Patent Description:
As the information society develops, the demand for display devices for displaying images is increasing in various forms. More particularly, display devices are being applied to various electronic devices such as smartphones, digital cameras, notebook computers, navigation devices, and smart televisions, for example. A display device may include a display panel for displaying an image and a sound generator for providing sound.

<CIT> relates to a fingerprint sensor and an electronic device including the same.

<CIT> relates to a vibrating device that includes a vibrating body that vibrates when a drive signal is applied to a vibrator extending and contracting in a planar direction.

<CIT> relates to electronic input devices, and, more particularly to providing vibrational feedback to an electronic input device.

<CIT> relates generally to a touch module and a touch component structure, and more particularly to an optical touch module and an optical touch component structure.

With the application of display device to various electronic devices, a display device having various functions are desired. For example, a smartphone may be desired to include a display device that has wider display areas by removing a call receiver for outputting the other party's voice in a sound mode and a fingerprint sensor for recognizing a user's fingerprint from a front thereof.

Embodiments of the invention provide a display device capable of outputting sound using a vibrator not exposed to an outside and capable of recognizing a user's fingerprint using a fingerprint sensor not exposed to the outside.

Embodiments of the invention also provide a method of driving a display device for outputting sound using a vibrator not exposed to the outside and for recognizing a user's fingerprint using a fingerprint sensor not exposed to the outside.

These and/or other features of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete, and will filly convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The same reference numbers indicate the same components throughout the specification. In the attached figures, the thickness of layers and regions is exaggerated for clarity.

It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "on" another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present.

As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, including "at least one," unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. "Or" means "and/or. " "At least one of A and B" means "A and/or B.

It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present invention, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Thereby, according to a first exemplary embodiment, the first vibrator is disposed on a surface of the fingerprint sensor, and according to a second exemplary embodiment, the fingerprint sensor and the first vibrator neighbor each other in a first direction or second direction. It is noted that some additional features are only shown in connection with the first embodiment, but can be also provided in the second embodiment, for example the arrangement of at least a further vibrator and/or other options.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a display device <NUM> according to an embodiment. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the display device <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is a detailed cross-sectional view of a display area DA of a display panel <NUM>. <FIG> is a bottom view of an embodiment of the display panel <NUM> attached to a cover window <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is a plan view of an embodiment of a middle frame <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is a plan view of a main circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of the display device <NUM> includes the cover window <NUM>, the display panel <NUM>, a display circuit board <NUM>, a display driver unit <NUM>, a bottom panel member <NUM>, a first vibrator <NUM>, a fingerprint sensor <NUM>, the middle frame <NUM>, the main circuit board <NUM>, and a lower cover <NUM>.

Herein, the terms "above", "top" and "upper surface" indicate a direction in which the cover window <NUM> is disposed with respect to the display panel <NUM>, that is, a Z-axis direction, and the terms "below," "bottom" and "lower surface" indicate a direction in which the middle frame <NUM> is disposed with respect to the display panel <NUM>, that is, a direction opposite to the Z-axis direction. In addition, "left," "right," "upper" and "lower" indicate directions when the display panel <NUM> is seen in a plan view. For example, "left" indicates a direction opposite to an X-axis direction, "right" indicates the X-axis direction, "upper" indicates a Y-axis direction, and "lower" indicates the direction opposite to a direction opposite to the Y-axis direction.

The display device <NUM> may have a rectangular shape in a plan view or when viewed from a plan view in a thickness direction of the display device <NUM>. In one embodiment, for example, the display device <NUM> may have a rectangular planar shape having short sides in a first direction (X-axis direction) and long sides in a second direction (Y-axis direction) as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Each corner where a short side extending in the first direction (X-axis direction) meets a long side extending in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be rounded with a predetermined curvature or may be right-angled. In such an embodiment, the planar shape of the display device <NUM> is not limited to the rectangular shape, but may be variously modified to have another polygonal shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape.

The display device <NUM> may include a first area DR1, which is flat, and a second area DR2 extending from right and left sides of the first area DR1. The second area DR2 may be flat or curved. In an embodiment, where the second area DR2 is flat, an angle formed by the first area DR1 and the second area DR2 may be an obtuse angle. In an alternative embodiment, where the second area DR2 is curved, the second area DR2 may have a constant curvature or a varying curvature.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the second area DR2 extends from each of the right and left sides of the first area DR1. However, embodiments are not limited to this case. Alternatively, the second area DR2 may extend from only one of the right and left sides of the first area DR1. Alternatively, the second area DR2 may extend not only from the right and left sides of the first area DR1 but also from at least one of upper and lower sides of the first area DR1. Hereinafter, for convenience of descriptions, embodiments where the second area DR2 is disposed at or extends from right and left edges of the display device <NUM> will be described in detail.

The cover window <NUM> may be disposed above the display panel <NUM> to cover an upper surface of the display panel <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the cover window <NUM> may function to protect the upper surface of the display panel <NUM>. The cover window <NUM> may be attached to the upper surface of the display panel <NUM> by an adhesive member. The cover window <NUM> may include or be made of a glass, sapphire, and/or a plastic. The cover window <NUM> may be rigid or flexible. In an embodiment, the adhesive member may be an optically clear adhesive film ("OCA") or an optically clear resin ("OCR").

The cover window <NUM> may include a transmissive portion DA100 corresponding to the display panel <NUM> and a light shielding portion NDA100 corresponding to an area other than the display panel <NUM>. The cover window <NUM> may be disposed in the first area DR1 and the second areas DR2. The transmissive portion DA100 may be disposed in a part of the first area DR1 and a part of each of the second areas DR2. The light shielding portion NDA <NUM> may be opaque. Alternatively, the light shielding portion NDA100 may be a decorative layer having a pattern to be shown to a user. In one embodiment, for example, the light shielding portion NDA100 may be patterned with a company's logo or various characters. In an embodiment, holes HH for exposing a front camera, an iris recognition sensor, an illuminance sensor, etc. may be defined or formed in the light shielding portion NDA100. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. In one embodiment, for example, some or all of the front camera, the iris recognition sensor, and the illuminance sensor may be embedded in the display panel <NUM>, in which some or all of the holes HH may be omitted.

The display panel <NUM> may be disposed under the cover window <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may be overlapped by the transmissive portion DA100 of the cover window <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may be disposed in the first area DR1 and the second areas DR2. Therefore, an image of the display panel <NUM> is allowed to be seen not only in the first area DR1 but also in the second areas DR2.

In an embodiment, a polarizing film PF may be attached between the display panel <NUM> and the cover window <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> to prevent a decrease in visibility due to reflection of external light. The polarizing film PF may include a linear polarizer and a retardation film such as a quarter-wave (λ/<NUM>) plate. In such an embodiment, the retardation film may be disposed on the display panel <NUM>, and the linear polarizer may be disposed between the retardation film and the cover window <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> may be a light emitting display panel including light emitting elements. In one embodiment, for example, the display panel <NUM> may be an organic light emitting display panel using organic light emitting diodes, a micro light emitting diode display panel using micro light emitting diodes, or a quantum dot light emitting display panel including quantum dot light emitting diodes. Hereinafter, embodiments where the display panel <NUM> is an organic light emitting display panel will be mainly described in detail.

The display panel <NUM> may include, as illustrated in <FIG>, a first substrate <NUM> (also referred to as SUB1), a pixel array layer (PAL in <FIG>) including a thin-film transistor layer <NUM> disposed on the first substrate <NUM>, a light emitting element layer <NUM> and a thin-film encapsulation layer <NUM>, and a touch sensor layer <NUM> disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer <NUM>. The display area DA of the display panel <NUM> is an area where the light emitting element layer <NUM> is disposed to display an image, and a non-display area NDA is an area around the display area DA.

The first substrate <NUM> may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate that can be bent, folded, and rolled (i.e., a bendable, foldable or rollable substrate). The first substrate <NUM> may include or be made of an insulating material such as a glass, quartz, or a polymer resin. The polymer material may be, for example, polyethersulphone ("PES"), polyacrylate ("PA"), polyarylate ("PAR"), polyetherimide ("PEI"), polyethylene naphthalate ("PEN"), polyethylene terepthalate ("PET"), polyphenylene sulfide ("PPS"), polyallylate, polyimide ("PI"), polycarbonate ("PC"), cellulose triacetate ("CAT"), cellulose acetate propionate ("CAP"), or a combination thereof. The first substrate <NUM> may include a metal material.

The thin-film transistor layer <NUM> is disposed on the first substrate <NUM>. The thin-film transistor layer <NUM> includes thin-film transistors <NUM>, a gate insulating layer <NUM>, an interlayer insulating film <NUM>, a protective layer <NUM>, and a planarization layer <NUM>.

