阅读说明：本技术 显示设备 (Display device ) 是由 洪元基 朴昭熙 西门禧 李玹准 于 2020-08-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请涉及显示设备。该显示设备包括显示图像的显示面板以及包括压力传感器和脉搏波传感器的血压测量模块,其中,压力传感器配置成感测施加到显示面板的压力,脉搏波传感器包括光学传感器,并且脉搏波传感器配置成使用从显示面板的像素发射的光来产生脉搏波信号。(The present application relates to a display device. The display device includes a display panel displaying an image, and a blood pressure measurement module including a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure applied to the display panel, and a pulse wave sensor including an optical sensor, and configured to generate a pulse wave signal using light emitted from pixels of the display panel.)

1. A display device, comprising:

a display panel for displaying an image; and

a blood pressure measuring module including a pressure sensor and a pulse wave sensor part,

wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure applied to the display panel,

wherein the pulse wave sensor portion is configured to generate a pulse wave signal using light emitted from pixels of the display panel.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the pulse wave sensor portion includes an optical sensor.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure sensor and the optical sensor overlap with the display panel in a thickness direction.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the pressure sensor and the optical sensor overlap each other in the thickness direction.

5. The display device of claim 4, wherein the optical sensor is below the display panel, and wherein the pressure sensor is transparent and between the display panel and the optical sensor.

6. The display device of claim 4, wherein the optical sensor is below the display panel, and wherein the pressure sensor is transparent and above the display panel.

7. The display device of claim 3, wherein the display device includes a display area and a non-display area, and wherein the pressure sensor and the optical sensor are in the display area.

8. The display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optical sensor is outside the display panel, and the pressure sensor overlaps with the display panel in a thickness direction.

9. The display device of claim 8, wherein the optical sensor overlaps the pressure sensor.

10. The display device of claim 8, wherein the optical sensor does not overlap the pressure sensor and is positioned within 30mm of the pressure sensor in a horizontal direction.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the blood pressure measurement module further includes a control portion configured to measure blood pressure using the pressure signal sensed by the pressure sensor and the pulse wave signal received from the pulse wave sensor portion.

12. The display device of claim 10, wherein the blood pressure measurement module is configured to measure blood pressure simultaneously at a plurality of points above the display panel.

13. The display device of claim 2, wherein the display panel comprises a plurality of pixel electrodes and a common electrode comprising a light transmissive opening, and

wherein the optical sensor overlaps the light-transmissive opening.

14. The display device of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a force sensor, a gap capacitor, or a strain gauge.

15. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a window member positioned over the display panel.

16. The display device of claim 15, wherein the window member comprises glass having a thickness of 0.2mm or less or a transparent polymer having a thickness of 0.1mm or less.

17. A display device, comprising:

a display panel including a display region including a display light transmissive region and a display-only region;

a pressure sensor overlapping the display panel in a thickness direction; and

an optical sensor located under the display panel and overlapping the display light transmission region of the display panel,

wherein the display light transmission region includes a plurality of first pixels and a light transmission portion,

wherein the display-only area includes a plurality of second pixels,

wherein a light transmittance of the light transmitting portion is higher than a light transmittance of each of the first pixels and each of the second pixels, an

Wherein the light transmittance of the display light transmission region is higher than that of the display-only region.

18. The display device according to claim 17, wherein the pressure sensor overlaps the optical sensor in the thickness direction or is positioned within a distance of 30mm from the optical sensor in a horizontal direction.

19. The display device of claim 18, wherein the pressure sensor is transparent and is located between the optical sensor and the display panel.

20. The display device of claim 18, wherein the optical sensor utilizes light emitted from pixels of the display panel.

21. The display device according to claim 17, wherein the display panel includes a plurality of pixel electrodes each in the display light transmissive region and the display-only region, and a common electrode on an entire surface in the display-only region, the common electrode being in a region of the display light transmissive region and defining a light transmissive opening.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device having a blood pressure measurement function.

Background

A display device is a device that displays images, and has been used not only for televisions and monitors but also for portable smart phones, tablet Personal Computers (PCs), and the like. In the case of a portable display device, various functions are provided in the display device. Examples of various functions are a camera, a fingerprint sensor, etc.

Meanwhile, in recent years, with the attention of the healthcare industry, methods for more conveniently acquiring biometric information related to health have been developed. For example, these methods include attempting to change a conventional blood pressure measurement device using the oscillometric method to a portable electronic product. This is because the electronic blood pressure measuring device requires its own separate light source, sensor and display, and it is inconvenient to carry the electronic blood pressure measuring device alone.

Disclosure of Invention

One or more aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display device having a blood pressure measurement module integrated therein.

It should be noted that the object of the present disclosure is not limited to the above object, and other objects of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a display apparatus includes: a display panel for displaying an image; and a blood pressure measurement module including a pressure sensor and a pulse wave sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense pressure applied to the display panel, the pulse wave sensor includes an optical sensor, and the pulse wave sensor is configured to generate a pulse wave signal using light emitted from pixels of the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor and the optical sensor overlap the display panel in a thickness direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor and the optical sensor overlap each other in a thickness direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the optical sensor is below the display panel, and the pressure sensor is transparent and between the display panel and the optical sensor.

In an exemplary embodiment, the optical sensor is below the display panel and the pressure sensor is transparent and above the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display device includes a display area and a non-display area, and the pressure sensor and the optical sensor are in the display area.

In an exemplary embodiment, the optical sensor is outside the display panel, and the pressure sensor overlaps the display panel in a thickness direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the optical sensor overlaps the pressure sensor.

In an exemplary embodiment, the optical sensor does not overlap the pressure sensor and is positioned within about 30mm of the pressure sensor in the horizontal direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the blood pressure measurement module further comprises a control portion configured to measure the blood pressure using the pressure signal sensed by the pressure sensor and the pulse wave signal received from the pulse wave sensor.

In an exemplary embodiment, the blood pressure measurement module is configured to simultaneously measure blood pressure at a plurality of points above the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel includes a plurality of pixel electrodes and a common electrode, the common electrode includes a light-transmitting opening, and the optical sensor overlaps the light-transmitting opening.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor comprises a force sensor, a gap capacitor, or a strain gauge.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus further includes a window member over the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the window member comprises glass having a thickness of about 0.2mm or less or a transparent polymer having a thickness of about 0.1mm or less.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a display apparatus includes: a display panel including a display region including a display light transmissive region and a display-only region; a pressure sensor overlapping the display panel in a thickness direction; and an optical sensor disposed under the display panel and overlapping a display light transmission region of the display panel, wherein the display light transmission region includes a plurality of first pixels and a light transmission portion, only the display region includes a plurality of second pixels, the light transmission portion has a light transmittance higher than a light transmittance of each of the first pixels and each of the second pixels, and the display light transmission region has a light transmittance higher than a light transmittance of only the display region.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor overlaps the optical sensor in the thickness direction, or is positioned within a distance of about 30mm from the optical sensor in the horizontal direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor is transparent and between the optical sensor and the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the optical sensor may use light emitted from pixels of the display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel includes a plurality of pixel electrodes each in the display light transmission region and the display-only region, and a common electrode on an entire surface in the display-only region, and the common electrode is in a region of the display light transmission region and defines the light transmission opening.

Drawings

The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a blood pressure measurement module included in a display device according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 3-6 are schematic diagrams of a pulse wave sensor according to one or more exemplary embodiments;

fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state where blood pressure is measured in a display device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of measuring blood pressure in a display device according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state where blood pressure is measured in a display device according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic layout of a pressure sensor according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensor of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic layout of a pressure sensor according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensor of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure sensor according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a schematic layout of a pressure sensor according to yet another exemplary embodiment;

fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display device according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment;

fig. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment;

fig. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment;

fig. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment;

fig. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment;

fig. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment;

23-28 are layouts of a display device according to one or more exemplary embodiments;

fig. 29 is a perspective view of a display device according to still another exemplary embodiment;

fig. 30 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 31 is an exploded view of the display device of FIG. 30;

fig. 32 is a perspective view of a display device according to still another exemplary embodiment;

fig. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the display apparatus of fig. 32 is folded;

fig. 34 is a graph illustrating a relationship between pressure and resistance in a pressure sensor of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a plan layout of a display area of a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 36 is a sectional view of the display panel of fig. 35;

fig. 37 is a circuit diagram of one pixel of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 38 is a plan layout of a display light transmissive area and a display-only area of a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 39 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pixel and a light transmitting portion of a display panel according to some exemplary embodiments; and

fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view of a pixel and a light transmitting portion of a display panel according to another exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

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.

It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and/or "including", when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, expressions such as "at least one of …", "one of …", and "selected from …", when following a list of elements, modify the elements of the entire list without modifying the individual elements in the list.

As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" refers to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

As used herein, a phrase such as "plan view" may refer to a view from the top or from a direction orthogonal to the display area (or display plane) of the display device.

Spatially relative terms, such as "below," "lower," "above," "upper," "bottom," "top," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" or "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and the like are used as approximate terms and not as degree terms, and are intended to leave a margin for inherent variation in measured or calculated values that will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed within the recited range with the same numerical precision. For example, a range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1.0 and the recited maximum value of 10.0, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein, and any minimum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, applicants reserve the right to modify the specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-ranges subsumed within the ranges explicitly recited herein.

As used herein, the terms "use", "using" and "used" may be considered synonymous with the terms "utilizing", "utilizing" and "utilizing", respectively.

It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "on" another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

The same reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the drawings, and redundant description thereof may be omitted.

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

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 1, a display device 10 displays a video or still image. The display device 10 may include a display panel DPN. Examples of the display panel DPN include a self-emission display panel such as an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) panel, an inorganic Electroluminescence (EL) display panel, a quantum dot light display (QLED) panel, a micro-light emitting display (micro LED) panel, a nano LED panel, a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), a Field Emission Display (FED) panel, and a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display panel, and a light receiving display panel such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel and an electrophoresis display (EPD) panel. Hereinafter, the OLED panel will be described as an example of the display panel DPN, and the OLED panel applied to the exemplary embodiment will be simply referred to as the display panel DPN unless a special classification is required. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to the OLED panel, and other suitable display panels listed above or known in the art may be applied.

