Touch indicator device and touch control method therefor

Abstract

A touch display device comprising: a display panel (DP) wherein a touch-sensitive screen panel is embedded in the display panel (DP) containing a plurality of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) arranged in a matrix; and a touch circuit configured to scan the plurality of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) by grouping the plurality of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) into a plurality of touch blocks (TB) and controlling that a greater number of touch electrodes are scanned in a touch scanning block (TSB) among the plurality of touch blocks (TB) in which a touch is detected than in a non-touch block among the plurality of touch blocks (TB) in which no touch is detected.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REGISTRATION

[0001] This application claims priority over Korean patent application No. 10-2019-0174870, filed on December 26, 2019. BACKGROUND area

[0002] Embodiments relate to a touch display device and a touch control method for it. Description of the related prior art

[0003] With the development of the information society, the demand for various types of image display devices is also increasing. In this respect, a number of display devices, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), and organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs), have recently come into widespread use.

[0004] Among such display devices, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) show images by adjusting the light transmittance of liquid crystals using an electric field. In this context, each LCD includes a liquid crystal display panel, in which liquid crystal cells are arranged in a matrix, and a driver that controls the LCD panel.

[0005] In the pixel array of the liquid crystal display panel, multiple gate lines intersect multiple data lines, and thin-film transistors (TFTs) for driving the liquid crystal cells are located at the intersection points of the gate lines and data lines. Furthermore, the liquid crystal display panel is equipped with storage capacitors to maintain the voltages of the liquid crystal cells. Each liquid crystal cell contains a pixel electrode, a common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer. A data voltage applied to the pixel electrode and a common voltage applied to the common electrode generate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal cells. The intensity of the light passing through the liquid crystal cells is controlled by this electric field, thereby producing an image.

[0006] A driver circuit comprises a gate driver circuit, which sequentially supplies a gate output signal to the gate lines, and a data driver circuit, which supplies an image signal (i.e., a data voltage) to the data lines. The data driver circuit supplies the data voltage to the liquid crystal cells by driving the data lines. The gate driver circuit selects the display panel's liquid crystal cells to which the data voltage is applied, for each horizontal row of liquid crystal cells, by sequentially driving the gate lines.

[0007] The gate driver circuit contains a gate shift register consisting of multiple stages to sequentially generate gate signals. Each stage of the shift register outputs the gate signals, which consist of a gate clock signal and a low-potential voltage level, by alternately charging and discharging. The shift register stages are connected to the gate lines in a one-to-one mapping. A gate signal at a specific level is generated sequentially once per frame by the stages and fed to a specific gate line.

[0008] In addition, with regard to display devices that provide a touch input function, in-cell touch display devices have been developed and used, each containing components of a touch-sensitive screen embedded in a display panel thereof to provide portable devices, such as a smartphone and a tablet computer, with a slim profile.

[0009] Such a touch indicator device detects a touch event (or determines whether or not a touch has occurred) and determines touch coordinates by detecting a plurality of capacitances generated between touch lines in a display panel in which touch electrodes are arranged in a matrix.

[0010] Here, the process of determining a touch event and the touch coordinates can be enabled by controlling all of the touch electrodes or by alternately controlling the touch electrodes during a touch scanning period.

[0011] Although activating all touch electrodes simultaneously can improve touch sensitivity, it can also adversely increase power consumption. Conversely, while alternating the activation of the touch electrodes can reduce power consumption, it can also adversely reduce touch sensitivity. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0012] Various aspects provide a touch display device and a touch control method that are able to reduce power consumption without decreasing the sensitivity of touch sensing.

[0013] Furthermore, a touch indicator device and a touch control method are provided which are able to group touch electrodes into a touch sensing block and non-touch blocks and to sample the touch electrodes in the touch sensing block and the touch electrodes in the non-touch blocks with different sampling ratios, thereby efficiently managing power consumption while maintaining sensitivity in touch sensing.

[0014] Furthermore, a touch indicator device and a touch control method are provided which are able to scan the touch electrodes at different frequencies according to an active mode and a sleep mode, thereby efficiently managing power consumption while maintaining sensitivity during touch scanning.

[0015] Various embodiments provide a touch display device and a touch control method according to the independent claims. Further embodiments are described in the dependent claims. According to one aspect, embodiments can provide a touch display device comprising a display panel and a touch circuit. A touch-sensitive screen panel, comprising a plurality of touch electrodes arranged in a matrix, can be embedded in the display panel.The touch circuit can scan the plurality of touch electrodes by grouping the plurality of touch electrodes into a plurality of touch blocks and controlling that a greater number of touch electrodes are scanned in a touch scanning block among the plurality of touch blocks in which a touch is detected than in a non-touch block among the plurality of touch blocks in which no touch is detected.

[0016] The touch circuit can apply a touch driver signal to the touch electrodes in the touch blocks and determine a touch event and touch position using the touch scanning signals received from the touch electrodes.

[0017] The touch circuit can be set up so that the control lines, via which the touch driver signal is applied, are the same as or separate from the scanning lines, via which the touch scanning signals are received.

[0018] All of the touch electrodes in the touch scanning block can be continuously scanned.

[0019] The touch electrodes in the non-touch block can be scanned with a 1 / 2 period.

[0020] The touch electrodes in the non-touch block can be scanned by alternately scanning odd and even touch electrodes, an odd row of touch electrodes and an even row of touch electrodes, or an odd column of touch electrodes and an even column of touch electrodes alternately.

[0021] The touch electrodes in the non-touch block can be scanned with a 1 / 4 period, so that four adjacent touch electrodes are scanned one after the other.

[0022] The touch electrodes in the touch scanning block can be scanned at a 1 / 2 period, and the touch electrodes in the non-touch block can be scanned at a 1 / 4 period, so that four adjacent touch electrodes are scanned sequentially.

[0023] The scanning can be controlled so that in an active mode of the display panel, a larger number of touch electrodes in the touch scanning block are scanned than in the touch scanning block in a standby mode of the display panel.

[0024] In active mode, the number of first touch electrodes from the majority of touch electrodes sampled in the touch scanning block can differ from the number of second touch electrodes from the majority of touch electrodes sampled in the non-touch block, with the number of first touch electrodes being greater than the number of second touch electrodes.

[0025] According to one aspect, embodiments can provide a touch control method for a display panel, wherein a touch-sensitive screen panel with a plurality of touch electrodes arranged in a matrix form is embedded in the display panel. The touch control method can include: detecting the plurality of touch electrodes by grouping the plurality of touch electrodes into a plurality of touch blocks; detecting a touch event in a touch block among the plurality of touch blocks; and, if the touch event is present as a result of the detection, controlling the detection such that a greater number of touch electrodes are sampled in a touch block among the plurality of touch blocks in which a touch is detected than in a touch block among the plurality of touch blocks in which no touch is detected.

[0026] According to embodiments, the touch indicator device and its touch control method can reduce power consumption without reducing the sensitivity of the touch sensing.

[0027] Furthermore, according to embodiments, the touch indicator device and the touch control method therefor can group touch electrodes into a touch sensing block and non-touch blocks and detect the touch electrodes in the touch sensing block and the touch electrodes in the non-touch blocks with different sampling ratios, thereby efficiently managing the power consumption while maintaining the sensitivity in touch sensing.