A buffer layer <NUM> may be disposed on the first substrate <NUM>. The buffer layer <NUM> may be disposed between the first substrate <NUM> and the thin-film transistor layer <NUM> to protect the thin-film transistors <NUM> and the light emitting elements from moisture introduced through the first substrate <NUM> which is vulnerable to moisture penetration. The buffer layer <NUM> may include or be composed of a plurality of inorganic layers stacked alternately on one another. In one embodiment, for example, the buffer layer <NUM> may have a multi-layer structure in which one or more inorganic layers selected from a silicon oxide (SiOx) layer, a silicon nitride (SiNx) layer, and SiON are alternately stacked on one another. Alternatively, the buffer layer <NUM> may be omitted.

The thin-film transistors <NUM> are disposed on the buffer layer <NUM>. Each of the thin-film transistors <NUM> includes an active layer <NUM>, a gate electrode <NUM>, a source electrode <NUM>, and a drain electrode <NUM>. In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, each of the thin-film transistors <NUM> is a top-gate type in which the gate electrode <NUM> is located above the active layer <NUM>. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Alternatively, each of the thin-film transistors <NUM> may be a bottom-gate type in which the gate electrode <NUM> is located under the active layer <NUM> or a double-gate type in which the gate electrode <NUM> is located both above and under the active layer <NUM>.

The active layers <NUM> are disposed on the buffer layer <NUM>. The active layers <NUM> may include or be made of a silicon-based semiconductor material or an oxide-based semiconductor material. A light shielding layer may be disposed between the buffer layer <NUM> and the active layers <NUM> to block external light from entering into the active layers <NUM>.

The gate insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed on the active layers <NUM>. The gate insulating layer <NUM> may be an inorganic layer, for example, a SiOx layer, a SiNx layer, or a multilayer including or composed thereof.

The gate electrodes <NUM> and gate lines may be disposed on the gate insulating layer <NUM>. Each of the gate electrodes <NUM> and the gate lines may be a single layer or a multilayer, where each layer includes one or more of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Ne), copper (Cu), and an combination (e.g., an alloy) thereof.

The interlayer insulating film <NUM> may be disposed on the gate electrodes <NUM> and the gate lines. The interlayer insulating film <NUM> may be an inorganic layer, for example, a SiOx layer, a SiNx layer, or a multilayer including or composed of such layers.

The source electrodes <NUM>, the drain electrodes <NUM>, and data lines may be disposed on the interlayer insulating film <NUM>. Each of the source electrodes <NUM> and the drain electrodes <NUM> may be connected to an active layer <NUM> through a contact hole defined through the gate insulating layer <NUM> and the interlayer insulating film <NUM>. Each of the source electrodes <NUM>, the drain electrodes <NUM> and the data lines may be a single layer or a multilayer, where each layer includes or is made of one or more of molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Ne), copper (Cu), and a combination thereof.

The protective layer <NUM> for insulating the thin-film transistors <NUM> may be disposed on the source electrodes <NUM>, the drain electrodes <NUM>, and the data lines. The protective layer <NUM> may be an inorganic layer, for example, a SiOx layer, a SiNx layer, or a multilayer composed of such layers.

The planarization layer <NUM> may be disposed on the protective layer <NUM> to planarize any step structure therebelow due to the thin-film transistors <NUM>. The planarization layer <NUM> may include or be made of an organic layer such as acryl resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyamide resin, or polyimide resin.

The light emitting element layer <NUM> is disposed on the thin-film transistor layer <NUM>. The light emitting element layer <NUM> includes the light emitting elements and a pixel defining layer <NUM>.

The light emitting elements and the pixel defining layer <NUM> are disposed on the planarization layer <NUM>. In an embodiment, the light emitting elements may be organic light emitting devices. In such an embodiment, each of the light emitting elements may include an anode <NUM>, a light emitting layer <NUM>, and a cathode <NUM>.

The anodes <NUM> may be disposed on the planarization layer <NUM>. The anodes <NUM> may be connected to the source electrodes <NUM> or the drain electrode <NUM> of the thin-film transistors <NUM> through contact holes defined through the protective layer <NUM> and the planarization layer <NUM>.

The pixel defining layer <NUM> may be disposed on the planarization layer <NUM> and may cover edges of the anodes <NUM> to define pixels. In an embodiment, the pixel defining layer <NUM> serves as a pixel defining layer for defining pixels. Each of the pixels is an area in which the anode <NUM>, the light emitting layer <NUM> and the cathode <NUM> are sequentially stacked on one another such that holes from the anode <NUM> and electrons from the cathode <NUM> combine together in the light emitting layer <NUM> to emit light.

The light emitting layers <NUM> are disposed on the anodes <NUM> and the pixel defining layer <NUM>. The light emitting layers <NUM> may be organic light emitting layers. Each of the light emitting layers <NUM> may emit one of red light, green light, and blue light. Alternatively, the light emitting layers <NUM> may be white light emitting layers which emit white light. In such an embodiment, the light emitting layers <NUM> may have a stack structure including a red light emitting layer, a green light emitting layer and a blue light emitting layer and may be a common layer disposed to commonly cover the pixels. In such an embodiment, the display panel <NUM> may further include color filters for displaying red, green and blue.

Each of the light emitting layers <NUM> may include a hole transporting layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transporting layer. In such an embodiment, each of the light emitting layers <NUM> may be in a tandem structure of two or more stacks, in which a charge generating layer may be disposed between the stacks.

The cathode <NUM> is disposed on the light emitting layers <NUM>. The cathode <NUM> may cover the light emitting layers <NUM>. The cathode <NUM> may be a common layer formed commonly to the pixels or disposed to cover the entire pixels.

In an embodiment, where the light emitting element layer <NUM> is a top emission type which emits light in an upward direction, the anodes <NUM> may include or be made of a metal material having high reflectivity, such as a stacked structure (Ti/Al/Ti) of Al and Ti, a stacked structure (ITO/Al/ITO) of Al and indium tin oxide ("ITO"), an APC alloy, or a stacked structure (ITO/APC/ITO) of an APC alloy and ITO. Here, APC alloy is an alloy of Ag, palladium (Pd), and Cu. In an embodiment, the cathode <NUM> may be made of a transparent conductive material ("TCO") capable of transmitting light, such as ITO or indium zinc oxide ("IZO"), or a semi-transmissive conductive material such as magnesium (Mg), Ag or an alloy of Mg and Ag. In an embodiment, where the cathode <NUM> includes or is made of a semi-transmissive conductive material, the light output efficiency may be increased by microcavity effect.

The thin-film encapsulation layer <NUM> is disposed on the light emitting element layer <NUM>. The thin-film encapsulation layer <NUM> serves to prevent oxygen or moisture from permeating the light emitting layers <NUM> and the cathode <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the thin-film encapsulation layer <NUM> may include at least one inorganic layer. The inorganic layer may include or be made of silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, zirconium nitride, titanium nitride, hafnium nitride, tantalum nitride, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, or titanium oxide. In an embodiment, the thin-film encapsulation layer <NUM> may further include at least one organic layer. The organic layer may have a sufficient thickness or a thickness greater than a predetermined thickness to prevent particles entering into the light emitting layers <NUM> and the cathode <NUM> through the thin-film encapsulation layer <NUM>. The organic layer may include at least one of epoxy, acrylate, and urethane acrylate.

The touch sensor layer <NUM> is disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer <NUM>. In an embodiment, where the touch sensor layer <NUM> is disposed directly on the thin-film encapsulation layer <NUM>, a thickness of the display device <NUM> may be reduced as compared with a case where a separate touch panel including the touch sensor layer <NUM> is attached onto the thin-film encapsulation layer <NUM>.

The touch sensor layer <NUM> may include touch electrodes for sensing a user's touch using a capacitance method and touch lines for connecting pads and the touch electrodes. In one embodiment, for example, the touch sensor layer <NUM> may sense a user's touch using a self-capacitance method or a mutual capacitance method.

The touch electrodes of the touch sensor layer <NUM> may be disposed in the display area DA. The touch lines of the touch sensor layer <NUM> may be disposed in the non-display area NDA.

The display circuit board <NUM> and the display driver unit <NUM> may be attached to a protruding area PA provided or defined on a side of the display panel <NUM>. An end of the display circuit board <NUM> may be attached onto pads disposed in the protruding area PA of the display panel <NUM> by using an anisotropic conductive film. The protruding area PA of the display panel <NUM> and the display circuit board <NUM> may be bent toward a lower surface of the display panel <NUM>.

The display driver unit <NUM> receives control signals and power supply voltages through the display circuit board <NUM>, and the display driver unit <NUM> generates and outputs signals and voltages for driving the display panel <NUM>. The display driver unit <NUM> may be formed as an integrated circuit and attached onto the protruding area PA of the display panel <NUM> using a chip-on glass ("COG") method, a chip-on plastic ("COP") method, or an ultrasonic method. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. In one embodiment, for example, the display driver unit <NUM> may be attached onto the display circuit board <NUM>.

