Multi-channel sensing touch-based device and method

Abstract

An apparatus for sensing a touch includes a sensor array including a plurality of sensor groups, each of the plurality of sensor groups including sensors adjacent to each other; a first switching circuit configured to connect each of the plurality of sensor groups to a first channel or a second channel according to a first control signal; and a second switching circuit configured to select one of the first channel and the second channel according to a second control signal, wherein the first channel includes a first signal line connected to respective sensors included in a first sensor group of the plurality of sensor groups through the first switching circuit, and the second channel includes a second signal line commonly connected to the sensors included in the first sensor group through the first switching circuit.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0102056, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on August 13, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The concept of the present invention relates to touch sensing, and more specifically, to apparatus and methods for touch sensing based on multi-channel sensing. Background Technology

[0004] Touch systems that receive user input based on touch are used in a variety of applications. For example, a touch system may include a sensor array on a display panel and detect the coordinates of an object approaching or touching the sensor array (e.g., a user's body or a stylus). Touch systems can be used as devices to receive user input not only in static applications such as kiosks but also in mobile applications such as mobile phones. Therefore, touch systems can be required not only to accurately detect touches but also to have reduced costs, such as reduced power consumption and a smaller footprint. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to signal processing for touch detection, and provides a front-end circuit configured to perform analog-to-digital conversion and a touch processing circuit including the front-end circuit.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for sensing touch is provided, the apparatus comprising: a sensor array including a plurality of sensor groups, each of the plurality of sensor groups including sensors adjacent to each other; a first switching circuit configured to connect each of the plurality of sensor groups to a first channel or a second channel according to a first control signal; and a second switching circuit configured to select one of the first channel and the second channel according to a second control signal, wherein the first channel includes a first signal line connected via the first switching circuit to a corresponding sensor in the first sensor group included in the plurality of sensor groups, and the second channel includes a second signal line connected via the first switching circuit to a sensor included in the first sensor group.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for sensing touch is provided, the apparatus comprising: a sensor array including a plurality of sensor groups, each of the plurality of sensor groups including sensors adjacent to each other; a first switching circuit connected to each sensor included in the plurality of sensor groups; a second switching circuit connected to the first switching circuit via a first channel and a second channel; an analog front-end circuit configured to generate a sensing signal based on a signal provided from the second switching circuit; and a controller configured to control the first switching circuit such that each of the plurality of sensor groups is connected to the first channel or the second channel, and to control the second switching circuit to select one of the first channel and the second channel.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for sensing touch using a plurality of sensor groups, each of the plurality of sensor groups including sensors adjacent to each other, the method comprising: connecting each of the plurality of sensor groups to a first channel or a second channel; selecting one of the first channel and the second channel; generating a sensing signal from a signal received through the selected channel; and identifying a touch based on the sensing signal, wherein the first channel includes signal lines corresponding to a respective sensor included in the plurality of sensor groups, and the second channel includes signal lines collectively corresponding to sensors included in the sensor groups. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The embodiments of the inventive concept will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a touch sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a block diagram illustrating the operation of a first switching circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a touch sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a first switching circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of a first switching circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a block diagram of a touch sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 8 This is a timing diagram of the operation of accessing the sensor group according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 9 This is a timing diagram illustrating the communication between a touch sensing device and a stylus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 11 This illustrates a touch sensing operation according to an example embodiment of the concept of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 13A and Figure 13B This is a block diagram of a touch sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0023] Figure 14 This is a block diagram of a system based on an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a touch sensing device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the touch sensing device 10 may include a sensor array 11, a first switching circuit 12, a second switching circuit 13, an analog front-end (AFE) circuit 14, a processing circuit 15, and a controller 16. As described below, the touch sensing device 10 can sense touch using multiple channels, and may be referred to herein as a multi-channel-based touch sensing device.

[0025] Touch sensing device 10 can detect touch of an object on sensor array 11. The object can refer to any target to which sensor array 11 can sense its touch. For example, the object can refer to a part of a user's body (e.g., a finger), an item worn or used by the user (e.g., a glove or pen), a component of another system whose position changes in response to operation, etc. Touch sensing device 10 can be used as a component configured to receive input from an external source in various applications. In some example embodiments, sensor array 11 can be arranged on a display panel, and touch sensing device 10 can be used to receive input from a user in response to a display screen image provided to the user via the display panel. For example, touch sensing device 10 can be used as a component of a static electronic system such as an information kiosk, a mobile electronic system such as a mobile phone, or a vehicle device such as a car. In some exemplary embodiments, sensor array 11 can be arranged independently of a display panel, such as a touchpad, pen tablet, smartpad, etc. Here, touch can indicate not only contact with sensor array 11 but also generally proximity to sensor array 11.

