JP2020122979A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a display device having a touch sensor function, which can be reduced in size when a display region has a shape different from a rectangle.SOLUTION: In a display device, an image line 78 and a common electrode 82 are drawn in a first direction in a display region 72, and a scanning line 80 is drawn in a second direction, respectively. An image signal transmission circuit such as a selector 86 for transmitting an image signal to one end of each image line 78, and a common driver are disposed along a first edge of edges of a signal line layout region 102, the first edge is an edge where a plural of the one ends of the image lines are arranged. A scanning line driver 54 is disposed along a second edge of edges of the signal line layout region 102, the second edge is an edge where ends of the scanning line 80 and the common electrode 82 are arranged. The signal line layout region 102 has such a shape that the first edge and the second edge have an overlapped part. In a part of a frame region, adjoining to the overlapped part, the scanning line driver 54 is disposed outside the image signal transmission circuit and a switch circuit 88 of a sensor driver 58.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device in which a display area and a substrate in a display panel having a touch sensor function are not rectangular.

A display panel with a built-in touch panel in which a display panel and a touch panel are integrated, that is, a so-called in-cell type display device is mounted on various electronic devices.

In an active matrix type display panel, for example, a scanning line is arranged for each pixel row in a display region in which pixels are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix, and a video line is arranged for each pixel column so as to cross the scanning line. Then, a circuit for inputting signals to the scan lines and the video lines is arranged in the frame region outside the display region on the substrate of the display panel. Specifically, a pixel row is selected by a signal applied to a scan line, and a video signal is input to the selected pixel by a video line.

The display area of a conventional display panel is generally rectangular, and a circuit that applies a signal to a scanning line extending in the horizontal direction (direction of pixel rows) in the display area is along the left and right sides of the display area. A circuit that is arranged and that inputs a video signal to a video line that extends in the vertical direction (direction of pixel columns) in the display region is arranged, for example, along the lower side of the display region.

The capacitive touch panel has a detection electrode and a drive electrode, applies a drive signal to the drive electrode, and detects an object such as a finger approaching or touching the touch panel by the output signal of the detection electrode. In a display device with a built-in touch panel, a common electrode (common electrode) that applies a common electric potential to each pixel of the display panel is divided into a plurality of portions, which are also used as drive electrodes of a touch sensor. A circuit for inputting a signal to the drive electrode is also arranged in the frame area of the substrate.

JP, 2008-292995, A

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the layout of an in-cell type display panel having a rectangular display area. In the rectangular display area 2, the scanning lines 4 extend in the horizontal direction and the video lines 6 extend in the vertical direction. FIG. 13 shows a structure in which the drive electrodes extend in the vertical direction. That is, the plurality of drive electrodes 8 are vertically provided in the display region with a width extending over a plurality of pixel rows. A scanning circuit 12 for applying a signal to the scanning lines 4 is arranged in the frame region 10 along the left and right sides of the display region 2, and an image is output from the driver IC 14 to the image line 6 along the lower side of the display region 2. A video signal transmission line and a selector 16 for inputting a signal, and a switch circuit 18 and a shift register circuit 20 are arranged as a circuit for applying a signal to the drive electrode 8. That is, as described above, the circuit that supplies a signal to the signal line that crosses the display area 2 in the horizontal direction is arranged along the vertical side of the display area 2 where the ends of the signal line are arranged, and A circuit for supplying a signal to a signal line or an electrode that is vertically passed over is arranged along the horizontal side of the display area 2 where the ends of the signal line and the like are arranged, and both circuits are provided on separate sides of a rectangle. Are arranged along.

The applications of in-cell type display panels have expanded to those that do not require a rectangular display area. For example, in a speedometer of an automobile, a game machine, a watch, etc., the display area and the product shape may not be rectangular from the viewpoint of design. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a layout of an in-cell type display panel 30 having a non-rectangular display area according to a conventional technique. The display area 32 has a barrel-shaped example in which the upper and lower edges are horizontal straight lines, while the left and right edges connecting the upper straight edge and the lower straight edge are outwardly convex arcs. There is. The scanning circuit 12 is located outside the left and right ends of the display area 32 in the horizontal direction, and is linearly arranged over the entire width of the display area 32 in the vertical direction. Further, the selector 16, the video signal transmission line, the switch circuit 18, and the shift register circuit 20 are arranged below the lower end of the display area 32 and linearly over the entire width of the display area 32 in the horizontal direction. In this layout, the scanning circuits 12 arranged on the left and right of the display area 32 do not overlap the signal lines 34 in the vertical direction, and the circuits such as the selector 16 arranged in the lower side of the display area 32 signal in the horizontal direction. Since it does not overlap the line 36 or the like, signal crosstalk is unlikely to occur. However, when the display panel 30 is compared with a display panel having a rectangular display area having the same vertical and horizontal dimensions as the display area 32, the size of the panel, that is, the substrate is large even though the display panel 30 has a smaller display area. However, there is a problem that it is disadvantageous for downsizing and narrowing of the frame.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a display device having a touch sensor function, which can be downsized when a display area has a shape (an irregular shape) different from a rectangle. The purpose is to

(1) A display device according to the present invention is a display device having a touch sensor function in addition to a video display function, and is a plurality of video images each of which is a signal line formed in a display region in a substrate and faces a first direction. Lines and a plurality of scanning lines facing a second direction intersecting the first direction, a plurality of common electrodes formed in the display direction in the first direction and used for image display and touch detection, and each of the image lines. The wiring for transmitting a video signal to one end on the same side among the end portions, wherein the one of the video lines is one of the edges of the signal line laying region in which the video line and the scanning line are arranged on the substrate. A video signal transmission line that is arranged along a first edge portion where the ends are arranged, and a second edge portion that is arranged along the second edge portion where the end portions of the scanning lines are arranged among the edges of the signal line laying region; A scanning circuit that applies a scanning signal to the scanning line, and a common electrode that is disposed on the substrate along the first edge of the edges of the signal line laying region and that is on the first edge side. A common drive circuit for applying a reference potential signal or a touch detection signal to the signal line laying region, and the signal line laying region has a first overlapping edge portion where the first edge portion and the second edge portion overlap. In the frame region located outside the signal line laying region on the substrate and adjacent to the first overlapping edge portion, the scanning circuit is formed from the video signal transmission line and the common drive circuit. It is located outside.

