Touch panel, display device, and driving method

Abstract

The application discloses a touch panel, a display device and a driving method. The touch panel of one embodiment comprises a substrate, touch areas and a wiring area. Each touch area comprises a first channel and a second channel. The wiring area comprises a plurality of driving pins, a first signal line is connected to each first driving pin and each first channel, the first signal lines of different touch areas are connected to the same first driving pin, a second signal line is connected to each second driving pin and each second channel, one second signal line of different touch areas is connected to the same second driving pin, a plurality of driving switches in parallel are provided, the driving switch comprises a conducting end and a control end, the conducting end is provided in each first signal line and each second signal line, and a third signal line is connected to each third driving pin and the control end of all driving switches of the same touch area.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of display. More particularly, it relates to a touch panel, a display device, and a driving method. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the rapid development of OLED display, small-size display touch integration solutions such as touch display integration technology (FMLOC) have matured for mobile phones, wearables, etc. However, medium and large-size FMLOC solutions for vehicles and notebook computers (NB) are still under development.

[0003] In view of the increasing application scenario requirements of medium and large-size folding NB products, the current design cannot meet the requirements well. Folding products have more requirements for touch functions after folding, such as zoned touch of the folding device. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application aims to provide a touch panel, a display device, and a driving method to solve at least one of the problems in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] The present application provides a touch panel in a first aspect, which comprises: a substrate, a touch area and a wiring area arranged on the substrate,

[0007] Each touch area comprises:

[0008] a first channel arranged along a first direction and extending along a second direction,

[0009] a second channel arranged along the second direction and extending along the first direction,

[0010] The first channel and the second channel form an overlap in the orthographic projection of the substrate;

[0011] The wiring area comprises:

[0012] a plurality of driving pins arranged along the first direction, the driving pins comprising first driving pins, second driving pins, and third driving pins,

[0013] a first signal line connected to each first driving pin and each first channel, respectively, one first signal line of the touch area and one first signal line of a different touch area being connected to the same first driving pin,

[0014] a second signal line connected to each second driving pin and each second channel, respectively, one second signal line of the touch area and one second signal line of a different touch area being connected to the same second driving pin,

[0015] a plurality of driving switches in parallel, the driving switches comprising a conducting end and a control end, the conducting end being arranged in each of the first signal lines and in each of the second signal lines, and

[0016] a third signal line connecting each of the third driving pins and the control ends of all the driving switches of the same touch area.

[0017] Further, the number of the touch areas is an integer multiple of the number of the third signal lines.

[0018] Further, in the same touch area, adjacent first channels are connected to different first driving pins through the first signal lines, and adjacent second channels are connected to different second driving pins through the second signal lines.

[0019] Further, two first signal lines of at least two touch areas are connected to the same first driving pin, and two second signal lines of at least two touch areas are connected to the same second driving pin.

[0020] Further, in the touch areas arranged in the second direction, the second channel of one touch area and the second channel of another touch area at a corresponding position are connected to the same second driving pin through the second signal lines,

[0021] the first channel of one touch area and the first channel of another touch area at a corresponding position are connected to the same first driving pin through the first signal lines.

[0022] Further, the touch areas arranged in the first direction are symmetric about a center line parallel to the second direction,

[0023] In the two touch areas symmetric about the center line, the two first channels symmetric about the center line are connected to the same first driving pin through the first signal lines,

[0024] In the two touch areas symmetric about the center line, the two second channels symmetric about the center line are connected to the same second driving pin through the second signal lines.

[0025] Further, the driving pins further comprise a fourth driving pin, which is a ground pin, and the wiring area further comprises a fourth signal line connecting the fourth driving pin, for ground protection of the touch panel.

[0026] Another embodiment of the present application provides a display device comprising the touch panel of another aspect of the present application.

[0027] Furthermore, the display device also includes a driver board.

[0028] The driver board includes:

[0029] The bonding terminals are individually bound to the drive pins.

[0030] The data selection unit is used to output a strobe signal for selecting the touch area to perform the touch function.

[0031] Furthermore, the display device is a foldable display device.

[0032] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for driving the display device described in the second aspect of the present invention, the driving method comprising:

[0033] The third signal line transmits the acquired gating signal to the drive switch;

[0034] The drive switch is turned on according to the strobe signal to conduct the first signal line and the second signal line;

[0035] The first and second signal lines, which are turned on, respectively transmit the touch signals generated by the first and second channels.

