CN110489021B

CN110489021B - Touch sensor, electronic paper display panel and electronic paper display device

Info

Publication number: CN110489021B
Application number: CN201810459609.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 程孝龙; 蔡淑芬; 洪集茂; 梁广恒
Original assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc
Current assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc
Priority date: 2018-05-15
Filing date: 2018-05-15
Publication date: 2023-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-15
Also published as: CN110489021A

Abstract

The invention provides a touch sensor for sensing a touch object. The touch sensor includes a sensing element and a sensing circuit. The sensing element comprises a substrate, a sensing electrode, a sensing common electrode and a shielding layer. The sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode are arranged on the substrate. The shielding layer is configured on the sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode. The sensing circuit is electrically connected to the sensing element. The sensing circuit includes a resistive element. The relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of the touch sensor depends on the resistance of the resistive element and/or the parasitic resistance of the sensing element. The pulse wave variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by touching the object. The touch object is a conductor. In addition, an electronic paper display panel and an electronic paper display device including the touch sensor are also provided.

Description

Touch sensor, electronic paper display panel and electronic paper display device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sensor, a display panel and a display device, and more particularly, to a touch sensor, an electronic paper display panel and an electronic paper display device.

Background

In recent years, electronic paper display devices have been widely used in electronic readers (e.g., electronic books, electronic newspapers) or other electronic devices (e.g., electronic tags) due to their advantages of being light, thin, durable, and low power consumption. On the other hand, if the electronic paper display device has a touch sensing function, an intuitive input mode can be provided for a user, and user experience is improved.

Generally, the touch sensor must be exposed to air, and the inner layer structure should not include, for example, an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) conductive film or other similar conductive layer, so as to avoid shielding effect caused by covering other layer structures, thereby making the touch sensor unable to perform touch sensing operation. However, the panels of electronic paper display devices typically include indium tin oxide conductive films or other similar conductive layers. When the touch sensor is integrated into the panel of the electronic paper display device, the touch sensor is prone to fail to perform touch sensing operation.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a touch sensor, an electronic paper display panel and an electronic paper display device.

The touch sensor of the invention is used for sensing a touch object. The touch sensor includes a sensing element and a sensing circuit. The sensing element comprises a substrate, a sensing electrode, a sensing common electrode and a shielding layer. The sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode are arranged 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 element. The sensing circuit includes a resistive element. The relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of the touch sensor is determined according to the resistance value of the resistive element and/or the parasitic resistance value of the sensing element. The pulse wave variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by touching an object, wherein the touching object is a conductor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the touch sensor operates in an operating frequency interval between a first frequency and a second frequency. The second frequency is greater than the first frequency.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode form a first capacitor element. The shielding layer and the sensing electrode form a second capacitive element. The shield layer and the sensing common electrode form a third capacitive element. The touch object touches the touch sensor to form a fourth capacitive element and a fifth capacitive element with the shielding layer.

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 the first end of the first capacitor element is charged and discharged to generate a relaxation signal. Relaxation Zhang Xinhao oscillates between a first voltage and a second voltage.

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 a reference voltage. The output terminal is coupled to the first terminal of the resistor element. The second input terminal is coupled to the second terminal of the resistor element and the first terminal of the first capacitor element.

In an embodiment of the invention, the shielding layer includes a conductive layer.

The electronic paper display device has a touch sensing function. The electronic paper display device includes an electronic paper display panel. The electronic paper display panel includes a plurality of touch sensors. Each touch sensor includes a sensing element and a sensing circuit. The sensing element comprises a substrate, a sensing electrode, a sensing common electrode and a shielding layer. The sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode are arranged on the substrate. The shielding layer is configured on the sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode. The sensing circuit is electrically connected to the sensing element. The sensing circuit includes a resistive element. The relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor is determined according to the resistance value of the resistance element and/or the parasitic resistance value of the sensing element. The pulse wave variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by touching an object, wherein the touching object is a conductor. The touch position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel is determined according to the pulse wave variation value of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper display device is a segment coded electronic paper display (segment electronic paper display). The relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor is determined according to the resistance value of the resistance element.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper display device is a thin film transistor electronic paper display (tft) device. The relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor is determined according to the resistance value of the resistance element and the parasitic resistance value of the sensing element.

The electronic paper display panel has 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 unit is electrically connected to one or more sensing circuits. The pixel unit is used for sensing a touch object. Each sensing circuit includes a resistive element. The relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of each pixel unit is determined according to the resistance value of the resistance element and/or the parasitic resistance value of the pixel unit. The pulse wave variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by touching an object, wherein the touching object is a conductor. The touch position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel is determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of each pixel unit.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the pixel units includes a first transistor circuit and a second transistor circuit. In the display mode, the first scan signal turns on the transistor in the first transistor circuit, so that the pixel unit performs an image display operation. In the sensing mode, the second scan signal turns on the transistor in the second transistor circuit, so that the pixel unit performs a touch sensing operation. The second transistor circuit is electrically connected to the first transistor circuit and the one or more sensing circuits. The second transistor circuit comprises a touch capacitive element.

In an embodiment of the invention, the touch object touches the pixel unit to form a sensing capacitor with the pixel unit. The second transistor circuit further includes a sensing capacitance element.

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 scanning line is electrically connected to the first transistor circuit. Each first scanning line is used for providing a first scanning signal to the first transistor circuit. The second scanning line is electrically connected to the second transistor circuit. Each second scan line is used for providing a second scan signal to the second transistor circuit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper display panel further includes a plurality of data lines. The data line is electrically connected to the first transistor circuit. Each data line is used for providing a data signal to the first transistor circuit. In the display mode, the transistors in the first transistor circuit are turned on, so that the pixel unit displays image data according to the data signal.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second transistor circuit is electrically connected to the one or more sensing circuits through a data line. In the sensing mode, a transistor in the second transistor circuit is turned on, and the one or more sensing circuits charge and discharge one end of the touch capacitive element through the data line to generate a relaxation signal.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper display panel further includes a plurality of sensing lines. The sensing line is electrically connected to the second transistor circuit. The second transistor circuit is electrically connected to the one or more sensing circuits via a sensing line. In the sensing mode, a transistor in the second transistor circuit is turned on, and the one or more sensing circuits charge and discharge one end of the touch capacitive element through the sensing line to generate a relaxation signal.

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 line is electrically connected to the first transistor circuit. Each first common electrode line is used for providing a first common electrode signal to the first transistor circuit. In the display mode, the transistors in the first transistor circuit are turned on, so that the pixel unit performs an image display operation according to the first common electrode signal. The second common electrode is electrically connected to the second transistor circuit. Each second common electrode line is used for providing a second common electrode signal to the second transistor circuit. In the sensing mode, the transistors in the second transistor circuit are turned on, so that the pixel unit performs a touch sensing operation according to the second common electrode signal.

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, the third scan signal turns on a transistor among the third transistor circuits to transfer the data signal to the third transistor circuits. In the display mode, the transistors among the second transistor circuits are not turned on.

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. In the sensing mode, the transistors in the second transistor circuit are turned on, so that the pixel unit performs a touch sensing operation.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper display panel further includes a plurality of third scan lines. The third scan line is electrically connected to the third transistor circuit. Each of the third scan lines is used for providing a third scan signal to the third transistor circuit. The third scan signal turns on the transistor among the third transistor circuits in the display mode, so that the pixel unit performs an image display operation.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper display panel further includes a plurality of first common electrode lines. The first common electrode line is electrically connected to the first transistor circuit and the third transistor circuit. Each first common electrode line is used for providing a first common electrode signal to the first transistor circuit and the third transistor circuit. In the display mode, the transistors in the first transistor circuit and the third transistor circuit are turned on, so that the pixel unit performs an image display operation according to the first common electrode signal.

