TWI541694B - Touch panel module and electrostatic discharging method - Google Patents

Description

Touch panel module and electrostatic discharge method thereof

The invention relates to a panel module and an electrostatic discharge method thereof, and in particular to a touch panel module and an electrostatic discharge method thereof.

In general, a touch display panel includes a combination of a display panel and a touch panel. According to different integration modes of the touch panel and the display panel, the touch display module can be divided into an out-cell touch display module and an in-cell touch display module. According to different positions of the touch panel in the display panel, the in-cell touch display module can be further divided into an in-cell type touch display module and an on-cell type. Touch display module. In order to improve the display quality, related art usually sets a dummy electrode on the touch panel to compensate for optical visibility. However, the dummy electrodes on the touch panel usually accumulate static electricity, and the accumulated static electricity may seriously affect the display quality of the display panel.

The invention provides a touch panel module and an electrostatic discharge method thereof, which can be The static electricity accumulated by the touch panel is properly vented to avoid affecting the display quality of the display panel.

The touch panel module of the present invention includes a touch panel and an electrostatic protection circuit. The touch panel includes one or more actual electrodes and one or more dummy electrodes. The one or more actual electrodes include at least one of one to a plurality of driving electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes. One or more dummy electrodes are used to fill regions between or outside one or more actual electrodes. The ESD protection circuit is electrically connected to at least one of the one or more virtual electrodes to provide at least one virtual electrode and an electrostatic venting path.

In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more actual electrodes are disposed in one of the active areas of the touch panel. The touch panel further includes one or more traces disposed in one of the trace areas of the touch panel and connected to one or more actual electrodes. One or more virtual electrode systems are disposed in at least one of the routing area and the active area.

In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more virtual electrode systems include one or more first dummy electrodes and one or more second dummy electrodes. One or more first virtual electrode systems are disposed in the active region and electrically connected. One or more second dummy electrodes are disposed in the routing area and are electrically connected. The one or more first dummy electrodes are electrically connected to the one or more second dummy electrodes, and are electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the touch panel is a single-layer multi-touch panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more actual electrodes include a plurality of sensing electrodes. One or more dummy electrodes for filling between the plurality of sensing electrodes region. One or more virtual electrodes are electrically connected and electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the touch panel is a double-layer touch panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electrostatic protection circuit includes a passive circuit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the passive circuit is coupled between the at least one dummy electrode and a reference voltage.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electrostatic protection circuit includes an active circuit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the active circuit is implemented as at least one switch.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electrostatic protection circuit is intermittently turned on.

In an embodiment of the invention, the static electricity protection circuit provides an electrostatic venting path for at least a portion of a non-sensing period of the touch panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the touch panel module further includes a control circuit for controlling the turn-on and turn-off of the active circuit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the touch panel module further includes a flexible circuit board connected to the touch panel. The ESD protection circuit is placed on the flexible circuit board.

In an embodiment of the invention, the touch panel module further includes a The touch control integrated circuit controls the operation of the touch panel module. The electrostatic protection circuit is disposed inside the touch control integrated circuit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the static electricity protection circuit is turned on when a potential difference between the two ends thereof is greater than a voltage threshold to provide an electrostatic venting path.

In an embodiment of the invention, the static electricity protection circuit includes one or more wires electrically connected to at least one of the one or more dummy electrodes.

In an embodiment of the invention, the one or more virtual electrodes are electrically connected to each other and more electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit.

The touch panel module of the present invention includes a touch panel. The touch panel includes one or more actual electrodes and one or more dummy electrodes. The one or more actual electrodes include at least one of one to a plurality of driving electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes. One or more dummy electrodes are used to fill regions between or outside one or more actual electrodes. The electrostatic catharsis method of the present invention comprises the following steps. Providing at least one virtual electrode of the one or more virtual electrodes - an electrostatic venting path. The static electricity accumulated by the at least one dummy electrode is vented through the electrostatic venting path at least for at least a portion of a non-sensing period of the touch panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electrostatic venting method of the touch panel module further includes cutting off the static venting path during at least a portion of a sensing period of the touch panel.