[0036] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for driving the display device described in the second aspect of the present invention, the driving method further comprising:

[0037] The data selection unit outputs a strobe signal to select the touch area;

[0038] The touch panel determines the selected touch area based on the strobe signal, and controls the selected touch area to transmit touch signals.

[0039] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0040] This invention, through a partitioned design of the touch panel, sets up multiple touch areas and designs the connection relationships between the first and second channels of the touch areas and the driving pins, the driving switches, and the various signal lines. The signal lines connected to the first and second channels of the touch areas are connected by driving switches, which effectively reduces the channel load of each touch area 22, thereby improving problems such as low signal-to-noise ratio, poor signal uniformity, and high coupling noise with the display area caused by excessive load. Attached Figure Description

[0041] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a touch panel based on related technologies;

[0043] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the structure of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the structure of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the structure of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the structure of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a driving method according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0048] To more clearly illustrate the present invention, the following description, in conjunction with embodiments and accompanying drawings, further explains the invention. Similar components in the drawings are indicated by the same reference numerals. Those skilled in the art should understand that the specific description below is illustrative rather than restrictive and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0049] This design solution addresses this issue. Current large-size FMLOC solutions divide the overall touch area into multiple first and second channels. Each first channel is connected to a first signal line, and each second channel is connected to a second signal line, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1 As shown, the number of drive pins required to connect to each signal is proportional to the number of the first and second channels. That is, the more channels there are, the more drive pins are required. Therefore, the larger the touch area of ​​the touch panel, the more drive pins are required, which will affect the design space of the drive pins of the touch panel and the design size of the drive board.

[0050] Furthermore, due to the relatively large touch area size of medium and large-sized touch panels, the channel load of the touch area is relatively large, which can lead to problems that affect the touch performance of medium and large-sized FMLOC solutions, such as low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), poor signal uniformity, and large coupling noise with the display area.

[0051] Therefore, the first embodiment of the present invention proposes a touch panel, such as Figure 2 As shown, the touch panel includes: a substrate 21, a touch area 22 and a wiring area 23 disposed on the substrate 21.

[0052] Each touch area 22 includes:

[0053] The first channel 221 is arranged along the first direction D1 and extends along the second direction D2.

[0054] A second channel 222 arranged along the second direction D2 and extending along the first direction D1, wherein the first channel 221 and the second channel 222 overlap in the orthographic projection of the substrate 21;

[0055] The wiring area 23 includes:

[0056] Multiple drive pins 231 are arranged along the first direction D1, including a first drive pin 2311, a second drive pin 2312, and a third drive pin 2313.

[0057] The first signal line 232 is connected to each of the first driving pins 2311 and each of the first channels 221 respectively. One of the first signal lines 232 of the touch area 22 and one of the first signal lines 232 of different touch areas 22 are connected to the same first driving pin 2311.

[0058] The second signal line 233 is connected to each of the second driving pins 2312 and each of the second channels 222, respectively. One second signal line 233 of the touch area 22 and one second signal line 233 of different touch areas 22 are connected to the same second driving pin 2312.

[0059] Multiple drive switches 234 are connected in parallel. Each drive switch 234 includes a conducting terminal and a control terminal. The conducting terminal is disposed in each of the first signal lines 232 and in each of the second signal lines 233.

[0060] The third signal line 235 connects each of the third drive pins 2313 to the control terminal of all drive switches 234 of the same touch area 22.

[0061] This invention, through a partitioned design of the touch panel, sets up multiple touch areas 22, and designs the connection relationships between the first channel 221 and the second channel 222 of the touch area 22 and the driving pins, the driving switch 234, and the various signal lines. The signal lines connected to the first channel 221 and the second channel 222 of the touch area 22 are connected by the driving switch 234, which effectively reduces the channel load of each touch area 22, thereby improving problems such as low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), poor signal uniformity, and high coupling noise with the display area caused by excessive load.

[0062] The touch panel of this embodiment of the invention will now be described with specific examples:

[0063] In this embodiment, the first channel 221 is the driving channel TX, and the second channel 222 is the sensing channel RX.

[0064] In this embodiment, the entire touch panel is divided into multiple small touch areas. Through this arrangement, the lengths of the first channel 221 and the second channel 222 of the touch area 22 are both relatively... Figure 1 The load is reduced, therefore the channel load of each touch area 22 is reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, the wiring area 23 includes:

[0066] Multiple driving pins are arranged along the first direction D1. The driving pins include a first driving pin 2311, a second driving pin 2312, and a third driving pin 2313, which are used to transmit different signals. For example, the first driving pin 2311 can transmit the driving signal for performing the touch function, the second driving pin 2312 can transmit the sensing signal when performing the touch function, and the third driving pin 2313 can transmit the strobe signal for selecting which touch area 22 to perform the touch function.

