KR102617226B1 - Electronic apparatus and method for driving thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application provides an electronic device capable of outputting sound through vibration of a display panel and sensing a force touch applied to the display panel, and a method of driving the same. The electronic device according to the present application includes a display module that displays an image; a vibration generating module coupled to the rear of the display module and vibrating the display module in response to a vibration driving signal; and a driving circuit unit that senses a force touch by providing a vibration driving signal to the vibration generating module and receiving a force sensing signal generated by the vibration generating module according to the bending of the display module.

Description

Electronic device and driving method thereof {ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THEREOF}

This application relates to electronic devices and methods of driving them.

In general, electronic devices such as televisions, monitors, laptop computers, smart phones, tablet computers, electronic pads, wearable devices, watch phones, portable information devices, navigation, or vehicle control display devices are display devices that display images and images. Includes an audio device for outputting sounds related to.

Recently, as user interface environments such as force touch and applications requiring 3D touch information are established, touch screen devices capable of sensing touch force and electronic devices to which they are applied are being developed and researched.

However, in conventional electronic devices, the sound generated from the sound device is output toward the back or side of the main body (or housing) rather than the front of the display panel, so it is directed toward the viewer (or user) watching the image from the front of the display panel. Because this is not done, there is a problem that hinders the immersion of viewers watching the video. Additionally, conventional electronic devices have the problem of having to be equipped with a separate force touch sensor for force touch sensing.

The technical task of this application is to provide an electronic device that can output sound through vibration of a display panel and sense a force touch applied to the display panel and a method of driving the same without a separate sound device.

An electronic device according to the present application for achieving the above-described technical problem includes a display module that displays an image; a vibration generating module coupled to the rear of the display module and vibrating the display module in response to a vibration driving signal; and a driving circuit unit that senses a force touch by providing a vibration driving signal to the vibration generating module and receiving a force sensing signal generated by the vibration generating module according to the bending of the display module.

The method of driving an electronic device according to the present application includes supplying a vibration drive signal to a vibration generation module disposed on the rear of the display module, vibrating the display module according to the vibration of the vibration generation module, and outputting sound, and bending the display module. Accordingly, it may include a step of sensing a force touch by receiving a force sensing signal generated from the vibration generating module.

This application vibrates the display module according to the vibration of the vibration generating module disposed on the back of the display module and outputs sound to the front of the display panel, thereby outputting accurate sound without a separate sound device or speaker. This allows the viewer to It can increase immersion.

In this application, the user force touch can be sensed without a separate force touch sensor by sensing the user force touch using an electrical signal generated from the vibration generation module according to the bending of the display module due to the user force touch.

In addition to the effects of the present application mentioned above, other features and advantages of the present application are described below, or can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from such description and description.

1 is a perspective view showing an electronic device according to an example of the present application.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II' shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the display module shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram for explaining the driving circuit shown in FIG. 2.
Figure 5 is a flowchart for explaining a method of driving an electronic device according to an example of the present application.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the output signal of the vibration element shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing the results of an experiment measuring the output voltage in each of the push and release states for the vibration element shown in FIG. 6.

The advantages and features of the present application and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to examples described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the examples disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms, and only the examples of the present application ensure that the disclosure of the present application is complete, and are commonly used in the technical field to which the invention of the present application pertains. It is provided to fully inform those with knowledge of the scope of the invention, and the invention of this application is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The shape, size, ratio, angle, number, etc. disclosed in the drawings for explaining an example of the present application are illustrative, and the present application is not limited to the matters shown. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. Additionally, in describing examples of the present application, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present application, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.

When 'includes', 'has', 'consists of', etc. mentioned in this specification are used, other parts may be added unless 'only' is used. When a component is expressed in the singular, the plural is included unless specifically stated otherwise.

When interpreting a component, it is interpreted to include the margin of error even if there is no separate explicit description.

In the case of a description of a positional relationship, for example, if the positional relationship of two parts is described as 'on top', 'on the top', 'on the bottom', 'next to', etc., 'immediately' Alternatively, there may be one or more other parts placed between the two parts, unless 'directly' is used.

In the case of a description of a temporal relationship, for example, if a temporal relationship is described as 'after', 'successfully after', 'after', 'before', etc., 'immediately' or 'directly' Unless used, non-consecutive cases may also be included.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, the first component mentioned below may also be the second component within the technical spirit of the present application.

The term “at least one” should be understood to include all possible combinations from one or more related items. For example, “at least one of the first, second, and third items” means each of the first, second, or third items, as well as two of the first, second, and third items. It can mean a combination of all items that can be presented from more than one.

Hereinafter, examples of the electronic device and its driving method according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, identical components may have the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. Additionally, when describing examples of the present application, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present application, the detailed description may be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electronic device according to an example of the present application, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II' shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the display module shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , an electronic device according to an example of the present application may include a display module 100, a support frame 300, a vibration generation module 500, and a driving circuit unit 700.

The display module 100 may include a display panel 110 and a cover window 170.

The display panel 110 may be a light-emitting display panel or a flexible light-emitting display panel. The display panel 110 according to one example may include a pixel array substrate having a pixel array composed of a plurality of pixels, and an encapsulation layer that encapsulates the pixel array.

Each of the plurality of pixels is provided in a pixel area defined by pixel driving lines. Additionally, each of the plurality of pixels may include a pixel circuit having at least two thin film transistors and at least one capacitor, and a light emitting element that emits light by current supplied from the pixel circuit. As an example, the light emitting device may include an organic light emitting layer or a quantum dot light emitting layer. As another example, the light emitting device may include a micro light emitting diode.

