TOUCH DISPLAY DEVICE, CONTROL CIRCUIT AND CONTROL METHOD

Abstract

Touch display device, comprising: a display panel (DISP) in which a plurality of data lines (DL) and a plurality of gate lines (GL) are arranged, a plurality of subpixels (SP) are arranged and a plurality of touch electrodes (TE) are arranged; a display controller (DCTR) configured to output an ON clock signal (ON_CLK) and an OFF clock signal (OFF_CLK); a gate drive circuit (GDC) configured to output a scan signal (Vgate) to the plurality of gate lines (GL) based on the ON clock signal (ON_CLK) and the OFF clock signal (OFF_CLK); a data drive circuit (DDC) configured to output a data signal (Vdata) for displaying an image to the plurality of data lines (DL); and a touch drive circuit (TDC) configured to supply a touch electrode drive signal (TDS) to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes (TE), to detect one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes (TE), and to output detection data, wherein a voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) changes, and a portion in which the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) changes is different from a high-level period (Pon) of the ON-clock signal (ON_CLK) and / or a high-level period (Poff) of the OFF-clock signal (OFF_CLK).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0170592 filed on December 27, 2018 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0062755 filed on May 28, 2019. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a touch display device, a driving circuit and a driving method. DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY

[0003] With the progress of information-oriented societies, the demands for touch display devices that display an image have increased in various types, and various display devices such as a liquid crystal display device and an organic light-emitting display device have been widely used in recent years.

[0004] Among such display devices, there is a touch display device that provides a touch-based input system that allows a user to easily, intuitively, and conveniently input information or commands instead of normal input systems using buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

[0005] In a touch display device according to the related art, since both an image display function and a touch detection function need to be provided, a display drive for displaying an image and a touch drive for detecting a touch are alternately performed at divided time intervals.

[0006] In such a time-division multiplexed drive system, considerably sophisticated timing control is required to accurately perform display driving and touch driving at divided times in a time-division multiplexed manner, and expensive electronic components may be required.

[0007] In the time-division multiplexing drive system, both the display drive time and the touch drive time may be insufficient, resulting in a problem that image quality and touch sensitivity deteriorate. In particular, a problem that high-resolution image quality cannot be achieved due to the time-division multiplexing drive may arise.

[0008] Simultaneous execution of display control and touch control has been investigated, but there are significant technical difficulties in simultaneously executing display control and touch control.

[0009] To perform display control and touch control at the same time, display control and touch control must be performed stably and accurately, display control should not interfere with touch control, and touch control should not interfere with display control.

[0010] However, there are problems such as image distortion and the like due to the touch control being affected by the display control, or the display control being affected by the touch control. In particular, such problems become serious when touch sensors (touch electrodes) are embedded in a display panel and are not easily detachable.

[0011] The following publications are cited as state of the art: US 9 245 490 B1, US 2014 / 0049486 A1, DE 10 2017 218 611 A1 and US 2017 / 0 102 824 A1. SUMMARY

[0012] An object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a touch display device, a driving circuit and a driving method that can stably perform display driving and touch driving simultaneously.

[0013] Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method that can stably perform display driving and touch driving simultaneously by means of a display panel having touch sensors embedded therein.

[0014] Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method that can reduce an image defect of a line shape that may be caused by a timing mismatch between a signal relevant to gate driving and a touch electrode driving signal.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a touch display device comprising: a display panel in which a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines are arranged, a plurality of subpixels are arranged, and a plurality of touch electrodes are arranged; a display controller that outputs an ON clock signal and an OFF clock signal; a gate drive circuit that outputs a scanning signal to the plurality of gate lines based on the ON clock signal and the OFF clock signal; a data drive circuit that outputs a data signal for displaying an image to the plurality of data lines;and a touch drive circuit that supplies a touch electrode drive signal whose voltage level changes in a different portion than a high-level period of the ON-clock signal or a high-level period of the OFF-clock signal to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes, detects one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes, and outputs detection data;

[0016] The touch display device may further include a touch control device that detects whether a touch or a touch coordinate is present based on the sensing data.

[0017] The touch control device may perform control such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal changes in a portion other than the high-level period of the ON-clock signal or the high-level period of the OFF-clock signal.

[0018] A frequency of the ON-clock signal and the OFF-clock signal may be N or 1 / N times a frequency of the touch electrode drive signal (where N is a natural number).

[0019] The touch electrode drive signal may have a constant duty cycle.

[0020] A frequency of the ON-clock signal and the OFF-clock signal may be other than N or 1 / N times a frequency of the touch electrode drive signal (where N is a natural number).

[0021] The touch electrode drive signal may have a variable duty cycle.

[0022] The touch electrode drive signal may include a first signal portion having a first duty cycle and a second signal portion having a second duty cycle different from the first duty cycle. Since the second signal portion of the touch electrode drive signal has the second duty cycle different from the first duty cycle, the voltage level in the second signal portion of the touch electrode drive signal may change in a period other than the high-level period of the ON-clock signal and the high-level period of the OFF-clock signal.

[0023] The voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal may change in a portion other than a rising portion or a falling portion of the scanning signal.

[0024] The touch drive circuit may detect at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes when display driving is performed by supplying the data signal for displaying an image to the plurality of data lines.

[0025] The touch electrode driving signal may be a signal whose voltage level changes periodically, and a period or a width of a high-level voltage period of the touch electrode driving signal may be longer than a horizontal time for display driving.

[0026] In this case, in the period of the high-level voltage period of the touch electrode drive signal, a voltage level of the data signal for displaying an image supplied to at least one data line of the plurality of data lines may change one or more times, or a voltage level of the scanning signal supplied to at least one gate line of the plurality of gate lines may change one or more times.

[0027] The touch electrode driving signal may be a signal whose voltage level changes periodically, and a period or a width of a high-level voltage period of the touch electrode driving signal may be shorter than a horizontal time for display driving.

[0028] In this case, the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal may change one or more times during the one horizontal display drive time.

[0029] The data drive circuit may convert a digital image signal into an analog image signal in response to a gamma reference voltage and output the data signal corresponding to the analog image signal to the data lines, and a frequency and a phase of the gamma reference voltage may correspond to those of the touch electrode drive signal.

[0030] The high level period of the ON clock signal and the high level period of the OFF clock signal can correspond to each other.

[0031] A low level period of the ON clock signal and a low level period of the OFF clock signal may correspond to each other.

[0032] A falling portion of a first sensing signal supplied to a first gate line of the plurality of gate lines may correspond to a rising portion of another sensing signal supplied to a gate line other than the first gate line of the plurality of gate lines.

[0033] The first gate line and the other gate line may overlap the same touch electrode.

[0034] The other gate line may be a gate line adjacent to the first gate line. Alternatively, one or more gate lines may be arranged between the first gate line and the other gate line.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a touch display device comprising: a display panel in which a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines are arranged, a plurality of subpixels are arranged, and a plurality of touch electrodes are arranged; a gate drive circuit that sequentially outputs a scanning signal to the plurality of gate lines; a data drive circuit that outputs a data signal to the plurality of data lines; and a touch drive circuit that supplies a touch electrode drive signal whose voltage level changes in a portion other than a rising portion or a falling portion of the scanning signal to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes.

[0036] A falling portion of a first sensing signal supplied to a first gate line of the plurality of gate lines may correspond to a rising portion of another sensing signal supplied to a gate line other than the first gate line of the plurality of gate lines.

[0037] The first gate line and the other gate line may overlap the same touch electrode.

[0038] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a drive circuit comprising: a data drive circuit that outputs a data signal to data lines arranged on a display panel; and a touch drive circuit that drives one or more of a plurality of touch electrodes arranged on the display panel and outputs a touch electrode drive signal whose voltage level changes in a portion other than a rising portion or a falling portion of a scan signal output to gate lines arranged on the display panel, to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes.

[0039] The data drive circuit may convert a digital image signal into an analog image signal in response to a gamma reference voltage modulated in synchronism with the touch electrode drive signal, and output the data signal corresponding to the analog image signal to the data lines.

[0040] A frequency and a phase of the gamma reference voltage may correspond to those of the touch electrode drive signal.

[0041] A falling portion of a first sensing signal supplied to a first gate line of the plurality of gate lines may correspond to a rising portion of another sensing signal supplied to a gate line other than the first gate line of the plurality of gate lines.

[0042] The first gate line and the other gate line may overlap the same touch electrode.

[0043] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a driving method of a touch display device, comprising: a step of outputting a data signal and a scan signal to data lines and gate lines arranged on a display panel, respectively, and outputting a touch electrode drive signal to one or more of a plurality of touch electrodes arranged on the display panel; and a step of displaying an image in response to the data signal and the touch electrode drive signal and detecting a touch based on a result of detecting the touch electrodes to which the touch electrode drive signal is supplied.

[0044] A voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal may change in a portion other than a rising portion or a falling portion of a scanning signal.

[0045] A falling portion of a first sensing signal supplied to a first gate line of the plurality of gate lines may correspond to a rising portion of another sensing signal supplied to a gate line other than the first gate line of the plurality of gate lines.

[0046] The first gate line and the other gate line may overlap the same touch electrode.

[0047] According to embodiments of the invention, it is possible to provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method that can stably perform display driving and touch driving simultaneously.

[0048] According to embodiments of the invention, it is possible to provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method that can stably perform display driving and touch driving simultaneously by means of a display panel having touch sensors embedded therein.

[0049] According to embodiments of the invention, it is possible to provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method that can reduce an image defect of a line shape that may be caused by a timing mismatch between a signal relevant to gate driving and a touch electrode driving signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a system configuration of a touch display device; Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display control of the touch display device; Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a touch control of the touch display device; Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are diagrams illustrating a time-division multiplex driving system of the touch display device; Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a time-independent driving system of the touch display device; Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating three cases of time-independent driving in the touch display device; Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating various timings for finger detection and pen detection based on a time-independent driving system in the touch display device; Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating touch electrode driving signals TDS in three cases of time-independent driving in the touch display device; Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating waveforms of main signals in three cases of time-independent driving in the touch display device; Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a time-independent driving system in the touch display device; Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a signal transmission system between elements for Case 1 of three cases of non-time-bound driving in the touch display device; Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating a signal transmission system between elements for Case 2 of three cases of time-independent driving in the touch display device; Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a signal transmission system between elements for Case 3 of three cases of time-independent driving in the touch display device; Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gamma block for performing time-independent driving on data lines using a gamma modulation method in the time-independent driving system of the touch display device; Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating voltage levels and characteristics of gamma reference voltages used in a gamma block for performing time-independent driving on data lines using a gamma modulation method in the time-independent driving system of the touch display device; Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating waveforms of main signals for non-time-dependent driving when a frequency of a touch electrode driving signal in the touch display device is high; Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating waveforms of main signals for non-time-dependent driving when a frequency of a touch electrode driving signal in the touch display device is low; Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating a process for generating a scanning signal for gate driving in the touch display device; Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating an ON clock signal, an OFF clock signal, and a scan signal associated with gate driving in the touch display device; Fig. 21 and Fig. 22 are diagrams illustrating a case where a voltage level of a touch electrode drive signal changes in a high-level portion of an OFF clock signal and an image error of a line shape based thereon in the touch display device; Fig. 23A and Fig. 23B are diagrams showing a driving method for reducing an image defect of a line shape that occurs due to a timing mismatch between a gate drive signal and a touch electrode drive signal in the touch display device; Fig. 24 is a diagram showing control for changing a voltage level of a touch electrode drive signal in a period other than a high-level period of an OFF-clock signal when a frequency of a touch electrode drive signal and a frequency of an ON-clock signal and an OFF-clock signal are different from each other in the touch display device. Fig. 25A and Fig. 25B are diagrams illustrating control for allowing a voltage level of a touch electrode drive signal to change in a period other than a high-level period of an OFF-clock signal when a frequency of an OFF-clock signal doubles a frequency of a touch electrode drive signal in the touch display device; Fig. 26A and Fig. 26B are diagrams illustrating control for allowing a voltage level of a touch electrode drive signal to change in a period other than a high-level period of an OFF-clock signal when a frequency of an OFF-clock signal quadruples a frequency of a touch electrode drive signal in the touch display device; Fig. 27 and Fig. 28 are diagrams illustrating effects of gate drive control in the touch display device; and Fig. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method of the touch display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Advantages and features of the invention and methods for achieving the advantages or features will become apparent from the following embodiments, which are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments, but may be modified in various forms. The embodiments are merely intended to complete the disclosure of the invention and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims.

[0051] Shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, quantities, and the like shown in the drawings for the purpose of explaining embodiments of the invention are by way of example, and therefore, the invention is not limited to the details shown. In the following description, like elements are designated by like reference numerals. If it is determined that a detailed description of the relevant known functions or configurations involved in the invention will obscure the gist of the invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. When "include," "contain," "have," "be formed," and the like are mentioned in the description, another element may be added unless "only" is used. A singular expression of an element includes two or more elements unless otherwise noted.

[0052] Design elements in embodiments of the invention include a margin of error even if no explicit description is given.