[0067] Based on the different types of drive pins mentioned above, embodiments of the present invention implement the connection relationship between channels and drive pins through different types of signal lines.

[0068] The first signal line 232 is connected to each of the first driving pins 2311 and each of the first channels 221 respectively. With this configuration, it is possible to connect all the first driving pins 2311 and all the first channels 221 through the first signal line 232. Furthermore, one of the first signal lines 232 of the touch area 22 and one of the first signal lines 232 of different touch areas 22 are connected to the same first driving pin 2311. With this configuration, the two first signal lines 232 connecting the two first channels 221 are connected to the same first driving pin 2311, thereby reducing the number of first driving pins 2311.

[0069] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment of the invention, the two touch areas 22 together include eight first channels 221 for transmission. If... Figure 1 The previous solution required 8 first drive pins 2311, while the configuration of this embodiment can reduce the 8 first drive pins 2311 to 4 first drive pins 2311, thereby reducing costs and expanding the range of models.

[0070] Similarly, the connection method of the second signal line 233 is similar to that of the first signal line 232. The second signal line 233 connects to each of the second driving pins 2312 and each of the second channels 222. One second signal line 233 of the touch area 22 and one second signal line 233 of different touch areas 22 are connected to the same second driving pin 2312. Through this arrangement, a scheme is achieved that connects all the second driving pins 2312 and all the second channels 222 through the second signal line 233, and the number of second driving pins 2312 is reduced. For example, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, the number of second drive pins 2312 has been reduced from 6 to 3.

[0071] The touch panel also includes a plurality of drive switches 234 arranged in parallel. Each drive switch 234 includes a conducting end and a control end. The conducting end is disposed in each of the first signal lines 232 and in each of the second signal lines 233. Under the action of the control end, the conducting end realizes the conduction or de-conduction of the drive switch 234, and further realizes the conduction or de-conduction of the first signal line 232 or the second signal line 233 corresponding to the drive switch 234.

[0072] In one specific example, the drive switch 234 is a thin-film driving transistor, with the gate as the control terminal and the source / drain electrodes as the conduction terminals. In another specific example, the gate of the thin-film driving transistor receives a gating signal, and after the gate is turned on,

[0073] In this embodiment, the drive switch 234 is disposed in all the first signal lines 232 and second signal lines 233 of each touch area 22. Therefore, the drive switch 234 can be designed to determine whether the touch area 22 performs touch function.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the invention, the third driving pin 2313 is connected to the control terminal of all the driving switches 234 of the same touch area 22 via the third signal line 235, thereby enabling the third driving pin 2313 to control all channels of the touch area 22.

[0075] In this embodiment, the third signal line 235 is used to transmit a selection signal indicating whether the touch area 22 performs a touch function. In this embodiment, one third signal line 235 is connected to all the first signal lines 232 and second signal lines 233 of a touch area 22 via multiple drive switches 234, thereby transmitting the selection signal to the control terminal of the drive switches 234. When a touch area 22 is selected to perform a touch function, the signal can be transmitted through the third drive pin 2313 to the control terminal of all drive switches 234 of that touch area 22. The control terminal controls all the conducting terminals to turn on the drive switches 234, thereby turning on all the first signal lines 232 and second signal lines 233 corresponding to the drive switches 234, further enabling all the first channels 221 and second channels 222 of the touch area 22 to be turned on, thus enabling the touch area 22 to perform a touch function.

[0076] Furthermore, due to the partitioned design of the touch area 22 in this embodiment of the invention, it can be applied to foldable display devices to achieve partitioned touch control. Figure 2 Taking the touch panel shown as an example, you can select the upper touch area 22 to perform the touch function, or you can select the lower touch area 22 to perform the touch function.

[0077] like Figure 4 As shown, you can also select any one of the four touch areas 22 to perform touch functions, thereby achieving zoned touch.

[0078] Therefore, based on the above design, the multiple touch areas 22 of the touch panel in this embodiment of the invention and the routing design of the touch areas 22 can effectively reduce the channel load of each touch area 22, improve the problems of low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), poor signal uniformity, and large coupling noise with the display area caused by excessive load, and can also realize the function of zoned touch.

