Abstract:
A LCD panel comprises a first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate comprises a pixel, a sensor pad arranged adjacent to the pixel, a switch electrically coupled to the sensor pad, a pixel gate line electrically coupled to the pixel, a sensor gate line electrically coupled to the switch, and a readout line. The second substrate comprises a sensing device protruding form the second substrate, and a conducting layer covering on the sensing device and electrically coupled to a predetermined power. When assembling the second substrate with the first substrate, the sensing device is opposite to the sensor pad. When pressing the second substrate, the conducting layer covering on the sensing device contacts with the sensor pad. The sensor gate line controls on/off state of the switch to determine whether the sensor pad is electrically conducted with the readout line.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Taiwan Patent Application No. 098107099, filed Mar. 5, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to the field of the liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, and more particularly to a LCD panel, a LCD apparatus and a control method with touch function. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Since LCD apparatus has many advantages, such as high frame-quality, little size, light weight, and wide application-range, etc., the LCD apparatus is widely used into various consumer electronics, such as mobile phone, notebook computer, desktop display apparatus and television, etc. Thus the LCD apparatus has gradually substituted for conventional cathode ray tube (CRT) display apparatus to be a mainstream of display apparatuses. 
         [0006]    Touch screen is a new human-computer interface and is more intuitive and more humanistic in use. Currently, many methods for integrating the touch screen directly with panel of the LCD apparatus are provided. Wherein, press-mode touch screen is not influenced by ambient light and is more humanistic and more intuitive in use, thus it has been paid more and more attention gradually. However, there is a problem of how to provide the touch screen with low cost, which has high touch detection function and is integrated into LCD panel. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel with touch function. 
         [0008]    The present invention also relates to a LCD apparatus. 
         [0009]    The present invention still relates to a control method for LCD apparatus. 
         [0010]    A LCD panel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided. The LCD panel comprises a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate comprises a first pixel, a first sensor pad, a first switch, a first pixel gate line, a first sensor gate line and a first readout line. The first sensor pad is arranged adjacent to the first pixel, the first switch is electrically coupled to the first sensor pad, the first pixel gate line is electrically coupled to the first pixel, and the first sensor gate line is electrically coupled to the first switch. The second substrate comprises a first sensing device and a conducting layer. The first sensing device protrudes from the second substrate, and the conducting layer covers on the first sensing device and is electrically coupled to a predetermined power. When assembling the second substrate with the first substrate, the first sensing device is opposite to the first sensor pad. When pressing the second substrate, the conducting layer covering on the first sensing device contacts with the first sensor pad. The first sensor gate line controls on/off state of the first switch to determine whether the first sensor pad is electrically conducted with the first readout line. 
         [0011]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first substrate further comprises a second pixel and a second sensor pad. The second sensor pad is arranged adjacent to the second pixel. The first sensor gate line controls the on/off state of the first switch to determine whether the second sensor pad is electrically conducted with the first readout line. 
         [0012]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first substrate further comprises a second readout line and a second switch. The second switch is electrically coupled to the first sensor gate line, and the first sensor gate line controls on/off state of the second switch. The second readout line is electrically coupled to the first readout line. Furthermore, the first substrate further comprises a third pixel, a third sensor pad, a third switch, a second pixel gate line and a second sensor gate line. The third sensor pad is arranged adjacent to the third pixel, the third switch is electrically coupled between the third sensor pad and the second readout line, the second pixel gate line is electrically coupled to the third pixel, and the second sensor gate line is electrically coupled to the third switch to control on/off state of the third switch. The second sensor gate line is electrically coupled to the first sensor gate line. 
         [0013]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first substrate further comprises a second readout line, a third pixel, a third sensor pad, a third switch, a second pixel gate line and a second sensor gate line. The third sensor pad is arranged adjacent to the third pixel, the third switch is electrically between the third sensor pad and the second readout line, the second pixel gate line is electrically coupled to the third pixel, and the second sensor gate line is electrically coupled to the third switch to control on/off state of the third switch. The second sensor gate line is electrically coupled to the first sensor gate line. 
         [0014]    A LCD apparatus in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided. The LCD apparatus comprises the LCD panel described in the above and a detection circuit. The detection circuit is electrically coupled to the first readout line (and the second readout line) to detect signals of the first readout line (and the second readout line). 