[0028] Furthermore, according to embodiments, the touch indicator device and the touch control method therefor can scan the touch electrodes at different frequencies according to an active mode and an idle mode, thereby efficiently managing power consumption while maintaining sensitivity during touch scanning. List of characters

[0029] The above and other objectives, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description, which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a touch display device according to embodiments; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the touch-sensitive screen panel provided in the display panel of the touch display device according to embodiments; Fig. 3 is a timing diagram showing an example of the control of the display and the touch scanning of the touch display device according to embodiments in which the control of the display and the touch scanning are carried out in split time periods, i.e. time slots; Fig. 4 is a timing diagram showing another example of the control of the display and the touch scanning of the touch display device according to embodiments in which the control of the display and the touch scanning are carried out simultaneously; Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a case in which the entirety of the touch electrodes of the touch indicator device according to embodiments is scanned during the touch scanning periods; Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a case in which the touch electrodes of the touch indicator device are alternately scanned during the touch scanning periods according to embodiments; Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a touch control method according to a first embodiment; Fig. 8 is a signal flow diagram illustrating times at which touch electrodes in the touch blocks are sampled by the touch control method according to the first embodiment; Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a touch control method according to a second embodiment; Fig. 10 is a signal flow diagram illustrating times at which touch electrodes in the touch blocks are sampled by the touch control method according to the second embodiment; Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a touch control method according to a third embodiment; Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a touch control method according to a fourth embodiment; Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a touch control method according to a fifth embodiment; Fig. 14 is a signal flow diagram illustrating the times at which touch electrodes in touch blocks are sampled by the touch control method according to the fifth embodiment; Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a touch control method according to a sixth embodiment; Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the touch control method according to the sixth embodiment; Fig. 17 to Fig. 19 diagrams illustrate a touch control method according to a seventh embodiment; Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a touch control method according to an eighth embodiment; Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing a touch control method according to a ninth embodiment; Fig. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the touch control method according to the ninth embodiment; and Fig. Figure 23 is a diagram illustrating a case in which the touch control method according to the embodiments is applied to mutual capacitive touch sensing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In the following description of examples or embodiments of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show specific examples or embodiments that can be implemented for illustration purposes and in which the same reference numerals and symbols can be used to denote the same or similar components, even if they are shown in different accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the following description of examples or embodiments of the present disclosure omits detailed descriptions of known functions and components contained herein where it is determined that such a description might render the subject matter rather unclear in some embodiments of the present disclosure.The terms used here, such as "including," "with," "containing," "forming," "consisting of," and "formed of," are generally intended to allow the addition of other components, unless the terms are used with the expression "only." The singular forms used here include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0031] Terms such as "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," or "(b)" may be used here to describe elements of revelation. Each of these terms is not used to define the nature, order, sequence, or number of the elements, etc., but merely to distinguish the respective element from other elements.

[0032] When it is stated that a first element is "connected or coupled" to a second element, "touches or overlaps" it, etc., this is to be understood as meaning that the first element can not only be "directly" "connected or coupled" to the second element, or "directly touch or overlap" it, but that a third element can also be "inserted" between the first and second elements, or that the first and second elements can be "connected or coupled" to each other via a fourth element, or that this fourth element can "touch or overlap," etc. Here, the second element can be contained within at least one of two or more elements that are "connected or coupled," "touch or overlap," etc.

[0033] When time-related terms such as "after", "following", "next", "before" and the like are used to describe processes or operations of elements or configurations or of sequences or steps in operational, processing or manufacturing procedures, these terms may be used to describe non-sequential or non-consecutive processes or operations unless the term "directly" or "immediately" is used at the same time.

[0034] Furthermore, when mentioning dimensions, relative sizes, etc., it should be taken into account that numerical values ​​for an element or feature, or corresponding information (e.g., level, range, etc.), include a tolerance or error range that may be caused by various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external influences, noise, etc.), even if no corresponding description is given.

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a touch display device according to exemplary embodiments.

[0036] Referring to Fig. 1. According to embodiments, the touch display device can be a display panel. DP , a gate driver circuit 110 , a data driver circuit 120 , a touch driver circuit 130 , a time control unit (T-CON) 140 and a microcontroller unit (MCU) 150 contain.

[0037] In the case of a liquid crystal display device, the display panel shows DP Images based on a sampling signal SCAN , which is from the gate driver circuit 110 via gate lines GL is transmitted, and a data voltage Vdata , which are from the data driver circuit 120 via data lines DL is transmitted to the display panel. DP It contains a liquid crystal layer located between two substrates and can operate in any known mode, e.g., Twisted-Nematic (TN) mode, Vertical Alignment (VA) mode, In-Plane Switching (IPS) mode, or Fringe-Field Switching (FFS) mode.

[0038] In the case of an organic light-emitting display device, a plurality of subpixels can be used. SP of the display panel DP through multiple data lines DL and a plurality of gate lines GL be defined. A subpixel SP can be a thin-film transistor (TFT), a pixel electrode, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), which is connected to the data voltage Vdata to supply a storage capacitor Cst , which is electrically connected to the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) to maintain the voltage, and similar components provided in an area where a data line is located. DL a gate line GL cuts.

[0039] A black matrix, a color filter, etc. can be placed on the upper substrate of the display panel. DP are planned, while thin-film transistors (TFTs), subpixels ( SP ), common electrodes (CEs), etc. on the lower substrate of the display panel DP They may be provided for. The display panel DP It can be equipped with a color filter-on-TFT (COT) structure. In this case, the black matrix and the color filter can be located on the lower substrate of the display panel. DP be attached.

[0040] The common electrodes, to which a common voltage is applied, can be located on the upper substrate or the lower substrate of the display panel. DP be provided. On the upper substrate and the lower substrate of the display panel. DP Polarizers are attached, and alignment layers are provided on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower substrates to adjust the inclination angles of the liquid crystal molecules in contact with the liquid crystal layer.

[0041] Between the upper substrate and the lower substrate of the display panel DP Column spacers are provided to maintain the cell spacing of the liquid crystal cells. A backlight unit is located beneath the lower surface of the lower polarizer of the display panel. DP The backlight unit can be implemented as an edge-lit backlight unit, a directly illuminated backlight unit, or similar, to illuminate the display panel. DP to illuminate.

[0042] Here, a touch-sensitive screen panel with an in-cell touch structure can be placed in a pixel field area of ​​the display panel. DP They are embedded. The in-cell touch-sensitive screen panel, for example, uses electrodes in the form of blocks (or dots) as touch electrodes, which are embedded inside the display panel. DP are planned.

[0043] The time control unit 140 controls the gate driver circuit 110 and the data driver circuit 120 The time control unit 140 receives timing signals, such as a vertical synchronization signal Vsync , a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync , a data release signal DE and a main clock signal MCLK as well as the data voltage Vdata of an image signal from a host system (not shown).

[0044] The time control unit 140 controls the gate driver circuit 110based on sampling time control signals, such as a gate start pulse signal GSP , a gate shift clock signal GSC and a gate output enable signal GOE Furthermore, the time control unit controls 140 the data driver circuit 120 based on data timing control signals, such as a source sampling clock signal SSC , a polarity control signal POL and a source-output enable signal SOE .

[0045] The gate driver circuit 110 controls a majority of gate lines GL sequentially, by displaying it on the display panel DP via a majority of gate lines GL sequentially the scan signal SCAN feeds in. The gate driver circuit can be located here. 110 also referred to as scan driver circuit or integrated gate driver circuit (GDIC).

[0046] The gate driver circuit 110It can contain one or more GDICs and, depending on the control method, be located on or next to one or both sides of the display panel. DP are located. Alternatively, the gate driver circuit can be 110 implemented using a gate-in-panel structure, where the gate driver circuit 110 into an aperture area of ​​the display panel DP is embedded.

[0047] The gate driver circuit 110 delivers under the control of the time control unit 140 sequentially the scan signal SCAN with an input or output voltage to the majority of gate lines GL In this context, the gate driver circuit can be used 110 It contains a shift register, a level shifter, and the like.

[0048] The data driver circuit 120 controls the majority of data lines DL by using the time control unit140 received data voltage Vdata to the majority of data lines DL delivers. The data driver circuit can be found here. 120 also referred to as a source driver circuit or as an integrated source driver circuit (SDIC).