The display circuit board <NUM> may include a first circuit board <NUM> and a second circuit board <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. An end of the first circuit board <NUM> may be attached to the pads of the protruding area PA on a side of the display panel <NUM>. The other end of the first circuit board <NUM> may be connected to a first connector 312a of the second circuit board <NUM>. A second connector 312b of the second circuit board <NUM> may be connected to an end of a flexible circuit board <NUM>. A third connector 312c of the second circuit board <NUM> may be connected to an end of a cable <NUM>. A touch driver unit <NUM> may be disposed on a surface of the second circuit board <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first connector 312a, the second connector 312b, and the third connector 312c may be disposed on the other surface of the second circuit board <NUM>. The other surface of the second circuit board <NUM> may be a surface facing the bottom panel member <NUM>.

The other end of the cable <NUM> may be connected to a main connector <NUM> of the main circuit board <NUM> disposed under the middle frame <NUM> through a cable hole CAH2 defined through the middle frame <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The other end of the flexible circuit board <NUM> may include a first pad portion <NUM> electrically connected to the first vibrator <NUM> and a second pad portion <NUM> electrically connected to the fingerprint sensor <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. In such an embodiment, the first pad portion <NUM> and the second pad portion <NUM> may branch from the other end of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. In such an embodiment, a length of the pad portion <NUM> may be greater than a length of the second pad portion <NUM>.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> are connected to a single flexible circuit board <NUM>, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In one alternative embodiment, for example, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be connected to different flexible circuit boards <NUM>, respectively. In such an embodiment, an integrated driver unit <NUM> may be disposed on the second circuit board <NUM> instead of the flexible circuit board <NUM>.

The touch driver unit <NUM> may be disposed on the display circuit board <NUM>. The touch driver unit <NUM> may be formed as an integrated circuit and attached to an upper surface of the display circuit board <NUM>. The touch driver unit <NUM> may be connected to the touch electrodes and the touch lines of the touch sensor layer <NUM> of the display panel <NUM> through the display circuit board <NUM>. In an embodiment, the touch driver unit <NUM> may transmit touch driving signals to driving electrodes among the touch electrodes and sense a touch by detecting charged voltages of mutual capacitances between the driving electrodes and sensing electrodes among the touch electrodes (the mutual capacitance method).

The bottom panel member <NUM> is disposed under the display panel <NUM>. The bottom panel member <NUM> is attached to the lower surface of the display panel <NUM> by an adhesive member. The adhesive member may be a pressure sensitive adhesive ("PSA").

The bottom panel member <NUM> includes at least one of a light absorbing member for absorbing light incident from an outside, a buffer member for absorbing an external impact, a heat dissipating member for efficiently dissipating the heat of the display panel <NUM>, and a light shielding layer for blocking light incident from the outside.

The light absorbing member may be disposed under the display panel <NUM>. The light absorbing member blocks transmission of light to prevent elements disposed thereunder, for example, the display circuit board <NUM>, the first vibrator <NUM>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, etc., from being seen from above the display panel <NUM>. The light absorbing member may include a light absorbing material such as a black pigment or dye.

The buffer member may be disposed under the light absorbing member. The buffer member absorbs external impact to prevent the display panel <NUM> from being damaged. The buffer member may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. In one embodiment, for example, the buffer member may include or be made of a polymer resin such as polyurethane, PC, polypropylene or polyethylene or may include or be made of an elastic material such as sponge formed by foaming rubber, a urethane-based material or an acrylic-based material. The buffer member may be a cushion layer.

The heat dissipating member may be disposed under the buffer member. The heat dissipating member may include a first heat dissipating layer including graphite or carbon nanotubes and a second heat dissipating layer including a metal thin film (such as copper, nickel, ferrite or silver) capable of shielding electromagnetic waves and having high thermal conductivity.

The display circuit board <NUM> may be attached to the bottom of the bottom panel member <NUM>. The first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> are attached to the bottom of the bottom panel member <NUM>. The display circuit board <NUM> may be attached to a lower surface of the bottom panel member <NUM> by an adhesive member or a fixing member. The first vibrator <NUM> may be attached to a lower surface of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The adhesive member may be a PSA, and the fixing member may be screws.

In an embodiment, where the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> are disposed on the heat dissipating member of the bottom panel member <NUM>, the first heat dissipating layer or the second heat dissipating layer of the heat dissipating member may be broken by the vibration of the first vibrator <NUM> and/or the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. Therefore, in such an embodiment, the heat dissipating member may be removed from an area where the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> are disposed. In such an embodiment, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> are attached to a lower surface of the buffer member. Alternatively, in an embodiment not part of the invention, the bottom panel member <NUM> may be removed from the area where the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> are disposed. In such an embodiment, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> are attached to the lower surface of the display panel <NUM>.

The first vibrator <NUM> includes a first vibration layer having a piezoelectric material that contracts or expands according to driving voltages. When the first vibrator <NUM> vibrates in a first frequency band, the display panel <NUM> is vibrated by the first vibrator <NUM>, thereby outputting a first sound. When the first vibrator <NUM> vibrates in a second frequency band, the vibration of the first vibrator <NUM> provides haptic feedback to a user. The second frequency band is lower than the first frequency band.

In an embodiment, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may include a second vibration layer having a piezoelectric material that contracts or expands according to driving voltages. In such an embodiment, when the fingerprint sensor <NUM> vibrates in a third frequency band, the vibration of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may output ultrasonic waves. The third frequency band may be higher than the first frequency band. The third frequency band may be a frequency band of about <NUM> kilohertz (kHz) or higher. The piezoelectric material of the first vibration layer and the piezoelectric material of the second vibration layer may be substantially the same as each other.

In an embodiment, since no air gap exists in the display device <NUM>, ultrasonic waves emitted from the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be reflected by a user's fingerprint located on the upper surface of the display panel <NUM> and then sensed by the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the ultrasonic waves sensed by the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may have a different reflection pattern according to ridges and valleys of the user's fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor <NUM> may sense the reflection pattern of the ultrasonic waves according to the valleys and ridges of the fingerprint, thereby sensing the user's fingerprint pattern.

Since the first vibrator <NUM> is disposed on a surface of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, a width W11 of the first vibrator <NUM> in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be smaller than a width W21 of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the first direction (X-axis direction). In an embodiment, a width W12 of the first vibrator <NUM> in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be smaller than a width W22 of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

The first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the integrated driver unit <NUM>, which drives the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, by the flexible circuit board <NUM>. The integrated driver unit <NUM> may be formed as an integrated circuit and disposed on a surface of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. The surface of the flexible circuit board <NUM> may be a surface facing the bottom panel member <NUM>.

As in <FIG>, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> are disposed closer to a lower side of the display panel <NUM> than to an upper side of the display panel <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be disposed in an area where there is no other mechanical interference in the display area DA of the display panel <NUM>. In one embodiment, for example, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be disposed in an area that does not overlap the display circuit board <NUM>, a battery hole BH and camera holes CH defined in the middle frame <NUM>, etc..

The integrated driver unit <NUM> receives first vibration data from a main processor <NUM> in a sound mode. The integrated driver unit <NUM> generates a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage corresponding to the first vibration data and supplies the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage to the first vibrator <NUM> through the flexible circuit board <NUM>. Accordingly, the first vibrator <NUM> vibrates the display panel <NUM> by vibrating in the first frequency band, thereby outputting the first sound.

The integrated driver unit <NUM> receives second vibration data from a main processor <NUM> in a haptic mode. The integrated driver unit <NUM> generates a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage corresponding to the second vibration data and supplies the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage to the first vibrator <NUM> through the flexible circuit board <NUM>. Accordingly, the first vibrator <NUM> vibrates in the second frequency band, thereby providing haptic feedback.

The integrated driver unit <NUM> receives third vibration data or sensing control data from the main processor <NUM> in a fingerprint recognition mode. The integrated driver unit <NUM> generates a third driving voltage and a fourth driving voltage corresponding to the third vibration data and supplies the third driving voltage and the fourth driving voltage to the fingerprint sensor <NUM> through the flexible circuit board <NUM>. Accordingly, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> vibrates in the third frequency band, thereby outputting ultrasonic waves. In such an embodiment, the integrated driver unit <NUM> generates a third driving voltage based on the sensing control data and supplies the third driving voltage to the fingerprint sensor <NUM> through the flexible circuit board <NUM>. Therefore, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may have a piezoelectric effect due to ultrasonic waves reflected by a user's fingerprint. Accordingly, sensing voltages generated by fourth electrodes <NUM> may be sensed by the integrated driver unit <NUM>.

The integrated driver unit <NUM> may include a digital signal processor ("DSP") for processing a digital signal, that is, the first vibration data, the second vibration data, the third vibration data, or the sensing control data, a digital-analog converter ("DAC") for converting the digital data processed by the DSP into analog signals, that is, driving voltages, and an amplifier ("AMP") for amplifying the analog signals, that is, the driving voltages output from the DAC and outputting the amplified analog signals.