In an embodiment of the invention, each of the one or more sensing circuits receives a reference voltage and charges and discharges the first end of each touch capacitive element to generate the relaxation signal. The reference voltage is switched between a first voltage and a second voltage. Relaxation Zhang Xinhao oscillates between a first voltage and a second voltage.

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 a reference voltage, the output terminal is coupled to the first terminal of the resistive element, and the second input terminal is coupled to the second terminal of the resistive element and the first terminal of the touch capacitive element.

In an embodiment of the invention, the pixel units are divided into one or more pixel unit groups, and each of the one or more pixel unit groups is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the one or more sensing circuits.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper display panel has a touch sensing function. The electronic paper display panel includes a plurality of pixel units. The pixel units are arranged in an array manner and used for sensing a touch object. Each pixel unit comprises a first transistor, a pixel capacitance element, a storage capacitance element, a second transistor, a touch capacitance element and a sensing capacitance element. The first transistor has a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal. The first end of the first transistor is electrically connected to the data line. The control end of the first transistor is electrically connected to the first scanning line. The pixel capacitor element has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first end of the pixel capacitor element is electrically connected to the second end of the first transistor. The second end of the pixel capacitor element is electrically connected to a first common electrode line. The storage capacitor element has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first end of the storage capacitor element is electrically connected to the second end of the first transistor. The second end of the storage capacitor element 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 end of the second transistor is electrically connected to the data line. The control end of the second transistor is electrically connected to the second scanning line. The touch capacitive element has a first end and a second end. The first end of the touch capacitive element is electrically connected to the second end of the second transistor. The second end of the touch capacitive element is electrically connected to the second common electrode line. The sensing capacitor element has a first end and a second end. The first end of the sensing capacitor element is electrically connected to the second end of the second transistor. The second end of the sensing capacitor element is electrically connected to the second common electrode line. The data line is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the one or more sensing circuits. The sensing circuit includes a resistive element. The relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of each pixel unit is determined according to the resistance value of the resistance element and/or the parasitic resistance value of the pixel unit. The pulse wave variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by touching an object, wherein the touching object is a conductor. The touch position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel is determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of each pixel unit.

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 end of the third transistor is electrically connected to the second end of the second transistor. The second end of the third transistor is electrically connected to the second end of the first transistor. The control end of the third transistor is electrically connected to the third scan line. The first end of the second transistor is electrically connected to the sensing line.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic paper display panel further includes a first scan line, a second scan line, a data line, a first common electrode line, and a second common electrode line. The first scanning lines, the second scanning 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.

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 scanning lines are arranged in the first direction. The sensing lines are arranged in a second direction.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensing circuit receives a reference voltage and charges or discharges the first end of the touch capacitive element to generate the relaxation signal. The reference voltage is switched between a first voltage and a second voltage. Relaxation Zhang Xinhao oscillates between a first voltage and a second voltage.

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 a reference voltage. The output terminal is coupled to one terminal of the resistor element. The second input terminal is coupled to the other end of the resistor element and the first end of the touch-control capacitor element.

Based on the above, in the embodiment of the invention, the touch sensor includes the shielding layer, and the relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the shielding layer is determined according to the resistance value of the resistive element and the capacitance value of the capacitive element, and is changed in response to the touch object, thereby providing a good sensing quality. In one embodiment, the relaxation Zhang Pinlv is further determined according to the parasitic resistance and capacitance of the pixel unit, the first voltage and the second voltage, and the parasitic resistance of the trace on the transistor circuit. An electronic paper display panel including a touch sensor and an electronic paper display device that can provide a touch sensing function.

In order to make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the invention more comprehensible, embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sensing device of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

fig. 3 and 4 are schematic equivalent circuit diagrams of the touch sensor of the embodiment of fig. 1 at different operating frequencies, respectively;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an operation frequency interval of the touch sensor of fig. 1 during touch sensing operation;

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram of a relaxation signal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic view of an electronic paper display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic paper display panel of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electronic paper display panel of the embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams of the pixel unit of the embodiment of FIG. 9 in different operation modes;

FIG. 13 is a schematic circuit diagram of an electronic paper display panel according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic circuit diagram of an electronic paper display panel according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic diagrams of the pixel unit in the embodiment of FIG. 14 in different operation modes, respectively;

FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic paper display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic paper display panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 19 is a schematic view of an electronic paper display device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of an equivalent circuit of a touch sensor operating at any frequency in an operating frequency range according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a driver apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of the sensing device of the embodiment of FIG. 21;

description of the reference numerals

100. 2100: a touch sensor;

110: a sensing element;

112: a substrate;

114: a sensing electrode;

116: sensing a common electrode;

118: a shielding layer;

120. 420, 620, 820, 1113_1, 1113_2, 1113_3, 1113_8, 2120, 2220: a sensing circuit;

122. 422, 622, 822, 2222: an amplifier circuit;

200: touching an object;

222: a latch circuit;

224: a first comparator circuit;

226: a second comparator circuit;

230. 320, 1110: a driver device;

232: a touch drive block;

234: a display driving block;

300. 1100: an electronic paper display device;

310. 400, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1120: an electronic paper display panel;

410. 610, 810, 910, 1010: a pixel unit;

412. 414, 612, 614, 616, 812, 814: a transistor circuit;

510. 520, 710, 720: a signal transmission path;

920. 1020: a pixel unit group;

930. 1030: a common electrode;

1111. 1111_1, 1111_3, 1111 _u6: a scanning circuit;

1112: a scanning device;

1114. 2214: a sensing device;

1122. 1122_33, 2110: a sensing block;

2230: a selector circuit;

c1, C2, C3, C4, C5, cf, cst, cp, ctc: a capacitive element;

q1, Q2, Q3: a transistor;

r: a resistance element;

n: an endpoint;

vref: a reference voltage;

v1, V2: a voltage;

f1, f2: frequency;

BW: an operating frequency interval;

s: relaxation Zhang Xinhao;

GT: a sensing period;

DL1: a data line;

DL2: a sense line;

SL1, SL2, SL3: scanning a line;

CL1, CL2: a common electrode line;

x, Y: direction;

sctrl: a control signal;

ssyn: a synchronization signal.

