OLED Pixel Circuit with Integrated Capacitive Touch Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The uneven display brightness in OLED displays due to threshold voltage drift in driving transistors, and the challenge of signal interference in capacitive in-cell touch technology, which affects the display characteristics and touch signal collection.

Innovation Solution

A pixel circuit with a display driving module and capacitive touch detection module that compensates for threshold voltage effects by using storage capacitors and thin film transistors to generate a light-emitting driving signal independent of the threshold voltage, and integrates touch detection into the display driving process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If capacitive in-cell touch technology is applied to OLED display, then touch detection function is achieved, but signal interference and parasitic capacitance adversely affect display characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch detection functionVSAvoiddisplay characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel circuit is divided into separate functional modules: a first module dedicated to display driving (including driving transistor and first storage capacitor) and a second module dedicated to touch detection (including second storage capacitor and detection circuit). This segmentation isolates the touch detection parasitic capacitance from the display driving circuit, preventing signal interference while maintaining both functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling capacitor is introduced as an intermediary element to transfer the touch signal from the touch electrode to the detection circuit. This intermediary isolates the touch detection path from the display driving path, allowing touch signal collection without directly affecting the display characteristics and reducing parasitic capacitance interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If threshold voltage compensation is implemented, then brightness evenness is improved, but circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrightness evennessVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The threshold voltage compensation function is merged into the existing pixel circuit structure by utilizing the coupling capacitor and the existing transistor network. The compensation occurs naturally through the circuit operation during touch detection phases, eliminating the need for separate compensation circuits and reducing overall complexity while improving brightness evenness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling capacitor serves multiple functions: it acts as a charge transfer element for touch signal detection, provides threshold voltage compensation for the driving transistor, and maintains the touch electrode voltage during different operation phases. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall circuit design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution improves brightness evenness and display effect in OLED panels while effectively detecting touch signals, achieving integrated display driving and touch detection, thereby reducing the thickness, weight, and cost of the display panel.

Implementation Method 1

a first storage capacitor Cs1, a driving transistor DTFT

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOrganic Light-emitting Diode: Organic Light-emitting Diode

Implementation Method 3

the OLED is driven to emit light with a stable current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 4

there is a considerable parasitic capacitance between a touch electrode and an electrode desired for the operation of the LCD

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParasitic Capacitance: Parasitic Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3163561B1Pixel circuit and drive method therefor, organic light-emitting display panel and display device
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3163561B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3163561B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3163561B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a pixel circuit, its driving method, an OLED display panel and a display device. The pixel circuit includes: a display driving module configured to, within a time period and under the control of a first scanning signal from a first scanning line, a second scanning signal a the second scanning line and a control signal from a control line, compensate for a threshold voltage of a driving transistor with a data signal from a data line and a second signal from a second signal source, so that a light-emitting driving signal for the OLED is irrelevant to the threshold voltage of the driving transistor at a third stage of the time period; and a capacitive touch detection module configured to, within the time period and under the control of the first scanning signal and the control signal, detect a touch signal from a touch screen.