The display device 10 may further include a touch member. The touch member may be integrated with the display panel DPN (e.g., may be a monolithic structure integrated with the display panel DPN), or may be provided as a separate panel from the display panel DPN. The display device 10 may further include a sensor, various controllers, a housing, and/or other components in addition to the display panel DPN and the touch member. Any suitable device including a display region DPA configured to display an image or video may be interpreted as corresponding to display device 10 regardless of the primary use of the device, any additional functions, names, and/or other aspects. Examples of the display device 10 may include, but are not limited to, smart phones, mobile phones, tablet Personal Computers (PCs), Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Portable Multimedia Players (PMPs), televisions, game machines, wristwatch-type electronic devices, head-mounted displays, display screens of PCs, notebook computers, car navigation systems, car dashboards, digital cameras, video cameras, external billboards, electronic signboards, various medical devices, various inspection devices, various home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and the like including a display part, internet of things (IoT) devices, and the like.

The display device 10 may include a display area DPA and a non-display area NDA. The display region DPA may be an effective region that is a region in which an image is displayed, and the non-display region NDA may be a non-effective region that is a region in which an image is not displayed. The display area DPA may have a rectangular planar shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the display area DPA may have various planar shapes such as a square shape, a diamond shape, a circular shape, and an elliptical shape. The non-display area NDA may be disposed around the display area DPA. The non-display area NDA may completely or partially surround the display area DPA. Signal lines through which signals are applied to the display area DPA or through which signals detected in the display area DPA are transmitted may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. The non-display area NDA, which is a non-effective area, may correspond to a bezel area of the display device 10. Although the non-display area NDA is illustrated as being disposed around all sides of the display area DPA having a rectangular shape in the drawings (e.g., fig. 1), the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the non-display area NDA may not be disposed around some sides of the display area DPA, or may be illustrated as being omitted in a plan view in such a manner that the non-display area NDA is bent to a rear surface of the display area DPA and overlaps the display area DPA in a thickness direction.

The display area DPA includes a plurality of pixels PX. The pixels PX are arranged in a matrix form. Each of the pixels PX may include an emission region (see, for example, "EMA" of fig. 39). The emission area is, for example, an area in which the organic light emitting layer is disposed to actually emit light, and the planar size of the emission area may be smaller than that of each of the pixels PX (see, for example, "PX" and "EMA" of fig. 39). A region where the light emitting material (i.e., the organic light emitting layer) is not disposed in each of the pixels PX may be defined as a non-emission region (e.g., see "NEA" of fig. 39). A circuit or a line configured to drive the pixels PX may be disposed in the non-emission region, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The pixels PX may include a first color pixel, a second color pixel, and a third color pixel. The first color pixel may be a red color pixel, the second color pixel may be a green color pixel, and the third color pixel may be a blue color pixel. In one exemplary embodiment, the arrangement of the pixels PX may be a stripe arrangement in which pixels of the same color are arranged along a first direction (column extending direction) and red, green, and blue pixels are alternately arranged along a second direction (row extending direction) in the order of the red, green, and blue pixels, but the arrangement of the pixels PX is not limited to the illustrated example. In one exemplary embodiment, the arrangement of the pixels PX may be(Registered trademark of samsung display limited, republic of korea) was arranged inIn the arrangement, each of the pixels PX is formed in a diamond shape, and the red pixels and the blue pixels are radially arranged around the green pixels. In one exemplary embodiment, the pixels PX may include a white pixel in addition to the red, green, and blue pixels.

In one exemplary embodiment, the display area DPA and/or the non-display area NDA may include a light transmitting portion providing the light sensing path. A description will be given of the light transmitting portion in more detail below.

Display device 10 may also include a pressure sensor PRS. The pressure sensor PRS may at least partially overlap (e.g., in a thickness direction) with the display region DPA. That is, the pressure sensor PRS may be at least partially disposed in the display region DPA.

As an example, the entire pressure sensor PRS may overlap the display region DPA. As another example, a portion of the pressure sensor PRS may overlap the display region DPA and another portion may overlap the non-display region NDA. In one exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor PRS may be disposed in the entire display area DPA of the display device 10 such that the entire display area DPA may overlap the pressure sensor PRS. In another exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor PRS may be disposed only in a portion of the display apparatus 10 such that a portion of the display region DPA may not overlap the pressure sensor PRS.

The display device 10 may comprise a blood pressure measurement module using an optical sensor OPS and the above-mentioned pressure sensor PRS. The blood pressure measurement module is described in more detail with reference to fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a blood pressure measurement module included in display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 2, the blood pressure measurement module BPM includes a pulse wave measurement part PWMP, a pressure sensing part PRSP, and a control part CTLP.

The pressure sensing portion PRSP measures the pressure applied by the object OBJ (see fig. 3). Object OBJ is a part of the human body and may include, but is not limited to, fingers, palm, wrist, toes, and the like. In order to measure the blood pressure, the display device 10 may need to be gradually pressurized (e.g., gradually increasing the pressure) or gradually depressurized (e.g., gradually decreasing the pressure) by the subject OBJ and/or maintained at a constant pressure, and here, the pressure sensing section PRSP may determine whether the pressure is applied and measure the magnitude of the pressure, the rate of change in the pressure, and the like. The pressure signal measured by the pressure sensing part PRSP may be used to determine the effective time to measure the pulse wave and to distinguish the systolic blood pressure from the diastolic blood pressure.

The pressure sensing section PRSP may include a pressure sensor PRS. Examples of applicable pressure sensors PRS may include force sensors, strain gauges, gap capacitors, and the like. A description thereof will be given in more detail below.

The pulse wave measuring section PWMP may include a pulse wave sensor. The pulse wave sensor may include a light source and an optical sensor serving as a light receiving element. Examples of pulse wave sensors are shown in fig. 3 to 6.

Fig. 3-6 are schematic diagrams of a pulse wave sensor according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

Referring to fig. 3 to 6, the pulse wave sensor may include an optical sensor OPS (or a light receiving element) that receives light reflected or scattered from the subject OBJ. The optical sensor OPS may include, for example, a photodiode, a phototransistor, a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) or a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the camera of the display device 10 may be applied as (or used as) the optical sensor OPS, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the optical sensor OPS separate from the camera may be provided to receive light reflected or scattered from the object OBJ.

The pulse wave sensor may further include a light source. The light source may provide inspection light. The wavelength of the inspection light may be an infrared wavelength, a visible light wavelength, a visible red wavelength, a visible green wavelength, a visible blue wavelength, or the like. The light source may include, for example, at least one of a Light Emitting Diode (LED), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), a Laser Diode (LD), a Quantum Dot (QD), a phosphor, and natural light.

As shown in fig. 3, light emitted from the pixels PX of the display area DPA may be used as the inspection light, and in this case, the light source of the pulse wave sensor may include the pixels PX of the display panel DPN and/or the light emitting layer included in the pixels PX. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3, the structure of the display device 10 may be simplified by using the light emitting layer of the display panel DPN as a light source without providing a separate light source.

In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, external light may be used as the inspection light. In this case, the light source of the pulse wave sensor may include natural light and/or light in an area where the display device 10 is located.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, the light source providing the inspection light may be shared with a light source included in the proximity sensor PMS or another suitable sensor included in the display device 10.

In still another exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the pulse wave sensor of the display device 10 may further include an LED light source (LED) or an LD light source dedicated to pulse wave measurement.

Referring to fig. 2, the pulse wave measuring part PWMP measures a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal (hereinafter, referred to as "pulse wave signal") from a subject OBJ using a light source and a pulse wave sensor. The PPG signal has a waveform that reflects the change in blood vessel volume at the peripheral portion according to the heart beat. During the systolic phase of the heart (i.e. the heart beat phase when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood from the chamber into the artery), the blood expelled from the left ventricle of the heart is moved to the peripheral tissue, resulting in an increase of the blood volume at the arterial side. In addition, during the systolic phase of the heart, the red blood cells carry more oxyhemoglobin to peripheral tissues. During the diastolic phase of the heart (i.e., the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chamber to fill with blood), blood is partially drawn into or fills the heart from peripheral tissue. When light is irradiated to peripheral blood vessels, the irradiated light is absorbed by peripheral tissues. Here, the light absorption rate depends on the hematocrit (i.e., the ratio of the volume of red blood cells to the total volume of blood) and the volume of blood. The light absorption rate may have a maximum at a systolic phase of the heart and a minimum at a diastolic phase of the heart. The pulse wave signal reflects a maximum value of the light absorption rate at a systolic phase of the heart and a minimum value of the light absorption rate at a diastolic phase of the heart. In addition, the pulse wave signal shows a phenomenon of vibration or fluctuation according to the heart cycle. Therefore, the pulse wave signal can reflect the blood pressure change according to the heartbeat, and thus can be used for blood pressure measurement.

The control portion CTLP may be configured by a device capable of calculation, such as a microprocessor. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the control portion CTLP includes a device capable of computing, such as a microprocessor. The control part CTLP may measure the blood pressure using the pressure signal sensed by the pressure sensing part PRSP and the pulse wave signal received by the pulse wave measuring part PWMP.

For example, in a process in which the user touches the display device 10 with his or her finger and then removes the finger from the display device 10, the pressure (contact pressure) applied to the pressure sensor PRS changes (i.e., the pressure gradually increases to reach a maximum value and then gradually decreases). As the contact pressure increases, the blood vessel may contract, causing blood flow to decrease or become zero. When the contact pressure is reduced, the blood vessel may dilate, causing blood flow to increase or become greater than zero (i.e., causing blood to flow again). When the contact pressure is further reduced, the blood flow becomes greater. Since the amount of light absorbed by the pulse wave sensor is proportional to the change in blood flow and the amount of light absorbed by the finger is subtracted from the transmitted light detected (or received) by the pulse wave sensor, the change in the amount of transmitted light reflects the change in blood flow. Accordingly, the pulse wave sensor can detect the change in blood volume in synchronization with the heartbeat by measuring the amount of light, and thus, the control portion CTLP can estimate the blood pressure of a part of the subject based on the time difference between the time point corresponding to the peak value of the detected pulse wave signal and the time point corresponding to the peak value of the filtered pulse wave. Among the estimated blood pressures, the blood pressure having the largest amplitude may be estimated as a systolic blood pressure, and the blood pressure having the smallest amplitude may be estimated as a diastolic blood pressure. In addition, other types of blood pressures (e.g., other types of data) may be estimated or calculated using the estimated, measured, or determined blood pressure, such as an average blood pressure.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state where blood pressure is measured in a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of measuring blood pressure in a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, when a touch event occurs, the display device 10 recognizes the touch event. A touch event may occur when a subject touches a point SER of display device 10 with a portion of his or her body (e.g., subject OBJ shown in fig. 7). The recognition of the touch event may be performed by the touch member of the display device 10 and/or the pressure sensor PRS.