Detailed Description

In the following, a number of embodiments are presented to illustrate the invention, however, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Appropriate combinations are also permitted between the embodiments. The term "coupled" as used throughout this specification, including the claims, may refer to any direct or indirect connection means. For example, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices and some means of connection. Furthermore, the term "signal" may refer to at least one current, voltage, charge, temperature, data, electromagnetic wave, or any other signal or signals.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the sensing device of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Fig. 3 and 4 are schematic equivalent circuits of the touch sensor of the embodiment of fig. 1 at different operating frequencies, respectively. Referring to fig. 1 to 4, the touch sensor 100 of the present embodiment is used for sensing a touch object 200. The touch object 200 is a conductor, such as a user's finger or a touch control tool. In the present embodiment, the touch sensor 100 includes a sensing element 110 and a sensing circuit 120. The sensing circuit 120 is electrically connected to the sensing element 110. The sensing circuit 120 is configured to charge and discharge the sensing element 110 to generate a relaxation signal, which is an operating frequency of the relaxation frequency touch sensor 100. In the present embodiment, the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of the touch sensor 100 is changed by touching the object 200. When the touch object 200 touches the sensing element 110, the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal changes accordingly. Therefore, whether the touch object 200 touches the touch sensor 100 can be determined according to the magnitude of the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the sensing element 110 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 capacitive element C1. In the present embodiment, the sensing electrode 114 is used for transmitting a sensing signal, and the sensing common electrode 116 is coupled to a ground voltage, for example, for providing a voltage reference during a touch sensing operation. In one embodiment, the sensing common electrode 116 may also be coupled to a predetermined common electrode signal or maintain a floating (floating) state, which is not limited by the invention. In the present 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 capacitive element C2. The shield layer 118 and the sense common electrode 116 form a third capacitive element C3. In the present embodiment, the shielding layer 118 is a transparent conductive film, such as an indium tin oxide conductive film or other similar conductive layer. In one embodiment, the shielding layer 118 includes, for example, a nano silver wire (nano silver wire) layer. The material and type of the shielding layer 118 are not limited in the present invention. In the present embodiment, the touch object 200 touches the sensing element 110 to form the fourth capacitive element C4 and the fifth capacitive element C5 with the shielding layer 118, respectively. In this embodiment, the capacitance of each capacitor element is determined according to the material characteristics of each layer, for example.

In the present embodiment, the sensing circuit 120 includes an amplifier circuit 122 and a resistance element R. The amplifier circuit 122 has a first input terminal (non-inverting terminal), a second input terminal (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 element R. The second input terminal is coupled to the other terminal of the resistor R and one terminal N of the first capacitor C1. In the embodiment, the sensing circuit 120 includes, for example, a relaxation oscillator (relaxation oscillator), but the architecture of the relaxation oscillator is only for illustration, and the sensing circuit 120 can be implemented by any architecture of a sensing circuit in the field of technology, and the invention is not limited thereto. The detailed architecture and embodiments are taught, suggested, and described herein sufficiently that others skilled in the art will be able to make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an operation frequency interval when the touch sensor of fig. 1 performs 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 present embodiment, for example, operates in an operating frequency interval BW between a first frequency f1 and a second frequency f2, wherein the second frequency f2 is greater than the first frequency f1. For example, in the present embodiment, the operation frequency range BW is between 2 megahertz (MHz) and 3.6 MHz, but these two values are not limited to the invention. In one embodiment, the operating frequency is greater than about 780 kilohertz (KHz). In the present embodiment, the touch sensor 100 can be applied to an electronic paper display device, such as fig. 7, for touch sensing. In an application where the electronic paper display device is a segment code electronic paper display device, the operating frequency is greater than about 750 kilohertz (KHz), and the relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor 100 is determined according to the resistance value of the resistive element R. In the application of the tft electronic paper display device in the electronic paper display device, the operating frequency band BW is, for example, between 2 megahertz (MHz) and 3.6 MHz (MHz), and the relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor 100 is determined according to the resistance of the resistive element R and the parasitic resistance of the sensing element 110. In one embodiment, the relaxation Zhang Pinlv may further be determined according to a parasitic resistance and a parasitic capacitance of the pixel unit, the first voltage and the second voltage, and a parasitic resistance of a trace on the transistor circuit.

Fig. 3 is a schematic equivalent circuit diagram of the touch sensor 100 operating at any frequency outside the operating frequency range BW. In fig. 3, at any frequency other than the operating frequency band BW, the fourth capacitive element C4 and the fifth capacitive element C5 are shielded. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an equivalent circuit of the touch sensor 100 operating at any frequency in the operating frequency range BW. In fig. 4, the touch sensor 100 operates at any frequency in the operating frequency range BW, and the second capacitive element C2 and the third capacitive element C3 are in a short circuit state.

In fig. 4, when the touch object 200 does not touch the touch sensor 100, the fourth capacitive element C4 and the fifth capacitive element C5 are not present. At this time, the reference voltage Vref is set to, for example, the second voltage V2, the amplifier circuit 122 charges the terminal N of the first capacitive element C1 via the resistive element R, and the signal waveform of the relaxation signal S increases toward the second voltage V2. When the voltage at the node N is equal to the second voltage V2, the reference voltage Vref is set to switch to the first voltage V1, the amplifier circuit 122 discharges the node N of the first capacitive element C1 through the resistive element R, and the signal waveform of the relaxation signal S decreases toward the first voltage V1. In a cycle, the reference voltage Vref is switched between the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2, and the terminal N of the first capacitive element C1 is charged and discharged to generate the relaxation signal S. The relaxation Zhang Xinhao S oscillates between a first voltage V1 and a second voltage V2, and in the embodiment of the segment code electronic paper display device, its relaxation Zhang Pinlv is determined according to the resistance value of the resistive element R. In the embodiment of the tft e-paper display device, its relaxation Zhang Pinlv is determined according to the resistance of the resistor R and the parasitic resistance of the sensing element 110. In one embodiment, the relaxation Zhang Pinlv is further determined according to the parasitic resistance and capacitance of the pixel unit, the first voltage and the second voltage, and the parasitic resistance of the trace on the transistor circuit.

In fig. 4, when the touch object 200 touches the touch sensor 100, a fourth capacitive element C4 and a fifth capacitive element C5 exist. At this time, since the equivalent capacitance from the terminal N to the ground terminal is changed, the relaxation frequency is changed, for example, decreased, in response to the touch object 200. In the sensing period GT, the number of pulses of the relaxation signal S becomes smaller. Therefore, in the present embodiment, one of the ways to determine whether there is a change in the relaxation frequency is, for example, to determine whether there is a change in the number of pulses of the relaxation signal S during the sensing period GT. In other words, in the present embodiment, the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal S is changed by a touching object (e.g., a touched conductor). Whether the touch object 200 touches the touch sensor can be determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal S.

In the present embodiment, one of the ways of determining whether the number of pulses of the relaxation signal S has changed in the sensing period GT is to transmit the relaxation signal S to a counter circuit (not shown) or other similar circuits. For example, the counter circuit is electrically connected to the output of the comparator 122, and is used for receiving the relaxation Zhang Xinhao S and counting the number of pulses of the relaxation signal S during the sensing period GT. The counter circuit may be, for example, an external circuit different from the sensing circuit 120, or may be a counter circuit provided inside the sensing circuit 120. In the present embodiment, the counter circuit can be implemented by any counter circuit architecture in the field of technology, and the invention is not limited thereto. The detailed architecture and embodiments are not repeated herein since they are taught, suggested, and described sufficiently by those skilled in the art.

