Touch detection circuit and display device including same

Abstract

Disclosed are a touch detection circuit and a display device including the same. The touch detection circuit includes: a touch sensing unit including a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged to intersect the driving electrodes; first to nth unique signal generators that transmit first to nth unique signals having different voltage or current characteristics to the bodies of the first to nth users, respectively; at least one motion detection circuit that detects a touch direction and a touch position of each of the first to n-th users; and a touch driving circuit that drives the driving electrodes and the sensing electrodes to detect a touch detection signal and generates touch position coordinate information, in which the touch driving circuit selects any one of the first to n-th users who has performed a touch operation on the touch sensing unit according to a preset priority, and generating and outputting touch position coordinate information according to the selected touch position of the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a touch detection circuit and a display device including the touch detection circuit. Background Art

[0002] As the information society continues to develop, the demand for display devices that will display images in various forms is increasing. For example, display devices are applied to various electronic devices such as smart phones, digital cameras, notebook computers, navigation devices, and smart TVs.

[0003] The display device may be a flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device, a field emission display device, and an organic light emitting display device. Among these flat panel display devices, a light emitting display device generally includes a light emitting element that enables each pixel of a display panel to emit light by itself. Therefore, the light emitting display device can display an image without a backlight unit that generally provides light to the display panel.

[0004] Recently, a display device includes a touch detection module (or a touch detection circuit) for detecting a user's touch input (or, for example, a touch operation) as a form of user interface. Generally, the touch detection module includes a touch sensing unit in which touch electrodes are arranged and a touch driving circuit for detecting a capacitance change between the touch electrodes. The touch detection module can be mass-produced in a state where it is integrally formed with an image display unit of the display device or mounted on the image display unit. However, when multiple users provide touch input to the touch detection module, confusion and operation errors may occur in the display device. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a touch detection circuit includes: a touch sensing unit, including a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged to intersect with the driving electrodes; a first unique signal generator to an nth unique signal generator, sending a first unique signal to an nth unique signal having different voltage or current characteristics to the bodies of a first user to an nth user, respectively; at least one motion detection circuit, detecting a touch direction and a touch position of each of the first user to the nth user; and a touch drive circuit, driving the drive electrodes and the sensing electrodes to detect the touch detection signal and generate touch position coordinate information, wherein the touch drive circuit selects any one user from the first user to the nth user who has performed a touch operation on the touch sensing unit according to a preset priority, and generates and outputs the touch position coordinate information according to the touch position of the selected user.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first to nth unique signal generators are installed on contact members adjacent to the first to nth users respectively, generate first to nth unique signals, and send the first to nth unique signals to the bodies of the first to nth users respectively, wherein the first to nth unique signals are electrical signals that are different in at least one current and voltage characteristic among amplitude, pulse width, wavelength and frequency.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one motion detection circuit is mounted on a display panel or a structure adjacent to the display panel, and a touch direction and a touch position of each of a first user to an nth user are determined based on a motion detection direction and a detection result of a user touching a touch sensing unit, and an ID and a motion detection signal of a user who has performed a touch operation on the touch sensing unit are identified and selected from identifications (IDs) of the first user to the nth user based on the determination result.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one motion detection circuit includes: at least one motion detection sensor, which detects the motion of a first user to an nth user; and a sensor driving circuit unit, which identifies a motion detection signal of each of the first user to the nth user according to a touch direction and a touch position of each of the first user to the nth user, and selects and sends an ID and a motion detection signal of a user who performs a touch operation on the touch sensing unit according to the identification result.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the touch driving circuit detects in real time at least one current and voltage characteristic of the touch detection signal among the frequency, pulse width, amplitude and current amount, compares the detected current and voltage characteristics with the preset first reference current and voltage characteristic information to the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, and identifies and determines any one user among the first user to the nth user who has performed a touch operation based on the comparison result.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first to nth reference current and voltage characteristic information include first to nth reference frequency information, first to nth reference pulse width information, and first to nth reference current amount information.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range less than the first reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit identifies and designates any one user who has performed a touch operation as a first user, if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the first reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the second reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit identifies and designates any one user who has performed a touch operation as a second user, if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the second reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the third reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit identifies and designates any one user who has performed a touch operation as a third user, and if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the third reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit identifies and designates any one user who has performed a touch operation as an nth user.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, a touch driving circuit identifies and specifies at least one user who has touched a touch sensing unit from a first user to an nth user based on an ID and a motion detection signal of each user received from at least one motion detection circuit, compares at least one user information identified and specified based on the ID and the motion detection signal of each user with at least one user information identified by comparing the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first reference current and voltage characteristic information to the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, calculates and selects touch position coordinate information of a user that matches the comparison result, and sends the calculated and selected touch position coordinate information to a display driving circuit of a display panel.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, only when at least one user information identified and specified based on the ID of each user matches at least one user information identified by comparing the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first reference current and voltage characteristic information to the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit calculates and selects touch position coordinate information for the user, and sends the calculated and selected touch position coordinate information to the display drive circuit of the display panel.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, when multiple users who touch the touch sensing unit simultaneously or continuously are identified as a result of comparing at least one user information, the touch driving circuit selects any one of the identified users according to preset priority information, calculates touch position coordinate information only for the priority user, and sends the calculated touch position coordinate information to the display driving circuit.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display device includes: a display panel including a display area in which a plurality of pixels are arranged; and a touch detection circuit, which is disposed on the display panel and detects a user's touch, wherein the touch detection circuit includes: a touch sensing unit, including a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged to intersect the driving electrodes; a first unique signal generator to an nth unique signal generator, which respectively send a first unique signal to an nth unique signal having different voltage or current characteristics to the bodies of a first user to an nth user; at least one motion detection circuit, which detects a touch direction and a touch position of each of the first user to the nth user; and a touch drive circuit, which drives the drive electrodes and the sensing electrodes to detect the touch detection signal and generates touch position coordinate information, wherein the touch drive circuit selects any one user who performs a touch operation on the touch sensing unit from the first user to the nth user according to a preset priority, and generates and outputs the touch position coordinate information according to the touch position of the selected user.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first to nth unique signal generators are installed on contact members adjacent to the first to nth users respectively, generate first to nth unique signals, and send the first to nth unique signals to the bodies of the first to nth users respectively, wherein the first to nth unique signals are electrical signals that are different in at least one current and voltage characteristic among amplitude, pulse width, wavelength and frequency.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one motion detection circuit is installed on a display panel that displays an image or on a structure around the display panel, and the touch direction and touch position of each of the first to nth users are determined based on the motion detection direction and detection result of the user who touches the touch sensing unit, and the ID and motion detection signal of the user who performs a touch operation on the touch sensing unit are identified and selected from the IDs of the first to nth users based on the determination result.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the touch driving circuit detects in real time at least one current and voltage characteristic of the touch detection signal among the frequency, pulse width, amplitude and current amount, compares the detected current and voltage characteristics with the preset first reference current and voltage characteristic information to the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, and identifies and determines any one user among the first user to the nth user who has performed a touch operation based on the comparison result.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, a touch driving circuit identifies and specifies at least one user who has touched a touch sensing unit from a first user to an nth user based on an ID and a motion detection signal of each user received from at least one motion detection circuit, compares at least one user information identified and specified based on the ID and the motion detection signal of each user with at least one user information identified by comparing the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first reference current and voltage characteristic information to the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, calculates and selects touch position coordinate information of a user that matches the comparison result, and sends the calculated and selected touch position coordinate information to a display driving circuit of a display panel.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a touch detection circuit includes: a touch sensing unit including a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes; first to n-th unique signal generators, which respectively send first to n-th unique signals having different voltage or current characteristics to the bodies of first to n-th users; at least one motion detection circuit, which detects a touch direction and a touch position of each of the first to n-th users who provide a touch input to the touch sensing unit; and a touch drive circuit, which measures a change in capacitance of a touch node formed between the driving electrode and the sensing electrode and generates touch position coordinate information, wherein the touch drive circuit selects any one of the first to n-th users who provides a touch input to the touch sensing unit according to a preset priority, wherein the touch drive circuit detects voltage and current characteristics of the touch detection signal in real time, and compares the detected voltage and current characteristics with preset first to n-th reference voltage and current characteristic information, and wherein the touch drive circuit identifies and determines any one of the first to n-th users who provides a touch input to the touch sensing unit according to a result of the comparison.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first to nth reference current and voltage characteristic information include first to nth reference frequency information, first to nth reference pulse width information, and first to nth reference current amount information.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range less than the first reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit will identify and designate any one user providing touch input as the first user, if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the first reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the second reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit will identify and designate any one user providing touch input as the second user, if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the second reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the third reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit will identify and designate any one user providing touch input as the third user, and if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the third reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit will identify and designate any one user providing touch input as the nth user.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one motion detection circuit includes a motion detection sensor that detects motion of each of the first to nth users providing touch input to the sensing unit and generates a motion detection signal according to a motion detection direction and a detection result.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one motion detection circuit further includes a sensor driving circuit, which determines the touch direction and touch position of each of the first to nth users according to the motion detection direction and detection result of the motion detection signal detected by the motion detection sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 The application of the large-screen display device according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a touch detection module and a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A sectional view of the side structure of the display device shown in ; Figure 4 It is schematically shown Figure 2 and Figure 3 A layout diagram of the structure of the display panel shown in ; Figure 5 It is schematically shown Figure 2 and Figure 3 The layout diagram of the touch detection module shown in ; Figure 6 A first unique signal generator and a first unique signal transmission path of a touch detection module according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown; Figure 7 is a waveform diagram of a first unique signal of a first unique signal generator and an nth unique signal of an nth unique signal generator; Figure 8 A method of using one or more motion detection modules to identify and distinguish users touching a detection module is shown; and Fig. 9 yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 Detailed block diagram of the touch drive circuit shown in . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0027] It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Throughout the specification and drawings, the same reference numerals may refer to the same components.