[0026] Sensor array 11 may include multiple sensors arranged in the touch area to detect not only whether a touch has occurred, but also the location of the touch. For example, sensor array 11 may include multiple capacitive sensors, each whose capacitance changes in response to touch, and / or multiple resistive sensors, each whose resistance changes in response to touch. Sensors may also be referred to as sensor electrodes. In sensor array 11, multiple sensors may be arranged at the intersection of a series of rows and a series of columns, and may be connected to the first switching circuit 12 via multiple sensor lines SL. Here, the connection between two components may indicate that the components are in contact with each other or electrically connected through a conductive material.

[0027] In some example embodiments, sensor array 11 may include multiple sensor groups, each sensor group comprising sensors adjacent to each other, such as sensor group SG. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the sensor array 11 may include a sensor group SG, which includes 3x3 sensors adjacent to each other, including a sensor TS. As described below, the 3x3 sensors included in the sensor group SG can be accessed simultaneously and can be collectively connected to signal lines included in the second channel CH2 by the first switching circuit 12. Alternatively, the 3x3 sensors included in the sensor group SG can be individually connected to nine signal lines included in the first channel CH1 via the first switching circuit 12. Hereinafter, reference will be made to signal lines including... Figure 1 The sensor group SG of the 3x3 sensor shown is used to describe an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, but a sensor group including a different number of sensors and / or a different arrangement of sensors than the sensor group SG can be used.

[0028] The first switching circuit 12 can be connected to the sensor array 11 via multiple sensor lines SL, such as multiple sensors included in the sensor array 11, and can receive a first control signal CTR1 from the controller 16. The first switching circuit 12 can connect each of the multiple sensor lines SL to either a first channel CH1 or a second channel CH2 based on the first control signal CTR1. In other words, the first switching circuit 12 can connect each of the multiple sensors included in the sensor array 11 to either a first channel CH1 or a second channel CH2 based on the first control signal CTR1.

[0029] Each of the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2 may include multiple signal lines. For example, the first channel CH1 may include nine signal lines that are individually connected to the 3x3 sensors included in the sensor group SG via the first switching circuit 12, and the second channel CH2 may include signal lines that are collectively connected to the 3x3 sensors included in the sensor group SG via the first switching circuit 12. Therefore, each 3x3 sensor included in the sensor group SG can independently sense touch through the first channel CH1, and the 3x3 sensors included in the sensor group SG can collectively sense touch through the second channel CH2. (Refer to the following...) Figure 2A and Figure 2B Describe the operation of the first switching circuit 12.

[0030] The second switching circuit 13 can be connected to the first switching circuit 12 via the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2, and receives a second control signal CTR2 from the controller 16. The second switching circuit 13 can select one of the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2 based on the second control signal CTR2, and provide the selected channel CH to the AFE circuit 14. For example, the second control signal CTR2 can indicate a sensing mode, and the second switching circuit 13 can select one of the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2 according to the sensing mode.

[0031] The AFE circuit 14 can be connected to the second switching circuit 13 via a selected channel CH, generate a sensing signal SEN, and provide the sensing signal SEN to the processing circuit 15. The AFE circuit 14 can provide signals for sensing touch to the sensor array 11 via the second switching circuit 13 and the first switching circuit 12, and receive touch-modified signals from the sensor array 11. The AFE circuit 14 may include multiple unit circuits corresponding to the number of signal lines included in the selected channel CH, and generates the sensing signal SEN by simultaneously processing signals received through the selected channel CH. For example, the AFE circuit 14 can simultaneously process signals received from sensors included in the region of interest. In some example embodiments, the touch sensing device 10 may be referred to as follows. Figure 9 The AFE circuit 14 can communicate with the active pen and generate signals (e.g., beacon signals) for communicating with the active pen, and output the beacon signals through the selected channel CH.

