U.S. patent application number 16/368887 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-21 for touch sensor, electronic paper display panel and electronic paper display apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to E Ink Holdings Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is E Ink Holdings Inc.. Invention is credited to Hsiao-Lung Cheng, Chi-Mao Hung, Kuang-Heng Liang, Shu-Fen Tsai.
Application Number | 20190354212 16/368887 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67348171 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190354212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheng; Hsiao-Lung ; et
al. |
November 21, 2019 |
TOUCH SENSOR, ELECTRONIC PAPER DISPLAY PANEL AND ELECTRONIC PAPER
DISPLAY APPARATUS
Abstract
A touch sensor configured to sense a touch object is provided.
The touch sensor includes a sensing device and a sensing circuit.
The sensing device includes a substrate, a sensing electrode, a
sensing common electrode and a shielding layer. The sensing
electrode and the sensing common electrode are disposed on the
substrate. The shielding layer is disposed on the sensing electrode
and the sensing common electrode. The sensing circuit is
electrically connected to the sensing device. The sensing circuit
includes a resistor device. A relaxation frequency of a relaxation
signal of the touch sensor is determined according to a resistance
of the resistor device and/or a parasitic resistance of the sensing
device. A pulse difference of the relaxation signal is changed by
the touch object. The touch object is a conductor. An electronic
paper display panel and an electronic paper display apparatus
including the foregoing touch sensor are also provided.
Inventors: |
Cheng; Hsiao-Lung; (Taoyuan
City, TW) ; Tsai; Shu-Fen; (Taoyuan City, TW)
; Hung; Chi-Mao; (Taoyuan City, TW) ; Liang;
Kuang-Heng; (Taoyuan City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
E Ink Holdings Inc. |
Hsinchu |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
E Ink Holdings Inc.
Hsinchu
TW
|
Family ID: |
67348171 |
Appl. No.: |
16/368887 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2203/04107
20130101; G06F 3/0416 20130101; G06F 3/044 20130101; G06F 3/0446
20190501 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/044 20060101
G06F003/044 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 15, 2018 |
TW |
107116396 |
Claims
1. A touch sensor, adapted to sense a touch object, the touch
sensor comprising: a sensing device, comprising a substrate, a
sensing electrode, a sensing common electrode and a shielding
layer, wherein the sensing electrode and the sensing common
electrode are disposed on the substrate, and the shielding layer is
disposed on the sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode;
and a sensing circuit, electrically connected to the sensing
device, and comprising a resistor device, wherein a relaxation
frequency of a relaxation signal of the touch sensor is determined
according to a resistance of the resistor device and/or a parasitic
resistance of the sensing device, and a pulse difference of the
relaxation signal is changed by the touch object, wherein the touch
object is a conductor.
2. The touch sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the touch sensor
is operated in an operation frequency interval between a first
frequency and a second frequency, and the second frequency is
greater than the first frequency.
3. The touch sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing
electrode and the sensing common electrode form a first capacitor
device, the shielding layer and the sensing electrode form a second
capacitor device, the shielding layer and the sensing common
electrode form a third capacitor device, and the touch object
touches the touch sensor to respectively form a fourth capacitor
device and a fifth capacitor device with the shielding layer.
4. The touch sensor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sensing
circuit receives a reference voltage, and the reference voltage is
switched between a first voltage and a second voltage, and
charges/discharges a first terminal of the first capacitor device
to generate the relaxation signal, wherein the relaxation signal is
oscillated between the first voltage and the second voltage.
5. The touch sensor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sensing
circuit further comprises an amplifier circuit having a first input
terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal, wherein
the first input terminal receives the reference voltage, the output
terminal is coupled to a first terminal of the resistor device, and
the second input terminal is coupled to a second terminal of the
resistor device and the first terminal of the first capacitor
device.
6. The touch sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shielding
layer comprises a conductive layer.
7. An electronic paper display apparatus, having a touch sensing
function, and the electronic paper display apparatus comprising: an
electronic paper display panel, comprising a plurality of touch
sensors, wherein each of the touch sensors comprises: a sensing
device, comprising a substrate, a sensing electrode, a sensing
common electrode and a shielding layer, wherein the sensing
electrode and the sensing common electrode are disposed on the
substrate, and the shielding layer is disposed on the sensing
electrode and the sensing common electrode; and a sensing circuit,
electrically connected to the sensing device, and comprising a
resistor device, wherein a relaxation frequency of a relaxation
signal of each of the touch sensors is determined according to a
resistance of the resistor device and/or a parasitic resistance of
the sensing device, a pulse difference of the relaxation signal is
changed by a touch object, wherein the touch object is a conductor,
and a touch position of the touch object on the electronic paper
display panel is determined by the pulse difference of the
relaxation signal of each of the touch sensors.
8. The electronic paper display apparatus as claimed in claim 7,
wherein the electronic paper display apparatus is a segmented
electronic paper display apparatus, and the relaxation frequency of
the relaxation signal of each of the touch sensors is determined
according to the resistance of the resistor device.
9. The electronic paper display apparatus as claimed in claim 7,
wherein the electronic paper display apparatus is a thin film
transistor electronic paper display, and the relaxation frequency
of the relaxation signal of each of the touch sensors is determined
according to the resistance of the resistor device and the
parasitic resistance of the sensing device.
10. An electronic paper display panel, having a touch sensing
function, and the electronic paper display panel comprising: a
plurality of pixel units, arranged in an array, electrically
connected to one or a plurality of sensing circuits, and configured
to sense a touch object, wherein each of the pixel units comprises
a touch capacitor device, and each of the sensing circuits
comprises a resistor device, wherein a relaxation frequency of a
relaxation signal of each of the pixel units is determined
according to a resistance of the resistor device and/or a parasitic
resistance of the pixel unit, a pulse difference of the relaxation
signal is changed by the touch object, wherein the touch object is
a conductor, and a touch position of the touch object on the
electronic paper display panel is determined according to the pulse
difference of the relaxation signal of each of the pixel units.
11. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 10,
wherein each of the pixel units comprises: a first transistor
circuit, wherein in a display mode, a first scan signal turns on a
transistor in the first transistor circuit, and the pixel unit
performs an image display operation; and a second transistor
circuit, wherein in a sensing mode, a second scan signal turns on a
transistor in the second transistor circuit, and the pixel unit
performs a touch sensing operation, wherein the second transistor
circuit is electrically connected to the first transistor circuit
and the one or plurality of sensing circuits, and the second
transistor circuit comprises the touch capacitor device.
12. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 11,
wherein the touch object touches the pixel units to form a sensing
capacitor device with the pixel units, and the second transistor
circuit further comprises the sensing capacitor device.
13. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 11,
further comprising: a plurality of first scan lines, electrically
connected to the first transistor circuits, and each of the first
scan lines being configured to provide the first scan signal to the
first transistor circuit; and a plurality of second scan lines,
electrically connected to the second transistor circuits, and each
of the second scan lines being configured to provide the second
scan signal to the second transistor circuit.
14. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 11,
further comprising: a plurality of data lines, electrically
connected to the first transistor circuits, and each of the data
lines being configured to provide a data signal to the first
transistor circuit, wherein in the display mode, the transistor in
the first transistor circuit is turned on, and the pixel unit
displays image data according to the data signal.
15. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 14,
wherein the second transistor circuits are electrically connected
to the one or plurality of sensing circuits through the data lines,
and in the sensing mode, the transistor in the second transistor
circuit is turned on, and the one or plurality of sensing circuits
charges/discharges one terminal of the touch capacitor device
through the data lines to generate the relaxation signal.
16. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 14,
further comprising: a plurality of sensing lines, electrically
connected to the second transistor circuits, wherein the second
transistor circuits are electrically connected to one or plurality
of sensing circuits through the sensing lines, and in the sensing
mode, the transistor in the second transistor circuit is turned on,
and the one or plurality of sensing circuits charges/discharges one
terminal of the touch capacitor device through the data lines to
generate the relaxation signal.
17. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 11,
further comprising: a plurality of first common electrode lines,
electrically connected to the first transistor circuits, and each
of the first common electrode lines being configured to provide a
first common electrode signal to the first transistor circuit,
wherein in the display mode, the transistor in the first transistor
circuit is turned on, and the pixel unit performs an image display
operation according to the first common electrode signal; and a
plurality of second common electrode lines, electrically connected
to the second transistor circuits, and each of the second common
electrode lines being configured to provide a second common
electrode signal to the second transistor circuit, wherein in the
sensing mode, the transistor in the second transistor circuit is
turned on, and the pixel unit performs a touch sensing operation
according to the second common electrode signal.
18. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 11,
wherein each of the pixel units comprises: a third transistor
circuit, electrically connected between the first transistor
circuit and the second transistor circuit, wherein in the display
mode, a third scan signal turns on a transistor in the third
transistor circuit to transmit a data signal to the third
transistor circuit, and in the display mode, the transistor in the
second transistor circuit is not turned on.
19. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 18,
wherein in the sensing mode, the third scan signal does not turn on
the transistor in the third transistor circuit, and in the sensing
mode, the transistor in the second transistor circuit is turned on,
and the pixel unit performs a touch sensing operation.
20. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 18,
further comprising: a plurality of third scan lines, electrically
connected to the third transistor circuits, and each of the third
scan lines being configured to provide the third scan signal to the
third transistor circuit, wherein in the display mode, the third
scan signal turns on the transistor in the third transistor
circuit, and the pixel unit performs the image display
operation.
21. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 18,
further comprising: a plurality of sensing lines, electrically
connected to the second transistor circuits, and the second
transistor circuits being electrically connected to one or a
plurality of sensing circuits through the sensing lines, wherein in
the sensing mode, the transistor in the second transistor circuit
is turned on, and the one or plurality of sensing circuits
charges/discharges one terminal of the touch capacitor device
through the data lines to generate the relaxation signal.
22. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 18,
further comprising: a plurality of first common electrode lines,
electrically connected to the first transistor circuits and the
third transistor circuits, and each of the first common electrode
lines being configured to provide a first common electrode signal
to the first transistor circuits and the third transistor circuits,
wherein in the display mode, transistors in the first transistor
circuits and the third transistor circuits are turned on, and the
pixel unit performs the image display operation according to the
first common electrode signal.
23. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the one or plurality of sensing circuits respectively
receive a reference voltage, and charge/discharge a first terminal
of each of the touch capacitor devices to generate the relaxation
signal, and the reference voltage is switched between a first
voltage and a second voltage, wherein the relaxation signal is
oscillated between the first voltage and the second voltage.
24. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 23,
wherein the sensing circuit further comprises an amplifier circuit
having a first input terminal, a second input terminal and an
output terminal, the first input terminal receives the reference
voltage, the output terminal is coupled to one terminal of the
resistor device, and the second input terminal is coupled to
another terminal of the resistor device and the first terminal of
the touch capacitor device.
25. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the pixel units are divided into one or a plurality of
pixel unit groups, the one or plurality of pixel unit groups are
respectively and electrically connected to one corresponding
sensing circuit in the one or plurality of sensing circuits.
26. An electronic paper display panel, having a touch sensing
function, and the electronic paper display panel comprising: a
plurality of pixel units, arranged in an array, and configured to
sense a touch object, wherein each of the pixel units comprises: a
first transistor, having a first terminal, a second terminal and a
control terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first
transistor is electrically connected to a data line, and the
control terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected
to a first scan line; a pixel capacitor device, having a first
terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the
pixel capacitor device is electrically connected to the second
terminal of the first transistor, and the second terminal of the
pixel capacitor device is electrically connected to a first common
electrode line; a storage capacitor device, having a first terminal
and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the storage
capacitor device is electrically connected to the second terminal
of the first transistor, and the second terminal of the storage
capacitor device is electrically connected to the first common
electrode line; a second transistor, having a first terminal, a
second terminal and a control terminal, wherein the first terminal
of the second transistor is electrically connected to the data
line, and the control terminal of the second transistor is
electrically connected to a second scan line; a touch capacitor
device, having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the
first terminal of the touch capacitor device is electrically
connected to the second terminal of the second transistor, and the
second terminal of the touch capacitor device is electrically
connected to a second common electrode line; and a sensing
capacitor device, having a first terminal and a second terminal,
wherein the first terminal of the sensing capacitor device is
electrically connected to the second terminal of the second
transistor, and the second terminal of the sensing capacitor device
is electrically connected to the second common electrode line,
wherein the data line is electrically connected to one
corresponding sensing circuit in one or a plurality of sensing
circuits, the sensing circuit comprises a resistor device, a
relaxation frequency of a relaxation signal of each of the pixel
units is determined according to a resistance of the resistor
device and/or a parasitic resistance of the pixel unit, and a pulse
difference of the relaxation signal is changed by the touch object,
wherein the touch object is a conductor, and a touch position of
the touch object on the electronic paper display panel is
determined by the pulse difference of the relaxation signal of each
of the pixel units.
27. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 26,
wherein each of the pixel units comprises: a third transistor,
having a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal,
wherein the first terminal of the third transistor is electrically
connected to the second terminal of the second transistor, the
second terminal of the third transistor is electrically connected
to the second terminal of the first transistor, the control
terminal of the third transistor is electrically connected to a
third scan line, and the first terminal of the second transistor is
electrically connected to a sensing line.
28. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 26,
further comprising the first scan lines, the second scan line, the
data lines, the first common electrode lines and the second common
electrode lines, wherein the first scan lines, the second scan
lines and the first common electrode lines are arranged in a first
direction, and the data lines and the second common electrode lines
are arranged in a second direction.
29. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 28,
further comprising a plurality of third scan lines and a plurality
of sensing lines, wherein the third scan lines are arranged in the
first direction, and the sensing lines are arranged in the second
direction.
30. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 26,
wherein the sensing circuit receives a reference voltage, and
charges/discharges the first terminal of the touch capacitor device
to generate the relaxation signal, and the reference voltage is
switched between a first voltage and a second voltage, wherein the
relaxation signal is oscillated between the first voltage and the
second voltage.
31. The electronic paper display panel as claimed in claim 30,
wherein the sensing circuit further comprises an amplifier circuit
having a first input terminal, a second input terminal and an
output terminal, the first input terminal receives the reference
voltage, the output terminal is coupled to one terminal of the
resistor device, and the second input terminal is coupled to
another terminal of the resistor device and the first terminal of
the touch capacitor device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan
application serial no. 107116396, filed on May 15, 2018. The
entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this
specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a sensor, a display panel and a
display apparatus, and particularly relates to a touch sensor, an
electronic paper display panel and an electronic paper display
apparatus.
Description of Related Art
[0003] In recent years, since an electronic paper display apparatus
has advantages of light and slim, durable, low power consumption
that meets the requirement of energy saving and environmental
protection, etc., it is widely applied to electronic readers (for
example, electronic books, electronic newspapers) or other
electronic devices (for example, electronic tags). On the other
hand, if the electronic paper display apparatus may have a touch
sensing function, it may provide an intuitive input method to the
user to improve user's experience.
[0004] Generally, a touch sensor has to be exposed to air, and an
internal layered structure thereof should not include, for example,
an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) conductive thin film or other similar
conductive layer, so as to avoid covering other layered structures
to cause a shielding effect and result in a fact that the touch
sensor cannot implement a touch sensing operation. However, a panel
of the electronic paper display apparatus generally includes the
ITO conductive thin film or other similar conductive layer. When
the touch sensor is integrated with the panel of the electronic
paper display apparatus, the touch sensor is liable to unable to
implement the touch sensing operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention is directed to touch sensor, an electronic
paper display panel and an electronic paper display apparatus,
which include a shielding layer to provide a touch sensing
function.
[0006] The invention provides a touch sensor adapted to sense a
touch object. The touch sensor includes a sensing device and a
sensing circuit. The sensing device includes a substrate, a sensing
electrode, a sensing common electrode and a shielding layer. The
sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode are disposed on
the substrate. The shielding layer is disposed on the sensing
electrode and the sensing common electrode. The sensing circuit is
electrically connected to the sensing device. The sensing circuit
includes a resistor device. A relaxation frequency of a relaxation
signal of the touch sensor is determined according to a resistance
of the resistor device and/or a parasitic resistance of the sensing
device. A pulse difference of the relaxation signal is changed by
the touch object, where the touch object is a conductor.
[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the touch sensor is
operated in an operation frequency interval between a first
frequency and a second frequency. The second frequency is greater
than the first frequency.
[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing electrode and
the sensing common electrode form a first capacitor device. The
shielding layer and the sensing electrode form a second capacitor
device. The shielding layer and the sensing common electrode form a
third capacitor device. The touch object touches the touch sensor
to respectively form a fourth capacitor device and a fifth
capacitor device with the shielding layer.
[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing circuit
receives a reference voltage. The reference voltage is switched
between a first voltage and a second voltage, and
charges/discharges a first terminal of the first capacitor device
to generate the relaxation signal. The relaxation signal is
oscillated between the first voltage and the second voltage.
[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing circuit
further includes an amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit has a
first input terminal, a second input terminal and an output
terminal. The first input terminal receives the reference voltage.
The output terminal is coupled to a first terminal of the resistor
device. The second input terminal is coupled to a second terminal
of the resistor device and the first terminal of the first
capacitor device.
[0011] In an embodiment of the invention, the shielding layer
includes a conductive layer.
[0012] The invention provides an electronic paper display apparatus
having a touch sensing function. The electronic paper display
apparatus includes an electronic paper display panel. The
electronic paper display panel includes a plurality of touch
sensors. Each of the touch sensors includes a sensing device and a
sensing circuit. The sensing device includes a substrate, a sensing
electrode, a sensing common electrode and a shielding layer. The
sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode are disposed on
the substrate. The shielding layer is disposed on the sensing
electrode and the sensing common electrode. The sensing circuit is
electrically connected to the sensing device. The sensing circuit
includes a resistor device. A relaxation frequency of a relaxation
signal of each of the touch sensors is determined according to a
resistance of the resistor device and/or a parasitic resistance of
the sensing device. A pulse difference of the relaxation signal is
changed by a touch object, where the touch object is a conductor. A
touch position of the touch object on the electronic paper display
panel is determined by the pulse difference of the relaxation
signal of each of the touch sensors.