[0079] In a specific example, such as Figures 2-4 As shown, the number of touch areas 22 in this embodiment of the invention is multiple, that is, at least two. Taking the number of touch areas 22 as... Figure 2 The two examples shown exemplify this design, where the touch areas 22 are adjacent in the second direction D2, meaning the touch panel as a whole has a vertical structural design. For example, as... Figure 3 As shown, the touch area 22 is designed to be adjacent in the first direction D1, that is, the touch panel as a whole has a horizontal structure design.

[0080] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, there are four touch areas 22, which are arranged in an array in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0081] Therefore, this embodiment does not limit the number of touch areas 22. Those skilled in the art can design according to actual applications, and will not elaborate further here.

[0082] In an optional embodiment, the number of touch areas 22 is an integer multiple of the number of third signal lines 235 (third drive pins 2313).

[0083] In this embodiment, the third driving pin 2313 is used to transmit a strobe signal to select whether the touch area 22 performs the touch function. Therefore, the third driving pin 2313 needs to be connected to all touch areas 22. Furthermore, this embodiment of the invention designs the number of third driving pins 2313, that is, one third driving pin 2313 controls multiple touch areas 22 through multiple third signal lines 235, thereby achieving the purpose of saving third driving pins 2313 and further reducing the number of third driving pins 2313, which can reduce costs and reduce the overall space of the touch panel.

[0084] In an optional embodiment, in the same touch area 22, adjacent first channels 221 are respectively connected to different first driving pins 2311 through different first signal lines 232, and adjacent second channels 222 are respectively connected to different second driving pins 2312 through different second signal lines 233.

[0085] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the number of first channels 221 and first signal lines 232 is the same, and the number of second channels 222 and second signal lines 233 is also the same. That is, each signal line corresponds one-to-one with each first channel 221, and similarly, each second signal line 233 corresponds one-to-one with each second channel 222, thereby realizing the touch function of the touch area 22.

[0086] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the upper touch area 22 has four first channels 221, each connected to a first signal line 232, also totaling four. Similarly, the number of second channels 222 and second signal lines 233 is the same, and they correspond one-to-one. The lower touch area 22 adopts the same design as the upper touch area 22, that is, the first channels 221 and first signal lines 232 correspond one-to-one, and the second channels 222 and second signal lines 233 correspond one-to-one, avoiding signal crosstalk between different channels in the same touch area 22.

[0087] In an optional embodiment, such as Figures 2-5As shown, at least two touch areas 22 have two first signal lines 232 connected to the same first driving pin 2311, and at least two touch areas 22 have two second signal lines 233 connected to the same second driving pin 2312.

[0088] Based on the routing design of the same touch area 22 in the aforementioned embodiment, the routing between different touch areas 22 is further designed. Under the settings of this embodiment, as follows... Figure 2 As shown, any one of the four signal lines of the upper touch area 22 and any one of the four signal lines of the lower touch area 22 are configured with the same first driving pin 2311. That is, in this embodiment, the two first signal lines 232 of different touch areas 22 are connected to the same first driving pin 2311, and the two second signal lines 233 of different touch areas 22 can be connected to the same second driving pin 2312. For example, the first signal line 232 connected to the leftmost first channel 221 of the upper touch area 22 and the first signal line 232 connected to the leftmost first channel 221 of the lower touch area 22 are connected to the same first driving pin 2311. Figure 3 As shown, the first signal line 232 connected to the leftmost first channel 221 of the touch area 22 on the left side and the first signal line 232 connected to the leftmost first channel 221 of the touch area 22 on the right side are connected to the same first driving pin 2311.

[0089] The connection method of the second signal line 233 of different touch areas 22 is similar, such as Figure 2 As shown, the second signal line 233 connected to the uppermost second channel 222 of the upper touch area 22 and the second signal line 233 connected to the uppermost second channel 222 of the lower touch area 22 are connected to the same second drive pin 2312, as shown. Figure 3 As shown, the second signal line 233 connected to the uppermost second channel 222 of the touch area 22 on the left side and the second signal line 233 connected to the uppermost second channel 222 of the touch area 22 on the right side are connected to the same second driving pin 2312.