The encapsulation layer protects the thin film transistor and light emitting device from external shock and prevents moisture from penetrating into the light emitting device. Additionally, the encapsulation layer may be replaced with an encapsulation substrate attached to the pixel array substrate via a filler material surrounding the pixel array. When the filler is formed of a transparent filler, the encapsulation substrate may be a transparent encapsulation substrate.

The display module 100 according to an example of the present application may further include a touch panel 130. The touch panel 130 according to one example may be interposed between the display panel 110 and the cover window 170. The touch panel 130 is provided on the display panel 110 and includes a touch electrode layer having a touch electrode for sensing a user's touch on the display module 100. The touch electrode layer senses changes in capacitance of the touch electrode according to the user's touch. For example, the touch electrode layer includes a touch electrode for sensing a user's touch according to a mutual capacitance method or a self-capacitance method.

The display module 100 according to an example of the present application may further include a polarizing film 150 disposed on the touch panel 130. The polarizing film 150 is attached to the upper surface of the touch panel 130 via a film attachment member. The polarizing film serves to improve the visibility and contrast ratio of the display panel 110 by changing external light reflected by thin film transistors and/or pixel driving lines provided on the pixel array substrate into a circularly polarized state. Additionally, the polarizing film 150 may be disposed between the encapsulation layer of the display panel 110 and the touch panel 130.

Additionally, the display module 100 may further include a barrier layer interposed between the encapsulation layer of the display panel 110 and the touch panel 130. The barrier layer may serve to prevent moisture, etc. from penetrating into the pixel array.

Additionally, the display module 100 may further include a color filter layer provided on the upper surface of the encapsulation layer of the display panel 110. The color filter layer is provided to overlap each of the plurality of pixels and may include a color filter that transmits only the wavelength of the color set to each of the plurality of pixels.

The cover window 170 is coupled to the support frame 300 to support the display panel 110. For example, the cover window 170 may be coupled to the front of the display panel 110 and supported on the support frame 300.

The cover window 170 according to one example may be made of glass or tempered glass material. For example, the cover window 170 may have either Sapphire Glass or Gorilla Glass or a bonded structure thereof. This cover window 170 is attached (or laminated) to the front of the display panel 110 via an optical adhesive member, thereby forming the display module 100 together with the display panel 110. At this time, the optical adhesive member may be OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive), OCR (Optically Clear Resin), or PSA (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive).

The cover window 170 covers the remaining non-display area excluding the display area of the display module 100. The cover window 170 according to an example is provided in a transparent area overlapping with the display area of the display module 100, a light blocking area overlapping with a non-display area of the display module 100, and a light blocking area to protect the display area of the display module 100. It may include a design layer that covers the non-display area.

The support frame 300 accommodates the display module 100 and surrounds the rear and sides of the display module 100. For example, each side of the support frame 300 may be rounded to have a constant radius of curvature to improve the aesthetic design of the electronic device. This support frame 300 may be expressed as a middle frame, module frame, display housing, or panel guide. The support frame 300 according to one example may include a frame side wall portion 310 and a frame bottom portion 330.

The frame side wall portion 310 is formed in a frame shape to have a display storage space in which the display module 100 is stored and surrounds each side of the display module 100. The frame side wall portion 310 may support the rear edge of the display module 100. The frame side wall portion 310 according to one example may be overlapped with the rear edge of the display module 100, for example, the rear edge of the cover window 170 via the frame coupling member 400.

The frame coupling member 400 may include adhesive or a cushioning pad. Adhesives may include natural curing adhesives, thermosetting adhesives, or photocuring adhesives. The cushioning pad may include double-sided tape, a porous double-sided adhesive pad, or a double-sided foam adhesive pad. The frame coupling member 400 including a buffer pad cushions the impact applied to the cover window 170 and prevents vibration of the display module 100 from being transmitted to the support frame 300.

The frame bottom 330 is connected to the inner surface of the frame side wall 310 to cover the rear of the display module 100. Accordingly, the cross section between each inner surface of the frame side wall 310 and each side of the frame bottom 330 may have a cross section in the shape of a “┤” or “┣” shape depending on the position of the cross section. A display storage space surrounded by a frame side wall 310 is provided on the front of the frame bottom 330, and a circuit configuration such as a driving circuit 700 and a battery are provided on the rear of the frame bottom 330. A circuit storage space is provided where peripheral circuits of the electronic device are stored. To this end, the frame bottom 330 may be spaced apart from the rear of the display module 100 and from the rear cover 600.

The support frame 300 further includes an opening 350 provided in the frame bottom 330.

The opening 350 is formed to penetrate each of the first and second areas of the frame bottom 330 that overlap each of the first and second areas A1 and A2 of the display module 100. This opening 350 exposes the vibration generating module 500, which causes the display module 100 to vibrate, to the rear of the frame bottom 330.

The vibration generating module 500 is coupled to the rear of the display module 100, for example, the rear of the display panel 110. The vibration generation module 500 vibrates the display module 100 according to a vibration drive signal supplied from the driving circuit unit 700, thereby generating sound in the forward direction (Z) of the display panel 110 according to the vibration of the display panel 110. outputs. And, the vibration generation module 500 provides an electrical signal generated according to the bending of the display module 100 to the driving circuit unit 700. For example, the vibration generation module 500 may vibrate the display module 100 according to an inverse piezoelectric effect according to a vibration drive signal and generate an electrical signal according to the piezoelectric effect due to bending of the display module 100. . In the following description, the electrical signal generated according to the piezoelectric effect of the vibration generation module 500 will be defined as a force sensing signal.

