Patent Description:
A display functions as a core interface which explicitly provides a process of an expression (e.g., output) and recognition (e.g., input) of information resource, and a recent electronic device equips a full screen display which provides a screen extending in order to promote enhanced interaction between the display and a user.

Implementation of the full screen display may require improvement of hardware or software of the electronic device. For example, an optical sensor (e.g., an image sensor, an illumination sensor, or a fingerprint sensor), which is conventionally disposed on the front surface of an electronic device or exposed through the front surface thereof, may be disposed under the display in order not to restrict screen extension of the display. In this case, a display area corresponding to the area in which the optical sensor is arranged may include a non-pixel area in which a part of pixel has been removed, so as to support the optical function of the optical sensor. <CIT> discloses an emissive display configured for through-display imaging. <CIT> discloses an electronic device comprising a camera module.

External light introduced into an electronic device through a non-pixel area of a display may be diffracted by metal wires existing around the non-pixel area, and the diffraction of the external light may degrade the performance of pixels disposed in a pixel area of the display. Accordingly, a display structure in which a shield member made of an opaque metal is disposed under the pixels to minimize an effect on the pixels by the diffraction of the external light is suggested.

However, in case that external light introduced through the non-pixel area is reflected by an optical sensor disposed under a display, the reflected light may be reflected again by a shield member and then enter the optical sensor. The reflected light entering the optical sensor in this way may also degrade the performance of the optical sensor.

Various embodiments disclosed in the document may provide an electronic device including a display having a diffuse reflection structure, wherein the diffuse reflection structure is implemented in a shield member included in the display, so as to minimize the amount of reflected light incident to an optical sensor from the shield member.

An electronic device according to a first aspect is set out in accordance with claim <NUM>.

An electronic device according to the invention includes an optical sensor disposed under the display panel.

The display panel includes a first area having a first pixel density and corresponding to an angle of view of the optical sensor, a second area having a second pixel density greater than the first pixel density, and an opaque layer disposed to correspond to the first area in the display panel.

The opaque layer includes a plurality of opaque third areas each comprising a metal layer having a designated pattern structure and a plurality of fourth areas including an opening between the plurality of third areas, wherein each opening supports an optical path for external light introduced through the first area to the optical sensor; and wherein the designated pattern structure is formed at a side of the metal layer toward the optical sensor, and wherein the designated pattern structure comprises a structural shape to enable diffuse reflection of reflected light from the optical sensor.

According to various embodiments, a display mechanism capable of minimizing the amount of reflected light incident to an optical sensor from a shield member by implementing a diffuse reflection structure in the shield member included in a display may be provided.

According to various embodiments, the amount of reflected light incident to the optical sensor may be minimized to suppress the performance deterioration of the optical sensor.

In addition, various effects directly or indirectly understood through this document may be provided.

In connection with description of drawings, identical or corresponding components may be given identical reference numerals.

In the following description of various embodiments, although numerous features may be designated as optional, it is nevertheless acknowledged that all features defined by appended claim <NUM> are not to be read as optional.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an electronic device within a network environment according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in the network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or at least one of an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input module <NUM>, a sound output module <NUM>, a display module <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a connecting terminal <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal <NUM>) may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. In some embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module <NUM>).

<FIG> is a view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the display device <NUM> may include a display <NUM> and a display driver integrated circuit (DDI) <NUM> to control the display <NUM>. The DDI <NUM> may include an interface module <NUM>, memory <NUM> (e.g., buffer memory), an image processing module <NUM>, or a mapping module <NUM>. The DDI <NUM> may 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 device <NUM> via the interface module <NUM>. For example, according to an embodiment, the image information may be received from the processor <NUM> (e.g., the main processor <NUM> (e.g., an application processor)) or the auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., a graphics processing unit) operated independently from the function of the main processor <NUM>. The DDI <NUM> may communicate, for example, with touch circuitry <NUM> or the sensor module <NUM> via the interface module <NUM>. The DDI <NUM> may also store at least part of the received image information in the memory <NUM>, for example, on a frame by frame basis. The image processing module <NUM> may perform pre-processing or post-processing (e.g., adjustment of resolution, brightness, or size) with respect to at least part of the image data. According to an embodiment, the pre-processing or post-processing may be performed, for example, based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the image data or one or more characteristics of the display <NUM>. The mapping module <NUM> may generate a voltage value or a current value corresponding to the image data pre-processed or post-processed by the image processing module <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the generating of the voltage value or current value may be performed, for example, 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 display <NUM> may be driven, for example, 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 display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the display device <NUM> may further include the touch circuitry <NUM>. The touch circuitry <NUM> may include a touch sensor <NUM> and a touch sensor IC <NUM> to control the touch sensor <NUM>. The touch sensor IC <NUM> may control the touch sensor <NUM> to sense a touch input or a hovering input with respect to a certain position on the display <NUM>. To achieve this, for example, the touch sensor <NUM> may 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 display <NUM>. The touch circuitry <NUM> may 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 sensor <NUM> to the processor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, at least part (e.g., the touch sensor IC <NUM>) of the touch circuitry <NUM> may be formed as part of the display <NUM> or the DDI <NUM>, or as part of another component (e.g., the auxiliary processor <NUM>) disposed outside the display device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the display device <NUM> may further include at least one sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, a pressure sensor, or an illuminance sensor) of the sensor module <NUM> or 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 display <NUM>, the DDI <NUM>, or the touch circuitry <NUM>)) of the display device <NUM>. For example, when the sensor module <NUM> embedded in the display device <NUM> includes 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 display <NUM>. As another example, when the sensor module <NUM> embedded in the display device <NUM> includes a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor may obtain pressure information corresponding to a touch input received via a partial or whole area of the display <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the touch sensor <NUM> or the sensor module <NUM> may be disposed between pixels in a pixel layer of the display <NUM>, or over or under the pixel layer.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a first area and a second area of a display device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a display device <NUM> (e.g., a display of the display device <NUM>, hereinafter, refers to the display <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include at least one of a first area <NUM> and a second area <NUM>.