Based on the above, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrostatic protection circuit of the touch panel module is configured to provide an electrostatic venting path to properly vent the static electricity accumulated by the touch panel and improve the display quality of the display panel.

The above described features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 700, 800‧‧‧ touch panel modules

110, 210, 310, 410, 610, 710, 810 ‧ ‧ touch panels

112, 212, 312, 412‧‧‧ Touch area

120, 220, 320, 420, 620, 720, 820‧‧‧ flexible circuit boards

130, 230, 330, 430, 630, 730, 830 ‧ ‧ electrostatic protection circuit

240, 440, 640‧‧‧ touch control integrated circuit

612, 712, 812‧‧‧ upper substrate

614, 714, 814‧‧‧ lower substrate

850‧‧‧Control circuit

Dx1‧‧‧first virtual electrode

Dx2‧‧‧second virtual electrode

Dx‧‧‧ virtual electrode

Tx‧‧‧ drive electrode

Rx‧‧‧ sensing electrode

Tx1 to Tx4, Rx1 to Rx4‧‧‧ trace

R‧‧‧resistance

D1, D2‧‧‧ diode

SW‧‧ switch

GND‧‧‧ Grounding voltage

VDD‧‧‧ system voltage

Vctrl‧‧‧ control signal

Y‧‧‧First direction

X‧‧‧second direction

During the operation of T‧‧‧

During the sensing period of T1‧‧

T2‧‧‧ non-sensing period

S500, S510, S520‧‧‧ steps for electrostatic catharsis

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

2 is an enlarged schematic view showing a partial area of the touch panel of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel module according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view showing a partial area of the touch panel of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

9 and 10 are schematic diagrams showing a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

11 and 12 illustrate a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram.

13 and FIG. 14 are schematic diagrams showing a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing signal waveforms of the touch panel module of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the steps of an electrostatic catharsis method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The term "coupled" as used throughout the specification (including the scope of the claims) may be used in any direct or indirect connection. For example, if the first device is described as being coupled to the second device, it should be construed that the first device can be directly connected to the second device, or the first device can be connected through other devices or some kind of connection means. Connected to the second device indirectly.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrostatic venting method is provided to allow the static electricity remaining on the touch panel module to be properly vented to improve the display quality of the display panel. In general, the touch display module can be divided into an external touch display module and an in-cell touch display module according to different integration modes of the touch panel and the display panel. The in-cell touch display module can be further divided into a liquid crystal layer type touch display module and a liquid crystal layer top type touch display module according to different positions of the touch panel in the display panel. In addition, the touch panel module of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a single-layer multi-touch panel or a dual-layer touch panel. In other words, the example implementation of the present invention The electrostatic venting method of the example does not limit the form of the touch panel and the touch display module and the configuration pattern of the touch electrodes. The invention is illustrated by the following examples, but the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Further combinations are also allowed between the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 2 is an enlarged schematic view showing a partial area of the touch panel of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. The touch panel 110 of the present embodiment includes one or more driving electrodes Tx, one to a plurality of sensing electrodes Rx, one or more dummy electrodes Dx1 and Dx2, and one or more traces Rx1 to Rx4. Tx1 to Tx4. In the present exemplary embodiment, the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx are disposed in the effective area of the touch panel 110. The driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx are used as actual electrodes, and are controlled by a touch control integrated circuit (not shown) for sensing a touch gesture on the touch panel 110.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the traces Rx1 to Rx4 and Tx1 to Tx4 are disposed in the trace area of the touch panel, and are electrically connected to the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx. For example, the traces Tx1 to Tx4 are electrically connected to the driving electrode Tx for receiving the driving signal provided by the touch control integrated circuit, and transmitting the driving signal to the driving electrode Tx. The traces Rx1 to Rx4 are electrically connected to the sensing electrode Rx for transmitting the sensing signal generated by the sensing electrode Rx and related to the touch gesture to the touch control integrated circuit.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the dummy electrodes Dx1 and Dx2 are used to fill regions between or outside the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx. For example, the dummy electrodes Dx1, Dx2 include one to a plurality of first virtual electrodes Dx1 and one or more second virtual Electrode Dx2. The first dummy electrode Dx1 is disposed in the effective area of the touch panel 110 and electrically connected. The first dummy electrode Dx1 in the active region is used to fill the region between the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx. The second dummy electrodes Dx2 are disposed in the routing area of the touch panel 110 and are electrically connected. The second dummy electrode Dx2 in the wiring region is used to fill the regions other than the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx. In FIG. 1 , the area other than the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx includes at least a wiring area of the touch panel 110 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the second dummy electrode Dx2 is electrically connected to a static electricity protection circuit (not shown) for providing a second virtual electrode Dx2 electrostatic venting path to vent the static electricity remaining on the touch panel 110, thereby avoiding Affects the display quality of the display panel. In another embodiment, the first dummy electrode Dx1 and the second dummy electrode Dx2 may also be electrically connected and electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit to cooperatively provide an electrostatic venting path.

