TWI703554B - Displaying device having function of image scanning and the method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A displaying device having image scanning function includes data lines, scanning lines, and pixels. The scanning lines are disposed perpendicularly to the data lines and are configured to transmit driving signals. The pixels include electro luminescence (EL) units and optical sensing units. The EL units are coupled to the optical sensing units, respectively. First pixels of the pixels are coupled to the first data line of the data lines, and coupled to the scanning lines respectively. The corresponded EL units in first pixels are configured to respond the driving signals and the first data transmitted by the first data line to emit light. The optical sensing units in the first pixels are congfigured to respond the light emitted by the corresponded EL units in first pixels to generate optical sensing signals. The scanning lines are further configured to transmit the optical sensing signals for processing.

Description

Display device with image scanning function and scanning method

The present disclosure relates to a display device, in particular to a display device including a scanning function and a scanning method thereof.

Display devices are commonly used in various applications. When the display device and the touch sensing device work together, the display device and the touch sensing device need to use separate control switches and separate output channels to operate. Therefore, the area of the circuit layout is greatly increased and the number of signal controls is also increased.

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a display device with image scanning function. The display device includes multiple data lines, multiple scan lines, and multiple pixels. The scan line and the data line are arranged alternately and used to transmit a plurality of driving signals. The pixel includes an electroluminescence unit and a light sensing element, and the electroluminescence unit is electrically coupled to the light sensing element, respectively. A plurality of first pixels in the pixel are coupled to the first data line in the data line and respectively coupled to the scan line. The corresponding electroluminescent unit in the first pixel is used for responding to the driving signal and the first data line. Transmission A data signal emits light, the corresponding light sensing element in the first pixel is used to generate a plurality of light sensing signals in response to the light emission of the corresponding electroluminescent unit in the first pixel, and the scan lines are used to respectively transmit the light sensing Measure the signal for processing.

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an image scanning method. The image scanning method includes: in response to an operation of the object touching the display device, driving a plurality of first pixels through a plurality of scan lines; and sensing the light emission of the first pixels coupled to the first data line to generate a plurality of first pixels. Light sensing signal, and transmitting the first light sensing signal to the signal processing circuit through the scan line; after sensing the light emission of the first pixel, sensing the light emission of a plurality of second pixels coupled to the second data line To generate a plurality of second light sensing signals, and transmit the second light sensing signals to the signal processing circuit through scan lines respectively coupled to the second pixels; and the signal processing circuit receives and processes the first light sensing signals, and The second light sensing signal is used to generate pattern data corresponding to the object.

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a display device with image scanning function. The display device includes multiple data lines, multiple scan lines, and multiple pixels. The scan line and the data line are arranged alternately and used to transmit a plurality of driving signals. The pixel includes a plurality of electroluminescence units and a plurality of light sensing elements, and the electroluminescence units are electrically coupled to the light sensing elements respectively. The first scan line among the scan lines is used to transmit the first driving signal in the driving signal to the first pixels in the pixels, and the first pixels are respectively coupled to the data lines. The corresponding electroluminescent unit in the first pixel is used for emitting light in response to the first driving signal and a plurality of data signals transmitted by the data line, and the corresponding light sensing element in the first pixel is used for responding to the corresponding in the first pixel The light emission of the electroluminescent unit generates a plurality of light sensing signals, and the data lines are respectively used to transmit the light sensing signals for processing.

100‧‧‧Display device

120‧‧‧Pixel array

140‧‧‧Shift register circuit

160‧‧‧Timing control circuit

180‧‧‧Signal processing circuit

200‧‧‧Pixel

220‧‧‧Light Sensor

240‧‧‧Electroluminescence unit

S1N, S1’N, S2N, S2’N, S3N, S3’N, S4N, S4’N‧‧‧Scan lines

EM‧‧‧Energy Line

D1, D2, D3, D4‧‧‧Data line

SYN‧‧‧Sync line

C1, C2, C3‧‧‧line

M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6‧‧‧Transistor

EL‧‧‧Light Emitting Diode

Cst‧‧‧Capacitor

OVDD, OVSS, Vint‧‧‧Voltage

SCAN1, SCAN2, Vdata, SN‧‧‧ signal

Vdata-|Vth|‧‧‧Level

t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, t6‧‧‧ 600‧‧‧Scanning method

S601, S602, S603, S604, S605, S606, S607, S608, S609, S610‧‧‧Operation

700‧‧‧Display device

165‧‧‧Multiplexer

t7, t8, t9, t10‧‧‧ period

The present disclosure can be understood more fully by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 2A is A schematic diagram of the scanning method of the display device shown in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 2B is a scanning method shown in FIG. 2A according to some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 3 is a partial schematic diagram of the display device shown in Figure 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 4A is shown in Figure 3 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure Fig. 4B is a schematic diagram of the operation of the electroluminescence unit shown in Fig. 3 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 4C is a schematic diagram of the operation of the electroluminescence unit shown in Fig. 3 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure Example of the operation schematic diagram of the electroluminescent unit shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a waveform diagram of the operation of the display device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a diagram of the operation of the display device according to the present disclosure Some embodiments show a flowchart of a scanning method used in the display device of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a display device according to other embodiments of this disclosure; Fig. 8 is a partial schematic diagram of the display device shown in Fig. 7 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure; and Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of the display device illustrated in other embodiments of the present disclosure Waveform graph.

The following is a detailed description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the specific embodiments described are only used to explain the embodiments of the present invention, and are not used to limit the embodiments of the present invention, and the description of structural operations is not intended to limit its execution The order, any structure of recombination of components, to produce a device with equal effect, is the scope covered by the disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention.

In this article, the term "circuit" generally refers to an object that is connected in a certain manner by one or more transistors and/or one or more active and passive components to process signals, and can also generally refer to an object formed by one or more circuits Single system.

Refer to Figure 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a display device 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 100 includes a pixel array 120, a shift register circuit 140, a timing control circuit 160, and a signal processing circuit 180. The shift register circuit 140 is coupled to the pixel array 120. The pixel array 120 is respectively coupled to the timing control circuit 160 and the signal processing circuit 180. The timing control circuit 160 is further coupled to the signal processing circuit 180.

In some embodiments, the display device 100 utilizes the pixel array 120 to emit light, and cooperates with the shift register circuit 140 and the timing control circuit 160 to emit light according to a given sequence. In some embodiments, the display device 100 is used to display images on the pixel array 120. In some embodiments, the display device 100 is further used for The array 120 senses optical signals. When an object touches the pixel array 120, the light generated by the pixel array 120 hits the object and is reflected back to the pixel array 120, and the display device 100 generates a light sensing signal corresponding to the pattern of the object. In other words, the display device 100 is used as a touch panel device.

In some embodiments, the above-mentioned object is a finger, and the pattern of the object is a fingerprint of the finger. Therefore, the display device 100 is used as a fingerprint touch panel for creating fingerprint patterns and/or identifying fingerprint patterns.

In some embodiments, each pixel in the pixel array 120 includes an electro luminescence (EL) unit 240 and a light sensing element 220 (shown in FIG. 3). The display device 100 is used to control the electroluminescence units 240 and the light sensing elements 220 in the pixel array 120 respectively. In other words, the display device 100 has the function of controlling a single pixel, and causing it to emit light and/or to sense light sensing signals. The structural diagram of the pixel array 120 will be discussed later with reference to FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the shift register circuit 140 is coupled to the pixel array 120 through a plurality of scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N, and is used to transmit the first driving signal SCAN1 to the pixel array 120. In some embodiments, the first driving signal SCAN1 is used to enable the pixel array 120. Only the pixels in the activated pixel array 120 have the function of emitting light. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N is respectively coupled to a column in the pixel array 120. Therefore, the shift register circuit 140 transmits the first driving signal SCAN1 to control each column in the pixel array 120 respectively. The above arrangement of the shift register circuit 140 and the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N is for illustrative purposes only. The arrangement of the various shift register circuits 140 and the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N are all Within the scope of the content of this disclosure document. For example, the display device includes more than 4 scan lines coupled to more than 4 columns of pixels in the pixel array 120.

In some embodiments, the timing control circuit 160 is coupled to the pixel array 120 through a plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4, and is used to transmit the data signal Vdata (shown in FIG. 3) to the pixel array 120. In some embodiments, the data signal Vdata is used to make the pixel array 120 emit light. The pixels in the activated pixel circuit 120 emit light according to the data signal Vdata. On the contrary, the pixels in the pixel circuit 120 that are not activated will not emit light regardless of the data signal Vdata. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4 is respectively coupled to a row in the pixel array 120. Therefore, the timing control circuit 160 transmits the data signal Vdata to control each row in the pixel array 120 respectively. The arrangement of the timing control circuit 160 and the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4 mentioned above is for illustrative purposes only. The arrangement of the various timing control circuits 160 and the data lines D1, D2, D3, D4 are all within the scope of the content of this disclosure. Inside. For example, the display device includes more than 4 data lines coupled to more than 4 rows of pixels in the pixel array 120.

In some embodiments, the signal processing circuit 180 receives the light sensing signals generated by the pixel array 120 through the above-mentioned scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N is respectively coupled to the signal processing circuit 180. In some embodiments, the signal processing circuit 180 is further used to process the received light sensing signal and generate pattern data corresponding to the object. For example, the signal processing circuit 180 generates pattern data corresponding to a touch fingerprint.

As shown in FIG. 1, the timing control circuit 160 is further coupled to the signal processing circuit 180 through the synchronization line SYN. In some embodiments, the timing control circuit 160 is used to synchronize the output of the data signal Vdata and the reception of the light sensing signal. when When the timing control circuit 160 outputs the data signal Vdata to the pixel array 120, the timing control circuit 160 also receives the light sensing signal through the synchronization line SYN and the synchronization signal processing circuit 180. In other embodiments, the timing control circuit 160 is used to address the light sensing signal received by the signal processing circuit 180 through the synchronization line SYN. In other words, the timing control circuit 160 is used to instruct the signal processing circuit 180 so that the light sensing signal received by the signal processing circuit 180 in a specific time period has corresponding position information. Therefore, in some embodiments, the signal processing circuit 180 is used to locate the received light sensing signal to generate pattern data based on the above-mentioned position information.

For example, when the timing control circuit 160 outputs the data signal Vdata to the pixel array 120, the enabled pixels emit light according to the data signal Vdata, and the light emitted by these pixels irradiates an object on the pixel array 120 and is reflected back to the pixel. In the array 120, the pixel array 120 generates a light-sensing signal and transmits it to the signal processing circuit 180. At this time, the timing control circuit 160 synchronizes the signal processing circuit 180 so that the received light-sensing signal has position information corresponding to the light-emitting pixel. Then, the pattern of the object is created based on the location information.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned object physically contacts the pixel array 120, so each pixel in the pixel array 120 is used to sense the light emitted by the pixel itself and reflected by the object, instead of sensing the non-pixel It emits light when it meets the reflected light from an object. Therefore, the light sensing signal is addressed by this characteristic.

The above-mentioned setting of the display device 100 is for illustrative purposes only. Various display devices 100 with different settings are within the scope of the content of this disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the shift register circuit 140 and the signal processing circuit 180 are a single gate driving circuit 110 in the display device 100 (as shown in FIG. 1).

Refer to Figures 2A and 2B. Figure 2A is based on this disclosure Some embodiments are shown in the schematic diagram of the scanning method of the display device 100 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a pattern scanned by the scanning method shown in FIG. 2A according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In Figure 2A, the component numbers shown in Figure 1 are used for simplicity and clarity.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the pixels in the pixel array 120 are arranged in a matrix, where the pixel array 120 includes a first row C1, a second row C2, and a third row C3. Each pixel in each row of the pixel array 120 is respectively coupled to a respective scan line S1N, S2N, S3N, S4N. In other words, there are no more than two pixels in the same row coupled to the same scan line. According to Figure 1, one row in the pixel array 120 is coupled to the same data line. When one row of the pixel array 120 is activated by the shift register circuit 140, because the row is coupled to the same data line, the pixels of the row will emit light or not at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the dotted frame indicates pixels that emit light, and the arrangement of the light-emitting pixels is perpendicular to the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N. The scanning method of the display device 100 is to make each row of the pixel array 120 emit light sequentially. After the row of pixels emit light, the row of pixels responds to the light reflected by the row of pixels, and then scan lines S1N, S2N , S3N, S4N transmit light sensing signals.

According to Figures 2A and 2B, when the timing control circuit 160 lights up the first row C1 of the pixel array 120 to make it emit light and other rows do not emit light (as shown in Figure 2A), the first row C1 of the pixel array 120 The light sensing signal is sensed and transmitted to the signal processing circuit 180 through the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N. Then, the signal processing circuit 180 creates an object pattern corresponding to the position of the first row C1 in the pixel array 120 (as shown in FIG. 2B). The display device 100 then sequentially lights other rows in the pixel array 120, and creates object patterns corresponding to the other rows of pixels. Finally, as in section 2B As shown in the figure, the signal processing circuit 180 composes the obtained partial object patterns into a complete object pattern.

In some practices, when the photosensitive element is sensing, the light-emitting element emits light on the panel. Therefore, the overall device consumes a lot of power, and the switch for controlling the light-emitting element and the switch for the photosensitive element must be operated independently and separately.

Compared with the above-mentioned method, in the present disclosure, the light sensing element 220 transmits data according to the light-emitting electroluminescent unit 240 during sensing. In other words, the light sensing element 220 equivalently uses the light of the electroluminescent unit 240 as a switch for transmitting data. Therefore, at least one switch area can be omitted on the circuit design layout, thereby reducing the control of the display device. the complexity.

The above scanning method is for illustrative purposes only. Various scanning methods are within the scope of the content of this disclosure document. For example, after the signal processing circuit 180 receives all the light sensing signals, it creates the entire object pattern at one time.

Refer to Figure 3. FIG. 3 is a partial schematic diagram of the display device 100 shown in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 uses the component numbers shown in Figure 1 for simplicity and clarity. As shown in FIG. 3, the partial display device 100 includes a pixel 200, a shift register circuit 140, a timing control circuit 160, and a signal processing circuit 180. In some embodiments, the pixel 200 represents the pixel in the first row and the first column of the pixel array 120. In some embodiments, each pixel in the pixel array 120 has the same setting as the pixel 200.

As shown in Figure 3, the shift register circuit 140 is coupled to the pixel 200 through the scan line S1N, the timing control circuit 160 is coupled to the pixel 200 through the data line D1, and the pixel 200 is then coupled through the scan line S1N. Connect to the signal processing circuit 180.

In some embodiments, the pixel 200 includes a light sensing element 220 and an electroluminescence unit 240. As shown in FIG. 3, the light sensing element 220 and the electroluminescent unit 240 are simultaneously coupled to the scan line S1N, and the electroluminescent unit 240 is coupled to the data line D1.

In some embodiments, the electroluminescence unit 240 includes a compensation circuit and a light emitting diode EL. In some embodiments, the light emitting diode EL is an organic light emitting diode. In some embodiments, the compensation circuit includes one N-type transistor M1, five P-type transistors M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, and a capacitor Cst. The first terminal of the capacitor Cst is used to receive the supply voltage OVDD, and the second terminal of the capacitor Cst is coupled to the first terminal of the transistor M1. In some embodiments, the supply voltage OVDD is the system high potential. The gate terminal of the transistor M1 is used for coupling to the scan line S1N, and the second terminal of the transistor M1 receives the initial voltage Vint. In some embodiments, the initial voltage Vint is the system low potential or the system ground. The first terminal of the transistor M2 is used to receive the supply voltage OVDD, the second terminal of the transistor M2 is coupled to the first terminals of the transistor M4 and the transistor M6, and the gate terminal of the transistor M2 is used to couple the start line EM And the gate terminal of transistor M5 and receive the start signal SN. The first end of the transistor M3 is coupled to the second end of the capacitor Cst and the first end of the transistor M1, the second end of the transistor M3 is coupled to the second end of the transistor M4 and the first end of the transistor M5, and The gate terminal of the transistor M3 is used to couple the scan line S1'N and the gate terminal of the transistor M6 and receive the second driving signal SCAN2. The second end of the transistor M5 is coupled to the first end of the light emitting diode EL. The second end of the transistor M6 is used for coupling to the data line D1 and receiving the data signal Vdata. The second end of the light emitting diode EL is used to receive the system voltage OVSS.

In some embodiments, the display device 100 further includes scan lines S1'N, S2'N, S3'N, S4'N, and an enable line EM, which are respectively coupled to the pixels Each pixel in the array 120. In some embodiments, the scan lines S1'N, S2'N, S3'N, S4'N are used to transmit the second driving signal SCAN2 output by the shift register circuit 140, and the enable line EM is used to transmit the shift The enable signal SN output by the bit register circuit 140. In some embodiments, each pixel in the pixel array 120 is driven and activated by the first driving signal SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2, and the enable signal SN. In other words, the shift register circuit 140 is used to output the first driving signal SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2, and the enable signal SN to enable the pixel array 120. In other embodiments, a plurality of columns in the pixel array 120 share the same enable line EM.

The above arrangement of the electroluminescent unit 240 is only for example purposes, but the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the electroluminescence unit 240 further includes an additional capacitor connected across the two ends of the light emitting diode EL.

Refer to Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C. 4A, 4B, and 4C are schematic diagrams of the operation of the electroluminescent unit 240 shown in FIG. 3 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C each show the operation of the electroluminescent unit 240 with the first driving signal SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2, and the start signal SN.

In FIG. 4A, the dashed frame on the waveform diagram represents the first driving signal SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2, and the start signal SN received by the electroluminescent unit 240. When the first driving signal SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2, and the enable signal SN have logic high levels, the transistors M2, M3, M5, and M6 are turned off, and the transistor M1 is turned on. Therefore, in some embodiments, the transistor M1 is turned on and transfers the charge accumulated on the first terminal of the transistor M1 (the gate terminal of the transistor M4) to the system ground. Since the transistor M6 is turned off, the data The signal Vdata cannot be transmitted into the electroluminescent unit 240. Since the transistor M5 is turned off, no current flows through the light emitting diode EL, and the electroluminescent unit 240 is disabled (disabling), so the light emitting diode EL does not emit light. In some embodiments, the situation depicted in FIG. 4A is called the "discharge phase".

In FIG. 4B, the dashed frame on the waveform diagram represents the first driving signal SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2, and the start signal SN received by the electroluminescent unit 240. When the first driving signal SCAN1 and the second driving signal SCAN2 have a logic low level and the start signal SN has a logic high level, the transistors M1, M2, M5 are turned off, and the transistors M3, M4, and M6 are turned on. Therefore, the transistor M6 is turned on and transmits the data signal Vdata. Because the transistor M3 is turned on, the gate terminal of the transistor M4 has a level Vdata-|Vth| related to the data signal Vdata. In some embodiments, the level Vdata-|Vth| is lower than the level of the data signal Vdata. Since the transistor M5 is turned off, the light-emitting diode EL does not emit light. In some embodiments, the situation depicted in Figure 4B is referred to as the "programming stage".

In FIG. 4C, the dashed frame on the waveform diagram represents the first driving signal SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2, and the enable signal SN received by the electroluminescent unit 240. When the first driving signal SCAN1 and the enable signal SN have a logic low level and the second driving signal SCAN2 has a logic high level, the transistors M1, M3, and M6 are turned off, and the transistors M2, M4, and M5 are turned on. Since the transistor M5 is turned on and the transistor M4 is turned on by the level Vdata-|Vth|, the light-emitting diode EL conducts the current supplied from the supply voltage OVDD, which flows through the transistor M2, M4, M5, and the light-emitting diode EL To the system voltage OVSS terminal. Therefore, the light emitting diode EL emits light. In some embodiments, the situation depicted in Figure 4C is referred to as the "light-emitting stage."

The operation of the electroluminescent unit 240 described in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C is for illustrative purposes only. The operations and sequences of the various electroluminescent units 240 are within the scope of the content consideration of this disclosure. For example, the "discharge phase", "programming phase" and "light-emitting phase" can be executed continuously and repeatedly, such as performing the "discharge phase" after the "light-emitting phase" to release the remaining electric charge in the compensation circuit to the system ground .

Refer to Figure 5. FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram of the operation of the display device 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 5 will be discussed in conjunction with Figures 3, 4A, 4B, and 4C. As shown in Fig. 5, the waveform diagram includes the waveforms of the first drive signal SCAN1, the second drive signal SCAN2, and the start signal SN.

In Figure 5, time period t1 represents the first "light-emitting phase", time periods t2 and t3 represent the first "discharge phase", time period t4 represents the second "light-emitting phase", and time periods t5 and t6 represent the second "Discharge phase". In some embodiments, the period t2 is the same length as the period t3, and the period t5 is the same length as the period t6.

In some embodiments, the discharge of the electroluminescent unit 240 only needs to be as long as the period t3. In other words, in the "discharge phase" represented by the time periods t2 and t3, the electroluminescent unit 240 only uses a part of the time period to discharge.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the light sensing element 220 is coupled to the signal processing circuit 180 through the scan line S1N, and transmits the light sensing signal to the signal processing circuit 180 through the scan line S1N. In some embodiments, after the light sensing element 220 senses the light emitted by the electroluminescent unit 240 in the "light-emitting phase", the light sensing element 220 is used to transmit the light sense during the "discharge phase" of the electroluminescent unit 240. Measure the signal to the signal processing circuit 180. In some embodiments, in the "discharge stage", the light sensing element 220 uses the time period t2 to transmit light sensing signals, and the electroluminescent unit 240 uses the time period t3 to discharge.

In some embodiments, the light sensing signal is transmitted on the scan line S1N, so that the level of the scan line S1N is improved. Therefore, when the level of the scan line S1N is the logic high level, the superimposed light sensing signal makes the scan line S1N have a higher level than the logic high level, so that the transistor M1 that has been turned on remains unchanged. Turning on will not cause the scan line S1N to lose its original function.

In some practices, the photosensitive element and the light-emitting element do not share a data transmission line, the photosensitive element and the light-emitting element use their own data transmission lines, and the respective data transmission lines of the photosensitive element and the light-emitting element also have their own switching devices (such as thin-film transistor switches). Therefore, the data transmission lines and switches of the photosensitive element and the light-emitting element occupy their respective areas in the circuit design layout.

Compared with the above-mentioned method, in the present disclosure, the light sensing element 220 uses the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N of the electroluminescent unit 240 to transmit the light sensing signal, so a data transmission line and its switch are omitted. The circuit layout area reduces the overall device area and increases the number of components per unit area.

The lengths of the aforementioned time periods t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, and t6 are only examples. Time periods t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, and t6 of various lengths are all within the scope of the content of this disclosure.

Refer to Figure 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a scanning method 600 for the display device 100 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the scanning method 600 includes operations S601, S602, S603, S604, S605, S606, S607, S608, S609, and S610.

In operation S601, the shift register circuit 140 outputs driving signals through the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N to drive the first pixel in the pixel array. In some embodiments, the shift register circuit 140 outputs the first driving signal The SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2 and the start signal SN drive the first pixel.

In operation S602, the timing control circuit 160 transmits the data signal Vdata to the enabled first pixel through the first data line D1, and makes the first pixel emit light according to the data signal Vdata.

In operation S603, the light sensing element 220 senses the first pixel to emit light, and transmits the light sensing signal to the signal processing circuit 180 through the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N. In some embodiments, the light sensing element 220 transmits light sensing signals during the "discharge phase". In some embodiments, the light sensed by the light sensing element 220 is the light reflected from the first pixel to the object on the pixel array 120.

In operation S604, the signal processing circuit 180 generates pattern data corresponding to the light sensing signal according to the light sensing signal and the synchronization signal output by the timing control circuit 160. Operation S604 may correspond to those shown in 2A and 2B.

In operation S605, the electroluminescent unit 240 in the first pixel turns on and discharges the transistor M1 through the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N of the first driving signal SCAN1 with a logic high level.

In operation S606, the shift register circuit 140 outputs driving signals through the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N to drive the second pixel in the pixel array.

In operation S607, the timing control circuit 160 transmits the data signal Vdata to the enabled second pixel through the second data line D2, and makes the second pixel emit light according to the data signal Vdata.

In operation S608, the light sensing element 220 senses the second pixel to emit light, and transmits the light sensing signal to the signal processing circuit 180 through the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N.

In operation S609, the signal processing circuit 180 generates pattern data corresponding to the light sensing signal according to the light sensing signal and the synchronization signal output by the timing control circuit 160.

In operation S610, the electroluminescent unit 240 in the second pixel turns on and discharges the transistor M1 by the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N of the first driving signal SCAN1 with a logic high level.

The description of the scanning method 600 described above includes exemplary operations, but the operations of the scanning method 600 need not be executed in the order shown. The order of the operations of the scanning method 600 can be changed, or the operations can be performed simultaneously, partially performed simultaneously, or omitted under appropriate circumstances, all within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in operation S604, the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N already have the first driving signal SCAN1 with a logic high level to turn on the transistor M1.

Refer to Figure 7. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a display device 700 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. For ease of understanding, compared to Figure 1, similar elements shown in Figure 7 use the same reference numbers in Figure 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the display device 700 includes a pixel array 120, a shift register circuit 140, a timing control circuit 160 and a signal processing circuit 180. The shift register circuit 140 is coupled to the pixel array 120. The pixel array 120 is coupled to the timing control circuit 160. The timing control circuit 160 is further coupled to the signal processing circuit 180.

Similar to the display device 100, in some embodiments, the display device 700 utilizes the pixel array 120 to emit light, and cooperates with the shift register circuit 140 and the timing control circuit 160 to emit light according to a given sequence. In some embodiments, the display device 700 is used to display images on the pixel array 120. In some embodiments, the display device The device 700 is further used to sense the light signal through the pixel array 120. When an object touches the pixel array 120, the light generated by the pixel array 120 hits the object and is reflected back to the pixel array 120, and the display device 700 generates a light sensing signal corresponding to the pattern of the object. In other words, the display device 700 is used as a touch panel device.

In some embodiments, each pixel in the pixel array 120 includes an electroluminescence unit 240 and a light sensing element 220 (shown in FIG. 8). The display device 700 is used to control the electroluminescence units 240 and the light sensing elements 220 in the pixel array 120 respectively. In other words, the display device 700 has the function of controlling a single pixel, and causing it to emit light and/or to sense light sensing signals. The structure diagram of the pixel array 120 will be discussed later with reference to FIG. 8.

In some embodiments, the shift register circuit 140 is coupled to the pixel array 120 through a plurality of scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N, and is used to transmit the first driving signal SCAN1 to the pixel array 120. In some embodiments, the first driving signal SCAN1 is used to enable the pixel array 120. Only the pixels in the activated pixel array 120 have the function of emitting light. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N is coupled to a column in the pixel array 120, respectively. Therefore, the shift register circuit 140 transmits the first driving signal SCAN1 to control each column in the pixel array 120 respectively.

In some embodiments, the timing control circuit 160 is coupled to the pixel array 120 through a plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4, and is used to transmit the data signal Vdata (shown in FIG. 8) to the pixel array 120. In some embodiments, the data signal Vdata is used to make the pixel array 120 emit light. The pixels in the activated pixel circuit 120 emit light according to the data signal Vdata. On the contrary, the pixels in the pixel circuit 120 that are not activated will not emit light regardless of the data signal Vdata. As shown in Figure 7 As shown, each of the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4 is respectively coupled to a row in the pixel array 120. Therefore, the timing control circuit 160 transmits the data signal Vdata to control each row in the pixel array 120 respectively.

In some embodiments, the timing control circuit 160 receives the light sensing signal generated by the pixel array 120 through the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The timing control circuit 160 then sequentially transmits the received light sensing signals to the signal processing circuit 180 for processing. In some embodiments, the signal processing circuit 180 is used to process the received light sensing signal and generate pattern data corresponding to the object according to the order of reception. For example, the signal processing circuit 180 generates pattern data corresponding to a touch fingerprint. In other words, the timing control circuit 160 is used to instruct the signal processing circuit 180 so that the light sensing signal received by the signal processing circuit 180 from the timing control circuit 160 in a specific time period has corresponding position information.

In some embodiments, compared to FIG. 1, the timing control circuit 160 further includes a multiplexer 165. The multiplexer 165 is used for sequentially receiving light sensing signals through the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4, and sequentially transmitting the light sensing signals to the signal processing circuit 180 according to the operation of the electroluminescent unit 240.

In some embodiments, when the timing control circuit 160 outputs the data signal Vdata to the pixel array 120 (the multiplexer 165 is turned off, so the data signal Vdata is not transmitted to the signal processing circuit 180), the enabled pixels are based on the data signal Vdata emits light, and when the light emitted by these pixels irradiates an object on the pixel array 120 and is reflected back to the pixel array 120, the pixel array 120 generates a light sensing signal. At this time, there is no data signal Vdata on the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4 (the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4 are idle), and the pixel array 120 uses the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4 to sense the light The test signals are sequentially transmitted back to the timing control circuit 160. Time The multiplexer 165 in the sequence control circuit 160 is turned on, and sequentially transmits the light sensing signal to the signal processing circuit 180, so that the light sensing signal received by the signal processing circuit 180 has position information corresponding to the pixel that emits light. Then, the pattern of the object is created based on the location information.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned object physically contacts the pixel array 120, so each pixel in the pixel array 120 is used to sense the light emitted by the pixel itself and reflected by the object, instead of sensing the non-pixel It emits light when it meets the reflected light from an object. Therefore, the light sensing signal is addressed by this characteristic.

The setting of the above-mentioned display device 700 is for illustrative purposes only. Various display devices 700 with different settings are within the scope of the content of this disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the shift register circuit 140 and the signal processing circuit 180 are a single gate driving circuit 110 in the display device 700 (as shown in FIG. 7).

Refer to Figure 8. FIG. 8 is a partial schematic diagram of the display device 700 shown in FIG. 1 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 8 uses the component numbers shown in Figures 3 and 7 for simplicity and clarity. As shown in FIG. 8, a partial display device 700 includes a pixel 200, a shift register circuit 140, a timing control circuit 160, and a signal processing circuit 180. In some embodiments, the pixel 200 represents the pixel in the first row and the first column of the pixel array 120. In some embodiments, each pixel in the pixel array 120 has the same setting as the pixel 200.

As shown in Figure 8, the shift register circuit 140 is coupled to the pixel 200 through the scan line S1N, the timing control circuit 160 is coupled to the pixel 200 through the data line D1, and the pixel 200 is connected to the pixel 200 through the data line D1. The timing control circuit 160 is coupled to the signal processing circuit 180.

In some embodiments, the pixel 200 includes a light sensing element 220 and an electroluminescence unit 240. As shown in FIG. 8, the light sensing element 220 and the electroluminescence unit 240 are simultaneously coupled to the data line D1, and the electroluminescence unit 240 is coupled to the scan line S1N.

In some embodiments, the electroluminescence unit 240 includes a compensation circuit and a light emitting diode EL. In some embodiments, the light emitting diode EL is an organic light emitting diode. In some embodiments, the compensation circuit includes one N-type transistor M1, five P-type transistors M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, and a capacitor Cst. The configuration of the electroluminescent unit 240 is substantially the same as that of the electroluminescent unit 240 shown in FIG. 3, and will not be repeated here.

In some embodiments, the display device 700 further includes scan lines S1'N, S2'N, S3'N, S4'N, and an enable line EM, which are respectively coupled to each pixel in the pixel array 120. In some embodiments, the scan lines S1'N, S2'N, S3'N, S4'N are used to transmit the second driving signal SCAN2 output by the shift register circuit 140, and the enable line EM is used to transmit the shift The enable signal SN output by the bit register circuit 140. In some embodiments, each pixel in the pixel array 120 is driven and activated by the first driving signal SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2, and the enable signal SN. In other words, the shift register circuit 140 is used to output the first driving signal SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2, and the enable signal SN to enable the pixel array 120. In other embodiments, a plurality of columns in the pixel array 120 share the same enable line EM.

Refer to Figure 9. FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram of the operation of the display device 700 according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, the waveform diagram includes the waveforms of the first driving signal SCAN1, the second driving signal SCAN2, the enable signal SN, and the data signal Vdata.

In some embodiments, similar to those shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the operation of the electroluminescent unit 240 in the pixel array 120 in the display device 700 also has a "discharge phase", a "program phase" and " Light-emitting stage", the operation of these stages and the electroluminescent unit 240 will not be repeated here.

In Figure 9, the time period t7 represents the "discharge phase", the time period t8 represents the "programming phase", and the time period t9 and time t10 represent the "light emitting phase".

In some embodiments, the light sensing element 220 is coupled to the timing control circuit 160 through the data line D1, and transmits the light sensing signal to the timing control circuit 160 through the data line D1. After the light sensing element 220 senses the light emitted by the electroluminescent unit 240 during the time period t9 in the "light emitting phase", the data line D1 is idle during the time period t10 in the "light emitting phase", so the light sensing element 220 is in the time period t10 The data line D1 is used to send the light sensing signal to the timing control circuit 160.

Refer to Figure 7 again. In some embodiments, the four pixels coupled to the scan line S1N are coupled to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4, respectively. In the "light emitting phase", the four pixels coupled to the scan line S1N transmit their respective light sensing signals through the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. In order not to overlap the signal on a single data line, the same data line, such as the data line D1, only transmits a light sensing signal of one pixel during the time period t10 in a "light-emitting phase". In other words, in a "light-emitting phase", the scan lines S1N, S2N, S3N, S4N can only start to activate the pixels in one column, so that only one pixel in the same row of pixels is activated. In the “stage”, only one pixel will generate a light sensing signal to be transmitted to the timing control circuit 160.

In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7, because the scan line S1N, S2N, S3N, and S4N are arranged vertically with the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4, and the pixels that can emit light are arranged vertically with the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4.

Compared with some methods, in the present disclosure, the light sensing element 220 uses the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4 of the electroluminescent unit 240 to transmit light sensing signals, so a data transmission line and its switch are omitted. The circuit layout area reduces the overall device area and increases the number of components per unit area.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed as above, it is not intended to limit the embodiment of the present invention. Anyone familiar with the art can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, The protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention shall be defined as the scope of the patent application attached hereafter.

140‧‧‧Shift register circuit

160‧‧‧Timing control circuit

180‧‧‧Signal processing circuit

200‧‧‧Pixel

220‧‧‧Light Sensor

240‧‧‧Electroluminescence unit

S1N, S1’N‧‧‧scan line

EM‧‧‧Energy Line

D1‧‧‧Data line

M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6‧‧‧Transistor

EL‧‧‧Light Emitting Diode

Cst‧‧‧Capacitor

OVDD, OVSS, Vint‧‧‧Voltage

SCAN1, SCAN2, Vdata, SN‧‧‧ signal

Claims (18)

A display device with image scanning function, comprising: a plurality of data lines; a plurality of scan lines, which are arranged alternately with the data lines and used to transmit a plurality of driving signals; and a plurality of pixels, including a plurality of electroluminescent units and a plurality of Light-sensing elements, the electroluminescent units are electrically coupled to the light-sensing elements respectively, wherein a plurality of first pixels in the pixels are coupled to one of the data lines And respectively coupled to the scan lines, the corresponding electroluminescent units in the first pixels are used to emit light in response to the driving signals and a first data signal transmitted by the first data line, the The corresponding light sensing elements in the first pixel are used for generating a plurality of light sensing signals in response to the light emission of the corresponding electroluminescent units in the first pixels, and the scan lines are further used for respectively Send these light sensing signals for processing. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a signal processing circuit coupled to the scan lines; and a timing control circuit coupled to the data lines for generating the first data signal through the The first data line transmits and is used to control the signal processing circuit to synchronously receive and process the light sensing signals transmitted by the scan lines. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a signal processing circuit coupled to the scan lines for reading the light sensing signals, wherein the first pixels are set as the pixels Line and the Some scan lines are perpendicular to the row. The display device according to claim 1, wherein each of the electroluminescent units in the pixels includes: a light-emitting diode; and a compensation circuit coupled to the compensation circuit for receiving The first data signal and the corresponding driving signal, wherein the compensation circuit includes an N-type transistor, a gate of the N-type transistor is used to receive the corresponding driving signal, and the light in each pixel The sensing element is coupled to the gate of the N-type transistor. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the scan lines are further used to transmit the light sensing signals during a discharge stage of the electroluminescent units and to discharge the electroluminescent units, wherein the Part of the time of the discharge phase is used to transmit the light sensing signals, and the remaining time of the discharge phase is used to discharge the electroluminescent cells. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a gate driving circuit comprising: a signal processing circuit; and a shift register circuit, wherein the shift register circuit is used to output the driving signals, And the signal processing circuit, based on the driving signals and the first The data signal is used for receiving and processing the light sensing signals, and addressing the first pixels according to the light sensing signals. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the light sensing elements are respectively electrically coupled to the scan lines. An image scanning method, comprising: in response to an operation of an object touching a display device, driving a plurality of first pixels through a plurality of scan lines; and sensing the light emission of the first pixels coupled to a first data line To generate a plurality of first light sensing signals, and transmit the first light sensing signals to a signal processing circuit through the scan lines; after sensing the light emission of the first pixels, the sensing and a second A plurality of second pixels coupled to the two data lines emit light to generate a plurality of second light sensing signals, and the second light sensing signals are transmitted through the scan lines respectively coupled to the second pixels Signal to the signal processing circuit; and the signal processing circuit receives and processes the first light sensing signals and the second light sensing signals to generate pattern data corresponding to the object. The image scanning method shown in claim 8, further comprising: inputting a first data signal from the first data line to the driven first pixels by a timing control circuit, so that the first pixels Pixel luminescence, where the first pixels are arranged perpendicular to the scan lines The image scanning method according to claim 8, wherein the light emission of the first pixels coupled to the first data line is sensed to generate the first light sensing signals, and the scan lines are transmitted The first light sensing signals to the signal processing circuit include: in a discharge phase after the first pixels emit light, using a part of the discharge phase to discharge the first pixels, and another part of the discharge phase Used to transmit the first light sensing signals. The image scanning method shown in claim 10, wherein during the discharge period, the scan lines have a logic high level for turning on an N-type transistor in the first pixels. A display device with an image scanning function, comprising: a plurality of data lines; a plurality of scan lines interlaced with the data lines and used to transmit a plurality of driving signals; and a plurality of pixels, including a plurality of electroluminescent units and a plurality of A light sensing element, the electroluminescence units are electrically coupled to the light sensing elements, and a first scan line of the scan lines is used to transmit a first driving signal of the driving signals To a plurality of first pixels in the pixels, wherein the first pixels are respectively coupled to the data lines, and the corresponding electroluminescent units in the first pixels are used for responding to The first driving signal and the plurality of data signals transmitted by the data lines emit light, and the corresponding light sensing elements in the first pixels are used for responding to the corresponding electroluminescence in the first pixels The light emission of the unit generates a plurality of light sensing signals, and the data lines are respectively used to transmit the light sensing signals for processing. The display device according to claim 12, further comprising: a timing control circuit, coupled to the data lines, for generating the data signals to be transmitted through the data lines, and for receiving the light sensing signals; And a signal processing circuit coupled to the timing control circuit, wherein the timing control circuit is further used for transmitting the light sensing signals to the signal processing circuit, and the signal processing circuit is used for reading the light sensing signals Signal, and address the first pixels according to the light sensing signals. The display device according to claim 13, wherein the timing control circuit includes a multiplexer, wherein the multiplexer is used to receive the light sensing signals, and is used to turn on and transmit the pixels in a light emitting phase The light sensing signals are sent to the signal processing circuit. The display device according to claim 12, further comprising: a shift register circuit coupled to the scan lines and used for outputting the driving signals to the pixels. The display device according to claim 12, wherein The data lines are used to transmit the light sensing signals in a light-emitting stage of the pixels, and the data lines are used to transmit the data signals in a part of the light-emitting stage, and in another part of the light-emitting stage The light sensing signal is transmitted. The display device according to claim 12, wherein the first pixels are perpendicular to the data lines. The display device according to claim 12, wherein the light sensing elements are electrically coupled to the data lines, respectively.

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