The vibration generating module 500 according to one example may include first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 coupled to the rear of the display module 100, for example, the rear of the display panel 110. Also, when the vibration generation module 500 is applied to a mobile electronic device, the vibration generation module 500 can be used as a speaker, receiver, and microphone, but is not limited to this. For example, when the vibration generating module 500 is applied to a mobile electronic device, the first vibration element 510 can function as a speaker used during a call, and the second vibration element 530 can be used in an existing mobile device. can function as a speaker, but is not limited to this, and both the first vibration element 510 and the second vibration element 530 can function as speakers, and can also be used as a surround speaker using two speakers. You can.

The first vibration element 510 vibrates the first area A1 of the display module 100 according to a vibration driving signal provided from the driving circuit unit 700. The first vibration element 510 may be formed to have a constant length and a constant width. The first vibration element 510 according to an example is coupled to the back of the display module 100, that is, to the first area A1 defined on the back of the display panel 110, through an adhesive member. Here, the first area (A1) is the center (CP) of the display module 100 and one side of the display module 100, based on the first longitudinal direction (or long side direction) (X) of the display module 100. It may be defined as between the ends 110a. For example, the first area A1 may be defined as an edge area on one side of the display module 100 based on the first longitudinal direction (X) of the display module 100. Additionally, the longitudinal direction of the first vibration element 510 may be parallel to the second longitudinal direction (or short side direction) Y of the display module 100. As such, when a vibration drive signal is applied from the drive circuit unit 700, the first vibration element 510 according to one example repeats compression and contraction by the reverse piezoelectric effect according to the vibration drive signal, thereby forming the display module 100. Vibrates the second area A1 of A first force sensing signal is generated according to the piezoelectric effect.

The second vibration element 530 vibrates the second area A2 of the display module 100 according to the vibration driving signal provided from the driving circuit unit 700. The second vibration element 530 may be formed to have a constant length and a constant width. The second vibration element 530 according to one example is coupled to the second area A2 defined on the back of the display module 100, that is, the back of the display panel 110, through an adhesive member. Here, the second area (A2) is between the center (CP) of the display module 100 and the other end (110b) of the display module 100, based on the first longitudinal direction (X) of the display module 100. can be defined. For example, the second area A2 may be defined as the other edge area of the display module 100 based on the first longitudinal direction (X) of the display module 100. Additionally, the longitudinal direction of the second vibration element 530 may be parallel to the second longitudinal direction (Y) of the display module 100. This second vibration element 530 may be arranged to be symmetrical to the first vibration element 510 with respect to the center CP of the display module 100. As such, when a vibration drive signal is applied from the drive circuit unit 700, the second vibration element 530 according to one example repeats compression and contraction by the reverse piezoelectric effect according to the vibration drive signal, thereby forming the display module 100. Vibrates the second area A1 of A second force sensing signal is generated according to the piezoelectric effect.

The adhesive member that adheres the vibrating element to the display panel 110 may be a double-sided tape or a natural curing adhesive, but is not limited thereto. Here, the adhesive member may be made of a thermosetting adhesive or a photocurable adhesive. In this case, the characteristics of the vibrating element may deteriorate due to the heat of the curing process of the adhesive member, so it may be made of a double-sided tape or a natural curing adhesive.

Each of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 according to an example may be coupled to the rear of the display module 100 through the opening 350 provided in the support frame 300. At this time, lower portions of each of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 may be inserted into the opening 350 .

The opening 350 according to one example is provided in the frame bottom 330 to overlap each of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 coupled to the display module 100. This opening 350 may be defined as a vibration space for vibration of each of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530, and the distance between the frame bottom 330 and the rear of the display module 100 is the vibration space. If it is larger than the space, it may be omitted, but may be formed to slim the electronic device. For example, when the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 and the frame bottom 330 come into contact with each other, the vibration of each of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 is transmitted to the frame bottom 330. ) and may generate noise, and as a result, the wavelength band of the sound generated due to the vibration of the display module 100 may change, so the support frame 300 is connected to the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530. ) may have an opening 350 to prevent contact with each other or may include a contact avoidance structure.

Each of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 according to an example may include a piezoelectric material layer, a first electrode disposed on the front side of the piezoelectric material layer, and a second electrode disposed on the rear side of the piezoelectric material layer. there is.

The piezoelectric material layer includes a piezoelectric material that has a reverse piezoelectric effect according to an electric field and a piezoelectric effect according to compression. Here, the piezoelectric material is vibrated by an electric field according to the applied voltage, and conversely, external force exerts pressure or torsion on the crystal structure, causing dielectric properties due to changes in the relative positions of positive (+) ions and negative (-) ions. It has the characteristic of generating an electrical signal depending on the potential difference in polarization.

The piezoelectric material of the vibration elements 510 and 530 according to one example may include a polymer material, a thin film material, a composite material, or a single crystal ceramic or a polycrystalline ceramic. The piezoelectric polymer material may include polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), P(VDF-TrFe), or P(VDFTeFE). The piezoelectric material of the thin film material may include ZnO, CdS, or AlN. The piezoelectric material of the composite material may include PZT (lead zirconate titanate)-PVDF, PZT-Silicon Rubber, PZT-Epoxy, PZT-foamed polymer, or PZT-foamed urethane. The piezoelectric material of the single crystal ceramic may include α-AlPO ₄ , α-SiO ₂ , LiNbO ₃ , Tb ₂ (MoO ₄ ) ₃ , Li ₂ B ₄ O ₇ , or ZnO. The piezoelectric material of the polycrystalline ceramic may include PZT-based, PT-based, PZT-Complex Perovskite-based, or BaTiO ₃ .