From another point of view, the touch panel 110 includes a plurality of independent touch pads 112, each of which includes an active area and a trace area. The active area includes a driving area, a receiving area, and a dummy area for respectively configuring the driving electrode Tx, the sensing electrode Rx, and the first dummy electrode Dx1. Generally, the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx in this arrangement are separated by a certain distance. At least in order to compensate for the visibility of the optical, the first dummy electrode Dx1 is disposed between the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx of the active area to improve the display quality of the display panel. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first dummy electrode Dx1 is also disposed between the traces Tx1 to Tx4 of the trace region to compensate for optical visibility. The second dummy electrode Dx2 is also disposed between the traces Rx1 to Rx4 of the traces Tx1 to Tx4 and its adjacent touch region 112 to compensate for the optical Visibility.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel module according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3 , the touch panel module 100 of the exemplary embodiment includes a touch panel 110 , a flexible circuit board 120 , and an electrostatic protection circuit 130 . The touch panel 110 and the flexible circuit board 120 are two different members. The touch panel 110 belongs to a sensing area for sensing a touch gesture. The flexible circuit board 120 is a non-sensing area, and can be used to connect a touch control integrated circuit (not shown) or directly to the touch control integrated circuit. In the present exemplary embodiment, the flexible circuit board 120 is electrically connected to the touch panel 110 , and the static electricity protection circuit 130 is disposed on the flexible circuit board 120 . In another embodiment, the static electricity protection circuit 130 can also be disposed in the touch control integrated circuit, and the invention is not limited thereto. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first dummy electrode Dx1 is electrically connected to the second dummy electrode Dx2 and electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit 130. The static electricity protection circuit 130 is electrically connected to the second dummy electrode Dx2, for example, to provide an electrostatic venting path of the first dummy electrode Dx1 and the second dummy electrode Dx2.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the static electricity protection circuit 130 includes, for example, a passive circuit. The passive circuit includes a resistor R coupled between the second dummy electrode Dx2 and the reference voltage. In this example, the reference voltage is, for example, a ground voltage. In actual fabrication, one end of the resistor R can be grounded, as shown in FIG. Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the first dummy electrode Dx1 is electrically connected to the second dummy electrode Dx2 and grounded via the resistor R to vent the static electricity remaining on the touch panel 110 to improve the display quality of the display panel.

In another exemplary embodiment, the static electricity protection circuit 130 includes, for example, a A plurality of wires are electrically connected to the second dummy electrode Dx2. In this example, the one or more wires are directly coupled to the ground to provide an electrostatic venting path, and the resistor R is not disposed in the electrostatic venting path.

