Touch component, display panel and driving method

Abstract

The invention discloses a touch assembly, a display panel and a driving method. The touch assembly comprises a touch layer and a tactile feedback layer which are arranged in a stacked mode. The tactile feedback layer comprises a target material, molecular arrangement of the target material changes under irradiation of target light rays, and the target material has different molecular arrangement when the target light rays have different intensities. In this way, the illumination intensity can be controlled to provide different touch feedback for the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of touch technologies, and in particular, to a touch component, a display panel, and a driving method. Background Art

[0002] Nowadays, with the development of technology, people's requirements for display technologies are no longer limited to merely visual and auditory information input, and the demand for tactile feedback has also been put on the agenda. During the long-term research and development process, the applicant found that the current tactile feedback effect is single, and the tactile experience cannot meet the user's needs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main technical problem to be solved by this application is to provide a touch component, a display panel, and a driving method that can control the light intensity to provide different tactile feedbacks for users.

[0004] To solve the above technical problem, a technical solution adopted by this application is: to provide a touch component, including a touch layer and a tactile feedback layer arranged in a stacked manner; the tactile feedback layer includes a target material, the molecular arrangement of the target material changes under the irradiation of target light, and when the intensity of the target light is different, the molecular arrangement of the target material is different.

[0005] To solve the above technical problem, another technical solution adopted by this application is: to provide a display panel, including a substrate, a display component, and the touch component as described in any one of the above, and the display component and the touch component are arranged on the same side of the substrate.

[0006] To solve the above technical problem, another technical solution adopted by this application is: to provide a driving method, which is used to drive a touch component, the touch component includes a touch layer and a tactile feedback layer arranged in a stacked manner, and the molecular arrangement of the target material in the tactile feedback layer changes under the irradiation of target light emitted by a light source layer; the method includes: obtaining a to-be-displayed image, and extracting tactile information in the to-be-displayed image; determining a light intensity waveform diagram corresponding to the tactile information; sending the light intensity waveform diagram to a light source control chip electrically connected to the light source layer, where, after receiving the light intensity waveform diagram, the light source control chip drives the light source layer to emit the target light with a corresponding intensity according to the light intensity waveform diagram.

[0007] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: Different from the prior art, in this application, under the irradiation of the target light, the molecular arrangement of the target material in the tactile feedback layer changes, and with different light intensities of the target light, the molecular arrangement of the target material in the tactile feedback layer is different. Furthermore, by adjusting the intensity of the target light, at least one of the surface roughness, flatness, or hardness of the tactile feedback layer can be adjusted. For example, the molecular arrangement can be adjusted from sparse to dense and orderly, or from uneven to dense and orderly, or from dense and orderly to uneven, thereby bringing different tactile feedbacks to the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of this application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings. Among them:

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of one embodiment of the touch control component of this application;

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the touch control component of this application;

[0011] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a top view of the light source layer in

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of one embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0013] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0014] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another embodiment of the display panel of this application;

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of one embodiment of the driving method of this application;

[0016] Figure 8 is a schematic framework diagram of another embodiment of the driving method of this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0018] In the prior art, feedback is usually provided for users through vibration feedback, sound feedback or visual feedback. Among them, for vibration feedback, when the user touches the screen, the system can generate vibration at a specific position by controlling the vibrator to provide touch feedback. In addition, electrostatic pulse feedback is to release an electrode pulse signal to the finger on the touch screen body using an electrostatic pulse, and different intensities of electrical stimulation are achieved by adjusting the size of the electrode pulse signal. Friction feedback is to adjust the vibrator frequency and acceleration to achieve different surface frictions to provide touch feedback. The above feedback structures are complex, and the tactile feedback effect cannot meet the user's needs. Therefore, the present application proposes a touch control component to provide different tactile feedback for users.

[0019] Referring to Figure 1 , the touch control component 100 includes a touch layer 1, a tactile feedback layer 2 and a light source layer 3 which are stacked.

