Display panel and display device including the same

A display panel includes a base layer, a circuit layer, and a pixel layer. The base layer includes a plurality of light emitting areas, and a plurality of transmitting areas to transmit light incident thereto. The circuit layer includes a plurality of switching devices disposed on the light emitting areas, and a plurality of photosensors disposed on the transmitting areas. The pixel layer includes a light emitting element to emit light based on reception of a current from at least one of the plurality of switching devices. The light emitting element overlaps with one of the plurality of light emitting areas. At least one of the plurality of phototosensors is configured to receive a portion of external light reflected from an external object after transmission of the external light through at least one of the plurality of transmitting areas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0172918, filed Dec. 16, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to display technology, and, more particularly, to a transparent display panel capable of recognizing a user's touch and a user's fingerprint (or other epidermal information) and a transparent display device including the transparent display panel.

Discussion

A transparent display device has the same property as a transparent glass substrate when not in use, but displays information thereon when in use. The transparent display device itself may be used alone in some cases; however, in some cases, a real object in space behind the transparent display device is overlaid onto the image displayed on the transparent display device such that the transparent display device works in multiple ways. A head-up display HUD of an airplane or a vehicle is a representative example. Transparent display devices have been typically used only in an environment to which a high valued product is able to be applied, such as an airplane, a luxury car, and the like. However, demand for transparent display devices have gradually diversified from various advertisement displays to home appliances.

Meanwhile, a display device may recognize a user's finger or the like that makes contact with a screen through a touch sensing unit (or touch sensor). As a touch sensing method of the touch sensing unit, various types of sensing methods, e.g., a resistive type, an optical type, an electrostatic capacitive type, an infrared type, etc., have been suggested. Further, security issues on personal mobile terminals, such as smart phones, tablet PCs, etc., have arisen. As the mobile terminals of users have become frequently used, security is growing as a concern in e-commerce transactions through mobile terminals, and thus, biometric information like a fingerprint is drawing attention from the security industry.

The above information disclosed in this section is only for understanding the background of the inventive concepts, and, therefore, may contain information that does not form prior art.

SUMMARY

Some exemplary embodiments provide a transparent display panel capable of recognizing a user's touch and a user's fingerprint or other epidermal information, e.g., palm print, footprint, etc.

Some exemplary embodiments provide a transparent display device including the transparent display panel.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a display panel includes a base layer, a circuit layer, and a pixel layer. The base layer includes a plurality of light emitting areas, and a plurality of transmitting areas to transmit light incident thereto. The circuit layer includes a plurality of switching devices disposed on the light emitting areas, and a plurality of photosensors disposed on the transmitting areas. The pixel layer includes a light emitting element to emit light based on reception of a current from at least one of the plurality of switching devices. The light emitting element overlaps with one of the plurality of light emitting areas. At least one of the plurality of phototosensors is configured to receive a portion of external light reflected from an external object after transmission of the external light through at least one of the plurality of transmitting areas

According to some exemplary embodiments, a display device includes a display panel to transmit at least a portion of external light incident thereto. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels. At least one of the plurality of pixels includes: a light emitting area; a light emitting element to emit light, the light emitting element being disposed in the light emitting area; a transmitting area to transmit the external light incident thereto; and a photosensor disposed in the transmitting area. The light emitting element includes a reflective electrode overlapping with the light emitting area and disposed outside the transmitting area. The photosensor is configured to sense a portion of the external light reflected from an external object among transmission of external light through the transmitting area.

According to various exemplary embodiments, a transparent display panel and a transparent display device including the transparent display panel, which recognizes a user's touch and a user's fingerprint, may be provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments are to be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of some exemplary embodiments. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, aspects, etc. (hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “elements”), of the various illustrations may be otherwise combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

When an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. When, however, an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present. To this end, the term “connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection. Further, the DR1-axis, the DR2-axis, and the DR3-axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the DR1-axis, the DR2-axis, and the DR3-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to one another. For the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional and/or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance, manufacturing. In this manner, regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature and shapes of these regions may not illustrate the actual shapes of regions of a device, and, as such, are not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing a display device DD according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 2is a view showing a gaze of a user utilizing the display device DD shown inFIG. 1according to some exemplary embodiments.

