Display apparatus

Abstract

The display device includes a touch panel comprising a plurality of electrodes and a touch driving unit for driving the touch panel, wherein the touch panel includes first electrodes extending in a first direction and second electrodes extending in a second direction and overlapping with the first electrodes, and the touch driving unit sequentially applies a transmission signal to the first electrodes in N (N is a positive integer) electrodes in a normal mode and sequentially applies the transmission signal to the first electrodes in Q (Q is a positive integer greater than N) electrodes in a biometric information measurement mode, and can measure biometric information based on the measurement value received from each electrode during a sensing interval including K (K is a positive integer) frames in the biometric information measurement mode.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a display device that operates a touch panel by distinguishing between a normal mode and a biometric information measurement mode. Background Technology

[0002] A touch panel is a device designed to recognize input actions or events by a user. Typically, a touch panel can detect the presence and location of a touch by generating an electrical signal when touched by a conductive object, such as a finger or a stylus pen. Touch panels are mounted on the upper surface of display panels, such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels or liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, or formed within the display panel. They can be classified into resistive, capacitive, electromagnetic, infrared, Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW), and Near Field Imaging (NFI) types. Among these various types of touch panels, capacitive touch panels, which measure changes in mutual capacitance, are widely used due to their fast response speed and thin profile.

[0003] Recently, touch panels require the measurement of not only the presence and location of a touch but also biometric information. However, there is a problem in that precise measurement of biometric information is impossible in capacitive methods because the change in mutual capacitance due to changes in biometric information is small. The problem to be solved

[0004] One objective of the present invention is to provide a display device that drives a touch panel by distinguishing between a normal mode and a biometric information mode, and precisely measures the change in mutual capacitance according to the change in biometric information in the biometric information mode. means of solving the problem

[0005] To achieve the objective of the present invention, a display device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a touch panel comprising a plurality of electrodes and a touch driving unit for driving the touch panel, wherein the touch panel includes first electrodes extending in a first direction and second electrodes extending in a second direction and overlapping with the first electrodes, and the touch driving unit drives the touch panel by dividing it into a normal mode and a biometric information measurement mode, and in the normal mode, sequentially applies a transmission signal to the first electrodes in groups of N (N is a positive integer), and in the biometric information measurement mode, sequentially applies the transmission signal to the first electrodes in groups of Q (Q is a positive integer greater than N), and in the biometric information measurement mode, can measure biometric information based on the measurement value received from each electrode during a sensing interval including K (K is a positive integer) frames.

[0006] In one embodiment, in the bio-information measurement mode, the transmission signal can be applied sequentially to the first electrodes in groups of Q electrodes, and then the transmission signal can be applied sequentially to the second electrodes in groups of Q electrodes.

[0007] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit may apply the transmission signal only to the preset fixed lines of the first electrodes and the second electrodes in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0008] In one embodiment, while a touch operation is detected in the biometric information measurement mode, the transmission signal may not be applied to the electrode where the measurement value does not exceed a preset reference value.

[0009] In one embodiment, the detection of the touch operation may be performed by determining whether the sum of the measurement values ​​generated by the transmission signal applied sequentially to Q electrodes exceeds a preset value.

[0010] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit can measure the bio-information at the intersection of the first electrodes and the second electrodes based on the measurement values ​​received from the first electrodes and the measurement values ​​received from the second electrodes.

[0011] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit may not measure the biometric information during a preset reference interval after switching modes.

[0012] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit may apply the transmission signal having a relatively higher voltage than the normal mode in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0013] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit can adjust the voltage of the transmission signal to increase over time in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0014] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit drives the biometric information measurement mode by dividing it into a first information mode and a second information mode, and the voltage of the transmission signal in the first information mode may be smaller than the voltage of the transmission signal in the second information mode.

