In-cell OLED Anode Electrode Touch Sensing Circuit

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of a panel structure and driving method for in-cell organic light-emitting display devices that can share components with the display panel to reduce thickness and manufacturing costs, similar to in-cell LCDs, but no such solution exists for organic light-emitting display devices.

Innovation Solution

An organic light-emitting display device with a driving circuit that includes a data-driving circuit and a touch-driving circuit, where the data-driving circuit generates data voltage for display periods and the touch-driving circuit supplies touch-driving signals to the anode electrode of each pixel to sense object proximity or touch, allowing the anode electrode to function as both a display and touch component, thereby enabling an in-cell configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a touch panel and display panel are completely separated (add-on type), then touch sensing capability is achieved, but overall thickness and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensing capabilityVSAvoidoverall thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the touch panel and display panel into a single integrated structure where the anode electrode of the OLED serves dual functions as both a display component and a touch sensing electrode. This eliminates the need for a separate touch panel layer, thereby reducing overall thickness while maintaining touch sensing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The anode electrode is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the positive electrode for the organic light-emitting diode in display mode, and simultaneously functions as a touch sensing electrode in touch mode. This multi-functionality allows the same component to enable both display and touch capabilities without requiring additional layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a touch panel and display panel are completely separated (add-on type), then touch sensing capability is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the touch panel and display panel into a single integrated structure where the anode electrode of the OLED serves dual functions as both a display component and a touch sensing electrode. This eliminates the need for a separate touch panel layer, thereby reducing overall thickness while maintaining touch sensing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The anode electrode is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the positive electrode for the organic light-emitting diode in display mode, and simultaneously functions as a touch sensing electrode in touch mode. This multi-functionality allows the same component to enable both display and touch capabilities without requiring additional layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of stationary object

If the anode electrode is used as both display and touch components (in-cell configuration), then thickness and manufacturing costs are reduced, but driving circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall thicknessVSAvoiddriving circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between display mode and touch mode through time-division multiplexing. The driving circuit alternates between supplying driving signals for OLED operation and supplying touch sensing signals to the anode electrode, with the switching transistor dynamically controlling the connection state of the anode electrode to different circuit nodes based on the current operational mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The driving circuit operates in periodic cycles, alternating between display periods where the anode electrode functions as an OLED component and touch periods where it functions as a touch sensing electrode. This periodic switching is controlled by the switching transistor which connects or disconnects the anode electrode from different circuit nodes based on the current phase of the operating cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration reduces the overall thickness of the organic light-emitting display device panel and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining effective touch sensing capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

an organic light-emitting display device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission from organic light-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

organic light-emitting diode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 3

sense the proximity or touch of an object to a panel according to a touch response signal received from the anode electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10627966B2In-cell touch organic light-emitting display device and driving circuit thereof

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 SILICON WORKS CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides technology for an in-cell organic light-emitting display device. The present disclosure enables one component of an organic light-emitting display device to be used not only for a display operation but also for a touch operation, thus achieving an in-cell organic light-emitting display device.