Display device

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/722,287, filed Oct. 2, 2017, which claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0145405, filed Nov. 2, 2016, each of which hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

The disclosure generally relates to a display device, and, more particularly, to a display device capable of sensing external applied pressure and recognizing epidermal ridge information, such as a fingerprint.

Various types of display devices may be used in multimedia devices, such as televisions, portable phones, tablet computers, navigation systems, game consoles, etc. Input units (or interfaces) of a display device may include a keyboard, mouse, and/or the like. A display device may additionally or alternatively include a touch sensing unit as an input unit. To this end, display devices may further include enhanced security functions.

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

Some exemplary embodiments are capable of providing a display device configured to sense a touch of a user and applied pressure.

Some exemplary embodiments are capable of providing a display device configured to recognize epidermal ridge information (e.g., a fingerprint) of a user.

Additional aspects will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be apparent from the disclosure, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a display device includes a flexible display module and provides a display area including a fingerprint recognition area, and a non-display area outside the display area. The flexible display module includes a display panel including a light-emitting element, a touch sensing unit disposed on the display panel, and a fingerprint recognition unit overlapping with the fingerprint recognition area. The touch sensing unit is configured to sense pressure applied to the flexible display module in an in-folding mode in which the flexible display module is folded such that a portion of the display area faces another portion of the display area.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a display device includes a flexible display module and a force sensor. The display device provides a display area including a fingerprint recognition area, and a non-display area outside the display area. The flexible display module includes a display panel including a light-emitting element, a touch sensing unit disposed on the display panel, and a fingerprint recognition unit overlapping with the fingerprint recognition area. The display panel is disposed between the touch sensing unit and the force sensor. The force sensor is configured to sense pressure applied to the flexible display module in an out-folding mode in which the flexible display module is folded such that a portion of the display area faces an opposite direction from another portion of the display area.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a display device may include a flexible display module and may provide a display area including a fingerprint recognition area, and a non-display area outside the display area. The flexible display module may include a display panel including a light-emitting element, a touch sensing unit disposed on the display panel, and a fingerprint recognition unit overlapping with the fingerprint recognition area. The touch sensing unit is configured to sense a capacitance between a portion of the display area and another portion of the display area in an in-folding mode in which the flexible display module is folded such that the portion of the display area faces the another portion of the display area.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed subject matter.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the inventive concepts, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts, and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device in a normal mode according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating the display device of FIG. 1 in in-folding modes according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are cross-sectional views illustrating display devices according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a display panel according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are partial cross-sectional views illustrating a display panel according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a touch sensing unit according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of portion AA of FIG. 8 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views taken along sectional line II-II′ of FIG. 9 according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 11A is a plan view illustrating touch sensors disposed in a touch sensing area according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line I-I′ of FIG. 2A according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 12A is a plan view illustrating touch sensors disposed in a touch sensing area according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 2A according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view illustrating a display device in a normal mode according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 14B and 14C are perspective views illustrating the display device of FIG. 14A in out-folding modes according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line III-III′ of FIG. 14A according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line IV-IV′ of FIG. 14B according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line III-III′ of FIG. 14A according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line IV-IV′ of FIG. 14B according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 16C illustrates strain gauges of the display device of FIG. 16A according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 are cross-sectional views illustrating force sensors according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 27, 28, and 29 illustrate touch sensing units according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 30A is a perspective view illustrating a display device in a normal mode according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 30B is a perspective view illustrating the display device of FIG. 30A in an in-folding mode according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 31A is a perspective view illustrating a display device in a normal mode according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 31B and 31C are perspective views illustrating the display device of FIG. 31A in folding modes according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 32A is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line V-V′ of FIG. 31B according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 32B is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line VI-VI′ of FIG. 31C according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 34A and 34B are plan views illustrating touch sensing units according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in an in-folding state according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in an out-folding state according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device in an out-folding state according to some exemplary embodiments.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments. It is apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various exemplary embodiments. Further, various exemplary embodiments may be different, but do not have to be exclusive. For example, specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics of an exemplary embodiment may be implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

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

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings is generally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. As such, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalities between illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. Thus, the accompanying drawings are schematic in nature, and, therefore, exemplary embodiments are not be construed as limited to the illustrated shapes, but are to include deviations that result, for example, from manufacturing. When an exemplary embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific process order may be performed differently from the described order. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to the described order. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. When, however, an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present. To this end, the term “connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection. Further, the D1-axis, the D2-axis, and the D3-axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, and may be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the D1-axis, the D2-axis, and the D3-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to one another. For the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, to describe one element's relationship to another element(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms “approximately,” “substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, are inclusive of a stated value, but used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such, are utilized to account for inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or provided values that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

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

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. 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 will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device DD in a normal mode according to some exemplary embodiments. FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating the display device DD in in-folding modes according to various exemplary embodiments.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , in a normal mode, a display surface IS on which an image IM is displayed is parallel to a plane defined by a first directional axis DR 1 and a second directional axis DR 2 . A normal direction of the display surface IS (e.g., a thickness direction of the display device DD) is parallel to a third directional axis DR 3 . A front surface (or a top surface) and a back surface (or a bottom surface) of each of the members are defined by the third directional axis DR 3 . However, directions indicated by the first to third directional axes DR 1 , DR 2 , and DR 3 may be relative concepts and may be changed into other directions. Hereinafter, first to third directions are the directions indicated by the first to third directional axes DR 1 , DR 2 , and DR 3 , respectively, and are indicated by the same reference designators as the first to third directional axes DR 1 , DR 2 , and DR 3 . For convenience, a flexible display device is described and illustrated; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For instance, the display device DD may be a rigid display device.

FIGS. 1 and 2A illustrate a foldable display device as an example of the display device DD. However, the display device DD may be, but is not limited to, a rollable display device. The display device DD may be used in large-sized electronic devices (e.g., televisions, monitors, etc.) and small and medium-sized electronic devices (e.g., portable phones, tablets, car navigation units, game consoles, smart watches, etc.).

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the display surface IS of the display device DD may include a plurality of areas. The display surface IS includes a display (or active) area DD-DA in which the image IM is displayed, and a non-display (inactive) area DD-NDA adjacent to (e.g., outside) the display area DD-DA. An image is not displayed in the non-display area DD-NDA. In FIG. 1 , application icons are illustrated as an example of the image IM, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. The display area DD-DA may have a quadrilateral shape. The non-display area DD-NDA may surround the display area DD-DA. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. The shapes of the display area DD-DA and the non-display area DD-NDA may be relatively designed.

The display area DD-DA may include a fingerprint recognition area FPA. The fingerprint recognition area FPA may recognize a fingerprint of a user; however, it is contemplated that the fingerprint sensing area FPA may be utilized to sense other epidermal ridge information, such as a palm print, a footprint, etc., or may be utilized to sense other forms of three-dimensional patterns, such as a three-dimensional barcode, etc. For convenience, fingerprint detection will be described and illustrated.

When a user, for example, touches the fingerprint recognition area FPA, the display device DD may recognize a fingerprint of the user to determine whether the user is a valid user or not. The fingerprint of the user may be used for portable device security, financial transactions, and control of a system. According to some exemplary embodiments, the fingerprint recognition area FPA is included in the display area DD-DA. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. In other exemplary embodiments, the fingerprint recognition area FPA may be included in the non-display area DD-NDA. In still other exemplary embodiments, the fingerprint recognition area FPA may be included in both the display area DD-DA and the non-display area DD-NDA.

