Organic light-emitting display device

Abstract

Organic light-emitting display device comprising: a display layer (110A) which includes: a substrate (10), a pixel array layer (100) on the substrate (10), wherein the pixel array layer (100) contains multiple pixels (SP), each of the multiple pixels (SP) containing a thin-film transistor (TFT) and an organic light-emitting diode, and an encapsulation layer (300) covering the pixel array layer (110A); a cover window (700); and a touch-sensitive layer (500) directly on the display layer (110A), wherein the touch-sensitive layer (500) is arranged between the display layer (110A) and the cover window (700), the touch-sensitive layer (500) comprising: a first contact electrode layer (510) directly on the display layer (110A), a second contact electrode layer (530) between the first contact electrode layer (510) and the cover window (700), and a thickness modification element (550) between the first contact electrode layer (510) and the second contact electrode layer (530), wherein the second contact electrode layer (530) further comprises several first secondary electrodes (SE1) and several second secondary electrodes (SE2) arranged along several third contact electrodes (TE3), each of the several third contact electrodes (TE3) being arranged between an adjacent first secondary electrode (SE1) and an adjacent second secondary electrode (SE2), wherein the multiple third contact electrodes (TE3), the multiple first secondary electrodes (SE1) and the multiple second secondary electrodes (SE2) are electrically suspended during a contact position scanning time interval, and wherein a third contact electrode (TE3) from the multiple third contact electrodes is electrically connected to an adjacent one from the first secondary electrodes (SE1) and an adjacent one from the second secondary electrodes (SE2) during a contact force sampling time period.

Description

BACKGROUND Related Area

[0001] One or more embodiments disclosed herein relate to an organic light-emitting display device that includes a touch-sensitive panel. Discussion of the state of the art

[0002] Display devices such as LCDs (liquid crystal displays), OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes), PDPs (plasma displays), and EDPs (electrophoresis displays) are manufactured in several steps. To produce these displays, an embossing process is performed using an embossing device to create a pattern on a substrate used for the display.

[0003] Recently, touch-sensitive tablets have been used as input devices for various products such as televisions (TVs), notebook computers, monitors, etc., in addition to portable electronic devices such as electronic notebooks, e-books, portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigation devices, ultra-mobile personal computers (UMPCs), mobile phones, smartphones, smartwatches, tablet personal computers (PCs), watch phones, mobile communication devices, etc.

[0004] Recently, when user interface environments such as applications requiring touch information via force-dependent touch are created, organic light-emitting display devices for sensing force-dependent touch are being researched and developed. For example, WO 2010 / 026515 discloses an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device that includes capacitive proximity sensing means for detecting a user's force-dependent touch by sensing a variation in capacitance caused by the user's touch via a mechanical element located between an OLED and a mounting structure. However, in the prior art OLED device, the thickness increases due to the mechanical element located between the OLED and the mounting structure.

[0005] US 2013 / 0021289 A1 reveals a display with an integrated touch sensor.

[0006] US 2010 / 0253651 A1 discloses an input device for determining position information and pressure information.

[0007] US 2016 / 0026315 A1 discloses a display device with a touch sensor configured to detect pressure and a touch position.

[0008] US 2014 / 0218328 A1 discloses a device with capacitive sensors arranged in a detection area.

[0009] US 2015 / 0153942 A1 discloses a touch panel with a detection module for detecting a touch position and a touch pressure. SUMMARY

[0010] In one or more embodiments, an organic light-emitting display device is disclosed which essentially avoids one or more problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.

[0011] Advantageously, an organic light-emitting display device includes a touch-sensitive panel and has a thin thickness.

[0012] Additionally, an organic light-emitting display device, integrated into a touch-sensitive panel, detects a touch position and a touch force.

[0013] Additional advantages and features of the invention are partly set forth in the following description and partly become obvious to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or can be learned from practical experience with the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention can be realized and achieved through the structure, which is specifically highlighted both in the written description and the associated claims, as well as in the accompanying drawings.

[0014] One objective of the invention is to improve the detection of contact forces.

[0015] The objective is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, an organic light-emitting display device comprises an encapsulation layer covering a pixel array layer provided on a substrate, and a cover window coupled to a touch-sensitive layer, wherein the touch-sensitive layer comprises a first touch electrode layer provided on the encapsulation layer, a second touch electrode layer provided on the first touch electrode layer, and a thickness modification element between the first touch electrode layer and the second touch electrode layer.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, an organic light-emitting display device comprises a display layer comprising: a substrate; a pixel array layer on the substrate, the pixel array layer containing multiple pixels, each of the multiple pixels containing a thin-film transistor (TFT) and an organic light-emitting diode; an encapsulation layer covering the pixel array layer; a cover window; and a touch-sensitive layer directly on the display layer. The touch-sensitive layer may be arranged between the display layer and the cover window. The touch-sensitive layer may comprise: a first touch electrode layer directly on the display layer; a second touch electrode layer between the first touch electrode layer and the cover window; and a thickness-modifying element between the first touch electrode layer and the second touch electrode layer.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the first contact electrode layer comprises several electrodes, each of which comprises an amorphous translucent conductive material formed at a first temperature, and the second contact electrode layer comprises further several electrodes, each of which comprises a crystalline translucent conductive material formed at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the first contact electrode layer comprises several first contact electrodes and several second contact electrodes directly on the encapsulation layer.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the second contact electrode layer comprises multiple third contact electrodes directly on one side of the cover window facing the thickness modification element. The multiple third contact electrodes may intersect the multiple second contact electrodes.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the second contact electrode layer further comprises several first secondary electrodes and several second secondary electrodes arranged along the several third contact electrodes, each of the several third contact electrodes being positioned between an adjacent first secondary electrode and an adjacent second secondary electrode. The several third contact electrodes, the several first secondary electrodes, and the several second secondary electrodes may be suspended during a touch position scanning period, and a third contact electrode from the several third contact electrodes may be electrically connected to the adjacent first secondary electrode and the adjacent second secondary electrode during a touch force scanning period.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the organic light-emitting display device further comprises: a touch control circuit connected to the multiple first touch electrodes, the multiple second touch electrodes and the multiple third touch electrodes.The touch control circuit can be configured to: during the touch position scanning period, apply a first touch control pulse to at least one of the first touch electrodes, scan a first touch scan signal in response to the first touch control pulse through the multiple second touch electrodes, and determine a touch event area corresponding to a touch on the cover window according to the first touch scan signal; and during the touch force scanning period, apply a second touch control pulse to at least one of the third touch electrodes arranged in the touch event area, scan a second touch scan signal in response to the second touch control pulse through the multiple second touch electrodes, and determine a touch force level and a touch position coordinate of the touch according to the second touch scan signal.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the second contact electrode layer further comprises several connecting electrodes, each of which points from the several connecting electrodes to an end of a corresponding one from the third contact electrodes and electrically connects an end of a corresponding one from the first secondary electrodes to an end of a corresponding one from the second secondary electrodes adjacent to the corresponding one from the third contact electrodes.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the display layer further comprises a barrier film arranged between the encapsulation layer and the first contact electrode layer. The first contact electrode may be located directly on the barrier film.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the display layer further comprises: a light-control film arranged between the encapsulation layer and the first contact electrode layer. The first contact electrode layer may be located directly on the light-control film.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the display layer further comprises: a black matrix arranged between the encapsulation layer and the first touch electrode layer, wherein the black matrix defines an aperture region for each of the multiple pixels; a color filter layer arranged within the aperture region for each of the multiple pixels; and a buffer layer covering the black matrix and the color filter layer. The first touch electrode layer may be located directly on the buffer layer.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the first contact electrode layer comprises: several first contact electrodes directly on the encapsulation layer, several second contact electrodes intersecting the several first contact electrodes, and an electrode insulating layer between the several first contact electrodes and the several second contact electrodes. An electrode insulating layer may be in contact with the encapsulation layer via gaps between the several first contact electrodes.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the display layer further comprises: a black matrix arranged between the encapsulation layer and the first touch electrode layer, wherein the black matrix defines an aperture region for each of the multiple pixels; a color filter layer arranged within the aperture region for each of the multiple pixels; and a buffer layer covering the black matrix and the color filter layer. The first touch electrode layer may include multiple first touch electrodes directly on the buffer layer, multiple second touch electrodes intersecting the multiple first touch electrodes, and an electrode insulation layer between the multiple first touch electrodes and the multiple second touch electrodes, wherein the electrode insulation layer is in contact with the buffer layer through gaps between the multiple first touch electrodes.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the second contact electrode layer comprises several third contact electrodes directly on one side of the cover window facing the thickness modification element. The second contact electrode layer can further comprise several first secondary electrodes and several second secondary electrodes arranged along the multiple second contact electrodes, each of the multiple second contact electrodes being positioned between an adjacent first secondary electrode and an adjacent second secondary electrode.The multiple third contact electrodes, the multiple first secondary electrodes, and the multiple second secondary electrodes can be electrically suspended during a contact position scanning time interval, and a second contact electrode from the multiple second contact electrodes can be electrically connected to the adjacent one from the first secondary electrodes and the adjacent one from the second secondary electrodes during a contact force scanning time interval.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the organic light-emitting display device further comprises: a touch control circuit connected to the multiple first touch electrodes, the multiple second touch electrodes, and the multiple third touch electrodes. The touch control circuit can be configured to: apply a first touch control pulse to at least one of the first touch electrodes during the touch position scanning period; scan a first touch signal in response to the first touch control pulse through the multiple second touch electrodes and determine a touch event area corresponding to a touch on the cover window according to the first touch scan signal; and during the touch force scanning period, apply a second touch control pulse to at least one of the third touch electrodes arranged in the touch event area.to apply a second touch sampling signal in response to the second touch control pulse by scanning (i) the multiple second touch electrodes, (ii) the first secondary electrodes and (iii) the second secondary electrodes and to determine a touch force level and a touch position coordinate of the touch according to the second touch sampling signal.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the first contact electrode layer further comprises several connecting electrodes, each of which points from the several connecting electrodes to an end of a corresponding one from the second contact electrodes and electrically connects an end of the corresponding one from the first secondary electrodes to an end of a corresponding one from the second secondary electrodes adjacent to the corresponding one from the second contact electrodes.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the second contact electrode layer comprises multiple first contact electrodes and multiple second contact electrodes directly on one side of the cover window facing the thickness modification element, and the first contact electrode layer comprises a third contact electrode directly on the encapsulation layer. The third contact electrode may overlap with all of the multiple first contact electrodes and the multiple second contact electrodes.

[0033] It should be understood that both the preceding general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and illustrative and are intended to provide a further explanation of the invention as claimed. Brief description of the drawings

[0034] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and form part of this application, represent embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principle of the invention. The drawings include: Fig. 1 a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to one embodiment; Fig. 2. A diagram to describe a touch-sensitive layer located in Fig. 1 is shown; Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I', which is in Fig. 2 is shown; Fig. 4. A graphic to describe a capacity variation caused by a change in the thickness of a thickness modification element located in Fig. 2 is shown, is caused; Fig. 5 A cross-sectional view to describe the structure of an encapsulation layer located in the Fig. 1 to 3 are shown; Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B Cross-sectional views to describe a control method of an organic light-emitting display device according to an embodiment; Fig. 7 a diagram illustrating a modification example of a touch-sensitive layer in an organic light-emitting display device according to one embodiment; Fig. 8 a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment; Fig. 9 a diagram showing a modification example of a touch-sensitive layer that is in the Fig. 1 to 8 is shown; Fig. 10 a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment; Fig. 11 a diagram to describe a touch-sensitive layer that is in Fig. 10 is shown; Fig. 12 a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment; Fig. 13 a diagram to describe a touch-sensitive layer that is in Fig. 12 is shown; Fig. 14 a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II', which is in Fig. 9 is shown; Fig. 15A and Fig. 15B Cross-sectional views to describe a control method of an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment; Fig. 16 a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment; Fig. 17 a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment; Fig. 18 a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment; and Fig. 19 A flowchart for describing a touch scanning method performed by an organic light-emitting display device, according to one embodiment. Detailed description

[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, for which examples are shown in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same or identical parts.

[0036] The advantages and features of the present invention and its implementation methods are illustrated by the following embodiments, which are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments presented here. Rather, these embodiments are provided to ensure that this disclosure is consistent and complete and fully conveys the scope of protection of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the present invention is defined only by the scope of protection of the claims.

[0037] A shape, size, proportion, angle, and number disclosed in the drawings to describe embodiments of the present invention are merely examples, and thus the present invention is not limited to the details shown. The same reference numerals denote the same elements throughout. In the following description, if a detailed description of the relevant known function or configuration would be determined to unnecessarily obscure the important aspect of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0038] In cases where "comprise," "exhibit," and "contain" as described in this specification are used, an additional part may be added unless "only" is used. Singular terms may contain plural forms unless otherwise stated.

[0039] When interpreting an element, it is interpreted as containing an error area, even though no explicit description is provided.