A display surface IS in which an image IM is displayed is substantially parallel to a surface defined by a first directional axis DR1and a second directional axis DR2. A normal line direction of the display surface IS, i.e., a thickness direction of the display device DD, indicates a third directional axis DR3. In each member, a front surface (or an upper surface) is distinguished from a rear surface (or a lower surface) by the third directional axis DR3. However, the first to third directional axes DR1to DR3are relative to each other, and thus, the first to third directional axes DR1to DR3may be changed to any other directions. Hereinafter, first to third directions correspond to directions respectively indicated by the first to third directional axes DR1to DR3, and thus, the first to third directions are assigned with the same reference numerals as the first to third directional axes DR1to DR3.

The display device DD may be applied to a large-sized electronic item, such as a television set, a monitor, etc., and a small and medium-sized electronic item, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a car navigation unit, a game unit, a smart watch, etc., but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby.

Referring toFIG. 1, the display surface IS of the display device DD may include a plurality of areas. The display surface IS of the display device DD includes a display area DD-DA in which the image IM is displayed and a non-display area DD-NDA disposed adjacent to (e.g., outside of) the display area DD-DA. The non-display area DD-NDA does not display the image IM.FIG. 1shows application icons as the image IM. The display area DD-DA has a substantially quadrangular shape, and the non-display area DD-NDA surrounds the display area DD-DA, but exemplary embodiments are not be limited thereto or thereby. That is, the shape of the display area DD-DA and the shape of the non-display area DD-NDA may be designed relative to each other.

Referring toFIG. 2, the display device DD is transparent, and a user sees objects behind the display device DD. The user who uses the display device DD may see a portion of a hand HND holding the display device DD behind the display device DD and a portion of a leg of a passenger HMN who passes behind the display device DD. In addition, in a case that the display device DD displays the image IM, the user may substantially simultaneously see the image IM and the objects behind the display device DD.

FIG. 3is a view showing a portion, in cross-section, of the display device DD shown inFIG. 1and a user's finger FG according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 3, the display device DD senses the user's touch. In addition, the display device DD recognizes the fingerprint FP of the user's finger FG. Although some exemplary embodiments are described in association with detection of a fingerprint, it is contemplated that various exemplary embodiments may be utilized to detect other three-dimensional patterns, such as other forms of epidermal ridges, such as a palm print, a footprint, and the like.

When an external light L1(hereinafter, referred to as a “first light”) is incident into the display device DD, the first light L1reaches the user's finger FG after passing through the display device DD. A light L2(hereinafter, referred to as a “second light”) generated by the first light L1after being reflected by the user's finger FG reaches the display panel DP. The display panel DP may sense whether the user's touch occurs or the fingerprint FP of the user's finger FG by measuring a variation in intensity of the second light L2.

In some exemplary embodiments, an area in which the fingerprint FP is recognized may be substantially the same as the display area DD-DA. That is, when the fingerprint FP of the user's finger FG makes contact with the display area DD-DA, the display device DD may recognize the fingerprint FP. However, in some exemplary embodiments, only a portion of the display area DD-DA may be used to recognize the fingerprint FP.

The display device DD may recognize the fingerprint FP of the user to determine whether the user is a legitimate user. In addition, the fingerprint FP of the user may be used for security of mobile devices, financial transactions, control of systems, and the like.

The display device DD includes a protective film PM, a window WM, and the display panel DP, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. The protective film PM and the window WM may be replaced (or augmented) with other layers or omitted.

The display panel DP is disposed between the protective film PM and the window WM. The display device DD may further include a first adhesive member (not shown) and a second adhesive member (not shown). The first adhesive member attaches the protective film PM to the display panel DP, and the second adhesive member attaches the window WM to the display panel DP. In some exemplary embodiments, the protective film PM and the window WM may be consecutively formed through a coating process. For instance, the protective film PM and/or the window WM may be grown on one or more surfaces of the display panel DP.

In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first and second adhesive members may be an optically clear adhesive (OCA) film, an optically clear resin (OCR), or a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) film. In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first and second adhesive members may include a light-curable adhesive material or a heat-curable adhesive material, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby.

The protective film PM protects the display panel DP. The protective film PM prevents (or reduces) an external moisture (or other contaminant) from entering the display panel DP, and absorbs an external impact. The protective film PM may include a plastic film as a base layer thereof. For instance, the protective film PM may include a plastic film including at least one of polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate, polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), poly(arylene ethersulfone), and a combination thereof. The material for the protective film PM is not limited to plastic resins and may include a composite of organic and inorganic materials. The protective film PM may include a porous organic layer and an inorganic material filled in pores of the organic layer. The protective film PM may further include a functional layer formed on the plastic film. The functional layer may include a resin layer. The functional layer may be formed by a coating or growth process.