Although not shown in the drawings, the display device DD may include a housing. The housing may be disposed at an outer periphery of the display device DD and may receive and/or support various parts therein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B , the display device DD may include a plurality of areas defined according to an operation mode. The display device DD may include a bending area BA bent on the basis of a bending axis BX, a first non-bending area NBA 1 , and a second non-bending area NBA 2 . The first and second non-bending areas NBA 1 and NBA 2 are not bent.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A , the display device DD may be inner-bent such that the display surface IS of the first non-bending area NBA 1 faces the display surface IS of the second non-bending area NBA 2 . In some exemplary embodiments, the bending case in which the display surface IS of the first non-bending area NBA 1 faces the display surface IS of the second non-bending area NBA 2 is defined as an in-folding mode. A case which is not the in-folding mode may be defined as a normal mode, such as illustrated in FIG. 1 .

In some exemplary embodiments, the display device DD may include a plurality of bending areas BA. In addition, the bending area BA may be defined or designed to correspond to a manner in which a user operates the display device DD. For example, unlike FIG. 2A , the bending area BA may be defined or designed to be parallel to the first directional axis DR 1 or may be defined or designed in a diagonal direction. An area of the bending area BA may not be fixed, but may be determined depending on to a radius of curvature. In some exemplary embodiments, the display device DD may be repeatedly operated between the operation modes illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B .

As previously described, FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device DD in a normal mode, whereas FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating the display device DD of FIG. 1 in in-folding modes according to some exemplary embodiments. To this end, FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the display device DD in which a folding portion is different from that of the display device DD of FIG. 2A . As such, exemplary embodiments are not limited to the number of the bending area BA and the non-bending area NBA of the display device DD, nor are exemplary embodiments limited to a position of the bending area BA of the display device DD.

Referring to FIG. 2B , the fingerprint recognition area FPA is exposed to the outside in an in-folding mode. The fingerprint recognition area FPA exposed to the outside may recognize a fingerprint of a user. In some exemplary embodiments, a user can set security and/or control the device through fingerprint recognition even though the display device DD is in the in-folding mode, and, thus, convenience and security of a user can be improved.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are cross-sectional views illustrating display devices according to some exemplary embodiments. It is noted that FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate cross-sections defined by the second directional axis DR 2 and the third directional axis DR 3 .

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D , the display device DD or DD-E includes a protective film PM, a window WM, a display module DM or DM-E, a first adhesive member AM 1 , and a second adhesive member AM 2 . The display module DM or DM-E is disposed between the protective film PM and the window WM. The first adhesive member AM 1 couples the display module DM or DM-E and the protective film PM to each other, and the second adhesive member AM 2 couples the display module DM or DM-E and the window WM to each other. In some exemplary embodiments, the first adhesive member AM 1 and the second adhesive member AM 2 may be omitted. Each of the protective film PM and the window WM may be continuously formed through a coating process.

The protective film PM protects the display module DM or DM-E. The protective film PM provides or includes a first outer surface OS-L exposed to the outside and an adhesive surface adhered to the first adhesive member AM 1 . The protective film PM prevents (or reduces) external moisture from permeating into the display module DM and absorbs an external impact.

The protective film PM may include a plastic film as a base layer. The protective film PM may include the plastic film that includes one selected from a group consisting of polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate, polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate, polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), poly(arylene ethersulfone), and any combination thereof. The material of the protective film PM is not limited to plastic resins, but may include an organic/inorganic composite material. For example, the protective film PM may include a porous organic layer and an inorganic material filling pores of the porous organic layer. The protective film PM may further include a functional layer formed on the plastic film. The functional layer may include a resin layer. The functional layer may be formed by a coating method.

The window WM may protect the display module DM or DM-E from an external impact and may provide an input surface to a user. The window WM provides or includes a second outer surface OS-U exposed to the outside and an adhesive surface adhered to the second adhesive member AM 2 . The display surface IS illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B may be the second outer surface OS-U. The second outer surface OS-U may also be a touch sensing surface for sensing a touch of a user.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B , the window WM of the display device DD may not be disposed in the bending area BA; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. In some exemplary embodiments, the window WM may also be disposed in the bending area BA.

Adverting to FIGS. 3A to 3D , in some exemplary embodiments, the display module DM or DM-E may include a display panel DP, a touch sensing unit (or structure) TS, and a fingerprint recognition unit (or structure) FPS or FPS-E. The display panel DP may include a light-emitting element. The display panel DP generates the image IM (see FIG. 1 ) corresponding to input image data. The display panel DP provides or includes a first display panel surface BS 1 -L and a second display panel surface BS 1 -U that are opposite to each other in the thickness direction DR 3 . A process of forming the display panel DP may include a low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) process or a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) process.

The touch sensing unit TS obtains information on coordinates of external input. The touch sensing unit TS may also be referred to as an input sensing unit. The external input may include a touch by a human finger FG, a touch by a touch pen, a hovering action, an approach, and/or the like. The touch sensing unit TS may be disposed directly on the second display panel surface BS 1 -U. That is, the touch sensing unit TS may be integrally manufactured with the display panel DP by continuous processes; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. In some exemplary embodiments, the touch sensing unit TS may be manufactured by a separate process and may be adhered to the display panel DP.

Although not shown in the drawings, the display module DM or DM-E according to some exemplary embodiments may further include an anti-reflection layer. The anti-reflection layer may include a color filter, a stack structure of a conductive layer/a dielectric layer/a conductive layer, or an optical member. The anti-reflection layer may absorb, destructively interfere with, or polarize external light incident from the outside to reduce a reflectance of the external light.

Each of the first and second adhesive members AM 1 and AM 2 may be at least one of optically clear adhesive (OCA) film, an optically clear resin (OCR), and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) film. Each of the first and second adhesive members AM 1 and AM 2 may include, but is not limited to, a photo-curing adhesive material or a thermosetting adhesive material.

Although not shown in the drawings, the display device DD or DD-E may further include a frame structure that supports functional layers to maintain the states of the display device DD illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B . The frame structure may include a joint structure or a hinge structure; however, any other suitable structure may be utilized.

In some exemplary embodiments, the touch sensing unit TS may be single-layered. In other words, the touch sensing unit TS may include a single conductive layer. Here, the single conductive layer means that a conductive layer separated by an insulating layer is one. A stack structure of a first metal layer/a second metal layer/a metal oxide layer corresponds to the single conductive layer, and a stack structure of a metal layer/an insulating layer/a metal oxide layer corresponds to a double conductive layer.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the single conductive layer is patterned to form a plurality of touch sensors and a plurality of touch signal lines, as will become more apparent below, but are not illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3D . In other words, the touch sensors of the touch sensing unit TS may be disposed on the same layer. The touch sensors may be disposed directly on a thin film sealing layer TFE (refer to FIG. 6 ). In addition, a portion of each of the touch signal lines may be disposed on the same layer as the touch sensors.

In some exemplary embodiments, the touch signal lines and the touch sensors may include indium-tin oxide (ITO), indium-zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium-tin-zinc oxide (ITZO), PEDOT, a metal nanowire, and/or graphene. In some exemplary embodiments, the touch signal lines and the touch sensors may include a metal layer, e.g., molybdenum, silver, titanium, copper, aluminum, or any alloy thereof. The touch signal lines and the touch sensors may include the same material or materials different from each other. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. In some exemplary embodiments, the touch sensing unit TS may have a multi-layered structure including a plurality of conductive layers.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B , the fingerprint recognition unit FPS is disposed to overlap with the fingerprint recognition area FPA in the third direction DR 3 . The fingerprint recognition unit FPS may be disposed under the display panel DP. In some exemplary embodiments, the fingerprint recognition unit FPS may include a sensing module TRM and RCV. The sensing module TRM and RCV may include at least one of an optical sensing module or an ultrasonic sensing module. The sensing module TRM and RCV may include a signal generator TRM and a signal receiver RCV.

The signal generator TRM generates a first signal SGN 1 directed to a fingerprint of a finger FG of a user. In some exemplary embodiments, in the case in which the sensing module TRM and RCV is the optical sensing module, the first signal SGN 1 may be an optical signal. In some exemplary embodiments, in the case in which the sensing module TRM and RCV is the ultrasonic sensing module, the first signal SGN 1 may be an ultrasonic signal.