The touch event may be commonly applied in the touch mode or the blood pressure measurement mode (or commonly occur during the touch mode or the blood pressure measurement mode). Therefore, it may be previously set whether the display device 10 drives the touch event in the touch mode or the blood pressure measurement mode. For example, a user who wants to measure his or her blood pressure may predetermine that a subsequent touch event is for blood pressure measurement by setting an operation mode to a blood pressure measurement mode by a program or application of display device 10 before the user inputs a touch (e.g., touches display device 10 with object OBJ).

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the display apparatus 10 may automatically switch to the blood pressure measurement mode by grasping the position and pressure of the touch event without a separate mode determination operation by the user (e.g., without input from the user). For example, when the position where the touch event occurs is a position unrelated to the blood pressure measurement position (e.g., a position of the display device 10 that cannot be used as the blood pressure measurement position or is not intended to measure the blood pressure), the display device 10 may operate in the touch mode, and when the position where the touch event occurs is a position unrelated to the touch input (e.g., a position of the display device 10 that is intended to be used only as the blood pressure measurement position) and corresponding to the blood pressure measurement position, the display device 10 may operate in the blood pressure measurement mode. Further, when the position where the touch event occurs is a position corresponding to both the touch input and the blood pressure measurement position (for example, the touch input and the blood pressure measurement position are the same position), the display apparatus 10 may operate by automatically switching to the blood pressure measurement mode by a pressing force analysis (for example, measuring an attribute of the applied pressure such as a duration and/or force applied by the pressing force) of the pressure sensor PRS received after waiting for the operation mode to be selected (for example, the user has not selected the operation mode). In one or more exemplary embodiments, the display apparatus 10 may switch to the blood pressure measurement mode after a pressing force of a set duration has been applied and/or a certain amount of force has been applied, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any suitable trigger mechanism based on any attribute of pressing force or duration may be used.

Next, when the user gradually increases and then gradually decreases the contact pressure, in a corresponding process, the pressure sensor PRS measures a change in pressure while collecting optical information sensed by light reflected or scattered by the object OBJ through the pulse wave sensor.

Subsequently, the control section CTLP generates a pulse wave signal from the pressure change obtained from the pressure sensor PRS and the sensed light information obtained from the pulse wave sensor, and extracts the blood pressure based on the pulse wave signal. The measured blood pressure may be displayed through the display area DPA of the display device 10.

The above-described blood pressure measuring module BPM and the method of measuring blood pressure are merely exemplary, and other various methods are disclosed in korean patent publication No. 10-2018-0076050, published on 5.7.7.2017, korean patent publication No. 10-2017-0049280, published on 10.5.10.2019, korean patent publication No. 10-2019-0040527, published on 19.4.2019, and the like, and the entire contents disclosed in each of the above patent publications are incorporated and integrated by reference herein as if fully disclosed in this specification.

Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state where blood pressure is measured in a display device according to another exemplary embodiment. The exemplary embodiment of fig. 9 shows that the display device 10 may perform multiple blood pressure measurements in parallel (e.g., simultaneously).

Referring to fig. 9, the display device 10 may measure blood pressure at two or more points SER. That is, the display device 10 may perform a plurality of blood pressure measurements. In an exemplary embodiment, a pressure sensor PRS and an optical sensor OPS may be respectively disposed on each of the plurality of points SER. In another exemplary embodiment, the blood pressure may be measured by covering a wide area with one pressure sensor PRS and one optical sensor OPS, and the blood pressure may be measured by sensing the pressure and pulse wave signals at a plurality of points SER within the respective areas. In this case, the point where the plurality of touch events are generated may be configured by the touch member and/or the pressure sensor PRS. In one or more exemplary embodiments, one pressure sensor PRS and one optical sensor OPS covering a wide area may be distinguished between a plurality of points SER within the respective area to perform a plurality of blood pressure measurements in parallel (e.g., simultaneously).

For example, multiple blood pressure measurements may be performed on different fingers of the same user. For example, a right-hand finger and a left-hand finger as the object OBJ may touch the touch member and/or the pressure sensor PRS of the display device 10 in parallel (e.g., at the same time) (e.g., at two or more points SER), and may measure each pulse wave signal of the respective fingers. Furthermore, pulse wave signals of a plurality of fingers of one hand can also be measured. For example, as shown in fig. 9, all fingers of one hand may touch the touch member of the display device 10 and/or the pressure sensor PRS, and a pulse wave signal may be measured from each finger touching the touch member of the display device 10 and/or the pressure sensor PRS. As described above, when a plurality of blood pressure measurement results are obtained from the same user, the results may be averaged to estimate and output an average systolic blood pressure and/or diastolic blood pressure, or the blood pressure of each portion may be divided and estimated.

The blood pressure of the fingers of multiple users may be measured in parallel (e.g., simultaneously) with multiple blood pressure measurements. In this case, the blood pressure measured for each user can be distinguished and output.

Hereinafter, the structure of the pressure sensor PRS according to one or more exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail.

FIG. 10 is a schematic layout of a pressure sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensor of fig. 10. Fig. 10 and 11 exemplarily show a structure of a force sensor as an example of a pressure sensor according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

Referring to fig. 10 and 11, the pressure sensor may include a first electrode SE1, a second electrode SE2, and a pressure sensing layer 30 disposed between the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE 2.

Each of the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 may be made of a conductive material. For example, each of the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 may be made of a metal such as silver (Ag) or copper (Cu), a transparent conductive oxide such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), or Indium Zinc Tin Oxide (IZTO), a carbon nanotube, a conductive polymer, or the like. One of the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 may be a driving electrode, and the other may be a sensing electrode.

The pressure sensing layer 30 may include a pressure sensitive material. The pressure sensitive material may include metal nanoparticles such as nickel, aluminum, tin, and copper, and/or carbon. The pressure sensitive material may be disposed in the form of particles in the polymer resin, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The pressure sensitive material of the pressure sensing layer 30 has a low resistance as the pressure applied thereto increases, and thus whether or not pressure is applied can be sensed and the magnitude of the pressure can be sensed by measuring the resistance of the pressure sensing layer 30 through the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE 2. The pressure sensing layer 30 may be formed to be transparent or opaque.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the plurality of first electrodes SE1 may be arranged in a linear type, and the plurality of second electrodes SE2 may be arranged in a linear type. For example, the plurality of first electrodes SE1 may extend in the first direction D1 while being parallel to each other, and the plurality of second electrodes SE2 may extend in the second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the second direction D2 is perpendicular or orthogonal to the first direction D1. The plurality of first electrodes SE1 and the plurality of second electrodes SE2 have a plurality of overlapping regions at portions where the plurality of first electrodes SE1 and the plurality of second electrodes SE2 overlap (or cross) each other (e.g., as shown in the embodiments of fig. 10 and 11). The overlapping regions may have a matrix arrangement (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of fig. 10). Each of the overlapping regions may become a pressure sensing unit. That is, the pressure sensing layer 30 may be disposed in each of the overlapping regions so that pressure sensing may be performed at the corresponding position.

In one exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor may include two sensor substrates facing each other. Each of the sensor substrates may include the substrate 21 or 22. Each of the first substrate 21 of the first sensor substrate and the second substrate 22 of the second sensor substrate may include a polyethylene-based material, a polyimide-based material, a polycarbonate-based material, a polysulfone-based material, a polyacrylate-based material, a polystyrene-based material, a polyvinyl chloride-based material, a polyvinyl alcohol-based material, a polynorbornene-based material, and/or a polyester-based material. In one exemplary embodiment, the first and second substrates 21 and 22 may be composed of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or a polyimide film.

The first electrode SE1, the second electrode SE2, and the pressure sensing layer 30 may be included in the first sensor substrate or the second sensor substrate. For example, the first electrode SE1 and the pressure sensing layer 30 may be included in a first sensor substrate, and the second electrode SE2 may be included in a second sensor substrate. The first electrode SE1 may be provided on or at one surface of the first substrate 21 facing the second substrate 22. The second electrode SE2 may be provided on or at one surface of the second substrate 22 facing the first substrate 21. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 are disposed at different layers (e.g., the first electrode SE1 is disposed at a layer below the second electrode SE 2). In one or more exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensing layer 30 may be disposed on the second electrode SE 2. The first sensor substrate and the second sensor substrate may be coupled to each other using a coupling layer 40. The coupling layer 40 may be disposed along an edge of each sensor substrate, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one or more exemplary embodiments, as shown in fig. 11, coupling layer 40 is spaced apart from pressure sensing layer 30, first electrode SE1, and/or second electrode SE 2.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first electrode SE1, the second electrode SE2, and the pressure sensing layer 30 may be included in one sensor substrate. For example, the first electrode SE1 may be disposed on one surface of the first substrate 21, the pressure-sensing layer 30 may be disposed on the first electrode SE1, and the second electrode SE2 may be disposed on the pressure-sensing layer 30.

The pressure sensor including the above force sensor may be formed to be transparent or opaque. In the case of a transparent pressure sensor, it is apparent that the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22 are made of a transparent material, and likewise, the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 may be made of a transparent conductive material, and the pressure sensing layer 30 may be made of a transparent material. In the case of an opaque pressure sensor, the electrode or pressure sensitive material may be selected from a variety of materials regardless of transparency (i.e., the material may be opaque, transparent, or have a degree of transparency between opaque and transparent).

FIG. 12 is a schematic layout of a pressure sensor according to another exemplary embodiment. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensor of fig. 12. Fig. 12 and 13 exemplarily show another structure of a force sensor according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

Referring to fig. 12 and 13, the pressure sensor according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is different from the pressure sensor of the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 10 and 11 in that the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 are disposed on the same layer. Specifically, for example, the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 are provided on one surface of the first substrate 21. The first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 are disposed adjacent to each other. The first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 may each include a plurality of branch portions, and may have the form of comb-shaped electrodes in which the branch portions are alternately arranged. The pressure-sensing layer 30 is formed on the second substrate 22 and disposed over the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE 2.