In one embodiment, at least one first area <NUM> may be configured in various areas of the display <NUM> according to an embodiment. For example, at least one first area <NUM> may be configured on at least one of the upper right area, the upper central area, and the upper left area adjacent to the upper edge of the display <NUM>. For another example, at least one first area <NUM> may be configured in an area in which the body (e.g., finger) of a user may easily approach when the electronic device <NUM> is gripped by the user. For example, the at least one first area <NUM> may be configured on the lower central area adjacent to the lower edge of the display <NUM>. In an embodiment, the second area <NUM> may be configured to occupy all areas of the display <NUM> excluding the at least one first area <NUM>.

In an embodiment, at least one optical sensor may be disposed under each of at least one first area <NUM> of the display <NUM>. For example, the at least one optical sensor may be disposed to be perpendicularly aligned with at least one first area <NUM> under the display <NUM>. For another example, at least a part of the at least one optical sensor may be disposed to perpendicularly overlap the at least one first area <NUM> under the display <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, at least one optical sensor may include at least one of an image sensor configured to support image photographing with respect to a surrounding area (e.g., a front side of the electronic device <NUM>, which the display <NUM> faces) of the electronic device <NUM>, an illustration sensor configured to detect a surrounding state (e.g., the amount of light) of the electronic device <NUM>, and a biometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor or an iris sensor) configured to support bio-information acquisition of a user of the electronic device <NUM>. According to various embodiments, in accordance with the size, the area, the shape, or the angle of view of at least one optical sensor, the size, the area, or the shape of at least one first area <NUM> may be determined to correspond thereto.

In an embodiment, each of the at least one first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may include a plurality of pixels, and each of the plurality of pixels may include at least one sub pixel. For example, at least one pixel among the plurality of pixels may include an RGB stripe structure configured by a combination of a red sub pixel, a green sub pixel, and a blue sub pixel disposed on the same line. For another example, at least one pixel among the plurality of pixels may include an RGBW stripe structure configured by a combination of a red sub pixel, a green sub pixel, a blue sub pixel, and a white sub pixel disposed on the same line. For another example, at least one pixel among the plurality of pixels may include an RGBG diamond PenTile structure configured by a combination of a red sub pixel having a first size, a blue sub pixel having a second size larger than the first size, and a plurality of green sub pixels having a third size smaller than the first size.

According to various embodiments, the type, the structure, or the arrangement of at least one sub pixel included in each of a plurality of pixels may be equal to or different from each other. For example, as an example of a case in which the RGB stripe structure is implemented in at least one first area <NUM>, a first pixel among the plurality of pixels included in the at least one first area <NUM> may include a red sub pixel, a second pixel adjacent to the right side with reference to the first pixel may include a green sub pixel, and a third pixel adjacent to the right side with reference to the second pixel may include a blue sub pixel. For another example, as an example of a case in which the RGBG diamond PenTile structure is implemented in at least one first area <NUM>, a first pixel among the plurality of pixels included in the at least one first area <NUM> may include a red sub pixel and a green sub pixel, and a second pixel adjacent to the right side with reference to the first pixel may include a blue sub pixel and a green sub pixel. For another example, the sub pixels of an RGB stripe structure may be arranged in each of the plurality of pixels included in at least one first area <NUM>, and the sub pixels of an RGBG diamond PenTile structure may be arranged in each of the plurality of pixels included in the second area <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, at least one first area <NUM> may include a pixel structure different from that of the second area <NUM> so as to support an optical function of at least one optical sensor disposed to correspond to the at least one first area <NUM>, along with displaying of a content corresponding to image information. For example, at least one first area <NUM> may include a plurality of first pixel areas 161a in which a pixel is disposed and a plurality of non-pixel areas 161b in which a pixel is not disposed, and the second area <NUM> may include a plurality of second pixel areas 163a in which a pixel is disposed. Based on this, at least one first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may support content displaying with respect to all areas of the display <NUM> based on each of the plurality of first pixel areas 161a and the plurality of second pixel areas 163a. In addition, at least one first area <NUM> may implement light-transmission with respect to the display <NUM> based on the plurality of non-pixel areas 161b so as to support receiving light from the outside into at least one optical sensor or transmitting light from the at least one optical sensor to the outside.

