Array substrate, method for controlling the same, liquid crystal display device

An array substrate comprises a substrate, transistors arranged on the substrate, a first transparent electrode electrically connected with a drain of the transistor, and a second transparent electrode arranged between the first transparent electrode and the substrate. The first transparent electrode comprises strip-shaped electrodes electrically connected with each other. The second transparent electrode corresponds to the first transparent electrode and comprises electrode sets insulated from each other. Each of the plurality of electrode sets comprises two sub-electrodes arranged in the same layer, insulated from each, and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner. The sub-electrodes of the second transparent electrode act as a common electrode in a first preset time and a touch control electrode in a second preset time. A method for controlling the array substrate and a liquid crystal display device are also disclosed. The touch control function can be integrated in the array substrate, simplifying structure of the display device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of technique for touch liquid crystal display, and particularly to an array substrate, a method for controlling the same, and a liquid crystal display device comprising the same.

BACKGROUND ART

Due to the rapid development of the display technique, the advent of touch panel (TP) brings the user a more convenient life.

The touch panel comprises an Add-On touch panel and an In-Cell touch panel. In the In-Cell touch panel, a touch panel with a touch sensor (i.e., a touch driving electrode and a touch sensing electrode) is integrated in the display panel, and generally is arranged between the array substrate and the liquid crystal layer of the display panel. In the In-Cell touch panel, it is possible to realize a display touch panel which has the display and touch control function and is simply in structure.

The touch sensing for the In-Cell touch panel is conducted in a capacitance mode, which can be further divided into a self capacitance mode and a mutual capacitance mode. The self capacitance In-Cell touch panel has been widely applied due to its advantages of simple in fabrication and low power consumption. The touch control principle is to utilize the electrical field of the human body. When the user's finger is approaching a light output side of the display panel (and thus approaching the touch panel), the parasitic capacitance (Cp) between the touch driving electrode and the touch sensing electrode will vary in its magnitude. Whether a touch occurs can be determined by a terminal system which is connected with the touch driving electrode and the touch sensing electrode, and each position of touch point can be accurately determined, thus realizing the touch and display function.

In the self capacitance In-Cell touch panel, it is required to arrange the additional touch driving electrode and touch sensing electrode in the existing array substrate and the liquid crystal layer. This not only increases the number of patterning processes, which leads to increase in production cost, but also affects the light transmittance of the display panel.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide an array substrate, a method for controlling the same, and a liquid crystal display device comprising the same. In the present invention, a touch control electrode can be integrated in the array substrate, thus avoiding increase the number of patterning processes. In case the array substrate is applied to a liquid crystal display device, the display and touch control function can be realized, thus simplifying structure of the liquid crystal display device, and improving light transmittance of the liquid crystal display device.

To this end, the following solutions are adopted in embodiments of the present invention.

In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an array substrate, comprising: a substrate, a plurality of transistors which are arranged on the substrate, a first transparent electrode which is electrically connected with a drain of the transistor, and a second transparent electrode which is arranged between the first transparent electrode and the substrate; the first transparent electrode comprises a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes which are electrically connected with each other; the second transparent electrode corresponds to the first transparent electrode and comprises a plurality of electrode sets which are arranged in the same layer and insulated from each other, and each of the plurality of electrode sets comprises two sub-electrodes which are insulated from each other and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner; wherein the sub-electrodes of the second transparent electrode act as a common electrode in a first preset time and a touch control electrode in a second preset time.

Preferably, each sub-electrode has a right-angled triangle like shape; the right-angled triangle like shape comprises a first right-angle side which is parallel with the gate line, a second right-angle side which is parallel with the data line, and a serrated hypotenuse; wherein the array substrate further comprises a gate line which is electrically connected with a gate of the transistor and a data line which is electrically connected with a source of the transistor.

More preferably, the first right-angle side of each sub-electrode is parallel with the first right-angle sides of the remaining sub-electrodes.

Preferably, the gate line are arranged in pairs, each pair of gate lines is arranged in a parallel manner between two neighboring rows of first transparent electrodes; wherein the gate line in each pair of gate lines is electrically connected with the closer row of gate; for each sub-electrode, the array substrate further comprises a plurality of secondary metal wires which are electrically connected with said each sub-electrode, and the secondary metal wires and the gate lines are arranged in parallel and in the same layer; wherein the secondary metal wires are arranged between any two neighboring rows of first transparent electrodes which are not provided with the pair of gate lines.