[0053] Terms such as "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," and "(b)" may be used to describe elements of the invention. These terms are used merely to distinguish one element from another, and the nature, order, sequence, number, or the like of the elements is not limited to the terms. Whenever it is mentioned that an element is "linked," "coupled," or "connected" to another element, it should be understood that the element may be directly coupled or connected to another element, or that another element may be "interposed" therebetween, or the elements may be "linked," "coupled," or "connected" to each other with another element disposed therebetween.For example, when positional relationships between two parts are described by means of “on,” “over,” “under,” “beside,” and the like, one or more other parts may be arranged between the two parts unless “only” or “directly” is used.

[0054] Terms such as "first," "second," and the like may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited to these terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, a first element may be a second element within the technical teaching of the invention.

[0055] Features (elements) of embodiments of the invention may be coupled or combined with one another, or partially or entirely separated from one another, and may be technically interconnected and controlled in various forms. The embodiments may be implemented independently or in combination.

[0056] Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a system configuration of a touch display device. Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the display control of the touch display device. Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the touch control of the touch display device.

[0058] Referring to Fig. 1, a touch display device may provide a display function for displaying an image. The touch display device may also provide a touch detection function for detecting a user's touch and a touch input function for performing an input operation based on a user's touch using the touch detection result.

[0059] In the following description, elements for providing a display function and for display control are described with reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and elements for providing a touch sensing function and for touch control are described with reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 described.

[0060] Referring to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the touch display device includes a display panel DISP in which a plurality of data lines DL and a plurality of gate lines GL are arranged, and a plurality of subpixels SP defined by the plurality of data lines DL and the plurality of gate lines GL are arranged, a data drive circuit DDC that drives the plurality of data lines DL, a gate drive circuit GDC that drives the plurality of gate lines GL, and a display control device DCTR that controls the data drive circuit DDC and the gate drive circuit GDC.

[0061] The display control device DCTR supplies various control signals to the data drive circuit DDC and the gate drive circuit GDC and controls the data drive circuit DDC and the gate drive circuit GDC.

[0062] The display control device DCTR starts scanning at timings realized in each frame, converts the input image data input from the outside to conform to a data signal format used in the data drive circuit DDC, and outputs the converted image data and controls the data drive at appropriate timings to conform to the scanning.

[0063] The gate drive circuit GDC sequentially supplies a gate signal having an ON voltage or an OFF voltage to the plurality of gate lines GL under the control of the display control device DCTR.

[0064] When a specific gate line GL is selected by the gate drive circuit GDC, the data drive circuit DDC converts an image data signal received from the display control device DCTR into an analog image signal and supplies a data signal Vdata corresponding thereto to the plurality of data lines DL.

[0065] The display control device DCTR may be a timing controller used for normal display techniques, or a control device that performs another control function in addition to the timing control device, or may be a control device different from the timing control device.

[0066] The display control device DCTR may be implemented as a component separate from the data drive circuit DDC or may be implemented together with the data drive circuit DDC as an integrated circuit.

[0067] The data control circuit DDC controls the plurality of data lines DL by supplying a data signal Vdata to the plurality of data lines DL. Here, the data control circuit DDC is also referred to as a "source driver."

[0068] The data drive circuit (DDC) may include at least one source driver integrated circuit (SDIC). Each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may include a shift register, a latch circuit, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and an output buffer circuit. Each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may further include, in some cases, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

[0069] Each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) can be connected to a bond pad of the display panel (DISP) in a tape-automated bonding (TAB) system or a chip-on-glass (COG) system, can be mounted directly on the display panel (DISP), or, in some cases, can be integrated and mounted on the display panel (DISP). Each gate driver integrated circuit (GDIC) can be implemented in a chip-on-film (COF) system, where it is mounted on a film connected to the display panel (DISP).

[0070] The gate drive circuit GDC sequentially drives the plurality of gate lines GL by sequentially supplying a scan signal Vgate (also referred to as a scan voltage, scan signal, or gate voltage) to the plurality of gate lines GL. The gate drive circuit GDC is also referred to herein as a "scan driver."

[0071] Here, the sampling signal Vgate is formed by means of an OFF-level gate voltage to close the corresponding gate line GL and an ON-level gate voltage to open the corresponding gate line GL.

[0072] In particular, the sensing signal Vgate consists of a gate voltage at OFF level for turning off transistors connected to the corresponding gate line GL and a gate voltage at ON level for turning on the transistors connected to the corresponding gate line GL.

[0073] If the transistors are N-type, the OFF-level gate voltage may be a low-level gate voltage VGL_M, and the ON-level gate voltage may be a high-level gate voltage VGH_M. If the transistors are P-type, the OFF-level gate voltage may be a high-level gate voltage VGH_M, and the ON-level gate voltage may be a low-level gate voltage VGL_M. In the following description, for the convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the OFF-level gate voltage is a low-level gate voltage VGL_M, and the ON-level gate voltage is a high-level gate voltage VGH_M.

[0074] The gate control circuit GDC may include at least one gate driver integrated circuit GDIC. Each gate driver integrated circuit GDIC may include a shift register and a level shifter.

[0075] Each gate driver integrated circuit (GDIC) can be connected to a bond pad of the display panel (DISP) in a tape-automated bonding (TAB) system or a chip-on-glass (COG) system, or it can be implemented in a gate-in-panel (GIP) system and can be arranged directly on the display panel (DISP). In some cases, each gate driver integrated circuit (GDIC) can be integrated and arranged on the display panel (DISP). Each gate driver integrated circuit (GDIC) can be implemented in a chip-on-film (COF) system, where it is mounted on a film that is connected to the display panel (DISP).

[0076] The data control circuit DDC can be arranged only on one side (for example, an upper side or a lower side) of the display panel DISP, as in Fig. 1, or may be arranged on both sides (in other words, on two opposite sides; for example, the upper side and the lower side) of the display panels DISP, depending on a driving system, a panel design system, or the like in some cases.

[0077] The gate drive circuit GDC can be arranged only on one side (for example, a right side or a left side) of the display panel DISP, as shown in Fig. 1, or may be arranged on both sides (in other words, on two opposite sides, for example, the right side and the left side) of the display panel DISP, depending on a driving system, a panel design system, or the like in some cases.

[0078] The touch display device can be various types of display devices, such as a liquid crystal display device and an organic light-emitting display device. The display panel DISP can be various types of display panels, such as a liquid crystal display panel and an organic light-emitting display panel.

[0079] Each subpixel SP arranged in the display panel DISP may contain one or more circuit elements (for example, a transistor and a capacitor).

[0080] For example, if the display panel DISP is a liquid crystal display panel, a pixel electrode is arranged in each subpixel SP, and a transistor is electrically connected between the pixel electrode and the corresponding data line DL. The transistor can be turned on by a sensing signal Vgate supplied to a gate node via the corresponding gate line GL, and can output a data signal Vdata supplied to a source node (or a drain node) via the corresponding data line DL to the drain node (or the source node), and can apply the data signal Vdata to the pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain node (or the source node) when it is turned on.An electric field is formed between the pixel electrode to which the data signal Vdata is applied and a common electrode to which a common voltage Vcom is applied, and a capacitor may be formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode.

[0081] The structure of each subpixel SP can be determined in various ways depending on a panel type, a provided function, a design system, and the like.

[0082] Referring to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the touch display device may include a touch panel TSP, a touch drive circuit TDC that drives the touch panel TSP and performs detection, and a touch control device TCTR that detects a touch using the detection result of the touch panel TSP from the touch drive circuit TDC to provide a touch detection function.

[0083] The display panel DISP can be touched or moved by a user's pointer. Touch sensors can be arranged on the touch panel TSP.

[0084] A user's pointer can be a finger or a pen.

[0085] The stylus can be a passive stylus that does not have a signal transmission / reception function, or an active stylus that has a signal transmission / reception function. The touch drive circuit TDC can supply a touch drive signal to the touch panel TSP and detect the touch panel TSP. The touch control device TCTR can detect a touch using the detection result of the touch panel TSP from the touch drive circuit TDC. Here, "detects a touch" means determining whether a touch has occurred and / or determining a touch coordinate.

[0086] The touch panel TSP may be an externally mounted type in which it is mounted on the outside of the display panel DISP or may be an embedded type in which it is embedded inside the display panel DISP.

[0087] If the touch panel TSP is an externally mounted type, the touch panel TSP and the display panel DISP can be manufactured separately and then bonded together using an adhesive or the like. The externally mounted touch panel TSP can also be referred to as an add-on type.

[0088] If the touch panel TSP is an embedded type, the touch panel TSP can be manufactured together with the display panel DISP during its manufacturing process. That is, the touch sensors that make up the touch panel TSP can be arranged in the display panel DISP. The embedded touch panel TSP can be an in-cell type, an on-cell type, a hybrid type, or the like.

[0089] On the other hand, for the convenience of explanation, in the following description, it is assumed that the touch panel TSP is an embedded type in which it is arranged inside the display panel DISP.

[0090] When the touch panel TSP is embedded in the display panel DISP, that is, when a plurality of touch electrodes TE are arranged in the display panel DISP, the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be arranged in the display panel DISP separately from the electrodes used for display driving, or the electrodes arranged in the display panel DISP for display driving may be used as the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0091] For example, the common electrode arranged in the display panel DISP may be divided into a plurality of parts and may be used as the plurality of touch electrodes TE. That is, the plurality of touch electrodes TE arranged in the display panel DISP may be electrodes for touch detection and electrodes for display control. In the following description, it is assumed that the plurality of touch electrodes TE arranged in the display panel DISP are common electrodes.

[0092] The touch control device TCTR can be realized, for example, by a microcontroller MCU or a processor.

[0093] The display control device DCTR and the touch control device TCTR may be implemented separately or integrally.

[0094] Referring to Fig. 3, a plurality of touch electrodes TE are arranged in the touch panel TSP of the touch display device, and a plurality of touch lines TL are arranged therein, electrically connecting the plurality of touch electrodes TE to the touch drive circuit TDC. One or more touch lines TL may be electrically connected to each touch electrode TE via one or more contact holes.

[0095] The touch display device may detect a touch based on the self-capacitance of the touch electrodes TE or may detect a touch based on the mutual capacitance between the touch electrodes TE.

[0096] When the touch display device detects a touch based on mutual capacitance, a plurality of first touch electrode lines and a plurality of second touch electrode lines may be arranged to intersect each other. For example, the plurality of first touch electrode lines may be arranged in an X-axis direction, and the plurality of second touch electrode lines may be arranged in a Y-axis direction. Here, each of the first touch electrode line and the second touch electrode line may be a single touch electrode having a bar shape or a shape in which two or more touch electrodes are electrically connected to each other. The first touch electrode lines may be referred to as drive lines, drive electrodes, drive touch electrode lines, Tx lines, Tx electrodes, or Tx touch electrode lines.The second touch electrode lines may be referred to as receive lines, receive electrodes, receive electrode lines, sense lines, sense electrodes, sense touch electrode lines, Rx lines, Rx electrodes or Rx touch electrode lines.

[0097] In this case, the touch drive circuit TDC can supply a drive signal to one or more of the plurality of first touch electrode lines, sense the second touch electrode lines, and output sense data. The touch control device TCTR can calculate whether a touch and / or a touch coordinate is present using the sense data.

[0098] When the touch display device detects a touch based on the self-capacitance, a plurality of touch electrodes TE may be arranged separately in the touch panel TSP as shown in Fig. 3 is illustrated.

[0099] In this case, the touch drive circuit TDC can supply a drive signal (hereinafter referred to as touch electrode drive signal TDS) to all or some of the plurality of touch electrodes TE, detect one or more touch electrodes TE to which the drive signal has been supplied, and output detection data. The touch control device TCTR can calculate whether a touch and / or a touch coordinate is present using the detection data.

[0100] In the following description, for the purpose of simplifying the explanation, it is assumed that the touch display device detects a touch based on the self-capacitance and that the touch panel TSP is configured as shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is illustrated.

[0101] A touch electrode drive signal TDS output from the touch drive circuit TDC may be a constant voltage signal or may be a variable voltage signal.

[0102] When the touch electrode drive signal TDS is a variable voltage signal, the touch electrode drive signal TDS may have various signal waveforms, such as a sine waveform, a triangular waveform, or a rectangular waveform.

[0103] In the following description, it is assumed that when the touch electrode drive signal TDS is a variable voltage signal, the touch electrode drive signal TDS is a pulse signal containing two or more pulses. When the touch electrode drive signal TDS is a pulse signal containing two or more pulses, the touch electrode drive signal TDS may have a constant frequency or a variable frequency.

[0104] Referring to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the size of an area occupied by one touch electrode TE may correspond to the size of an area occupied by one subpixel SP, or may correspond to the size of an area occupied by two or more subpixels SP. That is, each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE may overlap two or more subpixels SP.

[0105] Assuming that a plurality of touch electrodes TE are arranged in a matrix, and a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode of the plurality of touch electrodes TE are arranged in the same column (or row), two or more data lines DL overlapping the first touch electrode may overlap the second touch electrode. Two or more gate lines GL overlapping the first touch electrode do not overlap the second touch electrode.