[0020] The light source layer 3 is used to emit target light. The tactile feedback layer 2 is arranged in the light emitting direction of the light source layer 3. The tactile feedback layer 2 includes a target material. When the target material is irradiated by the target light, the molecular arrangement changes, and the intensity of the target light is different, and the molecular arrangement of the target material is different.

[0021] Specifically, the light source layer 3 emits target light towards the tactile feedback layer 2, so that the molecular arrangement of the target material in the tactile feedback layer 2 changes, and the light intensity of the target light is different, and the molecular arrangement mode of the target material in the tactile feedback layer 2 is different. Furthermore, by adjusting the intensity of the target light, at least one of the surface roughness, flatness or hardness of the tactile feedback layer 2 can be adjusted. For example, the molecular arrangement can be adjusted from sparse arrangement to fine and neat arrangement, or from uneven arrangement to fine and neat arrangement, or also from fine and neat arrangement to uneven arrangement, so as to bring different tactile feedback to the user.

[0022] Among them, the touch layer 1 is used to collect user touch information and realize normal touch functions. At the same time, the touch area of the user is also collected through the touch layer 1, and then according to the touch area, the tactile feedback layer 2 provides corresponding tactile feedback to the user in the touch area. For example, when it is collected through the touch layer 1 that the user touches the sub-region A in the display area, then by controlling the target light emitted by the light source layer 3, the tactile feedback layer 2 provides tactile feedback to the user in the sub-region A.

[0023] It should be noted that, in other embodiments, for example, see Figure 2 The touch component 100 may also not include the light source layer 3. The light source layer 3 is arranged outside the touch component 100. At this time, when the tactile feedback layer 2 in the touch component 100 is illuminated by the external light source layer 3, the molecular arrangement of the target material in the tactile feedback layer 2 changes, bringing different tactile feedback to the user.

[0024] For example, when the touch component 100 is assembled with the display component, the light source layer 3 is located in the display component, or when the touch component 100 is applied to a display module (the display module includes the touch component 100 and the display component), the light source layer 3 is located outside the display module.

[0025] In summary, the light source layer 3 may be located in the touch control component 100 or outside the touch control component 100 .

[0026] In one embodiment, the touch layer 1 is located between the tactile feedback layer 2 and the light source layer 3, that is, the tactile feedback layer 2, the touch layer 1, and the light source layer 3 are stacked in sequence. Specifically, this arrangement can ensure that when the user touches the component 100, compared with the touch layer 1, the tactile feedback layer 2 is closer to the user's fingers, thereby ensuring good tactile feedback.

[0027] In another embodiment, the touch layer 1 may also be located on the side of the tactile feedback layer 2 away from the light source layer 3 , that is, the touch layer 1 , the tactile feedback layer 2 , and the light source layer 3 are stacked in sequence.

[0028] In one embodiment, the touch layer 1 includes a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode, and the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode are cross-connected and insulated. Specifically, in one application scenario, the touch chip inputs a touch drive signal to the first touch electrode, and the second touch electrode outputs a touch sensing signal to the touch chip, so that the touch chip obtains the position touched by the user. Among them, the present application does not limit the specific structure of the touch layer 1, as long as it can achieve basic touch functions.

[0029] In one embodiment, the target light is near-infrared light. Specifically, near-infrared light has low energy and can usually promote the vibration and rotation of molecules. Since molecules have specific absorption frequencies in different vibration modes, near-infrared light can excite the vibration of molecules by matching the molecular vibration frequency. This vibration can cause the expansion, bending or twisting of the internal bonds of the molecules, changing the conformation and arrangement of the molecules. Therefore, the present application uses near-infrared light to change the molecular arrangement of the target material, which is convenient for precise control of the molecular arrangement direction and structure.

[0030] Of course, in other embodiments, the target light can also be light of other bands. For example, the target light can also be visible light, or the target light can also be microwave light.

