by sequentially dividing driving of at least part of the first pixel715and at least part of the second pixel711.

Although not illustrated, the display panel may further include first power driving circuits (EM(3), EM(4), . . . , EM(8)) and second driver circuits EM(1) and EM(2). For example, the first power driving circuits (EM(3), EM(4), . . . , EM(8)) may be disposed on a first partial area of a non-display area, which is an area in which the first scan driving circuits (scan(3), scan(4), . . . , scan(8)) are disposed. For example, the second power driver circuits EM(1) and EM(2) may be disposed on a second partial area of a non-display area, which is an area in which the second scan driving circuits scan(1) and scan(2) are disposed.

The display panel may further include at least one first power line (EL3to EL8and EL3′ to EL7′) and at least one second power line EL1and EL2. For example, the at least one first power line (EL3to EL8and EL3′ to EL7′) may be connected to at least one first pixel715extended towards the empty area730from the first power driving circuits (EM(3), EM(4), . . . , EM(8)) to be connected to the at least one first scan line (SL3to SL8and SL3′ to SL7′). For example, the at least one second power line EL1and EL2may be connected to the at least one second pixel711extended towards the empty area630from the second power driving circuits EM(1) and EM(2) to be connected to the at least one second SL SL1and SL2.

FIG. 7Bis a side cut-away view of a display panel illustrating a structure of a connection wiring according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 7B, at least part of the connection wiring756may be formed in a layer different from a single surface layer in which the DL (D1, D2, D3, and D4) are disposed on the substrate752.

For example, in order to distinguish the DL D1and D4to which the connection wiring756is to be connected and the other DL D2and D4and to transfer a data signal, the connection wiring756may be formed in a separate layer separated through an insulating film754.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating a disposition structure of wirings of the display panel in a display device (e.g., the electronic device101, the display device160) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 8, the display panel may include a display area810including a plurality of pixels and a non-display area820formed outside the display area.

The display panel may further include an empty area830in which the plurality of pixels is not disposed in at least part of the display area810and enclosed by the plurality of pixels. For example, the empty area830may correspond to a hole area in which a camera or a sensor included in the display device is disposed.

The display device may include a display driver circuit (not illustrated) for applying a driving signal to the display panel. The display driver circuit (not illustrated) may be disposed on the non-display area820of the display panel.

The display panel may include scan driving circuits (scan(1), scan(2), . . . , scan(6)) electrically connected to the display driver circuit (not illustrated) and disposed in the non-display area820. For example, the display panel may include at least one scan line (SL1to SL6, SL3′ to SL5′) extended from the scan driver circuits (scan(1), scan(2), . . . , scan(6)) to be connected to the plurality of pixels of the display area810.

A pixel and a wiring (e.g., data line) may not be disposed in the empty area830of the display panel.

For example, at least one pixel811disposed at one side (e.g., upper side) of the empty area830may be connected to the display driver circuit (or data driver circuit (data driver)) through DL (e.g., first DL D1, D2, D5, D6, D1′, D2′, D5′, and D6′)) and the other DL (e.g., second DL D3, D4, D3′, and D4′) connected to at least one pixel813disposed at the other side (e.g., the lower side and/or the left side and the right side) of the empty area830.

At least one first pixel813on an area corresponding to the first side (e.g., the lower side and/or the left side and the right side) based on the empty area830may be connected to the display driver circuit (or data driver circuit) through at least one first data line (D1, D2, D5, D6, D1′, D2′, D5′, and D6′) to receive data signals.

At least one second pixel811on the area corresponding to a second side (e.g., upper side) adjacent to the first side based on the empty area830may be connected to the display driver circuit (or data driver circuit) through at least one second data line (D3, D4, D3′, and D4′) to receive data signals. For example, the second side may be an area adjacent to the empty area830and may be an area of a distance farther than the empty area830based on the display driver circuit.

The first DL (D1, D2, D5, D6, D1′, D2′, D5′, and D6′) may be extended towards the empty area830from a display driver circuit (not illustrated) to be connected to the at least one first pixel813. The second DL (D3, D4, D3′, and D4′) may be extended from the display driver circuit (not illustrated) to be connected to the at least one second pixel811through the non-display area.

