U.S. patent application number 16/575204 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-09 for cover window and electronic device including same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Seo Hyun Kim, Seok Gyu Lee, Seung Taek Oh.
Application Number | 20200012362 16/575204 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60659428 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-09 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200012362 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Seo Hyun ; et
al. |
January 9, 2020 |
COVER WINDOW AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING SAME
Abstract
An electronic device includes a processor and a housing having a
first surface, a second surface, and a side surface. A touch screen
display is exposed through a first area of the first surface. An
optical sensor is disposed under a second area of the first surface
that is adjacent to the first area. The optical sensor receives
and/or emits an infrared ray. The first surface includes a
substantially transparent glass layer, an opaque layer disposed
between the glass layer and the second surface, and a color layer
disposed between the opaque layer and the glass layer. The opaque
layer includes an opening, a location and a size of which
correspond to at least a portion of the optical sensor when viewed
from the first surface. The optical sensor receives and/or emits
the infrared ray through the opening, the color layer, and the
glass layer.
Inventors: |
Kim; Seo Hyun; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Oh; Seung Taek; (Seoul, KR) ; Lee; Seok
Gyu; (Yongin-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
60659428 |
Appl. No.: |
16/575204 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15629614 |
Jun 21, 2017 |
10459548 |
|
|
16575204 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 5/00 20130101; G06F
1/1684 20130101; G06F 1/1637 20130101; G02B 5/208 20130101; G06F
1/1686 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101; G06F 1/1643 20130101; G02B
5/281 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101; G02B 5/003 20130101; G06F 1/16
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041; G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 21, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0077618 |
Claims
1. An electronic device comprising: a housing including a first
surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second
direction that is opposite to the first direction, and a side
surface surrounding at least a portion of a space between the first
surface and the second surface; a touch screen display disposed
within the housing and exposed through a first area of the first
surface; an optical sensor included within the housing, disposed
under a second area of the first surface that is adjacent to the
first area, and the optical sensor is configured to receive and/or
emit infrared light; and a processor electrically connected to the
touch screen display and the optical sensor, wherein the first
surface comprises: a glass layer that is substantially transparent;
an opaque layer disposed between the glass layer and the second
surface; and a color layer disposed between the opaque layer and
the glass layer and forming at least a portion of a color exposed
through the glass layer, wherein the opaque layer comprises an
opening, a location and a size of which correspond to at least a
portion of the optical sensor when viewed from the first surface,
and wherein the optical sensor receives and/or emits infrared light
through the opening, the color layer, and the glass layer.
2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the color layer has a
thickness of 10 nm to 130 nm.
3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the color layer has a
thickness of 10 nm to 500 nm.
4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the color layer has a
thickness of 5 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m.
5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the color layer
comprises: a first layer disposed between the glass layer and the
opaque layer and having a first refractive index; a second layer
disposed between the first layer and the opaque layer and having a
second refractive index that is smaller than the first refractive
index; and a third layer disposed between the first layer and the
second layer.
6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein a ratio of a thickness
of the first layer and a thickness of the second layer is in a
range between 0.48:1.09 to 7.33:16.50.
7. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the first layer and
the second layer comprise at least one of SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2,
Al.sub.2O.sub.3, Nb.sub.2O.sub.5, MgF.sub.2, Ti.sub.2O.sub.5,
SnO.sub.2, ZnO, Ta.sub.2O.sub.5, MgO, Si.sub.3N.sub.4, ITO, AlN,
AlON, TiN, Ti.sub.3O.sub.5, and ZrO.sub.2, and the third layer
comprises at least one of In, Al, Ag, Sn, and Ag.
8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein light of a first
wavelength band passes through the color layer at at least a first
ratio, and light of a second wavelength band passes through the
color layer at not greater than a second ratio.
9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the first wavelength
band corresponds to an infrared light area including a wavelength
of 940 nm, and the second wavelength band corresponds to a visible
light area including a wavelength of 550 nm.
10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the first ratio is
20% and the second ratio is 15%.
11. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the third layer has a
thickness of not greater than 50 nm.
12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the color layer is
formed by using at least one of color ink, a curing agent, a
diluent or a solvent.
13. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: at least
one of a film layer printed by using an ink or a paint of an opaque
color, or an infrared (IR) ink layer formed by using an IR ink.
14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the film layer
comprises a molding pattern.
15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the IR ink layer is
aligned with the opening.
16. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the IR ink layer
increases a first ratio by which light of a first wavelength band
passes through the color layer to at least a designated value, or
decreases a second ratio by which light of a second wavelength band
passes through the color layer to not greater than a second
designated value.
17. A cover window of an electronic device, the cover window
comprising: a glass layer formed of a transparent material, the
glass layer is configured to be disposed at an outskirt of the
electronic device, and is configured to protect the electronic
device from an external impact; a color layer stacked under the
glass layer and configured to realize a designated color; and an
opaque layer stacked under the color layer and printed opaquely in
an area other than a designated area of the cover window, wherein
light of a first wavelength band passes through the color layer at
at least a first ratio, and light of a second wavelength band
passes through the color layer at not greater than a second
ratio.
18. The cover window of claim 17, wherein the first wavelength band
corresponds to an infrared light area including a wavelength of 940
nm, the second wavelength band corresponds to a visible light area
including a wavelength of 550 nm, the first ratio is 20%, and the
second ratio is 15%.
19. The cover window of claim 17, wherein the color layer comprises
at least one oxide or nitride deposition layer and at least one
metal thin film deposition layer, or the color layer comprises a
printed painting film.
20. The cover window of claim 17, further comprising: at least one
of a film layer printed by using an ink or a paint of an opaque
color, and an infrared (IR) ink layer formed by using an IR ink.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/629,614 filed on Jun. 21, 2017, which is
based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a) to
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0077618 filed on Jun. 21,
2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of
which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0002] The disclosure relates to a cover window and an electronic
device including the same.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] An electronic device, such as a smartphone, may support
various functions such as voice communication, photographing, and
reproduction of videos. Further, the electronic device may support
a function of adjusting the brightness of a screen of a display or
a function of turning off a screen of a display by detecting an
approach of the head of the user during voice communication
according to surrounding environments. In order to support the
function, the electronic device may include an infrared (IR)
sensor. The IR sensor, for example, may irradiate infrared light
(an infrared ray) having a specific wavelength band, and may
receive the infrared light that is reflected by an object and
returns to detect a proximity of the object or detect an intensity
of illumination of a peripheral area.
[0004] Meanwhile, the electronic device may include a cover window
that forms a part of an external appearance of the electronic
device to protect a screen of the display. The cover window may
have at least one hole. The at least one hole formed in the cover
window may include a sensor hole that functions as a passage of
light irradiated from the IR sensor and light that enters the IR
sensor.
[0005] The electronic device of the related art has a sensor hole
formed in the cover window to be viewed from the outside, so that
an integral feeling of an external appearance of the electronic
device may deteriorate.
SUMMARY
[0006] To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary
object to provide a cover window that has a sensor hole, which is
not viewed from the outside, and an electronic device including the
same.
