AMOLED Pixel Circuit Integrating Touch and Compensation Modules

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing In Cell touch screen panels for AMOLED displays face challenges in integrating touch circuits and driving circuits within limited pixel cell space, leading to increased TFT count and manufacturing restrictions.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a pixel compensation module and touch detection module in the pixel circuit, sharing data voltage and scan signal lines, reduces the number of signal lines and occupied space, allowing for higher pixel density and lower IC costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both sensors and driving circuit are overlaid in the pixels of AMOLED, then touch function is achieved, but TFT count increases and pixel cell space is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch functionVSAvoidTFT count

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the touch detection module and pixel compensation module into a single integrated circuit structure. The touch detection module includes touch detection electrodes and signal processing circuits, while the pixel compensation module includes compensation capacitors and driving circuits. These modules share common signal lines (scan signal lines, data voltage lines, and emission signal lines) and are fabricated using the same array process on the array substrate, thereby achieving touch functionality without proportionally increasing TFT count and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated circuit structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it performs pixel driving and compensation for OLED display, while also providing touch detection capability. The scan signal lines and data voltage lines are shared between the pixel compensation module and touch detection module, allowing a single circuit structure to fulfill multiple roles, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If both sensors and driving circuit are overlaid in the pixels of AMOLED, then touch function is achieved, but pixel cell space is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch functionVSAvoidpixel cell space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the touch detection module and pixel compensation module into a single integrated circuit structure. The touch detection module includes touch detection electrodes and signal processing circuits, while the pixel compensation module includes compensation capacitors and driving circuits. These modules share common signal lines (scan signal lines, data voltage lines, and emission signal lines) and are fabricated using the same array process on the array substrate, thereby achieving touch functionality without proportionally increasing TFT count and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by stacking different functional layers within the pixel cell. The touch detection electrodes are positioned in certain layers while the driving circuit components are positioned in other layers, allowing three-dimensional integration that efficiently utilizes pixel cell space. This multi-layer arrangement enables both touch detection and pixel driving functions to coexist within the same pixel area without excessive space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If integration level of In Cell touch circuit and pixel driving circuit is improved, then pixel density increases, but signal line routing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepixel densityVSAvoidsignal line routing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated circuit structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it performs pixel driving and compensation for OLED display, while also providing touch detection capability. The scan signal lines and data voltage lines are shared between the pixel compensation module and touch detection module, allowing a single circuit structure to fulfill multiple roles, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the integrated circuit into distinct functional modules: the pixel compensation module with its dedicated compensation capacitors and driving circuits, and the touch detection module with its touch detection electrodes and signal processing circuits. This modular segmentation allows for systematic routing of signal lines, where each module has clearly defined input and output connections, thereby managing routing complexity through structured organization rather than ad-hoc connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3154050B1Pixel circuit and display device

Publication Date: 2023.05.03 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

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AI summary

A pixel circuit and a display apparatus, the pixel circuit comprises a pixel compensation module (100), a light emitting module (200) and a touch detection module (300). By integrating the pixel compensation module (100) and the touch detection module (300) into the pixel circuit, and making the pixel compensation module (100) and the touch detection module (300) share data voltage lines and scan signal lines, a number of signal lines can be reduced, so that a size of space between pixels can be decreased greatly and a cost of an IC is also reduced, which can achieve a higher pixel density.