Touch display device, driving circuit and driving method

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a touch display device, a driving circuit and a driving method thereof. The present invention relates to a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method thereof, and may provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method thereof capable of effectively sensing a contact touch, a non-contact pointing touch (e.g., hover pointing touch) pointing to a point on a screen, and a non-contact gesture (e.g., hover gesture) moving, a first touch driving signal having a first amplitude is applied to the touch sensor, a second touch driving signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude is applied to the touch sensor in the hover pointing mode, and a second touch driving signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude is applied to the touch sensor in the hover gesture mode. A third touch driving signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude is applied to the touch sensor.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0195168, filed on December 28, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a touch display device, a driving circuit of the touch display device, and a driving method. Background Art

[0004] Recently, touch display devices have been developed that can detect touches of a user's finger or pen to provide a touch-based input processing function.

[0005] In order for these touch display devices to provide more diverse application functions, various forms of touch sensing are required. For example, wearable devices may require not only a function of sensing a contact touch in the form of a user touching the screen, but also a function of sensing a non-contact touch in the form of a user not touching the screen (e.g., a hover touch). Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method capable of supporting various touch sensing modes.

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method capable of effectively sensing a contact touch, a non-contact pointing touch (e.g., a hover pointing touch) pointing to a point on the screen, and a moving non-contact gesture (e.g., a hover gesture).

[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method capable of effectively sensing a non-contact pointing touch (e.g., a hover pointing touch) pointing to a point on the screen and a moving non-contact gesture (e.g., a hover gesture).

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method having a control signal system capable of effectively supporting three touch sensing modes and a display mode, the three touch sensing modes including a contact touch mode, a hover pointing mode for sensing a non-contact pointing touch pointing to a point on the screen, and a hover gesture mode for sensing a moving non-contact gesture.

[0010] A touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a touch sensor including a plurality of touch electrodes; and a touch driving circuit configured to drive the touch sensor.

[0011] The operation modes of the touch display device may include a contact mode for sensing a contact touch and a hover mode for sensing a non-contact touch.

[0012] The contact mode may include a display mode for displaying an image and a contact touch mode for sensing a contact touch.

[0013] The hover mode may include the display mode, a hover pointing mode for sensing a non-contact pointing touch at a point on the screen among non-contact touches, and a hover gesture mode for sensing a non-contact gesture of a movement among non-contact touches.

[0014] In the contact touch mode, a first touch driving signal having a first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0015] In the hover pointing mode, a second touch driving signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0016] In the hover gesture mode, a third touch driving signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0017] The second amplitude may be greater than the first amplitude, and the third amplitude may be greater than or equal to the second amplitude.

[0018] The plurality of touch electrodes may include a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes that cross each other.

[0019] In the contact touch mode, the plurality of first touch electrodes may be electrically separated from each other, and the plurality of second touch electrodes may be electrically separated from each other.

[0020] In the hover pointing mode, n first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes may be electrically connected to each other or the n first touch electrodes may be applied with the same second touch driving signal, and m second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes may be electrically connected to each other.

[0021] In the hover gesture mode, k first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes may be electrically connected to each other or the k first touch electrodes may be applied with the same third touch driving signal, and I second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes may be electrically connected to each other.

[0022] The product of n and m may be greater than 1 and less than or equal to the product of k and I.

[0023] The display mode, the contact touch mode, the hover pointing mode, and the hover gesture mode can be distinguished by a first mode control signal, a second mode control signal, and a third mode control signal having different signal waveforms.

[0024] The first mode control signal may include different first-level voltage sections and second-level voltage sections, the second mode control signal may include different third-level voltage sections and fourth-level voltage sections, and the third mode control signal may include different fifth-level voltage sections and sixth-level voltage sections.

[0025] The driving circuit of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a signal generation unit configured to generate a touch driving signal to be applied to at least one touch electrode among a plurality of touch electrodes based on a reference touch driving signal according to a touch sensing mode selected from among a plurality of touch sensing modes; and a signal output unit configured to output the touch driving signal to the at least one touch electrode.

[0026] The driving circuit may include a plurality of operation modes, and the plurality of operation modes include a contact mode for sensing contact touch and a hover mode for sensing non-contact touch.

[0027] The contact mode may include a display mode for displaying an image and a contact touch mode for sensing contact touch. The hover mode may include the display mode, a hover pointing mode for sensing a non-contact pointing touch of a point on the screen among non-contact touches, and a hover gesture mode for sensing a non-contact gesture of a movement among non-contact touches.

[0028] The signal generation unit may generate the touch driving signal corresponding to a touch sensing mode selected from among the plurality of touch sensing modes including the contact touch mode, the hover pointing mode, and the hover gesture mode according to a plurality of mode control signals having different signal waveforms. For example, the plurality of mode control signals may include a first mode control signal, a second mode control signal, and a third mode control signal.

[0029] When the contact touch mode is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal may be a first touch driving signal having a first amplitude.

[0030] When the hover pointing mode is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal may be a second touch driving signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude.

[0031] When the hover gesture mode is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal may be a third touch driving signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude.

[0032] A driving method of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps: operating in a hover mode including a display mode, a hover pointing mode, and a hover gesture mode; determining an intensity of a sensing signal of a touch sensor; if the intensity of the sensing signal is above a predetermined level, operating in a contact mode including a display mode and a contact touch mode, and performing a contact algorithm based on an operation result in the contact mode to determine coordinates of a contact touch; if the intensity of the sensing signal is below the predetermined level, determining whether there is a movement characteristic based on the sensing signal; if there is no movement characteristic based on the sensing signal, determining coordinates of a hover touch while operating in the hover mode; and if there is a movement characteristic based on the sensing signal, determining a hover gesture while operating in the hover mode.

[0033] During the contact touch mode, a first touch driving signal having a first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0034] During the hover pointing mode, a second touch driving signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0035] During the hover gesture mode, a third touch driving signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0036] The second amplitude may be greater than the first amplitude, and the third amplitude may be greater than or equal to the second amplitude.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method capable of supporting various touch sensing modes may be provided.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method capable of effectively sensing a contact touch, a non-contact pointing touch (e.g., a hover pointing touch) of pointing to a point on a screen, and a moving non-contact gesture (e.g., a hover gesture) may be provided.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method having a control signal system capable of effectively supporting three touch sensing modes and a display mode may be provided, the three touch sensing modes including a contact touch mode, a hover pointing mode for sensing a non-contact pointing touch of pointing to a point on a screen, and a hover gesture mode for sensing a moving non-contact gesture.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in terms of operation time, low-power operation can be provided by effectively performing various operation modes, such as a display mode, a touch contact mode, a hover pointing mode, and a hover gesture mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 2 illustrates a touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 3 illustrates another touch sensor structure of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 4 illustrates a touch driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 5 illustrates a charge amplifier in a touch driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 6 illustrates an operation mode of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 7 illustrates an operation flowchart of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 8 illustrates a touch sensing system of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 9 is a driving timing diagram of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 10 is a driving timing diagram in a frame single driving method of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 11 is a driving timing diagram in a frame double driving method of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 12It is a driving timing diagram in the frame contact driving method of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 13A Illustrates the operating state of a touch display device in the contact touch mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 13B Illustrates the operating state of a touch display device in the hover pointing mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 13C Illustrates the operating state of a touch display device in the hover gesture mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 14A Illustrates the operating state of a touch display device in the contact touch mode based on the non-coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 14B Illustrates the operating state of a touch display device in the hover pointing mode or the hover gesture mode based on the non-coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 15 Illustrates the operating change of a touch display device in the hover pointing mode or the hover gesture mode based on the non-coded driving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] Figure 16A Illustrates the operating state of a touch display device in the contact touch mode based on the coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figure 16B Illustrates the operating state of a touch display device in the hover pointing mode or the hover gesture mode based on the coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] Figure 17 Illustrates the operating change of a touch display device in the hover pointing mode or the hover gesture mode based on the coded driving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed implementation

[0062] In the following, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components may be assigned the same numerals even if they are shown in different drawings. A detailed description of known technologies or functions will be skipped when it is determined that it will obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. As used herein, when a component "includes", "has", or "is composed of" another component, other components may be added to the component, unless the component "only" includes, has, or is composed of another component. As used herein, the singular form "a" is intended to also include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0063] When describing the components of the present disclosure, symbols such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", "(b)", etc. may be used. These symbols are provided only to distinguish the components from each other, and these symbols do not limit the nature, order, or number of the components.

[0064] When describing the positional relationship between components, when two or more components are described as "connected", "coupled", or "joined", the two or more components may be directly "connected", "coupled", or "joined", or another component may be inserted therebetween. Herein, one or more of the two or more components that are "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to each other may include other components.

[0065] When using terms such as "after", "subsequently", "next", "before", etc. to describe the temporal flow relationship involving components, operation methods, and manufacturing methods, a non - continuous relationship may be included, unless the terms "immediately" or "directly" are used.

[0066] When a component is assigned a numerical value or its corresponding information (e.g., level), the numerical value or corresponding information may be interpreted as including tolerances that may occur due to various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external shocks, or noise).

[0067] In the following, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0068] Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram of a touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] Referring to Figure 1 , the touch display device 100 may include a display panel 110 and a display driving circuit as components for displaying an image.

[0070] The display driving circuit may be a circuit for driving the display driving components included in the display panel 110 to display an image on the display panel 110, and may include a data driving circuit 120, a gate driving circuit 130, and a display controller 140.

[0071] The display panel 110 may include a display area DA for displaying an image, and may also include a non-display area NDA that does not display an image. Here, the non-display area may also be referred to as a border area. All or part of the non-display area NDA may be an area visible from the front of the touch display device 100, or may be an area that is bent and not visible from the front of the touch display device 100.

[0072] The display panel 110 may include a plurality of sub-pixels SP and various signal lines for driving the plurality of sub-pixels SP.

[0073] The various signal lines may include a plurality of data lines DL for transmitting data signals (also referred to as data voltages or image signals) and a plurality of gate lines GL for transmitting gate signals (also referred to as scan signals).

[0074] The plurality of data lines DL and the plurality of gate lines GL may cross each other. Each of the plurality of gate lines GL may be set to extend in a first direction. Each of the plurality of data lines DL may be set to extend in a second direction. Here, the first direction may be a row direction, and the second direction may be a column direction. Alternatively, the first direction may be a column direction, and the second direction may be a row direction.

[0075] The data driving circuit 120 may be a circuit for driving the data lines and may output data signals to the data lines DL. The gate driving circuit 130 may be a circuit for driving the gate lines and may output gate signals to the gate lines GL.

[0076] The display controller 140 may receive input data FDATA and a display driving control signal DDCS from the host system 180. For example, the display driving control signal DDCS may include a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, a horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, and a data enable signal DE.

[0077] The display controller 140 may provide image data DATA to the data driving circuit 120 based on the input data FDATA. In addition, the display controller 140 may be a device for controlling the data driving circuit 120 and the gate driving circuit 130, and may control the driving timings of the plurality of data lines DL and the driving timings of the plurality of gate lines GL. The display controller 140 may provide a data driving control signal DCS to the data driving circuit 120 to control the data driving circuit 120, and may provide a gate driving control signal GCS to the gate driving circuit 130 to control the gate driving circuit 130.

[0078] The data driving circuit 120 may control the provision of data signals to a plurality of data lines DL according to the driving timing of the display controller 140. The data driving circuit 120 may receive image data DATA in digital form from the display controller 140, convert the received image data DATA into data signals in analog form, and output the converted signals to the plurality of data lines DL.

[0079] The gate driving circuit 130 may control the provision of gate signals to a plurality of gate lines GL according to the driving timing of the display controller 140. The gate driving circuit 130 may receive a first gate voltage corresponding to a conduction level voltage and a second gate voltage corresponding to a cut-off level voltage together with various gate driving control signals GCS, generate gate signals, and provide the generated gate signals to the plurality of gate lines GL. For example, the first gate voltage may be a voltage higher than the second gate voltage. Alternatively, the second gate voltage may be a voltage higher than the first gate voltage.

[0080] For example, the data driving circuit 120 may be connected to the display panel 110 by a tape automated bonding (TAB) method, or may be connected to the bonding pads of the display panel 110 by a chip on glass (COG) or chip on panel (COP) method, or may be connected to the display panel 110 by being implemented as a chip on flexible film (COF) method. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the data driving circuit 120 is connected to the display panel 110 in a chip on flexible film (COF) type.

[0081] The gate driving circuit 130 may be connected to the display panel 110 by a tape automated bonding (TAB) method, or may be connected to the bonding pads of the display panel 110 by a chip on glass (COG) or chip on panel (COP) method, or may be connected to the display panel 110 according to the chip on flexible film (COF) method. Alternatively, the gate driving circuit 130 may be an in-panel gate (GIP) type and may be formed in the non-display area NDA of the display panel 110. The gate driving circuit 130 may be provided on the substrate or connected to the substrate. That is, if the gate driving circuit 130 is of the GIP type, it may be provided in the non-display area NDA of the substrate. If the gate driving circuit 130 is of the chip on glass (COG) type, chip on flexible film (COF) type, etc., it may be connected to the substrate.

[0082] In addition, at least one of the data driving circuit 120 and the gate driving circuit 130 may be provided in the display area DA. For example, the gate driving circuit 130 may be provided in the display area DA. In this case, the gate driving circuit 130 may be provided so as not to overlap with the sub-pixels SP, or may be provided so as to partially or completely overlap with the sub-pixels SP.

[0083] Depending on the driving method, panel design method, or panel shape, the data driving circuit 120 may be connected to one side of the display panel 110, may be connected to one side and the other side of the display panel 110, or may be connected along the side surface of the display panel 110.