In various embodiments, the plurality of first pixel areas 161a and the plurality of non-pixel areas 161b included in at least one first area <NUM> may be disposed in a regular array or in an irregular array. In various embodiments, the plurality of first pixel areas 161a may have the same area or different areas from each other and, similarly, the plurality of non-pixel areas 161b may have the same area or different areas from each other. In various embodiments, all of the plurality of first pixel areas 161a and the plurality of non-pixel areas 161b may have the same area. In various embodiments, the total area of the plurality of first pixel areas 161a may be equal to or different from the total area of the plurality of non-pixel areas 161b. According to various embodiments, at least one electrical wire or circuit (e.g., thin film transistor, TFT) relating to driving of a pixel may be arranged in the same array or different arrays in each of the plurality of first pixel areas 161a.

According to an embodiment, the pixel density between the at least one first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may be different due to the plurality of non-pixel areas 161b included in the at least one first area <NUM>. The at least one first area <NUM> includes a plurality of first pixel areas 161a in which a pixel is disposed based on a first pixel density, and the second area <NUM> includes a plurality of second pixel areas 163a in which a pixel is disposed based on a second pixel density greater than the first pixel density. For example, when at least one first area <NUM> has a first pixel density of <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or <NUM>% while having a non-pixel density of <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or <NUM>%, the second area <NUM> may have a second pixel density of <NUM>%. According to an embodiment, in accordance with the first pixel density and the second pixel density which are different from each other, the number of pixels per a unit area included in at least one first area <NUM> may be smaller than the number of pixels per a unit area included in the second area <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the size or area of at least one sub pixel included in each of the plurality of first pixel areas 161a may be equal to or different from the size or area of at least one sub pixel included in each of the plurality of second pixel areas 163a. In this regard, at least one first area <NUM> may have a brightness (or luminance) lower than that of the second area <NUM> due to the first pixel density (or due to the plurality of non-pixel areas 161b). Further, in case that a large driving power is supplied to the at least one first area <NUM> in order to perform a control for uniform brightness between the at least one first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM>, at least a part of pixels of the plurality of first pixel areas 161a may be deteriorated (e.g., burned-in). In order to prevent the pixel deterioration, the size or area of at least one sub pixel included in each of the plurality of first pixel areas 161a may be configured to be larger than the size or area of at least one sub pixel included in each of the plurality of second pixel areas 163a. Otherwise, regardless of prevention of the pixel deterioration, in order to increase the light transmittance with respect to at least one first area <NUM>, the size or area of at least one sub pixel included in each of the plurality of first pixel areas 161a may be configured to be smaller than the size or area of the at least one sub pixel included in each of the plurality of second pixel areas 163a.

In various embodiments, the shape of at least one sub pixel included in each of the plurality of first pixel areas 161a may be equal to or different from the shape of at least one sub pixel included in each of the plurality of second pixel areas 163a. For example, in order to increase light transmittance with respect to at least one first area <NUM> or to minimize an optical effect on a lower optical sensor by the plurality of sub pixels arranged in the at least one first area <NUM>, the shape of at least one sub pixel included in each of the plurality of first pixel areas 161a may be different from the shape of at least one sub pixel included in each of the plurality of second pixel areas 163a. As an example of a case in which an RGBG diamond PenTile structure is implemented in at least one first area <NUM>, a red sub pixel and a blue sub pixel included in the plurality of first pixel areas 161a may have a rhombic shape corners (or edges) which are processed to be rounded, and a green sub pixel may have a substantially oval shape.

According to an embodiment, the display layer structures (or, structures in each of which layers included in a display are stacked) with respect to the at least one first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may be different from each other. An opaque layer (e.g., an opaque layer <NUM> of <FIG> as described below) is disposed in a display panel corresponding to at least one first area <NUM>, and an opaque layer may be omitted in the display panel corresponding to the second area <NUM>. According to another embodiment, the at least one first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM> may have the same display layer structure. For example, the opaque layer may be identically disposed in the display panel corresponding to the at least one first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of one area of an electronic device according to an embodiment. For one area of the electronic device, the A-A' area illustrated in <FIG> may be referred to.