[0015] To achieve another objective of the present invention, a display device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a touch panel comprising a plurality of electrodes and a touch driving unit for driving the touch panel, wherein the touch panel includes first electrodes extending in a first direction and second electrodes extending in a second direction and overlapping with the first electrodes, and the touch driving unit drives the touch panel by dividing it into a normal mode and a biometric information measurement mode, and in the normal mode, sequentially applies a transmission signal to the first electrodes in groups of N (N is a positive integer), and in the biometric information measurement mode, sequentially applies the transmission signal to the first electrodes in groups of Q (Q is a positive integer greater than N), and in the biometric information measurement mode, measures biometric information based on the measurement value received from each electrode during a sensing interval including K (K is a positive integer) frames, and can be adjusted to have a frame frequency relatively lower than that of the normal mode in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0016] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit can adjust the frame frequency to decrease over time in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0017] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit drives the biometric information measurement mode by dividing it into a first information mode and a second information mode, and the frame frequency in the first information mode may be greater than the frame frequency in the second information mode.

[0018] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit may apply the transmission signal having a relatively higher voltage than the normal mode in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0019] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit can adjust the voltage of the transmission signal to increase over time in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0020] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit may not measure the biometric information during a preset reference interval after switching modes.

[0021] To achieve another objective of the present invention, a display device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a touch panel comprising a plurality of electrodes and a touch driving unit for driving the touch panel, wherein the touch panel includes first electrodes extending in a first direction; and second electrodes extending in a second direction and overlapping with the first electrodes, and the touch driving unit drives the touch panel by dividing it into a normal mode and a biometric information measurement mode, and in the normal mode, sequentially applies a transmission signal to the first electrodes in groups of N (N is a positive integer), and in the biometric information measurement mode, sequentially applies the transmission signal to the first electrodes in groups of Q (Q is a positive integer greater than N), and in the biometric information measurement mode, measures biometric information based on the measurement value received from each electrode during a sensing interval including K (K is a positive integer) frames, and may apply the transmission signal having a relatively higher voltage than in the normal mode.

[0022] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit can adjust the voltage of the transmission signal to increase over time in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0023] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit drives the biometric information measurement mode by dividing it into a first information mode and a second information mode, and the voltage of the transmission signal in the first information mode may be smaller than the voltage of the transmission signal in the second information mode.

[0024] In one embodiment, the touch driving unit may not measure the biometric information during a preset reference interval after switching modes. Effects of the invention

[0025] A display device according to embodiments of the present invention can simultaneously apply more transmission signals than in normal mode in a biometric information measurement mode. Accordingly, since the time until all transmission signals are applied in the biometric information measurement mode is shortened, the display device can generate and receive more measurement values ​​during the same period than in normal mode. As a result, the display device can more precisely measure changes in mutual capacitance in the biometric information measurement mode than in normal mode.

[0026] A display device according to embodiments of the present invention can apply a transmission signal to the first electrodes and the second electrodes in a biometric information measurement mode. Since the display device considers both the measurement value received from the first electrodes and the measurement value received from the second electrodes, it can precisely measure the change in mutual capacitance at the intersection point.

[0027] A display device according to embodiments of the present invention can prevent unnecessary energy usage by not applying unnecessary transmission signals in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0028] A display device according to embodiments of the present invention can increase the fluctuation range of mutual capacitance according to changes in bio-information by adjusting the voltage of the transmitted signal to a high level in the bio-information measurement mode. Accordingly, the display device can have a high measurement value even with the same change in bio-information.

[0029] A display device according to embodiments of the present invention can measure various bio-information according to voltage by varying the voltage of the transmitted signal in a bio-information measurement mode.

[0030] A display device according to embodiments of the present invention can precisely measure changes in mutual capacitance according to changes in bio-information by receiving more measurement values ​​during one frame by adjusting the frame frequency to a low level in the bio-information measurement mode.

[0031] A display device according to embodiments of the present invention can measure various bio-information according to the frame frequency by varying the frame frequency in the bio-information measurement mode.

[0032] A display device according to embodiments of the present invention can reduce the number of frames required to measure biometric information by adjusting the frame frequency to a low level in the biometric information measurement mode. As a result, the display device can reduce the biometric information measurement time.