(2) The display device according to the present invention is a display device having a touch sensor function in addition to a video display function, and is a plurality of video signals each of which is a signal line formed in a display region in a substrate and faces a first direction. Lines and a plurality of scanning lines facing a second direction intersecting the first direction, a plurality of common electrodes formed in the display direction in the first direction and used for image display and touch detection, and each of the image lines. The wiring for transmitting a video signal to one end on the same side among the end portions, wherein the one of the video lines is one of the edges of the signal line laying region in which the video line and the scanning line are arranged on the substrate. A video signal transmission line that is arranged along a first edge portion where the ends are arranged, and a second edge portion that is arranged along the second edge portion where the end portions of the scanning lines are arranged among the edges of the signal line laying region; A scanning circuit for applying a scanning signal to the scanning line and a third edge portion of the edge of the signal line laying region along the third edge portion where the other end of the video line is lined up, and the third edge portion side. A common drive circuit that applies a reference potential signal or a touch detection signal to the common electrode from the end of the signal line laying region, the first edge portion and the second edge portion overlap each other. A frame region having a first overlapping edge portion and a second overlapping edge portion where the first edge portion and the third edge portion overlap, and is located on the substrate outside the signal line laying region. In the portion adjacent to the first overlapping edge portion, the scanning circuit is arranged outside the video signal transmission line, and in the portion adjacent to the second overlapping edge portion in the frame region, the scanning circuit is It is arranged outside the common drive circuit.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the display panel which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an element substrate in the display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of an example of a common driver. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a layout of a frame region of the element substrate in the display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of an element substrate showing an example in which a display area and a signal line laying area do not match. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a layout of a frame region in a lower left portion of the element substrate. It is a typical top view of the element substrate in the display panel of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the layout in the lower left part of the element substrate of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical top view of the element substrate in the display panel of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the layout in the upper left part of the element substrate of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic plan view of the element substrate in the display panel of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the layout in the upper left part of the element substrate of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the layout of the conventional in-cell type display panel. It is a schematic diagram which shows the layout in the prior art of the in-cell type display panel which has a non-rectangular display area.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

It should be noted that the disclosure is merely an example, and a person skilled in the art can easily think of appropriate modifications while keeping the gist of the invention, of course, is included in the scope of the invention. In addition, in order to make the description clearer, the drawings may schematically show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part as compared with the actual mode, but this is merely an example, and the interpretation of the present invention will be understood. It is not limited. In the specification and the drawings, the same elements as those described above with reference to the already-explained drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be appropriately omitted.

[First Embodiment]
The display device according to each embodiment of the present invention is a display panel 50 with a built-in touch panel in which a liquid crystal display panel and a capacitive touch panel are integrated, and FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the display panel 50 according to the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows a structure. Note that the positions and shapes of the respective parts in FIG. 1 do not show the layout of the display panel 50 on the substrate. The layout will be described later.

The display panel 50 includes a cell section 52 having a touch sensor function and a display function, a scanning line driver 54, a video line driver 56, a common driver 58, a touch detection section 60, and a control section 62.

The cell unit 52 has a structure in which both the touch sensor and the liquid crystal display cell are integrated, and basically corresponds to the display area of the display panel 50. The cell portion 52 is configured to include an element substrate and a counter substrate which are arranged to face each other, and a liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an element substrate 70 on which thin film transistors (TFTs) and signal lines are formed in the display panel 50 of the first embodiment. On the liquid crystal side surface of the display area 72, the TFT 74 and the pixel electrode 76 are formed in FIG. Specifically, the pixel electrodes 76 and the TFTs 74 are arranged in a matrix corresponding to the pixel arrangement. It should be noted that the term "matrix" here means that the pixels are arranged in a row direction and a column direction that are orthogonal to each other, which means that the shape of the entire region where the pixels are arranged is rectangular. Absent.

In addition, on the liquid crystal side surface of the element substrate 70, a plurality of signal lines, which extend over the display region 72 and extend in the pixel column direction, and a plurality of image lines 78 extend in the pixel row direction. The scan line 80 is formed. The scanning line 80 is provided for each pixel row and is commonly connected to the gate electrodes of the plurality of TFTs 74 in the row. The video line 78 is provided for each pixel column and is commonly connected to the drains of the plurality of TFTs 74 in the column. Further, the pixel electrode 76 corresponding to the TFT is connected to the source of each TFT 74.

The TFT 74 provided as an active element (switch element) in each pixel is an n-channel in the present embodiment, and a gate pulse rising in the positive direction as a scanning signal is applied from the scanning line 80 to be turned on row by row. The pixel electrode 76 is connected to the video line 78 via the TFT 74 which is turned on, and a voltage (pixel voltage) according to a video signal is applied from the video line 78.

Similarly to the pixel electrodes, a plurality of common electrodes 82 made of a transparent electrode material such as ITO (Indium-Tin-Oxide) are also arranged in the display region 72 of the element substrate 70. Each common electrode 82 is a strip-shaped electrode elongated in the pixel column direction, and is laid across the display region 72 in the pixel column direction. For example, the common electrodes 82 each have a width that covers a plurality of columns of pixels, are arranged in parallel in the pixel row direction, and cover the display region 72. The width of the common electrode 82 varies depending on the resolution of the display panel 50, but generally has a width that covers pixels in 2 to 30 columns.