[0049] The data driver circuit 120 It can contain one or more SDICs. The SDICs can be bonded to the display panel's bond pads using either a tape-automated bonding (TAB) or a chip-on-glass (COG) process. DP be connected, directly on the display panel DP be mounted or, in some cases, as integrated parts of the display panel DP on the display panel DP This is provided for. Furthermore, the SDICs can be implemented with a chip-on-film (COF) structure. In this case, the SDICs can be mounted on a circuit board and electrically connected to the data lines via the circuit board. DL of the display panel DP be connected.

[0050] If a specific gate line GL from the gate driver circuit 110 When switched on, the data driver circuit converts 120 the time control unit 140 received data voltage Vdata converts it into an analog image data voltage and supplies the analog image data voltage to the majority of data lines. DL .

[0051] The data driver circuit 120 can be located at the top or bottom (or above or below) of the display panel DP or both at the top and bottom (or above and below) of the display panel DP depending on the control method, design, or similar factors.

[0052] The data driver circuit 120It can contain a shift register, a latch circuit, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), an output buffer, and the like. The digital-to-analog converter is a component for converting the signal from the timing control unit. 140 received data voltage Vdata into an analog image data voltage that connects to the data lines DL is supplied.

[0053] The touch driver circuit 130 It detects a touch event (i.e., it determines whether a touch has occurred or not) and determines a touch position on the display panel. DP The touch driver circuit 130It can include a driver circuit that generates a driver voltage to activate the touch electrodes, and a sampling circuit that samples the touch electrodes and generates data from which the touch event, information about the touch coordinates, and similar data are recorded. The driver circuit and the sampling circuit of the touch driver circuit 130 can be an integrated circuit (IC) that can be used as a readout IC ( ROIC ) is referred to as, be implemented or provided as separate components that are divided according to the function.

[0054] Furthermore, the SDICs of the data driver circuit can 120 with the ROICs of the touch driver circuit 130 can be combined to create integrated source readout circuits SRIC to obtain.

[0055] The touch driver circuit 130 may be provided on an external substrate that is connected to the display panel DP is connected. The touch driver circuit 130 is via a multiple of sensor lines SL with the display panel DP connected. The touch driver circuit 130 The touch event and touch position can be determined based on a capacitance difference between the touch electrodes in the display panel. DP Determine. This means that a capacitance difference occurs between a point touched by a user's finger and a point not touched by the finger, and the touch driver circuit 130 Determines the touch event and position by sensing the capacitance difference. The touch driver circuit 130 generates a touch sampling voltage with respect to the touch event and the position and transmits the touch sampling voltage to the microcontroller unit. 150 .

[0056] The microcontrol unit 150controls the touch driver circuit 130 The microcontrol unit 150 Can a control synchronization signal Csync be sent from the time control unit? 140 received and a touch synchronization signal Tsync based on the control synchronization signal to generate the touch driver circuit 130 to control the microcontroller unit 150 sends and receives touch scanning signals or similar to and from the touch driver circuit 130 based on an intermediately defined interface IF.

[0057] The microcontrol unit can be used in this process 150 with the touch control circuit 130 can be combined with a touch control circuit consisting of an IC or with the time control unit 140 to be combined into a control circuit consisting of an IC.

[0058] Furthermore, the touch display device can contain a memory (MEM). The memory can store the data from the time control unit. 140 output data voltage Vdata temporarily store and the data voltage Vdata at preset times to the data driver circuit 120 Output the memory can be inside or outside the data driver circuit. 120 be arranged. In a case where the memory is located outside the data driver circuit 120 If arranged, the memory can be located between the time control unit. 140 and the data driver circuit 120 be arranged. In addition, the memory can contain a buffer memory to store the data voltage received from an external source. Vdata to store and the stored data voltage Vdata to the time control controller 140 to deliver.

[0059] Furthermore, the touch display device may include an interface that allows it to input and output signals to and from other external electronic devices or components, or to communicate with them. The interface may include, for example, at least one Low-Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) interface, one Serial Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) interface, or a combination thereof.

[0060] The touch display device can be one of several device types, e.g., a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting display, and a plasma screen.

[0061] The touch indicator device can detect a touch event and the touch coordinates based on the data transmitted at the touch electrodes ( TE Determine the generated capacity.

[0062] The touch indicator device can detect a touch by capacitance-based touch sensing, and in particular, it can detect a touch by mutual capacitive touch sensing or self-capacitive touch sensing.

[0063] In mutual capacitive touch sensing, a plurality of touch electrodes can be categorized as drive electrodes, to which a touch driver signal is applied via drive lines, and as sensing electrodes, from which a sensing signal is generated via sensing lines, with the sensing electrodes and drive electrodes forming a capacitance. The drive lines and the sensing lines can be collectively referred to as touch lines (TL).

[0064] In mutual capacitance touch sensing, a touch event, touch coordinates, or similar can be determined based on changes in mutual capacitance generated between the driver electrodes and the sensing electrodes depending on the presence of a pointer, such as a finger or a pen (or stylus).

[0065] In self-capacitive touch sensing, each of the touch electrodes serves as both a driver electrode and a sensing electrode. This means that the touch driver signal is applied to each of the touch electrodes, and a driver circuit is used. 130 The touch sensing signals are received via the touch electrodes, to which the touch driver signal is applied. Accordingly, in self-capacitive touch sensing, there is no distinction between the driver electrodes and the sensing electrodes.

[0066] In self-capacitive touch sensing, a touch event, touch coordinates, or similar information can be determined based on capacitance changes generated between the pointer, e.g., a finger or a pen, and the touch electrodes.

[0067] In this way, the touch indicator device can detect a touch through mutual capacitive touch sensing or self-capacitive touch sensing.

[0068] Furthermore, the touch display device can be one of several different device types, such as a liquid crystal display, an organic light display, and a plasma display panel.

[0069] Fig. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the touch-sensitive screen panel provided in the display panel of the touch display device according to the embodiments.

[0070] Referring to Fig. 2. The touch-sensitive screen panel can have an in-cell touch structure, in which the touch-sensitive screen panel is divided into a pixel field area of ​​the display panel. DP It is embedded. Here, the touch-sensitive screen panel with the in-cell touch structure can share common electrodes. CE , which are within the display panel DP provided in the form of blocks or points, as contact electrodes TE use.

[0071] In the touch-sensitive screen panel with the in-cell touch structure, each of the common electrodes forms CE , which are in the majority of the display panel DP The intended subpixels contain a touch electrode. TE The contact electrodes TE can be accessed through the display panel DP separately provided common electrodes CE be defined.

[0072] The majority of contact electrodes TE can be arranged in rows and columns within an active area of ​​the display panel. DP be arranged. With the contact electrodes TE Each scanning line can be used SL be connected, via which touch scanning signals are received.

[0073] The contact electrodes TE Capacitive sensors can detect touch input based on capacitance. Capacitance can be categorized into mutual capacitance and intrinsic capacitance. Intrinsic capacitance can be generated along a single-layer conductor extending in one direction, while mutual capacitance can be generated between two perpendicularly intersecting conductors.

[0074] The contact electrodes TE They serve to supply subpixels with a common voltage Vcom during the display periods and to detect touch input by sending a touch driver signal during the touch sampling periods. TDS received.

[0075] Fig. Figure 3 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of the control of the display and the touch scanning of the touch display device according to embodiments in which the control of the display and the touch scanning are performed in split time intervals, i.e. time slots.

[0076] Referring to Fig. 3. According to embodiments, the touch indicator device can perform touch detection by controlling the touch electrodes. TE of the display panel DP perform the operation during time periods (i.e., empty periods) between the display control periods.

[0077] For example, the touch display device can perform touch scanning during vertical blank periods that are present in each image frame. Alternatively, the touch display device can perform touch scanning during some of a plurality of horizontal blank periods in an image frame.

