Abstract:
A display device includes: a display panel including: a display portion for displaying an image; and a first pad coupled with the display portion and for receiving an out signal from the display portion; a driver coupled with the display portion for supplying a driving signal to the display portion; a cover covering the display panel; and a connection unit coupling the first pad and the driver to each other to transmit the out signal to the driver, wherein at least a portion of the connection unit is in the cover.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/921,936, filed Jun. 19, 2013, which claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0026249, filed Mar. 12, 2013, the entire content of both of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The described technology relates generally to a display device. More particularly, the described technology relates generally to a display device including a display panel and a cover that covers the display panel. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A display device refers to a device for displaying an image. An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device is currently in the spotlight. 
         [0006]    In general, a display device includes a display panel for displaying an image and a cover covering the display panel. 
         [0007]    The above-described general display device may be driven and may be manufactured by various techniques according to the type of the display panel. However, it may be difficult to analyze the technique a manufacturer applied to a display panel of a display device without separation of a cover from the display panel. Accordingly, a cover may be removed from a display panel to analyze the display device. 
         [0008]    However, a manufacture may not want its display device to be analyzed. 
         [0009]    The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology, and therefore, it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    Exemplary embodiments provide a display device capable of suppressing a display panel&#39;s exposure to discovery of the techniques of manufacturing or of driving. 
         [0011]    One aspect of the present invention provides a display device including: a display panel including: a display portion for displaying an image; and a first pad coupled with the display portion and for receiving an out signal from the display portion; a driver coupled with the display portion for supplying a driving signal to the display portion; a cover covering the display panel; and a connection unit coupling the first pad and the driver to each other to transmit the out signal to the driver. Here, at least a portion of the connection unit is in the cover. 
         [0012]    The display device may further include a driving board including a second pad coupled with the driver. Here, the driver may be on the driving board, and the connection unit may include: a first internal line in the cover; a first connection portion, coupled to the first internal line, protruding to an outside of the cover, and contacting the first pad; and a second connection portion coupled to the internal line, protruding to the outside of the cover, and contacting the second pad. 
         [0013]    The first pad may be at a front side of the display panel, the display panel may further include a third pad coupled to the first pad and at a bottom side of the display panel, the cover may include: a first sub-cover facing a front side of the display panel, the driver being in the first sub-cover; and a second sub-cover facing a bottom side of the display panel and separated from the first sub-cover, the display panel being interposed between the first sub-cover and the second sub-cover, and the connection unit may include: a second internal line in the second sub-cover; a third connection portion coupled to the second internal line, protruding to an outside of the second sub-cover, and contacting the third pad; a fourth connection portion coupled to the second internal line and protruding to the outside of the second sub-cover; a fifth connection portion coupled to the driver, protruding to an outside of the first sub-cover, and contacting the fourth connection portion; and a sixth connection portion coupled to the driver, protruding to the outside of the first sub-cover, and contacting the first pad. 
         [0014]    The driver may be configured to not transmit the driving signal to the display portion when the out signal is not received by the driver through the connection unit. 
         [0015]    The driver may be configured to delete data stored in the driver when the out signal is not received by the driver through the connection unit. 
         [0016]    The display portion may include an organic light emitting element. 
         [0017]    The connection unit may be configured to disconnect from the first pad when the cover is separated from the display portion. 
         [0018]    According to an aspect of one or more embodiments, a display device capable of limiting the exposure of techniques (e.g., driving techniques or manufacturing techniques) of a manufacturer of a display panel is provided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a first exemplary embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a display panel, a driver, and a driving board of the display device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view provided for description of an effect of the display device according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a second exemplary embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view provided for description of an effect of the display device according to the second exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
         [0025]    The drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. 
         [0026]    Further, in several exemplary embodiments, a constituent element having the same configuration will be representatively described in a first exemplary embodiment by using the same reference numeral, and other configurations different from those of the first exemplary embodiment will be described in other exemplary embodiments. 