[0040] When describing a positional relationship, for example, when a positional relationship between two parts is described as "on~", "above~", "below~" and "next to~", one or more parts may be positioned between the two parts unless "exactly" or "directly" is used.

[0041] When describing a temporal relationship, for example when the temporal sequence is described as "after," "subsequent," "next," and "before," a case that is not continuous may be included unless "exactly" or "directly" is used.

[0042] It is to be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used here to describe different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element could be referred to as a first element, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] A first horizontal axis direction, a second horizontal axis direction and a vertical axis direction should not be interpreted as merely a geometric relationship if a relationship between them is vertical, and they may be specified such that they exhibit a broader directional dependence within a range in which elements of the present invention operate functionally.

[0044] The term "at least one" should be understood to include any or all combinations of one or more of the associated enumerated elements. For example, the meaning "at least one from a first element, a second element, and a third element" refers both to a combination of all proposed elements from the two or more from the first element, the second element, and the third element, and also to the first element, the second element, or the third element.

[0045] Features of different embodiments of the present invention can be partially or completely coupled or combined with one another and can cooperate and be controlled technically in various ways, as those skilled in the art can readily understand. The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented independently of one another or can be implemented together in a mutually dependent manner.

[0046] Exemplary embodiments of an organic light-emitting display device according to the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. When adding reference numerals for elements in each drawing, care should be taken in the specification to use the same reference numerals that have already been used to designate the same elements in other drawings whenever possible. In the following description, if a detailed description of the relevant known function or configuration is determined to unnecessarily obscure the important point of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0047] Fig. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a diagram to describe a touch-sensitive layer located in Fig. 1 is shown. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I', which is in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0048] Referring to the Fig. 1 to 3 the organic light-emitting display device according to one embodiment (i) a display layer 110A comprising a substrate 10, a pixel array layer 100 and an encapsulation layer 300, (ii) a touch-sensitive layer 500, (iii) a cover window 700 and (iv) a touch control circuit 900.

[0049] The substrate 10, a base substrate, can contain a plastic or glass material. According to one embodiment, the substrate 10 can be made of a flexible plastic material, for example, opaque or colored polyimide (PI). The substrate 10 according to one embodiment can be produced by curing polyimide resin coated on top of a solvent layer on a relatively thick support substrate to achieve a specific thickness. Here, the support substrate can be separated from the substrate 10 by removing the solvent layer using a laser removal process.

[0050] In addition, according to one embodiment, the organic light-emitting display device can further include a backplate that is coupled to an underside of the substrate 10 with respect to a vertical axis direction Z (or a thickness direction of the substrate). The backplate can hold the substrate 10 in a flat shape. According to one embodiment, the backplate can be made of a plastic material, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The backplate can be laminated to the underside of the substrate 10 separately from the support substrate, thereby holding the substrate 10 in a flat shape.

[0051] The pixel array layer 100 can contain multiple pixel SPs that are provided on the substrate 10 to display an image.

[0052] The multiple pixel SPs can each be provided in multiple pixel regions, defined by multiple gate lines, multiple data lines, and multiple pixel drive power lines. Each of the multiple pixel SPs can be a region corresponding to the smallest unit that actually emits light and can be defined as a subpixel. At least three adjacent pixel SPs can configure a unit pixel to display colors. For example, a unit pixel can contain a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel adjacent to each other, and can further contain a white pixel to enhance luminance.

[0053] The multiple pixels SP according to one embodiment can each contain a pixel circuit PC, a planarization layer PL, an anode electrode AE, a wall layer BL, an organic light-emitting device ED and a cathode electrode CE.

[0054] The pixel circuit PC can be located in a circuit area defined in a corresponding pixel SP and can be connected to a gate line, a data line, and a pixel drive power line adjacent to it. The pixel circuit PC can control a current flowing in the organic light-emitting device ED according to a data signal supplied through the data line in response to a sampling pulse supplied through the gate line, based on a pixel drive power supplied through the pixel drive power line. According to one embodiment, the pixel circuit PC can include a switching thin-film transistor (switching TFT), a drive TFT, and a capacitor.

[0055] Each TFT can contain a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. Here, each of the TFTs can be an amorphous silicon TFT (a-Si-TFT), a poly-Si-TFT, an oxide TFT, an organic TFT, or the like.

[0056] The switching TFT can contain a gate electrode connected to the gate line, a first electrode connected to the data line, and a second electrode connected to the gate electrode of the driver TFT. Each of the first and second electrodes of the switching TFT can be a source or a drain electrode, depending on the direction of the current. The switching TFT can be turned on according to the sampling pulse supplied through the gate line, in order to feed the data signal supplied through the data line to the driver TFT.

[0057] The driver TFT can be switched on by a voltage supplied through the switching TFT and / or a voltage across the capacitor to control the current flowing from the pixel drive power line to the organic light-emitting device (ED). For this purpose, according to one embodiment, the driver TFT can include a gate electrode connected to the second electrode of the switching TFT, a drain electrode connected to the pixel drive power line, and a source electrode connected to the ED. The driver TFT can control the data current flowing from the pixel drive power line to the ED based on the data signal supplied by the switching TFT, and thus the ED can emit light with a brightness proportional to the data signal.

[0058] The capacitor can be located in an overlap region between the gate and source electrodes of the driver TFT. The capacitor can store a voltage corresponding to the data signal applied to the gate electrode of the driver TFT and can switch the driver TFT on using this stored voltage.

[0059] In addition, according to one embodiment, the organic light-emitting device can further include a scanning control circuit located in a non-display area. The scanning control circuit can generate a scanning pulse according to a gate control signal input to it and can supply the scanning pulse to the gate line.

[0060] The planarization layer PL can be provided on the substrate 10 to cover the pixel circuit PC, and can provide a planarization surface on the substrate 10 where the TFTs are provided.

[0061] The anode electrode AE ​​can be provided in a pattern on the planarization layer PL, overlapping an aperture area defined in each of the pixel regions. The anode electrode AE ​​can be connected to the source electrode of the driver TFT, provided in the pixel circuit PC, via a contact hole provided in the planarization layer PL. The anode electrode AE ​​can be made of a metallic material exhibiting high reflectivity and may, for example, contain a material such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg), and / or the like, or may contain an alloy thereof. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0062] The wall layer BL can be provided on the planarization layer PL to cover an edge of the anode electrode AE ​​and the pixel circuit PC, defining an aperture area of ​​each pixel region. According to one embodiment, the wall layer BL can contain an organic material such as benzocyclobutene (BCB), acrylic, polyimide, and / or the like. Additionally, the wall layer BL can be formed from a photosensitive material containing a black pigment. In this case, the wall layer BL can act as an opaque element (or a black matrix).

[0063] The organic light-emitting device ED can be provided on the anode electrode AE ​​in the aperture region defined by the wall layer BL. The organic light-emitting device ED can be provided in a structure where a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an organic emission layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer are stacked sequentially. One or more of the hole injection layer, hole transport layer, electron transport layer, and electron injection layer can be omitted. According to one embodiment, the organic emission layer can be configured to emit light of different colors (for example, red, green, and blue) in each pixel.According to another embodiment, the organic emission layer can be formed to emit light of the same color (for example, white) in each pixel, and in this case the organic light-emitting device ED can contain at least two organic emission layers.

[0064] The cathode electrode CE can be designed to cover the organic light-emitting device ED and the wall layer BL, and can be connected to the organic light-emitting device ED in each pixel area. The cathode electrode CD can be made of a translucent metallic material exhibiting high light transmittance. According to one embodiment, the cathode electrode CD can contain a translucent conductive material (for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), indium cesium oxide (ICO), indium tungsten oxide (IWO), etc.), such as translucent conductive oxide (TCO) and / or the like.Optionally, in the present embodiment, the cathode electrode CE can be formed from an amorphous translucent conductive material to minimize damage to the organic light-emitting device ED caused by a process temperature during the formation of the cathode electrode CE.

[0065] The encapsulation layer 300 can be formed to cover the pixel array layer 100, protecting the organic light-emitting device ED, which is susceptible to external water or oxygen, by preventing water from penetrating each pixel SP. That is, the encapsulation layer 300 can be provided on the substrate 10 to cover the cathode electrode CE. According to one embodiment, the encapsulation layer 300 can be formed from an inorganic material layer or an organic material layer, or it can be formed in a multilayer structure in which an inorganic material layer and an organic material layer are stacked alternately.

[0066] The encapsulation layer 300 according to one embodiment can comprise a first inorganic material layer 310, which is provided to cover the cathode electrode CE, an organic material layer 330, which covers the first inorganic material layer 310, and a second inorganic material layer 350, which covers the organic material layer 330.

[0067] The first inorganic material layer 310 can be arranged adjacent to the organic light-emitting device ED and can be formed from an inorganic insulating material that can be applied at a low temperature, such as silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), or the like. In this case, since the organic emission layer is susceptible to high temperatures, the first inorganic material layer 310 can be formed by a low-temperature process in a low-temperature atmosphere, for example, 100 °C or less. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, damage to the light-emitting device ED by a high-temperature atmosphere applied to a process chamber during the formation of the first inorganic material layer 310 is prevented.

[0068] The organic material layer 330 can be provided on the substrate 10 to cover an entire top surface of the first inorganic material layer 310. The organic material layer 330 can relieve stress between layers caused by bending of the organic light-emitting display device. According to one embodiment, the organic material layer 330 can contain an organic material such as BCB, acrylic, polyimide, silicon oxycarbon (SiOC), and / or the like.

[0069] The second inorganic material layer 350 can be provided on the substrate 10 to cover the entire top surface of the organic material layer 330 and to cover each of the side surfaces of the first inorganic material layer 310. The second inorganic material layer 350 primarily prevents water or oxygen from penetrating the organic material layer 330 and the first inorganic material layer 310 from the exterior of the organic light-emitting display device. According to one embodiment, the second inorganic material layer 350 can be formed from an inorganic insulating material that can be applied at a low temperature, such as SiNx, SiOx, SiON, Al2O3, or the like.

[0070] The substrate 10, the pixel array layer 100 and the encapsulation layer 300 can configure an organic light-emitting display panel.

[0071] The touch-sensitive layer 500 can detect the position and force of a touch by a user on the cover window 700 and can be directly applied to the encapsulation layer 300 of the organic light-emitting display panel. That is, the touch-sensitive layer 500 does not need to be manufactured separately or indirectly coupled to the top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 by a separate optical adhesive, but can be formed directly on the top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 to reduce the thickness of the organic light-emitting display device.

[0072] The touch-sensitive layer 500 according to one embodiment can include a first touch electrode layer 510 provided on the encapsulation layer 300, a second touch electrode layer 530 provided on the first touch electrode layer 510, and a thickness modification element 550 arranged between the first touch electrode layer 510 and the second touch electrode layer 530.

[0073] The first contact electrode layer 510 can contain several first contact electrodes TE1 and several second contact electrodes TE2 that are directly coupled to the top of the encapsulation layer 300.

[0074] The multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be formed directly on the top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 and can each act as a first touch control electrode for sensing a touch position based on a touch by a user. The multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be spaced apart from each other by a specific distance along a first horizontal axis X of the substrate 10 and can be formed directly on the top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 parallel to a second horizontal axis Y of the substrate.

[0075] Each of the multiple first contact electrodes TE1 according to an embodiment can include multiple first contact electrode patterns TE1a arranged at specific intervals along the second horizontal axis direction Y of the substrate 10, and multiple connection patterns TE1b electrically connecting the first contact electrode patterns TE1a that are adjacent to each other in the second horizontal axis direction Y.

[0076] The multiple first contact electrode patterns TE1a and the multiple connection patterns TE1b can be formed directly on the top surface of the encapsulation layer 300. Each of the multiple first contact electrode patterns TE1a can have a rectangular shape, an octagonal shape, a round shape, a diamond shape, or the like, and each of the multiple connection patterns TE1b can have a rod shape.

[0077] Each of the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via a corresponding first routing line among multiple first routing lines RL1 provided on the substrate 10. The multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can receive a first touch control pulse supplied by the touch control circuit 900 during a first touch sampling interval (or a touch position sampling interval). During a second touch force sampling interval (or a touch force sampling interval), the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be suspended by the touch control circuit 900. Here, the multiple first routing lines RL1 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via a first flexible printed circuit board film.

[0078] The multiple secondary touch electrodes TE2 can be formed directly on the top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 and can each act as a touch sensing electrode for detecting a touch based on a touch by a user. The multiple secondary touch electrodes TE2 can be formed directly on the top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 parallel to the first horizontal axis X of the substrate 10 and can be arranged at specific intervals along the second horizontal axis Y of the substrate.

[0079] Each of the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 according to an embodiment can include multiple second touch electrode patterns TE2a arranged at specific intervals along the first horizontal axis direction X of the substrate 10, and multiple bridge patterns TE2b electrically connecting the second touch electrode patterns TE2a that are adjacent to each other in the first horizontal axis direction X.

[0080] The multiple second touch electrode patterns TE2a can be formed directly on the top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 corresponding to a section between the first touch electrode patterns TE1a, which are adjacent to each other in the second horizontal axis direction Y. Each of the multiple second touch electrode patterns TE2a can have a shape identical to that of the first touch electrode patterns TE1a.

[0081] The multiple bridging patterns TE2b can be provided on a layer distinct from the second contact electrode patterns TE2a and can electrically connect two adjacent second contact electrode patterns TE2a that are separated from each other by the connection pattern TE1b of the first contact electrode TE1. In this case, each of the multiple bridging patterns TE2b and the connection pattern TE1b of the first contact electrode TE1 can be electrically separated from each other by a contact insulating layer 511.

[0082] The contact insulating layer 511 can be provided on the encapsulation layer 300 to cover the multiple first contact electrodes TE1 and the multiple second contact electrode patterns TE2a and can have a thickness of 500 Å to 5 µm. The contact insulating layer 511 can be formed from an organic or an inorganic material. If the contact insulating layer 511 is formed from the organic material, it can be provided by a coating process to apply the organic material to the encapsulation layer 300 and a curing process to cure the coated organic material at a temperature of 100 °C or less.If the contact insulating layer 511 is formed from the inorganic material, the contact insulating layer 511 can be provided by the inorganic material applied to the encapsulation layer 300 by a low-temperature chemical deposition process and a cleaning process, performed alternately two or more times.

[0083] Both edges of each of the multiple bridge patterns TE2a can be connected to the second contact electrode patterns TE2a adjacent to the connection pattern TE1b of the first contact electrode TE1 by a contact hole CH provided in the contact insulating layer 511, in order to overlap an edge of the adjacent second contact electrode patterns TE2a. Therefore, multiple second contact electrode patterns TE2a, spaced apart from each other by the intervening connection pattern TE1b of the first contact electrode TE1, can be electrically connected to each other by multiple bridge patterns TE2b to configure a second contact electrode TE2. The multiple bridge patterns TE2b according to one embodiment can be made of a translucent conductive material (for example, ITO, IZO, IZTO, ICO, IWO, etc.) such as, for example,The multiple bridge patterns TE2b can be formed from TCO and / or the like, or from a metallic material exhibiting strong corrosion and acid resistance, such as Al, titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), Mo, and / or the like. The multiple bridge patterns TE2b can be provided by a physical deposition process such as room-temperature sputtering, or a chemical deposition process such as low-temperature chemical vapor deposition, and a patterning process that includes photolithography and etching.

[0084] Each of the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via a corresponding second routing line among several second routing lines RL2 provided on the substrate 10. The multiple second touch electrodes TE2 can be used as a common touch sensing electrode to detect a touch position and a touch force based on a touch by a user. Here, the multiple second routing lines RL2 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via the first flexible printed circuit board film.

[0085] The multiple first contact electrodes TE1 and the multiple second contact electrodes TE2 according to the present embodiment can be formed from an amorphous translucent conductive material, for example, amorphous ITO. For example, the multiple first and second contact electrodes TE1 and TE2 can be formed from an amorphous translucent conductive material by a low-temperature deposition process having a process temperature of 100 °C or less, in order to prevent or minimize damage to the pixel array layer 100 caused by the process temperature for forming the first and second contact electrodes TE1 and TE2.This means that if the first and second contact electrodes TE1 and TE2 are formed from a crystalline, translucent conductive material, a problem arises in which a pixel array layer 100 is damaged by a high-temperature thermal treatment process performed to ensure a low resistance value. To solve this problem, in the present embodiment, the first contact electrodes TE1 and the second contact electrodes TE2 can be formed from the amorphous, translucent conductive material via a low-temperature metal deposition process.

[0086] The second contact electrode layer 530 can contain several third contact electrodes TE3, which are directly coupled to a bottom of the cover window 700, which points directly to the thickness modification element 550, and are designed to cross the several second contact electrodes TE2.

[0087] The multiple third touch electrodes TE3 can directly contact the thickness modification element 550 and can each act as a second touch control electrode for sensing a touch force based on a user's touch. The multiple third touch electrodes TE3 can be formed directly on a bottom surface of the cover window 700 and can be arranged at specific intervals along the first horizontal axis X of the substrate 10, parallel to the second horizontal axis Y of the substrate 10. According to one embodiment, the multiple third touch electrodes TE3 can each have a rod shape, an octagonal shape, a round shape, or a diamond shape to overlap the multiple second touch electrodes TE2, but are not limited to these configurations.In other embodiments, the multiple third touch electrodes TE3 can each have a pattern of a shape identical to that of each of the multiple second touch electrodes TE2. In this case, each of the multiple third touch electrodes TE3 can include multiple third touch electrode patterns that overlap the multiple second touch electrodes TE2, and multiple connection patterns that electrically connect the third touch electrode patterns that are adjacent to each other in the second horizontal axis direction Y.

[0088] Each of the multiple third touch electrodes TE3 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via a corresponding third routing line among several third routing lines RL3 provided on the substrate 10. The multiple third touch electrodes TE3 can be suspended by the touch control circuit 900 during the first touch sampling period. During the second touch sampling period, the multiple third touch electrodes TE3 can receive a second touch control pulse supplied by the touch control circuit 900. Here, the multiple third routing lines RL3 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via a second flexible printed circuit board film.

[0089] The multiple third contact electrodes TE3 according to the present embodiment can be formed from a crystalline, translucent conductive material, for example, crystalline ITO. That is, the multiple third contact electrodes TE3 can be formed directly in the cover window 700, which is a separate element, without being formed directly on a top surface of the thickness modification element 550. Accordingly, the multiple third contact electrodes TE3 can be formed from a crystalline, translucent conductive material by a high-temperature thermal treatment process (e.g., above 100 °C) to ensure a low resistance value for each of the multiple third contact electrodes TE3.

[0090] The second contact electrode layer 530 according to the present embodiment can include several secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2, which are provided together with the several third contact electrodes TE3 and are arranged adjacent to at least one of each of the several third contact electrodes TE3a and the other side TE3b. That is, the second contact electrode layer 530 according to one embodiment can include several first secondary electrodes SE1, which are provided adjacent to and parallel with one side TE3a of each of the third contact electrodes TE3, and several second secondary electrodes SE2, which are provided adjacent to and parallel with the other side TE3b of each of the third contact electrodes TE3. Each of the several first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 can have a shape that is identical to that of each of the third contact electrodes TE3.

[0091] Each of the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via a corresponding first secondary routing line among several first secondary routing lines SRL1, and each of the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via a corresponding second secondary routing line among several second secondary routing lines SRL2. Each of the multiple first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 can be floating through the touch control circuit 900 or can be electrically connected to the third routing line RL3 adjacent to it. More precisely, the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be electrically floating during the first touch sampling period.On the other hand, during the second touch scanning period, the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be electrically connected to the third touch electrode TE3 adjacent to it and can receive the second touch control pulse supplied by the touch control circuit 900. This increases the overlap area between the second touch electrodes TE2 and the third touch electrodes TE3, thereby improving the efficiency of touch force scanning. Here, the multiple first secondary routing lines SRL1 and the multiple second secondary routing lines SRL2 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via the second flexible printed circuit board film.

[0092] The multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be used as a touch force sensing electrode to detect a touch force and can be used as a floating electrode that allows a touch position to be detected.

[0093] Additionally, in Fig. 2. Each of the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 is represented in a rod shape, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, to increase the light transmittance for light emitted from each pixel SP, each of the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be formed in multiple line structures, mesh structures, or trapezoidal structures electrically interconnected, or can include multiple openings arranged at specific intervals in a slot or grid pattern.

[0094] The thickness modification element 550 can be arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the second contact electrode layer 530. According to one embodiment, the thickness modification element 550 can be an elastic dielectric, wherein the thickness displacement (or thickness change) “ΔT” occurs based on a user's touch force. The thickness modification element 550 containing the elastic dielectric can have an elasticity coefficient for the thickness displacement “ΔT”, a high dielectric constant of three or more for capacitance variation based on the thickness displacement “ΔT”, and a light transmittance of 90% or more for transmitting the light emitted from each pixel SP.The thickness modifying element 550 can exhibit an adhesive force for attaching the thickness modifying element 599 to each of the first contact electrode layer 510 and the second contact electrode layer 530. For example, the thickness modifying element 550 can contain an optical adhesive such as an optically transparent adhesive (OCA), an optically transparent resin (OCR), or the like. The thickness modifying element 550 can contain a light-curing polymer and a light-curing agent and can have an elasticity coefficient between 1.0 × 10⁻⁶. 3 and 1.0×10 6 exhibit Pa, based on a weight ratio of the light-curing agent.

[0095] The thickness modification element 550 can be arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the second contact electrode layer 530, and can be arranged on multiple first contact electrodes TE1 and multiple second contact electrodes TE2 to achieve a high dielectric constant. Accordingly, a first capacitor Cm1 can be provided between the first contact electrode TE1 and the second contact electrode TE2, and a second capacitor Cm2 can be provided between the second contact electrode TE2 and the third contact electrode TE3.

[0096] An electric charge can be charged into the first capacitor Cm1 according to the first touch control pulse applied to the first touch electrode TE1, and the charged electric charge can vary depending on whether a touch is performed by a user. Therefore, a touch position can be detected by using a touch position sampling algorithm that models a reduction in the capacitance of the first capacitor Cm1.

[0097] The capacitance of the second capacitor Cm2 can vary due to a change in the distance between the second contact electrode TE2 and the third contact electrode TE3, based on the thickness change "ΔT" caused by an elastic modification of the thickness modifier element 550 based on a user's contact force. In this case, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the capacitance of the second capacitor Cm2 varies based on a thickness change “Δum” of the thickness modification element 550 and can increase inversely proportionally to the thickness of the thickness modification element 559. Thus, the capacitance of the second capacitor Cm2 can vary based on a distance change “ΔT” between the second touch electrode TE2 and the third touch electrode TE3 and can increase inversely proportionally to the distance between the second touch electrode TE2 and the third touch electrode TE3. Therefore, a touch force level can be sampled using a touch force level calculation algorithm that models an increase in the electric charge of the second capacitor Cm2 based on a user's touch force.

[0098] Additionally, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the thickness modification element 550 can, according to one embodiment, contain a first elastic dielectric layer 551 and a second elastic dielectric layer 553, which have different elasticities.

[0099] Each of the first and second elastic dielectric layers 551 and 553 can contain a light-curing polymer and a light-curing agent, respectively. In this case, the first elastic dielectric layer 551 can have a first elasticity coefficient based on a first weight ratio of the light-curing agent, and the second elastic dielectric layer 553 can have a second elasticity coefficient based on a second weight ratio, lower than the first weight ratio, of the light-curing agent contained in the first thickness-modifying layer.

[0100] Since the first and second elastic dielectric layers 551 and 553 have different coefficients of elasticity, they can exhibit different thickness changes for the same load (or contact force). For example, the first elastic dielectric layer 551 can have a coefficient of elasticity of 1.0 × 10 3 ~1.0×10 6The second elastic dielectric layer 553 can have a second elasticity coefficient that is lower than the first elasticity coefficient of the first elastic dielectric layer 551. That is, because the second elastic dielectric layer 553 has a relatively low second elasticity coefficient, it can exhibit a thickness change greater than that of the first elastic dielectric layer 551 for the same contact pressure. Therefore, the second elastic dielectric layer 553, which has a relatively low second elasticity coefficient, can be positioned adjacent to a contact surface (i.e., the cover window 700) to improve sensing sensitivity for a low-force touch.Accordingly, the thickness modification element 550 according to one embodiment can have a stacked structure of the first and second elastic dielectric layers 551 and 553, which have different thickness changes for the same contact pressure, and thus a capacitance of the second capacitor Cm2 between the second and third contact electrodes TE2 and TE3 can change linearly according to a thickness or distance between the second and third contact electrodes TE2 and TE3.

[0101] Referring again to the Fig. 1 to 3, the cover window 700 can be coupled to a top surface of the touch-sensitive layer 500. In this case, a bottom surface of the cover window 700, which points directly to the thickness modification element 550 of the touch-sensitive layer 500, can be directly coupled to each of the multiple third touch electrodes TE3. The cover window 700 can cover the touch-sensitive layer 500 to protect both the pixel array layer 100 and the touch-sensitive layer 500, and can act as a touch surface for touch by a user.

[0102] The cover window 700 according to one embodiment can be formed from tempered glass, translucent plastic, a translucent film, or the like. For example, the cover window 700 can contain at least one made of sapphire glass and Gorilla Glass. As another example, the cover window 700 can contain at least one made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethersulfone (PES), polyethylene apthanate (PEN), polyimide (PI), and polynorbornene (PNB). The cover window 700 can contain tempered glass based on scratch resistance and light transmission.

[0103] The touch control circuit 900 can be connected to the multiple first touch electrodes TE1, the multiple second touch electrodes TE2, and the multiple third touch electrodes TE3. That is, the touch control circuit 900 can be connected in a one-to-one relationship to the multiple first touch electrodes TE1, the multiple second touch electrodes TE2, and the multiple third touch electrodes TE3 via the multiple first to third routing lines RL1, RL2, and RL3 provided on the substrate 10, and can be connected in a one-to-one relationship to the multiple first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 via the multiple first and second secondary routing lines SRL1 and SRL2 provided on the substrate 10.

[0104] The touch control circuit 900 according to one embodiment can control the touch-sensitive layer 500 in the first touch sampling time period and the second touch sampling time period in response to a touch mode type signal supplied by a host control circuit, and in each of the first touch sampling time period and the second touch sampling time period, the touch control circuit 900 can control the touch-sensitive layer 500 in a haptic mode when a touch event occurs.Here, the first contact force sampling time can be defined as a contact position sampling time for scanning a contact event and a contact position by a user; the second contact force sampling time can be defined as a contact force sampling time for scanning a contact force; and the haptic mode can be defined as a haptic feedback mode in which a haptic effect is provided in response to a contact event. In this case, a contact force in a contact event area of ​​the first contact sampling time can be scanned in the second contact sampling time to shorten the contact force sampling time.This means that the touch control circuit 900 can primarily perform touch position scanning via global touch scanning or group touch scanning to detect a touch event area, and can secondarily perform touch force scanning on only the touch event area by local force touch scanning.

[0105] During the first touch sampling period, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 6A, the touch control circuit 900 can electrically levitate the several third touch electrodes TE3 and the several first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2, apply a first touch control pulse TDP1 to at least one of the several first touch electrodes, and sample a capacitance variation of the first capacitor Cm1 caused by a touch by a user through the several second touch electrodes TE2 in order to generate a first touch sampling signal.For example, during the first touch sampling period, the touch control circuit 900 can successively apply the first touch control pulse TDP1 to the several first touch electrodes TE1 and can sample a capacitance variation of the first capacitor Cm1, which is located between the first touch electrode TE1, to which the first touch control pulse TDP1 is applied, and the second adjacent touch electrode TE2, by means of the several second touch electrodes TE2 in order to generate the first touch sampling signal.

[0106] During the second touch sampling period, the touch control circuit 900 can float the several first touch electrodes TE1, apply a second touch control pulse TDP2 to at least one of the several third touch electrodes TE3, and sample a capacitance variation of the second capacitor CM2, caused by the thickness change “ΔT” of the thickness modification element 550 based on a touch force of a user, through the several second touch electrodes TE2 to generate a second touch sampling signal.For example, during the second touch sampling period, the touch control circuit 900 can successively apply the second touch control pulse TDP2 to the multiple third touch electrodes TE3 and can sample a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2, which is provided between the third touch electrode TE3 to which the second touch control pulse TDP2 is applied, and the second touch electrode TE2 which overlaps the third touch electrode TE3, by means of the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 in order to generate the second touch sampling signal.

[0107] Additionally, the touch control circuit 900 can determine the presence of a touch event in order to calculate a touch event area based on the first touch sampling signal generated by sampling during the first touch sampling period, apply the second touch control pulse TDP2 to at least one third touch electrode TE3 provided in the touch event area during the second touch sampling period, and sample a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2, caused by the thickness change “ΔT” of the thickness modification element 550 based on a user’s touch force, through the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 to generate the second touch sampling signal.Subsequently, the touch control circuit 900 can calculate a touch position based on the second touch sampling signal in order to output the touch position to the host control circuit, or it can calculate a touch force level and touch position in order to output the touch force level and touch position to the host control circuit. That is, in the present embodiment, during the second touch sampling period, touch force sampling can be performed locally on a touch event area calculated by sampling in the first touch sampling period, thereby reducing the touch force sampling time for which a user's touch force is sampled.

[0108] According to another embodiment, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 6B, during the second touch sampling period, the touch control circuit 900 can levitate the several first touch electrodes TE1, electrically connect each of the several first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 with the third touch electrode adjacent to it, apply the second touch control pulse TDP2 to at least one of the several third touch electrodes TE3, and sample a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2, caused by the thickness change “ΔT” of the thickness modification element 550 based on the touch force of a user, through the several second touch electrodes TE2 in order to generate the second touch sampling signal.In this case, each of the multiple third contact electrodes TE3, which overlap the multiple second contact electrodes TE2, can be electrically connected to the adjacent first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2. Thus, the overlap area between the third contact electrode TE3 and the second contact electrode TE2 increases by an area encompassing the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2. Therefore, the capacitance of the second capacitor Cm2 can vary further by an area encompassing the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 connected to the third contact electrode TE3. Consequently, in the present embodiment, a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2 caused by a user's touch force is more easily detected.

[0109] Additionally, since the thickness modification element 550 is arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the second contact electrode layer 530, the thickness modification element 550 can act as a haptic output device. That is, the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment can implement the haptic mode by using the thickness modification element 550. The haptic mode according to one embodiment can include a vibration haptic mode based on vibrations of the thickness modification element 550 and an electrostatic haptic mode based on an electrostatic force of the thickness modification element 550.

[0110] In the vibration haptic mode according to one embodiment, the touch control circuit 900 can supply a first haptic control signal to the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 and a second haptic control signal to the multiple third touch electrodes TE3. Here, the first haptic control signal can be a first alternating current (AC) signal having a constant frequency, and the second haptic control signal can be a direct current (DC) voltage having a constant voltage level. In the vibration haptic mode, the thickness modification element 550 can be repeatedly expanded and contracted by a piezoelectric effect based on the first AC signal applied to the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 and the DC voltage applied to the multiple third touch electrodes TE3, thereby generating vibration and providing a vibration haptic effect.The intensity of the vibration can vary according to the frequency and / or amplitude of the first AC signal. In this case, since the thickness modification element 550 has a high dielectric constant of three or more, it can act as an actuator that vibrates according to a haptic control signal applied to each of the first touch electrodes TE1 and the third touch electrodes TE3.

[0111] In the electrostatic haptic mode according to one embodiment, the touch control circuit 900 can supply the first haptic control signal to the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 and can supply a third haptic control signal to the multiple third touch electrodes TE3. Here, the first haptic control signal can be the first AC signal having a constant frequency, and the third haptic control signal can be a second AC signal having a frequency equal to or different from that of the first AC signal. In the electrostatic haptic mode, since the thickness modification element 550 acts as an insulating layer, an electrostatic force occurs between the electrodes and a user's finger in accordance with the first and second AC signals. Thus, the thickness modification element 550 can provide an electrostatic haptic effect through the electrostatic force.The intensity of the electrostatic force can vary according to a frequency and / or amplitude of each from the first and second AC signals.

[0112] The vibration haptic effect based on the vibration haptic mode can be a mechanical vibration, and even if a relatively short touch occurs, the vibration haptic effect allows a user to detect the relatively short touch. However, in the electrostatic haptic effect based on the electrostatic haptic mode, if a relatively short touch occurs, it is difficult for the user to detect the relatively short touch. Therefore, the haptic mode can be set to either the vibration haptic mode or the electrostatic haptic mode based on the touch duration. If the touch duration is equal to or greater than a reference value, the haptic mode can be set to the electrostatic haptic mode according to one embodiment, and if the touch duration is less than the reference value, the haptic mode can be set to the vibration haptic mode.For example, if a user's touch is a temporary touch event equivalent to a click or double-click, the haptic mode can be set to vibration haptic mode. Similarly, if a user's touch is a continuous touch event equivalent to touching and dragging, the haptic mode can be set to electrostatic haptic mode.

[0113] Additionally, the 900 touch control circuit can determine the presence of a touch event based on the first touch sampling signal generated by scanning during the first touch sampling period and can execute the haptic mode corresponding to the touch event. For example, the 900 touch control circuit can apply the haptic control signal to the first and third touch electrodes TE1 and TE3, located in a user touch area, according to a touch event scanned during the first touch sampling period, thereby providing the user with vibration feedback based on the vibration haptic effect or tactile feedback based on the electrostatic haptic effect in the user touch area.

[0114] As described above, in one embodiment, the organic light-emitting display device has a thin thickness because the touch-sensitive layer 500 is provided directly within the organic light-emitting display panel, even though it contains the touch panel. The organic light-emitting display device can detect a capacitance variation of the first capacitor Cm1 caused by a user's touch in order to detect the position of the user's touch, and it can detect a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2 caused by the thickness change "ΔT" of the thickness modification element 550 based on a user's touch force in order to detect a user's touch force.Furthermore, in the organic light-emitting display device according to one embodiment, the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 can be connected to the third touch electrode TE3 when it scans the user's touch force, thus increasing the area in which the third touch electrode TE3 overlaps the second touch electrode TE2, and thereby increasing the efficiency of touch force scanning.

[0115] Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a modification example of a touch-sensitive layer in an organic light-emitting display device according to one embodiment, and is formed by electrically connecting the first and second secondary electrodes, which are located in Fig. The configuration shown in Figure 2 is as follows. Therefore, only the first and second secondary electrodes and the elements relevant to them are described.

[0116] One side of each of the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 can be electrically connected to each other by a connecting secondary electrode SE3.

[0117] The connecting secondary electrode SE3 can be spaced apart from one end (for example, a short side TE3c) of the third contact electrode TE3 and can be parallel to a short side TE3c. Furthermore, the connecting secondary electrode SE3 can electrically connect one end of the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2, which are parallel to each other, to an adjacent third contact electrode TE3 in between. Therefore, the connecting secondary electrode SE3 can connect one end of the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2, which are adjacent to one side TE3a and the other side TE3b of the third contact electrode TE3. That is, each of the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 can be adjacent to a side of a corresponding third contact electrode TE3. The connecting secondary electrode SE3 can be provided multiple times.Each of the multiple connecting secondary electrodes SE3 can be spaced apart from one short side TE3c of the third adjacent contact electrode TE3, can be parallel to one short side TE3c, and can extend from one end of the corresponding first secondary electrode SE1. Furthermore, each of the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be adjacent to the other side of a corresponding third contact electrode TE3 and can extend from one end of a corresponding connecting secondary electrode SE3.Therefore, multiple secondary electrodes, comprising the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1, the multiple connecting secondary electrodes SE3, and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2, can be electrically connected to one another, can be located on the same layer, and can have a ⊂-shape or a ⊃-shape, thereby surrounding sides of the third contact electrode TE3 that are not the short side of the third contact electrode TE3. Here, the other short side of the third contact electrode TE3 can be defined as a section connected to the secondary routing line SRL.

[0118] Since one end of the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 are connected to each other by the connecting secondary electrode SE3, one of the multiple first and second secondary routing lines SRL1 and SRL2 can be omitted. In this case, according to the present embodiment, the width of an edge of the substrate 10, where a routing line is provided, is reduced, and thus the border width of the organic light-emitting display device is reduced.

[0119] Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment and is achieved by adding a functional layer to the organic light-emitting display device, which is shown in the Fig. The configuration shown is in sections 1 to 6B. Therefore, only one functional layer and its relevant elements are described.

[0120] Referring to Fig. In the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, the display layer 110B additionally includes a functional layer 520 on the encapsulation layer 300. The functional layer 520 can be arranged between an encapsulation layer 300 and a first contact electrode layer 510. The functional layer 520 additionally prevents the organic light-emitting device ED from being damaged by external water or oxygen. Furthermore, the functional layer 520 improves the luminance property of the light emitted by each of the multiple pixels SP.

[0121] The functional layer 520 according to one or more embodiments can contain a barrier film 522 arranged between the encapsulation layer 300 and the first contact electrode layer 510.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the barrier film 522 can be bonded to the entire top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 by a first translucent adhesive 521 to cover the entire top surface of the encapsulation layer 300. In this case, with respect to a vertical axis direction Z (or a thickness direction of the barrier film 522), a bottom surface of the barrier film 522 can be coupled to the encapsulation layer 300 by the first translucent adhesive 521, and a top surface of the barrier film 522 can be directly coupled to a bottom surface of the first contact electrode layer 510.

[0123] According to one or more embodiments, the functional layer 520 can include the barrier film 522, which is arranged between the encapsulation layer 300 and the first contact electrode layer 510, and a light control film 524, which is arranged between the barrier film 522 and the first contact electrode layer 510.

[0124] The barrier film 522 can be positioned between the encapsulation layer 300 and the light-controlling film 524. That is, the barrier film 522 can be adhered to the entire top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 by the first translucent adhesive 521 to cover the encapsulation layer 300. In this case, the underside of the barrier film 522 can be adhered to the encapsulation layer 300 by the first translucent adhesive 521, and the top surface of the barrier film 522 can be directly coupled to a bottom surface of the light-controlling film 524 by a second translucent adhesive 523.

[0125] The light-control film 524 can be adhered to the top surface of the barrier film 522 by the second translucent adhesive 523 to cover the entire top surface of the barrier film 522. In this case, the underside of the light-control film 524 can be adhered to the top surface of the barrier film 522 by the second translucent adhesive 523, and a top surface of the light-control film 524 can be directly coupled to the underside of the first contact electrode layer 510. Furthermore, the light-control film 524 improves the luminance property of the light emitted from each pixel SP. For example, the light-control film 524 can be a polarizing film that polarizes the light emitted from each pixel SP, but it can also be an optical film for improving the luminance property of the light emitted from each pixel SP, without being limited to this.

[0126] In the functional layer 520 according to various embodiments, the barrier film 522 can be formed by coating an inorganic insulating material onto an organic insulating film. The barrier film 522 primarily serves to prevent water or oxygen from entering each pixel SP and can be made of a material exhibiting a low water vapor permeability rate. Additionally, the barrier film 522 can act as a support for the underside of the first touch electrode layer 510, allowing the thickness of the thickness modifier 550 to be modified based on a user's touch force. Furthermore, the barrier film can dampen a shock exerted on the organic light-emitting display device due to the user's touch force, thereby preventing damage to the organic light-emitting device ED.

[0127] Furthermore, in the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, the second contact electrode layer 530 can have a structure that is identical to that of the second contact electrode layer described in Fig. 7 is shown.

[0128] Since the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment contains the barrier film 522, the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment exhibits the same effects as those of the organic light-emitting display device described in the Fig. Figures 1 to 7 are shown, and it also more stably prevents the organic light-emitting device ED from being damaged by a shock and water or oxygen.

[0129] Fig. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment and is obtained by changing a position of the functional layer in the organic light-emitting display device, which is in Fig. Figure 8 is configured. Therefore, only one functional layer and its relevant elements are described.

[0130] Referring to Fig. 9 In the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, except that a functional layer 520 is not included in the display layer 110C, but is instead arranged between a first contact electrode layer 510 and a thickness modification element 550 in order to additionally prevent the first contact electrode layer 510 from being damaged by external water or oxygen, the functional layer according to the present embodiment can have the same configuration as that of the one described in Fig. 8 Functional layer 520 shown. Therefore, only one configuration and one arrangement structure of functional layer 520 is described.

[0131] The functional layer 520 according to one or more embodiments can include a barrier film 522 arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the thickness modification element 550.

[0132] According to one embodiment, the barrier film 522 can be bonded to the entire top surface of the first contact electrode layer 510 by a first translucent adhesive 521 to cover the entire top surface of the first contact electrode layer 510. In this case, a bottom surface of the barrier film 522 can be coupled to the first contact electrode layer 510 by the first translucent adhesive 521, and a top surface of the barrier film 522 can be directly coupled to a bottom surface of the thickness modification element 550.

[0133] According to one or more embodiments, the functional layer 520 can include the barrier film 522, which is arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the thickness modification element 550, and a light control film 524, which is arranged between the barrier film 522 and the thickness modification element 550.

[0134] The barrier film 522 can be arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the light-control film 524. That is, the barrier film 522 can be bonded to the entire top surface of the first contact electrode layer 510 by the first translucent adhesive 521 to cover the first contact electrode layer 510. In this case, the underside of the barrier film 522 can be bonded to the first contact electrode layer 510 by the first translucent adhesive 521, and the top surface of the barrier film 522 can be directly coupled to a bottom surface of the light-control film 524 by a second translucent adhesive 523.

[0135] The light-controlling film 524 can be adhered to the top surface of the barrier film 522 by the second translucent adhesive 523 to cover the entire top surface of the barrier film 522. In this case, the underside of the light-controlling film 524 can be adhered to the top surface of the barrier film 522 by the second translucent adhesive 523, and a top surface of the light-controlling film 524 can be directly coupled to the underside of the thickness-modifying element 550. Furthermore, the light-controlling film 524 improves the luminance property of light emitted from each pixel SP. For example, the light-controlling film 524 can be a polarizing film that polarizes the light emitted from each pixel SP.

[0136] In the functional layer 520 according to various embodiments, the barrier film 522 can be formed by coating an inorganic insulating material onto an organic insulating film. The barrier film 522 primarily serves to prevent water or oxygen from entering each pixel SP and can be made of a material exhibiting a low water vapor permeability rate. Additionally, the barrier film 522 can act as a support, reinforcing the underside of the thickness modifier 550 so that the thickness of the thickness modifier 550 can be modified based on a user's touch force. Furthermore, the barrier film can dampen an impact exerted on the organic light-emitting display device due to the user's touch force, thereby preventing damage to the organic light-emitting device ED from the impact.

[0137] Furthermore, in the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, the second contact electrode layer 530 can have a structure that is identical to that of the second contact electrode layer described in Fig. 7 is shown.

[0138] Since the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment contains the barrier film 522, the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment exhibits the same effects as those of the organic light-emitting display device described in the Fig. 1 to 7 is shown, and in addition, it is prevented that the first contact electrode layer 510 is damaged by water or oxygen.

[0139] Fig. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment, and Fig. Figure 11 is a diagram to describe a touch-sensitive layer located in Fig. Figure 10 shows the organic light-emitting display device, which is achieved by changing the positions of the first and second contact electrode layers in the touch-sensitive layer, which is in Fig. 1 is shown, configured. Similar to display layer 110A in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the display layer 110D is included, which in this embodiment Fig. Figure 10 shows the substrate 10, the pixel array layer 100, and the encapsulation layer 300. Therefore, only one touch-sensitive layer will be described below.

[0140] Referring to the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 a touch-sensitive layer 500 of the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment can include a first touch electrode layer 530 provided on an encapsulation layer 300, a second touch electrode layer 510 provided on the first touch electrode layer 530, and a thickness modification element 550 arranged between the first touch electrode layer 530 and the second touch electrode layer 510.

[0141] The second contact electrode layer 510 can contain several first contact electrodes TE1 and several second contact electrodes TE2, which are directly coupled to an underside of a cover window 700 that faces directly to the thickness modification element 550. The second contact electrode layer 510 corresponds to the first contact electrode layer, which is located in the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 are shown. Except that the multiple first contact electrodes TE1 and the multiple second contact electrodes TE2 are provided directly on the underside of the cover window 700, the second contact electrode layer 510 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first contact electrode layer, which is shown in the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 are shown, and therefore their exact description is not provided.

[0142] The first contact electrode layer 530 according to one embodiment can include a contact electrode TE3 that is directly coupled to a top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 and is designed to overlap the multiple second contact electrodes TE2 and the multiple first contact electrodes TE1. The first contact electrode layer 530 corresponds to the second contact electrode layer that is located in the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the first contact electrode layer 530, which contains a contact electrode TE3 and is provided directly on a top surface of the encapsulation layer 300. According to the present embodiment, the first contact electrode layer 530 has the same configuration as the second contact electrode layer, which is shown in Figures 1 to 3. Fig. Figures 1 to 3 are shown, and therefore their exact description is not provided.

[0143] In one embodiment, since the first contact electrode layer 530 contains a single third contact electrode TE3 instead of several third contact electrodes TE3, a single contact force can be detected. That is, in an embodiment in which the organic light-emitting display device contains the multiple third contact electrodes TE3, a contact force and a contact position can be detected simultaneously for each of the two or more distinct contact areas.In an embodiment in which a single third touch electrode TE3 is included in the first touch electrode layer 530, a multiple touch position can be scanned by the first and second touch electrodes TE1 and TE2 of the second touch electrode layer 510, and a single touch force can be scanned by the single third touch electrode TE3 and the second touch electrodes TE2, and thus a touch force scanning time can be reduced.

[0144] Additionally, the first contact electrode layer 530 according to the present embodiment can include at least one third contact electrode TE3, as in the organic light-emitting display device, which is located in the Fig. Figures 1 to 10 are shown for sensing a multiple contact force. Furthermore, the first contact electrode layer 530 can also include the connecting secondary electrode described above for increasing the overlap area between each of the multiple third contact electrodes TE3 and the second contact electrode TE2 when sensing a contact force.

[0145] The organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment can further include the functional layer 520, which is in Fig. 8 or Fig. 9 is shown.

[0146] In the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, the first touch electrode layer 510 can be arranged closer to a touch surface than the second touch electrode layer 530, thus improving the sensitivity of the touch position sensing.

[0147] Fig. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment. Fig. Figure 13 is a diagram to describe a touch-sensitive layer located in Fig. 12 is shown. Fig. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II', which is in Fig. Figure 9 is shown. The organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment is achieved by changing the first contact electrode layer, which is located in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, it is configured. Similar to display layer 110A in the [document / section]. Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the display layer 110E is included, which in this embodiment Fig. Figure 12 shows the substrate 10, the pixel array layer 100, and the encapsulation layer 300. Therefore, only a first contact electrode layer and the relevant elements for it are described below.

[0148] Referring to the Fig. In the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, a first contact electrode layer 510 may include several first contact electrodes TE1 directly coupled to a top surface of an encapsulation layer 300, an electrode insulation layer 515 provided on the encapsulation layer 300 to cover the several first contact electrodes TE1, and several second contact electrodes TE2 directly coupled to a top surface of the electrode insulation layer 515 and crossing the several first contact electrodes TE1.

[0149] The multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be formed directly on the top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 and can each act as a first touch sensing electrode for detecting a touch position based on a touch by a user. The multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be spaced apart from each other by a specific distance along a second horizontal axis Y of the substrate 10 and can be formed directly on the top surface of the encapsulation layer 300 parallel to a first horizontal axis X of the substrate. Each of the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 according to one embodiment can be provided in a rod shape extending along the first horizontal axis X.

[0150] Each of the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be connected to a touch control circuit 900 via a corresponding first routing line among several first routing lines RL1 provided on the substrate 10. The multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can receive a first touch control pulse supplied by the touch control circuit 900 during a first touch sampling period. During a second touch sampling period, the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 can be suspended by the touch control circuit 900.

[0151] The electrode insulation layer 515 can be provided on the encapsulation layer 300 to cover the multiple first contact electrodes TE1.

[0152] The multiple secondary touch electrodes TE2 can be formed directly on a top surface of the electrode insulation layer 515 and can each act as a touch sensing electrode for detecting a touch based on a touch by a user. The multiple secondary touch electrodes TE2 can be provided directly on the top surface of the electrode insulation layer 515 and can be arranged at specific intervals along the first horizontal axis X of the substrate 10, parallel to the second horizontal axis Y of the substrate 10. That is, each of the multiple secondary touch electrodes TE2 can be provided in a rod shape extending along the second horizontal axis Y of the substrate 10 to intersect each of the multiple primary touch electrodes TE1.

[0153] The multiple first touch electrodes TE1 and the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 can intersect with the electrode insulation layer 515 between them, and thus a first capacitor Cm1 can be provided in the electrode insulation layer 515 and at each of the intersection sections of the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 and the multiple second touch electrodes TE2. An electric charge can be charged into the first capacitor Cm1 according to the first touch control pulse applied to the first touch electrode TE1, and the charged electric charge can vary depending on whether a touch is performed by a user. Therefore, a touch position can be detected by using a touch position sampling algorithm that models a reduction in the capacitance of the first capacitor Cm1.

[0154] Optionally, the multiple first contact electrodes TE1 and the multiple third contact electrodes TE3 can be interchanged in their arrangement positions. That is, similar to Fig. 11, the multiple third contact electrodes TE3 can be provided directly on the top of the encapsulation layer 300, and the multiple first contact electrodes TE1 can be provided directly on the bottom of the cover window 700.

[0155] The thickness modification element 550 can be arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the second contact electrode layer 530 and can be made of a material that is the same as that of the thickness modification element described in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0156] The thickness modification element 550 can be provided between the several second contact electrodes TE2 and the several third contact electrodes TE3, so that it has an elastic force and a high dielectric constant, and thereby provides a second capacitor Cm2 between the second contact electrodes TE2 and the third contact electrodes TE3.

[0157] The capacitance of the second capacitor Cm2 can vary due to a change in the distance between the second contact electrode TE2 and the third contact electrode TE3, based on a thickness change “ΔT” caused by an elastic modification of the thickness modifier element 550 based on a user's touch force. In this case, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the capacitance of the second capacitor Cm2 can vary based on a thickness change “Δum” of the thickness modification element 550 and can increase inversely proportionally to the thickness of the thickness modification element 559. Thus, the capacitance of the second capacitor Cm2 can vary based on a distance change “ΔT” between the second touch electrode TE2 and the third touch electrode TE3 and can increase inversely proportionally to the distance between the second touch electrode TE2 and the third touch electrode TE3. Therefore, a touch force level can be sampled using a touch force level calculation algorithm that models an increase in the electric charge of the second capacitor Cm2 based on a user's touch force.

[0158] The thickness modification element 550 can act as a haptic output device in a haptic mode. That is, as described above, the haptic mode according to one embodiment can include a vibration haptic mode based on vibrations of the thickness modification element 550 and an electrostatic haptic mode based on an electrostatic force of the thickness modification element 550.

[0159] The first contact electrode layer 510 according to the present embodiment can contain several secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2, which are provided together with the several second contact electrodes TE2 and are arranged adjacent to at least one of each of the several second contact electrodes TE2a on one side and TE2b on the other side.

[0160] The first contact electrode layer 510 according to the present embodiment can comprise several first secondary electrodes SE1, which are adjacent to and parallel to one side TE2a of each of the second contact electrodes TE2, and several second secondary electrodes SE2, which are adjacent to and parallel to the other side TE2b of each of the second contact electrodes TE2. Each of the multiple first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 can have a shape identical to that of each of the second contact electrodes TE2.

[0161] Each of the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via a corresponding first secondary routing line among several first secondary routing lines SRL1, and each of the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be connected to the touch control circuit 900 via a corresponding second secondary routing line among several second secondary routing lines SRL2. Each of the multiple first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 can be floating through the touch control circuit 900 or can be electrically connected to the second touch electrode TE2 or the second routing line RL2 adjacent to it.

[0162] Specifically, the capacitance variation rate of the first capacitor Cm1, which is provided between the first touch electrode TE1 and the second touch electrode TE2, which intersect each other, can be reduced if the area where the second touch electrode TE2 overlaps the first touch electrode TE1 is enlarged, thus making it difficult to probe a user's touch position. Accordingly, the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can reduce the area where the second touch electrode TE2 overlaps the first touch electrode TE1 during the initial touch sampling period and can therefore be electrically suspended to effectively provide the first capacitor Cm1.

[0163] On the other hand, despite the same thickness change “ΔT” of the thickness modification element 550, the capacitance variation rate of the second capacitor Cm2, which is provided between the third contact electrode TE3 and the second contact electrode TE2, which overlap each other, can increase because the area where the second contact electrode TE2 overlaps the third contact electrode TE3 is enlarged. Accordingly, the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be electrically connected to their adjacent second contact electrode TE during the second contact sampling period, and thus the area where the second contact electrode TE2 overlaps the third contact electrode TE3 can be enlarged, thereby improving the efficiency of the contact force sampling.

[0164] The multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be used as a touch force sensing electrode to detect a touch force and can be used as a floating electrode that allows a touch position to be detected.

[0165] Furthermore, one side of each of the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 can be electrically connected to each other by a connecting secondary electrode SE3.

[0166] The connecting secondary electrode SE3 can be spaced apart from one end (for example, a short side TE2c) of the second contact electrode TE2 and can be parallel to a short side TE2c. Furthermore, the connecting secondary electrode SE3 can electrically connect one end of the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2, which are parallel to each other, with an adjacent second contact electrode TE2 in between. Therefore, the connecting secondary electrode SE3 can connect one end of the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2, which are adjacent to one side TE2a and the other side TE2b of the second contact electrode TE2. That is, each of the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 can be adjacent to a side of a corresponding second contact electrode TE2. The connecting secondary electrode SE3 can be provided multiple times.Each of the multiple connecting secondary electrodes SE3 can be spaced apart from one short side TE2c of the second adjacent contact electrode TE2, can be parallel to one short side TE2c and extend from one end of the corresponding first secondary electrode SE1. Furthermore, each of the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be adjacent to the other side of a corresponding second contact electrode TE2 and can extend from one end of a corresponding connecting secondary electrode SE3.Therefore, several secondary electrodes, comprising the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1, the multiple connecting secondary electrodes SE3, and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2, can be electrically connected to one another, can be located on the same layer, and can have a ⊂ shape or a ⊃ shape, thereby surrounding the sides of the second contact electrode TE2 that are not the short side of the second contact electrode TE2. Here, the other short side of the second contact electrode TE2 can be defined as a section connected to the secondary routing line SRL.

[0167] Additionally, in Fig. 13 Each of the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 is represented such that it has a rod shape, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, in order to increase light transmittance for light emitted from each pixel SP, each of the multiple first secondary electrodes SE1 and the multiple second secondary electrodes SE2 can be formed in multiple line structures, mesh structures, or trapezoidal structures electrically connected to one another, or can include multiple openings arranged at specific intervals in a slot or grid type.

[0168] In the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, the touch control circuit 900 can be connected to the multiple first touch electrodes TE1, the multiple second touch electrodes TE2, and the multiple third touch electrodes TE3. That is, the touch control circuit 900 can be connected in a one-to-one relationship to the multiple first touch electrodes TE1, the multiple second touch electrodes TE2, and the multiple third touch electrodes TE3 via the multiple first to third routing lines RL1, RL2, and RL3 provided on the substrate 10, and can be connected in a one-to-one relationship to the multiple first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 via the multiple first and second secondary routing lines SRL1 and SRL2 provided on the substrate 10.

[0169] The touch control circuit 900 according to the present embodiment can control the touch-sensitive layer 500 in the first touch sampling time period and the second touch sampling time period in response to a touch mode signal supplied by a host control circuit, and in each of the first touch sampling time period and the second touch sampling time period, the touch control circuit 900 can control the touch-sensitive layer 500 in a haptic mode when a touch event occurs.

[0170] During the first touch sampling period, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 15A, the touch control circuit 900 electrically levitates the several third touch electrodes TE3 and the several first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2, applies a first touch control pulse TDP1 to at least one of the several first touch electrodes TE1, and samples a capacitance variation of the first capacitor Cm1, caused by a touch by a user, through the several second touch electrodes TE2 in order to generate a first touch sampling signal.For example, during the first touch sampling period, the touch control circuit 900 can successively apply the first touch control pulse TDP1 to the multiple first touch electrodes TE1 and can sample a capacitance variation of the first capacitor Cm1, which is provided between the first touch electrode TE1, to which the first touch control pulse TDP1 is applied, and the second touch electrode TE2, which overlaps the first touch electrode, by the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 in order to generate the first touch sampling signal.

[0171] During the second touch sampling period, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 15B, the touch control circuit 900 allows the several first touch electrodes TE1 to float, applies a second touch control pulse TDP2 to at least one of the several third touch electrodes TE3, and samples a capacitance variation of the second capacitor CM2, caused by the thickness change “ΔT” of the thickness modification element 550 based on a touch force of a user, through the several second touch electrodes TE2 to generate a second touch sampling signal.For example, during the second touch sampling period, the touch control circuit 900 can successively apply the second touch control pulse TDP2 to the multiple third touch electrodes TE3 and can sample a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2, which is provided between the third touch electrode TE3 to which the second touch control pulse TDP2 is applied, and the second touch electrode TE2 which overlaps the third touch electrode TE3, by means of the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 in order to generate the second touch sampling signal.

[0172] Additionally, the touch control circuit 900 can determine the presence of a touch event in order to calculate a touch event area based on the first touch sampling signal generated by sampling during the first touch sampling period, apply the second touch control pulse TDP2 to at least one third touch electrode TE3 provided in the touch event area during the second touch sampling period, and sample a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2, caused by the thickness change “ΔT” of the thickness modification element 550 based on a user’s touch force, through the multiple second touch electrodes TE2 to generate the second touch sampling signal.Subsequently, the touch control circuit 900 can calculate a touch position based on the second touch sampling signal in order to output the touch position to the host control circuit, or it can calculate a touch force level and touch position in order to output the touch force level and touch position to the host control circuit. That is, in the present embodiment, during the second touch sampling period, touch force sampling can be performed locally on a touch event area calculated by sampling in the first touch sampling period, thereby shortening the touch force sampling time for which a user's touch force is sampled.

[0173] According to another embodiment, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 15B, the touch control circuit 900, during the second touch sampling period, allows the several first touch electrodes TE1 to float, connects each of the several first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 to the second touch electrode TE2 adjacent to it, applies the second touch control pulse TDP2 to at least one of the several third touch electrodes TE3, and samples a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2, caused by the thickness change “ΔT” of the thickness modification element 550 based on the touch force of a user, through the several second touch electrodes TE2 in order to generate the second touch sampling signal.In this case, each of the multiple second contact electrodes TE2, which overlap the multiple third contact electrodes TE3, can be electrically connected to the adjacent first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2. Thus, the overlap area between the second contact electrode TE2 and the third contact electrode TE3 increases by an area encompassing the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2. Therefore, the capacitance of the second capacitor Cm2 can vary further by an area encompassing the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 connected to the second contact electrode TE2. Consequently, in the present embodiment, a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2 caused by a user's touch force is more easily detected.

[0174] Additionally, since the thickness modification element 550 is arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the second contact electrode layer 530, the thickness modification element 550 can act as a haptic output device. That is, the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment can implement the haptic mode by using the thickness modification element 550. The haptic mode according to one embodiment can include a vibration haptic mode based on vibrations of the thickness modification element 550 and an electrostatic haptic mode based on an electrostatic force of the thickness modification element 550. The haptic mode is as described above, and thus its detailed description is not repeated.

[0175] As described above, in one embodiment, the organic light-emitting display device has a thin thickness because the touch-sensitive layer 500 is provided directly within the organic light-emitting display panel, even though it contains the touch panel. The organic light-emitting display device can detect a capacitance variation of the first capacitor Cm1 caused by a user's touch in order to detect the user's touch position, and it can detect a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2 caused by the thickness change "ΔT" of the thickness modification element 550 based on a user's touch force in order to detect the user's touch force.Furthermore, in the organic light-emitting display device according to one embodiment, the first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 can be connected to the second touch electrode TE2 when it scans the user's touch force, thus increasing the area in which the second touch electrode TE2 overlaps the third touch electrode TE3, and thereby increasing the efficiency of touch force scanning.

[0176] Optionally, in the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, the multiple first contact electrodes TE1 and the multiple third contact electrodes TE3 can be interchanged in their arrangement positions. In this case, similarly Fig. 11, the multiple third contact electrodes TE3, which are provided directly on a top surface of the encapsulation layer 300, can be configured as a third contact electrode TE3.

[0177] Fig. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view to describe an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment and is achieved by adding a functional layer to the organic light-emitting display device, which is described in Fig. 12 is shown, configured. Similar to display layer 110A in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the display layer 110F is included, which in this embodiment Fig. Figure 16 shows the substrate 10, the pixel array layer 100, and the encapsulation layer 300. Therefore, only one functional layer and its relevant elements are described below.

[0178] Referring to Fig. 16 In the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, a functional layer 520 can be arranged between a first contact electrode layer 510 and a thickness modification element 550. The functional layer 520 serves to prevent both the organic light-emitting device ED and the first contact electrode layer 510 from being damaged by external water or oxygen and can have the same configuration as that of the functional layer 520 described in Fig. Figure 9 is shown. Therefore, only one configuration and one arrangement structure of functional layer 520 is described below.

[0179] The functional layer 520 according to one or more embodiments can contain a barrier film 522 arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the thickness modification element 550.

[0180] According to one embodiment, the barrier film 522 can be bonded to the entire top surface of the first contact electrode layer 510 by a first translucent adhesive 521 to cover the entire top surface of the first contact electrode layer 510. In this case, a bottom surface of the barrier film 522 can be coupled to an electrode insulation layer 515, where several second contact electrodes TE2 are provided, by the first translucent adhesive 521, and a top surface of the barrier film 522 can be directly coupled to a bottom surface of the thickness modification element 550.

[0181] According to one or more embodiments, the functional layer 520 can include the barrier film 522, which is arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the thickness modification element 550, and a light control film 524, which is arranged between the barrier film 522 and the thickness modification element 550.

[0182] The barrier film 522 can be arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and the light-control film 524. That is, the barrier film 522 can be bonded to the entire top surface of the first contact electrode layer 510 by the first translucent adhesive 521 to cover the first contact electrode layer 510. In this case, the underside of the barrier film 522 can be bonded to the electrode insulation layer 515, where the multiple second contact electrodes TE2 are provided, by the first translucent adhesive 2, and the top surface of the barrier film 522 can be directly coupled to a bottom surface of the light-control film 524 by a second translucent adhesive 523.

[0183] The light-controlling film 524 can be adhered to the top surface of the barrier film 522 by the second translucent adhesive 523 to cover the entire top surface of the barrier film 522. In this case, the underside of the light-controlling film 524 can be adhered to the top surface of the barrier film 522 by the second translucent adhesive 523, and a top surface of the light-controlling film 524 can be directly coupled to the underside of the thickness-modifying element 550. Furthermore, the light-controlling film 524 improves the luminance property of light emitted from each pixel SP. For example, the light-controlling film 524 can be a polarizing film that polarizes the light emitted from each pixel SP.

[0184] In the functional layer 520 according to various embodiments, the barrier film 522 can be formed by coating an inorganic insulating material onto an organic insulating film. The barrier film 522 primarily serves to prevent water or oxygen from penetrating each pixel SP and can be made of a material exhibiting a low water vapor permeability rate. Additionally, the barrier film 522 can act as a support, supporting the underside of the thickness modifier 550 so that the thickness of the thickness modifier 550 can be modified based on a user's touch force. Furthermore, the barrier film can dampen an impact exerted on the organic light-emitting display device due to the user's touch force, thereby preventing damage to the organic light-emitting device ED from the impact.

[0185] Since the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment contains the barrier film 522, the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment exhibits the same effects as those of the organic light-emitting display device described in Fig. 12 is shown, and in addition, it can be prevented that both the organic light-emitting device ED and the first contact electrode layer 510 are damaged by shock and water or oxygen.

[0186] Additionally, in the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the functional layer 520 is arranged between the encapsulation layer 300 and the first contact electrode layer 510, thereby preventing the organic light-emitting device ED from being damaged by external water or oxygen.

[0187] Optionally, in the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment, the multiple first contact electrodes TE1 and the multiple third contact electrodes TE3 can be interchanged in their arrangement positions. In this case, similarly Fig. 11, the multiple third contact electrodes TE3, which are provided directly on a top surface of the encapsulation layer 300, can be configured as a third contact electrode TE3.

[0188] Fig. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view describing an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment and is achieved by adding a black matrix, a color filter layer and a buffer layer to the organic light-emitting display device, which is shown in Fig. 1 is shown, configured.

[0189] Referring to Fig. 17 The organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment may include (i) a display layer 110G comprising a substrate 10, a pixel array layer 100, an encapsulation layer 300, a black matrix 410, a color filter layer 430 and a buffer layer 450, (ii) a touch-sensitive layer 500, (iii) a cover window 700 and (iv) a touch control circuit 900.

[0190] Except that the organic light-emitting device ED of each pixel SP, which is provided in the pixel array layer 100, emits white light in the organic light-emitting display device which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the substrate 10, the pixel array layer 100, and the encapsulation layer 300 are the same as in the representation of Fig. 1, and therefore their detailed descriptions are not repeated here.

[0191] The Black Matrix 410 can define an aperture region for each pixel SP provided on the substrate 10. That is, the Black Matrix 410 can directly overlap the encapsulation layer 300 to form a light-blocking region that is not an aperture region, which is an organic light-emitting device ED of each pixel SP, thereby preventing color mixing between adjacent aperture regions. According to one embodiment, the Black Matrix 410 can include several first light-blocking patterns covering multiple gate lines and a pixel circuit PC for each pixel SP, several second light-blocking patterns covering multiple data lines and multiple pixel drive power lines, and a third blocking pattern covering an edge of the encapsulation layer 300.

[0192] The color filter layer 430 can be placed directly on the top side of the encapsulation layer 300, overlapping the aperture area defined by the black matrix 410, and can contain a red color filter, a green color filter, and a blue color filter, each corresponding to colors defined in the multiple pixels SP. The color filter layer 430 can only transmit light with a wavelength of a color corresponding to a specific pixel SP, within the white light emitted from that specific pixel SP.

[0193] The buffer layer 450 can cover the black matrix 410 and the color filter layer 430. The buffer layer 450 can provide a flat surface on the black matrix 410 and the color filter layer 430.

[0194] Except that several first touch electrodes TE1 and several second touch electrodes TE2 contained in the first touch electrode layer 510 are directly coupled to the top of the buffer layer 450, the touch-sensitive layer 500 can have the same configuration as that of the touch-sensitive layer described in the Fig. 1 to 3 are shown, and therefore their detailed description is not repeated.

[0195] Additionally, the buffer layer 450 can support the touch-sensitive layer 500 and can protect the color filter layer 430 in a process for manufacturing the touch-sensitive layer 500. According to one embodiment, the buffer layer 450 can be formed to have a thickness between 500 Å and 5 µm and can maintain a separation distance of at least 5 µm between the cathode electrode CE and each of the electrodes TE1 and TE2 of the first touch-sensitive layer 510. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a parasitic capacitance generated between the cathode electrode CE and each of the electrodes TE1 and TE2 of the first touch-sensitive layer 510 is minimized, thereby preventing mutual influence caused by the coupling between the cathode electrode CE and each of the electrodes TE1 and TE2 of the first touch-sensitive layer 510.If the separation distance between the cathode electrode CE and each of the electrodes TE1 and TE2 of the first contact electrode layer 510 is less than 5 µm, the contact performance may be reduced due to the mutual influence caused by the coupling.

[0196] Furthermore, the buffer layer 450 prevents a chemical solution (a developing solution, an etching solution, etc.) used in a process to produce the touch-sensitive layer 500, external water, and / or the like from penetrating the organic light-emitting device ED, thereby preventing damage to the organic light-emitting device ED. The buffer layer 450 can be formed at a low temperature of 100 °C or less to prevent damage to the organic light-emitting device ED, which is sensitive to high temperatures, and can be composed of an organic insulating material having a low dielectric constant of 1 to 3. For example, the buffer layer 450 can contain an acrylic-based material, an epoxy-based material, or a siloxane-based material.The buffer layer 450, which contains an organic insulating material, can have a planarization function and thereby prevents a crack from occurring in the electrodes of the touch-sensitive layer 500 and the encapsulation layer 300 when the organic light-emitting display device is bent.

[0197] The cover window 700 can be coupled to a top surface of the touch-sensitive layer 500 and can contain a second touch electrode layer 530 of the touch-sensitive layer 500. The cover window 700 is the same as the cover window described in the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 are shown, and therefore its detailed description is not repeated.

[0198] The touch control circuit 900 can be connected to several first touch electrodes TE1, several second touch electrodes TE2, and several third touch electrodes TE3. That is, the touch control circuit 900 has the same configuration as the touch control circuit described in Fig. 2 is shown, and therefore its detailed description is not repeated.

[0199] In addition, the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment can further comprise a functional layer arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and a thickness modification element 550. The functional layer has the same configuration as that of the functional layer 520 described in Fig. 9 is shown, and therefore its detailed description is not repeated.

[0200] Optionally, the first contact electrode layer 510 and the second contact electrode layer 530 can have their arrangement positions reversed. That is, the first contact electrode layer 510 can contain the multiple third contact electrodes TE3, which are provided directly on the top side of the buffer layer 450, and the second contact electrode layer 530 can contain the multiple first contact electrodes TE1 and the multiple second contact electrodes TE2, which are provided directly on the underside of the cover window 700. Similarly, Fig. 11, the several third contact electrodes TE3, which are provided directly on the top of the buffer layer 450, are configured as a third contact electrode TE3.

[0201] The organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment produces the same effects as those of the organic light-emitting display device described in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 6B, the organic light-emitting devices (EDs) of each pixel (SP) can be configured in the same structure. Accordingly, a manufacturing process is simplified, and damage to the EDs by the buffer layer 450 in the process of fabricating the touch-sensitive layer 500 is prevented.

[0202] Fig. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view describing an organic light-emitting display device according to a further embodiment and is formed by adding a black matrix, a color filter layer and a buffer layer to the organic light-emitting display device, which is shown in Fig. 12 is shown, configured.

[0203] Referring to Fig. 18 The organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment may include (i) a display layer 110H comprising a substrate 10, a pixel array layer 100, an encapsulation layer 300, a black matrix 410, a color filter layer 430 and a buffer layer 450, (ii) a touch-sensitive layer 500, (iii) a cover window 700 and (iv) a touch control circuit 900.

[0204] Except that the organic light-emitting device ED of each pixel SP, which is provided in the pixel array layer 100, emits white light in the organic light-emitting display device which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the substrate 10, the pixel array layer 100 and the encapsulation layer 300 are the same as in the representation in Figure 12. Fig. 12, and therefore their detailed descriptions are not repeated here.

[0205] The black matrix 410, the color filter layer 430, and the buffer layer 450 can be positioned between the encapsulation layer 300 and the touch-sensitive layer 500, as shown in the illustration in Fig. 17, and thus their detailed descriptions are not repeated.

[0206] The touch-sensitive layer 500 can be provided directly on top of the buffer layer 450. In addition to being provided directly on top of the buffer layer 450, the touch-sensitive layer 500 can have the same configuration as the touch-sensitive layer described in the Fig. Figures 12 to 14 are shown, and therefore their detailed description is not repeated.

[0207] The cover window 700 can be coupled to a top surface of the touch-sensitive layer 500 and can contain a second touch electrode layer 530 of the touch-sensitive layer 500. The cover window 700 is the same as the cover window described in the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 are shown, and therefore its detailed description is not repeated.

[0208] The touch control circuit 900 can be connected to multiple first touch electrodes TE1, multiple second touch electrodes TE2, and multiple third touch electrodes TE3. That is, the touch control circuit 900 has the same configuration as the touch control circuit described in Fig. 2 is shown, and therefore its detailed description is not repeated.

[0209] In addition, the organic light-emitting display device according to the present embodiment can further comprise a functional layer arranged between the first contact electrode layer 510 and a thickness modification element 550. The functional layer has the same configuration as that of the functional layer 520 described in Fig. 16 is shown, and therefore its detailed description is not repeated.

[0210] Optionally, the multiple first contact electrodes TE1 and the multiple third contact electrodes TE3 can be interchanged in their arrangement positions. In this case, similarly Fig. 11, the several third contact electrodes TE3, which are provided directly on the top of the buffer layer 450, are configured as a third contact electrode TE3.

[0211] Fig. 19 is a flowchart for describing a touch scanning method performed by an organic light-emitting display device, according to one embodiment.

[0212] The touch scanning method, which is carried out by the organic light-emitting display device according to one embodiment, is described with reference to the Fig. 19 and 1 to 9 are described in detail.

[0213] First, in operation S100, the touch control circuit 900 can perform the touch position scanning during the first touch scanning period. Specifically, during the first touch scanning period, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6A, the touch control circuit 900 electrically levitates the several third touch electrodes TE3 and the several first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2, applies the first touch control pulse TDP1 to at least one of the several first touch electrodes TE1, and samples a capacitance variation of the first capacitor Cm1 through the several second touch electrodes TE2 to generate the first touch sampling signal.

[0214] Subsequently, in operation S200, the touch control circuit 900 can determine whether a touch event takes place based on the first touch sampling signal generated by sampling during the first touch sampling time period.

[0215] If the touch event does not occur in operation S200 ("No" in S200), the touch control circuit 900 can again perform the touch position scanning in operation S100.

[0216] If the touch event occurs in operation S200 ("Yes" for S200), the touch control circuit 900 can calculate a touch event area based on the first touch sampling signal and can perform a local touch force sampling in operation S300 during the second touch sampling period based on the touch event area. In detail, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 6B, during the second touch sampling period, the touch control circuit 900 can levitate the several first touch electrodes TE1, electrically connect each of the several first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 to the third touch electrode adjacent to it, apply the second touch control pulse TDP2 to at least one third touch electrode TE3 provided in the touch event area, and sample a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2, caused by the thickness change “ΔT” of the thickness modification element 550 based on a user’s touch force, through the several second touch electrodes TE2 to generate the second touch sampling signal.

[0217] Subsequently, in operation S400, the touch control circuit 900 can determine whether a touch force is being sampled based on the second touch sampling signal, which is sampled during the second touch sampling period.

[0218] If the touch force is sampled in the touch event area during operation S400 (“Yes” in S400), the touch control circuit 900 can calculate touch position coordinates corresponding to the touch event area and a touch force level based on the second touch sample signal during operation S500 and can supply the touch position coordinates and the touch force level to the host control circuit. Therefore, the host control circuit can execute an application that corresponds to the touch position coordinates and the touch force level supplied by the touch control circuit 900.

[0219] If the contact force is not sampled in the contact event area in operation S400 ("No" in S400), the contact control circuit 900 can calculate contact position coordinates corresponding to the contact event area in operation S600 and can supply these coordinates to the host control circuit. Therefore, the host control circuit can execute an application that corresponds to the contact position coordinates supplied by the contact control circuit 900.

[0220] The touch scanning method, which is carried out by the organic light-emitting display device according to one embodiment, is described with reference to the Fig. 19 and 12 to 18 are described in detail.

[0221] First, in operation S100, the touch control circuit 900 can perform the touch position scanning during the first touch scanning period. Specifically, during the first touch scanning period, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 15A, the touch control circuit 900 electrically levitates the several third touch electrodes TE3 and the several first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2, applies the first touch control pulse TDP1 to at least one of the several first touch electrodes TE1, and samples a capacitance variation of the first capacitor Cm1 through the several second touch electrodes TE2 to generate the first touch sampling signal.

[0222] Subsequently, in operation S200, the touch control circuit 900 can determine whether a touch event takes place based on the first touch sampling signal generated by sampling during the first touch sampling time period.

[0223] If the touch event does not occur in operation S200 ("No" in S200), the touch control circuit 900 can again perform the touch position scanning in operation S100.

[0224] If the touch event occurs in operation S200 ("Yes" for S200), the touch control circuit 900 can calculate a touch event area based on the first touch sampling signal and can perform a local touch force sampling in operation S300 during the second touch sampling period based on the touch event area. Specifically, as shown in Fig.As shown in Figure 15B, during the second touch sampling period, the touch control circuit 900 suspends the several first touch electrodes TE1, connects each of the several first and second secondary electrodes SE1 and SE2 to the second touch electrode TE2 adjacent to it, applies the second touch control pulse TDP2 to at least one of the several third touch electrodes TE3 provided in the touch event area, and samples a capacitance variation of the second capacitor Cm2, caused by the thickness change “ΔT” of the thickness modification element 550 based on the touch force of a user, through the several second touch electrodes TE2 to generate the second touch sampling signal.

[0225] Subsequently, in operation S400, the touch control circuit 900 can determine whether a touch force is being sampled based on the second touch sampling signal, which is sampled during the second touch sampling period.

[0226] If the touch force is sampled in the touch event area during operation S400 (“Yes” in S400), the touch control circuit 900 can calculate touch position coordinates corresponding to the touch event area and a touch force level based on the second touch sample signal during operation S500 and can supply the touch position coordinates and the touch force level to the host control circuit. Therefore, the host control circuit can execute an application that corresponds to the touch position coordinates and the touch force level supplied by the touch control circuit 900.

[0227] If the contact force is not sampled in the contact event area in operation S400 ("No" in S400), the contact control circuit 900 can calculate contact position coordinates corresponding to the contact event area in operation S600 and can supply these coordinates to the host control circuit. Therefore, the host control circuit can execute an application that corresponds to the contact position coordinates supplied by the contact control circuit 900.

[0228] The organic light-emitting display device according to the embodiments can be used as a display screen of an electronic notebook, an e-book, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile phone, a mobile communications terminal, a television (TV), a notebook computer and a monitor.

[0229] As described above, the organic light-emitting display device according to the embodiments can include a touch-sensitive panel and can have a thin thickness. Furthermore, the organic light-emitting display device according to the embodiments can detect a touch position and a touch force, thereby increasing the efficiency of touch force detection.

[0230] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of protection of the inventions. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention, provided they fall within the scope of protection of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[1] Organic light-emitting display device comprising: a display layer (110A) which includes: a substrate (10), a pixel array layer (100) on the substrate (10), wherein the pixel array layer (100) contains multiple pixels (SP), each of the multiple pixels (SP) containing a thin-film transistor (TFT) and an organic light-emitting diode, and an encapsulation layer (300) covering the pixel array layer (110A); a cover window (700); and a touch-sensitive layer (500) directly on the display layer (110A), wherein the touch-sensitive layer (500) is arranged between the display layer (110A) and the cover window (700), the touch-sensitive layer (500) comprising: a first contact electrode layer (510) directly on the display layer (110A), a second contact electrode layer (530) between the first contact electrode layer (510) and the cover window (700), and a thickness modification element (550) between the first contact electrode layer (510) and the second contact electrode layer (530), wherein the second contact electrode layer (530) further comprises several first secondary electrodes (SE1) and several second secondary electrodes (SE2) arranged along several third contact electrodes (TE3), each of the several third contact electrodes (TE3) being arranged between an adjacent first secondary electrode (SE1) and an adjacent second secondary electrode (SE2), wherein the multiple third contact electrodes (TE3), the multiple first secondary electrodes (SE1) and the multiple second secondary electrodes (SE2) are electrically suspended during a contact position scanning time interval, and wherein a third contact electrode (TE3) from the multiple third contact electrodes is electrically connected to an adjacent one from the first secondary electrodes (SE1) and an adjacent one from the second secondary electrodes (SE2) during a contact force sampling period. [2] Organic light-emitting display device according to claim 1, wherein the first contact electrode layer (510) comprises several electrodes (TE1, TE2), each of which comprises an amorphous translucent conductive material formed at a first temperature, and wherein the second contact electrode layer (530) comprises several further electrodes (TE3, SE1, SE2), each of which comprises a crystalline translucent conductive material formed at a second temperature, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature. [3] Organic light-emitting display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first contact electrode layer (510) comprises several first contact electrodes (TE1) and several second contact electrodes (TE2) directly on the encapsulation layer (300). [4] Organic light-emitting display device according to claim 3, further comprising: a touch control circuit (900) connected to the multiple first touch electrodes (TE1), the multiple second touch electrodes (TE2) and the multiple third touch electrodes (TE3), wherein the touch control circuit (900) is configured as follows: during the touch position scanning time period, to apply a first touch control pulse (TDP1) to at least one of the first touch electrodes (TE1), to scan a first touch scanning signal in response to the first touch control pulse (TDP1) through the several second touch electrodes (TE2), and to determine a touch event area corresponding to a touch on the cover window (700) according to the first touch scanning signal, and during the contact force sampling period, a second contact control pulse (TDP2) is applied to at least one of the third contact electrodes (TE3) located in the contact event area, a second contact sampling signal is sampled by the multiple second contact electrodes (TE2) in response to the second contact control pulse (TDP2), and a contact force level and a contact position coordinate of the contact are determined according to the second contact sampling signal. [5] Organic light-emitting display device according to claim 4, wherein the second contact electrode layer (530) further comprises several connecting electrodes (SE3), each of the several connecting electrodes (SE3) pointing to an end of a corresponding one of the third contact electrodes (TE3) and electrically connecting an end of the corresponding one of the first secondary electrodes (SE1) to an end of a corresponding one of the second secondary electrodes (SE2) adjacent to the corresponding one of the third contact electrodes (TE3). [6] Organic light-emitting display device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the display layer (110B) further comprises at least one or a combination of the following: a barrier film (522) arranged between the encapsulation layer (300) and the first contact electrode layer (510), a light control film (524) arranged between the encapsulation layer (300) and the first contact electrode layer (510), a black matrix (410) arranged between the encapsulation layer (300) and the first contact electrode layer (510), wherein the black matrix (410) defines an aperture area of ​​each of the multiple pixels (SP); a color filter layer (430) arranged in the aperture area of ​​each of the multiple pixels (SP); and a buffer layer (450) covering the black matrix (410) and the color filter layer (430). [7] Organic light-emitting display device comprising: a display layer (110F) which includes: a substrate (10), a pixel array layer (100) on the substrate (10), wherein the pixel array layer (100) contains multiple pixels (SP), each of the multiple pixels (SP) containing a thin-film transistor (TFT) and an organic light-emitting diode, and an encapsulation layer (300) covering the pixel array layer (110F); a cover window (700); and a touch-sensitive layer (500) directly on the display layer (110F), wherein the touch-sensitive layer (500) is arranged between the display layer (110F) and the cover window (700), the touch-sensitive layer (500) comprising: a first contact electrode layer (510) directly on the display layer (110F), a second contact electrode layer (530) between the first contact electrode layer (510) and the cover window (700), and a thickness modification element (550) between the first contact electrode layer (510) and the second contact electrode layer (530), wherein the first contact electrode layer (510) comprises: several first contact electrodes (TE1) directly on the encapsulation layer (300), several second contact electrodes (TE2) that cross the several first contact electrodes (TE1), and an electrode insulation layer (515) between the multiple first contact electrodes (TE1) and the multiple second contact electrodes (TE2), wherein the electrode insulation layer (515) is in contact with the encapsulation layer (300) via spaces between the multiple first contact electrodes (TE1), wherein the first contact electrode layer (510) further comprises several first secondary electrodes (SE1) and several second secondary electrodes (SE2) arranged along the several second contact electrodes (TE2), each of the several second contact electrodes (TE2) being arranged between an adjacent first secondary electrode (SE1) and an adjacent second secondary electrode (SE2), wherein the multiple first secondary electrodes (SE1) and the multiple second secondary electrodes (SE2) are electrically suspended during a touch position scanning time interval, and wherein a second contact electrode (TE2) from the several second contact electrodes is electrically connected to the adjacent one from the first secondary electrodes (SE1) and the adjacent one from the second secondary electrodes (SE2) during a contact force sampling time period. [8] Organic light-emitting display device comprising: a display layer (110H) which includes: a substrate (10), a pixel array layer (100) on the substrate (10), wherein the pixel array layer (100) contains multiple pixels (SP), each of the multiple pixels (SP) containing a thin-film transistor (TFT) and an organic light-emitting diode, and an encapsulation layer (300) covering the pixel array layer (11H); a cover window (700); and a touch-sensitive layer (500) directly on the display layer (110H), wherein the touch-sensitive layer (500) is arranged between the display layer (110H) and the cover window (700), the touch-sensitive layer (500) comprising: a first contact electrode layer (510) directly on the display layer (110H), a second contact electrode layer (530) between the first contact electrode layer (510) and the cover window (700), and a thickness modification element (550) between the first contact electrode layer (510) and the second contact electrode layer (530), wherein the indicator layer (110H) further comprises: a black matrix (410) arranged between the encapsulation layer (300) and the first contact electrode layer (510), wherein the black matrix (410) defines an opening area of ​​each of the multiple pixels; a color filter layer (430) arranged in the aperture area of ​​each of the multiple pixels; and a buffer layer (450) covering the black matrix (410) and the color filter layer (430), comprising the first contact electrode layer (510): several first contact electrodes (TE1) directly on the buffer layer (450), several second contact electrodes (TE2) that cross the several first contact electrodes (TE1), and an electrode insulation layer (515) between the multiple first contact electrodes (TE1) and the multiple second contact electrodes (TE2), wherein the electrode insulation layer (515) is in contact with the buffer layer (450) via gaps between the multiple first contact electrodes (450), wherein the first contact electrode layer (510) further comprises several first secondary electrodes (SE1) and several second secondary electrodes (SE2) arranged along the several second contact electrodes (TE2), each of the several second contact electrodes (TE2) being arranged between an adjacent first secondary electrode (SE1) and an adjacent second secondary electrode (SE2), wherein the multiple first secondary electrodes (SE1) and the multiple second secondary electrodes (SE2) are electrically suspended during a touch position scanning time interval, and wherein a second contact electrode (TE2) from the several second contact electrodes is electrically connected to the adjacent one from the first secondary electrodes (SE1) and the adjacent one from the second secondary electrodes (SE2) during a contact force sampling time period. [9] Organic light-emitting display device according to one of claims 3-8, wherein the second contact electrode layer (530) comprises several third contact electrodes (TE3) directly on one side of the cover window (700) facing the thickness modification element (550). [10] Organic light-emitting display device according to claim 9, further comprising: a touch control circuit (900) connected to the multiple first touch electrodes (TE1), the multiple second touch electrodes (TE2) and the multiple third touch electrodes (TE3), wherein the touch control circuit (900) is configured as follows: during the touch position scanning time period, to apply a first touch control pulse (TDP1) to at least one of the first touch electrodes (TE1), to scan a first touch scanning signal in response to the first touch control pulse (TDP1) through the several second touch electrodes (TE2), and to determine a touch event area corresponding to a touch on the cover window (700) according to the first touch scanning signal, and during the contact force sampling period, a second contact control pulse (TDP2) is applied to at least one of the third contact electrodes (TE3) located in the contact event area, a second contact sampling signal is sampled in response to the second contact control pulse (TDP2) via (i) the multiple second contact electrodes (TE2), (ii) the first secondary electrodes (SE1) and (iii) the second secondary electrodes (SE2), and a contact force level and a contact position coordinate of the contact are determined according to the second contact sampling signal. [11] Organic light-emitting display device according to claim 9, wherein the first contact electrode layer (510) further comprises several connecting electrodes, each of the several connecting electrodes pointing to an end of a corresponding one of the second contact electrodes (TE2) and electrically connecting an end of the corresponding one of the first secondary electrodes (SE1) to an end of a corresponding one of the second secondary electrodes (SE2) adjacent to the corresponding one of the second contact electrodes (TE2). [12] Organic light-emitting display device comprising: a display layer (110D) which includes: a substrate (10), a pixel array layer (100) on the substrate (10), wherein the pixel array layer (100) contains multiple pixels (SP), each of the multiple pixels (SP) containing a thin-film transistor (TFT) and an organic light-emitting diode, and an encapsulation layer (300) covering the pixel array layer (110D); a cover window (700); and a touch-sensitive layer (500) directly on the display layer (110D), wherein the touch-sensitive layer (500) is arranged between the display layer (110D) and the cover window (700), the touch-sensitive layer (500) comprising: a first contact electrode layer (510) directly on the display layer (110D), a second contact electrode layer (530) between the first contact electrode layer (510) and the cover window (700), and a thickness modification element (550) between the first contact electrode layer (510) and the second contact electrode layer (530), wherein the second contact electrode layer (530) comprises several first contact electrodes (TE1) and several second contact electrodes (TE2) directly on one side of the cover window (700) facing the thickness modification element (500), and wherein the first contact electrode layer (510) includes a third contact electrode (TE3) directly on the encapsulation layer (300), where the third contact electrode (TE3) overlaps all of the multiple first contact electrodes (TE1) and the multiple second contact electrodes (TE2). [13] Organic light-emitting display device according to one of claims 1, 7, 8 and 12, wherein the thickness modification element (550) comprises: a first elastic dielectric layer (551); and a second elastic dielectric layer (553), wherein the first elastic dielectric layer (551) has a first elasticity coefficient and the second elastic dielectric layer (553) has a second elasticity coefficient which is lower than the first elasticity coefficient, and wherein the second elastic dielectric layer (553) is arranged adjacent to the cover window (700).

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