[0078] In a case where the common electrodes CE of the display panel DP than the contact electrodes TE The common voltage Vcom can be applied to the touch electrodes during the display drive periods. TE be applied, and the touch driver signal TDS can be accessed at the touch electrodes during the touch scanning periods. TE be created.

[0079] The touch driver signal TDS It can be a pulse signal whose voltage level changes over time.

[0080] Since the display is not driven during the touch scanning periods, there may be no voltage present at the electrodes or signal lines for driving the display, or they may be in a constant voltage state. Consequently, parasitic capacitances may exist between the touch electrodes. TE , to which the touch driver signal TDS is installed, the gate lines GL , the data lines DL etc. arise, and the detection performance for the touch scanning signals can be impaired by the parasitic capacitance.

[0081] To avoid parasitic capacitances that occur between the contact electrodes TE , the gate lines GL and the data lines DL A load-free control can be generated to reduce the effect of the parasitic capacitance of the contact electrodes. TE The result of the touch sensing is used to apply a load-free alternating current (AC) driver signal with the same voltage and phase as the touch driver signal. TDS to the surrounding contact electrodes TE , data lines DL and gate lines GL is delivered which are not subject to touch scanning during the touch scanning periods.

[0082] Such a load-free control provides the data voltage Vdata of the input image signal to the data lines DL and simultaneously delivers a gate pulse, consisting of a gate high voltage and a gate low voltage, to the gate lines. GL during the display drive periods. Additionally, the no-load drive during the touch sampling periods provides a no-load common voltage and a no-load gate low voltage in synchronization with the touch driver signal. TDS to the data lines DL or the gate lines GL .

[0083] The unloaded signal can be sent to all data lines. DL and to the entirety of the display panel DP arranged gate lines GL can be applied. Alternatively, the unloaded signal can also be applied only to a portion of the data lines. DL belonging to the touch electrodes to be scanned TE or on a part of the gate lines GL belonging to the touch electrodes to be scanned TE be created.

[0084] As described above, the supply of the alternating signal, its amplitude and phase can be combined with those of the touch driver signal. TDS agree, to the gate lines GL , the data lines DL and similar parasitic capacitances between the contact electrodes TE and the scanning lines SL prevent and thereby improve the ability to detect touch scanning signals.

[0085] This is because the voltages at both terminals of the parasitic capacitor change simultaneously, and the amount of electrical charge stored in the parasitic capacitor decreases as the difference between the voltages decreases. Theoretically, the amount of electrical charge stored in the parasitic capacitor can be zero (0) under no-load operation. Accordingly, a no-load effect can be achieved that is equivalent to that obtained in a case without parasitic capacitance.

[0086] Furthermore, the touch display device can simultaneously perform display control and touch scanning.

[0087] Fig. Figure 4 is a timing diagram showing another example of the control of the display and the touch scanning of the touch display device according to embodiments in which the control of the display and the touch scanning are performed simultaneously.

[0088] Referring to Fig. 4. According to embodiments, the touch display device can simultaneously perform touch scanning during the display control periods.

[0089] Here, the touch sampling periods can be the same as the display control periods, or they can be gap periods between multiple display control periods. This means that touch sampling can be performed independently of display control, and thus touch sampling and display control can be performed simultaneously.

[0090] In a case where touch sensing occurs simultaneously with display control, the touch driver signal can TDS to the contact electrodes TE be applied. The data voltage Vdata can be connected to the data lines DL a gate high voltage can be created to control the display. VGH , a low-voltage gate VGL etc., which are used for outputting the applied sampled signal, to the gate lines GL be created.

[0091] Here, in a case where the common electrodes of the display panel DP than the contact electrodes TE A voltage difference corresponding to the image data is used between a common electrode and a corresponding pixel electrode, to which the data voltage is applied. Vdata is applied, not formed, because the touch driver signal TDS to the contact electrodes TE is created.

[0092] This means that the voltage of the touch driver signal TDS As the voltage changes over time, there may not be a voltage difference corresponding to the image data between the common electrode to which the touch driver signal is sent. TDS is applied, and the pixel electrode is formed. Therefore, the subpixels express SP The light intensities may not correspond to the image data.

[0093] Accordingly, the touch driver signal can be used as the basis. TDS modulated data voltage Vdata the data lines DL are supplied so that the voltage difference corresponding to the image data is generated between the common electrode to which the touch driver signal is applied. TDS is applied, and the pixel electrode, to which the touch driver signal is applied. TDS modulated data voltage Vdata is created, can be formed.

[0094] The modulation of the data voltage Vdata This can be done, for example, by modulating a gamma voltage, which is used to generate the data voltage. Vdata in the data driver circuit 120 is used. Alternatively, one can also be used for the display panel. DP The set ground voltage can be modulated so that a modulated data voltage is achieved. Vdata to the data lines DL can be delivered.

[0095] Furthermore, the gate high voltage VGH and the gate low voltage VGL , which are used to generate the gate lines GL the supplied sampling signal is used, based on the touch driver signal. TDS be modulated so that the modulated sampling signal is sent to the gate lines GL can be set up to connect the gate lines GL to be controlled normally.

[0096] As described above, the gate high voltage VGH and the gate low voltage VGL , which are used to generate the signal to the gate lines GL the supplied sampling signal is used, and the data lines DL applied data voltage Vdata based on the touch driver signal TDS can be modulated so that the display control and touch scanning can be performed simultaneously.

[0097] Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a case in which the entirety of the touch electrodes of the touch indicator device according to embodiments is scanned during the touch scanning periods.

[0098] Referring to Fig. 5. In the touch indicator device according to embodiments, the majority of touch electrodes can be arranged. TE of the display panel DP into a plurality of touch blocks TB They can be grouped. Each of the multiple touch blocks TB refers to an area of ​​a predetermined number of contact electrodes, to which the gate driver circuit provides the signal. 110 via a multiplexer MUX applied sampling signal and the signal from an integrated source readout circuit SRIC applied touch driver signal TDS be supplied simultaneously.

[0099] This section described, as an example, that the touch driver signal TDS from the integrated source readout circuits SRIC is created, which is achieved through the combination of the SDICs of the data driver circuit. 120 and the ROIC the touch driver circuit 130 be provided.

[0100] For example, in a case where the contact electrodes are connected to 4 columns, TE applied touch driver signal TDS from an integrated source readout circuit SRIC and that on 4 rows of contact electrodes TE applied sampling signal from a multiplexer MUX Each of the touch blocks is controlled TB from 16 contact electrodes TE1 , ..., and TE16 consist of elements arranged in a 4x4 matrix.

[0101] Here, a multiplexer can be used in multiplexers. MUX1 , ..., and MUXn The sampling signal is delivered at different times. This allows for touch scanning on the first to fourth row of touch electrodes. TE , which were from the first multiplexer MUX1 to be controlled, and at the fifth to eighth rows of touch electrodes TE , which are from the second multiplexer MUX2 be controlled, are carried out, whereby the touch driver signal TDS independently of the first to fourth rows of contact electrodes TE and the fifth to eighth rows of contact electrodes TE is created.

[0102] In this structure, in a time segment where the touch synchronization signal Tsync after the application of the gate start pulse signal GSP is kept at a low level if any multiplexer MUX with the touch driver signal TDS is controlled via the corresponding integrated source readout circuit SRIC The entirety of the 16 contact electrodes is applied. TE1 , ... and TE16 , which are located in each of the touch blocks TB are located, which have a multiplexer MUX and an integrated source readout circuit SRIC are assigned and scanned.

[0103] If the touch driver signal is present here TDS through all integrated source readout circuits SRIC is delivered, while the sampling signal is sent to all multiplexers MUX1 , ..., and MUXn If applied during a touch scanning period or in a touch frame, the entirety of the touch electrodes can TE be scanned simultaneously.

