WO2016076592A1 - Method for driving display device capable of scanning image - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed in the present specification is a method for driving a display device capable of scanning an image, the display device comprising: a display module including a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a display area in which an image is displayed; and a contact sensor module forming a sensing area, which overlaps with the display area, and including at least one contact sensor respectively corresponding to the unit pixels, and the method comprising: a sensing mode identification step of identifying a sensing mode of the display device; a contact sensor selection step of selecting contact sensors to be activated, according to the identified sensing mode; and a contact sensor activation and sensing step of activating the selected contact sensors and receiving sensing signals from the activated contact sensors.

Description

How to drive a display device that can scan an image

The present invention relates to a method of driving an image scanable display device.

The touch screen panel is a device for inputting a user's command by touching a character or a figure displayed on a screen of the image display device with a human finger or other contact means, and is attached to the image display device. The touch screen panel converts a contact position touched by a human finger or the like into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is used as an input signal.

There are various types of touch detection methods in the touch screen panel, such as resistive film, optical, capacitive, and ultrasonic methods. Among the capacitive methods, the capacitance changes when the touch generating means contacts the screen of the display device. Detects whether a touch occurs using the. The capacitive touch screen panel can detect a touch of a human finger, a conductive touch pen, or the like.

On the other hand, as security issues recently emerged, security for personal mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs has become a hot topic. As the frequency of use of mobile devices increases, security in electronic commerce through mobile devices is required, and biometric information such as fingerprint, iris, face, voice, and blood vessels is used according to such demands.

Among the various biometric information authentication technologies, the most commonly used one is fingerprint authentication. Recently, a product using a fingerprint recognition and authentication technology through a smartphone and tablet PC has been released.

However, in order for the sensors for fingerprint recognition to be incorporated into a portable device, a device for fingerprint recognition must be installed together with an image display device, thereby increasing the volume of the portable device.

Accordingly, there is a need for a technology for removing a space for a fingerprint sensor separately from a portable device while not disturbing the display area.

An object of the present invention is to design at least one touch sensor to correspond to each unit pixel of a display module so that an image contacted on a display screen can be scanned on at least a portion of the display device.

According to a driving method of a display device capable of scanning an image according to an exemplary embodiment, a display module including a plurality of unit pixels disposed in a display area in which an image is displayed, and a sensing area overlapping the display area are formed. And a touch sensor module including at least one touch sensor corresponding to each of the unit pixels, the method comprising: a sensing mode determining step of determining a sensing mode of the display device; A contact sensor selection step of selecting activation target contact sensors according to the determined sensing mode; And activating and detecting the selected touch sensors and receiving a detection signal from the activated touch sensors.

Further, in the sensing mode determination step, the sensing mode may include one of the touch sensors included in a plurality of touch sensor sectors including the touch sensors that are disposed in the partitioned area and partition the sensing area of the display device. A touch recognition mode for allowing some touch sensors to be selected so as to recognize whether or not the touch means contacts the display device; And a fingerprint recognition mode for scanning an image of a user fingerprint in contact with the display device by allowing more contact sensors to be selected than the touch recognition mode.

The touch sensor may be connected to a scan line to which a scan signal for providing a driving voltage is applied to the touch sensor, and the touch sensor module may include a plurality of touch sensor blocks including two or more touch sensor sectors. The sensing mode may further include: a non-contact recognition mode for allowing contact sensors of some of the touch sensors included in the touch sensor blocks to be selected, and recognizing whether the contact means is close to the sensing area; Further, when the non-contact sensing mode is selected, the magnitude of the voltage of the scan signal applied to the touch sensor may be larger than when either the touch recognition mode or the fingerprint recognition mode is selected.

In addition, when the non-contact recognition mode is selected in the sensing mode determination step, when the touch sensor activation and detection of the touch sensors selected according to the non-contact recognition mode are performed, the detection signal generated by the touch sensor may be used. The reference voltage determination step of determining whether or not the voltage value exceeds the non-contact recognition reference voltage, and further comprising, when the voltage value of the detection signal is less than the reference voltage in the reference voltage exceeding determination step, the plurality of The touch recognition block in which the detection signal is generated among the touch sensor blocks is determined as the non-contact recognition center, and in the determination of exceeding the reference voltage, when the voltage value of the detection signal exceeds the reference voltage, the touch recognition mode. In accordance with this, the touch sensor can be activated and detected.

The fingerprint recognition mode may further include: an entire fingerprint recognition mode for allowing all the touch sensors of the display device to be selected; An icon fingerprint recognition mode for selecting a plurality of touch sensors overlapping at least one icon among a plurality of icons displayed on the display device; And an input window fingerprint recognition mode in which a plurality of touch sensors overlapping the input window displayed in a partial region of the display device are selected.

In addition, when any one of the icon fingerprint recognition mode and the input window fingerprint recognition mode is selected among the fingerprint recognition modes in the sensing mode determination step, an area except an area where the touch sensors overlapping the icon or the input window are arranged Some of the contact sensors that are disposed may be further selected.

In addition, when the touch recognition mode is selected in the sensing mode determination step, the touch sensors of the selected touch sensor sectors may be arranged at an edge of the touch sensor sector or randomly disposed in the touch sensor sector.

The method may further include: a contact point determining step of determining a contact point based on sensing information received from the touch sensors in which contact of the contact means overlapping the plurality of touch sensors is sensed. The determining step may comprise: 1) the center of the touch sensor sector comprising the largest number of the touch sensors of which touch has been detected or 2) the center of the touch sensor sectors comprising the touch sensors having detected a touch. The computational center spaced apart from each other by the weighted average of the number of touch sensors in which the touch is included in each of the touch sensor sectors may be determined as the center of the contact point.

In addition, any one of the plurality of touch sensor sectors and another contact sensor sector adjacent thereto may share at least one or more touch sensors.

Further, the contact sensor, which is not included in any contact sensor sector, may be disposed between the contact sensor sector of any one of the contact sensor sectors and another contact sensor sector adjacent thereto.

The touch sensor may include a pixel electrode formed of a transparent material and forming a contact capacitance by contact with the contact means; And a transistor unit including at least one transistor connected to the pixel electrode, wherein the pixel electrode overlaps the unit pixel of the display module, and light for displaying an image is from the unit pixel. Can penetrate.

The transistor unit may further include: a reset transistor having a drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode and at least one of a gate electrode and a source electrode connected to a first scan line to which a first selection signal is applied or a data line to provide a data signal; A gate electrode is connected to a drain electrode of the reset transistor, and a source electrode is connected to any one of the first scan line, the data line, and a second scan line to which a second selection signal different from the first selection signal is applied. Amplifying transistors; A drain electrode is connected to a drain electrode of the amplifying transistor, a gate electrode is connected to a second scan line to which a second selection signal is applied, and a source electrode is connected to a readout line for detecting a current corresponding to the contact capacitance; And a detection transistor connected thereto.

In addition, the activating and detecting of the touch sensor may include: charging a contact capacitance formed between the pixel electrode and the contact means through the reset transistor that is turned on in response to the first selection signal; Generating a current varying with the voltage charged in the contact capacitance through the amplifying transistor; And detecting the generated current through the detection transistor turned on by receiving the second selection signal, and determining whether or not the contact is made with the upper portion of the touch sensor.

The pixel electrode may be disposed above the reset transistor, the amplifying transistor, the detection transistor, the first scan line, the second scan line, the data line, and the read out line.

The pixel electrode may include at least one of the reset transistor, the amplifying transistor, the detection transistor, a portion of the first scan line, a portion of the second scan line, a portion of the data line, and a portion of the read out line. Can cover.

The reset transistor, the amplifying transistor, and the detection transistor may be disposed not to cover the unit color pixels of the color filter layer of the display module, and the pixel electrode may be disposed to cover at least a portion of the unit color pixels.

In addition, any one of the plurality of touch sensors and another touch sensor adjacent thereto are connected to one data line, and the touch sensor and another touch sensor adjacent to the data line are connected to each other. Can be symmetrical.

In addition, the data line is formed of a plurality of data lines to which the data signals, which are independently formed, are respectively input, and are sequentially arranged in the plurality of scan lines including the first scan line and the second scan line. Each of the scan signals formed to be input is input, and the touch sensor to which the scan signal and the data signal are simultaneously input is activated. have.

In addition, the pixel electrode of the touch sensor is in contact with one surface, the back surface further comprises a protective layer for contacting the user fingerprint, and different values according to the contact capacity of the ridge and the valley of the user fingerprint in contact with the protective layer. By detecting the current that has, the image of the user fingerprint can be scanned.

In addition, a separation space is formed between the pixel electrode of one of the plurality of touch sensors and the pixel electrode of the other touch sensor, and the one space adjacent to the pixel electrode of the one touch sensor. The space forms one sensing pitch, and the width of the sensing pitch may be formed in any one of a range of 5 um to 200 um.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the magnitude of the detected signal may be increased by using a coupling phenomenon caused by parasitic capacitance included in the transistor and the peripheral circuit configuration.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, by configuring the sensor using a transparent electrode, the visibility of the display device can be increased.

In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the touch sensor may be designed in a display unit pixel size so that an image contacting the display screen may be sensed on the display device.

In addition, as the touch sensor of the minute unit is disposed on the display device, there is an advantage in that it is possible to scan the fingerprint image of the user or detect whether the contact means having a minute diameter such as a pin or a brush is in contact.

