TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function

• US 9,164,633 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2013
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rich IP Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rich IP Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Han-Chang, Tu, Yen-Hung, Chia, Chung-Lin
• Primary Examiner(s): Yodichkas, Aneeta
• Application Number:
  US13/758,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20140104228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04164 Connections between sensors and controllers, e.g. routing lines between electrodes and connection pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041662 using alternate mutual and self-capacitive scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes

Abstract

A TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function, including: a first electrode layer, having multiple first electrodes and multiple thin film transistors, wherein each of the multiple thin film transistors has a source coupled to a source control unit, a gate coupled to a gate control unit, and a drain coupled to one of the multiple first electrodes and to one of multiple storage capacitors; a liquid crystal display layer, located above the first electrode layer; a transparent electrode layer, being located above the liquid crystal display layer and having multiple transparent strip electrodes; and multiple switches, of which each has a control end coupled with a mode control signal, a first contact coupled to one of the multiple transparent strip electrodes, a second contact coupled to a common voltage generation unit, and a third contact coupled to a touch detection unit.

Claims

1. TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function, comprising:

a first electrode layer, having multiple first electrodes and multiple thin film transistors;

each of said multiple thin film transistors having a source, a gate, and a drain;

said source being coupled to a source control unit;

said gate being coupled to a gate control unit;

said drain being coupled to one of said multiple first electrodes and to one of multiple storage capacitors;

a liquid crystal display layer, located above said first electrode layer;

a transparent electrode layer, being located above said liquid crystal display layer and having multiple transparent strip electrodes, wherein a touch plane is provided above said transparent electrode layer and each of said multiple transparent strip electrodes opposes at least one of said multiple first electrodes;

multiple switches, each of which having a control end, a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact;

said control end being coupled with a mode control signal;

said first contact being coupled to one of said multiple transparent strip electrodes;

said second contact being coupled to a common voltage generation unit;

said third contact being coupled to a first touch detection unit;

when said mode control signal is at a first state, said first contact connects electrically with said second contact; and

when said mode control signal is at a second state, said first contact connects electrically with said third contact.

2. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 1, wherein, when said mode control signal is at said first state, said source control unit outputs multiple pixel signals, each coupled to said source of a corresponding one of said multiple thin film transistors;

and when said mode control signal is at said second state, said source control unit provides a second touch detection unit to couple with said source of each of said multiple thin film transistors.

3. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 2, wherein said first touch detection unit has a first driving unit and a first detection unit, and said second touch detection unit has a second driving unit and a second detection unit.

4. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 3, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned off, said first touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

5. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 3, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said first touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

6. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 3, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said second touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

7. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 3, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said first touch detection unit and said second touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

8. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 3, further including a first substrate, which is located above said transparent electrode layer and implemented by a transparent material selected from a group consisting of glass, polycarbonate, Polymethylmethacrylate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, and any combinations thereof.

9. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 8, wherein said first electrode layer is located above a second substrate, and said second substrate is implemented by a transparent material selected from a group consisting of glass, polycarbonate, Polymethylmethacrylate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, and any combinations thereof.

10. A TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function, comprising:

a first electrode layer, having multiple first electrodes, multiple storage-capacitor top electrodes, and multiple thin film transistors;

each of said multiple thin film transistors having a source, a gate, and a drain;

said source being coupled to a source control unit;

said gate being coupled to a gate control unit;

said drain being coupled to one of said multiple first electrodes and to one of said multiple storage-capacitor top electrodes;

a liquid crystal display layer, located above said first electrode layer;

a transparent electrode layer, being located above said liquid crystal display layer and having multiple transparent strip electrodes, wherein a touch plane is provided above said transparent electrode layer and each of said multiple transparent strip electrodes opposes at least one of said multiple first electrodes;

multiple first switches, each of which having a first control end, a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact;

said first control end being coupled with a mode control signal;

said first contact being coupled to one of said multiple transparent strip electrodes;

said second contact being coupled to a common voltage generation unit;

said third contact being coupled to a first touch detection unit;

when said mode control signal is at a first state, said first contact connects electrically with said second contact;

when said mode control signal is at a second state, said first contact connects electrically with said third contact;

multiple second switches, each of which having a second control end, a fourth contact, a fifth contact, and a sixth contact, said second control end being coupled with said mode control signal;

said fourth contact being coupled to one of multiple storage-capacitor bottom electrodes;

said fifth contact being coupled to said common voltage generation unit;

said sixth contact being coupled to a second touch detection unit;

when said mode control signal is at said first state, said fourth contact connects electrically with said fifth contact; and

when said mode control signal is at said second state, said fourth contact connects electrically with said sixth contact.

11. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 10, wherein, when said mode control signal is at said first state, said source control unit outputs multiple pixel signals;

and when said mode control signal is at said second state, said source control unit provides a third touch detection unit to couple with said source of each of said multiple thin film transistors.

12. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 11, wherein said first touch detection unit has a first driving unit and a first detection unit, said second touch detection unit has a second driving unit and a second detection unit, and said third touch detection unit has a third driving unit and a third detection unit.

13. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned off, said first touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

14. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned off, said second touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

15. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned off, said first touch detection unit and said second touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

16. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said first touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

17. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said second touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

18. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said third touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

19. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said first touch detection unit and said second touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

20. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said second touch detection unit and said third touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

21. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said first touch detection unit and said third touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

22. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said first touch detection unit, said second touch detection unit, and said third touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

23. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 12, further including a first substrate, which is located above said transparent electrode layer and implemented by a transparent material selected from a group consisting of glass, polycarbonate, Polymethylmethacrylate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, and any combinations thereof.

24. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 23, wherein said first electrode layer is located above a second substrate, and said second substrate is implemented by a transparent material selected from a group consisting of glass, polycarbonate, Polymethylmethacrylate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, and any combinations thereof.

25. A TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function, comprising:

a first electrode layer, having multiple first transparent electrodes, multiple storage-capacitor top electrodes, and multiple thin film transistors;

a second touch plane being provided below said first electrode layer;

each of said multiple thin film transistors having a source, a gate, and a drain;

said source being coupled to a source control unit;

said gate being coupled to a gate control unit;

said drain being coupled to one of said multiple first transparent electrodes and to one of said multiple storage-capacitor top electrodes;

said source control unit outputting multiple pixel signals when a mode control signal is at a first state, and provides a third touch detection unit to couple with said source of each of said multiple thin film transistors when said mode control signal is at a second state;

a liquid crystal display layer, located above said first electrode layer;

a transparent electrode layer, being located above said liquid crystal display layer and having multiple second transparent electrodes, wherein a first touch plane is provided above said transparent electrode layer and each of said multiple second transparent electrodes opposes at least one of said multiple first transparent electrodes;

multiple first switches, each of which having a first control end, a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact;

said first control end being coupled with said mode control signal;

said first contact being coupled to one of said multiple second transparent electrodes;

said second contact being coupled to a common voltage generation unit;

said third contact being coupled to a first touch detection unit;

when said mode control signal is at said first state, said first contact connects electrically with said second contact;

when said mode control signal is at said second state, said first contact connects electrically with said third contact;

multiple second switches, each of which having a second control end, a fourth contact, a fifth contact, and a sixth contact;

said second control end being coupled with said mode control signal;

said fourth contact being coupled to one of multiple storage-capacitor bottom electrodes;

said fifth contact being coupled to said common voltage generation unit;

said sixth contact being coupled to a second touch detection unit;

when said mode control signal is at said first state, said fourth contact connects electrically with said fifth contact;

when said mode control signal is at said second state, said fourth contact connects electrically with said sixth contact; and

a display-and-touch scan timing control unit, used for generating said mode control signal.

26. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned off, said first touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

27. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned off, said second touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

28. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned off, said first touch detection unit and said second touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

29. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said first touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

30. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said second touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

31. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said third touch detection unit is used to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

32. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said first touch detection unit and said second touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

33. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said second touch detection unit and said third touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

34. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said first touch detection unit and said third touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

35. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, wherein, when said gate control unit makes said multiple thin film transistors turned on, said first touch detection unit, said second touch detection unit, and said third touch detection unit operate cooperatively to perform a capacitive touch detection procedure, wherein said capacitive touch detection procedure is one selected from a group consisting of a self capacitive touch detection procedure, a mutual capacitive touch detection procedure, and any combinations thereof.

36. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 25, further including a first substrate, which is located above said transparent electrode layer and implemented by a transparent material selected from a group consisting of glass, polycarbonate, Polymethylmethacrylate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, and any combinations thereof.

37. The TFT liquid crystal display apparatus having a touch function as claim 36, wherein said first electrode layer is an ITO layer located above a second substrate, and said second substrate is implemented by a transparent material selected from a group consisting of glass, polycarbonate, Polymethylmethacrylate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, and any combinations thereof.