1 to 3 illustrate a configuration pattern of a touch electrode on a touch panel, and an embodiment of an electrostatic protection circuit. However, the electrostatic venting method of the present invention is not limited to the touch panel module illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view showing a partial area of the touch panel of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 , the touch panel module 200 of the exemplary embodiment is similar to the touch panel module 100 of FIG. 3 , but the main difference between the two includes, for example, the touch panel module 200 further includes A touch control integrated circuit 240, a configuration pattern of touch electrodes, and an embodiment of an electrostatic protection circuit.

Specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx are wound in a spiral manner, and the first dummy electrode Dx1 is disposed between the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx to compensate Optical visibility. The first dummy electrode Dx1 is electrically connected to the second dummy electrode Dx2 and electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit 230. In this example, the first dummy electrode Dx1 and the second dummy electrode Dx2 are also electrically connected to the input and output pins of the touch control integrated circuit 240 as an electrostatic venting path.

In the exemplary embodiment, the touch panel module 200 further includes a touch control integrated circuit 240 for controlling the operation of the touch panel module 200. In this case, touch The control integrated circuit 240 is independently disposed outside the flexible circuit board 220, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the touch control integrated circuit 240 can also be directly disposed on the flexible circuit board 220.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the static electricity protection circuit 230 includes two current limiting elements, such as diodes D1, D2, connected in series between the system voltage VDD and the ground voltage GND. The static electricity protection circuit 230 is turned on when the potential difference across the diodes D1, D2 is greater than the voltage threshold to provide an electrostatic venting path. In the present exemplary embodiment, the static electricity protection circuit 230 is disposed in the touch control integrated circuit 240. In another embodiment, the static electricity protection circuit 230 can also be disposed on the flexible circuit board 220, which is not limited in the present invention.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 , configuration configurations, operation modes, and functions of other circuit blocks and components can be sufficiently taught, suggested, and implemented by the description of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 . Therefore, I will not repeat them.

1 to 6 illustrate various different configurations of the touch electrodes on the touch panel, and different embodiments of the static electricity protection circuit. However, the electrostatic venting method of the present invention is not limited to the touch panel module illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 7 , the touch panel module 300 of the exemplary embodiment is similar to the touch panel module 100 of FIG. 3 , but the main difference between the two is, for example, the configuration pattern of the touch electrodes.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the touch panel 310 includes one or more driving electrodes Tx, one to a plurality of sensing electrodes Rx, and one or more dummy electrodes Dx. Drive power The pole Tx and the sensing electrode Rx are disposed in an active area of the touch panel 310. The dummy electrode Dx is disposed in the routing area of the touch panel 310 and electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit 330. That is to say, the dummy electrode Dx of this example is at least used to fill the area other than the driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx to compensate for optical visibility. The static electricity remaining on the touch panel 310 can be vented through the resistor R of the static electricity protection circuit 330 to improve the display quality of the display panel.

In the present exemplary embodiment, in the plurality of independent touch regions 312 of the touch panel 310, each of the driving electrodes Tx cooperates with the three sensing electrodes Rx to sense the touch gesture to form an electrode of 1T3R. Configure the pattern. It should be noted that, in the present exemplary embodiment, the number and arrangement relationship of the driving electrodes Tx, the sensing electrodes Rx, and the dummy electrodes Dx of the respective touch regions 312 are for illustrative purposes only, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, the configuration configuration of other circuit blocks and components, and the operation mode and function thereof can be sufficiently taught, suggested, and implemented by the description of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. Let me repeat.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrode arrangement pattern of 1T3R on the touch panel, and an exemplary embodiment in which a static electricity protection circuit is implemented by a passive circuit. However, the touch panel of the 1T3R of the present invention, which is used in combination with the static electricity protection circuit, is not limited to the embodiment illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , the touch panel module 400 of the exemplary embodiment is similar to the touch panel module 300 of FIG. 7 , but the main difference between the two is, for example, An embodiment of an electrostatic protection circuit.