When the second DL (D3, D4, D3′, and D4′) are extended towards the empty area830from the display driver circuit (not illustrated), the second DL (D3, D4, D3′, and D4′) may be disposed to pass through the empty area830or to bypass the empty area830in an adjacent portion of the empty area830.

The second DL (D3, D4, D3′, and D4′) may be extended from the display driver circuit (not illustrated) to be disposed to pass through the empty area830or to pass through the non-display area820instead of bypassing in an adjacent area to be connected to the at least one second pixel811, thereby being designed to maximize an effective display area in which pixels are disposed in the vicinity of the empty area830among the display area810. For example, the second data line may pass through each of the side surface non-display area820and the upper surface non-display area820of the display device to connect at least one second pixel811and the display driver circuit.

The display panel may further include power driving circuits (EM(1), EM(2), . . . , EM(6)) connected electrically to the display driver circuit and disposed on the non-display area830and at least one power line (EL1to EL6, EL3′ to EL5′) extended from the power source driving circuits (EM(1), EM(2), . . . , EM(6)) to be connected to the plurality of pixels.

FIG. 8illustrates that the display panel includes the power driving circuits (EM(1), EM(2), . . . , EM(6)) and at least one power line, but the power driving circuits (EM(1), EM(2), . . . , EM(6)) and at least one power line may not be included according to the design of the display panel.

FIG. 9is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 9, the display device may supply an electrical signal to a plurality of pixels using a display driver circuit and a plurality of wirings to output image information through the pixels.

For example, the display device may include a display driver circuit and a display panel, and the display panel may include a plurality of pixels including at least one first pixel and at least one second pixel on a display area.

At least one first pixel may be connected to a first scan driving circuit through at least one first scan line. Further, at least one second pixel may be connected to a second scan driving circuit through at least one second scan line.

At least part of the at least one first pixel and at least part of the at least one second pixel may be connected through a data line. For example, the data line may be extended from the display driver circuit to electrically connect at least part of the at least one first pixel and at least part of at least one second pixel.

Referring toFIG. 9, at operation910, the display driver circuit may transmit a first data signal to at least part of the at least one first pixel through the data line.

For example, at least part of the at least one first pixel may receive a first data signal transmitted from the display driver circuit through the data line.

At operation920, the display driver circuit and/or the first scan driving circuit electrically connected to the display driver circuit may transmit a first scan signal to the at least one first pixel through the first scan line connecting the at least one first pixel and the first scan driving circuit.

For example, the first scan signal may be transmitted based on transmission of the first data signal to a first pixel of at least part connected to the data line among the at least one first pixel. The first pixel of at least part may output image information according to the first data signal and the first scan signal.

At operation930, the display driver circuit according to various embodiments may transmit a second data signal to at least part of at least one second pixel connected through the data line.

For example, at least part of the at least one second pixel may receive a first data signal transmitted from the display driver circuit through the data line. The data line may be disposed on a single layer, and two wirings disposed on the single layer may be formed in a structure connected by a connection wiring connecting through another layer.

At operation940, the display driver circuit and/or the first scan driving circuit electrically connected to the display driver circuit may transmit a second scan signal to at least one second pixel through the second scan line for connecting the at least one second pixel and the second scan driving circuit.

For example, the second scan signal may be transmitted based on transmission of the second data signal to the second pixel of at least part connected to the data line among the at least one second pixel. The second pixel may output image information according to the second data signal and the second scan signal.

Even though at least part of the at least one first pixel and at least part of at least one second pixel are connected through a single data line or are electrically connected using a connection wiring, the display device may adjust image information output according to the first scan signal and the second scan signal separated and transmitted from the display driver circuit based on data signals (the first data signal and the second data signal) received by each pixel.

The first pixel and the second pixel ofFIG. 9indicate at least part of a plurality of pixels of the display device and are not limited to a meaning of the first pixels613,615,713,715, and813or the second pixels611,711, and811ofFIGS. 6A to 8. For example, unlike that illustrated inFIG. 9, in the display device, operations930and940ofFIG. 9may be first performed and then operations910and920may be performed.