The signal receiver RCV receives a second signal SGN 2 . The second signal SGN 2 is generated by reflection of the first signal SGN 1 from the fingerprint of the finger FG of the user. When the first signal SGN 1 is the optical signal, the second signal SGN 2 may also be an optical signal. When the first signal SGN 1 is the ultrasonic signal, the second signal SGN 2 may also be an ultrasonic signal.

In some exemplary embodiments, the sensing module TRM and RCV may analyze the first signal SGN 1 generated from the signal generator TRM and the second signal SGN 2 received by the signal receiver RCV, thereby recognizing the fingerprint of the finger FG of the user. In other words, the sensing module TRM and RCV may recognize the fingerprint by using a difference between light (or sound) reflected from a ridge of the fingerprint and light (or sound) reflected from a valley of the fingerprint.

Referring to FIGS. 3C and 3D , a fingerprint recognition unit FPS-E of the display module DM-E of the display device DD-E is disposed to overlap with the fingerprint recognition area FPA in the third direction DR 3 . The fingerprint recognition unit FPS-E may be disposed on the touch sensing unit TS.

The fingerprint recognition unit FPS-E may include a plurality of fingerprint sensing electrodes ET-F. The fingerprint sensing electrodes ET-F may be capacitively coupled to a finger FG of a user. Capacitances generated between the fingerprint of the finger FG of the user and the fingerprint sensing electrodes ET-F may be different from each other according to a pattern of the fingerprint, e.g., a pattern of the valleys and ridges of the fingerprint. As such, the fingerprint recognition unit FPS-E may sense these differences between the capacitances to recognize the fingerprint. In other words, the fingerprint recognition unit FPS-E may recognize the fingerprint by using a difference between a capacitance occurring in association with a ridge of the fingerprint and a capacitance occurring in association with a valley of the fingerprint.

The fingerprint recognition unit FPS or FPS-E can recognize the fingerprint not only when the finger FG of the user is in contact with the unit FPS or FPS-E, but also when the finger FG moves in the state in which the finger FG is in contact with the unit FPS or FPS-E. However, the fingerprint recognition units FPS and FPS-E are not limited to or by the aforementioned exemplary embodiments. In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of other various kinds of sensors may be used as the fingerprint recognition unit FPS or FPS-E. For example, the fingerprint recognition unit may be a heat sensing type or a non-contact type.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a display panel DP according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel PX according to some exemplary embodiments. FIGS. 6 and 7 are partial cross-sectional views illustrating a display panel DP according to some exemplary embodiments.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the display panel DP includes a display area DA and a non-display area NDA when viewed in a plan view. The display area DA and the non-display area NDA of the display panel DP correspond to the display area DD-DA and the non-display area DD-NDA of the display device DD, respectively. However, the display area DA and the non-display area NDA of the display panel DP need not be the same as the display area DD-DA and the non-display area DD-NDA of the display device DD, but may be changed according to a structure and/or a design of the display panel DP.

The display panel DP includes a plurality of signal lines SGL and a plurality of pixels PX. An area in which the plurality of pixels PX is disposed is defined as the display area DA. In some exemplary embodiments, the non-display area NDA may be defined along a border of the display area DA.

The plurality of signal lines SGL may include gate lines GL, data lines DL, a power line PL, and a control signal line CSL. Each of the gate lines GL is connected to corresponding ones of the plurality of pixels PX, and each of the data lines DL is connected to corresponding ones of the plurality of pixels PX. The power line PL is connected to the plurality of pixels PX. A gate driving circuit DCV to which the gate lines GL are connected may be disposed at one side portion of the non-display area NDA; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. The control signal line CSL may provide control signals to the gate driving circuit DCV.

One or some of the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power line PL, and the control signal line CSL may be disposed in one layer, and another or others of the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power line PL, and the control signal line CSL may be disposed in another layer different from the one layer. The signal lines SGL disposed in the one layer of the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power line PL, and the control signal line CSL may be defined as first signal lines, and the signal lines SGL disposed in the another layer may be defined as second signal lines. The signal lines disposed in still another layer may be defined as third signal lines.

Each of the gate lines GL, the data lines DL, the power line PL, and the control signal line CSL may include a signal interconnection portion and a display panel pad PD-DP connected to an end of the signal interconnection portion. The signal interconnection portion may be defined as a portion of each of the signal lines SGL except the display panel pads PD-DP.

The display panel pads PD-DP may be formed in a same process as transistors (see, e.g., first transistor TFT 1 of FIG. 6 ) for driving the pixels PX. For example, the display panel pads PD-DP may be formed in the same low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) process or low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) process as the transistors for driving the pixels PX.

In some exemplary embodiments, the display panel pads PD-DP may include a control pad CSL-P, a data pad DL-P, and a power pad PL-P. A gate pad is not illustrated; however, the gate pad may overlap with the gate driving circuit DCV and/or may be connected to the gate driving circuit DCV. Even though not indicated in the drawings, a portion of the non-display area NDA in which the control pad CSL-P, the data pad DL-P, and the power pad PL-P are arranged, may be defined as a pad area. As described later, pads of the touch sensing unit TS may be disposed adjacent to the aforementioned pads of the display panel PD.

The pixel PX connected to one gate line GL, one data line DL, and the power line PL is illustrated as a representative example in FIG. 5 . It is noted, however, that the configuration of the pixel PX is not limited to the configuration illustrated and described in association with FIG. 5 , but may be variously modified.

The pixel PX includes a light-emitting element OLED used as a display element. The light-emitting element OLED may be a front surface light-emitting type diode or a back surface light-emitting type diode. Alternatively, the light-emitting element OLED may be a both surface light-emitting type diode. The pixel PX includes a first transistor (or a switching transistor) TFT 1 , a second transistor (or a driving transistor) TFT 2 , and a capacitor CAP that constitute a circuit part for driving the light-emitting element OLED. The light-emitting element OLED generates light based on an electrical signal provided from the first and second transistors TFT 1 and TFT 2 .

The first transistor TFT 1 outputs a data signal applied to the data line DL (or corresponding to another data signal applied to the data line DL) in response to a scan signal applied to the gate line GL. The capacitor CAP is charged with a voltage corresponding to the data signal received from the first transistor TFT 1 .

The second transistor TFT 2 is connected to the light-emitting element OLED. The second transistor TFT 2 controls a driving current flowing through the light-emitting element OLED in response to the amount of charge stored in the capacitor CAP. The light-emitting element OLED emits light while the second transistor TFT 2 is turned-on.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the display panel DP including or corresponding to the first transistor TFT 1 and the capacitor CAP of the equivalent circuit illustrated in FIG. 5 . FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the display panel DP including or corresponding to the second transistor TFT 2 and the light-emitting element OLED of the equivalent circuit illustrated in FIG. 5 .

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 , a first circuit layer CL 1 is disposed on a base layer SUB. A semiconductor pattern AL 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a “first semiconductor pattern”) of the first transistor TFT 1 and a semiconductor pattern AL 2 (hereinafter, referred to as a “second semiconductor pattern”) of the second transistor TFT 2 are disposed on the base layer SUB. Each of the first and second semiconductor patterns AL 1 and AL 2 may include at least one of amorphous silicon, poly-silicon, or a metal oxide semiconductor. Here, the first and second semiconductor patterns AL 1 and AL 2 may include the same material or different materials from each other.

The first circuit layer CL 1 may include organic/inorganic layers BR, BF, 12 , 14 , and 16 , the first transistor TFT 1 , the second transistor TFT 2 , and electrodes E 1 and E 2 . The organic/inorganic layers BR, BF, 12 , 14 , and 16 may include a functional layer BR and BF, a first insulating layer 12 , a second insulating layer 14 , and a third insulating layer 16 .