[0106] A plurality of touch electrode columns (or touch electrode rows) may be arranged in parallel with a plurality of data lines DL. A plurality of touch lines TL may be arranged in parallel with a plurality of data lines DL.

[0107] A plurality of touch electrodes TE are arranged in a touch electrode column (or touch electrode row), and a plurality of touch lines TL electrically connected to a plurality of touch electrodes TE may overlap a plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0108] For example, assuming that a plurality of touch electrodes TE arranged in a touch electrode column includes a first touch electrode and a second touch electrode, a first touch line electrically connects the first touch electrode to the touch drive circuit TDC, and a second touch line electrically connects the second touch electrode to the touch drive circuit TDC. The first touch line connected to the first touch electrode may overlap the second touch electrode (the touch electrode is arranged in the same column as the first touch electrode), but may be electrically isolated from the second touch electrode in the display panel DISP. On the other hand, the first touch line and the second touch line may be short-circuited depending on a driving situation or if necessary in the touch drive circuit TDC.

[0109] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are diagrams illustrating a time division multiplexing (TDD) system of the touch display device.

[0110] Referring to Fig. 4, the touch display device can alternately perform display and touch sensing. Thus, a system that alternately performs display control for display and touch control for touch sensing is called a time-division multiplexing drive system.

[0111] In the time-division multiplexing drive system, a display period for displaying and a touch sensing period for touch sensing alternate. The touch display device can perform display driving during the display period. The touch display device can perform touch driving during the touch sensing period.

[0112] In one example of the time-division multiplexing drive system, a frame time may be divided into one display period and one touch sensing period. In another example of the time-division multiplexing drive system, a frame time may be divided into two or more display periods and one or two or more touch sensing periods.

[0113] Referring to Fig. 4, in the time-division multiplexing drive system, the touch electrode drive signal TDS can be applied to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes TE. At this time, the plurality of data lines DL and the plurality of gate lines GL cannot be driven.

[0114] In this case, unnecessary parasitic capacitance may be formed due to a potential difference between a touch electrode TE, to which the touch electrode drive signal TDS is applied, and one or more data lines DL located nearby. This unnecessary parasitic capacitance may increase an RC delay between the corresponding touch electrode TE and the connected touch line TL, so that the touch sensitivity may decrease.

[0115] In this case, unnecessary parasitic capacitance may be formed due to a potential difference between a touch electrode TE, to which the touch electrode drive signal TDS is applied, and one or more gate lines GL located nearby. This unnecessary parasitic capacitance may increase an RC delay between the corresponding touch electrode TE and the connected touch line TL, thus decreasing touch sensitivity.

[0116] In this case, unnecessary parasitic capacitance may be formed due to a potential difference between a touch electrode TE to which the touch electrode drive signal TDS is applied and one or more other touch electrodes TE located nearby. This unnecessary parasitic capacitance may increase an RC delay between the corresponding touch electrode TE and the connected touch line TL, so that the touch sensitivity may decrease.

[0117] The RC delay mentioned above is called the time constant or load.

[0118] To remove the load, the touch display device may perform load-free driving LFD in the touch detection period.

[0119] Referring to Fig. 5, in the touch display device, when the touch electrode drive signal TDS is applied to all or some of the plurality of touch electrodes TE at the time of no-load driving, a no-load drive signal may be applied as a data signal Vdata to all of the data lines DL or some of the data lines DL for which a parasitic capacitance is likely to be formed.

[0120] Referring to Fig. 5, in the touch display device, when the touch electrode drive signal TDS is applied to all or some of the plurality of touch electrodes TE at the time of no-load driving, a no-load drive signal may be applied as a gate signal Vgate to all of the gate lines GL or some of the gate lines GL for which a parasitic capacitance is likely to be formed.

[0121] In the touch display device, when the touch electrode drive signal TDS is applied to some of the plurality of touch electrodes TE at the time of no-load driving, a no-load drive signal may be applied to all of the touch electrodes or some other touch electrodes TE for which a parasitic capacitance is likely to be formed (in Fig. 5 not shown).

[0122] The no-load drive signal may be a touch electrode drive signal or may be a signal with signal characteristics that are the same as or similar to those of the touch electrode drive signal. For example, the frequency and phase of the no-load drive signal may be completely identical to the frequency and phase of the touch electrode drive signal TDS or may be identical within a predetermined error range. The amplitude of the no-load drive signal and the amplitude of the touch electrode drive signal TDS may be completely identical or may be identical within a predetermined error range, and in some cases may have an intentional difference.

[0123] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a time-dependent drive (TFD) system of the touch display device.

[0124] Referring to Fig. 6, the touch display device can perform display and touch sensing independently. Thus, a drive system in which display control for display and touch control for touch sensing are performed independently is called a time-independent drive system.

[0125] In the time-independent control system, a display control for displaying and a touch control for touch sensing can be executed simultaneously. In a given period of time, only one display control for displaying or only one touch control for touch sensing can be executed.

[0126] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating three cases (Cases 1, 2, and 3) of time-independent driving when the touch display device performs time-independent driving. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating various timings for finger detection (F / S) and pen detection (P / S) based on the time-independent driving system in the touch display device. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating touch electrode driving signals TDS in three cases (cases 1, 2, and 3) of time-independent driving in the touch display device.

[0127] In case 1 of time-independent driving, the touch display device can simultaneously perform display driving and touch driving. In this case, while performing display driving, the touch drive circuit TDC can detect at least one of a plurality of touch electrodes TE by supplying a data signal Vdata for displaying an image to a plurality of data lines DL from the data drive circuit DDC.

[0128] In Case 1, the touch display device may supply a touch electrode drive signal TDS of a variable voltage to the touch electrodes TE to perform touch driving.

[0129] In the following description, the touch electrode drive signal TDS applied to the touch electrodes TE in Case 1 is referred to as a first touch electrode drive signal TDS1. The first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 has a first amplitude AMP1.

[0130] In Case 1, the touch display device can perform touch control and detect a finger touch on the touch panel TSP. This touch detection is referred to as finger detection.

[0131] Alternatively, in Case 1, the touch display device can perform touch control and detect a touch of a finger or stylus when the finger or stylus is not touching the touch panel TSP but is approaching the touch panel TSP. This touch detection is called beat detection.

[0132] In case 2 of time-independent control, the touch display device can only perform display control.

[0133] In Case 2, the touch display device does not perform general touch driving because the touch display device does not need to detect a finger touch. That is, the touch display device does not supply the variable-voltage touch electrode drive signal TDS to the plurality of touch electrodes TE arranged in the touch panel TSP.

[0134] In Case 2, the touch display device may supply the touch electrode drive signal TDS with a DC voltage. In the following description, the touch electrode drive signal TDS applied to the touch electrodes TE in Case 2 is referred to as the second touch electrode drive signal TDS2.

[0135] On the other hand, in Case 2, the touch display device may receive a stylus signal output from a stylus and detect the stylus. The touch display device may detect a stylus detection result, a position, an inclination, and a pressure (a stylus pressure) of a stylus, or various additional information.

[0136] In case 3 of time-independent control, the touch display device can only perform one touch control.

[0137] In case 3, the touch display device may supply a touch electrode drive signal TDS having a variable voltage to the touch electrodes TE for the purpose of touch driving.

[0138] In the following description, the touch electrode drive signal TDS applied to the touch electrodes TE in Case 3 is referred to as the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3. The third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 has a third amplitude AMP3 that differs from the first amplitude AMP1.

[0139] In Case 3, the touch display device can detect a touch of a finger with the touch panel TSP by performing a touch control.

[0140] Referring to Fig. 7, of the three cases (Cases 1, 2, and 3) of time-independent driving in the touch display device, Case 1 can be executed at an active time, and Case 3 can be executed at an idle time. Here, an active time corresponds to a time when an image of a frame is displayed, and an idle time corresponds to a time required until an image of a next frame is displayed after an image of a frame is displayed.

[0141] Referring to Fig. 7 Case 1 can be switched to Case 2 during the active time.

[0142] Referring to Fig. 7, in the active time, the touch display device may stop the touch control for finger detection while the display control and the touch control are performed simultaneously (case 1 is executed) (that is, case 1 is switched to case 2).

[0143] In cases 1 and 3, touch electrode drive signals TDS1 and TDS3 with amplitudes AMP1 and AMP3 can be applied to the touch electrodes TE at the time of touch drive for finger detection.

[0144] In case 2, a touch electrode drive signal TDS2 of a DC voltage can be applied to the touch electrodes TE for the purpose of pin detection.

[0145] Referring to Fig. 9, the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 applied to the touch electrodes TE when display driving and touch driving are performed simultaneously (case 1) may be smaller than the third amplitude AMP3 of the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 applied to the touch electrodes TE when only touch driving is performed (case 3).

[0146] The first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 applied to the touch electrodes TE in the active time may be smaller than the third amplitude AMP3 of the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 applied to the touch electrodes TE in the idle time.

[0147] Referring to Fig. 7 and Fig. 9, the touch drive circuit TDC may supply the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 having the first amplitude AMP1 or the second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 having a DC voltage to the plurality of touch electrodes TE in the active time.

[0148] Referring to Fig. 7 and Fig. 9, the touch drive circuit TDC may supply the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 having the third amplitude AMP3 to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes TE during the idle time.

[0149] On the other hand, the control according to Case 1 can be performed in a single frame or only in a partial time interval of a single frame. The control corresponding to Case 2 can be performed in all frames or some frames, or only in a partial time interval of a single frame. At the time of the control corresponding to Case 3, a control for finger detection or a control for pen detection can be performed.

[0150] Referring to Fig. 8, in the time-independent control system of the touch display device, the finger detection F / S and the pen detection P / S can be performed at different timings.

[0151] For example, as in the i-th frame, only one display control can be performed for displaying without performing a finger detection F / S and a pen detection P / S in one frame. This corresponds to Case 2, where no pen detection P / S is performed.

[0152] As in the j-th frame, finger detection F / S can only be performed at a sub-time interval required in one frame time. This corresponds to Case 1. Pen detection P / S can only be performed at a sub-time interval required in one frame time. This corresponds to Case 2. In a frame, finger detection F / S and pen detection P / S can be performed at sub-time intervals that do not overlap in one frame time.

[0153] As in the k-th frame, the finger detection F / S and the stylus detection P / S may be performed at time intervals that overlap within a frame. In this case, the detection results of the finger detection F / S and the stylus detection P / S can be distinguished by a predetermined algorithm or signal analysis based on a detection position by means of the touch control device TCTR or the like.

[0154] In addition to the above examples, display and touch sensing (finger sensing and / or pen sensing) can be performed independently at different timings.

[0155] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating waveforms of the main signals TDS1, Vdata, VGL_M, and VGH_M in three cases (Case 1, Case 2, and Case 3) of time-independent driving in the touch display device.

[0156] Cases 1 and 2 are cases of activation during an active time. Case 3 is a case of activation during an idle time.

[0157] In the three cases, a touch electrode drive signal TDS is applied to the touch electrodes TE, a data signal Vdata is supplied to the data lines DL, and a gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M and a gate voltage at ON level VGH_M are supplied to the gate drive circuit GDC to generate a scan signal that is supplied to the gate lines GL.

[0158] In case 2, where only one display drive is performed in the active time, the touch electrode drive signal TDS applied to the touch electrodes TE is a second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 with a DC voltage.

[0159] The data signal Vdata applied to the data lines DL is a signal corresponding to an analog image signal into which an image digital signal is converted in a digital-to-analog conversion manner for display purposes. It may be a pixel voltage applied to a pixel electrode of the corresponding subpixel SP via the corresponding data line DL. The data signal Vdata may oscillate between a drive voltage AVDD, which may be a high-level voltage, and a base voltage AVSS, which may be a low-level voltage.

[0160] The gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M and the gate voltage at ON level VGH_M, which form the sampling signal Vgate applied to the gate lines GL, are DC voltages.

[0161] As described above, the touch electrodes TE can also serve as a common electrode for display control. Accordingly, in Case 2, where display control is performed only during the active time, the second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 applied to the touch electrodes TE corresponds to a common voltage for display.

[0162] Accordingly, in the corresponding subpixel SP, an electric field is formed between the pixel electrode and the touch electrode TE due to a voltage difference between the data signal Vdata applied to the pixel electrode via the data line DL and the second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 corresponding to the common voltage applied to the touch electrode TE, and thus the desired light can be emitted from the subpixel SP.

[0163] In case 3, where only one touch drive is performed in the idle time, the touch electrode drive signal TDS applied to the touch electrodes TE is a third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 with the third amplitude AMP3.

[0164] During the idle time, the data lines DL can be conventionally supplied with a data signal corresponding to a DC voltage or can be in a floating state. During the idle time, the gate lines GL can be conventionally supplied with a sampling signal of an OFF-level gate voltage corresponding to a DC voltage or can be in an electrically floating state.

