The interference has been reduced.

Abstract

A sensor driver includes a receiver and an interference mitigation element. The receiver is configured to acquire a resulting signal from sensor electrodes. The interference mitigation element is communicatively coupled to the receiver and configured to: receive interference data; generate an interference estimate based on the interference data and a transfer function; and transmit the interference estimate to the receiver. The interference estimate removes charge from the resulting signal, thereby mitigating the effects of interference within the resulting signal.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 907,165, filed on September 27, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The disclosures herein generally relate to electronic devices, and more specifically to reducing interference in input devices. Background Art

[0004] Input devices, including proximity sensor devices, can be used in a variety of electronic systems. A proximity sensor device may include a sensing area defined by a surface, wherein the proximity sensor device determines the presence, position, force, and / or motion of one or more input objects. Proximity sensor devices can be used to provide interfaces for electronic systems. For example, proximity sensor devices can be used as input devices for larger computing systems, such as touchpads integrated into or peripheral to laptops or desktop computers. Proximity sensor devices can also be used in smaller computing systems, such as touchscreens integrated into cellular phones. Additionally, proximity sensor devices can be implemented as part of a vehicle's multimedia information system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment, the sensor driver includes a receiver and an interference mitigation element. The receiver is configured to acquire a result signal from sensor electrodes. The interference mitigation element is communicatively coupled to the receiver. The interference mitigation element is configured to receive interference data, generate an interference estimate based on the interference data and a transfer function, and transmit the interference estimate to the receiver.

[0006] In one embodiment, the input device includes sensor electrodes and a processing system. The processing system includes a sensor driver communicatively coupled to the sensor electrodes. The sensor driver includes a receiver configured to acquire a result signal from the sensor electrodes. The sensor driver also includes an interference mitigation element communicatively coupled to the receiver. The interference mitigation element is configured to receive interference data and generate an interference estimate based on the interference data and a transfer function. The interference mitigation element transmits the interference estimate to the receiver.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method for mitigating interference includes: acquiring a result signal from sensor electrodes by a receiver, and receiving interference data by an interference mitigation element. The method further includes generating an interference estimate by the interference mitigation element based on the interference data and a transfer function, and transmitting the interference estimate from the interference mitigation element to the receiver. Attached Figure Description

[0008] To enable a more detailed understanding of the foregoing features of this disclosure, a more specific description of the disclosure briefly outlined above can be obtained by referring to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments only and should therefore not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, as other equally effective embodiments are permissible with respect to this disclosure.

[0009] Figure 1 It is a schematic block diagram of an input device according to one or more embodiments.

[0010] Figure 2 The illustrations depict example display devices and input devices according to one or more embodiments.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a partial side view of an example display device and input device according to one or more embodiments.

[0012] Figure 4 , 5 Figures 6 and 7 are schematic block diagrams of a portion of a display device and an input device according to one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The illustration depicts a method for reducing interference according to one or more embodiments.

[0014] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals have been used wherever possible to denote the same elements common in the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be advantageously used in other embodiments without specific representation. The figures mentioned herein should not be construed as being drawn to scale unless specifically indicated. Furthermore, for clarity of presentation and explanation, the figures are generally simplified and details or parts are omitted. The figures and discussion are used to explain the principles discussed below, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same elements. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit this disclosure or its application and use. Furthermore, it is not intended to be bound by any express or implied theory set forth in the foregoing background, summary of the invention, or the following detailed description.

[0016] When performing capacitive sensing, the resulting signal received from the sensor electrodes can be affected by interference from external devices. For example, when the sensor electrodes are positioned above a display device, the resulting signal is affected by display interference generated during display device updates. Interference can undesirably affect the resulting signal received from the sensor electrodes, making it difficult to accurately perform input object detection. However, interference data provided by external devices can be used to mitigate the effects of interference. The interference data can be the data signal from the display device. Mitigating the effects of interference increases the input device's ability to reliably detect input objects.

[0017] Figure 1 An input device 100 configured to reduce interference affecting sensing devices is illustrated. The input device 100 can be configured to provide input to an electronic system (not shown). Among other non-limiting examples of electronic systems are desktop computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, tablet computers, terminals, kiosks, cellular phones, automotive multimedia information systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

[0018] Input device 100 includes a processing system 110 and sensor electrodes 105. The processing system 110 operates the sensor electrodes 105 to detect one or more input objects 140 within the sensing area of ​​the input device 100. Among other things, example input objects 140 include fingers, active pens, and styluses, such as... Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. The sensing area of ​​input device 100 covers any space above, around, in, and / or near input device 100, where input device 100 is capable of detecting user input, such as user input provided by one or more input objects 140.

[0019] Sensor electrode 105 is coupled to processing system 110 via trace 150. Figure 1 An exemplary pattern of the sensor electrodes 105 illustrated in the figure includes an array of sensor electrodes 105 disposed in multiple rows and columns. It is contemplated that the sensor electrodes 105 may be arranged in other patterns, such as polar arrays, repeating patterns, non-repeating patterns, non-uniform arrays, or other suitable arrangements. The sensor electrodes 105 may have shapes that are circular, rectangular, rhomboid, star-shaped, square, non-convex, convex, non-concave, concave, or other suitable geometries.

[0020] The sensor electrode 105 can be disposed in one or more layers. For example, a portion of the sensor electrode 105 can be disposed on a first layer, and another portion of the sensor electrode can be disposed on a second layer. The first layer and the second layer can be different sides of a common substrate or different substrates. Alternatively, the sensor electrode 105 can be disposed in a common layer.

[0021] The sensor electrodes 105 can be made of conductive materials such as metal mesh or indium tin oxide (ITO). Furthermore, the sensor electrodes 105 are ohmically isolated from each other. That is, one or more insulators separate the sensor electrodes and prevent them from being electrically shorted to each other.