[0028] It will 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 only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the teachings of the present invention, the first element discussed below may be referred to as the second element. Similarly, the second element may also be referred to as the first element.

[0029] As is conventional in the field of the present invention, embodiments are described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in the form of functional blocks, units and / or modules. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these blocks, units and / or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits (such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, etc.) that can be formed using semiconductor-based manufacturing techniques or other manufacturing techniques. In the case where blocks, units and / or modules are implemented by microprocessors, etc., they can be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform the various functions discussed herein, and can be optionally driven by firmware and / or software. Optionally, each block, unit and / or module can be implemented by dedicated hardware, or implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware that performs some functions and processors (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuits) that perform other functions. In addition, without departing from the scope of the present invention, each block, unit and / or module of the embodiment can be physically separated into two or more interacting and discrete blocks, units and / or modules. Furthermore, the blocks, units and / or modules of the embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units and / or modules without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0030] Each of the features of the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined or coupled with each other in part or in whole, and various interlocks and drives are technically feasible. The various embodiments can be implemented independently of each other or can be implemented together in association.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 The application of the large-screen display device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 , the display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed to have a large screen and may be applied to a dashboard of a vehicle as well as a central dashboard and a central information display (CID) of the dashboard. The large-screen display device 10 may be formed as an integrated device connected from the dashboard of the vehicle to the central dashboard and the passenger seat dashboard. For example, the display device 10 applied to the dashboard of a vehicle may display the vehicle's instrument information, navigation information, audio and video content information, air conditioning device control information, electronic control information for controlling options and functions, etc., respectively in a preset area.

[0034] For example, the large screen display device 10 can be applied as a display unit of a TV, a notebook computer, a PC monitor, a billboard, an Internet of Things (IOT) device. For another example, the display device 10 can be applied to portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablet PCs, mobile communication terminals, electronic notebooks, electronic books, portable multimedia players (PMPs), and ultra mobile PCs (UMPCs). In addition, the display device 10 can be applied to wearable devices such as smart watches, watch phones, glasses-type displays, and head-mounted displays (HMDs).

[0035] The display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be classified differently according to a display method. For example, the display device 10 may be classified and configured as an organic light-emitting display device, an inorganic electroluminescent (EL) display device, a quantum dot light-emitting display device (QED), a micro-light-emitting diode display device, a nano-light-emitting diode display device, a plasma display panel (PDP), a field emission display (FED) device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, or an electrophoretic display (EPD) device. An organic light-emitting display device will be described below as an example of a display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Unless a special distinction is required, the organic light-emitting display device applied to an embodiment of the present invention will be shortened (or referred to as) to the display device 10. However, the display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to an organic light-emitting display device, and other display devices listed above or known in the art may be applied within the scope of the shared technical spirit.

[0036] Figure 2 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a touch detection module (or touch detection circuit) and a display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 sectional view of the side structure of the display device 10 shown in FIG.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The display device 10 includes a display panel 100, a display driving circuit 200 and a touch detection module. Here, the touch detection module may include a touch sensing unit TSU (or a touch sensing circuit), a first unique signal generator 20 (1) and an nth unique signal generator 20 (n) (see Figure 1 ), one or more motion detection modules 40 (or motion detection circuits), a touch drive circuit 400 and a motion detection drive circuit 500.

[0038] The display panel 100 of the display device 10 includes a display unit DU (see Figure 3 The display unit DU displays an image, and the touch sensing unit TSU detects a touch of a human body part such as a finger and an electronic pen, and is disposed on the display panel 100 .

[0039] The display unit DU of the display panel 100 may include a plurality of sub-pixels SP and display an image through the sub-pixels SP. In addition, the touch sensing unit TSU may be mounted on the front surface of the display panel 100 or may be integrally formed with the display panel 100. The touch sensing unit TSU may include a plurality of touch electrodes and may detect a user's touch in a capacitive manner using the touch electrodes.

[0040] The display panel 100 may be divided into a main area MA and a sub-area SBA. The main area MA may include a display area DA having sub-pixels SP for displaying an image and a non-display area NDA disposed around the display area DA. In the display area DA, light may be emitted from an emission area or an opening area of ​​each sub-pixel SP to display an image. For example, each sub-pixel SP of the display area DA may include a pixel circuit including a switching element, a pixel defining layer defining an emission area or an opening area, and a self-luminous element.