1 is a diagram illustrating a state of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A to 2D are cross-sectional views illustrating a configuration of a display device having an image sensing function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a sensor array layer implementing an image sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a circuit diagram illustrating an embodiment of a contact sensor disposed on a sensor array.

6 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a capacitive touch sensor applicable to a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

7 to 9 are circuit diagrams illustrating a configuration of a capacitive touch sensor according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a timing diagram for describing an operation of a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a plan view of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a diagram illustrating a plan view of a sensor array in which a plurality of contact sensors are arranged according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the touch sensor of the unit pixel illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of the touch sensor of the unit pixel illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B 'of the touch sensor of the unit pixel illustrated in FIG. 12.

16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C 'of the touch sensor of the unit pixel shown in FIG.

17 is a sectional view showing a touch sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

18 is a plan view of a sensor array in which a plurality of touch sensors according to another embodiment of the present invention is arranged.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view of the touch sensor of the unit pixel illustrated in FIG. 18.

20 is a view showing a plan view of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

20 is a plan view of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

21 is a simplified exploded perspective view of a display device including a touch sensor according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a schematic arrangement of a touch sensor of the display device of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a schematic arrangement of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

24 is a top view of the contact sensor of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating a state in which a display device including a touch sensor is driven in a touch recognition mode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a driving state of a touch sensor array in the display device of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a timing diagram for describing an operation of the touch sensor of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a view illustrating a state in which contact means is in contact while the display device of FIG. 27 is driven in the touch recognition mode.

29 to 31 are views illustrating a state in which a display device is driven in a contact recognition mode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

32 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the display device of FIG. 25 is driven in a full fingerprint recognition mode.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the display device of FIG. 25 is driven in an icon fingerprint recognition mode.

34 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the display device of FIG. 25 is driven in an input window fingerprint recognition mode.

35 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the display device of FIG. 25 is driven in a non-contact recognition mode.

36 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of the display device of FIG. 25.

37 is a flowchart illustrating a driving process of the display device of FIG. 25.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. In addition, since the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of description, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated.

In the present invention, "on" means to be located above or below the target member, and does not necessarily mean to be located above the gravity direction. In addition, throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it may further include other components, without excluding the other components unless otherwise stated.

In addition, throughout the specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, it is not only "directly connected", but also "indirectly connected" with another member in between. Also includes.

In the present specification, "contact recognition" means a function of recognizing an object in contact with a surface, and encompasses both fingerprint or touch recognition of a human finger and touch recognition by other touch generating means. It must be understood in the sense.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a state of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 10 according to an embodiment includes a display device DP.

The electronic device 10 may be a digital device including a wired / wireless communication function or another function. For example, a digital device having a computing capability by mounting a microprocessor and having a memory means such as a mobile phone, navigation, web pad, PDA, workstation, personal computer (for example, notebook computer, etc.), preferably Will be described assuming a smartphone as an example, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The display device DP is formed on one surface of the electronic device 10. Preferably, the display device DP is formed on the front surface of the electronic device 10 and implemented as a touch screen panel which simultaneously performs a function as an input device. Can be.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display device DP performs not only the touch generating means (for example, a finger or the like) contact and the contact location but also a recognition function for the fingerprint of the finger.

In detail, when the first application is driven, the display device DP may function as a touch screen for driving a specific function, and when the second application is driven, the fingerprint input window FP is displayed through the display device DP. The fingerprint recognition function may be implemented in the area of or the entire area of the display device DP.

As will be described later, the touch by the touch generating means or the ridge of the finger fingerprint and the valley (valley) contact is made by a plurality of rows and columns of sensors, for the fingerprint fingerprint recognition of the ridge and the valley You must be able to distinguish between contacts. Therefore, the resolution of the touch sensing related to the number of sensors included in the display device DP should be formed to distinguish the ridges of the fingerprint and the contact of the valleys.

2A to 2D are cross-sectional views illustrating a configuration of a display device having an image sensing function according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 2A to 2D illustrate an example in which an image sensing function is integrated in a liquid crystal display (LCD).

2A to 2D, the liquid crystal display includes a first substrate 210, a thin film transistor layer 220, a liquid crystal layer 230, a color filter layer 240, a second substrate 250, and the like, which are sequentially stacked. It consists of a cover window 260.

In the liquid crystal display, light emitted from a back light unit (BLU) disposed below the first substrate 210 passes through the liquid crystal layer 230, and then extracts color in pixel units to implement color. While passing through the color filter layer 240 operates on the principle that the desired color and image are implemented. The thin film transistor layer 220 functions to transmit or control an electrical signal, and the liquid crystal present in the liquid crystal layer 230 controls light transmission by changing a molecular structure according to an applied electrical signal.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sensor array layer 300 which performs a touch sensing or fingerprint recognition function, that is, an image sensing function of the touch generating means may be disposed in a portion of the liquid crystal display.

First, as shown in FIG. 2A, the sensor array layer 300 according to an embodiment may be disposed in close proximity to the color filter layer 240. In this case, the sensor array layer 300 may be disposed in the lower region of the color filter layer 240 or in the region between the color filter layer 240 and the second substrate 250.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the sensor array layer 300 according to an embodiment may be disposed between the second substrate 250 and the cover window 260, as shown in FIG. 2C, The cover window 260 may be disposed on the cover window 260 to protect the display device.

As shown in FIG. 2C, if the sensor array layer 300 is disposed above the cover window 260, a separate protective layer 270 for protecting the sensor array layer 300 should be further formed thereon. will be.

As illustrated in FIG. 2D, the sensor array layer 300 may be formed on the same layer as the thin film transistor layer 220 in which circuits for driving the display device are implemented.

In the above description, a display device is implemented as a liquid crystal display device. However, the display device may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device or an electrophoretic display (EPD). Of course, it may be implemented.

The organic light emitting diode display has a structure in which an organic light emitting diode device having electrode layers formed on both sides thereof is disposed on a substrate. In this case, the sensor array layer 300 having an image sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention is a substrate. It may be formed on top, or on top of the organic light emitting diode element.

3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 shows a color filter layer 240 and a sensor array layer 300. As described above, the sensor array layer 300 may be formed above or relative to the color filter layer 240.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a sensor array including a plurality of touch sensors may be formed on the front of the display, or according to another exemplary embodiment, may be formed on a portion of the display. When formed in some areas of the display, an area without a touch sensor may be configured such that a step does not occur with an area with the touch sensor through passivation (not shown).

The sensor array layer 300 is provided with a plurality of contact sensors SN. The contact sensor SN may be implemented as a capacitive sensor including a plurality of transistors.

The color filter layer 240 may include a red pixel R for displaying a red image, a green pixel G for displaying a green image, and a blue pixel B for displaying a blue image. One red pixel (R), one green pixel (G), and one blue pixel (B) form one unit pixel, which may be described as being formed in a matrix form of a plurality of rows and columns. Accordingly, one contact sensor SN may be provided per unit pixel.

According to an embodiment, the contact sensor SN is formed on the layer of the sensor array 300, and the sensing circuit (eg, transistor and wirings) of the contact sensor SN when viewed from the top view includes the color filter layer ( The red pixel R, the green pixel G, and the blue pixel B of the 240 are disposed in a non-overlap region, and the pixel electrode of the contact sensor SN is colored as a transparent electrode material such as ITO. It may be disposed in a region covering at least a portion of the pixel R, G, or B or in a region not covering the color pixel. In FIG. 3, the contact sensor SN is provided below the unit pixel, but the contact sensor SN may be provided on the upper side, the side surface, or the like of the unit pixel. In addition, the sensing circuit of the contact sensor SN may be positioned at a corresponding position by making the size of one of the red pixel R, the green pixel G, and the blue pixel B relatively small.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the contact sensor SN may include the red pixel R and the green of the color filter layer 240 from the sensor array 300 layer to the sensing circuit as well as the pixel electrode when the transparent electrode material for the transistor and the wiring is used. It may be formed to overlap the pixel G and the blue pixel B. According to this, since the contact sensor SN may be formed to cover the unit pixel, two or more contact sensors SN may be disposed per unit pixel to increase the resolution of image sensing, and the unit contact sensor SN may be increased. The sensitivity of image sensing may be improved by increasing the size of.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a sensor array layer 300 for implementing an image sensing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the sensor array layer 300 includes a plurality of scan lines SL1, SL2,, and SLn and a plurality of readout lines RL1, RL2,,, and RL1. Scan signals are sequentially supplied to the plurality of scan lines SL1, SL2, ..., and SLn, and the plurality of readout lines RL1, RL2, ..., RLl receive the signals output from the contact sensor SN and receive the same. Transfer to a readout circuit (not shown) for processing.

According to an embodiment, the scan signals supplied to the plurality of scan lines may be supplied from a scan driver provided in the sensor array layer 300.

The scan lines SL1, SL2,..., And SLn and the readout lines RL1, RL2,..., And RLl are arranged to cross each other. At least one contact sensor SN may be formed at each intersection.

5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a comparative example of the contact sensor SN disposed on the sensor array 300.

Referring to FIG. 5, the touch sensor SN may include a pixel electrode (not shown), a switching transistor T1, and a sensing transistor T2. When the contact means contacts the pixel electrode, the contact capacitance C1 may be reduced. Can be formed.

In FIG. 5A, the gate electrode and the drain electrode of the switching transistor T1 are connected to the first scan line SL1, and the source electrode is connected to the node where the contact capacitor C1 is formed. Meanwhile, the drain electrode of the sensing transistor T2 is connected to the readout line RL, the source electrode is connected to the source electrode of the switching transistor T1, and the gate electrode is connected to the second scan line SL2.

