Patent Description:
Owing to the remarkable development of information and communication technology and semiconductor technology, various electronic devices have been proliferated rapidly and used increasingly. Particularly, recent electronic devices have been developed such that users communicate while carrying them.

An electronic device refers to a device that executes a specific function according to an installed program, such as an electronic notebook, a portable multimedia player, a mobile communication terminal, a tablet PC, a video/audio player, a desktop/laptop computer, and a vehicle navigation device as well as a home appliance. For example, these electronic devices may output stored information visually or audibly. As the integration level of electronic devices increases and high-speed and large-capacity wireless communication becomes common, a single electronic device such as a mobile communication terminal may be equipped with various functions. For example, a communication function, an entertainment function such as games, a multimedia function such as music/video playback, communication and security functions for mobile banking, schedule management, and an electronic wallet are integrated into one electronic device. Such electronic devices are being miniaturized so that users may conveniently carry them.

Recently, wearable electronic devices of various shapes, such as glasses or a watch, have been developed so that the electronic devices may be worn on the body. In a wearable electronic device, the brightness of a display assembly or a keypad assembly is automatically adjusted according to the illuminance value of an ambient environment by embedding a photosensor module (e.g., an illuminance sensor module) around the periphery of an active area. For example, a display screen is made brighter in a relatively bright environment and darkened in a relatively dark environment, for efficient power use.

<CIT> discloses a conventional electronic device including a photosensor module.

In general, the photosensor module may be mounted in a peripheral area (e.g., a non-active area or a shielding area) outside the active area of the display assembly, to sense light. When this photosensor module is mounted, the aesthetics of the electronic device may be deteriorated due to a design constraint that the photosensor module should be designed in consideration of interference with other internal components (e.g., a speaker, a front camera, or the display assembly) and outward exposure of the photosensor module.

To couple a photosensor module mounted on the rear surface of the display assembly to a display circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) may be fabricated and then coupled to the photosensor module. In another example, the thickness of the photosensor module may be set to be different for each structure (e.g., model) of an electronic device, or an interposer printed circuit board (PCB) may be additionally manufactured. Accordingly, additional cost for manufacturing the separate PCB, cost for an additional process for combining the PCB with the photosensor module, and manufacturing defects may occur.

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a photosensor module disposed on the rear surface of a display assembly to sense light through an active area of the display assembly.

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a photosensor module manufactured by directly coupling the photosensor module to a display circuit board. Accordingly, an interposer PCB or a separate FPCB may be removed.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include: a housing including a front plate facing a front surface and a rear plate facing a rear surface, a display assembly comprising a display visible through at least a part of the front plate, wherein the display assembly includes: an upper portion, a lower portion disposed overlapping with at least a partial area of the upper portion and including a first opening, and a flexible circuit board overlapping at least a partial area of the lower portion and including a second opening corresponding to at least a part of the first opening, a photosensor module including a sensing unit comprising a sensor corresponding to at least a part of the second opening and a plurality of pads disposed adjacent to the sensing unit and electrically coupled to the flexible circuit board, and an electrical or mechanical structure comprising circuitry or hardware disposed between the photosensor module and the rear plate and spaced apart from the photosensor module by a first distance.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include: a front plate forming at least a part of a front surface of the electronic device, a rear plate forming a least a part of a rear surface of the electronic device, a display assembly comprising a display disposed adjacent to the front plate and visible through at least a part of the front plate, wherein the display assembly includes: a plurality of layers with a first opening passing through at least some of the layers formed therein, and a flexible circuit board disposed under the plurality of layers and including a second opening which is smaller than the first opening and corresponding to at least a part of the first opening, and a photosensor module including a photosensor positioned under the flexible circuit board and coupled with the flexible circuit board through a plurality of pads.

In an electronic device according to various example embodiments of the disclosure, a photosensor module may be located in the active area of a display assembly, so that design freedom for mounting the photosensor module and design aesthetics may be realized.

The electronic device according to various example embodiments of the disclosure may have a reduced thickness by arranging the photosensor module directly on a display circuit board.

The electronic device according to various example embodiments of the disclosure may adjust the brightness of the display adaptively according to the brightness of external light through the photosensor module disposed in the active area of the display assembly.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to various embodiments.