[0041] The non-display area NDA may be an area outside the display area DA and may be adjacent to the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may be an edge area of ​​the main area MA of the display panel 100. The non-display area NDA may include a gate driver supplying a gate signal to a gate line and a fan-out line connecting the display driving circuit 200 and the display area DA.

[0042] The sub-area SBA may extend from one side of the main area MA. The sub-area SBA may include a flexible material that may be bent, folded, curled, etc. For example, when the sub-areas SBA are bent, they may overlap with the main area MA in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction). Each of the sub-areas SBA may include a display driving circuit 200 and a pad (or "pad") unit connected to the circuit board 300. Alternatively, the sub-area SBA may be omitted, and the display driving circuit 200 and the pad unit may be disposed in the non-display area NDA.

[0043] The circuit board 300 may be attached to the pad unit of the display panel 100 by using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF). Leads of the circuit board 300 may be electrically connected to the pad unit of the display panel 100. For example, each of the circuit boards 300 may be a flexible printed circuit board, a printed circuit board, or a flexible film such as a chip on film.

[0044] The display driving circuit 200 may be formed as an integrated circuit and may be mounted on the display panel 100 using a chip on glass (COG) method, a chip on plastic (COP) method, or an ultrasonic bonding method. For example, each of the display driving circuits 200 may be disposed in a sub-region SBA and may overlap with the main region MA in a thickness direction (Z-axis direction) by bending of the sub-region SBA. For another example, the display driving circuit 200 may be mounted on the circuit board 300.

[0045] Each of the display driving circuits 200 may operate as a main processor, or may be formed integrally with the main processor. Therefore, the display driving circuit 200 may control the overall function of the display device 10. For example, the display driving circuit 200 may output a pixel driving signal and a data voltage for driving a sub-pixel SP of the display unit DU. The display driving circuit 200 may supply a data voltage to a data line to which the sub-pixel SP is connected. The display driving circuit 200 may supply a power supply voltage to a power line of the display unit DU, and may also supply a gate control signal to a separate gate driver.

[0046] Each of the display driving circuits 200 can receive touch data from the touch driving circuit 400, determine the coordinates of the user's touch, and then generate digital video data according to the touch coordinates. For example, each of the display driving circuits 200 can execute an application indicated by an icon displayed at the user's touch coordinates. For another example, each of the display driving circuits 200 can receive coordinate data from an electronic pen, determine the touch coordinates of the electronic pen, and then generate digital video data according to the touch coordinates or execute an application indicated by an icon displayed at the touch coordinates of the electronic pen.

[0047] Figure 1 The first unique signal generator 20 (1) to the nth unique signal generator 20 (n) in the display device 10 send different unique current signals to users who use the display device 10 at the same time. For example, Figure 1 The first unique signal generator 20(1) to the nth unique signal generator 20(n) can be respectively installed on at least one contact member around the first user to the nth user who simultaneously uses the display device 10 (such as a seat, a seat belt, an armrest or clothes of the first user to the nth user), and can send different unique current signals to the bodies of the first user to the nth user.

[0048] For example, the first unique signal generator 20(1) may send a first unique signal to the body of the driver of the vehicle, and the second unique signal generator may send a second unique signal to a rear seat passenger. In addition, the third unique signal generator may send a third unique signal to another rear seat passenger, and the nth unique signal generator may send an nth unique signal to a front seat passenger.

[0049] Respectively from Figure 1 The first to nth unique signals generated and output by the first to nth unique signal generators 20(1) to 20(n) may be electrical signals having different voltage and / or current characteristics in at least one of amplitude, pulse width, wavelength and frequency.

[0050] Reference Figure 2 The motion detection module 40 is installed and disposed in the non-display area NDA of the display panel 100 to detect the touch direction and touch position of the user touching the display panel 100, and the touch direction and touch position are determined using the touch sensing unit TSU. The motion detection module 40 may also be installed separately from the display panel 100 on a surrounding structure such as a housing or an instrument panel on which the display panel 100 is installed.

[0051] The motion detection module 40 detects the touch direction and touch position of the first user to the nth user of the touch sensing unit TSU, and generates motion detection signals for the first user to the nth user, respectively. In addition, each of the motion detection modules 40 includes at least one motion detection sensor 41 and a sensor driving circuit unit 42 (or a sensor driving circuit).

[0052] The motion detection sensor 41 detects the motion of each of the first to n-th users touching the touch sensing unit TSU, and generates a motion detection signal according to the motion detection direction and the detection result. The motion detection sensor 41 is a human body detection sensor for detecting the touch of the user, and may include at least one short-range motion detection sensor (such as an infrared sensor or a hovering detection sensor). The motion detection sensor 41 may be provided in the non-display area NDA of the display panel 100, or may be installed separately from the display panel 100 on a surrounding structure (such as a housing or an instrument panel on which the display panel 100 is installed).

[0053] The sensor driving circuit unit 42 determines the touch direction and touch position of each of the first to n-th users according to the motion detection direction and the detection result of the motion detection signal detected by the motion detection sensor 41. Then, the ID and the motion detection signal of each of the first to n-th users are identified based on the determination result, and the ID and the motion detection signal of each identified user are sent to the motion detection driving circuit 500.

[0054] Each of the motion detection driving circuits 500 may be formed in the form of an integrated circuit and mounted on a separate circuit board 300. Each of the motion detection driving circuits 500 may be electrically connected to the sensor driving circuit unit 42.

[0055] Each of the motion detection driving circuits 500 sends a driving control signal to the sensor driving circuit unit 42 to control the driving timing of the motion detection sensor 41 and the sensor driving circuit unit 42. Each of the motion detection driving circuits 500 stores the ID and the motion detection signal for each user received from the sensor driving circuit unit 42 in real time, and sends and shares them to the touch driving circuit 400.

[0056] Each of the touch drive circuits 400 may be mounted on a separate circuit board 300. The touch drive circuit 400 may be electrically connected to the touch sensing unit TSU. For example, the touch drive circuit 400 may overlap the main area MA. The touch drive circuit 400 may be formed as an integrated circuit. As described above, the touch drive circuit 400 sends a touch drive signal to the touch electrode of the touch sensing unit TSU. Here, each of the touch drive signals may be a pulse signal having a predetermined frequency. The touch drive circuit 400 measures the charge change of the mutual capacitance of each of the multiple touch nodes formed by the touch electrodes in real time. For example, the touch drive circuit 400 measures the change in capacitance of the touch node according to the change in frequency, voltage amplitude, and current amount of the touch detection signal received by the touch electrode. In this way, the touch drive circuit 400 can determine whether a user's touch has occurred and whether the user is close according to the charge change of the mutual capacitance of each of the touch nodes.