Referring to FIG. 5B compared with FIG. 5A, there is a difference in which the drain electrode of the switching transistor T1 is connected to the data line DL instead of the first scan line.

When the selection signal of the first scan line SL1 is supplied to the gate electrode of the switching transistor T1, the switching transistor T1 is turned on to charge the contact capacitor C1. When the selection signal is applied to the second scan line SL2, the sensing transistor T2 is turned on and the charges charged in the contact capacitor C1 are parasitic capacitances of the contact capacitor C1 and the readout line RL. Can be shared by

In detail, when the contact means approaches the contact sensor SN, a large contact capacitance C1 is formed between the contact means and the contact sensor SN, and when the contact means moves away from the contact sensor SN. The size of the contact capacitance C1 is reduced.

Thereafter, the signal voltage of the readout line RL is transferred to a separate IC chip, and it is possible to determine whether the screen is in contact with the corresponding pixel, the contact area, etc. based on the transmitted signal voltage. In other words, the readout line RL senses a signal corresponding to the amount of charge charged in the touch sensor SN with a voltage, and the contact state and the contact state can be determined through the magnitude of the sensed voltage.

In the scheme illustrated in FIG. 5, the charge stored in the contact capacitor C1 is transferred to the readout line RL through the sensing transistor T2. In the contact sensor SN, the contact capacitor C1 and the sensing transistor T2. And parasitic capacitance due to the circuit configuration around the lead-out line RL or other components. Therefore, since the touch sensor SN senses a voltage through charge sharing between the contact capacitance C1 and the parasitic capacitance of the lead-out line RL, the parasitic capacitance of the lead-out line RL is relative to the contact capacitance C1. As a result, there is a disadvantage in that the sensed voltage becomes very small.

6 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a capacitive touch sensor applicable to a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the touch sensor SN according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided in at least a portion of the unit pixel formed on the sensor array 300 described with reference to FIG. 3.

Each contact sensor SN may include a pixel electrode and three transistors, and each of the three transistors may include a reset transistor T1, an amplifying transistor T2, and a detection transistor T3. Can be. In one embodiment, each of the transistors T1 to T3 may include a silicon-based transistor or a channel region such as amorphous silicon (a-Si: H), polycrystalline silicon (Poly Silicon, Poly-Si), or an oxide transistor. An organic compound transistor such as an organic thin film transistor formed of a material may be implemented. Each transistor T1 to T3 may be implemented in a coplanar, staggered, inverted coplanar, or inverted staggered thin film transistor structure.

In one embodiment, each of the transistors T1 to T3 may be formed of a transparent thin film transistor (TTFT). The transparent thin film transistor is characterized by passing the wavelength of the visible light region, and thus can be seen even when combined with the display device.

When the scan line SLn signal is applied, the reset transistor T1 constantly resets the remaining charge of the pixel electrode connected to the amplifying transistor T2.

The gate electrode of the reset transistor T1 may be connected to the scan line SLn, the source electrode may be connected to the power input terminal Vdd, and the drain electrode may be connected to the pixel electrode.

The amplifying transistor T2 receives the voltage V1 applied to the contact capacitance C1 generated between the contact means and the pixel electrode as the gate electrode, and detects the detection transistor T3 as a current signal by the amount of change of the voltage V1. Acts as an amplifier to pass

A gate electrode of the amplifying transistor T2 may be connected to a sensing electrode, a source electrode may be connected to a power input terminal Vdd, and a drain electrode may be connected to a drain electrode of the sensing transistor T3.

The detection transistor T3 serves to selectively pass the current flowing in the amplifying transistor T2 to the readout line RL. The detection transistor T3 transfers the current flowing through the amplifying transistor T2 to the readout line RL by the selection signal applied from the scan line SLn + 1 applied to the gate electrode.

The gate electrode of the detection transistor T3 may be connected to the scan line SLn + 1, the drain electrode may be connected to the drain electrode of the amplifying transistor T2, and the source electrode may be connected to the readout line RL.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when the pixel electrodes are formed at the center of the display unit pixel illustrated in FIG. 2, and each of the transistors T1 to T3 is formed of a non-transparent or semi-transparent electrode material, an electrode edge is secured to secure display visibility. Or it may be disposed in an area that does not overlap with the color filter.

According to another embodiment, when each of the transistors T1 to T3 is formed of a transparent electrode material, the transistors T1 to T3 may be disposed in an area overlapping the color filter.

7 to 9 are equivalent circuit diagrams showing the configuration of a capacitive touch sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the configuration of the contact sensor SN disclosed in FIG. 6, only the connection state of the reset transistor T1 may be changed differently. In detail, the source electrode of the reset transistor T1 may be connected to the gate electrode instead of the power input terminal Vdd, so that when the selection signal is applied from the scan line SLn to the gate electrode, the same selection is made on the source electrode. The signal may be applied so that a separate power input terminal may not be required to drive the contact sensor SN.

Referring to FIG. 8, the connection state of the reset transistor T1 may be changed in the configuration of the contact sensor SN disclosed in FIG. 7. In the circuit of FIG. 7, the source electrode and the gate electrode of the reset transistor T1 are tied together and connected to the scan line SLn. However, as in the circuit of FIG. 8, the source electrode and the gate electrode of the reset transistor T1 are bundled together. It can be connected to the input terminal Vdd. According to various embodiments, the power input terminal line in which the source electrode and the gate electrode of the reset transistor T1 are bundled and connected together may be replaced with a data line to which a predetermined voltage is applied.

By configuring the circuit of the contact sensor SN as described above, it is possible to reduce the number of scan lines SLn required to drive each contact sensor SN. Overall, the number of scan lines SLn is reduced by one, but the operation of the scan driver can be simplified since the scan lines required to drive each contact sensor SN are reduced from two to one.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the circuit configuration of the contact sensor SN disclosed in the present disclosure, the power input terminal Vdd may be removed and the driving of the contact sensor SN may be performed only by the scan line SLn.

In detail, the source electrode of the amplifying transistor T2 is operated by receiving a voltage input from the scan line SLn instead of the power input terminal Vdd. For this purpose, the scan driver transmits a signal at an operation timing of the amplifying transistor T2. Can be driven.

Thus, by removing the power supply input terminal Vdd, the circuit structure of the contact sensor SN can be further simplified by design.

Meanwhile, in the equivalent circuit configuration of the contact sensor SN disclosed in FIGS. 6 to 9, the power input terminal Vdd may be a data line DL, and the voltage applied to the data line may be a data signal.

10 is a timing diagram for describing an operation of the touch sensor SN according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 to 10, the operation of the contact sensor SN according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 10, SLn and SLn + 1 denote signals supplied to corresponding scan lines SLn and SLn + 1, respectively, and a selection signal is supplied to scan lines SLn and SLn + 1 during a high period. It should be understood that The specific contact sensor SN is selected by the application of the selection signal, and a signal from the other contact sensor SN is output. Hereinafter, SL will be referred to as a scan line signal. In addition, RL Reset is a signal for resetting the readout line RL. A reset signal is supplied in a high section, and the readout line RL is reset.

On the other hand, V1 represents the potential of the sensing electrode connected to the gate electrode of the amplifying transistor T2, that is, the potential due to the electric charge charged in the contact capacitor C1 generated between the contact means and the pixel electrode, and RL is detected. The amount of current detected in the readout line RL connected to the source electrode of the transistor T3 is shown.

In the timing diagrams of V1 and RL, the potential V1 according to the amount of charge charged in the contact capacitance C1 depends on whether the ridge or the valley touches the sensing transistor T1 of the contact sensor SN. The current of the readout line RL is changed.

First, the case where no contact means comes in contact with the contact sensor SN will be described. Since there is no contact means, there is no contact capacitance C1 formed between the pixel electrode and the contact means.

When the scan line signal SLn connected to the gate electrode of the reset transistor T1 is switched to the high level (S2), the reset transistor T1 is turned on and connected to the source electrode of the reset transistor T1. A certain amount of charge is charged in the pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode of the reset transistor T1 through the voltage input through the power input terminal Vdd, thereby increasing the voltage V1.

The source electrode of the amplifying transistor T2 is also connected to the power input terminal Vdd to receive an input voltage. However, in the state where the contact of the fingerprint is in contact with the contact sensor SN and the contact capacitance C1 is small, the relationship between the gate voltage V1 and the source electrode of the amplifying transistor T2 exceeds the threshold voltage of the amplifying transistor T2. Since it is designed so that no current flows from the drain electrode of the amplifying transistor T2 to the detection transistor T3, no current is detected even in the lead-out line RL.

Next, the case where the valley of the finger fingerprint is in contact with the contact sensor SN and the case where the ridge is in contact are described as follows. As the bone or ridge of the finger contacts the contact sensor SN, a contact capacitance C1 is formed between the contact means and the contact sensor SN, each having a different size when the bone is in contact with the ridge. The contact capacitance C1 of is formed.

As the selection signal is applied to the scan line SLn connected to the gate electrode of the reset transistor T1 in the period S2, the reset transistor T1 is turned on so that the signal from the power source input terminal Vdd is reset. ) Is delivered through the drain electrode of the capacitor), thereby charging the contact capacitance C1.

The contact capacitance C1 varies depending on the distance between the pixel electrode and the contact means. The contact capacitance formed when the valley of the fingerprint and the pixel electrode are in contact with each other is larger than the contact between the ridge of the fingerprint and the pixel electrode. (C1) is small in size.

