CN112464702A

CN112464702A - Electronic device, chip, panel, decoder, and operation method

Info

Publication number: CN112464702A
Application number: CN202010922707.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 施伟伦; 林吴维; 唐煌钦; 洪挺轩
Original assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp
Current assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp
Priority date: 2019-09-06
Filing date: 2020-09-04
Publication date: 2021-03-09

Abstract

The invention provides a chip, an electronic device, a panel, a decoder, an operation method of the chip and an operation method of the electronic device. The chip may control the panel to perform fingerprint sensing. The fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel are divided into a plurality of fingerprint areas along the column direction. The chip includes a selection circuit and a control circuit. The selection circuit obtains information about a selected fingerprint area among the fingerprint areas. The control circuit provides a plurality of control signals for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing. The control signal comprises a plurality of start pulse signals. The start pulse signals collectively indicate the selected fingerprint area. The number of fingerprint areas is greater than the number of start pulse signals.

Description

Electronic device, chip, panel, decoder, and operation method

Technical Field

The invention relates to an electronic device, a chip, a panel, a decoder, a method for operating a chip and a method for operating an electronic device.

Background

In current full screen fingerprinting techniques, all fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel are divided into a first number of fingerprint regions along the column direction of the panel. Based on the number of fingerprint areas, a plurality of wires and a plurality of wires having a corresponding number (equal to or greater than the first number) must be disposed on the panel. The wires are used to connect between the fingerprint areas and the conductors. These wires occupy the area of the panel.

For example, if the fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel are divided into 10 fingerprint areas Zone1 to fingerprint area Zone10 in the column direction, each of the left and right sides of the panel requires 10 wires for driving 10 fingerprint areas Zone1 to fingerprint area Zone10, respectively. The 10 wires of the conventional fingerprint sensing control chip output 10 signals (start pulse signals) to the 10 wires of one side of the panel, thereby resetting the fingerprint sensing pixels corresponding to the fingerprint area. The other 10 wires of the conventional fingerprint sensing control chip output 10 signals (start pulse signals) to the 10 wires of the other side of the panel, thereby selecting fingerprint sensing pixels corresponding to the fingerprint area. With the start pulse signal, the conventional fingerprint sensing control chip may inform the panel which one of the fingerprint areas among the fingerprint areas Zone1 through Zone10 needs to perform scanning on the fingerprint sensing pixels.

It is contemplated that the larger the panel (i.e., the greater the number of fingerprint areas), the greater the number of wires and leads disposed on the panel. A larger number of wires and/or conductors may result in a larger bezel of the panel.

It should be noted that the contents of the "background" section are used to facilitate understanding of the present invention. Some (or all) of the disclosure in the "background" section may not pertain to conventional techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. What is disclosed in the "background" section does not mean that such matter is known to those of ordinary skill in the art prior to the filing of the present application.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a chip, an electronic device, a panel, a decoder, and an operation method of the chip and an operation method of the electronic device, which can reduce the number of start pulse signals output from the chip to the panel as much as possible.

The present invention provides a chip capable of controlling a panel to perform fingerprint sensing. The panel includes a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels and a plurality of gate lines. The gate lines are arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels. The fingerprint sensing pixels are divided into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel. Each of the fingerprint areas is coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines among the gate lines of the panel. The chip includes a selection circuit and a control circuit. The selection circuit is configured to obtain information about a selected fingerprint area among a first number of fingerprint areas of the panel. The control circuit is coupled to the selection circuit to receive information about the selected fingerprint area. The control circuit is configured to provide a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing. The control signal comprises a second number of start pulse signals. The second number of start pulse signals collectively indicates the selected fingerprint region. The first number is greater than the second number.

The operation method of the chip comprises the following steps: obtaining, by a selection circuit, information about a selected fingerprint region among a first number of fingerprint regions of a panel; and providing, by the control circuit, a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signals include a second number of start pulse signals, and the second number of start pulse signals collectively indicate the selected fingerprint area. The first number is greater than the second number.

The chip of the invention comprises a selection circuit and a control circuit. The selection circuit is configured to obtain information about a selected fingerprint area among a first number of fingerprint areas of the panel. The control circuit is coupled to the selection circuit to receive information about the selected fingerprint area. The control circuit is configured to provide a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing. The control signal comprises a plurality of start pulse signals. The start pulse signal is for being provided to a decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain information about the selected fingerprint area according to a plurality of logic values of the start pulse signal.

The operation method of the chip comprises the following steps: obtaining, by a selection circuit, information about a selected fingerprint region among a first number of fingerprint regions of a panel; and providing, by the control circuit, a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signals include a plurality of start pulse signals for being provided to a decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain information about the selected fingerprint area according to a plurality of logic values of the start pulse signals.

The electronic device comprises a panel and a chip. The panel includes a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels and a plurality of first gate lines arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels. The fingerprint sensing pixels are divided into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel. Each of the fingerprint areas is coupled to a corresponding one or more first gate lines among the first gate lines of the panel. The chip can control the panel to perform fingerprint sensing. The chip is configured to obtain information about a selected fingerprint area among a first number of fingerprint areas of the panel and to provide a plurality of first control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing. The first control signal comprises a second number of start pulse signals. The second number of start pulse signals collectively indicates the selected fingerprint region. The first number is greater than the second number.

The operation method of the electronic device comprises the following steps: dividing a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel, wherein each of the fingerprint regions is coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines among a plurality of gate lines of the panel, and the gate lines are arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels; and controlling, by the chip, the panel to perform fingerprint sensing so as to obtain information about a selected fingerprint area among a first number of fingerprint areas of the panel and provide a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signals include a second number of start pulse signals, the second number of start pulse signals collectively indicating the selected fingerprint area, and the first number is greater than the second number.

The electronic device comprises a panel and a chip. The panel includes a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels and a plurality of first gate lines arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels. The fingerprint sensing pixels are divided into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel. Each of the fingerprint areas is coupled to a corresponding one or more first gate lines among the first gate lines of the panel. The chip can control the panel to perform fingerprint sensing. The chip is configured to obtain information about a selected fingerprint area among a first number of fingerprint areas of the panel and to provide a plurality of first control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing. The first control signal comprises a plurality of start pulse signals. The start pulse signal is for providing to a decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain information about the selected fingerprint area according to a plurality of logic values of the start pulse signal.

The operation method of the electronic device comprises the following steps: arranging a plurality of gate lines of the panel in a row direction of the panel for controlling a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel; dividing the fingerprint sensing pixels into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel, wherein each of the fingerprint regions is coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines among the gate lines of the panel; and controlling, by the chip, the panel to perform fingerprint sensing so as to obtain information on a selected fingerprint area among a first number of fingerprint areas of the panel and providing a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signals include a plurality of start pulse signals for providing to a decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain the information on the selected fingerprint area according to a plurality of logic values of the start pulse signals.

The panel of the invention comprises a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels, a plurality of first gate lines and a first Gate On Array (GOA) circuit. The first gate lines are arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels. The fingerprint sensing pixels are divided into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel. Each of the fingerprint areas is coupled to a corresponding one or more first gate lines among the first gate lines of the panel. The GOA circuit is disposed on the panel. The GOA circuit is configured to receive a control signal from the chip and generate a plurality of first scanning signals for respectively controlling the first gate lines to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signal comprises a plurality of start pulse signals. The GOA circuit comprises a decoder. The decoder is configured to decode the start pulse signal to obtain information about the selected fingerprint area for performing fingerprint sensing.

The decoder of the present invention is suitable for panels comprising a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels. The decoder includes a plurality of decoder units. The plurality of input terminals of each of the decoder units is configured to receive all of the first plurality of start pulse signals. Each of the decoder units is configured to decode the first plurality of start pulse signals into a corresponding one of the second plurality of start pulse signals.

In summary, the chip provided by embodiments of the present invention may output a start pulse signal to the panel, wherein the start pulse signal relates to a selected one of a first number of fingerprint areas of the panel. The panel may generate a plurality of scan signals according to a start pulse signal to be provided to a selected fingerprint area. The number of start pulse signals is smaller than the number of fingerprint areas. Therefore, the electronic device can achieve as small as possible the number of start pulse signals supplied to the panel by the chip.

In order that the above features and advantages of the present invention may be better understood, embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a layout of the panel and fingerprint sensor depicted in fig. 1, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial layout of the panel depicted in fig. 2 according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a circuit schematic illustrating the fingerprint sensing pixel depicted in fig. 3 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating signal timing for the integrated circuit depicted in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment.

Figure 6 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the fingerprint sensing control circuit depicted in figure 1, according to an embodiment.

Figure 7A is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the fingerprint sensing control circuit depicted in figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7B is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the fingerprint sensing control circuit depicted in figure 1, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the control circuit depicted in FIG. 7A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the control circuit depicted in FIG. 7A, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the decoder depicted in FIG. 7A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 13-26 are schematic circuit block diagrams illustrating the decoder depicted in fig. 12, according to different embodiments of the invention.

Description of the reference numerals

20: a touch area;

100: an electronic device 100;

110: a processor 110;

120: a fingerprint sensing control circuit;

121. 124: a control circuit;

122: a selection circuit;

123: a fingerprint reading circuit;

130: a touch control circuit;

135: a TDDI circuit;

140: a display driving circuit;

150: a panel;

151: a multiplexer circuit;

152. 152a, 152 b: a decoder;

160: a fingerprint sensor;

200: an integrated circuit 200;

201: a flexible circuit board;

610. 710, 720: a start pulse generating circuit;

730: a switching circuit;

c1: a capacitor;

CK: a clock signal;

d _ SELCT: information of the selected area;

d1: a photodiode;

DGL, FPR _ GL1, FPR _ GL 2: a gate line;

DP, FP, TP: operating;

DPix: a display pixel;

DU _1, DU _2, DU _3, DU _31, DU _ n-1, DU _ n: a decoder unit;

FPR _ GLi _ RESET, FPR _ GL1_ RESET, FPR _ GL2_ RESET, FPR _ GL3_ RESET, FPR _ GLi _ SEL/WRITE, FPR _ GL1_ SEL/WRITE, FPR _ GL2_ SEL/WRITE, FPR _ GL3_ SEL/WRITE: scanning a signal;

and (3) FSU: a fingerprint sensing pixel;

GOA1, GOA2, GOA2_1, GOA2_ 2: a GOA circuit;

s _1, S _5, S _ m, S _ n, S1_1, S1_ m, S2_1, S2_ m, SP _1, SP _2, SP _3, SP _4, SP _5, SP _6, SP _30, SP _31, SP _ n-1, SP _ n, SP _ i, SP1_ i, SP1_1, SP1_2, SP1_3, SP1_4, SP1_5, SP1_6, SP1_ n, SP2_ i, SP2_1, SP2_2, SP2_3, SP2_4, SP2_5, SP2_6, SP2_ n: a start pulse signal;

s410, S420, S510, S520, S530: a step of;

SPB: a blue sub-pixel;

SPG: a green sub-pixel;

SPR: a red sub-pixel;

SG _1, SG _2, SG _3, SG _4, SG _ n: a fingerprint area;

SL: a sense line;

SN _1, SN _ 2: a sensing group;

SR _1, SR _2, SR _3, SR _4, SR _ n-1, SR _ n, SR1_1, SR1_2, SR1_3, SR1_4, SR1_ n, SR2_1, SR2_2, SR2_3, SR2_4, SR2_ n: a shift register group;

SW _ FP, SWB, SWG, SWR, T1, T2: a switch;

t3: a transistor;

TDDI _ GCK1, TDDI _ GCK2, TDDI _ STV, TDDI _ SW _ FP, TDDI _ SWB, TDDI _ SWG, TDDI _ SWR: a signal;

vbias1, Vbias 2: a reference voltage;

VDD: a system voltage;

vout: outputting the voltage;

vout 1: sensing the result;

vout 2: resetting the result;

z1, Z2, Z3, Z4: fingerprint sensing block.