[0165] When no-load driving is performed in the idle time in which only touch driving is performed, the data lines DL and the gate lines GL may oscillate in the same way as the touch electrodes TE from the point of view of voltage characteristics.

[0166] The data signal Vdata applied to the data lines DL in the idle time according to the no-load driving may be the third touch electrode driving signal TDS3 or a no-load driving signal having signal characteristics (for example, a phase, a frequency, and an amplitude) that are the same as or similar to those of the third touch electrode driving signal TDS3.

[0167] The gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M applied to the gate lines GL in the idle time according to the no-load driving may be the third touch electrode driving signal TDS3 or a no-load driving signal having signal characteristics (e.g., a phase, a frequency, and an amplitude) equal to or similar to those of the third touch electrode driving signal TDS3.

[0168] In case 1, where a display drive and a touch drive are executed simultaneously in the active time, the touch electrode drive signal TDS applied to the touch electrodes TE is a first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 having the first amplitude AMP1.

[0169] In Case 1, since the display drive and the touch drive are performed simultaneously in the active time, the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 is a touch drive signal for touch detection and also serves as a common display voltage Vcom for forming a capacitance with a data signal Vdata.

[0170] The first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 applied to the touch electrodes TE should have a predetermined voltage difference from the data signal Vdata corresponding to a pixel voltage for display.

[0171] In case 1, where display driving and touch driving are performed simultaneously, the first touch electrode driving signal TDS1 performs two functions (a driving signal for touch detection and a common voltage for display).

[0172] As described above, since the common voltage Vcom corresponding to the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 is not a fixed voltage but a variable voltage, the data signal Vdata applied to the data lines DL should be subjected to an additional voltage variation of the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 in addition to the original voltage variation for display in order to prevent the data lines DL from being affected by touch drive.

[0173] Accordingly, in the voltage difference between the data signal Vdata, which corresponds to the pixel voltage, and the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1, which corresponds to the common voltage Vcom, a voltage change portion (ie, the first amplitude AMP1) of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 is excluded, and only the original voltage change remains for display. Accordingly, normal display can be performed.

[0174] Accordingly, the data signal Vdata in Case 1 where display driving and touch driving are performed simultaneously may have a signal pattern in which the first touch electrode driving signal TDS1 and the data signal Vdata in the case (Case 2) where only display driving is performed are combined.

[0175] In other words, the data signal Vdata in Case 1, where the display drive and touch drive are performed simultaneously, may have a signal pattern obtained by offsetting the original data signal Vdata in the case (Case 2) where only the display drive is performed using the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1. Here, the data signal Vdata may be subject to a large voltage fluctuation between the drive voltage AVDD and the base voltage AVSS.

[0176] Accordingly, the voltage difference between the data signal Vdata and the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 in Case 1 where a display drive and a touch drive are performed simultaneously is the same as a voltage difference between the data signal Vdata and the second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 in Case 2 where only a display drive is performed.

[0177] In case 1, since a display control and a touch control are performed simultaneously, a load-free control may be required.

[0178] That is, in Case 1, since display driving and touch driving are performed simultaneously, it may be necessary to reduce the formation of parasitic capacitance between the touch electrodes TE and the data lines DL due to touch driving and to reduce the formation of parasitic capacitance between the touch electrodes TE and the gate lines GL due to touch driving.

[0179] As described above, in Case 1, since the voltages of the touch electrodes TE and the data lines DL fluctuate with a voltage change of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 TE, only a voltage difference exists between the touch electrodes TE and the data lines DL, and unnecessary parasitic capacitances due to touch drive are not formed. Therefore, in Case 1, no-load drive is necessarily performed for the data lines DL.

[0180] In Case 1, the gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M and the gate voltage at ON level VGH_M supplied to the gate drive circuit GDC so that the gate drive circuit GDC can generate a scan signal SCAN applied to the gate lines GL may be no-load drive signals having signal characteristics (for example, a phase, a frequency, and an amplitude) equal to or similar to those of the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3.

[0181] In Case 1, the data signal Vdata may be a signal modulated based on the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1. The sensing signal Vgate may be a signal modulated based on the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0182] The above-mentioned time-independent control of the touch display device is described in more detail below.

[0183] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a time-independent driving system in the touch display device.

[0184] Referring to Fig. 11, the touch display device includes a display panel DISP in which a plurality of data lines DL and a plurality of gate lines GL are arranged and a plurality of touch electrodes TE are arranged, a gate drive circuit GDC electrically connectable to the plurality of gate lines GL and driving the plurality of gate lines GL, a data drive circuit DDC electrically connectable to the plurality of data lines DL and driving the plurality of data lines DL, and a touch drive circuit TDC electrically connectable to the plurality of touch electrodes TE and driving the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0185] The touch display device may further include a display control device DCTR that controls the driving operations of the data driving circuit DDC and the gate driving circuit GDC, and a touch control device TCTR that controls a driving operation of the touch driving circuit TDC or calculates whether a touch and / or touch coordinates are present using detection data output from the touch driving circuit TDC.

[0186] The touch display device may further include a touch power circuit TPIC and a power management circuit PMIC for supplying power.

[0187] The touch power circuit TPIC can provide an ON-level gate voltage VGH_M and an OFF-level gate voltage VGL_M required to drive the gate lines GL to the gate drive circuit GDC.

[0188] The touch power circuit TPIC can supply a touch electrode drive signal TDS required to drive the touch electrodes TE to the touch drive circuit TDC.

[0189] On the other hand, regarding a drive unit for the touch electrodes TE, the touch drive circuit TDC may supply touch electrode drive signals TDS1 and TDS3 for touch detection to the touch electrodes TE to be detected among the plurality of touch electrodes TE based on a modulated signal (for example, a pulse-width modulated signal) received from the touch control device TCTR. The touch power circuit TPIC may also supply the modulated signal (for example, a pulse-width modulated signal) received from the touch control device TCTR as a no-load drive signal (a type of touch electrode drive signal) to the touch electrodes TE not to be detected among the plurality of touch electrodes TE.Here, the touch electrode drive signals TDS1 and TDS2 are applied to the touch electrodes TE to be detected, and the no-load drive signal (which can also be regarded as the touch electrode drive signal) is applied to the touch electrodes TE that are not to be detected can be the same signal.

[0190] The power management circuit PMIC can supply various DC voltages (such as AVDD, Vcom, VGH, and VGL) required to supply signals from the touch power circuit TPIC to the touch power circuit TPIC.

[0191] The power management circuit PMIC can supply various DC voltages (such as AVDD and AVSS) required for data driving in the data driving circuit DDC to the data driving circuit DDC.

[0192] The touch control device TCTR can supply pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals for outputting or generating various signals (e.g., TDS) in circuits such as the touch power circuit TPIC, the touch drive circuit TDC, and the data drive circuit DDC. The touch control device TCTR can be implemented, for example, by a microcontroller (MCU) or a processor.

[0193] The touch display device may further include one or more level shifters L / W that change the voltage levels of various signals.

[0194] The one or more level shifters L / S may be implemented separately from the data drive circuit DDC, the gate drive circuit GDC, the touch drive circuit TDC, the touch power circuit TPIC, the power management circuit PMIC, and the display controller DCTR and the touch controller TCTR, or may be included as one or more internal modules in the data drive circuit DDC, the gate drive circuit GDC, the touch drive circuit TDC, the touch power circuit TPIC, the power management circuit PMIC, the display controller DCTR, and the touch controller TCTR.

[0195] Referring to Fig. 11, the data drive circuit DDC may include a gamma block GMA that converts a digital image signal input from the display control device DCTR or the like into an analog image signal.

[0196] Referring to Fig. 11, the touch power circuit TPIC is configured to supply a D / A conversion drive signal DACS required for converting a digital image signal into an analog image signal to the gamma block GMA in the data drive circuit DDC.

[0197] The D / A conversion drive signal DACS may include, for example, a gamma reference voltage EGBI_M and may further include a half drive voltage HVDD_M, which is a drive voltage of an intermediate level between the drive voltage AVDD (which is a high level voltage) and the base voltage AVSS (which is a low level voltage).

[0198] The gamma reference voltage EGBI_M, which is a D / A conversion drive signal DACS, may include a high gamma reference voltage and a low gamma reference voltage input to both ends of a resistor chain in the gamma block GMA.

[0199] The half drive voltage HVDD_M, which is another D / A conversion control signal DACS, may be a voltage that is substantially half of the drive voltage AVDD.

[0200] As described above, the touch drive circuit TDC may output a first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 oscillating at the first amplitude AMP1 to the plurality of touch electrodes TE, a second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 corresponding to a DC voltage to the plurality of touch electrodes TE, or a third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 oscillating at the third amplitude AMP3 to all or some of the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0201] Here, the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 is a drive signal for touch detection and corresponds to a common voltage Vcom for display. The second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 corresponds to the common voltage Vcom for display. The third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 corresponds to the drive signal for touch detection.

[0202] In case 1 where display driving and touch driving are performed simultaneously, when the first touch electrode driving signal TDS1 is output to the plurality of touch electrodes TE, no-load driving is required to reduce the formation of unnecessary parasitic capacitance between the plurality of touch electrodes TE and the plurality of data lines DL.

[0203] For this purpose, the data drive circuit DDC may supply a data signal Vdata for generating the same voltage change state as the voltage change state of the touch electrodes TE due to the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 in the data lines DL to the data lines DL.

[0204] For this load-free control, the data control circuit DDC can use a gamma modulation technique.

[0205] In particular, the data drive circuit DDC can convert a digital image signal into an analog image signal in response to the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M of a modulated signal pattern oscillating at a predetermined amplitude and output a data signal Vdata corresponding to the analog image signal to the data lines DL.

[0206] The data drive circuit DDC includes a digital-to-analog converter DAC that converts a digital image signal into an analog image signal in response to the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M of a modulated signal pattern oscillating at a predetermined amplitude, and an output buffer circuit that outputs a data signal Vdata corresponding to the analog image signal to the data lines DL.

[0207] The gamma reference voltage EGBI_M of a modulated signal pattern may be a signal applied to the touch electrodes TE and modulated in synchronism with the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 oscillating at the first amplitude AMP1.

[0208] The gamma reference voltage EGBI_M of a modulated signal pattern may have a frequency and phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1. In some cases, the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M may have an amplitude equal to or similar to the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0209] The data signal Vdata generated based on the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M of a modulated signal pattern may include a voltage change part corresponding to the voltage change of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0210] For the gamma modulation technique of the data drive circuit DDC, the touch power circuit TPIC may output the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M having an amplitude corresponding to the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 to the data drive circuit DDC at the drive timing corresponding to Case 1.

[0211] At the drive timing corresponding to Case 2, the touch power circuit TPIC may output the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M corresponding to a DC voltage to the data drive circuit DDC.

[0212] At the drive timing corresponding to Case 3, the touch power circuit TPIC does not supply a gamma reference voltage EGBI_M of any pattern to the data drive circuit DDC.

[0213] Referring to Fig. 11, in the touch display device, the display panel DISP, the data drive circuit DDC, the gate drive circuit GDC, the touch drive circuit TDC, and the like may be connected to a DC ground voltage GND.

[0214] Figures Fig. 12 to 14 are diagrams illustrating a signal transmission system between elements for the three cases of time-independent driving in the touch display device. Here, it is assumed that the touch drive circuit TDC and the data drive circuit DDC are integrated as a single drive circuit TDIC.

[0215] Referring to the Fig. 12 to Fig. 14, the touch power circuit TPIC receives a drive voltage AVDD, which is a DC voltage, gate voltages VGH1 and VGH2 at ON level and gate voltages VGL1 and VGL2 at OFF level, from the power management circuit PMIC.

[0216] Referring to Fig. 12, the touch power circuit TPIC may supply the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 having the first amplitude AMP1 to the touch drive circuit TDC when the display drive and the touch drive are executed simultaneously in the active time (case 1).

[0217] The touch power circuit TPIC can supply the half drive voltage HVDD_M and the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M, which oscillate synchronously with the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1, to the gamma block GMA of the data drive circuit DDC. Here, the half drive voltage HVDD_M and the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M can have a frequency and phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0218] The touch power circuit TPIC may supply an ON-level gate voltage VGH_M and an OFF-level gate voltage VGL_M, which oscillate synchronously with the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1, to the gate drive circuit GDC. Here, the ON-level gate voltage VGH_M and the OFF-level gate voltage VGL_M may have a frequency and phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0219] The gate voltage can be changed to the ON level (VGH_M) and the gate voltage to the OFF level (VGL_M) via the level shifter L / W, and the changed voltages can be supplied to the gate drive circuit GDC via the level shifter L / W. The level shifter L / W is arranged outside the gate drive circuit GDC. Alternatively, the level shifter L / W can be arranged inside the gate drive circuit GDC and change the gate voltage received from the touch power circuit TPIC to the ON level (VGH_M) and the gate voltage to the OFF level (VGL_M).

[0220] The touch drive circuit TDC may output the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 having the first amplitude AMP1 to the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0221] Here, the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 serves as a drive signal for touch detection and also serves as a common voltage Vcom for display.