[0057] The touch drive circuit 400 calculates the occurrence of a touch input through a body part (such as a finger) of a user, and determines the coordinates of the touch input based on a change in capacitance between touch electrodes. In addition, the touch drive circuit 400 detects at least one voltage characteristic or current characteristic among the frequency, voltage amplitude (e.g., pulse width and amplitude) and current amount of the touch detection signal in real time, and compares the detected voltage characteristic or current characteristic with the preset first reference voltage characteristic or current characteristic information to the nth reference voltage characteristic or current characteristic information. The first reference voltage characteristic and current characteristic information to the nth reference voltage characteristic and current characteristic information may include characteristic information such as the first reference frequency to the nth reference frequency, the first reference voltage amplitude (e.g., reference pulse width and reference amplitude) to the nth reference voltage amplitude (e.g., reference pulse width and reference amplitude) and the first reference current amount to the nth reference current amount. The touch drive circuit 400 identifies and specifies any one user who has touched the touch sensing unit TSU among the first user to the nth user according to the result of comparing the current characteristic of the touch detection signal detected in real time with the first reference current characteristic information to the nth reference current characteristic information. For example, the touch driving circuit 400 may identify and select a user who has touched the touch sensing unit TSU as a driver or a front seat passenger.

[0058] When a plurality of users from among the first to n-th users who simultaneously share and use the display device 10 simultaneously or continuously touch the touch sensing unit TSU, the touch driving circuit 400 compares the current characteristic of each of the plurality of touch detection signals detected simultaneously or continuously with the first to n-th reference current characteristic information. Then, the touch driving circuit 400 can identify and specify the plurality of users who simultaneously or continuously touch the touch sensing unit TSU according to the comparison result.

[0059] When a plurality of users who touch the touch sensing unit TSU simultaneously or continuously among the first to n-th users are identified, the touch driving circuit 400 calculates the touch coordinates of only one of the identified users according to the preset priority information, and transmits the calculated touch coordinates to the display driving circuit 200. For example, when the plurality of users who touch the touch sensing unit TSU simultaneously or continuously are identified as a driver and a front seat passenger, the touch driving circuit 400 may select or calculate the touch coordinates of the driver according to the preset priority information, and transmit the selected or calculated touch coordinates to the display driving circuit 200.

[0060] In addition, the touch driving circuit 400 receives an ID and a motion detection signal for each user in real time from the motion detection driving circuit 500. The touch driving circuit 400 can identify and specify at least one user who touches the touch sensing unit TSU among the first to nth users based on the received ID and motion detection signal for each user.

[0061] The touch drive circuit 400 compares at least one user information identified and specified based on the ID and the motion detection signal of each user with at least one user information identified and specified by comparing the current characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first reference current characteristic information to the nth reference current characteristic information. Then, the touch coordinates of the user matching the comparison result may be selected or calculated and sent to the display drive circuit 200.

[0062] In addition, when multiple users who touch the touch sensing unit TSU simultaneously or continuously are identified as a result of comparing at least one user information, the touch driving circuit 400 can calculate the touch coordinates of only one of the identified users according to preset priority information, and send the calculated touch coordinates to the display driving circuit 200.

[0063] In addition, when the user identified and specified by comparing the current characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first to nth reference current characteristic information is different from the user identified and specified based on the ID and motion detection signal of each user, it can be suspected that a malfunction has occurred, for example, a passenger adjacent to the driver's seat has touched the touch sensing unit TSU. Therefore, only when the user identified and specified by comparing the current characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first to nth reference current characteristic information matches the user identified and specified based on the ID and motion detection signal of each user, the touch coordinates of the user who has made a touch input can be selected and calculated and sent to the display drive circuit 200. The detailed construction and operation characteristics of the touch drive circuit 400 will be described in more detail later.

[0064] in addition, Figure 3 The substrate SUB of the display panel 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be a base substrate or a base member. The substrate SUB may be a flexible substrate that can be bent, folded, curled, etc. For example, the substrate SUB may include a glass material or a metal material. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For another example, the substrate SUB may include a polymer resin such as polyimide (PI).

[0065] The thin film transistor layer TFTL may be disposed on the substrate SUB. The thin film transistor layer TFTL may include a plurality of thin film transistors constituting a pixel circuit of the sub-pixel SP. The thin film transistor layer TFTL may also include a gate line, a data line, a power line, a gate control line, a fan-out line connecting the display driving circuit 200 and the data line to each other, and a lead connecting the display driving circuit 200 and the pad unit to each other. When the gate driver 210 (see Figure 4 ) is formed on one side of the non-display area NDA of the display panel 100, it may further include a thin film transistor.

[0066] The thin film transistor layer TFTL may be disposed in the display area DA, the non-display area NDA, and the sub-area SBA. The thin film transistors, gate lines, data lines, and power lines of the pixels of the thin film transistor layer TFTL may be disposed in the display area DA. The gate control lines and fan-out lines of the thin film transistor layer TFTL may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. The leads of the thin film transistor layer TFTL may be disposed in the sub-area SBA.

[0067] The light emitting element layer EML may be disposed on the thin film transistor layer TFTL. The light emitting element layer EML may include a plurality of light emitting elements and a pixel defining layer, each of the plurality of light emitting elements including a first electrode, a light emitting layer, and a second electrode to emit light. For example, the pixel defining layer is disposed on a portion of the first electrode and includes an opening exposing a portion of the first electrode, and the light emitting layer and the second electrode are disposed on the first electrode in the opening of the pixel defining layer. The light emitting element of the light emitting element layer EML may be disposed in the display area DA.

[0068] The encapsulation layer TFEL may cover the upper surface and the side surface of the light emitting element layer EML and may protect the light emitting element layer EML. The encapsulation layer TFEL may include at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer to encapsulate the light emitting element layer EML.

[0069] The touch sensing unit TSU may be disposed on the encapsulation layer TFEL. The touch sensing unit TSU may include a plurality of touch electrodes for capacitively detecting a user's touch and a touch line connecting the touch electrodes and the touch driving circuit 400. For example, the touch sensing unit TSU may sense a user's touch using a self-capacitance method or a mutual-capacitance method.

[0070] For another example, the touch sensing unit TSU may be provided on a separate substrate provided on the display unit DU. In this case, the substrate supporting the touch sensing unit TSU may be a base member encapsulating the display unit DU.

[0071] The touch electrodes included in the touch sensing unit TSU may be disposed in a touch sensor region overlapping the display area DA. The touch lines of the touch sensing unit TSU may be disposed in a touch peripheral region overlapping the non-display area NDA.

[0072] Figure 4 It is schematically shown Figure 2 and Figure 3 . Specifically, Figure 4 is a layout diagram showing a display area DA and a non-display area NDA of a display unit DU before forming a touch sensing unit TSU.

[0073] The display area DA is an area where an image is displayed, and may be a central area of ​​the display panel 100. The display area DA may include a plurality of sub-pixels SP, a plurality of gate lines GL, a plurality of data lines DL, and a plurality of power lines VL. For example, a plurality of sub-pixels SP, a plurality of gate lines GL, a plurality of data lines DL, and a plurality of power lines VL may be disposed in the display area DA. For example, each of the sub-pixels SP may be a minimum unit of output light.