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an
electronic device includes a housing including a first surface
facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second
direction that is opposite to the first direction, and a side
surface surrounding at least a portion of a space between the first
surface and the second surface, a touch screen display disposed
within the housing and exposed through a first area of the first
surface, an optical sensor included within the housing, disposed
under a second area of the first surface that is adjacent to the
first area, and configured to receive and/or emit an infrared ray,
and a processor electrically connected to the display and the
optical sensor. The first surface includes a substantially
transparent glass layer, an opaque layer disposed between the glass
layer and the second surface, and a color layer disposed between
the opaque layer and the glass layer and forming at least a portion
of a color exposed through the glass layer. The opaque layer
includes an opening, a location and a size of which correspond to
at least a portion of the optical sensor when viewed from the first
surface, and the optical sensor receives and/or emits an infrared
ray through the opening, the color layer, and the glass layer.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
a cover window of an electronic device includes a glass layer
formed of a transparent material, disposed at an outskirt of the
electronic device, and configured to protect the electronic device
from an external impact, a color layer stacked under the glass
layer and configured to realize a designated color, and an opaque
layer stacked under the color layer and printed opaquely in an area
other than a designated area of the cover window. Light of a first
wavelength band passes through the color layer at a first ratio or
more, and light of a second wavelength band passes through the
color layer at a second ratio or less.
[0009] Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be
advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases
used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and
"comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without
limitation; the term "or," is inclusive, meaning and/or; the
phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as
derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within,
interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or
with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with,
interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have,
have a property of, or the like; and the term "controller" means
any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one
operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware
or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It
should be noted that the functionality associated with any
particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether
locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are
provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill
in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances,
such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such
defined words and phrases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure
and its advantages, reference is now made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference numerals represent like parts:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic device according to
an embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of an electronic
device according to an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an electronic device
according to an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a configuration of an IR
sensor according to an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 4A is a view schematically illustrating a section of
FIG. 2A, which is taken along line A-A', for explaining a
configuration of a cover window according to an embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 4B is a view illustrating a CIE LAB color coordinate in
an IR sensor hole area and a peripheral area according to an
embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 4C is a view for explaining a deposition structure of a
color layer according to an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a stack structure of a cover
window, to which light having a specific wavelength band is input,
according to an embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 6A is a view illustrating a stack structure of a cover
window in which a film layer is disposed according to an
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 6B is a view illustrating a stack structure of a cover
window in which an IR ink layer is disposed according to an
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 6C is a view illustrating a stack structure of a cover
window including a film layer in which a molding pattern is formed
according to an embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 7A is a view illustrating a first stack structure of a
cover window according to an embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 7B is a view illustrating a second stack structure of a
cover window according to an embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 7C is a view illustrating a third stack structure of a
cover window according to an embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 7D is a view illustrating a fourth stack structure of a
cover window according to an embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 7E is a view illustrating a fifth stack structure of a
cover window according to an embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 7F is a view illustrating a sixth stack structure of a
cover window according to an embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 7G is a view illustrating a seventh stack structure of
a cover window according to an embodiment.
[0029] Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like
reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements,
features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] FIGS. 1 through 7G, discussed below, and the various
embodiments used to describe the principles of the present
disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only
and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the
disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the
principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any
suitably arranged system or device.
[0031] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure
are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. However,
the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the various
embodiments of the present disclosure to a specific embodiment and
it is intended that the present disclosure covers all
modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the present
disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents. With respect to the descriptions of
the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like
elements.
[0032] The terms and words used in the following description and
claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are
merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent
understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be
apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description
of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for
illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the
present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0033] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an,"
and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component
surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
[0034] The term "include," "comprise," and "have", or "may
include," or "may comprise" and "may have" used herein indicates
disclosed functions, operations, or existence of elements but does
not exclude other functions, operations or elements.
[0035] For example, the expressions "A or B," or "at least one of A
and/or B" may indicate A and B, A, or B. For instance, the
expression "A or B" or "at least one of A and/or B" may indicate
(1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) both at least one A
and at least one B.
[0036] The terms such as "1st," "2nd," "first," "second," and the
like used herein may refer to modifying various different elements
of various embodiments of the present disclosure, but are not
intended to limit the elements. For instance, "a first user device"
and "a second user device" may indicate different users regardless
of order or importance. For example, a first component may be
referred to as a second component and vice versa without departing
from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
[0037] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is
intended that when a component (for example, a first component) is
referred to as being "operatively or communicatively coupled
with/to" or "connected to" another component (for example, a second
component), the component may be directly connected to the other
component or connected through another component (for example, a
third component). In various embodiments of the present disclosure,
it is intended that when a component (for example, a first
component) is referred to as being "directly connected to" or
"directly accessed" another component (for example, a second
component), another component (for example, a third component) does
not exist between the component (for example, the first component)
and the other component (for example, the second component).
[0038] The expression "configured to" used in various embodiments
of the present disclosure may be interchangeably used with
"suitable for," "having the capacity to," "designed to," "adapted
to," "made to," or "capable of" according to the situation, for
example. The term "configured to" may not necessarily indicate
"specifically designed to" in terms of hardware. Instead, the
expression "a device configured to" in some situations may indicate
that the device and another device or part are "capable of" For
example, the expression "a processor configured to perform A, B,
and C" may indicate a dedicated processor (for example, an embedded
processor) for performing a corresponding operation or a general
purpose processor (for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or
application processor (AP)) for performing corresponding operations
by executing at least one software program stored in a memory
device.
[0039] Terms used in various embodiments of the present disclosure
are used to describe certain embodiments of the present disclosure,
but are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. The
terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless they have
a clearly different meaning in the context. Otherwise, all terms
used herein may have the same meanings that are generally
understood by a person skilled in the art. In general, terms
defined in a dictionary should be considered to have the same
meanings as the contextual meaning of the related art, and, unless
clearly defined herein, should not be understood differently or as
having an excessively formal meaning. In any case, even the terms
defined in the present specification are not intended to be
interpreted as excluding embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0040] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure may include at least one of a smartphone, a
tablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video telephone,
an electronic book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook
computer, a workstation, a server, a personal digital assistant
(PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a Motion Picture Experts
Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player, a mobile
medical device, a camera, or a wearable device. The wearable device
may include at least one of an accessory-type device (e.g., a
watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, glasses, a
contact lens, a head-mounted device (HMD)), a textile- or
clothing-integrated-type device (e.g., an electronic apparel), a
body-attached-type device (e.g., a skin pad or a tattoo), or a
bio-implantable-type device (e.g., an implantable circuit)
[0041] In some various embodiments of the present disclosure, an
electronic device may be a home appliance. The smart home appliance
may include at least one of, for example, a television (TV), a
digital video/versatile disc (DVD) player, an audio, a
refrigerator, an air conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, a microwave
oven, a washing machine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a home
automation control panel, a security control panel, a television
(TV) box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync.TM., Apple TV.TM., or Google
TV.TM.), a game console (e.g., Xbox.TM. or PlayStation.TM.), an
electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, or an
electronic picture frame
[0042] In other various embodiments of the present disclosure, an
electronic device may include at least one of various medical
devices (e.g., various portable medical measurement devices (e.g.,
a blood glucose measuring device, a heart rate measuring device, a
blood pressure measuring device, a body temperature measuring
device, or the like), a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a computed tomography (CT), a
scanner, an ultrasonic device, or the like), a navigation device, a
global navigation satellite system (GNSS), an event data recorder
(EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), a vehicle infotainment device,
electronic equipment for vessels (e.g., a navigation system, a
gyrocompass, or the like), avionics, a security device, a head unit
for a vehicle, an industrial or home robot, an automatic teller
machine (ATM), a point of sales (POS) device of a store, or an
Internet of things (IoT) device (e.g., a light bulb, various
sensors, an electric or gas meter, a sprinkler, a fire alarm, a
thermostat, a streetlamp, a toaster, exercise equipment, a hot
water tank, a heater, a boiler, or the like).