         [0015]    A LCD apparatus in accordance with other exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided. The LCD apparatus comprises a plurality of first pixels, a plurality of sensor pads, a plurality of readout lines, a plurality of switches, a plurality of pixel gate lines, a plurality of sensor gate lines and a gate-driving circuit. Each of the sensor pads is arranged adjacent to a corresponding one of the first pixels respectively, and the sensor pads generate different signals according to whether corresponding locations of the LCD apparatus are pressed. Each of the switches is arranged between the sensor pads and a corresponding one of the readout lines respectively. The pixel gate lines are electrically coupled to the first pixels to drive the first pixels. Each of the sensor gate lines is coupled to the corresponding switches respectively to control on/off states of the corresponding switches. The gate-driving circuit is for driving the pixel gate lines and the sensor gate lines. At least two of the readout lines are electrically coupled with each other, or at least two of the sensor gate lines are electrically coupled with each other. 
         [0016]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least two of the readout lines of the above LCD apparatus are electrically coupled with each other, and at least two of the sensor gate lines thereof are electrically coupled with each other. 
         [0017]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the above LCD apparatus further comprises a detection circuit and a memory device. The detection circuit is electrically coupled to the readout lines to receive signals transmitted by the readout lines and convert the received signals to be a pressed data. The memory device is electrically coupled to the detection circuit to store the pressed data. 
         [0018]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the sensor pads is arranged at an opaque area of a corresponding one of the first pixels. 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the first pixels is surrounded by many other pixels of the LCD apparatus except for the first pixels. 
         [0020]    A control method for LCD apparatus in accordance with other exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided. The control method is adapted for the above LCD apparatus, and the control method comprises making each of the sensor gate lines and each of the pixel gate lines have a same enable time. Furthermore, the control method further comprises enabling at least two of the sensor gate lines simultaneously, and/or receiving signals transmitted by at least two of the readout lines simultaneously. 
         [0021]    A control method in accordance with other exemplary embodiment of the present invention is adapted for a LCD apparatus. The LCD apparatus comprises a plurality of pixels, a plurality of sensor pads, a plurality of pixel gate lines and a plurality of sensor gate lines. The pixel gate lines are configured for driving the pixels, and the sensor gate lines are configured for driving the sensor pads. The sensor gate lines are not electrically coupled to the pixel gate lines, and an amount of the sensor gate lines is less than that of the pixel gate lines. The control method comprises: making each of the sensor gate lines and each of the pixel gate lines have a same enable time; and enabling at least one of the sensor gate lines simultaneously when enabling each of the pixel gate lines. 
         [0022]    The exemplary embodiment of the present invention employs unique circuit constructions of the LCD panel and the LCD apparatus, such as the design of separating the pixel gate lines from the sensor gate lines, the special arrangement of the sensor pads, the designs of electrically coupling the many readout lines with each other, and/or electrically coupling the many sensor gate lines with each other, to obtain dense effective sensing areas for achieving a high touch detection capability with low cost. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a LCD apparatus with touch function in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the LCD panel of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the LCD panel as shown in  FIG.2 , when it is pressed by a finger. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of a LCD panel in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a partial circuit diagram of a TFT array substrate of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a partial circuit diagram of another TFT array substrate of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a partial circuit diagram of other TFT array substrate of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a partial circuit diagram of other TFT array substrate of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe exemplary embodiments of the present liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, the present LCD apparatus and the present control method thereof, in detail. The following description is given by way of example, and not limitation. 
         [0033]    Refer to  FIG. 1 , which is a block diagram of a LCD apparatus  100  with touch function in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The LCD apparatus  100  includes a LCD panel  10 , a gate-driving circuit  16 , a detection circuit  18  and a memory device  19 . 
         [0034]    Refer to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , wherein  FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the LCD panel  10 , and  FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the LCD panel  10  when it is pressed by an object such as a finger (not marked therein). The LCD panel  10  includes a thin-film transistor array (TFT array) substrate  12 , a liquid crystal layer  13  and a second substrate  14  (such as a color filter substrate). The TFT array substrate  12  as shown in  FIG. 2  includes a sensor pad  121   a  ( 121   b ) and a pixel  123 , and the sensor pad  121   a  ( 121   b ) is arranged adjacent to the pixel  123  and in an opaque area of the pixel  123 , such as a black matrix area. The second substrate  14  includes a sensing device  143  and a conducting layer  141  covering on the sensing device  143 . The sensing device  143  protrudes from the second substrate  14 , and the conducting layer  141  is electrically coupled to a predetermined power, such as a conventional common voltage Vcom of the LCD panel  10 . When assembling the second substrate  14  with the TFT array substrate  12 , the sensing device  143  is opposite to the corresponding sensor pad  121   a  ( 121   b ), and the liquid crystal layer  13  is sandwiched between the second substrate  14  and the TFT array substrate  12 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the second substrate  14  is pressed by the finger, the conducting layer  141  covering on the sensing device  143  at a pressed location contacts with the corresponding sensor pad  121   a  ( 121   b ). 