First, when the valley of the finger fingerprint is in contact with the pixel electrode, first, when a high signal is applied to the first scan line SLn (S2), the current flows from the source electrode of the reset transistor T1 to the drain electrode. The voltage V1 of the contact capacitance C1 rises. Subsequently, when a high signal is applied to the second scan line SLn + 1 (S4), as the detection transistor T3 is turned on, the potential of the source electrode of the amplifying transistor T2 is lowered to 0, thereby amplifying the transistor. Due to the coupling by the parasitic capacitance formed between the gate and the source of T2, the voltage V1 of the contact capacitance C1 is reduced. In addition, as the high signal is applied to the gate electrode of the detection transistor T3 on the second scan line SLn + 1, the detection transistor T3 is turned on. When the detection transistor T3 is turned on, a current flowing from the drain electrode of the amplifying transistor T2 flows through the drain electrode of the detection transistor T3 to the source electrode, and finally the current flows through the readout line RL. . In this case, since the voltage V1 of the contact capacitance C1 is low, the current flowing in the lead-out line RL may be smaller than that of the ridge contact.

In the case where the ridge of the finger fingerprint is in contact with the pixel electrode, when the high signal is applied to the first scan line SLn (S2), the voltage V1 of the contact capacitor C1 increases. At this time, since the contact capacitance C1 is formed to be relatively larger than when the bone is in contact, coupling between the gate and the source of the amplifying transistor T2 does not occur. Therefore, in this case, the voltage V1 of the contact capacitance C1 can be kept constant. Thereafter, when a high signal is applied to the second scan line SLn + 1 (S4), the detection transistor T3 is turned on, and a current flowing from the drain electrode of the amplifying transistor T2 is sourced from the detection transistor T3. Flow through the electrode to the drain electrode. The current is detected in the readout line RL, but since the coupling due to parasitic capacitance does not occur, the gate electrode potential of the amplifying transistor T2 is kept constant. Will flow.

Subsequently, it is possible to determine which part of the ridge and the valley of the finger fingerprint contact the pixel electrode through the change pattern of the current magnitude detected by the readout line RL, and the contact area.

As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the reset of the circuit is performed by the reset transistor T1 when a signal is applied to the scan line, there is an advantage of not requiring a separate reset line. As described above, according to the present invention, a separate wiring other than the scan line is not required, and thus the circuit can be simply configured. In addition, when the selection signal is applied to the scan line connected to the gate electrode of the detection transistor T3, the gate electrode of the reset transistor T1 of the other contact sensor SN is also connected to the corresponding scan line, so that one scan It is possible to simultaneously control the signal detection at the lead-out line RL included in one contact sensor SN and the operation of the sensing transistor T1 included in another contact sensor SN.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the amplification transistor T2 may operate according to the change of the contact capacitance C1, thereby reducing the disadvantage that the signal detected by the charge sharing circuit becomes small.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transparent thin film transistor and the transparent electrodes are used, and the opening ratio of the display device can be improved by forming an opening in the center of the pixel electrode.

11 is a plan view of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 11, T1 is a reset TR shown in the upper left of FIG. 10, T2 is an amplified TR shown in the lower left, and T3 is a detection TR shown in the lower right. Read TR) respectively.

The gate electrode RG of the reset transistor T1 is connected to the scan line SLn, the source electrode RS is connected to the power input terminal DL, and the drain electrode RD is connected to the pixel electrode Sensing Electode. Can be.

The gate electrode AG of the amplifying transistor T2 is connected to the sensing electrode through the contact Con, the source electrode AS is connected to the power input terminal DL, and the drain electrode AD is detected. It may be connected to the source electrode RS of the transistor T3.

The gate electrode RG of the detection transistor T3 is connected to the scan line SLn + 1, the source electrode RS is connected to the drain electrode AD of the amplifying transistor T2, and the drain electrode RD is It may be connected to the lead-out line RL.

According to an embodiment, when T1 to T3 are implemented as an oxide transistor, the characteristics of the oxide may vary according to incident light, and thus may further include a shield electrode SD. The shield electrode SD may be disposed on the T1 to T3 in a state overlapping with the T1 to T3 to block external light.

In this case, a contact capacitor C1 is formed between the contact means and the pixel electrode Sensing Electrode, and the voltage V1 applied to the contact capacitor C1 is input to the gate electrode AG of the amplifying transistor T2. In addition, a current signal that is formed differently according to a change amount of the voltage V1 input to the gate electrode AG of the amplifying transistor T2 may be transmitted to the detection transistor T3.

On the other hand, the size of the contact capacitor C1 is larger as the contact area between the finger and the sensing electrode becomes larger.

Accordingly, in order to implement the T1 to T3 transistors and the pixel electrodes on the same plane as in the embodiment of FIG. 11, the area occupied by the T1 to T3 can be minimized and the area occupied by the pixel electrodes can be maximized.

According to another embodiment, when the light transmittance of at least one electrode material among the source electrode, the drain electrode, or the gate electrode for implementing the T1 to T3 is low, the T1 to T3 display the color pixels R and G as shown in FIG. 2. , B) may be implemented as an area not overlapping with the pixel, and may be implemented as an area overlapping with the color pixel pixel by using the pixel electrode as a transparent electrode. In this case, fingerprint image scanning is possible without compromising the visibility of the display.

12 is a plan view illustrating a sensor array in which a plurality of touch sensors are arranged according to another exemplary embodiment. FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of a touch sensor of a unit pixel illustrated in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 12, the sensor array 400 includes a plurality of contact sensors PA. Each contact sensor PA is connected to one data line DL1, one lead out line RL, and two scan lines SL n and SL n + 1. For convenience of description, although illustrated as a 5 x 4 array in one embodiment, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be implemented as an M x N array (M, N is one or more natural numbers).

Referring to FIG. 13 in which the unit contact sensor of FIG. 12 is enlarged, in detail, one unit contact sensor is connected to the data line DL, the lead-out line RL, and the scan line SL, and reset transistor. (Reset TR, T1), amplifying transistors (Amp TR, T2), detection transistors (Read TR, T3) and a pixel electrode (SE).

Since the connection relations of the transistors in FIG. 13 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 11, a description thereof will be omitted. 11, the entire surface of the unit contact sensor PA is overlapped with the pixel electrode SE without the shield electrodes overlapping the T1 to T3.

In this case, the pixel electrode is connected to the drain electrode RD of the reset transistor T1 and the gate electrode AG of the amplifying transistor T2 through a contact.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of the touch sensor of the unit pixel shown in FIG. 12, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ′ of the touch sensor of the unit pixel shown in FIG. 12. It is sectional drawing along the CC 'diagram of the contact sensor of the unit pixel shown in FIG.

14 to 16, each of the transistors forms a gate over the substrate and forms a gate insulating layer. After forming an active layer on the gate insulating layer, the source / drain electrodes are patterned by a photolithography process.

Referring to FIG. 14, when the contact sensor is viewed from the A-A 'cross section, the reset transistor T1 at the lower left includes a source / drain electrode, a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer G / I, and an active layer. At this time, the substrate may be a material such as glass, film, plastic (Plastic PI), stainless steel.

The source / drain electrode or the gate electrode of the reset transistor T1 may be formed of a single material or a synthetic material such as ITO, IZO, Mo, Al, Cu, Ag, Ti, or the like. The active region between the source / drain electrodes may be oxide based materials such as a-Si: H, low temperature polysilicon (LTPS), indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), organic materials, etc. Can be implemented. The gate insulating layer G / I may be implemented with SiO ₂ , SiN _X, or the like.

The reset transistor T1 may further include an edge stopper. An edge stopper (E / S) may be implemented with materials such as SiO ₂ and SiN _X. The edge stopper protects the active layer previously formed by the chemical during the photolithography process for forming the source-drain electrode, thereby preventing the active region from being damaged.

Before forming the pixel electrode on the reset transistor T1, the contact sensor PA forms a passivation layer for uniformizing the surface, and the passivation layer includes thin-glass, SiO ₂ , and SiN _Ω. It can be implemented with a transparent material such as.

In the reset transistor T1, the drain electrode RD is connected to the pixel electrode SE as described with reference to FIG. 12. 11 and 12, the pixel electrode is connected to the drain electrode RD through a contact CON passing through the passivation. According to various embodiments, the pixel electrode SE may be implemented as a single material or a synthetic material having transparency such as ITO, IZO, Mo, Al, Cu, Ag, Ti, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 15, when the contact sensor is viewed from the BB 'cross section, the amplification transistor T2 at the lower left is formed on a substrate, and includes a source / drain electrode, a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer (G / I), and It includes an active layer. In addition, the detection transistor T3 at the lower right is formed on a substrate and includes a source / drain electrode, a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer G / I, and an active layer. At this time, the substrate may be a material such as glass, film, plastic (Plastic PI), stainless steel.

Since the source / drain electrodes, gate electrodes, gate insulating layers G / I, and active layers constituting the amplifying transistor T2 and the detection transistor T3 are formed together with the reset transistor forming process, the reset transistors are formed. It may be the same as the material of (T1).

The amplifying transistor T2 and the detection transistor T3 may further include an edge stopper. The edge stopper (E / S) may be implemented with materials such as SiO ₂ and SiN _Ω . The edge stopper protects the active layer previously formed by the chemical during the photolithography process for forming the source-drain electrode, thereby preventing the active region from being damaged.

