Fingerprint recognition device and driving method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are a fingerprint recognition device and a driving method thereof, wherein the fingerprint recognition device includes a sensing panel, a scan drive unit and a timing controller, wherein the sensing panel includes a plurality of sensing blocks, wherein each of the sensing blocks includes a plurality of sensors, the scan drive unit is configured to provide a scan signal to the sensors, the timing controller is configured to provide a second start signal to the scan drive unit, wherein each of the sensors includes a reference capacitor and a sensing capacitor, the scan drive unit includes a scan driver corresponding to a row of the sensing blocks, in a fingerprint recognition mode, the timing controller provides the second start signal to the scan driver corresponding to the sensing block generating a touch input, and in a touch mode, the timing controller sequentially provides the second start signal to the scan driver.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0097274, filed on August 21, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present inventive concept relates to a fingerprint recognition device, and more particularly, to a fingerprint recognition device including a self-capacitive fingerprint sensor or an optical fingerprint sensor. Background Art

[0004] Computer-based systems have been developed for various purposes, such as laptop computers, tablet personal computers (PCs), smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), automated teller machines (ATMs), search and navigation systems, etc. Since computer-based systems store various confidential data, such as personal information, business information, or trade secrets, there is a need to protect these confidential data. To achieve this, fingerprint sensors have been developed.

[0005] A fingerprint sensor is a sensor capable of sensing a human fingerprint. Fingerprint sensors can be classified as optical fingerprint sensors or capacitive fingerprint sensors. An optical fingerprint sensor detects a fingerprint by emitting light using a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) and sensing light reflected from the ridges and valleys of a finger via a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. A capacitive fingerprint sensor detects a fingerprint by using capacitance generated between the capacitive fingerprint sensor and the ridges or valleys of a finger in contact with the capacitive fingerprint sensor. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a fingerprint recognition device includes a sensing panel, a scan drive unit and a timing controller, wherein the sensing panel includes a plurality of sensing blocks, wherein each of the sensing blocks includes a plurality of sensors, the scan drive unit is configured to provide a scan signal to the sensors, and the timing controller is configured to provide a second start signal to the scan drive unit, wherein each of the sensors includes a reference capacitor and a sensing capacitor, the scan drive unit includes a scan driver corresponding to a row of the sensing blocks, in a fingerprint recognition mode, the timing controller provides the second start signal to the scan driver corresponding to the sensing block generating a touch input, and in a touch mode, the timing controller sequentially provides the second start signal to the scan driver.

[0007] The reference capacitor may have a fixed capacitance, and the sensing capacitor may have a variable capacitance that varies according to a distance to the fingerprint.

[0008] The fingerprint recognition device may further include a transmission driving unit configured to receive a first start signal from the timing controller and provide a transmission signal to the sensor.

[0009] In the touch mode, the timing controller may provide an on-state mode signal to the scan driving unit, and in the fingerprint recognition mode, the timing controller may provide an off-state mode signal to the scan driving unit.

[0010] In the fingerprint recognition mode, the transmission driving unit may sequentially provide a transmission signal to the sensor, and the scanning driving unit may sequentially provide a scanning signal to the sensor.

[0011] The first start signal may be provided before the second start signal, and the emission signal may be provided before the scanning signal.

[0012] The first start signal may include at least three consecutive pulses, and the second start signal may be provided when the last pulse of the first start signal is provided.

[0013] In the touch mode, the emission driving unit and the scan driving unit may provide the sensor with an emission signal and a scan signal at the same time.

[0014] The transmission driving unit and the scan driving unit may provide transmission signals and scan signals to only some of the sensors.

[0015] The timing controller may provide a first emission clock signal and a second emission clock signal having opposite phases relative to each other to the scan driving unit, and provide a first scan clock signal and a second scan clock signal having opposite phases relative to each other to the scan driving unit, the first emission clock signal and the second emission clock signal include a portion modulated to a high frequency, and the first scan clock signal and the second scan clock signal include a portion modulated to a high frequency.

[0016] The timing controller may provide an enable signal to the emission driving unit and the scan driving unit, and when the enable signal is turned off, all operations of the emission driving unit and the scan driving unit may be terminated.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a fingerprint recognition device includes a sensing panel, a scan drive unit and a timing controller, wherein the sensing panel includes a plurality of sensing blocks, wherein each of the sensing blocks includes a plurality of sensors, the scan drive unit is configured to provide a scan signal to the sensors, and the timing controller is configured to provide a start signal to the scan drive unit, wherein each of the sensors includes a photoelectric conversion element, the scan drive unit includes a scan driver corresponding to a row of the sensing blocks, and in a first mode, the timing controller sequentially provides the start signal to the scan driver, and in a second mode, the timing controller provides the start signal to the scan driver corresponding to the sensing block generating the touch input.

[0018] In the second mode, the scan driving unit may receive an activation signal and may sequentially provide scan signals to the sensors.

[0019] The timing controller may receive a touch signal from the touch sensing unit, may detect touch coordinates from the touch signal, and may provide an enable signal only to a scan driver corresponding to a sensing block corresponding to the detected touch coordinates.

[0020] The touch sensing unit may be disposed on the display panel, and the sensing panel may be attached to the bottom of the display panel.

[0021] The timing controller may provide an activation signal to at least one scan driver adjacent to a scan driver corresponding to a sensing block corresponding to the detected touch coordinates.

[0022] In the first mode, the scan driving unit can provide scan signals to the sensors simultaneously.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in a driving method of a fingerprint recognition device, the fingerprint recognition device includes a sensing panel, an emission driving unit, a scanning driving unit and a timing controller, wherein the sensing panel includes a plurality of sensing blocks, each of the plurality of sensing blocks includes a plurality of sensors, the emission driving unit is used to provide an emission signal to the sensor, the scanning driving unit is used to provide a scanning signal to the sensor, and the timing controller is used to provide a first start signal to the emission driving unit and a second start signal to the scanning driving unit, and the driving method includes: receiving a touch input at the sensing panel; determining, by the timing controller, whether a mode signal is turned on or off; and when the mode signal is turned off, driving the fingerprint recognition device in a fingerprint recognition mode, and when the mode signal is turned on, driving the fingerprint recognition device in a touch mode.

[0024] Driving the fingerprint recognition device in the fingerprint recognition mode includes: sequentially providing a first start signal to the emission driving unit by the timing controller; sequentially providing an emission signal to the sensor by the emission driving unit; providing a second start signal to the scan driving unit by the timing controller; sequentially providing a scan signal to the sensor by the scan driving unit; and cutting off the enable signal by the timing controller, and the first start signal and the second start signal can be provided to both the emission driver and the scan driver corresponding to the row of the sensing block generating the touch input.

[0025] The driving of the fingerprint recognition device in the touch mode includes: turning on the enable signal by the timing controller; providing the first start signal and the second start signal to the scan driving unit and the emission driving unit by the timing controller at the same time; providing the emission signal and the scan signal to the sensor by the emission driving unit and the scan driving unit at the same time; and cutting off the enable signal by the timing controller, and the first start signal and the second start signal can be sequentially provided to the emission driver arranged corresponding to the row of the sensing block and the scan driver arranged corresponding to the row of the sensing block. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other features of the present inventive concept will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0028] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of area A;

[0030] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of a capacitive fingerprint sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0031] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a schematic diagram showing the difference between a line-driven fingerprint recognition method and an area-driven fingerprint recognition method;

[0032] Figure 6 is a waveform diagram illustrating an emission clock signal and a scan clock signal according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0033] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a signal flow in a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0034] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0035] Fig. 9 is a timing diagram showing signals output by a timing controller and a sensing driving unit of a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept in a fingerprint recognition mode;

[0036] Fig.10is a timing diagram showing signals output by a timing controller and a sensing driving unit of a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept when a fingerprint recognition mode is completed;

[0037] Fig.11 is a timing diagram showing signals output by a timing controller and a sensing driving unit of a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept when a touch mode is driven and when the touch mode is completed;

[0038] Fig.12 is a circuit diagram of a capacitive fingerprint sensor according to another exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0039] Fig.13 is a circuit diagram of an optical fingerprint sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0040] Fig.14 Yes Fig.13 A block diagram of a display device of an optical fingerprint sensor;

[0041] Fig.15 Yes Fig.13 A block diagram of a fingerprint recognition device using an optical fingerprint sensor; and

[0042] Fig.16 is a circuit diagram of an optical fingerprint sensor according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the inventive concept may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0044] 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.

[0045] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present.

[0046] In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation.

[0047] Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0048] Figure 1is a block diagram of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Magnified view of area A.

[0049] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , the display device 10 may include a display panel 100, a data driving unit 110, a gate driving unit 120, a sensing panel 205, a sensing driving unit 215, a readout circuit unit 230, and a timing controller 300. The fingerprint recognition device 200 may include a sensing panel 205, a sensing driving unit 215, a readout circuit unit 230, and a timing controller 300. The sensing driving unit 215 may include a scanning driving unit 210 and an emission driving unit 220. The timing controller 300 may provide various control signals to the display panel 100 and the fingerprint recognition device 200.

[0050] The display panel 100 may include a plurality of pixels PX and may provide an image to the outside. The display panel 100 may be an OLED display panel including an organic light emitting diode. In the following description, it is assumed that the display panel 100 is an OLED display panel, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the display panel 100 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel or a micro light emitting diode (mLED) display panel.

[0051] The display panel 100 may be provided with data lines DL1 to DLm (where m is a positive integer of 2 or more) and gate lines GL1 to GLn (where n is a positive integer of 2 or more). The data lines DL1 to DLm and the gate lines GL1 to GLn may cross each other. Each of the pixels PX of the display panel 100 may be connected to one of the data lines DL1 to DLm and one of the gate lines GL1 to GLn. Each of the pixels PX may include a light emitting element, a capacitor, a driving transistor, and a switching transistor controlled by a gate signal from one of the gate lines GL1 to GLn. The driving transistor and the switching transistor may be a thin film transistor (TFT).

[0052] The data driving unit 110 is connected to the data lines DL1 to DLm and provides a data voltage to the pixel PX. The data driving unit 110 may receive the digital video data DATA' and the data control signal DCS from the timing controller 300. The data driving unit 110 may convert the digital video data DATA' into a data voltage according to the data control signal DCS, and may provide the data voltage to the data lines DL1 to DLm.