The middle frame <NUM> may be disposed under the bottom panel member <NUM>. The middle frame <NUM> may include a plastic, a metal, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, a first camera hole CMH1 into which a camera device <NUM> is inserted, the battery hole BH in which a battery is disposed, and the cable hole CAH2 through which the cable <NUM> connected to the display circuit board <NUM> passes may be defined or formed in the middle frame <NUM>. In such an embodiment, an accommodating hole AH for accommodating the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be defined or formed in the middle frame <NUM>. A width of the accommodating hole AH in the first direction (X-axis direction) is greater than a width of the first vibrator <NUM> in the first direction (X-axis direction) and a width of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the first direction (X-axis direction). A width of the accommodating hole AH in the second direction (Y-axis direction) is greater than a width of the first vibrator <NUM> in the second direction (Y-axis direction) and a width of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

If the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> overlap the battery hole BH in which the battery is disposed, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be affected by the heat generated from the battery. Therefore, in an embodiment, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be disposed not to overlap the battery hole BH.

The main circuit board <NUM> may be disposed under the middle frame <NUM>. The main circuit board <NUM> may be a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit board.

The main circuit board <NUM> may include the main processor <NUM>, the camera device <NUM>, and the main connector <NUM>. The camera device <NUM> may be disposed on both upper and lower surfaces of the main circuit board <NUM>, the main processor <NUM> may be disposed on the upper surface of the main circuit board <NUM>, and the main connector <NUM> may be disposed on the lower surface of the main circuit board <NUM>.

The main processor <NUM> may control overall functions of the display device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the main processor <NUM> may output digital video data to the display driver unit <NUM> through the display circuit board <NUM> so that the display panel <NUM> displays an image. In such an embodiment, the main processor <NUM> may receive touch data from the touch driver unit <NUM>, determine a user's touch position, and then execute an application indicated by an icon displayed at the user's touch position.

In such an embodiment, the main processor <NUM> may output the first vibration data to the integrated driver unit <NUM> which drives the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> to vibrate the first vibrator <NUM> in the sound mode and the haptic mode. The main processor <NUM> may output the third vibration data to the integrated driver unit <NUM> to emit ultrasonic waves by vibrating the fingerprint sensor <NUM> in the fingerprint recognition mode. The main processor <NUM> may output the sensing control data to the integrated driver unit <NUM> to sense the ultrasonic waves reflected by a user's fingerprint in the fingerprint recognition mode. The main processor <NUM> may receive sensing data corresponding to sensing voltages sensed by the integrated driver unit <NUM> in the fingerprint recognition mode. The main processor <NUM> may recognize a fingerprint pattern by analyzing the sensing data and determine whether the recognized fingerprint pattern matches a fingerprint pattern stored in advance in a memory.

The main processor <NUM> may be an application processor, a central processing unit, or a system chip formed as an integrated circuit.

The camera device <NUM> processes an image frame such as a still image or a moving image obtained by an image sensor in a camera mode and outputs the processed image frame to the main processor <NUM>.

The connection cable <NUM> disposed through the cable hole CAH2 of the middle frame <NUM> may be connected to the main connector <NUM>. Therefore, the main circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the display circuit board <NUM> and a touch circuit board <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the main circuit board <NUM> may further include a mobile communication module capable of transmitting or receiving a wireless signal to or from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server over a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include a voice signal, a video call signal, or various types of data according to transmission/reception of text/multimedia messages.

The lower cover <NUM> may be disposed under the middle frame <NUM> and the main circuit board <NUM>. The lower cover <NUM> may be attached, e.g., fastened and fixed, to the middle frame <NUM>. The lower cover <NUM> may define the lower exterior of the display device <NUM>. The lower cover <NUM> may include a plastic and/or a metal.

A second camera hole CMH2 into which the camera device <NUM> is inserted to protrude outward may be defined or formed in the lower cover <NUM>. The position of the camera device <NUM> and the positions of the first and second camera holes CMH1 and CMH2 corresponding to the camera device <NUM> are not limited to those illustrated in <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> capable of recognizing a user's fingerprint is disposed on a surface of the display panel <NUM>, and the first vibrator <NUM> capable of outputting sound by vibrating the display panel <NUM> and providing haptic feedback by generating vibrations is disposed on a surface of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. Therefore, the user's fingerprint is recognized using the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, sound is output and haptic feedback is provided using the first vibrator <NUM>, without being exposed outside. Thus, a call receiver for outputting the other party's voice and a fingerprint sensor for recognizing a user's fingerprint is removed from the front of the display device <NUM>, thereby widening the transmissive portion DA100 of the cover window <NUM>. Accordingly, an area where an image is displayed by the display panel <NUM> is widened.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the first vibrator <NUM> are disposed on a surface of the display panel <NUM> to overlap each other in a thickness direction of the display panel <NUM>. Therefore, a space in which the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the first vibrator <NUM> are disposed may be minimized.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the first vibrator <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first vibrator <NUM> may output sound or provide haptic feedback by generating vibrations in response to driving voltages applied thereto, and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may output ultrasonic waves by generating vibrations in response to driving voltages applied thereto.

The first vibrator <NUM> may include a first vibration layer <NUM>, a first electrode <NUM>, and a second electrode <NUM>.

The first electrode <NUM> may include a first stem electrode <NUM> and first branch electrodes <NUM>. The first stem electrode <NUM> may be disposed on only one side surface of the first vibration layer <NUM> or on a plurality of side surfaces of the first vibration layer <NUM>. The first branch electrodes <NUM> may branch from the first stem electrode <NUM>. The first branch electrodes <NUM> may be arranged parallel to each other. In one embodiment, for example, the first stem electrode <NUM> may extend in a third direction (Z-axis direction), and the first branch electrodes <NUM> may extend in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) from the first stem electrode <NUM>. The first branch electrodes <NUM> may be disposed in the first vibration layer <NUM> and may be disposed on a lower surface of the first vibration layer <NUM>.

The second electrode <NUM> may include a second stem electrode <NUM> and second branch electrodes <NUM>. The second stem electrode <NUM> may be disposed on another side surface of the first vibration layer <NUM> or on a plurality of side surfaces of the first vibration layer <NUM>. In this case, the first stem electrode <NUM> may be disposed on any one of the side surfaces on which the second stem electrode <NUM> is disposed. The second stem electrode <NUM> may be disposed on an upper surface of the first vibration layer <NUM>. The first stem electrode <NUM> and the second stem electrode <NUM> may not overlap each other. The second branch electrodes <NUM> may branch from the second stem electrode <NUM>. The second branch electrodes <NUM> may be arranged parallel to each other. In one embodiment, for example, the second stem electrode <NUM> may extend in the third direction (Z-axis direction), and the second branch electrodes <NUM> may extend in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) from the second stem electrode <NUM>. The second branch electrodes <NUM> may be disposed in the first vibration layer <NUM> and may be disposed on the lower surface of the first vibration layer <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the first branch electrodes <NUM> and the second branch electrodes <NUM> may be arranged parallel to each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction). In such an embodiment, the first branch electrodes <NUM> and the second branch electrodes <NUM> may be alternately arranged in the third direction (Z-axis direction). In such an embodiment, the first branch electrodes <NUM> and the second branch electrodes <NUM> may be repeatedly arranged in the third direction (Z-axis direction) in the order of the first branch electrode <NUM>, the second branch electrode <NUM>, the first branch electrode <NUM>, and the second branch electrode <NUM>.

The first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to leads of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. Therefore, a first driving voltage may be applied to the first electrode <NUM> from the integrated driver unit <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM>, and a second driving voltage may be applied to the second electrode <NUM>. The first driving voltage refers to a voltage applied to the first electrode <NUM>, and the second driving voltage refers to a voltage applied to the second electrode <NUM>.

The first vibration layer <NUM> may include a piezoelectric material that is deformed in response to the first driving voltage applied to the first electrode <NUM> and the second driving voltage applied to the second electrode <NUM>. The piezoelectric material may be a polyvinylidene fluoride ("PVDF") film, plumbum ziconate titanate ("PZT") or an electroactive polymer.

In an embodiment, the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> may include or be made of silver (Ag) having a high melting point or an alloy of Ag and palladium (Pd) since the production temperature of the first vibration layer <NUM> is high. In such an embodiment, the Ag content may be higher than the Pd content.

