Touch display device, method of driving the same, and timing controller

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a touch display device capable of solving distortion of a displayed image due to a condition difference between touch nodes and a driving method thereof. The touch display device includes a panel driver configured to drive a gate line and a data line of a panel and to drive and sense a touch electrode, a timing controller configured to control an operation of the panel driver, and a touch controller configured to control a touch electrode driving and sensing operation of the panel driver, wherein the timing controller compensates for a display signal with respect to a condition difference between a touch node where a touch occurs and a touch node where no touch occurs or a physical structure difference between the touch nodes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a touch display device, a method of driving it, and a timing controller capable of reducing distortion of the displayed image due to differences in conditions between touch nodes. Background Technology

[0002] Touch sensors, which enable users to input information using touch on a display screen, are widely used in various displays such as laptops, monitors, and home appliances, as well as portable information devices such as smartphones.

[0003] Touch sensors used in displays include add-on touch sensors where the touch panel is attached to the display panel, and in-cell touch sensors where the touch electrodes are embedded in the display panel. As an in-cell touch sensor, an advanced in-cell touch (AIT) type touch sensor is known where the common electrodes of the liquid crystal display are divided and used as touch electrodes.

[0004] Since the AIT display device provides both image display and touch sensing functions through the panel, the AIT display device operates by dividing each frame period into a display operation period and a touch operation period.

[0005] However, in AIT touch display devices, depending on the configuration and alternating operation of the touch nodes or after a touch operation, a condition difference such as a potential difference may occur between the touch nodes that have been touched and the touch nodes that have not been touched, resulting in image quality degradation and distortion of the displayed image during the display operation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, according to this disclosure, a touch display device, a method for driving it, and a timing controller are provided that can reduce display image distortion caused by differences in conditions between touch nodes.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a touch display device is provided, comprising: a panel driver configured to drive gate lines and data lines of a panel, and to drive and sense touch electrodes; a timing controller configured to control the operation of the panel driver; and a touch controller configured to control the driving and sensing operations of the touch electrodes of the panel driver.

[0008] The timing controller can compensate for the display signal based on the condition difference between touch nodes that have been touched and touch nodes that have not been touched, or the physical structure difference between touch nodes.

[0009] The timing controller can compensate at least one of the data signal and gating signal supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch occurrence area where the touch node is located, or supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch node that is set as a compensation area according to the physical structural differences between the touch nodes, by applying a preset compensation value.

[0010] The timing controller can apply a preset compensation value to compensate for at least one of the data signals and gating signals supplied to the touch electrodes that are located in sub-pixels of different sizes.

[0011] Subpixels overlapping with each touch node can be divided into multiple compensation regions based on their distance from adjacent touch nodes. By applying different or the same compensation value based on the multiple compensation regions to each subpixel, the timing controller can compensate for the data supplied to the subpixels of the touch occurrence area or the subpixels of the compensation regions.

[0012] The timing controller can compensate for the pulse width of the gating signal supplied to the sub-pixels in the compensation region by applying different or the same compensation value to each sub-pixel.

[0013] The timing controller can receive position information of each touch node that is touched from the touch controller and determine whether the corresponding sub-pixel is included in the touch area or the non-touch area, or receive physical structure information and position information of each touch node from the touch controller and determine whether the corresponding sub-pixel is included in the touch area or the non-touch area.

[0014] The timing controller can generate a touch synchronization signal for time-dividing each frame period into each display operation period and each touch operation period, control the panel driver based on the touch synchronization signal to guide the panel to perform display operations during each display operation period, and share the touch synchronization signal with the touch controller and control the panel driver to guide the panel to perform touch operations during each touch operation period.

[0015] The timing controller may include: a memory configured to store input data; a compensation information register configured to store position information and compensation values ​​of the compensation area; and a display data calculator configured to, during each display operation period, apply the compensation values ​​based on the position information of the compensation area provided from the compensation information register to the data output from the memory, and output compensated data, when the touch occurrence area includes a sub-pixel, and output data from the memory without compensation when the sub-pixel is included in the touch non-occurrence area.

[0016] During each display operation period, if the compensation information register contains sub-pixels of the compensation area due to size differences between the touch electrodes, the display data calculator can apply the compensation value from the compensation information register to the data output from the memory and output the compensated data.

[0017] The timing controller may include: a gate control signal calculator configured to generate an adjustment signal for adjusting the pulse width of a corresponding strobe signal based on the position information of the compensation region and the compensation value provided from the compensation information register, when the touch generation area includes a sub-pixel or the compensation area has sub-pixels stored in the compensation information register during each display operation period; and a gate control signal generator configured to generate and output a gate control signal for controlling the gate driver of the panel driver during each display operation period using the synchronization signal and the adjustment signal.

[0018] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for driving a touch display device is provided, the method comprising the steps of: dividing each frame time period into each display operation time period and each touch operation time period using a touch synchronization signal; generating information about the touch occurrence area including position information of each touch node in which a touch occurs during each touch operation time period; and compensating display signals supplied to sub-pixels of the touch occurrence area where the touch node in which the touch occurs is located or to sub-pixels of touch nodes set as compensation areas according to the physical structural differences of each touch node during each display operation time period.

[0019] The compensation of the display signal can be achieved by applying a preset compensation value to compensate at least one of the data signal and gating signal supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch generation area or the compensation area.