The contact sensor PA forms a passivation layer for making the surface even before forming the pixel electrode on the reset transistor T1, the amplifying transistor T2, and the detection transistor T3, and the passivation layer is a thin film. It can be implemented with a transparent material such as glass (Thin-Glass), SiO ₂ , SiN _Ω .

In addition, the gate electrode AG of the amplifying transistor and the drain electrode RD of the reset transistor are connected, and as shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, a pixel electrode overlapping the contact sensor is connected with the gate electrode of the amplifying transistor. .

When scanning the surface of the contact means with the touch sensor according to the present embodiment, by implementing a transparent electrode with a larger area, it is possible not only to improve the image sensing sensitivity while securing the visibility of the display device, but also to configure transistors and peripheral circuits. By using the coupling phenomenon due to the parasitic capacitance included in the, it is possible to further increase the magnitude of the detected signal.

17 illustrates a side view of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, the difference from FIG. 14 will be mainly described.

Referring to FIG. 17, each of the transistors T1 to T3 forms a gate on a substrate and forms a gate insulating layer. After forming an active layer on the gate insulating layer, the source / drain electrodes are patterned by a photolithography process. In this case, the edge stopper region may be further included before the source / drain electrode patterning to protect the active layer.

Unlike FIG. 14, the pixel electrode may be formed on the opposite side of the substrate on which the transistors are formed. In this case, the pixel electrode is connected to the drain electrode of the reset transistor and the gate electrode of the amplifying transistor by drilling a via in the substrate. The touch sensor in this embodiment may further include a passivation layer, that is, a protective layer on the pixel electrode, so that the pixel electrode is not damaged by the contact of the contact means. In this case, the passivation layer may be formed of a transparent material such as thin glass, ultra-thin glass, SiO ₂ , SiN _Ω, or the like.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a sensor array in which a plurality of touch sensors are arranged according to another exemplary embodiment. FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view of a touch sensor of a unit pixel illustrated in FIG. 18.

Referring to FIG. 18, the sensor array includes a plurality of contact sensors PBs. However, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 12, the contact sensors PB are symmetrically arranged with other contact sensors in one direction.

In more detail, the first contact sensor PB1 to the third contact sensor PB3 are arranged side by side in one direction, that is, in a row direction. The first contact sensor PB1 is symmetrical with respect to the side contacting the second contact sensor PB, that is, the lead-out line RL or the data line DL. Similarly, the second contact sensor PB2 and the third contact sensor PB3 are symmetrical with respect to the abutting side.

On the other hand, adjacent contact sensors are not arranged symmetrically in the other direction, that is, in the column direction. The first contact sensors PB1 are not arranged symmetrically with respect to the sides contacting the fourth contact sensors PB4, that is, the scan lines.

Referring to FIG. 19, a pair of contact sensors arranged in one direction are symmetrical with respect to the data line DL. That is, the reset transistor, the amplifying transistor, the detection transistor, the pixel electrode, and the signal lines DL, RL, and SL are arranged to be symmetrical with each other.

In the case of an arrangement in which adjacent contact sensors are symmetrical with each other, according to an exemplary embodiment, data lines may be separately arranged for each touch sensor, but according to another exemplary embodiment, one data line serving as a symmetric reference line may be arranged in two adjacent contact sensors. Can be shared by. As a result, the number of signal wires is reduced, and the aperture ratio by the touch sensor is larger than that of the display unit pixels, so that display visibility can be improved.

20 is a plan view of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 20, the touch sensor includes a reset transistor, an amplifying transistor, a detection transistor, a pixel electrode SE, and signal lines DL, RL, and SL.

The pixel electrode is formed via a contact between the drain electrode of the reset transistor and the gate electrode of the amplifying transistor on a plane different from the transistor. The pixel electrode may be formed to have a maximum area that can cover the unit touch sensor size while being independent of the adjacent contact sensor. In this case, the pixel electrode may be implemented as a single material or a synthetic material having permeability such as ITO, IZO, Mo, Al, Cu, Ag, Ti, or the like.

As described below with reference to FIG. 11, in the case of the translucent or opaque of the reset transistor, the amplifying transistor, the source electrode, the drain electrode, or the gate electrode of the detection transistor, when the contact sensor is formed to overlap the display unit pixel, the aperture ratio of the display pixel is lowered. There is a fear that the display visibility is lowered.

Therefore, as in the present embodiment, even when the source electrode, the drain electrode or the gate electrode of the at least one transistor is translucent or opaque, the light blocking area (ie, the black pixel) is not disposed in the display pixel. Transistors T1 to T3 may be disposed toward the region.

Since the light blocking area is a region in which driving elements for displaying a display are disposed to transmit light, the transistors and signal wirings of the touch sensor may be formed into the light blocking area, thereby preventing visibility of the display.

FIG. 21 is a simplified exploded perspective view of a display device including a touch sensor according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a schematic arrangement of the touch sensor of the display device of FIG. 21.

21 and 22, the display device DP according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a display module 510, an adhesive layer 520, a contact sensor module 530, and a cover window 540.

In the display module 510, a display area in which an image is displayed is formed, and the display module 510 is disposed in the display area and includes the plurality of unit pixels for displaying an image. For example, an organic light emitting diode OLED ) May be a display module or a liquid crystal display (LCD) display module.

A sensing region overlapping the display area is formed in the touch sensor module 530, and the touch sensor module 530 includes a transparent substrate 531 and a plurality of touch sensors SN disposed on one surface of the transparent substrate 531. ), An integrated circuit package 532 for transmitting a control signal to the contact sensors SN or receiving a detection signal from the contact sensors SN, and the control signal from the outside to the integrated circuit package 532. Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) 533 for delivery.

Meanwhile, the unit pixels of the display module 510 may be overlapped 1: 1 with the contact sensors SN of the touch sensor module 530. However, this is only an exemplary arrangement and a configuration in which a plurality of contact sensors SN overlap with one unit pixel of the display module 510 may be possible.

The touch sensors SN disposed on the display device DP according to the present exemplary embodiment may include a cover window 540 disposed above the touch sensor module 530, like the touch sensors SN disclosed in FIGS. 6 to 9. By using the capacitance difference between the ridges and valleys of the user fingerprint 9 in contact with, the image scan of the user fingerprint 9 is possible.

Although the touch sensor SN according to the present exemplary embodiment has been described as a configuration disposed on the transparent substrate 531 of the display module 510, the touch sensor SN without the separate transparent substrate 531 may cover the cover window 540. It is also possible to configure the arrangement on one side of).

Among the plurality of contact sensors SN, the first contact sensor SN1 and the second contact sensor SN2 adjacent to the first contact sensor SN1 are a ridge and valley of the user fingerprint 9, respectively. The first thin film SE1 and the second pixel electrode SE2 for sensing the contact capacitance of the second thin film electrode, and the first thin film for providing a voltage to the first pixel electrode SE1 and the second pixel electrode SE2. The transistor unit TFT1 and the second thin film transistor unit TFT2 are included.

The first thin film transistor unit TFT1 and the second thin film transistor unit TFT2 may include at least one of a reset transistor, an amplifying transistor, and a detection transistor of the contact sensor SN1 described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. The first thin film transistor unit TFT1 and the second thin film transistor unit TFT2 are formed on the same plane as the first pixel electrode SE1 and the second pixel electrode SE2 and wirings (not shown) for providing a signal. Can be placed in.

In this case, the first pixel electrode SE1, the second pixel electrode SE2, the first thin film transistor unit TFT1, the second thin film transistor TFT2 unit, and the wirings are thin films of a transparent material having a predetermined light transmittance. For example, at least one of indium tin oxide (ITO), silver nano-wire, silver nano-tube (CNT), and indium zinc oxide (IZO) It can be formed as.

Meanwhile, a separation space 539 is formed between the first contact sensor SN1 and the second contact sensor SN2, and an insulating material such as resin is disposed in the separation space 539, so that the first contact sensor is disposed. The SN1 and the second contact sensor SN2 may be insulated from each other.

At this time, the first contact sensor SN1 and the separation space 539 form one sensing pitch Pitch, and the width W2 of the sensing pitch Pitch is the width W11 of the first contact sensor SN1. It is equal to the sum of the width W12 of the spaced apart space 539.

In order to facilitate the separation of the ridges and valleys of the user's fingerprint 9 with a spacing of approximately 200 um, the width W2 of the sensing pitch is in the range of 5 um to 200 um. It is formed as one.

Meanwhile, detailed configurations of the first pixel electrode SE1, the second pixel electrode SE2, the first thin film transistor unit TFT1, the second thin film transistor unit TFT2, and the wirings are described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. Since the configuration is substantially the same as that of the contact sensor SN, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 23 is a view showing a schematic arrangement of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 24 is a plan view of the touch sensor of FIG.

Since the contact sensor SN according to the present embodiment differs in the arrangement of the contact sensor SN, the other configuration is substantially the same as that of the contact sensor SN of FIGS. 21 and 22. It demonstrates centering on the characteristic part of this embodiment.

23 and 24, the first pixel electrode SE1 and the second pixel of the first contact sensor SN1 and the second contact sensor SN2 among the plurality of contact sensors SN according to the present exemplary embodiment. The electrode SE2 is disposed under the lower surface of the cover window 540, and the first thin film transistor unit TFT1 and the first wiring Wi1, and the second thin film transistor unit TFT2 and the second wiring Wi2 are connected to each other. The first pixel electrode SE1 and the second pixel electrode SE2 are disposed below the first pixel electrode SE1 and the second pixel electrode SE2, respectively.