Detailed Description

The term "coupled" is used broadly throughout the specification, including the claims, and encompasses both direct and indirect connections or coupling means. For example, if the present disclosure describes a first apparatus being coupled (or connected) to a second apparatus, it should be construed that the first apparatus may be directly connected to the second apparatus, or the first apparatus may be indirectly connected to the second apparatus via other means or through some coupling means. Terms such as "first" and "second" are used throughout the description of the present application (including the claims) to name elements or to distinguish different embodiments or ranges, and are not intended to limit the upper or lower limit on the number of elements, nor the order of the elements. Further, elements/components/steps having the same reference numerals represent the same or similar parts in the drawings and embodiments. Elements/components/symbols having the same reference numerals in different embodiments may be referred to in the associated description.

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The electronic device 100 may be a mobile device or other non-mobile device. The electronic device 100 illustrated in fig. 1 includes a processor 110, a fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, a touch control circuit 130, a display drive circuit 140, and a panel 150. It should be noted that even though the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, the touch control circuit 130, and the display driving circuit 140 are illustrated as different circuit blocks, part or all of each block may be integrated with another (or both) or all of the blocks. Based on design requirements, in some embodiments, some or all of the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, the touch control circuit 130, and the display driving circuit 140 may be embedded in a single chip or separated into different chips. The chip may communicate with the processor 110 and control the panel 150.

Based on design requirements, in some embodiments, processor 110 comprises an Application Processor (AP), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microcontroller or other processor (processing circuitry). The processor 110 may be coupled to the display drive circuitry 140 to provide image frames. The display driver circuit 140 may be coupled (directly or indirectly) to the panel 150. The display driving circuit 140 may drive/control the display panel 150 to display an image in a display region of the panel 150.

Based on design requirements, panel 150 may be a touch display panel. For example, the panel 150 may include a touch detector (not shown). The touch control circuit 130 is coupled to (and controls) the touch detectors of the panel 150. The touch control circuit 130 may control touch detection on the panel 150 to obtain a touch area corresponding to an object (e.g., a finger) on the panel 150. The processor 110 is coupled to the touch control circuit 130 to receive the results of the touch sensing (touch zones).

The panel 150 may be any panel having a fingerprint sensing function. The specific structure of the panel 150 is not limited in this embodiment. Based on design requirements, the panel 150 may be a display panel with in-display fingerprint recognition functionality. For example, in some embodiments, the panel 150 further includes a fingerprint sensor 160, and the fingerprint sensor 160 includes a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels. The fingerprint sensor 160 may be an optical fingerprint sensor or other fingerprint sensor, such as a capacitive fingerprint sensor, based on design requirements.

The fingerprint sensor 160 may be placed under the panel 150. Or alternatively, the fingerprint sensor 160 may be embedded in the panel 150. Implementation details of the panel 150 may be determined based on design requirements. For example, the fingerprint sensor 160 may be arranged in one of an on-display configuration, an off-display configuration, a local in-display configuration, and a global in-display configuration. Alternatively, the fingerprint sensor 160 may be arranged in another configuration.

A portion (or all) of the display area of the panel 150 may serve as a sensing area of the fingerprint sensor 160 for sensing a fingerprint. In general, as the area of the sensing region increases, the degree of freedom in the operation of the user may increase. The sensing region (fingerprint sensor 160) may have a plurality of sensing units (fingerprint sensing pixels). When the user presses a finger in any orientation of the sensing region of the panel 150, the fingerprint sensor 160 may sense/identify the fingerprint of the user's finger. Based on design requirements, in some embodiments, the panel 150 may perform optical fingerprint sensing, and the fingerprint sensor 160 of the panel 150 includes a plurality of optical fingerprint sensing pixels capable of sensing light.

The fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 may be coupled to the fingerprint sensor 160 of the panel 150 to control fingerprint sensing of the panel 150 and read a result of the fingerprint sensing. The processor 110 is coupled to the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 to receive the sensing result (i.e. the sensing signal). Based on design requirements, in some embodiments, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, the touch control circuit 130, and the display drive circuit 140 may be different integrated circuits. In some other embodiments, the touch control circuit 130 and the display driver circuit 140 may be integrated in a touch with display driver integration (TDDI) chip (or TDDI circuit 135) and the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 is implemented in another chip (or integrated circuit). The TDDI circuit 135 may control touch operations and display operations on the panel 150. In still other embodiments, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 and the TDDI circuit 135 may be integrated in a single integrated circuit (chip) 200. The integrated circuit 200 may control fingerprint sensing of the panel 150 and control touch operations and display operations on the panel 150.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a layout of the panel 150 and the fingerprint sensor 160 depicted in fig. 1, according to an embodiment. The fingerprint sensor 160 has a plurality of fingerprint sensing circuits, and the fingerprint sensing circuits form an array. A flexible circuit board 201 is electrically connected to the panel 150, and the integrated circuit 200 is disposed on the flexible circuit board 201. One or more of the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, the touch control circuit 130, and the display driving circuit 140 may be configured in the integrated circuit 200 according to design requirements. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 2, the fingerprint sensor 160 is divided into 20 fingerprint areas in the Y direction, and the X direction is one fingerprint area. Each fingerprint area has a plurality of display rows, each display row has a plurality of display pixels, and each display pixel (or plurality of display pixels) is equipped with a fingerprint sensing circuit.

For example, fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial layout of the panel 150 depicted in fig. 2, according to an embodiment. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the panel 150 has a plurality of display rows, each display row has a plurality of display pixels DPix, and one display pixel DPix has a plurality of sub-pixels, such as a red sub-pixel SPR, a green sub-pixel SPG, and a blue sub-pixel SPB (not limited thereto). One or more array Gate On Array (GOA) circuits, such as GOA circuit GOA1 of panel 150, may be coupled to display pixels DPix via a plurality of gate lines DGL. The GOA circuit GOA1 scans the gate line DGL of the display pixel DPix according to the control of the TDDI circuit 135. GOA circuit GOA1 may be implemented as one or more GOA circuit blocks. Further, the GOA circuit GOA1 can be disposed on one or both sides of the display panel.

Each display pixel (or pixels) DPix may be equipped with or arranged together with a fingerprint sensing pixel FSU. One or more GOA circuits, e.g., GOA circuit GOA2 of panel 150, can be coupled to fingerprint sensing pixel FSU via a plurality of gate lines (e.g., FPR _ GL1 and FPR _ GL 2). The GOA circuit GOA2 scans the gate line FPR _ GL1 and the gate line FPR _ GL2 of the fingerprint sensing pixel FSU according to the control of the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120. Each of the gate line FPR _ GL1 and the gate line FPR _ GL2 may be a single wire or include a plurality of wires according to design requirements. Further, GOA circuit GOA2 may be implemented as one or more GOA circuit blocks. Further, the GOA circuit GOA2 can be disposed on one or both sides of the display panel. Accordingly, each of the gate lines FPR _ GL1 and FPR _ GL2 may include a RESET line for transmitting the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ RESET (shown in fig. 4) and/or a select line for transmitting the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ SEL/WRITE (shown in fig. 4).

As an example, the GOA circuit GOA2 including one or more GOA circuit blocks is implemented on one side of the display panel, and each of the gate lines FPR _ GL1 and FPR _ GL2 may include a RESET line for transmitting the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ RESET (shown in fig. 4) and a select line for transmitting the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ SEL/WRITE (shown in fig. 4). As another example, GOA circuit GOA2_1 (not shown) including one or more GOA circuit blocks is implemented on one side of the display panel, and each of the gate lines may include a RESET wire for transmitting scan signal FPR _ GLi _ RESET (shown in fig. 4); and another GOA circuit GOA2_2 including one or more GOA circuit blocks is implemented on the other side of the display panel, and each of the gate lines may include a select line for transmitting a scan signal FPR _ GLi _ SEL/WRITE (illustrated in fig. 4). The different circuit arrangements of the GOA circuits for scanning the display pixels and the fingerprint pixels can be made according to design requirements and are not limited in this disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a circuit schematic illustrating a fingerprint sensing pixel according to an embodiment. The fingerprint sensing pixel may be the fingerprint sensing pixel FSU illustrated in fig. 3, but is not limited thereto. In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the fingerprint sensing pixel FSU includes a switch T1, a switch T2, a transistor T3, a capacitor C1, and a photodiode D1. The switch T1 is controlled by the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ RESET. The scan signal FPR _ GLi _ RESET is configured to control the corresponding fingerprint sensing pixel FSU to perform a RESET operation. The scan signal FPR _ GLi _ RESET may be one of the scan signals FPR _ GL1_ RESET, FPR _ GL2_ RESET, and FPR _ GL3_ RESET shown in fig. 5. The switch T2 is controlled by the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ SEL/WRITE. The scan signal FPR _ GLi _ SEL/WRITE is configured to control the corresponding fingerprint sensing pixel FSU to perform a select/WRITE operation. The scan signal FPR _ GLi _ SEL/WRITE may be one of the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ SEL/WRITE, the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ SEL/WRITE, and the scan signal FPR _ GL3_ SEL/WRITE illustrated in fig. 5. The cathode of photodiode D1 is coupled to system voltage VDD via switch T1. The anode of photodiode D1 is coupled to a reference voltage Vbias 1. Vbias2 shown in fig. 4 is another reference voltage. A bias circuit, such as comprising an N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistor controlled by a reference voltage Vbias2, may be coupled to the fingerprint pixel to draw current from the sense line SL. The NMOS transistor controlled by the reference voltage Vbias2 may be implemented in integrated circuit 200 or external to the integrated circuit, depending on design requirements. Different structures of the fingerprint sensing pixel may be implemented, and are not limited in this disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating signal timing of a chip capable of controlling a panel to perform fingerprint sensing according to an embodiment. The chip may be implemented as, but is not limited to, the integrated circuit 200 depicted in fig. 3. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the signal TDDI _ STV represents a start pulse for a display driving operation. The signal TDDI _ GCK1 and the signal TDDI _ GCK2 represent clock signals for display driving operation. The signal TDDI _ SWR represents a control signal of the switch SWR illustrated in fig. 3. The signal TDDI _ SWG represents a control signal of the switch SWG illustrated in fig. 3. The signal TDDI _ SWB represents a control signal of the switch SWB illustrated in fig. 3. The signal TDDI _ SW _ FP represents a control signal of the switch SW _ FP shown in fig. 3. The operation DP indicates a display driving operation performed by the integrated circuit 200. The operation TP represents a touch sensing driving operation by the integrated circuit 200. Operation FP represents a fingerprint sensing driving operation performed by integrated circuit 200. The start pulse signal SP _4, the start pulse signal SP _5, and the start pulse signal SP _6 represent start pulses for the fingerprint sensing driving operation FP. The scan signal FPR _ GL1_ RESET, the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ RESET, and the scan signal FPR _ GL3_ RESET represent RESET signals for the fingerprint sensing driving operation FP. The scan signal FPR _ GL1_ SEL/WRITE, the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ SEL/WRITE, and the scan signal FPR _ GL3_ SEL/WRITE represent selection signals for the fingerprint sensing driving operation FP.