The common electrode 82 is used as a common electrode for applying a common reference potential (common potential) to each pixel in the image display function of the display panel 50 and also as a drive electrode for applying a drive signal in the touch sensor function. Specifically, regarding the image display function, the orientation is controlled for each pixel by the electric field generated by the liquid crystal in accordance with the voltage between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and the transmittance for the light incident from the backlight unit is changed. Thus, an image is formed on the display surface.

On the other hand, regarding the touch sensor function, the display panel 50 further has a plurality of detection electrodes. For example, the detection electrode is formed on the counter substrate on the display surface side, which may come into contact with an object such as a finger. Each detection electrode is arranged orthogonal to the common electrode 82, and is formed in the display region 72 in the pixel row direction. The plurality of detection electrodes are arranged in parallel with each other in the pixel column direction, and are arranged in the entire display region 72.

In the touch sensor function, an AC signal such as a rectangular pulse is input to the common electrode 82 to detect an electric signal generated at the detection electrode. That is, the common electrode 82 functions as a transmission electrode and the detection electrode functions as a reception electrode. The voltage change generated in the detection electrode due to the capacitive coupling with the common electrode 82 differs between the position where the object contacts the display surface and the position where the object does not contact the display surface. Therefore, by sequentially selecting the common electrodes 82 and applying an AC signal, it is possible to specify the set of the common electrode 82 and the detection electrode corresponding to the contact position.

The scanning line driver 54 is a scanning circuit having a function of sequentially selecting one horizontal line to be a display drive target of the display panel 50 based on a control signal supplied from the control unit 62. For example, the scanning line driver 54 is configured to include shift registers having the number of stages corresponding to the number of scanning lines 80, and the output terminals of each stage of the shift register are connected to the scanning lines 80. Then, the scanning line driver 54 receives the trigger signal from the control unit 62 and starts the operation, sequentially selects the scanning lines 80 in the order along the vertical scanning direction, and outputs the scanning signals to the selected scanning lines 80. The scanning line driver 54 is arranged on the element substrate 70 as shown in FIG.

The video line driver 56 receives the video signal from the control unit 62, and outputs a voltage corresponding to the video signal of the selected pixel row to each video line 78 in accordance with the selection of the scanning line 80 by the scanning line driver 54.

Here, the video line driver 56 and the video line 78 can be connected via a selector. The selector has an input connected to one video signal transmission line from the video line driver 56, an output connected to the video lines 78 of a plurality of pixel columns, and an output destination of the video signal input from the video signal transmission line. The video line 78 is switched in time division by a control signal from the control unit 62. For example, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the pixel array in the cell section 52 is a stripe array of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) pixels. In this arrangement, pixels of the same type (color) are arranged in the vertical direction of the image, and RGB are arranged periodically in the horizontal direction. In this case, the R pixel row, the G pixel row, and the B pixel row that are adjacent to each other can be regarded as one group, and one selector can be arranged for each group.

In FIG. 2, the video line driver 56 is built in the driver IC 84 together with the control unit 62, and video signal transmission lines (not shown) are wired from the driver IC 84 to the plurality of selectors 86, respectively.

The common driver 58 is a drive circuit that supplies a reference potential signal and a touch panel drive signal to the common electrode 82 based on a control signal supplied from the control unit 62. Specifically, the common driver 58 sequentially applies the AC drive signal VCOMAC as a sensor drive signal to the common electrode 82, which is the target of the touch detection drive, in a time-division manner, while it applies to the other common electrodes 82. , DC drive signal VCOMDC used as a reference potential in the image display function is applied. The common driver 58 includes, for example, a switch circuit 88 shown in FIG. 2 and a shift register circuit 90 including a unit control circuit 90a described later.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of the common driver 58. The common driver 58 is configured to include a drive signal transmission line 92 to which a drive signal is supplied from the control unit 62, in addition to the switch circuit 88 and the shift register circuit 90. The switch circuit 88 is provided corresponding to each common electrode 82, and switches the connection between the common electrode 82 and the drive signal transmission line 92. Further, the shift register circuit 90 controls switching of the switch circuit 88. For example, the shift register circuit 90 has unit circuits 94 with the number of stages corresponding to the number of common electrodes 82, receives a trigger signal from the control unit 62 to start operation, and each unit circuit 94 sequentially outputs a pulse. To do. The switch drive circuit 96 is provided corresponding to each switch circuit 88, and generates a signal for controlling switching of the switch circuit 88 based on the output of the unit circuit 94. Hereinafter, a set of the unit circuit 94 and the switch drive circuit 96 corresponding thereto will be referred to as a unit control circuit 90a.

Specifically, the drive signal transmission line 92 includes a transmission line (VCOMAC line 92a) supplied with the AC drive signal VCOMAC from the control unit 62 and a transmission line (VCOMDC line 92b) supplied with the DC drive signal VCOMDC from the control unit 62. ) And the switch circuit 88 includes a switch 88a for turning on/off between the VCOMAC line 92a and the common electrode 82, and a switch 88b for turning on/off between the VCOMDC line 92b and the common electrode 82. Including. The switch drive circuit 96 outputs a signal for turning on the switch 88a and a signal for turning off the switch 88b, for example, during a period in which a pulse for raising the potential of High level (H level) is input from the unit circuit 94. While the output of the circuit 94 is at a Low level (L level) potential, a signal for turning off the switch 88a and a signal for turning on the switch 88b are output.

Each switch circuit 88 may include a plurality of pairs of switches 88a and 88b. That is, since the common electrode 82 has a large area formed over a plurality of columns, it is required that the transistors forming the switches 88a and 88b also have a large channel width. However, a transistor having a relatively small channel width and size is required. By providing a plurality of such switches 88a and 88b in parallel, the request can be met.