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display apparatus is a segmented electronic paper display
apparatus. The relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal of
each of the touch sensors is determined according to the resistance
of the resistor device.
[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display apparatus is a thin film transistor electronic paper
display. The relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal of each
of the touch sensors is determined according to the resistance of
the resistor device and the parasitic resistance of the sensing
device.
[0015] The invention provides an electronic paper display panel
having a touch sensing function. The electronic paper display panel
includes a plurality of pixel units. The pixel units are arranged
in an array. The pixel units are electrically connected to one or a
plurality of sensing circuits. The pixel units are configured to
sense a touch object. Each of the sensing circuits includes a
resistor device. A relaxation frequency of a relaxation signal of
each of the pixel units is determined according to a resistance of
the resistor device and/or a parasitic resistance of the pixel
unit. A pulse difference of the relaxation signal is changed by the
touch object, where the touch object is a conductor. A touch
position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel
is determined according to the pulse difference of the relaxation
signal of each of the pixel units.
[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the pixel units
includes a first transistor circuit and a second transistor
circuit. In a display mode, a first scan signal turns on a
transistor in the first transistor circuit, and the pixel unit
performs an image display operation. In a sensing mode, a second
scan signal turns on a transistor in the second transistor circuit,
and the pixel unit performs a touch sensing operation. The second
transistor circuit is electrically connected to the first
transistor circuit and the one or plurality of sensing circuits.
The second transistor circuit includes the touch capacitor
device.
[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, the touch object touches
the pixel units to form a sensing capacitor device with the pixel
units, and the second transistor circuit further includes the
sensing capacitor device.
[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display panel further includes a plurality of first scan lines and
a plurality of second scan lines. The first scan lines are
electrically connected to the first transistor circuits. Each of
the first scan lines is configured to provide the first scan signal
to the first transistor circuit. The second scan lines are
electrically connected to the second transistor circuits. Each of
the second scan lines is configured to provide the second scan
signal to the second transistor circuit.
[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display panel further includes a plurality of data lines. The data
lines are electrically connected to the first transistor circuits.
Each of the data lines is configured to provide a data signal to
the first transistor circuit. In the display mode, the transistor
in the first transistor circuit is turned on, and the pixel unit
displays image data according to the data signal.
[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the second transistor
circuits are electrically connected to the one or plurality of
sensing circuits through the data lines. In the sensing mode, the
transistor in the second transistor circuit is turned on, and the
one or plurality of sensing circuits charges/discharges one
terminal of the touch capacitor device through the data lines to
generate the relaxation signal.
[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display panel further includes a plurality of sensing lines. The
sensing lines are electrically connected to the second transistor
circuits. The second transistor circuits are electrically connected
to one or plurality of sensing circuits through the sensing lines.
In the sensing mode, the transistor in the second transistor
circuit is turned on, and the one or plurality of sensing circuits
charges/discharges one terminal of the touch capacitor device
through the data lines to generate the relaxation signal.
[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display panel further includes a plurality of first common
electrode lines and a plurality of second common electrode lines.
The first common electrode lines are electrically connected to the
first transistor circuits. Each of the first common electrode lines
is configured to provide a first common electrode signal to the
first transistor circuit. In the display mode, the transistor in
the first transistor circuit is turned on, and the pixel unit
performs an image display operation according to the first common
electrode signal. The second common electrode lines are
electrically connected to the second transistor circuits. Each of
the second common electrode lines is configured to provide a second
common electrode signal to the second transistor circuit. In the
sensing mode, the transistor in the second transistor circuit is
turned on, and the pixel unit performs a touch sensing operation
according to the second common electrode signal.
[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the pixel units
further includes a third transistor circuit. The third transistor
circuit is electrically connected between the first transistor
circuit and the second transistor circuit. In the display mode, a
third scan signal turns on a transistor in the third transistor
circuit to transmit a data signal to the third transistor circuit,
and in the display mode, the transistor in the second transistor
circuit is not turned on.
[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, in the sensing mode, the
third scan signal does not turn on the transistor in the third
transistor circuit, and in the sensing mode, the transistor in the
second transistor circuit is turned on, and the pixel unit performs
a touch sensing operation.
[0025] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display panel further includes a plurality of third scan lines. The
third scan lines are electrically connected to the third transistor
circuits. Each of the third scan lines is configured to provide the
third scan signal to the third transistor circuit. In the display
mode, the third scan signal turns on the transistor in the third
transistor circuit, and the pixel unit performs the image display
operation.
[0026] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display panel further includes a plurality of sensing lines. The
sensing lines are electrically connected to the second transistor
circuits. The second transistor circuits are electrically connected
to one or a plurality of sensing circuits through the sensing
lines. In the sensing mode, the transistor in the second transistor
circuit is turned on, and the one or plurality of sensing circuits
charges/discharges one terminal of the touch capacitor device
through the data lines to generate the relaxation signal.
[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display panel further includes a plurality of first common
electrode lines. The first common electrode lines are electrically
connected to the first transistor circuits and the third transistor
circuits. Each of the first common electrode lines is configured to
provide a first common electrode signal to the first transistor
circuits and the third transistor circuits. In the display mode,
transistors in the first transistor circuits and the third
transistor circuits are turned on, and the pixel unit performs the
image display operation according to the first common electrode
signal.
[0028] In an embodiment of the invention, the one or plurality of
sensing circuits respectively receive a reference voltage, and
charge/discharge a first terminal of each of the touch capacitor
devices to generate the relaxation signal. The reference voltage is
switched between a first voltage and a second voltage. The
relaxation signal is oscillated between the first voltage and the
second voltage.
[0029] In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing circuit
further includes an amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit has a
first input terminal, a second input terminal and an output
terminal. The first input terminal receives the reference voltage,
the output terminal is coupled to one terminal of the resistor
device, and the second input terminal is coupled to another
terminal of the resistor device and the first terminal of the touch
capacitor device.
[0030] In an embodiment of the invention, the pixel units are
divided into one or a plurality of pixel unit groups, the one or
plurality of pixel unit groups are respectively and electrically
connected to one corresponding sensing circuit in the one or
plurality of sensing circuits.
[0031] The invention provides an electronic paper display panel
having a touch sensing function. The electronic paper display panel
includes a plurality of pixel units. The pixel units are arranged
in an array to sense a touch object. Each of the pixel units
includes a first transistor, a pixel capacitor device, a storage
capacitor device, a second transistor, a touch capacitor device and
a sensing capacitor device. The first transistor has a first
terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal. The first
terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to a
data line. The control terminal of the first transistor is
electrically connected to a first scan line. The pixel capacitor
device has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first
terminal of the pixel capacitor device is electrically connected to
the second terminal of the first transistor. The second terminal of
the pixel capacitor device is electrically connected to a first
common electrode line. The storage capacitor device has a first
terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the storage
capacitor device is electrically connected to the second terminal
of the first transistor. The second terminal of the storage
capacitor device is electrically connected to the first common
electrode line. The second transistor has a first terminal, a
second terminal and a control terminal. The first terminal of the
second transistor is electrically connected to the data line. The
control terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected
to a second scan line. The touch capacitor device has a first
terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the touch
capacitor device is electrically connected to the second terminal
of the second transistor. The second terminal of the touch
capacitor device is electrically connected to a second common
electrode line. The sensing capacitor device has a first terminal
and a second terminal. The first terminal of the sensing capacitor
device is electrically connected to the second terminal of the
second transistor. The second terminal of the sensing capacitor
device is electrically connected to the second common electrode
line. The data line is electrically connected to one corresponding
sensing circuit in one or a plurality of sensing circuits. The
sensing circuit includes a resistor device. A relaxation frequency
of a relaxation signal of each of the pixel units is determined
according to a resistance of the resistor device and/or a parasitic
resistance of the pixel unit. A pulse difference of the relaxation
signal is changed by the touch object, where the touch object is a
conductor. A touch position of the touch object on the electronic
paper display panel is determined by the pulse difference of the
relaxation signal of each of the pixel units.
[0032] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the pixel units
includes a third transistor. The third transistor has a first
terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal. The first
terminal of the third transistor is electrically connected to the
second terminal of the second transistor. The second terminal of
the third transistor is electrically connected to the second
terminal of the first transistor. The control terminal of the third
transistor is electrically connected to a third scan line. The
first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected
to a sensing line.
[0033] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display panel further includes the first scan lines, the second
scan line, the data lines, the first common electrode lines and the
second common electrode lines. The first scan lines, the second
scan lines and the first common electrode lines are arranged in a
first direction. The data lines and the second common electrode
lines are arranged in a second direction.
[0034] In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper
display panel further includes a plurality of third scan lines and
a plurality of sensing lines. The third scan lines are arranged in
the first direction. The sensing lines are arranged in the second
direction.