The first electrode and the second electrode are provided to overlap each other with a piezoelectric material layer interposed therebetween. In addition, the first electrode and the second electrode may be made of an opaque metal material with relatively low resistance and excellent heat dissipation characteristics, but are not limited thereto, and may be made of a transparent conductive material or a conductive polymer material as the case may be.

The driving circuit unit 700 provides a vibration driving signal to the vibration generating module 500 and receives a force sensing signal generated from the vibration generating module 500 according to the bending of the display module 100 to sense a force touch.

The driving circuit unit 700 according to an example supplies a vibration driving signal to each of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 during the sound mode, and applies the first force from the first vibration element 510 during the force sensing mode. A force touch is sensed by receiving at least one of a sensing signal and a second force sensing signal from the second vibration element 530. For example, the driving circuit unit 700 generates an audio signal based on an audio source during the sound mode, amplifies the audio signal to generate a vibration driving signal, and operates the vibration generating module 200 according to the generated vibration driving signal. The first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 are vibrated. Additionally, the driving circuit unit 700 may sense a force touch by receiving a force sensing signal generated from the vibration generation module 500 according to the bending of the display module 100 caused by the user's touch during the force sensing mode.

The driving circuit unit 700 according to another example is a display module that senses the user's touch through the touch panel 130 and calculates the touch position, and overlaps the calculated touch position among the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530. A force touch may be sensed by receiving a force sensing signal from the vibration elements 510 and 530 coupled to the rear areas A1 and A1 of the device 100 . In this case, as touch sensing and force sensing are interconnected, force sensing is performed through one of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530, thereby reducing power consumption for force sensing.

The electronic device according to an example of the present application may further include a system housing 900 surrounding the rear and each side of the support frame 300.

The system housing 900 is the outermost structure of the electronic device and may include plastic or metal.

The system housing 900 according to one example may include a housing bottom portion 910 disposed on the rear of the support frame 300, and a housing side wall portion 930 surrounding each side of the support frame 300.

The housing bottom portion 910 covers the driving circuit portion 700 disposed at the rear of the support frame 300. Accordingly, the driving circuit unit 700 may be disposed between the frame bottom 330 and the housing bottom 910 of the support frame 300.

The housing side wall portion 930 is formed in a frame shape and surrounds the frame side wall portion 310 of the support frame 300. The housing side wall portion 930 may be vertically connected to each outer wall of the housing bottom portion 310. For example, the cross section between the housing side wall 930 and the housing bottom 910 may have a cross section in the shape of “ └ ” or “ ┘ ” depending on the position of the cross section.

Additionally, the housing side wall portion 930 and the housing bottom portion 910 may have independent structures or separate structures. For example, the housing side wall portion 930 may be a system side cover that constitutes the outermost side structure of the electronic device. Additionally, the housing bottom 910 may be a system rear cover that constitutes the outermost rear structure of the electronic device. At this time, the system rear cover may be made of the same material as the cover window 170, or may be made of a different glass material than the cover window 170.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram for explaining the driving circuit shown in FIG. 2.

When FIG. 4 is combined with FIG. 2, the driving circuit unit 700 according to an example of the present application includes a control unit 710, an audio amplifier unit 720, a force sensing unit 730, and a channel selection unit mounted on a circuit board. It may include (740). Additionally, the driving circuit unit 700 according to an example of the present application may further include a panel driving circuit 750 and a touch driving circuit 760 mounted on a circuit board.

The control unit 710 controls the overall operation of the electronic device and may be expressed as a host control unit, microprocessor, or application processor.

The control unit 710 according to one example generates an audio signal based on an audio source. For example, the audio signal may include a positive polarity audio signal and a negative polarity audio signal.

The control unit 710 according to one example generates a mode signal for a sound mode or force sensing mode depending on whether an audio source is input. The control unit 710 may generate a mode signal for a sound mode that determines whether or not an audio source is input, and may generate a mode signal for a force sensing mode when whether or not an audio source is input is not input. For example, the mode signal of the sound mode may have a high logic level, and the mode signal of the force sensing mode may have a low logic level.

The control unit 710 generates digital image data and provides it to the panel driving circuit 750. The control unit 710 calculates a touch position based on the touch sensing signal provided from the touch driving circuit 330 and executes a touch application corresponding to the calculated touch position. For example, the control unit 710 calculates a touch position including X-axis coordinates and Y-axis coordinates based on the touch sensing signal, and executes the corresponding application corresponding to the calculated touch position.

The control unit 710 according to one example calculates a force touch level based on force sensing data provided from the force sensing unit 730 and executes a force touch application corresponding to the calculated force touch level. For example, the control unit 710 determines whether there is a force touch through a peak-to-peak method of voltages with different polarities, and divides the intensity of the force sensing data into a plurality of force touch intensities. A force touch level including the Z-axis coordinate is calculated from the force sensing data through a segmented force touch algorithm, and the corresponding force touch application corresponding to the calculated force touch level is executed. Here, the force touch application may include, but is not limited to, applications such as unlocking, shortcuts, or home screen movement. Additionally, when the first and second electrodes included in the vibrating element are arranged in a grid structure, they can also be used as a force touch sensor through a peak-to-peak method.

The control unit 710 according to another example uses force sensing to operate only one vibration element coupled to the rear area of the display module 100 that overlaps the calculated touch position among the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530. The mode signal of the mode can be generated.