The first vibration layer <NUM> may be disposed between each pair of the first and second branch electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>. The first vibration layer <NUM> may contract or expand based on a difference between the first driving voltage applied to each first branch electrode <NUM> and the second driving voltage applied to a corresponding second branch electrode <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, when the polarity direction of the first vibration layer <NUM> disposed between a first branch electrode <NUM> and a second branch electrode <NUM> disposed under the first branch electrode <NUM> is an upward direction (↑), the first vibration layer <NUM> has a positive polarity in an upper area adjacent to the first branch electrode <NUM> and a negative polarity in a lower area adjacent to the second branch electrode <NUM>. When the polarity direction of the first vibration layer <NUM> disposed between a second branch electrode <NUM> and a first branch electrode <NUM> disposed under the second branch electrode <NUM> is a downward direction (↓), the first vibration layer <NUM> has a negative polarity in an upper area adjacent to the second branch electrode <NUM> and a positive polarity in a lower area adjacent to the first branch electrode <NUM>. The polarity direction of the first vibration layer <NUM> may be determined by a poling process of applying an electric field to the first vibration layer <NUM> using a first branch electrode <NUM> and a second branch electrode <NUM>.

When the polarity direction of the first vibration layer <NUM> disposed between a first branch electrode <NUM> and a second branch electrode <NUM> disposed under the first branch electrode <NUM> is the upward direction (↑), if the first driving voltage of the positive polarity is applied to the first branch electrode <NUM> and the second driving voltage of the negative polarity is applied to the second branch electrode <NUM>, the first vibration layer <NUM> may contract according to a first force F1. The first force F1 may be a compressive force. When the polarity direction of the first vibration layer <NUM> disposed between a first branch electrode <NUM> and a second branch electrode <NUM> disposed under the first branch electrode <NUM> is the upward direction (↑), if the first driving voltage of the negative polarity is applied to the first branch electrode <NUM> and the second driving voltage of the positive polarity is applied to the second branch electrode <NUM>, the first vibration layer <NUM> may expand according to a second force F2. The second force F2 may be a tensile force.

Similarly, when the polarity direction of the first vibration layer <NUM> disposed between a second branch electrode <NUM> and a first branch electrode <NUM> disposed under the second branch electrode <NUM> is the downward direction (↓), if the second driving voltage of the positive polarity is applied to the second branch electrode <NUM> and the first driving voltage of the negative polarity is applied to the first branch electrode <NUM>, the first vibration layer <NUM> may expand according to a tensile force. When the polarity direction of the first vibration layer <NUM> disposed between a second branch electrode <NUM> and a first branch electrode <NUM> disposed under the second branch electrode <NUM> is the downward direction (↓), if the second driving voltage of the negative polarity is applied to the second branch electrode <NUM> and the first driving voltage of the positive polarity is applied to the first branch electrode <NUM>, the first vibration layer <NUM> may contract according to a compressive force. The second force F2 may be a compressive force.

According to an embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, when the first driving voltage applied to the first electrode <NUM> and the second driving voltage applied to the second electrode <NUM> repeatedly alternate between the positive polarity and the negative polarity, the first vibration layer <NUM> may repeatedly contract and expand, thus causing the first vibrator <NUM> to vibrate.

Since the first vibrator <NUM> is disposed on a surface of the bottom panel member <NUM>, when the first vibration layer <NUM> of the first vibrator <NUM> contracts and expands, the display panel <NUM> may vibrate up and down due to repeated contraction and expansion of the first vibrator <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. That is, since the display panel <NUM> is vibrated by the first vibrator <NUM>, the display device <NUM> may output the first sound.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may include a second vibration layer <NUM>, a third electrode <NUM>, and the fourth electrodes <NUM>.

The third electrode <NUM> may be disposed under the second vibration layer <NUM>, and the fourth electrodes <NUM> may be disposed on the second vibration layer <NUM>. The third electrode <NUM> may extend in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction). The fourth electrodes <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other by predetermined distances in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction).

While the first vibrator <NUM> outputs sound by using the display panel <NUM> as a diaphragm, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> emits ultrasonic waves by vibrating in the third frequency band. Therefore, a thickness D1 of the first vibrator <NUM> may be greater than a thickness D2 of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

The third electrode <NUM> and the fourth electrodes <NUM> may be electrically connected to leads of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. The fourth electrodes <NUM> may be commonly connected to one lead of the flexible circuit board <NUM> or may be connected to leads of the flexible circuit board <NUM> in a one-to-one correspondence. A third driving voltage may be applied to the third electrode <NUM> from the integrated driver unit <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM>, and a fourth driving voltage may be applied to each of the fourth electrodes <NUM>. The third driving voltage refers to a voltage applied to the third electrode <NUM>, and the second driving voltage refers to a voltage applied to the fourth electrode <NUM>.

The second vibration layer <NUM> may include a piezoelectric material that is deformed in response to the third driving voltage applied to the third electrode <NUM> and the fourth driving voltage applied to the fourth electrodes <NUM>. The piezoelectric material may be a PVDF film or PZT or an electroactive polymer. The second vibration layer <NUM> may include substantially the same piezoelectric material as the first vibration layer <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the third electrode <NUM> and the fourth electrodes <NUM> may be made of Ag having a high melting point or an alloy of Ag and Pd since the production temperature of the second vibration layer <NUM> is high. In such an embodiment, the Ag content may be higher than the Pd content.

The second vibration layer <NUM> may be disposed between the third electrode <NUM> and each of the fourth electrodes <NUM>. The second vibration layer <NUM> may contract or expand based on a difference between the third driving voltage applied to the third electrode <NUM> and the fourth driving voltage applied to the fourth electrodes <NUM>.

A method of vibrating the second vibration layer <NUM> by applying the third driving voltage to the third electrode <NUM> and the fourth driving voltage to the fourth electrodes <NUM> is substantially the same as the method described above with reference to <FIG>.

In an embodiment, as show in <FIG>, the third electrode <NUM>, the fourth electrodes <NUM>, and the second vibration layer <NUM> disposed between the third electrode <NUM> and the fourth electrodes <NUM> may collectively define a single piezoelectric sensor. The larger the number of piezoelectric sensors, the greater the accuracy of fingerprint recognition. However, the larger the number of piezoelectric sensors, the more difficult the process of manufacturing the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. Therefore, the number of piezoelectric sensors of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be appropriately determined in consideration of the accuracy of fingerprint recognition and the difficulty of the manufacturing process.

In the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, electrical signals may be generated in the fourth electrodes <NUM> of a plurality of piezoelectric sensors according to ultrasonic waves reflected by ridges and valleys of a user's fingerprint due to piezoelectric materials of the second vibration layers <NUM> of the piezoelectric sensors. The integrated driver unit <NUM> may sense the electrical signals, e.g., sensing voltages from the fourth electrodes <NUM> of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The integrated driver unit <NUM> may convert the sensing voltages into sensing data which is digital data and output the sensing data to the main processor <NUM>. The main processor <NUM> may generate a fingerprint pattern by analyzing the sensing data and determine whether the recognized fingerprint pattern matches a fingerprint pattern stored in advance in the memory.

A first adhesive layer <NUM> may be disposed between the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. A surface of the first vibrator <NUM> and a surface of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> which face each other may be bonded together by the first adhesive layer <NUM>. The first adhesive layer <NUM> may be a PSA.

In an embodiment, a protective member may be disposed to surround lower and side surfaces of the first vibrator <NUM> and side surfaces of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> to protect the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the first vibrator <NUM> are disposed on a surface of the display panel <NUM> to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the display panel <NUM>. Therefore, in such an embodiment, the space in which the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the first vibrator <NUM> are disposed may be minimized.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the first vibrator <NUM> of <FIG>.

The embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is substantially the same as the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> except that a first vibrator <NUM> and a fingerprint sensor <NUM> are integrally connected without being bonded together by the first adhesive layer <NUM>. The same or like elements shown in <FIG> have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the embodiments of <FIG>, and any repetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment, a first vibration layer <NUM> of the first vibrator <NUM> and a second vibration layer <NUM> of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be integrally or directly connected to each other. In such an embodiment, a third vibration layer <NUM> may be disposed between the first vibration layer <NUM> of the first vibrator <NUM> and a third electrode <NUM> of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The first vibration layer <NUM>, the second vibration layer <NUM>, and the third vibration layer <NUM> may include or be made of a same material as each other. In such an embodiment, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be formed by a same manufacturing process. In an embodiment, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be integrally formed as a single unitary unit.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the first vibrator <NUM> are disposed on a surface of a display panel <NUM> to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the display panel <NUM>. Therefore, a space in which the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and the first vibrator <NUM> are disposed is minimized.

In such an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, since the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> are integrally formed as a single unitary unit, the first vibrator <NUM> is connected to the fingerprint sensor <NUM> without an adhesive layer therebetween.

<FIG> is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the display panel <NUM> attached to the cover window <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fingerprint sensor <NUM> and a first vibrator <NUM> of <FIG>.

The embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is substantially the same as the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> except that the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> neighbor each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) without overlapping each other in the third direction (Z-axis direction). The same or like elements shown in <FIG> have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the embodiments of <FIG>, and any repetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

Referring to <FIG>, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may neighbor each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction). In an embodiment, the first vibrator <NUM> is disposed on a right side of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> as in <FIG>, but embodiments are not limited to this case. In one alternative embodiment, for example, the first vibrator <NUM> may be disposed on a left, lower or upper side of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

Since the first vibrator <NUM> is disposed on the right side of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a first pad portion <NUM> connected to the first vibrator <NUM> is longer than a second pad portion <NUM> connected to the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. In one embodiment, for example, when the first vibrator <NUM> is disposed on the left side of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, the first pad portion <NUM> connected to the first vibrator <NUM> may be shorter than the second pad portion <NUM> connected to the fingerprint sensor <NUM>.