[0074] The gate lines GL may supply gate signals received from the gate driver 210 in the non-display area NDA to the subpixels SP. The gate lines GL may extend in the X-axis direction and may be spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction crossing the X-axis direction.

[0075] The data lines DL may supply the data voltages received from the display driving circuit 200 to the sub-pixels SP. The data lines DL may extend in the Y-axis direction and may be spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction.

[0076] The power lines VL may supply a power voltage received from the display driving circuit 200 to the subpixels SP. Here, the power voltage may be at least one of a driving voltage, an initialization voltage, and a reference voltage. The power lines VL may extend in the Y-axis direction and may be spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction.

[0077] The non-display area NDA may at least partially surround the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may include a gate driver 210, a fan-out line FOL, and a gate control line GCL. For example, the gate driver 210, the fan-out line FOL, and the gate control line GCL may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. The gate driver 210 may generate a plurality of gate signals based on a gate control signal, and may sequentially supply the plurality of gate signals to the gate lines GL in a set order.

[0078] The fan-out line FOL may extend from the display driving circuit 200 to the display area DA. The fan-out line FOL may supply a data voltage received from the display driving circuit 200 to the data line DL.

[0079] The gate control line GCL may extend from the display driving circuit 200 to the gate driver 210. The gate control line GCL may supply a gate control signal received from the display driving circuit 200 to the gate driver 210.

[0080] The display driving circuit 200 may output a signal and a voltage for driving the display panel 100 to the fan-out line FOL. The display driving circuit 200 may supply a data voltage to the data line DL through the fan-out line FOL. The data voltage may be supplied to the sub-pixel SP and may determine the brightness of the sub-pixel SP. The display driving circuit 200 may supply a gate control signal to the gate driver 210 through the gate control line GCL.

[0081] Figure 5 It is schematically shown Figure 2 and Figure 3 Layout diagram of the touch detection module shown in .

[0082] exist Figure 5, the touch electrode SEN of the main area MA includes two types of electrodes, for example, a driving electrode TE and a sensing electrode RE. In addition, the touch electrode SEN can be driven by using a mutual capacitance method, in which a touch driving signal is transmitted to the driving electrode TE, and then a change in mutual capacitance charge of each of a plurality of touch nodes is detected by the sensing electrode RE. The above case will be described below as an example, but the mutual capacitance driving method is not limited thereto.

[0083] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment, for ease of description, only some of the touch electrodes SEN, the dummy patterns DME, and the touch lines TLa, TLb, and RL formed by the driving electrodes TE and the sensing electrodes RE are shown. Figure 5 The number of driving electrodes TE, sensing electrodes RE, dummy patterns DME, and touch lines TLa, TLb, and RL shown in FIG.

[0084] The main area MA of the touch sensing unit TSU may include a touch sensing area TSA for detecting a user's touch and a touch peripheral area TPA disposed adjacent to the touch sensing area TSA. The touch sensing area TSA may be Figures 1 to 3 The display area DA is overlapped, and the touch peripheral area TPA may overlap the non-display area NDA.

[0085] The driving electrodes TE, the sensing electrodes RE, and the dummy patterns DME may be disposed in the touch sensing area TSA. The driving electrodes TE and the sensing electrodes RE may be electrodes for forming mutual capacitance between the driving electrodes TE and the sensing electrodes RE to detect a touch of an object or a user.

[0086] The sensing electrodes RE may be arranged in a first direction (X-axis direction) and a second direction (Y-axis direction). The sensing electrodes RE may be electrically connected to each other in the first direction (X-axis direction). Sensing electrodes RE adjacent in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be connected to each other. Sensing electrodes RE adjacent in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be electrically isolated from each other. Sensing electrodes RE adjacent in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be separated from each other. Therefore, a touch node having mutual capacitance may be set at each of the intersections between the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE. The touch node may correspond to the intersection of the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE.

[0087] The driving electrodes TE may be arranged side by side in a first direction (X-axis direction) and a second direction (Y-axis direction). The driving electrodes TE adjacent to each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be electrically isolated from each other. The driving electrodes TE may be electrically connected to each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction). The driving electrodes TE adjacent to each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be connected to each other through a separate connection electrode CE.

[0088] Each of the dummy patterns DME may be surrounded by the driving electrode TE or the sensing electrode RE. Each of the dummy patterns DME may be electrically isolated from the driving electrode TE and / or the sensing electrode RE. Each of the dummy patterns DME may be spaced apart from the driving electrode TE and / or the sensing electrode RE. Each of the dummy patterns DME may be electrically floating.

[0089] exist Figure 5 In the plan view, each of the drive electrode TE, the sensing electrode RE, and the dummy pattern DME may have a rhombus planar shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the drive electrode TE, the sensing electrode RE, and the dummy pattern DME may also be shaped as a quadrilateral other than a rhombus. In addition, each of the drive electrode TE, the sensing electrode RE, and the dummy pattern DME may have a polygonal shape other than a quadrilateral. In the plan view, each of the drive electrode TE, the sensing electrode RE, and the dummy pattern DME may have a circular shape or an elliptical shape.

[0090] The touch lines TLa, TLb, and RL may be disposed in the touch peripheral area TPA. The touch lines TLa, TLb, and RL include first and second touch drive lines TLa and TLb connected to the drive electrodes TE and a touch sensing line RL connected to the sensing electrodes RE.

[0091] The sensing electrodes RE disposed at one end of the touch sensing area TSA may be connected to the touch sensing lines RL one by one. Figure 5 As shown in , the rightmost sensing electrodes RE among the sensing electrodes RE electrically connected to each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be respectively connected to the touch sensing lines RL. In addition, each of the touch sensing lines RL may be electrically connected to the touch driving circuit 400 through a separate pad unit.

[0092] The driving electrodes TE disposed at the first end of the touch sensing area TSA may be connected to the first touch driving line TLa one by one, and the driving electrodes TE disposed at the second end of the touch sensing area TSA may be connected to the second touch driving line TLb one by one. For example, the lowermost driving electrodes TE among the driving electrodes TE electrically connected to each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction) may be connected to the first touch driving line TLa, respectively, and the uppermost driving electrodes TE may be connected to the second touch driving line TLb, respectively. The second touch driving line TLb may pass through the left side of the touch sensing area TSA, and then may be connected to the driving electrode TE on the upper side of the touch sensing area TSA.

[0093] The driving electrode TE is connected to the first touch driving line TLa and the second touch driving line TLb at both sides of the touch sensing area TSA to receive a touch driving signal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a difference between the touch driving signal transmitted to the driving electrode TE disposed on the lower side of the touch sensing area TSA and the touch driving signal transmitted to the driving electrode TE disposed on the upper side of the touch sensing area TSA due to a resistance-capacitance (RC) delay of the touch driving signal.

[0094] Figure 6 The first unique signal generator 20 (1) and the first unique signal transmission path of the touch detection module according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. In addition, Figure 7 1 is a waveform diagram of the first unique signal HS1_20(1) of the first unique signal generator 20(1) and the nth unique signal HS2_20(n) of the nth unique signal generator 20(n).