In the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 do not overlap each other in the thickness direction, but are disposed adjacent to each other in a plan view (for example, as illustrated in the embodiment of fig. 13). When pressure is applied, current may flow between the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 adjacent to each other through the pressure sensing layer 30 over the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE 2. The above structure may be advantageous for measuring shear stress.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure sensor according to yet another exemplary embodiment. Fig. 14 exemplarily shows a gap capacitor as an example of the pressure sensor.

Referring to fig. 14, the pressure sensor according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment may include a first electrode SE1, a second electrode SE2, and a dielectric constant changing material layer 31 disposed between the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE 2. The pressure sensor according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment may have a substantially similar structure to the pressure sensor according to the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 10 and 11, except that the dielectric constant changing material layer 31 is disposed between the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 instead of the pressure sensing layer 30.

The dielectric constant-changing material layer 31 is a material whose dielectric constant changes according to the applied pressure, and various materials known in the art may be applied. Since the dielectric constant of the dielectric constant changing material layer 31 is changed according to the applied pressure, the magnitude of the applied pressure can be measured by measuring the capacitance value between the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE 2.

The pressure sensor including the above-described gap capacitor may be formed to be transparent or opaque. In the case of a transparent pressure sensor, the first electrode SE1 and the second electrode SE2 may be made of a transparent conductive material, and the dielectric constant changing material layer 31 may also be made of a transparent material. In the case of an opaque pressure sensor, the electrodes or dielectric constant altering material may be selected from a variety of materials regardless of transparency (i.e., the material may be opaque, transparent, or have a degree of transparency between opaque and transparent).

FIG. 15 is a schematic layout of a pressure sensor according to yet another exemplary embodiment. Fig. 15 shows a strain gauge as an example of the pressure sensor.

Referring to fig. 15, the pressure sensor may include a strain sensing electrode SE _ STR. The strain sensing electrode SE _ STR may be formed of a pattern of a conductive layer formed on the first substrate (e.g., "21" in fig. 11). An insulating film or a second substrate (e.g., see "22" of fig. 11) may be disposed on the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The shape of the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR changes with the pressure applied thereto. When the shape of the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR is changed, the resistance value thereof is also changed. Thus, the magnitude of the pressure may be measured by measuring the resistance across the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR.

In order to maximize or increase the variation of the resistance value according to the pressure, the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR may have a coil shape including a plurality of bent portions in a plan view. For example, as shown in fig. 15, the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR may have a tornado shape in which the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR extends to one side of the first direction D1 and is bent to extend to the other side of the second direction D2, and then is bent again to extend to the other side of the first direction D1 and is bent again to extend to one side of the second direction D2, and the process is repeated. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the strain sensing electrode SE STR comprises a continuous electrode comprising a plurality of straight portions attached to each other by one or more corner portions, wherein each of the plurality of straight portions is parallel or substantially parallel to another of the plurality of straight portions. In one or more exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of straight portions extends generally in a first direction D1 or a second direction D2, wherein the first direction D1 is perpendicular or orthogonal to the second direction D2. As another example, the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR may have a zigzag shape. However, it should be understood that the planar shape of the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings, and may be appropriately modified in various ways as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The pressure sensor including the strain gauge described above may be formed to be transparent, opaque, or have a degree of transparency between opaque and transparent. In the case of a transparent pressure sensor, the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR may be made of a transparent conductive material, and in the case of an opaque pressure sensor, the material of the strain sensing electrode SE _ STR may be selected from various materials regardless of transparency (i.e., the material may be opaque, transparent, or have a degree of transparency between opaque and transparent).

Hereinafter, various arrangement relationships between the display panel DPN and the sensors PRS and OPS in the display apparatus will be described in more detail.

Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 16, the display apparatus may include a display panel DPN, a pressure sensor PRS disposed above the display panel DPN, a window member WD disposed above the pressure sensor PRS, and an optical sensor OPS disposed below the display panel DPN. The display panel DPN, the pressure sensor PRS, the window member WD, and the optical sensor OPS may overlap each other in a thickness direction thereof. The exemplary embodiment of fig. 16 illustrates a case where the display panel DPN, the pressure sensor PRS, the window member WD, and the optical sensor OPS have the same width, side surfaces thereof are aligned with each other, and entire surfaces thereof overlap each other, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in one or more exemplary embodiments, some members may protrude from side surfaces of other members in a plan view.

The light emitting direction of the display panel DPN may be an upward direction. The window member WD is disposed above the display panel DPN, which is a direction in which the display surface of the display panel DPN faces. The window member WD may be made of a transparent material such as glass, a film or ultra-thin glass, or a transparent polymer such as transparent polyimide.

The pressure sensor PRS may be disposed between the display panel DPN and the window member WD. The pressure sensor PRS may be at least partially disposed in the display region DPA. In this case, in order not to interfere with light output from the display panel DPN, a transparent pressure sensor may be applied as the pressure sensor PRS. As described above, the transparent pressure sensor may be realized by forming all of the electrodes, the sensitive material, the modified material, and the like constituting the pressure sensor PRS from a transparent material.

The optical sensor OPS is disposed under the display panel DPN. The optical sensor OPS may be at least partially disposed in the display area DPA. The optical sensor OPS receives light reflected from the object OBJ on the window member WD. Therefore, a light sensing path needs to be ensured in a portion from the window member WD to the optical sensor OPS, and the display panel DPN disposed in the middle of the light sensing path may also include a light transmitting portion (for example, see "TA" in fig. 36) in addition to the window member WD and the pressure sensor PRS. The light transmission portion of the display panel DPN may be realized by a display light transmission region (see, for example, "DPA _ T" in fig. 35). The detailed structure of the display panel DPN forming the display light transmission region will be described below.

Fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 17, the display apparatus according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is different from the display apparatus of the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 16 in that a pressure sensor PRS is disposed between a display panel DPN and an optical sensor OPS.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the window member WD is disposed on (e.g., directly disposed on) the display panel DPN. The pressure sensor PRS is disposed under the display panel DPN. The optical sensor OPS is disposed below the pressure sensor PRS. The optical sensor OPS and the pressure sensor PRS may be at least partially disposed in the display area DPA.

The optical sensor OPS receives light reflected from the object OBJ on the window member WD. In the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, since the optical sensor OPS is disposed at a relatively lowermost portion, the display panel DPN and the pressure sensor PRS may be disposed on a light sensing path leading to the optical sensor OPS. Therefore, in the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the display panel DPN including the light transmitting portion and the transparent pressure sensor PRS may be applied.

Fig. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 18, the display apparatus according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is different from the display apparatus of the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 17 in that an optical sensor OPS is disposed below a display panel DPN and a pressure sensor PRS is disposed below the optical sensor OPS.

Specifically, the optical sensor OPS and the pressure sensor PRS are sequentially disposed under the display panel DPN. For example, the optical sensor OPS is disposed between the display panel DPN and the pressure sensor PRS. The optical sensor OPS receives light reflected from the object OBJ on the window member WD, and the display panel DPN placed on the light sensing path may include a light transmitting portion. Meanwhile, the pressure sensor PRS is disposed under the optical sensor OPS and is not disposed on a light output path of the display panel DPN or a light sensing path of the optical sensor OPS. Thus, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown, an opaque pressure sensor PRS may be applied. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and a transparent pressure sensor PRS may be applied even in the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 19, the display apparatus according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment shows that the display panel DPN and the optical sensor OPS may not overlap each other in a thickness direction.

Specifically, the optical sensor OPS is disposed outside the display panel DPN. Due to the stacked structure (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of fig. 19), the optical sensor OPS and the display panel DPN may be disposed on or at substantially the same layer, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The pressure sensor PRS and the window member WD are sequentially disposed over the display panel DPN and the optical sensor OPS. Each of the pressure sensor PRS and the window member WD overlaps the display panel DPN and the optical sensor OPS in the thickness direction. The pressure sensor PRS may include a first region in which the pressure sensor PRS overlaps the display panel DPN and a second region in which the pressure sensor PRS overlaps the optical sensor OPS. The first and second regions of the pressure sensor PRS may not overlap each other (e.g., in the thickness direction as shown in the embodiment of fig. 19). The first region of the pressure sensor PRS may be formed to be transparent so as not to interfere with light output from the display panel DPN, and the second region of the pressure sensor PRS may be placed on a light sensing path for the optical sensor OPS to sense light, and thus may be formed to be transparent. Thus, a completely transparent pressure sensor PRS comprising a first area and a second area may be applied as the pressure sensor PRS.

Meanwhile, in the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, since the display panel DPN does not overlap the optical sensor OPS in the thickness direction, the display panel DPN is not placed on the light sensing path of the optical sensor OPS. Accordingly, the display panel DPN may not include a separate light transmission part for light sensing.

Fig. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 20, the display apparatus according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is similar to the display apparatus of the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 19, in which the optical sensor OPS is disposed outside the display panel DPN, but is different from the display apparatus of the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 19 in that the pressure sensor PRS is disposed below the optical sensor OPS and the display panel DPN. The window member WD is disposed above the optical sensor OPS and the display panel DPN.

In the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor PRS is not disposed on the light output path of the display panel DPN and the light sensing path of the optical sensor OPS. The light output from the display panel DPN may be emitted to the outside through the window member WD. Further, the sensing light reflected from the window member WD may reach the optical sensor OPS through the window member WD. Therefore, the display panel DPN does not need to include a light transmitting portion for securing a light sensing path. Further, the pressure sensor PRS is disposed at a relatively low portion of the display apparatus, and thus is not located on a light output path of the display panel DPN or a light sensing path of the optical sensor OPS. Thus, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown, an opaque pressure sensor PRS may be applied.

Fig. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 21, the display apparatus according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment is similar to the display apparatus of the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 20, in which the optical sensor OPS is disposed outside the display panel DPN and the pressure sensor PRS is disposed below the display panel DPN, but is different from the display apparatus of the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 20 in that the pressure sensor PRS does not overlap the optical sensor OPS in a thickness direction.