[0020] The method for driving the touch display device may further include, during each display operation period, applying a preset compensation value to compensate at least one of the data signal and gating signal of the sub-pixel where the touch electrodes of different sizes are located in the touch electrodes. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application. They illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a touch display device according to one embodiment;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of touch electrodes and sub-pixels in a panel according to one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a diagram used to describe the structural configuration of touch nodes according to one embodiment and the effect of the difference in conditions between touch nodes due to a touch occurring in the touch display panel;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a timing diagram illustrating a time-division driving method for a frame of a touch display device according to one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a timing diagram illustrating a time-division driving method for a frame of a touch display device according to one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating a method for compensating for differences in conditions between touch nodes in a touch display panel according to one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a method for compensating for differences in conditions between touch nodes in a touch display panel according to one embodiment;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating a timing controller and a touch controller in a touch display device according to one embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of a method for driving a touch display device according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The advantages and features of this disclosure and its implementation methods will be illustrated by the following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, this disclosure is limited only by the scope of the claims.

[0032] The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, and numbers disclosed in the accompanying drawings for the purpose of illustrating embodiments of this disclosure are merely examples, and therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the illustrated details. Throughout this specification, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements. In the following description, detailed descriptions of relevant known functions or configurations will be omitted where it is determined that such detailed descriptions unnecessarily obscure the essential points of this disclosure.

[0033] When using the terms "including," "having," and "comprising" as described in this specification, an additional part may be added unless "only" is used. Singular terms may include plural forms unless the opposite is indicated.

[0034] When understanding a component, it is interpreted as including a range of tolerances, even though this is not explicitly described.

[0035] When describing positional relationships, for example, when the positional relationship between two parts is described as such as "above", "over", "below", or "next to", one or more other parts may be placed between the two parts unless further restrictive terms such as "just" or "directly" are used.

[0036] When describing temporal relationships, such as when time sequence is described as "after," "following," "next," and "before," discontinuous situations may be included unless further restrictive terms such as "just," "immediately after," or "directly" are used.

[0037] It should be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0038] In describing the elements of this disclosure, the terms “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” “(a),” “(b),” etc., may be used. These terms are intended to identify the corresponding element from other elements, and the basis, order, or number of the corresponding elements shall not be limited by these terms. The expression that an element or layer is “connected,” “joined,” or “adhered” to another element or layer means that the element or layer may be directly connected or adhered to another element or layer, or indirectly connected or adhered to another element or layer, unless otherwise specified.

[0039] The term "at least one" should be understood to include any and all combinations of one or more of the elements listed herein. For example, "at least one or more of the first element, the second element, and the third element" means, in addition to referring to the first element, the second element, or the third element, all combinations of elements derived from two or more of the first element, the second element, and the third element.

[0040] Features of the various embodiments of this disclosure may be linked or combined with each other in part or in whole, and may interact with each other in various ways and be technically driven, as will be fully understood by those skilled in the art. Embodiments of this disclosure may be performed independently of each other, or may be performed together in an interdependent manner.

[0041] As used herein, the term "component" refers to a software or hardware component such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a "component" performs certain functions. However, a "component" is not limited to software or hardware. A "component" may be configured to be stored in an addressable storage medium or may be configured to be executed by one or more processors. Therefore, a "component" includes, for example, software components, processes, functions, drivers, firmware, circuits, data, databases, and tables.

[0042] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of a touch display device according to one embodiment. Figure 2 This is an illustration of the configuration of touch electrodes and sub-pixels in a panel according to one embodiment, and Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the structural configuration of touch nodes according to one embodiment and the effects of the differences in conditions between touch nodes caused by a touch occurring in a touch display panel.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 The touch display device includes a panel 100, a gate driver 200, a touch data driver 300, a timing controller 400, a touch controller 500, a touch power integrated circuit (TPIC) 600, and a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 700. The gate driver 200 and the touch data driver 300 can be defined as panel drivers. The PMIC 700 and the TPIC 600 can be defined as power circuits.

[0045] Panel 100 has touch sensing and display functions. Panel 100 displays images through a display area DA in which subpixels are arranged in a matrix. By using touch electrodes TE, which serve as common electrodes, included in the pixel matrix of the display area DA, panel 100 can output a signal indicating whether a touch has occurred through capacitance changes.

[0046] Each subpixel SP is any one of a red subpixel for emitting red light, a green subpixel for emitting green light, a blue subpixel for emitting blue light, and a white subpixel for emitting white light, and is independently driven by at least one thin-film transistor (TFT). A unit pixel can be formed as a combination of two, three, or four subpixels with different colors.

[0047] The gate electrode of the TFT included in each sub-pixel SP is connected to the gate driver 200 via a gate line GL provided in the panel 100, and an input electrode of either the source electrode or the drain electrode of each TFT is connected to the touch data driver 300 via a data line DL provided in the panel 100.

[0048] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, each sub-pixel SP includes a TFT connected to the gate line GL and the data line DL, and a liquid crystal capacitor Clc and a storage capacitor Cst connected to the TFT and the touch electrode TE, which serves as a common electrode COM. The liquid crystal capacitor Clc is charged with the voltage difference between the voltage of the data signal supplied to the pixel electrode through the TFT and the common voltage supplied to the touch electrode TE, and the liquid crystal is driven according to the charged voltage to control the light transmittance. The storage capacitor Cst stably maintains the voltage charged in the liquid crystal capacitor CLC.

[0049] Panel 100 includes a touch electrode matrix formed by touch electrodes TE, each touch electrode TE having a common electrode function of a pixel matrix and a touch sensor function.

[0050] As a capacitive touch sensing method applied to panel 100, mutual capacitance touch sensing method or self-capacitance touch sensing method can be applied.

[0051] In the mutual capacitance touch sensing method, the touch electrode TE can be configured to be divided into a driving electrode and a sensing electrode. The driving electrode of the touch electrode TE can receive a touch synchronization signal from the touch data driver 300, and the sensing electrode of the touch electrode TE can provide the touch data driver 300 with a readout signal indicating the change in mutual capacitance between the driving electrode and the sensing electrode caused by the touch.