The embodiment of <FIG> is explained below by referring to an unbreakable (UB) type OLED display (e.g., curved display), as an example. However, the embodiment below may be applied equally or similarly to an OCTA (on cell touch AOLED (active matrix organic light-emitting diode)) type flat display. Further, in explaining the embodiment of <FIG>, an image sensor of a camera device disposed under a display is referred to as an example of the optical sensor described above. However, the following embodiment may be identically applied to various optical sensors such as an illumination sensor or a biometric sensor disposed under the display.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a front surface cover <NUM> (e.g., a front surface cover member, a front surface plate, a front surface window, or a first plate) facing a first direction (e.g., ① direction), a rear surface cover <NUM> (e.g., a rear surface cover member, a rear surface plate, a rear surface window, or a second plate) facing a direction opposite to the first direction, and a lateral surface member <NUM> surrounding a space <NUM> between the front surface cover <NUM> and the rear surface cover <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a first waterproof member <NUM> disposed between the lateral surface member <NUM> and a subsidiary material layer <NUM> of a display <NUM> and a second waterproof member <NUM> disposed between the lateral surface member <NUM> and the rear surface cover <NUM>. The first waterproof member <NUM> and the second waterproof member <NUM> may prevent foreign matter or moisture from the outside from being introduced into the inner space <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. In various embodiments, at least one of the first waterproof member <NUM> and the second waterproof member <NUM> may be substituted with an adhesive member. In various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may further include a third waterproof member disposed in at least a part between a camera device <NUM> and the lateral surface member <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the lateral surface member <NUM> may include a first support member <NUM> at least partially extending toward the inner space <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> may be configured by structural combination with the lateral surface member <NUM>, for example. In an embodiment, the first support member <NUM> may support at least a part of the camera device <NUM> so that the camera device <NUM> is to be aligned near the rear surface of a display panel <NUM> through an opening (e.g., opening (OP) of <FIG>) configured through the subsidiary material layer <NUM> of the display <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the camera device <NUM> may include a camera housing <NUM>, a lens housing <NUM> disposed in an inner space <NUM> of the camera housing <NUM> to at least partially protrude toward the display <NUM>, a plurality of lenses <NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) arranged in an inner space <NUM> of the lens housing <NUM> at a predetermined interval, and at least one image sensor <NUM> disposed to acquire at least a part of light passing through the plurality of lenses <NUM> in the inner space <NUM> of the camera housing <NUM>. In an embodiment, the camera device <NUM> may be disposed to be aligned with a through-hole <NUM> of the first support member <NUM>, and then attached to one area of the first support member <NUM> through an adhesive member <NUM> (e.g., a bonding member and a tape member). In another example, the camera device <NUM> may not include the camera housing <NUM> in order to reduce a space occupied by the camera device <NUM> and in this case, the lens housing <NUM> may be directly attached to one area of the first support member <NUM> through a predetermined array process. In another embodiment, the camera device <NUM> may be disposed to be supported by a second support member <NUM> (e.g., rear case) disposed in the inner space <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, in a case that the camera device <NUM> includes an auto focus (AF) function, the lens housing <NUM> may be moved by a predetermined driving unit disposed in the inner space <NUM> of the camera housing <NUM>. In result, the distance between the lens housing <NUM> and the display panel <NUM> may vary. In various embodiments, with regard to an AF function performance of the camera device <NUM>, the driving unit may change a position of at least one lens of the plurality of lenses <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of one area of an electronic device according to an embodiment. For the one area of the electronic device, area B illustrated in <FIG> may be referred to.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the display <NUM> according to an embodiment may include at least one of a touch panel, a polarization layer <NUM>, the display panel <NUM>, and the subsidiary material layer <NUM> (e.g., the subsidiary material layer <NUM> including at least one of a shielding layer <NUM>, a buffering layer <NUM>, a digitizer, a functional member <NUM>, and a conductive member <NUM>). In an embodiment, the display <NUM> may be coupled to the front surface cover <NUM> based on an adhesive layer <NUM> disposed on the rear surface of the front surface cover <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the polarization layer <NUM> may include an opening <NUM> for supporting an optical function of the camera device <NUM> in one area at least partially overlapping the camera device <NUM>. Similarly, in order to support an optical function of the camera device <NUM>, one area of the adhesive layer <NUM> disposed on the polarization layer <NUM> may be at least partially omitted, the one area corresponding to the opening <NUM> of the polarization layer <NUM>. In an embodiment, a material (e.g., an index matching material) for controlling refractive index of light according to interfacial reflection increase may be filled in the opening <NUM> configured in the polarization layer <NUM>. In another embodiment, one area of the polarization layer <NUM> which at least partially overlaps the camera device <NUM> may not include the opening <NUM>, and may be configured to have high light transmittance. For example, one area of the polarization layer <NUM> corresponding to the plurality of lenses <NUM> of the camera device <NUM> may be made of a material having light transmittance different from that of another area of the polarization layer <NUM>, or may be configured to include a member to increase light transmittance. In another example, one area of the polarization layer <NUM> which at least partially overlaps the camera device <NUM> may not include the opening <NUM>, or may be made of a material having light transmittance equal to that of another area of the polarization layer <NUM>. According to another embodiment, the polarization layer <NUM> may be omitted from the display <NUM>, and the omitted polarization layer <NUM> may be replaced with a color filter layer configured by a combination of a black matrix and a color filter disposed on the black matrix. Otherwise, the omitted polarization layer <NUM> may be replaced with a combination of a color filter layer and a planarization layer (e.g., over coat) disposed on the color filter layer.

According to an embodiment, the subsidiary material layer <NUM> of the display <NUM> may include an opening (OP) configured in an area which at least partially overlaps the plurality of lenses <NUM> of the camera device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the opening (OP) may be configured according to a method in which an opening configured in the shielding layer <NUM>, an opening configured in the buffering layer <NUM>, an opening configured in the functional member <NUM>, and an opening configured in the conductive member <NUM> overlap one another. According to various embodiments, the sizes of the opening configured in the shielding layer <NUM>, the opening configured in the buffering layer <NUM>, the opening configured in the functional member <NUM>, and the opening configured in the conductive member <NUM> may be different from each other according to the shape of the camera device <NUM> (or, the shapes of the plurality of lenses <NUM>).