[0104] As described above, in a case where the entirety of the contact electrodes TE During a touch scanning period, a touch event and a touched position are detected, regardless of which section of the display panel is being scanned. DP the finger or pen is positioned so that the sensitivity of the touch sensing can be maximized.

[0105] However, this case inevitably increases power consumption, as the entire set of contact electrodes is scanned, regardless of whether the contact electrodes are located in the touched area or not.

[0106] Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a case in which the touch electrodes of the touch indicator device are alternately scanned during the touch scanning periods according to embodiments.

[0107] Referring to Fig. 6. According to embodiments, the touch indicator device can alternately display odd and even touch electrodes of the 16 touch electrodes. TE1 , ... and TE16 in each of the touch blocks TB scan, which are simultaneously processed by the individual multiplexer MUX and the single integrated source readout circuit SRIC can be controlled. The term "odd touch electrodes" may refer to the 8 touch electrodes that correspond to the dark fields in the Fig. 6 correspond to the chessboard arrangement shown, i.e., the term “odd touch electrodes” can refer to the 8 touch electrodes that correspond to the dark squares in the Fig. correspond to the 6 shown checkerboard arrangement, i.e., the 8 contact electrodes TE1 , TE3 , TE6 , TE8 , TE9 , TE11 , TE14 and TE16 , and the term “straight contact electrodes” can refer to the 8 contact electrodes that correspond to the white fields in the Fig. correspond to the 6 shown checkerboard arrangement, i.e., the 8 contact electrodes TE2 , TE4 , TE5 , TE7 , TE10 , TE12 , TE13 and TE15 .

[0108] This means that the sampling can be achieved by simultaneously applying the sampling signal and the touch driver signal. TDS to the odd contact electrodes TE1 , TE3 , ..., and TE16 among the 16 contact electrodes TE1 , ..., and TE16 , which are located in each of the individual touch blocks, in odd touch sampling periods (or odd touch frames) and simultaneous application of the sampling signal and the touch driver signal TDS to the straight contact electrodes TE2 , TE4 , ..., and TE15 among the 16 contact electrodes TE1 , ..., and TE16 , which are located in the same touch block, are performed in even touch sampling periods.

[0109] In a case where the contact electrodes TE , which are located in each of the touch blocks TB Since the touch blocks are alternately scanned as described above, the power consumption for touch sensing can be reduced. However, using this control method can inevitably reduce the sensitivity for touch detection in the touch blocks. TB reduce.

[0110] If a touch occurs in any touch block TB (i.e., a touch sensor block) TSB ) is detected, the touch indicator device of the present disclosure can determine the number of touch electrodes to be scanned in the touch scanning block. TSB , in which a touch is detected, increase, while reducing the number of touch electrodes to be scanned in non-touch scanning blocks where no touch is detected, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining sensitivity in touch scanning.

[0111] Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a touch control method according to a first embodiment, while Fig. 8 is a signal flow diagram illustrating times at which touch electrodes in touch blocks are sampled by the touch control method according to the first embodiment.

[0112] Referring to Fig. 7. The touch control method according to the first embodiment can continuously control all touch electrodes. TE scanning, which are located in the touch sensor block TSB are located in which a touch is detected, while alternating odd-numbered touch electrodes TE and especially touch electrodes TE are scanned in non-touch blocks where no touch is detected, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining touch sensitivity.

[0113] In the following description, it is assumed, as in the case described above, that each of the contact blocks TB from 16 contact electrodes TE1 , ... and TE16 consists of elements arranged in a 4x4 matrix, such that the touch driver signal TDS , which is located at 4 columns of the contact electrodes TE is created by an integrated source readout circuit SRIC is controlled, and that the sampling signal, which is applied to 4 rows of the touch electrodes TE is created by a multiplexer MUX is controlled.

[0114] For example, in the middle of the fifth to eighth row of touch electrodes TE , which are from the second multiplexer MUX2 to be controlled, a touch in the touch sensing block TSB can be detected by touch scanning in response to the touch driver signal. TDS is carried out by a second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 is applied. In this case, all 16 contact electrodes can be used. TE1 , ..., and TE16 in the touch sensing block TSB are continuously scanned, while the odd-numbered contact electrodes TE1 , TE3 , ..., and TE16 and the straight contact electrodes TE2 , TE4 , ..., and TE15 in the non-touch blocks TB , except for the touch sensor block TSB , can be scanned alternately.

[0115] Since it is very likely that a touch operation that occurs in the display panel DP Since the procedure is typically carried out along a continuous line from a point of contact to adjacent points, it is possible that, even if the totality of the contact electrodes TE in the touch sensor block TSB , in which a touch is detected, is continuously scanned and the remaining touch blocks TB The sensors are scanned alternately, as in the first embodiment, so that the sensitivity during touch scanning is not reduced and an effect on reducing power consumption is achieved.

[0116] That is, while the sampling signal from the second multiplexer MUX2 When created, the second integrated source readout circuit can be used. SRIC2 the totality of the touch scanning signals from the 16 touch electrodes TE1 , ..., and TE16 sample, whereas, while the sampling signal is processed by the other multiplexers MUX1 , MUX3 , ..., and MUXn The touch scanning signals are applied from the 8 odd-numbered touch electrodes. TE1 , TE3 , ..., and TE16 or the 8 straight contact electrodes TE2 , TE4 , ..., and TE15 can be sampled. Accordingly, the power consumption can be determined. P (Watt) for controlling the integrated source readout circuit SRIC to half the original value ( 1 / 2 P ) will be reduced.

[0117] Fig.Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a touch control method according to a second embodiment, while Fig. 10 is a signal flow diagram illustrating times at which touch electrodes in touch blocks are sampled by the touch control method according to the second embodiment.

[0118] Referring to Fig. 9. The touch control method according to the second embodiment can continuously detect all touch electrodes located in the touch scanning block. TSB The system is located in blocks where touch is detected, while in non-touch blocks where no touch is detected, four touch electrodes are sequentially scanned per frame. In this way, the touch control method can reduce power consumption while maintaining sensitivity during touch sensing.

[0119] For example, in the middle of the fifth to eighth row of touch electrodes THE , which are passed through the second multiplexer MUX2 to be controlled, a touch in the touch sensing block TSB can be detected by touch scanning in response to the touch driver signal. TDS is carried out by the second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 is applied. In this case, all 16 contact electrodes can be used. TE1 , ... and TE16 in the touch sensing block TSB continuously scanned, whereas square matrices are scanned by 4 contact electrodes TE1 , TE2 , TE5 and TE6 ; TE3 , TE4 , TE7 and TE8 ; TE9 , TE10 , TE13 , TE14 ; and TE11 , TE12 , TE15 and TE16 in each of the non-touch blocks TB, except for the touch sensor block TSB , can be sampled sequentially per frame. That is, the four touch electrodes of each square matrix can be sampled in four consecutive frames. In other words, each touch electrode of a square matrix of touch electrodes can be sampled in one of the four consecutive frames. For example, as in Fig. Figure 9 shows, for example, the contact electrodes. TE1 , TE3 , TE9 and TE11 in each of the non-touch blocks TB The touch electrodes are scanned in a 4Nth frame. TE2 , TE4 , TE10 and TE12 in each of the non-touch blocks TB can be sampled in a 4N+1-th frame, the touch electrodes TE5 , TE7 , TE13 and TE15 in each of the non-touch blocks TBcan be sampled in a 4N+2 frame, and the touch electrodes TE6 , TE8 , TE14 and TE16 in each of the non-touch blocks TB can be sampled in a 4N+3 frame. The 4N-th frame, the 4N+1-th frame, the 4N+2-th frame, and the 4N+3-th frame denote four consecutive frames.