The functional layer BR and BF may be disposed on one surface of the base layer SUB. The functional layer BR and BF includes at least one of a barrier layer BR and a buffer layer BF. The first semiconductor pattern AL 1 and the second semiconductor pattern AL 2 may be disposed on the barrier layer BR or the buffer layer BF.

The first insulating layer 12 is disposed on the base layer SUB and covers the first semiconductor pattern AL 1 and the second semiconductor pattern AL 2 . The first insulating layer 12 includes an organic layer and/or an inorganic layer. The first insulating layer 12 may include a plurality of inorganic thin layers. The plurality of inorganic thin layers may include a silicon nitride layer and a silicon oxide layer.

A control electrode GE 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a “first control electrode”) of the first transistor TFT 1 and a control electrode GE 2 (hereinafter, referred to as a “second control electrode”) of the second transistor TFT 2 are disposed on the first insulating layer 12 . A first electrode E 1 of the capacitor CAP is disposed on the first insulating layer 12 . The first control electrode GE 1 , the second control electrode GE 2 , the first electrode E 1 , and the gate lines GL (see FIG. 5 ) may be formed using the same photolithography process. In other words, the first control electrode GE 1 , the second control electrode GE 2 , the first electrode E 1 , and the gate lines GL may be formed of the same material and the same stack structure, and may be disposed on the same layer, e.g., the first insulating layer 12 .

The second insulating layer 14 is disposed on the first insulating layer 12 and covers the first control electrode GE 1 , the second control electrode GE 2 , and the first electrode E 1 . The second insulating layer 14 includes an organic layer and/or an inorganic layer. For instance, the second insulating layer 14 may include a plurality of inorganic thin layers. The plurality of inorganic thin layers may include a silicon nitride layer and a silicon oxide layer.

The data lines DL (see FIG. 5 ) may be disposed on the second insulating layer 14 . An input electrode SE 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a “first input electrode”) and an output electrode DE 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a “first output electrode”) of the first transistor TFT 1 are disposed on the second insulating layer 14 . An input electrode SE 2 (hereinafter, referred to as a “second input electrode”) and an output electrode DE 2 (hereinafter, referred to as a “second output electrode”) of the second transistor TFT 2 are disposed on the second insulating layer 14 . The first input electrode SE 1 is branched from a corresponding one of the data lines DL. The power line PL (see FIG. 5 ) and the data lines DL may be disposed on the same layer. The second input electrode SE 2 may be branched from the power line PL.

A second electrode E 2 of the capacitor CAP is disposed on the second insulating layer 14 . The second electrode E 2 , the data lines DL and the power line PL may be formed using the same photolithography process, may have the same material and the same stack structure, and may be disposed on the same layer.

The first input electrode SE 1 and the first output electrode DE 1 are connected to portions of the first semiconductor pattern AL 1 through a first through-hole CH 1 and a second through-hole CH 2 penetrating the first and second insulating layers 12 and 14 , respectively. The first output electrode DE 1 may be electrically connected to the first electrode E 1 . For example, the first output electrode DE 1 may be connected to the first electrode E 1 through a through-hole (not shown) penetrating the second insulating layer 14 . The second input electrode SE 2 and the second output electrode DE 2 are connected to portions of the second semiconductor pattern AL 2 through a third through-hole CH 3 and a fourth through-hole CH 4 penetrating the first and second insulating layers 12 and 14 , respectively. Although described and illustrated as top gate structures, in some exemplary embodiments, the first transistor TFT 1 and/or the second transistor TFT 2 may have bottom gate structures, dual gate structures, etc.

The third insulating layer 16 is disposed on the second insulating layer 14 and covers the first input electrode SE 1 , the first output electrode DE 1 , the second input electrode SE 2 , and the second output electrode DE 2 , and the second electrode E 2 . The third insulating layer 16 includes an organic layer and/or an inorganic layer. For instance, the third insulating layer 16 may include an organic material to provide a flat surface.

One of the first, second, and third insulating layers 12 , 14 , and 16 may be omitted according to a circuit structure of the pixel PX. Each of the second and third insulating layers 14 and 16 may be defined as an interlayer insulating layer. The interlayer insulating layer is disposed between a conductive pattern disposed thereunder and a conductive pattern disposed thereon to insulate the conductive patterns from each other.

A light-emitting element layer ELL is disposed on the third insulating layer 16 . The light-emitting element layer ELL includes a pixel-defining layer PXL and the light-emitting element OLED. An anode AE is disposed on the third insulating layer 16 . The anode AE is connected to the second output electrode DE 2 through a fifth through-hole CH 5 penetrating the third insulating layer 16 . An opening OP is defined in the pixel-defining layer PXL. The opening OP of the pixel-defining layer PXL exposes at least a portion of the anode AE.

The light-emitting element layer ELL includes a light emitting area PXA and a non-light emitting area NPXA adjacent to the light emitting area PXA. The non-light emitting area NPXA may surround the light emitting area PXA. In some exemplary embodiments, the light emitting area PXA is defined to correspond to the anode AE. However, the light emitting area PXA is not limited thereto or thereby. In other words, it is sufficient that the light emitting area PXA is defined as an area from which light is generated. In some exemplary embodiments, the light emitting area PXA may be defined to correspond to a portion of the anode AE that is exposed by the opening OP.

A hole control layer HCL may be disposed in common in both the light emitting area PXA and the non-light emitting area NPXA. Even though not shown in the drawings, a common layer, such as the hole control layer HCL, may be formed in common in the plurality of pixels PX (see FIG. 4 ).

A light-emitting layer EML is disposed on the hole control layer HCL. The light-emitting layer EML may be disposed in only an area corresponding to the opening OP. In other words, the light-emitting layers EML of the pixels PX may be separated from each other. The light-emitting layer EML may include an organic material or an inorganic material.

An electron control layer ECL is disposed on the light-emitting layer EML. A cathode CE is disposed on the electron control layer ECL. The cathode CE is disposed in common in the plurality of pixels PX.

In some exemplary embodiments, the patterned light-emitting layer EML is illustrated as an example. In some exemplary embodiments, the light-emitting layer EML may be disposed in common in the plurality of pixels PX. In this manner, the light-emitting layer EML may generate white light. In some exemplary embodiments, the light-emitting layer EML may have a multi-layered structure.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a thin film sealing layer TFE directly covers the cathode CE. In some exemplary embodiments, a capping layer (not shown) covering the cathode CE may further be disposed. In this case, the thin film sealing layer TFE may directly cover the capping layer. The thin film sealing layer TFE may include an organic layer including an organic material and an inorganic layer including an inorganic material.

In some exemplary embodiments, the non-light emitting area NPXA may include a transmission area TMA. An opening OPN overlapping with the transmission area TMA may be defined in the display panel DP. In the transmission area TMA, the light or ultrasonic wave generated from the fingerprint recognition unit FPS may pass through the opening OPN. When, however, the display module DM-E includes the capacitance-type fingerprint recognition unit FPS-E illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D , the non-light emitting area NPXA may not include the transmission area TMA.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a touch sensing unit TS according to some exemplary embodiments.

The touch sensing unit TS includes a touch sensing area (or active area) TA and a touch non-sensing area (or inactive area) NTA when viewed in a plan view. The touch sensors for sensing a touch may be disposed in the touch sensing area TA. Touch signal lines for electrically connecting the touch sensors to touch sensing unit pads PD-TS may be disposed in the touch non-sensing area NTA.