[0043] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
an electronic device may include at least one of a part of
furniture or a building/structure, an electronic board, an
electronic signature receiving device, a projector, or a measuring
instrument (e.g., a water meter, an electricity meter, a gas meter,
a wave meter, or the like). An electronic device may be one or more
combinations of the above-mentioned devices. An electronic device
according to some various embodiments of the present disclosure may
be a flexible device. An electronic device according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the
above-mentioned devices, and may include new electronic devices
with the development of new technology.
[0044] Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The term "user"
used herein may refer to a person who uses an electronic device or
may refer to a device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic
device) that uses an electronic device.
[0045] FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic device according to
an embodiment.
[0046] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100
may support various functions, such as voice communication,
photographing, or play of videos. For example, the electronic
device 100 may include a speaker (or a receiver) for voice
communication, a camera for photographing, or a display for playing
a video. Further, the electronic device 100 may include an infrared
sensor (IR sensor) that may detect a proximity of an object or an
intensity of illumination of surroundings, and may support a
function of switching off a screen of the display or adjusting a
brightness of the screen of the display according to peripheral
environments by detecting whether the head of a user approaches the
electronic device 100 during voice communication. Further, the
electronic device 100 may prevent an unintended touch which can be
caused by the head of the user contacting the electronic device 100
by deactivating a touch panel or adjusting a touch sensitivity of
the touch panel during voice communication.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, in order to support the above-mentioned
function, the electronic device 100 may include a cover window 110
and a display 130. The cover window 110 may be formed on at least
one outer surface of a housing (not illustrated). For example, the
cover window 110 may be attached to a front surface of the housing.
In this regard, the housing 110 may include a front surface, a rear
surface, and a side surface partially surrounding a space between
the front surface and the rear surface. The housing may be
configured to fix and support the elements of the electronic device
110.
[0048] At least one hole (or opening) may be formed on one surface
of the cover window 110. For example, a camera hole 151, a receiver
hole 153 (or a speaker hole), or an IR sensor hole 155 may be
formed on a front surface of the cover window 110. The drawing
illustrates a state in which the camera hole 151 is formed on the
right side of an upper end of the front surface of the cover window
110, the receiver hole 153 is formed at the center of the upper end
of the front surface of the cover window 110, and the IR sensor
hole 155 is formed on the left side of the upper end of the front
surface of the cover window 110. However, the number and locations
of the holes formed on the one surface of the cover window 110 are
not limited thereto. According to various embodiments, at least one
hole may be further formed in addition to the above-mentioned
holes, and at least one of the above-mentioned holes may be
omitted.
[0049] The camera hole 151 may function as a passage of light for
the camera disposed inside the housing. For example, the camera may
be disposed at a location at which the camera is aligned with the
camera hole 151 to produce a captured image by using image light of
a subject, which is input through the camera hole 151. The receiver
hole 153 may function as a passage of sound for the receiver
disposed inside the housing. For example, the receiver may output
voice of a counterpart during a voice communication with the
counterpart, and the output voice may be delivered to the outside
through the receiver hole 153. The IR sensor hole 155 may function
as a passage of light for the IR sensor disposed inside the
housing. For example, the IR sensor hole 155 may function as a
passage of light irradiated from the IR sensor and light input to
the IR sensor.
[0050] According to various embodiments, the IR sensor hole 155
formed in the cover window 110 may be formed so as not to be viewed
from the outside. For example, an area of the IR sensor hole 155
may have an external appearance that is the same as or similar to a
peripheral part such that the IR sensor hole 155 is not
distinguished from the peripheral part. According to an embodiment,
the cover window 110 may be formed such that light of a specific
wavelength is input to an area in which the IR sensor hole 155 is
formed. For example, the cover window 110 may be formed such that
light of an infrared ray area (e.g., an area including a wavelength
of about 940 nm) is input to the area in which the IR sensor hole
155 is formed at a specific ratio or more, and light of a visible
ray area (e.g., an area including a wavelength of about 550 nm) is
input to the area in which the IR sensor hole 155 is formed at the
specific ratio or less. Through this, because a difference between
a reflective color feeling of the area of the IR sensor hole 155
and a reflective color feeling of the peripheral part is a specific
color difference or less, the IR sensor hole 155 may not be
distinguished from the peripheral part when viewed from the
outside. A stack structure of the cover window 110 for this will be
described through embodiments.
[0051] The display 130 may display various content (e.g., a text,
an image, a video, an icon, and a symbol). According to an
embodiment, the display 130 may include a touch screen, and may
receive a touch, a gesture, a proximity, or a hovering input using
an electronic pen or the user's body.
[0052] The display 130 may be seated within the housing. Further, a
cover window 110 may be disposed on the display 130. For example,
the cover window 110 may be coupled to one surface (e.g., a front
surface) of the housing to cover the display 130. At least an area
of the cover window 110 may be formed of a transparent material
(e.g., glass), and a screen that output on the display 130 may be
displayed to the outside through the transparent area of the cover
window 110.
[0053] The electronic device 110 may include at least one function
button. The function button may provide an interface for receiving
a user input. For example, a home button 157 functioning to convert
the screen of the display 130 to a home screen may be formed at a
lower end of the electronic device 100. As another example, a
volume key (not illustrated) configured to perform functions such
as control of the volume of voice communication or control of the
volume of play of a multimedia file may be formed at a side portion
of the electronic device 100.
[0054] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of an electronic
device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a perspective
view of an electronic device according to an embodiment.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the electronic device 200 may
include a cover window 210, a display 220, a bracket 230, a printed
circuit board 140 (e.g., a first circuit board 241, a second
printed circuit board 243, a housing 260, and a rear cover 270).
The cover window 210 may define an external appearance of the
electronic device 200. The cover window 210 may be disposed on the
display 220 to cover the display 220. At least an area of the cover
window 210 may be formed of a transparent material, and a screen
output through the display 220 may be displayed to the outside
through the transparent area of the cover window 210.
[0056] The cover window 210 may have at least one hole. For example
the cover window 210 may include a camera hole 211, a receiver hole
213, and an IR sensor hole 215. The camera hole 211 may function as
a passage of light for the camera 251 seated in the housing 260.
The camera hole 211 may be disposed at a location at which the
camera 251 is aligned with the camera hole 211. The receiver hole
213 may function as a passage of sound for the receiver 253 seated
in the housing 260. The receiver hole 231 may be formed to be
connected to a space in which the receiver 253 is seated. The IR
sensor hole 215 may function as a passage of light for the IR
sensor 255 seated in the housing 260. The IR sensor hole 215 may be
disposed to be aligned with a location at which the IR sensor 255
is seated. The IR sensor hole 215 may include a hole for a light
emitting part of the IR sensor 255 and a hole for a light receiving
part of the IR sensor 255 separately, and may be integrally
formed.