[0120] Since it is very likely that one is in the display panel DP Since the contact is typically performed along a continuous line from one point of contact to adjacent points, it is possible that, even if the totality of the contact electrodes THE in the touch sensing block TSB , in which a touch is detected, is continuously scanned and the 4 touch electrodes TE1 , TE2 , TE5 and TE6 in the remaining contact blocks TBas in the second embodiment, sequential scanning per image, the sensitivity during touch scanning is not reduced and an effect to reduce energy consumption is achieved.

[0121] That is, during the sampling signal that comes from the second multiplexer MUX2 When created, the second integrated source readout circuit can be used. SRIC2 the totality of the touch scanning signals from the 16 touch electrodes TE1 , ... and TE16 capture. In addition, the sampling signal can be captured by the other multiplexers. MUX1 , MUX3 and ... is applied, the touch scanning signals are sampled from the 4 touch electrodes. Accordingly, the current consumption for controlling the integrated source readout circuit can be determined. SRIC be reduced.

[0122] Fig.Figure 11 is a diagram showing a touch control method according to a third embodiment.

[0123] Referring to Fig. 11. The touch control method according to the third embodiment can continuously control all touch electrodes. THE scanning, which are located in the touch sensor block TSB The system is located in the area where a touch is detected, while alternately scanning odd rows of touch electrodes and even rows of touch electrodes located in non-touch blocks where no touch is detected, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining sensitivity in touch scanning.

[0124] For example, in the middle of the fifth to eighth row of touch electrodes THE , which are from the second multiplexer MUX2 to be controlled, a touch in the touch sensing block TSBcan be detected by touch scanning in response to the touch driver signal. TDS is carried out by the second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 is applied. In this case, all 16 contact electrodes can be used. TE1 , ..., and TE16 in the touch sensing block TSB are continuously scanned, while the odd rows of touch electrodes and the even rows of touch electrodes in the non-touch blocks TB , which do not belong to the touch scanning block TSB belong, can be scanned alternately.

[0125] Since it is very likely that one is in the display panel DP Since the contact is typically performed along a continuous line from one point of contact to neighboring points, it is possible that, even if the totality of the contact electrodes THEin the touch sensor block TSB , in which a touch is detected, is continuously scanned, and the odd rows of touch electrodes and the even rows of touch electrodes in the remaining touch blocks TB as in the third embodiment, where the sensors are alternately scanned, the sensitivity during touch scanning is not reduced, and an effect to reduce power consumption is achieved.

[0126] That is, while the sampling signal from the second multiplexer MUX2 When created, the second integrated source readout circuit can be used. SRIC2 the totality of the touch scanning signals from the 16 touch electrodes TE1 , ... and TE16 capture, whereas, while the sampling signal is captured by the other multiplexers MUX1 , MUX3 , ..., and MUXn The touch scanning signals from the 8 touch electrodes are applied. TE1 , TE2 , TE3 , TE4 , TE9 , TE10 , TE11 and TE12 , which are located in the odd rows, or the 8 touch electrodes TE5 , TE6 , TE7 , TE8 , TE13 , TE14 , TE15 and TE16 , which are located in the even rows, can be sampled. Accordingly, the power consumption for controlling the integrated source readout circuit can be determined. SRIC be reduced.

[0127] Fig. Figure 12 is a diagram showing a touch control method according to a fourth embodiment.

[0128] Referring to Fig. 12. The touch control method according to the third embodiment can continuously control all touch electrodes THE scanning, which are located in the touch sensor block TSB are located in which a touch is detected, while alternating odd-numbered gaps of touch electrodes THEand straight gaps of contact electrodes THE are scanned in non-touch blocks where no touch is detected, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining touch sensitivity.

[0129] For example, in the middle of the fifth to eighth row of touch electrodes THE , which are from the second multiplexer MUX2 to be controlled, a touch in the touch sensing block TSB can be detected by touch scanning in response to the touch driver signal. TDS is carried out by the second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 is applied. In this case, all 16 contact electrodes can be used. TE1 , ... and TE16 in the touch sensing block TSB are continuously scanned, while the odd-numbered slots of the contact electrodes THEand the straight gaps of the contact electrodes THE in the non-touch blocks TB , except for the touch sensor block TSB , can be scanned alternately.

[0130] Since it is very likely that one is in the display panel DP Since the contact is typically performed along a continuous line from one point of contact to neighboring points, it is possible that, even if the totality of the contact electrodes THE in the touch sensing block TSB , in which a touch is detected, is continuously scanned and odd gaps of touch electrodes THE and the straight slits of contact electrodes THE in the remaining contact blocks TBalternate scanning as in the fourth embodiment, the sensitivity during touch scanning is not reduced and an effect to reduce power consumption is achieved.

[0131] That is, while the sampling signal from the second multiplexer MUX2 When created, the second integrated source readout circuit can be used. SRIC2 the totality of the touch scanning signals from the 16 touch electrodes TE1 , ... and TE16 capture, whereas, while the sampling signal is captured by the other multiplexers MUX1 , MUX3 , ... and MUXn The touch scanning signals of the 8 touch electrodes are applied. TE1 , TE5 , TE9 , TE13 , TE3 , TE7 , TE11 and TE15 in the odd columns or the 8 contact electrodes TE2 , TE6 , TE10 , TE14 , TE4 , TE8 , TE12 and TE16 The data can be sampled in the even-numbered columns. Accordingly, the power consumption for controlling the integrated source readout circuit can be determined. SRIC be reduced.

[0132] Fig. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a touch control method according to a fifth embodiment, while Fig. 14 is a signal flow diagram illustrating times at which touch electrodes in touch blocks are sampled by the touch control method according to the fifth embodiment.

[0133] Referring to Fig. 13. The touch control method according to the fifth embodiment can continuously control all touch electrodes. THE scanning, which are located in touch blocks TB in the same column as the touch sensor block TSB are located in which a touch is detected, while alternating odd-numbered touch electrodes THEand especially touch electrodes THE are scanned in non-touch blocks where no touch is detected, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining touch sensitivity.

[0134] In a case where each of the touch blocks TB from 16 contact electrodes TE1 , ... and TE16 consists of elements arranged in a 4x4 matrix, and the touch driver signal TDS , which is connected to 4 columns of contact electrodes THE is created by an integrated source readout circuit SRIC The touch blocks can be controlled as in the cases described above. TB , which are located in the same columns, in response to the touch driver signal TDS , which is simultaneously achieved through the single integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 The area is created and simultaneously scanned.

[0135] For example, in the middle of the fifth to eighth row of touch electrodes THE , which are from the second multiplexer MUX2 to be controlled, a touch in the touch sensing block TSB can be detected by touch scanning in response to the touch driver signal. TDS , which is from the second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 is created, is carried out. In this case, as a reaction to the simultaneous input from the second integrated source readout circuit, SRIC2 applied touch driver signal TDS the entirety of the 16 contact electrodes TE1 , ... and TE16 the contact blocks TB , which are located in the same column as the touch scanning block TSB are located and are continuously scanned.

[0136] In contrast, in the touch blocks TB , which are equipped with integrated source readout circuits SRIC1 , SRIC3 , ... and SRIC are connected, with the exception of the second integrated circuit SRIC2 , the odd contact electrodes TE1 , TE3 , ... and TE16 and the straight contact electrodes TE2 , TE4 , ... and TE15 be scanned alternately.

[0137] Since it is very likely that a touch operation that occurs in the display panel DP The procedure is typically carried out along a continuous line that starts from one point of contact to adjacent points; it is possible that, even if the totality of the contact electrodes THE in the touch blocks that are located in the same columns as the touch scanning block TSB are located in which a touch is detected, are continuously scanned, and the remaining touch blocks TBalternate scanning, as in the fifth embodiment, the sensitivity during touch scanning is not reduced, and an effect to reduce power consumption is achieved.