The touch sensing unit pads PD-TS are electrically connected to pads PD-PCB of a printed circuit board PCB. An integrated circuit DIC may be disposed on the printed circuit board PCB. The integrated circuit DIC may be formed by a chip-on-flexible printed circuit (COF) method. The integrated circuit DIC may control the touch sensing unit TS. In some exemplary embodiments, the integrated circuit DIC may control the display panel DP as well as the touch sensing unit TS.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of portion AA of FIG. 8 according to some exemplary embodiments. FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views taken along sectional line II-II′ of FIG. 9 according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the touch sensing area TA includes a plurality of the light emitting areas PXA and the non-light emitting area NPXA surrounding the light emitting areas PXA. A first touch sensor SP 1 overlaps with the non-light emitting area NPXA. The first touch sensor SP 1 includes a plurality of first extensions SP 1 -A extending in a fifth direction DR 5 and a plurality of second extensions SP 1 -B extending in a sixth direction DR 6 intersecting the fifth direction DR 5 . Each of the plurality of first extension SP 1 -A and each of the plurality of second extension SP 1 -B may be defined as a mesh line. A width of the mesh line may be several micrometers.

The plurality of first extensions SP 1 -A and the plurality of second extensions SP 1 -B are connected to each other to define a plurality of touch openings TS-OP. In other words, the first touch sensor SP 1 has a mesh shape including the plurality of touch openings TS-OP. In some exemplary embodiments, the touch openings TS-OP correspond to the light emitting areas PXA, respectively. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. In some exemplary embodiments, one touch opening TS-OP may correspond to two or more light emitting areas PXA.

Sizes (e.g., areas) of the light emitting areas PXA may be various. For example, the sizes of the light emitting areas PXA providing blue light may be different from those of the light emitting areas PXA providing red light. Thus, sizes (e.g., areas) of the touch openings TS-OP may also be various. The light emitting areas PXA having various sizes are illustrated as an example in FIG. 9 ; however, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. In some exemplary embodiments, the sizes of the light emitting areas PXA may be equal to each other, and the sizes of the touch openings TS-OP may also be equal to each other.

FIGS. 9 and 10A illustrate a touch sensor SP exposed to the outside. Alternatively, the display module DM may further include an insulating layer that is disposed on the thin film sealing layer TFE to cover the first touch sensor SP.

Referring to FIG. 10B , a touch sensor SP-MR may include a first touch electrode MLT 1 , an insulating pattern CNT, and a second touch electrode MLT 2 . The insulating pattern CNT insulates the first touch electrode MLT 1 from the second touch electrode MLT 2 . Each of the first and second touch electrodes MLT 1 and MLT 2 may reflect incident light. Thus, the first and second touch electrodes MLT 1 and MLT 2 may provide a mirror function to a user.

FIG. 11A is a plan view illustrating touch sensors SP disposed in a touch sensing area TA according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line I-I′ of FIG. 2A according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 11A , a touch sensing unit TS includes touch sensors SP and connection patterns CP, which are disposed in the touch sensing area TA.

The touch sensors SP may include first touch sensors SP 1 and second touch sensors SP 2 . The first touch sensors SP 1 may be arranged to constitute a plurality of columns parallel to the first direction DR 1 , and each of the columns may include the first touch sensors SP 1 that are arranged in the first direction DR 1 and are electrically connected to each other. The columns of the first touch sensors SP 1 may be arranged in the second direction DR 2 . Each of the first touch sensors SP 1 may have a mesh shape in which a plurality of touch openings TS-OP is defined.

The second touch sensors SP 2 may be insulated from the first touch sensors SP 1 by insulating patterns CNT. The insulating patterns CNT may include at least one of an inorganic material and an organic material. The inorganic material may include at least one of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. The organic material may include at least one of an acrylic-based resin, a methacrylic-based resin, polyisoprene, a vinyl-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, a urethane-based resin, a cellulose-based resin, and a perylene-based resin.

The second touch sensors SP 2 may be arranged to constitute a plurality of rows parallel to the second direction DR 2 , and each of the rows may include the second touch sensors SP 2 that are arranged in the second direction DR 2 and are electrically connected to each other. Each of the second touch sensors SP 2 may have a mesh shape in which a plurality of touch openings TS-OP is defined.

The connection patterns CP may include first connection patterns CP 1 and second connection patterns CP 2 . Each of the first connection patterns CP 1 connects adjacent first touch sensors SP 1 . Each of the second connection patterns CP 2 connects adjacent second touch sensors SP 2 .

In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the first touch sensors SP 1 and the second touch sensors SP 2 may include a conductive polymer material. The conductive polymer material may include a polythiophene-based compound, a polypyrrole-based compound, a polyaniline-based compound, a polyacetylene-based compound, a polyphenylene-based compound, or any mixture thereof. For instance, the conductive polymer material may include PEDOT/PSS among the polythiophene-based compounds. The conductive polymer material may be easily manufactured. In addition, flexibility of the conductive polymer material may be higher than that of a conductive metal oxide (e.g., ITO), and, thus, the possibility of occurrence of a crack in the conductive polymer material may be reduced when the conductive polymer material is bent.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first connection patterns CP 1 or the second connection patterns CP 2 may have a bridge function.

The first touch sensors SP 1 may be capacitively coupled to the second touch sensors SP 2 . In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch sensors SP 1 may transmit electric fields, and the second touch sensors SP 2 may receive the electric fields transmitted from the first touch sensors SP 1 . In other exemplary embodiments, the second touch sensors SP 2 may transmit electric fields, and the first touch sensors SP 1 may receive the electric fields transmitted from the second touch sensors SP 2 .

The above mentioned shapes of the first and second touch sensors SP 1 and SP 2 are provided as an example. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first and second touch sensors SP 1 and SP 2 may have a bar shape having a uniform width.

The first touch sensors SP 1 and the second touch sensors SP 2 may be disposed symmetrically with respect to the bending axis BX.

Referring to FIG. 11B , the first touch sensor SP 1 overlaps with the second touch sensor SP 2 in the in-folding mode in which the display device DD is in-folded along the bending axis BX. In this manner, the first touch sensor SP 1 and the second touch sensor SP 2 overlapping with each other are capacitively coupled to each other. When external pressure is applied, a capacitance between the first and second touch sensors SP 1 and SP 2 capacitively coupled to each other may be changed and the display device DD may sense the change in the capacitance to measure the external pressure.

As described above, the display device DD may sense a touch of a user in the normal mode and may sense pressure applied by a user in the in-folding mode. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. In some exemplary embodiments, the touch sensing unit TS may not sense the applied pressure.

FIG. 12A is a plan view illustrating touch sensors SP- 1 disposed in a touch sensing area TA according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line I-I′ of FIG. 2A according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 12A , a touch sensing unit TS- 1 includes touch sensors SP- 1 and connection patterns CP that are disposed in the touch sensing area TA. The touch sensors SP- 1 may include first touch sensors SP 1 - 1 and second touch sensors SP 2 - 1 . Unlike the touch sensors SP illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B , the same kind of the touch sensors SP- 1 are symmetrical with respect to the bending axis BX in FIG. 12A . For example, one or some of the first touch sensors SP 1 - 1 and another or others of the first touch sensors SP 1 - 1 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the bending axis BX. In addition, one or some of the second touch sensors SP 2 - 1 and another or others of the second touch sensors SP 2 - 1 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the bending axis BX.

Referring to FIG. 12B , the one or some of the first touch sensors SP 1 - 1 may overlap with the another or others of the first touch sensor SP 1 - 1 in the in-folding mode in which the display device DD is in-folded along the bending axis BX. At this time, the first touch sensors SP 1 - 1 , which overlap with each other, are capacitively coupled to each other. When external pressure is applied, a capacitance between the first touch sensors SP 1 - 1 capacitively coupled to each other may be changed and the display device DD may sense the change in the capacitance to measure the external pressure.

In the normal mode, the first touch sensors SP 1 - 1 of a display device DD- 1 may selectively perform one of a function of transmitting electric fields and a function of receiving the electric fields. However, in the in-folding mode of the display device DD- 1 , one of the overlapping two first touch sensors SP 1 - 1 transmits the electric field and the other of the overlapping two first touch sensors SP 1 - 1 receives the electric field.