As described above, in order to use the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS in the blood pressure measurement module, it is desirable to sense light reflected from the object OBJ in a state where the pressure of the object OBJ is recognized. In order to accurately sense the pressure of the object OBJ, the pressure sensor PRS may be positioned close to a touch point of the object OBJ. When the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS overlap each other in the thickness direction, the pressure at the touch point can be easily measured, and even if the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS do not overlap each other, effective pressure information can be obtained when the pressure sensor PRS is positioned within a distance of about 50mm, preferably about 30mm, in the horizontal direction with respect to the optical sensor OPS. Therefore, as shown in fig. 21, by arranging the optical sensor OPS and the pressure sensor PRS in a non-overlapping manner and adjusting the horizontal separation distance between the optical sensor OPS and the pressure sensor PRS to within about 50mm or about 30mm, the sensors PRS and OPS can be used for the blood pressure measurement module.

Fig. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a stacked relationship between a display panel and a sensor in a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment. Fig. 22 illustrates a case in which the touch member TSP is provided as a separate member instead of being installed to be included in the display panel DPN.

Referring to fig. 22, the touch member TSP is disposed over the display panel DPN, the pressure sensor PRS is disposed over the touch member TSP, and the window member WD is disposed over the pressure sensor PRS. The touch member TSP may be provided as a rigid panel, a flexible panel, or a film type. The optical sensor OPS is disposed under the display panel DPN. The illustrated exemplary embodiment is different from the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 16 in that the touch member TSP is disposed between the display panel DPN and the pressure sensor PRS. In one or more exemplary embodiments, unlike the illustrated exemplary embodiment of fig. 22, the pressure sensors PRS may be disposed on the display panel DPN, and the touch member TSP may be disposed over the pressure sensors PRS. Further, the exemplary embodiments described with reference to fig. 17 to 21 may also be modified to have a structure in which the touch member TSP is disposed between the display panel DPN and the window member WD as in the illustrated exemplary embodiments, and in the case of the exemplary embodiments described with reference to fig. 19, the touch member TSP may be disposed above or below the pressure sensor PRS.

Fig. 23 to 28 are layouts of a display device according to one or more exemplary embodiments. Fig. 23 to 28 show various planar arrangements of applicable display panels DPN and sensors PRS and OPS.

Referring to fig. 23 to 28, the pressure sensors PRS and the optical sensors OPS may have various planar arrangements (e.g., arrangements in plan view) with respect to the display panel DPN in the display apparatus.

For example, as shown in fig. 23, each of the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS may have substantially the same size as the display panel DPN in a plan view and may overlap with each other (e.g., in a thickness direction). The exemplary embodiments described above with reference to fig. 16 to 18 may have such a planar arrangement, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS may completely cover the display area DPA of the display panel DPN, but may protrude or recess from each other in the non-display area NDA in a plan view. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensors PRS and/or the optical sensors OPS overlap in the entire display area DPA, but may not overlap in the entire non-display area NDA.

As another example, as shown in fig. 24, the pressure sensor PRS may have a size substantially equal to that of the display panel DPN in a plan view, but the optical sensor OPS may be disposed to overlap only some regions of the display panel DPN. For example, as shown in the drawing, the optical sensor OPS may be disposed to overlap some regions of the display region DPA of the display panel DPN or overlap some regions of the non-display region NDA. When the optical sensor OPS has a relatively small size (or a smaller size) in a plan view as compared to the display panel DPN or the pressure sensor PRS in the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 16 to 18, the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 16 to 18 may have the same planar arrangement as fig. 24.

As still another example, as shown in fig. 25, the optical sensor OPS has a size substantially equal to that of the display panel DPN in a plan view, but the pressure sensor PRS has a size smaller than that of the display panel DPN and is disposed to overlap only some regions of the display panel DPN. In one or more exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the drawings, the pressure sensors PRS may be disposed to overlap some regions of the display region DPA of the display panel DPN or some regions of the non-display region NDA. When the pressure sensor PRS has a relatively small size compared to the display panel DPN or the optical sensor OPS in the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 16 to 18, the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 16 to 18 may have the same planar arrangement as fig. 25.

As still another example, as shown in fig. 26, the sizes of the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS may be smaller than the size of the display panel DPN, and may be disposed to overlap only some regions of the display panel DPN. In one or more exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the drawings, the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS may be disposed to overlap some regions of the display region DPA of the display panel DPN or some regions of the non-display region NDA. In fig. 26, the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS are shown as having the same size (e.g., the same size in plan view) and completely overlapping each other, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and either one of them may be larger than the other. When the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS have relatively small sizes as compared to the display panel DPN in the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 16 to 18, the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 16 to 18 may have the same planar arrangement as fig. 26.

As a further example, as shown in fig. 27, the optical sensor OPS may be disposed outside one side of the display panel DPN and may not overlap with the display panel DPN, and the pressure sensor PRS may be disposed to cover both the display panel DPN and the optical sensor OPS. The exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 19 and 20 may have such a planar arrangement.

As still another example, as shown in fig. 28, the pressure sensor PRS may have a size substantially equal to that of the display panel DPN in a plan view, and the optical sensor OPS may be disposed along one side of the display panel DPN and may not overlap the display panel DPN and the pressure sensor PRS. The exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 21 may have such a planar arrangement. In the case of the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS do not overlap each other, but as described above, by positioning the optical sensor OPS at a distance of about 50mm or less and preferably about 30mm or less from the pressure sensor PRS, effective pressure information for blood pressure measurement can be obtained.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment. Referring to fig. 29, it is illustrated that some edges of the display device according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment may have a curved surface.

Referring to fig. 29, the long side edge of the display device may have a curved surface convexly curved in the rear surface direction. An edge having a curved surface (hereinafter, referred to as a curved edge CEG) may include the display region DPA, but at least some regions of the curved edge CEG may include the non-display region NDA. In some exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensor PRS may be disposed to overlap the curved edge CEG. The pressure sensor PRS may not overlap the flat surface portion FLT of the display device or may be provided only to the vicinity of the boundary between the curved edge CEG and the flat surface portion FLT. The optical sensor OPS is disposed to overlap or be adjacent to the pressure sensor PRS. In particular, the optical sensor OPS may overlap the curved edge CEG or may be positioned at a distance within about 50mm or about 30mm from the boundary between the curved edge CEG and the flat surface portion FLT.

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment. Fig. 31 is an exploded view of the display device of fig. 30. The exemplary embodiments described with reference to fig. 30 and 31 show that the display device may be applied as a stereoscopic display device.

Referring to fig. 30 and 31, the display device may include a plurality of display surfaces DPS1, DPS2, DPS3, DPS4 and DPS5 located on different planes. In the display device having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the first display surface DPS1 may be disposed on one surface (upper surface) of the display device, the second display surface DPS2 and the third display surface DPS3 may be disposed on the side surfaces of the display device adjacent to the long sides of the display device, respectively, and the fourth display surface DPS4 and the fifth display surface DPS5 may be disposed on the side surfaces of the display device adjacent to the short sides of the display device, respectively. In one exemplary embodiment, the first display surface DPS1 is a flat surface and the second through fifth display surfaces DPS2 through DPS5 have a flat surface perpendicular to the first display surface DPS 1. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second to fifth display surfaces DPS2 to DPS5 may have an angle different from an angle perpendicular to the first display surface DPS1, or may have a curved surface shape such as the curved edge CEG of fig. 29.

The pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS may be variously disposed in the display apparatus in an appropriate manner. As a non-limiting example specific to the stereoscopic display apparatus, the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the second display surface DPS2 through the fifth display surface DPS 5. In this case, the pressure sensor PRS and the optical sensor OPS may be disposed to face a side surface of the display apparatus.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment. Fig. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the display apparatus of fig. 32 is folded. Fig. 32 and 33 illustrate that the display device may be a foldable display device. The term "foldable display device" used in the present specification refers to a display device capable of being folded, and is interpreted to include a device capable of having both a folded state and an unfolded state and a device in a fixed folded state. Further, the folded state generally includes folding at an angle of about 180 °, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the state may be understood as the folded state even when the folded angle is greater than or less than 180 °, for example, the folded angle is greater than 90 ° and less than 180 ° or greater than 120 ° and less than 180 °. Further, when the display apparatus is in a state of being bent away from an unfolded state, even when folding is not fully performed, it may be referred to as a folded state. For example, when the maximum folding angle is 90 ° or more, even when the display device is bent at an angle of 90 ° or less, this may be represented in the folded state to be distinguished from the unfolded state. When folded, the radius of curvature may be about 5mm or less, and preferably, the radius of curvature may be in the range of about 1mm to about 2mm, or the radius of curvature may be about 1.5mm, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to fig. 32 and 33, the display device may be folded based on a folding line FDA (or folding axis). The folding line FDA may have a straight line shape extending in one direction in a plan view. Although the case where the folding line FDA extends parallel to the short side of the display device is shown in the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the folding line FDA may be parallel to the long side of the display device or may be inclined with respect to the short side and the long side.

In one exemplary embodiment, the folding line FDA of the display device may be fixed at a specific position. In the display device, one or more folding lines FDA may be provided at specific positions. In another exemplary embodiment, the position of the folding line FDA is not specified in the display device, and may be freely set in various suitable regions.

The display device may be divided into a first non-folding area NFA1 and a second non-folding area NFA2 based on the folding line FDA. The first non-folded region NFA1 may be located on one side of the fold line FDA and the second non-folded region NFA2 may be located on the other side of the fold line FDA. When the folding line FDA is fixed at a specific position, the first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding area NFA2 may be designated as areas in which folding is not performed. The designated first and second non-folded regions NFA1, NFA2 may have the same width, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. When the folding line FDA is not specified, the first non-folding region NFA1 and the second non-folding region NFA2 may have different areas according to the position where the folding line FDA is provided.

The display area DPA of the display device may be disposed in both the first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2. Further, the display region DPA may also be located on the folding line FDA corresponding to the boundary between the first non-folding region NFA1 and the second non-folding region NFA 2. That is, regardless of the boundary between the non-folding region NFA1 and the NFA2, the folding line FDA, or the like, the display region DPA of the display device may be continuously or substantially continuously disposed. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the display region DPA may be disposed in the first non-folding region NFA1 but may not be disposed in the second non-folding region NFA2, or the display region DPA may be disposed in the first non-folding region NFA1 and the second non-folding region NFA2 but the non-display region NDA may be disposed in the folding line FDA.