In the present embodiment, whether the touch object 200 touches the touch sensor 100 can be determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal S. In applications of multiple touch sensors, for example, the multiple touch sensors are arranged in an array on a substrate to form a touch sensing panel. The touch position of the touch object 200 on the touch sensing panel can be determined according to whether the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal S of each touch sensor changes.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of an electronic paper display device according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic paper display panel of the embodiment of fig. 7. Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the electronic paper display device 300 of the present embodiment has a touch sensing function. The electronic paper display device 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.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the electronic paper display panel 310 includes a plurality of touch sensors 100 as shown in fig. 1. Fig. 8 shows that the electronic paper display panel 310 includes a plurality of sensing elements 110. The sensing circuit 120 may be disposed within the driver device 320, or integrated with the electronic paper display panel 310, or disposed in other external circuits. The present invention does not limit the arrangement position of the sensing circuit 120. In the present embodiment, the relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor 110 is determined according to the resistance value of the resistive element R in the sensing circuit 120 and/or the parasitic resistance value in the sensing element 110. When the touch object 200 touches the electronic paper display panel 310, the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by the touch object 200. Therefore, the position of the touch object 200 on the electronic paper display panel 310 is determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor 100. In one embodiment, the relaxation Zhang Pinlv is further determined according to the parasitic resistance and capacitance of the pixel unit, the first voltage and the second voltage, and the parasitic resistance of the trace on the transistor circuit. In addition, the touch sensing operation of the present embodiment can be taught, suggested, and described in the embodiments of fig. 1 to 6, and thus will not be described again.

In the present embodiment, the electronic paper display device 300 is, for example, a segment code electronic paper display device or a thin film transistor electronic paper display device, but not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the design of the driver device 320 is adjusted to the electronic paper display device 300, which can be implemented by a suitable circuit architecture in the art, and the invention is not limited thereto.

In the present embodiment, the electronic paper display panel 310 includes the shielding layer 118. The shielding layer 118 includes, but is not limited to, an indium tin oxide conductive film, or a layer of nano-silver wires, or other similar conductive layers. In the present embodiment, the electronic paper display device 300 determines the touch position of the touch object 200 on the electronic paper display panel 310 according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor 100. The presence of the shielding layer 118 does not affect the touch sensing operation of the electronic paper display device 300.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural 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 10, the electronic paper display panel 400 of the present 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.

In the present embodiment, the pixel units 410 are arranged in an array and electrically connected to one or more sensing circuits 420 via data lines DL1. In the present embodiment, the sensing circuit 420 may be integrated on the e-paper display panel 310 or disposed in other external circuits. The pixel unit 410 is used for sensing a touch object 200 shown in fig. 2 or fig. 8. In the present embodiment, the pixel units 410 in the same column are connected to the same sensing circuit 420. In one embodiment, the pixel units in different rows can also be connected to the same sensing circuit. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the pixel units can be grouped appropriately, and the pixel units in the same group share the same sensing circuit. The number of sensing circuits 420 is not limited by the present invention.

In the present 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 capacitive element Cp, and a storage capacitive element Cst. The second transistor circuit 414 includes a second transistor Q2, a touch capacitive element Ctc, and a sensing capacitive element Cf. In the present embodiment, the touch capacitive element Ctc includes the first capacitive element C1, the second capacitive element C2, and the third capacitive element C3 as shown in fig. 2. For example, the touch capacitive element Ctc is an equivalent capacitive element formed by connecting the first capacitive element C1, the second capacitive element C2 and the third capacitive element C3 in series or in parallel. In the present embodiment, the sensing capacitive element Cf includes a fourth capacitive element C4 and a fifth capacitive element C5 as shown in fig. 2. For example, the sensing capacitor Cf is an equivalent capacitor of the fourth capacitor C4 and the fifth capacitor C5, either individually or in combination of series connection or parallel connection.

In the present embodiment, the first terminal of the first transistor Q1 is electrically connected to the data line DL1. The second terminal of the first transistor Q1 is electrically connected to the first terminal of the pixel capacitor Cp and the first terminal of the storage capacitor Cst. The control terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to the first scan line SL1. The first terminal of the pixel capacitor Cp is electrically connected to the second terminal of the first transistor Q1. The second end of the pixel capacitor element Cp is electrically connected to the first common electrode line CL1. The first terminal of the storage capacitor Cst is electrically connected to the second terminal of the first transistor Q1. The second terminal of the storage capacitor Cst is electrically connected to the first common electrode line CL1. In the present 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 the 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 the first transistor Q1 is turned on in the display mode, so that the pixel unit 410 performs an image display operation according to the data signal and the first common electrode signal, and displays image data.

In the present embodiment, the first terminal of the second transistor Q2 is electrically connected to the data line DL1. The second end of the second transistor Q2 is electrically connected to the first end of the touch capacitive element Ctc and the first end of the sensing capacitive element Cf. The control terminal of the second transistor Q2 is electrically connected to the second scan line SL2. The first end of the touch capacitive element Ctc is electrically connected to the second end of the second transistor Q2. The second end of the touch capacitive element Ctc is electrically connected to the second common electrode line CL2. The first terminal of the sensing capacitor Cf is electrically connected to the second terminal of the second transistor Q2. The second end of the sensing capacitor Cf is electrically connected to the second common electrode line CL2. In this 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 the second transistor Q2 is turned on in the sensing mode, so that the pixel unit 410 performs a touch sensing operation according to the second common electrode signal to sense the touch object 200. In the sensing mode, the second transistor Q2 is turned on, and the sensing circuit 420 charges and discharges the first end of the touch capacitive element Ctc through the data line DL1 to generate the relaxation signal S as shown in fig. 6. In addition, the generation manner of the relaxation signal S of the present embodiment can be obtained from the description of the embodiments in fig. 1 to fig. 6 to obtain sufficient teaching, suggestion and implementation description, and thus, the description is not repeated.

In the present embodiment, the first scan line SL1, the second scan line SL2, and the first common electrode line CL1 are arranged in the first direction Y. The data lines DL1 and the second common electrode lines CL2 are arranged in the second direction X. The first direction Y is different from the second direction X, and is perpendicular in fig. 10.

Fig. 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams of the pixel unit in the embodiment of fig. 9 in different operation modes, respectively. Referring to fig. 11 and 12, fig. 11 shows the pixel unit 410 operating in the display mode, and fig. 12 shows the pixel unit 410 operating in the sensing mode. In fig. 11, when the pixel unit 410 operates in the display mode, the first transistor Q1 is turned on by the first scan signal, and the second transistor Q2 is turned off by the second scan signal. The data signal is transferred to the first transistor circuit 412 by signal transfer path 510. The pixel unit 410 performs an image display operation according to the data signal and the first common electrode signal to display image data.

In fig. 12, when the pixel unit 410 operates 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 or discharges the first end of the touch capacitive element Ctc through the data line DL1 to generate the relaxation signal S as shown in fig. 6. The signal transmission path 520 carries the signal transition Zhang Xinhao S. In the present embodiment, the relaxation frequency of the relaxation signal of each pixel unit 410 is determined according to the resistance value of the resistance element R and/or the parasitic resistance value therein. The pulse wave variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by touching the object 200. When the touch object 200 touches the pixel unit 410, the sensing capacitor Cf is formed with the pixel unit 410. The touch position of the touch object 200 on the electronic paper display panel 400 can be determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of each pixel unit 410. In one embodiment, the relaxation Zhang Pinlv may further be determined according to a parasitic resistance and a parasitic capacitance of the pixel unit, the first voltage and the second voltage, and a parasitic resistance of a trace on the transistor circuit. In addition, the touch sensing operation of the present embodiment can be taught, suggested, and described in the embodiments of fig. 1 to 6, and thus will not be described again.

In the embodiment of fig. 10, the second transistor circuit 414 and the first transistor circuit 412 share the data line DL1 for transmitting the relaxation signal S, but the invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the second transistor circuit 414 may also use other signal lines to transmit the relaxation signal S.