[0053] The gate driving unit 120 is connected to the gate lines GL1 to GLn and provides a gate voltage to the pixels PX. The gate driving unit 120 may receive a gate control signal GCS from the timing controller 300. The gate driving unit 120 may sequentially provide a gate voltage to the gate lines GL1 to GLn according to the gate control signal GCS.

[0054] The timing controller 300 receives a plurality of image signals DATA and a plurality of control signals CS from outside the display device 10. The timing controller 300 may generate an image signal DATA′ (also referred to as digital video data) by converting a data format of the image signal DATA to be compatible with an interface specification of the data driving unit 110, and may provide the image signal DATA′ to the data driving unit 110. The timing controller 300 may provide a data control signal DCS to the data driving unit 110.

[0055] The timing controller 300 may provide various control signals to various driving units. For example, the timing controller 300 may generate a gate control signal GCS and provide the gate control signal GCS to the gate driving unit 120. In addition, the timing controller 300 may generate a scan control signal SCS and an emission control signal ECS, provide the scan control signal SCS to the scan driving unit 210, and provide the emission control signal ECS to the emission driving unit 220. For example, the timing controller 300 may generate a readout control signal RCS, provide the readout control signal RCS to the readout circuit unit 230, and receive a fingerprint sensing signal SS from the readout circuit unit 230.

[0056] The fingerprint recognition device 200 may include a sensing panel 205 , a sensing driving unit 215 , a readout circuit unit 230 , and a timing controller 300 .

[0057] The sensing panel 205 may include a plurality of sensors SN. The sensor SN may be a fingerprint sensor for performing a fingerprint recognition operation. The fingerprint sensor may be a capacitive fingerprint sensor or an optical fingerprint sensor, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the fingerprint sensor may be an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor or an infrared fingerprint sensor. In the case where the sensor SN is a capacitive fingerprint sensor, the sensor SN may detect a fingerprint using the difference in the amount of charge between the sensor SN and the ridges and valleys of a finger in contact with the sensor SN. In the case where the sensor SN is an optical fingerprint sensor, the sensor SN may detect a fingerprint by applying light with a light source (such as a light emitting diode (LED)) disposed therein and detecting light reflected from the ridges and valleys of the finger with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. In the following description, it is assumed that the sensor SN is a self-capacitive fingerprint sensor. This will be referred to later. Figures 13 to 15 A display device with an optical fingerprint sensor is described.

[0058] A plurality of scan lines SL1 to SLi (where i is a positive integer of 2 or more), a plurality of emission lines EL1 to ELi (where i is a positive integer of 2 or more), and a plurality of readout lines RL1 to RLj (where j is a positive integer of 2 or more) may be provided in the sensing panel 205. The scan lines SL1 to SLi and the emission lines EL1 to ELi may be arranged in parallel with each other. The readout lines RL1 to RLj may be arranged to cross the scan lines SL1 to SLi and the emission lines EL1 to ELi. Each of the sensors SN of the sensing panel 205 may be connected to one of the scan lines SL1 to SLi, one of the emission lines EL1 to ELi, and one of the readout lines RL1 to RLj. Each of the sensors SN may include a capacitor and a plurality of switching transistors controlled by a scan signal from one of the scan lines SL1 to SLi and an emission signal from one of the emission lines EL1 to ELi. The switching transistor of each of the sensors SN may be a TFT.

[0059] The sensing driving unit 215 may include a scanning driving unit 210 and an emission driving unit 220. The sensing driving unit 215 may receive a sensing control signal from the timing controller 300, and may sequentially provide a scanning signal and an emission signal to the sensing panel 205 based on the sensing control signal. The sensing control signal may include a scanning control signal SCS and an emission control signal ECS.

[0060] The scan driving unit 210 is connected to the scan lines SL1 to SLi and provides a scan signal to the sensors SN of the sensing panel 205. The scan driving unit 210 may receive a scan control signal SCS from the timing controller 300. The scan control signal SCS may include a second start signal FLM and may control the scan driving unit 210. The scan driving unit 210 may sequentially provide the scan signals to the scan lines SL1 to SLi according to the scan control signal SCS.

[0061] The emission driving unit 220 is connected to the emission lines EL1 to ELi and provides emission signals to the sensors SN of the sensing panel 205. The emission driving unit 220 may receive an emission control signal ECS from the timing controller 300. The emission control signal ECS may include a first start signal EM_FLM and may control the emission driving unit 220. The emission driving unit 220 may sequentially provide emission signals to the emission lines EL1 to ELi according to the emission control signal ECS.

[0062] The scan driving unit 210 and the emission driving unit 220 may be formed on the sensing panel 205 in a gate driver-in-panel (GIP) manner. The scan driving unit 210 and the emission driving unit 220 may be arranged on one side of the sensing panel 205. Alternatively, a pair of the scan driving unit 210 and the emission driving unit 220 may be arranged on one side of the sensing panel 205, and another pair of the scan driving unit 210 and the emission driving unit 220 may be arranged on the other side of the sensing panel 205. In yet another alternative, the scan driving unit 210 may be arranged on one side of the sensing panel 205, and the emission driving unit 220 may be arranged on the other side of the sensing panel 205.

[0063] The readout circuit unit 230 may sequentially provide the fingerprint sensing signal SS received from the readout lines RL1 to RLj to the timing controller 300 in response to the readout control signal RCS received from the timing controller 300. The timing controller 300 may create a fingerprint image based on the time when the scan signal and the emission signal are generated and based on the fingerprint sensing signal SS received from the readout circuit unit 230. The readout circuit unit 230 may be arranged on an opposite side of the sensing panel 205 with respect to the scan driving unit 210 and the emission driving unit 220.

[0064] For convenience, Figure 2 Some of the scan lines SL1 to SLi, some of the emission lines EL1 to ELi, and some of the readout lines RL1 to RLj are shown. The sensing panel 205 may include and may be divided into a plurality of sensing blocks SB (e.g., sensing blocks SB[1,1] to SB[i,j], where i and j are positive integers of 2 or more). The sensing blocks SB may be arranged in rows and columns, and the positions of the sensing blocks SB may be represented in rows and columns. For example, the i-th row and j-th column sensing block SB may be represented as SB[i,j].

[0065] Each of the sensing blocks SB may include a plurality of sensors SN. The sensing block SB may have a size compatible with the touch system of the display device 10. For example, the sensing block SB may have a square shape having a length of 4 mm in the first direction d1 and a length of 4 mm in the second direction d2. The size of the sensing block SB is not particularly limited, but may be changed as needed. The number of sensors SN provided in each of the sensing blocks SB may vary according to the size of the sensing block SB. The fingerprint recognition device 200 may control a specific number of sensing blocks SB via the timing controller 300. For example, in the case where two rows of sensing blocks SB are driven for fingerprint recognition according to the position of the touch input, an 8 mm long fingerprint recognition area may be ensured. In another example, in the case where three rows of sensing blocks SB are driven for fingerprint recognition, a 12 mm long fingerprint recognition area may be ensured. The number of sensing blocks SB driven to ensure the fingerprint recognition area is not particularly limited. In other words, only one row of sensing blocks SB or four or more rows of sensing blocks SB may be driven as needed.

[0066] Scan lines SL1 to SLi, emission lines EL1 to ELi, and readout lines RL1 to RLj connected to the sensors SN included in each of the sensing blocks SB may be arranged on the sensing blocks SB.

[0067] The scan lines SL1 to SLi may include first to i-th scan lines SLi. The first to i-th scan lines SLi may be connected to first to i-th rows of sensing blocks SB. For example, the first scan line SL1 may be connected to the first row of sensing blocks SB, for example, sensing blocks SB[1,1] to SB[1,j] (where j is a positive integer of 2 or more).

[0068] Each of the scan lines SL1 to SLi is shown as a single line connected to one of the sensing blocks SB. However, each of the scan lines SL1 to SLi may be a group of lines individually connected to the sensor SN of one of the sensing blocks SB. Similarly, each of the emission lines EL1 to ELi and the readout lines RL1 to RLj is shown as a single line connected to one of the sensing blocks SB, but may be a group of lines individually connected to the sensor SN of one of the sensing blocks SB. This will be referred to later. Figure 3 The scanning lines SL1 to SLi, the emission lines EL1 to ELi, and the readout lines RL1 to RLj are described.

[0069] The emission lines EL1 to ELi may include first to i-th row emission lines EL1 to ELi. The emission lines EL1 to ELi may be connected to the sensing block SB in the same manner as the scan lines SL1 to SLi.

[0070] As described above, the sensing driving unit 215 may include a scanning driving unit 210 and an emission driving unit 220, and may provide a signal for sensing to the sensor SN of the sensing panel 205. The scanning driving unit 210 may sequentially provide a scanning signal to the sensing block SB via the scanning lines SL1 to SLi. The emission driving unit 220 may sequentially provide an emission signal to the sensing block SB via the emission lines EL1 to ELi.

[0071] The scan driving unit 210 may include scan drivers that are spaced apart from each other and arranged to correspond to rows of the sensing block SB. In other words, the scan drivers corresponding to different rows of the sensing block SB may be isolated from each other, and there may be no carry signal between the scan drivers corresponding to different rows of the sensing block SB. For example, in the case where the k-th row scan driver 210k receives the k-th row second start signal FLMk and provides a scan signal to the k-th row of the sensing block SB, the carry signal may not be transmitted to the (k+1)-th row scan driver (not shown). In other words, the (k+1)-th row scan driver can be driven only when the (k+1)-th row second start signal (not shown) is received from the timing controller 300.

[0072] The emission driving unit 220 disposed on one side of the sensing block SB may include an emission driver that is driven continuously. In other words, the emission drivers of the emission driving unit 220 may be connected to each other via a carry signal. For example, in the case where the k-th row emission driver 220k receives the k-th row first start signal EM_FLMk and provides an emission signal to the k-th row of the sensing block SB, the k-th row emission driver 220k may stop operating and may transmit a carry signal to the (k+1)-th row emission driver (not shown) so that the (k+1)-th row emission driver may provide an emission signal to the (k+1)-th row of the sensing block SB.