More preferably, each secondary metal wire is electrically connected with one of the sub-electrodes by means of a plurality of via holes which are arranged uniformly.

Preferably, the array substrate further comprises a plurality of primary metal wires and a driving IC which is connected with the plurality of primary metal wires, wherein each primary metal wire is electrically connected with the plurality of secondary metal wires which are electrically connected with one of the sub-electrodes; the driving IC is configured to provide a common electrode driving signal to the sub-electrodes in the first preset time and a touch self-sensing signal to the sub-electrodes in the second preset time.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid crystal display device, which comprises any of the above-mentioned array substrate.

Preferably, the liquid crystal display device further comprises a color film substrate over which a black matrix is arranged; wherein in each electrode set of the array substrate, two sub-electrodes which are insulated from each other and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner are spaced by an interval, and the interval corresponds to the black matrix and has an area less than or equal to that of the black matrix.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for controlling any of the above-mentioned array substrate, which comprises: inputting a common electrode driving signal to the sub-electrodes of the second transparent electrode of the array substrate and a pixel electrode driving signal to the first transparent electrode of the array substrate in the first preset time, and inputting a touch self-sensing signal to the sub-electrodes of the second transparent electrode in the second preset time.

Preferably, inputting the common electrode driving signal to the sub-electrodes of the second transparent electrode of the array substrate in the first preset time comprises: inputting the common electrode driving signal by the driving IC to the sub-electrode via the primary metal wires in the first preset time; and inputting the touch self-sensing signal to the sub-electrodes in the second preset time comprises: inputting the touch self-sensing signal by the driving IC to the sub-electrodes via the primary metal wires in the second preset time.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an array substrate, a method for controlling the same, and a liquid crystal display device comprising the same. The array substrate comprises a substrate, a plurality of transistors which are arranged on the substrate, a first transparent electrode which is electrically connected with a drain of the transistor, and a second transparent electrode which is arranged between the first transparent electrode and the substrate; the first transparent electrode comprises a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes which are electrically connected with each other; the second transparent electrode comprises a plurality of electrode sets which are arranged in the same layer and insulated from each other, each electrode set comprises two sub-electrodes which are insulated from each other and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner, and each sub-electrode corresponds to a plurality of the first transparent electrodes; wherein the sub-electrodes act as a common electrode in a first preset time and a touch control electrode in a second preset time. Since the second transparent electrode is arranged as a plurality of electrode sets which are insulated from each other, and each electrode set comprises sub-electrodes which are insulated from each other and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner, it is possible for the sub-electrodes to act as the common electrode in the first preset time and the touch control electrode in the second preset time. In this way, it is not necessary to provide additional patterned layers to integrate the touch control electrode in the array substrate. In case the array substrate is applied to the liquid crystal display device, the display and touch control function can be realized, thus simplifying structure of the liquid crystal display device. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide additional patterned layers to integrate the touch control electrode in the array substrate, it is possible to avoid decrease in light transmittance of the liquid crystal display device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Several technical solutions of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings in order for those skilled in the art to be able to carry out the present disclosure. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is only limited by the appended claims.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an array substrate01. As shown inFIG. 1, the array substrate01comprises a substrate10, a plurality of transistors11which are arranged on the substrate, a first transparent electrode12which is electrically connected with a drain of the transistor, and a second transparent electrode13which is arranged between the first transparent electrode12and the substrate10. The first transparent electrode12comprises a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes120which are electrically connected with each other. As shown inFIGS. 2-3, the second transparent electrode13comprises a plurality of electrode sets130which are arranged in the same layer and insulated from each other. Each electrode set130comprises two sub-electrodes1301which are insulated from each other and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner, and each sub-electrode1301corresponds to a plurality of first transparent electrodes12.

The sub-electrodes1301act as a common electrode in a first preset time and a touch control electrode in a second preset time.

The transistor11comprises a gate, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, a source, and a drain. Preferably, the transistor11is a thin film transistor.