[0052] In the self-capacitance touch sensing method, each touch electrode TE can receive a touch synchronization signal from the touch data driver 300 and can provide the touch data driver 300 with a readout signal indicating the change in self-capacitance caused by the touch.

[0053] In the following, examples of self-capacitive touch sensing methods will be described in embodiments of this disclosure.

[0054] For example, such as Figure 2As shown, the touch electrode matrix includes multiple touch electrode columns, and each touch electrode column includes multiple touch electrodes TE arranged in the direction of the data line DL and multiple touch wiring TL connecting each of the multiple touch electrodes TE to the touch data driver 300. The multiple touch electrodes TE are configured such that a common electrode COM located in the pixel matrix is ​​divided into multiple segments, and each touch electrode TE is configured to include multiple sub-pixels SP of a predetermined size, taking into account the size of the touch point. Each touch electrode TE is commonly connected to multiple sub-pixels SP that overlap with each touch electrode TE, forming a touch sensor.

[0055] The PMIC 700 receives input voltages and generates and supplies multiple drive voltages required in the touch display device. Using the input voltages, the PMIC 700 can generate and supply multiple drive voltages required by the TPIC 600, timing controller 400, touch controller 500, gate driver 200, and touch data driver 300. For example, the PMIC 700 can generate digital circuit drive voltages and supply them to each drive circuit, and can generate analog circuit drive voltages and supply them to the TPIC 600 and touch data driver 300. The PMIC 700 can generate and supply drive voltages required in the gate driver 200. The PMIC 700 can generate a common voltage VCOM and supply it to the TPIC 600.

[0056] The TPIC 600 can receive the output voltage of the PMIC 700 and the control signals of the touch controller 500, and can generate and output multiple drive signals required in the drive circuits related to touch driving and sensing, such as the gate driver 200 and the touch data driver 300.

[0057] Under the control of the touch controller 500, the TPIC 600 can supply the common voltage VCOM supplied from the PMIC 700 to the touch data driver 300 during the display operation period. During the touch operation period TP, the TPIC 600 can generate a touch synchronization signal in the form of a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal supplied from the touch controller 500, and supply the touch synchronization signal to the touch data driver 300. Furthermore, during the touch operation period TP, the TPIC 600 can generate a gate cutoff modulation signal with the same phase and amplitude as the touch synchronization signal based on the PWM signal, and also supply the gate cutoff modulation signal to the gate driver 200.

[0058] The timing controller 400 can receive image data and synchronization signals from a host system (not shown). For example, the host system can be any of a computer, a television (TV) system, a set-top box, or a portable terminal such as a tablet or mobile phone. Synchronization signals may include a dot clock, a data enable signal, a vertical synchronization signal, and a horizontal synchronization signal.

[0059] By using timing signals supplied from the host system and timing information stored in registers, the timing controller 400 can generate touch synchronization signals for time-division driving of each frame in at least one display operation period and at least one touch operation period, and can supply the generated touch synchronization signals to the touch controller 500 and the touch data driver 300. The touch synchronization signals can control the alternation of each display operation period and each touch operation period.

[0060] Each display operation period (DP) is distinguished by the touch synchronization signal (see Figure 4 ) refers to the time period during which image data is filled (written) into the subpixels of a pixel block in the panel 100 via panel drivers 200 and 300. Each touch operation time period TP (see Figure 4 () refers to the period during which a touch synchronization signal is applied to the touch electrode TE in the panel 100 and the capacitance change is read from the corresponding touch electrode TE.

[0061] By using the supplied synchronization signal, the supplied touch synchronization signal, and the timing settings information (including start timing, pulse width, etc.) stored in the register, the timing controller 400 can generate data control signals for controlling the operation timing of the touch data driver 300, and supply the data control signals to the touch data driver 300. For example, the data control signals may include a source start pulse for controlling the latch timing of the data, a source sampling clock, a source output enable signal for controlling the output timing of the data, and a polarity control signal for controlling the polarity of the data signals.

[0062] By using the supplied synchronization signal, the supplied touch synchronization signal, and the timing setting information stored in the register, the timing controller 400 can generate a gate control signal for controlling the operating timing of the gate driver 200 and supply the gate control signal to the gate driver 200. For example, the gate control signal may include a gate start pulse, a gate shift clock, and a gate output enable signal for controlling the output timing of the gate pulse used in the shift register operation of the gate driver 200.

[0063] The timing controller 400 can store image data supplied from the system in memory. The timing controller 400 can perform various processes on the image data for image quality compensation and power consumption reduction, and store the processed image data. During each display operation period (DP), the timing controller 400 can read image data of the corresponding pixel block from memory at a read speed faster than the write speed, and supply the image data and data control signals to the touch data driver 300.

[0064] Specifically, the timing controller 400 can compensate for the difference in display signals generated between the touch-occurring area and the non-touch-occurring area during the display operation period DP due to the potential difference between the touch nodes that are touched and the touch nodes that are not touched in the panel 100. That is, the distortion of the display signal that may occur in the touch-occurring area due to the change in the potential of the corresponding touch node when a touch occurs.