[0057] The display 220, for example, may include a liquid crystal
display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic
light emitting diode (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical
system (MEMS) display, or an electronic paper display. The display
220 may display various content (e.g., a text, an image, a video,
an icon, and a symbol).
[0058] The bracket 230 may include an insulation material, and may
provide a space in which the display 220 may be seated. According
to an embodiment, a bonding material may be applied to a partial
area of the bracket 230 or the bracket 230 may include a bonding
layer such that the display 220 may be fixed to the bracket 230.
According to various embodiments, the bracket 230 may include at
least one opening. According to an embodiment, some elements of the
electronic device 200 may be aligned with at least one hole formed
in the cover window 210 through at least one opening formed in the
bracket 230. For example, the camera 251 may be aligned with the
camera hole 211 of the cover window 210 through a first opening 231
formed in the bracket 230, the receiver 253 may be aligned with the
receiver hole 213 of the cover window 210 through a second opening
233 formed in the bracket 230, and the IR sensor 255 may be aligned
with the IR sensor hole 215 of the cover window 210 through a third
opening 235 formed in the bracket 230.
[0059] The printed circuit board may be disposed under the bracket
230. Various electronic components may be mounted on the printed
circuit board. For example, at least one electronic element and
circuit lines may be mounted on the printed circuit board, and at
least some of them may be electrically connected with each other.
The electronic components, for example, may include a processor
257, a memory 258, or functional modules (e.g., the camera 251, the
receiver 253, and the IR sensor 255).
[0060] The processor 257 may execute operations or data processing
related to the control and/or communication of at least one other
element of the electronic device 200. The processor 257 may control
a plurality of hardware or software components connected to the
processor 257 by driving an operating system or an application
program and perform a variety of data processing or calculations.
The processor 257 may include one or more of a central processing
unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communication
processor (CP). The processor 257 may be implemented by a System on
Chip (SoC).
[0061] The memory 258 may include a volatile and/or nonvolatile
memory. The memory 258, for example, may store a command or data
related to at least one other element of the electronic device 200.
According to an embodiment, the memory 258 may store software
and/or a program 1340.
[0062] The functional module may perform at least one of the
functions provided by the electronic device 200. For example, the
functional modules may include a camera 251 configured to perform a
photographing function, a receiver 253 (or a speaker) configured to
output sound, or an IR sensor 255 configured to detect a proximity
of an object or an intensity of illumination of a peripheral
area.
[0063] According to various embodiments, the printed circuit board
may be integrally formed, or a plurality of printed circuit boards
may be arranged. The drawing illustrates a state in which a first
printed circuit board 241 and a second printed circuit board 243
are provided. According to an embodiment, the first printed circuit
board 241 and the second printed circuit board 243 may be
electrically connected with each other.
[0064] The housing 260 may fix and support the elements of the
electronic device 200. According to an embodiment, the display 220,
the bracket 230, and the printed circuit board may be sequentially
stacked and may be seated on the housing 260. As another example,
at least one of the functional modules may be seated in and fixed
to the housing 260.
[0065] The housing 260 may include a front surface, a rear surface,
and a side surface partially surrounding at least a portion of a
space between the front surface and the rear surface. According to
an embodiment, the housing 260 may have an opening that passes
through the front surface and the rear surface of the housing 260
such that the battery 259 may be attached to and detached from the
housing 260, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In
some embodiments, the battery 259 may be integrally formed with the
electronic device 200 and the opening passing through the front
surface and the rear surface of the housing 260 may not be
formed.
[0066] The battery 259 may supply electric power to the elements
included in the electronic device 200. As an example, the battery
259 may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board to
supply electric power to the electronic components mounted on the
printed circuit board.
[0067] The rear cover 270 may define a rear external appearance of
the electronic device 200. For example, the rear cover 270 may be
coupled to one surface (e.g., a rear surface) of the housing 260 to
cover the rear surface of the housing 260. According to various
embodiments, the rear cover 270 may be detachably mounted on the
housing 260.
[0068] FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a configuration of an IR
sensor according to an embodiment.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 3, the IR sensor 300 may include a
substrate 330, a light emitting part 351, and a light receiving
part 353. The substrate 330 may support the light emitting part 351
and the light receiving part 353, and various circuits and
terminals may be installed in the substrate 330 such that a voltage
may be applied to the light emitting part 351 and a detection
signal may be applied to the light receiving part 353.
[0070] The light emitting part 351 may be mounted on one side of an
upper surface of the substrate 330, and may include a light
emitting element 351b that may irradiate light (e.g., an infrared
ray) of a specific wavelength band to a subject, and a first hole
351a that functions as a passage such that the light irradiated
from the light emitting element 351b may be discharged to the
outside through the passage. The light emitting element 351b may be
an infrared ray LED.
[0071] The light receiving part 353 may be mounted on an opposite
side of the upper surface of the substrate 330, and may include a
light emitting element 353b that may receive light reflected by the
subject and a second hole 353a that functions as a passage such
that the light reflected by the subject may be input to the
interior of the IR sensor 300.
[0072] According to various embodiments, the light emitting part
351 and the light receiving part 353 may include lens units that
are mounted on upper sides of the light emitting element 351b and
the light receiving element 353b to surround the light emitting
element 351b and the light receiving element 353b, respectively.
The lens units may be formed of a transparent or translucent
material such as silicon, epoxy, acryl, glass, or sapphire, and may
be formed of various transparent or translucent materials, such as
transparent encapsulation materials, transparent electrode
materials, and transparent insulation materials.
[0073] According to an embodiment, the light emitting part 351 and
the light receiving part 353 may be disposed on the substrate 330
to be adjacent to each other, and may be formed in a form of one
package by a case 310. The case 310 has a shape surrounding the
light emitting part 351 and the light receiving part 353 at once,
and may include openings corresponding to the first hole 351a of
the light emitting part 351 and the second hole 353a of the light
receiving part 353 at upper ends of the light emitting part 351 and
the light receiving part 353, respectively. Further, the case 310
may have a blocking wall that blocks the light emitting part 351
and the light receiving part 353 from each other to prevent the
light generated by the light emitting element 351b of the light
emitting part 351 from being directly delivered to the light
receiving element 353b of the light receiving part 353. In some
embodiments, the IR sensor 300 may not include the case 310.
[0074] According to an embodiment, if the light generated by the
light emitting element 351b is discharged to the outside through
the first hole 351a and the discharged light is reflected by the
subject and is input to the interior of the IR sensor 300 through
the second hole 353a, the light receiving element 353b may detect
the input light to detect a proximity of the subject. Further, if
the light input from an external light source is input to the
interior of the IR sensor 300 through the second hole 353a, the
light receiving element 353b may detect the input light to detect
an intensity of illumination of a peripheral area.