[0032] Processing circuit 15 can receive a sensing signal SEN from AFE circuit 14 and generate a touch signal TCH. In some example embodiments, processing circuit 15 can process the sensing signal SEN to identify the location of the sensor in sensor array 11 that has sensed a touch, such as the coordinates of the touch, and generate a touch signal TCH including the coordinates of the touch. Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments, processing circuit 15 can process the sensing signal SEN to identify the touch intensity sensed by sensor array 11 and generate a touch signal TCH including the touch intensity. Furthermore, in some example embodiments, processing circuit 15 can process the sensing signal SEN to identify information received from the active pen and generate a touch signal TCH including the identified information. In some example embodiments, processing circuit 15 or AFE circuit 14 may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

[0033] Processing circuit 15 can generate an address signal ADR and a mode signal MD, and provide the address signal ADR and mode signal MD to controller 16. The address signal ADR can have a value for accessing at least one of a plurality of sensor groups included in sensor array 11. In some example embodiments, processing circuit 15 can generate an address signal ADR with a value for accessing at least one sensor group to sense a touch on at least one sensor group. Additionally, the mode signal MD can indicate one of a plurality of sensing modes, and processing circuit 15 can generate the mode signal MD to set a sensing mode. Reference will be made below. Figure 10 The operation of processing circuitry 15, configured to generate address signal ADR and mode signal MD, is described. In some example embodiments, processing circuitry 15 may include logic circuitry designed by logic synthesis and / or at least one processor configured to execute a series of instructions.

[0034] The controller 16 can receive the address signal ADR and the mode signal MD from the processing circuit 15, and generate a first control signal CTR1 and a second control signal CTR2. For example, the controller 16 can decode the address signal ADR and generate the first control signal CTR1 to access at least one sensor group corresponding to the address signal ADR. Additionally, the controller 16 can generate the second control signal CTR2 based on the sensing mode indicated by the mode signal MD.

[0035] like Figure 1As shown, sensing touch using a sensor array 11 with multiple sensors arranged can be referred to as a point sensor scheme. Unlike the point sensor scheme, the line sensor scheme can use a structure in which a series of sensors extending horizontally intersects with a series of sensors extending vertically. As the size of the touch panel arranging the sensor array 11 increases and its thickness decreases, the influence of parasitic components on the sensors in the line sensor scheme increases, and correspondingly, the line sensor scheme is suitable for relatively small touch panels. Unlike the line sensor scheme, the point sensor scheme can be suitable for relatively large touch panels, but due to the large number of sensors, the structure for efficient sensor access and rapid touch detection may be important.

[0036] As described above, multiple sensors in the sensor array 11 can be accessed in units of sensor groups. Therefore, the number of signal lines used to access multiple sensors can be reduced, thereby easily realizing a large-area touch panel by reducing or eliminating routing congestion of the corresponding signal lines. In addition, by sensing touch in units of 3x3 sensors (and additional adjacent sensors) included in the sensor group SG according to the sensing mode, the position of a touch on a wide touch panel can be quickly detected.

[0037] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a block diagram illustrating the operation of a first switching circuit 22 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to the above text) Figure 1 The above, Figure 2A and Figure 2B The first switching circuit 22 can connect the sensors in the sensor array 21 to the first channel CH1 or the second channel CH2 based on the first control signal CTR1.

[0038] Reference Figure 2A In response to the first control signal CTR1, the first switching circuit 22 in the touch sensing device 20a can connect the 3x3 sensors in the first sensor group SG1 to the nine signal lines CH1[9:1] included in the first channel CH1. Additionally, in response to the first control signal CTR1, the first switching circuit 22 can connect the 3x3 sensors in the k-th sensor group SGk to the nine signal lines CH1[9:1] included in the first channel CH1. Figure 2A As shown, in sensor array 21, the first sensor group SG1 may not be adjacent to the k-th sensor group SGk; that is, at least one sensor group may be located between the first sensor group SG1 and the k-th sensor group SGk. Here, sensor groups such as the first sensor group SG1 and the k-th sensor group SGk, which respectively include sensors connected to each other in response to the first control signal CTR1, may be referred to as having the same address. That is, Figure 1 The processing circuit 15 can simultaneously access sensor groups with the same address among multiple sensor groups included in the sensor array 21 via the address signal ADR. (See below for reference.) Figure 3 An example describing the arrangement of sensor groups with the same address.