The first thin film transistor unit TFT1 and the second thin film transistor unit TFT2 may include at least one of a reset transistor, an amplifying transistor, and a detection transistor of the contact sensor SN described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. The first wire Wi1 and the second wire Wi2 may be at least one of a part of a scan line, a part of a data line, and a part of a readout line of the contact sensor SN described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. That is, the pixel electrodes SE1 and SE2 are disposed in a shape that covers some or all of the reset transistor, the amplifying transistor, the detection transistor, a part of the scan line, a part of the data line, and a part of the readout line. Can be.

The pixel electrodes SE1 and SE2, the reset transistor, the amplifying transistor, the detection transistor, the scan line, the data line, and the readout line are formed of a transparent conductive material such as IZO, ITO, or the like, and thus the contact sensor module 530. Light generated by the display module 520 disposed under the) may pass through the contact sensors SN of the touch sensor module 530 and may be projected to the outside.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the pixel electrodes SE1 and SE2 of the contact sensor SN may be formed to be wider than the transistors TFT1 and TFT2 and the wirings Wire1 and Wire2, and thus may be formed to be wider. Interference due to parasitic capacitances formed in the TFT1 and the TFT2 and the wirings Wire1 and Wire2 can be suppressed, so that the contact sensing sensitivity of the user fingerprint can be improved.

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating a state in which a display device including a touch sensor is driven in a touch recognition mode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Since the display device including the touch sensor according to the present embodiment differs only in the method of driving the touch sensor, the display device is the same as the configuration of the display device including the touch sensor described in FIGS. 1 to 24. In the following description, the characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIG. 25, the touch sensor module 530 of the display device DP according to the present exemplary embodiment may include a plurality of touch sensor sectors including two or more touch sensors SN among the plurality of touch sensors SN. (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4).

When the touch sensor module 530 is driven in the touch recognition mode, some of the touch sensors SN included in the plurality of touch sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 are selected, To be activated.

In the display device DP according to the present embodiment, the touch sensor module 530 is basically driven in the touch recognition mode, and when all the touch sensors SN are all selected as only some touch sensors SN are activated. Compared with this, power consumption can be reduced.

In this case, the contact sensor SN becomes active, that is, the activated is that the scan signal and the data signal are applied to the contact sensor SN, so that the contact sensor SN is selected and placed on the surface of the display device DP. It means a state in which the contact sensor SN can detect whether the contact means is in contact.

In more detail, the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 of the touch sensor module 530 according to the present exemplary embodiment may overlap the display area in which the unit pixels of the display device DP are disposed to display an image. The sensing area is partitioned and includes a plurality of contact sensors SN disposed in the partitioned area.

The contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 are formed in a rectangular shape, for example, and any contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 are interposed between the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4. Contact sensors SN, which are not included in the present invention, are disposed to be spaced apart from each other by the width of at least one contact sensor SN between the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4.

When the touch sensor module 530 is driven in the touch recognition mode, some of the touch sensors SN included in the touch sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 of the touch sensor module 530 may be touched. ) Is activated, and the activated contact sensors SN may detect whether a contact means, for example, a user's finger, is touched on the surface of the display device DP.

When the touch sensor module 530 according to the present exemplary embodiment is driven in the touch recognition mode, the touch sensors SN _A activated in the touch sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 are the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, The contact sensors SN _I disposed on the edge portions of the SS3 and SS4 and disposed inside the edge are kept in an inactive state.

Although the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 of the touch sensor module 530 according to the present exemplary embodiment have been described as being formed in a rectangular shape, the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 may be formed. It is also possible to form a polygon or circle other than a square.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a driving state of the touch sensor array in the display device of FIG. 25, and FIG. 27 is a timing diagram for describing an operation of the touch sensor of FIG. 26.

26 and 27, a first scan line DL1 to a fifth data line DL5 for providing a data signal to the contact sensor SN are disposed in one direction and have a first scan for providing a selection signal. The lines SL1 to fourth scan line SL4 are arranged to intersect the first data line DL1 to the fifth data line DL5.

Each of the contact sensors SN is disposed at a point where the first data line DL1 to fifth data line DL5 and the first scan line SL1 to fourth scan line SL4 cross each other. In this case, the power input line VDD of FIGS. 6 to 9 may correspond to the data line of FIG. 26, and is not limited to the term, and refers to a line to which a constant voltage is applied.

The first readout line RL1 to the fourth readout line RL4 are disposed in parallel with the first data line DL1 to the fifth data line DL5, and are respectively connected to the respective contact sensors SN. The readout signal, which is a current signal corresponding to the contact capacitance of the contact sensors SN, is detected in the first readout line RL1 to the fourth readout line RL4.

In this case, the scan signals applied to the first scan line SL1 to the fourth scan line SL4 are sequentially formed, that is, time-series, and are formed on the first data line DL1 to the fifth data line DL5. The applied data signals are formed independently of each other.

Hereinafter, the touch sensor module 530 is driven in the touch recognition mode to activate the touch sensor SN disposed at the edge of the touch sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4, and activate the touch sensor SN. The process of detecting the readout signal from these devices will be described in detail. A case where the data signal, the scan signal, and the readout signal are applied or detected is high, and a case where the data signal, the scan signal, and the readout signal is not applied is called low.

First, the first scan signal is applied to the first scan line SL1 from the first reference time t1 to the second reference time t2. In this case, the first data signal to the fourth data signal are input to the first data line DL1 to the fourth data line DL4, and the first scan line SL1 and the first data line DL1 to fourth data are input. All of the contact sensors SN _A disposed at the intersection with the line DL4 are activated.

Next, a second scan signal is applied to the second scan line SL2 from the second reference time t2 to the third reference time t3. In this case, the first data signal and the fourth data signal are input to the first data line DL1 and the fourth data line DL4, respectively, and to the second data line DL2 and the third data line DL3. The data signal is not input. Therefore, a contact disposed at a point where the second scan line SL2 intersects the second scan line SL2, the first data line DL1, and the fourth data line DL4 during the second reference time t2 to the third reference time t3. Only sensors SN _A are activated.

Next, a third scan signal is applied to the third scan line SL3 from the third reference time t3 to the fourth reference time t4. In this case, the first data signal and the fourth data signal are input to the first data line DL1 and the fourth data line DL4, respectively, and to the second data line DL2 and the third data line DL3. The data signal is not input. Therefore, during the third reference time t3 to the fourth reference time t4, the third scan line SL3 is disposed at a point where the first scan line SL3 intersects with the first data line DL1 and the fourth data line DL4. Only the contact sensors SN _A are activated.

Next, a fourth scan signal is applied to the fourth scan line SL4 from the fourth reference time t4 to the fifth reference time t5. In this case, the first data signal to the fourth data signal is input to the first data line DL1 to the fourth data line DL4, and the fourth scan line SL4 and the first data line DL1 to fourth data are input. Activates all of the connected contact sensors SN _A disposed at the intersection with the line DL4.

Therefore, from the first reference time t1 to the fifth reference time t5, the contact sensors SN _A disposed on the edges of the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 are sequentially activated, and the edges are sequentially activated. The contact sensors SN _I disposed therein remain inactive.

That is, among the touch sensors SN disposed in the touch sensor module 530, the touch sensors SN _A to which both the scan signal and the data signal are applied are activated, and any one of the scan signal and the data signal is activated. Unapplied contact sensors SN _I are not activated.

Meanwhile, when all of the contact sensors SN _A disposed at the edges of the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 detect contact of the contact means, first lead-out connected to the contact sensors SN The readout signal is output through the lines RL1 to the fourth readout line RL4.

When the contact sensors SN according to the present exemplary embodiment are formed in the equivalent circuit configuration as shown in FIG. 6, the gate electrode of the detection transistor included in the contact sensors SN is connected to the reset transistors of the contact sensors SN. It is connected to the next scan line of the scan line.

That is, in the case of the contact sensor SN in which the reset transistor is connected to the first scan line SL1, the gate electrode of the detection transistor of the contact sensor SN is connected to the second scan line SL2.

Therefore, the contact detection signal of the contact sensor SN activated for a certain reference time may be output at the next reference time.

For example, the contact detection signal of the touch sensor SN connected to the first scan line SL1 may be a third reference from a second reference time t2 at which the second scan signal is applied to the second scan line SL2. It is output through the 1st readout line RL1 at the time t3.

In the present embodiment, when the touch sensor module 530 is driven in the touch recognition mode, only the contact sensors SN _A disposed at the edges of the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 are activated. However, some of the contact sensors SN of the contact sensors SN disposed inside the edges of the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 are activated randomly or regularly, or the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, Configurations in which only one contact sensor SN is activated per SS3 and SS4 are also included in the spirit of the present invention.

Also, in the present exemplary embodiment, the contact sensors SN included in the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 are described as being different from each other, but at least one of the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 is included. It is also possible to share the above-mentioned contact sensor SN. In this case, some of the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 may overlap each other.

Hereinafter, a process of detecting the contact position of the contact means when detecting whether the contact means is touched at the same time in the plurality of contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3 and SS4 will be described.

FIG. 28 is a view illustrating a state in which contact means is in contact while the display device of FIG. 25 is driven in the touch recognition mode.

Referring to FIG. 28, for example, when a contact means such as the user's finger F is in contact with a plurality of contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 simultaneously, the display device DP according to the present embodiment may be different. the center (C1) of the center, that is, the fourth touch sensor sector (SS4) of touch sensor sector (SS4) that includes the contact sensor (SN _a) for the greatest number of the touch sensor (SN _a) the contact is detected, Determine as the contact point.