[0031] In one embodiment, the material of the tactile feedback layer 2 includes a liquid crystal network polymer. Specifically, the liquid crystal network polymer is a special type of polymer, and its molecular structure has the characteristics of a liquid crystal phase. This material can change the molecular arrangement under an external action, thereby generating different physical properties and optical characteristics. For example, the liquid crystal network polymer changes the molecular arrangement mode under the irradiation of near-infrared light with different intensities.

[0032] In one embodiment, the target light is near-infrared light, and the material of the tactile feedback layer 2 includes a liquid crystal network polymer, so as to change the arrangement mode of the liquid crystal network polymer in the tactile feedback layer 2 by adjusting the intensity of the near-infrared light, thereby providing a tactile sensation to the user.

[0033] In one embodiment, when the target light is near-infrared light, the tactile feedback layer 2 is further doped with a material for absorbing near-infrared light. At this time, when the molecular arrangement of the target material in the tactile feedback layer 2 is changed by the near-infrared light, the near-infrared light will also be absorbed by the material doped in the tactile feedback layer 2 for absorbing near-infrared light, avoiding harm to the human eye.

[0034] Of course, in other embodiments, when the target light is light of other bands, the tactile feedback layer 2 is correspondingly doped with a material for absorbing light of the corresponding band.

[0035] In one embodiment, the material for absorbing near-infrared light includes at least one of carbon nanotubes, graphene, and indium selenide. For example, the material for absorbing near-infrared light only includes carbon nanotubes, or the material for absorbing near-infrared light can be a mixture of carbon nanotubes and indium selenide.

[0036] In one embodiment, the light source layer 3 is a continuous film layer over the entire surface, and the light source layer 3 is a surface light source 31. Specifically, the light source layer 3 is a surface light source over the entire surface. The illumination intensity of the target light emitted by the light source layer 3 is a uniform illumination intensity, which is simple in structure and convenient to control.

[0037] Refer to Figure 3 , in one embodiment, the light source layer 3 includes a plurality of spaced light sources 31. Specifically, the light source layer 3 is an array composed of a plurality of single light sources 31 arranged at intervals. Each light source 31 can be controlled independently, and the illumination intensities of the target lights emitted by different light sources 31 can be different, so as to adjust the molecular arrangement of the target material at each position in the tactile feedback layer 2 according to requirements.

[0038] Refer to Figure 4, the display panel 200 includes a substrate 4, a display component 5, and a touch control component 100 as in any of the above embodiments. The display component 5 and the touch control component 100 are disposed on the same side of the substrate 4.

[0039] Specifically, the substrate 4 may be a flexible substrate. For example, its material includes polyimide, or the substrate 4 may also be a rigid substrate. For example, its material includes glass.

[0040] The display component 5 is used to implement the display function. For the specific structure of the touch control component 100, reference may be made to the above relevant content.

[0041] Among them, the display panel 200 may be an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display panel, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or an AMOLED (Active-matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display panel.

[0042] Among them, the display component 5 may specifically include an array layer 51, a light-emitting device layer 52, and a packaging layer 53 that are sequentially stacked in a direction away from the substrate 4. The array layer 51 includes a plurality of driving circuits (the driving circuit may be a 7T1C structure). The light-emitting device layer 52 includes a plurality of light-emitting pixels. The driving circuit is used to drive the light-emitting pixels to emit light. Each light-emitting pixel includes an anode 521, a light-emitting functional layer 522, and a cathode 523 that are sequentially stacked in a direction away from the substrate 4. Among them, the light-emitting functional layer 522 includes a light-emitting material layer 5221, a hole functional layer 5222, an electron functional layer 5223, and other structures. The anodes 521 between adjacent two light-emitting pixels may be insulated or electrically connected. The cathodes 523 between adjacent two light-emitting pixels may be insulated or electrically connected. The packaging layer 53 may specifically be a thin-film packaging layer, which specifically includes an inorganic layer, an organic layer, and an inorganic layer that are sequentially stacked in a direction away from the substrate 4.

