Display device and operating method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a display device and an operating method thereof. The present invention relates to a technology for controlling the power of a display device, and enables power consumption to be reduced by driving circuits used for display operation and circuits used for touch sensing operation at low power according to display operation or touch sensing operation of a display panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for controlling power of a display device. Background Art

[0002] One of the most important issues associated with electronic devices, including mobile devices, is minimizing power consumption. As electronic devices become smaller and their batteries become limited in capacity, there is a need to reduce power consumption. For this reason, research into minimizing power consumption is ongoing. Display devices, used in nearly all electronic devices, are components that can significantly reduce power consumption.

[0003] The screen of an electronic device can be an area for displaying images and an area for receiving input. In order for the screen of the electronic device to receive input, touch sensing technology for sensing the touch or proximity of an external object is used. In the electronic device, the touch panel is located in the same plane as the plane of the display panel, so that while the user is viewing the image on the display panel, the user can input a user operation signal into the touch panel. This method of generating a user operation signal is very intuitive for the user compared to other previous user operation signal input types, such as mouse input type or keyboard input type.

[0004] In order to perform both display and touch sensing, the display device may include an in-cell (in-cell) or on-cell (on-cell) type panel in which the touch panel and the display panel share some components. In the case of an in-cell or on-cell type panel, the display device may adopt a time-sharing method and may display an image in one time interval and sense the touch or proximity of an external object in another time segment.

[0005] On the other hand, in a display device, both the display-serving block and the touch-sensing block can operate regardless of the time interval. However, the touch-sensing block does not necessarily need to be fully operational when the display device is displaying, and the display-serving block does not necessarily need to be fully operational when the display device is performing touch sensing. If all blocks of the display device were to be fully operational at all times, regardless of the display device's operation, unnecessary power would be consumed, potentially significantly increasing the display device's power consumption.

[0006] In this regard, the present invention provides a technique for reducing power consumption of a display device by dynamically controlling power supply to an internal circuit according to an operation of the display device. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In this context, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a technology for driving a circuit for display operation or a circuit for touch sensing operation with low power according to the display operation or touch sensing operation of a display panel.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a technology for driving a circuit used for display operation or a circuit used for touch sensing operation with low power based on a touch synchronization signal indicating a display operation or a touch sensing operation of a display device or a power synchronization signal indicating a low-power operation of the circuit.

[0009] To this end, aspects of the present invention provide a display device comprising: a panel for displaying image data and sensing the touch or proximity of an external object; a first circuit for displaying image data, for operating at low power when sensing the touch or proximity of an external object; a second circuit for sensing the touch or proximity of an external object, for operating at low power when displaying image data; and a third circuit for generating at least one control signal for controlling the low-power operation of the first circuit and the second circuit, and sending the control signal to the first circuit and the second circuit.

[0010] In the display device, the control signal may include a touch synchronization signal indicating a first time interval for displaying image data on the panel and a second time interval for sensing a touch or proximity of an external object. Based on the touch synchronization signal, the first circuit may operate at low power during the second time interval and the second circuit may operate at low power during the first time interval.

[0011] In the display device, the control signal may include a power synchronization signal for indicating a low power operation of the first circuit and the second circuit.

[0012] In the display device, the power sync signal may be generated separately from the touch sync signal and indicate a timing different from a timing indicated by the touch sync signal.

[0013] In the display device, the first circuit and the second circuit may be included in a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0014] In the display device, the second circuit may include a touch modulation integrated circuit (TMIC).

[0015] In the display device, the third circuit may include a microcontroller (MCU) or a timing controller (TCON).

[0016] The display device may further include a fourth circuit for maintaining an operation for displaying image data when the second circuit operates at low power, or maintaining an operation for sensing a touch or proximity of an external object when the first circuit operates at low power.

[0017] In the display device, the first circuit and the second circuit may each receive a shared voltage for common use. The shared voltage may have a first voltage level when sensing a touch or proximity of an external object and a second voltage level higher than the first voltage level when displaying image data.

[0018] In the display device, the first circuit and the second circuit may be included in a source readout integrated circuit (SRIC).

[0019] In the display device, the first circuit and the second circuit may be included in a microcontroller, a touch modulation integrated circuit, or a source readout integrated circuit, and the third circuit may include a timing controller.

[0020] In the display device, the first circuit may include a first part of a source driver circuit or a first part of a power management integrated circuit that operates to display image data, the second circuit may include a second part of a readout integrated circuit or a second part of a power management integrated circuit that operates to sense touch or proximity of an external object, and the third circuit may include a microcontroller or a timing controller.

[0021] In the display device, the first circuit may include a first part of a source driver circuit or a first part of a microcontroller that operates to display image data, the second circuit may include a second part of a readout integrated circuit or a second part of the microcontroller that operates to sense touch or proximity of an external object, and the third circuit may include a timing controller.

[0022] In the display device, the third circuit may include a first combination circuit integrating a microcontroller and a timing controller.

[0023] In the display device, the first circuit and the second circuit may be included in a second combination circuit that integrates a touch modulation integrated circuit and a power management integrated circuit.

[0024] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for operating a display device, comprising the following steps: generating a control signal for controlling low-power operation of a first circuit that operates to display image data and a second circuit that operates to sense touch or proximity of an external object; sending the control signal to the first circuit and the second circuit; causing the first circuit to operate at low power when sensing touch or proximity of an external object; and causing the second circuit to operate at low power when displaying image data.

[0025] In the method, the control signal may include a touch synchronization signal indicating a first time interval for displaying image data and a second time interval for sensing touch or proximity of an external object. The first circuit may operate at low power during the second time interval according to the touch synchronization signal, and the second circuit may operate at low power during the first time interval according to the touch synchronization signal.