The window WM protects the display panel DP from the external impact and provides a touch sensing surface to the user. The display surface IS shown inFIGS. 1 and 2may be the touch sensing surface used to sense whether the user's touch occurs. In addition, the display surface IS may be a fingerprint recognition surface used to recognize the fingerprint of the user.

The display panel DP generates the image IM (refer toFIG. 1) corresponding to image data input thereto. A process of manufacturing the display panel DP may include a low temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) process or a low temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) process.

Although not shown in figures, the display device DD may further include a touch sensing unit disposed on (or provided as part of) the display panel DP according to another exemplary embodiment. The touch sensing unit may obtain coordinate information with respect to an external input.

Although not shown in figures, the display device DD may further include an anti-reflective layer disposed on the display panel DP. The anti-reflective layer may include at least one of color filter, a stacking structure of a conductive layer/a dielectric layer/a conductive layer, and an optical member. The anti-reflective layer absorbs, destructively interferes, and/or polarizes the external light incident thereto to reduce a reflectance of the external light.

FIG. 4is a plan view showing the display panel DP shown inFIG. 3according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 5is an enlarged plan view showing a pixel PX shown inFIG. 4according to some exemplary embodiments.FIG. 6is an equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to a light emitting area EA shown inFIG. 5according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 4, the display panel DP includes a display area DA and a non-display area NDA when viewed in a plan view. The display area DA and the non-display area NDA of the display panel DP respectively correspond to the display area DD-DA (refer toFIG. 1) and the non-display area DD-NDA (refer toFIG. 1) of the display device DD (refer toFIG. 1). The display area DA and the non-display area NDA of the display panel DP need not be the same as the display area DD-DA and the non-display area DD-NDA of the display device DD, and the display area DA and the non-display area NDA of the display panel DP may be changed depending on the structure and design of the display panel DP.

The display panel DP includes a plurality of pixels PX. An area in which the pixels PX are arranged is defined as the display area DA. In some exemplary embodiments, the non-display area NDA may be defined along an edge of the display area DA.

Referring toFIG. 5, each pixel PX includes a light emitting area EA and a transmitting area TA. The transmitting area TA includes a sensing area SA.

The light emitting area EA corresponds to an area from which a light generated by the display panel DP exits. The transmitting area TA corresponds to an area through which the first light L1or the second light L2transmits. Due to the transmitting area TA, the display device DD may become transparent such that the user sees the objects behind the display device DD as shown inFIG. 2. The sensing area SA corresponds to an area used to sense a variation of the second light L2incident thereto. As shown inFIG. 3, the user's touch or the fingerprint FP of the user may be recognized through the sensing area SA.

FIG. 6shows an exemplary equivalent circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a “light emitting circuit”) of the light emitting area EA, which is connected to one gate line GL, one data line DL, and a power line PL, but configurations of the light emitting circuit are not limited thereto or thereby. In other words, any suitable light emitting circuit may be utilized.

The gate line GL is connected to a first portion of a corresponding component (e.g., a first electrode of first transistor TFT1) of the light emitting circuit and the data line DL is connected to another portion of the corresponding component (e.g., a second electrode of the first transistor TFT1) of the light emitting circuit. Although not shown in the figures, a gate driving circuit connected to the gate line GL may be disposed at one end portion of the non-display area NDA (refer toFIG. 4).

The light emitting circuit includes a light emitting element LM. The light emitting element LM may be a front surface light emitting type diode, a rear surface light emitting type diode, or a both surface light emitting type diode. The light emitting element LM may be an organic light emitting diode. The light emitting circuit also includes a first transistor TFT1(or a switching transistor), a second transistor TFT2(or a driving transistor), and a capacitor CP to drive the light emitting element LM. The light emitting element LM generates light in response to an electrical signal provided from the first and second transistors TFT1and TFT2.

The first transistor TFT1outputs a data signal provided through the data line DL in response to a scan signal provided through the gate line GL. The capacitor CP is charged with a voltage corresponding to the data signal provided from the first transistor TFT1.

The second transistor TFT2is connected to the light emitting element LM. The second transistor TFT2controls a driving current flowing through the light emitting element LM in response to an amount of electric charge held in the capacitor CP. The driving current may also be related to a difference in potential between an input voltage line first power level ELVDD and a second power level ELVSS. The light emitting element LM emits the light during a turn-on period of the second transistor TFT2.

FIG. 7is an equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to the sensing area SA shown inFIG. 5according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 7shows an exemplary equivalent circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a “sensing circuit”) of the sensing area SA, which is connected to one scan line SL and one readout line RL, but configurations of the sensing circuit are not limited thereto or thereby.