[0075] FIG. 4A is a view schematically illustrating a section of
FIG. 2A, which is taken along line A-A', for explaining a
configuration of a cover window according to an embodiment, FIG. 4B
is a view illustrating a CIE LAB color coordinate in an IR sensor
hole area and a peripheral area according to an embodiment, and
FIG. 4C is a view for explaining a deposition structure of a color
layer according to an embodiment.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C, the cover window 400 may
include a glass layer 410, a color layer 430, and a black masking
layer 450 (or an opaque layer). The glass layer 410, the color
layer 430, and the black masking layer 450 may be sequentially
stacked. The glass layer 410, for example, may be formed at an
outskirt of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 100),
and may function to protect the electronic device from an external
impact. The glass layer 410 may be formed of a transparent material
(e.g., glass).
[0077] The color layer 430 may be provided such that light of a
specific wavelength band may be introduced into and discharged from
the color layer 430. The color layer 430 may be formed such that
light of an infrared area (e.g., an area including a wavelength of
about 940 nm) is input at a specific ratio (e.g., 30%) or more, and
may be formed such that light of a visual light or visual ray area
(e.g., an area including a wavelength of about 550 nm) is input at
a specific ratio (e.g., 10%) or less.
[0078] According to an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, a
difference between a reflective color feeling of the IR sensor hole
area 490 and a reflective color feeling of a peripheral part may be
a specific color difference value (.DELTA.E) (e.g., 3 to 3.75) or
less when the difference is measured with a CIE LAB color
coordinate. In detail, when a first color 401 is realized in the
color layer 430, a reflective index L*, a first chromaticity
coordinate a*, and a second chromaticity coordinate b* of a first
area 405 (e.g., a peripheral part of the IR sensor hole area 490)
may be 30.71, -0.02, and -2.2, respectively, and a reflective
index, a first chromaticity coordinate, and a second chromaticity
coordinate of a second area 406 (e.g., the IR sensor hole area 490)
may be 30.8, -0.03, and 2.31, respectively. Accordingly, when the
first color 401 is realized in the color layer 430, a color
difference between the first area 405 and the second area 406 may
be 0.14. When the second color 402 is realized in the color layer
430, the reflective index, the first chromaticity coordinate, and
the second chromaticity coordinate of the first area 405 may be
80.52, -1.05, and 1.16, respectively, and the reflective index, the
first chromaticity coordinate, and the second chromaticity
coordinate of the second area 406 may be 80.39, -1.22, and 0.77,
respectively. Accordingly, when the second color 402 is realized in
the color layer 430, a color difference between the first area 405
and the second area 406 may be 0.44. When the third color 403 is
realized in the color layer 430, the reflective index, the first
chromaticity coordinate, and the second chromaticity coordinate of
the first area 405 may be 69.78, 3.05, and 12.94, respectively, and
the reflective index, the first chromaticity coordinate, and the
second chromaticity coordinate of the second area 406 may be 70.04,
2.94, and 12.82, respectively. Accordingly, when the third color
403 is realized in the color layer 430, a color difference between
the first area 405 and the second area 406 may be 0.31. Further,
when the fourth color 404 is realized in the color layer 430, the
reflective index, the first chromaticity coordinate, and the second
chromaticity coordinate of the first area 405 may be 59.09, -6.69,
and -24.18, respectively, and the reflective index, the first
chromaticity coordinate, and the second chromaticity coordinate of
the second area 406 may be 59.24, -6.72, and -24.07, respectively.
Accordingly, when the fourth color 404 is realized in the color
layer 430, a color difference between the first area 405 and the
second area 406 may be 0.19.
[0079] The above-mentioned color difference between the first area
405 and the second area 406 is not limited thereto, but may have
various values according to colors that are to be realized. For
example, the color difference between the first area 405 and the
second area 406 may be 0.14 or less. However, the color difference
between the first area 405 and the second area 406 has to be the
specific color difference (e.g., 3 to 3.75) or less, and the first
area 405 and the second area 406 may have the same or similar
external appearances. Further, the first color 401, the second
color 402, the third color 403, and the fourth color 404 may be at
least one of a black color, a silver color, a gold color, and a
blue color.
[0080] According to an embodiment, the color layer 430 may be
formed through deposition of an oxide or may be formed of a printed
painting film. In the case of the deposition of an oxide, an oxide
or a nitride such as SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3,
Nb.sub.2O.sub.5, MgF.sub.2, Ti.sub.2O.sub.5, SnO.sub.2, ZnO,
Ta.sub.2O.sub.5, MgO, Si.sub.3N.sub.4, ITO, AlN, AlON, TiN,
Ti.sub.305, or ZrO.sub.2 may be used. According to various
embodiments, a metal thin film may be additionally deposited on the
color layer 430 when the oxide is deposited. When the metal thin
film is used, the thickness of the thin film may decrease to a
quarter of the color layer 430 formed of an oxide thin film.
Further, when the thin film is thick, there is a high possibility
of generating a color deviation due to the deviation of the
thicknesses of the thin films of the layers, but when the thickness
of the thin film decreases due to use of the metal thin film, the
color deviation of the color 430 may be improved. Further, because
a defect of a thin film, such as a thin film crack, may be also
improved when the thickness of the thin film decreases, it may be
advantageous to use the metal thin film when various color feelings
to be realized.
[0081] However, when the metal thin film is deposited thick for a
desired color feeling, a transmissivity of light at a wavelength
band (e.g., 550 nm/940 nm) for an operation of a sensor may not be
secured so that the thickness of the metal thin film needs to be
limited. As an embodiment, when the metal thin film is deposited,
the thickness of the thin film may be a specific thickness (e.g., 0
to 50 nm) or less. As the thickness of the metal thin film is
limited for a performance of a sensor, the insufficient color
feeling may be compensated for by making the structures of the
remaining oxide layers different.
[0082] The metal thin film may be formed of In, Al, Ag, Sn, or Ag.
As an example, when the metal thin film is formed of indium (In),
the color layer 430 may be advantageous in increasing a luminance
feeling while the color layer 430 maintains a thickness of a
specific value or less. Further, in the case of deposition using
indium, flows of current may be prevented by forming a deposition
layer in an isolation form (e.g., an island form). In the case of a
printed painting film, the color layer 430 may be formed by using a
plurality of color inks, curing agents, diluents, or solvents for
emission of colors.
[0083] According to various embodiments, the color layer 430 may
deposited with a plurality of layers. For example, the color layer
430 may realize a specific transmissivity and a specific reflective
index by repeatedly stacking a high refractivity material and a low
refractivity material, and may be advantageous in realizing a
specific color. When light passes through two different media, it
may pass through a border of the two media or may be reflected on
the border. The phenomenon is caused by an optical difference
between two media, for example, the refractivity or absorption
rates of materials, and in the case of a multilayered thin film, an
offset interference or a constructive interference of light may
occur on an interface of thin films according to the refractivity,
absorption rates, or thicknesses of the thin films. Accordingly,
the transmissivity and the reflective indexes of light for the
wavelengths may be adjusted and a desired color may be
implemented.
[0084] In more detail, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, in the color
layer 430, the first color 401 may be realized by depositing
TiO.sub.2 on a first layer, SiO.sub.2 on a second layer, and
TiO.sub.2 on a third layer such that TiO.sub.2 on the first layer,
SiO.sub.2 on the second layer, and TiO.sub.2 on the third layer
have a thickness of 40 .ANG. to 80 .ANG., a thickness of 190 .ANG.
to 290 .ANG., and a thickness of 140 .ANG. to 180 .ANG.,
respectively. In the color layer 430, the second color 402 may be
realized by depositing Al.sub.2O.sub.3 on a first layer, In on a
second layer, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 on a third layer, and TIO.sub.2 on a
fourth layer such that Al.sub.2O.sub.3 on the first layer, In on
the second layer, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 on the third layer, and TIO.sub.2
on the fourth layer have a thickness of 16 .ANG. to 24 .ANG., a
thickness of 300 .ANG. to 420 .ANG., a thickness of 160 .ANG. to
240 .ANG., and 16 .ANG. to 24 .ANG., respectively. In the color
layer 430, the third color 403 may be realized by depositing
TiO.sub.2 on a first layer, In on a second layer, TIO.sub.2 on a
third layer, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 on a fourth layer, and TiO.sub.2 on a
fifth layer such that TiO.sub.2 on the first layer, In on the
second layer, TIO.sub.2 on the third layer, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 on the
fourth layer, and TiO.sub.2 on the fifth layer have a thickness of
220 .ANG. to 340 .ANG., a thickness of 380 .ANG. to 580 .ANG., a
thickness of 560 .ANG. to 840 .ANG., 120 .ANG. to 180 .ANG., and 16
.ANG. to 24 .ANG., respectively. Further, in the color layer 430,
the fourth color 404 may be realized by depositing TiO.sub.2 on a
first layer, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 on a second layer, In on a third
layer, TiO.sub.2 on a fourth layer, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 on a fifth
layer, and TiO.sub.2 on a sixth layer such that TiO.sub.2 on the
first layer, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 on the second layer, In on the third
layer, TiO.sub.2 on the fourth layer, Al.sub.2O.sub.3 on the fifth
layer, and TiO.sub.2 on the sixth layer have a thickness of 560
.ANG. to 840 .ANG., a thickness of 16 .ANG. to 24 .ANG., a
thickness of 190 .ANG. to 290 .ANG., 240 .ANG. to 360 .ANG., 160
.ANG. to 240 .ANG., and 16 .ANG. to 24 .ANG., respectively
[0085] When the color layer 430 is formed through deposition of an
oxide and a metal thin film, a transmissivity of light of a
specific wavelength band in a multilayered thin film structure may
be adjusted by utilizing a refractivity, a reflective index, or a
transmissivity of the deposition layer, and when the color layer
430 is formed of a printed painting film, a transmissivity of light
of a specific wavelength band may be adjusted by adjusting a
transmissivity of a color mixing ink and a thickness of a printed
painting film.
[0086] Accordingly, in a partial area (e.g., the IR sensor hole
area 490) of the cover window 400 which the IR sensor 470 faces,
light of an infrared ray area (e.g., an area including a wavelength
of about 940 nm) may be input at a specific ratio (e.g., 0.2:1 or
20%) or more such that the function of the IR sensor 470 may be
supported, and light of a visible light or visual ray area (e.g.,
an area including a wavelength of about 550 nm) may be input at a
specific ratio (e.g., 0.15:1 or 15%) or less such that the partial
area of the cover window 400 may be viewed to have an external
appearance that is substantially the same as or similar to a
peripheral area.
[0087] According to an embodiment, the color layer 430 may have a
smaller thickness when the color layer 430 is realized through
deposition than when the color layer 430 is realized through
printing. For example, a thickness of the color layer 430 realized
through deposition may be 10 nm to 500 nm, and a thickness of the
color layer 430 realized through printing may be 5 .mu.m to 50
.mu.m.
[0088] The black masking layer 450 may include a printed painting
film that is opaquely printed such that a non-display area that is
adjacent to a display area of a display (e.g., the display 130) is
not exposed to the outside. The black masking layer 450, for
example, may be formed in a black matrix (BM) area. The black
masking layer 450 may not be formed in a partial area of the cover
window 400, for example, the IR sensor hole area 490.
[0089] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a stack structure of a cover
window, to which light having a specific wavelength band is input,
according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a stack structure of
a partial area (e.g., the IR sensor hole area 490) of the cover
window 500.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 5, the cover window 500 may include a
color layer including a glass layer 510 and a plurality of
deposition layers. The plurality of deposition layers may include
at least one oxide deposition layer and at least one metal thin
film deposition layer. The plurality of deposition layers may have
a specific transmissivity and a specific reflective index by
stacking materials having different refractivity in a specific
sequence, and may have a specific color. For example, as
illustrated in the drawing, the IR sensor 560 may detect an
infrared ray 573 by reflecting a visual ray 571 of light 570 that
is input to the cover window 500 and allowing an infrared ray 573
to pass through the IR sensor 560.
[0091] The drawing illustrates a state in which a first oxide
deposition layer 520, a metal thin film deposition layer 530, a
second oxide deposition layer 540, and a third oxide deposition
layer 550 are sequentially stacked under the glass layer 510. As an
example, the first oxide deposition layer 520 and the third oxide
deposition layer 550 may be formed of a material having a
refractivity of a specific value or less, and the second oxide
deposition layer 540 may be formed of a refractivity of a specific
value or more. The first oxide deposition layer 520 and the third
oxide deposition layer 550 may include the same or similar
materials. As an example, the first oxide deposition layer 520 and
the third oxide deposition layer 550 may include Al.sub.2O.sub.3.
Further, the second oxide deposition layer 540 may include
TiO.sub.2. According to an embodiment, the metal thin film
deposition layer 530 may include indium, and may have a thickness
of a specific value (e.g., 20 nm) or less.
[0092] FIG. 6A is a view illustrating a stack structure of a cover
window in which a film layer is disposed according to an
embodiment, FIG. 6B is a view illustrating a stack structure of a
cover window in which an IR ink layer is disposed according to an
embodiment, and FIG. 6C is a view illustrating a stack structure of
a cover window including a film layer in which a molding pattern is
formed according to an embodiment.
[0093] Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the cover window 600 may
include at least one of a film layer 620 and an IR ink layer 650 in
addition to the glass layer 610, the color layer 630, and the block
masking layer 640. As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6C, the cover
window 600 may further include a film layer 620 between the glass
layer 610 and the color layer 630. The film layer 620 may include a
film in which a letter, a number, a symbol, or a figure is printed
by using an ink (a paint) of an opaque color.
[0094] According to an embodiment, the film layer 620 may realize a
specific pattern. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, a molding
pattern may be formed in the film layer 620 through UV molding.
When the film layer 620 having a molding pattern is included in the
cover window 600, the molding pattern may extend not only to an IR
sensor hole area (e.g., the IR sensor hole area 490) but also to a
peripheral area to achieve an integral external appearance.
[0095] The IR ink layer 650 may be formed by using an IR ink. As
illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the IR ink layer 650 may be
disposed to be aligned with an empty space between the black
masking layers 640, that is, in the IR sensor hole area. The IR ink
layer 650 may be disposed to adjust a transmissivity of light of a
specific wavelength band. For example, the IR ink layer 650 may be
disposed to increase a transmissivity of an infrared ray of the
color layer 630 to a specific value or more or decrease a
transmissivity of a visual ray to a specific value or less. When
the color layer 630 is formed of a printed painting film, a
transmissivity of the visual ray of the color layer 630 may be
adjusted by adjusting a transmissivity of a color mixing ink and a
thickness of a printed painting film, and the transmissivity of an
infrared ray and a visual ray may be adjusted by adjusting a color
of the BM area and by additionally using the IR ink layer 650.
[0096] According to an embodiment, the IR ink used for the IR ink
layer 650 may have different composition ratios according to
specifications. For example, because a transmissivity of a
deposition layer or a printed painting film forming the color layer
630 is different, the transmissivity of the IR ink also may be
determined at a composition ratio corresponding thereto. Further,
the IR ink layer 650 may function to protect the color layer 630
from the outside. As another example, when the deposition layer or
the printed painting film forming the color layer 630 satisfies a
transmissivity of light of a specific wavelength band, the IR ink
layer 650 may include a transparent ink for protecting the IR
sensor hole area.
[0097] FIG. 7A is a view illustrating a first stack structure of a
cover window according to an embodiment, FIG. 7B is a view
illustrating a second stack structure of a cover window according
to an embodiment, FIG. 7C is a view illustrating a third stack
structure of a cover window according to an embodiment, FIG. 7D is
a view illustrating a fourth stack structure of a cover window
according to an embodiment, FIG. 7E is a view illustrating a fifth
stack structure of a cover window according to an embodiment, FIG.
7F is a view illustrating a sixth stack structure of a cover window
according to an embodiment, and FIG. 7G is a view illustrating a
seventh stack structure of a cover window according to an
embodiment. FIGS. 7A to 7G illustrate a stack structure of a
partial area (e.g., the IR sensor hole area 490) of the cover
window 700.
[0098] Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7G, the cover window 700 may
include a glass layer 710, a film layer 730, a color layer 750, and
an IR ink layer 770. However, the configuration of the cover window
700 is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cover window
700 may exclude at least one of the film layer 730 and the IR ink
layer 770.
[0099] The cover window 700 may have different colors according to
method of forming the color layer 750 and used materials. According
to an embodiment, the color layer 750 may be formed of at least one
oxide (or nitride) deposition layer and at least one metal thin
film deposition layer.
[0100] According to an embodiment, the color layer 750 may be
formed of one oxide (or nitride) deposition layer and one metal
thin film deposition layer. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the color
layer 750 may have a structure in which a metal thin film
deposition layer 752 is disposed between first oxide deposition
layers 751. As an example, when the first oxide deposition layers
751 include TiO.sub.2 and the metal thin film deposition layer 752
includes an indium metal thin film, the color layer 750 may realize
a first color.
[0101] According to an embodiment, the color layer 750 may be
formed of two oxide (or nitride) deposition layers or more and one
metal thin film deposition layer. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the
color layer 750 may have a form in which the first oxide deposition
layer 751, the metal thin film deposition layer 752, a second oxide
deposition layer 753, and the first oxide deposition layer 751 are
sequentially stacked. As an example, when the first oxide
deposition layers 751 include Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the second oxide
deposition layer 753 includes TiO.sub.2, and the metal thin film
deposition layer 752 includes an indium metal thin film, the color
layer 750 may realize a second color.
[0102] As illustrated in FIG. 7C, the color layer 750 may have a
form in which a third oxide deposition layer 754, the metal thin
film deposition layer 752, and the first oxide deposition layer 751
are sequentially stacked. As an example, when the first oxide
deposition layers 751 include Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the third oxide
deposition layer 754 includes SiO.sub.2, and the metal thin film
deposition layer 752 includes an indium metal thin film, the color
layer 750 may realize a second color.
[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 7D, the color layer 750 may have a
form in which the second oxide deposition layer 753, the metal thin
film deposition layer 752, the second oxide deposition layer 753,
and the first oxide deposition layer 751 are sequentially stacked.
As an example, when the first oxide deposition layers 751 include
Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the second oxide deposition layer 753 includes
TiO.sub.2, and the metal thin film deposition layer 752 includes an
indium metal thin film, the color layer 750 may realize a third
color. As another example, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, when the
first oxide deposition layers 751 include TiO.sub.2, the second
oxide deposition layer 753 includes Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and the metal
thin film deposition layer 752 includes an indium metal thin film,
the color layer 750 may realize a second color.
[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 7E, the color layer 750 may have a
form in which the third oxide deposition layer 754, the second
oxide deposition layer 753, the first oxide deposition layer 751,
the metal thin film deposition layer 752, the second oxide
deposition layer 753, and the first oxide deposition layer 751 are
sequentially stacked. As an example, when the first oxide
deposition layers 751 include Al.sub.2O.sub.3, the second oxide
deposition layer 753 includes TiO.sub.2, the third oxide deposition
layer 754 includes SiO.sub.2, and the metal thin film deposition
layer 752 includes an indium metal thin film, the color layer 750
may realize a third color.
[0105] As described above, because the color layer 750 includes a
plurality of oxide deposition layers on at least one of on and
under the metal thin film deposition layer 752, various colors may
be realized. As the locations and the number of the oxide
deposition layers are differently determined even though the type
of the oxide deposition layers is the same, the color layer 750 may
be realized in different colors.
[0106] According to various embodiments, the color layer 750 may be
formed of a printed painting film, and may be formed of at least
one oxide (or nitride) deposition layer that does not include a
metal thin film deposition layer. As an example, as illustrated in
FIG. 7F, the color layer 750 may have a form in which the second
oxide deposition layer 753, the third oxide deposition layer 754,
and the second oxide deposition layer 753 are sequentially stacked.
As another example, as illustrated in FIG. 7G, the color layer 750
may have a form in which the second oxide deposition layer 753, the
third oxide deposition layer 754, the second oxide deposition layer
753, the third oxide deposition layer 754, and the second oxide
deposition layer 753 are sequentially stacked. According to an
embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, when the second oxide
deposition layer 753 includes TiO.sub.2 and the third oxide
deposition layer 754 includes SiO.sub.2, the color layer 750 may
realize a fourth color. Further, the second oxide deposition layer
753 and the third oxide deposition layer 754 may be repeatedly
stacked such that the color layer 750 realizes a fourth color. In
this case, the color layer 750 may increase the number of stacked
layers while the realized color is not changed.
[0107] According to an embodiment, when an oxide (or nitride)
deposition layer is formed not to include a metal thin film
deposition layer, the color layer 750 may realize a color through
additional printing. As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 7F, if
the color layer 730 is background black double-tone printed and
shield black double-tone printed after being deposited with an
oxide (nitride) and an IR ink layer 770 is formed by using a black
IR ink, the color layer 730 may realize a fourth color. As another
example, as illustrated in FIG. 7F, if the color layer 730 is
background black double-tone printed and shield white
quadruple-tone printed after being deposited with an oxide
(nitride) and an IR ink layer 770 is formed by using a white IR
ink, the color layer 730 may realize a fifth color.
[0108] In some embodiments, the color layer 730 may realize a
fourth color by forming the IR ink layer 770 first by using a black
IR ink while omitting formation of an oxide (or nitride) deposition
layer and then performing black quadruple printing on the IR ink
layer 770. In this case, after the IR ink layer 770 is formed,
black quadruple printing may be performed after masking a partial
area (e.g., the IR sensor hole area 490) of the IR ink layer 770,
and masking may be removed after the black printing is
performed.
[0109] The first color, the second color, the third color, the
fourth color, and the fifth color may be at least one of a tint
dark color, a silver color, a gold color, a black color, and a
white color. However, the present disclosure is not limited the
colors. The colors may be differently realized according to the
type, the number, and the stack sequence of the oxide (or nitride)
deposition layers, and the type, the number, and the stack sequence
of the metal thin film deposition layers.
[0110] As described above, according to various embodiments, an
electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 200) may include a
housing (e.g., the housing 260) including a first surface facing a
first direction, a second surface facing a second direction that is
opposite to the first direction, and a side surface surrounding at
least a portion of a space between the first surface and the second
surface, a touch screen display (e.g., the display 220) disposed
within the housing and exposed through a first area of the first
surface, an optical sensor (e.g., the IR sensor 255) included
within the housing, disposed under a second area of the first
surface that is adjacent to the first area, and configured to
receive and/or emit an infrared ray, and a processor (e.g., the
processor 257) electrically connected to the display and the
optical sensor. The first surface may include a substantially
transparent glass layer (e.g., the glass layer 410), an opaque
layer (e.g., the black masking layer 450) disposed between the
glass layer and the second surface, and a color layer (e.g., the
color layer 430) disposed between the opaque layer and the glass
layer and forming at least a portion of a color exposed through the
glass layer. The opaque layer may include an opening (e.g., the IR
sensor hole 155), a location and a size of which correspond to at
least a portion of the optical sensor when viewed from the first
surface, and the optical sensor may receive and/or emit an infrared
ray through the opening, the color layer, and the glass layer.
[0111] According to various embodiments, the color layer may have a
thickness of 10 nm to 130 nm.
[0112] According to various embodiments, the color layer may have a
thickness of 10 nm to 500 nm.
[0113] According to various embodiments, the color layer may have a
thickness of 5 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m.
[0114] According to various embodiments, the color layer may
include a first layer (e.g., the first oxide deposition layer 751)
disposed between the glass layer and the opaque layer and having a
first refractive index, a second layer (e.g., the second oxide
deposition layer 753) disposed between the first layer and the
opaque layer and having a second refractive index that is smaller
than the first refractive index, and a third layer (e.g., the metal
thin film deposition layer 752) disposed between the first layer
and the second layer.
[0115] According to various embodiments, a ratio of a thickness of
the first layer and a thickness of the second layer may be in a
range between 0.48:1.09 to 7.33:16.50.
[0116] According to various embodiments, the first layer and the
second layer may include at least one of SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Nb2O5,
MgF2, Ti2O5, SnO2, ZnO, Ta2O5, MgO, Si3N4, ITO, AlN, AlON, TiN,
Ti3O5, and ZrO2, and the third layer may include at least one of
In, Al, Ag, Sn, and Ag.
[0117] According to various embodiments, light of a first
wavelength band may pass through the color layer at a first ratio
or more, and light of a second wavelength band may pass through the
color layer at a second ratio or less.
[0118] According to various embodiments, the first wavelength band
may correspond to an infrared ray area including a wavelength of
940 nm, and the second wavelength band may correspond to a visual
ray area including a wavelength of 550 nm.
[0119] According to various embodiments, the first ratio may be 20%
and the second ratio may be 15%.
[0120] According to various embodiments, the third layer may have a
thickness of 50 nm or less.
[0121] According to various embodiments, the color layer may be
formed by using at least one of at least one color ink, a curing
agent, a diluent, and a solvent.
[0122] According to various embodiments, the electronic device may
further include at least one of a film layer (e.g., the film layer
730) printed by using an ink or a paint of an opaque color, and an
IR ink layer (e.g., the IR ink layer 770) formed by using an IR
ink.
[0123] According to various embodiments, the film layer may include
a molding pattern.
[0124] According to various embodiments, the IR ink layer may be
aligned with the opening.
[0125] According to various embodiments, the IR ink layer may
increase a first ratio by which light of a first wavelength band
passes through the color layer to a designated value or more, or
decrease a second ratio by which light of a second wavelength band
passes through the color layer to a designated value or less.
[0126] According to various embodiments, a cover window (e.g., the
cover window 110) of an electronic device may include a glass layer
formed of a transparent material, disposed at an outskirt of the
electronic device, and configured to protect the electronic device
from an external impact, a color layer stacked under the glass
layer and configured to realize a designated color, and an opaque
layer stacked under the color layer and printed opaquely in an area
other than a designated area of the cover window. Light of a first
wavelength band may pass through the color layer at a first ratio
or more, and light of a second wavelength band may pass through the
color layer at a second ratio or less.
[0127] According to various embodiments, the first wavelength band
may correspond to an infrared ray area including a wavelength of
940 nm, the second wavelength band may correspond to a visual ray
area including a wavelength of 550 nm, the first ratio may be 20%,
and the second ratio may be 15%.
[0128] According to various embodiments, the color layer may
include at least one oxide or nitride deposition layer and at least
one metal thin film deposition layer, or include a printed painting
film.
[0129] According to various embodiments, the cover window may
further include at least one of a film layer printed by using an
ink or a paint of an opaque color, and an IR ink layer formed by
using an IR ink.
[0130] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an
integral feeling of an external appearance of an electronic device
may be increased by preventing the sensor hole formed in the cover
window from being viewed from the outside.
[0131] In addition, the present disclosure may provide various
effects that are directly or indirectly recognized.
[0132] The term "module" used herein may represent, for example, a
unit including one of hardware, software and firmware or a
combination thereof. The term "module" may be interchangeably used
with the terms "unit", "logic", "logical block", "component" and
"circuit". The "module" may be a minimum unit of an integrated
component or may be a part thereof. The "module" may be a minimum
unit for performing one or more functions or a part thereof. The
"module" may be implemented mechanically or electronically. For
example, the "module" may include at least one of an
application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, a
field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a programmable-logic
device for performing some operations, which are known or will be
developed.
[0133] At least a part of devices (e.g., modules or functions
thereof) or methods (e.g., operations) according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as
instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium in the
form of a program module. In the case where the instructions are
performed by a processor (e.g., the processor 257), the processor
may perform functions corresponding to the instructions. The
computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, the memory
258.
[0134] A computer-readable recording medium may include a hard
disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic medium (e.g., a magnetic tape), an
optical medium (e.g., CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD)), a
magneto-optical medium (e.g., a floptical disk), or a hardware
device (e.g., a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, or the like). The
program instructions may include machine language codes generated
by compilers and high-level language codes that can be executed by
computers using interpreters. The above-mentioned hardware device
may be configured to be operated as one or more software modules
for performing operations of various embodiments of the present
disclosure and vice versa.
[0135] A module or a program module according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of
the above-mentioned elements, or some elements may be omitted or
other additional elements may be added. Operations performed by the
module, the program module or other elements according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed in a
sequential, parallel, iterative or heuristic way. Furthermore, some
operations may be performed in another order or may be omitted, or
other operations may be added.
[0136] While the present disclosure has been shown and described
with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of
the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present
disclosure should not be defined as being limited to the
embodiments, but should be defined by the appended claims and
equivalents thereof.
[0137] Although the present disclosure has been described with an
exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be
suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the
present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *