Touch sensing device

Abstract

The present invention provides touch sensing apparatus. In embodiments, various active pens can be searched for in each frame so that various active pens can be operated in the touch sensing system.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a technology for sensing a touch or proximity of an active pen to a touch panel and a display device thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] A technology for sensing a touch or proximity of an external object to a touch panel is referred to as a touch sensing technology. In an electronic device using such a technology, a touch panel is located in the same plane as a plane of a display panel, and thus a user can input a user operation signal into the touch panel while the user watches an image on the display panel. Such a method of generating a user operation signal is very intuitive to the user compared to other user operation signal input types such as a mouse input type or a keyboard input type.

[0003] In view of such advantages, the touch sensing technology is applied to various electronic devices including a display panel. A touch sensing device can sense a touch or proximity of an external object to a touch panel by supplying a driving signal to a driving electrode provided in the touch panel and receiving a response signal formed in a sensing electrode provided in the touch panel. Here, a capacitance is formed between the driving electrode and the sensing electrode, and a change in the capacitance can indicate a touch or proximity of the external object to the touch panel.

[0004] A user can use a finger and an active pen to input a user operation signal. A process of data communication between the active pen and the touch sensing device can be as follows. When the touch sensing device transmits an uplink signal that can be sensed by the active pen, the active pen receives the uplink signal to sense the touch sensing device. Then, when the active pen transmits a downlink signal that can be sensed by the touch sensing device, the touch sensing device can receive the downlink signal to sense the active pen.

[0005] However, such a process is limited to a case where the touch sensing device is operated with one active pen. When various active pens exist, the process cannot be applied as it is. In other words, in a case where the touch sensing device is operated with various active pens, a process of transmission and reception of the uplink signal and the downlink signal needs to be changed. Accordingly, the present application will describe a technology of operating the touch sensing device with various active pens. SUMMARY

[0006] In this background, in an aspect, the present application provides a method of a touch sensing device searching for one of various active pens in each frame.

[0007] In another aspect, the present application provides a method of a touch sensing device receiving a downlink signal from one of various active pens in each frame.

[0008] To this end, in an aspect, the disclosure provides a touch sensing apparatus for sensing a touch or proximity of one of various active pens, including a driving circuit for transmitting an uplink signal to one of the various active pens through a touch electrode, and a sensing circuit for waiting to search for one of the various active pens by receiving a downlink signal corresponding to the uplink signal through the touch electrode, wherein the sensing circuit searches for one of the various active pens or all of the various active pens in each frame.

[0009] In the touch sensing apparatus, in a case where all of the various active pens are searched in each frame, the sensing circuit can sequentially search for the various active pens.

[0010] In the touch sensing apparatus, the sensing circuit can search for a first group of the various active pens in a first frame, and then search for a second group of the various active pens different from the first group in a second frame.

[0011] In the touch sensing apparatus, the sensing circuit can sequentially search for a first group of the various active pens in a first frame, and can sequentially search for a second group of the various active pens in a second frame.

[0012] In the touch sensing apparatus, in a case where the driving circuit transmits an uplink signal for one active pen in a frame, the sensing circuit can wait to receive a downlink signal corresponding to the uplink signal from the one active pen in each frame.

[0013] In the touch sensing apparatus, in a case where the driving circuit transmits an uplink signal for all of the various active pens in a frame, the sensing circuit can wait to receive downlink signals corresponding to the uplink signal from all of the various active pens in each frame, respectively.

[0014] In the touch sensing apparatus, the uplink signal can include uplink information dedicated to one kind of active pen, and the sensing circuit can search for the active pen that receives the uplink information.

[0015] In the touch sensing apparatus, the uplink information dedicated to each kind of active pen can be determined according to a data communication protocol for each kind of active pen.

[0016] In the touch sensing apparatus, the sensing circuit can receive a downlink signal from the active pen that receives the uplink information.

[0017] In the touch sensing apparatus, the sensing circuit can receive a synchronization signal indicating a display time interval and a touch time interval, and search for one active pen or all of the various active pens in each frame within some touch time intervals.

[0018] In the touch sensing device, the drive circuit can transmit the uplink signal in another touch time interval. In the touch sensing device, the downlink information dedicated to each active pen can be determined according to a data communication protocol for each active pen.

[0019] In another aspect, the present application provides a touch sensing device including: a drive circuit for transmitting a first uplink signal corresponding to a first protocol through a touch electrode in a first touch time interval and transmitting a second uplink signal corresponding to a second protocol through the touch electrode in a second touch time interval in one frame including a plurality of display time intervals and a plurality of touch time intervals; and a sensing circuit for waiting to receive a first downlink signal corresponding to the first uplink signal in a third touch time interval according to a downlink signal timing defined according to the first protocol, and waiting to receive a second downlink signal corresponding to the second uplink signal in a fourth touch time interval according to a downlink signal timing defined according to the second protocol. The one frame can include 16 touch time intervals. A downlink signal can be transmitted and received in N (N is a natural number of 2 or more) touch time intervals among the 16 touch time intervals according to the first protocol, and a downlink signal can be transmitted and received in M (M is a natural number of 2 or more) touch time intervals among the 16 touch time intervals according to the second protocol. The third touch time interval can be selected among the N touch time intervals, and the fourth touch time interval can be selected among the M touch time intervals so as not to overlap with the third touch time interval.

[0020] The drive circuit can transmit the first uplink signal in the same touch time interval in each frame, and transmit the second uplink signal in the same touch time interval in each frame. In a case where the sensing circuit receives the first downlink signal in the third touch time interval, the drive circuit and the sensing circuit can operate according to the first protocol in a subsequent frame.

[0021] The downlink signal timing according to the first protocol can be different from the downlink signal timing according to the second protocol.

[0022] In another frame, the drive circuit can transmit a third uplink signal corresponding to a third protocol in one touch time interval and a fourth uplink signal corresponding to a fourth protocol in another touch time interval, and the sense circuit can wait to receive a third downlink signal corresponding to the third uplink signal according to a downlink signal timing defined by the third protocol and a fourth downlink signal corresponding to the fourth uplink signal according to a downlink signal timing defined by the fourth protocol.

[0023] The first uplink signal and the second uplink signal can have different data formats and / or communication frequencies.

[0024] Each frame can include 16 touch time intervals, and the sense circuit can sense a touch or proximity of an external object to the panel in a portion of the 16 touch time intervals. In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a touch sensing device including a drive circuit configured to transmit a first uplink signal according to a first protocol in a first frame and a second uplink signal according to a second protocol different from the first protocol in a second frame after the first frame, and a sense circuit configured to wait to receive a first downlink signal corresponding to the first uplink signal according to a downlink signal timing defined by the first protocol in the first frame and to wait to receive a second downlink signal corresponding to the second uplink signal according to a downlink signal timing defined by the second protocol in the second frame.

[0025] The drive circuit can transmit the first uplink signal in two or more touch time intervals in the first frame and the second uplink signal in two or more touch time intervals in the second frame.

[0026] In a case where the sense circuit receives the first downlink signal in the first frame, the drive circuit and the sense circuit can operate according to the first protocol in the second frame.

[0027] The drive circuit can repeat the transmission of the first uplink signal and the second uplink signal alternately in each predetermined frame period.

[0028] The drive circuit can transmit a third uplink signal according to a third protocol different from the first protocol and the second protocol in a third frame after the second frame, and the sense circuit can wait to receive a third downlink signal corresponding to the third uplink signal according to a downlink signal timing defined by the third protocol in the third frame.

[0029] The first uplink signal and the second uplink signal can have different data formats and / or communication frequencies and / or downlink signal timings.

[0030] Each frame can include 16 touch time intervals, and the sensing circuit can sense a touch or proximity of an external object to the panel in a part of the 16 touch time intervals. As described above, the present application allows various active pens to operate in the touch sensing system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0032] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a touch sensing device according to an embodiment;

[0033] Figure 3 is a diagram for illustrating transmission and reception between an active pen and a panel;

[0034] Figure 4 is a diagram for illustrating transmission and reception between one of various active pens according to an embodiment and a panel;

[0035] Figure 5 is a diagram for illustrating uplink information dedicated to one type of active pen in an uplink signal according to an embodiment;

[0036] Figure 6 is a diagram for illustrating a first method of searching for various active pens using an uplink signal according to an embodiment;

[0037] Figure 7 is a diagram for illustrating a second method of searching for various active pens using an uplink signal according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 8 is a diagram for illustrating a third method of searching for various active pens using an uplink signal according to an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 9 is a first example for illustrating downlink information dedicated to one type of active pen in a downlink signal according to an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 10 is a diagram for illustrating downlink information dedicated to one type of active pen in a downlink signal according to an embodiment; and

[0041] Figure 11 is a diagram for illustrating a second method of searching for various active pens using an uplink signal and a downlink signal according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a display device according to an embodiment.

[0043] Referring to Figure 1 The display device 100 can include a panel 110, a data driving device 120, a gate driving device 130, a touch sensing device 140, a data processing device 150, and a host 160.

[0044] A driving device including at least one of the data driving device 120, the gate driving device 130, the touch sensing device 140, and the data processing device 150 can be referred to as a display driving device. For example, the data driving device 120 can be referred to as a display driving device, or a driving device including the data driving device 120 and the touch sensing device 140 can be referred to as a display driving device. A driving device can be included in another driving device. For example, the data driving device 120 can be included in the touch sensing device 140. Alternatively, the gate driving device 130 can be included in the data driving device 120. According to an embodiment, some components of a driving device can be included in another device.

[0045] The data driving device 120 can drive a data line DL connected with the pixel P, and the gate driving device 130 can drive a gate line GL connected with the pixel P. The touch sensing device 140 can drive a touch electrode TE provided in the panel 110.

[0046] The data driving device 120 can supply a data voltage through the data line DL to display an image in each pixel P. The data driving device 120 can include at least one data driver integrated circuit, and the at least one data driver integrated circuit can be connected to a bonding pad of the display panel 110 in a tape automated bonding (TAB) type or a chip on glass (COG) type, directly formed on the display panel 110, or integrated on the display panel 110 according to circumstances. In addition, the data driving device 120 can be formed in a chip on film (COF) type.

[0047] The data driving device 120 can receive image data and a data control signal DCS from the data processing device 150. The data driving device 120 can generate a data voltage according to a gray value of each pixel indicated by the image data and drive each pixel.

[0048] The data control signal DCS may include at least one synchronization signal. For example, the data control signal DCS may include a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, a horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, and a time-division signal, etc. The data driving device 120 can separate frames according to the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC and can drive each pixel in a time period other than the vertical blanking time period indicated by the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC. The data driving device 120 can identify image data for each horizontal line according to the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC and can supply data voltage to each horizontal line. The data driving device 120 can separate the display time period and the touch time period according to the time-division signal and can drive each pixel within the display time period. The gate driving device 130 can supply a scan signal to the gate line GL to turn on and off the transistors located in each pixel P. According to the driving method, the gate driving device 130 can be as follows: Figure 1 The gate drive device 130 may be located on only one side of panel 110, or two separate gate drive devices may be located on opposite sides of panel 110. Additionally, gate drive device 130 may include at least one gate drive integrated circuit, which may be connected to the bonding pads of panel 110 via tape-on-board (TAB) or chip-on-glass (COG) bonding, or may be implemented as a gate-in-panel (GIP) type to be directly formed on panel 110. In some cases, the gate drive integrated circuit may be integrated to be formed on panel 110. Furthermore, gate drive device 130 may be implemented as a chip-on-film (COF) type.

[0049] The gate driving device 130 can receive a gate control signal GCS from the data processing device 150. The gate control signal GCS may include multiple clock signals. In addition, the gate driving device 130 can use the clock signals to generate a scan signal and can supply the scan signal to the gate line GL.

[0050] The panel 110 can include a display panel, and can further include a touch panel {e.g., a touch screen panel (TSP)}. Here, the display panel and the touch panel can share some elements with each other. For example, a touch electrode TE for sensing a touch on the touch panel can be used as a common electrode to which a common voltage is supplied in the display panel {in the case where the display panel is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel}. As another example, the touch electrode TE can be used as a cathode electrode to which a base voltage VSS is supplied in the display panel {in the case where the display panel is an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel}. Such a panel 110 can be referred to as an "integrated panel" in consideration of the fact that some elements of the display panel and the touch panel are shared with each other, but the present application is not limited thereto. In addition, an In-cell type panel in which a display panel and a touch panel are combined as a whole is known, but this is merely an example of the above-described panel 110, and the panel to which the present application is applied is not limited to the In-cell type panel.

[0051] On the other hand, a plurality of touch electrodes TE can be arranged on the panel 110, and the touch sensing device 140 can drive the touch electrodes TE using a touch driving signal. In addition, the touch sensing device 140 can generate a sensing value of the touch electrode TE according to a response signal generated in the touch electrode TE in response to the driving signal. In addition, the touch sensing device 140 can calculate a touch coordinate of the object 20 using the sensing values of the plurality of touch electrodes TE arranged in the panel 110, and the calculated touch coordinate can be transmitted to other devices (e.g., a host) and can be used therein.

[0052] The touch sensing device 140 can transmit and receive a signal to and from the active pen 10 through the touch electrode TE. The touch sensing device 140 can supply an uplink signal to the touch electrode TE, and the active pen 10 can receive the uplink signal through contact with the touch electrode TE. The uplink signal can include, for example, information such as panel information and a protocol version, and a synchronization signal, etc. The active pen 10 can receive the uplink signal, and can identify information about the version of the panel or the protocol, and can perform synchronization of the signal.

[0053] The active pen 10 can transmit a downlink signal to the touch electrode TE. In addition, the touch sensing device 140 can receive the downlink signal through the touch electrode TE. The downlink signal can include state information about the active pen. The state information about the active pen can include, for example, a position of the active pen, a button state of the active pen, a battery state of the active pen, and a tilt of the active pen, etc.

[0054] The touch sensing device 140 can receive a touch control signal TCS from the data processing device 150. The touch control signal TCS can include at least one synchronization signal. For example, the touch control signal TCS can include a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, a time division signal, and a touch synchronization signal TSYNC, etc. The touch sensing device 140 can separate a display time period and a touch time period according to the time division signal or the touch synchronization signal TSYNC, and can drive the touch electrode TE in the touch time period.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the synchronization signal can have the same signal, or can have a different signal. For example, the time division signal can be the same as the touch synchronization signal, or can be different from the touch synchronization signal. Hereinafter, a specific name can be used for description to emphasize its specific function, but the description is not limited to the specific name.

[0056] The synchronization signal can be generated based on a panel control signal PCS originally supplied from the host 160 to the data processing device 150.

[0057] The host 160 can transmit image data to the data processing device 150, and can transmit a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC for separating the image data by frame. The data processing device 150 can generate a time division signal, a touch synchronization signal TSYNC, etc. based on the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, and can transmit the same to each of the driving devices 120, 130, and 140.

[0058] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a touch sensing device according to an embodiment.

[0059] Referring to Figure 2 , the touch sensing device 140 can include a driving unit 210 and a sensing unit 220.

[0060] The driving unit 210 can supply an uplink transmission signal UTX to the touch electrode TE in a first time period. Here, the uplink transmission signal UTX is an uplink signal generated in the touch electrode TE. The uplink signal generated in an active pen can be referred to as an "uplink reception signal".

[0061] The sensing unit 220 can receive a downlink reception signal DRX from the touch electrode TE in a second time period which does not overlap the first time period. Here, the downlink reception signal DRX is a downlink signal generated in the touch electrode TE. The downlink signal generated in an active pen can be referred to as a "downlink transmission signal".

[0062] The touch electrode TE can be a common electrode to which a common voltage is supplied in an LCD panel. Alternatively, the touch electrode TE can be a cathode electrode in an OLED panel.

[0063] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrated to describe an operation in which a stylus and a panel exchange a link signal with each other.

[0064] Referring to Figure 3 , a process of transmitting and receiving a link signal between a stylus and a panel 110 is illustrated.

[0065] A driving unit of a touch sensing device can transmit an uplink signal UL to the stylus 10 through a touch electrode. If the stylus 10 touches or approaches within a certain distance the panel 110 including the touch electrode, the stylus 10 can receive the uplink signal UL. The uplink signal UL can be transmitted to the stylus 10 through a part or the whole of the panel 110.

[0066] A sensing unit of the touch sensing device can receive a downlink signal DL from the stylus 10 through a touch electrode. Upon receiving the uplink signal UL, the stylus 10 can transmit the downlink signal DL. The downlink signal DL can be transmitted to the touch electrode located at a point touched or approached by the stylus.

[0067] If the downlink signal DL is supplied to the touch sensing device, the touch sensing device can continuously transmit and receive data to and from the stylus 10. If the downlink signal DL is no longer supplied to the touch sensing device for a certain time, the touch sensing device can search for the stylus again. That is, the touch sensing device can repeat the above process by transmitting the uplink signal UL to the stylus again.

[0068] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrated to describe an operation in which various styluses and a panel exchange a link signal according to an embodiment.

[0069] Referring to Figure 4 , a process of transmitting and receiving a link signal between various styluses and a panel 110 according to an embodiment is illustrated. Hereinafter, although three styluses 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 are described as touching or approaching the panel 110 by way of example, the present application is not limited thereto.

[0070] The driving unit of the touch sensing apparatus can transmit uplink signals to various active pens. The driving unit can independently transmit uplink signals for various active pens at different times. For example, the driving unit can transmit a first uplink signal UL1 to a first active pen 10-1, a second uplink signal UL2 to a second active pen 10-2, and a third uplink signal UL3 to a third active pen 10-3, respectively. Here, the driving unit can transmit the first uplink signal UL1 to the first active pen 10-1 at a first timing, and can transmit the second uplink signal UL2 to the second active pen 10-2 at a second timing different from the first timing. The driving unit can not transmit the first uplink signal UL1 and the second uplink signal UL2 at the same timing.

[0071] The sensing unit of the touch sensing apparatus can wait for reception of downlink signals corresponding to the uplink signals through the touch electrodes, thereby searching for various active pens. If the downlink signal is first received during the search for various active pens, the sensing unit can continuously receive subsequent downlink signals from the active pen that transmitted the first downlink signal.

[0072] The sensing unit can independently search for various active pens at different times. For example, the sensing unit can wait to receive a first downlink signal DL1 from a first active pen 10-1, can wait to receive a second downlink signal DL2 from a second active pen 10-2, and can wait to receive a third downlink signal DL3 from a third active pen 10-3, respectively. Here, the sensing unit can wait to receive the first downlink signal DL1 at a first timing, and can wait to receive the second downlink signal DL2 at a second timing different from the first timing. The sensing unit can not search for the first active pen 10-1 and the second active pen 10-2 at the same timing.

[0073] To search for various active pens at different times, the sensing unit can search for one active pen among various active pens in each frame, or can search for all various active pens in each frame. The sensing unit can use one of the following schemes: a first scheme of intensively searching for one active pen in one frame, a second scheme of uniformly searching for various active pens in one frame, and a third scheme (combination of the first scheme and the second scheme) of uniformly searching for a part of active pens in one frame and uniformly searching for other active pens in another frame.

[0074] If a downlink signal is supplied to the touch sensing device from one of the active pens, the touch sensing device can continuously transmit and receive data to and from the one active pen. If the downlink signal is no longer supplied to the touch sensing device for a certain time, the touch sensing device can search for the active pens again. That is, the touch sensing device can repeat the above process by transmitting an uplink signal to the active pens again.

[0075] Figure 5 is a diagram shown to describe unique uplink information of an uplink signal according to an embodiment. Referring to Figure 5 The uplink signal transmitted from the touch sensing device to the active pens can include unique uplink information. The uplink information can determine a transmission and reception method of the uplink signal such as a format, a frequency, or a timing, and can generally include a protocol. The uplink information can differ according to the active pens, and can include different protocols according to the active pens. The uplink information can be differently configured by a manufacturer of the active pen.

[0076] For example, a first uplink signal for a first active pen can include first uplink information 510. The first uplink information 510 can be a protocol of the first uplink signal. The first uplink information 510 can include three preambles PR0 to PR2, one interval, and ten symbols SB0 to SB9. Each preamble can include a logic level indicating information about a start and an end of the first uplink signal. Each symbol includes three bits, and all the symbols can include a total of 30 bits BIT0 to BIT29. In addition, the first uplink information 510 can have a total signal duration of 434 μs, and can have a preamble signal duration and a symbol signal duration of 31 μs. In addition, the first uplink signal can be transmitted at a frequency of 500 kHz through the first uplink information 510.

[0077] In addition, a second uplink signal for a second active pen can include second uplink information 520. The second uplink information 520 can be a protocol of the second uplink signal. The second uplink information 520 can include two preambles PR0 to PR1, three data time periods DAT1 to DAT3, and one cyclic redundancy check (CRC) time period. Each preamble can include a logic level indicating information about a start and an end of the second uplink signal. In addition, the second uplink information 520 can have a total signal duration of 240 μs, and can have a preamble signal duration, a data time period signal duration, and a CRC time period signal duration of 40 μs. In addition, the second uplink signal can be transmitted at a frequency of 500 kHz through the second uplink information 520.

[0078] Various active pens can recognize only uplink signals having unique uplink information. In order to search for an object active pen, a touch sensing device can need to transmit an uplink signal having unique uplink information recognizable by the object active pen to the object active pen.

[0079] Figure 6 is shown to describe a first scheme for searching for various active pens using uplink signals according to an embodiment.

[0080] Referring to Figure 6 A touch sensing device according to an embodiment can search for various active pens through a first scheme indicating a serial search or a sequential search.

[0081] A sensing unit of the touch sensing device can search for only one active pen among the various active pens in each frame. A synchronization signal SYNC can determine a touch period for sensing a touch. The touch sensing device can receive the synchronization signal SYNC and can operate in the touch period according to the synchronization signal SYNC. Figure 6 Only a touch period is shown and a display period is omitted, and operations in each touch period are shown, in which each operation is shown as a waveform in the corresponding touch period.

[0082] For example, the sensing unit can search for only a first active pen among the first to third active pens in a first frame FRAME1. After transmitting a first uplink signal UL1, the sensing unit can search for the first active pen in two subsequent touch periods (SS1). The sensing unit can wait for reception of a downlink signal from the first active pen. The sensing unit can repeat transmission of the first uplink signal UL1 and search for the first active pen (SS1) according to a duration of the first frame FRAME1.

[0083] Subsequently, the sensing unit can search for only a second active pen among the first to third active pens in a second frame FRAME2. After transmitting a second uplink signal UL2, the sensing unit can search for the second active pen in two subsequent touch periods (SS2). The sensing unit can wait for reception of a downlink signal from the second active pen. The sensing unit can repeat transmission of the second uplink signal UL2 and search for the second active pen (SS2) according to a duration of the second frame FRAME2.

[0084] Subsequently, the sensing unit can search for only the third active pen among the first to third active pens in the third frame FRAME3. After transmitting the third uplink signal UL3, the sensing unit can search for the third active pen (SS3) for two subsequent touch time periods. The sensing unit can wait to receive a downlink signal from the third active pen. The sensing unit can repeat transmission of the third uplink signal UL3 and searching for the third active pen (SS3) according to the duration of the third frame FRAME3.

[0085] Figure 7 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrated to describe a second scheme for searching for various active pens using uplink signals according to an embodiment.

[0086] Referring to Figure 7 According to an embodiment, a touch sensing device can search for various active pens through a second scheme of instructing parallel searching.

[0087] The sensing unit of the touch sensing device can search for all the various active pens in each frame. In this case, the sensing unit can search for the various active pens in order or in a predetermined order in each frame.

[0088] For example, the sensing unit can search for all the first to third active pens in the first frame FRAME1. After sequentially transmitting the first to third uplink signals UL1 to UL3, the sensing unit can search for the first to third active pens (SS1 to SS3) for a plurality of subsequent touch time periods. The sensing unit can wait to sequentially receive downlink signals from the first to third active pens. The sensing unit can repeat transmission of the first to third uplink signals UL1 to UL3 and searching for the first to third active pens (SS1 to SS3) according to the duration of the first frame FRAME1.

[0089] Subsequently, the sensing unit can search for all the first to third active pens in the second frame FRAME2. After sequentially transmitting the first to third uplink signals UL1 to UL3, the sensing unit can search for the first to third active pens (SS1 to SS3) for a plurality of subsequent touch time periods. The sensing unit can wait to sequentially receive downlink signals from the first to third active pens. The sensing unit can repeat transmission of the first to third uplink signals UL1 to UL3 and searching for the first to third active pens (SS1 to SS3) according to the duration of the second frame FRAME2.

[0090] Subsequently, the sensing unit can search for all of the first to third active pens in a third frame FRAME3. After sequentially transmitting the first to third uplink signals UL1 to UL3, the sensing unit can search for the first to third active pens (SS1 to SS3) in a plurality of subsequent touch time periods. The sensing unit can wait to receive downlink signals sequentially from the first to third active pens. The sensing unit can repeat the transmission of the first to third uplink signals UL1 to UL3 and the search for the first to third active pens (SS1 to SS3) according to the duration of the third frame FRAME3.

[0091] Here, the order in which the first to third uplink signals UL1 to UL3 are transmitted and the first to third active pens are searched for (SS1 to SS3) can be different in a single frame or in each frame.

[0092] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrated to describe a third scheme for searching for various active pens using uplink signals according to an embodiment.

[0093] Reference Figure 8 According to the third scheme, the touch sensing device according to an embodiment can search for various active pens by indicating a combination of serial search and parallel search.

[0094] The sensing unit of the touch sensing device can search for all of the various active pens in each frame in a case where the sensing unit searches for all of various first partial active pens in one frame and searches for all of various second partial active pens different from the various first partial active pens in another frame. In this case, the sensing unit can search for the various active pens in order or in a predetermined order in each frame in a case where the sensing unit searches for the various first partial active pens in order or in a predetermined order in one frame and searches for the various second partial active pens in order or in a predetermined order in another frame.

[0095] For example, the sensing unit can search for all of various first partial active pens indicating the first to third active pens in a first frame FRAME1. After sequentially transmitting the first to third uplink signals UL1 to UL3, the sensing unit can search for the first to third active pens (SS1 to SS3) in a plurality of subsequent touch time periods. The sensing unit can wait to receive downlink signals sequentially from the first to third active pens. The sensing unit can repeat the transmission of the first to third uplink signals UL1 to UL3 and the search for the first to third active pens (SS1 to SS3) according to the duration of the first frame FRAME1.

[0096] Subsequently, as in the first frame FRAME1, the sensing unit can search for all of various first partial active pens including the first to third active pens in a second frame FRAME2. The repetition in the second frame FRAME2 can be optional and can not be necessary.

[0097] Subsequently, the sensing unit can search for all various second part active pens including the fourth to sixth active pens in the third frame FRAME3. After sequentially transmitting the fourth to sixth uplink signals UL4 to UL6, the sensing unit can search for the fourth to sixth active pens (SS4 to SS6) in a plurality of subsequent touch time periods. The sensing unit can wait for receiving downlink signals sequentially from the fourth to sixth active pens. The sensing unit can repeat transmission of the fourth to sixth uplink signals UL4 to UL6 and searching for the fourth to sixth active pens (SS4 to SS6) according to the duration of the third frame FRAME3.

[0098] Here, the order of transmitting the first to sixth uplink signals UL1 to UL6 and searching for the first to sixth active pens (SS1 to SS6) can be different in a single frame or in each frame.

[0099] Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first example of describing unique downlink information of a downlink signal according to an embodiment, and Figure 10 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a second example of describing unique downlink information of a downlink signal according to an embodiment.

[0100] Referring to Figure 9 A downlink signal transmitted from various active pens to a touch sensing device can include unique downlink information. The downlink information can determine a transmission and reception method of the downlink signal such as a format, a frequency, or a timing, and can generally include a protocol. The downlink information can be different according to various active pens, and can include different protocols according to various active pens. The downlink information can be differently configured by a manufacturer of the active pen.

[0101] Here, if the downlink information is linked to the uplink information, a protocol for data communication determined by the manufacturer can define both the uplink information and the downlink information. The protocol can determine a timing of the signal, that is, a touch time period in which the uplink signal and the downlink signal are transmitted and received. In addition, the protocol can determine a frequency of the signal, that is, the frequency of the uplink signal and the frequency of the downlink signal are the same or different.

[0102] For example, a first downlink signal for a first active pen can include first downlink information 910. The first downlink information 910 can be a protocol of the first downlink signal. The first downlink information 910 can define a frequency of the first downlink signal as 87 kHz.

[0103] In 16 touch time periods {e.g., long horizontal blanking (LHB)}, the first downlink information 910 can configure a first uplink signal in the 1st and 9th touch time periods, a first downlink signal in the 2nd through 7th, 10th, and 14th touch time periods, and a finger in the 11th through 13th, 15th, and 16th touch time periods. A synchronization signal SYNC can determine the timing of the 16 touch time periods along with a display time period. In this figure, the touch time periods can be denoted as T, and the display time period can be denoted as D. Thus, the first active pen can be required to receive the first uplink signal and transmit the first downlink signal to comply with the touch time periods defined in the first downlink information 910. Referring to Figure 10 Another type of downlink information is shown.

[0104] For example, a second downlink signal for a second active pen can include second downlink information 920. The second downlink information 920 can be a protocol for the second downlink signal. The second downlink information 920 can define a frequency of the second downlink signal as 114 kHz.

[0105] In addition, the second downlink information 920 can define various types of downlink signals. The second downlink information 920 can define a position of the active pen DL2_A, a tilt of the active pen DL2_B, and a state of the active pen DL2_C through the downlink signal.

[0106] In 16 touch time periods, the second downlink information 920 can configure a second uplink signal in the 1st touch time period, a second downlink signal in the 2nd, 5th through 8th, 10th, and 13th through 16th touch time periods, and a finger in the 3rd, 4th, 9th, 11th, and 12th touch time periods. A synchronization signal SYNC can determine the timing of the 16 touch time periods along with a display time period. Thus, the second active pen can be required to receive the second uplink signal and transmit the second downlink signal to comply with the touch time periods defined in the second downlink information 920.

[0107] As described above, the touch sensing device can receive a downlink signal from any one of various active pens based on downlink information. However, the touch sensing device can also wait beforehand to receive a downlink signal from various active pens based on downlink information.

[0108] Figure 11 is another figure shown to describe a second scheme of searching for various active pens using uplink signals and downlink signals according to an embodiment.

[0109] Referring to Figure 11According to the embodiment, the touch sensing device can search for the various active pens using a second scheme indicating a parallel search in a case where the various active pens are searched for within touch time periods defined in the protocol of each of the various active pens. The driving unit of the touch sensing device can transmit a plurality of uplink signals to the various active pens at different timings (e.g., within different touch time periods). The sensing unit of the touch sensing device can wait to receive a plurality of downlink signals from the various active pens at different timings (e.g., within different touch time periods). Since the plurality of uplink signals and the plurality of downlink signals are also transmitted and received in a manner not overlapping each other, the various active pens can be searched for such that the plurality of uplink signals do not overlap.

[0110] For example, the driving unit can transmit a first uplink signal to the first active pen during a first touch time period configured in the first downlink information. The sensing unit can receive a first downlink signal from the first active pen during 2nd, 6th, 10th, and 14th touch time periods configured in the first downlink information.

[0111] In addition, the driving unit can transmit a second uplink signal to the second active pen during 3rd and 11th touch time periods configured in the second downlink information. The sensing unit can receive a second downlink signal from the second active pen during 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th touch time periods configured in the second downlink information.

[0112] Accordingly, the touch sensing device can transmit respective uplink signals to comply with the protocol of the various active pens, and can wait to receive respective downlink signals. As described above, the serial scheme (i.e., the first scheme) can have an advantage of being able to search for a specific active pen centrally, and the parallel scheme (i.e., the second scheme) has an advantage of preventing a search delay of the active pen in each frame.

[0113] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0114] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0173741, filed on December 24, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A touch sensing device comprising: a drive circuit configured to transmit, in one frame including a plurality of display time intervals and a plurality of touch time intervals, a first uplink signal corresponding to a first protocol through a touch electrode in a first touch time interval, and a second uplink signal corresponding to a second protocol different from the first protocol through the touch electrode in a second touch time interval; and a sensing circuit configured to wait to receive a first downlink signal corresponding to the first uplink signal in a third touch time interval according to a downlink signal timing defined by the first protocol, and to wait to receive a second downlink signal corresponding to the second uplink signal in a fourth touch time interval according to a downlink signal timing defined by the second protocol, wherein the first uplink signal and the second uplink signal have at least one of different data formats or different communication frequencies. The one frame includes 16 touch time intervals, downlink signals are transmitted and received in N touch time intervals among the 16 touch time intervals according to the first protocol, downlink signals are transmitted and received in M touch time intervals among the 16 touch time intervals according to the second protocol, the third touch time interval is selected among the N touch time intervals, and the fourth touch time interval is selected among the M touch time intervals so as not to overlap with the third touch time interval, wherein N is a natural number of 2 or more, and M is a natural number of 2 or more.

2. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The drive circuit transmits the first uplink signal in the same touch time interval in each frame, and transmits the second uplink signal in the same touch time interval in each frame.

3. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, In a case where the sensing circuit receives the first downlink signal in the third touch time interval, the drive circuit and the sensing circuit operate according to the first protocol in a subsequent frame.

4. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The downlink signal timing according to the first protocol is different from the downlink signal timing according to the second protocol.

5. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, In another frame, the drive circuit transmits a third uplink signal corresponding to a third protocol in one touch time interval, and transmits a fourth uplink signal corresponding to a fourth protocol in another touch time interval, and the sensing circuit waits to receive a third downlink signal corresponding to the third uplink signal according to a downlink signal timing defined by the third protocol, and to receive a fourth downlink signal corresponding to the fourth uplink signal according to a downlink signal timing defined by the fourth protocol.

6. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Each frame includes 16 touch time intervals, and the sensing circuit senses a touch or proximity of an external object to a panel in a part of the 16 touch time intervals.

7. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, 8.A touch sensing device comprising: ​ a drive circuit configured to transmit a first uplink signal in a first frame in accordance with a first protocol, and to transmit a second uplink signal in a second frame after the first frame in accordance with a second protocol different from the first protocol; and a sense circuit configured to wait to receive a first downlink signal corresponding to the first uplink signal in the first frame in accordance with downlink signal timing defined by the first protocol, and to wait to receive a second downlink signal corresponding to the second uplink signal in the second frame in accordance with downlink signal timing defined by the second protocol.

9. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The drive circuit transmits the first uplink signal in two or more touch time intervals in the first frame, and transmits the second uplink signal in two or more touch time intervals in the second frame.

10. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, In a case where the sense circuit receives the first downlink signal in the first frame, the drive circuit and the sense circuit operate in accordance with the first protocol in the second frame.

11. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The drive circuit repeats the alternating transmission of the first uplink signal and the second uplink signal in each predetermined frame period.

12. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The drive circuit transmits a third uplink signal in a third frame after the second frame in accordance with a third protocol different from the first protocol and the second protocol, and the sense circuit waits to receive a third downlink signal corresponding to the third uplink signal in the third frame in accordance with downlink signal timing defined by the third protocol.

13. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The first uplink signal and the second uplink signal have different data formats and / or communication frequencies and / or downlink signal timings.

14. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, Each frame includes 16 touch time intervals, and the sense circuit senses a touch or proximity of an external object to the panel in a part of the 16 touch time intervals.

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