The scan line SL is connected to a first portion of a corresponding component (e.g., a first electrode of third transistor TFT3) of the sensing circuit, and the data line DL is connected to a second portion of the corresponding component (e.g., a second electrode of the third transistor TFT3) of the sensing circuit. Although not shown in the figures, a scan driving circuit connected to the scan line SL and a readout circuit connected to the readout line RL may be disposed at one end portion of the non-display area NDA (refer toFIG. 4). In some exemplary embodiments, the scan driving circuit and the readout circuit may be integrally formed with the circuit used to drive the light emitting circuit.

The scan signal is sequentially applied to scan lines SL, and readout lines RL receive signals output from the sensing circuit and provide the signals to a readout circuit (not shown). According to another exemplary embodiment, the signals output from the sensing circuit may be applied to other circuits (not shown) that process the output signals.

The sensing circuit includes a third transistor TFT3, a fourth transistor TFT4, and a sensing capacitor CP-SN.

The third transistor TFT3serves as a switching device and includes a control electrode connected to the scan line SL, an output electrode connected to the readout line RL, and an input electrode connected to a node V1, which is connected to the sensing capacitor CP-SN. Meanwhile, the fourth transistor TFT4includes an input electrode connected to an input voltage line VDD, an output electrode connected to the node V1, which is connected to the sensing capacitor CP-SN, and a control electrode connected to a common voltage line VSS.

When the second light L2(refer toFIG. 3) is applied to the fourth transistor TFT4, a semiconductor of a channel part (which includes, for example, amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon) forms a current, and the current flows toward the sensing capacitor CP-SN and the third transistor TFT3by the input voltage input to the input voltage line VDD. That is, the fourth transistor TFT4is a phototransistor. The phototransistor is a kind of optical sensor that converts light energy to electrical energy, and the phototransistor uses a photo-electromotive force in which a flowing current is changed depending on the intensity of incident light. When the signal is input to the scan line SL, the current flows through the readout line RL.

In some exemplary embodiments, the number of the light emitting circuits may be different from the number of the sensing circuits. The number of the light emitting circuits may be smaller than the number of the sensing circuits, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby.

FIG. 8is a block diagram showing the display device DD shown inFIG. 1according to some exemplary embodiments. Referring toFIG. 8, the display device DD may further include a sensor controller SC and a display driver PC.

The sensor controller SC may control the sensing area SA and sense an amount of light variation in the sensing area SA to sense the touch or the fingerprint FP of the user.

The display driver PC may provide an image driving signal to the light emitting area EA to control an image display operation of the display panel DP. To this end, the display driver PC may generate the image driving signal using image data and a control signal, which are provided from the outside, e.g., an outside source. For instance, the display driver PC may receive the image data and the control signal from a host (not shown), and the control signal may include a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, a main clock signal, and the like. In addition, the image driving signal may include the scan signal and the data signal generated using the image data.

The sensor controller SC and the display driver PC may be integrated into one configuration. As an example, the sensor controller SC and the display driver PC may be implemented by one integrated circuit (IC).

FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the display panel DP shown inFIG. 3according to some exemplary embodiments. That is,FIG. 9shows a portion of the light emitting area EA and a portion of the transmitting area TA ofFIG. 5.

According to the cross-section corresponding to the portion of the light emitting area EA, the display panel DP includes a base layer SUB, a circuit layer CL, a pixel layer ELL, and a thin film encapsulation layer TFE.

The base layer SUB may include at least one of an organic material and an inorganic material. The base layer SUB may transmit at least a portion of the light incident thereto. In some exemplary embodiments, the display panel DP includes the light emitting area EA and the transmitting area TA since the base layer SUB includes the light emitting area EA and the transmitting area TA. That is, the light emitting area EA of the display panel DP may be defined depending on which components are disposed in the light emitting area EA of the base layer SUB, and the transmitting area TA of the display panel DP may be defined depending on which components are disposed in the transmitting area TA of the base layer SUB.

Functional layers may be disposed on a surface of the base layer SUB. The functional layers may include at least one of a barrier layer BR and a buffer layer BF. A second semiconductor pattern AL2may be disposed on the barrier layer BR or the buffer layer BF. However, according to another exemplary embodiment, the functional layers may be replaced with other layers or omitted.

The circuit layer CL may be disposed on the base layer SUB. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second semiconductor pattern AL2of the second transistor TFT2may be disposed on the base layer SUB. The second semiconductor pattern AL2may include, for instance, amorphous silicon, polysilicon, or a metal oxide semiconductor.