[0022] Processing system 110 includes sensor driver 104. Additionally, as will be described in more detail below, processing system 110 may include determination module 106. Processing system 110 operates sensor electrode 105 to detect one or more input objects 140 in the sensing area of ​​input device 100. Processing system 110 resides wholly or partially in one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips. For example, processing system 110 may reside in a single IC chip. Alternatively, processing system 110 may include multiple IC chips. Sensor driver 104 is coupled to sensor electrode 105 via wiring trace 150 and configured to drive sensor electrode 105 using sensing signals to detect one or more input objects 140 in the sensing area of ​​input device 100.

[0023] Sensor driver 104 includes digital and / or analog circuitry. For example, sensor driver 104 includes transmitter (or driver) circuitry for driving a sensed signal onto sensor electrode 105 and receiver circuitry for receiving a result signal from sensor electrode 105. The transmitter circuitry may include one or more amplifiers and / or one or more modulators to drive the sensed signal onto sensor electrode 105. Among other things, the receiver circuitry may include integrators, filters, sample-and-hold circuitry, and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to receive the result signal from sensor electrode 105.

[0024] In one embodiment, sensor driver 104 uses a transcapacitive sensing signal to drive one or more first sensor electrodes 105 and uses a second or more receiving result signal from the sensor electrodes 105 to operate the sensor electrodes 105 for transcapacitive sensing. Operating the sensor electrodes 105 for transcapacitive sensing detects a change in capacitive coupling between the sensor electrodes driven by the transcapacitive sensing signal and the sensor electrodes operating as receiver electrodes. Capacitive coupling can be reduced when an input object (e.g., input object 140) approaches the sensor electrodes. Driving the sensor electrodes 105 using the transcapacitive sensing signal includes modulating the sensor electrodes 105 relative to a reference voltage (e.g., system ground).

[0025] A transcapacitive sensing signal is a periodic or aperiodic signal that varies between two or more voltages. Furthermore, the transcapacitive sensing signal has a frequency between 100 kHz and 1 MHz. In other embodiments, other frequencies may be used. The transcapacitive sensing signal has a peak-to-peak amplitude in the range of about 1 V to about 10 V. However, in other embodiments, the transcapacitive sensing signal has other peak-to-peak amplitudes. Additionally, among other things, the transcapacitive sensing signal may have a square waveform, a sine waveform, a triangular waveform, a trapezoidal waveform, or a sawtooth waveform.

[0026] In some embodiments, operating sensor electrode 105 to receive a result signal includes holding sensor electrode 105 at a substantially constant voltage or modulating sensor electrode 105 relative to a transcapacitive sensing signal. The result signal includes one or more effects corresponding to one or more transcapacitive sensing signals and / or to one or more sources of environmental interference (e.g., other electromagnetic signals).

[0027] In one embodiment, the sensor driver 104 operates the sensor electrodes 105 for absolute capacitive sensing by driving one or more of the first sensor electrodes 105 with an absolute capacitive sensing signal and receiving a result signal using the driven one or more sensor electrodes. Operating the sensor electrodes 105 is used for absolute capacitive sensing to detect changes in the capacitive coupling between the sensor electrodes driven with the absolute capacitive sensing signal and an input object (e.g., input object 140). The capacitive coupling of the sensor electrodes 105 driven with the absolute capacitive sensing signal changes in response to the input object (e.g., input object 140) interacting with the sensor electrodes.

[0028] An absolute capacitive sensing signal is a periodic or non-periodic signal that varies between two or more voltages. Furthermore, the absolute capacitive sensing signal has a frequency between 100 kHz and 1 MHz. In other embodiments, other frequencies may be used. Additionally, among other things, the absolute capacitive sensing signal has a square waveform, a sine waveform, a triangular waveform, a trapezoidal waveform, or a sawtooth waveform. The absolute capacitive sensing signal has a peak-to-peak amplitude in the range of about 1 V to about 10 V. However, in other embodiments, the absolute capacitive sensing signal has other peak-to-peak amplitudes.

[0029] The sensor electrode 105, driven by an absolute capacitive sensing signal, includes a modulation sensor electrode 105. The resulting signal received during absolute capacitive sensing includes one or more effects corresponding to one or more absolute capacitive sensing signals and / or one or more environmental interference sources (e.g., other electromagnetic signals). As will be described in more detail below, an environmental interference source may be a display update signal driven by the display electrodes of a display device. The absolute capacitive sensing signal may be the same as or different from the cross-capacitive sensing signal.

[0030] The processing system 110 also includes a determination module 106, which receives a processed result signal from the sensor driver 104 and further processes the processed result signal to determine a change in the capacitive coupling of the sensor electrode 105. The change in capacitive coupling is a change in the absolute capacitive coupling of the sensor electrode 105 and / or a change in the transcapacitive coupling between the sensor electrodes 105. The determination module 106 uses the change in the capacitive coupling of the sensor electrode 105 to determine position information of one or more input objects (e.g., input object 140) relative to the sensor electrode 105.

[0031] The measurement result of the change in capacitive coupling is used by the determination module 106 to form a capacitive image. The resulting signal used to detect the change in capacitive coupling is received during the capacitive frame. A capacitive frame may correspond to one or more capacitive images. Multiple capacitive images may be acquired over multiple time periods, and the differences between the images are used to derive information about the input object 140 in the sensing area of ​​the input device 100. For example, continuous capacitive images acquired over consecutive time periods can be used to track entry into and exit from the sensing area of ​​the input device 100, as well as the movement of one or more input objects(s) within the sensing area of ​​the input device 100.

[0032] As used herein, “position information” broadly encompasses absolute position, relative position, velocity, acceleration, and other types of spatial information. Exemplary “zero-dimensional” position information includes near / far or contact / non-contact information. Exemplary “one-dimensional” position information includes position along an axis. Exemplary “two-dimensional” position information includes motion in a plane. Exemplary “three-dimensional” position information includes instantaneous or average velocity in space. Further examples include other representations of spatial information. Historical data regarding one or more types of position information can also be determined and / or stored, including, for example, historical data tracking position, motion, or instantaneous velocity over time.