[0073] The readout lines RL1 to RLj may include first column readout lines RL1 to j-th column readout lines RLj. The first column readout lines RL1 to j-th column readout lines RLj may be connected to the first column to the j-th column of the sensing block SB. For example, the first column readout line RL1 may be connected to the first column of the sensing block SB, for example, the sensing blocks SB[1,1] to SB[i,1] (wherein i is a positive integer of 2 or more).

[0074] Region A is a region including a sensing block SB[k, 1], which is located at any k-th row and first column of the array of sensing blocks SB. In other words, region A may include a sensing block SB[k, 1], a k-th row of scan lines SLk, and a k-th row of emission lines ELk. The sensing blocks SB (e.g., sensing blocks SB[1, 1] to SB[i, j]) may all have the same structure. Hereinafter, the structure of the sensing block SB will be described by considering the sensing block SB[k, 1] as an example.

[0075] Figure 3 A plurality of sensors SN[1,1] to SN[25,40] arranged in a sensing block SB[k,1] and a k-th row scan driver 210k, a k-th row emission driver 220k, a readout circuit unit 230, and a power supply unit 240 connected to the sensors SN[1,1] to SN[25,40] are shown.

[0076] A plurality of sensors SN may be arranged in one sensing block SB. 25 rows and 40 columns of sensors SN (eg, a total of 1000 sensors SN) may be arranged in Figure 3 However, the number and arrangement of the sensors SN in the sensing block SB[k, 1] are not particularly limited. For example, the larger the size of the sensing block SB, the larger the number of sensors SN arranged in each of the sensing blocks SB.

[0077] Reference Figure 3 , the sensor SN of the sensing block SB[k,1] may be connected to a plurality of k-th row emission lines EL[1] to EL

[25] , a plurality of k-th row scan lines SL[1] to SL

[25] , a first voltage line VCL, a second voltage line VRL, and a plurality of readout lines RL[1] to RL

[40] .

[0078] The k-th row emission lines EL[1] to EL

[25] may include a first k-th row emission line EL[1] to a twenty-fifth k-th row emission line EL

[25] . The first k-th row emission line EL[1] to the twenty-fifth k-th row emission line EL

[25] may be respectively connected to the first row to the twenty-fifth row of sensors SN of the sensing block SB[k, 1]. The k-th row scan lines SL[1] to SL

[25] may include a first k-th row scan line SL[1] to the twenty-fifth k-th row scan line SL

[25] . The first k-th row scan line SL[1] to the twenty-fifth k-th row scan line SL

[25] may be respectively connected to the first row to the twenty-fifth row of sensors SN of the sensing block SB[k, 1].

[0079] The k-th row of emission lines EL[ 1 ] to EL[ 25 ] and the k-th row of scan lines SL[ 1 ] to SL[ 25 ] may be arranged in parallel with each other and may be connected to the first to twenty-fifth rows of sensors SN of the sensing block SB[k, 1 ].

[0080] The k-th row emission driver 220k may be arranged to correspond to the sensing block SB[k, 1]. The emission drivers of the emission driving unit 220 may be connected to each other. For example, the k-th row emission driver 220k may start operation by receiving a carry signal from the (k-1)-th row emission driver (not shown) corresponding to the (k-1)-th row sensing block SB before the sensing block SB[k, 1]. For example, the (k+1)-th row emission driver (not shown) corresponding to the (k+1)-th row sensing block SB after the sensing block SB[k, 1] may start operation by receiving a carry signal from the k-th row emission driver 220k. In other words, the emission drivers of the emission driving unit 220 may be connected to each other via a carry signal. The k-th row emission driver 220k may start operation by receiving a carry signal from the (k-1)-th row emission driver or by receiving the k-th row first start signal EM_FLMk.

[0081] The k-th row scan driver 210k may be arranged to correspond to the sensing block SB[k, 1]. The scan driving unit 210 arranged to correspond to the row of the sensing block SB may be divided into blocks isolated from each other. For example, the k-th row scan driver 210k may be arranged to be isolated from the (k-1)-th row sensing block SB before the sensing block SB[k, 1] and to be isolated from the (k+1)-th row sensing block SB after the sensing block SB[k, 1]. In other words, the scan drivers of the scan driving unit 210 do not transmit carry signals to each other and thus may be isolated from each other. The k-th row scan driver 210k may start operation by receiving the k-th row second start signal FLMk.

[0082] The power supply unit 240 may supply power to the sensors SN of the sensing panel 205 via the first voltage line VCL and the second voltage line VRL. The first voltage line VCL may be a line for supplying a common voltage to the transistors included in each of the sensors SN. The second voltage line VRL may be a line for supplying an initialization voltage to initialize the transistors included in each of the sensors SN.

[0083] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of a capacitive fingerprint sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. The sensor SN of the sensing panel 205 may have the same structure. Therefore, reference will be made to Figure 4 The structure of the sensor SN is described. Figure 4 The configuration of can refer to a pixel. For convenience, Figure 4 An arbitrary sensor SN connected to an arbitrary scan line SL, an arbitrary emission line EL, an arbitrary readout line RL, a first voltage line VCL, and a second voltage line VRL is shown.

[0084] The scan line SL may provide a scan signal SC to the sensor SN, and the emission line EL may provide an emission signal VI to the sensor SN. The emission signal VI may be an initialization signal. The first voltage line VCL may provide a common voltage, and the second voltage line VRL may provide an initialization voltage.

[0085] Reference Figure 4 , the sensor SN may include a first transistor T1, a second transistor T2, a third transistor T3, a reference capacitor CR, and a sensing capacitor CF.

[0086] The first transistor T1 may include a first gate electrode electrically connected to the first node N1, a first electrode electrically connected to the first voltage line VCL, and a second electrode electrically connected to the third electrode of the second transistor T2. The first transistor T1 may control the drain-source current Ids according to the voltage at the first node N1. The drain-source current Ids flowing through the channel of the first transistor T1 may be proportional to the square of the difference between the gate-source voltage (represented by the symbol "Vgs") of the first transistor T1 and the threshold voltage (represented by the symbol "Vth"), as shown in equation (1):

[0087] Ids=k′×(Vgs-Vth) 2

[0088] The drain-source current Ids that varies according to the voltage at the first node N1 or a voltage caused by the drain-source current Ids may be the fingerprint sensing signal SS.

[0089] The second transistor T2 may include a second gate electrode electrically connected to the scan line SL, a third electrode electrically connected to the second electrode of the first transistor T1, and a fourth electrode electrically connected to the readout line RL. The second transistor T2 is turned on by a scan signal SC from the scan line SL to connect the first electrode of the first transistor T1 with the readout line RL. A gate low voltage may be supplied to the scan line SL connected to the second gate of the second transistor T2. Therefore, the second transistor T2 may be usually turned off. In response to a gate high voltage supplied via the scan line SL, the second transistor T2 may be turned on. When the second transistor T2 is turned on, a fingerprint sensing signal SS may be provided on the readout line RL.

[0090] The third transistor T3 may include a third gate electrode electrically connected to the emission line EL, a fifth electrode electrically connected to the first node N1, and a sixth electrode electrically connected to the second voltage line VRL. The third transistor T3 is turned on by the emission signal VI from the emission line EL to connect the first node N1 with the second voltage line VRL. When the third transistor T3 is turned on, the first node N1 may be initialized by the initialization voltage from the second voltage line VRL. The gate high voltage may be provided to the emission line EL connected to the third gate electrode of the third transistor T3. Therefore, the third transistor T3 may be usually turned on. In response to the gate low voltage provided via the emission line EL, the third transistor T3 may be turned off. In other words, when the third transistor T3 is turned off by the gate low voltage, the first node N1 and the second voltage line VRL may be disconnected from each other, and the voltage at the first node N1 may be fixed.

[0091] The reference capacitor CR may include a seventh electrode electrically connected to the emission line EL and an eighth electrode electrically connected to the first node N1. The capacitance of the reference capacitor CR may be fixed and uniform.

[0092] The sensing capacitor CF may be a capacitance generated between a ridge or valley of a user's finger and the sensor SN. In other words, when there is no touch input from the user, the sensing capacitor CF does not exist. For example, the sensing capacitor CF is generated only when a touch input is generated by the user. The sensing capacitor CF may include a ninth electrode electrically connected to the first node N1 and a tenth electrode connected to the user's body. The tenth electrode may be a ground electrode. The capacitance of the sensing capacitor CF may vary according to the distance between the sensor SN and the fingerprint ridge or valley.

[0093] As the capacitance of the sensing capacitor CF changes, the voltage at the first node N1 between the reference capacitor CR and the sensing capacitor CF may change. For example, the change in the voltage at the first node N1 may be determined according to a voltage distribution law. In other words, when the sensing capacitor CF is not present, the voltage at the first node N1 may be a voltage initialized by the second voltage line VRL. Then, when the sensing capacitor CF is generated, the voltage at the first node N1 may change according to the capacitance of the sensing capacitor CF. As described above, the drain-source current Ids of the first transistor T1 may be proportional to the square of the difference between the gate-source voltage of the first transistor T1 and the threshold voltage. Therefore, when the voltage at the first node N1 changes, the voltage applied to the first gate electrode of the first transistor T1 changes, and the drain-source current Ids may also change. Accordingly, the value of the fingerprint sensing signal SS provided to the readout line RL may change, and the fingerprint may be imaged based on the change in the value of the fingerprint sensing signal SS.

[0094] The semiconductor layers of the first transistor T1, the second transistor T2, and the third transistor T3 may be formed of polysilicon, amorphous silicon, or an oxide semiconductor. In the case where the semiconductor layers of the first transistor T1, the second transistor T2, and the third transistor T3 are formed of polysilicon, the semiconductor layers of the first transistor T1, the second transistor T2, and the third transistor T3 may be formed by a low temperature polysilicon (LTPS) process.

[0095] Figure 4 The first transistor T1, the second transistor T2, and the third transistor T3 are shown as N-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), but the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the first transistor T1, the second transistor T2, and the third transistor T3 may be CMOS transistors or N-channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistors. Fig.12 A fingerprint sensor including a P-type MOSFET is described.