In various embodiments, at least one (e.g., the display device <NUM> or the camera module <NUM>) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. In various embodiments, some of the components may be implemented as single integrated circuitry.

According to an embodiment, the antenna module <NUM> may include an antenna including a radiating element including a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., PCB).

The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, a home appliance, or the like.

As used herein, each of such phrases as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B," "A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as "1st" and "2nd", or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

Wherein, the 'non-transitory' storage medium is a tangible device, and may not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

<FIG> is diagram illustrating a front view of an example electronic device according to various embodiments. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a rear view of the electronic device of <FIG> according to various embodiments.

The electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be a portable communication device such as a mobile communication terminal or a wearable electronic device that may be worn on a user's body. Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure will be described as a smart watch, by way of nonlimiting example.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a housing <NUM>, a display assembly <NUM>, a photosensor module <NUM>, and locking members <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the housing <NUM> forms the exterior of the electronic device <NUM>, and electronic components may be arranged in the housing <NUM>. For example, various circuit devices, for example, the processor <NUM> (e.g., an application processor (AP)), the memory <NUM>, the input device <NUM>, the sound output device <NUM>, and/or the battery <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> may be arranged in the housing <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the housing <NUM> may include a first surface <NUM> (e.g., front surface) at least partially facing a first direction, a second surface <NUM> (e.g., rear surface) at least partially a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a side surface <NUM> surrounding at least a part of a space between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>. In an embodiment (not shown), the housing may refer to a structure forming a part of the first surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM>, and the side surface <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, at least a part of the first surface <NUM> may be formed by a substantially transparent front plate (e.g., a glass member or a polymer plate). The first surface <NUM> may provide a screen output from the display assembly <NUM> (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed inside the housing <NUM> to face the first surface <NUM> to a user. For example, an analog watch-type screen may be visible through the first surface <NUM>. According to an embodiment, an edge area of the first surface <NUM> may be bent toward the side surface <NUM> to extend seamlessly.

According to an embodiment, the second surface <NUM> may be formed by a substantially opaque rear plate. The second side <NUM> may be formed by, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of these materials. According to an embodiment, a separate plate member 212a may be integrally molded in one area (e.g., a central area) of the second surface <NUM>. The plate member 212a may be formed to radiate light generated from a light source (e.g., a light source of a biosensor) disposed inside the housing <NUM> to the outside. According to an embodiment, another area (e.g., an edge area) of the second surface <NUM> may be bent toward the side surface <NUM> to extend seamlessly.

According to an embodiment, the side surface <NUM> may be coupled with the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> and form at least a part of the outer surface of the electronic device <NUM>. To provide the electronic device <NUM> with increased structural stability, the side surface <NUM> may be formed of a material having high rigidity. For example, the side surface <NUM> may be formed of a metal material. In another example, the side surface <NUM> formed of metal may be used as an antenna radiator.

According to various embodiments, the first surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may be divided into an active area AA in which a screen is displayed and a non-active area NAA formed along the circumference of the AA. For example, the active area AA may be an area in which a screen is displayed by the display assembly <NUM> and an input and an output may be implemented by a touch panel (e.g., a touch panel <NUM> of <FIG>). The non-active area NAA (e.g., a bezel area) may be located around the periphery of the active area AA, and signal lines or terminals provided in the touch panel or display panel (e.g., a display panel <NUM> of <FIG>) may be disposed in the non-active area NAA. The non-active area NAA may be shielded by various colors or the housing <NUM> to limit outward exposure of the signal lines or terminals. In another example, the non-active area NAA may be formed of metal and used as an antenna radiator.

According to various embodiments, the locking members <NUM> may be disposed to protrude from the side surface <NUM> in a direction away from each other. The locking members <NUM> may be coupled with a wearing part (e.g., a strap or band, not shown) disposed to be worn on the user's wrist. For example, a plurality of fastening grooves for fastening the wearing part may be formed on side surfaces of the locking members <NUM>. The wearing part may be formed of various materials (e.g., rubber, plastic, or metal).

According to various embodiments, the photosensor module <NUM> may be disposed at a position of the display assembly <NUM>, for example, in the active area AA of the first surface <NUM>. The photosensor module <NUM> may generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to an internal operating state or ambient environmental state of the electronic device <NUM>. The photosensor module <NUM> may further include, for example, at least one of a proximity sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an illuminance sensor.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments.