[0035] In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing circuit
receives a reference voltage, and charges/discharges the first
terminal of the touch capacitor device to generate the relaxation
signal. The reference voltage is switched between a first voltage
and a second voltage. The relaxation signal is oscillated between
the first voltage and the second voltage.
[0036] In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing circuit
further includes an amplifier circuit having a first input
terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal. The first
input terminal receives the reference voltage. The output terminal
is coupled to one terminal of the resistor device. The second input
terminal is coupled to another terminal of the resistor device and
the first terminal of the touch capacitor device.
[0037] According to the above description, in the embodiments of
the invention, the touch sensor includes the shielding layer, the
relaxation frequency thereof is determined according to the
resistance of the resistor device and the capacitance of the
capacitor device, and is changed by the touch object to provide
good sensing quality. In an embodiment, the relaxation frequency is
determined according to the parasitic resistance and the parasitic
capacitance of the pixel units, the first voltage, the second
voltage, and parasitic resistance of a tracing on the transistor
circuit. The electronic paper display panel and the electronic
paper display apparatus including the touch sensor are adapted to
provide the touch sensing function.
[0038] In order to make the aforementioned and other features and
advantages of the invention comprehensible, several exemplary
embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch sensor according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a sensing device
of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0042] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are respectively equivalent circuit
schematic diagrams of the touch sensor of the embodiment of FIG. 1
in different operation frequencies.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an operation frequency
interval of the touch sensor of FIG. 1 implementing a touch sensing
operation.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram of a relaxation signal
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an electronic paper display
apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0046] FIG. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel of the embodiment of FIG. 7.
[0047] FIG. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a circuit schematic diagram of the electronic
paper display panel of the embodiment of FIG. 9.
[0049] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are schematic diagrams of a pixel unit
of the embodiment of FIG. 9 operated in different operation
modes.
[0050] FIG. 13 is a circuit schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0051] FIG. 14 is a circuit schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0052] FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are respectively schematic diagrams of a
pixel unit of the embodiment of FIG. 14 operated in different
operation modes.
[0053] FIG. 17 is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0054] FIG. 18 is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0055] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of an electronic paper
display apparatus according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0056] FIG. 20 is an equivalent circuit schematic diagram of a
touch sensor operated in any frequency within an operation
frequency interval according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0057] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a driver device according
to an embodiment of the invention.
[0058] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a sensing device of the
embodiment of FIG. 21.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0059] A plurality of embodiments is provided below to describe the
invention, though the invention is not limited to the provided
embodiments, and the provided embodiments may be suitably combined.
A term "couple" used in the full text of the disclosure (including
the claims) refers to any direct and indirect connections. For
example, if a first device is described to be coupled to a second
device, it is interpreted as that the first device is directly
coupled to the second device, or the first device is indirectly
coupled to the second device through other devices or connection
means. Moreover, a term "signal" refers to at least a current, a
voltage, a charge, a temperature, data, an electromagnetic wave or
any other one or more signals.
[0060] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch sensor according to
an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a structural schematic
diagram of a sensing device of the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 and
FIG. 4 are respectively equivalent circuit schematic diagrams of
the touch sensor of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in different operation
frequencies. Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the touch sensor 100 of
the embodiment is used for sensing a touch object 200. The touch
object 200 is a conductor, for example, user's finger or a touch
control device. In the embodiment, the touch sensor 100 includes a
sensing device 110 and a sensing circuit 120. The sensing circuit
120 is electrically connected to the sensing device 110. The
sensing circuit 120 is used for charging/discharging the sensing
device 110 to generate a relaxation signal, and a relaxation
frequency thereof is an operation frequency of the touch sensor
100. In the embodiment, a pulse difference of the relaxation signal
of the touch sensor 100 is changed by the touch object 200. When
the touch object 200 touches the sensing device 110, the pulse
difference of the relaxation signal is accordingly changed.
Therefore, whether the touch object 200 touches the touch sensor
100 may be determined according to a magnitude of the pulse
difference of the relaxation signal.
[0061] To be specific, in the embodiment, the sensing device 100
includes a substrate 112, a sensing electrode 114, a sensing common
electrode 116 and a shielding layer 118. The sensing electrode 114
and the sensing common electrode 116 are disposed on the substrate
112. The sensing electrode 114 and the sensing common electrode 116
form a first capacitor device C1. In the embodiment, the sensing
electrode 114 is used for transmitting a sensing signal, and the
sensing common electrode 116 is, for example, coupled to a ground
voltage, and is used for providing a reference voltage for a touch
sensing operation. In an embodiment, the sensing common electrode
116 may also be coupled to a predetermined common electrode signal,
or kept in a floating state, which is not limited by the invention.
In the embodiment, the shielding layer 118 is disposed on the
sensing electrode 114 and the sensing common electrode 116. The
shielding layer 118 and the sensing electrode 114 form a second
capacitor device C2. The shielding layer 118 and the sensing common
electrode 116 form a third capacitor device C3. In the embodiment,
the shielding layer 118 is a transparent conductive thin film, for
example, an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) conductive thin film, or other
similar conductive layer. In an embodiment, the shielding layer
118, for example, includes a nano silver wire layer. The material
and the type of the shielding layer 118 are not limited by the
invention. In the embodiment, the touch object 200 contacts the
sensing device 110 to respectively form a fourth capacitor device
C4 and a fifth capacitor device C5 with the shielding layer 118. In
the embodiment, a capacitance of each of the capacitance devices
is, for example, determined according to a material characteristic
of each of the layers.
[0062] In the embodiment, the sensing circuit 120 includes an
amplifier circuit 122 and a resistor device R. The amplifier
circuit 122 has a first input terminal (a non-inverting terminal),
a second input terminal (an inverting terminal) and an output
terminal. The first input terminal receives a reference voltage
Vref. The output terminal is coupled to one terminal of the
resistor device R. The second input terminal is coupled to another
terminal of the resistor device R and a terminal N of the first
capacitor device C1. In the embodiment, the sensing circuit 120,
for example, includes a relaxation oscillator, and a framework
thereof is schematically described, and the sensing circuit 120 may
be implemented by the framework of any sensing circuit of the
field, which is not limited by the invention. Enough instructions
and recommendations for the detailed framework and implementation
method thereof may be learned from ordinary knowledge of the art,
and details thereof are not repeated.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an operation frequency
interval of the touch sensor of FIG. 1 implementing a touch sensing
operation. FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram of a relaxation signal
according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3 to
FIG. 6, the touch sensor 100 of the embodiment is, for example,
operated in an operation frequency interval BW between a first
frequency f1 and a second frequency f2, where the second frequency
f2 is greater than the first frequency f1. For example, in the
embodiment, the operation frequency interval BW is between 2 MHz
and 3.6 MHz, though the invention is not limited thereto. In an
embodiment, the operation frequency is substantially greater than
780 KHz. In the embodiment, the touch sensor 100 is, for example,
applied to an electronic paper display apparatus, as shown in FIG.
7, to perform touch sensing. In an application that the electronic
paper display apparatus is a segmented electronic paper display
apparatus, an operation frequency thereof is substantially greater
than 750 KHz, and the relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal
of each touch sensor 100 is determined according to a resistance of
the resistor device R. In an application that the electronic paper
display apparatus is a thin film transistor electronic paper
display apparatus, the operation frequency interval BW is, for
example, between 2 MHz and 3.6 MHz, and the relaxation frequency of
the relaxation signal of each touch sensor 100 is determined
according to the resistance of the resistor device R and a
parasitic resistance of the sensing device 110. In an embodiment,
the relaxation frequency may be determined according to a parasitic
resistance and a parasitic capacitance of a pixel unit, a first
voltage, a second voltage, and a parasitic resistance of a tracing
of a transistor circuit.
[0064] FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit schematic diagram of the
touch sensor 100 operated in any frequency outside the operation
frequency interval BW. In FIG. 3, in case of any frequency outside
the operation frequency interval BW, the fourth capacitor device C4
and the fifth capacitor device C5 are shielded. FIG. 4 is an
equivalent circuit schematic diagram of the touch sensor 100
operated in any frequency within the operation frequency interval
BW. In FIG. 4, when the touch sensor 100 is operated in any
frequency within the operation frequency interval BW, the second
capacitor device C2 and the third capacitor device C3 present a
short-circuit state.
[0065] In FIG. 4, when the touch object 200 does not touch the
touch sensor 100, the fourth capacitor device C4 and the fifth
capacitor device C5 do not exist. In this case, the reference
voltage Vref is, for example, set to the second voltage V2, and the
amplifier circuit 122 charges the terminal N of the first capacitor
device C1 through the resistor device R, and a signal waveform of
the relaxation signal S is increased toward the second voltage V2.