[0095] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 , Figure 1 The first unique signal generator 20(1) to the nth unique signal generator 20(n) send different unique current signals, ie, the first unique signal HS1_20(1) to the nth unique signal HS2_20(n), to different users who use the display device 10 at the same time.

[0096] The first unique signal generator 20(1) may be mounted on at least one contact member adjacent to a first user using the display device 10, and may transmit the first unique signal HS1_20(1) to the body of the first user. For example, the contact member may include a seat, a seat belt, an armrest, and clothing of the first user. In addition, the nth unique signal generator 20(n) may transmit the nth unique signal HS2_20(n) to a front seat passenger.

[0097] Respectively from Figure 1 The first unique signals HS1_20(1) to the nth unique signals HS2_20(n) generated and output by the first unique signal generator 20(1) to the nth unique signal generator 20(n) may be current signals that differ in at least one current characteristic among amplitude, pulse width, wavelength and frequency.

[0098] For example, the frequency (120 Hz), amplitude (S1), pulse width (H1), and current of the first unique signal HS1_20(1) may be lower, smaller, or less than the frequency, amplitude, pulse width, and current of the second unique signal, respectively. In addition, the frequency, amplitude, pulse width, and current of the second unique signal may be higher, larger, or larger than the frequency (120 Hz), amplitude (S1), pulse width (H1), and current of the first unique signal HS1_20(1), respectively. In addition, the frequency, amplitude, pulse width, and current of the third unique signal may be higher, larger, or larger than the frequency, amplitude, pulse width, and current of the second unique signal, respectively. In addition, the frequency (240 Hz), amplitude (S2), pulse width (H2), and current of the nth unique signal HS2_20(n) may be higher, larger, or larger than the frequency, amplitude, pulse width, and current of the third unique signal, respectively.

[0099] As indicated by arrows A and B in the accompanying drawings, the first unique signal HS1_20(1) generated from the first unique signal generator 20(1) is supplied from the first unique signal generator 20(1) and transmitted to the body of the first user. When the first user touches the touch sensing unit TSU, the first unique signal HS1_20(1) is transmitted to the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE of the touch sensing unit TSU and the touch node at the intersection of the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE. Therefore, the capacitance of the touch node changes with the current characteristics of the first unique signal HS1_20(1), that is, the frequency (120 Hz), amplitude (S1), pulse width (H1) and current amount of the first unique signal HS1_20(1).

[0100] In addition, the nth unique signal HS2_20(n) generated from the nth unique signal generator 20(n) is supplied and transmitted to the body of the nth user. When the nth user touches the touch sensing unit TSU, the nth unique signal HS2_20(n) is transmitted to the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE of the touch sensing unit TSU and the touch node at the intersection of the driving electrode TE and the sensing electrode RE. In this case, the capacitance of the touch node changes with the current characteristics of the nth unique signal HS2_20(n), that is, the frequency (240 Hz), amplitude (S2), pulse width (H2) and current amount of the nth unique signal HS2_20(n).

[0101] When a touch is detected, the touch drive circuit 400 receives a touch detection signal whose voltage and current characteristics vary according to a change in capacitance of each of the touch nodes formed in the touch sensing unit TSU. The touch drive circuit 400 then calculates the occurrence of a touch input by a body part of the user (such as a finger) and the coordinates of the touch input based on the change in capacitance of the touch nodes.

[0102] Here, in order to specify the user who has touched the touch sensing unit TSU, the touch driving circuit 400 detects at least one current characteristic among the frequency, amplitude, pulse width, and current amount of the touch detection signal in real time, and compares the detected current characteristic with the preset first reference current characteristic information to the nth reference current characteristic information. As described above, the first reference current characteristic information to the nth reference current characteristic information include characteristic information such as the first reference frequency to the nth reference frequency, the first reference voltage amplitude (e.g., amplitude and pulse width) to the nth reference voltage amplitude (e.g., amplitude and pulse width), and the first reference current amount to the nth reference current amount.

[0103] The touch driving circuit 400 identifies and specifies any one user who touches the touch sensing unit TSU among the first to nth users based on a result of comparing the current characteristics of the touch detection signal detected in real time with the first to nth reference current characteristic information.

[0104] For example, if the current and voltage characteristic information (e.g., frequency, amplitude, and pulse width information) of the touch detection signal detected in real time is included in a range less than (e.g., less than) the first reference current and voltage characteristic information (e.g., first reference frequency, first reference amplitude, and first reference pulse width), the touch drive circuit 400 may identify and designate the user who has touched the touch sensing unit TSU as the driver as the first user. However, if the current and voltage characteristic information (frequency, amplitude, and pulse width information) of the touch detection signal detected in real time is included in a range equal to or greater than the first reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the second reference current and voltage characteristic information (e.g., second reference frequency, second reference amplitude, and second reference pulse width), the touch drive circuit 400 may identify and designate the user who has touched the touch sensing unit TSU as the rear seat passenger as the second user.

[0105] In addition, if the current and voltage characteristic information of the touch detection signal detected in real time is included in a range equal to or greater than the second reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the third reference current and voltage characteristic information (e.g., the third reference frequency, the third reference amplitude, and the third reference pulse width), the touch drive circuit 400 can identify and designate the user who has touched the touch sensing unit TSU as another rear seat passenger who is the third user. However, if the current and voltage characteristic information (e.g., the frequency, amplitude, and pulse width information) of the touch detection signal detected in real time is included in a range equal to or greater than the third reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information (e.g., the nth reference frequency, the nth reference amplitude, and the nth reference pulse width), the touch drive circuit 400 can identify and designate the user who has touched the touch sensing unit TSU as the front seat passenger who is the nth user.

[0106] Figure 8 A method of using one or more motion detection modules 40 to identify and differentiate users touching the detection modules is shown.

[0107] Reference Figure 8 , the motion detection sensor 41 of each motion detection module 40 detects motions of the first user to the nth user who touches the touch sensing unit TSU, and generates a motion detection signal according to the motion detection direction and the detection result.

[0108] The sensor driving circuit unit 42 of each motion detection module 40 determines the touch direction and touch position of each of the first to n-th users according to the motion detection direction and the detection result of the motion detection signal generated by the at least one motion detection sensor 41. Then, the sensor driving circuit unit 42 recognizes an identification (ID) and the motion detection signal for each of the first to n-th users according to the determination result, and the sensor driving circuit unit 42 transmits the recognized ID and the motion detection signal of each user to the motion detection driving circuit 500.

[0109] The motion detection driving circuit 500 stores the ID of each user and the motion detection signal received from the sensor driving circuit unit 42 in real time, and transmits and shares them to the touch driving circuit 400 .

[0110] Fig. 9 yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 A block diagram of a touch driving circuit 400 is shown in FIG.

[0111] Reference Fig. 9The touch driving circuit 400 includes a driving signal output circuit 410, a sensing circuit unit 420 (or a sensing circuit), an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) circuit 430, a current detection circuit 440, a touch driving control circuit 450, a user ID input circuit 470, a touch coordinate generation circuit 460, a touch user matching circuit 465 and a touch coordinate selection output circuit 480.