[0084] Depending on the driving method, panel design method, or panel shape, the gate driving circuit 130 may be connected to one side of the display panel 110, may be connected to one side and the other side of the display panel 110, or may be connected along the side surface of the display panel 110.

[0085] The display controller 140 may be implemented as a separate component from the data driving circuit 120, or may be implemented as an integrated circuit integrated with the data driving circuit 120.

[0086] The display controller 140 may be a timing controller used in general display technologies, or may be a control device including a timing controller that can further perform other control functions, or may be a control device different from the timing controller, or may be a circuit within the control device. The display controller 140 may be implemented by various circuits or electronic components, such as an integrated circuit (IC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a processor.

[0087] The display controller 140 may be mounted on a printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit, etc., and may be electrically connected to the data driving circuit 120 and the gate driving circuit 130 through the printed circuit board, the flexible printed circuit.

[0088] The display controller 140 may transmit and receive signals to and from the data driving circuit 120 according to one or more predetermined interfaces. For example, the interface may include a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) interface, an embedded clock point-to-point interface (EPI), or a serial peripheral interface (SPI).

[0089] In addition, in order to provide a touch sensing function in addition to the image display function, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a touch sensor and a touch sensing circuit 150.

[0090] The touch sensing circuit 150 may detect whether a touch of a touch object such as a finger or a pen occurs, or detect a touch position by sensing the touch sensor.

[0091] The touch sensing circuit 150 may include a touch driving circuit 160 for driving and sensing the touch sensor to generate touch sensing data, and a touch controller 170 capable of detecting the occurrence of a touch or a touch position using the touch sensing data.

[0092] The touch sensor may include a plurality of touch electrodes. The plurality of touch electrodes may be electrically connected to the touch driving circuit 160 through a plurality of touch lines. Refer toFigure 2 and Figure 3 describe the touch sensor in more detail.

[0093] The touch driving circuit 160 and the touch controller 170 included in the touch sensing circuit 150 may be implemented as separate devices or as one device. In addition, the touch driving circuit 160 and the data driving circuit 120 may be implemented as separate devices or as one device.

[0094] For example, the touch driving circuit 160 may be implemented as a readout integrated circuit (ROIC). Alternatively, the touch driving circuit 160 and the data driving circuit 120 may be integrated and implemented as a source and readout integrated circuit (SRIC). The touch controller 170 may be implemented as a micro control unit (MCU).

[0095] The touch display device 100 may further include a power supply circuit that supplies various powers to the display driving circuit and / or the touch sensing circuit.

[0096] The touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a display device in which the display panel 110 cannot emit light by itself, such as a liquid crystal display device, or may be a self-luminous display device in which the display panel 110 can emit light by itself. For example, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be one of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device, a quantum dot display device, a light emitting diode (LED) display device, etc.

[0097] When the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an organic light emitting diode display device, each sub-pixel SP may include an organic light emitting diode (OLED) that emits light by itself as a light emitting device. When the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a quantum dot display device, each sub-pixel SP may include a light emitting device made of quantum dots, and quantum dots are semiconductor crystals that emit light by themselves. When the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a light emitting diode display device, each sub-pixel SP may include a light emitting diode (also referred to as a light emitting diode chip) that emits light by itself using an inorganic semiconductor compound as a light emitting device. For example, the light emitting diode (LED) may be a micro light emitting diode (also referred to as a micro light emitting diode chip) or a nano light emitting diode (also referred to as a nano light emitting diode chip). Such a light emitting diode (LED) may have a length / width in the micron unit or the nano unit.

[0098] The touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a mobile terminal such as a smart phone or a tablet, or a display or a television (TV) of various sizes, but is not limited thereto, and may be various types and sizes of display devices capable of displaying information or images.

[0099] Optionally or additionally, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a wearable device wearable on the body, such as a smart watch.

[0100] Figure 2 Illustrated is a touch sensor structure of a touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] Referring to Figure 2 , the touch driving circuit 160 may sense the touch sensor TS and generate touch sensing data as a sensing result and provide the touch sensing data to the touch controller 170.

[0102] Referring to Figure 2 , the touch sensor TS may include a plurality of touch electrodes TE. The plurality of touch electrodes TE may be electrically connected to the touch driving circuit 160 through a plurality of touch lines TL.

[0103] Referring to Figure 2 , the plurality of touch electrodes TE may include a plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and a plurality of second touch electrodes TE2. For example, the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be crossed. Each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may extend in a first direction, and each of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may extend in a second direction. Accordingly, a part of each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may overlap with the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2.

[0104] Referring to Figure 2 , the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be respectively electrically connected to the touch driving circuit 160 through a plurality of first touch lines TL1, and the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be respectively electrically connected to the touch driving circuit 160 through a plurality of second touch lines TL2.

[0105] The touch sensor TS may be implemented as a touch panel and may exist separately outside the display panel 110 or may exist inside the display panel 110.

[0106] The external touch sensor existing outside the display panel 110 may be separately manufactured from the display panel 110 and then combined with the display panel 110 during an assembly process. The external touch sensor may be implemented as a touch panel including a substrate and a plurality of touch electrodes TE on the substrate.

[0107] The internal or in-cell touch sensor existing inside the display panel 110 may be formed together with display driving-related electrodes and lines during a manufacturing process of the display panel 110. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed that the touch sensor TS is an in-cell touch sensor or an internal touch sensor existing inside the display panel 110.

[0108] The touch driving circuit 160 may provide a touch driving signal to at least one of a plurality of touch electrodes TE included in the touch sensor TS, and may sense at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes TE to generate touch sensing data. Here, the touch driving signal may be a signal with a changing voltage.

[0109] The touch sensing circuit 150 may sense a touch using a mutual capacitance sensing method or a self - capacitance sensing method.

[0110] When the touch sensing circuit 150 performs touch sensing using the mutual capacitance sensing method, the touch sensing circuit 150 may perform touch sensing based on the capacitance between a first touch electrode TE1 and a second touch electrode TE2.

[0111] According to the mutual capacitance sensing method, the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be divided into driving touch electrodes (also referred to as transmitting touch electrodes) and sensing touch electrodes (also referred to as receiving touch electrodes). The touch driving circuit 160 may drive the driving touch electrodes and sense the sensing touch electrodes. Hereinafter, mutual capacitance sensing may also be described as "mutual sensing".

[0112] For example, in mutual sensing, a plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be driving touch electrodes (e.g., transmitting touch electrodes), and a plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be sensing touch electrodes (e.g., receiving touch electrodes). Another example is that in mutual sensing, a plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be sensing touch electrodes (e.g., receiving touch electrodes), and a plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be driving touch electrodes (e.g., transmitting touch electrodes). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an example is given where a plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 are driving touch electrodes (e.g., transmitting touch electrodes) and a plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 are sensing touch electrodes (e.g., receiving touch electrodes).

[0113] When the touch sensing circuit 150 performs touch sensing using the self - capacitance sensing method, the touch sensing circuit 150 may perform touch sensing based on the capacitance between each touch electrode TE and an object (e.g., a finger, a pen, etc.).

[0114] According to the self - capacitance sensing method, each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be used as a driving touch electrode and a sensing touch electrode. The touch driving circuit 160 may drive all or a part of the plurality of touch electrodes TE and sense all or a part of the plurality of touch electrodes TE. Hereinafter, self - capacitance sensing may also be referred to as "self - sensing".

[0115] For example, in self-sensing, the touch driving circuit 160 may apply a touch driving signal to at least one of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and sense at least one of the first touch electrodes TE1 to which the touch driving signal is applied. The touch driving circuit 160 may apply a touch driving signal to at least one of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 and sense at least one of the second touch electrodes TE2 to which the touch driving signal is applied.

[0116] Referring to Figure 2 , each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be connected to one first touch line TL1. Optionally or additionally, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be connected to two first touch lines TL1. In this case, each end of one end and the other end of a first touch electrode TE1 may be connected to the first touch line TL1.

[0117] Each of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be connected to one second touch line TL2. Optionally or additionally, each of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be connected to two second touch lines TL2. In this case, each end of one end and the other end of a second touch electrode TE2 may be connected to the second touch line TL2.

[0118] For example, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may have a bar shape.

[0119] Again, for example, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be composed of a plurality of sub-electrodes electrically connected to each other through bridging electrodes.

[0120] Again, for example, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be integrally formed, and each of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be formed of a plurality of sub-electrodes electrically connected to each other through bridging electrodes.

[0121] Again, for example, each of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be integrally formed, and each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be formed of a plurality of sub-electrodes electrically connected to each other through bridging electrodes.

[0122] For example, the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be provided in a first sensor metal layer, and the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be provided in a second sensor metal layer. Here, a sensor interlayer insulating film may be provided between the first sensor metal layer and the second sensor metal layer.

[0123] For another example, when each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 is integrally formed and each of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 is formed of a plurality of sub - electrodes electrically connected to each other through bridging electrodes, the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and the plurality of sub - electrodes are disposed within the sensor metal layer, and the bridging electrodes for electrically connecting the plurality of sub - electrodes may be disposed within the bridging metal layer. Herein, a sensor interlayer insulating film may be disposed between the sensor metal layer and the bridging metal layer.

[0124] For another example, when each of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 is integrally formed and each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 is formed of a plurality of sub - electrodes electrically connected to each other through bridging electrodes, the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 and the plurality of sub - electrodes are disposed within the sensor metal layer, and the bridging electrodes for electrically connecting the plurality of sub - electrodes may be disposed within the bridging metal layer. Herein, a sensor interlayer insulating film may be disposed between the sensor metal layer and the bridging metal layer.

[0125] Referring to Figure 2 , in the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE may correspond to the size of two or more sub - pixels SP.

[0126] For example, each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be a mesh - type electrode having two or more openings and may overlap with two or more sub - pixels SP. The two or more openings may overlap with the light - emitting regions of the two or more sub - pixels SP. That is, light emitted from the two or more sub - pixels SP may be emitted to the front side of the display panel 110 through the two or more openings.

[0127] Figure 3 Illustrated is another touch sensor structure of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] Referring to Figure 3 , another touch sensor structure of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of touch electrodes TE that do not overlap with each other.

[0129] Referring to Figure 3 , another touch sensor structure of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a plurality of touch lines TL for connecting the plurality of touch electrodes TE to the touch driving circuit 160.

[0130] Referring to Figure 3 , each of the plurality of touch lines TL may overlap with at least one touch electrode TE. For example, one touch line TL may overlap with the electrically - connected touch electrode TE and also overlap with at least one non - electrically - connected touch electrode TE.

[0131] Referring toFigure 3 In the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE may correspond to the size of at least one sub-pixel SP.

[0132] For example, each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be a mesh-type electrode having at least one opening and may overlap at least one sub-pixel SP. At least one opening may overlap with the light-emitting region of at least one sub-pixel SP. That is, the light emitted from at least one sub-pixel SP may be emitted to the front side of the display panel 110 through at least one opening.

[0133] Refer to Figure 3 In the self-sensing process, the touch driving circuit 160 may apply a touch driving signal to at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes TE and may sense at least one touch electrode TE to which the touch driving signal is applied.

[0134] Hereinafter, for convenience of description, when describing the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch sensor structure described as an example will be described. Figure 2 of the touch sensor.

[0135] Figure 4 Illustrates a touch driving circuit 160 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 Illustrates a charge amplifier CAMP in the touch driving circuit 160 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0136] Refer to Figure 4 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch driving circuit 160 may include a sensing unit block SUBLK for sensing a touch sensor TS. The sensing unit block SUBLK may include a plurality of sensing units SU.

[0137] Refer to Figure 4 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch driving circuit 160 may further include a first selection circuit SWC1, a second selection circuit SWC2, and an analog-to-digital converter ADC.

[0138] Refer to Figure 4 The first selection circuit SWC1 may connect the touch electrode TE to be sensed among the plurality of touch electrodes TE included in the touch sensor TS to the sensing unit block SUBLK. The first selection circuit SWC1 may include a plurality of switches and may also be referred to as a multiplexer circuit.

[0139] Refer to Figure 4, the second selection circuit SWC2 can connect one of the multiple sensing units SU included in the sensing unit block SUBLK to the analog-to-digital converter ADC. The second selection circuit SWC2 can include multiple switches and can also be referred to as a multiplexer circuit.

[0140] Referring to Figure 4 , each of the multiple sensing units SU can include a charge amplifier CAMP, an integrator INTG, and a sample and hold circuit SHA.

[0141] Referring to Figure 4 , the charge amplifier CAMP can be electrically connected to one or more touch electrodes TE selected from among the multiple touch electrodes TE included in the touch sensor TS by the first selection circuit SWC1.

[0142] Referring to Figure 4 , the first selection circuit SWC1 can connect the touch electrode TE to be sensed among the multiple touch electrodes TE to the charge amplifier CAMP in the corresponding sensing unit SU among the multiple sensing units SU.

[0143] Therefore, the charge amplifier CAMP in the sensing unit SU can receive a touch sensing signal from the touch electrode TE selected as the sensing object among the multiple touch electrodes TE. That is to say, the charge amplifier CAMP in the sensing unit SU can detect a touch sensing signal from the touch electrode TE as the sensing object. Here, the touch sensing signal detected by the touch electrode TE can correspond to the capacitance associated with the touch electrode TE (e.g., mutual capacitance or self-capacitance).

[0144] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the charge amplifier CAMP can output an output signal VOUT corresponding to the touch sensing signal detected by the touch electrode TE.

[0145] Referring to Figure 5 , the charge amplifier CAMP can include: an operational amplifier OAMP, which includes a first input node IN1, a second input node IN2, and an output node OUT; and a feedback capacitor Cfb between the second input node IN2 and the output node OUT.

[0146] Referring to Figure 5 , the first input node IN1 can be the node for inputting the input signal VIN. The second input node IN2 can be the node electrically connected to the touch electrode TE selected by the first selection circuit SWC1. The output node OUT can be the node connected to the integrator INTG and can be the node for outputting the output signal VOUT.

[0147] Referring to Figure 5, the charge corresponding to the capacitance (e.g., self-capacitance or mutual capacitance) in the touch electrode TE can be charged in the feedback capacitor Cfb, and an output signal VOUT corresponding to the amount of charge charged in the feedback capacitor Cfb can be output. Here, the touch driving circuit 160 detecting the touch sensing signal from the touch electrode TE can refer to detecting the capacitance of the touch electrode TE (e.g., self-capacitance or mutual capacitance), charging the amount of charge corresponding to the capacitance of the touch electrode TE (e.g., self-capacitance or mutual capacitance) in the feedback capacitor Cfb, and outputting the output signal VOUT corresponding to the charged amount of charge.

[0148] Referring to Figure 5 , the charge amplifier CAMP may further include a reset switch RST that controls the connection between the second input node IN2 and the output node OUT.

[0149] Referring to Figure 5 , the integrator INTG may output an integrated value obtained by integrating the output signal VOUT of the charge amplifier CAMP. Here, the charge amplifier CAMP and the integrator INTG may be implemented in an integrated manner.

[0150] The sample and hold circuit SHA may store the integrated value output from the integrator INTG until the next integrated value is output from the integrator INTG.

[0151] The second selection circuit SWC2 may connect one of the plurality of sensing units SU included in the sensing unit block SUBLK to the analog-to-digital converter ADC.

[0152] The analog-to-digital converter ADC may convert the integrated value in the sample and hold circuit SHA stored in the sensing unit SU selected by the second selection circuit SWC2 into a digital value to generate touch sensing data.

[0153] The touch driving circuit 160 may transmit the touch sensing data generated by the analog-to-digital converter ADC to the touch controller 170. In this case, the touch sensing data may be transmitted in the form of a differential signal.

[0154] In addition, referring to Figure 5 , the input signal VIN input to the first input node IN1 of the charge amplifier CAMP may be a signal whose voltage level does not fluctuate or swing, or may be a signal whose voltage level fluctuates or swings.

[0155] The type of the input signal VIN may vary according to the sensing method.

[0156] When performing touch sensing by the mutual sensing method, the input signal VIN may be a reference voltage whose voltage level does not fluctuate or swing.

[0157] When performing touch sensing by a self-sensing method, the input signal VIN may be a touch driving signal with a fluctuating or oscillating voltage level.

[0158] The touch electrode TE electrically connected to the second input node IN2 may vary according to the sensing method.

[0159] Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5 , when performing touch sensing by a mutual-sensing method, the second input node IN2 may be electrically connected to one of a plurality of second touch electrodes TE2.

[0160] Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 , when performing touch sensing by a self-sensing method, the second input node IN2 may be electrically connected to one of a plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0161] In addition, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can sense not only contact-type touch but also non-contact-type touch. Hereinafter, various touch sensing modes of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0162] Figure 6 Illustrates the operation modes of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0163] Refer to Figure 6 , the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can sense not only contact-type touch but also non-contact-type touch.

[0164] Contact-type touch may refer to a touch where a user directly touches the screen with a touch pointer, and may also be referred to as "contact touch".

[0165] Non-contact-type touch may refer to an action where a user points at a point on the screen or moves the touch pointer without directly touching the screen with the touch pointer, and may also be referred to as "non-contact touch".

[0166] Non-contact touch may include "non-contact pointing touch" where a user points at a point on the screen with a touch pointer away from the screen and "non-contact gesture" where a user moves the touch pointer away from the screen.

[0167] In the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user's touch pointer may be a human body such as a finger, and in some cases may be a touch tool such as a pen.

[0168] Refer to Figure 6, the multiple operation modes of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a contact mode CM and a hover mode HM.

[0169] Referring to Figure 6 , the contact mode CM may be an operation mode (or operation period) for sensing a contact touch, and may include a display mode (or display driving period) for driving the display and a touch sensing mode (or touch sensing period) for sensing a contact touch.

[0170] When the operation mode is the contact mode CM, the touch sensing mode for sensing a contact touch may be referred to as a contact touch mode CTM.

[0171] Referring to Figure 6 , the hover mode HM may be an operation mode for sensing a non-contact touch (also referred to as a hover touch), and may include a display mode for driving the display and a touch sensing mode for sensing a non-contact touch (also referred to as a hover touch).

[0172] When the operation mode is the hover mode HM, the touch sensing mode for sensing a non-contact touch may include a hover pointing mode HPM and a hover gesture mode HGM.

[0173] The hover pointing mode HPM may be a touch sensing mode for sensing a non-contact pointing touch among non-contact touches. Here, the hover pointing mode HPM may also be referred to as a hover finger mode.

[0174] The hover gesture mode HGM may be a touch sensing mode for sensing a non-contact gesture among non-contact touches.

[0175] Referring to Figure 6 , the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide two or more of three driving methods. The three driving methods may include a frame contact FC driving method, a frame single FS driving method, and a frame double FD driving method.

[0176] For example, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide two driving methods including the frame contact FC driving method and the frame single FS driving method.

[0177] Again, for example, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide two driving methods including the frame contact FC driving method and the frame double FD driving method.

[0178] For another example, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can drive the display panel 110 in three driving methods including a frame contact (FC) driving method, a frame single (FS) driving method, and a frame dual (FD) driving method.

[0179] Referring to Figure 6 , when the operation mode of the touch display device 100 is a contact mode (CM) for performing display driving and contact touch sensing, the touch display device 100 can drive the display panel 110 in a frame contact (FC) driving method.

[0180] Referring to Figure 6 , when the operation mode of the touch display device 100 is a hover mode for performing display driving and non-contact touch sensing, the touch display device 100 can drive the display panel 110 in a frame single (FS) driving method or a frame dual (FD) driving method.

[0181] Figure 7 The operation flowchart of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0182] Referring to Figure 7 , when the operation mode is a hover mode (HM), the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can drive the display panel 110 in a frame single (FS) driving method or a frame dual (FD) driving method (S10).

[0183] Referring to Figure 7 , the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can determine the intensity of the sensing signal sensed from the touch sensor (TS) while driving the display panel 110 in a frame single (FS) driving method or a frame dual (FD) driving method (S20).

[0184] Referring to Figure 7 , if as a result of the determination in step (S10), the intensity of the sensing signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can change the operation mode to a contact mode (CM) and drive the display panel 110 in a frame contact (FC) driving method.

[0185] Referring to Figure 7 , the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can determine the coordinates of the touch contact by performing a contact algorithm while driving the display panel 110 in a frame contact (FC) driving method in a state where the operation mode is a contact mode (CM) (S70).

[0186] Referring to Figure 7, if as a result of the determination in step (S10), the intensity of the sensed signal is lower than a predetermined level, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may confirm the characteristics of the non-contact touch based on the sensed signal while maintaining the operation mode as the hover mode HM to distinguish whether the non-contact touch corresponding to the sensed signal is a non-contact pointing touch or a non-contact gesture (S30).

[0187] The touch display device 100 confirming the characteristics of the non-contact touch based on the sensed signal may mean confirming the presence or absence of a profile or movement characteristics for the sensed signal or the non-contact touch.

[0188] Referring to Figure 7 , based on the result of distinguishing whether the non-contact touch is a non-contact pointing touch or a non-contact gesture in step (S30), the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may determine the coordinates of the non-contact pointing touch by executing a hover pointing algorithm (S40), or may determine the presence and type of the hover gesture by executing a hover gesture algorithm (S50).

[0189] That is to say, referring to Figure 7 , the driving method of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: step (S10), operating in a hover mode HM including a display mode DM, a hover pointing mode HPM, and a hover gesture mode HGM; step (S20), determining the intensity of the sensed signal of the touch sensor TS; step (S60), if the intensity of the sensed signal is above a predetermined level, operating in a contact mode CM including a display mode DM and a contact touch mode CTM; step (S70), executing a contact algorithm based on the operation result in the contact mode CM to determine the coordinates of the contact touch; step (S30), if the intensity of the sensed signal is lower than a predetermined level, determining whether there are movement characteristics based on the sensed signal; step (S40), if there are no movement characteristics based on the sensed signal, determining the coordinates of the hover touch while operating in the hover mode HM; and step (S50), if there are movement characteristics based on the sensed signal, determining the hover gesture while operating in the hover mode HM.

[0190] When the operation mode is the contact mode CM, the touch sensing mode may include a contact touch mode CTM.

[0191] When the operation mode is the hover mode HM, the touch sensing mode may include a hover pointing mode HPM and a hover gesture mode HGM.

[0192] According to whether the touch sensing mode is a contact touch mode CTM, a hover pointing mode HPM, or a hover gesture mode HGM, the amplitude of the touch driving signal applied to the touch sensor TS may vary.

[0193] For example, during the contact touch mode (CTM), a first touch driving signal having a first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor (TS). During the hover pointing mode (HPM), a second touch driving signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor (TS). During the hover gesture mode (HGM), a third touch driving signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor (TS).

[0194] For example, the second amplitude (ΔV2) may be greater than the first amplitude (ΔV1). The third amplitude (ΔV3) may be greater than or equal to the second amplitude (ΔV2).

[0195] In addition, during the display mode (DM), no voltage or signal may be applied to the touch sensor (TS), or a direct current (DC) voltage may be applied. For example, the DC voltage may be a reference voltage.

[0196] During the display mode (DM), the DC voltage applied to the touch sensor (TS) may have a value that does not affect the voltage state of the display driving related electrodes or lines (e.g., pixel electrodes or anode electrodes, common electrodes or cathode electrodes, source / drain / gate electrodes of various transistors, various signal lines, etc.) overlapping with the touch sensor (TS).

[0197] The operation method or driving method of the touch display device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be executed and controlled by the touch driving circuit 160 and the touch controller 170. In addition, in some cases, the control of the display controller 140 may also be required.

[0198] The contact algorithm, hover pointing algorithm, and hover gesture algorithm executed in the operation method or driving method of the touch display device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be executed by the touch controller 170.

[0199] Hereinafter, the operation method or driving method of the touch display device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure and the driving circuit therefor will be described in more detail.

[0200] Figure 8 The touch sensing system of the touch display device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0201] Refer to Figure 8 , the touch sensing system of the touch display device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include: a touch sensor (TS) including a plurality of touch electrodes (TE), and a touch driving circuit 160 for driving the touch sensor (TS).

[0202] Refer to Figure 8, the touch sensing system of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a touch controller 170. The touch controller 170 determines the coordinates of a user's touch (e.g., a contact touch or a non-contact pointing touch) or determines a user's gesture (e.g., a non-contact gesture) by using sensing data obtained from the driving result (or sensing result) of the touch driving circuit 160.

[0203] Refer to Figure 8 , the driving circuit of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a touch driving circuit 160, a touch controller 170, and a display controller 140.

[0204] Refer to Figure 8 , the touch driving circuit 160 may include a first signal generation unit 810 and a first signal output unit 820.

[0205] Refer to Figure 8 , the first signal generation unit 810 may generate a touch driving signal TDS to be applied to at least one touch electrode TE among a plurality of touch electrodes TE based on a reference touch driving signal TDS_REF according to a touch sensing mode selected from among a plurality of touch sensing modes.

[0206] Refer to Figure 8 , the first signal output unit 820 may output the touch driving signal TDS generated by the first signal generation unit 810 to at least one touch electrode TE.

[0207] Refer to Figure 8 , a plurality of operation modes of the touch display device 100 or the driving circuit of the touch display device 100 may include a contact mode CM for sensing a contact touch and a hover mode HM for sensing a non-contact touch.

[0208] The contact mode CM may include a display mode DM for displaying an image and a contact touch mode CTM for sensing a contact touch.

[0209] The hover mode HM may include a display mode DM, a hover pointing mode HPM for sensing a non-contact pointing touch to a point on the screen among non-contact touches, and a hover gesture mode HGM for sensing a moving non-contact gesture among non-contact touches.

[0210] Refer to Figure 8 , a plurality of touch sensing modes may include a contact touch mode CTM, a hover pointing mode HPM, and a hover gesture mode HGM.

[0211] Refer to Figure 8, the first signal generation unit 810 can generate a touch driving signal TDS corresponding to a touch sensing mode among a contact touch mode CTM, a hover pointing mode HPM, and a hover gesture mode HGM according to a first mode control signal MCS1, a second mode control signal MCS2, and a third mode control signal MCS3 having different signal waveforms.

[0212] In the contact touch mode CTM, a first touch driving signal TDS_CTM having a first amplitude ΔV1 can be applied to the touch sensor TS through the touch driving circuit 160. That is to say, when the contact touch mode CTM is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal TDS can be the first touch driving signal TDS_CTM having the first amplitude ΔV1.

[0213] In the hover pointing mode HPM, a second touch driving signal TDS_HPM having a second amplitude ΔV2 different from the first amplitude ΔV1 can be applied to the touch sensor TS through the touch driving circuit 160. That is to say, when the hover pointing mode HPM is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal TDS can be the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM having the second amplitude ΔV2 different from the first amplitude ΔV1.

[0214] In the hover gesture mode HGM, a third touch driving signal TDS_HGM having a third amplitude ΔV3 different from the first amplitude ΔV1 can be applied to the touch sensor TS through the touch driving circuit 160. That is to say, when the hover gesture mode HGM is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal TDS can be the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM having the third amplitude ΔV3 different from the first amplitude ΔV1.

[0215] For example, referring to Figure 8 , the second amplitude ΔV2 can be greater than the first amplitude ΔV1, and the third amplitude ΔV3 can be greater than or equal to the second amplitude ΔV2.

[0216] As described above, according to the type of the touch sensing mode, effective driving and sensing can be performed on each type of touch sensing mode by changing the touch driving signal TDS.

[0217] Hereinafter, operations related to the first mode control signal MCS1, the second mode control signal MCS2, and the third mode control signal MCS3 will be described in more detail with examples.

[0218] Referring to Figure 8, the touch driving circuit 160 can drive the touch sensor TS by applying a touch driving signal TDS to the touch sensor TS, and can sense the touch sensor TS. The touch driving circuit 160 sensing the touch sensor TS may refer to sensing the capacitance (e.g., mutual capacitance) between the touch electrodes TE or sensing the capacitance (e.g., self-capacitance) of the touch electrode TE.

[0219] The touch controller 170 can apply a reference touch driving signal TDS_REF to the touch driving circuit 160. The reference touch driving signal TDS_REF can be a signal with a fluctuating or changing voltage level. The reference touch driving signal TDS_REF can be a signal with a reference amplitude ΔV0. For example, the reference touch driving signal TDS_REF can be a square wave, a sine wave, a triangular wave, etc. For example, the reference touch driving signal TDS_REF can be a pulse width modulation signal.

[0220] The first signal generation unit 810 of the touch driving circuit 160 can use the reference touch driving signal TDS_REF to generate a touch driving signal TDS to be applied to the touch sensor TS according to the touch sensing mode.

[0221] For example, each of the first touch driving signal TDS_CTM, the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM, and the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM can be a square wave, a sine wave, a triangular wave, etc. For example, each of the first touch driving signal TDS_CTM, the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM, and the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM can be a pulse width modulation signal. The frequencies of each of the first touch driving signal TDS_CTM, the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM, and the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM can be the same.

[0222] The touch controller 170 can control the touch driving circuit 160. In addition, the touch controller 170 can generate a second mode control signal MCS2 and a third mode control signal MCS3 based on the first mode control signal MCS1 received from the display controller 140, and can apply the second mode control signal MCS2 and the third mode control signal MCS3 to the touch driving circuit 160.

[0223] The touch controller 170 can not only apply the second mode control signal MCS2 and the third mode control signal MCS3 to the touch driving circuit 160, but also apply the first mode control signal MCS1 to the touch driving circuit 160, thereby controlling the operation and driving timing of the touch driving signal TDS.

[0224] The touch driving circuit 160 can select a touch sensing mode to be executed among a plurality of touch sensing modes based on the first mode control signal MCS1, the second mode control signal MCS2, and the third mode control signal MCS3, and generate and output a touch driving signal TDS suitable for the selected touch sensing mode.

[0225] The touch driving circuit 160 can operate according to the timing based on the first mode control signal MCS1, the second mode control signal MCS2, and the third mode control signal MCS3.

[0226] The touch driving circuit 160 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first signal generating unit 810 that receives a reference touch driving signal TDS_REF, the second mode control signal MCS2, and the third mode control signal MCS3, and generates a touch driving signal TDS according to the touch sensing mode defined by the second mode control signal MCS2 and the third mode control signal MCS3; and a first signal output unit 820 that outputs the touch driving signal TDS generated according to the touch sensing mode to the touch sensor TS.

[0227] The touch controller 170 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a control device for controlling the touch sensing operation of the touch display device 100, and may include a second signal input unit 830 and a second signal output unit 840.

[0228] The second signal input unit 830 can receive the first mode control signal MCS1 from the display controller 140.

[0229] The second signal output unit 840 may be configured to output a reference touch driving signal TDS_REF, and may output the second mode control signal MCS2 and the third mode control signal MCS3 generated based on the first mode control signal MCS1.

[0230] The second signal output unit 840 may also output the first mode control signal MCS1.

[0231] Figure 9 is a driving timing diagram of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0232] Refer to Figure 9 , the contact mode CM may include a display mode DM for displaying an image and a touch sensing mode CTM for sensing a touch contact.

[0233] Refer to Figure 9, the hover mode HM may include a display mode DM for displaying an image, a hover pointing mode HPM for sensing a non-contact pointing touch to a point on the screen among non-contact touches, and a hover gesture mode HGM for sensing a non-contact gesture of movement among non-contact touches.

[0234] Referring to Figure 9 , the display mode DM, the contact touch mode CTM, the hover pointing mode HPM, and the hover gesture mode HGM may be distinguished from each other by a first mode control signal MCS1, a second mode control signal MCS2, and a third mode control signal MCS3.

[0235] Referring to Figure 9 , the first mode control signal MCS1, the second mode control signal MCS2, and the third mode control signal MCS3 may have different signal waveforms.

[0236] Referring to Figure 9 , the first mode control signal MCS1 may include a first level voltage section L1 and a second level voltage section L2 that are different from each other.

[0237] For example, the first level voltage section L1 may be a low level voltage section, and the second level voltage section L2 may be a high level voltage section. Also for example, the first level voltage section L1 may be a high level voltage section, and the second level voltage section L2 may be a low level voltage section.

[0238] Referring to Figure 9 , the second mode control signal MCS2 may include a third level voltage section L3 and a fourth level voltage section L4 that are different from each other.

[0239] For example, the third level voltage section L3 may be a low level voltage section, and the fourth level voltage section L4 may be a high level voltage section. Also for example, the third level voltage section L3 may be a high level voltage section, and the fourth level voltage section L4 may be a low level voltage section.

[0240] Referring to Figure 9 , the third mode control signal MCS3 may include a fifth level voltage section L5 and a sixth level voltage section L6 that are different from each other.

[0241] For example, the fifth level voltage section L5 may be a low level voltage section, and the sixth level voltage section L6 may be a high level voltage section. Also for example, the fifth level voltage section L5 may be a high level voltage section, and the sixth level voltage section L6 may be a low level voltage section.

[0242] When the first mode control signal MCS1 is in the second level voltage section L2, the touch display device may operate in the display mode DM.

[0243] When the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the third level voltage section L3 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap each other, the touch display device can operate in the contact touch mode CTM.

[0244] When the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the fourth level voltage section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap each other, if the third mode control signal MCS3 is in the fifth level voltage section L5, the touch display device can operate in the hover pointing mode HPM.

[0245] When the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the fourth level voltage section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap each other, if the third mode control signal MCS3 is in the sixth level voltage section L6, the touch display device can operate in the hover gesture mode HGM.

[0246] In the case of the contact touch mode CTM, a first touch drive signal TDS_CTM having a first amplitude ΔV1 can be applied to the touch sensor TS.

[0247] In the case of the hover pointing mode HPM, a second touch drive signal TDS_HPM having a second amplitude ΔV2 can be applied to the touch sensor TS.

[0248] In the case of the hover gesture mode HGM, a third touch drive signal TDS_HGM having a third amplitude ΔV3 can be applied to the touch sensor TS.

[0249] Referring to Figure 9 , for example, the first mode control signal MCS1 can be a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, which is a display drive control signal for defining a display frame.

[0250] Referring to Figure 9 , for example, the second mode control signal MCS2 can be a hover enable signal HOVER_EN for confirming that the operation mode is the hover mode HM.

[0251] If the hover enable signal HOVER_EN alternates between different third level voltage sections L3 and fourth level voltage sections L4, the operation mode can be the hover mode HM.

[0252] If the hover enable signal HOVER_EN remains in the third level voltage section L3, the operation mode can be the contact mode CM.

[0253] If the hover enable signal HOVER_EN is at the fourth-level voltage section L4, the operation mode can be one of the hover pointing mode HPM and the hover gesture mode HGM.

[0254] Referring to Figure 9 , for example, the third mode control signal MCS3 can be the gesture enable signal GEST_EN that serves as a control signal for distinguishing between the two touch sensing modes (i.e., the hover pointing mode HPM and the hover gesture mode HGM) included in the hover mode HM.

[0255] If the hover enable signal HOVER_EN is at the fourth-level voltage section L4 and the gesture enable signal GEST_EN is at the fifth-level voltage section L5, the hover pointing mode HPM can be executed.

[0256] If the hover enable signal HOVER_EN is at the fourth-level voltage section L4 and the gesture enable signal GEST_EN is at the sixth-level voltage section L6, the hover gesture mode HGM can be executed.

[0257] Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, a case where the first mode control signal MCS1 is the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, the second mode control signal MCS2 is the hover enable signal HOVER_EN, and the third mode control signal MCS3 is the gesture enable signal GEST_EN will be exemplified.

[0258] Figure 10 is a driving timing diagram in the frame single FS driving method of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0259] Referring to Figure 10 , the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can drive the display panel 110 in a frame single FS driving method when the operation mode is the hover mode HM.

[0260] Referring to Figure 10 , the hover mode HM can include the display mode DM, the hover pointing mode HPM, and the hover gesture mode HGM.

[0261] Referring to Figure 10 , when the touch display device 100 drives the display panel 110 in a frame single FS driving method, only one of the hover pointing mode HPM and the hover gesture mode HGM can exist during one display frame time.

[0262] Referring to Figure 10, when the touch display device 100 drives the display panel 110 in the frame single FS driving method in the hover mode HM, during the period when the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the fourth level voltage section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap, the third mode control signal MCS3 can be in one of the fifth level voltage section L5 and the sixth level voltage section L6.

[0263] Refer to Figure 10 , when the touch display device 100 drives the display panel 110 in the frame single FS driving method in the hover mode HM, during the period when the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the fourth level voltage section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap, the voltage level of the third mode control signal MCS3 can be constant.

[0264] Refer to Figure 10 , when the touch display device 100 drives the display panel 110 in the frame single FS driving method in the hover mode HM, during the period when the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the fourth level voltage section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap, the signal applied to the touch sensor TS can have a constant amplitude.

[0265] Refer to Figure 10 , during the period when the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the fourth level voltage section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap, if the third mode control signal MCS3 is in the fifth level voltage section L5, a second touch driving signal TDS_HPM having a constant second amplitude ΔV2 can be applied to the touch sensor TS.

[0266] Refer to Figure 10 , during the period when the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the fourth level voltage section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap, if the third mode control signal MCS3 is in the sixth level voltage section L6, a third touch driving signal TDS_HGM having a constant third amplitude ΔV3 can be applied to the touch sensor TS.

[0267] Figure 11 is a driving timing diagram in the frame double FD driving method of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0268] Refer to Figure 11 , the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can drive the display panel 110 in the frame double FD driving method instead of the frame single FS driving method when the operation mode is the hover mode HM.

[0269] Referring to Figure 11 , the hover mode HM may include a display mode DM for displaying an image, a hover pointing mode HPM for sensing a non-contact pointing touch to a point on the screen among non-contact touches, and a hover gesture mode HGM for sensing a non-contact gesture of movement among non-contact touches.

[0270] Referring to Figure 11 , when the operation mode is the hover mode HM, if the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure drives the display panel 110 by a frame dual FD driving method, both the hover pointing mode HPM and the hover gesture mode HGM may exist during one display frame time period.

[0271] Referring to Figure 11 , when the operation mode is the hover mode HM, if the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure drives the display panel 110 by a frame dual FD driving method, the voltage level of the third mode control signal MCS3 may change or vary during a period in which the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the fourth level voltage section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap.

[0272] Referring to Figure 11 , when the operation mode is the hover mode HM, if the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure drives the display panel 110 by a frame dual FD driving method, the third mode control signal MCS3 may include a first period and a second period during a period in which the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the fourth level voltage section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap.

[0273] For example, during the first period of the third mode control signal MCS3, the third mode control signal MCS3 may be at a fifth level voltage section L5. During the second period of the third mode control signal MCS3, the third mode control signal MCS3 may be at a sixth level voltage section L6.

[0274] In the third mode control signal MCS3, the first period may be a part before or after the second period.

[0275] Referring to Figure 11 , the amplitude of the signal applied to the touch sensor TS may change or vary during a period in which the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 and the fourth level voltage section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 overlap.

[0276] The period during which the first voltage level section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 overlaps with the fourth voltage level section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2 may include: a first period in which the signal applied to the touch sensor TS has a second amplitude ΔV2, and a second period in which the signal applied to the touch sensor TS has a third amplitude ΔV3.

[0277] During the period in which the first voltage level section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 overlaps with the fourth voltage level section L4 of the second mode control signal MCS2, the signal applied to the touch sensor TS may include a second touch drive signal TDS_HPM having a second amplitude ΔV2 and a third touch drive signal TDS_HGM having a third amplitude ΔV3.

[0278] The first period of the third mode control signal MCS3 may correspond to the hover pointing mode HPM, and the second period of the third mode control signal MCS3 may correspond to the hover gesture mode HGM. In this case, during the first period of the third mode control signal MCS3, the signal applied to the touch sensor TS may have a second amplitude ΔV2 as the second touch drive signal TDS_HPM. During the second period of the third mode control signal MCS3, the signal applied to the touch sensor TS may have a third amplitude ΔV3 as the third touch drive signal TDS_HGM. Here, the first period may be the front or the rear of the second period.

[0279] Figure 12 It is a driving timing diagram in the frame contact FC driving method of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0280] Referring to Figure 12 , when the operation mode is the contact mode CM, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may drive the display panel 110 by the frame contact FC driving method.

[0281] Referring to Figure 12 , the contact mode CM may include a display mode DM for displaying an image and a contact touch mode CTM for sensing a contact touch.

[0282] Referring to Figure 12 , if the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure drives the display panel 110 by the frame contact FC driving method when the operation mode is the contact mode CM, the display mode DM and the contact touch mode CTM may be alternately executed during one display frame time.

[0283] Referring to Figure 12, when the operation mode is the contact mode CM, the second mode control signal MCS2 can continuously be in the third level voltage section L3, and the third mode control signal MCS3 can continuously be in the fifth level voltage section L5.

[0284] Refer to Figure 12 , when the first mode control signal MCS1 is in the second level voltage section L2, the display mode DM can be performed. In this case, the second mode control signal MCS2 can be in the third level voltage section L3, and the third mode control signal MCS3 can be in the fifth level voltage section L5.

[0285] Refer to Figure 12 , during the period when the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 overlaps with the third level voltage section L3 of the second mode control signal MCS2, the contact touch mode CTM can be performed.

[0286] Refer to Figure 12 , during the period when the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 overlaps with the third level voltage section L3 of the second mode control signal MCS2, the third mode control signal MCS3 can be in the fifth level voltage section L5.

[0287] The signal applied to the touch sensor TS can be selectively changed to one of multiple amplitudes according to the timing or the type of touch sensing mode.

[0288] Refer to Figure 12 , during the period when the first level voltage section L1 of the first mode control signal MCS1 overlaps with the third level voltage section L3 of the second mode control signal MCS2, the signal applied to the touch sensor TS as the first touch drive signal TDS_CTM can have a first amplitude ΔV1, and the first amplitude is the smallest among multiple amplitudes (for example, the first amplitude, the second amplitude, and the third amplitude).

[0289] The touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can provide effective operation by differently controlling switch control-based channel binding (see Figure 13A , Figure 13B , Figure 13C , Figure 14A , Figure 14B , Figure 15 , Figure 16A , Figure 16B and Figure 17 ) for each of various touch sensing modes including the contact touch mode CTM, the hover pointing mode HPM, and the hover gesture mode HGM.

[0290] Hereinafter, a method of differently controlling switch control-based channel binding for each of various touch sensing modes will be described in detail (see Figure 13A , Figure 13B , Figure 13C , Figure 14A , Figure 14B , Figure 16A , Figure 16B , etc.).

[0291] Figure 13A FIG. illustrates the operation state of the touch display device 100 in the contact touch mode CTM according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13B FIG. illustrates the operation state of the touch display device 100 in the hover pointing mode HPM according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13C FIG. illustrates the operation state of the touch display device 100 in the hover gesture mode HGM according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0292] Referring to Figure 13A , when the contact touch mode CTM is selected among the display mode DM and the contact touch mode CTM included in the contact mode CM, the number of touch electrodes TE overlapping with the unit sensor node area USN among the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be N1. Here, the "unit sensor node area USN" may be an area that can be sensed by one charge amplifier CAMP, and may be an area where at least one first touch electrode TE1 commonly applied with a touch drive signal TDS and at least one second touch electrode TE2 commonly connected to one charge amplifier CAMP intersect.

[0293] Referring to Figure 13B , when the hover pointing mode HPM is selected among the display mode DM, the hover pointing mode HPM, and the hover gesture mode HGM included in the hover mode HM, the number of touch electrodes TE overlapping with the unit sensor node area USN among the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be N2, and N2 may be greater than N1.

[0294] Referring to Figure 13C , when the hover gesture mode HGM is selected among the display mode DM, the hover pointing mode HPM, and the hover gesture mode HGM included in the hover mode HM, the number of touch electrodes TE overlapping with the unit sensor node area USN among the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be N3, and N3 may be greater than or equal to N2.

[0295] Referring to Figure 13A , Figure 13B and Figure 13C, in the hover pointing mode HPM, the number N2 of touch electrodes overlapping with the unit sensor node area USN can be greater than the number N1 of touch electrodes overlapping with the unit sensor node area USN in the contact touch mode CTM. In the hover gesture mode HGM, the number N3 of touch electrodes overlapping with the unit sensor node area USN can be greater than or equal to the number N2 of touch electrodes overlapping with the unit sensor node area USN in the hover pointing mode HPM (i.e., N1 < N2 ≤ N3).

[0296] Referring to Figure 13A , Figure 13B and Figure 13C , a plurality of touch electrodes TE may include a plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and a plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 that cross each other.

[0297] Referring to Figure 13A , when the contact touch mode CTM is selected among the display mode DM and the contact touch mode CTM included in the contact mode CM, the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be electrically separated from each other, and the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be electrically separated from each other.

[0298] Referring to Figure 13A , in the contact touch mode CTM, the size N1 of the unit sensor node area USN can be 1. That is to say, the unit sensor node area USN may overlap with one first touch electrode TE1 and one second touch electrode TE2 (e.g., N1 = 1×1).

[0299] In the contact touch mode CTM, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be applied with a first touch drive signal TDS_CTM through a first touch line TL1, and each of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be connected to a charge amplifier CAMP.

[0300] In the contact touch mode CTM, the first touch drive signal TDS_CTM may be input to one first touch line TL1. The second input node IN2 of the charge amplifier CAMP may be connected to a second touch line TL2 connected to the second touch electrode TE2.

[0301] Here, as described with reference to Figure 5 , the charge amplifier CAMP may include: a first input node IN1 for inputting a reference voltage VREF as an input voltage VIN having a constant voltage level, a second input node IN2 that can be connected to the second touch line TL2 through a first switch S1, and an output node OUT for outputting an output voltage VOUT (e.g., a sensed voltage in analog form).

[0302] Referring to Figure 13BWhen the hover pointing mode HPM is selected among the display mode DM, the hover pointing mode HPM, and the hover gesture mode HGM included in the hover mode HM, n first touch electrodes TE1 among the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be electrically connected to each other, or the same second touch driving signal TDS_HPM may be applied thereto.

[0303] Refer to Figure 13B When the hover pointing mode HPM is selected, n first touch lines TL1 respectively connected to n first touch electrodes TE1 among the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 may be electrically connected to each other. Accordingly, the same second touch driving signal TDS_HPM may be applied to the n first touch electrodes TE1.

[0304] When the hover pointing mode HPM is selected, if n first touch lines TL1 respectively connected to n first touch electrodes TE1 among the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 are not electrically connected to each other, the same second touch driving signal TDS_HPM may be applied to the n first touch electrodes TE1.

[0305] Refer to Figure 13B When the hover pointing mode HPM is selected, m second touch electrodes TE2 among the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be electrically connected to each other. m second touch lines TL2 respectively connected to the m second touch electrodes TE2 may be electrically connected to each other and may be commonly connected to the second input node IN2 of the corresponding charge amplifier CAMP.

[0306] Refer to Figure 13B In the hover pointing mode HPM, the size N2 of the unit sensor node area USN may be n×m. That is, the unit sensor node area USN may overlap with n first touch electrodes TE1 and m second touch electrodes TE2 (e.g., N2 = n×m).

[0307] In the hover pointing mode HPM, the same second touch driving signal TDS_HPM may be simultaneously provided to n first touch electrodes TE1 among the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1.

[0308] In the hover pointing mode HPM, m second touch electrodes TE2 among the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be connected to the second input node IN2 of one charge amplifier CAMP. Here, n may be a natural number greater than or equal to 2, and m may be a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

[0309] That is to say, in the hover pointing mode HPM, the second touch drive signal TDS_HPM can be input to n first touch lines TL1 connected to n first touch electrodes TE1 simultaneously, and the second input node IN2 of a charge amplifier CAMP can be connected to m second touch lines TL2 connected to m second touch electrodes TE2.

[0310] Referring to Figure 13C , when the hover gesture mode HGM is selected among the display mode DM, the hover pointing mode HPM, and the hover gesture mode HGM included in the hover mode HM, k first touch electrodes TE1 among the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be electrically connected to each other, or the same third touch drive signal TDS_HGM can be applied, and I second touch electrodes TE2 among the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 can be electrically connected to each other.

[0311] Referring to Figure 13C , in the hover gesture mode HGM, k first touch electrodes TE1 among the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be provided with the third touch drive signal TDS_HGM simultaneously.

[0312] Referring to Figure 13C , in the hover gesture mode HGM, k first touch lines TL1 respectively connected to k first touch electrodes TE1 among the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be electrically connected to each other. Therefore, the same third touch drive signal TDS_HGM can be applied to the k first touch electrodes TE1.

[0313] In the hover gesture mode HGM, if the k first touch lines TL1 respectively connected to k first touch electrodes TE1 among the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 are not electrically connected to each other, the same third touch drive signal TDS_HGM can be applied to the k first touch electrodes TE1.

[0314] Referring to Figure 13C , I second touch electrodes TE2 among the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 can be connected to the second input node IN2 of a charge amplifier CAMP. Here, k can be a natural number greater than or equal to 2, and I can be a natural number greater than or equal to 2. Here, I second touch lines TL2 respectively connected to the I second touch electrodes TE2 can be electrically connected to each other and can be commonly connected to the second input node IN2 of the corresponding charge amplifier CAMP.

[0315] That is to say, in the hover gesture mode HGM, the third touch drive signal TDS_HGM can be input to k first touch lines TL1 connected to k first touch electrodes TE1 simultaneously, and the second input node IN2 of a charge amplifier CAMP can be connected to I second touch lines TL2 connected to I second touch electrodes TE2.

[0316] Refer to Figure 13A 、 Figure 13B and Figure 13C In the contact touch mode (CTM), the number N1 of touch electrodes overlapping with the unit sensor node area (USN) can be 1. In the hover pointing mode (HPM), the number N2 of touch electrodes overlapping with the unit sensor node area (USN) can be a value obtained by multiplying n and m (n×m). In the hover gesture mode (HGM), the number N3 of touch electrodes overlapping with the unit sensor node area (USN) can be a value obtained by multiplying k and I (k×I), and can be greater than or equal to the number N2 of touch electrodes overlapping with the unit sensor node area (USN) in the hover pointing mode (HPM) (i.e., N1 < N2 ≤ N3).

[0317] Refer to Figure 13A 、 Figure 13B and Figure 13C In the hover pointing mode (HPM), the number of touch electrodes overlapping with the unit sensor node area (USN) (i.e., N2 = n×m) can be greater than 1 (i.e., N1 = 1), and can be less than or equal to the number of touch electrodes overlapping with the unit sensor node area (USN) in the hover gesture mode (HGM) (i.e., N3 = k×I) (i.e., N1 < N2 ≤ N3).

[0318] Refer to Figure 13A 、 Figure 13B and Figure 13C The product of k and I can be greater than or equal to the product of n and m, and the product of n and m can be greater than 1 (i.e., N1 < (n×m) ≤ k×I).

[0319] Refer to Figure 13A 、 Figure 13B and Figure 13C The product of k and I can represent the size of a single touch sensing area in the hover gesture mode (HGM). The product of n and m can represent the size of a single touch sensing area in the hover pointing mode (HPM).

[0320] Refer to Figure 13A 、 Figure 13B and Figure 13C A single touch sensing area can represent an area defined by one or more first touch electrodes (TE1) that are driven together and one or more second touch electrodes (TE2) that are sensed together. Here, the one or more second touch electrodes (TE2) that are sensed together can be electrically connected to each other and can be sensed together by one charge amplifier (CAMP). The one or more first touch electrodes (TE1) that are driven together can be simultaneously applied with a touch drive signal (TDS).

[0321] Figure 14AIllustrates the operation state of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in the contact touch mode CTM based on the non-coded driving method and the switching structure of the operation state. Figure 14B Illustrates the operation state of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM based on the non-coded driving method and the switching structure of the operation state.

[0322] In Figure 14B For ease of explanation, an example is given in which the size of the unit sensor node area USN in the hover pointing mode HPM (e.g., Figure 13B N2 in Figure 13C and the size of the unit sensor node area USN in the hover gesture mode HGM (e.g.,

[0323] Referring to Figure 14A and Figure 14B the touch sensor TS may include a plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and a plurality of second touch electrodes TE2.

[0324] Referring to Figure 14A and Figure 14B The touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a plurality of amplifiers AMP connected to the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1, a plurality of charge amplifiers CAMP corresponding to the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2, a plurality of first switches S1 for controlling the connection between the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 and the plurality of charge amplifiers CAMP, and a plurality of second switches S2 for controlling the connection between two adjacent second touch electrodes TE2 among the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2.

[0325] Referring to Figure 14A and Figure 14B The plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and the plurality of amplifiers AMP may be connected by a plurality of first touch lines TL1.

[0326] The connection method of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and the plurality of amplifiers AMP can be implemented in various ways. As shown in Figure 14A and Figure 14B the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 and the plurality of amplifiers AMP may be connected one-to-one. Alternatively, some of the plurality of amplifiers AMP may be connected to the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 (as shown in Figure 16B ).

[0327] Referring to Figure 14A and Figure 14B The plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 and the plurality of first switches S1 may be connected by a plurality of second touch lines TL2.

[0328] Referring to Figure 14A and Figure 14B , one end of each of the plurality of first switches S1 may be connected to a corresponding second touch line TL2 connected to a corresponding second touch electrode TE2, and the other end of each of the plurality of first switches S1 may be connected to a second input node IN2 of a corresponding charge amplifier CAMP.

[0329] Herein, as referring to Figure 5 described, the charge amplifier CAMP may include: a first input node IN1 for inputting a reference voltage VREF as an input voltage VIN having a constant voltage level, a second input node IN2 that can be connected to a corresponding second touch line TL2 through a corresponding first switch S1, and an output node OUT for outputting an output voltage VOUT (e.g., a sensed voltage in analog form).

[0330] Referring to Figure 14A and Figure 14B , the on-off of the plurality of first switches S1 and the plurality of second switches S2 can be controlled according to a touch sensing mode selected from among a contact touch mode CTM, a hover pointing mode HPM, and a hover gesture mode HGM.

[0331] Referring to Figure 14A , in the contact touch mode CTM, the size of the unit sensor node area USN may be 1 (i.e., 1×1). Thus, in the contact touch mode CTM, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 can be individually driven by a corresponding amplifier AMP, and each of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 can be individually sensed by a corresponding charge amplifier CAMP.

[0332] Herein, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 being individually driven by a corresponding amplifier AMP may mean that the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 are electrically separated within the display panel 110, and one first touch electrode TE1 receives a first touch drive signal TDS_CTM from one amplifier AMP.

[0333] Herein, each of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 being individually sensed by a corresponding charge amplifier CAMP may mean that the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 are electrically separated within the display panel 110 such that the electrical state (e.g., charge amount, voltage, etc.) of one second touch electrode TE2 can be detected by one charge amplifier CAMP.

[0334] Referring to Figure 14A , in the contact touch mode CTM, a first touch drive signal TDS_CTM can be applied to each of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 by each of the plurality of amplifiers AMP.

[0335] Referring to Figure 14A, in the contact touch mode (CTM), when the same first touch drive signal (TDS_CTM) is applied to multiple first touch electrodes (TE1), the multiple first touch electrodes (TE1) can be electrically separated or electrically connected in the contact touch mode (CTM).

[0336] Refer to Figure 14A , in the contact touch mode (CTM), multiple second switches (S2) can all be turned off, so that multiple second touch electrodes (TE2) can be electrically separated from each other.

[0337] Refer to Figure 14A , in the contact touch mode (CTM), multiple first switches (S1) can be turned on, and multiple second touch electrodes (TE2) can be electrically connected to multiple charge amplifiers (CAMP) through the multiple first switches (S1).

[0338] Refer to Figure 14B , in the hover pointing mode (HPM) or the hover gesture mode (HGM), for example, the size of the unit sensor node area (USN) is 16 which is greater than 1 (i.e., 4×4). Therefore, in the hover pointing mode (HPM) or the hover gesture mode (HGM), four first touch electrodes (TE1) among the multiple first touch electrodes (TE1) can be jointly driven or have the same drive state, and four second touch electrodes (TE2) among the multiple second touch electrodes (TE2) can be jointly sensed.

[0339] Refer to Figure 14B , in the hover pointing mode (HPM) or the hover gesture mode (HGM), at least one amplifier (AMP) among the multiple amplifiers (AMP) can be used to simultaneously apply a second touch drive signal (TDS_HPM) or a third touch drive signal (TDS_HGM) to two or more first touch electrodes (TE1) among the multiple first touch electrodes (TE1).

[0340] Refer to Figure 14B , in the hover pointing mode (HPM) or the hover gesture mode (HGM), two or more second touch electrodes (TE2) among the multiple second touch electrodes (TE2) can be electrically connected to each other through at least one second switch (S2) among the multiple second switches (S2).

[0341] Refer to Figure 14B , two or more second touch electrodes (TE2) can be electrically connected to one charge amplifier (CAMP) among the multiple charge amplifiers (CAMP) through one first switch (S1) among the multiple first switches (S1).

[0342] According to Figure 14BFor example, in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, four of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 or one of the plurality of amplifiers AMP can simultaneously apply a second touch drive signal TDS_HPM or a third touch drive signal TDS_HGM to four of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1, and four of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 can be electrically connected to each other through three of the plurality of second switches S2.

[0343] According to Figure 14B For example, four of the second touch electrodes TE2 can be electrically connected to one of the plurality of charge amplifiers CAMP through one of the plurality of first switches S1. Here, one of the charge amplifiers CAMP connected to the four second touch electrodes TE2 can be the leftmost charge amplifier CAMP located in Figure 14B the

[0344] Referring to Figure 14A and Figure 14B , even if the driving time elapses or the position where the first touch drive signal TDS_CTM is applied changes, the phase of the first touch drive signal TDS_CTM is constant. In this case, driving the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 with the first touch drive signal TDS_CTM having a constant phase can be referred to as "non-coded driving".

[0345] In Figure 14A and Figure 14B , the plurality of amplifiers AMP and the plurality of charge amplifiers CAMP can be included in the touch drive circuit 160.

[0346] In Figure 14A and Figure 14B , the plurality of first switches S1 and / or the plurality of second switches S2 can be included in the touch drive circuit 160. In some cases, the plurality of first switches S1 and / or the plurality of second switches S2 can be provided on the display panel 110.

[0347] Figure 15 Illustrates the operation change of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM based on the non-coded driving method.

[0348] Figure 15 Illustrates the operation state and the switch structure in the first time period (T = t1) and the operation state and the switch structure in the second time period (T = t2) after the first time period (T = t1) when operating in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM.

[0349] In Figure 15 when operating in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, the operation state during the first time period (T = t1) and the switching structure of the operation state can be the same as those in Figure 14B the same as that in

[0350] In Figure 15 for the sake of illustration, an example is given in which the sizes of the unit sensor node regions USN1 and USN2 in the hover pointing mode HPM (e.g., N2 in Figure 13B and the sizes of the unit sensor node regions USN1 and USN2 in the hover gesture mode HGM (e.g., N3 in Figure 13C are equal to 16

[0351] Referring to Figure 15 in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the first time period (T = t1), one of the four first switches S1 corresponding to the first unit sensor node region USN1 can be turned on, and all three second switches S2 corresponding to the first unit sensor node region USN1 can be turned on

[0352] Referring to Figure 15 during the period of performing the hover mode HM, in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, the touch driving circuit 160 can sense the first unit sensor node region USN1 during the first time period (T = t1)

[0353] Referring to Figure 15 in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the first time period (T = t1), at least one (e.g., four) of the plurality of amplifiers AMP can apply a second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or a third touch driving signal TDS_HGM to two or more (e.g., four) of the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 simultaneously

[0354] Referring to Figure 15 in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the first time period (T = t1), two or more (e.g., four) of the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 can be electrically connected to each other through at least one (e.g., three) of the plurality of second switches S2

[0355] Referring to Figure 15, in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during a first time period (T = t1), two or more (e.g., four) second touch electrodes TE2 can be electrically connected to one of a plurality of charge amplifiers CAMP through one of a plurality of first switches S1.

[0356] Refer to Figure 15 , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during a first time period (T = t1), among a plurality of first touch electrodes TE1, two or more (e.g., four) first touch electrodes TE1 to which a second touch drive signal TDS_HPM or a third touch drive signal TDS_HGM is simultaneously applied can overlap with a first unit sensor node area USN1.

[0357] Refer to Figure 15 , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during a first time period (T = t1), two or more (e.g., four) second touch electrodes TE2 electrically connected to each other through at least one (e.g., three) of a plurality of second switches S2 can overlap with a first unit sensor node area USN1.

[0358] Refer to Figure 15 , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during a first time period (T = t1), four first touch electrodes TE1 to which a second touch drive signal TDS_HPM or a third touch drive signal TDS_HGM is simultaneously applied and four second touch electrodes TE2 electrically connected to each other through three second switches S2 can cross each other to form a first unit sensor node area USN1.

[0359] Refer to Figure 15 , four first touch electrodes TE1 to which a second touch drive signal TDS_HPM or a third touch drive signal TDS_HGM is simultaneously applied and four second touch electrodes TE2 electrically connected to each other through three second switches S2 can form a first mutual capacitance.

[0360] Refer to Figure 15 , for the first unit sensor node area USN1, four second touch electrodes TE2 are electrically connected to each other through three second switches S2, and a charge amplifier CAMP connected to the four second touch electrodes TE2 through a first switch S1 can output a sensing signal VOUT according to the first mutual capacitance or the corresponding charge amount.

[0361] The first mutual capacitance may be a capacitance formed between four first touch electrodes TE1 to which a second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or a third touch driving signal TDS_HGM is simultaneously applied and four second touch electrodes TE2 electrically connected to each other through three second switches S2.

[0362] Referring to Figure 15 , during a period of performing the hover mode HM, in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, the touch driving circuit 160 may sense a second unit sensor node area USN2 different from the first unit sensor node area USN1 during a second time period (T = t2) after a first time period (T = t1).

[0363] Referring to Figure 15 , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the second time period (T = t2), a second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or a third touch driving signal TDS_HGM may be simultaneously applied to two or more (e.g., four) other first touch electrodes TE1 among the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1 through at least one (e.g., four) other amplifier AMPs among the plurality of amplifiers AMP.

[0364] Referring to Figure 15 , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the second time period (T = t2), two or more (e.g., four) second touch electrodes TE2 among the plurality of second touch electrodes TE2 may be electrically connected to each other through at least one (e.g., three) second switch S2 among the plurality of second switches S2.

[0365] Referring to Figure 15 , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the second time period (T = t2), two or more (e.g., four) second touch electrodes TE2 may be electrically connected to one charge amplifier CAMP among the plurality of charge amplifiers CAMP through one first switch S1 among the plurality of first switches S1.

[0366] Referring to Figure 15 , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the second time period (T = t2), among the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1, two or more (e.g., four) other first touch electrodes TE1 to which the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM is simultaneously applied may overlap with the second unit sensor node area USN2.

[0367] Referring to Figure 15, in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the second time period (T = t2), two or more (e.g., four) second touch electrodes TE2 among the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 that are electrically connected to each other through at least one (e.g., three) second switch S2 may overlap with the second unit sensor node area USN2.

[0368] Refer to Figure 15 , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the second time period (T = t2), four other first touch electrodes TE1 that are simultaneously applied with the second touch drive signal TDS_HPM or the third touch drive signal TDS_HGM and four second touch electrodes TE2 that are electrically connected to each other through three second switches S2 may cross each other to form a second unit sensor node area USN2 different from the first unit sensor node area USN1.

[0369] Refer to Figure 15 , four other first touch electrodes TE1 that are simultaneously applied with the second touch drive signal TDS_HPM or the third touch drive signal TDS_HGM and four second touch electrodes TE2 that are electrically connected to each other through three second switches S2 may form a second mutual capacitance.

[0370] Refer to Figure 15 , for the second unit sensor node area USN2, four second touch electrodes TE2 are electrically connected to each other through three second switches S2, and a charge amplifier CAMP connected to the four second touch electrodes TE2 through a first switch S1 may output a sensing signal VOUT according to the second mutual capacitance or the corresponding charge amount.

[0371] The second mutual capacitance may be a capacitance formed between four other first touch electrodes TE1 that are simultaneously applied with the second touch drive signal TDS_HPM or the third touch drive signal TDS_HGM and four second touch electrodes TE2 that are electrically connected to each other through three second switches S2.

[0372] Refer to Figure 15 , according to the non-coded driving method, in the hover pointing mode HPM, the second touch drive signal TDS_HPM simultaneously applied to two or more (e.g., four) first touch electrodes TE1 during the first time period (T = t1) and the second touch drive signal TDS_HPM simultaneously applied to two or more (e.g., four) other first touch electrodes TE1 during the second time period (T = t2) may have the same phase.

[0373] Refer to Figure 15, according to the non-coded driving method, in the hover gesture mode HGM, the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM applied to two or more (e.g., four) first touch electrodes TE1 simultaneously during the first time period (T = t1) and the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM applied to two or more (e.g., four) other first touch electrodes TE1 simultaneously during the second time period (T = t2) may have the same phase.

[0374] Figure 16A illustrates the operating state of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in the contact touch mode CTM based on the coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state, Figure 16B illustrates the operating state of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM based on the coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state.

[0375] Figure 16A The operating state in the contact touch mode CTM based on the coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state may be substantially the same as Figure 14A The operating state in the contact touch mode CTM based on the non-coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state.

[0376] Therefore, when referring to Figure 16A describing the operating state in the contact touch mode CTM based on the coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state, the differences from Figure 14A The operating state in the contact touch mode CTM based on the non-coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state will be mainly described.

[0377] Figure 16B The operating state in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM based on the coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state may be substantially the same as Figure 14B The operating state in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM based on the non-coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state.

[0378] Therefore, when referring to Figure 16B describing the operating state in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM based on the coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state, the differences from Figure 14B The operating state in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM based on the non-coded driving method and the switching structure of this operating state will be mainly described.

[0379] Referring to Figure 16A and Figure 16B, the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include: a plurality of third switches S3 between a plurality of signal input nodes Ns and a plurality of amplifiers AMP, and a plurality of fourth switches S4 for controlling the connection between two adjacent first touch electrodes TE1 among the plurality of first touch electrodes TE1.

[0380] The plurality of third switches S3 and the plurality of fourth switches S4 can also be applied to Figure 14A and Figure 14B .

[0381] Referring to Figure 16A and Figure 16B , each of the first touch driving signal TDS_CTM, the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM, and the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM may have different phases p1 and p2 according to the change of the period of the coded driving.

[0382] Referring to Figure 16A and Figure 16B , according to the touch sensing mode selected among the hover pointing mode HPM, the hover gesture mode HGM, and the contact touch mode CTM, the number of the third switches S3 that are turned on among the plurality of third switches S3 may be different, and the number of the fourth switches S4 that are turned on among the plurality of fourth switches S4 may be different.

[0383] For example, as shown in Figure 16A , when the contact touch mode CTM is selected as the touch sensing mode among the hover pointing mode HPM, the hover gesture mode HGM, and the contact touch mode CTM, all the third switches S3 may be turned on, and all the fourth switches S4 may be turned off.

[0384] Again, for example, as shown in Figure 16B , when the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM is selected as the touch sensing mode among the hover pointing mode HPM, the hover gesture mode HGM, and the contact touch mode CTM, one third switch S3 may be turned on for each unit sensor node area USN, and all the fourth switches S4 may be turned on for each unit sensor node area USN.

[0385] Figure 17 Illustrates the operation change of the touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM based on the coded driving method.

[0386] Figure 17Illustrates the operating state and the switching structure of the operating state during the first time period (T = t1) when operating in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, and the operating state and the switching structure of the operating state during the second time period (T = t2) after the first time period (T = t1).

[0387] In Figure 17 it, the operating state and the switching structure of the operating state during the first time period (T = t1) when operating in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM can be the same as those in Figure 14B it.

[0388] In Figure 17 it, for the sake of illustration, an example is given where the sizes of the unit sensor node regions USN1 and USN2 in the hover pointing mode HPM (e.g., N2 in Figure 13B it) and the sizes of the unit sensor node regions USN1 and USN2 in the hover gesture mode HGM (e.g., N3 in Figure 13C it) are equal to 16.

[0389] Referring to Figure 17 it, during the period of the hover mode HM, in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, the touch driving circuit 160 can sense the first unit sensor node region USN1 during the first time period (T = t1).

[0390] Referring to Figure 17 it, in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the first time period (T = t1), one of the four third switches S3 corresponding to the first unit sensor node region USN1 can be turned on, and all three fourth switches S4 corresponding to the first unit sensor node region USN1 can be turned on.

[0391] In addition, referring to Figure 17 it, in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during the first time period (T = t1), one of the four first switches S1 corresponding to the first unit sensor node region USN1 can be turned on, and all three second switches S2 corresponding to the first unit sensor node region USN1 can be turned on.

[0392] Referring to Figure 17, in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during a first time period (T = t1), a second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or a third touch driving signal TDS_HGM can be simultaneously applied to two or more (e.g., four) first touch electrodes TE1 among the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 that overlap or are located in the first unit sensor node area USN1 through at least one amplifier AMP among the multiple amplifiers AMP.

[0393] Refer to Figure 17 , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during a first time period (T = t1), two or more (e.g., four) second touch electrodes TE2 among the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 that overlap or are located in the first unit sensor node area USN1 can be electrically connected to each other through at least one (e.g., three) second switch S2 among the multiple second switches S2.

[0394] Refer to ​ , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during a first time period (T = t1), two or more (e.g., four) second touch electrodes TE2 can be electrically connected to one charge amplifier CAMP among the multiple charge amplifiers CAMP through one conducting first switch S1 among the multiple first switches S1.

[0395] Refer to ​ , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during a second time period (T = t2), a second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or a third touch driving signal TDS_HGM can be simultaneously applied to two or more (e.g., four) first touch electrodes TE1 among the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 that overlap or are located in the second unit sensor node area USN2 through at least one amplifier AMP among the multiple amplifiers AMP.

[0396] Refer to ​ , in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during a second time period (T = t2), two or more (e.g., four) second touch electrodes TE2 among the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 that overlap or are located in the second unit sensor node area USN2 can be electrically connected to each other through at least one (e.g., three) second switch S2 among the multiple second switches S2.

[0397] Refer to ​, in the hover pointing mode HPM or the hover gesture mode HGM, during a second time period (T = t2), two or more (e.g., four) second touch electrodes TE2 that overlap or are located within the second unit sensor node region USN2 may be electrically connected via a first switch S1 that is turned on among a plurality of first switches S1 to one of a plurality of charge amplifiers CAMP.

[0398] Refer to ​ , when driving the display panel 110 according to the encoded driving method, the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM that is simultaneously applied to two or more first touch electrodes TE1 that overlap or are located within the second unit sensor node region USN2 and the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM that is simultaneously applied to two or more other first touch electrodes TE1 that overlap or are located within the first unit sensor node region USN1 may have different phases p1 and p2.

[0399] For example, the phase difference (i.e., |p1 - p2|) between the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM that is simultaneously applied to two or more first touch electrodes TE1 that overlap or are located within the second unit sensor node region USN2 and the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM that is simultaneously applied to two or more other first touch electrodes TE1 that overlap or are located within the first unit sensor node region USN1 may be 180 degrees.

[0400] For example, if the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM that is simultaneously applied to two or more other first touch electrodes TE1 that overlap or are located within the first unit sensor node region USN1 has a first phase p1 with respect to the reference touch driving signal TDS_REF, then the second touch driving signal TDS_HPM or the third touch driving signal TDS_HGM that is simultaneously applied to two or more first touch electrodes TE1 that overlap or are located within the second unit sensor node region USN2 may have a second phase p2 with respect to the reference touch driving signal TDS_REF. Here, the first phase p1 and the second phase p2 may be different from each other, and the difference between the first phase p1 and the second phase p2 may be, for example, 180 degrees (i.e., in antiphase).

[0401] The above embodiments of the present disclosure are briefly described as follows.

[0402] A touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a touch sensor including a plurality of touch electrodes; and a touch driving circuit configured to drive the touch sensor.

[0403] The plurality of operation modes of the touch display device may include a contact mode for sensing a contact touch and a hover mode for sensing a non-contact touch.

[0404] As a plurality of detailed contact modes, the contact mode may include a display mode for displaying an image and a contact touch mode for sensing a contact touch.

[0405] As a plurality of detailed hover modes, the hover mode may include the display mode, a hover pointing mode for sensing a non-contact pointing touch to a point on the screen among non-contact touches, and a hover gesture mode for sensing a non-contact gesture of movement among non-contact touches.

[0406] In the contact touch mode, a first touch driving signal having a first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0407] In the hover pointing mode, a second touch driving signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0408] In the hover gesture mode, a third touch driving signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0409] The second amplitude may be greater than the first amplitude, and the third amplitude may be greater than or equal to the second amplitude.

[0410] When the contact touch mode is selected among a plurality of detailed contact touch modes, the number of touch electrodes overlapping with a unit sensor node area among the plurality of touch electrodes may be N1.

[0411] When the hover pointing mode is selected among a plurality of detailed hover modes, the number of touch electrodes overlapping with a unit sensor node area among the plurality of touch electrodes may be N2, and N2 is greater than N1.

[0412] When the hover gesture mode is selected among a plurality of detailed hover modes, the number of touch electrodes overlapping with a unit sensor node area among the plurality of touch electrodes may be N3, and N3 is greater than or equal to N2.

[0413] The plurality of touch electrodes may include a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes that cross each other.

[0414] When the contact touch mode is selected among multiple detailed contact touch modes, the multiple first touch electrodes can be electrically separated from each other, and the multiple second touch electrodes can be electrically separated from each other.

[0415] When the hovering pointing mode is selected among multiple detailed hovering modes, n first touch electrodes among the multiple first touch electrodes can be electrically connected to each other or the n first touch electrodes are applied with the same second touch driving signal, and m second touch electrodes among the multiple second touch electrodes can be electrically connected to each other.

[0416] When the hovering gesture mode is selected among multiple detailed hovering modes, k first touch electrodes among the multiple first touch electrodes can be electrically connected to each other or the k first touch electrodes are applied with the same third touch driving signal, and I second touch electrodes among the multiple second touch electrodes can be electrically connected to each other.

[0417] The product of n and m can be greater than 1 and less than or equal to the product of k and I.

[0418] The display mode, the contact touch mode, the hovering pointing mode, and the hovering gesture mode can be distinguished by a first mode control signal, a second mode control signal, and a third mode control signal having different signal waveforms.

[0419] The first mode control signal can include a first level voltage section and a second level voltage section that are different from each other, the second mode control signal can include a third level voltage section and a fourth level voltage section that are different from each other, and the third mode control signal can include a fifth level voltage section and a sixth level voltage section that are different from each other.

[0420] When the first mode control signal is in the second level voltage section, the display mode can be selected as multiple detailed contact modes or multiple detailed hovering modes.

[0421] When the first level voltage section of the first mode control signal overlaps with the third level voltage section of the second mode control signal, the contact touch mode can be selected from multiple detailed contact modes.

[0422] When the first level voltage section of the first mode control signal overlaps with the fourth level voltage section of the second mode control signal, if the third mode control signal is in the fifth level voltage section, the hovering pointing mode can be selected from multiple detailed hovering modes.

[0423] When the first level voltage section of the first mode control signal overlaps with the fourth level voltage section of the second mode control signal, if the third mode control signal is in the sixth level voltage section, a hover gesture mode can be selected from multiple detailed hover modes.

[0424] During the period when the first level voltage section and the fourth level voltage section overlap, the third mode control signal can have a constant voltage level.

[0425] During the period when the first level voltage section and the fourth level voltage section overlap, the signal applied to the touch sensor can have a constant amplitude.

[0426] During the period when the first level voltage section and the fourth level voltage section overlap, the voltage level of the third mode control signal can change.

[0427] During the period when the first level voltage section and the fourth level voltage section overlap, the amplitude of the signal applied to the touch sensor can change.

[0428] The period when the first level voltage section and the fourth level voltage section overlap can include a first period and a second period.

[0429] During the first period, the signal applied to the touch sensor can have a second amplitude. During the second period, the signal applied to the touch sensor can have a third amplitude. The first period can be a part before or after the second period.

[0430] During the period when the first level voltage section and the third level voltage section overlap, the third mode control signal can be in the fifth level voltage section.

[0431] The signal applied to the touch sensor can selectively change to one of multiple amplitudes according to the timing.

[0432] During the period when the first level voltage section and the third level voltage section overlap, the signal applied to the touch sensor can have the smallest amplitude among the multiple amplitudes.

[0433] In the hover pointing mode, n first touch electrodes among the multiple first touch electrodes can be simultaneously applied with the second touch drive signal, and m second touch electrodes among the multiple second touch electrodes can be electrically connected to each other. Here, n can be a natural number greater than or equal to 2, and m can be a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

[0434] In the hover gesture mode, k first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes may be simultaneously applied with the third touch driving signal, and I second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes may be electrically connected to each other. Here, k may be a natural number greater than or equal to 2, and I may be a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

[0435] In the contact touch mode, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes may be applied with the first touch driving signal, and each of the plurality of second touch electrodes may be electrically separated.

[0436] The product of k and I may be greater than or equal to the product of n and m.

[0437] The touch sensor may include a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes.

[0438] A touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a plurality of amplifiers connected to the plurality of first touch electrodes; a plurality of charge amplifiers corresponding to the plurality of second touch electrodes; a plurality of first switches for controlling the connection between the plurality of second touch electrodes and the plurality of charge amplifiers; and a plurality of second switches for controlling the connection between two adjacent second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes.

[0439] The on-off of the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches may be controlled according to a touch sensing mode selected from the contact touch mode, the hover pointing mode, and the hover gesture mode.

[0440] In the contact touch mode, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes may be applied with the first touch driving signal through a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers, the plurality of second switches may all be turned off so that the plurality of second touch electrodes may be electrically separated from each other, and the plurality of second touch electrodes may be electrically connected to the plurality of charge amplifiers through the plurality of first switches.

[0441] In the hover pointing mode or the hover gesture mode, during a first time period, two or more first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes that overlap with a first unit sensor node region may be simultaneously applied with the second touch driving signal or the third touch driving signal through at least one of the plurality of amplifiers, two or more second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes that overlap with the first unit sensor node region may be electrically connected to each other through at least one of the plurality of second switches, and the two or more second touch electrodes may be electrically connected to one of the plurality of charge amplifiers through one of the plurality of first switches.

[0442] In the hovering pointing mode or the hovering gesture mode, during a second time period after the first time period, two or more other first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes that overlap with a second unit sensor node region different from the first unit sensor node region may be simultaneously applied with the second touch driving signal or the third touch driving signal through at least one other amplifier among the plurality of amplifiers. Two or more second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes that overlap with the second unit sensor node region may be electrically connected to each other through at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches, and the two or more second touch electrodes that overlap with the second unit sensor node region may be electrically connected to one charge amplifier among the plurality of charge amplifiers through one first switch among the plurality of first switches.

[0443] When driven according to the non-coded driving method, the second touch driving signal or the third touch driving signal simultaneously applied to two or more first touch electrodes that overlap with the first unit sensor node region and the second touch driving signal or the third touch driving signal simultaneously applied to two or more other first touch electrodes that overlap with the second unit sensor node region may have the same phase.

[0444] Alternatively, when driven according to the coded driving method, the second touch driving signal or the third touch driving signal simultaneously applied to two or more first touch electrodes that overlap with the first unit sensor node region and the second touch driving signal or the third touch driving signal simultaneously applied to two or more other first touch electrodes that overlap with the second unit sensor node region may have different phases.

[0445] The touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include: a plurality of third switches between the plurality of signal input nodes and the plurality of amplifiers; and a plurality of fourth switches for controlling the connection between two adjacent first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes.

[0446] According to the touch sensing mode selected among the hovering pointing mode, the hovering gesture mode, and the contact touch mode, the number of turned-on third switches among the plurality of third switches may be different, and the number of turned-on fourth switches among the plurality of fourth switches may be different.

[0447] The driving circuit of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a signal generation unit configured to generate a touch driving signal to be applied to at least one touch electrode among a plurality of touch electrodes based on a reference touch driving signal according to a touch sensing mode selected from among a plurality of touch sensing modes; and a signal output unit configured to output the touch driving signal to the at least one touch electrode.

[0448] The driving circuit includes a plurality of operation modes, and the plurality of operation modes include a contact mode for sensing a contact touch and a hover mode for sensing a non-contact touch.

[0449] The contact mode may include a display mode for displaying an image and a contact touch mode for sensing a contact touch. The hover mode may include the display mode, a hover pointing mode for sensing a non-contact pointing touch to a point on the screen among non-contact touches, and a hover gesture mode for sensing a non-contact gesture of movement among non-contact touches.

[0450] The signal generation unit may generate the touch driving signal corresponding to a touch sensing mode selected from among the plurality of touch sensing modes including the contact touch mode, the hover pointing mode, and the hover gesture mode according to a plurality of mode control signals having different signal waveforms. For example, the plurality of mode control signals may include a first mode control signal, a second mode control signal, and a third mode control signal.

[0451] When the contact touch mode is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal may be a first touch driving signal having a first amplitude.

[0452] When the hover pointing mode is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal may be a second touch driving signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude.

[0453] When the hover gesture mode is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal may be a third touch driving signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude.

[0454] A driving method of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: operating in a hover mode including a display mode, a hover pointing mode, and a hover gesture mode; determining an intensity of a sensing signal of a touch sensor; if the intensity of the sensing signal is above a predetermined level, operating in a contact mode including a display mode and a contact touch mode, and performing a contact algorithm based on an operation result in the contact mode to determine coordinates of a contact touch; if the intensity of the sensing signal is below the predetermined level, determining whether there is a movement characteristic based on the sensing signal; if there is no movement characteristic based on the sensing signal, determining coordinates of a hover touch while operating in the hover mode; and if there is a movement characteristic based on the sensing signal, determining a hover gesture while operating in the hover mode.

[0455] During the contact touch mode, a first touch driving signal having a first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0456] During the hover pointing mode, a second touch driving signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0457] During the hover gesture mode, a third touch driving signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude may be applied to the touch sensor.

[0458] The second amplitude may be greater than the first amplitude, and the third amplitude may be greater than or equal to the second amplitude.

[0459] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method capable of supporting various touch sensing modes may be provided.

[0460] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method capable of effectively sensing a contact touch, a non-contact pointing touch (e.g., a hover pointing touch) pointing to a point on a screen, and a moving non-contact gesture (e.g., a hover gesture) may be provided.

[0461] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method having a control signal system capable of effectively supporting three touch sensing modes and a display mode may be provided, the three touch sensing modes including a contact touch mode, a hover pointing mode for sensing a non-contact pointing touch pointing to a point on a screen, and a hover gesture mode for sensing a moving non-contact gesture.

[0462] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, under a control signal system, a hover mode and a contact mode can be distinguished and operated by a time period and a mode control signal (e.g., which can be an interrupt signal). Here, for example, the mode control signal can be regarded as an interrupt signal.

[0463] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by applying a control signal system, the error rate between operation modes that may occur in the hover mode and the contact mode can be reduced, and the operation reliability of each operation mode can be improved.

[0464] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch control-based channel binding (see ​ , ​ , ​ , ​ , ​ , ​ , ​ , ​ and ​ ) can be controlled differently for each of various touch sensing modes including a contact touch mode, a hover pointing mode, and a hover gesture mode, thereby providing effective operation.

[0465] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in terms of operation time, by effectively performing various operation modes such as a display mode, a contact touch mode, a hover pointing mode, and a hover gesture mode, low-power operation can be provided.

[0466] The above description and drawings provide examples of the technical idea of the present disclosure for illustrative purposes only. Various modifications, additions, and substitutions to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the disclosed embodiments are intended to illustrate the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure is limited to the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A touch display device, comprising: A touch sensor including a plurality of touch electrodes; and a touch driving circuit configured to drive the touch sensor, wherein the operation modes of the touch display device include a contact mode for sensing contact touch and a hovering mode for sensing non-contact touch, wherein the contact mode includes a display mode for displaying an image and a contact touch mode for sensing a contact touch, wherein the hovering mode includes the display mode, a hovering pointing mode for sensing a non-contact pointing touch directed to a point on the screen among non-contact touches, and a hovering gesture mode for sensing a non-contact gesture of movement among non-contact touches, wherein in the contact touch mode, a first touch drive signal having a first amplitude is applied to the touch sensor, wherein in the hover pointing mode, a second touch drive signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude is applied to the touch sensor, and In the hover gesture mode, a third touch drive signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude is applied to the touch sensor. 2 . The touch display device according to claim 1 , wherein the second amplitude is greater than the first amplitude, and the third amplitude is greater than or equal to the second amplitude.

3. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein: In the contact touch mode, the number of touch electrodes overlapping the unit sensor node area among the plurality of touch electrodes is N1, Wherein, in the hover pointing mode, the number of touch electrodes overlapping the unit sensor node area among the plurality of touch electrodes is N2, N2 is greater than N1, In the hover gesture mode, the number of touch electrodes overlapping the unit sensor node area among the plurality of touch electrodes is N3, and N3 is greater than or equal to N2.

4. The touch display device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of touch electrodes include a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes intersecting each other, in, In the contact touch mode, the plurality of first touch electrodes are electrically separated from each other, and the plurality of second touch electrodes are electrically separated from each other, Wherein, in the hover pointing mode, n first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other or the n first touch electrodes are applied with the same second touch driving signal, and m second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other, Wherein, in the hover gesture mode, k first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other or the k first touch electrodes are applied with the same third touch drive signal, and 1 second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other, Wherein the product of n and m is greater than 1 and less than or equal to the product of k and I.

5. The touch display device according to claim 1 , wherein the display mode, the contact touch mode, the hover pointing mode, and the hover gesture mode are distinguished by a first mode control signal, a second mode control signal, and a third mode control signal having different signal waveforms, The first mode control signal includes first and second level voltage sections different from each other, the second mode control signal includes third and fourth level voltage sections different from each other, and the third mode control signal includes fifth and sixth level voltage sections different from each other.

6. The touch display device according to claim 5, wherein: When the first mode control signal is in the second level voltage section, the display mode operates in the contact mode or the hovering mode, When the first voltage level section of the first mode control signal and the third voltage level section of the second mode control signal overlap, the contact touch mode is selected. Wherein, when the first voltage level section of the first mode control signal and the fourth voltage level section of the second mode control signal overlap, if the third mode control signal is in the fifth voltage level section, the hover pointing mode is selected, When the first voltage level section of the first mode control signal and the fourth voltage level section of the second mode control signal overlap, if the third mode control signal is in the sixth voltage level section, the hover gesture mode is selected.

7. The touch display device according to claim 5, wherein: During a period in which the first level voltage section and the fourth level voltage section overlap, the third mode control signal has a constant voltage level, and a signal applied to the touch sensor has a constant amplitude.

8. The touch display device according to claim 5, wherein: During a period in which the first level voltage section and the fourth level voltage section overlap, a voltage level of the third mode control signal changes, and an amplitude of a signal applied to the touch sensor changes.

9. The touch display device according to claim 5, wherein the signal applied to the touch sensor selectively changes to one of a plurality of amplitudes based on a timing sequence, in, During a period in which the first level voltage section and the third level voltage section overlap, the signal applied to the touch sensor has a smallest amplitude among the plurality of amplitudes, and the third mode control signal is in the fifth level voltage section.

10. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein the touch sensor comprises a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes, in, In the contact touch mode, each of the plurality of first touch electrodes is applied with the first touch drive signal, and each of the plurality of second touch electrodes is electrically separated, Wherein, in the hover pointing mode, n first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes are simultaneously applied with the second touch drive signal, n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2, and m second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other, m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2, Wherein, in the hover gesture mode, k first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes are simultaneously applied with the third touch drive signal, k is a natural number greater than or equal to 2, and I second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other, I is a natural number greater than or equal to 2, Wherein the product of k and I is greater than or equal to the product of n and m.

11. The touch display device according to claim 10, wherein the touch driving circuit comprises: a plurality of amplifiers connected to the plurality of first touch electrodes; a plurality of charge amplifiers corresponding to the plurality of second touch electrodes; a plurality of first switches for controlling connections between the plurality of second touch electrodes and the plurality of charge amplifiers; as well as a plurality of second switches for controlling the connection between two adjacent second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes, The on-off of the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches is controlled based on a touch sensing mode selected from among the contact touch mode, the hovering pointing mode, and the hovering gesture mode.

12. The touch display device according to claim 11, wherein: In the contact touch mode, each of the multiple first touch electrodes is applied with the first touch drive signal through a corresponding amplifier among the multiple amplifiers, the multiple second switches are all turned off, so that the multiple second touch electrodes are electrically separated from each other, and the multiple second touch electrodes are electrically connected to the multiple charge amplifiers through the multiple first switches.

13. The touch display device according to claim 11, wherein: In the hover pointing mode or the hover gesture mode, during a first time period, Two or more first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes overlapping the first unit sensor node area are simultaneously applied with the second touch drive signal or the third touch drive signal through at least one amplifier among the plurality of amplifiers, Two or more second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes overlapping the first unit sensor node area are electrically connected to each other through at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches, and The two or more second touch electrodes are electrically connected to one charge amplifier among the plurality of charge amplifiers through one first switch among the plurality of first switches.

14. The touch display device according to claim 13, wherein: In the hover pointing mode or the hover gesture mode, during a second time period after the first time period, Two or more other first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes overlapping with a second unit sensor node area different from the first unit sensor node area are simultaneously applied with the second touch drive signal or the third touch drive signal through at least one other amplifier among the plurality of amplifiers, Two or more second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes overlapping the second unit sensor node area are electrically connected to each other through at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches, and The two or more second touch electrodes are electrically connected to one charge amplifier among the plurality of charge amplifiers through one first switch among the plurality of first switches, Wherein the second touch drive signal or the third touch drive signal simultaneously applied to two or more first touch electrodes overlapping the first unit sensor node area has the same phase as the second touch drive signal or the third touch drive signal simultaneously applied to two or more other first touch electrodes overlapping the second unit sensor node area.

15. The touch display device according to claim 13, wherein: In the hover pointing mode or the hover gesture mode, during a second time period after the first time period, Two or more other first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes overlapping the second unit sensor node area are simultaneously applied with the second touch drive signal or the third touch drive signal through at least one other amplifier among the plurality of amplifiers, Two or more second touch electrodes among the plurality of second touch electrodes overlapping the second unit sensor node area are electrically connected to each other through at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches, and The two or more second touch electrodes are electrically connected to one charge amplifier among the plurality of charge amplifiers through one first switch among the plurality of first switches, Wherein the second touch drive signal or the third touch drive signal simultaneously applied to two or more first touch electrodes overlapping the first unit sensor node area has a different phase from the second touch drive signal or the third touch drive signal simultaneously applied to two or more other first touch electrodes overlapping the second unit sensor node area.

16. The touch display device according to claim 11, wherein the touch driving circuit further comprises: a plurality of third switches between the plurality of signal input nodes and the plurality of amplifiers; and a plurality of fourth switches for controlling the connection between two adjacent first touch electrodes among the plurality of first touch electrodes, Wherein, based on the touch sensing mode selected from among the hover pointing mode, the hover gesture mode and the contact touch mode, the number of turned-on third switches among the plurality of third switches is different, and the number of turned-on fourth switches among the plurality of fourth switches is different.

17. A driving circuit for a touch display device, comprising: a signal generating unit configured to generate a touch driving signal to be applied to at least one touch electrode among the plurality of touch electrodes based on a reference touch driving signal based on a touch sensing mode selected from among the plurality of touch sensing modes; and a signal output unit, wherein the signal output unit is configured to output the touch drive signal to the at least one touch electrode, wherein the driving circuit includes a plurality of operation modes, the plurality of operation modes including a contact mode for sensing a contact touch and a hovering mode for sensing a non-contact touch, wherein the contact mode includes a display mode for displaying an image and a contact touch mode for sensing a contact touch, wherein the hovering mode includes the display mode, a hovering pointing mode for sensing a non-contact pointing touch directed to a point on the screen among non-contact touches, and a hovering gesture mode for sensing a non-contact gesture of movement among non-contact touches, The signal generating unit generates the touch driving signal corresponding to a touch sensing mode selected from among the plurality of touch sensing modes including the contact touch mode, the hover pointing mode and the hover gesture mode according to a plurality of mode control signals having different signal waveforms.

18. The driving circuit according to claim 17, when the contact touch mode is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal is a first touch driving signal having a first amplitude, When the hover pointing mode is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal is a second touch driving signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude, and When the hovering gesture mode is selected as the touch sensing mode, the touch driving signal is a third touch driving signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude.

19. A method for driving a touch display device, comprising: operating in a hover mode including a display mode, a hover pointing mode, and a hover gesture mode; determining a strength of a sensing signal of a touch sensor; If the intensity of the sensing signal is above a predetermined level, operating in a contact mode including a display mode and a contact touch mode, and executing a contact algorithm based on the operation result in the contact mode to determine the coordinates of the contact touch; If the strength of the sensing signal is below the predetermined level, determining whether there is a movement characteristic based on the sensing signal; if there is no movement characteristic based on the sensing signal, determining coordinates of the hovering touch while operating in the hovering mode; and If there is a movement characteristic based on the sensing signal, determining a hovering gesture while operating in the hovering mode, wherein during the contact touch mode, a first touch drive signal having a first amplitude is applied to the touch sensor, wherein during the hover pointing mode, a second touch drive signal having a second amplitude different from the first amplitude is applied to the touch sensor, and During the hover gesture mode, a third touch drive signal having a third amplitude different from the first amplitude is applied to the touch sensor. 20 . The driving method according to claim 19 , wherein the second amplitude is greater than the first amplitude, and the third amplitude is greater than or equal to the second amplitude.

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