Further, the larger the vertical width of the display region 72, the larger the length and area of the common electrode 82 in that portion, and the larger the load becomes. Therefore, the channel width of the switches 88a and 88b is correspondingly increased or the switches are provided in parallel. You may increase the number.

The touch detection unit 60 detects an object that approaches or contacts the display surface of the cell unit 52 based on the detection signal output from the detection electrode provided in the cell unit 52.

The control unit 62 receives a video signal including a sync signal, generates a video signal representing a pixel value and outputs the video signal to the video line driver 56, and based on the sync signal, the scanning line driver 54, the video line driver 56, and the like. Each unit such as the common driver 58 and the touch detection unit 60 generates a control signal for synchronization and supplies it to each unit.

With the above configuration, the display panel 50 performs the touch detection operation while performing the display operation.

Next, the layout of the element substrate 70 will be described. The display panel 50 has a display area 72 that is irregular, that is, not rectangular. FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram of FIG. 2, in which the structure in the display area 72 is omitted. In FIG. 4 (or FIG. 2), as the display area 72, the upper and lower edges thereof are straight lines in the horizontal direction, while the left and right edges connecting the upper straight edge and the lower straight edge are outwardly convex arcs. The example of the barrel shape which is is shown. According to the present invention, the frame of the element substrate 70 is narrowed with respect to the odd-shaped display area 72, and the size of the display panel 50 is further reduced. As a result of narrowing the frame, the shape of the element substrate 70 is not a rectangle but an irregular shape similar to the display area 72 as shown in FIG. This narrowing and miniaturization of the frame depends on the layout of circuits and wirings arranged in the frame region.

Here, the circuits and wirings in the frame region are basically arranged outside the laying region (signal line laying region) of the video lines 78 and the scanning lines 80 formed in the cell portion 52. Therefore, basically, the positions of the end portions of the video lines 78 and the scanning lines 80 formed in the display area 72 are basically aligned with the edges of the display area 72, which contributes to narrowing the frame. The same applies to the common electrode 82, and the position of the end of the common electrode 82 is basically aligned with the edge of the display area 72.

When the video lines 78 and the scanning lines 80 are bridged from one end to the other of the display region 72, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the signal line laying region in which the video lines 78 and the scanning lines 80 are arranged. The display area 102 has basically the same shape as the display area 72. However, as shown in FIG. 5, when the display area 72e has a shape having the valley portion 100, the signal line laying area 102e may not match the display area 72e. In the example shown in FIG. 5, since the video line 78e is formed between the upper end P _U and the lower end P _L of the display area 72 at the lateral position through which the video line passes, the valley 100 and the signal line laying area 102e are also formed. Because it will be included in. That is, the signal line laying region is basically set to match the display region 72 because of the narrow frame, but the shape is not always the same as the display region 72, and the area is larger than the display region 72. Cases can happen.

Here, the position of the circuit or the like in the frame region is expressed in association with the position along the edge of the signal line laying region 102. As shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the edge of the signal line laying area 102 where the lower ends of the video line 78 and the common electrode 82 are arranged is referred to as a first edge E _1, and a portion where the ends of the scanning lines 80 are arranged is referred to as a second edge. Part E ₂ . The display area 72 has a shape having a portion where the first edge E ₁ and the second edge E ₂ overlap, and the overlapping portion is referred to as a first overlapping edge _EX 1, and the first edge of the second edge E ₂ is the first overlapping edge _EX 1. The portion excluding the overlapping edge portion E _X1 is referred to as a non-overlapping edge portion E _S1 .

The driver IC 84 is arranged in the frame region along the first edge E ₁ , that is, in the frame region below the display region 72 in the element substrate 70 shown in FIG. The driver IC 84 is connected to an external circuit via a terminal provided in the terminal area 104 at the lower end of the element substrate 70. A group of video signal transmission lines 106 for transmitting a video signal from the video line driver 56 built in the driver IC 84 to the video line 78 is laid in a region along the first edge E ₁ as shown in FIG. In particular, the video signal transmission line 106 to the video line 78 laterally separated from the driver IC 84 extends along the first edge E ₁ . In the present embodiment, the video signal transmission line 106 is connected to the three video lines 78 corresponding to the R pixel column, the G pixel column, and the B pixel column via the selector 86. As shown in FIG. 6, each selector 86 is arranged at a position close to the lower ends of the three video lines 78 to which it is connected, and the video signal transmission line 106 is connected to the selector 86. Therefore, the selector 86 is arranged between the video signal transmission line 106 and the signal line laying region 102 along the first edge E ₁ where the lower ends of the video lines 78 are arranged. In addition, the common driver 58 can also be arranged on the element substrate 70 along the first edge E ₁ .

The first edge portion E ₁ is non-linear, and by arranging the selector 86, the video signal transmission line 106, and the common driver 58 along the non-linear first edge portion E ₁ , a narrow frame can be achieved. ..

The scanning line driver 54 is arranged on the element substrate 70 along the second edge E ₂ . The second edge portion E ₂ is non-linear, and by arranging the scanning line driver 54 along the non-linear second edge portion E ₂ , a narrow frame can be achieved.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the scanning line driver 54 has the stages of the shift register included therein arranged along the second edge E ₂ . As a result, the non-linear layout of the scanning line driver 54 shown in FIG. 4 is realized.

In order to reduce the influence of the deterioration of the pulse within the scanning line 80, the scanning line drivers 54 are provided on both the left and right sides of the display area 72, and the signals are supplied from both ends of the scanning line 80. For example, the frame area on the left side of the display area 72 and the frame area on the right side of the display area 72 can basically have a symmetrical circuit layout.

In the case of a display panel in which the size of the display area 72 is small, the present invention is not limited to this, and the scanning line driver 54 may be arranged only on one side of the display area 72.