In the first step, the integrated circuit 200 performs a fingerprint sensing driving operation FP to sequentially output the start pulse signal SP _4, the start pulse signal SP _5, and the start pulse signal SP _6 illustrated in fig. 5 to the panel 150. The start pulse signal SP _4 may include one or more start pulses, such as a start pulse signal SP1_4 and a start pulse signal SP2_4, the start pulse signal SP _5 may include one or more start pulse signals, such as a start pulse SP1_5 and a start pulse SP2_5, and the start pulse signal SP _6 may include a start pulse signal, such as a start pulse SP1_6 and a start pulse SP2_ 6. In some implementations, the start pulse signals SP _ i (e.g., the start pulse signal SP _4, the start pulse signal SP _5, and the start pulse signal SP _6) can be used to generate the scan signals FPR _ GLi _ RESET (e.g., the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ RESET, the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ RESET, and the scan signal FPR _ GL3_ RESET) and to generate the scan signals FPR _ GLi _ SEL/WRITE (e.g., the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ SEL/WRITE, the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ SEL/WRITE, and the scan signal FPR _ GL3_ SEL/WRITE). The start pulse signal SP _ i may be generated by a GOA circuit on one side of the display panel, as will be explained more in fig. 7A. Additionally or alternatively, the start pulse signal SP1_ i (e.g., the start pulse signal SP1_4, the start pulse signal SP1_5, and the start pulse signal SP1_6) may be used to generate the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ RESET (e.g., the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ RESET, the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ RESET, and the scan signal FPR _ GL3_ RESET), and the start pulse signal SP2_ i (e.g., the start pulse signal SP2_4, the start pulse signal SP2_5, and the start pulse signal SP2_6) may be used to generate the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ SEL/WRITE (e.g., the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ SEL/WRITE, the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ SEL/WRITE, and the scan signal FPR _ GL3_ SEL/WRITE). The scan signal FPR _ GLi _ RESET sequentially turns on the RESET switch T1 of each fingerprint sensing pixel FSU, so the cathode of the photodiode D1 is RESET to VDD (e.g., 5 volts). The start pulse signal SP1_ i may be generated by a GOA circuit on one side of the display panel, and the start pulse signal SP2_ i may be generated by another GOA circuit on the other side of the display panel, as will be explained more in fig. 7B.

In the second step, the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ RESET (e.g., scan signal FPR _ GL1_ RESET, scan signal FPR _ GL2_ RESET, or scan signal FPR _ GL3_ RESET) turns off the RESET switch T1, and the voltage on the photodiode D1 is 5 volts. When light is shone on a fingerprint, it can produce reflected light. The reflected light illuminates photodiode D1, which accelerates the discharge rate of photodiode D1. The reflected light of the fingerprint peaks is brighter, which causes the resistance of photodiode D1 to be smaller and the cathode discharge rate to be faster, resulting in a lower cathode voltage (e.g., about 2 volts). The reflected light from the fingerprint valleys is dark, which makes the resistance of the photodiode D1 large. At this time, the cathode discharge speed is slow, so that a large cathode voltage (e.g., about 3 v) is obtained.

In a third step, the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ SEL/WRITE (e.g., scan signal FPR _ GL1_ SEL/WRITE, scan signal FPR _ GL2_ SEL/WRITE, or scan signal FPR _ GL3_ SEL/WRITE) sequentially turns on the switch T2 of each fingerprint sensing pixel FSU, and transmits the cathode voltage of the photodiode D1 to the fingerprint sensing line as the output voltage Vout. In the fingerprint sensing driving operation FP, the control signal TDDI _ SW _ FP is a high logic level (the control signal TDDI _ SWR, the control signal TDDI _ SWG, and the control signal TDDI _ SWB are low logic levels) to select (implement) the fingerprint sensing driving operation FP. At this time, the Analog Front End (AFE) circuit of the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 may read the sensing result Vout1 (output voltage Vout) of the fingerprint sensing pixel FSU.

In the fourth step, the scan signal FPR _ GLi _ RESET turns on the RESET switch T1, and the cathode of the photodiode D1 is RESET to the system voltage VDD (e.g., 5 volts) again. The system voltage VDD is transmitted to the fingerprint sensing line as the output voltage Vout. At this time, the AFE circuit of the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 may read the reset result Vout2 (output voltage Vout). In a fifth step, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 may subtract the reset result Vout2 and the sensing result Vout1 to obtain fingerprint information.

Figure 6 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating a fingerprint sensing control circuit according to an embodiment. The fingerprint sensing control circuit may be implemented as the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 depicted in fig. 1 but is not so limited in this disclosure. In the example illustrated in fig. 6, all of the fingerprint sensing pixels in the sensing region of the panel 150 are divided into a plurality of fingerprint sensing blocks (i.e., a plurality of patches illustrated in fig. 6, such as fingerprint sensing block Z1, fingerprint sensing block Z2, fingerprint sensing block Z3, and fingerprint sensing block Z4 illustrated in fig. 6). Referring to fig. 1 and 6, the touch control circuit 130 may perform touch detection on the panel 150 to obtain a touch area 20 corresponding to a finger on the display panel 150.

The panel 150 further includes a plurality of gate lines, such as the gate line FPR _ GL1 and the gate line FPR _ GL2 illustrated in fig. 6, arranged in a row direction of the panel 150. Each of the gate lines (e.g., the gate line FPR _ GL1 and the gate line FPR _ GL2) may be a single electric line or include a plurality of electric lines according to design requirements. For example, the gate lines FPR _ GL1 may include a RESET line for transmitting the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ RESET (shown in fig. 5) and a select line for transmitting the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ SEL/WRITE (shown in fig. 5). The gate lines FPR _ GL2 may include RESET lines for transmitting the scan signals FPR _ GL2_ RESET (shown in fig. 5) and select lines for transmitting the scan signals FPR _ GL2_ SEL/WRITE (shown in fig. 5). The gate lines are used to control the fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel 150. The fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel 150 are divided into a first number of fingerprint regions in the column direction of the panel 150, such as fingerprint regions SG _1, SG _2, SG _3, SG _4, … and SG _ n (the first number is any integer n) illustrated in fig. 6. Each of the fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n is coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines among the gate lines of the panel 150.

The Gate On Array (GOA) circuit of the panel 150 includes one or more shift register groups, such as shift register group SR _1, shift register group SR _2, shift register group SR _3, shift register groups SR _4, … and shift register group SR _ n illustrated in fig. 6, where n can be any integer determined based on design requirements. Each of the fingerprint regions SG _1 through SG _ n may be coupled to a corresponding one of the shift register group SR _1 through SR _ n, as illustrated in fig. 6. Each of the shift register groups SR _1 to SR _ n may receive one of the start pulse signal SP _1, the start pulse signal SP _2, the start pulse signal SP _3, the start pulse signals SP _4, … of the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, the start pulse signal SP _ n. One or more clock signals CK may trigger the shift register group SR _1 to the shift register group SR _ n. Implementation details of the shift register groups SR _1 to SR _ n are not limited in the present embodiment. Based on design requirements, in some embodiments, any of shift register group SR _1 through shift register group SR _ n may include a conventional shift register or other shift register circuit.

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 6, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 (chip) may control the panel 150 to perform fingerprint sensing. Based on the touch sensing of the touch control circuit 130, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 (chip) may further obtain a touch area 20 corresponding to an object (e.g., a finger) on the panel 150. According to the touch region 20, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 (chip) may select one or more fingerprint regions (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _3) covering the touch region 20 from the fingerprint region SG _1 to the fingerprint region SG _ n. That is, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 (chip) may obtain information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _3 (touch region 20).

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 6, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 (chip) includes a control circuit 121, a selection circuit 122, and a fingerprint reading circuit 123. Selection circuit 122 may obtain information about touch area 20. Based on design requirements, in some embodiments, processor 110 may provide information to selection circuit 122. Based on the touch information from the touch control circuit 130, the processor 110 may determine the selected fingerprint area. In some other embodiments, touch control circuitry 130 may provide information to selection circuitry 122. According to the information of the touch region 20, the selection circuit 122 may select a selected fingerprint region (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _3) covering the touch region 20 from the fingerprint region SG _1 to the fingerprint region SG _ n. The selection circuit 122 may provide information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _3 to the control circuit 121.

Control circuit 121 is coupled to selection circuit 122 to receive information about selected fingerprint region SG _2 and selected fingerprint region SG _ 3. The control circuit 121 may provide a plurality of control signals, including a start pulse signal SP _1 to a start pulse signal SP _ n, to the panel 150 for controlling the panel 150 to perform fingerprint sensing. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 6, the start pulse signal and the selected fingerprint sensing area have a simple one-to-one mapping relationship. More specifically, when the fingerprint region SG _1 is selected for scanning, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 applies a pulse into the start pulse signal SP _ 1. When the fingerprint region SG _2 is selected for scanning, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 applies a pulse into the start pulse signal SP _ 2. When the fingerprint region SG _3 is selected for scanning, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 applies a pulse into the start pulse signal SP _ 3. When the fingerprint region SG _4 is selected for scanning, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 applies a pulse into the start pulse signal SP _ 4. When the fingerprint region SG _ n is selected for scanning, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 applies a pulse into the start pulse signal SP _ n. Accordingly, the number of start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n is equal to the number of fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n. According to the information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _3 (determined according to the touch region 20), the control circuit 121 applies pulses to the start pulse signal SP _2 and the start pulse signal SP _3 of the target shift register group SR _2 and the target shift register group SR _3 and does not apply pulses to the start pulse signal SP _1 and the start pulse signal SP _4 to the start pulse signal SP _ n of the other shift register group SR _1 and the shift register group SR _4 to the shift register group SR _ n.

In the row direction of the display panel 150, the fingerprint sensing blocks (e.g., the fingerprint sensing block Z1, the fingerprint sensing block Z2, the fingerprint sensing block Z3, and the fingerprint sensing block Z4 illustrated in fig. 6) of the panel 150 are divided into a plurality of sensing groups, e.g., the sensing group SN _1 and the sensing group SN _2 illustrated in fig. 6. Each of the sensing groups includes one or more sense lines. Multiplexer circuit 151 is coupled to the sense groups of panel 150. Fingerprint reading circuit 123 is coupled to multiplexer circuit 151. Multiplexer circuit 151 may be disposed on panel 150 or within fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 based on design requirements. The control circuitry 121 may control the multiplexer circuitry 151 to turn on multiple signal paths from the target sensing group SN _1 and the target sensing group SN _2 to the fingerprint reading circuitry 123 and to turn off multiple signal paths from sensing groups among the sensing groups other than the target sensing group SN _1 and the target sensing group SN _2 to the fingerprint reading circuitry 123.

In general, the larger the panel 150, the higher the total number n of fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n. The higher the total number n of fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n, the higher the number of electric wires and wires for transmitting the start pulse signal SP _1 and the start pulse signal SP _4 to the start pulse signal SP _ n. The wires and conductors occupy the bezel area of the panel 150.

Figure 7A is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 depicted in figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The panel 150, the multiplexer circuit 151, the plurality of gate lines including the gate lines FPR _ GL1 to FPR _ GL2, the fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n, the sensing group including the sensing group SN _1 to SN _2, the shift register group SR _1 to SR _ n, and the fingerprint sensing block including the fingerprint sensing block Z1 to fingerprint sensing block Z4 illustrated in fig. 7A may be presumed with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 6, and thus the description will not be repeated.