The circuit layer CL includes organic/inorganic layers (e.g., barrier layer BR, buffer layer BF, first insulating layer12, second insulating layer14, and/or third insulating layer16) and the second transistor TFT2. Although not shown in the figures, the circuit layer CL may include the first transistor TFT1(refer toFIG. 5) and the capacitor CP (refer toFIG. 5).

The transmitting area TA of the circuit layer CL may transmit at least a portion of light incident thereto. The transmitting area TA of the circuit layer CL may include the fourth transistor TFT4. Although not shown in the figures, the circuit layer CL may include the third transistor TFT3(refer toFIG. 7) and the sensing capacitor CP-SN (refer toFIG. 7).

The first insulating layer12may be disposed on the base layer SUB to cover the second semiconductor pattern AL2. The first insulating layer12includes an organic layer and/or an inorganic layer. For instance, the first insulating layer12may include a plurality of inorganic thin layers. The inorganic thin layers may include at least one of a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, and a silicon oxide layer.

A control electrode GE2(hereinafter, referred to as a “second control electrode”) of the second transistor TFT2is disposed on the first insulating layer12. The second control electrode GE2may be formed through the same photolithography process as the gate line GL (refer toFIG. 6). In other words, the second control electrode GE2may include the same material and stacking structure as those of the gate line GL, and the second control electrode GE2may be disposed on (or in) the same layer as the gate line GL.

The second insulating layer14is disposed on the first insulating layer12to cover the second control electrode GE2. The second insulating layer14includes an organic layer and/or an inorganic layer. For example, the second insulating layer14may include a plurality of inorganic thin layers. The inorganic thin layers may include at least one of a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, and a silicon oxide layer.

An input electrode SE2(hereinafter, referred to as a “second input electrode”) and an output electrode DE2(hereinafter, referred to as “second output electrode”) of the second transistor TFT2are disposed on the second insulating layer14. The second input electrode SE2may be branched from the power line PL (refer toFIG. 6).

The second input electrode SE2and the second output electrode DE2may be formed through the same photolithography process as the data line DL (refer toFIG. 6) and the power line PL (refer toFIG. 6). The second input electrode SE2and the second output electrode DE2may include the same material and the same stacking structure as those of the data line DL and the power line PL, and the second input electrode SE2and the second output electrode DE2may be disposed on (or in) the same layer as the data line DL and the power line PL.

The second input electrode SE2and the second output electrode DE2are connected to the second semiconductor pattern AL2respectively through a first contact hole CH1and a second contact hole CH2that are defined through the first insulating layer12and the second insulating layer14. Meanwhile, according to another exemplary embodiment, the second transistor TFT2may have a bottom gate structure or a dual gate structure.

The third insulating layer16is disposed on the second insulating layer14to cover the second input electrode SE2and the second output electrode DE2. The third insulating layer16includes an organic layer and/or an inorganic layer. For instance, the third insulating layer16may include an organic material to provide a flat surface, e.g., a flat or planar upper surface.

One of the first insulating layer12, the second insulating layer14, and the third insulating layer16may be omitted depending on a circuit configuration of the pixel. Each of the second insulating layer14and the third insulating layer16may be defined as an interlayer insulating layer. The interlayer insulating layer is disposed between a conductive pattern disposed above the interlayer insulating layer and a conductive pattern disposed under the interlayer insulating layer to insulate the conductive patterns from each other.

The pixel layer ELL is disposed on the third insulating layer16. The pixel layer ELL includes a pixel definition layer PXL and the light emitting element LM. An anode AE is disposed on the third insulating layer16. The anode AE is connected to the second output electrode DE2through a third contact hole CH3defined through the third insulating layer16. The pixel definition layer PXL is provided with an opening OP formed therethrough. At least a portion of the anode AE is exposed through the opening OP of the pixel definition layer PXL.

In some exemplary embodiments, the anode AE may be a reflective electrode that reflects light generated by a light emitting layer EML. The anode AE is disposed only in the light emitting area EA without being disposed in the transmitting area TA. Since the transmitting area TA of the display panel DP does not include the anode AE, the transmitting area TA may have a property that transmits the light.

A hole control layer HCL may be disposed on the anode AE. The light emitting layer EML is disposed on the hole control layer HCL. The light emitting layer ELM may be disposed only in an area corresponding to the opening OP. That is, the light emitting layer EML may be provided to each of the pixels PX. The light emitting layer EML may include an organic material or an inorganic material.

An electron control layer ECL is disposed on the light emitting layer EML. A cathode CE is disposed on the electron control layer ECL. The cathode CE may be commonly disposed on the pixels PX.