In the exemplary embodiment, the touch panel module 400 further includes a touch control integrated circuit 440 for controlling the operation of the touch panel module 400. In this example, the touch control integrated circuit 440 is independently disposed outside the flexible circuit board 420, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the touch control integrated circuit 440 can also be directly disposed on the flexible circuit board 420. In the present exemplary embodiment, the static electricity protection circuit 430 includes two current limiting elements, such as diodes D1, D2, connected in series between the system voltage VDD and the ground voltage GND. The static electricity protection circuit 430 is turned on when the potential difference across the diodes D1, D2 is greater than the voltage threshold to provide an electrostatic venting path.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the configuration configuration of other circuit blocks and components, and the operation modes and functions thereof can be sufficiently taught, suggested, and implemented by the description of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. Let me repeat.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 , the touch panel is exemplified by a single-layer multi-touch panel, such as a touch display module implemented on a liquid crystal layer. However, the electrostatic venting method of the present invention is not limited to the single-layer multi-touch panel exemplified in FIGS. 1 to 8.

9 and 10 are schematic diagrams showing a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the touch panel 610 of the exemplary embodiment is a double-layer touch panel. The double-layer touch panel is, for example, a touch display module implemented in a liquid crystal layer. The touch panel 610 includes an upper substrate 612 and a lower substrate 614. The upper substrate 612 includes a plurality of driving electrodes Tx arranged in a first direction Y. Lower substrate 614 A plurality of sensing electrodes Rx are included, arranged along a second direction X. The driving electrode Tx and the sensing electrode Rx are used as actual electrodes, and are controlled by the touch control integrated circuit 640 for sensing a touch gesture on the touch panel 610. The first direction Y and the second direction X are substantially perpendicular. It should be noted that the number of the driving electrodes Tx and the sensing electrodes Rx of the present exemplary embodiment and the arrangement thereof are illustrated by way of example only, and the invention is not limited thereto.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the lower substrate 614 further includes one or more dummy electrodes Dx for filling the area between the sensing electrodes Rx to compensate for optical visibility. The dummy electrode Dx is electrically connected and electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit 630. In the present exemplary embodiment, the static electricity protection circuit 630 includes two current limiting elements, such as diodes D1, D2, connected in series between the system voltage VDD and the ground voltage GND. The static electricity protection circuit 630 is turned on when the potential difference across the diodes D1, D2 is greater than the voltage threshold to provide an electrostatic venting path. In the present exemplary embodiment, the touch control integrated circuit 640 is disposed on the flexible circuit board 620, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the touch control integrated circuit 640 can also be disposed independently of the flexible circuit board 620.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, configuration configurations, operation modes, and functions of other circuit blocks and components can be sufficiently taught, suggested, and implemented by the description of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. Therefore, I will not repeat them.

11 and 12 are schematic diagrams showing a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 , the touch panel module 700 of the present exemplary embodiment is similar to the touch panel module 600 of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 , but the main difference between the two is, for example, the implementation of the electrostatic protection circuit. . In this exemplary embodiment The static electricity protection circuit 730 includes, for example, a passive circuit. The passive circuit includes a resistor R coupled between the dummy electrode Dx and a reference voltage. In this example, the reference voltage is, for example, a ground voltage. In actual fabrication, one end of the resistor R can be grounded, as shown in FIG. Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the dummy electrode Dx is grounded via the resistor R to vent the static electricity remaining on the touch panel 710, thereby improving the display quality of the display panel. In another exemplary embodiment, the static electricity protection circuit 730 includes, for example, one or more wires electrically connected to the dummy electrode Dx. In this example, the one or more wires are directly coupled to the ground to provide an electrostatic venting path, and the resistor R is not disposed in the electrostatic venting path.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, configuration configurations, operation modes, and functions of other circuit blocks and components can be sufficiently taught, suggested, and implemented by the description of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. Therefore, I will not repeat them.