When a voltage of the terminal N is equal to the second voltage V2,
the reference voltage Vref is, for example, switched to the first
voltage V1, and the amplifier circuit 122 discharges the terminal N
of the first capacitor device C1 through the resistor device R, and
the signal waveform of the relaxation signal S is decreased toward
the first voltage V1. Repeatedly, the reference voltage Vref is
switched between the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2,
and charges/discharges the terminal N of the first capacitor device
C1 to generate the relaxation signal S. The relaxation signal S is
oscillated between the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2,
and in the embodiment of the segmented electronic paper display
apparatus, the relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal S is
determined according to the resistance of the resistor device R. In
the embodiment of the thin film transistor electronic paper display
apparatus, the relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal S is
determined according to the resistance of the resistor device R and
the parasitic resistance of the sensing device 110. In an
embodiment, the relaxation frequency may be determined according to
a parasitic resistance and a parasitic capacitance of a pixel unit,
the first voltage, the second voltage, and a parasitic resistance
of a tracing of a transistor circuit.
[0066] In FIG. 4, when the touch object 200 touches the touch
sensor 100, the fourth capacitor device C4 and the fifth capacitor
device C5 exist. Now, since an equivalent capacitance between the
terminal N and the terminal ground has been changed, the relaxation
frequency is changed, for example, decreased in response to the
touch object 200. In a sensing period GT, a pulse number of the
relaxation signal S is decreased. Therefore, in the embodiment, one
of the methods for determining a change of the relaxation frequency
is to determine whether the pulse number of the relaxation signal S
is changed during the sensing period GT. In other words, in the
embodiment, a pulse difference of the relaxation signal S is
changed by the touch object (for example, a touched conductor).
Whether the touch object 200 touches the touch sensor may be
determined according to the pulse difference of the relaxation
signal S.
[0067] In the embodiment, one of the methods for determining
whether the pulse number of the relaxation signal S is changed
during the sensing period GT is, for example, to transmit the
relaxation signal S to a counter circuit (not shown) or other
similar circuit. For example, the counter circuit is, for example,
electrically connected to an output of the amplifier circuit 122 to
receive the relaxation signal S, and counts the pulse number of the
relaxation signal S during the sensing period GT. The counter
circuit is, for example, an external circuit independent to the
sensing circuit 120, or a counter circuit configured in the sensing
circuit 120. In the embodiment, the counter circuit may be
implemented by a framework of any type of the counter circuit of
the technical field, which is not limited by the invention. Enough
instructions and recommendations for the detailed framework and
implementation method thereof may be learned from ordinary
knowledge of the art, and details thereof are not repeated.
[0068] In the embodiment, whether the touch object 200 touches the
touch sensor 100 may be determined according to the pulse
difference of the relaxation signal S. In an application of a
plurality of touch sensors, for example, the touch sensors are
arranged on a substrate in an array to construct a touch sensing
panel. A touch position of the touch object 200 on the touch
sensing panel is determined by whether the pulse difference of the
relaxation signal S of each of the touch sensors is changed.
[0069] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an electronic paper display
apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a
structural schematic diagram of an electronic paper display panel
of the embodiment of FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the
electronic paper display apparatus 300 of the embodiment has a
touch sensing function. The electronic paper display apparatus 300
includes an electronic paper display panel 310 and a driver device
320. The driver device 320 is electrically connected to the
electronic paper display panel 310. The driver device 320 is used
for driving the electronic paper display panel 310 to display an
image frame, and perform a touch sensing operation.
[0070] To be specific, in the embodiment, the electronic paper
display panel 310 includes a plurality of the touch sensors 100
shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 8, the electronic paper display panel 310
includes a plurality of sensing devices 110. The sensing circuit
120 may be disposed in the driver device 320, or integrated with
the electronic paper display panel 310, or disposed in other
external circuit. The configuration position of the sensing circuit
120 is not limited by the invention. In the embodiment, the
relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal of each of the touch
sensors 110 is determined by the resistance of the resistor device
R in the sensing circuit 120 and/or the parasitic resistance in the
sensing device 110. When the touch object 200 touches the
electronic paper display panel 310, the pulse difference of the
relaxation signal is changed by the touch object 200. Therefore, a
touch position of the touch object 200 on the electronic paper
display panel 310 is determined according to the pulse difference
of the relaxation signal of each of the touch sensors 100. In an
embodiment, the relaxation frequency may also be determined
according to a parasitic resistance and a parasitic capacitance of
a pixel unit, a first voltage, a second voltage, and a parasitic
resistance of a tracing of a transistor circuit. Moreover, enough
instructions, recommendations and implementations for the touch
sensing operation of the embodiment may be learned from related
descriptions of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, and details
thereof are not repeated.
[0071] In the embodiment, the electronic paper display apparatus
300 is, for example, a segmented electronic paper display apparatus
or a thin film transistor electronic paper display apparatus,
though the invention is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, a
design of the driver device 320 is adjusted to be adapted to the
electronic paper display apparatus 300, and the driver device 320
may be implemented by a suitable circuit framework of the technical
field, which is not limited by the invention.
[0072] In the embodiment, the electronic paper display panel 310
includes the shielding layer 118. The shielding layer 118 includes
an indium tin oxide conductive film, or a nano silver wire layer or
other similar conductive layer, though the invention is not limited
thereto. In the embodiment, the electronic paper display apparatus
300 determines the touch position of the touch object 200 on the
electronic paper display panel 310 according to the pulse
difference of the relaxation signal of each of the touch sensors
100. Existence of the shielding layer 118 does not influence the
touch sensing operation of the electronic paper display apparatus
300.
[0073] FIG. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a circuit schematic diagram of the electronic paper
display panel of the embodiment of FIG. 9. Referring to FIG. 9 and
FIG. 10, the electronic paper display panel 400 of the embodiment
includes a plurality of first scan lines SL1, a plurality of second
scan lines SL2, a plurality of data lines DL1, a plurality of first
common electrode lines CL1, a plurality of second common electrode
lines CL2 and a plurality of pixel units 410.
[0074] In the embodiment, the pixel units 410 are arranged in an
array, and are electrically connected to one or a plurality of
sensing circuits 420 through the data lines DL1. In the embodiment,
the sensing circuits 420 may be integrated on the electronic paper
display panel 310, or disposed in other external circuit. The pixel
units 410 are used for sensing the touch object 200 of FIG. 2 or
FIG. 8. In the embodiment, the pixel units 410 in a same column are
connected to the same sensing circuit 420. In an embodiment, the
pixel units in different columns may also be connected to a same
sensing circuit. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the pixel unit
may also be properly grouped, and the pixel units of the same group
share a same sensing circuit. The number of the sensing circuits
420 is not limited by the invention.
[0075] In the embodiment, the pixel unit 410 includes a first
transistor circuit 412 and a second transistor circuit 414. The
first transistor circuit 412 includes a first transistor Q1, a
pixel capacitor device Cp and a storage capacitor device Cst. The
second transistor circuit 414 includes a second transistor Q2, a
touch capacitor device Ctc and a sensing capacitor device Cf. In
the embodiment, the touch capacitor device Ctc includes the first
capacitor device C1, the second capacitor device C2 and the third
capacitor device C3 of FIG. 2. For example, the touch capacitor
device Ctc is, for example, one of the first capacitor device C1,
the second capacitor device C2 and the third capacitor device C3,
or an equivalent capacitor device of a combination of the above
three capacitor devices connected in series or parallel. In the
embodiment, the sensing capacitor device Cf includes the fourth
capacitor device C4 and the fifth capacitor device C5 of FIG. 2.
For example, the sensing capacitor device Cf is, for example, one
of the fourth capacitor device C4 and the fifth capacitor device
C5, or an equivalent capacitor device of a combination of the above
two capacitor devices connected in series or parallel.
[0076] In the embodiment, a first terminal of the first transistor
Q1 is electrically connected to the data line DL1. A second
terminal of the first transistor Q1 is electrically connected to a
first terminal of the pixel capacitor device Cp and a first
terminal of the storage capacitor device Cst. A control terminal of
the first transistor Q1 is electrically connected to the first scan
line SL1. A first terminal of the pixel capacitor device Cp is
electrically connected to the second terminal of the first
transistor Q1. A second terminal of the pixel capacitor device Cp
is electrically connected to the first common electrode line CL1. A
first terminal of the storage capacitor device Cst is electrically
connected to the second terminal of the first transistor Q1. A
second terminal of the storage capacitor device Cst is electrically
connected to the first common electrode line CL1. In the
embodiment, the first scan line SL1 and the first common electrode
line CL1 are respectively used for providing a first scan signal
and a first common electrode signal to the first transistor Q1. In
a display mode, the data line DL1 is used for providing a data
signal to the first transistor Q1. The first scan signal is
transmitted through the first scan line SL1, and turns on the first
transistor Q1 in the display mode, such that the pixel unit 410
performs an image display operation to display image data according
to the data signal and the first common electrode signal.
[0077] In the embodiment, a first terminal of the second transistor
Q2 is electrically connected to the data line DL1. A second
terminal of the second transistor Q2 is electrically connected to a
first terminal of the touch capacitor device Ctc and a first
terminal of the sensing capacitor device Cf A control terminal of
the second transistor Q2 is electrically connected to the second
scan line SL2. A first terminal of the touch capacitor device Ctc
is electrically connected to the second terminal of the second
transistor Q2. A second terminal of the touch capacitor device Ctc
is electrically connected to the second common electrode line CL2.