In an embodiment, the display panel <NUM> may include active areas A1 and A2, and the active areas A1 and A2 may include a transmitting area A1 which is an area corresponding to an angle of view θ of the camera device <NUM> disposed under the display panel <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the transmitting area A1 (e.g., at least one first area <NUM> of <FIG>) may be configured to have light transmittance which is higher than that of the surrounding active area A2 (e.g., the second area <NUM> of <FIG>). For example, the transmitting area A1 may be configured to have light transmittance within a designated range through rearrangement with respect to at least one of a plurality of wires and a plurality of pixels included in the display panel <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the display panel <NUM> corresponding to the transmitting area A1 may include an opaque layer (e.g., the opaque layer <NUM> of <FIG>). The opaque layer may include a plurality of openings (e.g., a plurality of openings <NUM> of <FIG>), and the light transmittance of the transmitting area A1 may be determined through control with respect to at least one of the shape, the size, the arrangement, the density, and the interval of the plurality of openings.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of another area of an electronic device according to an embodiment. For another area of the electronic device, area C illustrated in <FIG> may be referred to.

Referring to <FIG>, the display panel <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a substrate layer 531a, an intermediate layer 531b stacked on the substrate layer 531a, and a protection layer 531c (encap-layer) stacked on the intermediate layer 531b. In an embodiment, the display panel <NUM> may include a plurality of pixels (Ps) arranged to correspond to the active areas A1 and A2, and each of the plurality of pixels (Ps) may include a first sub pixel area (pixel red, Pr), a second sub pixel area (pixel green, Pg), and a third sub pixel area (pixel blue, Pb).

According to an embodiment, the display panel <NUM> may include a first pixel electrode 5311a, a second pixel electrode 5311b, and a third pixel electrode 5311c disposed on the substrate layer 531a to correspond to the first sub pixel area (Pr), the second sub pixel area (Pg), and the third sub pixel area (Pb), respectively, in the intermediate layer 531b. The first pixel electrode 5311a, the second pixel electrode 5311b, and the third pixel electrode 5311c may include, for example, a reflecting electrode including a reflection layer. According to an embodiment, the display panel <NUM> may include a first organic material layer 5312a, a second organic material layer 5312b, and a third organic material layer 5312c disposed on the first pixel electrode 5311a, the second pixel electrode 5311b, and the third pixel electrode 5311c, respectively, in the intermediate layer 531b. In an embodiment, the first sub pixel area (Pr), the second sub pixel area (Pg), and the third sub pixel area (Pb) may be partitioned by a pixel definition layer <NUM> made of an insulation material, and an opposite electrode <NUM> may be commonly disposed on the first organic material layer 5312a, the second organic material layer 5312b, and the third organic material layer 5312c.

According to an embodiment, each of the first organic material layer 5312a, the second organic material layer 5312b, and the third organic material layer 5312c may include an organic light emitting layer which emits light of a first color (e.g., red), a second color (e.g., green), and a third color (e.g., blue). In an embodiment, the organic light emitting layer may be disposed between one pair of common layers which are vertically stacked thereon. One common layer among the one pair of common layers may include at least one of a hole injection layer (HIL) and a hole transport layer (HTL), and the other common layer may include at least one of an electron transport layer (ETL) and an electron injection layer (EIL). According to various embodiments, the one pair of common layers may further include various functional layers while including the organic light emitting layer.

In various embodiments, the opposite electrode <NUM> may be configured as a transparent or a translucence electrode in a thin film shape having a thickness of several mm to several tens of mm, and may include one or more materials selected from silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), cooper (Cu), LiF/Ca, LiF/Al, MgAg, and CaAg. According to an embodiment, light emitted from the first organic light emitting layer, the second organic light emitting layer, and the third organic light emitting layer included in the first organic material layer 5312a, the second organic material layer 5312b, and the third organic material layer 5312c, respectively, may be emitted directly or emitted after being reflected by the first pixel electrode 5311a, the second pixel electrode 5311b, and the third pixel electrode 5311c, respectively, toward the opposite electrode <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the substrate layer 531a may include a connection member electrically connected to each of the first pixel electrode 5311a, the second pixel electrode 5311b, and the third pixel electrode 5311c. The connection member may include, for example, a thin film transistor (TFT) or a low temperature passivation transistor (LTPS). In an embodiment, the substrate layer 531a may include a transparent insulation substrate (e.g., glass substrate, quartz substrate or resin substrate). According to an embodiment, the protection layer 531c may be disposed on the opposite electrode <NUM> in order to protect the opposite electrode <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> includes a plurality of pixels (Ps) arranged to have a density smaller than that of the surrounding active area A2 (e.g., the second area <NUM> of <FIG>) in the intermediate layer 531b corresponding to the transmitting area A1 (e.g., at least one first area <NUM> of <FIG>). In this case, the intermediate layer 531b corresponding to the transmitting area A1 may remain or may be omitted.

<FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating an opaque layer included in a display of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the display panel <NUM> according to an embodiment may include an opaque layer <NUM> disposed in the intermediate layer 531b of the display panel <NUM> in order to correspond to the transmitting area A1 (e.g., at least one first area <NUM> of <FIG>). In an embodiment, the opaque layer <NUM> may be disposed between a plurality of pixels (Ps) arranged in the intermediate layer 531b corresponding to the transmitting area A1 and the substrate layer 531a of the display panel <NUM>. In an embodiment, the opaque layer <NUM> may be disposed at the boundary between the transmitting area A1 and the surrounding active area A2 (e.g., the second area <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to various embodiments, the opaque layer <NUM> may be disposed under the display panel <NUM>. For example, the opaque layer <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface of the substrate layer 531a of the display panel <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the opaque layer <NUM> may include a plurality of areas, each of which includes a colored (e.g., black) metal layer <NUM> (e.g., shield member), and a plurality of areas, each of which includes the opening <NUM> between the metal layers <NUM>. The metal layers <NUM> included in the opaque layer <NUM> may be used to minimize diffraction of external light introduced through the transmitting area A1 of the display panel <NUM>. In addition, the openings <NUM> included in the opaque layer <NUM> may be used to support an optical path of light emitted from the camera device <NUM> or light introduced into the camera device (e.g., the camera device <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed under the display panel <NUM>. Light transmittance of the transmitting area A1 may be determined by controlling at least one of the shape, the size, the arrangement density, and the arrangement interval of the openings <NUM>, and at least one of the shape, the size, the arrangement density, and the arrangement interval of the openings <NUM> may be equal to or different from each other.

According to an embodiment, at least one of a plurality of wires and a plurality of pixels (Ps) arranged to correspond to the transmitting area A1 of the display panel <NUM> may be aligned to be perpendicular to the metal layers <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> and may be disposed so as not to overlap the openings <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM>. According to another embodiment, at least one of a plurality of wires and a plurality of pixels (Ps) arranged to correspond to the transmitting area A1 of the display panel <NUM> may be disposed to at least partially overlap the openings <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a plurality of areas corresponding to the metal layers <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> may include a designated pattern structure <NUM>. In an embodiment, the pattern structure <NUM> may be directly implemented in each of the metal layers <NUM>, or may be implemented by depositing a member including the pattern structure <NUM> in each of the metal layers <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the pattern structure <NUM> may include at least one regular or irregular pattern from among an embossing pattern, an uneven pattern, a protrusion pattern, a hairline pattern and a pattern obtained by combining at least two of the above-mentioned patterns. In various embodiments, at least one of the embossing pattern, the uneven pattern, the protrusion pattern, the hairline pattern may be configured to have at least one of a height of a first size (e.g., <NUM> µm) and a width of a second size (e.g., <NUM> µm). In various embodiments, at least one of the embossing pattern, the uneven pattern, the protrusion pattern, the hairline pattern may be spaced apart by a predetermined width from an adjacent embossing pattern, uneven pattern, protrusion pattern, hairline pattern or may be continuously configured without being spaced apart therefrom.

The pattern structure <NUM> included in the metal layers <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> is used for diffuse reflection of light toward the metal layers <NUM>. In this regard, at least a part of external light <NUM> introduced through the transmitting area A1 is reflected by a component (e.g., at least one of the plurality of lenses <NUM> of <FIG>) of the camera device <NUM> disposed under the display panel <NUM>, and at least a part of reflected light <NUM> is oriented toward the metal layers <NUM>. In case that the metal layers <NUM> are implemented to have a flat shape, the reflected light <NUM> oriented toward the metal layer <NUM> may be secondarily reflected by the metal layer <NUM> and at least a part thereof may be introduced into the camera device <NUM>. In this case, performance deterioration of another component (e.g., the image sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) of the camera device <NUM> may be caused by the light introduced into the camera device <NUM>. Based on this, the pattern structure <NUM> of the metal layers <NUM> diffuses reflection <NUM> of the reflected light <NUM> progressing toward the metal layer <NUM>, in unspecified multiple directions, based on a structural shape having a curve, to reduce the amount of the reflected light introduced into the camera device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the opaque layer <NUM> may be disposed in the intermediate layer 531b of the display panel <NUM> to correspond to all of the transmitting area A1 and the surrounding active area A2. For example, the opaque layer <NUM> may be disposed between the substrate layer 531a and a plurality of pixels (Ps) arranged in the intermediate layer 531b to correspond to the transmitting area A1 and between the substrate layer 531a and a plurality of pixels (Ps) arranged in the intermediate layer 531b to correspond to the surrounding active area A2. In this case, the metal layer <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> corresponding to the transmitting area A1 and the metal layer <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> corresponding to the surrounding active area A2 may have different sizes. For example, the metal layer <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> corresponding to the transmitting area A1 may be configured to have a first size capable of covering a plurality of wires and a plurality of pixels (Ps) arranged to correspond to the transmitting area A1 in order to minimize diffraction of external light, and the metal layer <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> corresponding to the surrounding active area A2 may be configured to have a second size smaller than the first size in order to prevent an IR drop of an LTPS or a thin film transistor included in the substrate layer 531a. In addition, the metal layer <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> corresponding to the transmitting area A1 and the metal layer <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> corresponding to the surrounding active area A2 may have different shapes. For example, the metal layer <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> corresponding to the transmitting area A1 may be configured to have a shape having the pattern structure <NUM> such as the embossing pattern, the uneven pattern, the protrusion pattern, and the hairline pattern, and a pattern obtained by combining at least two thereof, and the metal layer <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> corresponding to the surrounding active area A2 may be configured to have a flat shape.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a manufacturing process of an opaque layer (e.g., a metal layer of an opaque layer) included in a display of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the metal layers <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> according to an embodiment may be configured through a series of the photolithography processes so as to include the pattern structure <NUM>. For example, in a first process <NUM> and a second process <NUM>, photoresist (PR) may be coated on one side surface of a first polymer (polymer1, P1) in a regular or an irregular array, and may partially remove one side surface of the first polymer (P1) through etching. In a third process <NUM> and a fourth process <NUM>, in order to enable the etched side surface of the first polymer (P1) to have at least one shape of the embossing, the uneven surface, the protrusion, and the hairline corresponding to the pattern structure <NUM>, the one side surface of the first polymer (P1) may be processed along with removal of the photoresist (PR), and an inorganic layer (IL) corresponding to the shape of the pattern structure <NUM> may be disposed on the processed side surface of the first polymer (P1). In a fifth process <NUM> and a sixth process <NUM>, a low reflective layer (LRL) and a diffraction prevention layer (DPL) (e.g., the metal layer <NUM> included in the opaque layer <NUM> of <FIG>) corresponding to the shape of the pattern structure <NUM> may be sequentially disposed on the inorganic layer (IL). In a seventh process <NUM> and an eighth process <NUM>, a second polymer (polymer2, P2) and the inorganic layer (IL) may be sequentially disposed on the diffraction prevention layer (DPL).