[0090] Through the above design, the design between different touch areas 22 of the touch panel is realized, which can transmit signals to two or more touch areas 22 through a first driving pin 2311 and through the same second driving pin 2312. Furthermore, since each first signal line 232 and each second signal line 233 is provided with a driving switch 234, this design method of connecting the same type of signal lines of different touch areas 22 to the same first driving pin 2311 and the same second driving pin 2312 can reduce the number of first driving pins 2311 and second driving pins 2312, save the number of driving pins, and reduce the cost and overall space occupied by the touch panel.

[0091] It is worth noting that the embodiments of the present invention do not limit the specific positional relationship of the first signal lines 232 of two touches connected to the same first driving pin 2311. For example, in another example, such as Figure 2 The first signal line 232 connected to the rightmost first channel 221 in the upper touch area 22 shown can be connected to... Figure 2 The first signal line 232 is connected to the leftmost first channel 221 in the lower touch area 22. Alternatively, as shown... Figure 3 The second signal line 233 connected to the uppermost second channel 222 of the touch area 22 on the left side is connected to the second signal line 233 connected to the lowermost second channel 222 of the touch area 22 on the right side.

[0092] Therefore, the actual connection method of the present invention is not limited to connecting the two first signal lines 232 of different touch areas 22 to the first driving pin 2311, or connecting the two second signal lines 233 of different touch areas 22 to the same second driving pin 2312, and will not be described in detail here.

[0093] In an optional embodiment, such as Figures 2-5 As shown, in the touch areas 22 arranged in the second direction D2, the second signal line 233 corresponding to the second channel 222 of one touch area 22 and the second signal line 233 corresponding to the second channel 222 of another touch area 22 at the corresponding position are connected to the same second driving pin 2312.

[0094] The first signal line 232 corresponding to the first channel 221 of one touch area 22 and the first signal line 232 corresponding to the first channel 221 of another touch area 22 at the corresponding position are connected to the same first driving pin 2311.

[0095] That is, unlike the design scheme of the previous embodiment which does not restrict the two first signal lines 232 of each different touch area 22 to the pin, the present invention design the design scheme of the two first signal lines 232 of each different touch area 22 to the pin, so that the two first signal lines 232 of each different touch area 22 at the same position are connected to the same first driving pin 2311 and the two second signal lines 233 of each different touch area 22 at the same position are connected to the same second driving pin 2312. This setting can simplify the circuit structure of this embodiment, improve the wiring method, and save the space occupied by the wiring area 23 of the touch panel.

[0096] Unlike Figures 2-5 The scheme shown uses signal lines of the same type at the same location of different touch areas 22 to connect to the same driving pin. This scheme does not limit the number or location of touch areas 22 connected to the same type of driving pin.

[0097] In an optional embodiment, the touch areas 22 arranged in the first direction D1 are symmetrical about a center line parallel to the second direction D2.

[0098] In the two touch areas 22 symmetrical about the center line, the two first channels 221 symmetrical about the center line are connected to the same first drive pin 2311 through the first signal line 232.

[0099] In the two touch areas 22 symmetrical about the center line, the second signal line 233 corresponding to the second channel 222 of one touch area 22 and the second signal line 233 corresponding to the second channel 222 of the other touch area 22 at the corresponding position are connected to the same second driving pin 2312.

[0100] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, based on connecting the signal lines at the same location of the two touch areas 22 to the same type of driving pin, the position and number of signal lines connected to the same driving pin are further designed.

[0101] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the touch area 22 has a 2*2 structure, meaning that in this embodiment, the touch area 22 is symmetrical along a vertical center line parallel to the second direction D2. Figure 5 The structural diagram shown is based on Figure 2 The design of the touch structure shown is in Figure 2 Based on the routing design of the upper and lower touch areas 22 located on the same side, the design of the drive pins to which the signal lines of the touch areas 22 on both sides of the center line are connected is further carried out.

[0102] In this embodiment, Figure 5Taking the schematic diagram as an example, in the two touch areas 22 symmetrical about the center line, the two first channels 221 symmetrical about the center line are connected to the same first driving pin 2311 through the first signal line 232. In a specific example, in the touch area 22 of the first row and first column, the leftmost first channel 221 and the rightmost first channel 221 in the touch area 22 of the first row and second column are symmetrically arranged. Therefore, in this embodiment, the two first channels 221 can be set to be connected to the same first driving pin 2311.