[0033] Input device 100 may be a touchscreen interface that overlaps with at least a portion of the display panel of a display device. For example, such as Figure 2As illustrated, input device 100 is shown overlapping display panel 210 of display device 200. Display panel 210 is communicatively coupled to display driver 208 and gate selection circuitry 230. Display panel 210 includes display electrodes driven to update display panel 210. Among other things, display electrodes include data line 222, gate line 224, emission control line 223, sub-pixel electrode 226, and / or cathode electrode (e.g., ...). Figure 3 Cathode electrode 340).

[0034] Data line 222 is coupled to display driver 208, and gate line 224 is coupled to gate select circuit 230. Furthermore, emission control line 223 is coupled to emission control circuit 240. Emission control circuit 240 is illustrated on the same side of display panel 210 as gate select circuit 230; however, in other embodiments, emission control circuit 240 is disposed on the side of panel 210 opposite to the side on which gate select circuit 230 is disposed. Furthermore, as illustrated, emission control line 223 is coupled to emission control circuit 240 instead of gate select circuit 230. For example, emission control line 223 passes below, above, and / or around gate select circuit 230, and they are connected to emission control circuit 240. Each of sub-pixel electrodes 226 is coupled to one of gate lines 224 and one of data lines 222. Each of sub-pixel electrodes 226 is coupled to emission control line 223. However, in one or more embodiments, emission control line 223 may be omitted.

[0035] Gate selection circuit 230 is configured to drive gate select and gate deselect signals to gate line 224 to select (activate) and deselect (deactivate) corresponding sub-pixels for updating. Furthermore, emission control line 223 is driven by emission control circuit 240 to control the brightness of sub-pixel electrodes 226.

[0036] Display driver 208 includes display driver circuitry configured to drive data line 222 using subpixel data signals to update selected subpixel electrodes 226 and update the display panel 210 of display device 200. For example, display driver 208 can drive subpixel data signals onto data line 222 to update the selected (activated) subpixel electrodes 226 during a corresponding display update period. The subpixel data signals may be voltage signals.

[0037] The display driver 208 is configured to update the subpixel electrodes 226 to update the image displayed on the display panel 210 during a display frame. The display frame can be updated or refreshed approximately every 16 ms, resulting in a display refresh rate of approximately 60 Hz. Alternatively, other display refresh rates can be used. For example, the display refresh rate could be 90 Hz, 120 Hz, 140 Hz, 240 Hz, or higher.

[0038] The display driver 208, sensor driver 104, and determination module 106 may be part of a common processing system (e.g., processing system 211 incorporated into processing system 110). Alternatively, the display driver 208 may be part of a first processing system and sensor driver 104, and the determination module 106 may be part of a second processing system (i.e., processing system 110). Furthermore, the display driver 208, sensor driver 104, and determination module 106 may be part of a common IC chip. Alternatively, one or more of the display driver 208, sensor driver 104, and determination module 106 may be located within a first IC chip, and a second or more of the display driver 208, sensor driver 104, and determination module 106 may be located on a second IC chip.

[0039] The sensor driver 104 is configured to drive the sensor electrode 105 for capacitive sensing at a capacitive frame rate during a capacitive frame. During each capacitive frame, the sensor electrode 105 is operated for capacitive sensing. Furthermore, each capacitive frame may include multiple time periods during which different sensor electrodes 105 are operated for capacitive sensing.

[0040] The “capacitive frame rate” (the rate at which continuous capacitive images are acquired) may be the same as or different from the “display frame rate” (the rate at which the display panel 210 is updated). The capacitive frame rate is an integer multiple of the display frame rate. Alternatively, the capacitive frame rate is a fractional multiple of the display frame rate. Furthermore, the capacitive frame rate can be any fraction or multiple of the display frame rate. In one or more embodiments, the capacitive frame rate can be a rational fraction of the display frame rate (e.g., 1 / 2, 2 / 3, 1, 3 / 2, or 2, among others). The display frame rate can change while the capacitive frame rate remains constant. The display frame rate can remain constant when the capacitive frame rate increases or decreases. Alternatively, the capacitive frame rate can be out of sync with the display frame rate, or the capacitive frame rate can be an irrational fraction of the display frame rate to minimize interference “beat frequency” between display updates and input sensing.

[0041] Input sensing and updating (e.g., display updating) of display panel 210 occur during at least partially overlapping time periods. For example, sensor electrode 105 is operated for capacitive sensing, while gate line 224 and data line 222 are operated to update the image displayed by display panel 210. For example, updating display panel 210 and operating sensor electrode 105 for capacitive sensing can be asynchronous to each other. Furthermore, updating display panel 210 and operating sensor electrode 105 for capacitive sensing can or may not be synchronized with each other.

[0042] Updating the display panel 210 and operating the sensor electrodes 105 for capacitive sensing can occur during a non-overlapping period. For example, updating the display panel 210 can occur during a display update period, while operating the sensor electrodes 105 for capacitive sensing can occur during a non-display update period. A non-display update period can be a blanking period occurring between the last line of a display frame and the first line of a subsequent display frame (e.g., during a vertical blanking period). Furthermore, a non-display update period can occur between display line update periods of two consecutive display lines within a display frame and is at least as long as the display line update periods in time. In such embodiments, a non-display update period can be referred to as a long horizontal blanking period or a long h-blanking period, wherein the blanking period occurs between two display line update periods within a display frame and is at least as long as the display line update periods.

[0043] Figure 3 A partial side view of an input device 100 and a display device 200 according to one or more embodiments is illustrated. Figure 3 In this embodiment, the display panel 210 is an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel. However, in other embodiments, other display types (e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD) etc.) may be used.