Fig. 13 is a circuit diagram of an electronic paper display panel according to another embodiment of the invention. Referring to fig. 10 and 13, the electronic paper display panel 800 of the present embodiment is similar to the electronic paper display panel 400 of the embodiment of fig. 10, but the main difference between the two is that the electronic paper display panel 800 further includes a plurality of sensing lines DL2, and the second transistor circuit 814 utilizes the sensing lines DL2 to transmit the relaxation signal S.

Specifically, in the present 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 and discharges the first end of the touch capacitive element Ctc through the sensing line DL2 to generate the relaxation signal S. In addition, the touch sensing operation of the present embodiment can be taught, suggested, and described in the embodiments of fig. 1 to 12, and thus will not be described again.

Fig. 14 is a circuit diagram of an electronic paper display panel according to another embodiment of the invention. Referring to fig. 10 and 14, the e-paper display panel 600 of the present embodiment is similar to the e-paper display panel 400 of the embodiment of fig. 10, but the main difference between the two is that the e-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.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the third transistor circuit 616 is electrically connected between the first transistor circuit 612 and the second transistor circuit 614. The third transistor circuit 616 includes a third transistor Q3. The first terminal of the third transistor Q3 is electrically connected to the second terminal of the second transistor Q2. The second terminal of the third transistor Q3 is electrically connected to the second terminal of the first transistor Q1. The control terminal of the third transistor Q3 is electrically connected to the third scan line SL3. A first end of the second transistor Q2 is electrically connected to the sensing line DL2. In this embodiment, the third scan line SL3 and the first common electrode line CL1 are respectively used for providing a third scan signal and a first common electrode signal to the third transistor Q3. In the display mode, the data line DL1 is used for providing a 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 the first transistor Q1 and the third transistor Q3 are turned on and the second transistor Q2 is turned off in the display mode, so that the pixel unit 610 performs an image display operation according to the data signal and the first common electrode signal to display image data.

In this 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 the second transistor Q2 is turned on and the third transistor Q3 is turned off in the sensing mode, so that the pixel unit 610 performs the touch sensing operation according to the second common electrode signal to sense the touch object 200. In the sensing mode, the second transistor Q2 is turned on, and the sensing circuit 620 charges and discharges the first end of the touch capacitive element Ctc through the sensing line DL2 to generate the relaxation signal S as shown in fig. 6. In addition, the generation manner of the relaxation signal S of the present embodiment can obtain sufficient teaching, suggestion and implementation description from the description of the embodiment of fig. 1 to fig. 6, and therefore, the description is not repeated.

In the present 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 lines DL1, the sensing lines DL2, and the second common electrode lines CL2 are arranged in the second direction X. The first direction Y is different from the second direction X, and is perpendicular in fig. 14.

Fig. 15 and fig. 16 are schematic diagrams illustrating the pixel unit in the embodiment of fig. 14 in different operation modes. Referring to fig. 15 and 16, fig. 15 shows the pixel unit 610 operating in the display mode, and fig. 16 shows the pixel unit 610 operating in the sensing mode. In fig. 15, when the pixel unit 610 operates 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 turns off the second transistor Q2. The data signal is transferred to the first transistor circuit 612 and the third transistor circuit 616 by the signal transfer path 710. The pixel unit 610 performs an image display operation according to the data signal and the first common electrode signal to display image data.

In fig. 16, when the pixel unit 610 operates 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 or discharges the first end of the touch capacitive element Ctc through the sensing line DL2 to generate the relaxation signal S shown in fig. 6. The signal transmission path 720 transmits the signal Zhang Xinhao S. In the present embodiment, the relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of each pixel unit 610 is determined according to the resistance of the resistive element R and/or the parasitic resistance thereof. The pulse wave variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by touching the object 200. When the touch object 200 touches the pixel unit 610, the sensing capacitance Cf is formed with the pixel unit 610. The touch position of the touch object 200 on the electronic paper display panel 600 can be determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of each pixel unit 610. In one embodiment, the relaxation Zhang Pinlv may further be determined according to a parasitic resistance and a parasitic capacitance of the pixel unit, the first voltage and the second voltage, and a parasitic resistance of a trace on the transistor circuit. In addition, the touch sensing operation of the present embodiment can be taught, suggested, and described in the embodiments of fig. 1 to 13, and thus will not be described again.

In the embodiment of fig. 9, the electronic paper display panel 400 uses a single pixel unit 410 as a basic unit for sensing the touch object 200, but the invention is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the pixel units can be grouped appropriately, and the pixel units in the same group are used as a basic unit for sensing the touch object 200.

Fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic paper display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. The electronic paper display panel 900 of the present embodiment is similar to the electronic paper display panel 400 of the embodiment of fig. 9, but the main difference between the two is that the pixel units 910 on the electronic paper display panel 900 are divided into one or more pixel unit groups 920, for example, 4 groups. Specifically, in the present embodiment, each pixel unit group 920 is electrically connected to a corresponding sensing circuit. For example, the pixel unit groups 920 in the same row are electrically connected to the same sensing circuit. In addition, the pixel units 910 in each pixel unit group 920 share the same sensing circuit, for example. In addition, the touch sensing operation of the present embodiment can be taught, suggested, and described in the embodiments of fig. 1 to 16, and thus will not be described again.

In the embodiment of fig. 17, the layout structure of the e-paper display panel 900 is to correspond a plurality of rows of pixel units 910 to a common electrode 930, and the common electrode 930 is disposed between groups of pixel units, but the invention is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the common electrode may also be disposed between rows of pixel cells.

Fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic paper display panel according to another embodiment of the present invention. The e-paper display panel 1000 of the present embodiment is similar to the e-paper display panel 900 of the embodiment of fig. 17, but the main difference between the two is that the common electrode 1030 is disposed between rows of pixel units 610. In the present embodiment, the pixel units 1010 on the electronic paper display panel 1000 are divided into one or more pixel unit groups 1020, such as 4 groups. Each pixel unit group 1020 is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the sensing circuits. For example, the pixel unit groups 1020 in the same column are electrically connected to the same sensing circuit. In addition, the pixel units 1010 in each pixel unit group 1020 share the same sensing circuit, for example. In addition, the touch sensing operation of the present embodiment can be taught, suggested, and described in the embodiments of fig. 1 to 17, and thus will not be described again.

Fig. 19 is a schematic view of an electronic paper display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 19, the electronic paper display device 1100 of the present embodiment has a touch sensing function. In the present embodiment, the electronic paper display device 1100 includes a driver device 1110 and an electronic paper display panel 1120. The driver device 1110 is electrically connected to the e-paper display panel 1120. The driver device 1110 is used for driving the electronic paper display panel 1120 to display an image frame and perform a touch sensing operation. The layout of the electrodes of the e-paper display panel 1120 is shown in fig. 17 or fig. 18, for example, but the invention is not limited thereto.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the driver device 1110 includes a scanning device 1112 and a sensing device 1114. The scanning device 1112 is configured to scan the plurality of sensing blocks 1122 on the electronic paper display panel 1120 for performing a touch sensing operation. The sensing device 1114 is configured to control the scanning device 1112 to scan the sensing blocks 1122, and charge and discharge each sensing block 1122 to generate the relaxation signal S shown in fig. 6. In the present embodiment, the sensing blocks 1122 are arranged in an array, and include a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each sensing block includes one or more sensing elements 110 as shown in fig. 2. For example, the resolution of the e-paper display panel 1120 is, for example, 320 × 240, and in one embodiment, every 40 lines or columns are combined into a unit, and based on the unit, the e-paper display panel 1120 includes, for example, 8 sensing channels and 6 scanning channels. Therefore, the e-paper display panel 1120 in this example includes 48 sensing blocks 1122. It should be noted that the resolution of the e-paper display panel 1120 and the number of the sensing channels, the scanning channels and the sensing blocks 1122 are only for illustration and are not intended to limit the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the scanning device 1112 of the driver device 1110 for driving the electronic paper display panel 1120 includes a plurality of scanning circuits 1111, and the sensing device 1114 includes a plurality of sensing circuits 1113. The scan circuits 1111 are electrically connected to the sensing blocks 1122 in different rows, respectively. The scan circuits 1111 turn on the respective connected sensing blocks 1122 during the sensing period GT of fig. 6, for example, to perform a touch sensing operation. For example, in the present embodiment, one of the sensing circuits 1113_1 to 1113_8 (e.g., the sensing circuit 1113 _u1) outputs the control signal Sctrl to control the scanning circuits 1111 _u1 to 1111 _u6 to scan the sensing blocks 1122 of different rows on the e-paper display panel 1120 sequentially from top to bottom on a row basis.