[0103] Furthermore, in the aforementioned Figure 2 Based on the embodiments, corresponding to Figure 5 The first channel 221 at the same location on the left side of the first row and first column touch area 22 and the second row and first column touch area 22 is connected to the same first driving pin 2311. Similarly, corresponding to Figure 5 The first channel 221 of the touch area 22 in the first row and second column on the right is connected to the same first driving pin 2311 at the same position as the touch area 22 in the second row and second column on the right. That is to say, the embodiment of the present invention realizes the design scheme in which the first signal line 232 connected to the first channel 221 of the four touch areas 22 is connected to the same first driving pin 2311.

[0104] With this configuration, embodiments of the present invention can further reduce the number of required first drive pins 2311, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the four touch areas 22 of this embodiment have 16 first channels 221. If the lead wire design scheme of this embodiment is not adopted, 16 first driving pins 2311 are required to correspond one-to-one with the 16 first channels 221. However, if the design of this embodiment is adopted, only 4 first driving pins 2311 are required. Each first driving pin 2311 is connected to the first channel 221 of the four touch areas 22, thereby reducing the number of first driving pins 2311.

[0105] Furthermore, since each of the first signal lines 232 connected to the first channel 221 is equipped with a drive switch 234, even if the first signal lines 232 of multiple different touch areas 22 are connected to the same first drive pin 2311, independent signal transmission of each first signal line 232 can still be achieved without signal interference.

[0106] Based on the same principle, in an optional embodiment, two second channels 222 symmetrical about the center line are connected to the same second drive pin 2312 via the second signal line 233, as shown below. Figure 5As shown, the four touch areas 22 of this embodiment have 12 second channels 222. If the lead wire design scheme of this embodiment is not adopted, 12 second driving pins 2312 are required to correspond one-to-one with the 12 second channels 222. However, if the design of this embodiment is adopted, only 3 second driving pins 2312 are required. Each second driving pin 2312 is connected to the second channel 222 of the four touch areas 22, thereby reducing the number of second driving pins 2312.

[0107] Furthermore, since each of the second signal lines 233 connected to the second channel 222 is equipped with a drive switch 234, even if the second signal lines 233 of multiple different touch areas 22 are connected to the same second drive pin 2312, independent signal transmission of each second signal line 233 can still be achieved without signal interference.

[0108] Therefore, the structural design in this embodiment is relatively... Figure 1 The large-size touch panel design shown can reduce channel load and solve problems such as low SNR, poor signal uniformity, and high coupling noise with the display area that are related to high load. Furthermore, because this solution uses a data selection unit (MUX) to select multiple channels, and by designing the drive switch 234 and the routing of each signal line to the drive pin, the number of drive pins can be reduced. This ensures that the model and cost of the drive board PCB electrically connected to the touch area 22 do not increase, and can even reduce costs and improve the applicability of the touch panel.

[0109] In an optional embodiment, such as Figures 2-5 As shown, the driving pin also includes a fourth driving pin 2314, which is a ground pin.

[0110] The wiring area 23 also includes a fourth signal line 236 connected to the fourth drive pin 2314, which is used to provide grounding protection for the touch panel.

[0111] In an optional embodiment, the fourth signal line 236 is disposed between the first signal line 232 and the second signal line 233, and multiple fourth signal lines 236 are connected to the same fourth drive pin 2314.

[0112] The fourth signal line 236 in this embodiment of the invention is arranged in different positions according to the different arrangements of the touch area 22.

[0113] In a specific example, such as Figure 2As shown, two fourth signal lines 236 are provided. The fourth signal lines 236 are located between adjacent first signal lines 232 and second signal lines 233 in the same touch area 22. The first signal lines 232 and second signal lines 233 are connected to the same fourth drive pin 2314.

[0114] In another specific example, such as Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment has four signal lines 236, which are connected to the same fourth drive pin 2314. The fourth signal lines 236 are positioned between adjacent first signal lines 232 and second signal lines 233 in the same touch area 22, or between the second signal line 233 and the touch area 22, to protect the channels of the first signal line 232, the second signal line 233, and the touch area 22.

[0115] In another specific example, such as Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment also has four fourth signal lines 236. Two of the fourth signal lines 236 are connected to the same fourth drive pin 2314. The fourth signal lines 236 are located between adjacent first signal lines 232 and second signal lines 233 in the same touch area 22.

[0116] In another specific example, such as Figure 5 As shown, different from Figure 4 The fourth signal line 236 shown in the illustration is designed such that, in this embodiment, all four fourth signal lines 236 are connected to the same fourth drive pin 2314, which is more efficient than traditional methods. Figure 4 The number of fourth drive pins 2314 shown is further reduced.