[0044] Display panel 210 includes a substrate 328, an organic material layer 330, a cathode electrode 340, a display layer 350, and an encapsulation layer 360. The cathode electrode 340 is a sheet of resistive material configured to overlap with the sub-pixel electrode 226. The cathode electrode 340 is coupled to and driven by a display driver 208 to provide a low-impedance reference voltage. In embodiments where the display panel 210 is an LCD panel, a common voltage (Vcom) electrode is used instead of the cathode electrode 340. Furthermore, the cathode electrode 340 (or the Vcom electrode layer) may be referred to as a reference electrode layer.

[0045] Substrate 328 is a flexible substrate. Alternatively, substrate 328 is a rigid substrate. Among other things, display layer 350 includes one or more polarizer and color filter glasses. Sensor electrode 105 is disposed on encapsulation layer 360. In embodiments including a lens, sensor electrode 105 is disposed on the lens instead of encapsulation layer 360. The lens may be disposed above encapsulation layer 360 or included in place of encapsulation layer 360.

[0046] Data line 222, gate line 224, and emitter control line 223 are disposed in one or more metal layers on substrate 328. For example, data line 222 is disposed in a first metal layer, gate line 224 is disposed in a second metal layer, and emitter control line 223 is disposed in a third metal layer. Alternatively, gate line 224 and emitter control line 223 may be disposed in a common layer. Data line 222 may be disposed in a metal layer above or below the metal layer including gate line 224 and / or the metal layer including emitter control line 223. Furthermore, gate line 224 may be disposed in a metal layer above or below the metal layer including data line 222 and / or the metal layer including emitter control line 223. Emitter control line 223 may be disposed in a metal layer above or below the metal layer including gate line 224 and / or the metal layer including data line 222.

[0047] Sensor electrodes 105 are disposed above display panel 210. Therefore, interference generated by the display electrodes of display panel 210 during display updates may undesirably affect the resulting signal received from sensor electrodes 105. This interference can be referred to as display interference. For example, interference affecting the resulting signal received from sensor electrodes 105 may be generated using sub-pixel data signal driving data line 222. Interference can adversely affect the ability of input device 100 to detect input object 140 and / or determine the position information of input object 140. However, sub-pixel data signals or information corresponding to sub-pixel data signals can be transmitted to sensor driver 104 and / or determination module 106 to compensate for the interference. Therefore, the effects of display interference are mitigated, and the ability of input device 100 to detect input object 140 and determine the position information of input object 140 is increased.

[0048] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of a portion of an input device 100 configured to reduce display interference according to one or more embodiments and a display panel 210. As illustrated, the display driver 208 includes a plurality of source drivers 432. Each of the plurality of source drivers 432 is coupled to one or more data lines 222. For example, source driver 4321 is coupled to data line 2221, source driver 4322 is coupled to data line 2222, and source driver 4323 is coupled to data line 2223. Alternatively, one or more of the plurality of source drivers 432 may be coupled to two or more data lines 222 via a multiplexer. For example, source driver 4321 may be coupled to data lines 2221 and 2222.

[0049] Sensor driver 104 includes a receiver (e.g., a receiver channel) 452. Receiver 452 is coupled to sensor electrode 1051. For ease of explanation, a single sensor electrode 1051 and receiver 452 are illustrated; however, in various embodiments, input device 100 includes two or more sensor electrodes and receivers. In embodiments utilizing two or more receivers, each of the receivers 452 may be connected to a different one of the sensor electrodes 105. Alternatively, two or more receivers 452 may be coupled to a common sensor electrode 105 via a multiplexer.

[0050] Receiver 452 receives a result signal from sensor electrode 1051 via trace 1501, and sensor electrode 1051 is operated for transcapacitive sensing and / or absolute capacitive sensing. When sensor electrode 1051 is operated as a receiver electrode for transcapacitive sensing, the result signal acquired from sensor electrode 1051 includes the effect of transcapacitive sensing signals driven on one or more other sensors 1051. When sensor electrode 1051 is operated for absolute capacitive sensing, the result signal acquired from sensor electrode 1051 includes the effect of absolute capacitive sensing signals driven on sensor electrode 1051.

[0051] Receiver 452, among other things, includes an analog front-end (AFE), one or more filters, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The AFE may include an integrator. Alternatively, receiver 452 may include other circuit elements in addition to or as a replacement for those listed. Receiver 452 generates sensor data from a result signal by utilizing one or more processed result signals in its integrator and processing circuitry.

[0052] The sensor driver 104 also includes an interference mitigation element 454. The interference mitigation element 454 utilizes one or more transfer functions to reduce interference present in the resulting signal. Interference can be represented as positive and / or negative values ​​within the resulting signal. Furthermore, interference can have an amplitude that varies over time. For example, when the sensor electrode 105 is positioned on a display panel (e.g., ...), Figure 2 In the embodiment above the display panel 210, the amplitude of the interference varies with the amplitude of the display update signal. Furthermore, the interference occurs when the display electrodes of the display panel are driven by the display update signal.

[0053] Interference mitigation element 454 is connected to source drivers 4321, 4322, and 4323 via connection lines 4711, 4712, and 4713. Interference mitigation element 454 is connected along one of the data lines 2221-2223 to either an output terminal of source drivers 4321-4323 or to a connection line providing input to source drivers 4321-4323. The output terminals of source drivers 4321-4323 connected to data lines 2221-2223 may be connected to interference mitigation element 454 via connection lines 4711-4713. Alternatively, source drivers 4321-4323 may include output terminals connected to data lines 2221-2223 and output terminals connected to interference mitigation element 454 via connection lines 4711-4713.

[0054] Interference mitigation element 454 receives display data from display driver 208 and generates one or more interference compensation signals from the display data. The display data includes subpixel data signals, or at least corresponds to subpixel data signals. Alternatively, the display data may be based on image data, from which the subpixel data signals are generated.