A first terminal of the sensing capacitor device Cf is electrically
connected to the second terminal of the second transistor Q2. A
second terminal of the sensing capacitor device Cf is electrically
connected to the second common electrode line CL2. In the
embodiment, the second scan line SL2 and the second common
electrode line CL2 are respectively used for providing a second
scan signal and a second common electrode signal to the second
transistor Q2. The second scan signal is transmitted through the
second scan line SL2, and turns on the second transistor Q2 in a
sensing mode, such that the pixel unit 410 performs a touch sensing
operation to sense the touch object 200 according to the second
common electrode signal. In the sensing mode, the second transistor
Q2 is turned on, and the sensing circuit 420 charges/discharges the
first terminal of the touch capacitor device Ctc through the data
line DL1 to generate the relaxation signal S shown in FIG. 6.
Moreover, enough instructions, recommendations and implementations
for the method of generating the relaxation signal S of the
embodiment may be learned from related descriptions of the
embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, and details thereof are not
repeated.
[0078] In the embodiment, the first scan lines SL1, the second scan
lines SL2 and the first common electrode lines CL1 are arranged in
a first direction Y. The data lines DL1 and the second common
electrode lines CL2 are arranged in a second direction X. The first
direction Y and the second direction X are different, and are
perpendicular to each other in FIG. 10.
[0079] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are schematic diagrams of the pixel unit
of the embodiment of FIG. 9 operated in different operation modes.
Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, FIG. 11 illustrates a situation
that the pixel unit 410 is operated in the display mode, and FIG.
12 illustrates a situation that the pixel unit 410 is operated in
the sensing mode. In FIG. 11, when the pixel unit 410 is operated
in the display mode, the first scan signal turns on the first
transistor Q1, and the second scan signal does not turn on the
second transistor Q2. The data signal is transmitted to the first
transistor circuit 412 through a signal transmission path 510. The
pixel unit 410 performs the image display operation to display
image data according to the data signal and the first common
electrode signal.
[0080] In FIG. 12, when the pixel unit 410 is operated in the
sensing mode, the first scan signal does not turn on the first
transistor Q1, and the second scan signal turns on the second
transistor Q2. The sensing circuit 420 charges/discharges the first
terminal of the touch capacitor device Ctc through the data line
DL1 to generate the relaxation signal S of FIG. 6. The relaxation
signal S is transmitted through a signal transmission path 520. In
the embodiment, the relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal S
of each of the pixel units 410 is determined according to the
resistance of the resistor device R and/or the parasitic resistance
therein. Moreover, the pulse difference of the relaxation signal is
changed by the touch object 200. When the touch object 200 touches
the pixel unit 410, the touch object 200 and the pixel unit 410
form the sensing capacitor device Cf. The touch position of the
touch object 200 on the electronic paper display panel 400 may be
determined according to the pulse difference of the relaxation
signal of each of the pixel units 410. In an embodiment, the
relaxation frequency may also be determined according to a
parasitic resistance and a parasitic capacitance of the pixel unit,
the first voltage, the second voltage, and a parasitic resistance
of a tracing of the transistor circuit. Moreover, enough
instructions, recommendations and implementations for the touch
sensing operation of the embodiment may be learned from related
descriptions of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, and details
thereof are not repeated.
[0081] In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the second transistor circuit
414 and the first transistor circuit 412 share the data line DL1 to
transmit the relaxation signal S, though the invention is not
limited thereto. In another embodiment, the second transistor
circuit 414 may also adopt other signal line to transmit the
relaxation signal S.
[0082] FIG. 13 is a circuit schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel according to another embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 13, the electronic paper
display panel 800 of the embodiment is similar to the electronic
paper display panel 400 of the embodiment of FIG. 10, and a main
difference there between is that the electronic paper display panel
800 further includes a plurality of sensing lines DL2, and the
second transistor circuit 814 uses the sensing lines DL2 to
transmit the relaxation signal S.
[0083] In detail, in the embodiment, the sensing line DL2 is
electrically connected to the second transistor circuit 814. The
second transistor circuit 814 is electrically connected to the
sensing circuit 820 through the sensing line DL2. In the sensing
mode, the second transistor Q2 is turned on, and the sensing
circuit 820 charges/discharges the first terminal of the touch
capacitor device Ctc through the sensing line DL2 to generate the
relaxation signal S. Moreover, enough instructions, recommendations
and implementations for the touch sensing operation of the
embodiment may be learned from related descriptions of the
embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 12, and details thereof are not
repeated.
[0084] FIG. 14 is a circuit schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel according to another embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 14, the electronic paper
display panel 600 of the embodiment is similar to the electronic
paper display panel 400 of the embodiment of FIG. 10, and a main
difference there between is that the electronic paper display panel
600 further includes a plurality of third scan lines SL3 and a
plurality of sensing lines DL2, and the pixel unit 610 further
includes a third transistor circuit 616.
[0085] To be specific, in the embodiment, the third transistor
circuit 616 is electrically connected between a first transistor
circuit 612 and a second transistor circuit 614. The third
transistor circuit 616 includes a third transistor Q3. A first
terminal of the third transistor Q3 is electrically connected to
the second terminal of the second transistor Q2. A second terminal
of the third transistor Q3 is electrically connected to the second
terminal of the first transistor Q1. A control terminal of the
third transistor Q3 is electrically connected to the third scan
line SL3. The first terminal of the second transistor Q2 is
electrically connected to the sensing line DL2. In the embodiment,
the third scan line SL3 and the first common electrode line CL1 are
respectively used for providing a third scan signal and the first
common electrode signal to the third transistor Q3. In the display
mode, the data line DL1 is used for providing the data signal to
the first transistor Q1 and the third transistor Q3. The first scan
signal and the third scan signal are transmitted through the first
scan line SL1 and the third scan line SL3, and turn on the first
transistor Q1 and the third transistor Q3 in the display mode, and
the second transistor Q2 is not turned on, such that the pixel unit
610 performs the image display operation to display image data
according to the data signal and the first common electrode
signal.
[0086] In the embodiment, the second scan line SL2 and the second
common electrode line CL2 are respectively used for providing a
second scan signal and a second common electrode signal to the
second transistor Q2. The second scan signal is transmitted through
the second scan line SL2, and turns on the second transistor Q2 in
the sensing mode, and the third transistor Q3 is not turned on,
such that the pixel unit 610 performs the touch sensing operation
to sense the touch object 200 according to the second common
electrode signal. In the sensing mode, the second transistor Q2 is
turned on, and the sensing circuit 620 charges/discharges the first
terminal of the touch capacitor device Ctc through the sensing line
DL2 to generate the relaxation signal S of FIG. 6. Moreover, enough
instructions, recommendations and implementations for the method of
generating the relaxation signal S of the embodiment may be learned
from related descriptions of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6,
and details thereof are not repeated.
[0087] In the embodiment, the first scan line SL1, the second scan
line SL2, the third scan line SL3 and the first common electrode
line CL1 are arranged in the first direction Y. The data line DL1,
the sensing line DL2 and the second common electrode line CL2 are
arranged in the second direction X. The first direction Y and the
second direction X are different to each other, and are
perpendicular to each other in FIG. 14.
[0088] FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are respectively schematic diagrams of
the pixel unit of the embodiment of FIG. 14 operated in different
operation modes. Referring to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, FIG. 15
illustrates a situation that the pixel unit 610 is operated in the
display mode, and FIG. 16 illustrates a situation that the pixel
unit 610 is operated in the sensing mode. In FIG. 15, when the
pixel unit 610 is operated in the display mode, the first scan
signal turns on the first transistor Q1, the third scan signal
turns on the third transistor Q3, and the second scan signal does
not turn on the second transistor Q2. The data signal is
transmitted to the first transistor circuit 612 and the third
transistor circuit 616 through a signal transmission path 710. The
pixel unit 610 performs the image display operation to display
image data according to the data signal and the first common
electrode signal.
[0089] In FIG. 16, when the pixel unit 610 is operated in the
sensing mode, the first scan signal does not turn on the first
transistor Q1, the third scan signal does not turn on the third
transistor Q3, and the second scan signal turns on the second
transistor Q2. The sensing circuit 620 charges/discharges the first
terminal of the touch capacitor device Ctc through the sensing line
DL2 to generate the relaxation signal S of FIG. 6. The relaxation
signal S is transmitted through a signal transmission path 720. In
the embodiment, the relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal S
of each of the pixel units 610 is determined according to the
resistance of the resistor device R and/or the parasitic resistance
therein. Moreover, the pulse difference of the relaxation signal S
is changed by the touch object 200. When the touch object 200
touches the pixel unit 610, the touch object 200 and the pixel unit
610 form the sensing capacitor device Cf. The touch position of the
touch object 200 on the electronic paper display panel 600 may be
determined according to the pulse difference of the relaxation
signal of each of the pixel units 610. In an embodiment, the
relaxation frequency may also be determined according to a
parasitic resistance and a parasitic capacitance of the pixel unit,
the first voltage, the second voltage, and a parasitic resistance
of a tracing of the transistor circuit. Moreover, enough
instructions, recommendations and implementations for the touch
sensing operation of the embodiment may be learned from related
descriptions of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 13, and details
thereof are not repeated.