[0033] A display device according to embodiments of the present invention can avoid noise generation sections by not measuring biometric information in frames immediately after mode conversion. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0034] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a display device according to embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the touch driving unit of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the touch panel of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of Figure 1 driving a touch panel in normal mode. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of Figure 1 driving a touch panel in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display device of FIG. 1 measuring biometric information based on first sensing values ​​and second sensing values. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the touch driving unit of FIG. 1 after mode conversion. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 adjusting the voltage of a transmitted signal over time in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 adjusting the voltage of a transmitted signal over time in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 13a is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 adjusting the voltage of a transmitted signal within a frame in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 13b is a diagram showing an example of how the display device of FIG. 1 adjusts the voltage of a transmitted signal according to a frame in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel in normal mode. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 adjusting the frame frequency over time in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 adjusting the frame frequency over time in a biometric information measurement mode. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 adjusting the frame frequency according to the frame in a biometric information measurement mode. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0035] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a display device (100) according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the panel driving unit (200) of FIG. 1.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display device (100) may include a panel driver (200), a display panel (300), and a touch panel (400). The panel driver (200) may include a display panel (300) and a touch panel (400). The display panel (300) may include a plurality of pixels. The touch panel (400) may include a plurality of electrodes. The panel driver (200) may include an image driver (210) that drives the display panel (300) and a touch driver (220) that drives the touch panel (400). The touch panel (400) may be an add-on type touch panel attached to the display panel (300) or an embedded type touch panel formed within the display panel (300). For example, the touch panel (400) may be an on-cell type built-in touch panel or an in-cell type built-in touch panel, but is not limited thereto.

[0038] The display panel (300) can be driven by the image driving unit (210) to display an image. The display panel (300) may include a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines, and a plurality of pixels connected to the plurality of data lines and the plurality of gate lines. In one embodiment, the display panel (300) may be an organic light-emitting diode display panel in which each pixel includes an organic light-emitting diode. However, the display panel (300) is not limited to the organic light-emitting diode display panel and may be any display panel, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) panel, a FED (Field Emission Display) panel, etc.

[0039] The image driving unit (210) can drive the display panel (300) based on input image data (IMG) and control signals (CONT) provided from a processor (e.g., a Graphic Processing Unit (GPU). In one embodiment, the input image data (IMG) may be RGB data including red image data, green image data, and blue image data. Also, in one embodiment, the control signal (CONT) may include an input data enable signal, a master clock signal, a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, etc., but is not limited thereto. The image driving unit (210) can drive the display panel (300) by generating a display panel driving signal (DPS) based on the input image data (IMG) and control signals (CONT) and providing the display panel driving signal (DPS) to the display panel (300). In one embodiment, the display panel driving signal (DPS) may include the gate signal and the data signal, and the image driving unit (210) may include a gate driving unit that provides the gate signal to the display panel (300), and a display It may include a data driving unit that provides the data signal to the panel (300) and a driving control unit that controls the timing of the gate driving unit and the data driving unit, but is not limited thereto.

[0040] The touch panel (400) may be a capacitive touch panel that measures changes in mutual capacitance caused by the touch of a conductive object (e.g., finger, stylus pen, etc.). A detailed explanation will be provided later.

[0041] The touch driving unit (220) can apply a transmission signal (TXP) to the touch panel (400). The touch driving unit (220) can receive a measurement value (RXP) from the touch panel (400). The measurement value (RXP) may be the amount of change in mutual capacitance at the intersection point with the electrode to which the transmission signal (TXP) is applied at each electrode. When there is a touch of the conductive object at the intersection point, the mutual capacitance at the intersection point may decrease. The conductive object may be human skin. When there is a touch of the human skin at the intersection point, the mutual capacitance at the intersection point may decrease as the hydration level of the human skin increases.