In <FIG>, in a three-axis Cartesian coordinate system, a '+Z' direction may indicate the first direction, a '-Z' direction may indicate the second direction, and a 'Y' direction may indicate a third direction.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include a front plate <NUM>, a rear plate <NUM>, a side member <NUM> (e.g., a bracket), a display assembly (e.g., the display assembly <NUM> of <FIG>), an electronic component (e.g., including circuitry) <NUM>, a main circuit board <NUM>, and a battery (e.g., the battery <NUM> of <FIG>). Referring to <FIG>, the configurations of the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> may be fully or partially identical to those of the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> of <FIG>.

According to various embodiments, the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> may be coupled with the side member <NUM>. The side member <NUM> may include an inner surface 217a, a front surface 217b, and a rear surface 217c, and may be formed of a material that at least partially transmits a radio signal or a magnetic field. At least a part of the front plate <NUM> together with a sealing member (not shown) for waterproof/dustproof may be coupled with the front surface 217b of the side member <NUM>. The rear plate <NUM> may contact the rear surface 217c of the side member <NUM> and may be coupled with the rear surface 217c by screw coupling.

According to various embodiments, the side member <NUM> may be formed of a material stronger than the rear plate <NUM> formed by injection. For example, the side member <NUM> may be formed of metal, and the rear plate <NUM> may be formed by injection molding of plastic. A main circuit board <NUM>, a display assembly (e.g., the display assembly <NUM> of <FIG>), a battery, and electronic components may be mounted in an inner space formed by the inner surface 217a of the side member <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, various components of the electronic device <NUM> may be disposed on the main circuit board <NUM>. For example, a processor, a communication module, and so on may be mounted in the form of an integrated circuit chip on the main circuit board <NUM>. The main circuit board <NUM> may be electrically coupled to electronic components including a battery and an antenna radiator through a connector.

According to an embodiment, at least one of a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>), a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>), or an interface (e.g., the interface <NUM> of <FIG>) may be disposed on the main circuit board <NUM>. The processor may include, for example, at least one of a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphic processing unit (GPU), an application processor sensor processor, a communication processor, or the like. The memory may include, for example, volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The interface may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, and/or an audio interface. The interface may, for example, electrically or physically couple the electronic device <NUM> to an external electronic device and include a USB connector, an SD card/MMC connector, or an audio connector. According to an embodiment, the processor may control various components of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the electronic component <NUM> may include various components including, for example, an antenna radiator and/or a wireless charging antenna disposed on the main circuit board <NUM>. The antenna radiator may transmit/receive a radio signal by magnetic secure transmission (MST). For example, the antenna radiator may be an MST antenna. In another example, the antenna radiator may be an NFC antenna that transmits/receives a wireless signal by near-field communication (NFC). Aside from being disposed on the main circuit board <NUM>, the antenna radiator may be provided as a separate member and electrically coupled to the main circuit board <NUM>. A shielding structure may be disposed around the antenna radiator to block signal interference between different electronic components. The wireless charging antenna may be attached to one surface of the main circuit board <NUM>. The wireless charging antenna may be formed into a flat coil. The wireless charging antenna may be formed of a conductive material and electrically coupled to the main circuit board <NUM>. The wireless charging antenna may generate a current by electromagnetic induction from an external electronic device. The current generated from the wireless charging antenna may charge the battery through the main circuit board <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view illustrating a stacked state and an electrically coupled state of a display assembly in an electronic device according to various embodiments. <FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating an area (e.g., an area A) of <FIG> according to various embodiments.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> of <FIG>), the display assembly <NUM>, the flexible circuit board <NUM>, and the photosensor module <NUM>. The structures of the display assembly <NUM> and the photosensor module <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may be fully or partially identical to those of the housing <NUM>, the display assembly <NUM>, and the photosensor module <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the display assembly <NUM> may display a screen through the first surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and implement an input. For example, the display assembly <NUM> may be at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) display, or an electronic paper. A touch panel may be integrally included in the display assembly <NUM> to perform a touch screen function. An antenna radiator may be mounted on an inner or outer surface of the display assembly <NUM> to perform a wireless communication function.