[0222] The data drive circuit DDC may convert a digital image signal into an analog image signal in response to the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M having a frequency and a phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1, and output a data signal Vdata corresponding to the analog image signal to the data lines DL.

[0223] When the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 is output to the plurality of touch electrodes TE, the gate drive circuit GDC may supply a first gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M having a frequency and a phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1, or supply a first gate voltage at ON level VGH_M offset by the first gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M to the gate lines GL.

[0224] In case 1, the display panel DISP may exhibit voltage oscillation characteristics.

[0225] Referring to Fig. 13, the touch power circuit TPIC may supply a second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 corresponding to a DC voltage to the touch drive circuit TDC when only one display drive is performed in the active time (case 2).

[0226] The touch power circuit TPIC can supply half the drive voltage HVDD_M of a DC voltage pattern and the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M of a DC voltage pattern to the gamma block GMA of the data drive circuit DDC.

[0227] The touch power circuit TPIC can supply the gate voltage at ON level VGH_M and the gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M of a DC voltage pattern to the gate drive circuit GDC.

[0228] The voltage levels of the gate voltage to the ON level (VGH_M) and the gate voltage to the OFF level (VGL_M) of a DC voltage pattern can be changed via a level shifter (L / W), and the changed voltages can be supplied to the gate drive circuit (GDC) via the level shifter (L / W). The level shifter (L / W) is arranged outside the gate drive circuit (GDC). Alternatively, the level shifter (L / W) can be arranged inside the gate drive circuit (GDC) and can change the voltage levels of the gate voltage to the ON level (VGH_M) and the gate voltage to the OFF level (VGL_M) received from the touch power circuit (TPIC).

[0229] The touch drive circuit TDC may supply the second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 of a DC voltage pattern to the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0230] Here, the second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 of a DC voltage pattern supplied to the plurality of touch electrodes TE can serve as a common voltage for display driving. Accordingly, the plurality of touch electrodes TE can serve as a common electrode.

[0231] The data drive circuit DDC can convert a digital image signal into an analog image signal in response to the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M and the half drive voltage HVDD_M corresponding to a DC voltage and output a data signal Vdata corresponding to the analog image signal to the data lines DL.

[0232] When the second touch electrode drive signal TDS2 is output to the plurality of touch electrodes TE, the gate drive circuit GDC may supply a second gate voltage of OFF level VGL_M, which is a DC voltage, to the gate lines GL or may supply a second gate voltage of ON level VGH_M, which is a DC voltage, to the gate lines GL.

[0233] In case 2, the display panel DISP may have DC voltage characteristics.

[0234] Referring to Fig. 14, the touch power circuit TPIC may supply a third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 having the third amplitude AMP3 to the touch drive circuit TDC when touch drive is performed in the idle time (case 3).

[0235] Since no display control is required during the idle time, the touch power circuit TPIC does not supply half of the drive voltage HVDD_M and the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M to the gamma block GMA of the data drive circuit DDC. That is, since touch control is performed but display control is not performed during the idle time of the time-independent drive in Case 3, the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M is not input to the data drive circuit DDC.

[0236] The touch power circuit TPIC can supply an OFF-level gate voltage VGL_M, which oscillates synchronously with the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3, to the gate drive circuit GDC. Here, the OFF-level gate voltage VGL_M has a frequency and phase corresponding to those of the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3.

[0237] Since no display drive is required during idle time, the touch power circuit TPIC does not output the gate voltage to ON level VGH_M.

[0238] A voltage level of the gate voltage can be changed to the off-level VGL_M using a level shifter (L / W), and the changed voltage can be supplied to the gate drive circuit GDC using the level shifter (L / W). The level shifter (L / W) is arranged outside the gate drive circuit GDC. Alternatively, the level shifter (L / W) can be arranged inside the gate drive circuit GDC and change the voltage level of the gate voltage received from the touch power circuit TPIC to the off-level VGL_M.

[0239] In the idle time, the touch drive circuit TDC may output a third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 having a third amplitude AMP3 different from the first amplitude AMP1 to all or some of the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0240] Here, the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 does not serve as a common voltage for display, but as a drive signal for touch detection.

[0241] The third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 output from the touch drive circuit TDC may be applied to all or part of the plurality of touch electrodes TE and may also be applied to other electrodes (e.g., other touch electrodes) or other lines (DL, GL) arranged in the display panel DISP for the purpose of load-free driving by means of a switching circuit S / C.

[0242] Specifically, during the idle time, the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 or a signal corresponding to the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 may be applied to all or some of the plurality of data lines DL. Here, the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 or the signal corresponding to the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 applied to all or some of the plurality of data lines DL is a no-load drive signal that can reduce the formation of a parasitic capacitance between the corresponding touch electrode TE and the corresponding data line DL and remove a load (an RC delay) in the corresponding touch electrode TE and the corresponding touch line TL.

[0243] When the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 is supplied to the plurality of touch electrodes TE, the gate drive circuit GDC may supply a third gate voltage of OFF level VGL_M having a frequency and a phase corresponding to those of the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 to the gate lines GL.

[0244] In the idle time, the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 or the signal (the third gate voltage at OFF level) corresponding to the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 may be applied to all or some of the plurality of gate lines GL.

[0245] Here, the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 or the signal corresponding to the third touch electrode drive signal TDS3 applied to all or some of the plurality of gate lines GL is a no-load drive signal that can reduce the formation of parasitic capacitance formed between the corresponding touch electrode TE and the corresponding gate line GL and remove a load (an RC delay) in the corresponding touch electrode TE and the corresponding touch line TL.

[0246] In case 3, the display panel DISP may exhibit voltage oscillation characteristics.

[0247] Case 1, in which the display control and the touch control of the three time-independent control cases (Case 1, Case 2 and Case 3) are performed simultaneously, will be described in more detail below.

[0248] Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gamma block GMA for performing time-independent driving TFD on the data lines DL using the gamma modulation technique in the time-independent driving (TFD) system of the touch display device. Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating voltage levels and characteristics of the gamma reference voltages EGBI1_M, EGBI2_M, EGBI3_M, and EGBI4_M used in the gamma block GMA to perform time-independent driving on the data lines DL using the gamma modulation technique in the time-independent driving system of the touch display device.

[0249] In the following description, it is assumed that the data lines DL are controlled based on a polarity reversal control.

[0250] The gamma block GMA in the data control circuit DDC may include a digital-to-analog converter DAC that converts a digital image signal into an analog image signal with a positive polarity or a negative polarity by means of the gamma reference voltages EGBI1_M, EGBI2_M, EGBI3_M and EGBI4_M.

[0251] The digital-to-analog converter DAC comprises a first converter part (a positive converter part) and a second converter part (a negative converter part).

[0252] The first conversion part of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes a first resistor chain P-RS, in which a plurality of resistors are connected in series, and a first switch P-SW that selects an analog image voltage having a positive polarity based on a digital image signal. The second conversion part of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes a second resistor chain N-RS, in which a plurality of resistors are connected in series, and a second switch N-SW that selects an analog image voltage having a negative polarity based on a digital image signal.

[0253] The gamma block GMA in the data drive circuit DDC may further include a multiplexer MUX that selects an analog image voltage with a positive polarity and an analog image voltage with a negative polarity, a first output buffer circuit P-BUF that outputs a first data signal Vdata corresponding to the analog image signal with a positive polarity to the data lines DL, and a second output buffer circuit N-BUF that outputs a second data signal Vdata corresponding to the analog image signal with a negative polarity to the data lines DL.

[0254] Referring to the Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, when the data drive circuit DDC performs polarity inversion drive, the gamma reference voltage EGBI_M of a modulated signal pattern may include a first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M and a second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M applied to both ends of the resistor chain with a positive polarity P-RS, and a third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M and a fourth gamma reference voltage EGBI4_M applied to both ends of the resistor chain with a negative polarity N-RS.

[0255] The four gamma reference voltages EGBI1_M, EGBI2_M, EGBI3_M and EGBI4_M may be signals generated by synchronously modulating the frequency and phase of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0256] Each of the four gamma reference voltages EGBI1_M, EGBI2_M, EGBI3_M and EGBI4_M is a variable voltage and may have an amplitude equal to or similar to the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0257] In other words, the digital-to-analog converter DAC in the data drive circuit DDC can receive the first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M, the second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M, the third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M, and the fourth gamma reference voltage EGBI4_M having a frequency and a phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1, and convert a digital image signal into a first analog image signal (an analog image signal with a positive polarity) in response to the first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M and the second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M, or convert a digital image signal into a second analog image signal (an analog image signal with a negative polarity) in response to the third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M and the fourth gamma reference voltage Convert EGBI4_M.

[0258] The first output buffer circuit P-BUF can receive the first analog image signal and output a first data signal Vdata to the data lines DL.

[0259] The second output buffer circuit N-BUF can receive the second analog image signal and output a second data signal Vdata to the data lines DL.

[0260] The first data signal Vdata is a data signal Vdata with a positive polarity that is output to the data lines DL in the i-th frame. The second data signal Vdata is a data signal Vdata with a negative polarity that is output to the data lines DL in the (i + 1)-th frame.

[0261] Referring to Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M is a positive-high gamma reference voltage, the second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M is a positive-low gamma reference voltage, the third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M is a negative-high gamma reference voltage, and the fourth gamma reference voltage EGBI4_M is a negative-low gamma reference voltage.

[0262] The first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M, the second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M, the third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M, and the fourth gamma reference voltage EGBI4_M are modulated signals that oscillate synchronously with the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 and may have a frequency and a phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0263] The first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M, the second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M, the third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M and the fourth gamma reference voltage EGBI4_M may have an amplitude AMP corresponding to the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0264] The first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M can be set to a voltage higher than the second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M. The second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M can be set to a voltage higher than the third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M. The third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M can be set to a voltage higher than the fourth gamma reference voltage EGBI4_M.

[0265] On the other hand, with reference to Fig. 15, the first output buffer circuit P-BUF can operate with the drive voltage AVDD applied to a PH node and half the drive voltage HVDD_M applied to a PL node.

[0266] The second output buffer circuit N-BUF can operate with half the drive voltage HVDD_M applied to an NH node and the base voltage AVSS applied to an NL node.

[0267] The drive voltage AVDD applied to the first output buffer circuit P-BUF and the half drive voltage HVDD_M applied to the second output buffer circuit N-BUF are voltages that perform the same function (a buffer drive voltage). The half drive voltage HVDD_M applied to the first output buffer circuit P-BUF and the base voltage AVSS applied to the second output buffer circuit N-BUF are voltages that perform the same function (a buffer base voltage).

[0268] The drive voltage AVDD can be a DC voltage. The base voltage AVSS can be a DC voltage that is lower than the drive voltage AVDD. For example, the base voltage AVSS can be 0 [V].

[0269] The half drive voltage HVDD_M can be a signal whose voltage oscillates between the drive voltage AVDD and the base voltage AVSS.

[0270] The half drive voltage HVDD_M may be a signal with a frequency and phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1. Accordingly, the half drive voltage HVDD_M may have a frequency and phase corresponding to those of the first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M, the second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M, the third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M, and the fourth gamma reference voltage EGBI4_M.

[0271] In some cases, the half drive voltage HVDD_M may have an amplitude corresponding to the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1. Accordingly, the half drive voltage HVDD_M may have an amplitude corresponding to that of the first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M, the second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M, the third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M, and the fourth gamma reference voltage EGBI4_M.

[0272] The first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M and the second gamma reference voltage EGBI2_M can be set to voltages higher than half the drive voltage HVDD_M. The third gamma reference voltage EGBI3_M and the fourth gamma reference voltage EGBI4_M can be set to voltages lower than half the drive voltage HVDD_M.

[0273] A low-level voltage of the fourth gamma reference voltage EGBI4_M can be set to be higher than the base voltage AVSS. Specifically, a difference ΔV between the low-level voltage of the first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M and the drive voltage AVDD can be set to be equal to or greater than the amplitude AMP of the first gamma reference voltage EGBI1_M.

[0274] Referring to Fig. 15, a voltage AVSS_M having an amplitude corresponding to the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 may be applied to an NHV node commonly connected to a node (a PL node) to which half the drive voltage HVDD_M is applied, to the first output buffer circuit P-BUF, and a node (an NH node) to which half the drive voltage HVDD_M is applied to the second output buffer circuit N-BUF via a capacitor Ch.

[0275] The half drive voltage HVDD_M serves as a low-level base voltage for the first output buffer circuit P-BUF and serves as a high-level drive voltage for the second output buffer circuit N-BUF. In this regard, the capacitor Ch connected to the NHV node can contribute to voltage stabilization of the NHV node and the half drive voltage HVDD_M.

[0276] Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating waveforms of the main signals TDS1, Vdata, VGL_M, VGH_M, and Vgate for non-time-dependent driving when the frequency of the first touch electrode driving signal TDS1 is high in the touch display device. Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating waveforms of the main signals TDS1, Vdata, VGL_M, VGH_M, and Vgate for non-time-dependent driving when the frequency of the first touch electrode driving signal TDS1 is low in the touch display device.

[0277] The frequency of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 can be set high or low. That is, the period T of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 can be set short or long.

[0278] As in Fig. 17, the period T of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 may be shorter than a predetermined horizontal time 1H or a data voltage application period. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 18, the period T of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 may be longer than the predetermined horizontal time 1H or the data voltage application period. Here, the predetermined horizontal time may be 1H, 2H, 3H, or the like, where 1H, 2H, 3H, etc., may denote the time for displaying 1 horizontal line, 2 horizontal lines, 3 horizontal lines, etc., of subpixels in the display device. In the following description, it is assumed that the predetermined horizontal time is 1H.

[0279] Referring to Fig. 17, the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 is a signal whose voltage level changes periodically, and the period T or the width of a high-level voltage period of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 may be shorter than a horizontal time 1H.

[0280] In this case, in a high-level voltage period of a data signal Vdata for displaying an image supplied to at least one data line DL or in a high-level voltage period of a scanning signal Vgate supplied to at least one gate line GL Vdata, the voltage level of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 may change one or more times.

[0281] Referring to Fig. 18, the period T or the width of the high-level voltage period of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 may be longer than a horizontal time 1H or the data voltage application period.

[0282] In this case, in the period T or the high-level voltage period of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1, the voltage level of the data signal Vdata for displaying an image supplied to at least one data line DL may change once or more, or the voltage level of the scanning signal Vgate supplied to at least one gate line GL may change once or more.

[0283] Signal waveforms are described below with reference to the Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 described in more detail.

[0284] Referring to the Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, the data signal Vdata may have a signal pattern in which first pulses PULSE1 with a first pulse width W1 and second pulses PULSE2 with a second pulse width W2 are combined when the display control and the touch control are performed simultaneously based on the time-independent control system. In this case, the second pulse width W2 may be greater than the first pulse width W1.

[0285] Referring to the Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, the data signal Vdata may have a voltage that varies between the drive voltage AVDD and the base voltage AVSS.

[0286] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 17, the first pulses PULSE1 in the data signal Vdata may include a portion having an amplitude corresponding to the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 when the period T of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 is shorter than a predetermined horizontal time (e.g., 1H). The first pulse width W1 of the first pulses PULSE1 may correspond to the pulse width of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0287] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 18, the second pulses PULSE2 in the data signal Vdata may include a portion having an amplitude corresponding to the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 when the period T of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 is longer than a predetermined horizontal time (for example, 1H). The second pulse width W2 of the second pulses PULSE2 may correspond to the pulse width of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0288] Referring to the Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, a frequency and phase of an OFF-level gate voltage VGL_M supplied from the touch power circuit TPIC to the gate drive circuit GDC correspond to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1. A frequency and phase of an ON-level gate voltage VGH_M supplied from the touch power circuit TPIC to the gate drive circuit GDC correspond to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0289] Referring to the Fig. 17 and Fig. 18, the gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M and the gate voltage at ON level VGH_M may have the same amplitude as the first amplitude AMP1 of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 or substantially the same amplitude within an allowable range.

[0290] Referring to Fig. 17, the sensing signal Vgate supplied to the gate line GL may be the gate voltage at the OFF level VGL_M in a period other than the horizontal time (1H) in which the corresponding gate line GL is driven with the gate voltage at the ON level VGH_M. The sensing signal Vgate may be the gate voltage at the ON level VGH_M in the horizontal time (1H) in which the corresponding gate line GL is driven with the gate voltage at the ON level VGH_M. The sensing signal Vgate may have a pattern in which a voltage (ΔVgate) corresponding to the amplitude required to turn on a transistor included in the corresponding pixel, which is supplied to the gate electrode of the transistor, is added to the gate voltage at the ON level VGH_M.Here, the voltage (ΔVgate) corresponding to the amplitude required to open the corresponding gate line GL may be a voltage difference between a high-level gate voltage VGH and a low-level gate voltage VGL of a DC voltage pattern.

[0291] Referring to Fig. 17, the scanning signal Vgate supplied to the gate line GL has a pattern in which the gate voltage at the OFF level VGL_M of a modulated signal pattern is superimposed on the voltage ΔVgate corresponding to the amplitude required to turn on a transistor at the horizontal time (1H) in which the corresponding gate line GL is driven with the gate high voltage VGH, and has a pattern of the gate voltage at the OFF level VGL_M of a modulated signal pattern at a time other than the horizontal time (1H). Here, the gate voltage at the OFF level VGL_M of a modulated signal pattern has a frequency and phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0292] Referring to Fig. 18, the scanning signal Vgate applied to the gate lines GL has a pattern in which the voltage ΔVgate corresponding to the amplitude required to open the corresponding gate line GL is superimposed on the gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M of a modulated signal pattern in the horizontal time (1H) in which the corresponding gate line GL is open, and has a pattern of the gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M of a modulated signal pattern in a time other than the horizontal time (1H). Here, the gate voltage at OFF level VGL_M of a modulated signal pattern has a frequency and phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0293] As described above, the touch display device may use a gamma modulation method as a method for simultaneously performing display driving and touch driving.

[0294] In this case, a data signal Vdata and a scanning signal Vgate, which are modulated to have a frequency and a phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 according to the gamma modulation, are supplied to the display panel DISP to which a ground voltage of a DC voltage is applied.

[0295] On the other hand, as described above, the touch display device may use a ground modulation method in addition to a gamma modulation method as the method for simultaneously performing display driving and touch driving.

[0296] In the ground modulation method, the data signal Vdata and the scan signal Vgate supplied to the display panel DISP have a frequency and a phase corresponding to those of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 on the display panel DISP by oscillating the ground voltage supplied to the display panel DISP to correspond to the frequency and phase of the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1.

[0297] In other words, the gamma modulation method is a method of supplying the display-related signals Vdata and Vgate to the display panel DISP in a modulated signal pattern corresponding to the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 in a state where the DC ground voltage is applied to the display panel DISP.

[0298] On the other hand, the ground modulation method is a method of supplying the display-related signals Vdata and Vgate to the display panel DISP without modulation, wherein the display-related signals Vdata and Vgate supplied to the display panel DISP have a modulated signal pattern corresponding to the first touch electrode drive signal TDS1 because the ground voltage of a modulated signal pattern is applied to the display panel DISP.

[0299] In the following description, for the convenience of explanation, the first and third touch electrode drive signals TDS1 and TDS3 whose voltage level changes are referred to as touch electrode drive signal TDS.

[0300] Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating a process of generating a scan signal Vgate for gate driving in the touch display device. Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating an ON clock signal ON_CLK, an OFF clock signal OFF_CLK, and a strobe signal Vgate associated with a gate drive in the touch display device.

[0301] Referring to Fig. 19, the display control device DCTR outputs an ON clock signal ON_CLK and an OFF clock signal OFF_CLK to a clock generator CGR for the purpose of gate driving.

[0302] The clock generator CGR generates two or more gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2,... based on the ON clock signal ON_CLK and the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK and outputs the generated gate clock signals. For example, the clock generator CGR can be a level shifter (R / W).

[0303] The clock generator CGR can generate two or more gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2, ... depending on a gate control system.

[0304] The gate drive circuit GDC generates scan signals Vgate1, Vgate2, ... based on the two or more gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2, ... and sequentially outputs the generated scan signals to the plurality of gate lines GL1, GL2, ....

[0305] Each of the sampling signals Vgate1, Vgate2, ... is a clock pulse suitable for correspondingly triggering a plurality of clock pulses contained in a gate clock signal.

[0306] In Fig. 20 assumes that the gate control is performed by means of four gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2, GCLK3 and GCLK4.

[0307] Referring to Fig. 20, the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK is repeated with a constant period T1. The high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK is repeated with a constant period T1. The ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK have the same frequency (f1 = 1 / T1).

[0308] The clock generator CGR can generate the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2, GCLK3 and GCLK4 using the ON clock signal ON_CLK and the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0309] Referring to Fig. 20, the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2, GCLK3, and GCLK4 rise during the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK. That is, rising portions Pup of the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2, GCLK3, and GCLK4 correspond to the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK.

[0310] Referring to Fig. 20, the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2, GCLK3, and GCLK4 fall during the high-level period Poff of the off-clock signal OFF_CLK. That is, the falling portions Pdown of the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2, GCLK3, and GCLK4 correspond to the high-level period Poff of the off-clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0311] The sampling signals Vgate1, Vgate2, Vgate3, Vgate4,... can be generated based on the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2, GCLK3 and GCLK4, which are generated as described above.

[0312] Fig. 21 and Fig. 22 are diagrams illustrating a case where a voltage level of a touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in the high-level portion Poff of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK and an image error of a line pattern based thereon in the touch display device.

[0313] Referring to Fig. 21, the frequency f1 of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK may differ from the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS. Accordingly, a situation may occur in which the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS varies during the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0314] Since the frequency f1 of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK is different from the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS, a situation may occur in which the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS similarly varies in the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK.

[0315] Referring to Fig. 22, when the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in the high level period Poff of the off clock signal OFF_CLK and the high level period Pon of the on clock signal ON_CLK (2200), the data lines DL under gamma modulation for simultaneous driving may be affected and an image defect of a line shape may occur in the display panel DISP.

[0316] In other words, an image defect may occur from subpixels included in a row block 2210 in which the gate lines GL are arranged to which the scanning signal Vgate corresponding to the high-level period Poff of the off-clock signal OFF_CLK and the high-level period Pon of the on-clock signal ON_CLK overlapping the variation of the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS is supplied.

[0317] Even if the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS varies in the rising portions Pup and the falling portions Pdown of the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2,..., the above-mentioned image defect of a line shape may occur.

[0318] Even if the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in the rising portions Pup and the falling portions Pdown of the scanning signals Vgate1, Vgate2,..., the above-mentioned image defect of a line shape may occur.

[0319] Since touch control and display control are performed simultaneously as described above, the touch control affects the display control to cause an image error.

[0320] The following description describes a driving method for reducing an image defect of a line shape caused due to a timing mismatch between the gate drive signals ON_CLK, OFF_CLK, GCLK and Vgate and the touch electrode drive signal TDS.

[0321] Fig. 23A and Fig. 23B are diagrams showing a driving method for reducing an image defect of a line shape that occurs due to a timing mismatch between the gate drive signals ON_CLK, OFF_CLK, GCLK, and Vgate and the touch electrode drive signal TDS in the touch display device.

[0322] Referring to the Fig. 23A and Fig. 23B, the touch drive circuit TDC outputs the touch electrode drive signal TDS, whose voltage level changes in a period other than the high level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK, to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0323] The touch drive circuit TDC outputs the touch electrode drive signal TDS, whose voltage level changes in a period other than the high level period Poff of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK, to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0324] The touch drive circuit TDC outputs the touch electrode drive signal TDS, whose voltage level changes in a portion other than the rising portions Pup and the falling portions Pdown of the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2,..., to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0325] The touch drive circuit TDC outputs the touch electrode drive signal TDS, whose voltage level changes in a portion other than the rising portions Pup and the falling portions Pdown of the scanning signals Vgate1, Vgate2,..., to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes TE.

[0326] The touch control device TCTR can perform control such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in a period different from the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK. Here, when the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in a period different from the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK, it means that the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the voltage level change portion of the touch electrode drive signal TDS have different timings.

[0327] The touch control device TCTR can perform control such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in a period different from the high-level period Poff of the off-clock signal OFF_CLK. Here, when the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in a period different from the high-level period Poff of the off-clock signal OFF_CLK, it means that the high-level period Poff of the off-clock signal OFF_CLK and the voltage level change portion of the touch electrode drive signal TDS have different timings.

[0328] The touch control device TCTR can perform control such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in a section other than the rising sections Pup and the falling sections Pdown of the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2,... When the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in a section other than the rising sections Pup and the falling sections Pdown of the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2,... , this means that the rising sections Pup and the falling sections of the gate clock signals GCLK1, GCLK2,... and the voltage level change section of the touch electrode drive signal TDS have different timings.

[0329] The touch control device TCTR can perform control such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in a section other than the rising sections Pup and the falling sections Pdown of the scanning signals Vgate1, Vgate2,... When the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in a section other than the rising sections Pup and the falling sections Pdown of the scanning signals Vgate1, Vgate2,... , this means that the rising sections Pup and the falling sections Pdown of the scanning signals Vgate1, Vgate2,... and the voltage level change section of the touch electrode drive signal TDS have different timings.

[0330] As in Fig. As illustrated in FIG. 23A, the touch display device may perform control such that the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK have different timings. That is, the touch display device may perform control such that the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK do not overlap and do not coincide with each other.

[0331] The high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK is associated with the rising portions Pup of the sampling signals Vgate1, Vgate2, Vgate3, Vgate4, etc., and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK is associated with the falling portions Pdown of the sampling signals Vgate1, Vgate2, Vgate3, Vgate4, etc. In some cases, the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK may change into a negative signal pattern. In this case, the low-level period of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK may be associated with the rising portions Pup of the sampling signals Vgate1, Vgate2, Vgate3, Vgate4, etc., and the low-level period of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK may be associated with the falling portions Pdown of the sampling signals Vgate1, Vgate2, Vgate3, Vgate4, etc.