[0042] The touch driving unit (220) can generate touch data (TD) representing the touch location of a conductive object based on measurement values ​​(RXP) received from each electrode during a sensing interval including K (where K is a positive integer) frames. The touch driving unit (220) can generate bio-information data (BD) including bio-information based on measurement values ​​(RXP) received from each electrode during one frame. The touch driving unit (220) can provide the touch data (TD) and bio-information data (BD) to the processor (500). The bio-information may be characteristics that differ from person to person, such as skin hydration and muscle density.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the touch panel of FIG. 1. The touch panel (400) may include first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) extending in a first direction (D1) and second electrodes (RXP; RXP1, RXP2, ...) extending in a second direction (D2) and overlapping with the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...). Energy may be transferred between the overlapping electrodes. The touch driving unit (220) may apply a transmission signal (TXP) to the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...). The transmission signal (TXP) may be an electrical signal. The touch driving unit (220) may receive a measurement value (RXP) from the touch panel (400). A measurement value (RXP) can be provided to a touch driving unit (220) through the second electrodes (RXP; RXP1, RXP2...) when a transmission signal (TXP) is applied to the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...). A measurement value (RXP) can be provided to a touch driving unit (220) through the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) when a transmission signal (TXP) is applied to the second electrodes (RXP; RXP1, RXP2, ...). The measurement value (RXP) may be the amount of change in the mutual capacitance at the intersection point between the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) and the second electrodes (RXP; RXP1, RXP2, ...) at any one electrode. Each of the electrodes may have a measurement value (RXP). The measurement value (RXP) may be the sum of the changes in mutual capacitance at all of the intersection points of any one electrode to which the transmission signal reaches when the transmission signal (TXP) is applied simultaneously to a plurality of the electrodes. There is no limit to the number of the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) and the second electrodes (RXP; RXP1, RXP2, ...).

[0044] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of the display device (100) of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel (400) in normal mode.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display device (100) of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel (400) in a biometric information measurement mode.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the touch driving unit (220) can drive the touch panel (400) by dividing it into the normal mode and the biometric information measurement mode. In the normal mode, the touch driving unit (220) can sequentially apply a transmission signal (TXP) to the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) in groups of N (N is a positive integer). In the biometric information measurement mode, the touch driving unit (220) can sequentially apply a transmission signal (TXP) to the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) in groups of Q (Q is a positive integer greater than N). If Q is equal to the number of the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...), the touch driving unit (220) can simultaneously apply the transmission signal (TXP) to all the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...). In the above bio-information measurement mode, the bio-information can be measured based on the measurement value (RXP) received from each electrode during the sensing interval including K frames.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, it is assumed that N is 1. In the normal mode, the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) can receive a transmission signal (TXP) sequentially, one electrode at a time. For example, the transmission signal (TXP) may be applied first to the first line (TXL1) of the first electrode. Secondly, the transmission signal (TXP) may be applied to the second line (TXL2) of the first electrode. Thirdly, the transmission signal (TXP) may be applied to the third line (TXL3) of the first electrode. Fourthly, the transmission signal (TXP) may be applied to the fourth line (TXL4) of the first electrode. This is merely an example, and the order of application is not fixed. Such sequential application of the transmission signal (TXP) may facilitate the measurement of the touch position.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 5, it is assumed that Q is 4. In the above biometric information measurement mode, the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) can receive a transmission signal (TXP) sequentially in groups of four electrodes. For example, the touch driving unit (220) can apply a transmission signal (TXP) to the first line (TXL1), the second line (TXL2), the third line (TXL3), and the fourth line (TXL4) of the first electrode at the same time. Accordingly, since the time until all transmission signals (TXP) are applied is shortened in the above biometric information measurement mode, the display device (100) can generate and receive more measurement values ​​(RXP) during the same time period than in the normal mode. As a result, the display device (100) can measure biometric information based on more measurement values ​​(RXP) even if the measurement value (RXP) is a small value in the above biometric information measurement mode. Accordingly, the display device (100) can measure changes in mutual capacitance more precisely than in normal mode in the bio-information measurement mode.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display device (100) of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel (400) in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, the touch driving unit (220) can sequentially apply a transmission signal (TXP) to Q electrodes at a time to the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) in the bio-information measurement mode, and then sequentially apply a transmission signal (TXP) to Q electrodes at a time to the second electrodes (RXL; RXL1, RXL2, ...). If Q is equal to the number of the second electrodes (RXL; RXL1, RXL2, ...), the touch driving unit (220) can simultaneously apply a transmission signal (TXP) to all the second electrodes (RXL; RXL1, RXL2, ...). The touch driving unit (220) can repeat the operation of sequentially applying a transmission signal (TXP) to Q electrodes at a time to the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) and sequentially applying a transmission signal (TXP) to Q electrodes at a time to the second electrodes (RXL; RXL1, RXL2, ...).