In the embodiment of <FIG>, a process example in which various members having a designated shape are deposited to configure the pattern structure <NUM> corresponding to the designated shape in the diffraction prevention layer (DPL) (e.g., the metal layer <NUM> included in the opaque layer <NUM> of <FIG>) has been explained. However, according to various embodiments, the pattern structure <NUM> may be directly configured on the surface of the diffraction prevention layer (DPL) through a patterning process with respect to the diffraction prevention layer (DPL).

<FIG> is a view illustrating various pattern structures of an opaque layer included in a display of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pattern structure <NUM> included in the metal layer <NUM> of the opaque layer <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a pattern in which a designated shape (e.g., a shape configured by at least one of the embossing, the uneven surface, the protrusion, and the hairline configuring the pattern structure <NUM>) is regularly or irregularly arranged. For example, the pattern structure <NUM> may include a pattern A having repetitive embossing shapes which form an obtuse angle by a ridge area <NUM> and form an acute angle by a valley area <NUM> between the ridge area <NUM> and another ridge area adjacent thereto. For another example, the pattern structure <NUM> may include a pattern B having repetitive uneven or protrusion shapes which form an acute angle at both of a ridge area <NUM> and a valley area <NUM> between the ridge area <NUM> and another ridge area adjacent thereto. For another example, the pattern structure <NUM> may include a pattern in which the embossing shape and the uneven or the protrusion shape alternately repeat. Even though not illustrated, the pattern structure <NUM> may have patterns having various shapes capable of implementing diffuse reflection of light oriented toward the metal layer <NUM>, as well as the patterns of the foregoing shapes.

<FIG> is a view illustrating one example of an improvement with respect to another area of an electronic device according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a view illustrating another example of an improvement with respect to another area of an electronic device according to an embodiment. For said another area of the electronic device, area C illustrated in <FIG> may be referred to, and area D in <FIG> and <FIG> may indicate an area implemented by at least partially improving the structure of a display corresponding to area C described above.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the opaque layer (e.g., the opaque layer <NUM> of <FIG>) may be omitted from the intermediate layer 531b of the display panel <NUM> corresponding to the transmitting area A1 (e.g., at least one first area <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment, and the colored (e.g., black) metal layers <NUM> for minimizing diffraction of external light introduced through the transmitting area A1 may be disposed inside the substrate layer 531a included in the display panel <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the metal layers <NUM> may be perpendicularly aligned and disposed to overlap at least one of a plurality of wires and a plurality of pixels (Ps) arranged to correspond to the transmitting area A1 in the substrate layer 531a.

Referring to <FIG>, the substrate layer 531a of the display panel <NUM> may include a designated pattern structure <NUM>. In an embodiment, the pattern structure <NUM> may be directly implemented on the rear surface of the substrate layer 531a, or may be implemented by depositing a member including the pattern structure <NUM> on the rear surface of the substrate layer 531a. According to an embodiment, the pattern structure <NUM> may be implemented on the rear surface of the substrate layer 531a corresponding to the transmitting area A1 or implemented on the rear surface of the substrate layer 531a corresponding to all of the transmitting area A1 and the surrounding active area A2. In various embodiments, the pattern structure <NUM> may include at least one regular or irregular pattern from among an embossing pattern, an uneven pattern, a protrusion pattern, a hairline pattern and a pattern obtained by combining at least two of the above-mentioned patterns.