[0039] Reference Figure 2B In response to the first control signal CTR1, the first switching circuit 22 in the touch sensing device 20b can connect the 3x3 sensors in the first sensor group SG1 to a signal line CH2 included in the second channel CH2 [1]. Additionally, in response to the first control signal CTR1, the first switching circuit 22 can connect the 3x3 sensors in the second sensor group SG2 to a signal line CH2 included in the second channel CH2 [1]. Figure 2B As shown, the first sensor group SG1 can be adjacent to the second sensor group SG2. Therefore, in the sensor array 21, the 6x3 sensors included in the first sensor group SG1 and the second sensor group SG2, which are adjacent to each other, can operate as a single large sensor. Here, as... Figure 2B The first sensor group SG1 and the second sensor group SG2, including all sensors connected in response to the first control signal CTR1, can be referred to as a group of sensor groups or a sensor section. The following will refer to... Figure 3 An example describing the arrangement of the sensor components.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a touch sensing device 30 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 3 The block diagram shows a touch sensing device 30, which includes a sensor array 31 comprising 54x72 sensors. Additionally, as referenced above... Figure 1 The sensor array 31 may include multiple sensor groups, and each of the multiple sensor groups may include 3x3 sensors, such as... Figure 3 As shown. Therefore, sensor array 31 may include 18x24 sensor groups arranged along columns 1 to 18 (C18) and rows 1 to 24 (R24). Figure 3 As shown, the touch sensing device 30 may include a sensor array 31 and a first switching circuit 32, and the sensor array 31 may be connected to the first switching circuit 32 via 54x72 sensor lines SL.

[0041] In some example embodiments, the sensor groups in a column can each have different addresses. For example, such as Figure 3As shown, each of columns C1 to C18 can include 24 sensor groups with addresses 1 to 24 respectively. Therefore, when the 24 sensor groups included in a column are connected to the first channel CH1 via the first switching circuit 32, all sensors included in the 24 sensor groups (e.g., 216 sensors) can be connected to the 216 signal lines CH1[216:1] included in the first channel CH1 respectively, and touch sensing can be performed simultaneously by the 216 sensors.

[0042] In sensor array 31, sensor groups with the same address can be non-adjacent to each other. For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, when moving column by column from column 1 C1 to column 18 C18, the address of the sensor group can be shifted by 4. Therefore, in a region including adjacent sensor groups, all sensor groups can have different addresses. For example, as... Figure 3 As shown, all sensor groups included in the Region of Interest (ROI) corresponding to the size of the 4x4 sensor group can each have a different address. Therefore, when a 4x4 sensor group included in the ROI is connected to the first channel CH1, the 4x4 sensor group can perform touch sensing simultaneously. In some example embodiments, the address can be mapped to a different address than... Figure 3 The sensor group shown can also include different numbers and / or arrangements of sensors from the 4x4 sensor group.

[0043] In some example embodiments, the sensor section may include two or more groups of sensors that are adjacent to each other. For example, the sensor section may include, for instance,... Figure 3 The 2x2 sensor group is indicated by shading. Therefore, when the 2x2 sensor group included in one sensor section is connected to the second channel CH2 via the first switching circuit 32, all sensors included in the 2x2 sensor group (e.g., 36 sensors) can be connected together to a single signal line included in the second channel CH2. The sensor array 31 may include 9x12 sensor sections, and the second channel CH2 may include 108 signal lines CH2[108:1] respectively connected to the 9x12 sensor sections; therefore, touch sensing can be performed simultaneously by the 108 sensor sections.

[0044] exist Figure 3 In the touch sensing device 30, the number of signal lines included in the first channel CH1 (e.g., 216) can be greater than the number of signal lines included in the second channel CH2 (e.g., 108). Therefore, the second switching circuit and the AFE circuit can be connected to each other through a selected channel CH including at least 216 signal lines. Additionally, the AFE circuit can include at least 216 unit circuits. Referring below... Figure 3The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described using sensor array 31, but the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can also be applied to sensors with different sensor arrays. Figure 3 The sensor array 31 includes sensor group configuration, sensor part configuration, and address mapping of the sensor array.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a first switching circuit 40 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 4 The block diagram shows as Figure 3 Example of the first switching circuit 32 is the first switching circuit 40. See above. Figure 3 The above, Figure 4 The first switching circuit 40 can connect multiple sensor lines SL to the first channel CH1 or the second channel CH2 based on the first control signal CTR1. The following will refer to... Figure 3 To describe Figure 4 .