[0096] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a schematic diagram showing the difference between the line-driven fingerprint recognition method and the area-driven fingerprint recognition method. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Sensors SNL1, SNL2, SNL3, SNA1, SNA2, SNA3, SNA4 and SNA5 for sensing fingerprints are shown. Figure 5A A line-driven fingerprint recognition method is shown, and Figure 5B A region-driven fingerprinting approach is shown. Figure 5A and Figure 5B They are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a line-driven fingerprint recognition device and a regional-driven fingerprint recognition device. Figure 5A or Figure 5B The sensors may all belong to different rows.

[0097] Reference Figure 5A The line-driven fingerprint recognition device may include a first line sensor SNL1, a second line sensor SNL2, and a third line sensor SNL3. The first line sensor SNL1, the second line sensor SNL2, and the third line sensor SNL3 may be sequentially provided with a scan signal and then provided with an emission signal along a sensing direction d.

[0098] Reference Figure 5B , the area driven fingerprint recognition device may include a first area sensor SNA1, a second area sensor SNA2, a third area sensor SNA3, a fourth area sensor SNA4, and a fifth area sensor SNA5. A scanning signal may be sequentially provided to the first area sensor SNA1, the second area sensor SNA2, the third area sensor SNA3, the fourth area sensor SNA4, and the fifth area sensor SNA5 along a sensing direction d.

[0099] The transmission signal may be synchronously provided to the first area sensor SNA1, the second area sensor SNA2, the third area sensor SNA3, the fourth area sensor SNA4, and the fifth area sensor SNA5. In other words, the transmission signal may be synchronously applied to the sensor to which the scanning signal is applied and the sensor adjacent to the sensor to which the scanning signal is applied.

[0100] For example, three transmission signals may be synchronously provided for a single scanning signal. Hereinafter, a fingerprint recognition apparatus in which a scanning signal is sequentially applied to the second area sensor SNA2, the third area sensor SNA3, and the fourth area sensor SNA4 will be described.

[0101] First, in the case of sensing a fingerprint by providing a scanning signal to the second area sensor SNA2, three transmission signals may be synchronously provided to the first area sensor SNA1, the second area sensor SNA2, and the third area sensor SNA3. Thereafter, in the case of sensing a fingerprint by providing a scanning signal to the third area sensor SNA3, three transmission signals may be synchronously provided to the second area sensor SNA2, the third area sensor SNA3, and the fourth area sensor SNA4. Finally, in the case of sensing a fingerprint by providing a scanning signal to the fourth area sensor SNA4, three transmission signals may be synchronously provided to the third area sensor SNA3, the fourth area sensor SNA4, and the fifth area sensor SNA5.

[0102] In the case of sensing fingerprints using a line-driven fingerprint recognition method, the capacitance of the line sensing capacitor CF_L may not be accurately measured. Figure 5A In response to the scanning signal and the transmission signal provided to the second line sensor SNL2, the second line sensor SNL2 measures the capacitance of the line sensing capacitor CF_L relative to the corresponding fingerprint ridge. The line sensing capacitor CF_L may be affected by the blurring phenomenon between the fingerprint ridge corresponding to the second line sensor SNL2 and the fingerprint valley adjacent to the fingerprint ridge corresponding to the second line sensor SNL2. For example, the distance from the second line sensor SNL2 to the fingerprint valley adjacent to the fingerprint ridge corresponding to the second line sensor SNL2 may be greater than the distance from the second line sensor SNL2 to the fingerprint ridge corresponding to the second line sensor SNL2. In other words, the average distance between the second line sensor SNL2 and the fingerprint ridge corresponding to the second line sensor SNL2 may be measured to be greater than its actual value. As a result, since the capacitance of the capacitor is proportional to the distance between the capacitor and the conductive object, the capacitance of the line sensing capacitor CF_L may be measured by the second line sensor SNL2 to be greater than the actual capacitance of the line sensing capacitor CF_L.

[0103] On the other hand, in the case of sensing a fingerprint using the area drive fingerprint recognition method, the blurring phenomenon between the fingerprint ridge and the fingerprint valley can be minimized by driving a plurality of area sensors (e.g., the first area sensor SNA1, the second area sensor SNA2, the third area sensor SNA3, the fourth area sensor SNA4, and the fifth area sensor SNA5) at the same time. For example, in response to the scanning signal provided to the third area sensor SNA3, three transmission signals can be synchronously provided to the second area sensor SNA2, the third area sensor SNA3, and the fourth area sensor SNA4. Accordingly, the third area sensor SNA3 can measure the capacitance of the area sensing capacitor CF_A without being affected by any blurring phenomenon.

[0104] In other words, even when the same fingerprint ridge is sensed, the capacitance of the area sensing capacitor CF_A can be measured more accurately than the capacitance of the line sensing capacitor CF_L.

[0105] Figure 6 2 is a waveform diagram illustrating an emission clock signal and a scan clock signal according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0106] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 6 , the timing controller 300 provides an emission control signal ECS and a scan control signal SCS to the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210, respectively. Each of the emission control signal ECS and the scan control signal SCS includes various control signals. For example, the emission control signal ECS includes a first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and a second emission clock signal EM_CLK2, and the scan control signal SCS includes a first scan clock signal CLK1 and a second scan clock signal CLK2. The first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 and the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 may be provided by the timing controller 300 to drive the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210. During a predetermined time period, the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 and the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 may be modulated to a predetermined frequency.

[0107] In the first period t1 and the second period t2, the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 may swing between the first gate low voltage VGL and the first gate high voltage VGH. In addition, in the first period t1 and the second period t2, the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 may swing between the first gate low voltage VGL and the first gate high voltage VGH.

[0108] In the first period t1, the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 may swing rapidly between the first gate low voltage VGL and the second gate low voltage VGL'. In other words, in the first period t1, the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 may be modulated to a high frequency. In the first period t1, the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 may have a first gate high voltage VGH.

[0109] In addition, in the first period t1, the first scan clock signal CLK1 may have the first gate low voltage VGL. In the first period t1, a pulse that quickly swings between the first gate high voltage VGH and the second gate high voltage VGH' may be generated in the second scan clock signal CLK2. In other words, in the first period t1, similar to the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1, the second scan clock signal CLK2 may be modulated to a high frequency. However, the second scan clock signal CLK2 may have a high frequency only in a portion of the first period t1. The pulse of the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 may overlap with the pulse of the second scan clock signal CLK2, or may be generated earlier than the pulse of the second scan clock signal CLK2 and disappear later than the pulse of the second scan clock signal CLK2.

[0110] In the second period t2, the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 may have a first gate high voltage VGH. In the second period t2, the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 may quickly swing between the first gate low voltage VGL and the second gate low voltage VGL'. In other words, in the second period t2, similar to the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 during the first period t1, the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 may be modulated to a high frequency.

[0111] In addition, in the second period t2, a pulse that quickly swings between the first gate high voltage VGH and the second gate high voltage VGH' may be generated in the first scan clock signal CLK1. In other words, in the second period t2, similar to the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2, the first scan clock signal CLK1 may be modulated to a high frequency. The second scan clock signal CLK2 may have a first gate low voltage VGL. The pulse of the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 may overlap with the pulse of the first scan clock signal CLK1, or may be generated earlier than the pulse of the first scan clock signal CLK1 and disappear later than the pulse of the first scan clock signal CLK1. This is because the first scan clock signal CLK1 may have a high frequency only in a portion of the second period t2.

[0112] As described above, the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 and the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 may be signals modulated to a predetermined frequency (e.g., a high frequency). The first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 and the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 may have two voltages during the period when they are modulated to a high frequency. In other words, the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 and the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 may be "2-frequency, 3-level" signals. For example, the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 may have a first gate low voltage VGL and a second gate low voltage VGL' in the first period t1, and may have a first gate high voltage VGH different from the first gate low voltage VGL and the second gate low voltage VGL' in the second period t2. By applying the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 modulated to a high frequency and the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 to the scan driving unit 210 and the emission driving unit 220, the noise generated when driving the scan driving unit 210 and the emission driving unit 220 can be reduced compared to when an unmodulated clock signal is applied to the scan driving unit 210 and the emission driving unit 220.

[0113] The waveforms of the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 and the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 during the first period t1 and the second period t2 may be repeated over a period after the second period t2. Therefore, a detailed description of the waveforms of the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 and the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 in a period after the second period t2 will be omitted.

[0114] Figure 7 1 is a block diagram showing a signal flow in a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. Figure 7 Signals generated by the timing controller 300 and provided to the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 to drive the fingerprint recognition device 200 are described.

[0115] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 7The timing controller 300 may generate an emission control signal ECS, a scan control signal SCS, a mode signal Mode, and an enable signal EN, and may provide the emission control signal ECS, the scan control signal SCS, the mode signal Mode, and the enable signal EN to the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210.

[0116] The mode signal Mode may be a signal for distinguishing a touch mode from a fingerprint recognition mode. When the mode signal Mode is on, the fingerprint recognition device 200 may operate in the touch mode. The touch mode is a mode for sensing a touch input generated by a user and calculating the coordinates of the touch input. When the mode signal Mode is off, the fingerprint recognition device 200 may operate in the fingerprint recognition mode. The fingerprint recognition mode may be a mode for sensing a fingerprint from a user and acquiring an image of the fingerprint. The mode signal Mode may be controlled by the timing controller 300.

[0117] The enable signal EN may be a signal for driving the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210. The emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 may be driven only when the enable signal EN is turned on. In other words, when the enable signal EN is turned off from the on state, the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 stop operating.

[0118] The emission control signal ECS may include a first start signal EM_FLM, a first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 , and a second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 .

[0119] In response to the first start signal EM_FLM as a signal for starting the operation of the emission driving unit 220 applied to the emission driving unit 220, the emission driving unit 220 may generate an emission signal VI for driving the sensor SN of the sensing panel 205, and may provide the emission signal VI to the sensor SN. A first start signal line for providing the first start signal EM_FLM may be provided to correspond to a row of the sensing block SB.

[0120] The first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 as signals for driving the emission driving unit 220 may be signals modulated into a predetermined frequency, as described above with reference to Figure 6 described.

[0121] The scan control signal SCS may include a second start signal FLM, a first scan clock signal CLK1, and a second scan clock signal CLK2.

[0122] The scan driving unit 210 may generate a scan signal SC for sensing measurement data from the sensor SN in response to a second start signal FLM as a signal for starting the operation of the scan driving unit 210 applied to the scan driving unit 210, and may provide the scan signal SC to the sensor SN. A second start signal line for providing the second start signal FLM may be provided to correspond to a row of the sensing block SB.

[0123] The first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 as signals for driving the scan driving unit 210 may be signals modulated into a predetermined frequency, as described above with reference to Figure 6 As stated. Figure 7 As shown in , the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 may be applied to the emission driving unit 220, and then may be transmitted from the emission driving unit 220 to the scan driving unit 210, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 may be directly applied to the scan driving unit 210 from the timing controller 300.

[0124] The first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 , the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 , the first scan clock signal CLK1 , the second scan clock signal CLK2 , the mode signal Mode and the enable signal EN may be generated by the signal generator 310 of the timing controller 300 and may be provided to the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 .

[0125] The first start signal EM_FLM and the second start signal FLM may be generated by the start signal generator 320 of the timing controller 300 and may be applied to the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the timing controller 300 may output the addresses of the first start signal EM_FLM and the second start signal FLM, and the start signal generator 320 disposed outside the timing controller 300 may generate the first start signal EM_FLM and the second start signal FLM. For example, in the case where the fingerprint recognition device 200 includes 32 rows of sensing blocks SB, the timing controller 300 may generate a 5-bit signal and may transmit the 5-bit signal to the start signal generator 320 disposed outside the timing controller 300. The 5-bit signal may be used to generate the address of each of the 32 rows of sensing blocks SB. In other words, the start signal generator 320 may generate the first and second start signals EM_FLM and FLM based on the 5-bit address provided by the timing controller 300 , and may then provide the first and second start signals EM_FLM and FLM to the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 .

[0126] The emission driving unit 220 may be configured to be driven continuously. As described above, the emission driving unit 220 may generate a carry signal and may therefore be driven continuously. The emission driving unit 220 may terminate its operation by cutting off the enable signal EN. In short, the operation of the emission driving unit 220 may be started by the first start signal EM_FLM and may be terminated by the enable signal EN.

[0127] The scan driving unit 210 may be divided into blocks to correspond to rows of the sensing blocks SB. For example, the Nth row scan driver corresponding to the Nth row sensing block SB[N,1] provides the last scan signal SC

[25] , but may not generate any carry signal. In other words, even if the Nth row scan driver is driven, the (N+1)th row scan driver may not be driven. The operation of each of the scan drivers of the scan driving unit 210 may be started only by the second start signal FLM.

[0128] In order to achieve the above reference Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the described regional drive fingerprint recognition method, the emission driving unit 220 can be driven within a wider range than the scan driving unit 210. For example, when 25 scan signals (e.g., the Nth row first scan signal SC[1] to the twenty-fifth scan signal SC

[25] ) are applied to the sensing block SB[N,1], the (N-1)th row emission driver can be driven in response to the Nth row first scan signal SC[1], and can provide emission signals VI[-1] and VI[0]. In addition, the Nth row emission driver can be driven and can provide emission signals VI[1], VI[2], and VI[3]. In other words, for the Nth row first scan signal SC[1], five emission signals (e.g., emission signals VI[-1], VI[0], VI[1], VI[2], and VI[3]) can be generated, thereby realizing the regional drive fingerprint recognition method. Similarly, for the N-th row second scan signal SC[2], the emission driving unit 220 may provide five emission signals VI[0], VI[1], VI[2], VI[3], and VI[4]. Finally, in response to the N-th row twenty-fifth scan signal SC

[25] , the emission driving unit 220 may provide five emission signals, for example, the N-th row twenty-third emission signal VI

[23] , the N-th row twenty-fourth emission signal VI

[24] , the N-th row twenty-fifth emission signal VI

[25] , the (N+1)-th row first emission signal VI

[26] , and the (N+1)-th row second emission signal VI

[27] .

[0129] Accordingly, when five emission signals VI are applied to each scan signal SC and the scan signals SC are provided to a total of 25 scan lines, the emission signal VI can be provided to a total of 29 emission lines. By driving the emission driving unit 220 in a wider range than the scan driving unit 210, an area drive fingerprint recognition method can be implemented, and a blurring phenomenon that may occur at both ends of the scan driving unit 210 can be prevented.

[0130] Figure 8 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept. Figure 1 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 A fingerprint / touch sensing method of a display device 10 including a fingerprint recognition device 200 is described. When any signal is on, it means that the any signal has a gate high voltage. When any signal is off, it means that the any signal has a gate low voltage. When any signal is on, it means that the any signal is turned on from an off state. When any signal is off, it means that the any signal is turned off from an on state.

[0131] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the main processor of the display device 10 determines whether a touch input from a user has been generated on the display panel 100 (S100). In response to determining that a touch input has been generated by a user, the timing controller 300 determines whether the mode signal Mode is turned on (S200).

[0132] The fingerprint recognition device 200 can be driven in a touch mode or a fingerprint recognition mode according to whether the mode signal Mode is turned on or off. When the mode signal Mode is turned off, the fingerprint recognition device 200 is driven in the fingerprint recognition mode (S300). When the mode signal Mode is turned on, the fingerprint recognition device 200 is driven in the touch mode (S400). In other words, the fingerprint recognition mode and the touch mode can be implemented simultaneously by a single fingerprint recognition device 200.

[0133] The operation of the fingerprint recognition device 200 in the fingerprint recognition mode will be described below. The fingerprint recognition mode may include a series of driving processes to be described below. If the mode signal Mode is cut off when the touch input is generated by the user, the timing controller 300 may turn on the enable signal EN (S310). The enable signal EN may be a signal for driving the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210. In other words, in response to the enable signal EN being turned on, the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 may start operating.

[0134] Thereafter, the timing controller 300 may provide the first start signal EM_FLM to the emission driving unit 220 (S320). The first start signal EM_FLM may be provided to the emission driving unit 220 corresponding to each of the rows of the sensing blocks SB via the first initialization signal line provided for the rows of the sensing blocks SB. The first start signal EM_FLM may start the operation of the emission driving unit 220. For example, the first start signal EM_FLM may be provided to the emission driver corresponding to the row including the sensing blocks SB corresponding to the position of the touch input from the user. In order to achieve the above reference Figure 5A and Figure 5B The described area drive fingerprint recognition method may provide the first start signal EM_FLM more than once. For example, the first start signal EM_FLM may be provided five times in sequence.

[0135] The emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal VI to the sensor SN (S330). The emission signal VI may be provided in the same manner as the first start signal EM_FLM. In other words, the emission signal VI may be transmitted sequentially. For example, if the first start signal EM_FLM is provided sequentially five times, the emission signal VI may also be provided sequentially five times. The emission driving unit 220 may sequentially provide the emission signal VI to the sensor SN included in the sensing block SB corresponding to the position of the touch input from the user by generating a carry signal. The emission driving unit 220 may transmit a carry signal to the emission driver corresponding to the row after the row including the following sensing block SB, which corresponds to the position of the touch input from the user. Then, the emission driver receiving the carry signal may sequentially provide the emission signal VI to the sensor SN.

[0136] After the generation of the first start signal EM_FLM and the emission signal VI, the timing controller 300 may provide the second start signal FLM to the scan driving unit 210 (S340). The second start signal FLM may be provided to the scan driving unit 210 corresponding to each of the rows of the sensing blocks SB via the second start signal line provided for the rows of the sensing blocks SB. For example, the second start signal FLM may be provided to the scan driver corresponding to the row including the sensing blocks SB corresponding to the position of the touch input from the user.

[0137] The scan drive unit 210 may sequentially provide a scan signal SC to the sensor SN (S350). The scan signal SC may be provided in the same manner as the second start signal FLM. The scan drive unit 210 may start operating in response to the second start signal FLM. After the generation of the scan signal SC, the scan drive unit 210 may sequentially provide the scan signal SC to the sensor SN included in the sensing block SB corresponding to the position of the touch input from the user by generating a carry signal. The carry signal may not be transmitted between the scan drivers corresponding to different rows of the sensing block SB. Accordingly, the scan drive unit 210 may stop operating once its operation for a single sensing block SB is completed. The emission signal VI may be provided to the sensor SN before the scan signal SC. The sensor SN may receive the scan signal SC and may thereby sense fingerprint information.

[0138] After S350, the timing controller 300 may cut off the enable signal EN (S500). In response to the enable signal EN being cut off, the operations of the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 may be terminated. As described above, the scan driver of the scan driving unit 210 does not generate a carry signal for its respective subsequent scan driver. On the other hand, since the emission driver of the emission driving unit 220 generates a carry signal for its subsequent emission driver, the operation of the emission driving unit 220 may be terminated by cutting off the enable signal EN. When all emission signals for fingerprint recognition are provided, the enable signal EN may be cut off.

[0139] The operation of the fingerprint recognition device 200 in the touch recognition mode will be described below. The touch recognition mode may include a series of driving processes to be described below. If the mode signal Mode is turned on when a touch input is generated by a user, the fingerprint recognition device 200 may be driven in the touch mode (S400). In the touch mode, the timing controller 300 may turn on the enable signal EN (S410).

[0140] Thereafter, the timing controller 300 may simultaneously transmit the first start signal EM_FLM and the second start signal FLM to the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 (S420). In the touch mode, the first start signal EM_FLM and the second start signal FLM may be transmitted to the first row emission driver and the first row scan driver. Once the driving of the first row emission driver and the first row scan driver in the touch mode is completed, the first start signal EM_FLM and the second start signal FLM may be sequentially transmitted to other emission drivers and other scan drivers, so that all emission drivers and all scan drivers may receive the first start signal EM_FLM and the second start signal FLM. For example, the first start signal EM_FLM and the second start signal FLM may be transmitted to the second row emission driver and the second row scan driver, and so on.

[0141] In response to the first start signal EM_FLM and the second start signal FLM, the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 may simultaneously transmit the emission signal VI and the scan signal SC (S430). In the fingerprint recognition mode, the emission signal VI and the scan signal SC are sequentially provided to the sensors SN included in each of the sensing blocks SB, but here in the touch mode, the emission signal VI and the scan signal SC may be simultaneously provided to all the sensors SN in each of the sensing blocks SB. In other words, the amount of time required for sensing can be reduced by synchronously driving all the sensors SN in each of the sensing blocks SB.