In one exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor and the optical sensor may be disposed in the first non-folded region NFA1 or the second non-folded region NFA 2. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pressure sensor and/or the optical sensor may overlap with the folding line FDA corresponding to the boundary between the first non-folding region NFA1 and the second non-folding region NFA 2. When the pressure sensor and the optical sensor have a planar arrangement as shown in fig. 23, the pressure sensor and the optical sensor may be disposed in all of the first non-folding region NFA1, the folding line FDA, and the second non-folding region NFA 2.

The display device may be folded by an inner folding method in which the display surfaces face each other while facing the inside or may be folded by an outer folding method in which the display surfaces face the outside (e.g., face away from each other). The display device may be folded only by one of the inner folding method and the outer folding method (e.g., one-way folding), or may perform both the inner folding and the outer folding (e.g., two-way folding). In the case of a display device in which both the inner folding and the outer folding are performed, the inner folding and the outer folding may be performed based on the same or a single folding line FDA, or the display device may include a plurality of folding lines FDA performing different types of folding, such as an inner-folding-dedicated folding line and an outer-folding-dedicated folding line. For example, the display device is folded about the inner-folding dedicated folding line and the outer-folding dedicated folding line toward different directions.

In one exemplary embodiment, the display panel DPN and the layers, panels, and substrates stacked on the display panel DPN have their own flexible characteristics (e.g., are flexible) so that the respective members can be all folded, and thus the display device can be folded. In some exemplary embodiments, at least some of the display panel DPN or the members stacked on the display panel DPN may have a shape separated based on the folding line FDA. In this case, the separate member located in the non-folded region NFA1 or NFA2 may not have a flexible property.

Meanwhile, the display apparatus shown in fig. 32 may further include a window member. The window member applied to the foldable display device may be made of a foldable material. For example, the window member may include a polymer such as transparent polyimide that has its own flexible characteristics (e.g., is flexible), or may be made of ultra-thin glass so that the window member may be folded. In the case of ultra-thin glass, the ultra-thin glass may have a thickness of about 0.2mm or less, preferably about 0.1mm or less, and more preferably about 0.07mm or less. Even in the case of polyimide, polyimide may be applied in a thin thickness of about 0.1mm or about 0.05mm or less to reduce folding stress.

As described above, since the window member having a thin thickness is applied to the foldable display device, the pressure can be sensed more accurately. This is described in detail with reference to fig. 34.

Fig. 34 is a graph illustrating a relationship between pressure and resistance in a pressure sensor of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 34 shows a result of measuring resistance according to pressure of a display device in which ultra-thin glass having a thickness of about 0.2mm is applied as a window member, and a force sensor is disposed under a display panel as a pressure sensor. In fig. 34, the X-axis represents pressure, and the Y-axis represents the relative magnitude of the reciprocal of the resistance measured by the force sensor.

Referring to fig. 34, the reciprocal of the resistance tends to increase as the pressure increases. That is, as the pressure increases, the resistance decreases. Meanwhile, without exceeding the threshold, the resistance change due to the pressure occurs in parallel (e.g., simultaneously) with the pressurization. Therefore, for each pressure in the range of about 0gf to about 400gf, the corresponding pressure can be accurately estimated from the relative value of the corresponding reciprocal of the resistance. When converted to blood pressure, a pressure of about 0gf to about 400gf corresponds to about 0 to about 300mHg, and thus, all pressure ranges required for blood pressure measurement can be covered.

In the above-described display apparatus, the pressure sensor PRS (see fig. 1) may be mounted on the display panel DPN (see fig. 1), coupled to the display panel DPN, or provided integrally with the display panel DPN. The pressure sensor PRS may be attached to the display panel DPN through a coupling layer including a resin layer, an adhesive layer, and the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the pressure sensor PRS may also be integrated into the display panel DPN. For example, the pressure sensor PRS may be formed (e.g., directly formed) on the display panel DPN, or may be mounted on the display panel DPN in the form of a chip, a printed circuit board, a film, or the like. The pressure driving part configured to drive the pressure sensor PRS may be disposed inside the pressure sensor PRS, but may be mounted on the display panel DPN or a printed circuit board connected to the display panel DPN in the form of a separate driving Integrated Circuit (IC). As another example, the pressure driving part may be provided in the form of a chip integrated with the control part of the blood pressure measuring module, or may be provided in the form of a driving part such as a data driver IC or a touch driver IC provided in the display panel DPN.

Hereinafter, the structure of the light transmitting portion TA (see fig. 36) of the display panel DPN will be described in more detail. As described above, in the display device according to some exemplary embodiments, the display panel DPN is placed on the light sensing path of the optical sensor OPS (see fig. 1), and may include the light transmitting portion TA to sufficiently ensure the amount of light received by the optical sensor OPS. The light transmission portion TA may be obtained by forming the structure of some regions of the display panel DPN to be different from the structure of other regions.

Fig. 35 is a plan layout of a display area of a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 36 is a sectional view of the display panel of fig. 35.

Referring to fig. 35 and 36, the display region DPA of the display panel DPN may include a light transmission portion TA. The display region DPA of the display panel DPN may include a display light transmission region DPA _ T as a first display region including the light transmission part TA. The display light transmission region DPA _ T is a region in which an emission region (e.g., "EMA" in fig. 39) of the pixel PX is mixed with the light transmission portion TA. The light transmission portion TA showing the light transmission region DPA _ T is a region which does not emit light by itself but can transmit light in its thickness direction. The light may include light having visible wavelengths as well as light having near infrared wavelengths and/or infrared wavelengths. The light transmitted through the light transmitting portion TA may further include light having a near ultraviolet wavelength and/or an ultraviolet wavelength.

One display light transmission region DPA _ T may include a plurality of light transmission portions TA separated from each other. The emission area of the pixels PX may be disposed between the light transmission parts TA. In the display light transmission region DPA _ T, the emission region of the pixel PX and the light transmission portion TA may not be visually distinguished. The light transmission portion TA showing the light transmission region DPA _ T is a region which does not emit light by itself but can transmit light in its thickness direction. The light may include light having visible wavelengths as well as light having near infrared wavelengths and/or infrared wavelengths. The light transmitted through the light transmitting portion TA may further include light having a near ultraviolet wavelength and/or an ultraviolet wavelength.

The display region DPA of the display panel DPN may further include a display-only region DPA _ D as a second display region not including the light transmissive section TA. That is, the display region DPA of the display panel DPN may be divided into the display light transmissive region DPA _ T and the display-only region DPA _ D.

The display area DPA may include one display light transmission area DPA _ T, or may further include a plurality of display light transmission areas DPA _ T separated from each other. Only the display region DPA _ D may be disposed around the display light transmissive region DPA _ T. Only the display light transmission region DPA _ T may be partially or completely surrounded by the display light transmission region DPA _ D. Only the display region DPA _ D and the display light transmission region DPA _ T may be adjacent to each other, and may be continuously or substantially continuously provided without a separate physical distinction. In one exemplary embodiment, only the display region DPA _ D and the display light transmission region DPA _ T may not be visually distinguished, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

There is no limitation on the arrangement region of the display light transmissive region DPA _ T within the display region DPA. For example, the display light transmissive area DPA _ T may be disposed in a central area of the display area DPA spaced apart from the non-display area NDA. As another example, the display light transmissive area DPA _ T may be disposed around an edge of the display area DPA and disposed in contact with or close to the non-display area NDA.

Only the display region DPA _ D or the non-emission region (e.g., "NEA" in fig. 39) displaying the light transmission region DPA _ T is also a region which does not emit light by itself, but the light transmittance of the light transmission portion TA is greater than that of the non-emission region (e.g., "NEA" in fig. 39). Here, the light transmittance is the transmittance of light passing through each region, and refers to the transmittance of light traveling in the thickness direction of each region. Therefore, the light transmittance of the display light transmission region DPA _ T including the light transmission portion TA is greater than that of only the display region DPA _ D.

As described above, the display light transmission region DPA _ T may be used as a light sensing path. The optical sensor OPS of the blood pressure measurement module may be disposed to overlap the display light transmission region DPA _ T.

Further, the display light transmission region DPA _ T may be used as an optical path of other optical members than the blood pressure measurement module. For example, a camera, an infrared proximity sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a fingerprint sensor, or the like may be disposed to overlap the display light transmission region DPA _ T to obtain light required for its operation. The optical sensor OPS and the remaining sensors of the blood pressure measuring module described above may also be implemented by one common member or different independent members. When a plurality of members are used for light sensing, the respective members may be disposed adjacent to each other or spaced apart from each other at different positions. The plurality of independent members may be arranged together in the display light transmissive region DPA _ T of one group, or may be provided in the display light transmissive regions DPA _ T separated from each other, respectively.

In the above-described sensor, the amount of light required for each sensor may be different depending on the type of sensor. When the plurality of sensors require different amounts of light, the aperture ratio (ratio of the light transmitting portion TA to the total area) of the corresponding display light transmitting region DPA _ T and the light transmittance of the light transmitting portion TA can also be adjusted accordingly. For example, the transmittance of light passing through the light transmission portion TA may be controlled by adjusting the ratio of the area of the light transmission portion TA to the total area of the display light transmission region DPA _ T or adjusting the stacked structure or material in the thickness direction of the light transmission portion TA, so that the light transmittance per unit area and the total light transmission amount (average light transmittance × area) of the entire display light transmission region DPA _ T may be appropriately or suitably designed.

Fig. 37 is a circuit diagram of one pixel of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 37, the pixel circuit may include a first transistor TR1, a second transistor TR2, a capacitor Cst, and an organic light emitting diode OLED. The scan line SL, the data line DL, and the first power voltage line elddl are connected to each pixel circuit.

The first transistor TR1 may be a driving transistor, and the second transistor TR2 may be a switching transistor. Although both the first transistor TR1 and the second transistor TR2 are shown in the drawings as p-channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistors, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, either or both of the first transistor TR1 and the second transistor TR2 may be n-channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistors with appropriate changes to the other circuit elements.

A first electrode (source electrode) of the first transistor TR1 is connected to the first power voltage line elddl, and a second electrode (drain electrode) of the first transistor TR1 is connected to the anode electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED. A first electrode (source electrode) of the second transistor TR2 is connected to the data line DL, and a second electrode (drain electrode) of the second transistor TR2 is connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor TR 1. The capacitor Cst is connected between the gate electrode and the first electrode of the first transistor TR 1. The cathode electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED receives the second power voltage ELVSS. The second power supply voltage ELVSS may be lower than the first power supply voltage supplied from the first power supply voltage line elvdl.