[0065] For example, Figure 3 The touch electrodes TE of the panel 100 shown can be distinguished into touch nodes where a touch occurred and touch nodes where no touch occurred after a touch operation. During the display operation period DP, a potential difference may occur between the touch nodes where a touch occurred and those where no touch occurred in the touch electrodes TE, which serve as common electrodes. Therefore, compared to the non-touch area, in the touch area, the parasitic capacitance between the touch electrode TE and the data line DL or between the touch electrode TE and the gating line GL changes due to the potential change of the touch electrode TE. This causes distortion of display signals, such as data signals or gating signals, and may result in a distorted display image. Furthermore, in the panel 100, each touch node may have a different physical structure, such as differences in the overlapping area or distance of display electrodes (gating lines, data lines, pixel electrodes, etc.) that overlap with the touch electrode TE. Due to these differences in physical structure between the touch nodes in the panel 100 and the alternating operation of the display operation and touch operation of the panel 100, display signals, such as data signals or gating signals, are distorted, and may result in a distorted display image.

[0066] To mitigate the aforementioned issues, when a touch occurs, the timing controller 400 can compensate for changes in the display signal (data signal or strobe signal) to accommodate differences in conditions between touch nodes by adjusting the image data or gate control signal. The compensation information used to adjust the image data or gate control signal can be preset and stored in a register.

[0067] The timing controller 400 can share touch coordinate information of the touch nodes where a touch occurs, i.e., location information about the touch occurrence area, through communication with the touch controller 500. The timing controller 400 can also share the result of determining whether each sub-pixel is located within the touch occurrence area or the non-touch occurrence area through communication with the touch controller 500. Furthermore, information about the physical structure of the touch nodes in the panel 100, or information about the differences between physical structures, is preset and stored in the timing controller 400. The timing controller 400 and the touch controller 500 can share information about the physical structure of the touch nodes or information about the differences between physical structures.

[0068] During the display operation period (DP), the timing controller 400 can compensate for the image data in the sub-pixels that will be filled into the touch occurrence area by applying compensation data stored in the register, and can output the compensated data to the touch data driver 300. The timing controller 400 can compensate for the image data of each sub-pixel even at the sub-pixel position in the touch occurrence area by applying compensation data set according to the distance to the adjacent touch nodes.

[0069] Even when differences in condition occur between touch nodes due to size differences between touch electrodes TE, the timing controller 400 uses compensation information (compensation position and compensation data) stored in the register to compensate for the image data supplied to the corresponding sub-pixels, thereby preventing distortion of the displayed image.

[0070] Furthermore, the timing controller 400 can compensate for variations in the gating signal to accommodate differences in conditions between touch nodes by adjusting the gate control signal. In cases where the touch occurrence area or touch electrode TE has different sizes, the timing controller 400 can adjust the pulse width of the gating signal supplied to the corresponding sub-pixel by correcting the corresponding gate control signal (gate output enable signal).

[0071] In the case of a non-touched area, or when the touched area changes to a non-touched area during the touch operation period TP, the timing controller 400 can output image data or gate control signals without compensation through communication with the touch controller 500.

[0072] Taking into account the degree of change in the data signal or strobe signal corresponding to the potential change of the touch electrode TE when a touch occurs, compensation data can be preset and stored in the register of the timing controller 400. Alternatively, compensation data for the physical structural differences between touch nodes can be preset and stored in the register of the timing controller 400. Within each touch node, the compensation data can be set differently or the same for the position of each sub-pixel.

[0073] Alternatively, when the sizes of the touch electrodes TE are different, compensation data that takes into account the degree of change in the data signal or strobe signal caused by the potential difference between the touch electrodes TE can be preset and stored in the register of the timing controller 400 together with the position information of the corresponding sub-pixel.

[0074] The touch controller 500 can receive touch synchronization signals from the timing controller 400, generate PWM signals and touch control signals required for touch sensing, and supply the PWM signals and touch control signals to the touch data driver 300 and TPIC 600. The touch controller 500 can receive touch sensing data from the touch data driver 300, generate touch coordinates of the touched touch node, and supply the touch coordinates to the host system.

[0075] Specifically, the touch controller 500 can send the location information of the touch occurrence area to the timing controller 400 and share the location information with it.

[0076] The gate driver 200 can receive a gate control signal from the timing controller 400, generate a gating pulse (scan pulse) according to the gate control signal during the display operation period DP, and sequentially drive the gating lines GL of the corresponding pixel blocks individually. During each display operation period DP, the gate driver 200 can supply a gating pulse with a gate on voltage to the corresponding gating line GL according to the gate control signal during each driving period of the corresponding gating line GL, and during the non-driving period of the corresponding gating line GL, the gate driver 200 can supply a gate off voltage supplied from the TPIC 600 to the corresponding gating line GL.

[0077] During each touch operation period TP, the gate driver 200 can supply a gate cutoff modulation signal from the TPIC 600 to the gating line GL.

[0078] Furthermore, in response to the gate control signal adjusted during each display operation period (DP) under the control of the timing controller 400, the gate driver 200 can adjust the pulse width of the gating signal supplied to the corresponding gating line to compensate for variations in the gating signal for differences in conditions between touch nodes.

[0079] The gate driver 200 can be formed in the TFT substrate together with the TFT array constituting the pixel matrix of the panel 100, and embedded in the bezel area of ​​the panel 100 as a gate in-panel (GIP) type. The GIP type gate driver 200 can be located on one side portion or both sides of the panel 100. In addition, the gate driver 200 can be formed from multiple gate driver integrated circuits (ICs), which can be individually mounted on a circuit film such as a chip on film (COF), and can be bonded to the panel 100 using a tape autobonding (TAB) method, or mounted on the panel 100 using a chip on glass (COG) method.