In some exemplary embodiments, the light emitting layer EML is patterned, but the light emitting layer EML may be commonly disposed on the pixels PX without being patterned. According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the light emitting layer EML may generate at least one of a blue light, a red light, and a green light. According to another exemplary embodiment, the light emitting layer EML may generate a white light. In addition, the light emitting layer EML may have a multi-layer structure.

In some exemplary embodiments, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE may directly cover the cathode CE. According to another exemplary embodiment, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the pixel layer ELL by a separate adhesive.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a capping layer may be provided to cover the cathode CE. In this case, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE may directly cover the capping layer. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may include an organic layer including an organic material, and an inorganic layer including an inorganic material. That is, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE may have a multilayer structure including one or more organic and/or inorganic layers.

The transmitting area TA of the pixel layer ELL may transmit at least a portion of light incident thereto. According to the cross-section corresponding to the portion of the transmitting area TA, the transmitting area TA includes the sensing area SA.

Referring to the sensing area SA, a control electrode GE4(hereinafter, referred to as a “fourth control electrode”) of the fourth transistor TFT4is disposed on the base layer SUB. In some exemplary embodiments, the fourth control electrode GE4may be formed through the same process as the second control electrode GE2.

A fourth insulating layer22is disposed on the base layer SUB to cover the fourth control electrode GE4. The fourth insulating layer22includes an organic layer and/or an inorganic layer. For instance, the fourth insulating layer22may include a plurality of inorganic thin layers. The inorganic thin layers may include at least one of a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, and a silicon oxide layer. In some exemplary embodiments, the fourth insulating layer22may be substantially the same as the first insulating layer12, the second insulating layer14, or the third insulating layer16.

A semiconductor pattern AL4(hereinafter, referred to as a “fourth semiconductor pattern”) of the fourth transistor TFT4is disposed on the fourth insulating layer22. The fourth semiconductor pattern AL4may include, for example, amorphous silicon, polysilicon, or a metal oxide semiconductor.

An input electrode SE4(hereinafter, referred to as a “fourth input electrode”) and an output electrode DE4(hereinafter, referred to as a “fourth output electrode”) of the fourth transistor TFT4are disposed to overlap with a portion of the fourth semiconductor pattern AL4.

Although not shown in the figures, an insulating layer may be disposed on the fourth insulating layer22to cover the fourth input electrode SE4and the fourth output electrode DE4.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 9, the first light L1incident from the outside of the display device DD reaches the fingerprint FP of the user's finger FG through the transmitting area TA. The first light L1becomes the second light L2after being reflected by the fingerprint FP. The second light L2reaches the fourth semiconductor pattern AL4of the fourth transistor TFT4of the sensing area SA of the display panel DP. The fourth transistor TFT4senses the variation in the second light L2and recognizes the fingerprint FP. In a case that the fingerprint FP positioned above the display panel DP is recognized, the fourth transistor TFT4may have a bottom gate structure to easily sense the variation of the second light L2through the fourth semiconductor pattern AL4; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby.

In some exemplary embodiments, portions overlapped with the fourth transistor TFT4among the layers disposed above the fourth transistor TFT are partially removed, and thus, a light transmittance of the display panel DP may be improved.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12are cross-sectional views respectively showing portions of display panels DP-1, DP-2, and DP-3according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 10, an opening OP-TA may be defined through a transmitting area TA of the display panel DP-1. In some exemplary embodiments, the opening OP-TA may be defined through the base layer SUB, the functional layers (e.g., the barrier layer BR and the buffer layer BF), and the fourth insulating layer22, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. That is, according to another exemplary embodiment, the opening OP-TA may be defined through only one of the base layer SUB, the functional layers, and the fourth insulating layer22.

The opening OP-TA allows external light to easily transmit through the display panel DP-1, and thus, the light transmittance of the display panel DP-1may be improved. Accordingly, the display device DD with high transparency may be provided to the user. Since descriptions of other components of the display panel DP-1are the same as those described inFIG. 9, details thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIG. 11, a sensing area SA of the display panel DP-2may include a fifth transistor TFT5.

A semiconductor pattern AL5(hereinafter, referred to as a “fifth semiconductor pattern”) of the fifth transistor TFT5may be disposed on the sensing area SA of the base layer SUB. The first insulating layer12may be disposed on the base layer SUB to cover the fifth semiconductor pattern AL5.

A control electrode GE5(hereinafter, referred to as a “fifth control electrode”) of the fifth transistor TFT5is disposed on the first insulating layer12. The fifth control electrode GE5may be formed through the same photolithography process as the second control electrode GE2. The second insulating layer14is disposed on the first insulating layer12to cover the fifth control electrode GE5.