[0051] For example, assume that Q is 4. For example, after simultaneously applying a transmission signal (TXP) to line 1 (TXL1) of the first electrode, line 2 (TXL2) of the first electrode, line 3 (TXL3) of the first electrode, and line 4 (TXL4) of the first electrode, a transmission signal (TXP) can be simultaneously applied to line 1 (RXL1) of the second electrode, line 2 (RXL2) of the second electrode, line 3 (RXL3) of the second electrode, and line 4 (RXL4) of the second electrode.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 measuring the biometric information at the intersection in biometric measurement mode.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 7, the bio-information at the intersection of the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) and the second electrodes (RXL; RXL1, RXL2, ...) can be measured based on the measurement value (RXP) received from the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) and the measurement value (RXP) received from the second electrodes (RXL; RXL1, RXL2, ...).

[0054] For example, if a transmission signal (TXP) is applied only once to each of the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) and the second electrodes (RXL; RXL1, RXL2, ...) during one frame, the touch driving unit (220) can measure bio-information based on one measurement value (RXP) for each of the electrodes. The measurement value (RXP) at line 1 (TXL1) of the first electrode may have 1 (relative value). The measurement value (RXP) at line 2 (TXL2) of the first electrode may have 2 (relative value). The measurement value (RXP) at line 3 (TXL3) of the first electrode may have 3 (relative value). The measurement value (RXP) at line 4 (TXL4) of the first electrode may have 4 (relative value). The measurement value (RXP) at line 1 (RXL1) of the second electrode may have 4 (relative value). The measurement value (RXP) at line 2 (RXL2) of the second electrode may have 3 (relative value). The measurement value (RXP) at line 3 (RXL3) of the second electrode may have 2 (relative value). The measurement value (RXP) at line 4 (TXL4) of the second electrode may have 1 (relative value). The bio-information at the above intersection point may be measured based on the sum of the measurement values ​​(RXP) at the two electrodes intersecting at the above intersection point. For example, the bio-information at the above intersection point between line 1 (TXL1) of the first electrode and line 1 (RXL1) of the first electrode may be measured based on 8 (relative value), which is the sum of 4 and 4.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display device (100) of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel (400) in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 8, in the biometric information measurement mode, the transmission signal (TXP) can be applied only to the preset fixed lines of the first electrodes (TXL; TXL1, TXL2, ...) and the second electrodes (RXL; RXL1, RXL2, ...). For example, if the fixed lines are TXL2 and TXL3, the touch driving unit (220) may not apply the transmission signal (TXP) to any lines other than TXL2 and TXL3 in the biometric information measurement mode. Accordingly, the display device (100) can prevent unnecessary energy consumption by not applying unnecessary transmission signals (TXP) in the biometric information measurement mode. The fixed lines may vary depending on the biometric information being measured.

[0057] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the display device (100) of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel (400) in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 9, the touch driving unit (220) may not apply a transmission signal (TXP) to the electrodes where the measurement value (RXP) does not exceed a preset reference value while a touch operation is detected in the biometric information measurement mode. The detection of the touch operation may be performed by determining whether the sum of the measurement values ​​(RXP) generated by the transmission signals (TXP) applied sequentially to Q electrodes exceeds a preset value. The reference value may be the amount of change in the mutual capacitance such that it can be considered that there is no touch of the conductive object at any of the intersection points. The setting value may be the sum of the amounts of change in the mutual capacitance such that it can be considered that there is no touch of the conductive object on the touch panel (400).

[0059] For example, assuming Q is 4, a transmission signal (TXP) can be simultaneously applied to the 1st line (TXL1) of the first electrode, the 2nd line (TXL2) of the first electrode, the 3rd line (TXL3) of the first electrode, and the 4th line (TXL4) of the first electrode. If the sum of the measurement values ​​(RXP) of the 1st line (RXL1) of the second electrode, the 2nd line (RXL2) of the second electrode, the 3rd line (RXL3) of the second electrode, and the 4th line (RXL4) of the second electrode exceeds the above-mentioned set value, and the measurement values ​​(RXP) of the 1st line (RXL1) of the second electrode and the 4th line (RXL4) of the second electrode do not exceed the above-mentioned reference value, the touch driving unit (220) may not apply a transmission signal (TXP) to the 1st line (RXL1) of the second electrode and the 4th line (RXL4) of the second electrode.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the touch driving unit of FIG. 1 after mode conversion.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 10, the display device is characterized in that the touch driving unit (220) does not measure the bio-information during a preset reference interval (SP) after switching modes.