[0055] The interference compensation signal includes an estimate of the display interference generated when the source driver 432 drives the data line 222 using the sub-pixel data signal. The interference mitigation element 454 generates the display interference estimate by applying one or more transfer functions to the display data. The transfer functions model the circuit characteristics of one or more source driver systems (e.g., source driver system 424). The source driver system includes the source driver 432, the data line 222 coupled to the source driver 432, a reference electrode (e.g., the cathode electrode 340 or Vcom electrode of an LCD display device), one or more sensor electrodes 105, and / or corresponding one or more wiring traces 150, 424. Furthermore, the source driver system may include circuitry coupled to the emitter control line 223 of the source driver and / or the display driver 208. Figure 4As illustrated, the first source driver system 4241 corresponds to one or more of the source driver 4321, data line 2221, gate lines 2241-2244, one or more sub-pixel electrodes 2261-2264, and a cathode electrode (e.g., Figure 3 The cathode electrode 340). The source driver system 4242 corresponds to one or more of the source driver 4322, data line 2222, gate lines 2241-2244, one or more sub-pixel electrodes 2265-2268, and the cathode electrode (e.g., Figure 3 (Cathode electrode 340). Source driver system 4243 corresponds to one or more of the source driver 4323, data line 2223, gate lines 2241-2244, and one or more sub-pixel electrodes 2269-226. 12 and cathode electrode (e.g., Figure 3 (Cathode electrode 340). Each of the source driver systems 424 may additionally include sensor electrode 1051 and / or wiring trace 1501.

[0056] The transfer function can be associated with two or more of the source driver systems 424. Alternatively, different transfer functions can be associated with each of the source driver systems 424.

[0057] Interference mitigation element 454 uses the circuit characteristics of source driver system 424 to determine one or more transfer functions. For example, interference mitigation element 454 measures the circuit characteristics of source driver system 424 and uses the measured circuit characteristics to determine one or more transfer functions. Alternatively, one or more transfer functions may be determined by modeling the circuit characteristics of source driver system 424. In such an embodiment, one or more transfer functions are determined during the generation of input device 100. One or more transfer functions can be updated by measuring the circuit characteristics of source driver system 424 to account for changes in the circuit characteristics of the source driver system. For example, one or more transfer functions may be stored in the memory or external memory of sensor driver 104 and accessed and updated by sensor driver 104 when a change is detected within one or more transfer functions. The change may be due to a change in the temperature and / or properties of the components or components of the source driver system.

[0058] Display data corresponding to two or more source drivers 432 can be combined before being transmitted to the interference mitigation element 454. For example, display data from two or more source drivers 432 can be summed or averaged before being transmitted to the interference mitigation element 454. The summation can be performed within the display driver 208, the sensor driver 104, or by using a summing element disposed between the display driver 208 and the sensor driver 104. Alternatively, display data corresponding to two or more source drivers 432 can be combined after being transmitted to the interference mitigation element 454. For example, display drive data from two or more data lines 222 can be summed or averaged by an adaptive filter 456.

[0059] One or more interference compensation signals generated by interference mitigation element 454 are transmitted to receiver 452. Receiver 452 utilizes the one or more interference compensation signals to mitigate the effects of display interference within the resulting signal received from sensor electrode 1051. The interference compensation signals may include an estimate of the interference used by receiver 452 to mitigate interference from the resulting signal. In one embodiment, the mitigation of the effects of display interference within the resulting signal occurs before the resulting signal is processed by analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of receiver 452. In such an embodiment, interference compensation occurs in the analog domain. For example, as Figure 5 As illustrated, an interference compensation signal can be applied to the output of integrator 570 before processing by the ADC. Alternatively, the mitigation of the effect of display interference occurs after the resulting signal is processed by the ADC. In such an embodiment, the compensation occurs in the digital domain. For example, the interference compensation signal can be applied to the ADC or the output of the ADC.

[0060] Interference mitigation element 454 may include adaptive filter 456. Adaptive filter 456 controls the mitigation of interference within the resulting signal. Adaptive filter 456 generates an estimate of the interference by changing control parameters based on one or more transfer functions and displayed data, thereby changing the output of adaptive filter 456. The output of adaptive filter 456 is an interference compensation signal that includes the interference estimate generated by interference mitigation element 454. In one example, adaptive filter 456 is a least mean square (LMS) filter. Alternatively, adaptive filter 456 may be a recursive least square (RLS) filter, etc.

[0061] For ease of explanation, a single adaptive filter 456 is illustrated. However, the interference mitigation element 454 may include two or more adaptive filters 456. The number of adaptive filters 456 may be the same as the number of receivers 452. Alternatively, the number of adaptive filters 456 may be based on the number of receivers 452 and the number of source drivers 432. For example, the number of adaptive filters 456 may be M x N, where M is the number of receivers 452 and N is the number of multiple source drivers 432. Alternatively, N may be the number of groups formed by multiple source drivers 432. Multiple source drivers 432 may be grouped such that multiple source drivers 432 coupled to source electrodes overlapping with a common sensor electrode are part of a common group.

[0062] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a sensor driver 104 according to one or more embodiments. Figure 5 As illustrated, the adaptive filter 456 includes a finite impulse response (FIR) structure 554. The FIR structure 554 is communicatively coupled to the source driver 4321 via a connection line 4711. In other embodiments, the adaptive filter 456 may include other elements. For example, the adaptive filter 456 may include summing circuitry that compares sensor data from the receiver with a noise estimate from the FIR structure 554.

[0063] Receiver 452 includes an integrator 570 and processing circuitry 562. Processing circuitry 562 may include one or more filters, sample-and-hold circuitry, an ADC, and / or a demodulator. Integrator 570 includes an operational amplifier (op-amp) 571 having an inverting input 572 coupled to sensor electrode 1051 via trace 1501 and a non-inverting input 573 driven by a reference voltage Vref. Alternatively, the inverting input 572 may be coupled to a varying voltage signal (e.g., a sensed signal or another modulated signal). The output 574 of the operational amplifier is coupled to processing circuitry 562.