[0090] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the electronic paper display
panel 400 takes the single pixel unit 410 as a basic unit for
sensing the touch object 200, though the invention is not limited
thereto. In an embodiment, the pixel units may also be properly
grouped, and the pixel units of the same group may be taken as the
basic unit for sensing the touch object 200.
[0091] FIG. 17 is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel according to another embodiment of the
invention. The electronic paper display panel 900 of the embodiment
is similar to the electronic paper display panel 400 of the
embodiment of FIG. 9, and a main difference there between is that
the pixel units 910 of the electronic paper display panel 900 are
divided into one or a plurality of pixel unit groups 920, for
example, 4 pixel unit groups. To be specific, in the embodiment,
each of the pixel unit groups 920 is electrically connected to the
corresponding sensing circuit. For example, the pixel unit groups
920 of the same column are electrically connected to a same sensing
circuit. Moreover, the pixel units 910 in each of the pixel unit
groups 920, for example, share the same sensing circuit. Moreover,
enough instructions, recommendations and implementations for the
touch sensing operation of the embodiment may be learned from
related descriptions of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 16, and
details thereof are not repeated.
[0092] In the embodiment of FIG. 17, in view of a layout structure
of the electronic paper display panel 900, multiple columns of the
pixel units 910 correspond to one common electrode 930, and the
common electrode 930 is disposed between the groups of the pixel
unit groups, though the invention is not limited thereto. In an
embodiment, the common column may also be disposed between the
columns of the pixel units.
[0093] FIG. 18 is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic
paper display panel according to another embodiment of the
invention. The electronic paper display panel 1000 of the
embodiment is similar to the electronic paper display panel 900 of
the embodiment of FIG. 17, and a main difference there between is
that the common electrode 1030 is disposed between the columns of
the pixel units 610. In the embodiment, the pixel units 1010 on the
electronic paper display panel 1000 of the embodiment are divided
into one or a plurality of pixel unit groups 1020, for example, 4
pixel unit groups. Each of the pixel unit groups 1020 is
electrically connected to the corresponding sensing circuit. For
example, the pixel unit groups 1020 of the same column are
electrically connected to a same sensing circuit. Moreover, the
pixel units 1010 in each of the pixel unit groups 1020, for
example, share the same sensing circuit. Moreover, enough
instructions, recommendations and implementations for the touch
sensing operation of the embodiment may be learned from related
descriptions of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 17, and details
thereof are not repeated.
[0094] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of an electronic paper
display apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 19, the electronic paper display apparatus 1100
of the embodiment has the touch sensing function. In the
embodiment, the electronic paper display apparatus 1100 includes a
driver device 1110 and an electronic paper display panel 1120. The
driver device 1110 is electrically connected to the electronic
paper display panel 1120. The driver device 1110 is used for
driving the electronic paper display panel 1120 to display image
frames, and perform the touch sensing operation. A layout method of
the electrodes of the electronic paper display panel 1120 is, for
example, as that shown in FIG. 17 or FIG. 18, which is not limited
by the invention.
[0095] To be specific, in the embodiment, the driver device 1110
includes a scan device 1112 and a sensing device 1114. The scan
device 1112 is used for scanning a plurality of sensing blocks 1122
on the electronic paper display panel 1120 to perform the touch
sensing operation. The sensing device 1114 is used for controlling
the scan device 1112 to scan the sensing blocks 1122, and
charges/discharges each of the sensing blocks 1122 to generate the
relaxation signal S of FIG. 6. In the embodiment, the sensing
blocks 1122 are arranged in an array, and include a plurality of
columns and a plurality of rows. Each of the sensing blocks 1122
includes one or a plurality of the sensing device 110 of FIG. 2.
For example, a resolution of the electronic paper display panel
1120 is, for example, 320.times.240, and in an embodiment, every 40
columns or rows construct one unit, and based on such unit, the
electronic paper display panel 1120, for example, includes 8
sensing channels and 6 scan channels. Therefore, the electronic
paper display panel 1120 includes 48 sensing blocks 1122. It should
be noted that the resolution of the electronic paper display panel
1120 and the numbers of the sensing channels, the scan channels and
the sensing blocks are only an example, and the invention is not
limited thereto.
[0096] In the invention, in the driver device 1110 used for driving
the electronic paper display panel 1120, the scan device 1112
includes a plurality of scan circuits 1111, and the sensing device
1114 includes a plurality of sensing circuits 1113. The scan
circuits 1111 are respectively and electrically connected to the
sensing blocks 1122 of different rows. The scan circuits 1111, for
example, turn on the respectively connected sensing blocks 1122
during the sensing period GT of FIG. 6 to perform the touch sensing
operation. For example, in the embodiment, one of the sensing
circuits 1113_1-1113_8 (for example, the sensing circuit 1113_1)
outputs a control signal Sctrl to control the scan circuits
1111_1-1111_6 based on rows to sequentially scan the sensing blocks
1122 of different rows on the electronic paper display panel
1120.
[0097] In the embodiment, the sensing circuits 1113 respectively
and simultaneously charge/discharge the sensing blocks 1122 of
different columns to generate the relaxation signal S. For example,
when the sensing blocks 1122 of each row are sequentially turned
on, one of the sensing circuits (for example, the sensing circuit
1113_1) outputs a synchronization signal Ssyn to synchronize the
other sensing circuits 1113_2-1113_8 to respectively and
simultaneously charge/discharge the sensing blocks 1122 of
different columns during the sensing period GT, so as to obtain the
relaxation signal S of the sensing blocks 1122 of different
columns.
[0098] Therefore, according to such scan sensing method, the touch
position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel
1120 may be determined. For example, when the sensing block 1122_33
is touched, a horizontal coordinate position (a first orientation)
of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel 1120 may
be determined according to a position of the sensing circuit 1113_3
(located at a third column), and a vertical coordinate position (a
second orientation) of the touch object on the electronic paper
display panel 1120 may be determined according to a position of the
scan circuit 1111_3 (located at a third row). In the embodiment,
the electronic paper display panel 1120 may implement a
single-point or multi-point touch sensing operation, and enough
instructions, recommendations and implementations for the operation
method thereof may be learned from ordinary knowledge of the field,
and details thereof are not repeated.
[0099] Therefore, in the embodiment, the sensing device 1114, for
example, charges/discharges each of the sensing blocks 1122
according to the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2 of FIG.
6 to generate the relaxation signal S. The pulse difference of the
relaxation signal S is changed by the touch object. The touch
position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel
1120 is determined according to the pulse difference of the
relaxation signal S of each of the sensing blocks 1122. Moreover,
enough instructions, recommendations and implementations for the
touch sensing operation of the embodiment may be learned from
related descriptions of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, and
details thereof are not repeated.
[0100] In the embodiment, the circuit structure of the electronic
paper display panel 1120 is, for example, as that shown in FIG. 10,
which is a circuit structure where the two transistors share the
data line to transmit the relaxation signal. Alternatively, the
circuit structure of the electronic paper display panel 1120 is,
for example, as that shown in FIG. 13, which is a circuit structure
where the two transistors do not share the data line to transmit
the relaxation signal. Alternatively, the circuit structure of the
electronic paper display panel 1120 is, for example, as that shown
in FIG. 14, which is a circuit structure where the three
transistors share the data line to transmit the relaxation signal,
or other similar circuit structure. The circuit structure of the
electronic paper display panel 1120 is not limited by the
invention.
[0101] In the embodiment, a circuit structure of the sensing
circuit 1113 may be the same or similar with that of the sensing
circuit 120 of FIG. 4. The circuit structure of the sensing circuit
1113 is not limited by the invention. In the embodiment, the
sensing circuit 1113, for example, includes a counter circuit (not
shown). The counter circuit is used for setting the sensing period
GT to receive the relaxation signal S. The counter circuit counts a
pulse number of the relaxation signal S during the sensing period.
In the embodiment, the counter circuit is, for example, an external
circuit different to the sensing circuit 113, or a counter circuit
configured in internal of the sensing circuit 1113.
[0102] In an embodiment, each of the sensing circuits 1113 may be
implemented by a single microcontroller or other similar device,
for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The
microcontroller, for example, includes a function of a relaxation
oscillator, a function of the counter circuit, etc. The
microcontroller further outputs the control signal Sctrl and the
synchronization signal Ssyn to respectively control the scan
operation of the scan circuits 1111 and synchronize the sensing
operations of the other sensing circuits 1113.
[0103] In the embodiment, enough instructions, recommendations and
implementations for the circuit structure and the implementation of
the scan circuits 1111 may be learned from ordinary knowledge of
the field, and details thereof are not repeated.