[0062] For example, if the reference interval (SP) is set to 2 frames, the biometric information may not be measured based on the measurement value (RXP) received during the 2 frames after entering the biometric information measurement mode. Therefore, the display device (100) does not measure the biometric information in the frames immediately after the mode change, thereby preventing problems caused by noise generation immediately after the mode change.

[0063] FIGS. 11 and FIGS. 12 are drawings illustrating an example in which the display device (100) of FIG. 1 adjusts the voltage of a transmission signal (TXP) over time in the bio-information measurement mode.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the touch driving unit (220) can apply a transmission signal (TXP) having a relatively higher voltage than the normal mode in the biometric information measurement mode. The touch driving unit (220) can adjust the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) to increase over time in the biometric information measurement mode. The touch driving unit (220) can drive the biometric information measurement mode by dividing it into a first information mode and a second information mode. The voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) in the first information mode may be lower than the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) in the second information mode.

[0065] The range of variation in the mutual capacitance at the intersection point due to the touch of the conductive object or the change in the bio-information may increase as the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) increases. Accordingly, the display device (100) can measure the change in the mutual capacitance more precisely in the bio-information measurement mode than in the normal mode.

[0066] In the first information mode, the degree of skin hydration can be measured. In the second information mode, the muscle density can be measured. The bio-information measured in the second information mode may be bio-information that requires measuring a deeper part of the skin than the bio-information measured in the first information mode. The display device (100) can measure various bio-information according to the voltage by varying the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) in the bio-information measurement mode.

[0067] For example, the transmission signal (TXP) applied in the normal mode, the first information mode, and the second information mode may have a preset voltage. The touch driving unit (220) can adjust the transmission signal (TXP) to a voltage suitable for each mode whenever the mode changes. The first information mode and the second information mode can measure different biometric information.

[0068] For example, the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) applied in the first information mode and the second information mode may increase over time. The voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) may not be pre-set for each specific bio-information. If the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) suitable for the bio-information is not known, the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) may be adjusted to increase over time. The display device (100) may distinguish between the section for measuring the first information and the section for measuring the second information.

[0069] FIG. 13a is a diagram showing an example of how the display device (100) of FIG. 1 regulates the voltage of a transmission signal (TXP) within a frame in the bio-information measurement mode.

[0070] FIG. 13b is a diagram showing an example in which the display device (100) of FIG. 1 adjusts the voltage of a transmission signal (TXP) according to a frame in the bio-information measurement mode.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 13a, the touch driver (220) can vary the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) within one frame in the biometric information measurement mode. For example, the touch driver (220) can receive the measurement value (RXP) while increasing the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) from 6V to 10.5V within one frame. By applying the transmission signal (TXP) with varying voltage within the frame in the biometric information measurement mode, the touch driver (220) can improve the reliability of the biometric information measured in each frame.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 13b, the touch driver (220) can vary the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) for each frame in the biometric information measurement mode. For example, the touch driver (220) can increase the voltage of the transmission signal (TXP) from 6V to 10.5V for each frame from the first frame to the tenth frame.

[0073] FIG. 14 is a drawing showing an example of the display device (100) of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel (400) in normal mode.

[0074] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the display device (100) of FIG. 1 driving a touch panel (400) in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the touch driving unit (220) can measure bio-information based on the measurement values ​​received from each electrode during the sensing interval, which includes K frames in the bio-information measurement mode. The touch driving unit (220) can be adjusted to have a frame frequency relatively lower than that of the normal mode in the bio-information measurement mode. The time of one frame in the bio-information measurement mode may be longer.

[0076] For convenience of explanation, K is assumed to be 1. For example, the touch driver (220) can receive the measurement value (RXP) three times during one frame in the normal mode. The touch driver (220) can lower the frame frequency in the biometric information measurement mode. One frame in the biometric information measurement mode can be longer than one frame in the normal mode. Therefore, the touch driver (220) can receive the measurement value (RXP) more than three times in the biometric information measurement mode.