In an embodiment, the pattern structure <NUM> included in the substrate layer 531a of the display panel <NUM> may be used for diffuse reflection of light toward the substrate layer 531a. For example, at least a part of external light <NUM> introduced through the transmitting area A1 may be reflected by a component (e.g., at least one of the plurality of lenses <NUM> of <FIG>) of the camera device (e.g., the camera device <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed under the display panel <NUM>, and the pattern structure <NUM> may enable diffuse reflection <NUM> of an reflected light <NUM> toward the substrate layer 531a in unspecified multiple directions, based on a structural shape having the curve (e.g., at least one of the embossing shape, the uneven shape, the protrusion shape, and the hairline shape). Based on this, the pattern structure <NUM> included in the substrate layer 531a may reduce the amount of the reflected light <NUM> which passes through the substrate layer 531a to be incident to the metal layers <NUM>, and reduce re-reflectivity of the reflected light <NUM> by the metal layers <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, opaque members <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface of the substrate layer 531a of the display panel <NUM>. For example, the opaque members <NUM> may be disposed to be aligned with the metal layers <NUM> arranged in the substrate layer 531a to overlap at least one of a plurality of wires and a plurality of pixels (Ps) arranged to correspond to the transmitting area A1 on the rear surface of the substrate layer 531a. According to an embodiment, the opaque members <NUM> may include at least one of a colored (e.g., black) polymer film and colored glass (e.g., black). In an embodiment, an opening <NUM> may be provided between adjacent opaque members <NUM>, and the openings <NUM> may be used to support an optical path of light emitted from the camera device <NUM> or light introduced into the camera device (e.g., the camera device <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed under the display panel <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the opaque members <NUM> arranged on the rear surface of the substrate layer 531a of the display panel <NUM> may be made of materials having low reflectivity, and may suppress reflection with respect to light toward the substrate layer 531a based on the low reflectivity. For example, at least a part of external light <NUM> introduced through the transmitting area A1 may be reflected by a component (e.g., at least one of the plurality of lenses <NUM> of <FIG>) of the camera device (e.g., the camera device <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed under the display panel <NUM>, and the opaque members <NUM> may suppress secondary reflection of the reflected light <NUM> toward the substrate layer 531a based on low reflectivity.

An electronic device includes a display panel and an optical sensor disposed under the display panel.

The display panel includes a first area having the first pixel density and overlapping (or, corresponding to) an angle of view of the optical sensor, a second area having the second pixel density greater than the first pixel density, and an opaque layer disposed to correspond to the first area in the display panel.

The opaque layer includes a plurality of opaque third areas including a designated pattern structure and a plurality of fourth areas including an opening between the plurality of third areas.

According to various embodiments, the first area may include a plurality of non-pixel areas and a plurality of first pixel areas based on the first pixel density.

According to various embodiments, the second area may include a plurality of second pixel areas based on the second pixel density.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of opaque third areas may be aligned to be perpendicular to a plurality of pixels included in the plurality of first pixel areas.

According to various embodiments, the designated pattern structure may include at least one of an embossing pattern, an uneven pattern, a protrusion pattern, and a hairline pattern, each of which is regularly or irregularly arranged.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of opaque third areas may include a metal layer having a designated color to prevent diffraction of external light introduced through the first area.

According to various embodiments, the designated pattern structure may be directly configured on a surface of the metal layer.

According to various embodiments, the designated pattern structure is configured by depositing a member including a pattern structure on the metal layer.

According to various embodiments, the designated pattern structure may enable diffuse reflection of at least a part of light toward the metal layer.

According to various embodiments, the designated pattern structure may include repetitive pattern shapes which form an obtuse angle by a ridge area and form an acute angle by a valley area between the ridge area and another ridge area adjacent thereto.

According to various embodiments, the designated pattern structure may include repetitive patterns shapes which form an acute angle by a ridge area and form an acute angle by a valley area between the ridge area and another ridge area adjacent thereto.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may further include a camera device disposed under the display panel.

According to various embodiments, the optical sensor may include an image sensor included in the camera device.

An electrode device according to various embodiments described above may include a display panel including a substrate layer, an intermediate layer stacked on the substrate layer, and a protection layer stacked on the intermediate layer, and may include an optical sensor disposed under the display panel.

According to various embodiments, the display panel may include a first area having the first pixel density and overlapping (corresponding to) an angle of view of the optical sensor, and a second area having the second pixel density greater than the first pixel density.

According to various embodiments, the substrate layer of the display panel may include a designated pattern structure in a rear surface corresponding to the first area.

According to various embodiments, the designated pattern structure may include at least one regular or irregular pattern from among an embossing pattern, an uneven pattern, a protrusion pattern, a hairline pattern.

According to various embodiments, a substrate layer of the display panel may include a metal layer having a designated color to prevent diffraction of external light which is introduced through the first area.

According to various embodiments, the designated pattern structure may be directly configured on a rear surface of the substrate layer.

According to various embodiments, the designated pattern structure is configured by depositing a member including a pattern structure on a rear surface of the substrate layer.

According to various embodiments, the designated pattern structure enables diffuse reflection of at least a part of light toward the substrate layer.

According to various embodiments, a substrate layer of the display panel may include at least one of a transparent glass substrate, a transparent quartz substrate, and a transparent resin substrate.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a display panel (<NUM>); and
an optical sensor disposed under the display panel,
wherein the display panel comprises:
a first area (<NUM>) having a first pixel density and corresponding to an angle of view of the optical sensor;
a second area (<NUM>) having a second pixel density greater than the first pixel density; and
an opaque layer (<NUM>) disposed to correspond to the first area in the display panel, and
wherein the opaque layer comprises a plurality of opaque third areas each comprising a metal layer (<NUM>) having a designated pattern structure and a plurality of fourth areas each comprising an opening between the plurality of third areas, wherein each opening (<NUM>) supports an optical path for external light introduced through the first area to the optical sensor; and
wherein the designated pattern structure is formed at a side of the metal layer toward to the optical sensor, and
wherein the designated pattern structure comprises a structural shape to enable diffuse reflection of reflected light from the optical sensor.