In the normal mode, the second touch sensors SP 2 - 1 of the display device DD- 1 may selectively perform one of a function of transmitting electric fields and a function of receiving the electric fields. However, in the in-folding mode of the display device DD- 1 , one of overlapping two second touch sensors SP 2 - 1 transmits the electric field and the other of the overlapping two second touch sensors SP 2 - 1 receives the electric field.

The integrated circuit DIC (see FIG. 8 ) may control the role change of the first and second touch sensors SP 1 - 1 and SP 2 - 1 according to the mode change between the normal mode and the in-folding mode.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the display device DD may further include a sensor controller SC and a display driving part PCA.

The sensor controller SC may control operations of the fingerprint recognition unit FPS and may sense, for example, the change in amount of light in the fingerprint recognition unit FPS to recognize a fingerprint of a user.

The display driving part PCA may supply an image driving signal to the display panel DP to control an image displaying operation of the display panel DP. To achieve this, the display driving part PCA may generate the image driving signal using image data and a control signal that are supplied from the outside. For example, the display driving part PCA may be supplied with the image data and the control signal from a host (not shown), and the control signal may include a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, and/or a main clock signal. In addition, the image driving signal may include a scan signal and data signals generated using the image data.

In some exemplary embodiments, the sensor controller SC may be integrated with the display driving part PCA. For example, the sensor controller SC and the display driving part PCA may be realized as a single integrated circuit (IC).

FIG. 14A is a perspective view illustrating a display device DD 1 in a normal mode according to some exemplary embodiments. FIGS. 14B and 14C are perspective views illustrating the display device DD 1 of FIG. 14A in out-folding modes according to various exemplary embodiments. The display device DD 1 in a normal mode in FIG. 14A may be substantially the same as the display device DD in the normal mode in FIG. 1 , and, thus, duplicative descriptions will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 14B , the display device DD 1 may be outer-bent such that a display surface IS of the display device DD 1 is exposed to the outside. For the purposes of this specification, a case in which a back surface of a first non-bending area NBA 1 faces a back surface of a second non-bending area NBA 2 is defined as the out-folding mode. A case which is not the out-folding mode may be defined as the normal mode.

FIG. 14C illustrates another example of the display device DD 1 , and illustrates the display device DD 1 of which a folding portion is different from that of the display device DD 1 of FIG. 14B . As such, exemplary embodiments are not limited to or by the numbers of the bending area BA and the non-bending area NBA of the display device DD 1 or a position of the bending area of the display device DD 1 .

A user can set security and/or control the display device DD 1 through fingerprint recognition even though the display device DD 1 is in the out-folding mode, and, thus, convenience of a user can be improved.

FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III′ of FIG. 14A to illustrate a display device according to some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV′ of FIG. 14B to illustrate a display device according to some embodiments of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 15A , a force sensor FSS is disposed under the display module DM. The force sensor FSS includes a first force-sensing electrode FS 1 and a second force-sensing electrode FS 2 . The first force-sensing electrode FS 1 and the second force-sensing electrode FS 2 may be symmetrical with respect to the bending axis BX.

Referring to FIG. 15B , the first force-sensing electrode FS 1 overlaps with the second force-sensing electrode FS 2 in the out-folding mode. The first and second force-sensing electrodes FS 1 and FS 2 overlapping with each other are capacitively coupled to each other. When external pressure is applied, a capacitance between the first and second force-sensing electrodes FS 1 and FS 2 capacitively coupled to each other may be changed and the display device DD 1 may sense the change in the capacitance to measure the external pressure.

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line III-III′ of FIG. 14A according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line IV-IV′ of FIG. 14B according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 16C illustrates strain gauges SG 1 and SG 2 of FIG. 16A according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 16A , a force sensor FSS- 1 is disposed under the display module DM. The force sensor FSS- 1 includes strain gauges SG 1 and SG 2 . The strain gauges SG 1 and SG 2 may include a first strain gauge SG 1 and a second strain gauge SG 2 . The first strain gauge SG 1 may be disposed to overlap with the first non-bending area NBA 1 , and the second strain gauge SG 2 may be disposed to overlap with the second non-bending area NBA 2 . The strain gauge SG 1 and SG 2 is used to measure pressure, torque, or stress using a pressure resistance effect that a resistance value of a resistor formed of a metal or semiconductor is varied when the resistor is deformed.

Referring to FIG. 16C , a metal pattern of each of the strain gauges SG 1 and SG 2 may have a specific direction. The direction of the metal pattern of one of the strain gauges SG 1 and SG 2 may be perpendicular to the direction of the metal pattern of another, adjacent to the one strain gauge, of the strain gauges SG 1 and SG 2 . Like this, the strain gauges SG 1 and SG 2 may be disposed such that the directions of the metal patterns are perpendicular to each other, and thus, the sensitivity of measuring pressure may be improved.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a display device DD 2 according to some exemplary embodiments. The display device DD 2 of FIG. 17 is similar to the display device DD of FIG. 1 , and, therefore, duplicative descriptions are omitted.

The display device DD 2 is a both surface light-emitting display device that provides images IM 1 and IM 2 through its front surface and back surface. The display device DD 2 provides a first image IM 1 through the front surface. In FIG. 17 , application icons are illustrated as an example of the first image IM 1 . The display device DD 2 provides a second image IM 2 through the back surface. In FIG. 17 , a bear doll image is illustrated as an example of the second image IM 2 . A fingerprint recognition area FPA- 1 may be defined in at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the display device DD 2 . The fingerprint recognition area FPA- 1 may be substantially the same as the fingerprint recognition area FPA of FIG. 1 . A fingerprint recognition unit may be included in the display device DD 2 and may overlap with the fingerprint recognition area FPA- 1 . The fingerprint recognition unit of the display device DD 2 may be one of the fingerprint recognition units FPS and FPS-E described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D .

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the display device DD 2 according to some exemplary embodiments.

As seen in FIG. 18 , the display device DD 2 includes a display panel DP- 1 , a touch sensing unit TS, a first force sensor FSS 1 , and a second force sensor FSS 2 . The display panel DP- 1 includes a transparent base layer SUB-TP, an insulating layer 16 - 1 , and a light-emitting element layer ELL- 1 .

The transparent base layer SUB-TP may transmit at least a portion of incident light. For example, the transparent base layer SUB-TP may include glass. The insulating layer 16 - 1 is disposed on the transparent base layer SUB-TP. A function and a material of the insulating layer 16 - 1 may be substantially the same as those of the third insulating layer 16 of FIGS. 6 and 7 , and, thus, duplicative descriptions will be omitted. The light-emitting element layer ELL- 1 is disposed on the insulating layer 16 - 1 . The light-emitting element layer ELL- 1 includes a light-emitting element OLED- 1 . The light-emitting element OLED- 1 may include a front surface light emitting area LA-F and a back surface light emitting area LA-B.

The light-emitting element OLED- 1 includes a first reflection layer RF 1 , a first anode AE 1 , a second anode AE 2 , a light-emitting layer EML, a cathode CE, and a second reflection layer RF 2 .

The first reflection layer RF 1 is disposed on the insulating layer 16 - 1 and overlaps with the front surface light emitting area LA-F. The first reflection layer RF 1 may reflect incident light, e.g., reflect incident light toward touch sensing unit TS.

The first anode AE 1 is disposed on the first reflection layer RF 1 and overlaps with the front surface light emitting area LA-F. The second anode AE 2 is disposed on the insulating layer 16 - 1 and overlaps with the back surface light emitting area LA-B.

The light-emitting layer EML is disposed on the first anode AE 1 and the second anode AE 2 , and overlaps with the front surface light emitting area LA-F and the back surface light emitting area LA-B. The cathode CE is disposed on the light-emitting layer EML, and overlaps with the front surface light emitting area LA-F and the back surface light emitting area LA-B. The second reflection layer RF 2 is disposed on the cathode CE, and overlaps with the back surface light emitting area LA-B. The second reflection layer RF 2 may reflect incident light, e.g., reflect incident light towards transparent base layer SUB-TP.