Although the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> contact each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) in <FIG>, embodiments are limited to this case. In one embodiment, for example, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction).

A second adhesive layer <NUM> may be disposed between the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. A side surface of the first vibrator <NUM> and a side surface of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> which face each other may be bonded together by the second adhesive layer <NUM>. The second adhesive layer <NUM> may be a PSA.

The first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may also not be bonded together by the second adhesive layer <NUM>. In such an embodiment, a first vibration layer <NUM> of the first vibrator <NUM> and a second vibration layer <NUM> of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be integrally connected to each other. In such an embodiment, the first vibration layer <NUM> of the first vibrator <NUM> and the second vibration layer <NUM> of the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may include or be made of a same material as each other. In an embodiment, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be formed by a same manufacturing process. In such an embodiment, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may be integrally formed as a single unitary unit.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> capable of recognizing a user's fingerprint and the first vibrator <NUM> capable of outputting sound by vibrating a display panel <NUM> and providing haptic feedback by generating vibrations are disposed on a surface of the display panel <NUM>. Therefore, the user's fingerprint using the fingerprint sensor <NUM> is recognized, and sound are outputted and haptic feedback is provided using the first vibrator <NUM>, without being exposed outside. Thus, a call receiver for outputting the other party's voice and a fingerprint sensor for recognizing a user's fingerprint is removed from the front of a display device, thereby widening a transmissive portion DA100 of a cover window <NUM>. Accordingly, an area where an image is displayed by the display panel <NUM> is widened.

<FIG> is a bottom view of another alternative embodiment of the display panel <NUM> attached to the cover window <NUM> of <FIG>.

The embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is substantially the same as the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> except that a second vibrator <NUM> is additionally disposed under a bottom panel member <NUM>. The same or like elements shown in <FIG> have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the embodiments of <FIG>, and any repetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

Referring to <FIG>, the second vibrator <NUM> may be attached to the bottom of the bottom panel member <NUM>. The second vibrator <NUM> may be attached to a lower surface of the bottom panel member <NUM> by an adhesive member. The adhesive member may be a PSA.

When the second vibrator <NUM> is disposed on a heat dissipating member of the bottom panel member <NUM>, a first heat dissipating layer or a second heat dissipating layer of the heat dissipating member may be broken by the vibration of the second vibrator <NUM>. Therefore, in an embodiment, the heat dissipating member may be removed from an area where the second vibrator <NUM> is disposed. In such an embodiment, the second vibrator <NUM> may be attached to a lower surface of a buffer member. Alternatively, the bottom panel member <NUM> may be removed from the area where the second vibrator <NUM> is disposed. In such an embodiment, the second vibrator <NUM> may be attached to a lower surface of a display panel <NUM>.

A fourth connector 312d of the second circuit board <NUM> may be connected to an end of a cable <NUM>, and an opposing end of the cable <NUM> is connected to the second vibrator <NUM>.

The second vibrator <NUM> may include a second vibration layer having a piezoelectric material that contracts or expands according to driving voltages. In an embodiment, when the second vibrator <NUM> vibrates in a first frequency band, the display panel <NUM> may be vibrated by the second vibrator <NUM>, thereby outputting a second sound. When the second vibrator <NUM> vibrates in a second frequency band, the vibration of the second vibrator <NUM> may provide haptic feedback to a user.

While a first vibrator <NUM> is disposed on a surface of a fingerprint sensor <NUM>, the second vibrator <NUM> is disposed on a surface of the bottom panel member <NUM>. Therefore, a width W31 of the second vibrator <NUM> in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be greater than a width W11 of the first vibrator <NUM> in the first direction (X-axis direction). In such an embodiment, a width W32 of the second vibrator <NUM> in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be greater than a width W12 of the first vibrator <NUM> in the second direction (Y-axis direction). In such an embodiment, the second vibrator <NUM> may be larger than the first vibrator <NUM>. As a vibrator has a larger size, it is easier to realize a low-pitched sound at the time of sound output and easier to implement haptic feedback.

A fundamental frequency (F0) of a first sound output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the first vibrator <NUM> in the sound mode may be higher than a fundamental frequency (F0) of the second sound output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the second vibrator <NUM>.

In such an embodiment, in the sound mode, a first stereo sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the first vibrator <NUM>, and a second stereo sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the second vibrator <NUM>. In this case, a user can hear a <NUM> channel stereo sound. In such an embodiment, the first vibrator <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to a lower side of the display panel <NUM>, and the second vibrator <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to an upper side of the display panel <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> to provide a high-quality stereo sound to a user.

In such an embodiment, in the haptic mode, both the first vibrator <NUM> and the second vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide haptic feedback, or only the second vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide haptic feedback. Alternatively, in the haptic mode, the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide first haptic feedback, and the second vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide second haptic feedback. The vibration magnitude of the second haptic feedback may be greater than that of the first haptic feedback.

The second vibrator <NUM> may be substantially the same as the first vibrator <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> and 8A through 8C, and thus any repetitive detailed description of the detailed structure of the second vibrator <NUM> will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the second vibrator <NUM> is additionally disposed under the bottom panel member <NUM>, such that the second sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the second vibrator <NUM>, and haptic feedback may be provided to a user through the vibration of the second vibrator <NUM>. Therefore, the display panel <NUM> may provide stereo sound in the sound mode, and various haptic feedback in the haptic mode to a user.

The embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is substantially the same as the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> except that a third vibrator <NUM> is additionally disposed under a bottom panel member <NUM>. The same or like elements shown in <FIG> have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the embodiments of <FIG>, and any repetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

Referring to <FIG>, the third vibrator <NUM> may be attached to the bottom of the bottom panel member <NUM>. The third vibrator <NUM> may be attached to a lower surface of the bottom panel member <NUM> by an adhesive member. The adhesive member may be a PSA.

When the third vibrator <NUM> is disposed on a heat dissipating member of the bottom panel member <NUM>, a first heat dissipating layer or a second heat dissipating layer of the heat dissipating member may be broken by the vibration of the third vibrator <NUM>. Therefore, in an embodiment, the heat dissipating member may be removed from an area where the third vibrator <NUM> is disposed. In such an embodiment, the third vibrator <NUM> may be attached to a lower surface of a buffer member. Alternatively, the bottom panel member <NUM> may be removed from the area where the third vibrator <NUM> is disposed. In such an embodiment, the third vibrator <NUM> may be attached to a lower surface of a display panel <NUM>.

The third vibrator <NUM> may include a third vibration layer having a piezoelectric material that contracts or expands according to driving voltages applied thereto. In such an embodiment, when the third vibrator <NUM> vibrates in a first frequency band, the display panel <NUM> may be vibrated by the third vibrator <NUM>, thereby outputting a third sound. When the third vibrator <NUM> vibrates in a second frequency band, the vibration of the third vibrator <NUM> may provide haptic feedback to a user.

A width W41 of the third vibrator <NUM> in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be smaller than a width W31 of a second vibrator <NUM> in the first direction (X-axis direction). A width W42 of the third vibrator <NUM> in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be smaller than a width W32 of the second vibrator <NUM> in the second direction (Y-axis direction). In such an embodiment, the third vibrator <NUM> may be smaller than the second vibrator <NUM>. In one embodiment, for example, the third vibrator <NUM> may have the same or similar size as a first vibrator <NUM>.

A fundamental frequency (F0) of the third sound output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the third vibrator <NUM> in the sound mode may be higher than a fundamental frequency (F0) of a second sound output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the second vibrator <NUM>.

In such an embodiment, in the sound mode, a low-pitched sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the first vibrator <NUM>, a first stereo sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the third vibrator <NUM>, and a second stereo sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the second vibrator <NUM>. In this case, a user can hear a <NUM> channel stereo sound. In order to provide a high-quality stereo sound to a user, the first vibrator <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to a lower side of the display panel <NUM>, the third vibrator <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to an upper side of the display panel <NUM>, and the second vibrator <NUM> may be disposed between the first vibrator <NUM> and the third vibrator <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

In such an embodiment, in the haptic mode, all of the first vibrator <NUM>, the second vibrator <NUM>, and the third vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide haptic feedback, or only the second vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide haptic feedback. Alternatively, in the haptic mode, the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide first haptic feedback, the second vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide second haptic feedback, and the third vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide third haptic feedback. The vibration magnitude of the second haptic feedback may be greater than that of the third haptic feedback.

The third vibrator <NUM> may be substantially the same as the first vibrator <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> and 8A through 8C, and thus any repetitive detailed description of the detailed structure of the third vibrator <NUM> will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the third vibrator <NUM> is additionally disposed under the bottom panel member <NUM>, such that the third sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the third vibrator <NUM>, and haptic feedback may be provided to a user through the vibration of the third vibrator <NUM>. Therefore, the display panel <NUM> may provide stereo sound in the sound mode, and various haptic feedback in the haptic mode to a user.

The embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is substantially the same as the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> except that a fourth vibrator <NUM> is additionally disposed on a fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The same or like elements shown in <FIG> have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the embodiments of <FIG>, and any repetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

Referring to <FIG>, a first vibrator <NUM> and the fourth vibrator <NUM> may be disposed on the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The first vibrator <NUM> and the fourth vibrator <NUM> may be attached onto the fingerprint sensor <NUM> by a first adhesive layer <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Alternatively, the first vibrator <NUM> and the fourth vibrator <NUM> may be integrally formed as a single unitary unit as illustrated in <FIG>.

The fourth vibrator <NUM> may include a fourth vibration layer having a piezoelectric material that contracts or expands according to driving voltages applied thereto. In such an embodiment, when the fourth vibrator <NUM> vibrates in a first frequency band, a display panel <NUM> may be vibrated by the fourth vibrator <NUM>, thereby outputting a fourth sound. When the fourth vibrator <NUM> vibrates in a second frequency band, the vibration of the fourth vibrator <NUM> may provide haptic feedback to a user.

The fourth vibrator <NUM> may be smaller than the first vibrator <NUM>. In one embodiment, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, a width W51 of the fourth vibrator <NUM> in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be smaller than a width W11 of the first vibrator <NUM> in the first direction (X-axis direction). Alternatively, a width of the fourth vibrator <NUM> in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be smaller than a width of the first vibrator <NUM> in the second direction (Y-axis direction). However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the first vibrator <NUM> and the fourth vibrator <NUM> may also have substantially a same as or similar size to each other.

In the sound mode, a first stereo sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the first vibrator <NUM>, and a second stereo sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using a fourth vibrator <NUM>. In this case, a user can hear a <NUM> channel stereo sound.

In such an embodiment, in the haptic mode, both the first vibrator <NUM> and the fourth vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide haptic feedback. Alternatively, in the haptic mode, the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide first haptic feedback, and the fourth vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide second haptic feedback. In this case, a vibration pattern of the first haptic feedback may be different from that of the second haptic feedback.

The fourth vibrator <NUM> may be substantially the same as the first vibrator <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> and 8A through 8C, and thus any repetitive detailed description of the detailed structure of the fourth vibrator <NUM> will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the fourth vibrator <NUM> is additionally disposed under the bottom panel member <NUM>, such that the fourth sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the fourth vibrator <NUM>, and haptic feedback may be provided to a user through the vibration of the fourth vibrator <NUM>. Therefore, the display panel <NUM> may provide stereo sound in the sound mode, and various haptic feedback in the haptic mode to a user.

The embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is different from the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> in that a fifth vibrator <NUM> and a sixth vibrator <NUM> are additionally disposed on a fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The same or like elements shown in <FIG> have been labeled with the same reference characters as used above to describe the embodiments of <FIG>, and any repetitive detailed description thereof will hereinafter be omitted or simplified.

Referring to <FIG>, a first vibrator <NUM>, the fifth vibrator <NUM>, and the sixth vibrator <NUM> may be disposed on the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The first vibrator <NUM>, the fifth vibrator <NUM> and the sixth vibrator <NUM> may be attached onto the fingerprint sensor <NUM> by a first adhesive layer <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Alternatively, the first vibrator <NUM>, the fifth vibrator <NUM> and the sixth vibrator <NUM> may be integrally formed as a single piece as illustrated in <FIG>.

The fifth vibrator <NUM> may include a fifth vibration layer having a piezoelectric material that contracts or expands according to driving voltages applied thereto. In such an embodiment, when the fifth vibrator <NUM> vibrates in a first frequency band, a display panel <NUM> may be vibrated by the fifth vibrator <NUM>, thereby outputting a fifth sound. When the fifth vibrator <NUM> vibrates in a second frequency band, the vibration of the fifth vibrator <NUM> may provide haptic feedback to a user.

The sixth vibrator <NUM> may include a sixth vibration layer having a piezoelectric material that contracts or expands according to driving voltages applied thereto. In such an embodiment, when the sixth vibrator <NUM> vibrates in the first frequency band, the display panel <NUM> may be vibrated by the sixth vibrator <NUM>, thereby outputting a sixth sound. When the sixth vibrator <NUM> vibrates in the second frequency band, the vibration of the sixth vibrator <NUM> may provide haptic feedback to the user.

The first vibrator <NUM>, the fifth vibrator <NUM> and the sixth vibrator <NUM> may have substantially a same size as each other, as illustrated in <FIG>. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. In one alternative embodiment, for example, the first vibrator <NUM>, the fifth vibrator <NUM> and the sixth vibrator <NUM> may have different sizes from each other. Alternatively, at least one of the first vibrator <NUM>, the fifth vibrator <NUM> and the sixth vibrator <NUM> may have a different size from the other two.

In the sound mode, a low-pitched sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using one of the first vibrator <NUM>, the fifth vibrator <NUM> and the sixth vibrator <NUM>, a first stereo sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using another of the first vibrator <NUM>, the fifth vibrator <NUM> and the sixth vibrator <NUM>, and a second stereo sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the other one of the first vibrator <NUM>, the fifth vibrator <NUM> and the sixth vibrator <NUM>. In this case, a user can hear a <NUM> channel stereo sound.

In such an embodiment, in the haptic mode, all of the first vibrator <NUM>, the fifth vibrator <NUM>, and the sixth vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide haptic feedback. Alternatively, in the haptic mode, the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide first haptic feedback, the fifth vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide second haptic feedback, and the sixth vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide third haptic feedback. In this case, a vibration pattern of the first haptic feedback, a vibration pattern of the second haptic feedback, and a vibration pattern of the third haptic feedback may be different from each other.

The fifth vibrator <NUM> and the sixth vibrator <NUM> may be substantially the same as the first vibrator <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> and 8A through 8C, and thus any repetitive detailed description of the detailed structures of the fifth vibrator <NUM> and the sixth vibrator <NUM> will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the fifth vibrator <NUM> is additionally disposed under the bottom panel member <NUM>, such that the fifth sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the fifth vibrator <NUM>, and haptic feedback may be provided to a user through the vibration of the fifth vibrator <NUM>. In such an embodiment, since the sixth vibrator <NUM> is additionally disposed under the bottom panel member <NUM>, the sixth sound may be output by vibrating the display panel <NUM> using the sixth vibrator <NUM>, and haptic feedback can be provided to the user through the vibration of the sixth vibrator <NUM>. Therefore, the display panel <NUM> may provide stereo sound in the sound mode, and various haptic feedback in the haptic mode to a user.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a display device according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a graph illustrating sound pressure characteristics according to the frequency of sound output by a first vibrator in a call mode. <FIG> is a graph illustrating sound pressure characteristics according to the frequency of sound output by the first vibrator in a vibration mode. <FIG> is a graph illustrating sound pressure characteristics according to the frequency of ultrasonic waves output by a fingerprint sensor in a fingerprint recognition mode.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment, when in the sound mode, a display panel <NUM> is vibrated by vibrating a first vibrator <NUM> in a first frequency band, thereby outputting a first sound (operations S101 and S102 of <FIG>).

A main processor <NUM> outputs first vibration data to an integrated driver unit <NUM> in the sound mode. The integrated driver unit <NUM> generates a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage corresponding to the first vibration data and outputs the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage to the first vibrator <NUM>. The first driving voltage is applied to a first electrode <NUM> of the first vibrator <NUM>, the second driving voltage is applied to a second electrode <NUM>, and the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate in response to the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage. Each of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage may be an alternating current ("AC") voltage having a predetermined period. Accordingly, the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate the display panel <NUM> in the sound mode, thereby outputting the first sound as illustrated in <FIG>.

In such an embodiment, when in the haptic mode, haptic feedback is provided by vibrating the first vibrator <NUM> in a second frequency band (operations S103 and S104 of <FIG>).

The main processor <NUM> outputs second vibration data to the integrated driver unit <NUM> in the haptic mode. The integrated driver unit <NUM> generates a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage corresponding to the second vibration data and outputs the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage to the first vibrator <NUM>. The first driving voltage is applied to the first electrode <NUM> of the first vibrator <NUM>, the second driving voltage is applied to the second electrode <NUM>, and the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate in response to the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage. Each of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage may be an AC voltage having a predetermined period. By vibrating in the haptic mode, the first vibrator <NUM> may provide haptic feedback as illustrated in <FIG>. The AC periods of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage in the sound mode may be faster than those of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage in the haptic mode.

In such an embodiment, when in the fingerprint recognition mode, a fingerprint sensor <NUM> outputs ultrasonic waves and senses the ultrasonic waves reflected by a user's fingerprint, thereby recognizing a user's fingerprint (operations S105 and S106 of <FIG>).

The main processor <NUM> outputs third vibration data to the integrated driver unit <NUM> during a first period of the fingerprint recognition mode. The integrated driver unit <NUM> generates a third driving voltage and a fourth driving voltage corresponding to the third vibration data during the first period of the fingerprint recognition mode and outputs the third driving voltage and the fourth driving voltage to the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. The third driving voltage is applied to a third electrode <NUM> of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, the fourth driving voltage is applied to fourth electrodes <NUM>, and the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may vibrate in response to the third driving voltage and the fourth driving voltage. The third driving voltage may be an AC voltage having a predetermined period, and the fourth driving voltage may be a ground voltage. Accordingly, in the fingerprint recognition mode, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> may output ultrasonic waves as illustrated in <FIG>.

The main processor <NUM> outputs sensing control data to the integrated driver unit <NUM> during a second period of the fingerprint recognition mode. The integrated driver unit <NUM> generates a third driving voltage in response to the sensing control data during the second period of the fingerprint recognition mode and outputs the third driving voltage to the fingerprint sensor <NUM> and senses electrical signals, that is, sensing voltages from the fourth electrodes <NUM>. The third driving voltage is applied to the third electrode <NUM> of the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, and a piezoelectric effect of a second vibration layer <NUM> may occur due to ultrasonic waves reflected by a user's fingerprint. Therefore, the sensing voltages from the fourth electrode <NUM> may be sensed by the integrated driver unit <NUM>. The third driving voltage maybe a common voltage.

The integrated driver unit <NUM> may convert the sensing voltages from the fourth electrodes <NUM> into sensing data, which is digital data, and output the sensing data to the main processor <NUM>. The main processor <NUM> may generate a fingerprint pattern by analyzing the sensing data and determine whether the recognized fingerprint pattern matches a fingerprint pattern stored in advance in a memory.

According to an embodiment illustrated, as shown in <FIG>, it is possible not only to recognize a user's fingerprint using the fingerprint sensor <NUM>, but also to output sound and provide haptic feedback using the first vibrator <NUM>, which is not exposed to an outside as described above. Thus, a call receiver for outputting the other party's voice and a fingerprint sensor for recognizing a user's fingerprint can be removed from the front of a display device, thereby widening a transmissive portion DA100 of a cover window <NUM>. Accordingly, an area where an image is displayed by the display panel <NUM> can be widened.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a display device according to an embodiment. An alternative embodiment of the fingerprint recognition mode of <FIG> is illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment, a first haptic feedback is provided by vibrating a first vibrator <NUM> before a user's fingerprint is recognized using a fingerprint sensor <NUM> (operation S201 of <FIG>).

Operation S201 of <FIG> is substantially the same as operations S103 and S104 of <FIG>, and thus any repetitive detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In such an embodiment, the fingerprint sensor <NUM> outputs ultrasonic waves and recognizes the user's fingerprint by sensing the ultrasonic waves reflected by the user's fingerprint (operation S202 of <FIG>).

Operation S202 of <FIG> is substantially the same as operations S105 and S106 of <FIG>, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

In such an embodiment, it is determined whether a recognized fingerprint pattern matches a fingerprint pattern stored in advance (operation S203 of <FIG>).

An integrated driver unit <NUM> may convert sensing voltages from fourth electrodes <NUM> into sensing data which is digital data and output the sensing data to a main processor <NUM>. The main processor <NUM> may generate a fingerprint pattern by analyzing the sensing data and determine whether the recognized fingerprint pattern matches a fingerprint pattern stored in advance in a memory.

In such an embodiment, when the recognized fingerprint pattern matches the pre-stored fingerprint pattern, second haptic feedback is provided by vibrating the first vibrator <NUM> (operation S204 of <FIG>).

When the recognized fingerprint pattern matches the pre-stored fingerprint pattern, the main processor <NUM> outputs second vibration data to the integrated driver unit <NUM>. The integrated driver unit <NUM> generates a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage according to the second vibration data and outputs the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage to the first vibrator <NUM>. The first driving voltage is applied to a first electrode <NUM> of the first vibrator <NUM>, the second driving voltage is applied to a second electrode <NUM>, and the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate according to the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage. Each of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage may be an AC voltage having a predetermined period. In the haptic mode, the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide the second haptic feedback. The vibration intensity and/or vibration pattern of the second haptic feedback may be different from the vibration intensity and/or vibration pattern of the first haptic feedback.

In such an embodiment, when the recognized fingerprint pattern does not match the pre-stored fingerprint pattern, third haptic feedback is provided by vibrating the first vibrator <NUM> (operation S205 of <FIG>).

When the recognized fingerprint pattern does not match the pre-stored fingerprint pattern, the main processor <NUM> outputs second vibration data to the integrated driver unit <NUM>. The integrated driver unit <NUM> generates a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage according to the second vibration data and outputs the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage to the first vibrator <NUM>. The first driving voltage is applied to the first electrode <NUM> of the first vibrator <NUM>, the second driving voltage is applied to the second electrode <NUM>, and the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate according to the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage. Each of the first driving voltage and the second driving voltage may be an AC voltage having a predetermined period. In the haptic mode, the first vibrator <NUM> may vibrate to provide the third haptic feedback. The vibration intensity and/or vibration pattern of the third haptic feedback may be different from the vibration intensity and/or vibration pattern of the first haptic feedback and the vibration intensity and/or vibration pattern of the second haptic feedback.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to inform a user of the start of fingerprint recognition by providing the first haptic feedback before recognizing the user's fingerprint using the fingerprint sensor <NUM>. In such an embodiment, it is possible to inform the user of the end of fingerprint recognition by providing any one of the second haptic feedback and the third haptic feedback to the user according to whether a fingerprint pattern recognized by the fingerprint sensor <NUM> matches a fingerprint pattern stored in advance.

In embodiments of a display device and a method of driving the display device according to the invention, a fingerprint sensor capable of recognizing a user's fingerprint and a first vibrator capable of outputting sound by vibrating a display panel and providing haptic feedback by generating vibrations are disposed on a surface of the display panel. Therefore, it is possible not only to recognize the user's fingerprint using the fingerprint sensor, but also to output sound and provide haptic feedback using the first vibrator, which is not exposed to an outside. Thus, a call receiver for outputting the other party's voice and a fingerprint sensor for recognizing a user's fingerprint can be removed from the front of the display device, thereby widening a transmissive portion of a cover window. Accordingly, an area where an image is displayed by the display panel can be widened.

In embodiments of a display device and a method of driving the display device according to the invention, a fingerprint sensor and a first vibrator are disposed on a surface of a display panel to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the display panel, such that a space in which the fingerprint sensor and the first vibrator are disposed can be minimized.

In embodiments of a display device and a method of driving the display device according to the invention, a first vibrator and a fingerprint sensor are integrally formed as a single unitary unit, such that the first vibrator and the fingerprint sensor may be attached to each other without using an adhesive layer.

In embodiments of a display device and a method of driving the display device according to invention, it is possible to inform a user of the start of fingerprint recognition by providing first haptic feedback before recognizing the user's fingerprint using a fingerprint sensor. In such embodiments, it is possible to inform the user of the end of fingerprint recognition by providing one of second haptic feedback and third haptic feedback to the user according to whether a fingerprint pattern recognized by the fingerprint sensor matches a fingerprint pattern stored in advance.

The invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Claim 1:
A display device (<NUM>) comprising:
a display panel (<NUM>);
a bottom panel member (<NUM>) which is attached to a lower surface of the display panel (<NUM>) by an adhesive member, the bottom panel member includes at least one of a light absorbing member for absorbing light incident from an outside, a buffer member for absorbing an external impact, a heat dissipating member for dissipating the heat of the display panel (<NUM>), and a light shielding layer for blocking light incident from the outside;
a fingerprint sensor (<NUM>) which is attached to a bottom of the bottom panel member (<NUM>) and senses a user's fingerprint by emitting ultrasonic waves; and
a first vibrator (<NUM>) which is disposed on a surface of the fingerprint sensor (<NUM>) and which is attached to the bottom of the bottom panel member (<NUM>), the first vibrator (<NUM>) generating vibrations based on driving voltages applied thereto,
wherein the first vibrator (<NUM>) vibrates the display panel (<NUM>) to output sound when the first vibrator (<NUM>) vibrates in a first frequency band and the first vibrator (<NUM>) generates vibrations to provide haptic feedback to a user when the first vibrator (<NUM>) vibrates in a second frequency band, wherein the second frequency band is lower than the first frequency band, and wherein the first vibrator (<NUM>) includes a first vibration layer having a piezoelectric material that contracts or expands according to driving voltages.