Touch Sensor Display Device Time-Division Driving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices with integrated touch sensors face challenges in simultaneous driving of display and touch sensor areas, leading to increased noise and sensing time, which restricts design and mobility due to separate manufacturing and independent driving of these components.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a pixel array and touch sensor array divided into blocks, where a timing controller alternates between display and touch sensing modes within a frame, using a gate driver, data driver, and touch controller to manage mode switching signals and control the driving of both arrays efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the display device and touch sensor are driven independently and simultaneously, then both functions can operate at the same time, but noise increases and sensing time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by time-division multiplexing the display and touch sensor operations within each frame period. The frame is divided into display periods and touch sensing periods, where the display operates during display periods and the touch sensor operates during touch sensing periods. This periodic alternation eliminates simultaneous operation conflicts and reduces noise while maintaining both functions effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the display device and touch sensor are driven independently and simultaneously, then both functions can operate at the same time, but sensing time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsensing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The frame period is divided into periodic display periods and touch sensing periods. During touch sensing periods, the touch sensor is activated while the display is turned off or in a non-display state. This periodic allocation ensures that touch sensing operations are concentrated in dedicated time slots, reducing total sensing time compared to continuous or overlapping operation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the frame period into distinct display periods and touch sensing periods. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function within its allocated time slot, enabling faster touch sensing operations without interfering with display refresh requirements, thereby reducing overall sensing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a separate touch panel is manufactured and attached to the display device, then touch sensor functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and device thickness and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensor functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the touch sensor array with the display panel by forming both structures on the same substrate. The touch sensor array is integrated into the display device during the same manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate touch panel production and attachment. This integration reduces manufacturing costs, decreases device thickness, and reduces overall weight while maintaining full touch sensor functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display device is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both display and touch sensor capabilities within a single integrated structure. The same substrate and manufacturing processes produce both the display panel and touch sensor array, making the device universally capable of both visual output and touch input functions without requiring separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a separate touch panel is manufactured and attached to the display device, then touch sensor functionality is achieved, but device thickness and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensor functionalityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The touch sensor array is merged with the display panel structure, sharing the same substrate and support framework. This integration eliminates the need for additional weight from separate touch panel components, adhesives, and mounting structures, thereby reducing overall device weight while maintaining touch sensor functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11494030B2Display device having touch sensor and method of driving the same

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device having touch sensors and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The display device includes a display panel including a pixel array including pixels and a touch sensor array including touch sensors formed in the pixel array, the pixel array being divided into blocks, a gate driver to sequentially drive a plurality of gate lines in the pixel array in a block unit, a data driver to drive a plurality of data lines in the pixel array when the gate lines are driven, a touch controller to sequentially drive the touch sensor arrays in the block unit, and a timing controller to divide one frame into at least one display mode at which the pixel array is driven and at least one touch sensing mode at which the touch sensor array is driven and to control the gate drive, the data driver and the touch controller so that the display mode and the touch sensing mode alternate.