That is, the display device (DP) that counts the number of each touch sensor sector of a touch sensor (SN _A) of the contact sensor (SN _A) contacting the detection of the included in the (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4), and contact The center C1 of the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, and SS4 including the detected maximum number of contact sensors SN _A may be determined as the contact point.

In another example, the display device DP includes, from the centers of the contact sensor sectors SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4 including contact sensors SN _{A in} which contact is sensed, each of the touch sensor sectors includes: The computing center C2 spaced by a weighted average of the number of touch sensors in which the touch is detected may be determined as the touch point.

That is, the display device DP is farthest from the center of the first touch sensor sector SS1 including the fewest touch sensors SN _A , and the closest touch sensors SN _A are the most. The calculation center C2 closest to the center of the fourth contact sensor sector SS4 that is included in a large amount may be calculated to determine the calculation center C2 as a contact point.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, in the case of simply detecting whether the user touches the surface of the display device DP, only some of the touch sensors SN may be activated to detect whether the user touches the display. There is an advantage that can minimize the power consumption of the device (DP).

29 to 31 are views illustrating a state in which a display device is driven in a contact recognition mode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The display devices according to the present embodiments differ only in the configuration of the contact sensor sector, and other configurations are substantially the same as those of the display device described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 28. The explanation focuses on the part.

The contact sensors in the unit touch sensor sector SS may be activated and deactivated in various preset patterns according to the recognition sensitivity and the coordinate detection accuracy of the touch recognition mode. More specifically, referring to FIG. 29, the unit touch sensor sector SS of the display device DP according to the present exemplary embodiment is activated touch sensor SN _A randomly disposed in an area of the touch sensor sector SS. And deactivated contact sensors SN _I.

Next, referring to FIG. 30, activated contact sensors SN _A and inactivated contact sensors SN _I are alternately arranged in a predetermined pattern in alternating regions of the unit contact sensor sector SS.

Next, referring to FIG. 31, at least one activated contact sensor SN _A disposed in an area of the unit contact sensor sector SS and an inactivated contact sensor surrounding the activated contact sensor SN _A ( SN _I ). In this embodiment, the activated contact sensor SN _A may be disposed at the center of the contact sensor sector SS.

32 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the display device of FIG. 25 is driven in a full fingerprint recognition mode.

Referring to FIG. 32, when the touch sensor module 530 of the display device DP according to the present exemplary embodiment is driven in the full fingerprint recognition mode, all the touch sensors SN included in the touch sensor module 530 are active. In this state, the image of the user fingerprint contacted with the surface of the display device DP may be scanned.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the display device of FIG. 25 is driven in an icon fingerprint recognition mode.

Referring to FIG. 33, in the icon fingerprint recognition mode of the display device DP, at least one icon ICON _S among the plurality of icons displayed on the display module among the plurality of icons ICON displayed on the display module 510. And a plurality of contact sensors SN overlapping with.

That is, among the plurality of icons (ICON), for example, overlapping with the security icon (ICON _S ) connected to the security app (App), such as a mobile banking app (App), an application that requires biometric authentication, or an app set by the user. By selecting and activating the contact sensors SN, the user can scan the fingerprint image of the user in the process of touching the security icon ICON _S so that the security app can be started without a separate login procedure.

34 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the display device of FIG. 25 is driven in an input window fingerprint recognition mode.

Referring to FIG. 34, in the input window fingerprint recognition mode of the display device DP, a plurality of contact sensors SN overlapping with the input window FP displayed on a portion of the display module 510 may be selected.

That is, the display device DP selects and activates a plurality of contact sensors SN overlapping the generated input window FP in a user authentication step such as a fingerprint input step of the electronic device 10. Allow user authentication through scanning.

When the display device DP according to the present exemplary embodiment is the icon fingerprint recognition mode or the input window fingerprint recognition mode, all of the plurality of touch sensors SN overlapping the security icon ICON _S or the input window FP are all present. Other touch sensors SN that are activated but not overlapped with the security icon ICON _S and the input window FP may be activated with some contact sensors SN classified by the contact sensor sectors SS.

35 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the display device of FIG. 25 is driven in a non-contact recognition mode.

Referring to FIG. 35, the touch sensor module 530 of the display device DP according to the present exemplary embodiment further includes a plurality of touch sensor blocks HB including a plurality of touch sensor sectors SS.

When the touch sensor module 530 is driven in the non-contact recognition mode, the plurality of touch sensor sectors SS included in the plurality of touch sensor blocks HB are activated. In this case, some of the touch sensors SN of the touch sensors SN included in the respective touch sensor sectors may be selected and activated as described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 31.

In addition, the plurality of contact sensor blocks HB are activated in a mutually overlapping manner as in the manner in which the plurality of contact sensor sectors SS are activated in FIGS. 25 to 31, and detect the non-contact proximity state or the contact state of the contact means P. FIG. can do.

In this case, the voltage magnitude of the scan signal applied to the touch sensors SN activated from the scan line is larger than that when the touch sensor module 530 is driven in the touch recognition mode and the fingerprint recognition mode. As a result, since a larger driving voltage is formed in a larger area than the touch recognition mode or the fingerprint recognition mode, a large E-field is formed that can detect proximity even at a predetermined distance from the display device DP. .

Therefore, even when the contact means P, such as a touch pen, is not directly in contact with the display area or the sensing area of the display device DP, but is positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the display area. The display device DP may detect the touch sensor block HB _S indicated by the contact means P. FIG.

The process of detecting the contact means P, which is not in contact with the contact sensors SN included in the plurality of contact sensor sectors SS, differs only in the voltage magnitude of the data signal applied thereto. 28, since the touch sensor SN is substantially the same as the configuration of detecting the contact means P, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The non-contact recognition mode is a hovering mode that detects whether the contact means P is in proximity while the contact means P is not in direct contact with the display area or the sensing area of the display device DP. Can be.

36 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of the display device of FIG. 25, and FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating a driving process of the display device of FIG. 25.

36 and 37, the display device DP according to the present exemplary embodiment transmits a control signal Sc to the touch sensor module 530 and transmits a detection signal SR from the touch sensor module 530. The control unit 700 further includes. Although the control unit 700 according to the present embodiment has been described as a configuration provided separately from the touch sensor module 530, a configuration in which the control unit 700 is included in the touch sensor module 530 is also possible.

The control unit 700 of the display apparatus DP according to the present exemplary embodiment determines the sensing mode of the display apparatus DP (S10), and selects activation target contact sensors SN according to the determined sensing mode (S20). Next, the selected touch sensors SN are activated, and a detection signal is transmitted from the activated touch sensors (S30).

In more detail, the control unit 70 determines the sensing mode of the display device DP according to the driving state of the electronic device 10 in which the display device DP is installed in the sensing mode determination step S10.

In this case, in the sensing mode, some of the touch sensors SN of the touch sensors included in the plurality of touch sensor sectors SS of the display device DP are selected, thereby contacting the display device DP. A touch recognition mode for recognizing whether or not a touch of the touch is performed, a fingerprint recognition mode for scanning an image of a user's fingerprint in contact with the display device SN by allowing more contact sensors SN to be selected than the touch recognition mode, and Some contact sensors SN of the contact sensors SN included in the contact sensor blocks HB may be selected, and a non-contact recognition mode for recognizing whether the contact means is close to the sensing area is further provided. Include.

When the display device DP is driven in the fingerprint recognition mode, as compared to the case where the display device DP is driven in the touch recognition mode, as the touch device SN is activated, the display device DP is activated. It may have a higher contact recognition resolution to scan a user's fingerprint image.

In addition, the fingerprint recognition mode may include at least one icon ICON among all the fingerprint recognition modes in which all the contact sensors SN of the display device DP are selected, and a plurality of icons ICON displayed on the display device DP. Icon fingerprint recognition mode for selecting a plurality of touch sensors SN overlapping with _S ), and selecting a plurality of touch sensors SN overlapping with the input window FP displayed in a portion of the display device DP. The input window includes a fingerprint recognition mode.

For example, in a normal driving mode of the electronic device 10, the controller 700 determines that the display device DP is in the touch recognition mode, and the electronic device 10 determines the entire area of the display device DP. When performing the operation of scanning the fingerprint of the user over, it is determined that the display device DP is in the entire fingerprint recognition mode, and the power consumption of the electronic device 10 may be suppressed.

In addition, when the touch pen P is detached from the electronic device 10 or the electronic device 10 is in the touch pen P use mode, the controller 700 determines that the display device DP is in a non-contact recognition mode. can do.

When the security icon ICON _S is displayed among the plurality of icons ICON on the electronic device 10, the controller 700 determines that the display device DP is in the icon fingerprint recognition mode. When the fingerprint input window FP is formed at 10, it may be determined that the display device DP is in the input window fingerprint recognition mode.

Next, the controller 700 selects activation target contact sensors SN according to the determined sensing mode (S20).

At this time, the control unit 700 may receive information on the activation target contact sensor SN of each selection mode from a storage provided inside or outside the controller 70 and select the activation target contact sensor SN. have.

Next, the control unit 70, in the step of activating and detecting the touch sensor S30, through the reset transistor which is turned on by receiving the first selection signal with respect to the selected touch sensor SN, the pixel electrode SE. And a detection capacitor configured to charge a contact capacitance formed between the contact means and the contact means, generate a current varying according to the voltage charged in the contact capacitance through the amplifying transistor, and then turn on to receive the second selection signal. The generated current is detected through the transistor to determine whether the contact means is in contact with the upper portion of the contact sensor SN and whether the contact state is present.