Here, the first preset time refers to a display period for realizing the image display function in case the array substrate01is applied to the liquid crystal display device; the second preset time refers to a touch period for realizing the touch control function in case the array substrate01is applied to the liquid crystal display device. In practice, the sub-electrodes are drove in a time sharing mode (i.e., drove separately in the first preset time and in second preset time). Namely, in the first preset time, the sub-electrodes1301act as a common electrode, the first transparent electrode12acts as a pixel electrode, and a voltage for realizing image display function is applied to the sub-electrodes1301and the first transparent electrode12, thus realizing image display function. In the second preset time, the sub-electrodes1301act as a touch control electrode15, a voltage for realizing the touch control function is applied to the sub-electrodes1301, and the first transparent electrode12is brought into a non-operating state to avoid effects on the touch control.

Based on the foregoing, the sub-electrodes1301act as a common electrode in the first preset time. Each sub-electrode1301corresponds to a plurality of first transparent electrodes12(i.e., pixel electrodes) over the sub-electrodes. In display units defined by the plurality of first transparent electrodes12, the sub-electrodes1301which act as the common electrode have a plate shape. In addition, each first transparent electrode12comprises a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes which are electrically connected with each other. In this way, in the plurality of display units, a multi-dimensional electrical field can be formed between the strip-shaped electrodes120in different planes and the plate-shaped sub-electrodes1301. When the array substrate01is applied to the liquid crystal display device, the multi-dimensional electrical field renders the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal cell to rotate, thus realizing image display function. In particularly, as shown inFIG. 4, in the first preset time, each sub-electrode1301correspond to the plurality of first transparent electrodes12over the sub-electrode, and the sub-electrodes1301act as a common electrode. The plurality of first transparent electrodes12corresponding to the sub-electrodes1301act as a counter electrode, and realize image display function of the liquid crystal display device when a voltage is applied.

In the second preset time, the sub-electrodes1301act as touch control electrode. Parasitic capacitance (Cp) will be developed between two sub-electrodes1301of the same electrode set130. Due to an electrical field of the human body, when a finger contacts a light output side of the liquid crystal display device, the finger acts as a conductor, and external capacitance (Cf) is formed between the finger and the electrode set130on the array substrate. The external capacitance (Cf) and the parasitic capacitance (Cp) in the electrode set130form a coupling electrical field between the electrode set130and the finger. The coupling electrical field will change the magnitude of the parasitic capacitance (Cp). Based on variation of the position of touch point capacitance, the position of touch point can be determined by calculation, thus realizing touch control function.

It is noted that, firstly, in embodiments of the present invention, a bottom-gate transistor is taken as an example inFIG. 1for explaining the position relations between the transistor11and the first and second transparent electrodes12,13. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The transistor11can also be a top-gate thin film transistor.

Secondly, the first transparent electrode12and the second transparent electrode13can be made from a transparent conductive material like ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide).

Thirdly, as shown inFIG. 2, in embodiments of the present invention, the staggered and complementary sub-electrodes1301can be formed as follow. A transparent conductive thin film is formed on the substrate. After a patterning process, the transparent conductive thin film is divided into a plurality of electrode sets130which are insulated from each other. Each electrode set130is also divided into two sub-electrodes1301. In each electrode set130, two sub-electrodes1301have two sides which are insulated from each other and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner. When one of the two sides has a certain shape, the other side has a corresponding shape which engages with the certain shape. Further, in order to determine accurately the position of touch point when the sub-electrodes1301is operated in the touch period, two sub-electrodes1301preferably have the same shape and area.

The present embodiment provides an array substrate01, which comprises a substrate10, a plurality of transistors11which are arranged on the substrate, a first transparent electrode which is electrically connected with a drain of the transistor12, and a second transparent electrode13which is arranged between the first transparent electrode12and the substrate10. The first transparent electrode12comprises a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes120which are electrically connected with each other, and the second transparent electrode130comprises a plurality of electrode sets130which are arranged in the same layer and insulated from each other. Each electrode set130comprises two sub-electrodes1301which are insulated from each other and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner, and the sub-electrodes1301correspond to a plurality of first transparent electrodes12. Since the second transparent electrode13is arranged as a plurality of electrode sets130which are insulated from each other, and each electrode set comprises sub-electrodes1301which are insulated from each other and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner, it is possible for the sub-electrodes1301to act as the common electrode in the first preset time and the touch control electrode in the second preset time. In this way, it is not necessary to provide additional patterned layers to integrate the touch control electrode in the array substrate01. In case the array substrate01is applied to the liquid crystal display device, the display and touch control function can be realized, thus simplifying structure of the liquid crystal display device. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide additional patterned layers to integrate the touch control electrode in the array substrate, it is possible to avoid decrease in light transmittance of the liquid crystal display device.

Preferably, as shown inFIG. 4, each sub-electrode1301has a right-angled triangle like shape, which comprises a first right-angle side1301aparallel with a gate line14, a second right-angle side1301bparallel with a data line15, and a serrated hypotenuse.

The array substrate01further comprises the gate line14electrically connected with the gate of the transistor11and the data line15electrically connected with the source of the transistor11.

It is noted that, if the sub-electrodes1301completely covers the transistor11, parasitic capacitance may be developed between the sub-electrodes and the source/drain electrode, which may affect performance of the transistor11. Thus, in embodiments of the present invention, the sub-electrodes1301are preferably hollowed out at a portion corresponding to the transistor11, as shown inFIG. 4. In this way, from the microscopic view (taking a pixel as the unit), the second right-angle side1301bparallel with the data line15will not be a straight line. However, since the transistor11is relatively small in its size, the portion which is hollowed out can be ignored from the macroscopic view (taking a display panel as the unit), and the second right-angle side1301bcan be regarded as a straight line.

In addition, in order to avoid the lack of the touch control electrode or a display defect in a certain region during forming the second transparent electrode13, it is preferred to divide along the gate lines14and the data line15so as to obtain rectangular electrode sets130, during dividing the deposited transparent conductive thin film into the plurality of electrode sets130which are insulated from each other.

In each electrode set130, two sub-electrodes1301are arranged in a staggered manner, and the sub-electrodes1301in each electrode set130are insulated from each other. Thus, it is necessary to form an interval1301cbetween opposite hypotenuses of two sub-electrodes1301, as shown inFIG. 4.

Reference is made to the microscopic view inFIG. 4. It can be seen that, when the sub-electrodes1301are formed, each sub-electrode1301has to correspond to a plurality of whole first transparent electrodes12, thus avoiding display defect. Therefore, to ensure the integrity of the plurality of display units defined by the plurality of first transparent electrodes12and each sub-electrode1301, the right-angled triangle like shape has a zigzag hypotenuse. Namely, when two vertexes for connecting the hypotenuse the right-angled triangle like shape are known, the hypotenuse may consist of connection lines along the gate line14and the data line15, thus avoiding incomplete display in some display units.

From the macroscopic view, as shown inFIG. 5, it is more preferred that the first right-angle side1301aof each sub-electrode1301is parallel with the first right-angle side1301aof the remaining sub-electrodes1301.

Here, no matter the sub-electrode1301acts as the common electrode or the touch control electrode, a driving signal is required to be applied to the sub-electrode1301, and the driving signal is generally supplied by a driving IC. This requires a connection line for conducting the signal which is connected with the sub-electrode1301. The connection line is usually arranged in the peripheral region. Thus, the first right-angle side1301aparallel with the gate line can be set to have the same width with the display area in the direction of the gate line, so that the existing common electrode line can act as the above-mentioned connection line, thus avoiding additional wiring, which reduces the number of processes and difficulty. Of course, if a connection line is added which is connected with the driving IC, the first right-angle side1301acan be set to parallel with the data line.

Here, in case the array substrate is applied to the liquid crystal display device, an effective contact width between the finger and the liquid crystal display device is generally 5.0 mm. Since the electrode set130has a shape like a rectangle, by controlling a short side of the rectangle (i.e., each second right-angle side1301b) in a range of 3.0˜5.0 mm, it is possible to ensure each electrode set130has a maximum touch area of 5.0×5.0 mm2. As a result, in tests with a normal touch width of 5.0 mm, it is guaranteed that the tester's finger can contact two sub-electrodes1301of the same electrode set130, thus changing the magnitude of the parasitic capacitance (Cp). In this way, it is possible for a terminal system connected with the electrode set130to accurately determine the position of touch point.

It is noted that, each display unit has a relatively small size, and the second right-angle side1302of each sub-electrode1301has a length not more than 5.0 mm. Thus, as shown inFIG. 5, i.e., the overall top view of the array substrate01, the zigzag hypotenuse of the right-angled triangle like shape is approximately a straight line. That is, the sub-electrodes1301has a shape which looks like a right-angled triangle.

More preferably, as shown inFIG. 4, the gate lines14are arranged in pairs, each pair of gate lines is arranged between two neighboring rows of first transparent electrodes12. The gate line in each pair of gate lines14is electrically connected with the closer row of gate. As for each sub-electrode1301, as shown inFIG. 5, the array substrate01further comprises a plurality of secondary metal wires16which are electrically connected with one of the sub-electrodes1301, and the secondary metal wires16and the gate lines14are arranged in the same layer and are parallel with each other. In addition, the secondary metal wires16are arranged between any two neighboring rows of first transparent electrodes which are not provided with the pair of gate lines12.

Here, the secondary metal wires16can be replaced by the common electrode lines in the existing array substrate.

Further, the sub-electrodes1301are generally made from a transparent material of large resistance like ITO. A large resistance tends to increase the electrode signal delay of the array substrate01(also as RC-Loading). The secondary metal wires16are generally made from a metallic material with a small resistance. Thus, by electrically connecting each secondary metal wire16with one of the sub-electrodes1301by means of a plurality of via holes160which are arranged uniformly, the sub-electrodes1301of large resistance and the secondary metal wires16of small resistance are connected in parallel. According to the equation for a parallel resistance, the effective resistance in a parallel circuit is smaller than any sub-resistance in the parallel circuit. In this way, the resistance of the sub-electrodes1301can be reduced, and thus the electrode signal delay of the array substrate01can be improved.

Further, the array substrate further comprises a plurality of primary metal wires17, and a driving IC which is connected with the plurality of primary metal wires. Each primary metal wire17is electrically connected with the plurality of secondary metal wires16which are electrically connected with one of the sub-electrodes1301.

A timing signal is applied to the driving IC, so that in the first preset time (i.e., a display period for realizing the image display function), the driving IC provides a common electrode driving signal to the sub-electrodes1301, while in the second preset time (i.e., a touch period for realizing user touch control function), the driving IC provides a touch self-sensing signal to the sub-electrodes1301.

By reference toFIG. 6, a timing diagram for display and touch control function, the operating principle of the array substrate01in embodiments of the present invention will be explained.

InFIG. 6, Vsync is a timing signal. In the first preset time, driving signals (labeled as Gate-1, Gate-1. . . Gate-n) are successively applied to each row of gate lines14, so that the gate of the transistor11which is connected with each row of gate lines14is turned on. Each row of first transparent electrodes12is charged with the signal (labeled as Data) which is applied to the data line15. At the same time, the driving IC applies a constant voltage, e.g., 5V, to all sub-electrodes1301. In this way, the sub-electrodes1301act as the common electrode, and the first transparent electrode12acts as the pixel electrode. The sub-electrodes1301and the first transparent electrode12can produce a multi-dimensional electrical field, thus realizing display function of the array substrate01.

In the first preset time, once the last row of first transparent electrodes12is charged, the display function of the array substrate01is complete, and the second preset time is followed. In the second preset time, the driving IC successively applies self-sensing signals (labeled as S1, S2. . . Sn) to electrode sets130of the second transparent electrode. When the finger touches a region corresponding to one of the electrode sets130, the magnitude of the parasitic capacitance (Cp) is changed, and the occurrence of touch is sensed through the change of the self-sensing signal, thus realizing the touch control function of the array substrate01.

In second preset time, since no driving signal is applied to the gate line14and the data line15, the first transparent electrodes12are brought into a non-operating state to avoid effects on the touch control.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a liquid crystal display device. As shown inFIG. 7, the liquid crystal display device comprises any of the above-mentioned array substrate01. Of course, the liquid crystal display device can further comprise a color film substrate02and a liquid crystal layer03which is arranged between the array substrate01and the color film substrate02.

The liquid crystal display device can be a product or component with any display function, such as a liquid crystal display, a liquid crystal TV, a digital photo frame, a mobile phone, a tablet computer.

Further, a black matrix is arranged on the color film substrate02. In each electrode set130of the array substrate01, the interval1301cbetween two sub-electrodes1301which are insulated from each other and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner (referring toFIG. 4) corresponds to the black matrix, and the interval1301chas an area not more than that of the black matrix. In this way, a case is avoided in which the interval is a relatively large, so that the sub-electrodes1301has a reduced area, which may leads to display defect in some display units among the plurality of display units defined by the plurality of first transparent electrodes12corresponding to the sub-electrodes1301.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display device comprising any one of the above-mentioned array substrate01is described in a specific embodiment. As shown inFIG. 7, the liquid crystal display device comprises any one of the array substrate01as described above, the color film substrate02, and the liquid crystal layer03which is arranged between the array substrate01and the color film substrate02.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, the array substrate01comprises a substrate10, a plurality of transistors11which are arranged on the substrate, a first transparent electrode12which is electrically connected with a drain of the transistor11, and a second transparent electrode13which is arranged between the first transparent electrode12and the substrate10. Further, the array substrate01further comprises a gate line14which is electrically connected with the gate of the transistor11and a data line15which is electrically connected with the source of the transistor11.

Further, referring toFIG. 4, the gate lines14are arranged in pairs, each pair of gate lines are arranged in a parallel manner between two neighboring rows of first transparent electrodes12. The gate lines in each pair of gate lines14are electrically connected with the two neighboring rows of gate. Referring toFIG. 5, as for each sub-electrode1301, the array substrate01further comprises a plurality of secondary metal wires16and a primary metal wire17which are electrically connected with one of the sub-electrodes1301. The secondary metal wires16and the gate line14are arranged in a parallel manner and in the same layer. The secondary metal wires16are arranged between any two neighboring rows of first transparent electrodes12which are not provided with the pair of gate lines. Each secondary metal wire16is electrically connected with one of the sub-electrodes1301by means of a plurality of via holes160which are arranged uniformly.

The first transparent electrode12comprises a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes120which are electrically connected with each other. The second transparent electrode13comprises a plurality of electrode sets130which are insulated from each other. Each electrode set comprises two sub-electrodes1301which are arranged in the same layer, insulated from each, and arranged in a staggered and complementary manner. In the first preset time (i.e., display period), the sub-electrodes1301act as a common electrode, while in the second preset time (i.e., touch period), the sub-electrodes1301act as a touch control electrode.

Further, each sub-electrode1301has a right-angled triangle like shape, which comprises a first right-angle side1301aparallel with the gate line14, a second right-angle side1301bparallel with the data line15, and a serrated hypotenuse. The first right-angle side1301ain each sub-electrode1301is parallel with the first right-angle sides1301aof the remaining sub-electrodes1301.

Here, an effective contact width between the finger and the liquid crystal display device is generally 5.0 mm. Since the electrode set130has a shape like a rectangle, by controlling a short side of the rectangle (i.e., each second right-angle side1301b) in a range of 3.0˜5.0 mm, it is possible to ensure each electrode set130has a maximum touch area of 5.0×5.0 mm2. As a result, in tests with a normal touch width of 5.0 mm, it is guaranteed that the tester's finger can contact two sub-electrodes1301of the same electrode set130, thus changing the magnitude of the parasitic capacitance (Cp). In this way, it is possible for a terminal system connected with the electrode set130to accurately determine the position of touch point.

Further, in order to realize the display mode and touch mode of the liquid crystal display device, the array substrate01further comprises a driving IC which is connected with the primary metal wires. A timing signal is applied to the driving IC, so that in the first preset time (i.e., a display period for realizing the image display function), the driving IC provides a common electrode driving signal to the sub-electrodes1301, while in the second preset time (i.e., a touch period for realizing user touch control function), the driving IC provide a touch self-sensing signal to the sub-electrodes1301.

Reference is further made toFIG. 6. The operating principle of the liquid crystal display device for realizing the display mode and the touch mode in a time sharing manner is described, in which the liquid crystal display device has a typical scanning frequency of 60 Hz and each frame of image has 1208×800 pixels.

The liquid crystal display device has a typical scanning frequency of 60 Hz, indicating a duration of about 16.67 ms for each frame. For transistors on the array substrate in most liquid crystal display devices, the width for gate driving is relatively small, so that the time for scanning a frame of image in a progressive manner is always smaller than a normal time set for each frame of image (i.e., 16.67 ms). In view of this, the liquid crystal display device has a time margin when it is used to display an image. The time margin may vary according to the number of pixels for each frame of image, and is in the order of several milliseconds (ms). In the time margin, the liquid crystal display device is in an idle state. In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, this time margin is utilized as a touch sensing time for the touch control electrode15, so that the operation timing for touch sensing and that for image displaying are separated from each other, and the liquid crystal display device thus has display and touch control function.

Thus, provided that the normal display function of the liquid crystal display device is not affected, the time for the display period is 12.67 ms. During this period, the sub-electrodes1301act as a common electrode, the first transparent electrode12acts as a pixel electrode, and the sub-electrodes1301and the first transparent electrode12can produce a multi-dimensional electrical field for realizing display function.

Based on this, when displaying of a frame of image is complete, an idle state prior to displaying of the next frame of image can be used as the touch period. Since the display time for each frame of image in the liquid crystal display device is about 16.67 ms, the duration of the touch period is 4 ms. During this period, the first transparent electrodes12are brought into a non-operating state, the sub-electrodes1301act as a touch control electrode, and the driving IC successively applies self-sensing signals to electrode sets130of the second transparent electrode. When the finger touches the region to which one of the electrode sets130corresponds, the magnitude of the parasitic capacitance (Cp) will be changed, and the occurrence of touch is sensed through the change of the self-sensing signal, thus realizing the touch control function.

The display period of 12.67 ms and the touch period of 4 ms as described above only intend to describe an example of the embodiment of the present invention. In practice, the display period is not limited to 12.67 ms, and the touch period is not limited to 4 ms. For example, when the liquid crystal display device has a scanning frequency of 80 Hz in a high speed mode, durations for the display period and the touch period should be adjusted accordingly so as to fulfill the display and touch control function of the liquid crystal display device.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid crystal display device, which comprises any of the above-mentioned array substrate01, a color film substrate02, and a liquid crystal layer03between the array substrate01and the color film substrate02. In the first preset time, the sub-electrodes1301can act as a common electrode, the sub-electrodes1301and the first transparent electrodes12produce a multi-dimensional electrical field for controlling rotation of molecules of the liquid crystal layer03, thus realizing the display function of the liquid crystal display device. In the second preset time, the sub-electrodes1301can act as a touch control electrode, thus realizing the touch control function of the liquid crystal display device. In this way, it is possible to realize the display and touch control function of the liquid crystal display device, and simplify the structure of the liquid crystal display device. Further, since no additional touch panel is added to the liquid crystal display device, which avoids decrease in light transmittance of the liquid crystal display device.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a method for controlling any of the above-mentioned array substrate01, which comprises: in the first preset time, inputting a common electrode driving signal to sub-electrodes1301of the second transparent electrode13in the array substrate01, and inputting a pixel electrode driving signal to the first transparent electrodes12in the array substrate01; and in the second preset time, inputting a touch self-sensing signal to the sub-electrodes1301.

In particular, in the first preset time, the sub-electrodes1301act as a common electrode14, and successively apply driving signals to each row of gate lines14to turn on the gate of transistor11which is connected with each row of gate lines14, and each row of first transparent electrodes12is charged with the signal on the data line15. At the same time, the driving IC applies a common electrode driving signal, e.g., 5V, to all sub-electrodes1301via the primary metal wire17. In this way, the sub-electrodes1301act as a common electrode, the first transparent electrode12acts as pixel electrode, and the sub-electrodes1301and the first transparent electrode12produce a multi-dimensional electrical field, thus realizing the display function of the array substrate01.

In the first preset time, once the last row of first transparent electrodes12is charged, the display function of the array substrate01is complete, and the second preset time is followed. In the second preset time, the sub-electrodes1301act as a touch control electrode, the driving IC successively applies touch self-sensing signals to electrode sets130of the second transparent electrode via the primary metal wire17. When the finger touches a region corresponding to one of the electrode sets130, the magnitude of the parasitic capacitance (Cp) is changed, and the occurrence of touch is sensed through the change of the self-sensing signal, thus realizing the touch control function of the array substrate01.

In second preset time, since no driving signal is applied to the gate line14and the data line15, the first transparent electrodes12are brought into a non-operating state to avoid effects on the touch control.

It is noted that, in all embodiments of the present invention, the case in which the drain of the transistor is electrically connected with the first transparent electrode is taken as an example. However, it will be appreciated by the skilled in the art that, since the source and the drain of the transistor are exchangeable in terms of structure and composition, the source of the transistor can also be electrically connected with the first transparent electrode, and this is equivalent to the above embodiments of the present invention. It will be also appreciated by the skilled in the art that the accompanying drawings present schematic views of the array substrate for clearly illustrating details relevant with the inventive concept of the present invention, and the irrelevant portions are partially or not illustrated in these drawings.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that the limitations of the described embodiments are merely for illustrative purpose and by no means limiting. Instead, the scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description, and all variations that fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. Thus, other embodiments than the specific ones described above are equally possible within the scope of these appended claims.