[0046] Reference Figure 4 The first switching circuit 40 may include multiple switching units corresponding to multiple sensor groups in the sensor array 31. Figure 3 The sensor array 31 may include 18x24 sensor groups; therefore, the first switching circuit 40 may also include 18x24 switching units. Each of the 18x24 switching units can be connected to a 3x3 sensor in a sensor group via 9 sensor lines. For example, the first switching unit SW1 can be connected via 9 sensor lines SL[9:1] to a sensor located at... Figure 3 The sensor array 31 contains 3x3 sensors in the sensor group located in the first column C1 and the first row R1. Additionally, the second switching unit SW2 can be connected via nine sensor lines SL[18:10] to the sensor array 31 located in the sensor group located in the sensor array 31. Figure 3 The 3x3 sensors in the sensor group on the first column C1 and the second row R2 of the sensor array 31.

[0047] The switching unit can be connected to the nine signal lines of the first channel CH1 according to the address of the sensor group corresponding to the switching unit. For example, the first switching unit SW1 can correspond to the sensor group with address 1, therefore, as Figure 4 As shown, the first switching unit SW1 can be connected to the nine signal lines CH1[9:1] of the first channel CH1. Additionally, the 97th switching unit SW97 can also correspond to the sensor group with address 1 and can be connected to the nine signal lines CH1[9:1] of the first channel CH1.

[0048] The switching units corresponding to the sensor group included in the same sensor section can be connected together to a signal line of the second channel CH2. For example, as Figure 4As shown, the first switching unit SW1, the second switching unit SW2, the 25th switching unit SW25, and the 26th switching unit SW26, corresponding to the 2x2 sensor group included in a sensor section, can be connected together to the signal line CH2 included in the second channel CH2[1]. Similarly, the 49th switching unit SW49, the 50th switching unit SW50, the 73rd switching unit SW73, and the 74th switching unit SW74, corresponding to the 2x2 sensor group included in a sensor section, can be connected together to the signal line CH2 included in the second channel CH2

[13] .

[0049] Each switching unit can be controlled by a first control signal CTR1, and according to the first control signal CTR1, the nine sensor lines can be connected to the nine signal lines included in the first channel CH1 respectively, or collectively connected to a signal line included in the second channel CH2. The following will refer to... Figure 6A and Figure 6B An example describing the switching unit.

[0050] Figure 5 This is a block diagram of a first switching circuit 50 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 5 The block diagram shows as Figure 3 An example of the first switching circuit 32 is the first switching circuit 50. For ease of illustration, in... Figure 5 Multiple sensor lines SL, first channel CH1, and second channel CH2 are not shown. Below, references will be used... Figure 3 To describe Figure 5 .

[0051] Reference Figure 5 The first switching circuit 50 may include 18x24 switching units, for example, switching units SW1 to SW432, which correspond to the following: Figure 3 The sensor array 31 contains 18x24 sensor groups, as described above. Figure 4 As described above. In some example embodiments, the first to fourth 32 switching units SW1 to SW432 in the first switching circuit 50 can be controlled by row selection signals and column selection signals. For example, as Figure 5 As shown, the first control signal CTR1 may include a 24-bit row selection signal ROW[24:1] and an 18-bit column selection signal COL[18:1]. Therefore, the number of signal lines used to control the 1st to 432th switching units SW1 to SW432 can be reduced (24+18<432), and the area required to lay the corresponding signal lines on one or both sides of the touch panel may be reduced.

[0052] like Figure 5As shown, the first to fourth switching units SW1 to SW432 can correspond to 18 columns and 24 rows, such as 18x24 sensor groups in sensor array 31. The switching units corresponding to a row can jointly receive one bit of the row selection signal, and the switching units corresponding to a column can jointly receive one bit of the column selection signal. For example, the first switching unit SW1, the second switching unit SW25 and the third switching unit SW409 can jointly receive the first row ROW of the row selection signal [1], the second switching unit SW2, the second switching unit SW26 and the third switching unit SW410 can jointly receive the second ROW of the row selection signal [2], and the second switching unit SW24, the fourth switching unit SW48 and the third switching unit SW432 can jointly receive the 24th ROW of the row selection signal

[24] . In addition, switching units SW1 to SW24 from the 1st to the 24th can jointly receive the first bit COL of the column selection signal [1], switching units SW25 to SW48 from the 25th to the 48th can jointly receive the second bit COL of the column selection signal [2], and switching units SW409 to SW432 from the 409th to the 432nd can jointly receive the 18th bit COL of the column selection signal

[18] . In some example embodiments, each of the switching units SW1 to SW432 from the 1st to the 432nd can connect the nine sensor lines to the nine signal lines included in the first channel CH1 in response to the activation bit of the row selection signal and the activation bit of the column selection signal, and connect the nine sensor lines to a signal line included in the second channel CH2 in response to the deactivation bit of the row selection signal or the deactivation bit of the column selection signal, as shown below. Figure 6B As stated above.

[0053] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a block diagram of a touch sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 6A and Figure 6B The block diagram shows the portion of touch sensing devices 60a and 60b corresponding to a sensor TS, which respectively include first switching circuits 61a and 61b with different structures. Although Figure 6A and Figure 6B Each of the transistors shown is a p-channel field-effect transistor (PFET), but Figure 6A and Figure 6B At least one transistor can be an n-channel field-effect transistor (NFET). Figure 6A and Figure 6B In this context, the first control signal CTR1 and the second control signal CTR2 can be active low signals, and correspondingly, the first control signal CTR1 and the second control signal CTR2 can be activated by a low level and deactivated by a high level. (This will be omitted in the following text.) Figure 6A and Figure 6B Repeated description.

[0054] Reference Figure 6A The touch sensing device 60a may include a first switching circuit 61a, a second switching circuit 62a, and an AFE circuit 63a. The first switching circuit 61a may include a third PFET P3a and a fourth PFET P4a connected to the sensor TS, and a switching unit may include nine PFET pairs, each PFET pair including two PFETs, such as the third PFET P3a and the fourth PFET P4a. Figure 6A As shown, the third PFET P3a can be controlled by one bit of the first control signal CTR1, CTR1[m] (1≤m≤432), and connected to a signal line CH1[k] (1≤k≤216) included in the first channel CH1. Additionally, the fourth PFET P4a can be controlled by an inverted bit of the first control signal CTR1, / CTR1[m], and connected to a signal line CH2[l] (1≤l≤108) included in the second channel CH2. Therefore, the first switching circuit 61a can connect the sensor TS to the signal line CH1[k] of the first channel CH1 in response to the active bit CTR1[m] of the first control signal CTR1 (e.g., having a low level), and connect the sensor TS to the signal line CH2[l] of the second channel CH2 in response to the deactivated bit CTR1[m] of the first control signal CTR1 (e.g., having a high level).

[0055] The second switching circuit 62a may include a first PFET P1a and a second PFET P2a, the first PFET P1a and the second PFET P2a being connected to a signal line CH[n] (1≤n≤2^16) included in a selected channel CH, and the second switching circuit 62a may include 2^16 PFET pairs corresponding to the number of signal lines included in the first channel CH1, each PFET pair including two PFETs, such as the first PFET P1a and the second PFET P2a. Figure 6AAs shown, the first PFET P1a can be controlled by one bit of the second control signal CTR2[n] and connected to a signal line CH1[k] included in the first channel CH1. Additionally, the second PFET P2a can be controlled by the inverse phase of the second control signal CTR2 / CTR2[n] and connected to a signal line CH2[l] included in the second channel CH2. Therefore, the second switching circuit 62a can select the signal line CH1[k] of the first channel CH1 in response to the active bit CTR2[n] of the second control signal CTR2 (e.g., having a low level), and select the signal line CH2[l] of the second channel CH2 in response to the deactivated bit CTR2[l] of the second control signal CTR2 (e.g., having a high level).

[0056] AFE circuit 63a may include a transmitting circuit TXn and a receiving circuit RXn connected to a signal line CH[n] included in a selected channel CH. AFE circuit 63a may include 216 circuits corresponding to the number of signal lines included in the selected channel CH, each circuit including a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit, such as the transmitting circuit TXn and the receiving circuit RXn.