The second transistor TR2 may output a data signal applied to the data line DL in response to a scan signal applied to the scan line SL. The capacitor Cst may charge a voltage corresponding to the data signal received from the second transistor TR 2. The first transistor TR1 may control a driving current flowing through the organic light emitting diode OLED according to the charge stored in the capacitor Cst.

The equivalent circuit of fig. 37 is only one exemplary embodiment, and the pixel circuit may include a greater number of transistors and/or capacitors. For example, in other embodiments, the pixel circuit may include 7 transistors.

Fig. 38 is a plan layout of a display light transmissive area and a display-only area of a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to fig. 38, the display light transmission region DPA _ T includes a plurality of pixels PX and a plurality of light transmission portions TA. The light transmitting portion TA and the pixels PX are mixed (e.g., adjacent to each other in the display light transmitting region DPA _ T). Although the light transmissive section TA may be mixed with each pixel PX, a plurality of pixels PX (e.g., four pixels) may be concentrated in a unit group (hereinafter, referred to as "first unit pixel group UPG 1"), and the light transmissive section TA may be disposed between the first unit pixel group UPG 1. The four pixels PX may include, for example, a red pixel, a green pixel, a blue pixel, and a green pixel, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The combined area of the first unit pixel group UPG1 and the light transmissive section TA adjacent to the first unit pixel group UPG1 may be substantially equal to the area of only eight pixels PX in the display region DPA _ D. When it is defined such that the four pixels PX also form a cell group (hereinafter, referred to as "second unit pixel group UPG 2") in the display-only region DPA _ D, the combined area of the first unit pixel group UPG1 and one light transmissive section TA of the display light transmissive region DPA _ T may be substantially equal to the combined area of the two second unit pixel groups UPG2 of the display-only region DPA _ D.

Due to the area occupied by the light transmissive section TA, the display light transmissive region DPA _ T may have a smaller (or less) number of pixels PX or smaller-sized pixels PX than the display-only region DPA _ D with the same area. In other words, since the display light transmission region DPA _ T accommodates the light transmission portion TA in addition to the pixels PX, only the unit area of the display region DPA _ D may have more space available for the pixels PX than an equivalent unit area of the display light transmission region DPA _ T. As described above, when the combined area of the first unit pixel group UPG1 and one light transmissive section TA of the display light transmissive region DPA _ T is equal to or substantially equal to the combined area of the two second unit pixel groups UPG2 of the display-only region DPA _ D, the display light transmissive region DPA _ T can exhibit only about half the resolution of the display region DPA _ D in the same area.

The average widths of the rows and columns formed by the first unit pixel group UPG1 and the light transmissive section TA in the display light transmissive area DPA _ T may be substantially equal to the average widths of the rows and columns formed by the second unit pixel group UPG2 in the display-only area DPA _ D, respectively, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The first unit pixel groups UPG1 and the light transmissive sections TA in the display light transmissive region DPA _ T may be alternately arranged in one row along the second direction D2 (row extending direction). In rows adjacent to each other, the first unit pixel groups UPG1 and the light transmissive sections TA may be alternately arranged in the display light transmissive region DPA _ T along the first direction D1 (column extending direction).

The relative sizes of the first unit pixel group UPG1 and the light transmissive section TA in the display light transmissive area DPA _ T may be variously modified in an appropriate manner according to the amount of light required by the sensor disposed to overlap with the display light transmissive area DPA _ T. In an exemplary embodiment requiring a sufficient amount of light, the size of the light transmission portion TA may be larger than the size of the first unit pixel group UPG1 showing the light transmission region DPA _ T. In this case, the size of each pixel PX in the display light transmission region DPA _ T may be smaller than the size of each pixel PX in the display-only region DPA _ D. In one exemplary embodiment, the width of the light transmission part TA in the second direction D2 may be greater than the width of the first unit pixel group UPG1 in the second direction D2.

In one exemplary embodiment, the cathode electrode may not be disposed in the light transmission part TA in the entire display area DPA (see fig. 35). For example, the cathode electrode may be disposed in the entire remaining display area DPA except for the light transmitting portion TA. That is, the light transmitting portion TA may be defined by whether or not the cathode electrode is provided. The light transmitting portion TA may correspond to the cathode electrode hole when viewed based on the cathode electrode (e.g., the position of the cathode electrode in a plan view).

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the cathode electrode may be formed of a plurality of electrode layers in a region other than the light transmitting portion TA. For example, a separate cathode electrode pattern may be provided for each unit pixel group, and the cathode electrode patterns may be electrically connected to each other by overlapping or contacting each other at the boundary of the unit pixel groups adjacent to each other. Such a configuration may be the result of two or more depositions of the cathode electrode.

The second cathode electrode patterns CTP2 disposed in each of the second unit pixel groups UPG2 in the display-only area DPA _ D may each have a rectangular shape. The second cathode electrode patterns CTP2 adjacent to each other may overlap each other at edge portions thereof.

Meanwhile, the first cathode electrode patterns CTP1 in each first unit pixel group UPG1 disposed in the display light transmission region DPA _ T may each have an "I" shape having a narrow central portion and two longer ends in the first direction D1 based on a width in the second direction D2. Both ends of the first cathode electrode pattern CTP1 in the first direction D1 may include a protrusion CTP _ PT protruding from the central portion. A width of a central portion of the first cathode electrode pattern CTP1 in the second direction D2 may be smaller than a width of the second cathode electrode pattern CTP2 in the second direction D2, and widths of both ends of the first cathode electrode pattern CTP1 in the second direction D2 may be substantially equal to a width of the second cathode electrode pattern CTP2 in the second direction D2, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the display light transmission region DPA _ T, the protrusions CTP _ PT located at both ends of the first cathode electrode pattern CTP1 may overlap with the protrusions CTP _ PT of another first cathode electrode pattern CTP1, which another first cathode electrode pattern CTP1 is diagonally adjacent to the first cathode electrode pattern CTP 1.

The thin film transistor and the power line or the data line may not be provided in the light transmission portion TA of the display light transmission region DPA _ T. The data lines and the power lines extending in the first direction D1 may extend to bypass the light transmission portion TA. Further, the insulating film may also be partially removed (or partially omitted) from the light transmissive portion TA compared to other regions of the display region DPA. The transmittance of the light transmission part TA varies according to the stack structure of the light transmission part TA, and thus various stack structures may be designed in consideration of a desired transmittance, process efficiency, a plane size of the light transmission part TA, and the like. Hereinafter, the structures of the pixels PX and the light transmitting portions TA will be described in detail by the sectional structure of the display panel DPN.

Fig. 39 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a pixel and a light transmitting portion of a display panel according to some exemplary embodiments.

In fig. 39, of the two transistors of fig. 37, the first transistor TR1 is shown in the form of a thin film transistor, and the second transistor TR2 is not shown.

First, a cross-sectional structure of the pixel PX will be described in detail with reference to fig. 39. The display panel DPN (see fig. 1) may include a substrate 100, a buffer layer 105, a semiconductor layer 110, a first insulating layer 121, a first conductive layer 130, a second insulating layer 122, a second conductive layer 140, a third insulating layer 123, a third conductive layer 150, a fourth insulating layer 124, a fourth conductive layer 160, a fifth insulating layer 125, a fifth conductive layer 170, a pixel defining film 126 including an opening configured to expose the fifth conductive layer 170, an organic layer 190 disposed in the opening of the pixel defining film 126, and a sixth conductive layer 180 disposed on the pixel defining film 126 and the organic layer 190. Each of the above layers may be formed of a single film, or may also be formed of a stacked film including a plurality of films. It is also possible to provide another layer between the above-mentioned layers.

The substrate 100 supports the various layers disposed thereon. The substrate 100 may be made of an insulating material such as a polymer resin. Examples of the polymer material may include Polyethersulfone (PES), Polyacrylate (PA), Polyarylate (PAR), Polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyallylate, Polyimide (PI), Polycarbonate (PC), cellulose triacetate (CAT), Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP), or a combination thereof. The substrate 100 may be a flexible substrate that may be bent, folded, or rolled. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the material forming the flexible substrate may include PI, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The buffer layer 105 is disposed on the substrate 100. The buffer layer 105 may prevent or substantially prevent diffusion of impurity ions, prevent or substantially prevent permeation of moisture or ambient air, and perform a surface planarization function. The buffer layer 105 may include silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, or the like. The buffer layer 105 may be omitted according to the type of the substrate 100, process conditions, and the like.

The semiconductor layer 110 is disposed on the buffer layer 105. The semiconductor layer 110 forms a channel of a thin film transistor of the pixel PX. The semiconductor layer 110 may include polysilicon. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the semiconductor layer 110 may include single crystal silicon, low temperature polysilicon, amorphous silicon, or an oxide semiconductor. The oxide semiconductor may include a binary compound (AB) including indium, zinc, gallium, tin, titanium, aluminum, hafnium (Hf), zirconium (Zr), magnesium (Mg), and the like_x) Ternary compounds (AB)_xC_y) Or quaternary compounds (AB)_xC_yD_z)。

The first insulating layer 121 may be a gate insulating film having a gate insulating function. The first insulating layer 121 may include a silicon compound, a metal oxide, or the like. For example, the first insulating layer 121 may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, or the like. These may be used alone or in combination with each other. The first insulating layer 121 may be a single film or a multi-layer film including stacked films of different materials.

The first insulating layer 121 is disposed on the semiconductor layer 110, and may be disposed substantially on the entire surface of the substrate 100. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first insulating layer 121 covers most of the surface of the substrate 100.

The first conductive layer 130 is disposed on the first insulating layer 121. The first conductive layer 130 may be a first gate conductive layer. The first conductive layer 130 may include a gate electrode 131 of a thin film transistor of the pixel PX, a scan line connected to the gate electrode 131, and a first storage capacitor electrode 132.

The first conductive layer 130 may include at least one metal selected from molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), and copper (Cu). The first conductive layer 130 may be a single film or a multi-layered film.

The second insulating layer 122 may be disposed on the first conductive layer 130. The second insulating layer 122 may be an interlayer insulating film. The second insulating layer 122 may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, hafnium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, and/or zinc oxide.