[0064] Receiver 452 receives the result signal from sensor electrode 1051 and generates sensor data. The sensor data may correspond to the output signal of integrator 570. For example, integrator 570 may integrate the result signal over one or more time periods to generate sensor data. Alternatively, the sensor data may correspond to the output of processing circuitry 562. For example, the sensor data may correspond to one or more digital values ​​generated by processing circuitry 562.

[0065] The inverting input 572 is additionally coupled to the output of the adaptive filter 456. Alternatively, the adaptive filter 456 may be coupled to either the input or the output of the processing circuit 562. Furthermore, the output 574 of the integrator 570 is coupled to the FIR structure 554. Alternatively, the FIR structure 554 may be coupled to the output of the processing circuit 562.

[0066] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a sensor driver 604 according to one or more embodiments. The sensor driver 604 is configured to be similar to, and may replace, sensor driver 104. For example, sensor driver 604 includes a receiver 452 and an adaptive filter 456. However, in Figure 6 In the embodiment illustrated, the output of the adaptive filter 456 is coupled to the non-inverting input 573 of the operational amplifier 571. For example, the output of the FIR structure 554 is coupled to the non-inverting input 573 of the operational amplifier 571.

[0067] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a method 700 for mitigating display interference according to one or more embodiments. (See also...) Figure 4 At operation 710, interference data is received by interference mitigation element 454. The interference data is display data provided by a display device (e.g., display device 200) or interference data provided by another device external to input device 100. In embodiments where the interference data is display data, interference mitigation element 454 receives one or more sub-pixel data signals from one or more source drivers 432. Interference mitigation element 454 receives a first sub-pixel data signal from source driver 4321 and a second sub-pixel data signal from source driver 4322. Alternatively, interference mitigation element 454 receives display data as a combination of the first sub-pixel data signal from source driver 4321 and the second sub-pixel data signal from source driver 4322.

[0068] Interference mitigation element 454 may include adaptive filter 456, and adaptive filter 456 receives display data (e.g., sub-pixel data signal) from source driver 432. Adaptive filter 456 may include FIR structure 554 that receives display data from source driver 432.

[0069] At operation 720, a first interference estimate is generated. For example, interference mitigation element 454 generates a first estimate of display interference based on display data received from source driver 4321 and a first transfer function. Interference mitigation element 454 processes display data received from source driver 432 based on the transfer function to generate the first estimate of display interference. In embodiments where interference mitigation element 454 includes an FIR structure 554, the FIR structure 554 generates the first estimate of display interference based on display data received from source driver 4321. FIR structure 554 has a transfer function or impulse response with multiple filter coefficients.

[0070] The transfer function can be initially determined during the generation of input device 100 by measuring or modeling the circuit characteristics of source driver system 424. For example, the filter coefficients of FIR structure 554 include initial values ​​generated during the generation of input device 100. Alternatively, the initial values ​​may be based on a model of the expected circuit characteristics. Furthermore, the filter coefficients include values ​​generated by FIR structure 554 prior to power cycles and / or reset cycles of the input device (e.g., input device 100), display driver (e.g., display driver 208), or sensor driver (e.g., sensor driver 104). The filter coefficients may include final estimates based on generated display interference.

[0071] At operation 730, the receiver (e.g., receiver 452) receives a result signal from the sensor electrode 1051. The sensor electrode 1051 is operated for absolute capacitive sensing by modulating the absolute capacitive sensing signal. In such an embodiment, the result signal includes an effect corresponding to the absolute capacitive sensing signal. Alternatively, the sensor electrode 1051 is operated as a receiver electrode for transcapacitive sensing, and the result signal includes an effect corresponding to the transcapacitive sensing signal.

[0072] At operation 740, the interference mitigation element 454 outputs a first interference compensation signal to the receiver 452, including a first interference estimate. The first interference estimate is used to mitigate the effects of interference within a first resulting signal. The first interference compensation signal is subtracted from the receiver 452 by a first charge amount to at least partially mitigate the interference. (Reference) Figure 5 The first interference compensation signal, including the estimated interference, is output by the FIR structure 554 of the adaptive filter 456 and received at the inverting input 572 of the integrator 570 of the receiver 452. Alternatively, refer to Figure 6The interference compensation signal, including the interference estimate, is output to the non-inverting input 573 of the integrator 570, and a charge is subtracted from the non-inverting input 573. In another embodiment, the interference compensation signal, including the interference estimate, is output to the output 574 of the integrator 570, thereby subtracting the corresponding charge at the output 574 of the integrator 570. Furthermore, the interference compensation signal, including the interference estimate, is transmitted to the processing circuit 562, and the charge corresponding to the estimated interference is removed from the processing circuit 562. For example, the interference compensation signal, including the interference estimate, is received by the processing circuit 562 after the ADC, and the interference is mitigated in the sensor data after being processed in the digital domain by the ADC.

[0073] The determination module 106 processes the processed result signal received from the sensor driver 104 to determine changes in the capacitive coupling of the sensor electrodes and to determine the position information of the input object 140. For example, the determination module 106 processes the processed result signal to generate one or more capacitive images as described above.

[0074] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method 800 for removing display interference according to one or more embodiments. Operations 810, 820, 830, and 840 are similar to operations 710, 720, 730, and 740 as described above with respect to method 700. At operation 850, the filter coefficients of the adaptive filter 456 of the interference mitigation element 454 are updated. For example, the interference mitigation element 454 receives first sensor data from the receiver 452. The first sensor data is generated by applying a first interference estimate to a first result signal, as described in operations 740 and 840. The filter coefficients of the transfer function of the adaptive filter 456 are adjusted using the first sensor data to generate updated filter coefficients. Furthermore, the first interference data received at operation 810 (e.g., first display data) is additionally used to adjust the filter coefficients of the transfer function. For example, the first sensor data and / or the first display data are used to adjust the filter coefficients of the transfer function of the FIR structure 554 of the adaptive filter 456. In one embodiment, when no input object is identified as being in the sensing area of ​​the input device 100, first sensor data is determined based on a result signal received from the sensor electrode 1051. Alternatively, the first sensor data is determined based on a result signal that includes an effect corresponding to one or more input objects 140 in the sensing area of ​​the input device 100.