[0043] Refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , in an embodiment, the touch layer 1 and the haptic feedback layer 2 are disposed on a side of the display component 5 away from the substrate 4, which can ensure that the haptic feedback layer 2 and the touch layer 1 are closer to the user, achieving delicate haptic feedback and good touch effect. Continue to refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6, in one embodiment, the haptic feedback layer 2 is disposed on the side of the touch layer 1 away from the display component 5, ensuring that the haptic feedback layer 2 is closer to the user and achieving delicate haptic feedback. Of course, in other embodiments, the touch layer 1 can also be disposed on the side of the haptic feedback layer 2 away from the display component 5.

[0044] In this embodiment, a polarizer (POL) 6 can also be disposed between the touch layer 1 and the display component 5, and a cover plate 7 can also be disposed between the touch layer 1 and the haptic feedback layer 2.

[0045] Continue to refer to Figure 5 , in one embodiment, in order to protect the haptic feedback layer 2, when the haptic feedback layer 2 is disposed on the side of the cover plate 7 away from the substrate 4, a protective layer 8 can also be disposed on the side of the haptic feedback layer 2 away from the cover plate 7.

[0046] Wherein, the material of the protective layer 8 can be a high transmittance material such as glass, and the application does not limit the material of the protective layer 8.

[0047] In one embodiment, refer to Figure 5 , the light source layer 3 is disposed between the haptic feedback layer 2 and the display component 5. Specifically, the light source layer 3 is disposed on the display surface side of the display component 5, that is, the light source layer 3 is disposed on the side of the display component 5 away from the substrate 4, and at the same time, the light source layer 3 is close to the haptic feedback layer 2, which helps to reduce the energy consumption of the target light emitted by the light source layer 3 before being transmitted to the haptic feedback layer 2.

[0048] And in this embodiment, the light source layer 3 includes at least one light source 31, the display component 5 includes at least one light-emitting pixel, and the orthographic projection of the light source 31 and the light-emitting pixel on the substrate 4 at least partially do not overlap, that is, the orthographic projection of the light source 31 and the light-emitting pixel on the substrate 4 are at least partially staggered. Specifically, the light source layer 3 is patterned and is not a continuous film layer over the entire surface. This setting can prevent the light source 31 from affecting the light emission of the light-emitting pixel and ensure the normal display function of the display panel.

[0049] Refer to Figure 6 , in another embodiment, the light source layer 3 is disposed between the display component 5 and the substrate 4. Specifically, the optical path of the target light emitted by the light source layer 3 needs to pass through the display component 5 first and then reach the haptic feedback layer 2.

[0050] And in this embodiment, the display component 5 includes a plurality of light-emitting pixels, and each light-emitting pixel includes an anode 521, a light-emitting functional layer 522, and a cathode 523 that are sequentially stacked in a direction away from the substrate 4. Among them, the cathodes 523 in the plurality of light-emitting pixels are arranged at intervals. Specifically, in practical applications, the cathode 523 may adopt an opaque material. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cathodes 523 are arranged at intervals to ensure that the target light emitted by the light source layer 3 can pass through the intervals between the cathodes 523 and irradiate the haptic feedback layer 2. It can be understood that in other embodiments, when the cathode 523 is made of a light-transmitting material, the cathodes 523 in the plurality of light-emitting pixels may also be continuous and unbroken, that is, the cathode 523 may be a whole film layer at this time.

[0051] And in this embodiment, since the light source layer 3 is located on the backlight side of the display component 5 and does not affect the light emission of the display component 5, the light source layer 3 can be a continuous whole film layer, that is, the light source layer 3 is a surface light source 31, or the light source layer 3 can also include a plurality of spaced light sources 31. By setting different light intensities at different positions of the light source layer 3, different positions of the light source layer 3 can be precisely controlled to achieve precise adjustment of the arrangement of target material molecules. Among them, when the light source layer 3 includes a plurality of spaced light sources 31, the positive projection of the light source 31 on the substrate 4 and the light-emitting pixels at least partially do not overlap, that is, the positive projection of the light source 31 on the substrate 4 and the light-emitting pixels are at least partially staggered. This setting can prevent the light-emitting pixels from blocking the near-infrared light emitted by the light source 31.