[0138] This means that touch sensing can be achieved by simultaneously applying the touch driver signal. TDS about the 16 contact electrodes TE1 , ... and TE16 in the totality of the contact blocks TB are performed that are located in the same column as the touch scanning block. TSB , in which a touch is detected and which is connected to the second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 is connected, while the integrated source readout circuits SRIC1 , SRIC3 , ... and SRIC , except for the second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 , alternating odd-numbered contact electrodes THE and especially touch electrodes THEIt can detect objects located in non-touch blocks where no touch is detected. Accordingly, the power consumption for controlling the integrated source readout circuit can be reduced. SRIC be reduced.

[0139] Fig. Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating a touch control method according to a sixth embodiment, while Fig. Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating the touch control method according to the sixth embodiment.

[0140] Referring to Fig. 15. The touch control method according to the sixth embodiment can continuously control all touch electrodes. THE detecting those located in the touch scanning block TSBThe blocks in which a touch is detected are located, while non-touch blocks in which no touch is detected are sampled based on a plurality of active modes depending on the status of the touch indicator device, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining sensitivity in touch sensing.

[0141] The majority of active modes can, for example, include a first active mode ("Active Mode 1") and a second active mode ("Active Mode 2"). In the first active mode, in a case where all the touch electrodes are THE , which are located in the touch sensor block TSB In areas where touch is detected, continuously scanned; in non-touch blocks where no touch is detected, alternately odd-numbered touch electrodes are used. THE and especially touch electrodes THEcan be scanned. In the second active mode, in a case where all the contact electrodes are... THE , which are located in the touch scanning block TSB are located in which a touch is detected, are continuously scanned, in each of the non-touch blocks TB , except for the touch sensor block TSB , square matrices are sampled sequentially by four touch electrodes in four consecutive frames, similar to how in conjunction with Fig. 9 described.

[0142] In the middle of the fifth to eighth row of contact electrodes THE , which are passed through the second multiplexer MUX2 A touch in the touch sensing block can be controlled. TSB can be detected by touch scanning in response to the touch driver signal. TDS is carried out by the second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2is applied. In this case, in the first active mode, all 16 contact electrodes can be used. TE1 , ..., and TE16 in the touch sensing block TSB are continuously scanned, whereas the odd-numbered contact electrodes THE and the straight contact electrodes THE the contact blocks TB , except for the touch sensor block TSB , can be scanned alternately.

[0143] In the second active mode, all 16 touch electrodes can be used. TE1 , ..., and TE16 in the touch sensor block TSB are continuously scanned, and the 4 touch electrodes of each square matrix of four touch electrodes in each of the touch blocks TB , except for the touch sensor block TSB , can be sampled sequentially in four consecutive frames.

[0144] The active modes in which touch scanning is enabled on the touch sensor pad TSB The processes in which a touch is detected can be divided into the first active mode and the second active mode, as described above. This can be more effective when power consumption needs to be controlled in a targeted and efficient manner, depending on the status of the touch indicator device, such as the power supply strength or the presence of noise.

[0145] That is, as in Fig. Figure 16 shows that if no contact is detected, the entirety of the contact electrodes can be used. THE of the display panel DP They are scanned alternately in a sleep mode. If a touch occurs in any touch block... TB (i.e., the touch sensor block) TSB Once a signal is detected, the first active mode can be initiated. This means that all touch electrodes are activated. THEin the touch sensing block TSB can be continuously scanned, and in non-touch blocks where no touch is detected, odd-numbered touch electrodes can be used. THE and especially touch electrodes THE In the first active mode, the four touch electrodes are scanned alternately. If the power of the touch indicator device is reduced or if noise occurs, the second active mode of sequential scanning of four touch electrodes can be used. THE These steps can be carried out sequentially in non-contact blocks. Accordingly, the power consumption of the touch indicator device can be gradually reduced.

[0146] The control method described above is applicable because the contact electrodes THE the contact blocks TB can be used stepwise, although a method for alternating scanning of the contact electrodes is available. THE the contact blocks TBwith a 1 / 2 period and a method for scanning the contact electrodes THE the contact blocks TB can be used selectively with a 1 / 4 period.

[0147] Fig. 17 to Fig. Figure 19 are diagrams illustrating a touch control method according to a seventh embodiment.

[0148] With reference to the Fig. 17 to Fig. 19. The touch control method according to the seventh embodiment can continuously control the entirety of the touch electrodes of the touch blocks. TB scans that are located in the same columns as the touch sensor block TSB are located in which a touch is detected, while a plurality of touch electrodes THE under the contact electrodes THE in each of the non-contact blocks where no contact is detected, using a single scanning unit SSUis scanned, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining sensitivity during touch scanning.

[0149] For example, in the middle of the fifth to eighth row of touch electrodes THE , which are passed through the second multiplexer MUX2 to be controlled, a touch in the touch sensing block TSB can be detected by touch scanning in response to the touch driver signal. TDS is carried out by the second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 is applied. In this case, the touch driver signal can be used. TDS simultaneously to the touch sensor block TSB through the second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 can be applied, and the touch scanning signals can be received from the 16 touch electrodes. TE1 , ... and TE16 in the touch sensing block TSBThey can be detected. Simultaneously, multiple contact electrodes can be used. THE under the contact electrodes THE in each of the touch blocks TB , except for the touch sensor block TSB , from the individual recording unit SSU be scanned.

[0150] That is, the recording units SSU , which transmit the touch scanning signals in the integrated source readout circuit SRIC They can detect the touch scanning signal from each of the touch electrodes. THE received by the individual multiplexer MUX can be controlled. In particular, the touch sensing signal can be generated from any of the touch electrodes. THE in the touch sensor block TSB , in which a touch is detected by a scanning unit SSU are scanned, whereas a majority of touch electrodes THE under the contact electrodes THEin each of the non-contact blocks where no contact is detected, together with a scanning unit SSU can be connected. Accordingly, the number of detection units can vary. SSU This can be reduced, thereby decreasing electricity consumption.

[0151] In a Fig. In the case shown in 17, there are 4 contact electrodes (e.g. TE1 , TE2 , TE5 and TE6 ), which are arranged in the form of a square matrix, are connected together with a detection unit (e.g. SSU1) in each of the non-contact blocks where no contact is detected, thereby reducing the number of SSU detection units working for the non-contact blocks to 1 / 4.

[0152] Similarly, it shows Fig. 18 a case in which two contact electrodes (e.g. TE1 and TE2) in one line direction in each of the non-contact blocks where no contact is detected, are connected together to a detection unit (e.g. SSU1), thereby reducing the number of detection units SSUs working for the non-contact blocks to 1 / 2.

[0153] Additionally shows Fig. 19 a case in which two contact electrodes (e.g. TE1 and TE5 ) in a column direction in each of the non-contact blocks where no contact is detected, are connected together with a detection unit (e.g. SSU1), thereby reducing the number of detection units SSUs working for the non-contact blocks to 1 / 2.

[0154] Fig. Figure 20 is a diagram illustrating a touch control method according to an eighth embodiment.

[0155] Referring to Fig.20. The touch control method according to the eighth embodiment can have a larger number of touch electrodes TEs in the touch sensing block. TSB scanning in which a touch is detected is more efficient than in any of the non-touch blocks where no touch is detected, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining sensitivity in touch scanning.

[0156] It is possible that the touch control method does not apply to all of the touch electrodes (TEs) in the touch scanning block. TSB It does not scan by detecting a touch, but it can control the number of touch electrodes (TEs) to be scanned within a given time period.

[0157] That is, the number of contact electrodes THEThe number of electrodes that are simultaneously scanned in each of the non-touch blocks where no touch is detected can be chosen to be 1 / 4 the number of touch electrodes. THE in the non-touch block in a frame, whereas the number of touch electrodes THE , which are simultaneously in the touch sensor block TSB The number of touch electrodes can be selected to detect a touch, and can be chosen to be 1 / 2 the number of touch electrodes. TE in the touch sensor block TSB in a frame, such that odd contact electrodes TE and especially touch electrodes TE be scanned alternately.