The second conductive layer 140 is disposed on the second insulating layer 122. The second conductive layer 140 may be a second gate conductive layer. The second conductive layer 140 may include a second storage capacitor electrode 140. The second conductive layer 140 may include one or more metals selected from molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), and copper (Cu). The second conductive layer 140 may be made of the same material as the first conductive layer 130, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The second conductive layer 140 may be a single film or a multilayer film.

The third insulating layer 123 is disposed on the second conductive layer 140. The third insulating layer 123 may be an interlayer insulating film. The third insulating layer 123 may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, hafnium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, or zinc oxide, or an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin (polyacrylate-based resin), epoxy resin, phenol resin, polyamide-based resin, polyimide-based resin, unsaturated polyester-based resin, polyphenylene ether-based resin, polyphenylene sulfide-based resin, or benzocyclobutene (BCB). The third insulating layer 123 may be a single film or a multilayer film including stacked films of different materials.

The third conductive layer 150 is disposed on the third insulating layer 123. The third conductive layer 150 may be a first source/drain conductive layer. The third conductive layer 150 may include a first electrode 151 and a second electrode 152 of a thin film transistor of the pixel PX. The first and second electrodes 151 and 152 of the thin film transistor may be electrically connected to source and drain regions of the semiconductor layer 110 through contact holes passing through (or penetrating) the third insulating layer 123, the second insulating layer 122, and the first insulating layer 121. The first power voltage electrode 153 of the pixel PX may also be included in the third conductive layer 150.

The third conductive layer 150 may include one or more metals selected from aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), and copper (Cu). The third conductive layer 150 may be a single film or a multi-layered film. For example, the third conductive layer 150 may have a stack structure of Ti/Al/Ti, Mo/Al/Mo, Mo/AlGe/Mo, Ti/Cu, or the like.

The fourth insulating layer 124 is disposed on the third conductive layer 150. The fourth insulating layer 124 covers the third conductive layer 150. The fourth insulating layer 124 may be a via layer. The fourth insulating layer 124 may include an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin (polyacrylate-based resin), epoxy resin, phenol resin, polyamide-based resin, polyimide-based resin, unsaturated polyester-based resin, polyphenylene ether-based resin, polyphenylene sulfide-based resin, and/or benzocyclobutene (BCB).

The fourth conductive layer 160 is disposed on the fourth insulating layer 124. The fourth conductive layer 160 may be a second source/drain conductive layer. The fourth conductive layer 160 may include a data line, first power voltage lines 161 and 163 connecting the electrode 162 and the pixels PX. The first power voltage line 161 may be electrically connected to the first electrode 151 of the thin film transistor of the pixel PX through a contact hole passing through the fourth insulating layer 124 in the pixel PX. The connection electrode 162 may be electrically connected to the second electrode 152 of the thin film transistor of the pixel PX through a contact hole passing through the fourth insulating layer 124. The first power voltage line 163 may also be electrically connected to the first power voltage electrode 153 through a contact hole passing through the fourth insulating layer 124.

The fourth conductive layer 160 may include at least one metal selected from aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), and copper (Cu). The fourth conductive layer 160 may be a single film or a multi-layered film. The fourth conductive layer 160 may be made of the same material as the third conductive layer 150, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The fifth insulating layer 125 is disposed on the fourth conductive layer 160. The fifth insulating layer 125 covers the fourth conductive layer 160. The fifth insulating layer 125 may be a via layer. The fifth insulating layer 125 may include the same material as the fourth insulating layer 124 described above, or may include at least one material selected from the exemplified materials constituting the fourth insulating layer 124. Fourth conductive layer 160 may be omitted and the same function may be performed by third conductive layer 150.

The fifth conductive layer 170 is disposed on the fifth insulating layer 125. An anode electrode as a pixel electrode may be formed of the fifth conductive layer 170. The anode electrode may be electrically connected to a connection electrode 162 formed of the fourth conductive layer 160 through a contact hole passing through the fifth insulating layer 125, and may be connected to the second electrode 152 of the thin film transistor through the connection electrode 162. The anode electrode may at least partially overlap with the emission area EMA of the pixel PX.

The fifth conductive layer 170 may have, but is not limited to, a stacked film structure formed by stacking a material layer having a high work function made of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and indium oxide (In)₂O₃) And the reflective material layer is made of one selected from silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), lead (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), and a mixture thereof. A material layer having a high work function may be disposed on the reflective material layer to be close to the organic layer 190. The fifth conductive layer 170 may have a multi-layer structure of ITO/Mg, ITO/MgF, ITO/Ag, or ITO/Ag/ITO, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The pixel defining film 126 may be disposed on the fifth conductive layer 170. The pixel defining film 126 may at least partially overlap with the non-emission area NEA of the pixel PX. The pixel defining film 126 may have or define an opening configured to expose the fifth conductive layer 170. The pixel defining film 126 may include an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, hafnium oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, or zinc oxide, and/or an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin (polyacrylate-based resin), epoxy resin, phenol resin, polyamide-based resin, polyimide-based resin, unsaturated polyester-based resin, polyphenylene ether-based resin, polyphenylene sulfide-based resin, or benzocyclobutene (BCB). The pixel defining film 126 may be a single film or a multilayer film including stacked films of different materials.

The organic layer 190 is disposed in an opening of the pixel defining film 126 (i.e., an opening defined by the pixel defining film 126). The organic layer 190 may include an organic light emitting layer, a hole injection/transport layer, and an electron injection/transport layer. The organic layer 190 may overlap (e.g., in the thickness direction) with the emission area EMA.

The sixth conductive layer 180 is disposed on the pixel defining film 126 and the organic layer 190. The cathode electrode as the common electrode may be formed of the sixth conductive layer 180. The cathode electrode may be disposed not only in the emission area EMA of the pixel PX but also in the non-emission area NEA of the pixel PX (as shown in fig. 39 to 40). That is, the cathode electrode may be disposed on the entire surface of each pixel PX. The sixth conductive layer 180 may include a material layer having a low work function, which is made of one selected from Li, Ca, LiF/Al, Mg, Ag, Pt, Pd, Ni, Au, Nd, Ir, Cr, BaF, Ba, and a compound or mixture thereof (e.g., a mixture of Ag and Mg). The sixth conductive layer 180 may further include a transparent metal oxide layer disposed on the material layer having the low work function.

In one exemplary embodiment, an encapsulation film may be disposed on the sixth conductive layer 180. The encapsulation film may include an inorganic film. In one exemplary embodiment, the encapsulation film may include a first inorganic film, an organic film over the first inorganic film, and a second inorganic film over the organic film.

Hereinafter, the cross-sectional structure of the light transmitting portion TA will be described in more detail. The light transmitting portion TA has a structure in which some layers are removed (or omitted from the stacked structure of the pixels PX) in the stacked structure of the pixels PX. Since the light transmission part TA is a region where light is not emitted, layers corresponding to the anode electrode, the organic light emitting layer, the cathode electrode, and the like may be omitted in one or more exemplary embodiments. Since the layer is omitted, the light transmitting portion TA may have a transmittance higher than that of the pixel PX.

For example, the sixth conductive layer 180 as a cathode electrode is not provided in the light transmitting portion TA. The cathode electrode is a common electrode, and the sixth conductive layer 180 is disposed in the entire area of the pixel PX. However, the sixth conductive layer 180 is removed (or omitted) in the light transmission portion TA to form the light transmission opening OP. The light-transmitting opening OP may be defined by the sixth conductive layer 180. In a top emission type panel, the cathode electrode transmits a certain amount of light, but reflects or absorbs a large amount of light. The sixth conductive layer 180 as a cathode electrode is not disposed in the light transmitting portion TA so that a higher transmittance can be secured compared to the non-emission area NEA of the pixel PX.

Further, the fifth conductive layer 170 as an anode electrode may not be provided in the light transmitting portion TA. In the top emission type panel, the anode electrode includes the reflective material layer as described above, and since the fifth conductive layer 170 itself is not provided in the light transmission portion TA, light can be transmitted in the thickness direction of the light transmission portion TA. Further, since the organic layer 190 is not provided in the light transmitting portion TA, the transmittance can be maintained high. In addition, a semiconductor layer or other conductive layer may not be provided in the light transmitting portion TA.

Accordingly, as shown in fig. 39, an exemplary stacked structure of the light transmission part TA may include a substrate 100, a buffer layer 105, a first insulating layer 121, a second insulating layer 122, a third insulating layer 123, a fourth insulating layer 124, a fifth insulating layer 125, and a pixel defining film 126.

Fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view of a pixel and a light transmitting portion of a display panel according to another exemplary embodiment. Fig. 40 shows an insulating film that can omit the light transmitting portion TA from the structure of fig. 39.

That is, as shown by a dotted line in fig. 40, in the light transmitting portion TA, the pixel defining film 126, the fifth insulating layer 125, the fourth insulating layer 124, the third insulating layer 123, the second insulating layer 122, the first insulating layer 121, and the buffer layer 105 may be all removed (or omitted), and the surface of the substrate 100 may be exposed. The light-transmitting opening OP may be defined by the sixth conductive layer 180, the pixel defining film 126, the fifth insulating layer 125, the fourth insulating layer 124, the third insulating layer 123, the second insulating layer 122, the first insulating layer 121, and the buffer layer 105. In the light transmitting portion TA, the substrate 100 may not be removed (or omitted) yet. That is, the substrate 100 may overlap the light transmitting portion TA, and may not have the through hole in the light transmitting portion TA. As described above, in the case of the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 40, the transmittance of the light transmitting portion TA may be further improved by further removing one or more insulating layers (e.g., a plurality of insulating layers in the case of the embodiment of fig. 40, compared to the embodiment of fig. 39) as compared to the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 39.

As another example, in the light transmitting portion TA, some portions of the pixel defining film 126, the fifth insulating layer 125, the fourth insulating layer 124, the third insulating layer 123, the second insulating layer 122, the first insulating layer 121, and the buffer layer 105 may be removed (or omitted). For example, the fourth insulating layer 124 corresponding to the via layer and all layers positioned above the fourth insulating layer 124 may be removed (or omitted) to form the light transmission opening OP, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In a display device according to an exemplary embodiment, the blood pressure measurement module may be integrated into the display device without adding complex components.

Effects according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited by the contents illustrated above, and more various effects are included in the present specification.

At the conclusion of the detailed description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments of the invention are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims and their equivalents.