[0117] The touch panel described in the above embodiments of the present invention can realize zoned touch control of the touch panel. The driving method is simple. When each touch area 22 performs the touch function, the channel load of each touch area 22 is reduced, thereby improving the problems of low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), poor signal uniformity, and large coupling noise with the display area caused by high load.

[0118] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for driving the above-mentioned touch panel, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the driving method includes:

[0119] The third signal line 235 transmits the acquired gating signal to the drive switch 234. For example, the third signal is transmitted to the corresponding touch area 22 through the third drive pin 2313, which can realize zoned touch control. The touch area 22 that does not perform touch function does not receive the gating signal, or receives the gating signal including the unselected gating signal. The touch area 22 that performs touch function receives the gating signal, or receives the gating signal including the selected gating signal.

[0120] The drive switch 234 is turned on according to the strobe signal to conduct the first signal line 232 and the second signal line 233. In a specific example, after the touch area 22 is selected to perform the touch function, all the signal lines of the touch area 22 are conducted according to the strobe signal to realize the conduction between the first channel 221 and the first drive pin 2311, and the conduction between the second channel 222 and the second drive pin 2312.

[0121] The first signal line 232 and the second signal line 233, which are turned on, respectively transmit the touch signals generated by the first channel 221 and the second channel 222, thereby realizing the touch function of the touch area 22.

[0122] The driving method of this invention can realize zoned touch control of the touch panel. The driving method is simple. When each touch area 22 performs the touch function, the channel load of each touch area 22 is reduced, thereby improving the problems of low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), poor signal uniformity, and large coupling noise with the display area caused by high load.

[0123] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a display device, including the touch panel of the above embodiment of the present invention. The display device can be any product or component with touch display function, such as electronic paper, mobile phone, tablet computer, television, monitor, laptop computer, digital photo frame, navigator, etc., and this embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0124] In an optional embodiment, the display device is a foldable display device, such as a medium-to-large-sized foldable notebook computer or a foldable mobile phone, which can broaden the application range of the display product.

[0125] In an optional embodiment, the display device further includes a driver board.

[0126] The driver board includes:

[0127] The bonding terminals are individually bound to the drive pins.

[0128] The data selection unit is used to output a strobe signal for selecting the touch area 22 to perform the touch function.

[0129] Based on the design of the foregoing embodiments, the bonding terminals of the driver board in this embodiment of the invention are bonded to the driver pins to achieve interactive signal transmission. Based on the design of the touch area 22 in the foregoing embodiments of the invention, this embodiment can save on driver pins, thus reducing the number of bonding terminals on the driver board, thereby reducing the width space of the bonding terminal area, reducing the size of the driver board, and thus affecting the cost of the driver board.

[0130] In a specific example, the data selection unit is a data strobe MUX, which is connected to the third drive pin 2313 to transmit a strobe signal to the touch area 22.

[0131] When the gating ratio of the data selection unit is determined based on the number of connected third drive pins 2313, in a specific example, such as Figure 4 A 1:2 selection ratio design can be adopted, which means that the two touch areas 22 in the left half can be turned on or off at the same time, and the two touch areas 22 in the right half can be turned on or off at the same time. In other words, the touch panel is divided into two partition touch areas.

[0132] In another specific example, such as Figure 4 A 1:4 selection ratio design can be adopted, that is, the touch panel is divided into four touch zones, which can enable the simultaneous opening or closing of the four touch zones 22.

[0133] Therefore, based on the arrangement of the touch area 22 and the number of the third drive pins 2313, the gating ratio of the data selection unit can be designed according to the actual application.

[0134] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for driving the display device of the above embodiments, the driving method further comprising:

[0135] The data selection unit outputs a strobe signal to select the touch area 22;

[0136] The touch panel determines the selected touch area 22 according to the strobe signal, so as to control the selected touch area 22 to transmit touch signals.

[0137] In this embodiment, the data selection unit outputs a strobe signal for executing the partitioned touch function, which is used to select different touch areas 22, for example... Figure 5 As shown, among the four touch areas 22, the upper left touch area 22 can be selected to perform the touch function. In this case, the data selection unit outputs a strobe signal to select the upper left touch area 22 to perform the touch function. This strobe signal is transmitted to the drive switch 234 through the leftmost third drive pin 2313 among multiple third drive pins 2313, and through the third signal line 235 connected to this third drive pin 2313, causing the first signal line 232 and the second signal line 233 of the upper left touch area 22 to be turned on. Furthermore, the touch panel executes the touch function of the touch area 22 according to the strobe signal.