In addition, when the non-contact recognition mode is selected in the sensing mode determination step S10, and the touch sensor activation and detection steps for the contact sensors SN selected according to the non-contact recognition mode are performed, It may be determined whether the voltage value of the detection signal generated by the touch sensor exceeds the non-contact recognition reference voltage V _REF .

In this case, in the step of determining whether the reference voltage is exceeded, the controller 70 determines that the voltage value V of the detection signal is equal to or lower than the non-contact recognition reference voltage V _REF . The touch sensor block HB in which the detection signal is generated is determined as the non-contact recognition center.

The controller 70 may activate the touch sensor according to the touch recognition mode when the voltage value V of the detection signal exceeds the non-contact recognition reference voltage V _REF in the step of determining whether the non-contact recognition reference voltage is exceeded. The sensing step S30 is performed. When the contact means P is close to the display area or the sensing area of the display device DP, the voltage value V of the detection signal detected from the contact sensors SN is determined by the contact means P. The detection signal voltage value V is formed to be smaller than the display area or the sensing area of the display device DP. Therefore, the display device DP according to the present embodiment determines whether the voltage value V of the detection signal exceeds the non-contact recognition reference voltage V _REF , so that the contact means P makes the display device DP. It can be determined whether the state is in proximity or contact state with respect to).

According to the proposed embodiment, as the selectively activated micro-sensor touch sensor SN is disposed on the display device DP, the fingerprint image of the user may be scanned, or a minute image such as a pin or a brush may be used. There is an advantage that can detect whether the contact means having a diameter.

The touch sensor of the display device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 37 is connected to a power input terminal VDD or a data line to receive a power or data signal. The power input terminal VDD or the data line both refer to a line for applying a voltage having a predetermined magnitude for operating the touch sensor. The power input terminal VDD and the data line are not limited to the term, and are substantially the power input terminal VDD and the data. Lines can be interpreted as concepts corresponding to each other.

The foregoing description of the present invention is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The foregoing description of the present invention is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is represented by the following claims, and it should be construed that all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are included in the scope of the present invention.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims and the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Naturally, it belongs to the range of.

Embodiments for carrying out the invention have been described together in the best mode for carrying out the above invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of driving a display device capable of scanning an image, and is applicable to various display devices, and there is a repeatability, and thus industrial application is possible.

Claims (20)

A display module including a plurality of unit pixels disposed in a display area in which an image is displayed, and a sensing area overlapping the display area, wherein the touch sensor module includes at least one touch sensor corresponding to each of the unit pixels A method of driving an image scanable display device including; A sensing mode determination step of determining a sensing mode of the display device; A contact sensor selection step of selecting activation target contact sensors according to the determined sensing mode; And activating and detecting the selected touch sensors and receiving a detection signal from the activated touch sensors. The method of claim 1, In the sensing mode determination step, The sensing mode is Some of the touch sensors included in the plurality of touch sensor sectors including the touch sensors disposed in the partitioned area and partitioning the sensing area of the display device are selected so that the touch sensors are selected. A contact recognition mode for recognizing whether the contact means is in contact; And And a fingerprint recognition mode for scanning an image of a user's fingerprint in contact with the display device by allowing the touch sensors to be selected more than the touch recognition mode. The method of claim 2, The touch sensor is connected to a scan line to which a scan signal for providing a driving voltage is applied to the touch sensor. The touch sensor module further comprises a plurality of touch sensor blocks comprising two or more of the touch sensor sectors, The sensing mode may further include selecting contact sensors of some of the touch sensors included in the touch sensor blocks, and including a non-contact recognition mode for recognizing whether the contact means is close to the sensing area. , When the non-contact sensing mode is selected, the driving method of the image scanable display device in which the voltage of the scan signal applied to the touch sensor is greater than that of any one of the touch recognition mode and the fingerprint recognition mode. . The method of claim 3, wherein When the non-contact recognition mode is selected in the sensing mode determination step, the touch sensor activation and detection of the touch sensors selected according to the non-contact recognition mode are performed. Determining whether the voltage value of the detection signal generated by the touch sensor exceeds a reference voltage exceeding a non-contact recognition reference voltage; In the determination of exceeding the reference voltage, when the voltage value of the detection signal is less than or equal to the reference voltage, the contact sensor block in which the detection signal is generated among the plurality of touch sensor blocks is determined as a non-contact recognition center, And in the determining of exceeding the reference voltage, when the voltage value of the detection signal exceeds the reference voltage, activating and detecting a touch sensor according to the touch recognition mode. The method of claim 2, The fingerprint recognition mode, A full fingerprint recognition mode for causing all of the touch sensors of the display device to be selected; An icon fingerprint recognition mode for selecting a plurality of touch sensors overlapping at least one icon among a plurality of icons displayed on the display device; And an input window fingerprint recognition mode in which a plurality of touch sensors overlapping the input window displayed in a partial region of the display device is selected. The method of claim 2, When one of the icon fingerprint recognition mode and the input window fingerprint recognition mode is selected among the fingerprint recognition modes in the sensing mode determination step, And a method of driving an image scan such that some of the touch sensors may be further selected from an area other than an area where the touch sensors overlapping the icon or the input window are disposed. The method of claim 2, When the touch recognition mode is selected in the sensing mode determination step, And the touch sensors of the selected touch sensor sectors are disposed at the edge of the touch sensor sector or randomly disposed in the touch sensor sector. The method of claim 2, And a contact point determining step of determining a contact point based on sensing information received from the touch sensors in which contact of the contact means overlapping the plurality of touch sensors is sensed. The contact point determining step may comprise: 1) the center of the touch sensor sector comprising the largest number of the touch sensors of which touch has been detected, or 2) the touch sensors comprising the touch sensors of which touch has been detected. And a computing center spaced apart from the centers of the sectors by a weighted average of the number of touch sensors in which the touches are detected, as the center of the contact point. The method of claim 2, And a touch sensor sector of one of the plurality of touch sensor sectors and another touch sensor sector adjacent thereto share at least one or more touch sensors. The method of claim 2, And a touch sensor, which is not included in any touch sensor sector, between the touch sensor sector of any one of the touch sensor sectors and another touch sensor sector adjacent thereto. The method of claim 1, The touch sensor may include a pixel electrode forming a contact capacitance by contact with the contact means and formed of a transparent material; And a transistor unit including at least one transistor connected to the pixel electrode, wherein the pixel electrode overlaps the unit pixel of the display module, and light for displaying an image is from the unit pixel. A method of driving a display device that can scan an image. The method of claim 11, The transistor unit, A reset transistor having a drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode and at least one of a gate electrode and a source electrode connected to a first scan line to which a first selection signal is applied or a data line providing a data signal; A gate electrode is connected to a drain electrode of the reset transistor, and a source electrode is connected to any one of the first scan line, the data line, and a second scan line to which a second selection signal different from the first selection signal is applied. Amplifying transistors; And A drain electrode is connected to the drain electrode of the amplifying transistor, a gate electrode is connected to a second scan line to which a second selection signal is applied, and a source electrode is connected to a readout line for detecting a current corresponding to the contact capacitance. And a detection transistor. The method of claim 12, Activating and detecting the touch sensor; Charging a contact capacitance formed between the pixel electrode and the contact means through the reset transistor turned on to receive the first selection signal; Generating a current varying with the voltage charged in the contact capacitance through the amplifying transistor; And And detecting the generated current through the detection transistor which is turned on by receiving the second selection signal, and determining whether or not a contact is made with an upper portion of the touch sensor. Way. The method of claim 12, The pixel electrode, And an image scanning device disposed above the reset transistor, the amplifying transistor, the detection transistor, the first scan line, the second scan line, the data line, and the read out line. The method of claim 14, The pixel electrode covers at least one of the reset transistor, the amplifying transistor, the detection transistor, a portion of the first scan line, a portion of the second scan line, a portion of the data line, and a portion of the read out line. A method of driving an image scanable display device. The method of claim 14, The reset transistor, the amplifying transistor and the detection transistor are disposed not to cover the unit color pixels of the color filter layer of the display module, And the pixel electrode is disposed to cover at least a portion of the unit color pixel. The method of claim 14, Any one of the plurality of touch sensors and another contact sensor adjacent thereto are connected to one of the data lines, And the touch sensor and another touch sensor adjacent to the data line are symmetrical to each other. The method of claim 12, The data line is formed of a plurality of data lines to which the data signals, which are independently formed, are input. Scan signals sequentially formed are respectively input to the plurality of scan lines including the first scan line and the second scan line, And the touch sensor to which the scan signal and the data signal are simultaneously input is activated, and the touch sensor to which at least one of the scan signal and the data signal are not input is not activated. The method of claim 1, The pixel electrode of the touch sensor is in contact with one surface, the rear surface further comprises a protective layer for contacting the user fingerprint, And a method of scanning an image of the user fingerprint by detecting currents having different values according to the contact capacities of the ridges and valleys of the user fingerprint in contact with the protective layer. The method of claim 1, A separation space is formed between the pixel electrode of one of the plurality of touch sensors and the pixel electrode of the other touch sensor; The pixel electrode of the one touch sensor and one separation space adjacent to each other form one sensing pitch, The driving pitch of the sensing pitch is formed in any one of the range of 5um to 200um.

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