Now, as described above, the display area 72 has a shape in which the first edge E ₁ and the second edge E ₂ of the signal line laying area 102 have the first overlapping edge _EX 1. The scanning line driver 54 is arranged outside the video signal transmission line 106 and the common driver 58 in a portion of the frame region adjacent to the first overlapping edge portion _EX1 .

Here, as the common driver 58, a unit control circuit 90a of the shift register circuit 90 and a switch circuit 88 are provided for each common electrode 82. In the present embodiment, a plurality of switch circuits 88 among the circuits forming the common driver 58 are located at positions corresponding to the lateral arrangement of the common electrodes 82 as shown in FIG. 6 and along the first edge E _1. A drive signal transmission line 92 that is arranged and further transmits a drive signal to each switch circuit 88 also extends along the first edge E ₁ . On the other hand, the unit control circuit 90a is arranged in the frame region of the non-overlapping edge E _{S1, and} switches extending from the unit control circuit 90a to the switch circuits 88 along the first edge E ₁ as shown in FIG. A control line 108 is provided. That is, in the configuration of the common driver 58, those arranged along the first edge E ₁ basically in its entirety in this embodiment are the switch circuit 88, the drive signal transmission line 92, and the switch control line 108.

Further, in the present embodiment, the selectors 86 arranged between the video signal transmission line 106 and the signal line laying region 102 are arranged basically along the entire first edge E ₁ . In the example shown in FIG. 6, the selector 86, the video signal transmission line 106, the switch circuit 88, and the switch control are sequentially arranged in the frame region of the first overlapping edge portion _{EX1 from} the signal line laying region 102 side toward the edge of the element substrate 70. The line 108 and the scanning line driver 54 are arranged.

The scan line driver 54 includes a shift register and uses a clock signal for its operation. By disposing the above-mentioned video signal transmission line 106 closer to the signal line laying region 102 than the scanning line driver 54, the wiring for transmitting the video signal does not cross the clock signal line of the scanning line driver 54, so that the clock signal line concerned. It is possible to suppress crosstalk from the video signal to the video signal.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the layout of circuits and the like in the frame region in more detail, and is a schematic plan view in which the lower left portion of the element substrate 70 (the portion surrounded by the frame line A in FIG. 4) is enlarged. In FIG. 6, an edge 99 of the signal line laying area 102 is shown by a dashed line around the display area 72 in which the pixels 98 are arranged. In addition, an example of the arrangement of the scanning line driver 54 and the common driver 58 in the range of 5 pixel rows from the bottom of the second edge portion E ₂ on the left side of the signal line installation area 102, and along the first edge portion E ₁ Of the selectors 86 arranged, seven arrangement examples at the left end are shown. Note that the block “SEL” in FIG. 6 is the selector 86, and the four left blocks are arranged along the portion where the first edge portion E ₁ and the second edge portion E ₂ overlap (first overlapping edge portion _EX 1 ). ing. The block “GIP” is the scanning line driver 54, and basically corresponds to the circuit for one stage of the shift register of the scanning line driver 54. On the other hand, the block “ComSR” represents the unit control circuit 90 a, which is a circuit corresponding to one stage of the shift register circuit 90, and the “ComSW” represents the switch circuit 88.

Further, although the common electrode 82 is shown in FIG. 6 for the sake of convenience as being formed over the width of three pixels, it is generally formed so as to have a width of 2 to 30 rows as described above. “ComSR” and “ComSW” are provided corresponding to the common electrode 82, as shown in FIG.

The VCOMAC line 92a and the VCOMDC line 92b are wired from the control unit 62 along the first edge E ₁ with the switch circuit 88 interposed therebetween as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the VCOMAC line 92a is arranged on the video signal transmission line 106 side with respect to the switch circuit 88, and the VCOMDC line 92b is arranged on the scanning line driver 54 side with respect to the switch circuit 88. The position of the VCOM DC line 92b can be reversed.

When the signal line laying area 102 has a shape that is convex in the lateral direction at the second edge portion like the barrel-shaped display area 72 of the present embodiment, if a rectangular substrate is used as shown in FIG. Although the distance between the second edge of the signal line laying area and the edge of the board, that is, the width of the frame area can be made small at the position of the tip of the convex portion of the signal line laying area, it becomes larger as it approaches the corner of the rectangle of the board. There was a problem of becoming. On the other hand, according to the layout of the circuit and the like on the left and right of the signal line laying region 102 of the above embodiment, it is not necessary to make the element substrate rectangular, and the element substrate is convex in the lateral direction similar to the signal line laying region 102. Can be in the shape of. For example, the element substrate 70 has a shape in which the distance between any point of the second edge E ₂ and the edge of the substrate is the same as or smaller than the distance at the lateral edge of the second edge E _2. be able to.

[Second Embodiment]
The display panel 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the display panel 50 has a display area 72 and an element substrate 70 which are irregular shapes.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the element substrate 70 in the display panel 50 of the second embodiment, and like FIG. 4, the structure inside the display region 72 is omitted. Also in the present embodiment, the common driver 58 is arranged along the first edge E _{1 as} in the first embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the unit control circuit 90a of the common driver 58 and the switch circuit 88 are arranged only in the frame region in the non-overlapping edge portion E _S1 . The common driver 58 includes a drive signal distribution line that extends along the first edge E ₁ and connects each switch circuit 88 to the corresponding common electrode 82, and the common from the switch circuit 88 via the drive signal distribution line. A drive signal is supplied to the electrode 82. That is, the drive signal distribution wiring of the common driver 58 is arranged basically along the entire first edge E ₁ .