[0075] The first sensor data corresponds to the difference between the amount of charge eliminated by the first interference estimate and the amount of charge in the first resulting signal received from sensor electrode 1051. In one or more embodiments, the first sensor data generated by integrator 570 before charge elimination is performed at inverting input 572 can be compared with a first estimate of the interference by summing circuitry within adaptive filter 456. Additionally or alternatively, the first sensor data can be compared with a threshold. If the first sensor data does not meet the threshold (e.g., meets or exceeds the threshold value), interference mitigation element 454 generates another estimate of the interference based on the first interference data. For example, FIR structure 554 of adaptive filter 456 generates updated coefficients and subsequent interference estimates based on the difference between the threshold and the first sensor data. The threshold is N, where N is greater than or equal to 0.

[0076] In various embodiments, updating the filter coefficients includes tuning an adaptive filter 456. Tuning the adaptive filter 456 includes adjusting the filter parameters of the adaptive filter based on sensor data and / or display data. Therefore, the adaptive filter 456 is tuned once every N display frames, where N is one or more. Additionally or alternatively, the adaptive filter 456 is tuned after power-on or wake-up of the input device 100, power-on or wake-up of the display driver 208, power-on or wake-up of the sensor driver 104, reset of the sensor driver 104, and / or after a change in the sensing mode of the sensor driver 104 (e.g., a change between capacitive sensing and absolute capacitive sensing). The adaptive filter 456 may be tuned once every M capacitive frames, where M is one or more. Furthermore, tuning of the adaptive filter 456 may occur when no input object is determined to be present within the sensing area of ​​the input device 100.

[0077] At operation 860, the interference mitigation element 454 receives second interference data. The second interference data is second display data provided by a display device (e.g., display device 200) or second interference data provided by another device external to the input device 100. In embodiments where the second interference data is second display data, the interference mitigation element 454 receives one or more sub-pixel data signals from one or more source drivers 432. The interference mitigation element 454 receives a third sub-pixel data signal from source driver 4321 and a fourth sub-pixel data signal from source driver 4322. Alternatively, the interference mitigation element 454 receives display data as a combination of the third sub-pixel data signal from source driver 4321 and the fourth sub-pixel data signal from source driver 4322.

[0078] At operation 870, a second interference estimate is generated by interference mitigation element 454. For example, interference mitigation element 454 generates a second estimate of display interference based on second display data received from source driver 4321 and updated filter coefficients. Interference mitigation element 454 processes the second display data received from source driver 432 based on the transfer function and updated filter coefficients to generate the second estimate of display interference. The second display data is used as input to the transfer function.

[0079] At operation 880, receiver 452 receives a second result signal from sensor electrode 1051. Sensor electrode 1051 is operated for absolute capacitive sensing by modulating the absolute capacitive sensing signal. In such an embodiment, the second result signal includes an effect corresponding to the absolute capacitive sensing signal. Alternatively, sensor electrode 1051 is operated as a receiver electrode for transcapacitive sensing, and the result signal includes an effect corresponding to the transcapacitive sensing signal.

[0080] At operation 890, the interference mitigation element 454 outputs a second interference compensation signal to the receiver 452, including a second interference estimate. The second interference estimate can be used to mitigate the effects of interference within the second resulting signal. The second interference compensation signal removes (e.g., subtracts) the amount of charge corresponding to the second interference estimate from the receiver 452 to at least partially mitigate interference within the second resulting signal based on the second interference estimate. (See reference...) Figure 5 The second interference compensation signal, including the second estimate of the interference, is output by the FIR structure 554 of the adaptive filter 456 and received at the inverting input 572 of the integrator 570 of the receiver 452. Alternatively, refer to Figure 6 A second interference compensation signal, including a second interference estimate, is output to the non-inverting input 573 of integrator 570, and the charge corresponding to the estimated second interference is removed from the non-inverting input 573. In another embodiment, the second interference compensation signal, including a second interference estimate, is output to the output 574 of integrator 570, thereby subtracting the corresponding charge at the output 574 of integrator 570. Furthermore, the second interference compensation signal, including the second interference estimate, is transmitted to processing circuit 562, and the charge corresponding to the estimated second interference is removed from processing circuit 562. For example, the interference compensation signal including the interference estimate is received by processing circuit 562 after the ADC of processing circuit 562, and the interference is reduced in the sensor data after being processed by the ADC in the digital domain. In the above embodiments, the resulting signal from the second processing reduces the display interference, and the second sensor data generated by receiver 452 can be referred to as interference-reduced sensor data.

[0081] In one embodiment, after operation 820, the filter coefficients are fixed, and operation 850 can be omitted from method 800. For example, the filter coefficients are fixed in response to sensor data meeting a threshold. In such an embodiment, an interference estimate is generated based on the corresponding transfer function and the display data received from the source driver 432; however, the filter coefficients are not adjusted. For example, an interference estimate can be generated from the fixed filter coefficients and the corresponding display data, and the interference estimate can be used to remove interference from the second result signal and / or subsequent result signals. Alternatively, the filter coefficients can be updated in response to receiving new result signals and / or display data.

[0082] The determination module 106 receives first and / or second result signals from the receiver 452 to determine changes in the capacitive coupling of the sensor electrodes in order to determine the position information of the input object 140. For example, the determination module 106 processes interference-mitigated sensor data to generate one or more capacitive images as described above.

[0083] Therefore, the embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented in order to best explain embodiments according to the present technology and its particular applications, and thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and use this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the foregoing descriptions and examples have been presented merely for illustrative and exemplary purposes. The descriptions set forth are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit this disclosure to the precise forms disclosed.