According to an embodiment, the display assembly <NUM> may be disposed between the front plate <NUM> forming at least a part of the front surface of the electronic device <NUM> and the a rear plate (e.g., the rear plate <NUM> of <FIG>) forming at least a part of the rear surface of the electronic device <NUM>. The front plate <NUM> may be formed by a substantially transparent glass member or a polymer member. For example, the display assembly <NUM> may be directly stacked under the front plate <NUM> and disposed in contact with each other over a large area. The front plate <NUM> may be installed on the front surface of the display assembly <NUM> to protect the display assembly <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the display assembly <NUM> may include an upper assembly (which may also be referred to herein as an "upper portion") <NUM>, a lower assembly (which may also be referred to herein as a "lower portion") <NUM> (e.g., a cover panel), and the flexible circuit board <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the upper assembly <NUM> and the flexible circuit board <NUM> may be integrally formed. According to an embodiment, other electronic components may be mounted in an area of the flexible circuit board <NUM>, in which the upper assembly <NUM> or the lower assembly <NUM> is not disposed.

According to various embodiments, the touch panel <NUM>, and a polarizing panel <NUM> may be sequentially stacked under an adhesive film <NUM> for adhering to the front plate <NUM>, in the upper assembly <NUM>. The lower assembly <NUM>, which may include a layer for protecting the upper assembly <NUM>, may be stacked on the rear surface of the display panel <NUM>. The flexible circuit board <NUM> and the photosensor module <NUM> may be positioned under the display assembly <NUM>. To transmit light to the photosensor module <NUM>, through openings (hereinafter, a first opening and a second opening) may be included in one area of the lower assembly <NUM> and the flexible circuit board <NUM>, when viewed from above the first surface <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the adhesive film <NUM> may be an optically clear adhesive and bond the front plate <NUM> and the touch panel <NUM> to each other. In another example, the adhesive film may bond between the touch panel <NUM> and the polarizing panel <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the touch panel <NUM> may be disposed between the front plate <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>. The touch panel <NUM> may be implemented as a structure including a conductive pattern for providing an input according to a touch on or proximity to an active area (e.g., the active area AA of <FIG>). For example, the touch panel <NUM> may be configured as one of a capacitive type, an electromagnetic resonance type, a resistive type, an infrared type, an electronic magnetic resonance (EMR) type, and an acoustic wave type, or a combination of these types.

According to various embodiments, the polarizing panel <NUM> may be disposed between the front plate <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>. The polarizing panel <NUM> may increase the image quality of a screen provided by the display panel <NUM> and improve outdoor visibility.

According to various embodiments, the display panel <NUM>, which is a layer for displaying a screen, may be, for example, an LCD layer, an LED layer, or an OLED layer. The display panel <NUM> may include a plurality of polymer layers. For example, one of the polymer layers may be formed of a polyimide film, and may be electrically connected, as a component for supplying power to the display panel <NUM>, to a main circuit board (e.g., the main circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) mounted inside the housing <NUM> through the flexible circuit board <NUM>. Another one of the polymer layers may be formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and support the display panel <NUM> as a whole. The polymer layers may include bent parts (not shown) to be coupled to the flexible circuit board <NUM> and include structures (e.g., chip on film (COF) bending or polyimide (PI) bending) coupled to the flexible circuit board <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the lower assembly <NUM> may be stacked under the display assembly <NUM> to support and protect the display assembly <NUM> and prevent and/or reduce internal components from being viewed to the outside through the display assembly <NUM>. One area of the lower assembly <NUM> may include a first opening <NUM> passing through the lower assembly <NUM>. For example, the area in which the first opening <NUM> is formed may be an area at a predetermined (or specified) position of the active area AA of the display assembly <NUM> and correspond to an area in which the photosensor module <NUM> is disposed, and from which a part of the lower assembly <NUM> is removed to receive light from the outside.