In addition, the audio amplifier unit 720 amplifies the audio signal supplied from the control unit 710 during the sound mode according to the mode signal of the sound mode to generate a vibration drive signal, and sends the generated vibration drive signal to the channel selection unit 740. It is supplied to at least one of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530. For example, the audio amplifier unit 720 converts a positive polarity audio signal and a negative polarity audio signal into a positive polarity vibration drive signal and a negative polarity vibration drive signal, respectively, according to a set gain value or a gain value adjusted by the control unit 710. The signal can be amplified and output. This audio amplifier unit 720 may be built into the control unit 710.

The force sensing unit 730 is electrically connected to at least one of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 through the channel selection unit 740 during the force sensing mode according to the mode signal of the force sensing mode, and the At least one of the first force sensing signal from the first vibration element 510 and the second force sensing signal from the second vibration element 530 is received to generate force sensing data and provide it to the control unit 710. The force sensing unit 730 according to an example includes a sensing circuit that receives and amplifies a force sensing signal to generate an analog force amplification signal, and analog-to-digital conversion of the force amplification signal output from the sensing circuit to generate a digital force amplification signal. It may include an analog-to-digital conversion circuit that converts sensing data (or force sensing raw data) and provides it to the control unit 710.

The channel selection unit 740 supplies a vibration drive signal supplied from the audio amplifier unit 720 to at least one of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 according to the mode signal of the sound mode, and operates in force sensing mode. At least one of the first force sensing signal from the first vibration element 510 and the second force sensing signal from the second vibration element 530 is supplied to the force sensing unit 730 according to the mode signal. For example, the channel selection unit 740 supplies the vibration drive signal supplied from the audio amplifier unit 720 to the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530, respectively, according to the mode signal of the sound mode, and force sensing The first force sensing signal from the first vibration element 510 and the second force sensing signal from the second vibration element 530 are supplied to the force sensing unit 730 according to the mode signal of the mode.

The channel selection unit 740 according to one example may include first to fourth selection circuits M1 to M4.

Each of the first to fourth selection circuits M1 to M4 may include an input terminal, a control terminal, and first and second output terminals. For example, each of the first to fourth selection circuits M1 to M4 may include a multiplexer having one input channel and two output channels.

The first selection circuit (M1) is an input terminal electrically connected to the first electrode (E1) (or second electrode (E2)) of the first vibration element 510, and a control unit for receiving a mode signal from the control unit 710. terminal, a first output terminal electrically connected to the audio amplifier unit 720, and a second output terminal electrically connected to the force sensing unit 730. This first selection circuit (M1) supplies a vibration drive signal of positive polarity supplied from the audio amplifier unit 720 according to the mode signal of the sound mode to the first electrode (E1) of the first vibration element 510, and generates a force The first force sensing signal of positive polarity (or negative polarity) generated from the first vibration element 510 is supplied to the force sensing unit 730 according to the mode signal of the sensing mode.

The second selection circuit (M2) is an input terminal electrically connected to the second electrode (E2) (or first electrode (E1)) of the first vibration element 510, and a control unit for receiving a mode signal from the control unit 710. terminal, a first output terminal electrically connected to the audio amplifier unit 720, and a second output terminal electrically connected to the force sensing unit 730. This second selection circuit (M2) supplies a negative vibration driving signal supplied from the audio amplifier unit 720 according to the mode signal of the sound mode to the second electrode (E2) of the first vibration element 510, A first force sensing signal of negative polarity (or positive polarity) generated from the first vibration element 510 is supplied to the force sensing unit 730 according to the mode signal of the force sensing mode.

The third selection circuit (M3) is an input terminal electrically connected to the first electrode (E1) (or second electrode (E2)) of the second vibration element 530, and a control unit for receiving a mode signal from the control unit 710. terminal, a first output terminal electrically connected to the audio amplifier unit 720, and a second output terminal electrically connected to the force sensing unit 730. This third selection circuit (M3) supplies a vibration drive signal of positive polarity supplied from the audio amplifier unit 720 according to the mode signal of the sound mode to the first electrode (E1) of the second vibration element 530, and generates a force A second force sensing signal of positive polarity (or negative polarity) generated from the second vibration element 530 is supplied to the force sensing unit 730 according to the mode signal of the sensing mode.

The fourth selection circuit (M4) is an input terminal electrically connected to the second electrode (E2) (or first electrode (E1)) of the second vibration element 530, and is a control unit for receiving a mode signal from the control unit 710. terminal, a first output terminal electrically connected to the audio amplifier unit 720, and a second output terminal electrically connected to the force sensing unit 730. This fourth selection circuit (M4) supplies a negative vibration driving signal supplied from the audio amplifier unit 720 according to the mode signal of the sound mode to the second electrode (E2) of the second vibration element 530, A second force sensing signal of negative polarity (or positive polarity) generated from the second vibration element 530 is supplied to the force sensing unit 730 according to the mode signal of the force sensing mode.

In addition, it has been described that each of the first to fourth selection circuits (M1 to M4) commonly receives a mode signal from the control unit 710 through a control terminal, but is not limited to this, and the first and second selection circuits (M1) , M2) can each commonly receive a first mode signal from the control unit 710 through a control terminal, and each of the third and fourth selection circuits (M3, M4) can receive a first mode signal from the control unit 710 through a control terminal. Two-mode signals can be commonly input. Here, each of the first and second mode signals may have a high logic level during the sound mode and a low logic level during the force sensing mode. Each of the first and second mode signals may be generated based on the touch location. In this case, in this example, the power consumption of the electronic device can be reduced by sensing the force touch using either the first vibration element 510 or the second vibration element 530 based on the touch position in the force sensing mode. there is.

Then, the panel driving circuit 750 is mounted on the display panel 110 or a circuit board and displays an image on the display panel 110. The panel driving circuit 750 is connected to the pad provided on the pixel array substrate of the display panel 110, and supplies driving signals and data signals to the pixel driving lines under the control of the control unit 710 to display an image to each pixel. Display. The panel driving circuit 750 according to one example may be made of an integrated circuit.