[0084] In view of the foregoing, the scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

[0085] Reference number

[0086] 100 Input Devices

[0087] 104 Sensor Driver

[0088] 105 Sensor Electrode

[0089] 106 Determine Module

[0090] 110 processing system

[0091] 140 Input Object

[0092] 150 traces

[0093] 200 display devices

[0094] 208 Display Driver

[0095] 210 Display Panel

[0096] 211 Processing System

[0097] 222 Data Cable

[0098] 223 Launch Control Line

[0099] 224 gate lines

[0100] 226 sub-pixel electrodes

[0101] 230 Gate Selection Circuit

[0102] 328 substrate

[0103] 330 Organic Material Layer

[0104] 340 Cathode Electrode

[0105] 350 display layers

[0106] 360 encapsulation layer

[0107] 432 Source Driver

[0108] 434 Source Driver System

[0109] 452 receiver

[0110] 454 Interference Mitigation Components

[0111] 456 Adaptive Filter

[0112] 471 Connecting cable

[0113] 554 structure

[0114] 562 processing circuit

[0115] 570 Integrator

[0116] 571 Operating Amplifier

[0117] 572 Inverting Input

[0118] 573 Non-inverting input

[0119] 574 output

[0120] 606 Sensor Driver

[0121] 700 methods

[0122] 710 Operation

[0123] 720 Operation

[0124] 730 Operation

[0125] 740 Operation

[0126] 750 Operation

Claims

1. A sensor driver, comprising: A receiver circuit is configured to acquire a result signal from sensor electrodes, wherein the result signal includes noise and a signal indicating the presence of an input object; as well as An interference mitigation circuit, communicatively coupled to the receiver circuitry, is configured to: Receive interference data, wherein the interference data is display data; An interference estimate is generated by applying a transfer function to the interference data, wherein the transfer function models the circuit characteristics of a source driver system, which includes a source driver for a display driver and the sensor electrodes. as well as The interference estimate is transmitted to the receiver circuit, wherein the receiver circuit receives the resulting signal and removes the noise from the resulting signal at the receiver circuit based on the interference estimate.

2. The sensor driver of claim 1, wherein the interference mitigation circuitry is configured to be coupled to the display driver, and wherein the interference data is received from the display driver.

3. The sensor driver of claim 2, wherein the interference mitigation circuit is configured to be coupled to the source driver of the display driver, and the display data is a sub-pixel data signal received from the source driver.

4. The sensor driver according to claim 1, wherein the interference mitigation circuit comprises: An adaptive filter is configured to receive the interference data and generate the interference estimate.

5. The sensor driver of claim 4, wherein the adaptive filter is further configured to receive sensor data corresponding to the resulting signal from the receiver circuit, and the interference estimation is further based on the sensor data.

6. The sensor driver according to claim 5, wherein the adaptive filter is a finite impulse response structure.

7. The sensor driver of claim 6, wherein the finite impulse response structure includes filter coefficients, and wherein the filter coefficients are adjusted based on the sensor data.

8. The sensor driver of claim 1, wherein the transfer function further corresponds to one or more circuit characteristics selected from a group consisting of data lines of the display panel and reference electrodes of the display panel.

9. An input device, comprising: Sensor electrodes; as well as The processing system includes: A sensor driver communicatively coupled to the sensor electrode, the sensor driver comprising: Receiver circuitry configured to acquire a result signal from the sensor electrodes, wherein the result signal includes noise and a signal indicating the presence of an input object; and An interference mitigation circuit, communicatively coupled to the receiver circuitry, is configured to: Receive interference data, wherein the interference data is display data; Interference estimates are generated by applying a transfer function to the interference data, wherein the transfer function models the circuit characteristics of a source driver system, including a source driver for a display driver and the sensor electrodes; and The interference estimate is transmitted to the receiver circuit. The receiver circuit receives the resulting signal and removes the noise from the resulting signal at the receiver circuit based on the interference estimate.

10. The input device of claim 9, wherein the interference mitigation circuitry is configured to be coupled to the display driver, and wherein the interference data is received from the display driver.

11. The input device of claim 10, wherein the interference mitigation circuitry is configured to be coupled to the source driver of the display driver, and the display data is a sub-pixel data signal received from the source driver.

12. The input device of claim 9, wherein the interference mitigation circuitry includes an adaptive filter configured to receive the interference data and generate the interference estimate.

13. The input device of claim 12, wherein the adaptive filter is further configured to receive sensor data corresponding to the resulting signal from the receiver circuitry, and further generate the interference estimate based on the sensor data.

14. The input device of claim 13, wherein the adaptive filter is a finite impulse response structure.

15. The input device of claim 14, wherein the finite impulse response structure includes filter coefficients, and wherein the filter coefficients are adjusted based on the sensor data.

16. The input device of claim 9, wherein the transfer function further corresponds to one or more circuit characteristics selected from a group consisting of data lines of the display panel and reference electrodes of the display panel.

17. A method for mitigating interference, the method comprising: The receiver circuit acquires a result signal from the sensor electrodes, wherein the result signal includes noise and a signal indicating the presence of the input object; Interference data is received by an interference mitigation circuit, wherein the interference data is display data; The interference mitigation circuit applies a transfer function to the interference data to generate an interference estimate, wherein the transfer function models the circuit characteristics of a source driver system, which includes a source driver for a display driver and the sensor electrodes. The interference estimate is transmitted from the interference mitigation circuit to the receiver circuit; The result signal is received at the receiver circuit; as well as At the receiver circuit, the noise is removed from the resulting signal based on the interference estimate.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the interference data is received from the display driver.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving sensor data corresponding to the resulting signal from the receiver circuit by an adaptive filter of the interference mitigation circuit, and wherein the interference estimate is further generated based on the sensor data.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the adaptive filter is a finite impulse response structure with filter coefficients, and wherein the filter coefficients are adjusted based on sensor data.

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