In the example illustrated in fig. 7A, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 (chip) includes a control circuit 124, a selection circuit 122, and a fingerprint reading circuit 123. The control circuit 124, the selection circuit 122, and the fingerprint reading circuit 123 illustrated in fig. 7A can be presumed with reference to the description related to the control circuit 121, the selection circuit 122, and the fingerprint reading circuit 123 illustrated in fig. 6, and thus the description will not be repeated.

In the example illustrated in fig. 7A, control circuit 124 is coupled to selection circuit 122 to receive information about selected fingerprint region SG _2 and selected fingerprint region SG _ 3. The control circuit 124 may provide a plurality of control signals, including a start pulse signal S _1 to a start pulse signal S _ m, to the panel 150 for controlling the panel 150 to perform fingerprint sensing. The start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m are used to control a plurality of gate lines (e.g., the gate line FPR _ GL1 and the gate line FPR _ GL2 illustrated in fig. 7A) of the panel 150. The start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m may collectively indicate the selected fingerprint region (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _ 3). Compared to the selection for each of the fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n in fig. 6 depending on the corresponding one of the start pulse signal S _1 to S _ n, the selection for each of the fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n in fig. 7A may depend on more than one (e.g., all) of the start pulse signal S _1 to S _ m.

For example, the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m are provided to the decoder 152 of the GOA circuit (e.g., the GOA2 of fig. 2) on the panel 150. The decoder 152 is disposed on the panel 150. The decoder 152 obtains information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _3 from a plurality of logic values of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m. That is, the decoder 152 may generate the start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n according to the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m and provide the start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n to the shift register groups SR _1 to SR _ n of the GOA circuit GOA2, respectively. The GOA circuit GOA2 includes shift register groups SR _1 through SR _ n, each of which can be coupled to a corresponding one of the fingerprint regions SG _1 through SG _ n and operate according to more than one (e.g., all) of the start pulse signals S _1 through S _ m. That is, after receiving the signal, the panel 150 may decode the signal to know which region should be operated. The start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n illustrated in fig. 7A may be presumed with reference to the description related to the start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n illustrated in fig. 6, and thus the description will not be repeated. The shift register groups SR _1 to SR _ n of the GOA circuit GOA2 are configured to generate a plurality of scan signals. The scan signals are respectively used to control a plurality of gate lines (e.g., the gate line FPR _ GL1 and the gate line FPR _ GL2 illustrated in fig. 7A) of the panel 150.

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 7A, the number n of fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n is greater than the number m of start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m. By reducing the number of start pulse signals between the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 (chip) and the panel 150, the number of wires and wires for transmitting the start pulse signals can be effectively reduced. The reduced wires and leads may help reduce the bezel area of the panel 150.

Figure 7B is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 depicted in figure 1, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The panel 150, multiplexer circuit 151, sense groups SN _1 through SN _2, and fingerprint sense blocks Z1 through Z4 illustrated in FIG. 7B may be inferred with reference to the descriptions related to those illustrated in FIG. 6, and thus the description will not be repeated. The shift register group SR1_1, the shift register group SR1_2, the shift register group SR1_3, the shift register group SR1_4, …, the shift register group SR1_ n can be presumed with reference to the shift register group SR _1 to the shift register group SR _ n illustrated in fig. 7A, and the shift register group SR2_1, the shift register group SR2_2, the shift register group SR2_3, the shift register group SR2_4, …, the shift register group SR2_ n illustrated in fig. 7B can be presumed with reference to the shift register group SR _1 to the shift register group SR _ n illustrated in fig. 7A.

In the example illustrated in fig. 7B, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 (chip) includes a control circuit 124, a selection circuit 122, and a fingerprint reading circuit 123. The control circuit 124, the selection circuit 122, and the fingerprint reading circuit 123 illustrated in fig. 7B can be presumed with reference to the description related to the control circuit 121, the selection circuit 122, and the fingerprint reading circuit 123 illustrated in fig. 7A, and thus the description will not be repeated.

In the example illustrated in fig. 7B, control circuit 124 is coupled to selection circuit 122 to receive information about selected fingerprint region SG _2 and selected fingerprint region SG _ 3. The control circuit 124 may provide a plurality of control signals, including a start pulse signal S1_1 through a start pulse signal S1_ m, to the panel 150 for controlling the panel 150 to perform fingerprint sensing. The start pulse signal S1_1 to the start pulse signal S1_ m are used to control a plurality of gate lines of the panel 150 (e.g., RESET wires illustrated in fig. 7B for transmitting the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ RESET and the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ RESET). The start pulse signal S1_1 through start pulse signal S1_ m may collectively indicate the selected fingerprint region (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _ 3). The start pulse signal S1_1 to the start pulse signal S1_ m illustrated in fig. 7B can be presumed with reference to the description related to the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m illustrated in fig. 7A.

For example, the start pulse signal S1_1 to the start pulse signal S1_ m are provided to the decoder 152a of the GOA circuit GOA2 on the panel 150. The decoder 152a is disposed on the panel 150. The decoder 152a obtains information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _3 from a plurality of logic values of the start pulse signal S1_1 through the start pulse signal S1_ m. That is, the decoder 152a may generate the start pulse signal SP1_1, the start pulse signal SP1_2, the start pulse signal SP1_3, the start pulse signal SP1_4, … the start pulse signal SP1_ n and provide the start pulse signal SP1_1, the start pulse signal SP1_2, the start pulse signal SP1_3, the start pulse signal SP1_4, … the start pulse signal SP1_ n to the shift register groups SR1_1 to SR1_ n of the GOA circuit GOA2 according to the start pulse signal S1_1 to the start pulse signal S1_ m. The decoder 152a illustrated in fig. 7B may be speculative with reference to the decoder 152 illustrated in fig. 7A. The start pulse signals SP1_1 to SP1_ n illustrated in fig. 7B may be presumed with reference to the description related to the start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n illustrated in fig. 6, and thus the description will not be repeated. The shift register group SR1_1 to the shift register group SR1_ n of the GOA circuit GOA2 are configured to generate a plurality of scan signals. The scan signals are respectively used to control a plurality of gate lines of the panel 150 (e.g., RESET wires illustrated in fig. 7B for transmitting the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ RESET and the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ RESET).

In the example illustrated in fig. 7B, control circuitry 124 may provide a plurality of control signals, including start pulse signal S2_1 through start pulse signal S2_ m, to panel 150 for controlling panel 150 to perform fingerprint sensing. The start pulse signal S2_1 to the start pulse signal S2_ m are used to control a plurality of gate lines of the panel 150 (e.g., the selection lines illustrated in fig. 7B for transmitting the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ SEL/WRITE and the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ SEL/WRITE). The start pulse signal S2_1 through start pulse signal S2_ m may collectively indicate the selected fingerprint region (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _ 3). The start pulse signal S2_1 to the start pulse signal S2_ m illustrated in fig. 7B can be presumed with reference to the description related to the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m illustrated in fig. 7A.

For example, the start pulse signal S2_1 to the start pulse signal S2_ m are provided to the decoder 152b of the GOA circuit GOA2 on the panel 150. The decoder 152b is disposed on the panel 150. The decoder 152b obtains information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _3 from a plurality of logic values of the start pulse signal S2_1 through the start pulse signal S2_ m. That is, the decoder 152b may generate the start pulse signal SP2_1, the start pulse signal SP2_2, the start pulse signal SP2_3, the start pulse signal SP2_4, … the start pulse signal SP2_ n and provide the start pulse signal SP2_1, the start pulse signal SP2_2, the start pulse signal SP2_3, the start pulse signal SP2_4, … the start pulse signal SP2_ n to the shift register groups SR2_1 to SR2_ n of the GOA circuit GOA2 according to the start pulse signal S2_1 to the start pulse signal S2_ m. The decoder 152B illustrated in fig. 7B may be speculative with reference to the decoder 152 illustrated in fig. 7A. The start pulse signals SP2_1 to SP2_ n illustrated in fig. 7B may be presumed with reference to the description related to the start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n illustrated in fig. 6, and thus the description will not be repeated. The shift register group SR2_1 to the shift register group SR2_ n of the GOA circuit GOA2 are configured to generate a plurality of scan signals. The scan signals are respectively used for a plurality of gate lines of the control panel 150 (e.g., the selection lines illustrated in fig. 7B for transmitting the scan signals FPR _ GL1_ SEL/WRITE and FPR _ GL2_ SEL/WRITE).

It should be noted that although two decoders are illustrated in fig. 7B, in different embodiments, one decoder may be used to provide the start pulse signal SP _1 through the start pulse signal SP _ n to the shift register groups SR _1 through SR _ n, respectively, and the start pulse signal SP2_1, the start pulse signal SP2_2, the start pulse signal SP2_3, the start pulse signal SP2_4, … start pulse signal SP2_ n to the shift register groups SR2_1 through SR2_ n.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 1, 7A and 8, in step S410, a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel 150 are divided into a first number n of fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n in a column direction of the panel 150. Each of the fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n is coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines (e.g., gate lines FPR _ GL1 to FPR _ GL2 illustrated in fig. 7A) among the gate lines of the panel 150. In step S410, the gate lines are arranged in a row direction of the panel 150 for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel 150. In step S410, the decoder 152 is disposed on the panel 150, wherein the decoder can obtain information about the selected fingerprint area according to a plurality of logic values of the second number m of start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 7A, the selected fingerprint region may include fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _ 3.

In step S420, the chip (fingerprint sensing control circuit 120) controls the panel 150 to perform fingerprint sensing in order to obtain information on one (or more) selected fingerprint regions (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _3) among the first number n of fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n of the panel 150. In step S420, the chip (fingerprint sensing control circuit 120) may further provide a plurality of control signals to the panel 150 for controlling the panel 150 to perform fingerprint sensing. The control signals include a second number m of start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m, and the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m collectively indicate the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _ 3. The first number n is greater than the second number m. The start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m may be provided to the decoder 152 disposed on the panel 150 such that the decoder 152 obtains information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _3 according to logical values of the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m.

Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation according to another embodiment of the present invention. Step S420 illustrated in fig. 8 may be inferred with reference to the description related to fig. 9. Referring to fig. 1, 7A and 9, in step S510, the selection circuit 122 may obtain information about the selected fingerprint area of the panel 150. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 7A, the selected fingerprint region may include fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _3 encompassing touch region 20. That is, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 122 may select corresponding fingerprint regions (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _3) from among the fingerprint regions SG _1 through SG _ n according to the touch region 20, and then provide information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _3 to the control circuit 124.

In step S520, the control circuit 124 may provide a control signal to the panel 150 for controlling the panel 150 to perform fingerprint sensing. The control signal includes a plurality of start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m. That is, the control circuit 124 may generate the corresponding start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m according to information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _ 3. Each of the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m has a corresponding logic state, and a set of logic states of the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m has a first mapping relationship with a selected fingerprint region (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _ 3). For example, but not limited to, the respective logic state of each of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m may have a plurality of logic values. The selected fingerprint area is indicated according to a mathematical formula of logic values of logic states of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m.

The logic values and mathematical formulas may be determined based on design requirements. For example, in some embodiments, the logical values include 0 and 1, and the mathematical formula is

NF is the index number of the selected fingerprint area (that is, when the fingerprint area SG _ i is selected, NF ═ i), S _ (i +1) also represents the logical value of the (i +1) th start pulse signal S _ (i +1), i is 0 to N₂An integer of-1, and N₂Is the second number m. In this embodiment, NF is presented as a power of 2. In other embodiments, NF may be a power of any other number, or NF may be any functional relationship (or mapping relationship) with the logical value of the upper plurality of pulse signals. Any number of pulse signals (and associated signal lines) provided to the panel by the IC may be used depending on design or application requirements.