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the layout of the unit control circuit 90a, the switch circuit 88, and the drive signal distribution wiring 152, and shows the layout in the lower left portion of the element substrate 70 (the portion surrounded by the frame line B in FIG. 7). .. In the first embodiment, the switch circuit 88 corresponding to each common electrode 82 is basically arranged adjacent to the common electrode 82, but in the present embodiment, the switch circuit 88 has an end portion at the first overlapping edge portion _EX1. The switch circuit 88 corresponding to the common electrode 82 is arranged relatively distant from the common electrode 82, and the drive signal distribution line 152 for transmitting a drive signal from the switch circuit 88 to the common electrode 82 is provided along the first edge E _1. Be extended. The drive signal distribution line 152 extends, for example, between the selector 86 and the edge 99 of the signal line laying region 102. In the present embodiment, between the non-overlapping edge E _S1 first overlapping edge scanning line driver 54 and the video signal transmission line 106 at E _X1 drawn from the VCOMDC line 92b is arranged a switch circuit 88 Is laid. The extended portion of the VCOM DC line 92b functions as a shield that suppresses noise from jumping from the scanning line driver 54 to the video signal transmission line 106.

Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the drive signal distribution line 152, the selector 86, and the video signal transmission line are sequentially arranged in the frame region of the first overlapping edge portion _{EX1 from} the signal line laying region 102 side toward the edge of the element substrate 70. 106, the VCOMDC line 92b, and the scanning line driver 54 are arranged.

[Third Embodiment]
The display panel 50 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the display panel 50 has a display area 72 and an element substrate 70 which are irregular shapes.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the element substrate 70 in the display panel 50 of the third embodiment, and like FIG. 4, the structure inside the display region 72 is omitted.

The driver IC 84, the video signal transmission line 106, and the selector 86 are arranged in the frame area along the first edge E ₁ . On the other hand, the common driver 58 is arranged on the frame region along the portion (third edge E ₃ ) where the image line 78 and the upper end of the common electrode 82 are lined up in the edge of the signal line laying region 102, and the common driver 58 is A sensor drive signal is applied to the common electrode 82 from the end portion on the third edge E ₃ side.

The display area 72 has a portion where the first edge E ₁ and the second edge E ₂ of the signal line installation area 102 overlap (first overlapping edge _EX 1 ), and the first edge E ₁ and the third edge E 3 The shape has a portion (second overlapping edge portion E _X2 ) that overlaps with the edge portion E ₃ . The first edge E ₁ is non-linear, and by arranging the selector 86 and the video signal transmission line 106 along the non-linear first edge E ₁ , a narrow frame can be achieved. Further, the third edge E ₃ is non-linear, and the common driver 58 is arranged along the non-linear third edge E ₃ so that the frame can be narrowed. Further, as described in the first embodiment, the scanning line driver 54 is arranged along the non-linear second edge portion E ₂ , so that the frame can be narrowed.

The scanning line driver 54 is arranged outside the video signal transmission line 106 in a portion of the frame region adjacent to the first overlapping edge portion _EX1 . Further, the scanning line driver 54 is arranged outside the common driver 58 in a portion adjacent to the second overlapping edge portion _EX2 .

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the layout of the unit control circuit 90a, the switch circuit 88, and the switch control line 108, and shows the layout in the upper left portion of the element substrate 70 (the portion surrounded by the frame line C in FIG. 9). In the present embodiment, a plurality of switch circuits 88 among the circuits forming the common driver 58 are arranged at positions corresponding to the lateral arrangement of the common electrode 82 and along the third edge E ₃ , and further each switch is arranged. A drive signal transmission line 92 that transmits a drive signal to the circuit 88 also extends along the third edge E ₃ . On the other hand, the unit control circuit 90a is arranged in a frame region in a portion (non-overlapping edge E _S2 ) of the third edge E ₃ excluding the second overlapping edge EX ₂ and the unit control circuit 90a to each switch circuit 88 is disposed. A switch control line 108 is provided that extends along the third edge E ₃ .

That is, in the configuration of the common driver 58, the switch circuit 88, the drive signal transmission line 92, and the switch control line 108 are basically arranged along the third edge E ₁ in this embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the switch circuit 88, the switch control line 108, and the scanning line driver 54 are arranged in order in the frame region of the second overlapping edge portion _{EX2 from} the signal line laying region 102 side toward the edge of the element substrate 70. To be done.

The VCOMAC line 92a and the VCOMDC line 92b are wired along the third edge E ₃ with the switch circuit 88 interposed therebetween as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the VCOMAC line 92a is arranged on the signal line laying region 102 side with respect to the switch circuit 88, and the VCOMDC line 92b is arranged on the scanning line driver 54 side with respect to the switch circuit 88. The position of the VCOM DC line 92b can be reversed. The VCOMAC line 92a and the VCOMDC line 92b are passed from the control section 62 arranged on the lower side of the element substrate 70 through the frame area of the second edge E ₂ to the switch circuit 88 arranged on the upper side of the element substrate 70. Supply a drive signal. Similarly, wiring for supplying a trigger signal and a clock signal from the control unit 62 to the shift register circuit 90 is provided.

Both of the VCOMAC line 92a and the VCOMDC line 92b can be arranged along one second edge E ₂ of the signal line laying area 102. Further, for example, the VCOMAC line 92a is arranged along the right side second edge E ₂ of the signal line laying area 102, and the VCOMDC line 92b is arranged along the left side second edge E ₂ of the signal line laying area 102. It is also possible to guide each other to the third edge E ₃ of the signal line laying area 102 by different paths. FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of the drive signal transmission line 92 in the upper left of the element substrate 70 in this case.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The display panel 50 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from each of the above embodiments. The display panel 50 has the display area 72 and the element substrate 70 of different shapes as in the above-described embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of the element substrate 70 in the display panel 50 of the fourth embodiment, and like FIG. 9, the structure inside the display region 72 is omitted. In the present embodiment as well, similar to the third embodiment, the common driver 58 is arranged along the third edge E ₃ . The difference from the third embodiment is basically that the unit control circuit 90a in the common driver 58 and the switch circuit 88 are arranged only in the frame region in the non-overlapping edge portion E _S2 . The common driver 58 includes a drive signal distribution line that extends along the third edge E ₃ and connects each switch circuit 88 to the corresponding common electrode 82, and the switch circuit 88 connects the common electrode to the common electrode 82 via the drive signal distribution line. A drive signal is supplied to 82. That is, the drive signal distribution wiring of the common driver 58 is arranged basically along the entire third edge E ₃ .

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the layout of the shift register circuit 90, the switch circuit 88, and the drive signal distribution wiring 152, and shows the layout in the upper left portion of the element substrate 70 (the portion surrounded by the frame line D in FIG. 11). .. In the third embodiment, the switch circuit 88 corresponding to each common electrode 82 is basically arranged adjacent to the common electrode 82, but in the present embodiment, the switch circuit 88 has an end portion at the second overlapping edge portion _EX2. The switch circuit 88 corresponding to the common electrode 82 is arranged relatively distant from the common electrode 82, and the drive signal distribution line 152 for transmitting the drive signal from the switch circuit 88 to the common electrode 82 is provided along the third edge E _3. Be extended. The drive signal distribution line 152 extends between the scanning line driver 54 and the signal line laying region 102.

[Other Embodiments]
In the first and third embodiments, each switch circuit 88 of the common driver 58 is arranged adjacent to the corresponding common electrode 82, and the shift register circuit 90 has the first overlapping edge portion _EX1 and the second overlapping edge portion. Although not arranged in _EX2 , the switch drive circuit 96 corresponding to each switch circuit 88, or the set of the switch drive circuit 96 and the unit circuit 94 may be arranged adjacent to the common electrode 82.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the common electrode 82 is also used as the common electrode for applying the reference potential in the image display function and the drive electrode for applying the drive signal in the touch sensor function, but the common electrode and the drive electrode are described. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which and are provided independently of each other.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the display area 72 has a barrel shape in which the upper and lower sides are linear is shown, but the entire shape may be a circular shape, and the concept of the circuit layout of the present invention is shown. Is applicable as well

Further, although the display device of each of the above-described embodiments has been described as an example of a liquid crystal display panel, it may be another display panel. For example, it may be an organic electroluminescence (EL) display device. The organic EL display device includes a lower electrode and an upper electrode for applying a voltage to the organic light emitting layer. For example, the lower electrode is formed for each pixel, while the upper electrode is formed as a common electrode. It is possible to use both the common electrode and the drive electrode of the touch sensor.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Here, within the scope of the idea of the present invention, those skilled in the art can conceive of various modified examples and modified examples, and it is understood that these modified examples and modified examples also belong to the scope of the present invention. It For example, those skilled in the art appropriately add, delete, or change the design of each of the above-described embodiments, or add, omit, or change the conditions of the steps, the gist of the present invention Within the scope of the present invention, as long as

Further, it is understood that other actions and effects which are brought about by the modes described in the present embodiment, which are apparent from the description of the present specification, or which can be appropriately conceived by those skilled in the art, are brought about by the present invention.

50 display panel, 52 cell section, 54 scanning line driver, 56 video line driver, 58 common driver, 60 touch detection section, 62 control section, 70 element substrate, 72 display area, 74 TFT, 76 pixel electrode, 78 video line, 80 scanning line, 82 common electrode, 84 driver IC, 86 selector, 88 switch circuit, 88a, 88b switch, 90 shift register circuit, 90a unit control circuit, 92 drive signal transmission line, 92a
VCOM AC line, 92b VCOMDC line, 94 unit circuit, 96 switch drive circuit, 102 signal line laying area, 106 video signal transmission line, 108 switch control line, 152 drive signal distribution line, 202 drive signal distribution line.

(1) A display device according to the present invention is a display device having a touch sensor function in addition to a video display function, and is formed in a non-rectangular display area and has a plurality of video lines extending in a first direction and A plurality of scanning lines extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a plurality of common electrodes formed in the display region and used for image display and touch detection, and a frame region outside the display region. A plurality of video signal transmission lines for supplying signals to the plurality of video lines, a plurality of scanning circuits provided in the frame region and applying a scanning signal to the plurality of scanning lines, and provided in the frame region A common electrode signal transmission line for supplying a reference potential signal or a touch detection signal to the common electrode, and the display region forms the non-rectangular shape in the second direction. The video signal transmission line and the common electrode signal transmission line are arranged between the display area and the scanning circuit.

(2) The display device according to the present invention is a display device having a touch sensor function in addition to a video display function, each of which is a plurality of signal lines formed in a display region in a substrate and extending in the first direction. Image lines and a plurality of scanning lines extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of commons formed in the display region extending in the first direction and used for image display and touch detection. An electrode, a plurality of video signal transmission lines arranged along a first edge of the edges of the signal line laying area where the video lines and the scanning lines are placed, and a first edge of the signal line laying area A plurality of scanning circuits which are arranged on the substrate along the two edges and apply a scanning signal to the scanning lines, and a third position which is a position facing the first edge of the edges of the signal line laying region. A common electrode signal transmission line for supplying a reference potential signal or a touch detection signal to the common electrode, the signal electrode laying region being disposed on the substrate along the edge portion, A shape having a first overlapping edge portion in which one edge portion and the second edge portion overlap and a second overlapping edge portion in which the first edge portion and the third edge portion overlap, and is formed on the substrate. The scanning circuit is arranged outside the video signal transmission line in a portion of the frame area located outside the signal line laying area and adjacent to the first overlapping edge portion, and the scanning circuit is disposed outside the video signal transmission line. In the portion adjacent to the overlapping edge portion, the scanning circuit is arranged outside the common electrode signal transmission line.

Claims (8)

A display device having a touch sensor function in addition to a video display function,
A plurality of signal lines formed in a display area in the substrate, the plurality of image lines facing the first direction, and the plurality of scanning lines facing the second direction intersecting the first direction;
A plurality of common electrodes formed in the first direction in the display area and used for image display and touch detection,
A wiring for transmitting a video signal to one end on the same side among the end portions of each of the video lines, the one of the edges of the signal line laying region in which the video line and the scanning line are arranged on the substrate. A video signal transmission line arranged along a first edge portion where the one end of the video line is lined up;
A scanning circuit arranged on the substrate along a second edge of the edge of the signal line laying region where the ends of the scanning line are arranged, and a scanning circuit that applies a scanning signal to the scanning line,
A common that is arranged on the substrate along the first edge of the edges of the signal line laying region and applies a reference potential signal or a touch detection signal to the common electrode from the end on the first edge side. Drive circuit,
Have
The signal line laying region has a shape having a first overlapping edge portion where the first edge portion and the second edge portion overlap,
The scanning circuit is disposed outside the video signal transmission line and the common drive circuit in a portion of the frame region located outside the signal line laying region on the substrate and adjacent to the first overlapping edge portion. That
A display device characterized by. The display device according to claim 1,
The common drive circuit is
First drive signal transmission lines supplied with the touch detection signal and second drive signal transmission lines supplied with the reference potential signal, the wirings extending along the first edge portion, respectively. When,
A circuit provided to correspond to each of the plurality of common electrodes to switch connection between each of the common electrodes and the drive signal transmission line, the circuit corresponding to an arrangement of the plurality of common electrodes in the second direction. A plurality of switch circuits arranged along one edge,
A switching control circuit that is a circuit that controls switching of the switch circuit, the switching control circuit being disposed in the frame region in a non-overlapping portion of the first edge portion excluding the first overlapping edge portion,
A switch control line extending from the switching control circuit to each of the switch circuits along the first edge;
A display device having: The display device according to claim 1,
The common drive circuit is
A first drive signal transmission line provided corresponding to each of the plurality of common electrodes and supplied with the touch detection signal and a second drive signal transmission line supplied with the reference potential signal, and the common electrodes. A plurality of switch circuits arranged in the frame region in a non-overlapping portion of the edge of the signal line laying region excluding the first overlapping edge portion of the signal line laying area,
A circuit for controlling switching of the switch circuit, a switching control circuit arranged in the frame region in the non-overlapping portion,
A drive signal distribution line extending from the switch circuit to each of the common electrodes along the first edge portion;
A display device having: A display device having a touch sensor function in addition to a video display function,
A plurality of signal lines formed in a display area in the substrate, the plurality of image lines facing the first direction, and the plurality of scanning lines facing the second direction intersecting the first direction;
A plurality of common electrodes formed in the first direction in the display area and used for image display and touch detection,
A wiring for transmitting a video signal to one end on the same side among the end portions of each of the video lines, the one of the edges of the signal line laying region in which the video line and the scanning line are arranged on the substrate. A video signal transmission line arranged along a first edge portion where the one end of the video line is lined up;
A scanning circuit arranged on the substrate along a second edge of the edge of the signal line laying region where the ends of the scanning line are arranged, and a scanning circuit that applies a scanning signal to the scanning line,
A reference potential signal or a touch is provided to the common electrode from the end on the side of the third edge, which is arranged along the third edge of the edge of the signal line laying region along which the other end of the video line is aligned. A common drive circuit for applying a detection signal,
Have
The signal line laying region has a first overlapping edge portion where the first edge portion and the second edge portion overlap, and a second overlapping edge portion where the first edge portion and the third edge portion overlap. Is a shape that has
In a portion of the frame area located outside the signal line laying area on the substrate adjacent to the first overlapping edge portion, the scanning circuit is arranged outside the video signal transmission line.
In the portion of the frame area adjacent to the second overlapping edge portion, the scanning circuit is arranged outside the common drive circuit.
A display device characterized by. The display device according to claim 4,
The common drive circuit is
First drive signal transmission lines supplied with the touch detection signal and second drive signal transmission lines supplied with the reference potential signal, the wirings extending along the third edge portion, respectively. When,
A circuit provided to correspond to each of the plurality of common electrodes to switch connection between each of the common electrodes and the drive signal transmission line, the circuit corresponding to an arrangement of the plurality of common electrodes in the second direction. A plurality of switch circuits arranged along the three edges,
A switching control circuit for controlling switching of the switch circuit, the switching control circuit being arranged in the frame region in a non-overlapping portion of the third edge portion excluding the second overlapping edge portion;
A switch control line extending from the switching control circuit to each of the switch circuits along the third edge;
A display device having: The display device according to claim 4,
The common drive circuit is
A first drive signal transmission line provided corresponding to each of the plurality of common electrodes and supplied with the touch detection signal and a second drive signal transmission line supplied with the reference potential signal, and the common electrodes. A plurality of switch circuits arranged in the frame region in a non-overlapping portion of the edge of the signal line laying region excluding the second overlapping edge portion of the signal line laying area,
A circuit for controlling switching of the switch circuit, a switching control circuit arranged in the frame region in the non-overlapping portion,
A drive signal distribution line extending from the switch circuit to each of the common electrodes along the third edge portion;
A display device having: The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The video signal transmission line is provided for each group obtained by dividing the video line into a plurality of adjacent lines.
A selector arranged between the video signal transmission line and the first edge portion, wherein the video signal transmission line is connected to an input and the video line of the group is connected to an output for each group. Having
A display device characterized by. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The signal line laying region has a shape that is convex in the second direction at the second edge portion,
The substrate has a shape such that a distance between an arbitrary point of the second edge portion and an edge of the substrate is equal to or less than the distance at a tip of the second edge portion in the second direction.
A display device characterized by.

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