[0077] The display device (100) can precisely measure the change in mutual capacitance according to the change in bio-information by receiving more measurement values ​​(RXP) during one frame by adjusting the frame frequency to a lower level in the bio-information measurement mode. In addition, the time required for the bio-information measurement can be shortened by measuring the bio-information with fewer frames.

[0078] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which the display device (100) of FIG. 1 adjusts the frame frequency over time in the bio-information measurement mode.

[0079] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example in which the display device (100) of FIG. 1 adjusts the frame frequency over time in the bio-information measurement mode.

[0080] The touch driving unit (220) can adjust the frame frequency to decrease over time in the biometric information measurement mode. The touch driving unit (220) can operate the biometric information measurement mode by dividing it into a first information mode and a second information mode. The frame frequency in the first information mode may be greater than the frame frequency in the second information mode.

[0081] In the first information mode, the degree of skin hydration can be measured. In the second information mode, the muscle density can be measured. The bio-information measured in the second information mode may be bio-information that requires measuring a deeper part of the skin than the bio-information measured in the first information mode. The display device (100) can measure various bio-information according to voltage by changing the frame frequency of the transmission signal (TXP) in the bio-information measurement mode.

[0082] For example, in the normal mode, the first information mode, and the second information mode, the frame frequency may have a preset value. The touch driving unit (220) can adjust to the frame frequency corresponding to each mode whenever the mode changes. The first information mode and the second information mode can measure different biometric information.

[0083] For example, in the first information mode and the second information mode, the frame frequency may decrease over time. The frame frequency may not be pre-set for each specific bio-information. If the frame frequency suitable for the bio-information is not known, the frame frequency may be adjusted to decrease over time. The display device (100) may distinguish between the section for measuring the first information and the section for measuring the second information.

[0084] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the display device of FIG. 1 adjusting the frame frequency according to the frame in a biometric information measurement mode.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 18, the touch driving unit (220) can vary the frame frequency for each frame in the biometric information measurement mode. For example, the touch driving unit (220) can set the frame frequency to 80Hz in the first frame of the biometric information measurement mode. The touch driving unit (220) can set the frame frequency to 78Hz in the second frame of the biometric information measurement mode. The touch driving unit (220) can set the frame frequency to 76Hz in the third frame of the biometric information measurement mode.

[0086] A display device (100) according to embodiments of the present invention can precisely measure changes in mutual capacitance in a bio-information measurement mode than in a normal mode.

[0087] In addition, the display device (100) according to embodiments of the present invention can measure various bio-information and can shorten the measurement time of the bio-information. Industrial applicability

[0088] According to the display device of the present invention described above, a touch panel is driven by distinguishing between a normal mode and a biometric information mode, and in the biometric information mode, the change in mutual capacitance according to the change in biometric information can be precisely measured.

[0089] Although the invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0090] 100: Display device 200: Panel driver 300: Display panel 400: Touch panel 500: Processor 210: Video driver 220: Touch actuator