In the present embodiment, the sensing circuits 1113 respectively charge and discharge the sensing blocks 1122 of different rows simultaneously 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 (e.g., the sensing circuit 1113_1) outputs the synchronization signal Ssyn to synchronize the other sensing circuits 1113 _u2 to 1113 _u8, so as to charge and discharge the sensing blocks 1122 of different rows during the sensing period GT, respectively, to obtain the relaxation signal S of the sensing blocks 1122 of different rows.

Therefore, according to the scanning sensing method, the touch position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel 1120 can be determined. For example, when the sensing block 1122 v 33 is touched, the horizontal coordinate position (the first direction position) of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel 1120 is determined according to the position (located on the third row) of the sensing circuit 1113 v 3, and the vertical coordinate position (the second direction position) of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel 1120 is determined according to the position (located on the third row) of the scanning circuit 1111 v 3. In the present embodiment, the electronic paper display panel 1120 can perform single-point or multi-point touch sensing operation, and the operation manner thereof can be taught, suggested, and described in the art, and thus will not be described again.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sensing device 1114 charges and discharges each sensing block 1122 according to the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2 of fig. 6, for example, to generate the relaxation signal S. The pulse wave variation value of the relaxation signal S is changed by touching the object. The touch position of the touch object on the e-paper display panel 1120 is determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal S of each sensing block 1122. In addition, the touch sensing operation of the present embodiment can be taught, suggested, and described in the embodiments of fig. 1 to 8, and thus will not be described again.

In the present embodiment, the circuit structure of the electronic paper display panel 1120 can be, for example, the circuit structure shown in fig. 10, in which the data line is shared by two transistors to transmit the relaxation signal. Alternatively, the circuit structure of the e-paper display panel 1120 may be, for example, a circuit structure in which the two transistors do not share the data line to transmit the relaxation signal, as shown in fig. 13. Alternatively, the circuit structure of the electronic paper display panel 1120 may be, for example, the circuit structure shown in fig. 14, a circuit structure in which three transistors share a data line to transmit a relaxation signal, or other similar circuit structures. The invention does not limit the circuit structure of the electronic paper display panel 1120.

In the present embodiment, the circuit structure of the sensing circuit 1113 may be the same as or similar to the sensing circuit 120 shown in fig. 4, for example. The circuit structure of the sensing circuit 1113 is not limited by the present invention. In the present embodiment, the sensing circuit 1113 includes, for example, 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 the number of pulses of the relaxation signal S during the sensing period. In the present embodiment, the counter circuit may be an external circuit different from the sensing circuit 1113, or may be a counter circuit provided inside the sensing circuit 1113.

In one embodiment, each sensing circuit 1113 may be implemented by a single microcontroller or other similar device, such as a Field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The microcontroller may, for example, include the functionality of a relaxation oscillator, the functionality of a counter circuit, and the like. The master microcontroller is further configured to output a control signal Sctrl and a synchronization signal Ssyn to control the scanning operation of the scanning circuit 1111 and synchronize the sensing operations of the other sensing circuits 1113, respectively.

In the present embodiment, the circuit structure of the scan circuit 1111 and the implementation thereof can be taught, suggested and implemented sufficiently by the technology in the art, and therefore, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of an equivalent circuit of a touch sensor operating at any frequency in an operating frequency range according to another embodiment of the invention. Referring to fig. 4 and 20, the touch sensor 2100 of the present embodiment is similar to the touch sensor 2100 of the embodiment of fig. 4, but the main difference between the two is, for example, the circuit structure of the sensing circuit 2120. In the present embodiment, the sensing block 2110, for example, includes one or more sensing elements 110 as shown in fig. 2, and thus the schematic diagram of the equivalent capacitance is similar to that shown in fig. 4.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the sensing circuit 2120 includes a resistive element R, a latch circuit 222, a first comparator circuit 224, and a second comparator circuit 226. The resistive element R has a first end and a second end. The second terminal of the resistor is coupled to the sensing block 2110. The latch circuit 222 has a first input, a second input, and an output. The output terminal of the latch circuit 222 is coupled to the first terminal of the resistive element R. In one embodiment, the latch circuit 222 includes an RS latch, and the first input terminal, the second input terminal and the output terminal are the reset terminal, the set terminal and the Q terminal of the RS flip-flop, respectively. The first comparator circuit 224 has a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal. A first input terminal of the first comparator circuit 224 is coupled to the second terminal of the resistance element and the sensing block 2210. A second input of the first comparator circuit 224 receives the first voltage V1. An output of the first comparator circuit 224 is coupled to a first input of the latch circuit 222. The second comparator circuit 226 has a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal. A first input of the second comparator circuit 226 receives the second voltage V2. A second input terminal of the second comparator circuit 226 is coupled to the second terminal of the resistor R and the sensing block 2110. An output of the second comparator circuit 226 is coupled to a second input of the latch circuit 222.

Referring to fig. 6 and 20, in the present embodiment, when the touch object 200 touches the sensing block 2110, if the voltage at the node N is less than the first voltage V1, the second voltage V2 charges the first capacitive element C1 until the voltage at the node N is greater than the second voltage V2. When the voltage at the node N is greater than the second voltage V2, the first capacitive element C1 discharges toward the first voltage V1 until the voltage at the node N is less than the first voltage V1. This is repeated to generate the relaxation signal S at the terminal N, as shown in fig. 6. When the touch object 200 touches the sensing block 2110, the fourth capacitive element C4 and the fifth capacitive element C5 exist. At this time, since the equivalent capacitance from the terminal N to the ground terminal is changed, the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal S is changed, for example, decreased, by the touch object 200. In the sensing period GT, the number of pulses of the relaxation signal S becomes smaller. Therefore, in the present embodiment, one of the ways to determine whether there is a change in the relaxation frequency is, for example, to determine whether there is a change in the number of pulses of the relaxation signal S during the sensing period GT. In other words, in the present embodiment, the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal S is changed by touching the object 200. Whether the touch object 200 touches the sensing block 2110 may be determined according to a pulse variation value of the relaxation signal S, for example.

The touch sensing operation of the present embodiment can be taught, suggested, and described in the embodiments of fig. 1 to 6, and thus will not be described again. In addition, in the embodiment of fig. 19, the circuit structure of the sensing circuit 1113 may be the same as or similar to the sensing circuit 2120 shown in fig. 20, for example. The circuit structure of the sensing circuit 1113 is not limited by the present invention.