[0332] Considering the relationship between two clock signals ON_CLK and OFF_CLK and the strobe signals Vgate1, Vgate2, Vgate3, Vgate4,..., the falling portion Pdown of the first strobe signal Vgate1 supplied to the first gate line GL1 of the plurality of gate lines GL and the rising portion Pup of another strobe signal (e.g., Vgate3) supplied to a gate line (e.g., GL3) other than the first gate line GL1 may have different timings.

[0333] As in Fig. 23B, the touch display device may perform control such that the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK correspond to each other. When the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK correspond to each other, this means that the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK are the same period in time or are periods that partially overlap in time.

[0334] Considering the relationship between two clock signals ON_CLK and OFF_CLK and the sensing signals Vgate1, Vgate2, Vgate3, Vgate4,..., the falling portion Pdown of the first sensing signal Vgate1 supplied to the first gate line GL1 of the plurality of gate lines GL and the rising portion Pup of a third sensing signal Vgate3 supplied to a third gate line GL3 other than the first gate line GL1 of the plurality of gate lines may correspond to each other.

[0335] Here, the first gate line GL1 and the third gate line GL3, which are different from each other, may overlap the same touch electrode, e.g., touch electrode TE2, which will be described below in connection with the Fig. 27 and Fig. 28. One or more other gate lines GL2 may be arranged between the first gate line GL1 and the third gate line GL3. On the other hand, the first gate line GL1 and the third gate line GL3 may be adjacent gate lines.

[0336] Considering the relationship between two clock signals ON_CLK and OFF_CLK and the strobe signals Vgate1, Vgate2, Vgate3, Vgate4,..., the falling portion Pdown of the second strobe signal Vgate2 supplied to the second gate line GL2 from the plurality of gate lines GL may correspond to the rising portion Pup of a fourth strobe signal Vgate4 supplied to a fourth gate line GL4 other than the second gate line GL2.

[0337] Here, the second gate line GL2 and the fourth gate line GL4, which are different from each other, may overlap the same touch electrode, e.g., touch electrode TE2, which will be described below in connection with the Fig. 27 and Fig. 28. One or more other gate lines GL3 may be arranged between the second gate line GL2 and the fourth gate line GL4. On the other hand, the second gate line GL2 and the fourth gate line GL4 may be adjacent gate lines.

[0338] A control method based on the relationship between the frequency f1 of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK and the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS is described below. For ease of explanation, the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK is described as a reference.

[0339] Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrating control for allowing the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS to vary in a period other than the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK when the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS and the frequency f1 of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK are different from each other in the touch display device.

[0340] Referring to Fig. 24, the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS may be different from the frequency f1 of the ON clock signal ON_CLK and the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0341] In particular, the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS may be other than N or 1 / N times the frequency f1 of the ON clock signal ON_CLK and the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0342] A section 2410 in which the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS rises is then necessarily present in the high level period Pon of the ON clock signal ON_CLK and the high level period Poff of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0343] In such a section 2410, the touch electrode drive signal TDS may rise with a delay after the high level period Pon of the ON clock signal ON_CLK and the high level period Poff of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK have elapsed depending on the setting of a duty cycle.

[0344] A portion 2420 in which the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS falls is necessarily present in the high level period Pon of the ON clock signal ON_CLK and the high level period Poff of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0345] In such a section 2420, the touch electrode drive signal TDS may fall before the high level period Pon of the ON clock signal ON_CLK and the high level period Poff of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK are started depending on the setting of a duty cycle.

[0346] As described above, when the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS is different from the frequency f1 of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK and control is performed such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS varies in a period other than the high level period Poff of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK, the touch electrode drive signal TDS can have variable duty ratios DR1, DR2,...

[0347] For example, referring to Fig. 24, the touch electrode drive signal TDS comprises a first signal portion having a first duty cycle DR1 and a second signal portion having a second duty cycle DR2 different from the first duty cycle DR1.

[0348] When the second signal portion of the touch electrode drive signal TDS has the second duty ratio DR2 different from the first duty ratio DR1, the voltage level in the second signal portion of the touch electrode drive signal TDS may vary in a period different from the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0349] For example, referring to Fig. 24, the touch electrode drive signal TDS comprises a first signal portion having the first duty cycle DR1 and a third signal portion having a third duty cycle DR3 different from the first duty cycle DR1.

[0350] When the third signal portion of the touch electrode drive signal TDS has the third duty ratio DR3 different from the first duty ratio DR1, the voltage level in the third signal portion of the touch electrode drive signal TDS may vary in a period different from the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0351] On the other hand, a method of performing control such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS varies in a period other than the high level period Poff of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK when the frequency f1 of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK is N or 1 / N times the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS will be described below.

[0352] Fig. 25A and Fig. 25B are diagrams illustrating control that allows the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS to vary in a period other than the high level period Poff of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK when the frequency f1 of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK doubles the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS in the touch display device. Fig. 26A and Fig. 26B are diagrams illustrating control that allows the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS to vary in a period other than the high level period Poff of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK when the frequency f1 of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK quadruples the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS in the touch display device.

[0353] Referring to Fig. 25A and Fig. 25B, the voltage level of the OFF clock signal AUS_CLK changes in a first period T1. The voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS changes in a second period T2.

[0354] The second period T2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS doubles the first period T1 of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK (T2 = 2xT1).

[0355] Accordingly, the frequency f1 of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK doubles the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS (f1 = 1 / T1 = 1 / (T2 / 2) = 2 (1 / T2) = 2f2).

[0356] Referring to Fig. 26A and Fig. 26B, the second period T2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS quadruples the first period T1 of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK (T2 = 4xT1).

[0357] Accordingly, the frequency f1 of the OFF clock signal OFF_CLK quadruples the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS (f1 = 1 / T1 = 1 / (T2 / 4) = 4 (1 / T2) = 4f2).

[0358] As in Fig. 25A and Fig. 26A, when the frequency f1 of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK is N times the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS (where N is a natural number), control can be performed such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS does not change in the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK by setting a rising timing Tr2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS later than a falling timing Tf1 of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0359] As in Fig. 25B and Fig. 26B, when the frequency f1 of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK is N times the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS (where N is a natural number), control can be performed such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS does not change in the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK by setting the rising timing Tr2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS earlier than the rising timing Tr1 of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0360] According to the above-mentioned method, even if the frequency f1 of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK is 1 / N times the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS (where N is a natural number), control can be performed such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS does not vary in the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK by appropriately controlling the rising timing and the falling timing of the touch electrode drive signal TDS and the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK.

[0361] Similar to the above-mentioned method, even if the frequency f1 of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK is 1 / N times the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS (where N is a natural number), control can be performed such that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS does not vary in the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK by appropriately controlling the rising timing and the falling timing of the touch electrode drive signal TDS and the ON-clock signal ON_CLK.

[0362] On the other hand, when the frequency f1 of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK is N or 1 / N times the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS (where N is a natural number), control can be performed so that the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS does not vary in the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK by controlling the rising / falling timing as described above, and thus duty cycle control of the touch electrode drive signal TDS is not required.

[0363] Accordingly, when the frequency f1 of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK is N or 1 / N times the frequency f2 of the touch electrode drive signal TDS (where N is a natural number), the drive signal touch electrode TDS has a constant duty cycle.

[0364] Fig. 27 and Fig. 28 are diagrams illustrating the effects of the gate drive control used in Fig. 23B in the touch display device, wherein Fig. Fig. 27 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which a touch electrode TE2 to be detected and a gate line GL1 to be turned on overlap each other and Fig. 28 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a subpixel overlapping the touch electrode TE2 to be detected and connected to the gate line GL1 to be turned on.

[0365] Referring to Fig. 27, when the display drive and touch drive are performed simultaneously, the touch electrode drive signal TDS is supplied to the touch electrodes TE1, TE2, TE3, TE4,... Here, the touch electrode drive signal TDS is a signal for touch drive and also serves as a common voltage signal for the display drive.

[0366] When a display drive and a touch drive are performed simultaneously, the touch drive circuit TDC detects all or some of the touch electrodes TE1, TE2, TE3, TE4, etc. to detect a touch. In the example shown in Fig. 27, a touch electrode TE2 of the touch electrodes TE1, TE2, TE3, TE4,... is to be detected.

[0367] On the other hand, as described above, some gate lines GL1, GL2, GL3, GL4,... arranged in the display panel DISP may overlap the touch electrodes TE1, TE2, TE3, TE4,... arranged in the same row.

[0368] Accordingly, when a display control and a touch control are performed simultaneously, a part (GL1 in the Fig. 27) of the gate lines GL1, GL2, GL3, GL4,... the touch electrode (TE2 in the example shown in Fig. 27) which is to be sampled from the touch electrodes TE1, TE2, TE3, TE4,... is supplied with a sampling signal having a switch-on level (Vgate1 in the Fig. 27 example) and is controlled (switched on).

[0369] In Fig. 27, the sampling signal Vgate1 with a turn-on level has a signal waveform (the same signal waveform as the sampling signal Vgate shown in the Fig. 17 and Fig. 18) for simultaneously performing display control and touch control, but for the purpose of convenient explanation and easy understanding, is shown as a signal waveform for only performing display control.

[0370] A transistor TR arranged in a subpixel SP which is in Fig. 28 is turned on by a scanning signal Vgate1 having an on-level supplied via a part GL1 of the gate lines GL1, GL2, GL3, GL4,... overlapping the touch electrode TE2 to be scanned by the touch electrodes TE1, TE2, TE3, TE4,...

[0371] The equivalent circuits of all other subpixels SP arranged on the display panel DISP are the same as the equivalent circuits of the Fig. 28 shown subpixel SP. The structure of the subpixel SP is briefly described with reference to Fig. 28. The subpixel SP contains a transistor TR and a pixel electrode PXL.

[0372] The transistor TR in the subpixel SP includes a gate electrode connected to the gate line GL1, a drain electrode (or a source electrode) connected to the data line DL, and a source electrode (or a drain electrode) connected to the pixel electrode PXL.

[0373] The transistor TR in the subpixel SP is turned on in response to the scanning signal Vgate1 supplied via the gate line GL1, thus transmitting a data signal Vdata, which is supplied to the pixel electrode PXL via the data line DL. The data signal Vdata transmitted to the pixel electrode PXL can Fig. 17 or Fig. 18 shown signal waveform.

[0374] The pixel electrode PXL, to which the data signal Vdata is transmitted, together with the touch electrode TE2, to which the touch electrode drive signal TDS is supplied, can form a storage capacitor Cst. Here, the storage capacitor Cst is a capacitor required to store a voltage for a predetermined time for display.

[0375] On the other hand, an internal capacitor Cgs may be formed between the gate electrode and the source electrode (or drain electrode) of the transistor TR. A gate touch capacitor Cgc may be formed between the gate electrode of the transistor TR or the gate line GL1 and the touch electrode TE2.

[0376] If a display control and a touch control are performed simultaneously, and the Fig. 17 and Fig. When the data signal Vdata illustrated in Figure 18 is applied to the pixel electrode PXL, a charge change ΔQ1 required for display control is generated in the storage capacitor Cst. The charge change ΔQ1 generated in the storage capacitor Cst is necessary for display control and is natural, but may be unnecessary for touch sensing.

[0377] Here, the charge change ΔQ1, which is required for display control but unnecessary for touch detection in the storage capacitor Cst, is detected by means of an original data voltage change part (PULSE2 in Fig. 17 and PULSE1 in Fig. 18) for display in the data signal Vdata. If the charge change ΔQ1, which is required for display control but not required for touch sensing, is generated in the storage capacitor Cst as described above, a voltage change not required for touch sensing can be generated in the touch electrode TE2, which is coupled to the pixel electrode PXL via the storage capacitor Cst.

[0378] In other words, the original data voltage change part (PULSE2 in Fig. 17 and PULSE1 in Fig. 18) The data signal Vdata for displaying causes an undesirable voltage change in the pixel electrode PXL, and thus an undesirable voltage change in the touch electrode TE2 may be generated. The undesirable voltage change caused in the touch electrode TE2 due to the voltage change in the data signal Vdata may act as noise during the touch detection period.

[0379] When the display drive and the touch drive are performed simultaneously, a charge change ΔQ2 may occur in the gate touch capacitor Cgc formed between the gate electrode of the transistor TR or the gate line GL1 and the touch electrode TE2 due to a voltage change (a voltage of an off level <-> a voltage of an on level) of the gate signal Vgate1 supplied to the gate line GL1 or the transistor TR connected thereto.

[0380] The change of charge ΔQ2 in the gate touch capacitor Cgc formed between the gate electrode of the transistor TR or the gate line GL1 and the touch electrode TE2 is necessary and natural for driving the display, but may be unnecessary for touch sensing.

[0381] Here, the charge change ΔQ2, which is necessary for display driving but not required for touch detection in the gate touch capacitor Cgc, is replaced by an original voltage change part (ΔVgate in Fig. 17 and Fig. 18) for display in the gate signal Vgate1.