         [0035]    Furthermore, referring to  FIG. 4 , a plurality of insulating first bumps  125  and a plurality of insulating second bumps  127  further may be arranged on the TFT array substrate  12 . Correspondingly, a plurality of first photo spacers  145  and a plurality of second photo spacers  147  are arranged on the second substrate  14 . The first bumps  125  have a height different from that of the second bumps  127 . The first photo spacers  145  and the second photo spacers  147  have a height approximately same to that of the sensing device  143 , and are covered by the conducting layer  141 . When assembling the second substrate  14  with the TFT array substrate  12 , the first photo spacers  145  are opposite to the corresponding first bumps  125  respectively, and distances between the first photo spacers  145  and the corresponding first bumps  125  respectively are larger than a distance between the sensing device  143  and the sensor pad  121   a  ( 121   b ). The second photo spacers  147  are opposite to the corresponding second bumps  127  respectively, and distances between the second photo spacers  147  and the corresponding second bumps  127  respectively are approximately  0 . Therefore, a gap between the second substrate  14  and the TFT array substrate  12  is maintained by the second photo spacers  147  and the second bumps  127 . Furthermore, the first photo spacers  145  and the first bumps  125  are employed for preventing the LCD panel  10  from being damaged since the LCD panel  10  may bear an overlarge force to make a portion thereof overbend when being pressed. 
         [0036]    Refer to  FIG. 5 , which is a partial circuit diagram of the TFT array substrate  12  of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The gate-driving circuit  16 , the detection circuit  18  and the memory device  19  of the LCD apparatus  100  are arranged on the TFT array substrate  12 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the TFT array substrate  12  includes a plurality of pixels  123 , a plurality of pixel gate lines PGLn, PGLn+1, PGLn+2, a plurality of data lines DLp, DLp+1, DLp+2, a plurality of sensor pads  121   a  and  121   b,  a plurality of readout lines RLq, RLq+1, RLq+2, a plurality of switches SW and a plurality of sensor gate lines SGLm, SCLm+1. Each of the pixels  123  includes a thin-film transistor (not marked in  FIG. 5 ) and a pixel electrode (not marked in  FIG. 5 ) electrically coupled to a source electrode of the thin-film transistor. The pixel gate lines PGLn, PGLn+1, PGLn+2 are electrically coupled to gate electrodes of the thin-film transistors of the corresponding pixels  123  respectively to drive the pixels  123 . The data lines DLp, DLp+1, DLp+2 are electrically coupled to drain electrodes of the thin-film transistors of the pixels  123  respectively to provide display data to the pixels  123 . The sensor pads  121   a  and  121   b  are arranged adjacent to a corresponding one of the pixels  123  respectively, and generate different sensing signals according to whether corresponding locations of the LCD apparatus  100  are pressed. Herein, the adjacent two sensor pads  121   a  and  121   b  are electrically coupled with each other, and are electrically coupled with a corresponding one of the readout lines RLq, RLq+1, RLq+2 through a same switch. Each of the pixels  123  having the sensor pad  121   a  or  121   b  arranged adjacent thereto, is surrounded by many of the pixels  123  having no the sensor pads  121   a  and  121   b  arranged adjacent thereto, respectively. Each of the switches SW is arranged between the sensor pads  121   a  and  121   b,  and a corresponding one of the readout lines RLq, RLq+1, RLq+2 respectively. The sensor gate lines SCLm, SCLm+1 are electrically coupled to the corresponding switches SW to control on/off states of the corresponding switches for driving the corresponding sensor pads  121   a  and  121   b.    
         [0037]    In addition, the pixel gate lines PGLn, PGLn+1, PGLn+2 are electrically coupled to the gate-driving circuit  16  and are driven by the gate-driving circuit  16 . The sensor gate lines SGLm, SGLm+1 are designed to be separated from (that is not electrically coupled to) the pixel gate lines PGLn, PGLn+1, PGLn+2, and an amount thereof is less than that of the pixel gate lines PGLn, PGLn+1, PGLn+2. The sensor gate lines SGLm, SGLm+1 are electrically coupled to various different signal-channels of the gate-driving circuit  16  and are driven by the gate-driving circuit  16 . The readout lines RLq, RLq+1, RLq+2 are electrically coupled to various different signal-channels of the detection circuit  18  and transmit the sensing signals to the detection circuit  18 . The received sensing signals are converted into pressed data (that is coordinates of pressed locations) by the detection circuit  18 . The memory device  19  is electrically coupled to the detection circuit  18  to store the pressed data. 
         [0038]    Furthermore, the sensor gate lines SGLm, SGLm+1 of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention are not limited to one-to-one correspond to the signal-channels of the gate-driving circuit  16 . Alternatively, the many adjacent sensor gate lines may be electrically coupled to a single signal-channel. Similarly, the readout lines RLq, RLq+1, RLq+2 are not limited to one-to-one correspond to the signal-channels of the detection circuit  18 . Alternatively, the many adjacent readout lines are electrically coupled to a single signal-channel. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the adjacent two sensor gate lines SGLm, SGLm+1 are electrically coupled with each other to be electrically coupled to a single signal-channel of the gate-driving circuit  16 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the adjacent two readout lines RLq, RLq+1 are electrically coupled with each other to be electrically coupled to a single signal-channel of the detection circuit  18 . Herein, the detection circuit  18  regards the signals transmitted by the readout lines RLq, RLq+1 as a same data. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the adjacent two sensor gate lines SGLm, SGLm+1 are electrically coupled with each other to be electrically coupled to a single signal-channel of the gate-driving circuit  16 , and the adjacent two readout lines RLq, RLq+1 are electrically coupled with each other to be electrically coupled to a single signal-channel of the detection circuit  18 . 
         [0039]    In addition, since the LCD apparatus  100  of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention employs the design of separating the sensor gate lines SGLm, SGLm+1 from the pixel gate lines PGLn, PGLn+1, PGLn+2, each of the sensor gate lines SGLm, SGLm+1 and each of the pixel gate lines PGLn, PGLn+1, PGLn+2 have a same enable time during controlling the LCD apparatus  100 . It can be performed by following methods to obtain the same enable time. For example, (1) a method is enabling one of the sensor gate lines simultaneously when enabling each of the pixel gate lines. Alternatively, (2) another method is enabling the sensor gate line SGLm simultaneously when enabling the pixel gate line PGLn, next turning off all of the sensor gate lines simultaneously when enabling the pixel gate line PGLn+1, and enabling the sensor gate line SGLm+1 simultaneously when enabling the pixel gate line PGLn+2, and so on. 
         [0040]    Furthermore, when the above many (such as two) adjacent sensor gate lines are electrically coupled to a single signal-channel of the gate-driving circuit  16 , the gate-driving circuit  16  will enable the many adjacent sensor gate lines electrically coupled with each other simultaneously. Of course, the method of enabling the many sensor gate lines simultaneously can be similarly adapted for the many sensor gate lines electrically coupled to the different channels of the gate-driving circuit  16  by altering the gate-driving circuit  16 . Similarly, when the above many (such as two) adjacent readout lines is electrically coupled to a single signal-channel of the detection circuit  18 , the detection circuit  18  will receive the sensor signals transmitted by the many readout lines electrically coupled with each other simultaneously. Of course, the method of receiving the sensor signals transmitted by the many readout lines simultaneously is similarly adapted for the many readout lines electrically coupled the different signal-channels of the detection circuit  18  by altering the detection circuit  18 . 
         [0041]    The exemplary embodiment of the present invention employs unique circuit constructions of the LCD panel and the LCD apparatus, such as the design of separating the pixel gate lines from the sensor gate lines, the special arrangement of the sensor pads, the designs of electrically coupling the many readout lines with each other, and/or electrically coupling the many sensor gate lines with each other, to obtain dense effective sensing areas for achieving a high touch detection capability with low cost. 
         [0042]    In addition, one skilled in the art also can appropriately alter the LCD panel, the LCD apparatus and the control method of the above exemplary embodiment of the present invention, such as appropriately altering the arrangement of the sensor pads on the TFT array substrate, the arrangement of the sensor gate lines, the arrangement of the readout lines, and/or driving the pixel gate lines and the sensor gate lines by different driving circuits, etc. 
         [0043]    The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including configurations ways of the recessed portions and materials and/or designs of the attaching structures. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.