[0112] The driving signal output circuit 410 supplies a touch driving signal to the driving electrode TE of the touch sensing unit TSU through the first touch driving line TLa and the second touch driving line TLb. In response to the touch driving control signal from the touch driving control circuit 450, the driving signal output circuit 410 outputs the touch driving signal to the driving electrodes TE in the range from the driving electrode TE disposed at the leftmost side of the touch sensing area TSA to the driving electrode TE disposed at the rightmost side of the touch sensing area TSA. For example, the touch driving signal may be supplied as a plurality of pulse signals generated at a level of about 1.8V.

[0113] The sensing circuit unit 420 detects the charge change of the mutual capacitance of each of the touch nodes of the sensing electrode RE of the touch sensing unit TSU through the touch sensing line RL. The sensing circuit unit 420 may include an operational amplifier AF for detecting the charge change of the mutual capacitance of each of the touch nodes. The operational amplifier AF may be connected to the touch sensing line RL one by one.

[0114] The ADC circuit 430 sequentially converts the output voltage of the touch sensing line RL amplified by the operational amplifier AF of the sensing circuit unit 420 into touch data as digital data. For example, the output voltage of the touch sensing line RL may be an output voltage according to a change in charge of each of the touch nodes.

[0115] The current detection circuit 440 detects the current amount from the test signal amplified by the operational amplifier AF of the sensing circuit unit 420. The current detection circuit 440 may detect the current amount by using a current detector and may share the value of the detected current amount with the touch coordinate generation circuit 460.

[0116] The touch drive control circuit 450 controls the drive timing of the drive signal output circuit 410, the sensing circuit unit 420, the ADC circuit 430, and the current detection circuit 440. For example, the touch drive control circuit 450 sequentially supplies the touch drive control signal for each group of drive electrodes TE to the drive signal output circuit 410 in each preset period to control the drive signal output circuit 410, thereby sequentially supplying the touch drive signal to all the drive electrodes TE in units of a preset number of groups.

[0117] The touch coordinate generation circuit 460 sequentially receives touch data from the ADC circuit 430. Then, the touch coordinate generation circuit 460 arranges the touch data according to the position of each touch electrode TE or RE and each touch node, and compares the size change of the touch data. Here, the touch position coordinate information CT_Data of the detected touch is calculated according to the change of the size or difference of the touch data arranged for each touch node.

[0118] The touch user matching circuit 465 detects at least one current characteristic of the frequency, amplitude, pulse width, and current amount of the touch detection signal in real time, and compares the detected current characteristic with preset first to nth reference current characteristic information. The touch user matching circuit 465 identifies and specifies any one user who has touched the touch sensing unit TSU among the first to nth users according to the result of comparing the current characteristic of the touch detection signal detected in real time with the first to nth reference current characteristic information.

[0119] The user ID input circuit 470 receives the user ID OS and the motion detection signal HSS from the motion detection driving circuit 500 in real time. The user ID input circuit 470 identifies and specifies at least one user who has touched the touch sensing unit TSU among the first to n-th users based on the user ID OS and the motion detection signal HSS received from the motion detection driving circuit 500. For example, the user ID input circuit 470 may determine whether the multiple users who have simultaneously or continuously touched the touch sensing unit TSU are the driver as the first user or the front seat passenger as the n-th user based on the user ID OS and the motion detection signal HSS.

[0120] The touch coordinate selection output circuit 480 compares at least one user information identified and specified based on the ID OS and the motion detection signal HSS for each of the first to n-th users with at least one user information identified and specified by comparing the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first to n-th reference current and voltage characteristic information. Then, the touch coordinate selection output circuit 480 calculates and selects the touch position coordinate information CT_Data for the user matching the comparison result, and the touch coordinate selection output circuit 480 transmits the touch position coordinate information CT_Data to the display driving circuit 200 of the display panel 100.

[0121] The touch coordinate selection output circuit 480 can select or calculate the touch coordinates of the user who performs touch input, and can send the touch coordinates to the display driving circuit 200 only when the user (e.g., driver or passenger) identified and determined by comparing the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first reference current and voltage characteristic information to the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information matches the user (e.g., driver or passenger) identified and specified based on the ID OS and the motion detection signal HSS for each user.

[0122] In addition, when multiple users (e.g., a driver and a front seat passenger) who simultaneously or continuously touch the touch sensing unit TSU are identified as a result of comparing at least one user information, the touch coordinate selection output circuit 480 can calculate the touch position coordinate information CT_Data of only one of the identified users according to preset priority information (e.g., in the order of driver, front seat passenger, etc.), and send the calculated touch position coordinate information CT_Data to the display driving circuit 200.

[0123] As described above, the touch detection module and the display device including the touch detection module according to the embodiment of the present invention selectively control the image display operation according to the user (e.g., the driver or the front seat passenger) by distinguishing each of the simultaneous users (e.g., the driver or the front seat passenger). Therefore, it is possible to prevent confusion (e.g., it is not possible to determine which operation should be performed in response to the touch input) and operation errors caused by user interference.

[0124] In addition, the touch detection module and the display device including the touch detection module according to the embodiment of the present invention can prevent product failure and improve product use stability and reliability by controlling the image display operation according to the priority of each simultaneous user (e.g., a driver or a front seat passenger).

[0125] The touch detection module and the display device including the touch detection module according to the embodiment of the present invention can selectively control the image display operation according to the user by distinguishing each of the simultaneous users. Therefore, it is possible to prevent confusion and operation errors caused by user interference.

[0126] In addition, the touch detection module and the display device including the touch detection module according to the embodiment of the present invention can prevent product failure and improve product use stability and reliability by controlling the image display operation according to the priority of each simultaneous user.

[0127] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects set forth herein. The above and other effects of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0128] While the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A touch detection circuit, the touch detection circuit comprising: a touch sensing unit, comprising a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged to intersect the driving electrodes; The first to n-th unique signal generators transmit the first to n-th unique signals having different voltage or current characteristics to the bodies of the first to n-th users, respectively; at least one motion detection circuit to detect a touch direction and a touch position of each of the first user to the nth user; as well as a touch driving circuit, driving the driving electrodes and the sensing electrodes to detect a touch detection signal and generate touch position coordinate information, The touch driving circuit selects any one of the first to nth users who has performed a touch operation on the touch sensing unit according to a preset priority, and generates and outputs touch position coordinate information according to the touch position of the selected user.

2. The touch detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein: The first to the nth unique signal generators are installed on contact members adjacent to the first to the nth users respectively, generate the first to the nth unique signals, and send the first to the nth unique signals to the bodies of the first to the nth users respectively, the first to the nth unique signals being electrical signals different in at least one current and voltage characteristic among amplitude, pulse width, wavelength and frequency.

3. The touch detection circuit according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one motion detection circuit is installed on the display panel or a structure adjacent to the display panel, determines the touch direction and the touch position of each of the first user to the nth user according to the motion detection direction and the detection result of the user touching the touch sensing unit, and identifies and selects the identification and motion detection signal of the user who performed the touch operation on the touch sensing unit from among the identifications of the first user to the nth user according to the determination result.