[0382] When the charge change ΔQ2 required for display driving but not required for touch sensing is generated in the gate touch capacitor Cgc as described above, a voltage change TE2 not required for touch sensing can be generated in the touch electrode coupled to the gate electrode of the transistor TR or the gate line GL1 by means of the gate touch capacitor Cgc.

[0383] In other words, the original voltage change part (ΔVgate in Fig. 17 and Fig. 18) for indicating the gate signal Vgate1 causes an undesirable voltage change in the touch electrode TE2. The undesirable voltage change caused in the touch electrode TE2 due to the voltage change of the gate signal Vgate1 can act as noise at the time of touch detection.

[0384] When display driving and touch driving are performed simultaneously, and the gate lines GL1, GL2, GL3, GL4,... overlapping the touch electrode TE2 to be sensed by the touch electrodes TE1, TE2, TE3, TE4,... are driven (turned on), the charge changes ΔQ1 and ΔQ2 in the storage capacitor Cst and the gate touch capacitor Cgc act as noise components at the time of touch sensing, and thus the data portion of touch data obtained from the touch electrode TE2 to be sensed is an overflow value and may not have any meaning as sensing data. As a result, touch sensing may not be performed normally.

[0385] When the display drive and the touch drive are performed simultaneously as described above, the charge changes ΔQ1 and ΔQ2, which are necessary and natural for the display drive but act as noise for the touch detection, can be controlled by the gate drive control device provided in Fig. 23B, may be removed or reduced.

[0386] As mentioned above with reference to Fig. 23B, in the touch display device, the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK may correspond to each other. That is, the high-level period Pon of the ON-clock signal ON_CLK and the high-level period Poff of the OFF-clock signal OFF_CLK may be the same period in time or may be partially overlapping periods in time.

[0387] Accordingly, the falling portion Pdown of the first sensing signal Vgate1 supplied to the first gate line GL1 among the plurality of gate lines GL may correspond to the rising portion Pup of the third sensing signal Vgate3 supplied to the third gate line GL3 different from the first gate line GL1 among the plurality of gate lines GList.

[0388] Here, the first gate line GL1 and the third gate line GL3, which is different from it, may overlap the same touch electrode TE2. One or more other gate lines GL2 may be arranged between the first gate line GL1 and the third gate line GL3. On the other hand, the first gate line GL1 and the third gate line GL3 may be adjacent gate lines.

[0389] Similarly, the falling portion Pdown of the second sensing signal Vgate2 supplied to the second gate line GL2 among the plurality of gate lines GL may correspond to the rising portion Pup of the fourth sensing signal Vgate4 supplied to the fourth gate line GL4 different from the second gate line GL2 among the plurality of gate lines GL.

[0390] Here, the second gate line GL2 and the fourth gate line GL4, which is different from it, may overlap the same touch electrode TE2. One or more other gate lines GL3 may be arranged between the second gate line GL2 and the fourth gate line GL4. On the other hand, the second gate line GL2 and the fourth gate line GL4 may be adjacent gate lines.

[0391] Referring to Fig. 23B, according to the above-mentioned gate drive control, when the first scan signal Vgate1 supplied to the first gate line Gl1 from among the gate lines GL1, GL2, GL3, GL4,... overlapping a touch electrode TE2 falls (gate OFF), the third scan signal Vgate3 supplied to the third gate line GL3 different from the first gate line GL1 rises (gate ON), and thus a charge flow -Q caused in the capacitors Cst and Cgc associated with the touch electrode TE2 due to the fall of the first scan signal Vgate1 and a charge flow +Q in the capacitors Cst and Cgc associated with the touch electrode TE2 due to the rise of the third scan signal Vgate3 are opposite to each other.

[0392] Through these opposite charge flows +Q and -Q, influences on the touch electrode TE2 to be sensed due to unnecessary charge changes ΔQ1 and ΔQ2 in the capacitors Cst and Cgc associated with the touch electrode TE2 can be removed. Accordingly, overflow of sensing data acquired by the touch electrode TE2 to be sensed is prevented, and touch sensitivity can be improved.

[0393] Fig. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method of the touch display device.

[0394] Referring to Fig. 29, a driving method of the touch display device includes a simultaneous driving step S10 and an image display and touch detection step S20.

[0395] In the simultaneous driving step S10, the touch display device may output the data signals Vdata and the scan signals Vgate to the data lines DL and the gate lines arranged in the display panel DISP, and may output the touch electrode drive signal TDS to one or more of a plurality of touch electrodes TE arranged in the display panel DISP.

[0396] In the image display and touch detection step S20, the touch display device may display an image in response to the data signal Vdata and the touch electrode drive signal TDS, and detect a touch based on the detection result of the touch electrode TE to which the touch electrode drive signal TDS is supplied.

[0397] The voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal TDS may vary in a portion other than the rising portion Pup or the falling portion Pdown of the scanning signal Vgate.

[0398] According to the above-mentioned embodiments of the invention, it is possible to provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method that can stably perform display driving and touch driving simultaneously.

[0399] According to embodiments of the invention, it is possible to provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method that can stably perform display driving and touch driving simultaneously by means of a display panel having touch sensors embedded therein.

[0400] According to embodiments of the invention, it is possible to provide a touch display device, a driving circuit, and a driving method that can reduce an image defect of a line shape that may be caused by a timing mismatch between gate drive-related signals ON_CLK, OFF_CLK, GCLK, and Vgate and the touch electrode drive signal TDS.

[0401] The above description and the accompanying drawings illustrate the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and various modifications and changes, such as combination, separation, replacement, and change of configurations, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but to explain the technical spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A touch display device comprising: a display panel (DISP) in which a plurality of data lines (DL) and a plurality of gate lines (GL) are arranged, a plurality of subpixels (SP) are arranged and a plurality of touch electrodes (TE) are arranged; a display controller (DCTR) configured to output an ON clock signal (ON_CLK) and an OFF clock signal (OFF_CLK); a gate drive circuit (GDC) configured to output a scan signal (Vgate) to the plurality of gate lines (GL) based on the ON clock signal (ON_CLK) and the OFF clock signal (OFF_CLK); a data drive circuit (DDC) configured to output a data signal (Vdata) for displaying an image to the plurality of data lines (DL); and a touch drive circuit (TDC) configured to supply a touch electrode drive signal (TDS) to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes (TE), to detect one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes (TE), and to output detection data, wherein a voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) changes, and a portion in which the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) changes is different from a high-level period (Pon) of the ON-clock signal (ON_CLK) and / or a high-level period (Poff) of the OFF-clock signal (OFF_CLK). [2] The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein the high level period (Pon) of the ON clock signal (ON_CLK) and the high level period (Poff) of the OFF clock signal (OFF_CLK) correspond to each other, and a low level period of the ON clock signal (ON_CLK) and a low level period of the OFF clock signal (OFF_CLK) correspond to each other. [3] The touch display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a falling portion (Pdown) of a first sensing signal (Vgate1) supplied to a first gate line (GL1) of the plurality of gate lines (GL) corresponds to a rising portion (Pup) of another sensing signal (Vgate3) supplied to a gate line (GL3) other than the first gate line (GL1) of the plurality of gate lines (GL). [4] A touch display device according to claim 3, wherein the first gate line (GL1) and the other gate line (G3) overlap the same touch electrode (TE2). [5] The touch display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a frequency (f1) of the ON clock signal (ON_CLK) and the OFF clock signal (OFF_CLK) is N or 1 / N times a frequency (f2) of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS), where N is a natural number, and wherein the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) has a constant duty cycle. [6] The touch display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a frequency (f1) of the ON clock signal (ON_CLK) and the OFF clock signal (OFF_CLK) is not N or 1 / N times a frequency (f2) of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS), where N is a natural number, and wherein the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) has a variable duty cycle (DR1, DR2, DR3). [7] A touch display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) changes in a portion other than a rising portion (Pup) or a falling portion (Pdown) of the scanning signal (Vgate). [8] A touch display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the touch drive circuit (TDC) is arranged to detect at least one of the plurality of touch electrodes (TE) when display driving is performed by supplying the data signal (Vdata) for displaying an image to the plurality of data lines (DL). [9] A touch display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) is a signal whose voltage level changes periodically, wherein a period (T) or a width of a high-level voltage period of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) is longer than a horizontal time (1H) for display driving, and where in the period (T) or the high level voltage period of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS): a voltage level of the data signal (Vdata) for displaying an image supplied to at least one data line (DL) of the plurality of data lines (DL) changes one or more times, or a voltage level of the scanning signal (Vgate) supplied to at least one gate line of the plurality of gate lines (GL) changes one or more times. [10] A touch display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) is a signal whose voltage level changes periodically. wherein a period (T) or a width of a high-level voltage period of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) is shorter than a horizontal time (1H) for display drive, and wherein in the one horizontal time (1H) for display driving, a voltage level of the data signal (Vdata) for displaying an image supplied to at least one data line (DL) of the plurality of data lines (DL) changes one or more times, or a voltage level of the scanning signal (Vgate) supplied to at least one gate line of the plurality of gate lines (GL) changes one or more times. [11] Touch display device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the data drive circuit (DDC) is arranged to convert a digital image signal into an analog image signal in response to a gamma reference voltage (EGBI_M), wherein the data control circuit (DDC) is arranged to output the data signal (Vdata) corresponding to the analog image signal to the data lines (DL), and wherein a frequency and a phase of the gamma reference voltage correspond to those of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS). [12] A touch display device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a ground voltage applied to the display panel (DISP) is a modulated signal whose frequency and phase correspond to those of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS). [13] A touch display device comprising: a display panel (DISP) in which a plurality of data lines (DL) and a plurality of gate lines (GL) are arranged, a plurality of subpixels (SP) are arranged and a plurality of touch electrodes (TE) are arranged; a gate drive circuit (GDC) configured to sequentially output a scan signal (Vgate) to the plurality of gate lines (GL); a data control circuit (DDC) configured to output a data signal (Vdata) to the plurality of data lines (DL); and a touch drive circuit (TDC) configured to supply a touch electrode drive signal (TDS) to one or more of the plurality of touch electrodes (TE), wherein a voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) changes and a portion in which the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) changes is different from a rising portion (Pup) or a falling portion (Pdown) of the sensing signal (Vgate). [14] The touch display device according to claim 13, wherein a falling portion (Pdown) of a first sensing signal (Vgate1) supplied to a first gate line (GL1) of the plurality of gate lines (GL) corresponds to a rising portion (Pup) of another sensing signal (Vgate3) supplied to a gate line (GL3) other than the first gate line (GL1) of the plurality of gate lines (GL). [15] A touch display device according to claim 14, wherein the first gate line (GL1) and the other gate line (GL3) overlap the same touch electrode (TE2). [16] Control circuit, comprising: a data control circuit (DDC) configured to output a data signal (Vdata) to data lines (DL) arranged on a display panel (DISP); and a touch drive circuit (TDC) configured to drive one or more of a plurality of touch electrodes (TE) arranged on the display panel (DISP) and to output a touch electrode drive signal (TDS) to one or more of a plurality of touch electrodes (TE), wherein a voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) changes, and a portion in which the voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) changes is other than a rising portion (Pup) or a falling portion (Pdown) of a scanning signal (Vgate) output to a plurality of gate lines (GL) arranged on the display panel (DISP). [17] The drive circuit according to claim 16, wherein a falling portion (Pdown) of a first sensing signal (Vgate1) supplied to a first gate line (GL1) of the plurality of gate lines (GL) corresponds to a rising portion (Pup) of another sensing signal (Vgate3) supplied to a gate line (GL3) other than the first gate line (GL1) of the plurality of gate lines (GL). [18] A driving method of a touch display device having a display panel (DISP) in which a plurality of data lines (DL) and a plurality of gate lines (GL) are arranged and a plurality of subpixels (SP) are arranged, the driving method comprising: a step of outputting a data signal (Vdata) and a scan signal (Vgate) to the data lines (DL) and the gate lines (GL) arranged on the display panel (DISP), and a step of outputting a touch electrode drive signal (TDS) to one or more of a plurality of touch electrodes (TE) arranged on the display panel (DISP); and a step of displaying an image in response to the data signal (Vdata) and the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) and detecting a touch based on a result of detection of the touch electrodes (TE) to which the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) is supplied, wherein a voltage level of the touch electrode drive signal (TDS) changes in a portion other than a rising portion (Pup) or a falling portion (Pdown) of the sensing signal (Vgate). [19] The driving method according to claim 18, wherein a falling portion (Pdown) of a first sensing signal (Vgate1) supplied to a first gate line (GL1) of the plurality of gate lines (GL) corresponds to a rising portion (Pup) of another sensing signal (Vgate3) supplied to a gate line (GL3) other than the first gate line (GL1) of the plurality of gate lines (GL). [20] The driving method according to claim 19, wherein the first gate line (GL1) and the other gate line (GL3) overlap the same touch electrode (TE2).

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