Claims

Claim 1 A display device comprising: a touch panel including a plurality of electrodes; and a touch driving unit for driving the touch panel, wherein the touch panel includes first electrodes extending in a first direction; and second electrodes extending in a second direction and overlapping with the first electrodes, wherein the touch driving unit drives the touch panel by dividing it into a normal mode and a biometric information measurement mode, wherein in the normal mode, a transmission signal is sequentially applied to the first electrodes in groups of N (where N is a positive integer), and in the biometric information measurement mode, the transmission signal is sequentially applied to the first electrodes in groups of Q (where Q is a positive integer greater than N), and biometric information is measured based on a measurement value received from each electrode during a sensing interval including K (where K is a positive integer) frames in the biometric information measurement mode, and wherein, after sequentially applying the transmission signal to the first electrodes in groups of Q, the transmission signal is sequentially applied to the second electrodes in groups of Q. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A display device according to claim 1, wherein the touch driving unit applies the transmission signal only to the preset fixed lines of the first electrodes and the second electrodes in the bio-information measurement mode. Claim 4 A display device according to claim 3, wherein the touch driving unit does not apply the transmission signal to an electrode where the measured value does not exceed a preset reference value while a touch operation is detected in the biometric information measurement mode. Claim 5 A display device according to claim 4, characterized in that the detection of the touch operation is performed by determining whether the sum of the measurement values ​​generated by the transmission signals applied sequentially to Q electrodes exceeds a preset value. Claim 6 A display device according to claim 3, wherein the touch driving unit measures the bio-information at the intersection of the first electrodes and the second electrodes based on the measurement value received from the first electrodes and the measurement value received from the second electrodes. Claim 7 A display device according to claim 6, wherein the touch driving unit does not measure the biometric information during a preset reference interval after converting from the normal mode to the biometric information measurement mode. Claim 8 A display device according to claim 1, wherein the touch driving unit applies the transmission signal having a relatively higher voltage than the normal mode in the biometric information measurement mode. Claim 9 A display device according to claim 8, wherein the touch driving unit adjusts the voltage of the transmission signal to increase over time in the biometric information measurement mode. Claim 10 A display device according to claim 9, wherein the touch driving unit drives the biometric information measurement mode by dividing it into a first information mode and a second information mode, and the voltage of the transmission signal in the first information mode is smaller than the voltage of the transmission signal in the second information mode. Claim 11 A display device comprising: a touch panel including a plurality of electrodes; and a touch driving unit for driving the touch panel, wherein the touch panel includes first electrodes extending in a first direction; and second electrodes extending in a second direction and overlapping with the first electrodes, wherein the touch driving unit drives the touch panel in a normal mode and a biometric information measurement mode, sequentially applies a transmission signal to the first electrodes in N (N is a positive integer) electrodes in the normal mode, sequentially applies the transmission signal to the first electrodes in Q (Q is a positive integer greater than N) electrodes in the biometric information measurement mode, measures biometric information based on a measurement value received from each electrode during a sensing interval including K (K is a positive integer) frames in the biometric information measurement mode, adjusts the frame frequency in the biometric information measurement mode to be relatively lower than that in the normal mode, and adjusts the frame frequency in the biometric information measurement mode to decrease over time. Claim 12 delete Claim 13 A display device according to claim 11, wherein the touch driving unit drives the biometric information measurement mode by dividing it into a first information mode and a second information mode, and the frame frequency in the first information mode is greater than the frame frequency in the second information mode. Claim 14 A display device according to claim 13, wherein the touch driving unit applies the transmission signal having a relatively higher voltage than the normal mode in the biometric information measurement mode. Claim 15 A display device according to claim 14, wherein the touch driving unit adjusts the voltage of the transmission signal to increase over time in the biometric information measurement mode. Claim 16 A display device according to claim 15, wherein the touch driving unit does not measure the biometric information during a preset reference interval after converting from the normal mode to the biometric information measurement mode. Claim 17 A display device comprising: a touch panel including a plurality of electrodes; and a touch driving unit for driving the touch panel, wherein the touch panel includes first electrodes extending in a first direction; and second electrodes extending in a second direction and overlapping with the first electrodes, wherein the touch driving unit drives the touch panel in a normal mode and a biometric information measurement mode, wherein in the normal mode, a transmission signal is sequentially applied to the first electrodes in groups of N (where N is a positive integer), and in the biometric information measurement mode, the transmission signal is sequentially applied to the first electrodes in groups of Q (where Q is a positive integer greater than N), and biometric information is measured based on a measurement value received from each electrode during a sensing interval including K (where K is a positive integer) frames in the biometric information measurement mode, wherein the transmission signal having a voltage relatively higher than that of the normal mode is applied in the biometric information measurement mode, and wherein the voltage of the transmission signal in the biometric information measurement mode is adjusted to increase over time. Claim 18 delete Claim 19 A display device according to claim 17, wherein the touch driving unit drives the biometric information measurement mode by dividing it into a first information mode and a second information mode, and the voltage of the transmission signal in the first information mode is smaller than the voltage of the transmission signal in the second information mode. Claim 20 A display device according to claim 19, wherein the touch driving unit does not measure the biometric information during a preset reference interval after converting from the normal mode to the biometric information measurement mode.

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