Then, the touch driving circuit 760 is mounted on the display panel 110 or a circuit board and connected to the touch electrode layer of the touch panel 130. The touch driving circuit 760 senses the user's touch through touch electrodes provided on the touch electrode layer. The touch driving circuit 760 according to an example supplies a touch driving signal to each of the touch electrodes, senses changes in capacitance of the touch electrodes, generates a touch sensing signal (or touch raw data), and generates a touch sensing signal. It is provided to the control unit 710. For example, the touch driving circuit 760 may generate an analog sensing signal by sensing changes in capacitance of touch electrodes, and generate a touch sensing signal by converting the generated analog sensing signal into a digital signal.

The touch driving circuit 760 may be built into the panel driving circuit 750. In this case, the touch driving circuit 760 and the panel driving circuit 750 may be configured as one integrated driving integrated circuit and mounted on the display panel 110 or a circuit board.

Figure 5 is a flowchart for explaining a method of driving an electronic device according to an example of the present application.

5 in conjunction with FIG. 2, the method of driving an electronic device according to an example of the present application is to supply a vibration drive signal to the vibration generation module 500 disposed on the rear of the display module 100 to generate the vibration generation module 500. outputting sound by vibrating the display module 100 according to the vibration of the display module 100, receiving a force sensing signal generated from the vibration generating module 500 according to the bending of the display module 100 and sensing a force touch, and It may include executing an application corresponding to the sensed force touch.

Specifically, a method of driving an electronic device according to an example is described as follows.

First, it is determined whether the sound mode is in whether an audio source is input or an audio signal is generated (S100).

And, when an audio source is input or an audio signal is generated and the sound mode is selected ('Yes' in S100), a mode signal for the sound mode is generated (S200).

Then, the audio signal is amplified to generate a vibration driving signal (S210).

And, by supplying a vibration drive signal to at least one of the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530 according to the mode signal of the sound mode, the first and second vibration elements 510 according to the reverse piezoelectric effect caused by the vibration drive signal. , 530), the display module 100 is vibrated according to the vibration of at least one of the vibrations, and sound is output according to the vibration of the display module 100 (S230).

And, when the audio source is not input or the audio signal is not generated ('No' in S100), a mode signal of the force sensing mode is generated (S300).

Then, the force sensing signal generated from the vibration elements 510 and 530 according to the mode signal of the force sensing mode is supplied to the driving circuit unit 700, thereby generating the vibration generation module 500 according to the piezoelectric effect caused by the bending of the display module 100. ) and sense the force touch by receiving the force sensing signal generated from (S310). For example, a force touch level based on at least one of the first force sensing signal from the first vibration element 510 and the second force sensing signal from the second vibration element 530 according to the mode signal of the force sensing mode. The force touch can be sensed by calculating .

Then, the force touch application corresponding to the force touch level calculated in step S310 is executed (S330).

Then, the above-described steps (S100) to (S330) are repeated.

In addition, the method of driving an electronic device according to an example of the present application detects a user's touch through the touch panel 130 of the display module 100 to calculate the touch position, and displays the display module 100 overlapping with the calculated touch position. ), based on the force sensing signal from the vibration elements 510 and 530 that vibrate the rear area of the display module 100 detected among the first and second vibration elements 510 and 530. Force touch can be sensed by calculating the force touch level.

As such, the electronic device and its driving method according to an example of the present application vibrate the display module 100 according to the vibration of the vibration generating module 500 and output sound to the front of the display panel 110, thereby generating a separate sound. Accurate sound can be output without a device or speaker, which can increase viewer immersion. In addition, the electronic device according to an example of the present application senses the user force touch using a signal generated from the vibration generation module 500 according to the bending of the display module 100 due to the user force touch, thereby detecting the user force touch without a separate force touch sensor. User force touch can be sensed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the output signal of the vibration element shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, the vibration elements 510 and 530 according to this example may have a normal state, a push state, a hold push state, and a release state.

The normal state vibration elements 510 and 530 can output a force sensing signal (FSS) having a voltage level of 0V because the polarization state of charges within the piezoelectric material layer (PM) is maintained in an overall balanced state.

The polarization intensity of the vibrating elements 510 and 530 in the push state decreases as the central atom in the piezoelectric material layer (PM) moves (indicated by an arrow) due to compressive deformation, and the reduced induced charge moves to an equilibrium state. A force sensing signal (FSS) having a voltage level of positive polarity (PFSS) can be output by the potential difference generated (indicated by a dotted line).

The vibration elements 510 and 530 in the hold push state generate a force sensing signal with a voltage level of 0V because the charge transfer within the piezoelectric material layer (PM) due to compressive deformation is completed and the polarization state of the charge reaches an equilibrium state. Can be printed.

The vibration elements 510 and 530 in the released state have an increased polarization intensity as the central atom in the piezoelectric material layer (PM) moves to its original position (indicated by an arrow) due to decompression, and the increased induced charge returns to an equilibrium state. A force sensing signal (FSS) having a voltage level of negative polarity (NFSS) can be output by the potential difference generated according to the movement (indicated by a dotted line). And, it returns to the initial state, the normal state.

As such, the vibration elements 510 and 530 according to an example of the present application provide a force sensing signal (FSS) with a voltage level of positive polarity (PFSS) and a negative polarity (NFSS) according to the polarization intensity due to compression deformation or decompression. It can function as a force touch sensor by outputting a force sensing signal (FSS) with a voltage level of ).

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the results of an experiment measuring the output voltage in each of the push and release states for the vibration element shown in FIG. 6. In the experiment, a compressive load was applied to the vibrating element for 2 seconds, then the compressive load applied to the vibrating element was released and the process of waiting until the output voltage of the vibrating element reached 0V was repeated, resulting in a push state and a release state depending on the load. The output voltage of the vibration element was measured. In Figure 7, the thick solid line represents the output voltage of the vibration element in the push state, and the thin dotted line represents the output voltage of the vibration element in the release state.

As can be seen in Figure 7, the output voltage of the vibration element in the push state gradually increases as the compressive load increases in the order of 60gf, 100gf, 200gf, 300gf, 400gf, 500gf, 600gf, 700gf, and 1000gf. . On the other hand, it can be seen that the output voltage of the vibration element in the released state gradually decreases as the compressive load increases in the order of 60gf, 100gf, 200gf, 300gf, 400gf, 500gf, 600gf, 700gf, and 1000gf.

Therefore, the vibration elements 510 and 530 according to an example of the present application output a positive voltage when compressed and deformed and output a negative voltage when decompressed, thereby serving as a force touch sensor for sensing force touch, It can act as a speaker that outputs sound by vibrating the display module by vibrating according to the reverse piezoelectric effect.

Electronic devices according to examples in this application include mobile devices, video phones, smart watches, watch phones, wearable devices, foldable devices, and rollable devices. ), bendable device, flexible device, curved device, electronic notebook, e-book, portable multimedia player (PMP), personal digital assistant (PDA), MP3 player, mobile medical Device, desktop PC, laptop PC, netbook computer, workstation, navigation, vehicle navigation, vehicle display, television, wallpaper display, shine (signage) It can be applied to devices, gaming devices, laptops, monitors, cameras, camcorders, and home appliances.

The electronic device according to this application can be described as follows.

The electronic device according to the present application includes a display module that displays an image, a vibration generation module that is coupled to the rear of the display module and vibrates the display module in response to the vibration drive signal, and a vibration generation module that provides a vibration drive signal to the display module. It may include a driving circuit unit that senses a force touch by receiving a force sensing signal generated from the vibration generation module according to bending.

According to an example of the present application, the vibration generating module may vibrate the display module according to an inverse piezoelectric effect according to the vibration drive signal and generate a force sensing signal according to the piezoelectric effect according to the bending of the display module.

According to an example of the present application, the vibration generating module is coupled to the first rear area of the display module, vibrates the first rear area of the display module according to the vibration drive signal, and generates a first force sensing signal according to the bending of the display module. a first vibration element, and a second vibration element coupled to the second rear area of the display module, vibrating the second rear area of the display module according to the vibration drive signal, and generating a second force sensing signal according to the bending of the display module. may include.

According to an example of the present application, the driving circuit unit supplies a vibration driving signal to each of the first and second vibration elements during the sound mode, and supplies the first force sensing signal from the first vibration element and the second vibration element during the force sensing mode. At least one of the second force sensing signals from can be sensed.

According to an example of the present application, the driving circuit unit generates a mode signal for a sound mode or force sensing mode, a control unit that generates an audio signal based on an audio source during the sound mode, and amplifies the audio signal into a vibration drive signal and outputs it. an audio amplifier unit, a force sensing unit that receives at least one of a first force sensing signal from the first vibration element and a second force sensing signal from the second vibration element, generates force sensing data and provides it to the control unit, and sound. A vibration drive signal supplied from the audio amplifier unit is supplied to at least one of the first and second vibration elements according to the mode signal of the mode, and a first force sensing signal from the first vibration element is supplied according to the mode signal of the force sensing mode. It may include a channel selection unit that supplies at least one of the second force sensing signals from the second vibration element to the force sensing unit.

According to an example of the present application, each of the first and second vibration elements may be attached to the rear of the display module and may include a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric material layer.

According to an example of the present application, it includes a support frame for supporting a display module, wherein the support frame includes a frame bottom portion covering the rear of the display module, a frame side wall portion supporting the rear edge of the display module, and first and second It may include an opening provided at the bottom of the frame to overlap each of the vibration elements.

According to an example of the present application, the display module further includes a display panel that displays an image, a cover window that covers the display panel, and a touch panel interposed between the display panel and the cover window, and the driving circuit unit allows the user to use the touch panel through the touch panel. The touch position may be calculated by sensing the touch, and a force sensing signal from a vibration element coupled to the rear area of the display module that overlaps the calculated touch position among the first and second vibration elements may be sensed.

The method of driving an electronic device according to the present application includes supplying a vibration drive signal to a vibration generation module disposed on the rear of the display module, vibrating the display module according to the vibration of the vibration generation module, and outputting sound, and bending the display module. Accordingly, it may include a step of sensing a force touch by receiving a force sensing signal generated from the vibration generating module.

According to an example of the present application, the step of vibrating the display module to output sound is to vibrate the display module according to the vibration of the vibration generating module according to the reverse piezoelectric effect caused by the vibration drive signal, and the step of sensing the force touch is to vibrate the display module. The force sensing signal generated from the vibration generating module can be sensed according to the piezoelectric effect caused by the bending of the module.

The method of driving an electronic device according to the present application may further include generating a mode signal for a sound mode or a force sensing mode, and generating a vibration driving signal according to the mode signal of the sound mode.

According to an example of the present application, the vibration generating module includes a first vibration element coupled to the first rear area of the display module and a second vibration element coupled to the second rear area of the display module, and vibrates the display module. The step of outputting sound may cause the display module to vibrate according to the vibration of at least one of the first and second vibration elements based on the mode signal of the sound mode.