[0138] In one example, the touch panel determines the selected touch area 22 based on the strobe signal, and controls the selected touch area 22 to transmit touch signals, including:

[0139] The third signal line 235 transmits the acquired gating signal to the drive switch 234;

[0140] The drive switch 234 is turned on according to the strobe signal to conduct the first signal line 232 and the second signal line 233;

[0141] The first signal line 232 and the second signal line 233, which are turned on, respectively transmit the touch signals generated by the first channel 221 and the second channel 222, thereby enabling the touch area 22 to perform touch functions.

[0142] The driving method of this invention can realize zoned touch control of the touch panel. The driving method is simple. When each touch area 22 performs the touch function, the channel load of each touch area 22 is reduced, thereby improving the problems of low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), poor signal uniformity, and large coupling noise with the display area caused by high load.

[0143] In the description of this invention, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0144] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is impossible to exhaustively list all the implementation methods here. All obvious variations or modifications derived from the technical solutions of the present invention are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A touch panel, characterized in that, The touch panel includes: a substrate, a touch area and a wiring area disposed on the substrate. Each touch area includes: A first channel arranged along a first direction and extending along a second direction. A second channel arranged along the second direction and extending along the first direction. The first channel and the second channel overlap when projected onto the substrate; The wiring area includes: Multiple drive pins arranged along a first direction, the drive pins including a first drive pin, a second drive pin, and a third drive pin. The first signal lines are respectively connected to each of the first driving pins and each of the first channels, and one first signal line of the touch area and one first signal line of different touch areas are connected to the same first driving pin. The second signal lines are respectively connected to each of the second driving pins and each of the second channels, and one second signal line of the touch area and one second signal line of different touch areas are connected to the same second driving pin. Multiple drive switches connected in parallel, each drive switch including a conducting terminal and a control terminal, wherein the conducting terminal is disposed in each of the first signal lines and in each of the second signal lines, and The third signal line connects each of the third drive pins to the control terminal of all the drive switches in the same touch area; The touch areas arranged in the first direction are symmetrical about a center line parallel to the second direction. In the two touch areas symmetrical about the center line, the two first channels symmetrical about the center line are connected to the same first drive pin through the first signal line. In the two touch areas symmetrical about the center line, the two second channels symmetrical about the center line are connected to the same second driving pin through the second signal line; Two first signal lines or second signal lines connected to the same first drive pin or second drive pin have an intersection point; the first signal line or second signal line is divided into a first part between the first channel or second channel and the intersection point, a second part between the intersection point and the first drive pin or second drive pin, and a third part between the two intersection points; and there is no overlap between the first part, the second part, and the third part of any first signal line or second signal line.

2. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of touch areas is an integer multiple of the number of the third signal lines.

3. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, Within the same touch area, adjacent first channels are connected to different first driving pins via the first signal line, and adjacent second channels are connected to different second driving pins via the second signal line.

4. The touch panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, Two first signal lines of at least two touch areas are connected to the same first driving pin, and two second signal lines of at least two touch areas are connected to the same second driving pin.

5. The touch panel according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the touch areas arranged in the second direction, the second signal line corresponding to the second channel of one touch area and the second signal line corresponding to the second channel of another touch area at the corresponding position are connected to the same second driving pin. The first signal line corresponding to the first channel of one touch area and the first signal line corresponding to the first channel of another touch area at the corresponding position are connected to the same first driving pin.

6. The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving pin also includes a fourth driving pin, which is a ground pin. The wiring area also includes a fourth signal line connected to the fourth driving pin, which is used to provide ground protection for the touch panel.

7. A display device, characterized in that, The touch panel includes any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The display device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The display device also includes a driver board. The driver board includes: The bonding terminals are individually bound to the drive pins. The data selection unit is used to output a strobe signal for selecting the touch area to perform the touch function.

9. The display device according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that, The display device is a foldable display device.

10. A method for driving the display device of claim 7, characterized in that, The driving method includes: The third signal line transmits the acquired gating signal to the drive switch; The drive switch is turned on according to the strobe signal to conduct the first signal line and the second signal line; The first and second signal lines, which are turned on, respectively transmit the touch signals generated by the first and second channels.

11. A method for driving the display device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The driving method further includes: The data selection unit outputs a strobe signal to select the touch area; The touch panel determines the selected touch area based on the strobe signal, and controls the selected touch area to transmit touch signals.

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