For example, assume that the first number n is 30 and the second number m is 5. The set of logic states of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _5 has a first mapping relation with a selected fingerprint area (represented by the index NF) among the fingerprint areas SG _1 to SG _30, and the first mapping relation may be based on a formula

But the mapping relationship defined by table 1 below. When the set of logic states of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _5 is "00000", each of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _5 is 0, and thus NF is 0, which means that there is no fingerprint area that needs to be scanned. When the logic state sets of the start pulse signals S _1 to S _5 are "00001", the start pulse signals S _1 to S _5 are 1, 0, and 0, respectively, and thus NF is 1, which means that the first fingerprint region SG _1 needs to be scanned. The other sets of logic states of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _5 may be similar to the selected fingerprint area and are omitted here for simplicity.

The mapping between the input and the output of the decoder 152 may be a mapping defined by table 2 below. When the set of logic states (input of the decoder 152) of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _5 is "00000", the start pulse signal SP _1 to the start pulse signal SP _30 (output of the decoder 152) are all 0. When the set of logic states of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _5 is "00001", the start pulse signal SP _1 is 1, and the remaining portions of the start pulse signal SP _1 to the start pulse signal SP _ n are 0. Other sets of logic states of the start pulse signals S _1 to S _5 and the start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _30 may be similar and are omitted here for brevity.

More specifically, when the set of logic states of the start pulse signal SP _1 to the start pulse signal SP _ n is "100 … 0", it is necessary to scan the first fingerprint region SG _ 1. When the logic state sets of the start pulse signal SP _1 to the start pulse signal SP _ n are "010 … 0", the second finger region SG _2 needs to be scanned. The other sets of logic states of the start pulse signal SP _1 through the start pulse signal SP _ n may be similar to the selected fingerprint area and are omitted here for simplicity.

Accordingly, only five wires are disposed between the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 and the panel 150, and thereby, the start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _5 may be transmitted to the panel 150. Conversely, referring to the example illustrated in fig. 6, thirty wires must be disposed between the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 and the panel 150 for transmitting the start pulse signal SP _1 to the start pulse signal SP _ 30. Accordingly, the bezel area of the panel 150 illustrated in fig. 7A may be reduced as the total number of wires coupled between the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 and the panel 150 is reduced from 30 to 5.

Table 1: mapping relationship between start pulse signals S _1 to S _5 and selected fingerprint regions (from SG _1 to SG _30)

Table 2: mapping relationship between start pulse signals S _1 to S _5 and start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _30

Referring to fig. 1, 7A, and 9, the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m are for being provided to a decoder 152 disposed on the panel 150. In step S530, the decoder 152 may obtain information about the selected fingerprint regions (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _3) according to the logic values of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m. Accordingly, the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m may collectively indicate the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _ 3. For example, taking table 1 as an example to illustrate, when the start pulse signals S _1 to S _5 are "00010", the fingerprint region SG _2 is the selected fingerprint region, and thus, the decoder 152 applies a pulse to the start pulse signal SP _2 and does not apply a pulse to the other start pulse signals SP _1 and SP _3 to SP _ 30. When the start pulse signals S _1 to S _5 are "00011", the fingerprint region SG _3 is the selected fingerprint region, and thus, the decoder 152 applies a pulse to the start pulse signal SP _3 and does not apply pulses to the other start pulse signals SP _1, SP _2, and SP _4 to SP _ 30.

FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the control circuit 124 depicted in FIG. 7A, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 10, the control circuit 124 includes a start pulse generation circuit 610 (e.g., an encoder, an encoding circuit, or any other conversion circuit that can be used to implement the function). The start pulse generating circuit 610 may convert the selected region information D _ SELCT in a digital form into start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m. The start pulse generating circuit 610 may provide the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m to the decoder 152 of the panel 150 according to information about the selected fingerprint regions (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _ 3). The details of implementation of the start pulse generating circuit 610 (start pulse generating circuit) are not limited in the present embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, the start pulse generation circuit 610 may include a binary start pulse generation circuit.

The fingerprint sensing control circuit 122 may select corresponding fingerprint regions (e.g., fingerprint region SG _2 and fingerprint region SG _3) from among the fingerprint regions SG _1 through SG _ n according to the touch region 20, and then provide information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _3 to the start pulse generating circuit 610 (start pulse generating circuit). The start pulse generating circuit 610 may generate corresponding start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m according to information about the selected fingerprint region SG _2 and the selected fingerprint region SG _ 3. For example, the start pulse generating circuit 610 (start pulse generating circuit) may encode or convert the index number of the selected fingerprint area into the logic values of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m. There is a first mapping relationship between the set of logic states of start pulse signal S _1 to start pulse signal S _ m and the selected fingerprint region from fingerprint region SG _1 to fingerprint region SG _ n. The first mapping may be the mapping defined by table 1 or other mapping based on design requirements.

It should be noted that the control circuit 124 illustrated in fig. 10 is an example of various embodiments. The particular implementation of the control circuit 124 illustrated in FIG. 7A may be determined based on design requirements. In some other embodiments, the control circuit 124 may provide different numbers of start pulse signals according to different settings (operating modes). For example, when the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 is applied to the panel 150 configured with the decoder 152 (i.e., the panel 150 illustrated in fig. 7A), the control circuit 124 may operate in a first mode of operation to provide the m start pulse signals S _1 through S _ m to the decoder 152 of the panel 150 illustrated in fig. 7A. When the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120 is applied to a panel without the decoder 152 (i.e., the panel 150 illustrated in fig. 6), the control circuit 124 may operate in the second operating mode to provide n start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n to the shift register groups SR _1 to SR _ n of the panel 150 illustrated in fig. 6. n is greater than m.

FIG. 11 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the control circuit 124 depicted in FIG. 7A, according to another embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 11, the control circuit 124 includes a first start pulse generating circuit 710, a second start pulse generating circuit 720, and a switching circuit 730. The first start pulse generating circuit 710 illustrated in fig. 11 can be presumed with reference to the description related to the start pulse generating circuit 610 illustrated in fig. 10, and thus the description will not be repeated. In some embodiments, the first start pulse generating circuit 710 may include a binary start pulse generating circuit. The first start pulse generating circuit 710 may generate the corresponding start pulse signal S _1 to start pulse signal S _ m according to information about the selected fingerprint area, which is provided to the switching circuit 730 by the selecting circuit 122. The start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m are for being provided to the decoder 152 disposed on the panel 150 such that the decoder 152 obtains information about the selected fingerprint area according to logical values of the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m.

According to the information about the selected fingerprint area provided by the selection circuit 122, the second start pulse generating circuit 720 may provide a third number of start pulse signals, wherein the third number is not equal to the second number m. For example, the first and second start pulse generating circuits 720 may provide n start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n to the switch circuits 730 (i.e., the third number is equal to the first number n). The details of the implementation of the second start pulse generating circuit 720 are not limited in this embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, the second start pulse generating circuit 720 may include a thermometer code start pulse generating circuit or a one-hot code pulse generating circuit.

The switching circuit 730 is coupled to the first start pulse generating circuit 710 and the second start pulse generating circuit 720. The switch circuit 730 may select the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m of the first start pulse generating circuit 710 or the start pulse signal SP _1 to the start pulse signal SP _ n of the second start pulse generating circuit 720 as a control signal and output the control signal to the panel 150 according to the type of the panel (e.g., whether the panel has a decoder). The logic state sets of the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m have a first mapping relationship with the selected fingerprint area, and the logic state sets of the start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n have a second mapping relationship with the selected fingerprint area. The first mapping is different from the second mapping.

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the decoder 152 depicted in FIG. 7A, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 12, the decoder 152 comprises a decoder unit DU _1, decoder units DU _2, …, a decoder unit DU _ n-1 and a decoder unit DU _ n. Each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ n corresponds to one of the fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n. All the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m are supplied to each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ n. Input terminals of each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ n may be coupled to the control circuit 124 to receive all of the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m. Each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ n may be configured to decode the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ m to obtain a corresponding one of the start pulse signal SP _1 to the start pulse signal SP _ n. Output terminals of the decoder units DU _1 through DU _ n are coupled to the shift register groups SR _1 through SR _ n to provide start pulse signals SP _1 through SP _ n. For example, decoder unit DU _1 may provide the start pulse signal SP _1 to shift register group SR _1, decoder unit DU _2 may provide the start pulse signal SP _2 to shift register group SR _2, decoder unit DU _ n-1 may provide the start pulse signal SP _ n-1 to shift register group SR _ n-1, and decoder unit DU _ n may provide the start pulse signal SP _ n to shift register group SR _ n.

The decoder units DU _1 to DU _ n may have the same circuit structure. The input terminals of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ n may have different coupling relationships with the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m. Each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ n is configured to decode the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ m into a corresponding one of the start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n. Each of the start pulse signal SP _1 to the start pulse signal SP _ n may correspond to one of the fingerprint regions SG _1 to SG _ n. Each of the start pulse signals SP _1 to SP _ n is supplied to a corresponding one of the shift register groups SR _1 to SR _ n. Each of the start pulse signal SP _1 to the start pulse signal SP _ n is used by one (GOA circuit) of the shift register group SR _1 to the shift register group SR _ n to generate a plurality of scan signals (e.g., the scan signal FPR _ GL1_ SEL/WRITE and/or the scan signal FPR _ GL2_ SEL/WRITE illustrated in fig. 7B) for controlling gate lines (e.g., the gate lines FPR _ GL1 to the gate lines FPR _ GL2 illustrated in fig. 7A) coupled to the fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel 150.

For example, fig. 13-26 are schematic circuit block diagrams illustrating decoder units DU _ 1-DU _ n depicted in fig. 12, according to different embodiments of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 13-26, assume that the first number n is 31 and assume that the second number m is 5. That is, the decoder 152 includes a decoder unit DU _1, decoder units DU _2, …, and a decoder unit DU _ 31. The control circuit 124 may provide the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _5 to the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. Output terminals of the decoder units DU _1 through DU _31 may be coupled to the shift register group to provide start pulse signals SP _1 through SP _ 31. For example, decoder unit DU _1 may provide start pulse signal SP _1, decoder unit DU _2 may provide start pulse signal SP _2, decoder unit DU _3 may provide start pulse signal SP _3, and decoder unit DU _31 may provide start pulse signal SP _ 31.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 13, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. Here, the decoder unit DU _1 will be used as an example. The other decoder units DU _2 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 13 may be presumed with reference to the description related to the decoder unit DU _1 illustrated in fig. 13, and thus the description will not be repeated. The decoder unit DU _1 includes a plurality of input terminals configured to be coupled to the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _5, respectively. This means that these input terminals can receive the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _5 (or the inverted signals of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ 5), respectively. The decoder unit DU _1 includes an output terminal configured to provide a corresponding one of the start pulse signal SP _1 to the start pulse signal SP _31 (i.e., the start pulse signal SP _ 1). Decoder unit DU _1 includes a plurality of first logic units, such as p-channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistors as illustrated in FIG. 13. The total number of the first logic cells may be the same as the total number of the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ 5.

Each of the first logic units comprises an input terminal coupled to an input terminal of the decoder unit DU _ 1. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 13, the first logic units are connected in cascade, and a particular one of the first logic units has an output terminal coupled to the output terminal of the decoder unit DU _ 1. For example, each of the PMOS transistors includes a gate terminal coupled to the input terminal of the decoder unit DU _ 1. The PMOS transistors in the decoder unit DU _1 are connected in cascade, and a specific one of the PMOS transistors (i.e., the rightmost one) has an output terminal coupled to the output terminal of the decoder unit DU _ 1.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, decoder unit DU _1 also includes a plurality of second logic units, such as n-channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistors illustrated in FIG. 13. Each of the second logic units includes an input terminal (e.g., a gate terminal) coupled to a corresponding one of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _5 (or an inverted signal of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ 5). The total number of the second logic units may be the same as the total number of the start pulse signals S _1 to S _ 5. All output terminals of the second logic unit of decoder unit DU _1 (e.g. all drain terminals of the NMOS transistors in decoder unit DU _1) are coupled together to an output terminal of decoder unit DU _ 1.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 14, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 14 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 13, and thus the description will not be repeated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 14, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in the decoder unit DU _ 1. Each of the first logic cells includes an input terminal (e.g., a gate terminal) coupled to a corresponding one of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ 5. This means that each input terminal may receive one of the corresponding start pulse signal S _1 to start pulse signal S _5 (or an inverted signal of the start pulse signal S _1 to start pulse signal S _ 5). All output terminals of the first logic unit of decoder unit DU _1 (e.g. all drain terminals of the NMOS transistors in decoder unit DU _1) are coupled together to an output terminal of decoder unit DU _ 1. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 14, the decoder unit DU _1 also includes a PMOS transistor coupled to the NMOS transistor and the output terminal of the decoder unit DU _ 1.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 15, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 15 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 13, and thus the description will not be repeated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 15, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in the decoder unit DU _ 1. Each of the first logic cells includes an input terminal (e.g., a gate terminal) coupled to a corresponding one of the start pulse signal S _1 to the start pulse signal S _ 5. This means that these input terminals can receive one of the corresponding start pulse signal S _1 to start pulse signal S _5 (or the inverted signal of the start pulse signal S _1 to start pulse signal S _ 5). The first logic cells are connected in cascade. For example, the NMOS transistors in the decoder unit DU _1 are cascade connected.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 15, the decoder unit DU _1 also includes PMOS transistors in the decoder unit DU _ 1. The PMOS transistor in the decoder unit DU _1 is coupled to an output terminal (e.g., a drain terminal) of a specific one of the NMOS transistors in the decoder unit DU _ 1. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 15, the decoder unit DU _1 also includes an inverter coupled between an output terminal of a specific one of the NMOS transistors (first logic unit) and the output terminal of the decoder unit DU _ 1.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 16, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, a plurality of first logic units, and a plurality of second logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 16, the first logic unit may be a PMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31, and the second logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 16 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 13, and thus the description will not be repeated.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 16, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 further includes a plurality of inverters. Here, the decoder unit DU _1 will be used as an example. The other decoder units DU _2 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 16 may be presumed with reference to the description related to the decoder unit DU _1 illustrated in fig. 16, and thus the description will not be repeated. Each of the inverters in the decoder unit DU _1 is coupled between one of the input terminals of the decoder unit DU _1 and an input terminal of one of the first logic units. The inverter illustrated in fig. 16, the input terminal of which is floating, may be omitted according to design requirements.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 17, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 17, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31, and each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 may further include a PMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 17 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 14, and thus the description will not be repeated.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 17, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 further includes a plurality of inverters. The inverters in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 may be presumed with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 16, and thus the description will not be repeated.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 18, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 18, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31, and each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 may further include a PMOS transistor and an inverter coupled thereto. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 18 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 15, and thus the description will not be repeated.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 18, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 further includes a plurality of inverters. The inverters in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 may be presumed with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 16, and thus the description will not be repeated.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 19, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 19, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 19 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 14, and thus the description will not be repeated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 19, the PMOS transistor in fig. 14 is replaced with a diode-connected NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 20, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 20, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 20, the decoder unit DU _1 further includes an inverter coupled between the output terminal of a specific one of the NMOS transistors (first logic unit) and the output terminal of the decoder unit DU _ 1. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 20 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 15, and thus the description will not be repeated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 20, the PMOS transistor in fig. 15 is replaced with a diode-connected NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 21, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 21, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 21 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 17, and thus the description will not be repeated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 21, the PMOS transistor in fig. 17 is replaced with a diode-connected NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 22, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 22, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 22, the decoder unit DU _1 further includes an inverter coupled between the output terminal of a specific one of the NMOS transistors (first logic unit) and the output terminal of the decoder unit DU _ 1. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 22 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 18, and thus the description will not be repeated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 22, the PMOS transistor in fig. 18 is replaced with a diode-connected NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 23, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 23, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 23 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 14, and thus the description will not be repeated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 23, the PMOS transistor in fig. 14 is replaced with a pull-up resistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 24, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 24, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 24, the decoder unit DU _1 further includes an inverter coupled between the output terminal of a specific one of the NMOS transistors (first logic unit) and the output terminal of the decoder unit DU _ 1. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 24 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 15, and thus the description will not be repeated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 24, the PMOS transistor in fig. 15 is replaced with a pull-up resistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 25, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 25, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 25, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 further includes a plurality of inverters. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 25 may be inferred with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 17, and thus the description will not be repeated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 25, the PMOS transistor in fig. 17 is replaced with a pull-up resistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 26, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 includes a plurality of input terminals, an output terminal, and a plurality of first logic units. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 26, the first logic unit may be an NMOS transistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 26, each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 further includes a plurality of inverters. The decoder units DU _1 to DU _31 illustrated in fig. 26 may be presumed with reference to the description related to those illustrated in fig. 18, and thus the description will not be repeated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in fig. 26, the PMOS transistor in fig. 18 is replaced with a pull-up resistor in each of the decoder units DU _1 to DU _ 31.

The blocks of the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, the selection circuit 122, the fingerprint reading circuit 123, and/or the control circuit 124 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software (i.e., programs), or in a combination of many of the three forms described above, according to various design requirements.

In hardware form, the blocks of fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, selection circuit 122, fingerprint reading circuit 123, and/or control circuit 124 may be implemented in logic circuits on an integrated circuit. The related functions of the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, the selection circuit 122, the fingerprint reading circuit 123, and/or the control circuit 124 may be implemented in hardware by utilizing a hardware description language (e.g., Verilog HDL or VHDL) or other suitable programming language. For example, the related functions of the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, the selection circuit 122, the fingerprint reading circuit 123, and/or the control circuit 124 may be implemented in various logic blocks, modules, and circuits in one or more controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and/or other processing units.

In software and/or firmware form, the related functions of the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, the selection circuit 122, the fingerprint reading circuit 123, and/or the control circuit 124 may be implemented in logic circuits on an integrated circuit. For example, the fingerprint sensing control circuit 120, the selection circuit 122, the fingerprint reading circuit 123, and/or the control circuit 124 may be implemented using a general purpose programming language (e.g., C or C + +) or other suitable programming language. The program codes may be recorded/stored in a recording medium including, for example, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a storage device, and/or a Random Access Memory (RAM). The programming code may be accessed from a recorded medium and executed by a computer, Central Processing Unit (CPU), controller, microcontroller, or microprocessor to perform the associated functions. For the recording medium, a "non-transitory computer-readable medium" such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmed logic circuit may be used. In addition, the program may be provided to the computer (or CPU) via any transmission medium (e.g., a communication network or radio waves). The communication network is, for example, the internet, wired communication, wireless communication, or other communication media.

In view of the foregoing, the fingerprint sensing control circuit (chip) provided by the embodiment of the present invention may output a start pulse signal to the panel. The start pulse signal relates to a selected fingerprint area among the fingerprint areas of the panel. The panel may generate a plurality of scan signals according to the start pulse signal, and the scan signals are provided to the selected fingerprint area. The number of start pulse signals is smaller than the number of fingerprint areas. The start pulse signal may be decoded to indicate the selected fingerprint area. The start pulse signals may be decoded to be provided to the shift register groups, respectively. Accordingly, the electronic device can achieve as small as possible the number of start pulse signals output to the panel by the fingerprint sensing control circuit (chip).

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the structure of the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A chip capable of controlling a panel to perform fingerprint sensing, the panel comprising a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels and a plurality of gate lines arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels, the fingerprint sensing pixels being divided into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel, and each of the fingerprint regions being coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines among the gate lines of the panel, and the chip comprising:

a selection circuit configured to obtain information about a selected fingerprint area among the first number of fingerprint areas of the panel; and

a control circuit coupled to the selection circuit to receive the information about the selected fingerprint area and configured to provide a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signals comprise a second number of start pulse signals collectively indicative of the selected fingerprint area, wherein the first number is greater than the second number.

2. The chip of claim 1, wherein the start pulse signal is used to control the gate lines of the panel.

3. The chip of claim 2, wherein the start pulse signal is provided to an on-array gate circuit of the panel, the on-array gate circuit configured to generate a plurality of scan signals for respectively controlling the gate lines of the panel.

4. The chip of claim 3, in which the gate-on-array circuitry comprises a plurality of groups of shift registers each connected to a corresponding one of the fingerprint regions and operating according to all of the second number of start pulse signals.

5. The chip of claim 3, wherein the scan signals are configured to control the corresponding fingerprint sensing pixels to perform a reset operation and/or a select/write operation.

6. The chip of claim 1, wherein the selection circuit is configured to receive the information about the selected fingerprint area from a processor, the processor configured to determine the selected fingerprint area from touch information.

7. The chip of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to receive the touch information from touch control circuitry configured to control touch sensing on the panel.

8. The chip of claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises:

a first start pulse generating circuit configured to provide the second number of start pulse signals in accordance with the information about the selected fingerprint area.

9. The chip of claim 8, wherein the first start pulse generating circuit is a binary start pulse generating circuit.

10. The chip of claim 8, wherein each of the second number of start pulse signals has a respective logic state having a plurality of logic values, and the control circuit further comprises an encoding circuit configured to encode an index number of the selected fingerprint region as the logic value of the start pulse signal of the second number of start pulse signals.

11. The chip of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is configured to provide different numbers of start pulse signals according to different settings.

12. The chip of claim 11, wherein the control circuit further comprises:

a second start pulse generating circuit configured to provide a third number of start pulse signals according to the information about the selected fingerprint area, wherein the third number is not equal to the second number; and

a switch circuit coupled to the first start pulse generating circuit and the second start pulse generating circuit and configured to select the second number of start pulse signals or the third number of start pulse signals as the control signal.

13. The chip of claim 12, wherein the second start pulse generating circuit is a thermometer code start pulse generating circuit or a one-hot code pulse generating circuit.

14. The chip of claim 12, in which the third number is equal to the first number.

15. The chip of claim 12, wherein the second number of start pulse signals has a first mapping relationship between the set of logic states and the selected fingerprint region, and the third number of start pulse signals has a second mapping relationship between the set of logic states and the selected fingerprint region, wherein the first mapping relationship is different from the second mapping relationship.

16. The chip of claim 1, wherein the second number of start pulse signals is for providing to a decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain the information about the selected fingerprint region according to a logic value of the second number of start pulse signals.

17. The chip of claim 16, wherein the second number of start pulse signals is to be provided to the decoder to provide a fourth number of start pulses each to select a corresponding one of the first number of fingerprint regions, wherein the fourth number is equal to the first number.

18. The chip of claim 16, wherein the decoder comprises a plurality of decoder units each corresponding to one of the fingerprint regions.

19. The chip of claim 18, in which all of the second number of start pulse signals are provided to each of the decoder units.

20. The chip of claim 1, wherein each of the second number of start pulse signals has a respective logic state, and wherein a set of logic states of the second number of start pulse signals has a first mapping relationship with the selected fingerprint region.

21. The chip of claim 20, wherein the respective logic state of each of the second number of start pulse signals has a plurality of logic values, and the selected fingerprint region is indicated according to a mathematical formula of the logic values of the logic states of the second number of start pulse signals.

22. The chip of claim 21, wherein the plurality of logical values comprises 0 and 1, and the mathematical formula is

Wherein NF is the index number of the selected fingerprint area, S _ (i +1) is the logic value of the (i +1) th start pulse signal S _ (i +1), and i is 0 to N₂An integer of-1, and N₂Is the second number.

23. The chip of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensing pixels are optical fingerprint sensing pixels capable of sensing light.

24. The chip of claim 1, wherein the selection for each of the fingerprint regions is dependent on all of the second number of start pulse signals.

25. A method of operation of a chip capable of controlling a panel to perform fingerprint sensing, the panel comprising a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels and a plurality of gate lines arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels, the fingerprint sensing pixels being divided into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel, and each of the fingerprint regions being coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines among the gate lines of the panel, and the method of operation comprising:

obtaining, by a selection circuit, information about a selected fingerprint region among the first number of fingerprint regions of the panel; and

providing, by a control circuit, a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signals comprise a second number of start pulse signals collectively indicative of the selected fingerprint area, and the first number is greater than the second number.

26. A chip capable of controlling a panel to perform fingerprint sensing, the panel comprising a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels and a plurality of gate lines arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels, the fingerprint sensing pixels being divided into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel, and each of the fingerprint regions being coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines among the gate lines of the panel, and the chip comprising:

a control circuit coupled to the selection circuit to receive the information about the selected fingerprint area and configured to provide a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signals comprise a plurality of start pulse signals and the start pulse signals are for being provided to a decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain the information about the selected fingerprint area according to a logic value of the start pulse signals.

27. The chip of claim 26, wherein the decoder comprises a plurality of decoder units each corresponding to one of the fingerprint regions.

28. The chip of claim 27, in which all of the start pulse signals are provided to each of the decoder units.

29. The chip of claim 26, wherein the start pulse signal is used to control the gate lines of the panel.

30. The chip of claim 29, wherein the start pulse signal is provided to an on-array gate circuit of the panel, the on-array gate circuit configured to generate a plurality of scan signals for respectively controlling the gate lines of the panel.

31. The chip of claim 30, in which the gate-on-array circuitry comprises a plurality of groups of shift registers each connected to a corresponding one of the fingerprint regions and operating according to all of the start pulse signals.

32. The chip of claim 30, wherein the scan signals are configured to control the corresponding fingerprint sensing pixels to perform a reset operation and/or a select/write operation.

33. The chip of claim 26, wherein the selection circuit is configured to receive the information about the selected fingerprint area from a processor, the processor configured to determine the selected fingerprint area based on touch information.

34. The chip of claim 33, wherein the processor is configured to receive the touch information from touch control circuitry configured to control touch sensing on the panel.

35. The chip of claim 26, wherein the control circuit comprises:

a first start pulse generating circuit configured to provide the start pulse signal in dependence on the information about the selected fingerprint area.

36. The chip of claim 35, wherein the first start pulse generating circuit is a binary start pulse generating circuit.

37. The chip of claim 35, wherein each of the start pulse signals has a respective logic state having a plurality of logic values, and wherein the control circuitry further comprises encoding circuitry configured to encode an index number of the selected fingerprint region as the logic value of the start pulse signal.

38. The chip of claim 35, in which the control circuit is configured to provide different numbers of start pulse signals according to different settings.

39. The chip of claim 38, wherein the control circuit further comprises:

a second start pulse generating circuit configured to provide a third number of start pulse signals according to the information about the selected fingerprint region, wherein a total number of the start pulse signals generated by the second start pulse generating circuit is equal to a second number, and the third number is not equal to the second number; and

40. The chip of claim 39, wherein the second start pulse generating circuit is a thermometer code start pulse generating circuit or a one-hot code pulse generating circuit.

41. The chip of claim 39, in which the third number is equal to the first number.

42. The chip of claim 39, wherein the second number of start pulse signals has a first mapping relationship between the set of logic states and the selected fingerprint region, and the third number of start pulse signals has a second mapping relationship between the set of logic states and the selected fingerprint region, wherein the first mapping relationship is different from the second mapping relationship.

43. The chip of claim 39, wherein the second number of start pulse signals is configured to be provided to the decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain the information about the selected fingerprint region according to a logic value of the second number of start pulse signals.

44. The chip of claim 43, wherein the second number of start pulse signals is to be provided to the decoder to provide a fourth number of start pulses each to select a corresponding one of the first number of fingerprint regions, wherein the fourth number is equal to the first number.

45. The chip of claim 26, wherein each of the start pulse signals has a respective logic state, and wherein a set of logic states of the start pulse signals has a first mapping relationship with the selected fingerprint region.

46. The chip of claim 45, in which the respective logic state of each of the start pulse signals has a plurality of logic values, and the selected fingerprint region is indicated according to a mathematical formula of the logic values of the logic states of the start pulse signals.

47. The chip of claim 46, in which a total number of the start pulse signals is equal to a second number, and the first number is greater than the second number.

48. The chip of claim 47, in which the plurality of logical values comprise 0 and 1, and the mathematical formula is

49. The chip of claim 26, wherein the fingerprint sensing pixels are optical fingerprint sensing pixels capable of sensing light.

50. The chip of claim 26, wherein the selection for each of the fingerprint regions depends on all of the start pulse signals.

51. A method of operation of a chip capable of controlling a panel to perform fingerprint sensing, the panel comprising a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels and a plurality of gate lines arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels, the fingerprint sensing pixels being divided into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel, and each of the fingerprint regions being coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines among the gate lines of the panel, and the method of operation comprising:

providing, by a control circuit, a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signals comprise a plurality of start pulse signals, and the start pulse signals are for being provided to a decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain the information about the selected fingerprint area according to a logic value of the start pulse signals.

52. An electronic device capable of performing fingerprint sensing, the electronic device comprising:

a panel, comprising:

a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels;

a plurality of first gate lines arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels, wherein the fingerprint sensing pixels are divided into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel, and each of the fingerprint regions is coupled to a corresponding one or more first gate lines among the first gate lines of the panel; and

a first upper gate array circuit coupled to the gate lines; and

a chip capable of controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, configured to obtain information about a selected fingerprint area among the first number of fingerprint areas of the panel and to provide a plurality of first control signals to the first array of upper gate circuits for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the first control signals comprise a second number of start pulse signals collectively indicative of the selected fingerprint area, wherein the first number is greater than the second number.

53. The electronic device of claim 52, wherein the first array upper gate circuitry comprises a plurality of shift register groups each connected to a corresponding one of the fingerprint regions and operating according to all of the second number of start pulse signals.

54. The electronic device of claim 52, wherein the chip comprises:

a selection circuit configured to obtain the information about the selected fingerprint area; and

a control circuit coupled to the selection circuit to receive the information about the selected fingerprint region and configured to provide the first control signal to the panel.

55. The electronic device of claim 54, wherein the start pulse signal is used to control the first gate line of the panel.

56. The electronic device of claim 55, wherein the start pulse signal is provided to the first array of upper gate circuits of the panel, the first array of upper gate circuits being configured to generate a plurality of scan signals for respectively controlling the first gate lines of the panel.

57. The electronic device according to claim 56, wherein the scan signal is configured to control the corresponding fingerprint sensing pixel to perform a reset operation and/or a select/write operation.

58. The electronic device according to claim 54, wherein the selection circuit is configured to receive the information about the selected fingerprint area from a processor, the processor being configured to determine the selected fingerprint area from touch information.

59. The electronic device of claim 58, wherein the processor is configured to receive the touch information from a touch control circuit configured to control touch sensing on the panel.

60. The electronic device of claim 54, wherein the control circuit comprises:

a first start pulse generating circuit configured to provide the second number of start pulse signals in dependence on the information about the selected fingerprint area.

61. The electronic device of claim 60, wherein the first start pulse generating circuit is a binary start pulse generating circuit.

62. The electronic device of claim 60, wherein each of the second number of start pulse signals has a respective logic state having a plurality of logic values, and the control circuit further comprises an encoding circuit configured to encode an index number of the selected fingerprint region as the logic value of the start pulse signal of the second number of start pulse signals.

63. The electronic device of claim 60, wherein the control circuit is configured to provide a different number of start pulse signals according to different settings.

64. The electronic device of claim 63, wherein the control circuit further comprises:

a switch circuit coupled to the first start pulse generating circuit and the second start pulse generating circuit and configured to select the second number of start pulse signals or the third number of start pulse signals as the first control signal.

65. The electronic device of claim 64, wherein the second start pulse generating circuit is a thermometer code start pulse generating circuit or a one-hot code pulse generating circuit.

66. The electronic device of claim 64, wherein the third number is equal to the first number.

67. The electronic device according to claim 64, wherein the set of logical states of the second number of start pulse signals has a first mapping relation with the selected fingerprint area, and wherein the set of logical states of the third number of start pulse signals has a second mapping relation with the selected fingerprint area, wherein the first mapping relation is different from the second mapping relation.

68. The electronic device of claim 64, wherein the first array upper gate circuit comprises a decoder and the second number of start pulse signals are for being provided to the decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain the information about the selected fingerprint region according to a logic value of the second number of start pulse signals.

69. The electronic device of claim 68, wherein the second number of start pulse signals is to be provided to the decoder to provide a fourth number of start pulses that are each to select a corresponding one of the first number of fingerprint regions, wherein the fourth number is equal to the first number.

70. The electronic device of claim 69, wherein the first array of upper gate circuits further comprises a plurality of shift registers coupled between the decoder and the fingerprint region.

71. The electronic device of claim 68, wherein the decoder comprises a plurality of decoder units each corresponding to one of the fingerprint regions.

72. The electronic device of claim 71, wherein all of the second number of start pulse signals are provided to each of the decoder units.

73. The electronic device of claim 54, wherein each of the second number of start pulse signals has a respective logic state, and wherein a set of logic states of the second number of start pulse signals has a first mapping relationship with the selected fingerprint region.

74. The electronic device of claim 73, wherein the respective logic state of each of the second number of start pulse signals has a plurality of logic values, and the selected fingerprint region is indicated according to a mathematical formula of the logic values of the logic states of the second number of start pulse signals.

75. The electronic device of claim 74, wherein the plurality of logical values includes 0 and 1, and the mathematical formula is

76. The electronic device of claim 52, wherein the fingerprint sensing pixels are optical fingerprint sensing pixels capable of sensing light.

77. The electronic device of claim 52, wherein the first upper gate array circuit is configured to receive the first control signal from the chip and generate a plurality of first scan signals for controlling the first gate lines of the panel, respectively.

78. The electronic device of claim 77, wherein the first array of upper gate circuits comprises a decoder configured to decode the start pulse signal to obtain the information about the selected fingerprint region.

79. The electronic device of claim 52, wherein the panel further comprises:

a plurality of display pixels;

a plurality of first gate lines arranged in a row direction of the panel for controlling the display sensing pixels; and

a second array upper gate circuit disposed on the panel, configured to receive a second control signal and generate a plurality of second scan signals for respectively controlling the second gate lines to perform display.

80. The electronic device of claim 79, wherein the chip further comprises a display control circuit configured to generate the second control signal.

81. The electronic device of claim 52, wherein a selection for each of the fingerprint regions is dependent on all of the second number of start pulse signals.

82. A method of operation of an electronic device capable of performing fingerprint sensing, the method of operation comprising:

dividing a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels of a panel into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel, wherein each of the fingerprint regions is coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines among a plurality of gate lines of the panel, and the gate lines are arranged along a row direction of the panel for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels; and

controlling, by a chip, the panel to perform fingerprint sensing so as to obtain information about a selected fingerprint area among the first number of fingerprint areas of the panel and providing a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signals comprise a second number of start pulse signals collectively indicating the selected fingerprint area, wherein the first number is greater than the second number.

83. An electronic device capable of performing fingerprint sensing, the electronic device comprising:

a panel, comprising:

a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels;

a first upper gate array circuit coupled to the gate lines; and

a chip capable of controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, configured to obtain information on a selected fingerprint area among the first number of fingerprint areas of the panel and to provide a plurality of first control signals to the first array of upper gate circuits for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the first control signals comprise a plurality of start pulse signals, and the start pulse signals are for being provided to a decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain the information on the selected fingerprint area according to a logic value of the start pulse signals.

84. The electronic device of claim 83, wherein the first array upper gate circuit comprises a plurality of shift register groups each connected to a corresponding one of the fingerprint regions and operating in accordance with all of the start pulse signals.

85. The electronic device of claim 83, wherein the decoder comprises a plurality of decoder units each corresponding to one of the fingerprint regions.

86. The electronic device of claim 85, wherein all of said start pulse signals are provided to each of said decoder units.

87. The electronic device of claim 83, wherein the start pulse signal is used to control the first gate line of the panel.

88. The electronic device of claim 87, wherein the start pulse signal is provided to the first array of upper gate circuits of the panel, the first array of upper gate circuits being configured to generate a plurality of scan signals for respectively controlling the first gate lines of the panel.

89. The electronic device of claim 88, wherein the scan signal is configured to control the corresponding fingerprint sensing pixel to perform a reset operation and/or a select/write operation.

90. The electronic device according to claim 83, wherein the chip comprises:

a selection circuit configured to obtain the information about the selected fingerprint area among the first number of fingerprint areas of the panel; and

a control circuit coupled to the selection circuit to receive the information about the selected fingerprint area and configured to provide the plurality of first control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing.

91. The electronic device according to claim 90, wherein the selection circuit is configured to receive the information about the selected fingerprint area from a processor, the processor being configured to determine the selected fingerprint area from touch information.

92. The electronic device of claim 91, wherein the processor is configured to receive the touch information from a touch control circuit configured to control touch sensing on the panel.

93. The electronic device of claim 90, wherein the control circuit comprises:

94. The electronic device of claim 93, wherein said first start pulse generating circuit is a binary start pulse generating circuit.

95. The electronic device according to claim 93, wherein each of the start pulse signals has a respective logic state having a plurality of logic values, and the control circuit further comprises an encoding circuit configured to encode an index number of the selected fingerprint region as the logic value of the start pulse signal.

96. The electronic device of claim 93, wherein the control circuit is configured to provide a different number of start pulse signals according to different settings.

97. The electronic device of claim 96, wherein the control circuit further comprises:

98. The electronic device of claim 97, wherein the second start pulse generating circuit is a thermometer code start pulse generating circuit or a one-hot code pulse generating circuit.

99. The electronic device of claim 97, wherein the third number is equal to the first number.

100. The electronic device according to claim 97, wherein the set of logic states of the second number of start pulse signals has a first mapping relation with the selected fingerprint region, and wherein the set of logic states of the third number of start pulse signals has a second mapping relation with the selected fingerprint region, wherein the first mapping relation is different from the second mapping relation.

101. The electronic device of claim 93, wherein the first array upper gate circuit further comprises the decoder and the second number of start pulse signals is for being provided to the decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain the information about the selected fingerprint region according to a logic value of the second number of start pulse signals.

102. The electronic device of claim 101, wherein the second number of start pulse signals is to be provided to the decoder to provide a fourth number of start pulses that are each to select a corresponding one of the first number of fingerprint regions, wherein the fourth number is equal to the first number.

103. The electronic device of claim 102, wherein the first array of upper gate circuits further comprises a plurality of shift registers coupled between the decoder and the fingerprint region.

104. The electronic device of claim 83, wherein each of the start pulse signals has a respective logic state, and wherein a set of logic states of the start pulse signals has a first mapping relationship with the selected fingerprint region.

105. The electronic device of claim 104, wherein the respective logic state of each of the start pulse signals has a plurality of logic values, and the selected fingerprint region is indicated according to a mathematical formula of the logic values of the logic states of the start pulse signals.

106. The electronic device of claim 105, wherein a total number of the start pulse signals is equal to a second number, wherein the first number is greater than the second number.

107. The electronic device of claim 104, wherein the plurality of logical values comprises 0 and 1, and the mathematical formula is

108. The electronic device of claim 83, wherein the fingerprint sensing pixels are optical fingerprint sensing pixels capable of sensing light.

109. The electronic device of claim 83, wherein the first gate-on-array circuit is configured to receive the first control signal from the chip and generate a plurality of first scan signals for controlling the first gate lines, respectively.

110. The electronic device of claim 109, wherein the first array of upper gate circuits comprises a decoder configured to decode the start pulse signal to obtain the information about the selected fingerprint region.

111. The electronic device of claim 83, wherein the panel further comprises:

a plurality of display pixels;

a second array upper gate circuit disposed on the panel, configured to receive a second control signal and generate a plurality of second scan signals for controlling the second gate lines, respectively.

112. The electronic device of claim 111, wherein the chip further comprises a display control circuit configured to generate the second control signal.

113. The electronic device according to claim 83, wherein a selection for each of the fingerprint regions depends on all of the start pulse signals.

114. A method of operation of an electronic device capable of performing fingerprint sensing, the method of operation comprising:

arranging a plurality of gate lines of a panel in a row direction of the panel for controlling a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels of the panel;

dividing the fingerprint sensing pixels into a first number of fingerprint regions along a column direction of the panel, wherein each of the fingerprint regions is coupled to a corresponding one or more gate lines among the gate lines of the panel; and

controlling, by a chip, the panel to perform fingerprint sensing so as to obtain information on a selected fingerprint area among the first number of fingerprint areas of the panel and providing a plurality of control signals to the panel for controlling the panel to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signals include a plurality of start pulse signals, and the start pulse signals are for being provided to a decoder disposed on the panel to cause the decoder to obtain the information on the selected fingerprint area according to a logic value of the start pulse signals.

115. A panel capable of performing fingerprint sensing, the panel comprising:

a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels;

a first array of upper gate circuits disposed on the panel configured to receive a control signal from a chip and generate a plurality of first scan signals for respectively controlling the first gate lines to perform fingerprint sensing, wherein the control signal includes a plurality of start pulse signals,

wherein the first array of gate-on-gate circuits comprises a decoder configured to decode the start pulse signal to obtain information about the selected fingerprint region for performing the fingerprint sensing.

116. The panel of claim 115, wherein the scan signals are configured to control the corresponding fingerprint sensing pixels to perform a reset operation and/or a select/write operation.

117. The panel of claim 115, wherein the first array upper gate circuitry comprises a plurality of shift register groups each connected to a corresponding one of the fingerprint regions and operating in accordance with all of the start pulse signals.

118. The panel of claim 115, further comprising:

a plurality of display pixels;

a plurality of second gate lines arranged in a row direction of the panel for controlling the display sensing pixels; and

a second array upper gate circuit disposed on the panel, configured to receive a control signal from the chip and generate a plurality of second scan signals for controlling the second gate lines, respectively.

119. The panel of claim 115 wherein the fingerprint sensing pixels are optical fingerprint sensing pixels capable of sensing light.

120. The panel of claim 115, wherein the decoder is configured to receive a second number of start pulse signals and provide a third number of start pulses each for selecting a corresponding one of the first number of fingerprint regions, wherein the second number is greater than the first number and the third number is equal to the first number.

121. The panel of claim 120, in which the first array upper gate circuitry further comprises a plurality of shift registers coupled between the decoder and the fingerprint region.

122. The panel of claim 120, wherein the decoder comprises a plurality of decoder units each corresponding to one of the fingerprint regions.

123. The panel of claim 122, in which all of the start pulse signals are provided to each of the decoder units.

124. The panel of claim 115, wherein the selection for each of the fingerprint regions is dependent on all of the start pulse signals.

125. A decoder adapted for use with a panel comprising a plurality of fingerprint sensing pixels, the decoder comprising:

a plurality of decoder units each comprising a plurality of input terminals configured to receive all of the first plurality of start pulse signals, wherein each of the decoder units is configured to decode the first plurality of start pulse signals into a corresponding one of a second plurality of start pulse signals.

126. The decoder of claim 125, wherein the decoder units have the same circuit structure and the input terminals of the decoder units have different coupling relationships to the first plurality of start pulse signals.

127. The decoder of claim 125, wherein each of the second plurality of start pulse signals is used by gate-on-array circuitry to generate a plurality of scan signals for controlling the fingerprint sensing pixels.

128. The decoder of claim 125, wherein the panel further comprises a plurality of gate lines coupled to the fingerprint sensing pixels, and each of the start pulse signals is used to generate a plurality of scan signals for controlling the gate lines coupled to the fingerprint sensing pixels.

129. The decoder of claim 125, wherein the panel further comprises a plurality of shift register groups coupled to corresponding fingerprint sensing pixels, and each of the second plurality of start pulse signals is provided to a corresponding one of the shift register groups.

130. The decoder of claim 125, wherein the fingerprint sensing pixels are divided into a plurality of fingerprint regions and each of the second plurality of start pulse signals corresponds to one of the fingerprint regions.

131. The decoder defined in claim 125 wherein the total number of the first plurality of start pulse signals is less than the total number of the second plurality of start pulse signals.

132. The decoder defined in claim 125 wherein each of the decoder units comprises:

a plurality of input terminals configured to be coupled to the first plurality of start pulse signals;

an output terminal configured to provide a corresponding one of the second plurality of start pulse signals; and

a plurality of first logic cells, wherein each of the first logic cells includes an input terminal configured to be coupled to the input terminal of the decoder cell,

wherein a total number of the first logic cells is the same as a total number of the first plurality of start pulse signals.

133. The decoder of claim 132, wherein the plurality of first logic cells are connected in cascade and a particular one of the first logic cells has an output terminal coupled to the output terminal of the decoder cell.

134. The decoder of claim 132, wherein each of the decoder units further comprises:

an inverter coupled between the output terminal of the particular one of the first logic cells and the output terminal of the decoder cell.

135. The decoder of claim 132, wherein each of the decoder units further comprises:

a plurality of inverters each coupled between one of the input terminals of the decoder cell and the input terminal of one of the first logic cells.

136. The decoder of claim 132, wherein all output terminals of the first logic cell are coupled together to the output terminal of the decoder cell.

137. The decoder of claim 132, wherein each of the decoder units further comprises:

138. The decoder of claim 132, wherein each of the decoder units further comprises:

a plurality of second logic cells, and each of the second logic cells includes an input terminal configured to be coupled to a corresponding one of the first plurality of start pulse signals, and a total number of the second logic cells is the same as a total number of the first plurality of start pulse signals,

wherein all output terminals of the second logic cell of one of the decoder cells are coupled together to the output terminal of the one of the decoder cells.