[0142] After S430 , the timing controller 300 may turn off the enable signal EN ( S500 ). In response to the enable signal EN being turned off, operations of the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 may both be terminated.

[0143] Fig. 9 is a timing diagram illustrating signals output by a timing controller and a sensing driving unit of a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept in a fingerprint recognition mode. Fig.10 is a timing diagram illustrating signals output by a timing controller and a sensing driving unit of a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept when a fingerprint recognition mode is completed.

[0144] For example, Fig. 9 and Fig.10 2 is a timing diagram of the fingerprint recognition device when the mode signal Mode is turned off and the fingerprint recognition device is driven in the fingerprint recognition mode. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the negative first row refers to the second previous row from the first row, and the zeroth row refers to the first previous row from the first row. In other words, the row after the negative first row is the zeroth row, and the row after the zeroth row is the first row.

[0145] In the following we will refer to Figures 1 to 8 The operation performed on a single sensing block SB in the fingerprint recognition mode is described. It is assumed that each sensing block SB includes a total of 25 rows of sensors SN, and it is assumed that the fingerprint recognition device 200 includes 25 transmission lines and 25 scanning lines corresponding to the 25 rows of sensors SN.

[0146] Each signal may swing between a gate high voltage and a gate low voltage. When each signal is on, it may mean that each signal has a gate high voltage. When each signal is off, it may mean that each signal has a gate low voltage. When each signal is on, it may mean that each signal switches from a gate low voltage to a gate high voltage. When each signal is off, it may mean that each signal switches from a gate high voltage to a gate low voltage.

[0147] As mentioned above Figure 6 As described above, the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 and the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 can be signals modulated into high frequency. Since the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 and the second emission clock signal EM_CLK2 and the first scan clock signal CLK1 and the second scan clock signal CLK2 are used to drive the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210, the emission signal VI and the scan signal SC can also be signals modulated into high frequency. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The gray shaded area in refers to the portion where the signal is modulated to a high frequency. An example of the gray shaded area corresponds to a low point of the first emission clock signal EM_CLK1 in the period ta1. Another example of the gray shaded area corresponds to a high point of the second scanning clock signal CLK2 in the period ta1.

[0148] In the first startup period ta1, when the fingerprint recognition mode is started, the timing controller 300 may turn on the enable signal EN. In other words, the enable signal EN changes from low to high. In response to the enable signal EN being turned on, the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 may start to operate. As the enable signal EN is turned on, the timing controller 300 may provide the first startup signal EM_FLM to the emission driving unit 220. The first startup signal EM_FLM may be sequentially provided more than once to implement the area drive fingerprint recognition method. Fig. 9 An example is shown in which the first start-up signal EM_FLM is sequentially supplied five times over a period from the first start-up period ta1 to the fifth start-up period ta5 .

[0149] In the second startup period ta2, the timing controller 300 may provide the first startup signal EM_FLM to the emission driving unit 220. In response to providing the first startup signal EM_FLM in the second startup period ta2, the emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal VI[-1] to the sensor SN of the sensing panel 205. For example, the emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal VI[-1] to the negative first row of the sensor SN to perform the area drive fingerprint recognition method on the first row of the sensor SN. More specifically, the negative first row emission driver may generate the emission signal VI[-1] and may transmit a carry signal to the zeroth row emission driver.

[0150] In the third startup period ta3, the timing controller 300 may provide the first startup signal EM_FLM to the emission driving unit 220. The emission driving unit 220 may transmit the emission signal VI[-1] and the emission signal VI[0] to the negative first row of the sensor SN and the zeroth row of the sensor SN, respectively. For example, this can be seen by the emission signal VI[-1] and the emission signal VI[0] becoming low in the third startup period ta3.

[0151] In the fourth startup period ta4, the timing controller 300 may provide the first startup signal EM_FLM to the emission driving unit 220, and the emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal VI[-1], the emission signal VI[0], and the emission signal VI[1] to the negative first row of the sensor SN, the zeroth row of the sensor SN, and the first row of the sensor SN, respectively. For example, this can be seen by the emission signal VI[-1], the emission signal VI[0], and the emission signal VI[1] becoming low in the fourth startup period ta4.

[0152] In the fifth startup period ta5, the timing controller 300 may provide the first startup signal EM_FLM to the emission driving unit 220, and the emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal VI[-1], the emission signal VI[0], the emission signal VI[1], and the emission signal VI[2] to the negative first row of the sensor SN, the zeroth row of the sensor SN, the first row of the sensor SN, and the second row of the sensor SN, respectively. In addition, the timing controller 300 may provide the second startup signal FLM to the scan driving unit 210. For example, this occurs when the second startup signal FLM goes high in the fifth startup period ta5.

[0153] In the sixth startup period ta6, the emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal VI[-1], the emission signal VI[0], the emission signal VI[1], the emission signal VI[2], and the emission signal VI[3] to the negative first row of the sensor SN, the zeroth row of the sensor SN, the first row of the sensor SN, the second row of the sensor SN, and the third row of the sensor SN, respectively, and the scan driving unit 210 may provide the scan signal SC[1] to the first row of the sensor SN. For example, this occurs when the scan signal SC[1] becomes high in the sixth startup period ta6. In other words, the fingerprint recognition device 200 can perform fingerprint recognition on the first row of the sensor SN in the area drive fingerprint recognition method.

[0154] In the seventh startup period ta7, the emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal VI[0], the emission signal VI[1], the emission signal VI[2], the emission signal VI[3], and the emission signal VI[4] to the zeroth row of the sensors SN, the first row of the sensors SN, the second row of the sensors SN, the third row of the sensors SN, and the fourth row of the sensors SN, respectively, and the scan driving unit 210 may provide the scan signal SC[2] to the second row of the sensors SN. This occurs, for example, when the scan signal SC[2] goes high in the seventh startup period ta7.

[0155] In the eighth start-up period ta8, the transmission driving unit 220 may provide the transmission signal VI[1], the transmission signal VI[2], the transmission signal VI[3], the transmission signal VI[4] and the transmission signal VI[5] to the first row of sensors SN, the second row of sensors SN, the third row of sensors SN, the fourth row of sensors SN and the fifth row of sensors SN, respectively. The transmission signal VI[5] is not Fig. 9 , but may be provided in the same manner as other transmit signals.

[0156] Similarly, in the ninth startup period ta9, the tenth startup period ta10 and the eleventh startup period ta11, five emission signals VI can be provided for a single scan signal SC so that the area drive fingerprint recognition method can be performed. In addition, even after the eleventh startup period ta11, the fingerprint recognition mode can be continued in the same manner as described above.

[0157] Fig.10 is a timing diagram showing operations performed on a plurality of rows of sensors SN at or near the end of a sensing block SB.

[0158] Reference Fig.10 In the first termination period tb1, the emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal to the twenty-first to twenty-fifth rows of the sensors SN, and the scan driving unit 210 may provide the scan signal SC

[23] to the twenty-third row of the sensors SN.

[0159] In the second termination period tb2, the emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal VI

[26] to the twenty-sixth row of the sensors SN to perform the area-driven fingerprint recognition method, and the scan driving unit 210 may provide the scan signal SC

[24] to the twenty-fourth row of the sensors SN.

[0160] In the third termination period tb3, the emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal VI

[26] and the emission signal VI

[27] to the 26th row of the sensor SN and the 27th row of the sensor SN, respectively, to perform the area-driven fingerprint recognition method, and the scan driving unit 210 may provide the scan signal SC

[25] to the 25th row of the sensor SN. In other words, the emission driving unit 220 may provide the emission signal to the 23rd to 27th rows of the sensor SN, and the scan driving unit 210 may provide the scan signal SC

[25] to the 25th row of the sensor SN. Thereafter, the timing controller 300 may cut off the enable signal EN to terminate the fingerprint recognition mode.

[0161] In the fourth termination period tb4, since the enable signal EN is turned off (e.g., low), the operations of the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 may be terminated. Accordingly, the emission signals VI

[23] to VI

[28] or the scan signals SC

[23] to SC

[25] are not provided to the sensor SN by the emission driving unit 220 or the scan driving unit 210.

[0162] Fig.11 is a timing diagram illustrating signals output by a timing controller and a sensing driving unit of a fingerprint recognition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept when a touch mode is driven and when the touch mode is completed.

[0163] In the first touch period tc1 , when the touch mode is activated, the timing controller 300 may turn on the enable signal EN. As the enable signal EN is turned on, the timing controller 300 may provide the first start signal EM_FLM and the second start signal FLM to the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 .

[0164] In the second touch period tc2, the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 may simultaneously provide the emission signals VI[-1] to VI

[27] and the scan signals SC[1] to SC

[25] to all the sensors SN. Thereafter, the timing controller 300 may cut off the enable signal EN to terminate the touch mode.

[0165] In the third touch period tc3 , since the enable signal EN is turned off, the operations of the emission driving unit 220 and the scan driving unit 210 may be terminated.

[0166] In the touch mode, all sensors SN may be driven to sense a touch input. Alternatively, only some of the sensors SN may be driven. In other words, in the touch mode, a touch input may be sensed by applying the emission signal VI and the scan signal SC to only some of the sensors SN. For example, a touch input may be sensed by driving only odd-numbered rows of the sensors SN or the first to fifteenth rows of the sensors SN. In this example, the power consumption of the fingerprint recognition device 200 may be reduced compared to a case where a touch input is sensed by driving all sensors SN.

[0167] Fig.12 is a circuit diagram of a capacitive fingerprint sensor according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig.12 An exemplary embodiment of Figure 4 The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 is different in that the fingerprint sensor includes a P-type MOSFET. Fig.12 The first voltage line VCL', the second voltage line VRL' and the reference capacitor CR' are respectively connected to Figure 4 The first voltage line VCL, the second voltage line VRL and the reference capacitor CR in FIG. 1 are similar, and therefore, their detailed description will not be repeated. Figure 4 The differences of the exemplary embodiments are Fig.12 An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below.