According to an embodiment, the lower assembly <NUM> may include a short-range communication circuit. The lower assembly <NUM> may include at least one of an embo member, a sponge member, a cushion member, a Cu member, an absorber member, or the like, or a combination of the members. For example, the emboss member may be formed of an opaque material and used to prevent and/or reduce an internal structure from being seen through the display assembly <NUM>. The sponge member may be used to alleviate and/or remove pressing or lifting caused by foreign substances, which may occur during adhesion in an assembly process of the display assembly <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the short-range communication circuit may be disposed between the lower assembly <NUM> and one area of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. The short-range communication circuit may include a wireless communication circuit and a conductive panel. The wireless communication circuit may be configured to perform wireless communication based on an NFC protocol. For example, the short-range communication module may support short-range communication through the front surface of the display assembly <NUM>. The short-distance communication module may be formed of a ferrite material, and may improve antenna performance with an antenna, prevent and/or reduce interference to internal circuits during communication, and increase communication efficiency.

According to various embodiments, the flexible circuit board <NUM> may be disposed under the lower assembly <NUM> and electrically coupled to the display assembly <NUM>. For example, the flexible circuit board <NUM> may also be referred to as a display circuit board, and may have one end electrically coupled to the upper assembly <NUM> through COF bending or PI bending and the other end electrically coupled to the main circuit board. The flexible circuit board <NUM> may include a first surface <NUM> facing the front plate <NUM> and a second surface <NUM> facing the first surface <NUM>. One area of the flexible circuit board <NUM> may include a second opening <NUM> passing through the flexible circuit board <NUM>. For example, the area in which the second opening <NUM> is formed may be an area which is at a predetermined (or specified) position of the active area AA of the display assembly <NUM> and corresponds to the area in which the photosensor module <NUM> is disposed, and from which a part of the flexible circuit board <NUM> is removed for the photosensor module <NUM> to receive light from the outside.

According to various embodiments, at least a part of the first opening <NUM> of the lower assembly <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to the second opening <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. The first opening <NUM> and the second opening <NUM> may guide a path of light directed to the photosensor module <NUM>, and the size of the first opening <NUM> may be larger than the size of the second opening. For example, the first opening <NUM> may be formed to be large than the second opening <NUM> in consideration of the attachment tolerance of the flexible circuit board <NUM> during manufacture of the electronic device <NUM> to secure an FOV, while a sensing area of the photosensor module <NUM> is not covered. As the second opening <NUM> is smaller size than the first opening <NUM>, a part of the first surface <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM> may be provided as a part forming the first opening <NUM>, facing the upper assembly (e.g., the display panel <NUM>).

According to various embodiments, when viewed from the top of the electronic device <NUM>, the photosensor module <NUM> may be disposed at a predetermined (or specified) position of the active area AA of the display assembly <NUM>, and positioned to correspond to the first opening <NUM> and the second opening <NUM> to receive external light. The photosensor module <NUM> may be disposed under the flexible circuit board <NUM>, with at least a part thereof positioned to correspond to the second opening <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. For example, one surface of the photosensor module <NUM> may be disposed to cover the second opening <NUM>. In another example, the photosensor module <NUM> may be disposed on the second opening <NUM> and along the periphery of the second opening <NUM> on one surface (e.g., the second surface <NUM>) of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. As the photosensor module <NUM> covers the first opening <NUM>, the photosensor module <NUM> may also cover the second opening <NUM>, and external light may pass through the front plate <NUM>, the display assembly <NUM>, the second opening <NUM>, and the first opening <NUM> and reach the photosensor module <NUM>. The light reaching the photosensor module <NUM> may transmit a sensed light value to the processor, and the processor may adjust the brightness of the display assembly <NUM> according to an external brightness.

According to an embodiment, the photosensor module <NUM> may include a sensor substrate <NUM> (e.g., a sensor IC), a sensing unit <NUM> formed in one area of the sensor substrate <NUM>, and a plurality of pads <NUM> spaced apart from the sensing unit <NUM>. The sensor substrate <NUM> may include a first surface 231a facing the display assembly <NUM> and a second surface 231b facing in a direction opposite to the first surface 231a. The sensing unit <NUM> may be formed in a central area of the first surface 231a of the sensor substrate <NUM> and directly receive external light passing through the first opening <NUM> and the second opening <NUM>. The plurality of pads <NUM> may be formed in edge areas of the first surface 231a of the sensor substrate <NUM> and electrically couple the sensor substrate <NUM> to the rear surface of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. For example, the plurality of pads <NUM> may be positioned along the periphery of the sensing unit <NUM> and directly couple the sensor substrate <NUM> with the flexible circuit board <NUM> through soldering. The flexible circuit board <NUM> electrically coupled to the photosensor module <NUM> may be coupled to the main circuit board (e.g., the main circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) and transmit a signal from the photosensor module <NUM> to the main circuit board.

According to an embodiment, the display assembly <NUM> may be disposed in a front direction of the photosensor module <NUM>, and another device <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may be disposed in a rear direction of the photosensor module <NUM>. The device <NUM> may be an internal electronic component (e.g., a battery and various circuit boards), a bracket for mounting the internal electronic component therein, or a support member <NUM> coupled to the internal electronic component or the bracket. The photosensor module <NUM> and the device <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a specified gap (e.g., a first distance g). For example, the second surface 231b of the sensor substrate <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from the support member <NUM>, and the spaced area may form an air gap. Although the photosensor module is generally manufactured, while being coupled to a separate substrate, a separate substrate or an interposer configuration to be coupled with the rear surface of the photosensor module <NUM> is not required, thereby simplifying a product and reducing cost according to the embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a flexible circuit board according to various embodiments, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a photosensor module in an enlargement of an area (e.g., an area B) of <FIG> according to various embodiments. Although <FIG> is a view seen from the rear of the photosensor module, it is illustrated as a projection view, for convenience of description.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include the flexible circuit board <NUM> and the photosensor module <NUM>. The flexible circuit board <NUM> may include a flat base <NUM>, a first bent part <NUM> extending from the base <NUM>, a second bent part <NUM>, and a third bent part <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the base <NUM> is a single panel which may be an unbreakable (UB) panel (e.g., a panel formed of a polymer plate), and a non-panel area of the base <NUM> may be folded to be used as the flexible circuit board. In another example, the panel and the flexible circuit board <NUM> may be integrally formed.

The structures of the flexible circuit board <NUM> and the photosensor module <NUM> of <FIG> may be fully or partially identical to those of the flexible circuit board <NUM> and the photosensor module <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first bent part <NUM>, the second bent part <NUM>, and the third bent part <NUM> may be bent from an end portion of the circular flexible circuit board <NUM> and extend in different directions.

According to various embodiments, the first bent part <NUM> may be coupled to the flexible circuit board <NUM> through a connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may include a zigzag in-line package (ZIP) connector. The connector <NUM> may be disposed on the second surface <NUM> (e.g., rear surface) of the flexible circuit board <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first bent part <NUM> may be curved to be easily coupled to the connector <NUM>. For example, the first bent part <NUM> may be bent in a "U" shape. As the first bent part <NUM> is curved, a length of the first bent part <NUM> protruding to the outside of the display assembly <NUM> is reduced, thereby reducing the bezel area of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the flexible circuit board <NUM> may include a groove <NUM> corresponding to the first bent part <NUM> on the second surface <NUM> (e.g., the rear surface). The first bent part <NUM> may be mounted in the groove <NUM> to reduce a thickness formed by the bending of the first bent part <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the first bent part <NUM> and the second bent part <NUM> may be disposed in substantially perpendicular directions. For example, a direction in which an end portion of the first bent part <NUM> to be coupled to a touch panel (e.g., the touch panel <NUM> of <FIG>) through the connector <NUM> faces may be perpendicular to a direction in which an end portion of the second bent part <NUM> extending toward the upper assembly (e.g., the touch panel <NUM> of <FIG>) faces.