[0080] The touch data driver 300 can receive image data and data control signals from the timing controller 400, convert the image data into analog data signals during each display operation period DP, and supply the analog data signals to the data lines DL of the panel 100. The touch data driver 300 can convert digital image data into analog data signals using grayscale voltages, where multiple reference gamma voltages supplied from a gamma voltage generator (not shown) are segmented. During each display operation period DP, the touch data driver 300 can supply the common voltage VCOM supplied from the TPIC 600 to the touch electrode TE via the touch wiring TL, allowing the touch electrode TE to operate as a common electrode.

[0081] During each touch operation period TP, the touch data driver 300 can supply a touch synchronization signal from the TPIC 600 to the touch electrode TE of the corresponding block via the touch wiring TL of the corresponding block. Furthermore, the touch data driver 300 can supply a touch synchronization signal to the data line DL during the touch operation period TP, or supply a data modulation signal with the same phase and amplitude as the touch synchronization signal.

[0082] The touch data driver 300 may include built-in readout circuitry that supplies a touch synchronization signal to the touch electrode TE of the corresponding touch block via touch wiring TL during each touch operation period TP, and then reads out the signal fed back from each touch electrode TE via individual touch wiring TL. The touch data driver 300 may differentially amplify the touch synchronization signal and readout signal for each touch electrode TE to sense the change in self-capacitance (signal delay) of each touch electrode TE due to touch, generate touch sensing data through signal processing, and supply the touch sensing data to the touch controller 500.

[0083] Specifically, under the control of the timing controller 400, the touch data driver 300 can supply compensated data signals to sub-pixels in areas with different sizes of touch occurrence area or touch electrode during each display operation period DP to charge the sub-pixels, so that the distortion of data signals caused by the condition difference between touch nodes can be corrected.

[0084] The touch data driver 300 can be formed from one or more touch data driver ICs, and each IC can be individually mounted on a circuit film such as COF and bonded to the panel 100 using the TAB method or mounted on the panel 100 using the COG method. The touch data driver IC can be referred to as a source-readout (SR) IC.

[0085] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a timing diagram illustrating a time-division driving method for a frame of a touch display device according to one embodiment.

[0086] Reference Figure 4 Under the control of the touch synchronization signal generated from the timing controller 400, each frame period can include multiple display operation periods DP for time-division driving the pixel matrix of the panel 100 into multiple pixel blocks and multiple touch operation periods TP for time-division driving the touch electrode matrix of the panel 100 into multiple touch blocks, and each display operation period DP and each touch operation period TP can operate alternately. A display operation period DP and a touch operation period TP can be defined as a field period.

[0087] Reference Figure 5 Under the control of the touch synchronization signal generated from the timing controller 400, each frame period can be divided into a display operation period DP in which data is written to each sub-pixel of the pixel matrix of the panel 100 and a touch operation period TP in which the touch electrode matrix of the panel 100 is driven and sensed.

[0088] During each touch operation period TP, the touch data driver 300 can supply the touch synchronization signal from the TPIC 600 to the corresponding touch wiring TL, and read the capacitance change of each electrode TE of the corresponding touch block through the corresponding touch wiring TL. The touch data driver 300 can perform signal processing on the read signal to convert the processed read signal into touch sensing data indicating whether a touch has occurred, and can supply the touch sensing data to the touch controller 500.

[0089] Furthermore, to reduce the parasitic capacitance formed between the touch electrode TE, the gate line GL, and the data line DL in the panel 100 during each touch operation period TP, the gate driver 200 and the touch data driver 300 (i.e., panel drivers 200 and 300) can supply a modulated signal with the same voltage and phase as the touch synchronization signal applied to the touch electrode TE to the gate line GL and the data line DL. In other words, during the touch operation period TP, the panel drivers 200 and 300 can supply the touch synchronization signal or a data modulated signal with the same phase and amplitude as the touch synchronization signal to the data line DL of the panel 100, and supply a gate cutoff modulated signal with the same phase and amplitude as the touch synchronization signal to the gate line GL. Therefore, during the touch operation period TP, the touch electrode TE can be driven without load to improve touch sensing sensitivity.

[0090] During each display operation period DP, under the control of the timing controller 400, the touch data driver 300 converts the image data supplied in each horizontal period into analog data signals to supply the analog data signals to the data lines DL of the panel 100, and supplies the common voltage VCOM supplied from the TPIC 600 to the touch electrodes TE through the touch wiring TL. During each display operation period DP, under the control of the timing controller 400, the gate driver 200 sequentially drives the gating line GL to allow the data signals supplied to the data lines DL in each horizontal period to be supplied to and charged into the corresponding sub-pixels.

[0091] Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a method for compensating for differences in conditions between touch nodes in a touch display panel according to one embodiment.

[0092] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The touch occurs at the third touch node of the third touch electrode TE3 and the fourth touch node of the fourth touch electrode TE4, and the third and fourth nodes of the third touch electrode TE3 and the fourth touch electrode TE4 that have the touch have a potential difference relative to the first touch node and the second touch node of the first touch electrode TE1 and the second touch electrode TE2 that have not the touch.

[0093] To prevent display signal distortion caused by potential differences between touch nodes, a data signal compensated by the touch data driver 300 and the corresponding data line D can be supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch occurrence area where the third and fourth nodes of the third touch electrode TE3 and the fourth touch electrode TE4 are located. Additionally, a gating signal with a pulse width compensated by the gate driver 200 and the corresponding gating lines GL5, GL6, GL7, and GL8 can be supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch occurrence area.