[0168] Reference Fig.12 , the sensor SN_1 may include a first transistor T1', a second transistor T2' and a third transistor T3'. The first transistor T1', the second transistor T2' and the third transistor T3' may be P-type MOSFETs. Therefore, in response to a gate high voltage being applied to the gate electrodes of the first transistor T1', the second transistor T2' and the third transistor T3', the first transistor T1', the second transistor T2' and the third transistor T3' may be turned off, and in response to a gate low voltage being applied to the gate electrodes of the first transistor T1', the second transistor T2' and the third transistor T3', the first transistor T1', the second transistor T2' and the third transistor T3' may be turned on. Accordingly, the phase of the scan signal SC' applied to the scan line SL' connected to the gate electrode of the second transistor T2' may be the same as Figure 4 The phase of the scanning signal SC applied to the emission line EL' connected to the gate electrode of the third transistor T3' is opposite to that of the emission signal VIN'. Figure 4 The phase of the transmitted signal VI is opposite.

[0169] The voltage applied to the first node N1' may vary according to the capacitance of the sensing capacitor CF' generated by the touch input from the user. Accordingly, the voltage applied to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1' and the drain-source current Ids' of the first transistor T1' may also vary. The readout line RL' may sense these changes, and the fingerprint may be recognized accordingly.

[0170] Hereinafter, a fingerprint recognition device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept will be described. Figures 1 to 16 In the present invention, the same reference numerals may denote the same elements, and thus, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, a fingerprint recognition device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept will be described mainly focusing on differences from the fingerprint recognition device 200 .

[0171] Fig.13 is a circuit diagram of an optical fingerprint sensor according to another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig.14 Yes Fig.13 Block diagram of an optical fingerprint sensor display device. Fig.15 Yes Fig.13 Block diagram of a fingerprint recognition device with an optical fingerprint sensor.

[0172] Figures 13 to 15 An exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 The exemplary embodiment of is different in that an optical fingerprint sensor is used. In the following, the focus will be mainly on Figures 1 to 4 The difference between the exemplary embodiments of Figures 13 to 15 An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below.

[0173] Fig.13 This is the circuit diagram of the optical fingerprint sensor. Fig.13 , the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 may include a photoelectric conversion element PD.

[0174] The optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 may be an optical fingerprint sensor capable of identifying a fingerprint by sensing light reflected from fingerprint ridges and valleys with an image sensor. The optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 may include a photoelectric conversion element PD. For example, the photoelectric conversion element PD may be a photodiode, a phototransistor, a grating, or a pinned photodiode. In the following description, it is assumed that the photoelectric conversion element PD is a photodiode.

[0175] The optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 may have a “1 transistor-1 diode” structure including a single transistor PT1 and a photoelectric conversion element PD.

[0176] The optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 senses light reflected by different parts of the finger and generates an electrical signal corresponding to the sensed light. The optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 may generate an electrical signal corresponding to light reflected from a fingerprint ridge or a fingerprint valley. The amount of light sensed by the photoelectric conversion element PD may vary according to the shape of the fingerprint, and an electrical signal having a different level may be generated according to the amount of light sensed by the photoelectric conversion element PD.

[0177] The drain-source current through the channel of transistor PT1 may vary according to the electrical signal generated by the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2. In response to the scanning signal applied via the scanning line PSL[N], the fingerprint sensing signal SS may be scanned via the readout line RL. In other words, the electrical signal from the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 may include contrast information or image information. The electrical signal may be processed to determine whether the portion of the finger corresponding to the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 is a fingerprint ridge or a fingerprint valley, and a fingerprint image may be configured by combining the determined results. Fig.13 , light sensed at the photoelectric conversion element PD may be represented by L, PSL[N-1] corresponds to a scanning line, and VB corresponds to a voltage line.

[0178] Reference Fig.14 and Fig.15 , the display device 10_2 may include a display panel 100_2, a fingerprint recognition device 200_2, and a timing controller 300_2. The display panel 100_2 may include a plurality of touch sensing units TU, and the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 may include a plurality of optical fingerprint sensors SN_2.

[0179] and Figure 1 Similar to the display panel 100 of FIG. 1 , the display panel 100_2 may include a plurality of pixels and may provide an image to the outside. The display panel 100_2 may be an OLED display panel including an OLED. In the following description, it is assumed that the display panel 100_2 is an OLED display panel, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the display panel 100_2 may be an LCD panel or an mLED display panel.

[0180] The display panel 100_2 may include a touch sensing member 105. The touch sensing member 105 may be continuously formed on the OLED of the display panel 100_2. For example, the OLED may be arranged on the display panel 100_2, and the touch sensing member 105 may be continuously formed on the passivation layer to protect the OLED. However, the inventive concept is not limited to this example. In another example, the touch sensing member 105 may be formed on a panel separated from the display panel 100_2.

[0181] The touch sensing member 105 may include a plurality of touch drive lines (e.g., touch drive lines TSL1 to TSLp (where p is a positive integer of 2 or more)), a plurality of touch sensing lines (e.g., touch sensing lines TRL1 to TRLq (where q is a positive integer of 2 or more)), and a plurality of touch sensing units TU. The touch drive lines TSL1 to TSLp may be arranged to cross the touch sensing lines TRL1 to TRLq.

[0182] The touch sensing unit TU may have a multi-layer structure and may sense an external output in a capacitive manner. Each of the touch sensing units TU may include a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and an insulating layer. One of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may be connected to one of the touch drive lines TSL1 to TSLp and one of the touch sensing lines TRL1 to TRLq, and the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may be isolated from each other by the insulating layer. In other words, each of the touch sensing units TU may be connected to one of the touch drive lines TSL1 to TSLp and one of the touch sensing lines TRL1 to TRLq. In response to a touch input, the capacitance between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may change, and such a capacitance change may be a touch signal TSS.

[0183] The touch driving circuit unit TSD may be connected to the touch driving lines TSL1 to TSLp and may sequentially provide a touch driving voltage to the touch sensing unit TU. The touch driving circuit unit TSD may be connected to the timing controller 300_2 and may receive a touch driving control signal.

[0184] The touch sensing circuit unit TROC may be connected to the touch sensing lines TRL1 to TRLq. The touch sensing circuit unit TROC may sequentially provide the touch signal TSS received from the touch sensing unit TU to the timing controller 300_2. The timing controller 300_2 may calculate the coordinates of the touch input based on the touch signal TSS. The touch sensing circuit unit TROC may receive a touch sensing control signal from the timing controller 300_2.

[0185] The fingerprint recognition device 200_2 may include a sensing panel 205_2, a scan driving unit 210_2, a readout circuit unit 230, and a timing controller 300_2.

[0186] The sensing panel 205_2 may be implemented as a semiconductor chip or a semiconductor package and may be attached to the bottom surface of the display panel 100_2. The sensing panel 205_2 may be a semiconductor layer having an image sensor such as a CMOS image sensor (CIS) or a charge coupled device (CCD) formed on the display panel 100_2.

[0187] The sensing panel 205_2 including the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 detects the fingerprint of the finger placed in contact with or adjacent to the display panel 100_2. In the case where the display panel 100_2 is an OLED display panel and the fingerprint of the user is placed on the display panel 100_2, light from the OLED of the display panel 100_2 may be transmitted to the fingerprint of the user and reflected from the fingerprint of the user, and the reflected light may be transmitted to the sensing panel 205_2 through the pinhole of the display panel 100_2.

[0188] For example, a plurality of scan lines (e.g., a first scan line SL1 to an i-th scan line SLi (where i is a positive integer of 2 or more)), a plurality of readout lines (e.g., readout lines RL1 to RLj (where j is a positive integer of 2 or more)), and an optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 may be arranged on the sensing panel 205_2. The scan lines SL1 to SLi may be arranged to cross the readout lines RL1 to RLj. Each of the optical fingerprint sensors SN_2 of the sensing panel 205_2 may be connected to one of the scan lines SL1 to SLi and one of the readout lines RL1 to RLj.

[0189] The scan driving unit 210_2 may be connected to the scan lines SL1 to SLi and may provide a scan signal to the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2. The scan driving unit 210_2 may receive a scan control signal SCS from the timing controller 300_2. The scan control signal SCS may include a second start signal FLM and may control the scan driving unit 210_2.

[0190] In response to the readout control signal RCS provided from the timing controller 300_2 , the readout circuit unit 230 may sequentially provide the fingerprint sensing signal SS received from the readout lines RL1 to RLj to the timing controller 300_2 .

[0191] The fingerprint recognition device 200_2 including the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 may not perform the above reference Figure 5A and Figure 5B In other words, the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 may not include an emission driving unit for performing the area-driven fingerprint recognition method. The fingerprint recognition device 200_2 may include only a scanning driving unit 210_2, and may sense a signal according to the line-driven fingerprint recognition method.

[0192] Fig.15 The sensing panel 205_2 is shown to be divided into a plurality of sensing blocks SB. Fig.14 and Fig.15 Only some of the scan lines SL1 to SLi and only some of the readout lines RL1 to RLj are shown in FIG.

[0193] and Figure 2Similar to the fingerprint recognition device 200 of FIG. 2 , the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 may be divided into a plurality of sensing blocks SB, for example, sensing blocks SB[1,1] to SB[i,j]. Each of the sensing blocks SB may include a plurality of optical fingerprint sensors SN_2, and the sensing blocks SB may be arranged in rows and columns on the sensing panel 205_2. The start signal line may be arranged to correspond to the sensing block SB. The start signal line may transmit the second start signal FLM provided by the timing controller 300_2 to the scan driving unit 210_2 corresponding to the sensing block SB.

[0194] Each of the scan lines SL1 to SLi and each of the readout lines RL1 to RLj are shown as a single line connected to one of the sensing blocks SB, but may actually be a group of lines connected to a plurality of optical fingerprint sensors SN_2 included in one of the sensing blocks SB.

[0195] The fingerprint recognition device 200_2 including the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 can be driven in a fingerprint recognition mode and an average recognition mode. The fingerprint recognition mode can be as described above with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The average recognition mode can be compared with the above reference Fig.11 The drive method described is similar.

[0196] In the fingerprint recognition mode, the scan driving unit 210_2 may receive the second start signal FLM from the timing controller 300_2. The fingerprint recognition device 200_2 may include a start signal line corresponding to the sensing block SB. In other words, by providing the second start signal FLM only to the sensing block SB that needs to be sensed, fingerprint information can be sensed only from the sensing block SB that needs to be sensed.

[0197] As described above, in response to generating a touch input, the touch sensing circuit unit TROC may receive a touch signal TSS from the touch sensing unit TU, and may provide the touch signal TSS to the timing controller 300_2. The timing controller 300_2 may detect the touch coordinates of the touch input based on the touch signal TSS, and may provide the second start signal FLM only to the scan driver corresponding to the row including the following sensing block SB, which corresponds to the touch coordinates of the touch input. In other words, the timing controller 300_2 may selectively provide the second start signal FLM only to the scan driver corresponding to the detected touch coordinates. The scan driver provided with the second start signal FLM may sequentially provide a scan signal to the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2. The readout circuit unit 230 may scan the fingerprint sensing signal SS via the readout lines RL1 to RLj.

[0198] The fingerprint recognition device 200_2 can control the number of sensing blocks SB that need to be sensed for fingerprint recognition via the timing controller 300_2. In other words, the timing controller 300_2 can provide the second start signal FLM not only to the scan driver corresponding to the detected touch coordinates, but also to the scan driver adjacent to the scan driver corresponding to the detected touch coordinates.

[0199] For example, if each of the sensing blocks SB is 4 mm long in the vertical direction, an 8 mm long fingerprint recognition area can be ensured by driving two rows of the sensing blocks SB, or a 12 mm long fingerprint recognition area can be ensured by driving three rows of the sensing blocks SB.

[0200] The fingerprint recognition device 200_2 including the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 can be driven in an average recognition mode. In the average recognition mode, the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 can be driven in the same manner as described above. Fig.11 In the average recognition mode, the timing controller 300_2 may simultaneously provide the second start signal FLM to the scan driver of the scan driver unit 210. In response to simultaneously providing the second start signal FLM to the scan driver of the scan driver unit 210, a scan signal may be synchronously provided to all optical fingerprint sensors SN_2 included in each of the sensing blocks SB.

[0201] In the average recognition mode, the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 including the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 can measure the average amount of light provided to each of the sensing blocks SB, and the measurement results can be used to adjust and adjust the dynamic range and offset of the readout circuit unit 230. Accordingly, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 can be improved, and as a result, the reliability of the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 can be increased. In addition, in the case where the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 is used to perform activity detection for anti-spoofing purposes, it is necessary to monitor changes in the amount of sensed light rather than individual sensor information. Therefore, the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 can use the average recognition mode to quickly and accurately measure such changes. In addition, in the case of using the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 as an illumination sensor, the fingerprint recognition device 200_2 can use the average recognition mode to quickly and accurately measure the amount of light.

[0202] Fig.16 is a circuit diagram of an optical fingerprint sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0203] Fig.16 The optical fingerprint sensor SN_3 and Fig.13 The optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 is different in that it includes three transistors PT2, PT3 and PT4 and a photoelectric conversion element PD. In other words, Fig.16 The optical fingerprint sensor SN_3 may have a “3 transistors-1 diode” structure. Fig.16 The operation of the optical fingerprint sensor SN_3 is Fig.13 The operation of the optical fingerprint sensor SN_2 is almost the same, and therefore, its detailed description will be omitted. Fig.16 , light sensed at the photoelectric conversion element PD may be represented by L, SL[N] and SL[N+1] correspond to scan lines, and VIN, VC, and VPD correspond to voltage lines.

[0204] While the inventive concept has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventive concept as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fingerprint recognition device, comprising: A sensing panel, comprising a plurality of sensing blocks, wherein each of the sensing blocks comprises a plurality of sensors; a scanning driving unit configured to provide a scanning signal to the sensor; and a timing controller configured to provide a second start signal to the scan driving unit, wherein each of the sensors comprises a reference capacitor and a sensing capacitor, The scan driving unit includes a plurality of scan drivers corresponding to the rows of the sensing blocks, each of the scan drivers being driven only when receiving the second start signal, In a fingerprint recognition mode, the timing controller provides the second start signal to a scan driver corresponding to a sensing block generating a touch input among the plurality of sensing blocks among all of the plurality of scan drivers included in the scan driving unit, and The timing controller sequentially supplies the second start signal to all of the plurality of scan drivers included in the scan driving unit in a touch mode.

2. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 1, wherein: The reference capacitor has a fixed capacitance, and The sensing capacitor has a variable capacitance that varies according to a distance to the fingerprint.

3. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 2, further comprising: The transmission driving unit is configured to receive a first start signal from the timing controller and provide a transmission signal to the sensor.

4. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 3, wherein: In the touch mode, the timing controller provides an on-state mode signal to the scan driving unit, and In the fingerprint recognition mode, the timing controller provides a cut-off state mode signal to the scan driving unit.

5. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 4, wherein: In the fingerprint recognition mode, the transmission driving unit sequentially provides the transmission signal to the sensor, and the scanning driving unit sequentially provides the scanning signal to the sensor.

6. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 5, wherein: The first start signal is provided before the second start signal, and The transmit signal is provided before the scan signal.

7. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 6, wherein: The first start signal includes at least three consecutive pulses, and The second start signal is provided when a last pulse of the first start signal is provided.

8. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 4, wherein: In the touch mode, the emission driving unit and the scan driving unit simultaneously provide the emission signal and the scan signal to the sensor.

9. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 8, wherein: The emission driving unit and the scan driving unit provide the emission signal and the scan signal to only some of the sensors.

10. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 3, wherein: The timing controller provides the scan driving unit with a first emission clock signal and a second emission clock signal having opposite phases relative to each other, and provides the scan driving unit with a first scan clock signal and a second scan clock signal having opposite phases relative to each other, The first transmission clock signal and the second transmission clock signal include a portion modulated to a high frequency, and The first scan clock signal and the second scan clock signal include a portion modulated to a high frequency.

11. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 3, wherein: The timing controller provides an enable signal to the emission driving unit and the scan driving unit, and When the enable signal is turned off, all operations of the emission driving unit and the scan driving unit are terminated.

12. A fingerprint recognition device, comprising: A sensing panel, comprising a plurality of sensing blocks, wherein each of the sensing blocks comprises a plurality of sensors; a scanning driving unit configured to provide a scanning signal to the sensor; and a timing controller configured to provide a start signal to the scan driving unit, in, Each of the sensors includes a photoelectric conversion element, The scan driving unit includes a plurality of scan drivers corresponding to the rows of the sensing blocks, each of the scan drivers being driven only when receiving the start signal, In an average recognition mode, the timing controller simultaneously provides the start signal to all of the plurality of scan drivers included in the scan driving unit, and In a fingerprint recognition mode, the timing controller provides the start signal to a scan driver corresponding to a sensing block generating a touch input among the plurality of sensing blocks among all of the plurality of scan drivers included in the scan driving unit.

13. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 12, wherein: In the fingerprint recognition mode, the scan driving unit receives the start signal and sequentially provides the scan signal to the sensor.

14. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 13, wherein: The timing controller receives a touch signal from a touch sensing unit, detects touch coordinates from the touch signal, and provides the start signal only to a scan driver among the plurality of scan drivers corresponding to a sensing block among the plurality of sensing blocks corresponding to the detected touch coordinates.

15. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 14, wherein: The touch sensing unit is arranged on the display panel, and The sensing panel is attached to the bottom of the display panel.

16. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 15, wherein: The timing controller provides the start signal to at least one scan driver among the plurality of scan drivers that is adjacent to the scan driver corresponding to the sensing block among the plurality of sensing blocks corresponding to the detected touch coordinates.

17. The fingerprint recognition device according to claim 13, wherein: In the average recognition mode, the scan driving unit provides the scan signal to the sensor at the same time.

18. A method for driving a fingerprint recognition device, wherein: The fingerprint recognition device comprises: A sensing panel including a plurality of sensing blocks, each of the plurality of sensing blocks including a plurality of sensors; A transmitting driving unit, used for providing a transmitting signal to the sensor; A scanning driving unit, configured to provide a scanning signal to the sensor; and a timing controller, configured to provide a first start signal to the emission driving unit and a second start signal to the scan driving unit, The driving method comprises: receiving a touch input at the sensing panel; determining, by the timing controller, whether the mode signal is turned on or off; and When the mode signal is turned off, the fingerprint recognition device is driven in a fingerprint recognition mode, and when the mode signal is turned on, the fingerprint recognition device is driven in a touch mode, and in the touch mode, the first start signal and the second start signal are simultaneously provided to an emission driver included in the emission driving unit corresponding to the corresponding row of the sensing block and a scan driver included in the scan driving unit corresponding to the corresponding row of the sensing block.

19. The driving method according to claim 18, wherein: The driving of the fingerprint recognition device in the fingerprint recognition mode includes: The timing controller sequentially provides the first start signal to the emission driving unit; The transmission driving unit sequentially provides the transmission signal to the sensor; The timing controller provides the second start signal to the scan driving unit; The scanning driving unit sequentially provides the scanning signal to the sensor; and The timing controller cuts off the enable signal, and The first start signal and the second start signal are provided to both an emission driver included in the emission driving unit corresponding to a row including a sensing block generating the touch input among the plurality of sensing blocks, and a scan driver included in the scan driving unit corresponding to the row including a sensing block generating the touch input among the plurality of sensing blocks.

20. The driving method according to claim 19, wherein: The driving of the fingerprint recognition device in the touch mode includes: The timing controller turns on the enable signal; The timing controller simultaneously provides the first start signal and the second start signal to the emission driver included in the emission driving unit and corresponding to the corresponding row of the sensing block and the scan driver included in the scan driving unit and corresponding to the corresponding row of the sensing block; The emission driving unit and the scanning driving unit simultaneously provide the emission signal and the scanning signal to the sensor; and The enable signal is cut off by the timing controller, and the first start signal and the second start signal are sequentially provided to other emission drivers included in the emission driving unit corresponding to other rows of the plurality of sensing blocks and other scan drivers included in the scan driving unit corresponding to the other rows of the plurality of sensing blocks.

Images