[0104] FIG. 20 is an equivalent circuit schematic diagram of a
touch sensor operated in any frequency within an operation
frequency interval according to another embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 20, the touch sensor 2100
of the embodiment is similar to the touch sensor 100 of the
embodiment of FIG. 4, and a main difference there between lies in a
circuit structure of a sensing circuit 2120. In the embodiment, a
sensing block 2110, for example, includes one or a plurality of the
sensing devices 110 shown in FIG. 2, so that a schematic diagram of
an equivalent capacitance thereof is similar as that shown in FIG.
4.
[0105] To be specific, in the embodiment, the sensing circuit 2120
includes a resistor device R, a latch circuit 222, a first
comparator circuit 224 and a second comparator circuit 226. The
resistor device R has a first terminal and a second terminal. The
second terminal of the resistor device R is coupled to the sensing
block 2110. The latch circuit 222 has a first input terminal, a
second input terminal and an output terminal. The output terminal
of the latch circuit 222 is coupled to the first terminal of the
resistor device R. In an embodiment, the latch circuit 222, for
example, includes a RS latch, and the first input terminal, the
second input terminal and the output terminal thereof are
respectively a reset terminal, a setting terminal and a Q terminal
of a RS flip-flop. The first comparator circuit 224 has a first
input terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal. The
first input terminal of the first comparator circuit 224 is coupled
to the second terminal of the resistor device R and the sensing
block 2210. The second input terminal of the first comparator
circuit 224 receives the first voltage V1. The output terminal of
the first comparator circuit 224 is coupled to the first input
terminal of the latch circuit 222. The second comparator circuit
226 has a first input terminal, a second input terminal and an
output terminal. The first input terminal of the second comparator
circuit 226 receives the second voltage V2. The second input
terminal of the second comparator circuit 226 is coupled to the
second terminal of the resistor device R and the sensing block
2210. The output terminal of the second comparator circuit 226 is
coupled to the second input terminal of the latch circuit 222.
[0106] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 20, in the embodiment, when the
touch object 200 touches the sensing block 2110, if a voltage of a
node N is smaller than the first voltage V1, the second voltage V2
charges the first capacitor device C1 until the voltage of the node
N is greater than the second voltage V2. When the voltage of the
node N is greater than the second voltage V2, the first capacitor
device C1 discharges toward the first voltage V1 until the voltage
of the node N is smaller than the first voltage V1. Repeatedly, the
relaxation signal S is produced at the node N, as shown in FIG. 6.
When the touch object 200 touches the sensing block 2110, the
fourth capacitor device C4 and the fifth capacitor device C5 exist.
In this case, since an equivalent capacitance of the node N to the
ground terminal has been changed, the pulse difference of the
relaxation signal S is changed (for example, decreased) by the
touch object 200. During the sensing period GT, the pulse number of
the relaxation signal S is decreased. Therefore, in the embodiment,
one of the methods for determining whether the relaxation frequency
is changed is to, for example, determine whether the pulse number
of the relaxation signal S is changed during the sensing period GT.
In other words, in the embodiment, the pulse difference of the
relaxation signal S is changed by the touch object. Whether the
touch object 200 touches the sensing block 2110 is, for example,
determined according to the pulse difference of the relaxation
signal S.
[0107] Enough instructions, recommendations and implementations for
the touch sensing operation of the embodiment may be learned from
related descriptions of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, and
details thereof are not repeated. Moreover, in the embodiment of
FIG. 19, the circuit structure of the sensing circuit 1113 is, for
example, the same or similar to the sensing circuit 2120 of FIG.
20. The circuit structure of the sensing circuit 1113 is not
limited by the invention.
[0108] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a driver device according
to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 21, the driver
device 230 of the embodiment is, for example, an integrated chip.
The driver device 230 includes a touch driving block 232 and a
display driving block 234. The display driving block 234 is
electrically connected to the touch driving block 232. In the
embodiment, the scan device and the sensing device are disposed in
the touch driving block 232.
[0109] To be specific, in the embodiment, the display driving block
234 includes a display driver, a first common electrode voltage
control circuit, a first gate control circuit and a display data
control circuit. The first common electrode voltage control circuit
is, for example, coupled to the first common electrode lines CL1 of
FIG. 10, FIG. 13 or FIG. 14, and is used for controlling supplying
of the first common electrode signals. The first gate control
circuit is, for example, coupled to the first scan lines SL1 of
FIG. 10, FIG. 13 or FIG. 14, and is used for controlling a
conduction state of the first transistor Q1 according to the first
scan signal. The display data control circuit is, for example,
coupled to the data line DL1 of FIG. 10 or FIG. 13, or the data
line DL1 of FIG. 14. The display data control circuit is used for
controlling the data signal written to the first transistor Q1 or
the third transistor Q3. Therefore, the pixel unit performs the
image display operation to display image data according to the data
signal. The display driver is used for driving and controlling the
electronic paper display panel to perform the image display
operation. The display driver includes various circuit devices
required for driving the electronic paper display panel.
[0110] In the embodiment, the touch driving block 232 includes a
scan device, a sensing device, a processor circuit, a counter
circuit, a voltage generator circuit, a second common electrode
voltage control circuit and a second gate control circuit (pixel
control circuit). One of the implementations of the scan device and
the sensing device is as that shown in FIG. 19, which is not
limited by the invention. The scan device is, for example, coupled
to the second scan lines SL2 of FIG. 10, FIG. 13 or FIG. 14. The
sensing device is, for example, coupled to the data lines DL1 of
FIG. 10 and the sensing lines DL2 of FIG. 13.
[0111] In the embodiment, the voltage generator circuit, for
example, includes one or a plurality of programmable voltage
sources, and is used for generating the first voltage V1 and the
second voltage V2. The counter circuit is used for setting the
sensing period GT, and counts the pulse number of the relaxation
signal S of the node N. In an embodiment, the counter circuit may
include two counters to execute the above two operation steps. For
example, one of the counters is used for counting the pulse number
of the relaxation signal S, and another counter is used for setting
the sensing period GT. The second common electrode voltage control
circuit is, for example, coupled to the second common electrode
lines CL2 of FIG. 10, FIG. 13 or FIG. 14, and is used for
controlling supplying of the second common electrode signals. The
second gate control circuit is, for example, coupled to the third
scan lines SL3 of FIG. 14, and is used for controlling a conduction
state of the third transistor Q3 according to the third scan
signal. In an embodiment, the second gate control circuit is
selectively configured. For example, when the driver device 230 is
used for driving the electronic paper display panels 400, 800 of
FIG. 10 and FIG. 13, since the circuit structures of the electronic
paper display panels 400, 800 do not include the third transistor
Q3, in this case, the driver device 230 is not configured with the
second gate control circuit. In the embodiment, the processor
circuit is, for example, used for receiving a sensing result of the
sensing device, and calculates a touch position of the touch object
on the electronic paper display panel according to the relaxation
signal S of the sensing block. Enough instructions, recommendations
and implementations for the touch sensing operation of the
embodiment may be learned from related descriptions of the
embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 20, and details thereof are not
repeated.
[0112] In the embodiment, designs of the display driver, the first
common electrode voltage control circuit, the first gate control
circuit, the display data control circuit, the processor circuit,
the voltage generator circuit, the second common electrode voltage
control circuit and the second gate control circuit are adjusted
along with different electronic paper display panels, and are
implemented by proper circuit structures of the technical field,
which are not limited by the invention.
[0113] In the embodiment, the devices or circuits included in each
of the blocks in the integrated chip are only an example, and are
not intended to be limiting of the invention, and may be adaptively
adjusted by a designer according to an actual requirement.
[0114] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a sensing device of the
embodiment of FIG. 21. Referring to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, the
sensing device 2214 of the embodiment includes a plurality of
sensing circuits 2220 and a plurality of selector circuits 2230.
The sensing circuits 2220 are connected to corresponding sensing
channels. The selector circuits 2230 are used for synchronously
selecting the first voltage V1 or the second voltage V2, and
transmitting the selected voltage to amplifier circuits 2222.
Therefore, the voltage received by the amplifier circuits 2222 may
be switched between the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2.
Enough instructions, recommendations and implementations for the
operation of the sensing device 2214 may be learned from related
description of the embodiment of FIG. 19, and details thereof are
not repeated.
[0115] In summary, in the embodiments of the invention, the driver
device of the electronic paper display panel is used for scanning
the sensing blocks, and charging/discharging the sensing blocks of
different columns to perform the touch sensing operation. The
driver device includes a plurality of sensing circuits or a
plurality of microprocessors to perform the touch sensing
operation. The driver device may be integrated into an integrated
chip to drive the electronic paper display panel to perform the
touch sensing operation. In the embodiments of the invention, the
sensing block includes one or a plurality of touch sensors. The
touch sensor includes a shielding layer. Existence of the shielding
layer does not influence the touch sensing operation of the touch
sensor. Whether the touch object touches the touch sensor may be
determined according to the pulse difference of the relaxation
signal. Moreover, the electronic paper display panel and the
electronic paper display apparatus including the touch sensor may
provide the touch sensing function. The touch position of the touch
object on the touch sensing panel may be determined according to
whether the pulse difference of the relaxation signal of each touch
sensor is changed.
[0116] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the
invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the
invention cover modifications and variations of this invention
provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *