TWI398842B - Display device and driving method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Display device and driving method thereof

The present invention relates to a display device and a driving method therefor.

A typical liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a lower aspect panel, an upper panel, and a liquid crystal (LC) layer disposed between the lower panel and the upper panel having dielectric anisotropy. The lower panel and the upper panel have a plurality of pixel electrodes and a common electrode. The pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix, and each pixel electrode is connected to a switching element Q such as a thin film transistor (TFT). The data voltage is sequentially supplied to each column of pixel electrodes. The common electrode covers the entire surface of the upper panel, and a common voltage is supplied to the common electrode. The pixel electrode, the common electrode, and the LC layer therebetween form an LC capacitor, and the LC capacitor is a basic unit including each pixel and the switching unit Q.

The LCD device displays a desired image by adjusting the intensity of an electric field applied to one of the LC layers to control the transmission of light through the upper and lower panels. In order to prevent damage to the LC layer due to application of a certain electric field to the LC layer, one of the data voltages is inverted with respect to a common voltage for each frame, each pixel column or each pixel.

Recently, products for providing such LCD devices having a photoreceptor have been developed. For example, when a hand or a touch pen contacts a screen of an LCD device, the photoreceptor responds to changes in light based on the position of the hand or the touch pen. The LCD device determines contact information (such as the presence or absence of a contact and the location of the contact) for transmission to an external device. The external device transmits an image signal in response to the contact information. The photoreceptor is formed in the LCD by a separate contact panel. However, this separate contact panel increases the thickness and weight of the LCD device and makes it difficult to display detailed characters or images.

Therefore, a technique of forming a photoreceptor in a pixel display image has been developed. However, this photoreceptor causes many errors in response to light sensing of the contact because one of the photoreceptor output characteristics varies depending on the environmental conditions (ie, the intensity of the external light, the brightness of the backlight, the temperature, etc.). Therefore, although a contact occurs, the LCD device may not perceive the contact, or although no contact occurs, it perceives a contact.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device and a driving method thereof that are capable of generating a stable output signal of a photoreceptor in response to user contact to accurately determine contact information regardless of changes in external conditions.

A display device includes a panel assembly, a backlight unit that supplies light to the panel assembly, a first photoreceptor, a second photoreceptor, a sensing signal processor, and a signal controller. Ambient light and light from the backlight unit are supplied to the first photoreceptor to generate a first sensing signal. The second photoreceptor is shielded from ambient light and receives light from the backlight unit to generate a second sensing signal. The sensing signal processor receives the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal from the first photoreceptor and the second photoreceptor for processing. The signal controller determines a sensing state in response to the processed first sensing signal and the second sensing signal from the sensing signal processor and performs a predetermined control operation in response to the sensing state.

A driving method for a display device having a backlight unit for supplying light, comprising receiving ambient light and light from a backlight unit at a first photoreceptor to generate a first sensing signal at the second photoreceptor Blocking ambient light and receiving light from the backlight unit to generate a second sensing signal, generating a state determination signal in response to the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and responding to the ambient light indicated by the state determining signal The intensity determines a sensing state. The status determination signal represents a difference between the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal.

A display device includes a panel assembly, a backlight unit that supplies light to the panel assembly, a first photoreceptor, a second photoreceptor, a third photoreceptor, a sensing signal processor, and a signal control Device. The first photoreceptor receives ambient light and light from the backlight unit to generate a first sensing signal. The second photoreceptor is shielded from the ambient light and receives light from the backlight unit to generate a second sensing signal. The third photoreceptor receives ambient light and light from the backlight unit to generate a third sensing signal in response to user contact. The sensing signal processor processes the first to third sensing signals from the first to third photoreceptors. The signal controller adjusts the third sensing signal in response to the processed first sensing signal and the second sensing signal.

A driving method for a display device having a backlight unit for supplying light, comprising receiving ambient light and light from a backlight unit at a first photoreceptor to generate a first sensing signal, in a second photoreceptor Blocking ambient light and receiving light from the backlight unit to generate a second sensing signal, receiving ambient light and light from the backlight unit at a third photoreceptor to generate a third sensing signal in response to the contact, and responding Adjusting the third sensing signal on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which <RTIgt; However, the invention may be embodied in a variety of different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions is exaggerated for clarity. Similar numbers refer to similar components from beginning to end. It will be appreciated that when an element such as a layer, film, region, substrate or panel is referred to as being "on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or an intervening element may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there is no intervening element.

1 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel of an LCD device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal (LC) panel assembly 300 and an image scanner 400 connected to the LC panel assembly 300, a data driver 500, and a sense. The test scanner 700 and a sensing signal processor 800 LCD device further include a backlight unit 900 for supplying light to the LC panel assembly 300, a driving voltage generator 950 for supplying a voltage required for the above components, and a signal control for controlling the components. 600.

The panel assembly 300 includes a plurality of signal lines G ₁ -G _n , D ₁ -D _m , S ₁ -S _n , P ₁ -P _m , P _{S G} and P _{S D} and a plurality of electrical connections to the signal line G ₁ - G _n , D ₁ -D _m , S ₁ -S _n , P ₁ -P _m , P _{S G} and P _{S D} and are substantially arranged in a matrix of pixels.

The signal lines G ₁ -G _n , D ₁ -D _m , S ₁ -S _n , P ₁ -P _m , P _{S G} and P _{s D} include image scanning lines G ₁ -G _{n for} transmitting image scanning signals and transmission images Data line D ₁ -D _m . Image scanning lines G ₁ -G _n extend substantially in a column direction and substantially parallel to each other, while the data lines D ₁ -D _m extend substantially in a row direction and substantially parallel to each other while the image substantially perpendicular to the scanning lines G ₁ -G _n .

The signal lines G ₁ -G _n , D ₁ -D _m , S ₁ -S _n , P ₁ -P _m , P _{S G} and P _{S D} further comprise sensing scan lines S ₁ -S _{n for} transmitting the sensing scan signals And transmitting the sensing signal line P ₁ -P _{m of the} sensing signal. Sensing scanning lines S ₁ -S _n extend substantially in one direction and substantially parallel to each other, while the sensing signal lines P ₁ -P _m extend substantially in a row direction and substantially parallel to each other. Sensing scanning lines S ₁ -S _n substantially parallel to the video scan lines G ₁ -G _n extend, and the sensing signal lines P ₁ -P _m is substantially parallel to the data lines D ₁ -D _m extend.

Signal lines _{G 1 -G n, D 1 -D} m, S 1 -S n, P 1 -P m, P S G P _{S D} and also comprising a transmission line voltage a control voltage of V _{S G} P _{S G} a transmission input and a voltage line of voltage V _{S D} P _{S D.} The control voltage line P _{S G} extends substantially parallel to the image scanning lines G ₁ -G _n and the sensing scan lines S ₁ -S _n , and the input voltage line P _{S D is} substantially parallel to the data lines D ₁ -D _m and sensed The signal line P ₁ -P _m extends.

Each pixel includes a first switching element Q _{S 1} electrically connected to the image scanning and data lines G ₁ -G _n and D ₁ -D _m and an LCD capacitor C _L electrically connected to the first switching element Q _{S 1 C} and a storage capacitor C _{S T} .

Such as a thin film transistor (TFT) of a first switching element Q _{S 1} has three terminals: a is electrically connected to the image scanning lines G ₁ -G _n by one (e.g., G _i) the control terminal; a is electrically connected to the data An input terminal of one of the lines D ₁ -D _m (for example, D _j ); and an output terminal electrically connected to the LC capacitor C _{L C} and the storage capacitor C _{S T} .

In addition, each pixel includes a photoreceptor including a sensing element Q _p electrically connected to the control voltage and the input voltage lines P _{S G} , F _{S D} , and an electrical connection to the sensing scanning and sensing signal line S _{1 .} a second switching element Q _{S 2 of} -S _n , P ₁ -P _m and an electrical connection between the control voltage line P _{S G} and a node between the second switching element Q _{S 2} and the sensing element Q _P Sensing signal capacitor C _P . Alternatively, it is not necessary for all of the pixels to include the photoreceptor, for example, one of the pixels may include the photoreceptor, or each pixel spaced from about 1 mm to about 2 mm may include the photoreceptor. In other words, if desired, you can control the density of the photoreceptor, and therefore, a corresponding number of the sensing scan line S ₁ -S _n signal lines and sense of P ₁ -P _m may control.

The sensing component Q _P has three terminals: a control terminal and an input terminal electrically connected to the control voltage line P _{S G} and the input voltage line P _{S D} , and an electrical connection to the sensing signal capacitor C _P and the second The output terminal of the switching element Q _{S 2} . The sensing element Q _P produces a photocurrent that is responsive to illumination of a channel of one of the sensing elements Q _P comprising amorphous germanium or poly germanium. The photocurrent flows to the sense signal capacitor C _P and the second switching element Q _{S 2} , which is driven by the input voltage V _{S D} applied to the input voltage line P _{S D} .

The sense signal capacitor C _{P is} electrically coupled between the sense element Q _P and the control voltage line P _{S G} and stores a charge in response to the photocurrent from the sense element Q _P to maintain a predetermined voltage. If the sense signal capacitor C _{P is} not needed, it can be omitted.

The second switching element Q _{S 2} has three terminals: one of which is electrically connected to one of the sensing scan lines S ₁ -S _n (for example, S _i ), and one of the sensing signal lines P ₁ -P _m (for example, P _j And one of the sensing element Q _P control terminal, an output terminal and an input terminal. When the sensing scan lines S ₁ -S _n receive a voltage for turning on the second switching element Q _{S 2} , the second switching element Q _{S 2} will have a voltage stored by the sensing signal capacitor C _p or from the sensing element Q The photocurrent of _P is output as a sensing signal V _{P 1} -V _{P M} to the sensing signal line P ₁ -P _m .

In the above exemplary embodiments, the first switching element Q _{S 1} and the second switching element Q _{S 2} and the sensing element Q _P may contain an amorphous germanium or a poly germanium TFT.

LCD device 950 production desired driving voltage generator of a plurality of voltages, respectively, such as for opening or closing the first switching element Q _{S 1} and a second image scanning ₂ one switching element Q _S on voltage V _{o n} and an image scanning The voltage V _{o f f} , and the input voltage V _{S D} and the control voltage V _{S G are} turned off.

The image scanner 400 is electrically connected to the image scanning lines G ₁ -G _{n of the} LC panel assembly 300, and synthesizes the image scanning on voltage V _{o n} and the image scanning off voltage V _{o f f} from the driving voltage generator 950 to generate image scanning lines G ₁ -G _n of the video scan signal.

The data driver 500 is electrically connected to the data lines D ₁ -D _{m of the} LC panel assembly 300 and applies a data voltage to the data lines D ₁ -D _m .

The sensing scanner 700 is electrically connected to the sensing scan lines S ₁ -S _{n of the} LC panel assembly 300, and synthesizes the image scanning turn-on voltage V _{o n} and the image scanning off voltage V _{o f f} from the driver generator 950, and generates A sensing scan signal for sensing the scan lines S ₁ -S _n .

The sensing signal processor 800 is electrically connected to the sensing signal lines P ₁ -P _{m of the} LC panel assembly 300 and receives the sensing signals V _{P 1} -V _{P M} outputted from the sensing signal lines P ₁ -P _m to perform A predetermined signal processing.

The backlight unit 900 is disposed adjacent to the LC panel assembly 300 to provide light to the LC panel assembly 300, and the backlight unit 900 includes a plurality of lamps.

The signal controller 600 controls the image scanner 400, the data driver 500, the sensing scanner 700, the sensing signal processor 800, the backlight unit 900, and the driving voltage generator 950.

The image scanner 400, the data driver 500, the sensing scanner 700 or the sensing signal processor 800 can be directly mounted on the LC panel assembly 300 via a driving integrated circuit or can be mounted on a flexible printed circuit film for attachment. The LC panel assembly 300 in a tape carrier package (TCP) type component. Alternatively, image scanner 400, data driver 500, sense scanner 700, or sense signal processor 800 can be integrated into LC panel assembly 300.

In addition, the image scanner 400, the data driver 500, the sensing scanner 700, the sensing signal processor 800, and the signal controller 600 can be constructed as a single wafer. The image scanner 400, the data driver 500, the sensing scanner 700, the sensing signal processor 800, and the signal controller 600 can be integrated into a single wafer, thereby reducing installation space and reducing power consumption. Of course, each element or circuit used in each element can be provided from outside the single wafer if desired.

One of the display operations and the photo-sensing of the LCD device will now be described in detail.

Input signal signals R, G, and B and input control signals for controlling display of the LCD device are supplied to the signal controller 600. The input control signals include, for example, a vertical sync signal Vsync, a horizontal sync signal Hsync, a master clock MCLK, and a data enable signal DE. The input control signal is provided from an external graphics controller (not shown). After the image scanning control signal CONT1 and the data control signal CONT2 are generated and the input image signals R, G and B suitable for the operation of the LC panel assembly 300 are processed in response to the input control signal, the signal processing controller 600 provides the image scanning control signal CONT1. To the image scanner 400, the processed image signal DAT and the data control signal CONT2 are sent to the data driver 500.

The image scanning control signal CONT1 includes a vertical synchronization start signal STV for instructing the image scanner 400 to indicate the scanning start of the image scanning ON voltage V _{o n} and at least one output for controlling the image scanning ON voltage V _{o n} . Clock signal.

The data control signal CONT2 includes a horizontal synchronization start signal STH for informing the data driver 500 of the start of a horizontal period, and a load signal LOAD for indicating the data driver 500 to apply the appropriate data voltage to the data lines D ₁ -D _m . A reverse control signal RVS and a data clock signal HCLK for inverting one of the data voltages with respect to the common voltage Vcom.

The data driver 500 receives a processed image signal DAT packet from the signal controller 600 for a pixel column, and converts the processed image signal DAT into an analog data voltage in response to the data control signal CONT2 from the signal controller 600. .

In response to the image scanning control signal CONT1 from the signal controller 600, the image scanner 400 applies an image scanning turn-on voltage V _{o n} to the image scanning lines G ₁ -G _n , thereby opening the electrical connection to the image scanning lines G ₁ -G _n The first switching element Q _{S 1} .

A difference between the common voltage Vcom applied to each pixel and the data voltage is expressed as the charging voltage of the LC capacitor C _{L C} , which is a pixel voltage. The liquid crystal molecules have an orientation depending on the magnitude of the pixel voltage, and the orientations determine the polarization of light passing through the pixels.

The data driver 500 applies a data voltage to the corresponding data line D ₁ -D _m for the time when one of the first switching elements Q _{S 1 is} turned on, which is called "one horizontal period" or "1H" and is equal to the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and The data enables one cycle of the signal DE. Then, the data voltage is sequentially supplied to the corresponding pixel via the turned-on first switching element Q _{S 1} .

By repeating the above procedure, all of the image scanning lines G ₁ -G _n are sequentially supplied with the image scanning on voltage V _{o n} during the frame, thereby applying the data voltage to all the pixels. When the next frame is started after completing a frame, the inversion control signal RVS applied to the data driver 500 is controlled such that the polarity of the data voltage is inverted (this is referred to as "frame inversion"). The reverse control signal RVS can also be controlled such that the polarity of the data voltage flowing in a data line in a frame is reversed, such as line inversion, line inversion, or the polarity of the data voltage in a packet is reversed. Turn, such as line reversal, point reversal.

The sensing scanner 700 sequentially applies the image scanning enable voltage V _{o n} to the sensing scan lines S ₁ -S _n in response to the sensing control signal CONT3 from the signal controller 600, and the sensing signal processor 800 reads the sense applied thereto. The sensing signal V _{P 1} -V _{P M of the} signal line P ₁ -P _m . After amplifying and filtering the read sensing signals V _{P 1} -V _{P M} , the sensing signal processor 800 converts the processed signals into digital signals for transmission to the signal controller 600. The signal controller 600 determines the presence or absence of a contact position and contact (eg, contact position or contact or no contact) by properly processing the digital signal, and thereafter the signal controller 600 transmits information about the contact position to an external device. . The external device then transmits the image signal to the LCD device based on the information.

A structure of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 through 5.

3 is an exemplary layout of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken along line IV-IV' and V-V' of FIG. 3, respectively.

An LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a TFT array panel 100, a common electrode panel 200, and an LC layer 3 interposed between the TFT array and the common electrode panels 100 and 200.

The TFT array panel 100 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 through 5.

The image scanning line 121, the storage electrode line 131, the sensing scanning line 127, and the control voltage line 129 are disposed on an insulating substrate 110 such as a transparent glass.

The image scanning line 121, the sensing scanning line 127, and the control voltage line 129 extend substantially in the lateral direction of the LCD device and are independent of each other, and respectively transmit the image scanning signal, the sensing scanning signal, and the control voltage V _{S G} , and respectively include Control electrodes 124, 128 and 126. The control voltage line 129 includes an extension 123 that extends from the control electrode 126.

Each storage electrode line 131 extends substantially in a lateral direction of one of the LCD devices and includes a protrusion to form a storage electrode 133. The storage electrode line 131 is supplied with a predetermined voltage such as a common voltage applied to one common electrode 270 on the common electrode panel 200 of the LCD device.

The image and sense scan lines 121 and 127, the storage electrode line 131, and the control voltage line 129 are comprised of, for example, an Al-containing metal such as Al and an Al alloy, an Ag-containing metal such as Ag and an Ag alloy, such as Cu and a Cu alloy. Cu metal, Mo-containing metal such as Mo and Mo alloy, Cr, Ti or Ta. The image and sense scan lines 121 and 127, the storage electrode line 131, and the control voltage line 129 may have a multilayer structure including two films having different physical characteristics. One of the two films is made of, for example, a low-resistance metal including an Al-containing metal, an Ag-containing metal, or a Cu-containing metal for reducing image and sensing scan lines 121 and 127, storage electrode lines 131, and control voltage. Signal delay and voltage drop in line 129. The other of the two films is made, for example, of a material such as Mo-containing metal, Cr, Ta or Ti, which has good physical, chemical and other properties such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide ( The electrical contact characteristics of the material of IZO). Examples of the combination of the two films include a lower Cr film and an upper Al-Nd alloy film and a lower Al film and an upper Mo film.

In addition, the control voltage line 129, the image and sensing scan lines 121 and 127, and the outer side of the storage electrode line 131 are inclined with respect to a surface of the insulating substrate 110, and an inclination angle thereof is in a range between about 30 degrees and about 80 degrees. in.

The insulating layer 140 is made of, for example, tantalum nitride SiNx, which is disposed on the image and sensing scan lines 121 and 127, the storage electrode line 131, the control voltage line 129, the control electrodes 124, 128 and 126, the storage electrode and the insulating substrate. The exposed part of 110 is on.

Semiconductor stripes 151 and semiconductor islands 156, 158 and 159 made of, for example, hydrogenated amorphous germanium abbreviated as "a-Si" or polycrystalline germanium are disposed on selected portions of insulating layer 140. Each of the semiconductor stripes 151 extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the LCD device and has a protrusion 154 that branches toward the control electrode 124 and has an extension 157 extending therefrom. The semiconductor stripe 151 is widened near the image and sense scan lines 121 and 127, the storage electrode line 131, and the control voltage line 129 such that the semiconductor stripe 151 covers the image and sense scan lines 121 and 127, the storage electrode line 131, and the control voltage line. A larger area of 129.

An ohmic contact stripe 161 and ohmic contact islands 162, 164, 165, 166 and 168 made of, for example, n+ hydrogenated a-Si or germanium compound doped with a large amount of n-type impurities such as phosphorus are disposed on the semiconductor stripe 151. on. Each ohmic contact strip 161 has a projection 163, and the projection 163 and the ohmic contact island 165 are positioned in pairs on the protrusion 154 of the semiconductor strip 151. Additionally, ohmic contact islands 162 and 164 and ohmic contact islands 166 and 168 are positioned in pairs on semiconductor islands 156 and 158, respectively.

The outer sides of the semiconductor stripes 151, the semiconductor islands 156, 158 and 159, the ohmic contact stripes 161 and the ohmic contact islands 162, 164, 165, 166 and 168 are inclined with respect to the surface of the insulating substrate 110, and the inclination angle thereof is, for example, It is in the range of about 30 degrees to about 80 degrees.

The data line 171, the input voltage line 179a and the sensing signal line 179b, the output electrodes 174 and 175, and the input electrode 176 are disposed on the ohmic contact stripe 161, the ohmic contact islands 162, 164, 165, 166 and 168 and the insulating layer 140. .

The data line 171, the input voltage line 179a, and the sensing signal line 179b extend substantially in the longitudinal direction and intersect the image and sensing scan lines 121 and 127, the storage electrode line 131, and the control voltage line 129, and respectively transmit the data voltage, Sensing the input voltage and sensing signal.

Each of the output electrodes 175 includes an extension 177 that covers a storage electrode 13. Each of the longitudinal portions including the highlighted data lines 171 forms an input electrode 173 facing one end portion of the output electrode 175. A control electrode 124, an input electrode 173 and an output electrode 175, and a semiconductor strip 151 protrude 154 to form a TFT having a channel disposed on the protrusion 154 between the input electrode 173 and the output electrode 175. This TFT serves as, for example, a first switching element Q _{S 1} .

Each of the input voltage lines 179a includes a longitudinal portion and a lateral portion, and a portion including the protruding lateral portion forms an input electrode 172 that faces one end portion of the output electrode 174. A control electrode 126, an input electrode 172 and an output electrode 174, and a semiconductor island 156 form a TFT having a channel disposed on the semiconductor island 156 between the input electrode 172 and the output electrode 174. This TFT acts as a sensing element Q _P .

The output electrode 174 of the sensing element Q _{P and} the input electrode 176 of the second sensing element Q _{S 2} are electrically connected to each other. The sense signal line 179b includes an output electrode 178 that protrudes toward the input electrode 176. Each pair of input electrodes 176 and output electrodes 178 are independent of one another and are disposed opposite one another with respect to control electrodes 128. A control electrode 128, an input electrode 176 and an output electrode 178, and a semiconductor island 158 form a TFT having a channel disposed on the semiconductor island 158 between the input electrode 176 and the output electrode 178. This TFT serves as the second switching element Q _{S 2} .

Each of the output electrodes 174 has an extension 174a covering the extension 123 of each control voltage line 129, and the sense signal capacitor Cp is formed by covering the extensions 123 and 174a.

The data line 171, the input voltage line 179a, the sense signal line 179b, the output electrodes 174, 175, and 178, and the input electrodes 172, 173, and 176 are made of, for example, a refractory metal such as Cr, Mo, Ti, Ta, or an alloy thereof. production. However, it may also have a multilayer structure including a low resistance film (not shown) and a good contact film (not shown). Examples of the combination of the multilayer structures include a lower Mo film, an intermediate Al film, and an upper MO film, and a combination of the lower Cr film and an upper Al-Nd alloy film and a lower Al film and an upper Mo film.

For example, image and sense scan lines 121 and 127, storage electrode line 131 and control voltage line 129, data line 171, input voltage line 179a, sense signal line 179b, output electrodes 174, 175 and 178, and input electrodes 172, 173 and The 176 has a tapered outer side and has an angle of inclination in the range of from about 30 degrees to about 80 degrees.

The ohmic contact stripe 161 and the ohmic contact islands 162, 164, 165, 166 and 168 are inserted into the lower semiconductor stripe 151 and the semiconductor islands 156, 158 and 159 and the overlying data line 171, the input voltage line 179a, and the sense The signal line 179b, the output electrodes 174, 175 and 178 and the input electrodes 172, 173 and 176 are spaced to reduce contact resistance therebetween. The semiconductor stripe 151 includes an exposed portion that is not covered by the data line 171 and the output electrode 175, such as a portion positioned between the input electrode 173 and the output electrode 175. Although the semiconductor stripe 151 is narrower than the data line 171 at most locations, the width of the semiconductor stripe 151 becomes larger near the image and sense scan lines 121 and 127, the storage electrode line 131, and the control voltage line 129 to provide a smooth The surface profile, thereby preventing the disconnection of the data line 171.

A passivation layer 180 is disposed on the data line 171, the input voltage line 179a, the sense signal line 179b, the output electrodes 174, 175, and 1778, the input electrodes 172, 173, and 176, and the exposed portions of the semiconductor stripes 151. An organic insulating layer 187 is disposed on the passivation layer. The passivation layer 180 is made of, for example, an inorganic insulator such as tantalum nitride or hafnium oxide, and the organic insulating layer 187 is made of, for example, a photosensitive organic material having a good flat characteristic. In this case, one surface of the organic insulating layer 187 has alternating protrusions and a reduced pattern, and the pattern is also included on a reflective electrode 194 to maximize a reflection efficiency.

The passivation layer 180 and the organic insulating layer 187 have contact holes 185 exposing the extension 177 of the output electrode 175. The contact hole 185 may have a polygonal shape or a circular shape. The outer side of the contact hole 185 has an inclination angle of, for example, from about 30 degrees to about 85 degrees or has a stepped shape.

The pixel electrode 190 is disposed on the organic insulating layer 187. The pixel electrode 190 includes a transparent electrode 192 and a reflective electrode 194. The transparent electrode 192 is made of, for example, a transparent conductor such as ITO or IZO, and the reflective electrode 194 is made of, for example, an opaque reflective conductor such as Ag or Ag alloy, or Al or an Al alloy. The pixel electrode 190 may further include a contact auxiliary member (not shown) made of, for example, Mo or Mo alloy, Cr, Ti, or Ta. The contact auxiliary element ensures that one of the transparent electrode 192 and the reflective electrode 194 are in contact with the feature, and the transparent electrode 192 is prevented from oxidizing the reflective electrode 194.

Each pixel has a transmissive area 195 and a reflective area RA. The transmissive region 195 is a region where the reflective layer 194 is omitted, and the reflective region RA is a region where the reflective layer 194 is present. The difference between the transmissive area 195 and the reflective area RA is due to a cell gap due to the removal of the organic insulating layer 187 in the transmissive area 195.

The exposed semiconductor islands 156 are disposed on the semiconductor islands 156 due to the removal of the organic insulating layer 187 and the pixel electrodes 190.

The pixel electrode 190 is physically or electrically connected to the extension 177 of the output electrode 175 through the contact hole 185 such that the pixel electrode 190 receives the data voltage from the output electrode 175. The pixel electrode 190 supplied with the data voltage cooperates with the common electrode 270 to generate an electric field which determines the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 3.

As described above, the pixel electrode 190 and the common electrode 270 form an LC capacitor C _{L C} which stores the applied voltage after the TFT is turned off. In addition, a storage capacitor C _{S T} is provided in parallel with the LC capacitor C _{L C} for enhancing a voltage storage capacity. The storage capacitor C _{S T} is constructed by covering the extension 177 of the output electrode 175 with the storage electrode line 131. Alternatively, the storage capacitor C _{S T} can be constructed by covering the pixel electrode 190 with the image scanning signal line 121 adjacent thereto, and then the storage electrode line 131 can be omitted. In an exemplary embodiment, pixel electrode 190 covers scan line 121 and adjacent data line 171 to increase an aperture ratio.

The common electrode panel 200 will be described next with reference to Figs. 3-5.

The common electrode panel 200 includes an insulating substrate 210, a photoresist member 220, a color filter 230, a protective film 250, and a common electrode 270. A so-called black matrix of a black matrix for preventing light leakage is disposed on the insulating substrate 210, which may be, for example, transparent glass. The photoresist member 220 may include an opening toward the pixel electrode 190, and may have substantially the same flat shape as the pixel electrode 190. Alternatively, the photoresist member 220 may include a linear portion corresponding to the data line 171 and other portions corresponding to the TFT.

The color filter 230 is disposed on the insulating substrate 210 and is disposed substantially in a region surrounded by the photoresist member 220. The color filter 230 may extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the pixel electrode 190. The color filter 230 may represent one of primary colors such as red, green, and blue.

A protective film 250 for preventing exposure of the color filter 230 and providing a flat surface is disposed on the color filter 230 and the photoresist member 220. A common electrode 270 made of, for example, a transparent conductive material such as ITO and IZO is disposed on a protective film 250.

A pair of polarized light polarizers (not shown) are attached to the common electrode panels 100 and 200 of the LCD panel assembly 300 and the outer surfaces of the TFT array.

An LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a photoreceptor that senses ambient light and/or light from a backlight unit to control the sensing signal of the photoreceptor in the pixel. A first reference photoreceptor PSA and a second reference photoreceptor PSB will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6A through 8.

6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of a first reference photoreceptor PSA and a second reference photoreceptor PSB, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a schematic diagram of a mounting position of a first reference photoreceptor PSA and a second reference photoreceptor PSB on an LC panel assembly 300 of an LCD device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a signal reader and a signal controller of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the first reference photoreceptor PSA is a photoreceptor disposed in a display area DA electrically connected to the sensing scan line and including the sensing element Q _P and the switching element described above with reference to FIG. Q _{S 2} and sense signal capacitor C _P . The first reference photoreceptor PSA is disposed in the LC panel assembly 300 along one edge of the display area DA of the display image. The first reference photoreceptor PSA is also disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal length of the LC panel assembly 300. However, the reference photoreceptor PSA may be disposed outside the display area DA if necessary, and may be provided independently of one of the photoreceptors (hereinafter referred to as "PSDA") in the display area DA. Positioning the first reference photoreceptor at the edge of the display area DA of the LC panel assembly 300 reduces the effects of shadows and the like caused by a contact.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the second reference photoreceptor PSB includes a sensing element Q _P , a switching element Q _{S 2 ,} and a sensing signal capacitor C _P . As shown in FIG. 7, the second reference photoreceptor PSB is disposed outside the display area DA and is connected to the independent sensing scan line. The second reference photoreceptor PSB is placed next to the edge of the display area where the first reference photoreceptor PSA is placed. The second reference photoreceptor PSB is disposed substantially parallel to the first reference photoreceptor PSA.

The first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB may be disposed adjacent to an upper edge or a lower edge of one of the LC panel assemblies 300 when viewing a display area in a front view, and in either case, the first reference photoreceptor PSA It is connected to the selected sensing scan line, and a second reference photoreceptor PSB is disposed adjacent to the first reference photoreceptor PSA outside the display area DA.

The first reference photoreceptor PSA receives ambient light via the opening of the sensing element Q _P and receives light from the backlight unit 900 (hereinafter referred to as "LBU") via one of the rear sides or apertures near the sensing element Q _P . In addition, the first reference photoreceptor PSA receives an LBU guided by a layer forming the first reference photoreceptor PSA or by one of the inner or outer layers of the first reference photoreceptor PSA and at a material layer surrounding one of the layers. The first reference photoreceptor PSA generates a sensing signal in response to ambient light and illumination of the LBU.

The second reference photoreceptor PSB represents an alternative arrangement of a photoreceptor in the arrangement of a pair of first reference photoreceptors PSA. The second reference element PSB blocks the sensing element Q _P from ambient light because the sensing element is shielded from ambient light by the photoresist member 220 and/or the reflective electrode 194. However, the second reference photoreceptor PSB receives the LBU via the guided LBU via the rear side or aperture of the proximity sensing element Qp or as described above. In addition, the second reference photoreceptor PSB receives more LBUs reflected by the reflective electrode 194 with respect to the first reference photoreceptor PSA. The second reference photoreceptor PSB generates a sensing signal in response to the illumination of the LBU.

The LCD device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of first reference photoreceptors PSA and second reference photoreceptors PSB, and such as PSDA, the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB are connected to the sensing signal line P ₁ -P _m outputs a sensing signal V _{P 1} -V _{P M} to the sensing signal line P ₁ -P _m in response to the sensing scan signal.

An LCD device for processing sense signals from the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a signal reader and a signal controller of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 respectively illustrates the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Second, the sensing signal of the photoreceptor PSB.

As shown in FIG. 8, the LCD device includes a sensing signal processor 800, a signal controller 600, a backlight unit 900, and a driver generator 950.

The sensing signal processor 800 includes a sensing signal conditioner 810 and an analog/digital converter 820. The sensing signal adjuster 810 receives the individual sensing signals V _{P 1} -V _{P M} from the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB via the sensing signal lines P ₁ -P _m for amplification and/or filter. The analog/digital converter 820 converts the adjusted sense signal V _{P 1} '-V _{P M} ' into a digital signal.

The signal controller 600 includes a serial connection signal input unit 610, an operation unit 620, and a control signal output unit 630, which can be constructed by digital logic.

The signal input unit 610 processes the digital conversion sensing signals DV _{P 1} -DV _{P M} from the analog/digital converter 820. In other words, the signal input unit 610 searches for the average of the digital conversion sensing signals DV _{P 1} -DV _{P M} of the first reference photoreceptor PSA to generate a first average sensing signal V _{S A} and searches for the second reference photoreceptor PSB. The digits are converted to an average of the sense signals DV _{P 1} -DV _{P M} to generate a second average sense signal V _{S B} . In addition, the signal input unit 610 can perform a digital screening. As described above, the use of the first average sense signal V _{S A} and the second average sense signal V _{S B} for the plurality of first reference photoreceptors PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB prevents the sense signal from being relative to The non-uniformity of the sensing signals generated by a single first reference photoreceptor PSA and a second reference photoreceptor PSB.

The operation unit 620 generates the first to third state determination signals V1, V2, and V3 in response to the first average sensing signal V _{S A} and the second average sensing signal V _{S B} from the signal input unit 610. As shown in FIG. 9, the first average sensing signal V _{S A is} delimited by a maximum signal Vmax to define a first state determination signal V1, and the first average sensing signal V _{S A} and the second average sensing signal V are defined. A difference between _{S B} defines a second state determination signal V2, and the third state determination signal V3 is defined by subtracting the minimum signal Vmin from the second average sensing signal V _{S B} . The maximum signal Vmax and the minimum signal Vmin are determined by the sense signal adjuster 810 and the analog/digital converter 820, and for example, the values of the maximum and minimum signals Vmax and Vmin are allowed to be input to the arithmetic unit 620.

The first state determination signal V1 depends on the intensity of the ambient light and the brightness of the lamp, and the value of the first state determination signal V1 becomes smaller as the intensity of the ambient light becomes larger. The second state determination signal V2 depends on the intensity of the ambient light and the brightness of the lamp, and the value of the second state determination signal V2 becomes larger as the intensity of the ambient light becomes larger. The third state determination signal V3 becomes larger as the brightness of the lamp becomes larger.

The arithmetic unit 620 determines a sensing state based on the intensity of the ambient light of the LCD device based on the first to third state determination signals V1, V2, and V3. In other words, the arithmetic unit 620 can determine whether the LCD device is bright or dark, whether it is indoors or indoors, or whether it is indoors, by comparing the first to third state determination signals V1, V2, and V3 with preset values. of. The sensing state can be determined to be one of two possible states or two or more possible states (if needed), and an example of a state determination will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart for determining a sensing state of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a diagram for sensing one of LCD devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Another illustrative flow chart of the state.

In the flowchart of FIG. 10, the arithmetic unit 620 determines one of the two possible states from the two possible states indicated as 0 and 1.

First, the arithmetic unit 620 initializes the sensing state SM to "1" (S10), and then compares the first state determination signal V1 with the first predetermined value Vth1 and the second state determination signal V2 with the second predetermined value Vth2 A comparison is made (S20). As a result of the comparison, in response to the first state determination signal V1 being less than the first predetermined value Vth1 and the second state determination signal V2 being greater than the second predetermined value Vth2, the operation unit 620 changes the sensing state SM to "0" (S30), And otherwise the sensing state SM is maintained at "1".

When the sensing state SM is "0", the operation unit 620 compares the second state determination signal V2 with a third predetermined value Vth3 and compares the third state determination signal V3 with a fourth predetermined value Vth4 (S40). . As a result of the comparison, in response to the second state determination signal V2 being less than the third predetermined value Vth3 and the third state determination signal V3 being less than the fourth predetermined value Vth4, the sensing state SM is changed to "1" (S10), otherwise sensing The state SM is maintained at "0".

In the above case, when the sensing state SM is "1", the intensity of the ambient light is small or the difference between the ambient light and the LBU is small, which corresponds to, for example, an indoor brightness. When the sensing state SM is "0", the intensity of the ambient light is large or the difference between the ambient light and the LBU is large, which corresponds to, for example, outdoor brightness.

The arithmetic unit 620 transmits the determination result of the sensing state SM to the control signal output unit 630. The control signal output unit 630 controls the backlight unit 900, the driving voltage generator 950, and the sensing signal adjuster 810 in response to the sensing state SM.

For example, the control signal output unit 630 transmits a backlight control signal BLC to the backlight unit 900 for controlling the brightness of the light of the backlight unit 900. Therefore, for example, for the sensing state SM of "0", the backlight unit 900 is turned off, and for the sensing state SM of "1", the backlight unit 900 is turned on.

In addition, the control signal output unit 630 transmits a gain control signal AG to the sensing signal adjuster 810 to control the gain of one of the sensing signal adjusters 810. Therefore, the magnitudes of the sensing signals V _{P 1} -V _{P M} from the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptors PSB and PSDA are adjusted for transmission to the analog/digital converter 820.

The control signal output unit 630 transmits a voltage control signal SG to the driving voltage generator 950, thereby changing the level of the control voltage V _{S G} . The change in the level of the control voltage V _{S G} changes the magnitude of the sensed signals V _{P 1} -V _{P M} from the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptors PSB and PSDA.

Therefore, since the backlight unit 900, the driving voltage generator 950, and the sensing signal adjuster 810 are controlled in response to the sensing state SM, the response can be accurately determined by receiving the sensing signal V _{P 1} -V _{P M} having an appropriate magnitude. Contact information at a contact.

Alternatively, in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the arithmetic unit 620 determines the sensing states SM from among three possible values such as "0", "1", and "2".

First, the arithmetic unit 620 initializes the sensing state SM to "2" (S50). Then, the operation unit 620 compares the second state determination signal V2 with the first predetermined value Vthi1 to maintain the sensing state SM "2" in response to the second state determination signal V2 being smaller than the first predetermined value Vthi1. In response to the second state determination signal V2 being greater than the first predetermined value Vthi1, the operation unit 620 compares the second state determination signal V2 with the second predetermined value Vthi2 (S60). As a result of the comparison of the operation (S60), in response to the second state determination signal V2 being smaller than the second predetermined value Vthi2, the arithmetic unit 620 maintains the sensing state SM at "2". In response to the second state determination signal V2 being greater than the second predetermined value Vthi2, the operation unit 620 compares the first state determination signal V1 with the third predetermined value Vthi3 (S65). As a result of the comparison of the operation (S65), in response to the first state determination signal V1 which is smaller than the third predetermined value Vthi3, the arithmetic unit 620 changes the sensing state SM to "0" (S70). In response to the first state determination signal V1 being greater than the third predetermined value Vthi3, the arithmetic unit 620 changes the sensing state SM to "1" (S80).

When the sensing state is "0", the second state determination signal V2 is compared with a value Vths1 (S75). In response to the second state determination signal V2 being less than the value Vths1, the sensing state SM is changed to "2", and in response to the second state determination signal V2 being greater than the value Vths1, the sensing state SM is maintained at "0".

When the sensing state is "1", the second state determination signal V2 is compared with a value Vthw1 (S85), and the sensing state SM is changed to "2" in response to the second state determination signal V2 being less than the value Vthw1, and The first state determination signal V1 is compared with a value Vthw2 in response to the second state determination signal V2 being greater than the value Vthw1 (S90). As a result of the comparison of the operation S90, the sensing state SM is changed to "0" in response to the first state determination signal V1 being less than the value Vthw2, and the sensing state SM is "1" in response to the first state determination signal V1 being greater than the value Vthw2. .

In the above example, the sensing state SM of "0" may correspond to, for example, outdoor brightness, and the sensing state SM of "1" may correspond to, for example, the brightness of a bright room, and is "2" "The sensed state SM may correspond to, for example, the brightness of a dim room.

In one or two sensing states SM and one or three sensing state SM instances, the control signal output unit 630 controls the backlight unit 900, the driving voltage generator 950, and the sensing signal conditioner 810 in response to the sensing signal SM. For example, when the ambient light is sufficient, the control voltage V _{S G is} lowered or the gain of the sense signal conditioner 810 is lowered. However, in one or three examples of sensing states, a dimming control for controlling the brightness of the lamp of the backlight unit 900 can be performed, and the control voltage V _{S G} and the sense of the driving voltage generator 950 can be controlled in more detail. The gain of the signal conditioner 810.

Alternatively, the arithmetic unit 620 can be configured to determine the sensing state SM for 4 or more possible states, and can determine the sensing state SM in response to the state determining signals V1, V2, and V3.

An LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a photoreceptor (not shown) having the same structure as the PSDA and blocking all ambient light and LBU. The sensor only outputs a sensing signal in response to the temperature, and in consideration of the influence of the temperature, the PSDA can perform more stable light sensing by determining the sensing state SM including the temperature sensing sound signal.

An LCD device will now be described with reference to Figs. 12 and 13 and Fig. 8 which obtains an optimum sensing signal from the PSDA using the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB in response to changes in ambient light.

FIG. 12 illustrates a waveform of a sensing signal of one PSDA depending on a sensing mode in an LCD device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is an LCD device according to another embodiment of the present invention. An exemplary flow chart for controlling a PSDA sensing signal.

The LCD device according to this exemplary embodiment includes the sensing signal processor 800, the signal controller 600, the backlight unit 900, and the driving voltage generator 950 shown in FIG.

The sensing signal processor 800 includes a sensing signal adjuster 810 and an analog/digital converter 820, and the signal controller 600 includes a signal input unit 610, an arithmetic unit 620, and a control signal output unit 630. The operations of the sensing signal processor 800 and the signal input unit 610 are substantially the same as those described above with reference to FIG. 8, and thus a detailed description will be omitted.

The waveform of the sensing signal in response to a contact PSDA will now be described.

In FIG. 12, a horizontal axis represents the X coordinate of the sensing signal line P ₁ -P _M of the LC panel assembly 300, and a vertical axis represents the voltage level corresponding to the sensing signal V _{P 1} -V _{P M} of the X coordinate. quasi. The sensing signal V _{P 1} -V _{P M} is an output signal of the PSDA connected to, for example, one of the sensing scan lines Si, and is assumed to be one of the sensing scanning line Si and one of the sensing signal lines P _T A contact occurs at the intersection of the people. In addition, for convenience of explanation, one of the PSDA sensing signals V _{P T} in a contact position X(P _T ) is referred to as a “contact voltage”, and the PSDA sensing signal V _{B 1 is} in a position not touched. And V _{B 2} is called "background voltage".

The waveform (1) in FIG. 12 is a sensing signal waveform in a sensing mode of a so-called shadow mode in which the contact voltage V _{P T is} lower than the background voltage V _{B 1} and the waveform in FIG. 12 (2) It is a sensing signal waveform in the sensing mode of the so-called backlight mode in which the contact voltage V _{P T is} higher than the background voltage V _{B 2} . The shaded mode indicates that the intensity of the ambient light is high (bright), and in this case, the amount of ambient light is greater than the amount of LBU reflected by the contact, and thus the contact voltage V _{P T is} less than the background voltage V _{B 1} . The backlight mode indicates that the intensity of the ambient light is low (darker), and in this case, the ambient light is smaller than the reflected LBU, so the contact voltage V _{P T is} greater than the background voltage V _{B 2} . The background voltages V _{B 1} and V _{B 2} are determined mainly depending on the intensity of the ambient light, and the contact voltage V _{P T} is determined mainly depending on the brightness of the backlight unit 900.

The signal controller 600 receives the sensing signals V _{P 1} -V _{P M} corresponding to the waveform (1) or the waveform (2) of FIG. 12, and compares the magnitudes thereof to determine whether a contact and a contact position have occurred. In other words, the signal controller 600 determines the presence of a voltage level exceeding a predetermined range of the background voltage level as a contact, and thereafter extracts the contact position.

However, if the LCD device is located between the shadow mode and the backlight mode, in other words, the difference between the background voltage V _{B 1} -V _{B 2} and the contact voltage V _{P T} (represented by ΔV _{S 1} and ΔV _{S 2} ) When it is small, it is difficult to distinguish whether or not a contact and a contact position have occurred. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the sensing signal at a predetermined amount.

An arithmetic unit 620 and a control signal output unit 630 of an LCD device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13, in which the sensing signals are controlled to be ΔV _{S 1} and ΔV. _{S 2 is} maintained at a predetermined amount.

One of the PSDAs at the contact position X(P _T ) is blocked from ambient light by a contact and generally has the same state as the second reference photoreceptor PSB that is obstructed by the ambient light. Therefore, the sensing signal and the contact voltage V _{P T of the} second reference photoreceptor PSB have substantially the same voltage level. In addition, in a contactless position, ambient light and LBU are supplied to a PSDA, and the PSDA is substantially in the same state as the first reference photoreceptor PSA. Therefore, the sense voltage and the background voltage of the first reference photoreceptor PSA have substantially the same voltage level. As a result, the difference between a background voltage and a contact voltage at the contact and non-contact positions is substantially the same as the difference ΔV _S between the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB, respectively. In this embodiment, the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB are used to control the gain of the sensing signal conditioner 810 and the brightness of the lamp of the backlight unit 900 and control the magnitude of the control voltage of the PSDA to make the difference The value ΔV _S can be located in a predetermined range.

In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the backlight control signal BLC and the backlight control variable for calculating the backlight control signal BLC, the gain control signal AG, and a gain control variable and voltage control signal SG and a The voltage control variable, and the control signal output unit 630 transmits the calculated control variables BLC, AG, and SG as control signals to the backlight unit 900, the sensing signal adjuster 810, and the driving voltage generator 950, respectively.

First, the operation starts (S100), and the arithmetic unit 620 and the control signal output unit 630 initialize the backlight unit 900 and the sensing signal adjuster 810 (S105). The control signal output unit 630 replaces the backlight minimum value BLCL with the backlight control variable BLC for transmission to the backlight unit 900, and replaces a gain intermediate value AGMID with the gain control variable AG for transmission to the sensing signal adjuster 810. Then, the backlight unit 900 operates at a standard constant current, for example, 15 mA corresponding to the backlight minimum value BLCL.

Subsequently, the arithmetic unit 620 compares a sensing signal V _{S A} with the set values V _{B L} and V _{B H} (S110).

After the comparison S110 of the operation, in response to the sensing signal V _{S A} that is less than the value V _{B L} and greater than V _{B H} , the sensing signal V _{S A is} again compared with the value V _{B L} (S120).

As a result, in response to the sense signal V _{S A} less than the value V _{B L} , the voltage change value ΔSG is added to the voltage control variable SG to generate an improved voltage control variable SG' (S125), and in response to the greater than the value V _{B L} The sensing signal V _{S A} , the sensing signal V _{S A is} compared with the value V _{B H} (S130).

After the comparison S130 of the operation, in response to the sensing signal V _{S A} greater than the value V _{B H ,} the voltage variation value ΔSG is subtracted from the voltage control variable SG to generate the improved voltage control variable SG' (S135), and in response to The sensing signal V _{S A is} less than the value V _{B L} , and the operation S110 is repeated.

During the operations S110 to S135, the control voltage VSG of the PSDA and the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB are controlled such that the sensing signal V _{S A of the} first reference photoreceptor PSA can be located at the value V _{B L} and the value. Between V _{B H.} In this way, a background voltage and a contact voltage are in a predetermined range, and thus the sensing signal of the PSDA is input to the signal controller 600 without being distorted.

Alternatively, the input voltage of the PDSA and the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB is controlled instead of its control voltage V _{S G} such that the sensing signal V _{S A of the} first reference photoreceptor PSA can be located at the value V _{B L is} between the value V _{B H} .

After the comparison S170 of the operation, in response to the sensing signal V _{S A} between the value V _{B L} and the value V _{B H , the} difference between the sensing signals of the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB ΔV _{S is} compared with the set values ΔV _{S L} and ΔV _{S H} (S140).

As a result, in response to a difference △ V _S between a value △ V _{S L} value △ V _{S H,} repeated operation S110, and in response to or less than △ V _{S L} is greater than the difference △ V _{S H} △ V _S The gain control variable AG is compared with the gain maximum value AG _{M A X} and the difference ΔV _{S is} compared with the value ΔV _{S L} (S150).

After the comparison S150 of the operation, the difference ΔV _{S is} compared with the value ΔV _{S L} in response to the gain control variable AG different from the gain maximum value AG _{M A X} or the difference ΔV _S greater than the AV _{S L} ( S160).

As a result, in response to the difference ΔV _S which is less than the value ΔV _{S L} , the gain change value ΔAG is added to the gain control variable AG to generate a modified gain control variable AG' (S165), and is responsive to the greater value ΔV _{S L} the difference △ V _S, the difference △ V _S with the comparison value △ V _{S H} (S170).

After the comparison S170 of the operation, in response to the difference ΔV _S greater than ΔV _{S H} , the gain change value ΔAG is subtracted from the gain control variable AG to generate the improved gain control variable AG' (S175), and in response to The difference ΔV _{S is} smaller than the value ΔV _{S H} , and the operation S110 is repeated.

During the operations S140 to S175, the gain of the sensing signal adjuster 810 is controlled such that the difference ΔV _S between the first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB is at the value ΔV _{S L} and the value ΔV _{S H} between. For example, for a small difference ΔV _S , the gain of the sense signal conditioner 810 is increased, but for a larger difference ΔV _S , the gain of the sense signal adjuster 810 is reduced. In this way, the difference ΔV _S located in the predetermined range clearly distinguishes the background voltage and the contact voltage, thereby judging whether or not a contact has occurred.

After the comparison of the operation S150, a backlight change value ΔBLC is added to the backlight control variable BLC in response to the gain control variable AG equal to the gain maximum value AG _{M A X} and the difference ΔV _S smaller than ΔV _{S L} (S180 And the backlight control variable BLC is compared with the backlight maximum value BLCH (S185).

After the comparison S185 of operation, in response to the backlight control variable BLC that is smaller than the backlight maximum BLCH, the operation S110 is repeated, and in response to the backlight control variable BLC greater than the backlight maximum BLCH, the gain control variable AG is used instead of the gain minimum value AG _{M I N} (S190), then the backlight control variable BLC is replaced with the backlight control variable BLC (S195) and the operation S110 is repeated.

In operations S150 to S165, in response to the difference ΔV _S which is greater than the value ΔV _{S L} regardless of how the gain of the sense signal adjuster 810 is adjusted, the brightness of the backlight unit 900 is increased to increase the difference ΔV _S . In other words, when the intensity of the ambient light is weak, the brightness of the backlight unit 900 is increased to increase the sensing of the second reference photoreceptor PSB when the background voltage and the contact voltage cannot be distinguished regardless of the gain of the sensing signal adjuster 810. Contact voltage of signal V _{S B} and PSDA. Then, the sensing mode of the LCD device is changed from the shadow mode to the backlight mode, and the background voltage and the contact voltage are distinguished.

In operation S180 to S185, in response to the backlight control variable BLC regardless of whether the backlight is greater than and less than the maximum value BLC _H △ V _{S L} of a difference △ V _S, is determined to increase the intensity of the ambient light, thus the sensing signal conditioner 810 The gain is minimized and allows the brightness of the backlight unit 900 to have a minimum value in operations S190 to S195. Therefore, in the sensing mode, the backlight mode is changed to the shadow mode, thus distinguishing the background voltage from the contact voltage.

As described above, the difference between the sensing signals V _{S A} and V _{S B of the} first reference photoreceptor PSA and the second reference photoreceptor PSB and the difference ΔV _{S of the} sensing signals V _{S A} and V _{S B} is used to control the PSDA. The control voltage, the gain of the sense signal conditioner 810, and the brightness of the backlight unit 900 are such that the background voltage and the contact voltage of the PSDA can be distinguished. Therefore, the signal controller 600 receives the sensing signal of the PSDA to determine whether a contact and a contact position have occurred.

In this embodiment, the signal input unit 610, the operation unit 620, and the control signal output unit 630 are implemented by digital logic, such as using one of the chips to be included in a single chip or to be included in one of the wafers including the sensing signal processor. Or ASIC special application integrated circuit programming.

Although an LCD device having a backlight unit has been described above, and the present invention is not limited thereto, the present invention can be applied to other non-emissive display devices having a backlight unit.

According to the present invention, the LCD includes a first reference photoreceptor depending on the ambient light and the LBU and a second reference photoreceptor depending only on the LBU, thereby determining the intensity of the ambient light from the sensing signal of the second reference photoreceptor. Accurately perform PSDA photo-sensing and control the brightness of a backlight unit.

In addition, although the external environment changes, it is possible to obtain a sensing signal of the PSDA, which can use the sensing signal of the reference photoreceptor to determine the contact information depending on a contact by controlling the sensing signal of the PSDA.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather, various modifications and equivalent arrangements are included in the scope of the appended claims.

3. . . Liquid crystal layer

100. . . Lower panel

190. . . Pixel electrode

192. . . Transparent electrode

194. . . Reflective electrode

200. . . Upper panel

230. . . Color filter

270. . . Common electrode

300. . . Panel assembly

400. . . Image scanner

500. . . Data driver

600. . . Signal controller

610. . . Signal input unit

620. . . Arithmetic unit

630. . . Control signal output unit

700. . . Sensing scanner

800. . . Sense signal processor

810. . . Sense signal conditioner

820. . . Analog/digital converter

900. . . Backlight unit

950. . . Drive voltage generator

1 is a block diagram of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a sub-pixel of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; An exemplary layout of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 4 and 5 are respectively a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV' and V-V' of FIG. 3; FIGS. 6A and 6B are based on FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a photoreceptor mounted on an LC panel assembly of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a signal reader and a signal controller of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 illustrates a sensing signal of the reference photoreceptor shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart for determining a sensing state of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is for determining an LCD according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Another illustrative flow chart of sensing state of one of the devices; 12 is a view showing a waveform of a sensing signal of a photoreceptor in one display area depending on a sensing mode in an LCD device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 13 is for use in accordance with the present invention. An exemplary flowchart of controlling a sensing signal of a photoreceptor in an area of an LCD device of another exemplary embodiment.

300. . . Panel assembly

400. . . Image scanner

500. . . Data driver

600. . . Signal controller

700. . . Sensing scanner

800. . . Sense signal processor

900. . . Backlight unit

950. . . Drive voltage generator

Claims (32)

A display device comprising: a panel assembly; a backlight unit that supplies light to the panel assembly; a first photoreceptor that is supplied with ambient light and light from the backlight unit to generate a first sensing signal a second photoreceptor that is permeable to the ambient light and receives the light from the backlight unit to generate a second sensing signal; a sensing signal processor that receives the first photoreceptor and the second The first sensing signal and the second sensing signal of the photoreceptor are used for processing; and a signal controller determines a sensing state in response to the intensity of the ambient light, wherein the intensity response of the ambient light Determining, by the processed first sensing signal and the processed second sensing signal from the sensing signal processor, and performing a predetermined control operation in response to the sensing state, wherein the signal controller outputs a gain Controlling the signal to the sensing signal processor, when the first and second sensing signals are processed by the signal processor, the gain control signal is used to control a gain of the sensing signal processor to adjust the receiving The first and the second sensing signal and a second one of the magnitude of the photoreceptor. The display device of claim 1, wherein the signal controller generates at least one state determination signal in response to the processed first and second sensing signals, and determines the sensing state in response to the at least one state determination signal. And the at least one state determination signal includes a corresponding one of the processed a first determination signal of a difference between the first and second sensing signals. The display device of claim 2, wherein the signal controller controls the brightness of one of the backlight units in response to the sensing state. The display device of claim 2, wherein the first photoreceptor comprises a sensing component, and the signal controller controls one of the sensing components to control a voltage to adjust sensitivity of one of the first photoreceptors. The display device of claim 2, wherein the sensing signal processor amplifies the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and converts the amplified first sensing signal and the second sensing signal into digital signals . The display device of claim 2, wherein the at least one state determination signal further comprises: a difference corresponding to an input maximum allowable signal of the one of the sensing signal processors and the processed first sensing signal a second determination signal; and a third determination signal corresponding to a difference between the input allowable minimum signal and the processed second sensing signal. The display device of claim 6, wherein the sensing state comprises one of a first state and a second state, and in the first state of an initial state, responding to greater than a first set value The first determination signal and the second determination signal that is less than a second set value, the signal controller changes from the first state to the second state, and responds to the first determination signal that is less than the first set value And one of the second determination signals greater than the second set value, the signal controller maintains the first state, and In the second state, the signal controller changes from the second state to the first state in response to the first determination signal that is less than a third set value and the third determination signal that is less than a fourth set value. And the signal controller maintains the second state in response to one of the first determination signal greater than the third set value and the third determination signal greater than the fourth set value. The display device of claim 6, wherein the sensing state comprises one of a first state, a second state, and a third state, and in the first state that is an initial state, responding to greater than one The first determination signal of the first set value and the second determination signal greater than a second set value, the signal controller changes from the first state to the second state, and the response is greater than the first set value The first determination signal and the second determination signal smaller than the second set value, the signal controller changes from the first state to the third state, and responds to the first determination signal that is less than the first set value The signal controller maintains the first state, and in the second state, in response to the first determination signal that is less than a third set value, the signal controller changes from the second state to the first state, And in response to the first determination signal greater than the third set value and the second determination signal greater than a fourth set value, the signal controller maintains the second state and responds to the third set value The first judgment signal and The second determination signal that is smaller than the fourth set value, the signal controller changes from the second state to the third state, and in the third state, responds to the first determination that is less than a fifth set value a signal, the signal controller changes from the third state to the first state And the signal controller maintains the third state in response to the first determination signal that is greater than the fifth set value. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first photoreceptor and the second photoreceptor comprise a sensing element comprising an amorphous germanium or a polycrystalline germanium. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first photoreceptor is provided in a display area of the panel assembly, and the second photoreceptor is provided outside the display area. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor that is opposite to the ambient light and the light from the backlight unit and generates a third sensing signal, and the temperature sensor further responds to the first The three sensing signals perform the predetermined control operation. A driving method for a display device having a backlight unit for supplying light, comprising: receiving ambient light and the light from the backlight unit at a first photoreceptor to generate a first sensing signal; The photoreceptor blocks the ambient light and receives the light from the backlight unit to generate a second sensing signal; the first and second sensing signals are received and processed by a sensing signal processor; The first sensing signal and the second sensing signal generate a state determining signal; determining a sensing state in response to the intensity of the ambient light indicated by the state determining signal, and outputting a gain control signal based on the sensing state To the sensing signal The gain control signal is used to control the gain of one of the sensing signal processors to adjust the receiving from the first and second photoreceptors when the first and second sensing signals are processed by the signal processor. One of the first and second sensing signals, wherein the state determining signal indicates a difference between the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting a magnitude of the first sensed signal in a predetermined range. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting a brightness of the backlight unit in response to the sensing state. A display device comprising: a panel assembly; a backlight unit that supplies light to the panel assembly; a first photoreceptor that receives ambient light and light from the backlight unit to generate a first sensing signal; a second photoreceptor that is permeable to the ambient light and receives the light from the backlight unit to generate a second sensing signal; a third photoreceptor that receives the ambient light and the light from the backlight unit in response Forming a third sensing signal in contact, the third photoreceptor is disposed in a display area; a sensing signal processor processing the first to third from the first to third photoreceptors And a signal controller that adjusts the third sensing signal in response to the processed first and second sensing signals. The display device of claim 15, wherein the signal controller adjusts the third sensing signal such that a difference between the processed first and second sensing signals is between a first set value and Between a second set value. The display device of claim 16, wherein the signal controller adjusts a control voltage input to the third photoreceptor for adjusting the third sensing signal. The display device of claim 16, wherein the signal controller adjusts a gain of the one of the sensing signal processors for adjusting the third sensing signal. The display device of claim 16, wherein the signal controller adjusts brightness of one of the backlight units for adjusting the third sensing signal. The display device of claim 16, wherein the signal controller adjusts a control voltage input to the third photoreceptor such that a value of the processed first sensing signal is between a third set value and a fourth Between set values. The display device of claim 20, wherein in response to the processed first sensing signal that is less than the third set value, a voltage change value is added to the control voltage, and the response is greater than the fourth set value. The processed sensing signal is subtracted from the control voltage. The display device of claim 16, wherein in response to the difference being less than the first set value, a gain change value is added to a gain of the sense signal processor, and the difference is greater than the second set value A value that is subtracted from the gain of the sense signal processor. The display device of claim 22, wherein the brightness of the backlight unit is increased by a predetermined change value in response to the gain of the sensing signal processor equal to a gain maximum and the difference being less than the first set value. The display device of claim 23, wherein the gain of the sensing signal processor changes to a gain intermediate value and the brightness change of the backlight unit is a minimum in response to the brightness of the backlight unit being equal to a maximum change value Change value. The display device of claim 15, wherein the first photoreceptor and the second photoreceptor respectively comprise a first sensing element and a second sensing element, and the processed first and second sensing signals are respectively An average value of the output signals of the first sensing element and the second sensing element. The display device of claim 15, wherein the first photoreceptor and the third photoreceptor are provided in the display area of the panel assembly, and the second photoreceptor is provided outside the display area. The display device of claim 15, further comprising a light blocking member that blocks the second photoreceptor from the ambient light. The display device of claim 27, wherein the light blocking member is a black matrix that prevents light leakage from one of the panel assemblies. The display device of claim 27, wherein the light blocking member is a reflective member that reflects the ambient light. The display device of claim 15, wherein the sensing signal processor and the signal controller are included in a single chip. A driving method for a display device having a backlight unit for supplying light, comprising: receiving ambient light and light from the backlight unit at a first photoreceptor to generate a first sensing signal; Blocking the ambient light and receiving the backlight from the device The light is generated to generate a second sensing signal; the ambient light is received at a third photoreceptor and the light from the backlight unit generates a third sensing signal in response to a contact; a sensing signal The processor receives and processes the first and second sensing signals; and adjusts the third sensing signal in response to the processed first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. The driving method of claim 31, wherein the adjusting the third sensing signal further comprises adjusting the third sensing signal such that a difference between the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal is between A first set value and a second set value.