[0094] Furthermore, even when no touch occurs and when the sizes of the fifth touch electrode TE5 and the sixth touch electrode TE6 are different from the sizes of the remaining touch electrodes TE1 to TE4, data signals compensated by the touch data driver 300 and the corresponding data line DL or by the gate driver 200 and the corresponding gating line GL can be supplied to the sub-pixels where the fifth touch electrode TE5 and the sixth touch electrode TE6 are located. On the other hand, even when the touch electrodes have the same size and in compensation areas where compensation is needed for different physical structures between the touch nodes where the touch electrodes are located, the compensated data signals or compensated gating signals can be supplied to the sub-pixels of the corresponding compensation areas. In addition, in the touch occurrence areas where the third touch node and the fourth touch node of the third touch electrode TE3 and the fourth touch electrode TE4 where a touch occurs, data signals with different compensation values ​​applied to each data line DL or gating signals with different compensation values ​​applied to each gating line GL can be supplied.

[0095] Furthermore, not limited to the touch occurrence area, the compensated data signal or compensated gating signal can be supplied to the sub-pixels of the entire area of ​​the panel 100, depending on the physical structural differences between touch nodes and the alternation of display and touch operations.

[0096] Reference Figure 7 It can compensate data signals or gating signals differently based on the distance between the third touch node and the fourth touch node of the third touch electrode TE3 and the fourth touch electrode TE4 where the touch occurs and the adjacent touch node.

[0097] For example, in each of the third touch node and the fourth touch node of the third touch electrode TE3 and the fourth touch electrode TE4 where a touch occurs, a data signal or gating signal with a first compensation value can be supplied to the corresponding gating lines GL5 and GL8 and the corresponding data lines DL1_B1, DLm_B1, DL1_B2 and DLm_B2 connected sub-pixels in the first compensation area closest to the adjacent touch node.

[0098] Alternatively, in each of the third touch node and the fourth touch node of the third touch electrode TE3 and the fourth touch electrode TE4 where a touch occurs, a data signal or gating signal with a second compensation value different from the first compensation value can be supplied to the sub-pixel connected to the corresponding gating lines GL6 and GL7 and the data lines DL2_B1, DL(m-1)_B1, DL2_B2 and DL(m-1)_B2 in the second compensation region, which is at a distance different from the distance of the adjacent touch node than the distance of the first compensation region.

[0099] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating a timing controller 400 and a touch controller 500 in a touch display device according to one embodiment.

[0100] Reference Figure 8 According to one embodiment, the timing controller 400 can receive display data and synchronization signals (including vertical synchronization signals, horizontal synchronization signals, dot clock signals, and data enable signals) from the host system via a display receiver 410. The display receiver 410 can store the received display data in a memory 434 to store display data information. The display receiver 410 can supply the received synchronization signals (including vertical synchronization signals, horizontal synchronization signals, dot clock signals, and data enable signals) to the display and touch controller 420.

[0101] By using the received synchronization signal, the display and touch controller 420 can generate a touch synchronization signal to determine the display operation period DP and the touch operation period TP, and supply the generated touch synchronization signal and other synchronization signals to the display control signal generator 430. The display and touch controller 420 can output the touch synchronization signal to the touch controller 500.

[0102] By using touch synchronization signals and other synchronization signals provided from the display and touch controller 420, the display control signal generator 430 can generate data control signals for controlling the touch data driver 300 during each display operation period (DP). The display control signal generator 430 can output the data control signals to the display transmitter 438. The display control signal generator 430 can also output the touch synchronization signals and other synchronization signals to the gate control signal calculator 440 or the gate control signal generator 443.

[0103] During the display operation period (DP), under the control of the display control signal generator 430, the compensation information register 432 can output compensation information, including the position information of the compensation area and the compensation value supplied to the compensation area, to the display data calculator 436. Furthermore, the compensation information register 432 can output compensation information, including the position information of the compensation area and the compensation value including the strobe signal, to the gate control signal calculator 440. The compensation information stored in the compensation information register 432 is preset and stored. The position information and compensation value of the compensation area can be set to correspond to each of a plurality of compensation areas divided according to the distance to adjacent touch nodes within each touch node. The position information and compensation value of the compensation area can be set to correspond to compensation areas with touch nodes of different sizes.

[0104] The display data calculator 436 can receive the location information of the touch node where the touch occurs, i.e., the location information of the touch area, through communication with the touch information transmitter 510 of the touch controller 500.

[0105] By using the location information of the touch occurrence area supplied from the touch controller 500, the display data calculator 436 can determine whether the corresponding sub-pixel is located in the touch occurrence area or the non-touch occurrence area.

[0106] When a subpixel is located within the touch-generating area, the display data calculator 436 can apply the compensation value provided from the compensation information register 432 to the display data provided from the memory 434 to generate compensated display data, and then output the compensated display data to the display transmitter 438. In this case, the display data calculator 436 can apply the compensation value of each subpixel provided from the compensation information register 432 according to the compensation area within each touch node to the corresponding display data to compensate the display data, and then output the compensated display data to the display transmitter 438.

[0107] The display data calculator 436 can output display data of touch-not-occurred areas not included in the touch-occurrence area to the display transmitter 438 without compensation.

[0108] Furthermore, when a sub-pixel is included in a touch-generating area with a different size than the touch electrode provided from the compensation information register 432, the display data calculator 436 can apply the compensation value provided from the compensation information register 432 to the display data provided from the memory 434 to generate compensated display data, and output the compensated display data to the display transmitter 438.

[0109] The display transmitter 438 (display Tx) can convert display data supplied from the display data calculator 436 and data control signals supplied from the display control signal generator 430 into transmit data via a high-speed serial interface, and send the transmit data to the touch data driver 300.

[0110] By using touch synchronization signals and other synchronization signals provided from the display control signal generator 430, information about the touch generation area provided from the touch information transmitter 510 of the touch controller 500, and compensation area information and compensation values ​​provided from the compensation information register 432, the gate control signal calculator 440 can generate a timing gate compensation signal for adjusting the pulse width of a gating signal, such as the gating line GL (horizontal line) supplied to the compensation area. The gate control signal calculator 440 can send the touch synchronization signal, other synchronization signals, and the generated gate compensation signal to the gate control signal generator 442. The gate control signal calculator 440 can be omitted.