[0052] And in this embodiment, in order to avoid blocking the light emitted by the light source layer 3, the array layer 51 can also adopt a patterned design. For example, the driving circuit in the array layer 51 and the positive projection of the light source 31 on the substrate at least partially do not overlap.

[0053] Combined Figure 1 and Figure 7 , when the above touch control component 100 is applied to the display panel 200, the driving method applied to the display panel 200 is used to implement haptic feedback. The method includes:

[0054] S110: Obtain the image to be displayed and extract the haptic information in the image to be displayed.

[0055] Specifically, this method is executed by the target chip. In one embodiment, the target chip can be independent of the system chip (system IC) and the driving chip (driving IC) and is a separate chip. At this time, the target chip receives the image to be displayed sent by the system chip; in another embodiment, the target chip is integrated on the system chip. At this time, steps S110 to S130 are also executed by the system chip.

[0056] In one embodiment, when the method is executed by a system IC (system on chip), after receiving the image to be displayed, the system IC, on the one hand, sends the image to be displayed to a display driver IC, so that after receiving the image to be displayed, the display driver IC parses the image to be displayed and drives the display component 5 to display according to the parsing result. On the other hand, the system IC extracts the tactile information in the image to be displayed.

[0057] Among them, the tactile information in the image to be displayed specifically includes voltage and current pulse information. Specifically, after receiving the image to be displayed, the target chip analyzes the object feature information such as the material and surface texture of each object in the image to be displayed, and generates tactile information including voltage and current pulse information according to the object feature information.

[0058] S120: Determine the light intensity waveform diagram corresponding to the tactile information.

[0059] Specifically, the corresponding relationship between tactile information and light intensity waveform diagrams is stored in the tactile information library, and each tactile information corresponds to a light intensity waveform diagram.

[0060] Therefore, after obtaining the tactile information in step S110, the corresponding light intensity waveform diagram can be found in the tactile information library.

[0061] S130: Send the light intensity waveform diagram to the light source control chip electrically connected to the light source layer 3. Among them, after receiving the light intensity waveform diagram, the light source control chip drives the light source layer 3 to emit target light rays with corresponding intensities according to the light intensity waveform diagram.

[0062] Specifically, after obtaining the corresponding light intensity waveform diagram, the target chip sends the light intensity waveform diagram to the light source control chip (light source control IC), and then the light source control chip drives the light source layer 3 to emit target light rays according to the light intensity waveform diagram, so that the molecular arrangement of the target material in the tactile feedback layer 2 is changed, so that the user can feel the tactile sensation corresponding to the image to be displayed.

[0063] In one embodiment, when the light source layer 3 includes a plurality of light sources 31 arranged at intervals, the light source control chip can simultaneously control the plurality of light sources 31 according to the light intensity waveform diagram, and the illumination intensities of the target light rays emitted by different light sources 31 can be different, so that the molecular arrangement of the target material at each position in the tactile feedback layer 2 can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0064] To better understand the driving method of the present application, refer to Figure 8 , the following is illustrated with an example. In this example, the target chip is integrated on the system chip:

[0065] First, after receiving the image to be displayed, while the system-on-chip sends the image to be displayed to the driving chip, it also extracts the tactile information in the image to be displayed. Among them, the system-on-chip sending the image to be displayed to the driving chip and the system-on-chip extracting the tactile information in the image to be displayed can be carried out synchronously or sequentially.

[0066] After receiving the image to be displayed, the driving chip analyzes the image to be displayed and drives the display component 5 to display according to the analysis result of the image to be displayed.

[0067] After the system-on-chip extracts the tactile information in the image to be displayed, it searches for the light intensity waveform diagram matching the tactile information in the tactile information library and determines the finally matched light intensity waveform diagram.