13 and FIG. 14 are schematic diagrams showing a touch panel module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 , the touch panel module 800 of the present exemplary embodiment is similar to the touch panel module 600 of FIGS. 9 and 10 , but the main difference between the two is, for example, the implementation of the electrostatic protection circuit. .

In the present exemplary embodiment, the static electricity protection circuit 830 includes, for example, an active circuit. The active circuit includes at least one switch SW coupled between the dummy electrode Dx and a reference voltage. In this example, the reference voltage is, for example, a ground voltage. In actual fabrication, one end of the switch SW can be grounded, as shown in FIG. In this example, the static electricity protection circuit 830 is disposed on the flexible circuit board 820, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the static electricity protection circuit 830 can also be independently set to soft. The circuit board 820 is external to the touch control integrated circuit (not shown).

In the exemplary embodiment, the touch panel module 800 further includes a control circuit 850 for providing a control signal Vctrl to control the conduction state of the switch SW. In this example, the control circuit 850 is disposed on the flexible circuit board 820, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the control circuit 850 can also be disposed independently of the flexible circuit board 820 or within the touch control integrated circuit (not shown). In addition, in an embodiment, the conductive state of the switch SW can also be directly controlled by the touch control integrated circuit. In this example, the touch panel module 800 does not need to additionally provide the control circuit 850.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the switch SW is intermittently turned on by the control signal Vctrl. During the ON period of the switch SW, the dummy electrode Dx is grounded via the switch SW to vent the static electricity remaining on the touch panel 810, thereby improving the display quality of the display panel. Specifically, FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing signal waveforms of the touch panel module of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14. Referring to FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 , the operation period T of the touch panel 810 can be divided into a sensing period T1 and a non-sensing period T2 according to whether the touch panel 810 senses the touch gesture. The switch SW is turned off during the sensing period T1, and is turned on during at least a portion of the non-sensing period T2, that is, the switch SW is turned on during the high level of the control signal Vctrl. Therefore, during the period in which the switch SW is turned on, that is, during at least a part of the non-sensing period of the touch panel, the switch SW provides an electrostatic venting path to vent the static electricity remaining on the touch panel 810 and improve the display quality of the display panel.

In addition, in the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 13 and FIG. 15, the configuration configuration of other circuit blocks and components, and the operation modes and functions thereof can be implemented by the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. Sufficient instructions, suggestions, and implementation instructions are given in the narrative, so I won't go into details.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the steps of an electrostatic catharsis method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 14 to FIG. 16 , the electrostatic venting method of the present exemplary embodiment is applicable to at least the touch panel module 800 of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 . The electrostatic catharsis method of the exemplary embodiment includes the following steps. In step S500, the static electricity protection circuit 830 provides at least one virtual electrode and one electrostatic venting path among the one or more virtual electrodes Dx. In step S510, at least a portion of the non-sensing period T2 of the touch panel 810, the static electricity protection circuit 830 vents the static electricity accumulated by the at least one dummy electrode through the electrostatic venting path. In step S520, the static electricity protection circuit 830 cuts off the electrostatic venting path during at least a portion of a sensing period T1 of the touch panel 810. It should be noted that the order of steps S510 and S520 can be appropriately adjusted according to the sequence of the timings of the control signals Vctrl, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In summary, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the static protection circuit of the touch panel module can be directly disposed on the flexible circuit board, independently disposed outside the flexible circuit board, or disposed on the touch control integrated body. Inside the circuit. Furthermore, embodiments of the ESD protection circuit include active or passive circuits. The passive circuit can directly provide an electrostatic venting path to vent static electricity, and the active circuit can intermittently provide an electrostatic venting path to allow the static electricity of the touch panel to properly vent and improve the display quality of the display panel.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