An input electrode SE5(hereinafter, referred to as a “fifth input electrode”) and an output electrode DE5(hereinafter, referred to as a “fifth output electrode”) of the fifth transistor TFT5are disposed on the second insulating layer14. The fifth input electrode SE5and the fifth output electrode DE5may be formed through the same photolithography process as the second input electrode SE2and the second output electrode DE2.

Although not shown in the figures, an insulating layer may be disposed on the second insulating layer14to cover the fifth input electrode SE5and the fifth output electrode DE5.

Different from the above-described display panels DP and DP-1, the display panel DP-2shown inFIG. 11may recognize the user's touch or the fingerprint of the user that occur on a lower portion of the display panel DP-2. In this case, the external light is incident to the display panel DP-2from above or over the display panel DP-2and reflected by the fingerprint disposed under the display panel DP2, and thus, reflected light is generated. Since the reflected light is incident to the display panel DP-2from below the display panel DP-2, the fifth transistor TFT5may have a top gate structure in which the fifth semiconductor pattern AL5is disposed at a lower portion of the fifth transistor TFT5. Descriptions of other components of the display panel DP-2are the same as those described inFIG. 9, and thus, details thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIG. 12, a sensing area SA of the display panel DP-3may include the fourth transistor TFT4and the fifth transistor TFT5. The fourth transistor TFT4has the same structure and function as those described inFIG. 9, and the fifth transistor TFT5has the same structure and function as those described inFIG. 11. In addition, descriptions of other components of the display panel DP-3are the same as those described inFIGS. 9 and 11, and thus, details thereof will be omitted.

Different from the display panels DP, DP-1, and DP-2, the display panel DP-3shown inFIG. 12may recognize the user's touch or the fingerprint of the user, which occurs above and/or below the display panel DP-3. The display device DD may recognize the user's touch or the fingerprint of the user that occurs above the display panel DP-3through the fourth transistor TFT4. In addition, the display device DD may recognize the user's touch or the fingerprint of the user that occurs below the display panel DP-3through the fifth transistor TFT5.

FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16Aare enlarged plan views respectively showing pixels PX-1, PX-2, PX-3, and PX-4according to various exemplary embodiments.FIG. 16Bis an equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to an auxiliary light emitting area UA ofFIG. 16Aaccording to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 13, the pixel PX-1may include a plurality of light emitting areas EA-R, EA-G, and EA-B and the transmitting area TA.

The transmitting area TA and the sensing area SA may correspond (or be disposed in relation) to the light emitting areas EA-R, EA-G, and EA-B. The light emitting areas EA-R, EA-G, and EA-B may include a red light emitting area EA-R, a green light emitting area EA-G, and a blue light emitting area EA-B. The red light emitting area EA-R, the green light emitting area EA-G, and the blue light emitting area EA-B may be arranged in a straight line, but the arranged order and/or alignment of the red light emitting area EA-R, the green light emitting area EA-G, and the blue light emitting area EA-B are not particularly limited.

Referring toFIG. 14, the pixel PX-2may include a plurality of light emitting areas EA-R, EA-G, EA-B, and EA-W and the transmitting area TA.

The transmitting area TA and the sensing area SA may correspond to the light emitting areas EA-R, EA-G, EA-B, and EA-W. The light emitting areas EA-R, EA-G, EA-B, and EA-W may include a red light emitting area EA-R, a green light emitting area EA-G, a blue light emitting area EA-B, and a white light emitting area EA-W. The red light emitting area EA-R, the green light emitting area EA-G, the blue light emitting area EA-B, and the white light emitting area EA-W may be arranged in a straight line, but the arranged order and/or alignment of the red light emitting area EA-R, the green light emitting area EA-G, the blue light emitting area EA-B, and the white light emitting area EA-W are not particularly limited.

Referring toFIG. 15, the pixel PX-3may include a plurality of light emitting areas EA-R, EA-G, and EA-B and the transmitting area TA.

The transmitting area TA and the sensing area SA may correspond to the light emitting areas EA-R, EA-G, and EA-B. The light emitting areas EA-R, EA-G, and EA-B may include a red light emitting area EA-R, a green light emitting area EA-G, and a blue light emitting area EA-B. The red light emitting area EA-R, the green light emitting area EA-G, and the blue light emitting area EA-B may be arranged in a two-by-two matrix form, but the arranged order of and/or alignment of the red light emitting area EA-R, the green light emitting area EA-G, and the blue light emitting area EA-B are not particularly limited.