[0111] By using touch synchronization signals, other synchronization signals, and gate compensation signals provided from the gate control signal generator 440, the gate control signal generator 442 can generate a gate control signal for controlling the gate driver 200 during each display operation period (DP). Alternatively, when the gate control signal generator 440 is omitted, the gate control signal generator 442 can generate a gate control signal for controlling the gate driver 200 during each display operation period (DP) by using touch synchronization signals and other synchronization signals provided from the display control signal generator 430. The gate control signal generator 442 can output the gate control signal to the gate driver 200.

[0112] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for driving a touch display device according to one embodiment, and the method is... Figure 1 The timing controller 400 shown in the figure is executed.

[0113] Reference Figure 9 The timing controller 400 receives display data and synchronization signals supplied from the host system (S802). The timing controller 400 stores the display data data in a memory 434 that stores display data information. Using the synchronization signal, the timing controller 400 generates a touch synchronization signal to determine the display operation period DP and the touch operation period TP.

[0114] The timing controller 400 can determine whether the touch synchronization signal indicates the display operation period DP or the touch operation period TP (S804).

[0115] When the timing controller 400 outputs a touch synchronization signal to the touch controller 500 and thus the touch synchronization signal indicates the touch operation period TP ("No" in S804), the timing controller 400 allows the panel 100 to perform a touch operation through the touch controller 500 (S806).

[0116] When a touch is detected during the touch operation period TP by sensing a change in capacitance of the touch electrode TE, the touch controller 500 can generate position information about the touch occurrence area, that is, position information about the touch node where the touch occurred. The touch controller 500 can send the touch information, including position information related to each touch node where the touch occurred, to the timing controller 400 and share the touch information with it (S805). Furthermore, the touch controller 500 can send physical structure information and position information about each touch node to the timing controller 400 and share the physical structure information and position information with it.

[0117] When the touch synchronization signal indicates that the operation period DP is displayed ("Yes" in S804), the timing controller 400 can use the position information about the touch occurrence area (position information about each touch node where the touch occurs) supplied from the touch controller 500 and the compensation area information stored in the compensation information register 432 to determine whether the compensation area corresponds to the compensation area that needs to be compensated (S808).

[0118] When the compensation area is a compensation area included in the touch generation area, a compensation area with different sizes of touch electrodes, or a compensation area with different physical structures of touch nodes ("Yes" in S808), the timing controller 400 uses the compensation area information stored in the compensation information register 432 to check the compensation area of ​​each of the multiple compensation areas (S810).

[0119] By using the compensation data for each sub-pixel stored in the compensation information register 432 and the display data for each compensation region stored in the memory 434, the timing controller 400 can perform a compensation operation on the display data of the compensation region of each sub-pixel and output the compensated display data (S812).

[0120] The timing controller 400 outputs the compensated display data to the touch data driver 300, and thus supplies the compensated display data to the panel 100 during the display operation period DP, so that the panel 100 performs the display operation (S814).

[0121] Furthermore, when it is determined that the compensation area is not the compensation area that needs to be compensated ("No" in S808), the timing controller 400 outputs display data to the touch data driver 300 without compensation, so that display data can be supplied to the panel 100 during the display operation period DP (S814).

[0122] As described above, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the touch display device, the method of driving it, and the timing controller compensate for the potential difference between the touch node where the touch occurred and the touch node where the touch did not occur after a touch operation, thereby reducing the distortion of the display image caused by the condition difference between the touch nodes and improving the display performance when a touch occurs.

[0123] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the touch display device, the method of driving it, and the timing controller compensate for the size difference between touch nodes, thereby reducing the distortion of the display image caused by the physical condition difference between touch nodes and improving display performance.

[0124] The touch display device and timing controller according to this embodiment can be applied to various electronic devices. For example, the touch display device and timing controller according to this embodiment can be applied to mobile devices, video phones, smartwatches, watch phones, wearable devices, foldable devices, rollable devices, bendable devices, flexible devices, bending devices, electronic notebooks, e-books, portable multimedia players (PMPs), personal digital assistants (PDAs), MPEG audio 3-layer players, mobile medical devices, desktop personal computers (PCs), laptop PCs, netbooks, workstations, navigation devices, vehicle navigation devices, vehicle display devices, televisions, wallpaper display devices, signage devices, gaming devices, laptop computers, monitors, cameras, camcorders, home appliances, etc.

[0125] The features, structures, effects, etc., described above in the various examples of this disclosure are included in at least one example of this disclosure, but are not necessarily limited to one example. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, etc., exemplified in at least one example of this disclosure can be combined or modified by those skilled in the art to which the technical concept of this disclosure pertains, in relation to other examples. Therefore, the content related to such combinations and modifications should be understood as being included within the technical spirit or scope of this disclosure.

[0126] While the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and drawings described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning, scope, and equivalents of the claims are to be construed as being included within the scope of this disclosure.

[0127] Cross-references to related applications

[0128] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0179861, filed on December 21, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference as fully set forth herein.

Claims

1. A touch display device, the touch display device comprising: A panel driver configured to drive the gating lines and data lines of the panel and drive and sense the touch electrodes; A timing controller configured to control the operation of the panel driver; as well as A touch controller configured to control the touch electrode driving and sensing operations of the panel driver. The timing controller compensates for the display signal based on the difference in condition between touch nodes that have been touched and those that have not, or the difference in physical structure between touch nodes. The timing controller compensates for at least one of the data signal and gating signal supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch occurrence area where the touch node is located, or to the sub-pixels of the touch node that is set as a compensation area according to the physical structural differences between the touch nodes, by applying a preset compensation value.

2. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, The timing controller, by applying a preset compensation value, further compensates for at least one of the data signals and gating signals of the sub-pixels where the touch electrodes of different sizes are located.

3. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein: The sub-pixels that overlap with each touch node are divided into multiple compensation regions based on their distance from adjacent touch nodes; and By applying different or identical compensation values ​​based on the plurality of compensation regions to each sub-pixel, the timing controller compensates for the data supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch occurrence area or the sub-pixels of the compensation area.

4. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, The timing controller compensates for the pulse width of the gating signal supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch occurrence area or the compensation area by applying different or the same compensation value to each sub-pixel.

5. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, The timing controller: The system receives position information of each touch node that is touched from the touch controller and determines whether the corresponding sub-pixel is included in the touch area or the non-touch area. or The system receives physical structure and location information of each touch node from the touch controller and determines whether the corresponding sub-pixel is included in the touch occurrence area or the touch non-occurrence area.

6. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, The timing controller: Generate touch synchronization signals for time-division driving each frame period for each display operation period and each touch operation period; The panel driver is controlled based on the touch synchronization signal to guide the panel to perform display operations during each display operation period; as well as The touch synchronization signal is shared with the touch controller, and the panel driver is controlled to guide the panel to perform touch operations during each touch operation period.

7. The touch display device according to claim 6, wherein, The timing controller includes: A memory configured to store input data; A compensation information register, configured to store the location information and compensation value of the compensation area; and The display data calculator is configured to, during each display operation period, apply the compensation value based on the position information of the compensation region provided from the compensation information register to the data output from the memory when the sub-pixel is included in the touch occurrence area or the compensation area, output compensated data, and output data from the memory without compensation when the sub-pixel is included in the touch non-occurrence area or the non-compensation area.

8. The touch display device according to claim 7, wherein, During each display operation period, if the compensation information register contains sub-pixels of the compensation area due to size differences between the touch electrodes, the display data calculator applies the compensation value from the compensation information register to the data output from the memory and outputs the compensated data.

9. The touch display device according to claim 7, wherein, The timing controller includes: A gate control signal calculator, configured to generate an adjustment signal for adjusting the pulse width of a corresponding strobe signal based on the position information of the compensation region and the compensation value provided from the compensation information register, when the touch occurrence area includes a sub-pixel or the compensation area has sub-pixels stored in the compensation information register during each display operation period; and A gate control signal generator is configured to generate and output a gate control signal for controlling the gate driver of the panel driver during each display operation period using a synchronization signal and the adjustment signal.

10. The touch display device according to claim 6, wherein, The panel driver includes: A touch data driver configured to supply the data signal to the data line and a common voltage to the touch electrodes during each display operation period, supply the touch synchronization signal to the data line and the corresponding touch electrodes during each touch operation period, read the capacitance change of the corresponding touch electrodes, and output touch sensing data; and A gate driver is configured to supply a gating signal to a corresponding gating line during each display operation period and to supply a gate modulation signal having the same phase and amplitude as the touch synchronization signal to the gating line during each touch operation period.

11. A method for driving a touch display device, the method comprising the following steps: Each frame time period is divided into each display operation time period and each touch operation time period using a touch synchronization signal; During each touch operation period, information about the touch occurrence area is generated, including the location information of each touch node where the touch occurs; as well as During each display operation period, a compensation signal is supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch occurrence area where the touch node is located, or to the sub-pixels of the touch node that is set as a compensation area according to the physical structure differences of each touch node. The compensation of the display signal is achieved by applying a preset compensation value to compensate at least one of the data signal and the gating signal supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch generation area or the compensation area.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising, during each display operation period, compensating at least one of the data signal and the strobe signal supplied to the sub-pixel where the touch electrodes of different sizes are located by applying a preset compensation value.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The sub-pixels that overlap with each touch node are divided into multiple compensation regions based on their distance from adjacent touch nodes; and The steps for compensating the display signal include: Compensation is provided to the data supplied to the touch occurrence area or the sub-pixels of the compensation area by applying different or the same compensation values ​​according to the plurality of compensation areas to each sub-pixel; or The pulse width of the gating signal supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch-generating area or the sub-pixels of the compensation area is compensated by applying different or the same compensation value to each sub-pixel.

14. A timing controller that compensates for display signals based on the condition differences or physical structural differences between touch nodes that have been touched and those that have not been touched in a panel. in, A preset compensation value is applied to compensate for at least one of the data signal and the strobe signal supplied to the sub-pixel of the touch occurrence area where the touch node is located, or to the sub-pixel of the touch node that is set as a compensation area according to the physical structural differences between touch nodes in the panel.

15. The timing controller according to claim 14, wherein, The preset compensation value is applied to further compensate at least one of the data signal and gating signal of the sub-pixel where the touch electrodes of different sizes are located, which are supplied to the touch electrodes.

16. The timing controller according to claim 14, wherein: The sub-pixels overlapping with each touch node are divided into multiple compensation regions in the panel based on their distance from adjacent touch nodes; and Apply different or the same compensation value based on the plurality of compensation regions to each sub-pixel to compensate for the data supplied to the sub-pixels of the touch occurrence area or the sub-pixels of the compensation area.

17. The timing controller according to claim 14, wherein, Different or the same compensation value is applied to each sub-pixel to compensate for the pulse width of the gating signal supplied to the sub-pixel in the compensation region.

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