[0068] Then the system-on-chip sends the light intensity waveform diagram to the light source control chip, and then the light source control chip drives the light source layer 3 to emit the target light according to the light intensity waveform diagram, so that the molecular arrangement of the target material in the tactile feedback layer 2 is changed, realizing the tactile simulation function.

[0069] The above is only the implementation mode of this application, and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made by using the content of the specification and drawings of this application, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, shall be included in the patent protection scope of this application by the same token.

Claims

1. A touch control component, characterized in that: It includes a touch layer and a tactile feedback layer which are stacked; The tactile feedback layer includes a target material, and the molecular arrangement of the target material changes under the irradiation of a target light. The molecular arrangement of the target material is different when the intensity of the target light is different.

2. The touch control assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touch control component further comprises a light source layer for emitting the target light, and the tactile feedback layer is arranged on one side of the light source layer in the light emitting direction; Preferably, the touch control layer is located between the tactile feedback layer and the light source layer; Preferably, the touch layer includes a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode, and the first touch electrode and the second touch electrode are intersecting and insulated from each other.

3. The touch control assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light source layer is a surface light source; or, the light source layer includes a plurality of light sources arranged at intervals.

4. The touch control assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The target light is near infrared light; Preferably, the material of the tactile feedback layer includes liquid crystal network polymer.

5. The touch control assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The tactile feedback layer is further doped with a material for absorbing the near infrared light; Preferably, the material for absorbing the near-infrared light includes at least one of carbon nanotubes, indium selenide, and graphene.

6. A display panel, characterized in that: It comprises a substrate, a display component and a touch control component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display component and the touch control component are arranged on the same side of the substrate.

7. The display panel according to claim 6, characterized in that: The touch control layer and the tactile feedback layer are arranged on a side of the display component away from the substrate; Preferably, the display panel further comprises a light source layer for emitting the target light, and the tactile feedback layer is arranged on one side of the light source layer in the light emitting direction; Preferably, the tactile feedback layer is arranged on a side of the touch control layer away from the display component; Preferably, the display panel further comprises a cover plate, and the cover plate is located between the tactile feedback layer and the touch control layer; Preferably, the display panel further comprises a protective layer, and the protective layer is arranged on a side of the tactile feedback layer away from the cover plate.

8. The display panel according to claim 7, characterized in that: The light source layer is disposed between the tactile feedback layer and the display component; Preferably, the light source layer includes at least one light source, the display component includes at least one light-emitting pixel, and the light source and the orthographic projection of the light-emitting pixel on the substrate are at least partially staggered.

9. The display panel according to claim 7, characterized in that: The light source layer is arranged between the display component and the substrate; Preferably, the display component comprises a plurality of light-emitting pixels, each of the light-emitting pixels comprises an anode, a light-emitting functional layer and a cathode which are sequentially stacked in a direction away from the substrate, wherein the cathodes in the plurality of light-emitting pixels are arranged at intervals; Preferably, the light source layer is a surface light source; or, the light source layer includes a plurality of light sources arranged at intervals; Preferably, the light source layer includes a plurality of spaced-apart light sources, the driving circuit in the display component is at least partially staggered from the orthographic projection of the light source on the substrate, and / or the luminous pixels in the display component are at least partially staggered from the orthographic projection of the light source on the substrate.

10. A driving method, characterized in that: The driving method is used to drive a touch control component, wherein the touch control component includes a touch control layer and a tactile feedback layer which are stacked, and the molecular arrangement of the target material in the tactile feedback layer changes under the irradiation of the target light emitted by the light source layer; The method comprises: Acquire an image to be displayed, and extract tactile information from the image to be displayed; Determining a light intensity waveform corresponding to the tactile information; The light intensity waveform diagram is sent to a light source control chip electrically connected to the light source layer, wherein after receiving the light intensity waveform diagram, the light source control chip drives the light source layer to emit the target light of corresponding intensity according to the light intensity waveform diagram.

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