[0026] In the method, the control signal may include a power synchronization signal for indicating low power operation of the first circuit and the second circuit. The power synchronization signal may be generated separately from the touch synchronization signal and have a timing different from that of the touch synchronization signal.

[0027] As described above, the present invention allows reducing power consumption in a display device by driving a circuit used for display operation at low power during a touch sensing operation. In addition, the present invention allows reducing power consumption in a display device by driving a circuit used for touch sensing operation at low power during a display operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a display-related circuit and a touch-sensing-related circuit of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0030] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating power states of a display-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit, a touch sensing-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit, and a common circuit according to an embodiment;

[0031] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a touch synchronization signal and power states of a touch modulation integrated circuit, a display-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit, and a touch sensing-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit according to an embodiment;

[0032] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating power synchronization signals and touch synchronization signals, as well as power states of a touch modulation integrated circuit, a display-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit, and a touch sensing-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit according to an embodiment;

[0033] Figure 6 is a diagram showing touch synchronization signals and voltages received by a source readout integrated circuit;

[0034] Figure 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the operation of a power management integrated circuit and a touch modulation integrated circuit;

[0035] Figure 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating operations of a power management integrated circuit and a touch modulation integrated circuit according to an embodiment;

[0036] Figure 9 is a structural diagram of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0037] Figure 10 is a structural diagram of a display device according to yet another embodiment;

[0038] Figure 11 is a structural diagram of a display device according to yet another embodiment;

[0039] Figure 12 is a structural diagram of a display device according to yet another embodiment;

[0040] Figure 13 is a structural diagram of a display device according to yet another embodiment; and

[0041] Figure 14 is a structural diagram of a display device according to yet another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] refer to Figure 1 The display device 100 may include a panel 110, a source readout integrated circuit (SRIC) 120, a gate driver circuit (GDIC) (130), a touch modulation integrated circuit (TMIC) 140, a timing controller (TCON) 150, a microcontroller (MCU) 160, and a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 170.

[0044] On the panel 110, a plurality of data lines DL and a plurality of gate lines GL may be arranged, and a plurality of pixels may also be arranged. A pixel may include a plurality of sub-pixels SP. Here, a sub-pixel may be a red (R) sub-pixel, a green (G) sub-pixel, a blue (B) sub-pixel, or a white (W) sub-pixel. A pixel may include an RGB sub-pixel SP, an RGBG sub-pixel SP, or an RGBW sub-pixel. For ease of explanation, the following description will assume that a pixel includes RGB sub-pixels.

[0045] The source readout integrated circuit 120 , the gate driving circuit 130 , and the timing controller 150 are used to generate signals for displaying an image on the panel.

[0046] The source readout integrated circuit 120 may include a source driver therein. The source driver may supply a data voltage to the sub-pixel via a data line. The data voltage supplied via the data line may be supplied to the sub-pixel according to a gate driving signal.

[0047] In addition, the source readout integrated circuit 120 may include a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) therein. The readout integrated circuit may be included in the source readout integrated circuit 120 together with a source driver. The readout integrated circuit may sense touch by driving electrodes surrounding the sub-pixel SP. The source readout integrated circuit 120 may drive the electrodes using a drive signal transmitted via the touch line TL and receive an analog signal from the electrodes.

[0048] The source readout integrated circuit 120 can be connected to a bonding pad of the display panel 110 of a tape automated bonding (TAB) type or a chip on glass (COG) type, and the bonding pad can be directly formed on the display panel 110 or integrated on the display panel 110 as appropriate. In addition, the source readout integrated circuit 120 can be formed in a chip on film (COF) type.

[0049] The gate driving circuit 130 can supply an on voltage or an off voltage as a gate driving signal via the gate line GL. When the on voltage is supplied to the sub-pixel SP as the gate driving signal, the sub-pixel SP is connected to the data line DL. When the off voltage is supplied to the sub-pixel SP as the gate driving signal, the sub-pixel SP is disconnected from the data line DL.

[0050] The touch modulation integrated circuit 140 can generate a zero-load drive signal ZLD and send it to the gate driver circuit 130 to reduce the impact of the touch sensor's parasitic capacitance on sensing results. The zero-load drive signal ZLD can have the same phase as the drive signal used to drive the touch sensor. If the zero-load drive signal ZLD and the drive signal are applied to both sides of the parasitic capacitor, the charge in the parasitic capacitor becomes zero, and the parasitic capacitance disappears.

[0051] The timing controller 150 may supply control signals to the gate driver circuit 130 and the microcontroller 160. For example, the timing controller 150 may send a gate control signal (used to start scanning) to the gate driver circuit 130, output image data RGB to the microcontroller 160, send a data control signal DCS (used to control the source readout integrated circuit 120 to supply a data voltage to each sub-pixel SP) to the microcontroller 160, and send a touch control signal TCS (used to control the source readout integrated circuit 120 to drive the electrode of each sub-pixel SP to sense touch) to the microcontroller 160.

[0052] The microcontroller 160 can exchange data with the source readout integrated circuit 120. The microcontroller 160 can send control data for controlling the source readout integrated circuit 120 and a clock for synchronizing the image data RGB and the data applied to the panel 110 to the source readout integrated circuit 120. The source readout integrated circuit 120 can generate sensing data from the touch sensor for sensing the touch or proximity of an external object and send the sensing data to the microcontroller 160.

[0053] The microcontroller 160 and the source readout integrated circuit 120 can communicate based on the serial peripheral interface (SPI) method or the inter-integrated circuit (I2C) method. In the SPI method or the I2C method, the main agent of communication can operate as a master device and a slave device. The microcontroller 160 can operate as a master device, and the source readout integrated circuit 120 can operate as a slave device. There can be multiple source readout integrated circuits 120, and each source readout integrated circuit 120 can operate as a slave device of the microcontroller 160.

[0054] The power management integrated circuit 170 can supply power to the panel 110, the source readout integrated circuit 120, the gate driver circuit 130, the touch modulation integrated circuit 140, the timing controller 150, and the microcontroller 160. The power management integrated circuit 170 can supply power by transmitting a driving voltage via a power line. Driving voltages having different voltage values ​​can be supplied to corresponding circuits. The power management integrated circuit 170 can serve as a power source for the internal circuits of the display device 100.

[0055] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a display-related circuit and a touch-sensing-related circuit of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0056] refer to Figure 2 , the display device 100 may include display-related circuits, touch-sensing-related circuits, and shared circuits. Although the circuits included in the display device 100 can be classified as display-related circuits, touch-sensing-related circuits, and shared circuits, the classification of the circuits is not limited thereto, and other circuits belonging to other categories may exist. In this figure, the display-related circuits are represented by a dot pattern, the touch-sensing-related circuits are represented by a wavy pattern, and the shared circuits are represented by a diagonal line pattern.

[0057] The display-related circuit may be a circuit involved in an operation of displaying image data by the display device 100. The display-related circuit may be a circuit that must operate in order to output image data.

[0058] For example, the display-related circuit may be a source driver circuit. The source driver circuit may output a data voltage corresponding to image data to display the image data on the panel. The source driver circuit needs to operate to perform display operations of the display device 100.

[0059] The entire functional circuit for performing a function may be a display-related circuit, or the display-related circuit may include some parts of the functional circuit.

[0060] For example, a source driver circuit is a functional circuit for outputting a data voltage, and the entire source driver circuit may be a display-related circuit. In contrast, the power management integrated circuit 170 may be considered a functional circuit for supplying power, but only some portions of the power management integrated circuit 170 may be display-related circuits. In the power management integrated circuit 170, the second power management integrated circuit (GAMMA) 172, the fourth power management integrated circuit (VGH) 174, the sixth power management integrated circuit (HVDD) 176, and the eighth power management integrated circuit (VCOM) 178 may be display-related circuits.

[0061] The second power management integrated circuit 172 can generate a gamma voltage corresponding to the image data and supply the gamma voltage to the buffer of the source driver. The buffer can supply the gamma voltage to the pixels of the panel. The gamma voltage can have a positive level or a negative level to represent a grayscale value.

[0062] The fourth power management integrated circuit 174 may generate a high voltage, which may include a gate high voltage VGH applied by the gate driving circuit 130 .

[0063] The sixth power management integrated circuit 176 may generate a half voltage HVDD for controlling the gamma voltage and supply the half voltage HVDD to a buffer of the source driver.

[0064] The eighth power management integrated circuit 178 may generate a common voltage VCOM for displaying image data and supply the common voltage VCOM to a common electrode of the panel.

[0065] On the other hand, the touch sensing related circuit may be a circuit related to an operation of sensing a touch or proximity of an external object by the display device 100. The touch sensing related circuit may be a circuit that must operate in order to perform touch sensing.

[0066] For example, the touch sensing related circuit may be a touch modulation integrated circuit 140. The touch modulation integrated circuit 140 may generate signals for driving the touch sensors (eg, touch electrodes) of the panel. The touch modulation integrated circuit 140 needs to operate to perform touch sensing operations of the display device 100.

[0067] The entire functional circuit that performs a function may be a touch sensing related circuit. Alternatively, the touch sensing related circuit may include only some parts of the functional circuit.

[0068] For example, the source readout integrated circuit can be regarded as a functional circuit that performs a function of driving the panel. However, in the source readout integrated circuit, the readout circuit other than the source driver circuit serving the display can be a touch sensing related circuit. Here, the source readout integrated circuit may include a source driver circuit and a readout circuit. In contrast, the touch modulation integrated circuit 140 is a functional circuit that drives the touch sensor, or generates a signal having the same phase as the touch sensor drive signal through modulation and outputs these signals. The entire touch modulation integrated circuit 140 can be a touch sensing related circuit. The touch modulation integrated circuit 140 may include a first touch modulation integrated circuit (VGL1_M) 141, a second touch modulation integrated circuit (VGL2_M) 142, and a third touch modulation integrated circuit (VCOM_M) 143.

[0069] The first touch modulation integrated circuit 141 may generate a first gate low voltage VGL1_M for the first line as a zero-load driving signal ZLD. The first gate low voltage VGL1_M may be applied to the first line of the panel by a gate driving circuit.

[0070] The second touch modulation integrated circuit 142 may generate a second gate low voltage VGL2_M for the second line as another zero-load driving signal ZLD. The second gate low voltage VGL2_M may be applied to the second line of the panel by the gate driving circuit.

[0071] The third touch modulation integrated circuit 143 may generate a driving signal VCOM_M for driving the touch sensor. The driving signal VCOM_M may be transmitted to the touch sensor of the touch panel by the readout integrated circuit.

[0072] The common circuit may always be involved in all operations of the display device 100 such as display of image data or sensing of a touch or proximity of an external object. The common circuit may be a circuit that must operate in order to perform display or touch sensing.

[0073] For example, the shared circuit may be the timing controller 150 and the microcontroller 160. Since the timing controller 150 generates and transmits the control signals required for the display and touch sensing operations of the display device 100, the core (CORE) 151 and the transmit and receive circuit (TX / RX) 152 of the timing controller 150 may be shared circuits. Furthermore, the microcontroller 160 may also be shared circuits. Since the microcontroller 160 controls the source readout integrated circuits involved in the display and touch sensing operations of the display device 100, the core (CORE) 161 and the interface circuit (I / F) 162 of the microcontroller may be shared circuits.

[0074] The entire functional circuit that performs a function may be a shared circuit. Alternatively, the shared circuit may include only some parts of the functional circuit.

[0075] For example, the timing controller 150 and the microcontroller 160 are functional circuits used for control, and the entire timing controller 150 and the entire microcontroller 160 may be shared circuits. In contrast, the power management integrated circuit 170 can be considered a functional circuit for performing a function of supplying power, however, some parts of the power management integrated circuit 170 may be shared circuits. In the power management integrated circuit 170, the first power management integrated circuit (AVDD) 171, the third power management integrated circuit (VGL) 173, the fifth power management integrated circuit (VCOM) 175, the seventh power management integrated circuit (BUCK) 177, and the ninth power management integrated circuit (LDO) 179 may be shared circuits.

[0076] The first power management integrated circuit 171 may generate an analog voltage AVDD and supply the analog voltage AVDD to a buffer of a source driver so that the source driver may output a gamma voltage.

[0077] The third power management integrated circuit 173 may generate a low voltage. The low voltage generated by the third power management integrated circuit 173 may include a gate low voltage VGL applied by the gate driving circuit 130.

[0078] The fifth power management integrated circuit 175 may generate a common voltage VCOM to be supplied to the common electrode regardless of the operation of the display apparatus 100 .

[0079] The seventh power management integrated circuit 177 may include a step-down converter (BUCK) to convert voltage so that the output voltage is lower than the input voltage.

[0080] The ninth power management integrated circuit 179 may include a low dropout (LDO) regulator to convert a voltage so that an output voltage is lower than an input voltage, especially when the difference between the output voltage and the input voltage is small.

[0081] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating power states of a display-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit, a touch sensing-related circuit in the power management integrated circuit, and a common circuit according to an embodiment.

[0082] refer to Figure 3 In the case where display and touch sensing of the display device are performed in different time intervals, the operation and power consumption of the internal circuit of the display device are different depending on the operation of display or touch sensing.

[0083] Under normal conditions, the internal circuitry of a display device consumes the required power while performing functions such as display operation or touch sensing. This circuitry is defined as being in normal mode. In this figure, the power consumption of the circuitry in normal mode is indicated by "ON."

[0084] Conversely, when the operation of the display device is unrelated to the function of the circuit, the circuit does not perform its function and can therefore consume a minimum amount of power. The circuit in this state can be considered to be in standby mode, performing its function when needed. The circuit in such a low power consumption state can be defined as being in standby mode. In this figure, the circuit consuming low power in standby mode is represented by LP (low power).

[0085] The operating time of the display device can be divided into multiple time intervals according to the timing indicated by the touch synchronization signal TSYN, and the display device can alternately perform display operation and touch sensing operation in these time intervals. In this figure, T / D represents the alternation of display operation and touch sensing operation.

[0086] Regardless of the operation of the display device such as display or touch sensing, the common circuit can always be in normal mode and thus can always consume required power. In this figure, the power consumption of the common circuit is represented by PW_C.

[0087] When the display device is performing touch sensing operations, the display-related circuits in the power management integrated circuit 170 can be in standby mode and consume low power. When the display device is performing display operations, these display-related circuits in the power management integrated circuit 170 can be in normal mode and fully consume the required power. In this figure, the power consumption of the display-related circuits in the power management integrated circuit 170 is represented by PW_D_PMIC.

[0088] When the display device is performing display operations, the touch sensing-related circuits in the power management integrated circuit 170 can be in standby mode and consume low power. When the display device is performing touch sensing operations, these touch sensing-related circuits in the power management integrated circuit 170 can be in normal mode and fully consume the required power. In this figure, the power consumption of the touch sensing-related circuits in the power management integrated circuit 170 is represented by PW_T_PMIC.

[0089] The internal circuits of the display device may operate in different ways and consume different amounts of power depending on the operation of the display (i.e., display or touch sensing related to the functions of these circuits). Although the internal circuits are not in a disconnected state in which their power supply is cut off when the display device performs operations unrelated to the functions of the internal circuits, since the internal circuits consume a minimum amount of power when in standby mode, the display device according to the embodiment can consume less power than a display device that always fully consumes the required power regardless of its operation.

[0090] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating touch synchronization signals and power states of a touch modulation integrated circuit, a display-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit, and a touch sensing-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit according to an embodiment.

[0091] refer to Figure 4 The display device can perform display and touch sensing in different time intervals indicated by the touch synchronization signal TSYNC. Since the operation timing of the display device is determined by the touch synchronization signal TSYNC, the operation and power consumption of the internal circuit of the display device can vary according to the touch synchronization signal TSYNC.

[0092] The touch synchronization signal TSYNC may have a waveform that indicates the timing of the display operation and touch sensing operation of the display device. The touch synchronization signal TSYNC, which is a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, may use different levels to indicate a display time interval during which the display device performs display and a touch sensing time interval during which the display device performs touch sensing. For example, the touch synchronization signal TSYNC may use a second level (e.g., a high voltage level) to indicate a display time interval and a first level (e.g., a low voltage level) to indicate a touch sensing time interval.

[0093] The touch synchronization signal TSYNC may be generated in a timing controller or a microcontroller and may be sent to circuits operating with low power in a standby mode (eg, display-related circuits or touch sensing-related circuits).

[0094] When the display device is performing display operations, the touch modulation integrated circuit 140 can consume low power in standby mode. Conversely, when the display device is performing touch sensing operations, the touch modulation integrated circuit 140 can fully consume the required power in normal mode. In this figure, the power consumption of the touch modulation integrated circuit 140 is represented by T_TMIC.

[0095] The display device can alternately perform display operation and touch sensing operation according to the timing indicated by the touch synchronization signal. In this figure, TSYNC can represent the waveform of the touch synchronization signal TSYNC. The touch synchronization signal TSYNC can be a PWM signal.

[0096] Since the common circuit operates regardless of the operation of the display device, the common circuit can always operate in a normal state and fully consume required power regardless of the touch synchronization signal TSYNC.

[0097] The display-related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 170 may be in a standby mode and consume low power during a touch sensing time interval when the touch synchronization signal TSYNC has a first level. Conversely, the display-related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 170 may be in a normal mode and fully consume required power during a display time interval when the touch synchronization signal TSYNC has a second level.

[0098] The touch sensing related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 170 can be in standby mode and consume low power during the display time interval when the touch synchronization signal TSYNC has the second level. Conversely, the touch sensing related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 170 can be in normal mode and fully consume required power during the touch sensing time interval when the touch synchronization signal TSYNC has the first level.

[0099] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating power synchronization signals and touch synchronization signals, as well as power states of a touch modulation integrated circuit, a display-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit, and a touch sensing-related circuit in a power management integrated circuit according to an embodiment.

[0100] refer to Figure 5 , the operation and power consumption of the internal circuit of the display device may vary according to the power synchronization signal PSYNC.

[0101] The power synchronization signal PSYNC may indicate a mode or power consumption state of an internal circuit of the display device. The power synchronization signal PSYNC may be independent of the touch synchronization signal TSYNC and may therefore be generated separately. Therefore, the power synchronization signal PSYNC may have a timing different from that of the touch synchronization signal TSYNC. For example, in the power synchronization signal PSYNC, the interval representing the standby mode of the touch sensing related circuit may be longer by Δt than the touch sensing time interval represented by the touch synchronization signal TSYNC. Preferably, the power synchronization signal PSYNC and the touch synchronization signal TSYNC may have the same timing. However, the power synchronization signal may have a timing and time period different from those of the touch synchronization signal TSYNC to advance the timing of the circuit entering the standby mode and extend the duration of the standby mode according to the characteristics of the circuit.

[0102] Since the power synchronization signal PSYNC indicates different power consumption of the circuit according to the operation of the display device (i.e., display and touch sensing), the power synchronization signal PSYNC can be the same as or similar to the touch synchronization signal TSYNC. The waveform of the power synchronization signal PSYNC can be the same as or similar to the alternating cycle of the operation of the display device.

[0103] The power synchronization signal PSYNC may have a waveform that indicates the normal mode and the standby mode of the circuit. The power synchronization signal PSYNC, which is a PWM signal, indicates the normal mode and the standby mode of the circuit using its different levels. For example, the second level (such as a high voltage level) of the power synchronization signal PSYNC may indicate the standby mode of the circuit, and the first level (such as a low voltage level) thereof may indicate the normal mode of the circuit. Otherwise, the first level may indicate the standby mode of the circuit, and the second level may indicate the normal mode of the circuit.

[0104] Circuits may interpret the level of the power synchronization signal PSYN according to their functions. For example, display-related circuits may interpret the first level as standby mode and the second level as normal mode, while touch sensing-related circuits may interpret the first level as normal mode and the second level as standby mode.

[0105] The power synchronization signal PSYNC may be generated in a timing controller or a microcontroller and may be sent to circuits operating at low power in a standby mode (eg, display-related circuits or touch-sensing-related circuits).

[0106] When the power synchronization signal is at the second level, that is, when the display device is performing a display operation, the touch modulation integrated circuit 140 can be in a standby mode and consume low power. When the power synchronization signal is at the first level, that is, when the display device is performing a touch sensing operation, the touch modulation integrated circuit 140 can be in a normal mode and fully consume the required power.

[0107] Since the common circuit operates regardless of the operation of the display device, the common circuit can always operate under a normal condition and fully consume required power regardless of the power synchronization signal PSYNC.

[0108] The display-related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 170 may be in a standby mode and consume low power when the power synchronization signal PSYNC is at a first level, and may be in a normal mode and fully consume required power when the power synchronization signal PSYNC is at a second level.

[0109] The touch sensing related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 170 may be in standby mode and consume low power when the power synchronization signal PSYNC is at the second level, and may be in normal mode and fully consume required power when the power synchronization signal PSYNC is at the first level.

[0110] Figure 6 FIG. 5 is a diagram showing touch synchronization signals and voltages received by a source readout integrated circuit.

[0111] refer to Figure 6 The voltage received by the source readout integrated circuit may have different levels according to the display operation or touch sensing operation of the display device. In this figure, the voltage received by the source readout integrated circuit is represented by V_T_SRIC.

[0112] The source readout integrated circuit includes both display-related circuitry and touch-sensing-related circuitry. The source driver circuit may correspond to the display-related circuitry, and the readout circuit may correspond to the touch-sensing-related circuitry. The source readout integrated circuit may receive a shared voltage shared by both the display-related circuitry and the touch-sensing-related circuitry. The shared voltage may be generated in a power management integrated circuit and transmitted to the source readout integrated circuit.

[0113] Conventionally, the shared voltage received by a source readout integrated circuit can have a uniform level, and this level can be suitable for the operation of the display-related circuits of the source readout integrated circuit. Because the voltage required by the display-related circuits in the source readout integrated circuit is higher than the voltage required by the touch sensing-related circuits, the shared voltage can have a level suitable for the display-related circuits.

[0114] For example, regardless of the display operation or touch sensing operation of the display device, the source readout integrated circuit can receive a common voltage of 10 V. Both the source driver circuit as a display-related circuit and the readout circuit as a touch sensing-related circuit can operate using the common voltage of 10 V.

[0115] However, according to embodiments, the shared voltage received by the source readout integrated circuit can have different levels depending on the display operation or touch sensing operation of the display device. The first level can be suitable for the operation of the display-related circuits of the source readout integrated circuit, and the second level can be suitable for the operation of the touch sensing-related circuits of the source readout integrated circuit. Since the voltage level required for the display-related circuits in the source readout integrated circuit is higher than the voltage level required for the touch sensing-related circuits, the first level can be higher than the second level. In this figure, the first level can be 10V and the second level can be 6V.

[0116] The shared voltage may correspond to the touch synchronization signal TSYNC.The shared voltage may have a first level in an interval for a display operation of the display device and a second level in an interval for a touch sensing operation of the display device.

[0117] The source readout integrated circuit may operate at a shared voltage of 10V in an interval for display operation indicated by the touch synchronization signal TSYNC, and operate at a shared voltage of 6V in an interval for touch sensing operation indicated by the touch synchronization signal TSYNC.

[0118] As described above, according to the embodiment, a circuit including both a display-related circuit and a touch-sensing-related circuit (e.g., a source readout integrated circuit) can operate at a voltage having a level suitable for the display-related circuit in the interval used for display operation, and operate at a voltage having a level suitable for the touch-sensing-related circuit in the interval used for touch sensing operation. This method allows for reduced power consumption compared to a method in which all circuits use a voltage of a uniform level set exclusively for the display-related circuit.

[0119] Figure 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the operation of a power management integrated circuit and a touch modulation integrated circuit.

[0120] refer to Figure 7 Conventionally, a display device may always consume the same amount of power regardless of the display operation or touch sensing operation of the internal circuit. This figure illustrates an example in which the power management integrated circuit 70 supplies the common voltage VCOM to the touch modulation integrated circuit 40.

[0121] The power management integrated circuit 70 may include a first buffer 71 . The touch modulation integrated circuit 40 may include a second buffer 42 , a third buffer 43 , a fourth buffer 44 , and a selector 45 .

[0122] The PMIC 70 may generate a common voltage VCOM and transmit the common voltage VCOM to the touch modulation IC 40 . The common voltage VCOM may be output from the first buffer 71 of the PMIC 70 and input to the selector 45 of the touch modulation IC 40 .

[0123] The touch modulation integrated circuit 40 can generate a drive voltage VCOM_M and send the drive voltage VCOM_M to the electrode (e.g., touch electrode). The drive voltage VCOM_M can be generated using a low drive voltage VCOM_L and a high drive voltage VCOM_H. The low drive voltage VCOM_L can be output from the second buffer 42 and input into the selector 45, and the high drive voltage VCOM_H can be output from the third buffer 43 and input into the selector 45. The selector 45 can generate the drive voltage VCOM_M by selecting one of the low drive voltage VCOM_L and the high drive voltage VCOM_H. The drive voltage VCOM_M can be sent to the electrode via the fourth buffer 44.

[0124] Conventionally, the power management integrated circuit 70 can generate a common voltage VCOM of a uniform level during display operation and touch sensing operation of the display device and transmit this common voltage VCOM to the touch modulation integrated circuit 40. The touch modulation integrated circuit 40 can transmit the common voltage VCOM of a fixed level or the driving voltage VCOM_M to external components.

[0125] As described above, the power management integrated circuit 70 can generate the common voltage VCOM at the same level during display operation and touch sensing operation. In this case, the power consumption of the power management integrated circuit 70 can be higher than when the common voltage VCOM is generated at a low level during touch sensing operation. To indicate the high power consumption, the first buffer 71 of the power management integrated circuit 70 and the line used for the common voltage VCOM are shown in bold in the figure.

[0126] Figure 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating operations of a power management integrated circuit and a touch modulation integrated circuit according to an embodiment.

[0127] refer to Figure 8 The display device according to the embodiment may consume different powers depending on the display operation or the touch sensing operation during operation. This figure shows a case where the power management integrated circuit 870 according to the embodiment supplies the common voltage VCOM to the touch modulation integrated circuit 840.

[0128] The power management integrated circuit 870 may include a first buffer 871 . The touch modulation integrated circuit 840 may include a second buffer 842 , a third buffer 843 , a fourth buffer 844 , and a selector 845 .

[0129] The power management integrated circuit 870 according to an embodiment may generate a common voltage VCOM having a lower level than the common voltage VCOM in the display operation during the touch sensing operation and transmit the common voltage VCOM to the touch modulation integrated circuit 840. The touch modulation integrated circuit 840 may receive the low-level common voltage VCOM during the touch sensing operation of the display device.

[0130] In this case, the power consumption of the power management integrated circuit 870 can be lower than that in the case where the common voltage VCOM having the same level is generated regardless of the operation of the display device (i.e., display operation and touch sensing operation). To indicate low power consumption, the first buffer 871 of the power management integrated circuit 870 is shown as being relatively small.

[0131] Figure 9 is a structural diagram of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0132] refer to Figure 9 The display device 900 may include a source readout integrated circuit 920 , a touch modulation integrated circuit 940 , a timing controller 950 , a microcontroller 960 , and a power management integrated circuit 970 .

[0133] The timing controller 950 may be connected to the microcontroller 960 and transmit data to the microcontroller 960 .

[0134] The microcontroller 960 may generate synchronization signals SYNC (e.g., a touch synchronization signal and a power synchronization signal) and send them to the source readout integrated circuit 920, the touch modulation integrated circuit 940, and the power management integrated circuit 970. The synchronization signal SYNC may be generated in the timing controller 950 or the microcontroller 960.

[0135] The source readout integrated circuit 920 , the touch modulation integrated circuit 940 , and the power management integrated circuit 970 may enter a standby mode and operate at low power according to the synchronization signal SYNC.

[0136] Display-related circuits (e.g., source driver circuits) of the source readout integrated circuit 920 and display-related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 970 may operate at low power during a touch sensing time interval indicated by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at a first level.

[0137] The touch sensing-related circuits (e.g., readout circuits) of the source readout integrated circuit 920, and the touch sensing-related circuits of the touch modulation integrated circuit 940 and the power management integrated circuit 970 can operate at low power during the display time interval represented by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at the second level.

[0138] In summary, the display device 900 operates at low power as follows. The timing controller 950 or the microcontroller 960 may generate a control signal (e.g., a synchronization signal) to control a first circuit for displaying image data and a second circuit for sensing the touch or proximity of an external object, thereby operating in standby mode. Here, the first circuit may include a display-related circuit, and the second circuit may include a touch-sensing-related circuit. The timing controller 950 or the microcontroller 960 may send a control signal to the first circuit and the second circuit. The first circuit or the second circuit may operate at low power according to the control signal. When sensing the touch or proximity of an external object, the first circuit for displaying image data may operate in standby mode. When displaying image data, the second circuit for sensing the touch or proximity of an external object may operate in standby mode.

[0139] Figure 10 is a structural diagram of a display device according to yet another embodiment.

[0140] refer to Figure 10 The display device 1000 may include a source readout integrated circuit 1020 , a touch modulation integrated circuit 1040 , a timing controller 1050 , a microcontroller 1060 , and a power management integrated circuit 1070 .

[0141] The timing controller 1050 may generate synchronization signals SYNC (e.g., a touch synchronization signal and a power synchronization signal) and send these synchronization signals SYNC to the source readout integrated circuit 1020, the touch modulation integrated circuit 1040, the microcontroller 1060, and the power management integrated circuit 1070. The synchronization signal SYNC may be generated in the timing controller 1050.

[0142] The source readout integrated circuit 1020 , the touch modulation integrated circuit 1040 , and the power management integrated circuit 1070 may enter a standby mode and operate at low power according to the synchronization signal SYNC.

[0143] Display-related circuits (e.g., source driver circuits) of the source readout integrated circuit 1020 and display-related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 1070 may operate at low power during a touch sensing time interval indicated by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at a first level.

[0144] The touch sensing-related circuits (e.g., readout circuits) of the source readout integrated circuit 1020, and the touch sensing-related circuits of the touch modulation integrated circuit 1040 and the power management integrated circuit 1070 can operate at low power during the display time interval represented by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at the second level.

[0145] Regardless of the synchronization signal SYNC, the microcontroller 1060 can operate in a normal mode. The microcontroller 1060 can be involved in both the display operation and the touch sensing operation of the display device 1000.

[0146] Figure 11 is a structural diagram of a display device according to yet another embodiment.

[0147] refer to Figure 11 The display device 1100 may include a source driver circuit 1121 , a readout circuit 1122 , a touch modulation integrated circuit 1140 , a timing controller 1150 , a microcontroller 1160 , and a power management integrated circuit 1170 .

[0148] The timing controller 1150 may be connected to the microcontroller 1160 and transmit data to the microcontroller 1160 .

[0149] The microcontroller 1160 may generate synchronization signals SYNC (e.g., a touch synchronization signal and a power synchronization signal) and send these synchronization signals SYNC to the source driver circuit 1121, the readout circuit 1122, the touch modulation integrated circuit 1140, and the power management integrated circuit 1170. The synchronization signal SYNC may be generated in the timing controller 1150 or the microcontroller 1160.

[0150] The source driver circuit 1121 , the readout circuit 1122 , the touch modulation integrated circuit 1140 , and the power management integrated circuit 1170 may enter a standby mode and operate at low power according to the synchronization signal SYNC.

[0151] The source driver circuit 1121 and the display-related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 1170 may operate at low power in a touch sensing time interval indicated by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at the first level.

[0152] The touch sensing related circuits of the readout circuit 1122 , the touch modulation integrated circuit 1140 , and the power management integrated circuit 1170 may operate at low power during the display time interval indicated by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at the second level.

[0153] Figure 12 is a structural diagram of a display device according to yet another embodiment.

[0154] refer to Figure 12 The display device 1200 may include a source driver circuit 1221 , a readout circuit 1222 , a touch modulation integrated circuit 1240 , a timing controller 1250 , a microcontroller 1260 , and a power management integrated circuit 1270 .

[0155] The timing controller 1250 may generate synchronization signals SYNC (e.g., a touch synchronization signal and a power synchronization signal) and transmit these synchronization signals SYNC to the source driver circuit 1221, the readout circuit 1222, the touch modulation integrated circuit 1240, the microcontroller 1260, and the power management integrated circuit 1270. The synchronization signal SYNC may be generated in the timing controller 1250.

[0156] The source driver circuit 1221 , the readout circuit 1222 , the touch modulation integrated circuit 1240 , the microcontroller 1260 , and the power management integrated circuit 1270 may enter a standby mode and operate at low power according to the synchronization signal SYNC.

[0157] The source driver circuit 1221 and the display-related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 1270 may operate at low power in a touch sensing time interval indicated by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at the first level.

[0158] The touch sensing related circuits of the readout circuit 1222 , the touch modulation integrated circuit 1240 , and the power management integrated circuit 1270 may operate at low power during the display time interval indicated by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at the second level.

[0159] Regardless of the synchronization signal SYNC, the microcontroller 1260 can operate in a normal mode. The microcontroller 1260 can be involved in both the display operation and the touch sensing operation of the display device 1200.

[0160] Figure 13 is a structural diagram of a display device according to yet another embodiment.

[0161] refer to Figure 13 The display device 1300 may include a source readout integrated circuit 1320 , a touch modulation integrated circuit 1340 , a power management integrated circuit 1370 and a first combination circuit 1301 .

[0162] The first combination circuit 1301 in which the timing controller and the microcontroller are integrated into one circuit can function as both the timing controller and the microcontroller.

[0163] The first combination circuit 1301 may generate synchronization signals SYNC (e.g., a touch synchronization signal and a power synchronization signal) and send these synchronization signals SYNC to the source readout integrated circuit 1320, the touch modulation integrated circuit 1340, and the power management integrated circuit 1370. The synchronization signal SYNC may be generated in the first combination circuit 1301.

[0164] The source readout integrated circuit 1320 , the touch modulation integrated circuit 1340 , and the power management integrated circuit 1370 may enter a standby mode and operate at low power according to the synchronization signal SYNC.

[0165] The display-related circuits (e.g., source driver circuits) of the source readout integrated circuit 1320 and the display-related circuits of the power management integrated circuit 1370 can operate at low power during the touch sensing time interval indicated by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at the first level.

[0166] The touch sensing-related circuits (e.g., readout circuits) of the source readout integrated circuit 1320, and the touch sensing-related circuits of the touch modulation integrated circuit 1340 and the power management integrated circuit 1370 can operate at low power during the display time interval represented by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at the second level.

[0167] Figure 14 is a structural diagram of a display device according to yet another embodiment.

[0168] refer to Figure 14 The display device 1400 may include a source readout integrated circuit 1420 , a first combination circuit 1401 , and a second combination circuit 1402 .

[0169] The first combination circuit 1401 in which the timing controller and the microcontroller are integrated into one circuit can function as both the timing controller and the microcontroller.

[0170] The second combination circuit 1402 , in which the touch modulation integrated circuit and the power management integrated circuit are integrated into one circuit, can function as both a touch modulation integrated circuit and a power management integrated circuit.

[0171] The first combination circuit 1401 may generate synchronization signals SYNC (eg, a touch synchronization signal and a power synchronization signal) and transmit the synchronization signals SYNC to the source readout integrated circuit 1420 and the second combination circuit 1402. The synchronization signal SYNC may be generated in the first combination circuit 1401.

[0172] The source readout integrated circuit 1420 and the second combination circuit 1402 may enter a standby mode and operate at low power according to the synchronization signal SYNC.

[0173] The display-related circuits (e.g., source driver circuits) of the source readout integrated circuit 1420 and the display-related circuits of the second combination circuit 1402 can operate at low power during the touch sensing time interval indicated by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at the first level. Here, the display-related circuits of the second combination circuit 1402 can correspond to the display-related circuits of the power management integrated circuit.

[0174] The touch sensing-related circuits (e.g., readout circuits) of the source readout integrated circuit 1420 and the touch sensing-related circuits of the second combination circuit 1402 operate at low power during the display time interval indicated by the touch synchronization signal or when the power synchronization signal is at the second level. Here, the touch sensing-related circuits of the second combination circuit 1402 may correspond to the touch sensing-related circuits of the touch modulation integrated circuit and the power management integrated circuit.

[0175] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0176] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0147414, filed on November 18, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: a panel for displaying image data and sensing a touch or proximity of an external object; a first integrated circuit IC including a first circuit for displaying image data and a second circuit for sensing a touch or proximity of the external object, wherein the first circuit operates at low power when sensing the touch or proximity of the external object, and the second circuit operates at low power when displaying the image data; and a second integrated circuit IC, the second integrated circuit IC including a third circuit for generating a control signal for controlling low-power operations of the first circuit and the second circuit and transmitting the control signal to the first integrated circuit IC, The first integrated circuit IC receives a shared voltage commonly used in the first circuit and the second circuit from a third integrated circuit IC, and the shared voltage has a first voltage level when the second circuit senses the touch or proximity of the external object and has a second voltage level higher than the first voltage level when the image data is displayed by the first circuit.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The control signal includes a touch synchronization signal, the touch synchronization signal being used to indicate a first time interval for displaying image data on the panel and a second time interval for sensing touch or proximity of an external object, and according to the touch synchronization signal, the first circuit operates at low power in the second time interval and the second circuit operates at low power in the first time interval.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The control signal includes a power synchronization signal for indicating low power operation of the first circuit and the second circuit.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein The power sync signal is generated separately from the touch sync signal and indicates a timing different from that indicated by the touch sync signal.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The third integrated circuit IC includes a power management integrated circuit PMIC. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein: The third integrated circuit IC includes a touch modulation integrated circuit TMIC.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The third circuit includes a microcontroller MCU or a timing controller TCON.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first circuit and the second circuit are included in a source readout integrated circuit SRIC.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first integrated circuit IC includes a source readout integrated circuit SRIC.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first circuit includes a first portion of a source driver circuit, the second circuit includes a second portion of a readout integrated circuit, and the third circuit includes a microcontroller or a timing controller.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The third circuit includes a first combination circuit integrating a microcontroller and a timing controller.

12. A method for processing a synchronization signal in a first integrated circuit, the method comprising the steps of: generating a first synchronization signal as a touch synchronization signal, the touch synchronization signal being divided into a display period set for displaying image data and a touch period set for a touch sensing operation; and sending the first synchronization signal to a second integrated circuit included in a source readout integrated circuit, wherein a first portion of the second integrated circuit is configured to operate in a low power mode during a touch period based on the first synchronization signal, and a second portion of the second integrated circuit is configured to operate in a low power mode during a display period based on the first synchronization signal.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The first integrated circuit includes a microcontroller or a timing controller.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of: generating a second synchronization signal as a power synchronization signal different from the first synchronization signal; as well as sending the second synchronization signal to the second integrated circuit, wherein a second portion of the second integrated circuit is configured to operate in a low power mode during the touch period based on the second synchronization signal, and A standby mode period based on the second synchronization signal is longer than the touch period based on the first synchronization signal.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein: A shared voltage is commonly used in the first portion of the second integrated circuit and the second portion of the second integrated circuit, and wherein the shared voltage includes a first voltage level during the touch period and a second voltage level different from the first voltage level during the display period.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The second voltage level is greater than the first voltage level.

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