According to various embodiments, the third bent part <NUM> may be formed to extend from the flexible circuit board <NUM>. The third bent part <NUM> may be electrically coupled to the flexible circuit board <NUM> and the main circuit board (e.g., the main circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) that controls the operation of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the third bent part <NUM> may be disposed in the direction which is opposite to the direction in which the second bent part <NUM> and substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the first net part <NUM> is disposed, on the flexible circuit board <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the photosensor module <NUM> may be disposed in one area of the second surface <NUM> (e.g., rear surface) of the flexible circuit board <NUM>. The photosensor module <NUM> may include the sensor substrate <NUM>, the sensing unit <NUM>, and the plurality of pads <NUM>. The photosensor module <NUM> may be disposed in an area corresponding to the second opening <NUM> penetrating through the flexible circuit board <NUM>, and the sensing unit <NUM> for receiving external light may be formed to be smaller than the second opening <NUM> so that a whole area of the sensing unit substantially facing forward may receive light.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of pads <NUM> may be positioned between the sensor substrate <NUM> and the flexible circuit board <NUM>. The plurality of pads <NUM> may be solder pads surface-mounted along the periphery of the second opening <NUM> of the flexible circuit board <NUM> and bonded to the second surface <NUM> (e.g., rear surface) of the flexible circuit board <NUM> by soldering. To stably couple the sensor substrate <NUM> with the flexible circuit board <NUM>, a total of four pads <NUM> may be positioned at corner areas of the sensor substrate <NUM>. However, the number of pads is not limited to <NUM>, and the design may be modified to a larger or smaller number of pads, for stable coupling of the sensor substrate <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating an example process of driving a photosensor module in an electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device may include a photosensor module. The photosensor module may be an illuminance sensor module. External incident light may be filtered through an illuminance sensor filter of the illuminance sensor module. In addition, a photo diode of the illuminance sensor module may convert filtered data into an electrical signal. The electric signal at an analog level obtained by the photo diode may be converted into an electric signal at a digital level through an ADC converting block.

According to various embodiments, when interference occurs due to light of a display assembly in obtaining intact external incident light introduced into the illuminance sensor module, data such as the amount of light entering the display assembly may be periodically turned off at a specific time to be synchronized with a sensing time of the sensor module.

According to various embodiments, an actual external light amount may be detected from digital level data of incident light changed through the illuminance sensor module, and the brightness of the display assembly may be automatically adjusted according to the detected value.

According to various embodiments, the illuminance sensor module may be positioned to face a cover panel on the rear surface of the display assembly so as to be disposed in the active area of the display assembly. In this case, an error may occur in light amount detection of the illuminance sensor module due to light emission from the display assembly in a low illuminance environment. Therefore, when both transmission and reception are possible in a display driver IC (DDI) and pixel information of the DDI may be interpreted, an external illuminance may be determined by removing error data generated during the light emission of the display assembly from information about incident light obtained from the illuminance sensor module based on information (e.g., luminance, color, and so on) received from the DDI, and transmitted to the display assembly. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the actual brightness of the display assembly may be corrected by reflecting light generated from the display assembly of the electronic device.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include: a housing (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) including a front plate (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) facing a front surface and a rear plate (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) facing a rear surface, a display assembly (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) comprising a display visible through at least a part of the front plate, wherein the display assembly includes an upper portion (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>), a lower portion (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) overlapping at least a partial area of the upper assembly and including a first opening (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>), and a flexible circuit board (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) overlapping at least a partial area of the lower portion and including a second opening (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) corresponding to at least a part of the first opening, a photosensor module (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) including a sensing unit (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) comprising a sensor corresponding to at least a part of the second opening and a plurality of pads (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed adjacent to the sensing unit and electrically coupled to the flexible circuit board, and an electrical component comprising circuitry or a mechanical structure (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed between the photosensor module and the rear plate and spaced apart from the photosensor module by a first distance.

According to various example embodiments, when viewed from above the front plate, the first opening may be larger than the second opening in size.

According to various example embodiments, the photosensor module may be disposed under the flexible circuit board and configured to detect at least a part of light passing through the first opening of the lower assembly and the second opening of the flexible circuit board from the outside of the housing.

According to various example embodiments, the display assembly may include an active area (e.g., AA in <FIG>) configured to display a screen and a non-active area (e.g., NAA in <FIG>) formed along a periphery of the active area. When viewed from above the front plate, the first opening and the sensing unit may be positioned in at least a part of the active area.

According to various example embodiments, the upper portion may include a touch panel (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) and a display panel (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>), and the lower portion may be disposed under the upper portion and supports or protects the upper portion. The first opening may be formed to pass through the lower portion.

According to various example embodiments, the lower portion may include at least one part and a communication circuit, and the at least one part may include at least one of an emboss part, a sponge part, a cushion part, a copper (Cu) part, or an absorber part, or a combination of the parts.