4. The touch detection circuit according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one motion detection circuit comprises: at least one motion detection sensor to detect motion from the first user to the nth user; and a sensor driving circuit unit that identifies a motion detection signal for each of the first to n-th users according to the touch direction and the touch position of each of the first to n-th users, and selects and sends an identification of a user who has performed the touch operation on the touch sensing unit and a motion detection signal according to the identification result.

5. The touch detection circuit according to claim 3, wherein: The touch drive circuit detects at least one current and voltage characteristic of a touch detection signal among frequency, pulse width, amplitude and current amount in real time, compares the detected current and voltage characteristics with preset first reference current and voltage characteristic information to nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, and identifies and determines any one user among the first user to the nth user who has performed the touch operation based on the comparison result.

6. The touch detection circuit according to claim 5, wherein: The first to nth reference current and voltage characteristic information include first to nth reference frequency information, first to nth reference pulse width information, and first to nth reference current amount information.

7. The touch detection circuit according to claim 5, wherein: If the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range less than the first reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit identifies and designates any one user who has performed the touch operation as a first user, if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the first reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the second reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit identifies and designates any one user who has performed the touch operation as a second user, if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the second reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the third reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit identifies and designates any one user who has performed the touch operation as a third user, and if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the third reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit identifies and designates any one user who has performed the touch operation as an nth user.

8. The touch detection circuit according to claim 5, wherein: The touch drive circuit identifies and specifies at least one user who has touched the touch sensing unit from the first user to the nth user based on the identification and motion detection signal of each user received from the at least one motion detection circuit, compares at least one user information identified and specified based on the identification and motion detection signal of each user with at least one user information identified by comparing the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first reference current and voltage characteristic information to the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, calculates and selects touch position coordinate information of the user matching the comparison result, and sends the calculated and selected touch position coordinate information to the display drive circuit of the display panel.

9. The touch detection circuit according to claim 8, wherein: Only when at least one user information identified and specified based on the identification of each user matches at least one user information identified by comparing the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first reference current and voltage characteristic information to the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit calculates and selects the touch position coordinate information for the user, and sends the calculated and selected touch position coordinate information to the display drive circuit of the display panel.

10. The touch detection circuit according to claim 9, wherein: When multiple users who touch the touch sensing unit simultaneously or continuously are identified as a result of comparing the at least one user information, the touch driving circuit selects any one of the identified users according to preset priority information, calculates touch position coordinate information only for the priority user, and sends the calculated touch position coordinate information to the display driving circuit.

11. A display device, comprising: A display panel including a display area in which a plurality of pixels are arranged; as well as a touch detection circuit, disposed on the display panel and detecting a user's touch, Wherein, the touch detection circuit comprises: a touch sensing unit, comprising a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged to intersect the driving electrodes; The first to n-th unique signal generators transmit the first to n-th unique signals having different voltage or current characteristics to the bodies of the first to n-th users, respectively; at least one motion detection circuit to detect a touch direction and a touch position of each of the first user to the nth user; and a touch driving circuit, driving the driving electrodes and the sensing electrodes to detect a touch detection signal and generate touch position coordinate information, The touch driving circuit selects any one user who has performed a touch operation on the touch sensing unit from the first user to the nth user according to a preset priority, and generates and outputs touch position coordinate information according to the touch position of the selected user.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein: The first to the nth unique signal generators are installed on contact members adjacent to the first to the nth users respectively, generate the first to the nth unique signals, and send the first to the nth unique signals to the bodies of the first to the nth users respectively, the first to the nth unique signals being electrical signals different in at least one current and voltage characteristic among amplitude, pulse width, wavelength and frequency.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The at least one motion detection circuit is installed on a display panel that displays an image or on a structure around the display panel, and determines the touch direction and the touch position of each of the first user to the nth user based on the motion detection direction and the detection result of the user touching the touch sensing unit, and identifies and selects the identification and motion detection signal of the user who performed the touch operation on the touch sensing unit from among the identifications of the first user to the nth user based on the determination result.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein: The touch drive circuit detects at least one current and voltage characteristic of a touch detection signal among frequency, pulse width, amplitude and current amount in real time, compares the detected current and voltage characteristics with preset first reference current and voltage characteristic information to nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, and identifies and determines any one user among the first user to the nth user who has performed the touch operation based on the comparison result.

15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein: The touch drive circuit identifies and specifies at least one user who has touched the touch sensing unit from the first user to the nth user based on the identification and motion detection signal of each user received from the at least one motion detection circuit, compares at least one user information identified and specified based on the identification and motion detection signal of each user with at least one user information identified by comparing the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal with the first reference current and voltage characteristic information to the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, calculates and selects touch position coordinate information of the user matching the comparison result, and sends the calculated and selected touch position coordinate information to the display drive circuit of the display panel.

16. A touch detection circuit, the touch detection circuit comprising: A touch sensing unit, comprising a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of sensing electrodes; The first to n-th unique signal generators transmit the first to n-th unique signals having different voltage or current characteristics to the bodies of the first to n-th users, respectively; at least one motion detection circuit to detect a touch direction and a touch position of each of the first to nth users providing a touch input to the touch sensing unit; as well as a touch driving circuit that measures a change in capacitance of a touch node formed between the driving electrode and the sensing electrode and generates touch position coordinate information, wherein the touch driving circuit selects any one user from the first user to the nth user who provides the touch input to the touch sensing unit according to a preset priority, wherein the touch driving circuit detects the voltage and current characteristics of the touch detection signal in real time, and compares the detected voltage and current characteristics with preset first reference voltage and current characteristic information to nth reference voltage and current characteristic information, and wherein the touch driving circuit identifies and determines any one user from the first user to the nth user who provides the touch input to the touch sensing unit according to the comparison result.

17. The touch detection circuit according to claim 16, wherein: The first to nth reference current and voltage characteristic information include first to nth reference frequency information, first to nth reference pulse width information, and first to nth reference current amount information.

18. The touch detection circuit according to claim 16, wherein: If the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range less than the first reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit will provide any one user identification of the touch input and designate it as a first user, if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the first reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the second reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit will provide any one user identification of the touch input and designate it as a second user, if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the second reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the third reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit will provide any one user identification of the touch input and designate it as a third user, and if the current and voltage characteristics of the touch detection signal are included in a range equal to or greater than the third reference current and voltage characteristic information and less than the nth reference current and voltage characteristic information, the touch drive circuit will provide any one user identification of the touch input and designate it as an nth user.

19. The touch detection circuit according to claim 16, wherein: The at least one motion detection circuit includes a motion detection sensor that detects a motion of each of the first to nth users providing a touch input to the sensing unit and generates a motion detection signal according to a motion detection direction and a detection result.

20. The touch detection circuit according to claim 19, wherein: The at least one motion detection circuit further includes a sensor driving circuit that determines the touch direction and the touch position of each of the first to nth users according to the motion detection direction and the detection result of the motion detection signal detected by the motion detection sensor.

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