[0158] For example, in the middle of the fifth to eighth row of touch electrodes TE , which are passed through the second multiplexer MUX2 to be controlled, a touch in the touch sensing block TSB can be detected by touch scanning in response to the touch driver signal. TDS is carried out by the second integrated source readout circuit SRIC2 is applied. In this case, the odd-numbered contact electrodes can be used. TE and the straight contact electrodes TE among the 16 contact electrodes TE1 , ... and TE16 in the touch sensing block TSB are scanned alternately, and the 4 touch electrodes TE each square matrix of 4 touch electrodes in each of the touch blocks TB , except for the touch sensor block TSB , can be sampled sequentially in four consecutive frames, i.e. with a 1 / 4 period.

[0159] In this case, the touch driver signal TDS also to the touch sensor block TSB The system can be set up by detecting a touch, and the activation time of the touch sensing can be reduced, thereby further reducing power consumption.

[0160] Fig. Figure 21 is a flowchart illustrating a touch control method according to a ninth embodiment, whereas Fig. Figure 22 is a flowchart illustrating the touch control method according to the ninth embodiment.

[0161] Referring to Fig. 21. The touch control method according to the ninth embodiment can determine the number of touch electrodes TEs that are sampled in idle mode, in which no touch is detected, and the number of touch electrodes TEs that are sampled in active mode, in which a touch is detected in any touch block. TB The number of touch electrodes (TEs) detected and scanned can be set differently. In particular, the number of touch electrodes scanned in active mode is set higher than the number of touch electrodes scanned in standby mode.

[0162] In standby mode, for example, the entirety of the touch electrodes TEs of the display panel are deactivated. DP driven with a 1 / 4 period, so that 4 touch electrodes are scanned sequentially per image (i.e., one of the four touch electrodes is scanned per image).

[0163] In contrast, in active mode, where a touch is registered in any touch block TB The sampling ratio of all contact electrodes (TEs) of the display panel is detected. DP modified so that it is higher than the sampling ratio, i.e. the 1 / 4 period, of the idle mode.

[0164] For example, in active mode, where a touch is detected, all touch electrodes (TEs) in the touch scanning block are activated. TSB , in which a touch is detected, is continuously sampled, and touch electrodes TEs in non-touch blocks in which no touch is detected are driven with a sampling ratio (e.g. a 1 / 2 period) that is higher than the sampling ratio (i.e. 1 / 4 period) of the idle mode.

[0165] That is, if a touch occurs in any touch block TB (i.e., the touch sensor block) TSB ) is detected, it is very likely that a device connected to the touch scanning block is involved. TSB adjacent touch block TB or another touch block TB is also touched. Therefore, the sampling ratio of non-touch blocks is controlled so that it is higher than the sampling ratio in idle mode.

[0166] In active mode, it is more effective to have a higher number of touch electrodes (TEs) in the touch scanning block. TSB to be scanned by detecting a touch that is greater than the number of touch electrodes (TEs) in another touch block TB They are scanned. Accordingly, in active mode, the touch electrodes TEs in the touch scanning block are scanned. TSB The remaining touch blocks TBs are represented as continuously sampled, and the remaining touch blocks TBs are represented as having a 1 / 2-period sampling ratio that is higher than the idle-mode sampling ratio.

[0167] As described above, in a case where the number of touch electrodes TEs in the touch block TB in sleep mode and in active mode, can be controlled incrementally, making it possible to maintain the sensitivity of the touch sensing in active mode, where a touch is detected, while effectively reducing power consumption in sleep mode, where no touch is detected.

[0168] Although the touch control method uses self-capacitive touch sensing, in which the touch driver signal TDS via a scanning line SL applied and the touch scanning signal via the same scanning line SL The touch control method described above as an example can be applied in the same way to mutual capacitive touch scanning, as described in the present disclosure.

[0169] Fig. Figure 23 is a diagram illustrating a case in which the touch control method according to the embodiments is applied to mutual capacitive touch sensing.

[0170] Referring to Fig. 23. The touch control method according to embodiments that use mutual capacitive touch sensing can provide a touch driver signal. TDS Apply control lines Tx to the touch electrodes TEs and receive touch scanning signals from the touch electrodes. TE Received via sampling lines Rx.

[0171] If a touch occurs in any touch block TB (i.e., the touch sensor block) TSB ) is detected, the touch driver signal can be TDS simultaneously to the touch sensor block TSB a touch is detected via the control lines Tx, and the touch scanning signals can be simultaneously transmitted via the touch scanning block. TSB The connected sampling lines Rx are received.

[0172] In contrast, for non-contact blocks where no contact is detected, the sampling ratio of the contact electrodes TEs can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption as described above. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] KR 1020190174870

[0001]

Claims

[1] A touch-indicating device comprising: a display panel (DP) wherein a touch-sensitive screen panel is embedded in the display panel (DP) which contains a plurality of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) arranged in a matrix form; and a touch circuit configured to scan the plurality of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) by grouping the plurality of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) into a plurality of touch blocks (TB) and controlling that a greater number of touch electrodes are scanned in a touch scanning block (TSB) among the plurality of touch blocks (TB) in which a touch is detected than in a non-touch block among the plurality of touch blocks (TB) in which no touch is detected. [2] The touch indicator device according to claim 1, wherein the touch circuit is configured to apply a touch driver signal (TDS) to the touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) in the touch blocks (TB) and to determine a touch event and a touch position using touch scanning signals received from the touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16). [3] The touch indicator device according to claim 2, wherein the touch circuit is configured such that the control lines (Tx) through which the touch driver signal (TDS) is applied are the same as or separate from the scanning lines (Rx) through which the touch scanning signals are received. [4] The touch indicator device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is further configured to continuously scan all touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) in the touch scanning block (TSB). [5] The touch indicator device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further configured to scan the touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) in the non-touch block with a 1 / 2 period. [6] The touch indicator device according to claim 5, further configured to scan the touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) in the non-touch block such that odd-numbered and even-numbered touch electrodes are scanned alternately, an odd row of touch electrodes and an even row of touch electrodes are scanned alternately, or An odd column of contact electrodes and an even column of contact electrodes are scanned alternately. [7] The touch indicator device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further configured to scan the touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) in the non-touch block with a 1 / 4 period, so that four adjacent touch electrodes are scanned successively. [8] The touch indicator device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further configured to scan the touch electrodes in the touch scanning block (TSB) with a 1 / 2 period, and to scan the touch electrodes in the non-touch block with a 1 / 4 period, so that four adjacent touch electrodes are scanned sequentially. [9] The touch display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further configured to control the scanning such that in an active mode of the display panel (DP) a larger number of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) are scanned in the touch scanning block (TSB) than in the touch scanning block (TSB) in a sleep mode of the display panel (DP). [10] The touch indicator device according to claim 9, further configured such that in active mode the number of first touch electrodes among the plurality of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) that are scanned in the touch scanning block (TSB) differs from the number of second touch electrodes among the plurality of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) that are scanned in the non-touch block, wherein the number of first touch electrodes is greater than the number of second touch electrodes. [11] Touch control method for a display panel (DP), wherein a touch-sensitive screen panel with a plurality of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) arranged in a matrix form is embedded in the display panel (DP), the method comprising: Scanning the majority of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) by grouping the majority of touch electrodes (TE1, ..., TE16) into a majority of touch blocks (TB); Determining a contact event in a contact block among the plurality of contact blocks (TB); and If the touch event is a result of the detection, control the scanning so that a larger number of touch electrodes are scanned in a touch block among the majority of touch blocks (TB) in which a touch is detected than in a touch block among the majority of touch blocks (TB) in which no touch is detected.

Images