According to various example embodiments, the photosensor module (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) may include a sensor substrate (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) including a first surface (e.g., 231a in <FIG>) facing the display assembly and a second surface (e.g., 231b in <FIG>) facing a direction opposite to the first surface, the sensing unit (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed on the first surface of the sensor substrate and configured to receive external light, and the plurality of pads (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) formed on the first surface of the sensor substrate and spaced apart from the sensing unit.

According to various example embodiments, the plurality of pads may include solder pads, and may be directly coupled with a rear surface of the flexible circuit board by soldering.

According to various example embodiments, the sensing unit may be positioned in a central area of the first surface, and the plurality of pads may be positioned in edge areas of the first surface along a periphery of the sensing unit.

According to various example embodiments, the first opening or the second opening may be larger than the sensing unit in size.

According to various example embodiments, a gap between the photosensor module and the electrical component or mechanical structure may be filled with air.

According to various example embodiments, the flexible circuit board may include a first surface (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) facing the front plate and a second surface (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) facing the rear plate, and the first surface may face at least a partial area of the upper portion and form the second opening together with the upper portion and the lower portoin.

According to various example embodiments, the photosensor module may be disposed in the second opening and around a periphery of the second opening on the second surface to cover the second opening.

According to various example embodiments, the flexible circuit board may include a bent part (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in <FIG>), and the electronic device may further include a main circuit board (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) electrically coupled to the flexible circuit board through the bent part.

According to various example embodiments, the photosensor module may include an illuminance sensor.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include: a front plate (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) forming at least a part of a front surface of the electronic device, a rear plate (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) forming a least a part of a rear surface of the electronic device, a display assembly (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) comprising a display disposed adjacent to the front plate and visible through at least a part of the front plate, wherein the display assembly includes a plurality of layers (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>) with a first opening (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) passing through at least some of the layers formed therein, and a flexible circuit board (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed under the plurality of layers and including a second opening (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) smaller than the first opening and corresponding to at least a part of the first opening, and a photosensor module (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) positioned under the flexible circuit board and coupled with the flexible circuit board through a plurality of pads (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>).

According to various example embodiments, the display assembly may include an upper portion and a lower portion. The first opening may be formed to pass through the lower portion, and the second opening may pass through the flexible circuit board and be configured to guide external light to the photosensor module.

According to various example embodiments, the electronic device may further include an electrical component comprising circuitry or mechanical structure comprising a support disposed between the photosensor module and the rear plate and spaced apart from the photosensor module by a first distance.

According to various example embodiments, the photosensor module may include a sensor substrate including a first surface facing the display assembly and a second surface facing in a direction opposite to the first surface, a sensing unit comprising a sensor corresponding to the second opening on the first surface of the sensor substrate and configured to receive external light, and the plurality of pads formed on the first surface of the sensor substrate and spaced apart from the sensing unit.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) including a front plate (<NUM>) facing a front surface (<NUM>) and a rear plate (<NUM>) facing a rear surface (<NUM>);
a display assembly (<NUM>) comprising a display visible through at least a part of the front plate (<NUM>);
wherein the display assembly (<NUM>) includes:
an upper portion (<NUM>);
a lower portion (<NUM>) overlapping at least a partial area of the upper portion (<NUM>) and including a first opening (<NUM>); and
a flexible circuit board (<NUM>) overlapping at least a partial area of the lower portion (<NUM>) and including a second opening (<NUM>) corresponding to at least a part of the first opening (<NUM>);
a photosensor module (<NUM>) including a sensing unit (<NUM>) comprising a sensor corresponding to at least a part of the second opening (<NUM>) and a plurality of pads (<NUM>) disposed adjacent to the sensing unit (<NUM>) and electrically coupled to the flexible circuit board (<NUM>); and
an electrical component (<NUM>) including circuitry or a mechanical structure (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed between the photosensor module (<NUM>) and the rear plate (<NUM>) and spaced apart from the photosensor module (<NUM>) by a first distance (g),
characterized in that,
when viewed from above the front plate (<NUM>), the first opening (<NUM>) is larger than the second opening (<NUM>) in size, and wherein the photosensor module (<NUM>) is disposed completely under the flexible circuit board (<NUM>) and configured to detect at least a part of light passing through the first opening (<NUM>) of the lower portion (<NUM>) and the second opening (<NUM>) of the flexible circuit board (<NUM>) from the outside of the housing (<NUM>).