Light generated in the light-emitting layer EML is reflected by the first reflection layer RF 1 so as to be emitted to the front surface of the display device DD 2 . Light generated in the light-emitting layer EML is reflected by the second reflection layer RF 2 so as to be emitted to the back surface of the display device DD 2 . Thus, the light-emitting element OLED- 1 may emit the light to the front surface and the back surface of the display device DD 2 .

The first force sensor FSS 1 is disposed on the second reflection layer RF 2 , and overlaps with the back surface light emitting area LA-B. The first force sensor FSS 1 may sense pressure applied to the display device DD 2 . The first force sensor FSS 1 may include a strain gauge. The touch sensing unit TS may be disposed on the first force sensor FSS 1 .

The second force sensor FSS 2 is disposed under the display panel DP- 1 . When the display device DD 2 is folded, the second force sensor FSS 2 may sense pressure applied to the display device DD 2 . The second force sensor FSS 2 includes a first force-sensing electrode FS 1 and a second force-sensing electrode FS 2 . The first and second force-sensing electrodes FS 1 and FS 2 may be substantially the same as described with reference to FIG. 15A , and, thus, duplicative descriptions will be omitted.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a display device DD 2 - 1 according to some embodiments of the invention.

The display device DD 2 - 1 includes a display panel DP- 2 , a touch sensing unit TS, a first force sensor FSS 1 - 1 , a second force sensor FSS 2 , and a reflection member MR. The display panel DP- 2 includes a transparent base layer SUB-TP, an insulating layer 16 - 1 , a light-emitting element layer ELL- 1 , and a planarization layer FLL 1 .

The reflection member MR is disposed on the planarization layer FLL 1 . The reflection member MR is disposed between the first force sensors FSS 1 - 1 . The reflection member MR may reflect light to provide a mirror function to a user.

The planarization layer FFL 1 covers the light-emitting element layer ELL- 1 and provides a planarized surface. The planarization layer FLL 1 may include an organic material. In some exemplary embodiments, the planarization layer FLL 1 may act as a sealing material that seals the light-emitting element layer ELL- 1 .

The first force sensor FSS 1 - 1 is similar to the first force sensor FSS 1 of FIG. 18 , however, the first force sensor FSS 1 - 1 may be disposed on the planarization layer FLL 1 . The first force sensor FSS 1 - 1 may be covered with an additional planarization layer FFL 2 .

Other components of the display device DD 2 - 1 may be substantially the same as described with reference to FIG. 18 , and, thus, duplicative descriptions will be omitted.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a display device DD 2 - 2 according to some exemplary embodiments.

The display device DD 2 - 2 includes a display panel DP- 1 , a reflection member MR, a first force sensor FSS 1 , and a second force sensor FSS 2 .

The reflection member MR is disposed on the first force sensor FSS 1 and overlaps with the front surface light emitting area LA-F and the back surface light emitting area LA-B. The reflection member MR may reflect light to provide a mirror function to a user. The reflection member MR may be capacitively coupled to the first force sensor FSS 1 to sense a touch of a user. For example, the reflection member MR and the first force sensor FSS 1 may sense a touch by a self-capacitance method.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device DD 2 - 3 according to some exemplary embodiments.

The display device DD 2 - 3 includes a first display module DM 1 , a second display module DM 2 , and a force sensor FSS 3 . Each of the first and second display modules DM 1 and DM 2 may be substantially the same as the display module DM described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7 , and, thus, duplicative descriptions will be omitted. The force sensor FSS 3 is disposed between the first display module DM 1 and the second display module DM 2 . The force sensor FSS 3 may sense pressure applied to the display device DD 2 - 3 .

FIGS. 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 are cross-sectional views illustrating force sensors FSS 3 , FSS 3 - 1 , FSS 3 - 2 , FSS 3 - 3 , and FSS 3 - 4 according to various exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 22 , the force sensor FSS 3 includes an insulating layer LPI, a buffer layer BF-FSS, a pressure cushion PC, a first force-sensing electrode FS 1 , and a second force-sensing electrode FS 2 . In some exemplary embodiments, the force sensor FSS 3 may include the insulating layer LPI, the second force-sensing electrode FS 2 , the buffer layer BF-FSS, the insulating layer LPI, the pressure cushion PC, the insulating layer LPI, the buffer layer BF-FSS, the first force-sensing electrode FS 1 and the insulating layer LPI which are stacked in the order listed. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited to or by the stack order of the force sensor FSS 3 . In some exemplary embodiments, the insulating layer LPI, the buffer layer BF-FSS, the pressure cushion PC, the first force-sensing electrode FS 1 , and the second force-sensing electrode FS 2 may be stacked in another stack order.

The first force-sensing electrode FS 1 is capacitively coupled to the second force-sensing electrode FS 2 . In some exemplary embodiments, the first force-sensing electrode FS 1 may transmit an electric field and the second force-sensing electrode FS 2 may receive the electric field. In some exemplary embodiments, roles of the first and second force-sensing electrodes FS 1 and FS 2 of the force sensor FSS 3 may be changed with each other, according to a driving mode. For example, in a first driving mode, the first force-sensing electrode FS 1 may transmit the electric field and the second force-sensing electrode FS 2 may receive the electric field. In a second driving mode, the second force-sensing electrode FS 2 may transmit the electric field and the first force-sensing electrode FS 1 may receive the electric field.

Referring to FIG. 23 , the first force-sensing electrode FS 1 of the force sensor FSS 3 - 1 may be electrically connected to the touch sensing unit TS of the first display module DM 1 through a sixth through-hole CH 6 in the insulating layer LPI- 1 . The second force-sensing electrode FS 2 of the force sensor FSS 3 - 1 may be electrically connected to the touch sensing unit TS of the second display module DM 2 through a seventh through-hole CH 7 in the insulating layer LPI- 1 . In this manner, the force sensor FSS 3 - 1 may be driven and controlled by electrical signals supplied from the touch sensing units TS.

Referring to FIG. 24 , first and second force-sensing electrodes FS 1 and FS 2 of the force sensor FSS 3 - 2 may be alternately arranged on the same layer in a lateral direction, e.g., in the first direction DR 1 .

Referring to FIG. 25 , the force sensor FSS 3 - 3 may include the insulating layer LPI, the buffer layer BF-FSS, the insulating layer LPI, the second force-sensing electrode FS 2 , the pressure cushion PC, the first force-sensing electrode FS 1 , the insulating layer LPI, the buffer layer BF-FSS, and the insulating layer LPI that are stacked in the order listed.

Referring to FIG. 26 , the force sensor FSS 3 - 4 may further include a noise-shielding layer NSL. The noise-shielding layer NSL may be disposed between the insulating layer LPI and the buffer layer BF-FSS. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited to or by the position of the noise-shielding layer NSL. The noise-shielding layer NSL may shield noise occurring from transistors of the first and second display modules DM 1 and DM 2 , and, thus, the force sensor FSS 3 - 4 may more effectively sense pressure.

FIGS. 27, 28, and 29 illustrate touch sensing units TS 2 , TS 3 , and TS 4 according to various exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 27 , a touch sensor SP-TS 2 of the touch sensing unit TS 2 may have a stripe pattern shape, unlike the touch sensor SP of the touch sensing unit TS.

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29 , each of touch sensors SP-TS 3 and SP-TS 4 of the touch sensing units TS 3 and TS 4 may have a shape including a plurality of quadrilateral patterns, unlike the touch sensor SP of the touch sensing unit TS.

FIG. 30A is a perspective view illustrating a display device DD 3 in a normal mode according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 30B is a perspective view illustrating the display device DD 3 of FIG. 30A in an in-folding mode according to some exemplary embodiments. The display device DD 3 is similar to the display devices DD, DD 1 , and DD 2 , and, therefore, duplicative descriptions will be primarily omitted.

