Touch sensing display panel

• US 20060176285A1
• Filed: 12/09/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Joo-Hyung, Pak, Sang-Jin, Uh, Kee-Han, Lee, Myung-Woo
• Application Number:
  US11/297,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20060176285A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13624 having more than one switching element per pixel
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means

Abstract

A display panel includes a first pixel occupying a first pixel area and a second pixel occupying a second pixel area that is disposed adjacent to the first pixel area. A sensing element disposed in the first pixel area generates an output signal in response to a touch exerted on the display panel. A switching element is disposed in the second pixel area and is electrically coupled to the sensing element. The switching element selectively outputs a signal received from the sensing element.

Claims

1. A display panel comprising:

a first pixel occupying a first pixel area;

a second pixel occupying a second pixel area, the second pixel being positioned adjacent to the first pixel area;

a sensing element disposed in the first pixel area, the sensing element being operative to generate an output signal in response to a touch exerted on the display panel; and

a switching element disposed in the second pixel area, the switching element being electrically coupled to the sensing element, wherein the switching element is selectively operable to output a signal received from the sensing element.

2. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the sensing element responds to a change in an amount of light received as a result of the touch.

3. The display panel of claim 1, further comprising:

an image scanning line connected to the first and the second pixels;

a first image data line connected to the first pixel;

a second image data line connected to the second pixel; and

a sensor data line coupled to the switching element.

4. The display panel of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first image data line, the second image data line, and the sensor data line is disposed-between the first pixel area and the second pixel area.

5. The display panel of claim 4, further comprising a connecting member connecting the sensing element to the switching element, and wherein the connecting member extends in a direction different than at least one of the first image data line, the second image data line, and the sensor data line.

6. The display panel of claim 4, wherein a first one of the first image data line, the second image data line, and the sensor data line is disposed on a second one of the first image data line, the second image data line, and the sensor data line.

7. The display panel of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first image data line, the second image data line, and the sensor data line is disposed in the first pixel area or the second pixel area.

8. The display panel of claim 3, wherein none of the first image data line and the second image data line is disposed between the first pixel area and the second pixel area.

9. The display panel of claim 8, wherein none of the first image data line, the second image data line, and the sensor data line is disposed between the first pixel area and the second pixel area.

10. The display panel of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first image data line, the second image data line, and the sensor data line is disposed in the first pixel area or the second pixel area.

11. The display panel of claim 3, further comprising an input voltage line connected to the sensing element.

12. The display panel of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first image data line, the second image data line, the sensor data line, and the input voltage line is disposed between the first pixel area and the second pixel area.

13. The display panel of claim 12, wherein the input voltage line is disposed on one of the first image data line, the second image data line, and a sensor data line.

14. The display panel of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first image data line, the second image data line, the sensor data line, and the input voltage line is disposed in the first pixel area or the second pixel area.

15. The display panel of claim 14, wherein none of the first image data line, the second image data line, the sensor data line, and the input voltage line is disposed between the first pixel area and the second pixel area.

16. The display panel of claim 11, wherein the image scanning line is located in a first layer of material and the first image data line and the second image data line are located in a second, different layer of material.

17. The display panel of claim 16, wherein the first pixel and the second pixel each include a pixel electrode disposed in a third layer of material different from the first and the second layers of material.

18. The display panel of claim 17, wherein the sensor data line and the input voltage line are located in the second layer or the third layer.

19. The display panel of claim 18, further comprising:

a sensor scanning line connected to the switching electrode, wherein the sensor scanning line is located in the first layer of material; and

a control voltage line connected to the sensing element, wherein the control voltage line is located in the first layer of material.

20. The display panel of claim 1, wherein one or both of the sensing element and the switching element include amorphous silicon or polysilicon.