         [0027]    As the size and thickness of the respective structural components shown in the drawings may be arbitrarily illustrated for explanatory convenience, the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is illustrated. For example, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity. 
         [0028]    In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising,” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. Furthermore, a term “over” or “on” means that a specific part is placed over or on a target part, but does not necessarily mean that the specific part is placed over the target part on the basis of the gravity direction. 
         [0029]    Hereinafter, a display device according to a first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to the first exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a display panel, a driver, and a driving board of the display device of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a display device  1000  according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a display panel  100 , a driver  200 , a driving board  300 , and a cover  400 . 
         [0032]    The display panel  100  displays an image, and includes a substrate  110 , a display portion  120  that includes an organic light emitting element, an encapsulation portion  130 , and a first pad  140 . 
         [0033]    The substrate  110  may include glass, a resin, or a metal, and may be made of a light transmission material, a light reflective material, a light absorbing material, or a light semi-transmissive material. The display portion  120  (including the organic light emitting element) is on the substrate  110 , and the substrate  110 , together with the encapsulation portion  130 , seals the display portion  120 , where the display portion  120  is between the substrate  110  and the encapsulation portion  130 . The substrate  110  and the encapsulation portion  130  (e.g., a thin-film encapsulation portion) protect the display portion  120  from external interference. The substrate  110  may be flexible, and when the substrate  110  is flexible, and at when the encapsulation portion  130  is formed as a thin film, the display panel  100  may be flexible. 
         [0034]    The display portion  120  is on the substrate  110  and includes an organic light emitting element that emits light such that an image is displayed using the organic light emitting element. The organic light emitting element of the display portion  120  may include a first electrode, an organic emission layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the organic emission layer. The display portion  120  may further include a driving circuit between the organic light emitting element and the substrate  110 , and the organic light emitting element may be driven by the driving circuit. The driving circuit of the display portion  120  may include two or more thin film transistors and at least one capacitor. The display portion  120  may receive a driving signal from the driver  200  through a driving driver GD, and the display portion  120  may display an image according to the driving signal transmitted from the driver  200 . Here, the driving driver GD may be, for example, an integrated circuit (IC) chip, or may be an assembly of a plurality of thin film transistors formed through a process that forms the display portion  120 . 
         [0035]    The encapsulation portion  130  seals the display portion  120  together with the substrate  110 , and may be formed of one or more thin films. A touch sensor may be formed on or attached to the encapsulation portion  130 . 
         [0036]    The display portion  120  may apply an out signal to the first pad  140 . Here, the out signal may be a signal related to the driving signal used in the display portion  120  to display an image, and data related to the out signal may be stored in the driver  200 . 
         [0037]    The first pad  140  may be in a non-display area of the substrate  110 , which neighbors the display portion  120 , and may be connected to the display portion  120 . The first pad  140  receives the out signal from the display portion  120 . The first pad  140  may be formed through the same process that is performed to form the display portion  120 . 
         [0038]    In the display panel  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment, the display portion  120  includes the organic light emitting element; however, a display portion according to another embodiment may include a different means for displaying an image. For example, the display portion may include a liquid crystal, an electron ink, or a plasma as the display means. When the display portion  120  includes a liquid crystal, an electron ink, or a plasma as the display means, various known structures may be included in the display panel depending on the type of the display means. 
         [0039]    The driver  200  is mounted to the driving board  300  connected with the display panel  100 , and may be formed as an IC chip. The driver  200  neighbors the display panel  100  and is connected with the display portion  120  through the driving board  300  to supply a driving signal to the driver  200  for driving of the display portion  120 . The driver  200  is connected with the second pad  310  included in (or on or at) the driving board  300 . The driver  200  may receive the out signal of the display portion  120  from the second pad  310 , and when the out signal of the display portion  120  is not supplied to the driver  200 , the driver  200  may not supply the driving signal to the display portion  120  or may delete data stored in the driver  200 . 
         [0040]    The driving board  300  may be a printed circuit board (PCB) to which the driver  200  is mounted, and may neighbor (e.g., be adjacent to) the display panel  100 . The driving board  300  may be connected with the display panel  100  by using, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The driving board  300  includes the second pad  310  connected with the driver  200 . 
         [0041]    According to an embodiment, the second pad  310  is connected with the first pad  140  of the display panel  100  through a connection unit  410  of the cover  400 . 
         [0042]    The cover  400  is on the display panel  100 , and covers the display panel  100 , the driver  200 , and the driving board  300  to protect them from external interference. The cover  400  may include glass, a resin, or a metal, and may be made of a light transmission material, a light reflective material, a light absorbing material, or a light semi-transmissive material. The cover  400  includes a connection unit  410 . 
         [0043]    The connection unit  410  contacts the first pad  140  to couple (e.g., connect) the first pad  140  and the driver  200 , thereby transmitting the out signal applied to the first pad  140  from the display portion  120  to the driver  200 . The connection unit  410  is formed of a conductive material, such as a metal, and includes a first internal line  411 , a first bump  412  (or first connection portion), and a second bump  413  (or second connection portion). 
         [0044]    The first internal line  411  is in the cover  400 , and extends in the cover  400  to respectively correspond to the first pad  140  and the second pad  310 . 
         [0045]    The first bump  412  extends in a direction of the first pad  140  from one end of the first internal line  411 . The first bump  412  protrudes to the outside of the cover  400  from the inside of the cover  400 . The first bump  412  protrudes to the outside of the cover  400 , and thus, contacts the first pad  140 . 
         [0046]    The second bump  413  extends in a direction of the second pad  310  from the other end of the first internal line  411 . The second bump  413  protrudes to the outside of the cover  400  from the inside of the cover  400 . The second bump  413  protrudes to the outside of the cover  400 , and thus, contacts the second pad  310 . 
         [0047]    The first internal line  411 , the first bump  412 , and the second bump  413  may be integrally formed. Because the first bump  412  and the second bump  413  respectively contact the first pad  140  and the second pad  310 , the out signal applied to the first pad  140  from the display portion  120  is applied to the second pad  310  through the first bump  412 , the first internal line  411 , and the second bump  413 . The out signal applied to the second pad  310  from the display portion  120  is transmitted to the driver  200  connected with the second pad  310 . 
         [0048]    Hereinafter, an effect of the display device according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view provided for description of an effect of the display device according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the cover  400  is separated from the display panel  100  and the driver  200 , the first bump  412  and the second bump  413  of the connection unit  410  are respectively separated from the first pad  140  and the second pad  310  so that the out signal applied to the first pad  140  from the display portion  120  is not applied to the second pad  310 , and accordingly, the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120 . That is, when the cover  400  is separated from the display panel  100 , the out signal from the display portion  120  cannot be transmitted to the driver  200  through the connection unit  410 . 
         [0051]    According to an embodiment, when the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120 , the driver  200  does not supply a driving signal for driving the display panel  100  to the display portion  120 . Accordingly, although power may be supplied to the display panel  100 , the display panel  100  is not driven because the driving signal is not supplied to the display panel  100 , so that if the cover  400  is separated from the display panel  100  for analysis of the display panel  100 , various techniques for driving the display panel  100  (e.g., various techniques of the manufacturer of the display panel) cannot be analyzed. 
         [0052]    According to an embodiment, when the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120 , the driver  200  deletes the data stored in the driver  200 . Accordingly, when the cover  400  is separated, although power may be supplied to the driver  200 , no data is in the driver  200 , and therefore, the data stored in the driver  200  cannot be analyzed when the cover  400  is separated from the display panel  100 . 
         [0053]    That is, technical exposure may be suppressed for the manufacturer of the display panel  100  of the display device  1000 . 
         [0054]    According to an embodiment of the display device  1000 , the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120  through the connection unit  410  when the cover  400  is separated from the display panel  100 , and thus, when the driver stores data indicating a state that the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200 , whether or not the cover  400  is separated from the display panel  100  may be determined through the driver  200 . 
         [0055]    That is, whether or not the display device  1000  has been disassembled may be determined. 
         [0056]    Hereinafter, referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , a display device according to a second exemplary embodiment will be described. 
         [0057]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a second exemplary embodiment. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a display device  1002  according to the second exemplary embodiment includes a display panel  100 , a driver  200 , and a cover  400 . 
         [0059]    The display panel  100  displays an image, and includes a substrate  110 , a display portion  120  including an organic light emitting element, an encapsulation portion  130 , a first pad  140 , and a third pad  150 . 
         [0060]    The first pad  140  is in a non-display of the substrate  110 , neighbors the display portion  120 , and is connected with the display portion  120 . The first pad  140  receives an out signal from the display portion  120 . The first pad  140  is in a front side of the display panel  100 . 
         [0061]    The third pad  150  faces the first pad  140 , interposing the display portion  120  and the substrate  110 , and is in the non-display area of the substrate  110 . The third pad  150  is connected with the first pad  140  through the inside of the substrate  110 . The third pad  150  receives the out signal through the first pad  140 . The third pad  150  is in a bottom side of the display panel  100 . 
         [0062]    According to the present embodiment, the driver  200  is in the cover  400 , and is connected with the first pad  140  and the third pad  150  through a connection unit  410 . The driver  200  may receive an out signal from the first and/or third pads  140  and  150  through the connection unit  410 . When the out signal of the display portion  120  is not supplied to the driver  200 , the driver  200  does not supply a driving signal to the display portion  120  and/or may delete data stored in the driver  200 . 
         [0063]    The cover  400  covers the display panel  100 , and includes a first sub-cover  420 , a second sub-cover  430 , and a connection unit  410 . 
         [0064]    The first sub-cover  420  faces the front side of the display panel  100 , and the driver  200  may be located thereinside. 
         [0065]    The second sub-cover  430  faces the bottom side of the display panel  100 . The second sub-cover  430  faces the first sub-cover  420 , with the display panel  100  interposed therebetween. 
         [0066]    The second sub-cover  430  and the first sub-cover  420  protect the display panel from external interference. 
         [0067]    The connection unit  410  connects the first and third pads  140  and  150  with the driver  200  by contacting the first pad  140  and the third pad  150  to transmit the out signal applied to the first pad  140  and the third pad  150  from the display portion  120  to the driver  200 . The connection unit  410  is formed of a conductive material, such as a metal, and includes a second internal line  415 , a third bump  416  (or third connection portion), a fourth bump  417  (or a fourth connection portion), a fifth bump  418  (or fifth connection portion), and a sixth bump  419  (or sixth connection portion). 
         [0068]    The second internal line  415  is in (or at, or on) the second sub-cover  430 , and extends in the second sub-cover  430  so as to correspond to each of the third pad  150  and the fifth bump  418 . 
         [0069]    The third bump  416  extends in a direction of the third pad  150  from one end of the second internal line  415 . The third bump  416  protrudes to the outside of the second sub-cover  430  from the inside of the second sub-cover  430 . The third bump  416  protrudes to the outside of the second sub-cover  430 , and thus, contacts the third pad  150 . 
         [0070]    The fourth bump  417  extends in a direction of the fifth bump  418  from the other end of the second internal line  415 . The fourth bump  417  protrudes to the outside of the second sub-cover  430  from the inside of the second sub-cover  430 . The fourth bump  417  protrudes to the outside of the second sub-cover  430 , and thus, contacts the fifth bump  418 . 
         [0071]    The fifth bump  418  is connected with the driver  200 , and thus, extends in a direction of the fourth bump  417  from the driver  200 . The fifth bump  418  protrudes to the outside of the first sub-cover  420  from the inside of the first sub-cover  420 . The fifth bump  418  protrudes to the outside of the first sub-cover  420 , and thus, contacts the fourth bump  417 . 
         [0072]    The second internal line  415 , the third bump  416 , and the fourth bump  417  may be integrally formed. The third bump  416  and the fourth bump  417  respectively contact the third pad  150  and the fifth bump  418  such that the out signal applied to the third pad  150  from the display portion  120  through the first pad  140  is applied to the driver  200  from the third pad  150  through third bump  416 , the second internal line  415 , the fourth bump  417 , and the fifth bump  418 . 
         [0073]    The sixth bump  419  extends in a direction of the first pad  140  from the driver  200 . The sixth bump  419  protrudes to the outside of the first sub-cover  420  from the inside of the first sub-cover  420 . The sixth bump  419  protrudes to the outside of the first sub-cover  420 , and thus, contacts the first pad  140  to connect the driver  200  and the first pad  140 . Because the sixth bump  419  is connected with the driver  200 , and thus, contacts the first pad  140 , the out signal applied to the first pad  140  from the display portion  120  is applied to the driver  200  from the first pad  140  through the sixth bump  419 . 
         [0074]    Hereinafter, an effect of the display device according to the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0075]    Hereinafter, characteristic components distinguished from the first exemplary embodiment will be described in detail, and other components may be described by referring to the above-described embodiments. In addition, in the second exemplary embodiment, for convenience of description, like elements will be described by using like reference numerals of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view provided for description of an effect of the display device according to the second exemplary embodiment. 
         [0077]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the first sub-cover  420  is separated from the display panel  100 , the sixth bump  419  of the connection unit  410  separates from the first pad  140 , and thus, the out signal applied to the first pad  140  from the display portion  120  is not applied to the driver  200 . Accordingly, the out signal cannot be transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120 . That is, when the cover  400  is separated from the display panel  100 , the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120 . 
         [0078]    In addition, when the second sub-cover  430  is separated from the display panel  100 , the third bump  416  of the connection unit  410  separates from the third pad  150 , and thus, the out signal applied to the third pad  150  from the display portion  120  through the first pad  140  cannot be applied to the driver  200  through the third bump  416 , the second internal line  415 , the fourth bump  417 , and the fifth bump  418 . Accordingly, the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120 . That is, when the cover  400  is separated from the display panel  100 , the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120  through the connection unit  410 . 
         [0079]    As described, when the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120 , the driver  200  does not supply a driving signal for driving the display panel  100  to the display portion  120 . Thus, when the first sub-cover  420  or the second sub-cover  430  is separated from the display panel  100 , the driver  200  does not supply the driving signal to the display panel  100  (i.e., the display panel  100  is not driven). Accordingly, when the first sub-cover  420  or the second sub-cover  430  is separated from the display panel  100  for analysis of the display panel  100 , various techniques of a manufacturer of the display panel  100  (e.g., techniques for driving the display panel  100 ) cannot be analyzed. 
         [0080]    According to one embodiment, when the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120 , the driver  200  deletes data stored in the driver  200 . Thus, when the first sub-cover  420  or the second sub-cover  430  is separated from the display panel  100 , no data is present in the driver  200 , and thus, data stored in the driver  200  cannot be analyzed. 
         [0081]    That is, technical exposure of the manufacturer of the display panel  100  of the display device  1002  may be suppressed. 
         [0082]    According to one embodiment of the display device, the out signal is not transmitted to the driver  200  from the display portion  120  through the connection unit  410  when the first sub-cover  420  of the second sub-cover  430  is separated from the display panel  100 , and thus, if the driver stores data indicating that the out signal was not transmitted to the driver  200 , it may be determined, through the driver  200 , whether or not the cover  400  was separated from the display panel  100 . 
         [0083]    That is, whether or not the display device  1002  has been disassembled may be determined. 
         [0084]    While this disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.