Fig. 21 is a schematic diagram of a driver apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 21, the driver device 230 of the present 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 present embodiment, the scanning device and the sensing device are disposed in the touch driving block 232.

Specifically, in the present 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 coupled to the first common electrode line CL1 shown in fig. 10, 13 or 14, for example, to control the supply of the first common electrode signal. The first gate control circuit is coupled to the first scan line SL1 shown in fig. 10, 13 or 14, for example, and is used for controlling the on state of the first transistor Q1 according to a first scan signal. The display data control circuit is coupled to the data line DL1 in fig. 10 or fig. 13, or the data line DL1 in fig. 14, for example. The display data control circuit is used for controlling data signals written into the first transistor Q1 or the third transistor Q3. Therefore, the pixel unit carries out image display operation according to the data signal and displays image data. The display driver is used for driving and controlling the electronic paper display panel to perform image display operation. The display driver includes various circuit elements required to drive the electronic paper display panel.

In the present embodiment, the touch driving block 232 includes a scanning 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 embodiment of the scanning device and the sensing device is shown in fig. 19, but the invention is not limited thereto. The scan device is coupled to the second scan line SL2 of fig. 10, 13 or 14, for example. The sensing device is coupled to the data line DL1 in fig. 10 and the sensing line DL2 in fig. 13, for example.

In the present embodiment, the voltage generator circuit includes one or more programmable voltage sources for generating the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2. The counter circuit is used for setting the sensing period GT and counting the pulse number of the relaxation signal S at the terminal N. In one embodiment, the counter circuit may include two counters to perform the two operation steps. For example, one of the counters is used to count the number of pulses of the relaxation signal S, and the other counter is used to set the sensing period GT. The second common electrode voltage control circuit is coupled to the second common electrode line CL2 shown in fig. 10, 13 or 14, for example, to control the supply of the second common electrode signal. The second gate control circuit is coupled to the third scan line SL3 of fig. 14, for example, and is used for controlling the on state of the third transistor Q3 according to the third scan signal. In one embodiment, the second gate control circuit is selectively configured. For example, when the driver device 230 is used to drive the

e-paper display panels

400 and 800 of fig. 10 and 13, the driver device 230 may not be configured with the second gate control circuit in this application case, because the circuit structure of the

e-paper display panels

400 and 800 does not include the third transistor Q3. In this embodiment, the processor circuit is, for example, configured to receive the sensing result of the sensing device, and calculate the touch position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel by the speed Zhang Xinhao S of the sensing block. The touch sensing operation of the present embodiment can be taught, suggested, and described in the embodiments of fig. 1 to 20, and thus will not be described again.

In the embodiment, the design 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 is adapted to the electronic paper display panel for adjustment, which can be implemented by a suitable circuit architecture in the technical field, and the invention is not limited thereto.

In the embodiment, the devices or circuits included in each block of the integrated chip are only for illustration and are not intended to limit the invention. The designer can make adaptive adjustment according to actual requirements.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the sensing device of the embodiment shown in FIG. 21. Referring to fig. 21 and 22, the sensing device 2214 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of sensing circuits 2220 and a plurality of selector circuits 2230. The sensing circuit 2220 is connected to the corresponding sensing channel. The selector circuit 2230 is configured to synchronously select the first voltage V1 or the second voltage V2 and deliver the selected voltage to the amplifier circuit 2222. Therefore, the voltage received by the amplifier circuit 2222 can be switched between the first voltage V1 and the second voltage V2. The operation of the sensing device 2214 of the present embodiment can be taught, suggested and described sufficiently in the description of the embodiment of fig. 19, and therefore will not be described in detail.

In summary, in the embodiments of the invention, the driver device of the electronic paper display panel is used to scan the sensing blocks and charge and discharge the sensing blocks in different rows to perform the touch sensing operation. The driver device comprises a plurality of sensing circuits or a plurality of microprocessors for touch sensing operation. The driver device can also be integrated into an integrated chip to drive the electronic paper display panel for touch sensing operation. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing block includes one or more touch sensors. The touch sensor includes a shielding layer. The presence of the shielding layer does not affect the touch sensing operation of the touch sensor. Whether the touch object touches the touch sensor can be determined according to the pulse wave variation value of the relaxation signal. In addition, the electronic paper display panel and the electronic paper display device comprising the touch sensor can provide a touch sensing function. The touch position of the touch object on the touch sensing panel can be determined according to whether the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor is changed.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A touch sensor for sensing a touch object, the touch sensor comprising:

a sensing element including 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, the shielding layer is disposed on the sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode, and the sensing electrode and the sensing common electrode form a first capacitive element; and

a sensing circuit electrically connected to the sensing element and including a resistive element and an amplifier circuit,

the relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of the touch sensor is determined according to the resistance value of the resistive element and/or the parasitic resistance value of the sensing element, and the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by the touch object, wherein the touch object is a conductor, the amplifier circuit has a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal, the first input terminal receives a reference voltage, the output terminal is coupled to the first terminal of the resistive element, and the second input terminal is coupled to the second terminal of the resistive element and the first terminal of the first capacitive element.

2. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor operates in an operating frequency interval between a first frequency and a second frequency, and the second frequency is greater than the first frequency.

3. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the shield layer and the sense electrode form a second capacitive element, the shield layer and the sense common electrode form a third capacitive element, and the touch object touches the touch sensor to form a fourth capacitive element and a fifth capacitive element with the shield layer, respectively.

4. The touch sensor of claim 3, wherein the reference voltage is switched between a first voltage and a second voltage, the sensing circuit charging and discharging the first end of the first capacitive element to produce the relaxation Zhang Xinhao, wherein the relaxation Zhang Xinhao oscillates between the first voltage and the second voltage.

5. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the shield layer comprises a conductive layer.

6. An electronic paper display device having a touch sensing function, the electronic paper display device comprising:

an electronic paper display panel comprising a plurality of touch sensors, wherein each of the touch sensors comprises:

a sensing circuit electrically connected to the sensing element and including a resistive element and an amplifier circuit; and

the relaxation Zhang Pinlv of each touch sensor relaxation signal is determined according to the resistance value of the resistance element and/or the parasitic resistance value of the sensing element, the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by a touch object, the touch object is a conductor, the amplifier circuit has a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal, the first input terminal receives a reference voltage, the output terminal is coupled to the first terminal of the resistance element, the second input terminal is coupled to the second terminal of the resistance element and the first terminal of the first capacitance element, and the touch position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel is determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor.

7. The electronic paper display device of claim 6, wherein the electronic paper display device is a segment code electronic paper display device, and a relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor is determined according to a resistance value of the resistive element.

8. The electronic paper display device of claim 6, wherein the electronic paper display device is a thin film transistor electronic paper display device, and a relaxation Zhang Pinlv of the relaxation signal of each touch sensor is determined according to a resistance value of the resistance element and the parasitic resistance value of the sensing element.

9. An electronic paper display panel having a touch sensing function, the electronic paper display panel comprising:

a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array, electrically connected to one or more sensing circuits, and configured to sense a touch object, wherein each of the pixel units includes a touch capacitive element, and each of the sensing circuits includes a resistive element and an amplifier circuit,

the relaxation Zhang Pinlv of each pixel unit relaxation signal is determined according to the resistance value of the resistance element and/or the parasitic resistance value of the pixel unit, the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by the touch object, the touch object is a conductor, the amplifier circuit has a first input terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal, the first input terminal receives a reference voltage, the output terminal is coupled to one end of the resistance element, the second input terminal is coupled to the other end of the resistance element and the first end of the touch capacitance element, and the touch position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel is determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of each pixel unit.