S500, S510, S520‧‧‧ steps for electrostatic catharsis

Claims (20)

A touch panel module includes: a touch panel including one or more actual electrodes and one or more virtual electrodes, wherein the one or more actual electrodes include at least one of the one or more driving electrodes and the one or more sensing electrodes The one or more dummy electrodes are used to fill an area between or outside the one or more actual electrodes; and an ESD protection circuit is electrically connected to at least one of the one or more virtual electrodes for providing The at least one virtual electrode is an electrostatic venting path, wherein the static electricity protection circuit vents static electricity accumulated by the at least one dummy electrode through the electrostatic venting path. The touch panel module of claim 1, wherein the one or more actual electrodes are disposed in one of the active areas of the touch panel, and the touch panel further includes one or more traces, and the setting And connecting to the one or more actual electrodes in one of the routing areas of the touch panel, and the one or more virtual electrode systems are disposed in at least one of the routing area and the active area. The touch panel module of claim 2, wherein the one or more dummy electrodes comprise one or more first dummy electrodes and one or more second dummy electrodes, and the one or more first dummy electrodes are disposed on The active region is electrically connected, and the one or more second dummy electrodes are disposed in the routing region and electrically connected, and the one or more first dummy electrodes and the one or more second dummy electrodes Electrically connected and electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit. The touch panel module of claim 3, wherein the touch panel is a single-layer multi-touch panel. The touch panel module of claim 1, wherein the one or more actual electrodes comprise a plurality of sensing electrodes, and the one or more dummy electrodes are used to fill an area between the plurality of sensing electrodes, And the one or more virtual electrodes are electrically connected and electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit. The touch panel module of claim 5, wherein the touch panel is a double-layer touch panel. The touch panel module of claim 1, wherein the static electricity protection circuit comprises a passive circuit. The touch panel module of claim 7, wherein the passive circuit is coupled between the at least one dummy electrode and a reference voltage. The touch panel module of claim 1, wherein the static electricity protection circuit comprises an active circuit. The touch panel module of claim 9, wherein the active circuit is implemented as at least one switch. The touch panel module of claim 9, wherein the static electricity protection circuit is intermittently turned on. The touch panel module of claim 11, wherein the static electricity protection circuit provides the electrostatic venting path during at least a portion of a non-sensing period of the touch panel. The touch panel module according to claim 9 of the patent application, further comprising a A control circuit for controlling the turn-on and turn-off of the active circuit. The touch panel module of claim 1, further comprising a flexible circuit board connected to the touch panel, and the static protection circuit is disposed on the flexible circuit board. The touch panel module of claim 1 further includes a touch control integrated circuit for controlling operation of the touch panel module, and the static protection circuit is disposed on the touch control Inside the integrated circuit. The touch panel module of claim 1, wherein the static electricity protection circuit is turned on when a potential difference between the two ends thereof is greater than a voltage threshold to provide the electrostatic venting path. The touch panel module of claim 1, wherein the static electricity protection circuit comprises one or more wires electrically connected to at least one of the one or more virtual electrodes. The touch panel module of claim 1, wherein the one or more virtual electrodes are electrically connected to each other and are electrically connected to the static electricity protection circuit. An electrostatic discharge method of a touch panel module, the touch panel module includes a touch panel, the touch panel includes one or more actual electrodes and one or more virtual electrodes, wherein the one or more actual electrodes include one or more At least one of the driving electrode and the one or more sensing electrodes, the one or more dummy electrodes are used to fill an area between or outside the one or more actual electrodes, the method comprising: providing the one or more virtual electrodes At least one virtual electrode, an electrostatic venting road And venting the static electricity accumulated by the at least one dummy electrode through the electrostatic venting path at least for at least a portion of a non-sensing period of the touch panel. The method of electrostatically venting the touch panel module according to claim 19, further comprising: cutting off the static venting path during at least part of a sensing period of the touch panel.