Referring to FIG. 30A , the display device DD 3 may include a first display area DD-DA 1 , a second display area DD-DA 2 , and a non-display area DD-NDA. In some exemplary embodiments, the first display area DD-DA 1 and the second display area DD-DA 2 may display images IM independently of each other. In some exemplary embodiments, the first display area DD-DA 1 and the second display area DD-DA 2 may display images IM which are dependent on each other.

Referring to FIG. 30B , a portion of the display device DD 3 , which corresponds to the first display area DD-DA 1 , may be bent or folded. Likewise, another portion of the display device DD 3 , which corresponds to the second display area DD-DA 2 , may be bent or folded. In an in-folding mode, the fingerprint recognition area FPA of the display device DD 3 may be exposed to the outside. The display device DD 3 in the in-folding mode is illustrated in FIG. 30B . However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto or thereby. In some exemplary embodiments, the display device DD 3 may be out-folded.

FIG. 31A is a perspective view illustrating a display device DD 4 in a normal mode according to some exemplary embodiments. FIGS. 31B and 31C are perspective views illustrating the display device DD 4 of FIG. 31A in folding modes according to various exemplary embodiments.

The display device DD 4 may include a first bending area BA 1 , a second bending area BA 2 , a first non-bending area NBA 1 , a second non-bending area NBA 2 , and a third non-bending area NBA 3 on the basis of bending axes BX. The display device DD 4 may be in-folded such that a portion of the display surface IS of the first non-bending area NBA 1 faces a portion of the display surface IS of the second non-bending area NBA 2 , and may be out-folded such that a portion of the display surface IS of the second non-bending area NBA 2 does not face a portion of the display surface IS of the third non-bending area NBA 3 .

Referring to FIG. 31B , in some exemplary embodiments, a fingerprint recognition area FPA may be formed in (or on) a back surface of the display device DD 4 . In other words, the fingerprint recognition area FPA may be formed on a surface opposite to the display surface IS of the display device DD 4 .

Referring to FIG. 31C , in some exemplary embodiments, the fingerprint recognition area FPA may be formed in (or on) a front surface of the display device DD 4 . In other words, the fingerprint recognition area FPA may be formed on the display surface IS of the display device DD 4 .

As illustrated in FIGS. 31A to 31C , the fingerprint recognition area FPA is exposed to the outside even though the display device DD 4 is folded. Thus, a user may touch the exposed fingerprint recognition area FPA and may conveniently use the display device DD 4 .

FIG. 32A is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line V-V′ of FIG. 31B according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 32B is a cross-sectional view taken along sectional line VI-VI′ of FIG. 31C according to some exemplary embodiments.

The display device DD 4 may sense pressure applied from the outside using the force sensor FSS and the touch sensors SP 1 and SP 2 . The force sensor FSS includes a first force-sensing electrode FS 1 and a second force-sensing electrode FS 2 . The force sensor FSS and the touch sensors SP 1 and SP 2 may be substantially the same as described above, and, thus, duplicative descriptions will be omitted. In some exemplary embodiments, however, the display device DD 4 may include the force sensor FSS- 1 described with reference to FIG. 16A . The force sensor FSS- 1 may include the strain gauges SG 1 and SG 2 of FIG. 16C . The force sensor FSS- 1 may be substantially the same as described above, and, thus, duplicative descriptions will be omitted.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a display device DD 5 according to some exemplary embodiments.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the display device DD 5 is a watch-type wearable device that can be worn on a wrist. The display device DD 5 includes a display area DD-DA and a fingerprint recognition area FPA. In some exemplary embodiments, the display area DD-DA may include the fingerprint recognition area FPA. In other exemplary embodiments, the display area DD-DA and the fingerprint recognition area FPA may be separated from each other.

The fingerprint recognition area FPA may sense a touch of a user and/or may recognize a fingerprint of a user. The fingerprint recognition area FPA may be realized using an active self-capacitance (ASC) method, a mutual capacitance method, a self-capacitance method, an ultrasonic method, or an optical sensing method. However, the method of realizing the fingerprint recognition area FPA is not limited thereto or thereby. In some exemplary embodiments, the fingerprint recognition area FPA may use at least one of other various methods capable of sensing a touch and/or a fingerprint.

Signal lines and insulating layers of the fingerprint recognition area FPA and the display area DD-DA may be formed on the same layer.

The fingerprint recognition area FPA recognizes a fingerprint and senses a touch signal, and, thus, operations of a display panel of the display device DD 5 can be performed. In other words, when the fingerprint recognition area FPA is formed by the active self-capacitance (ASC) method, gate lines and data lines of the fingerprint recognition area FPA may be formed on the same layer as gate lines GL (see FIG. 4 ) and data lines DL (see FIG. 4 ) of the display area DD-DA. In addition, transistors of the ASC method may be formed by the same processes as transistors TFT 1 and TFT 2 (see FIG. 5 ) of the display area DD-DA.

In other exemplary embodiments, when a fingerprint recognition unit or a touch sensing unit is formed by the mutual capacitance method or the self-capacitance method, touch sensor interconnections of the touch sensing unit and touch interconnections of the display area DD-DA may be formed at the same time.

FIGS. 34A and 34B are plan views illustrating touch sensing units TS 5 and TS 6 according to various exemplary embodiments.

The touch sensing units TS 5 and TS 6 may include different kinds of touch sensors SP- 1 and SP-TS 4 or SP-TS 5 disposed at both sides of a bending axis BX, respectively. For example, one of the touch sensors SP- 1 and SP-TS 4 or SP-TS 5 may be a mutual capacitance type touch sensor (e.g., touch sensor SP- 1 ), and the other of the touch sensors SP- 1 and SP-TS 4 or SP-TS 5 may be a self-capacitance type touch sensor (e.g., touch sensor SP-TS 4 or SP-TS 5 ).

The touch sensing units TS 5 and TS 6 have different characteristics on the basis of the structures of the touch sensors SP- 1 and SP-TS 4 or SP-TS 5 . For example, the mutual capacitance type structure can reduce the number of channels, and the self-capacitance type structure may have advantages of a hovering touch. Thus, as occasion demands, the touch sensing units TS 5 and TS 6 may have the advantages of the mutual capacitance method and the advantages of the self-capacitance method by changing the kinds of the touch sensors SP- 1 and SP-TS 4 or SP-TS 5 included in the touch sensing unit TS 5 and TS 6 .

In other exemplary embodiments, a portion of the touch sensing units TS 5 and TS 6 may be used to recognize a fingerprint. In this case, a portion of the touch sensors may have a size (e.g., a diameter or width) of about 50 micrometers to about 200 micrometers.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device DD 6 in an in-folding state according to some exemplary embodiments. FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the display device DD 6 in an out-folding state according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 35 , the display device DD 6 including the touch sensing unit TS 5 or TS 6 of FIG. 34A or 34B may be in-folded. Referring to FIG. 36 , the display device DD 6 including the touch sensing unit TS 5 or TS 6 of FIG. 34A or 34B may be out-folded.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device DD 7 in an out-folding state according to some exemplary embodiments. The display device DD 7 including the touch sensing unit TS 5 or TS 6 of FIG. 34A or 34B may include a force sensor FSS- 2 that is disposed on a bending portion of the display device DD 7 . The force sensor FSS- 2 may sense or detect whether the display device DD 7 is bent or not. The force sensor FSS- 2 may include the strain gauges SG 1 and SG 2 of FIG. 16C .

According to various exemplary embodiments, in an in-folding mode, a display device may sense applied pressure through a capacitance-type touch sensing unit for sensing a touch of a user. A display device, according to some exemplary embodiments, may sense applied pressure through a force sensor in an out-folding mode. In various exemplary embodiments, a display device may be a both surface display device providing images in both directions and may sense applied pressure through a force sensor.

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