10. The electronic paper display panel of claim 9, wherein each of the pixel cells comprises:

a first transistor circuit in which a first scan signal turns on a transistor among the first transistor circuit in a display mode so that the pixel unit performs an image display operation; and

a second transistor circuit, in a sensing mode, a second scan signal turns on a transistor among the second transistor circuit, so that 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 more sensing circuits, and the second transistor circuit comprises the touch capacitive element.

11. The electronic paper display panel of claim 10, wherein the touch object touches the plurality of pixel cells to form a sensing capacitive element with the plurality of pixel cells, and the second transistor circuit further comprises the sensing capacitive element.

12. The electronic paper display panel of claim 10, further comprising:

a plurality of first scan lines electrically connected to the plurality of first transistor circuits, each of the first scan lines for providing the first scan signal to the first transistor circuit; and

and a plurality of second scan lines electrically connected to the plurality of second transistor circuits, each of the second scan lines being configured to provide the second scan signal to the second transistor circuits.

13. The electronic paper display panel of claim 10, further comprising:

and a plurality of data lines electrically connected to the plurality of first transistor circuits, each of the data lines being configured to provide a data signal to the first transistor circuit, wherein in the display mode, a transistor of the first transistor circuits is turned on, so that the pixel unit displays the image data according to the data signal.

14. The e-paper display panel of claim 13, wherein the plurality of second transistor circuits are electrically connected to the one or more sensing circuits via the plurality of data lines, and in the sensing mode a transistor among the second transistor circuits is turned on, and the one or more sensing circuits charge and discharge one end of the touch capacitive element via the plurality of data lines to generate the relaxation signal.

15. The electronic paper display panel of claim 13, further comprising:

a plurality of sensing lines electrically connected to the plurality of second transistor circuits, wherein the plurality of second transistor circuits are electrically connected to the one or more sensing circuits through the plurality of sensing lines, and in the sensing mode, a transistor among the second transistor circuits is turned on, and the one or more sensing circuits charge and discharge one end of the touch capacitive element through the plurality of sensing lines to generate the relaxation signal.

16. The electronic paper display panel of claim 10, further comprising:

a plurality of first common electrode lines electrically connected to the plurality of first transistor circuits, 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, transistors in the first transistor circuits are turned on, so that the pixel units perform an image display operation according to the first common electrode signal; and

and a plurality of second common electrode lines electrically connected to the plurality of second transistor circuits, each of the second common electrode lines being configured to provide a second common electrode signal to the second transistor circuits, wherein in the sensing mode, transistors in the second transistor circuits are turned on, so that the pixel unit performs a touch sensing operation according to the second common electrode signal.

17. The electronic paper display panel of claim 10, wherein each of the pixel cells further 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 of the third transistor circuit to transmit a data signal to the third transistor circuit, and in the display mode, the transistor of the second transistor circuit is not turned on.

18. The electronic paper display panel of claim 17, wherein in the sensing mode, the third scan signal does not turn on a transistor among the third transistor circuits, and in the sensing mode, a transistor among the second transistor circuits is turned on, so that the pixel unit performs a touch sensing operation.

19. The electronic paper display panel of claim 17, further comprising:

and a plurality of third scan lines electrically connected to the plurality of third transistor circuits, 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 a transistor in the third transistor circuit, so that the pixel unit performs an image display operation.

20. The electronic paper display panel of claim 17, further comprising:

a plurality of sensing lines electrically connected to the plurality of second transistor circuits, the plurality of second transistor circuits being electrically connected to the one or more sensing circuits through the plurality of sensing lines, and in the sensing mode, a transistor among the second transistor circuits is turned on, and the one or more sensing circuits charge and discharge one end of the touch capacitive element through the plurality of sensing lines to generate the relaxation signal.

21. The electronic paper display panel of claim 17, further comprising:

and a plurality of first common electrode lines electrically connected to the first transistor circuits and the third transistor circuits, 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 of the first transistor circuits and the third transistor circuits are turned on, so that the pixel unit performs an image display operation according to the first common electrode signal.

22. The e-paper display panel of claim 9, wherein the one or more sensing circuits charge and discharge the first end of each of the touch capacitive elements to generate the relaxation Zhang Xinhao, and the reference voltage is switched between a first voltage and a second voltage, wherein the relaxation Zhang Xinhao oscillates between the first voltage and the second voltage.

23. The e-paper display panel of claim 9, wherein the plurality of pixel units are divided into one or more pixel unit groups, each of the one or more pixel unit groups being electrically connected to a corresponding one of the one or more sensing circuits.

24. An electronic paper display panel having a touch sensing function, the electronic paper display panel comprising:

a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array for sensing 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 element having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the pixel capacitor element is electrically connected to the second end of the first transistor, and the second end of the pixel capacitor element is electrically connected to a first common electrode line;

a storage capacitor element having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the storage capacitor element is electrically connected to the second end of the first transistor, and the second end of the storage capacitor element 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 capacitive element having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the touch capacitive element is electrically connected to the second end of the second transistor, and the second end of the touch capacitive element is electrically connected to a second common electrode line; and

a sensing capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the sensing capacitor is electrically connected to the second terminal of the second transistor, and the second terminal of the sensing capacitor is electrically connected to the second common electrode line,

the data line is electrically connected to a corresponding sensing circuit of one or more sensing circuits, the sensing circuit includes a resistive element and an amplifier circuit, a relaxation Zhang Pinlv of a relaxation signal of each pixel unit is determined according to a resistance value of the resistive element and/or a parasitic resistance value of the pixel unit, a pulse variation value of the relaxation signal is changed by the touch object, the touch object is a conductor, the amplifier circuit has a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal, the first input terminal receives a reference voltage, the output terminal is coupled to one end of the resistive element, the second input terminal is coupled to the other end of the resistive element and the first end of the touch capacitive element, and a touch position of the touch object on the electronic paper display panel is determined according to the pulse variation value of the relaxation signal of each pixel unit.

25. The electronic paper display panel of claim 24, wherein each of the pixel cells comprises:

a third transistor having a first end, a second end, and a control end, wherein the first end of the third transistor is electrically connected to the second end of the second transistor, the second end of the third transistor is electrically connected to the second end of the first transistor, the control end of the third transistor is electrically connected to a third scan line, and the first end of the second transistor is electrically connected to a sense line.

26. The electronic paper display panel of claim 24, further comprising the plurality of first scan lines, the plurality of second scan lines, the plurality of data lines, the plurality of first common electrode lines, and the plurality of second common electrode lines, wherein the plurality of first scan lines, the plurality of second scan lines, and the plurality of first common electrode lines are arranged in a first direction, and the plurality of data lines and the plurality of second common electrode lines are arranged in a second direction.

27. The electronic paper display panel of claim 26, further comprising a plurality of third scan lines and a plurality of sense lines, wherein the plurality of third scan lines are arranged in the first direction and the plurality of sense lines are arranged in the second direction.

28. The e-paper display panel of claim 24, wherein the sensing circuit charges and discharges the first end of the touch capacitive element to generate the relaxation Zhang Xinhao, and the reference voltage is switched between a first voltage and a second voltage, wherein the relaxation Zhang Xinhao oscillates between the first voltage and the second voltage.