According to an example of the present application, the step of sensing the force touch includes using at least one of a first force sensing signal from a first vibration element and a second force sensing signal from a second vibration element according to a mode signal of the force sensing mode. It may include calculating a force touch level based on the force touch level.

According to an example of the present application, the step of sensing a force touch includes calculating a touch position by sensing a user's touch through a touch panel of a display module, and detecting a rear area of the display module that overlaps the calculated touch position. , and calculating a force touch level based on a force sensing signal from a vibration element that vibrates the rear area of the display module detected among the first and second vibration elements.

The features, structures, effects, etc. described in the examples of the present application described above are included in at least one example of the present application and are not necessarily limited to only one example. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, etc. exemplified in at least one example of the present application can be combined or modified for other examples by those skilled in the art to which the present application pertains. Therefore, contents related to such combinations and modifications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present application.

The present application described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and it is common in the technical field to which this application belongs that various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible without departing from the technical details of the present application. It will be clear to those who have the knowledge of. Therefore, the scope of the present application is indicated by the claims described later, and the meaning and scope of the claims and all changes or modified forms derived from the equivalent concept should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present application.

100: display module 110: display panel
130: touch panel 300: support frame
310: frame side wall 330: frame bottom
400: frame coupling member 500: vibration generation module
510: first vibration element 530: second vibration element
700: driving circuit unit 710: control unit
720: Audio amplifier unit 730: Force sensing unit
740: Channel selection unit 750: Panel driving circuit
760: touch driving circuit 900: system housing

Claims (20)

display module;
A vibration generating module disposed at the rear of the display module;
a driving circuit unit that provides a vibration driving signal to the vibration generating module and senses a force touch by receiving a force sensing signal generated by the vibration generating module according to bending of the display module; and
Includes a support frame supporting the display module,
The driving circuit unit,
Determine the driving mode of the vibration generation module depending on whether an audio source is input, generate a mode signal indicating whether the determined driving mode is a sound mode or a force sensing mode, and generate an audio signal based on the audio source during the sound mode. A control unit that generates;
an audio amplifier unit that amplifies and outputs the audio signal into the vibration driving signal;
A force sensing unit that receives the force sensing signal from the vibration generating module, generates force sensing data, and provides the force sensing data to the control unit; and
If the determined drive mode is the sound mode in which the audio source is input, the vibration drive signal supplied from the audio amplifier unit is supplied to the vibration generation module, and the determined drive mode is the force sensing mode in which the audio source is not input. On the other hand, it includes a channel selection unit that supplies the force sensing signal from the vibration generating module to the force sensing unit,
The support frame is,
a frame bottom covering the rear of the display module;
a frame side wall portion supporting a rear edge of the display module; and
An electronic device comprising an opening configured to penetrate the bottom of the frame overlapping the vibration generating module. According to claim 1,
The vibration generation module vibrates the display module according to a reverse piezoelectric effect according to the vibration drive signal, and generates the force sensing signal according to the piezoelectric effect due to bending of the display module. According to claim 1,
The vibration generating module is,
a first vibration element disposed on a first rear area of the display module; and
An electronic device comprising a second vibration element disposed in a second rear area of the display module. According to claim 3,
The driving circuit unit supplies the vibration driving signal to each of the first and second vibration elements during the sound mode, and receives a first force sensing signal from the first vibration element and a first force sensing signal from the second vibration element during the force sensing mode. An electronic device that senses at least one of the second force sensing signals. According to claim 1,
The vibration generating module includes a first vibration element and a second vibration element,
The force sensing unit generates the force sensing data by receiving at least one of a first force sensing signal from the first vibration element and a second force sensing signal from the second vibration element,
The channel selector supplies the vibration drive signal to at least one of the first and second vibration elements in the sound mode, and supplies the first force sensing signal and the second force sensing signal from the first vibration element in the force sensing mode. An electronic device that supplies at least one of the second force sensing signals from a vibration element to the force sensing unit. According to claim 3,
Wherein each of the first and second vibration elements includes a piezoelectric element having a layer of piezoelectric material. delete According to claim 1,
The opening provides a vibration space for the vibration generating module. delete According to claim 1,
The display module is,
A display panel that displays images;
a cover window covering the display panel; and
Further comprising a touch panel interposed between the display panel and the cover window,
The driving circuit unit senses a user's touch through the touch panel to calculate a touch position, and senses the force sensing signal from the vibration generation module that overlaps the calculated touch position. According to claim 10,
The display panel is,
A pixel array substrate having a pixel array consisting of a plurality of pixels; and
An electronic device comprising an encapsulation layer that encapsulates the pixel array. According to claim 11,
The display module further includes a polarizing film disposed on the touch panel. According to claim 12,
The polarizing film is attached to the touch panel via a film attachment member. According to claim 12,
The polarizing film is disposed between the encapsulation layer and the touch panel. According to claim 1,
An electronic device further comprising a housing surrounding the rear and each side of the support frame. According to claim 15,
The housing is,
a housing bottom disposed at the rear of the support frame;
An electronic device comprising a housing side wall portion surrounding each side of the support frame. According to claim 16,
The driving circuit portion is disposed at the rear of the support frame,
The electronic device wherein the housing bottom portion is configured to cover the driving circuit portion. According to claim 17,
The driving circuit portion is disposed between the frame bottom portion and the housing bottom portion. According to claim 10,
The driving circuit unit includes a touch driving circuit that senses the user's touch. According to claim 19,
The touch panel includes a touch electrode layer having touch electrodes,
The touch driving circuit is connected to the touch electrode layer and senses the user's touch through the touch electrodes.