Referring toFIG. 16A, the pixel PX-4may include a light emitting area EA and a transmitting area TA. The transmitting area TA may include a sensing area SA and an auxiliary light emitting area UA.

Referring toFIGS. 16A and 16B, the auxiliary light emitting area UA may include an auxiliary light emitting element LM-S. The auxiliary light emitting element LM-S may emit a sensing light to sense the user's touch or recognize the fingerprint of the user. In some exemplary embodiments, the auxiliary light emitting element LM-S may emit the sensing light only when it is difficult to recognize the user's touch or the fingerprint of the user only using the external light. However, according to another exemplary embodiment, a time point at which the auxiliary light emitting element LM-S emits the sensing light may be controlled as necessary. A wavelength (or range of wavelengths) of light emitted via the auxiliary light emitting element LM-S may be the same as or different from the external light.

FIG. 17is an equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to a sensing area SA-1according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 17shows the equivalent circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a “sensing circuit”) of the sensing area SA-1, which is connected to one scan line SL and one readout line RL, as a representative example. Configurations of the sensing circuit are not limited to those shown inFIG. 17.

The sensing circuit may include a third transistor TFT3, a sensing capacitor CP-SN, and a photodiode PD.

The photodiode PD may perform the role of the fourth transistor TFT4shown inFIG. 7. The equivalent circuit of the sensing circuit may be different from that of the sensing circuit shown inFIG. 7by taking into account features in structure and operation of the photodiode PD.

Since no current amplification occurs in the photodiode PD when light is applied to the photodiode PD, the photodiode PD may have a reaction rate faster than that of a phototransistor even though a sensitivity of the photodiode PD with respect to the light is lower than that of the phototransistor.

FIGS. 18A and 18Bare timing diagrams each showing an intensity of external light measured by a sensor controller SC according to various exemplary embodiments.FIG. 19is a flowchart showing a process of recognizing the user's touch or the fingerprint of the user by the display device DD according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 18Ashows an operation of the sensor controller SC that senses whether the user's touch occurs when the intensity of external light is small. The timing diagram shown inFIG. 18Ais divided into a touch period and a non-touch period. The touch period is a period in which the user touches the display device DD to control the display device DD, and the non-touch period is a period in which no user's intentional touch occurs.

When the intensity of the external light is small, an offset value of an electrical signal corresponding to the external light is “a” volts. The electrical signal swings at a predetermined amplitude in the non-touch period. However, the electrical signal in the touch period swings at an amplitude different from that of the non-touch period. The sensor controller SC may sense the user's touch or recognize the fingerprint of the user by sensing a variation of the amplitude.

FIG. 18Bshows an operation of the sensor controller SC that senses whether the user's touch occurs when the intensity of the external light is large. Referring toFIG. 18B, when the intensity of the external light is large, an offset value of the electrical signal corresponding to the external light is “b” volts. The “b” is greater than the “a.” The display device DD may recognize a variation in intensity of the external light by sensing a variation of the offset value.

The display device DD may control the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting area EA (refer toFIG. 5) depending on the variation in intensity of the external light. In the case that the intensity of the external light is large, the display device DD allows the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting area EA (refer toFIG. 5) to be increased, and thus, the visibility of the display device DD may be improved.

On the contrary, in the case that the intensity of the external light is small, the display device DD may secure a sufficient visibility even though the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting area EA (refer toFIG. 5) is small. In a case that the intensity of the external light is small and the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting area EA (refer toFIG. 5) is large, the visibility may be deteriorated. Accordingly, in the case that the intensity of the external light is small, the display device DD may control the light emitted from the light emitting area EA (refer toFIG. 5) such that the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting area EA (refer toFIG. 5) is reduced. In this case, the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting area EA (refer toFIG. 5) may be controlled by the display driver PC (refer toFIG. 8).

Referring toFIG. 19, when the intensity of the external light is sensed and the intensity of the external light is sufficiently large, the user's touch may be sensed or the fingerprint may be recognized in the sensing area SA (refer toFIG. 5) by using only the external light. However, when the intensity of the external light is not sufficiently large, the auxiliary light emitting element LM-S (refer toFIG. 16B) emits the sensing light. The sensing area SA (refer toFIG. 5) senses the sensing light to sense the user's touch or recognize the fingerprint.

FIG. 20is a perspective view showing a display device DD2according to some exemplary embodiments. Referring toFIG. 20, the display device DD may be partially or entirely bent or rolled.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are not limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the presented claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.