[0057] Reference Figure 6B The touch sensing device 60b may include a first switching circuit 61b, a second switching circuit 62b, and an AFE circuit 63b, and as described above. Figure 5 The first control signal CTR1 may include a column selection signal COL and a row selection signal ROW. The first switching circuit 61b may include a third PFET P3b and a fourth PFET P4b connected to the sensor TS, and a fifth PFET P5b and a sixth PFET P6b connected to the third PFET P3b. A switching unit included in the first switching circuit 61b may include nine replicas, each including the third PFET P3b through the sixth PFET P6b. Figure 6BAs shown, the third PFET P3b can be controlled by one bit of the column select signal COL[y] (1≤y≤18) and connected to the fifth PFET P5b and the sixth PFET P6b. Furthermore, the fourth PFET P4b can be controlled by the inverted phase of the column select signal COL / COL[y] and connected to a signal line CH2[l] of the second channel CH2. The fifth PFET P5b can be controlled by one bit of the row select signal ROW[x] (1≤x≤24) and connected to a signal line CH1[k] included in the first channel CH1. Additionally, the sixth PFET P6b can be controlled by the inverted phase of the row select signal ROW / ROW[x] and connected to a signal line CH2[l] included in the second channel CH2. Therefore, the first switching circuit 61b can connect the sensor TS to the signal line CH1[k] of the first channel CH1 in response to the active bit COL[y] (e.g., having a low level) of the column selection signal COL and the active bit ROW[x] (e.g., having a low level) of the row selection signal ROW, and connect the sensor TS to the signal line CH2[l] of the second channel CH2 in response to the deactivation bit COL[y] (e.g., having a high level) of the column selection signal COL or the deactivation bit ROW[x] (e.g., having a low level) of the row selection signal ROW.

[0058] Similar to Figure 6A The second switching circuit 62a and the second switching circuit 62b may include a first PFET P1b and a second PFET P2b. Furthermore, similar to... Figure 6A The AFE circuit 63a and AFE circuit 63b may include a transmitting circuit TXn and a receiving circuit RXn.

[0059] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the touch sensing method may include multiple operations S20, S40, S60, and S80. In some example embodiments, Figure 7 The method can be derived from Figure 1 The touch sensing device 10 performs this, and it can be referred to herein as a multi-channel-based touch sensing method. Below, reference will be made to... Figure 1 To describe Figure 7 .

[0060] In operation S20, the sensor groups can be connected to either the first channel CH1 or the second channel CH2. For example, the first switching circuit 12 can connect each of the plurality of sensor groups included in the sensor array 11 to either the first channel CH1 or the second channel CH2 based on a first control signal CTR1 provided from the controller 16. To this end, the first switching circuit 12 may include a plurality of switching units controlled by the first control signal CTR1, as referred to above. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The aforementioned multiple switching units may correspond to multiple sensor groups of the sensor array 11, respectively. In some example embodiments, the controller 16 may generate a first control signal CTR1 based on the address signal ADR provided from the processing circuit 15, and will be referred to below. Figure 8 Describe an example of how to connect a sensor group to the first channel CH1 or the second channel CH2 based on the address signal ADR.

[0061] In operation S40, one of the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2 can be selected. For example, the second switching circuit 13 can select one of the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2 of the first switching circuit 12 based on the second control signal CTR2 provided from the controller 16. The second switching circuit 13 can provide the selected channel CH to the AFE circuit 14. In some example embodiments, the controller 16 can generate the second control signal CTR2 based on the mode signal MD provided from the processing circuit 15, and accordingly, can select one of the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2 according to the sensing mode. (Refer to below...) Figure 12 Examples describing operations S20 and S40.

[0062] In operation S60, a sensing signal SEN can be generated. For example, the AFE circuit 14 can generate the sensing signal SEN by sending and receiving signals through the channel CH selected by the second switching circuit 13. The AFE circuit 14 can generate different sensing signals SEN for each time a touch is sensed from at least one sensor corresponding to the selected channel CH and when no touch is sensed.

[0063] In operation S80, a touch can be identified. For example, the processing circuit 15 can identify whether a touch has occurred on the sensor array 11, the coordinates of the touch, the intensity of the touch, etc., based on the sensing signal SEN provided from the AFE circuit 14, and generate a touch signal TCH including information about the identified touch. To this end, the processing circuit 15 can generate an address signal ADR and / or a mode signal MD, and access at least one of the multiple sensor groups included in the sensor array 11 through the address signal ADR and / or the mode signal MD. Reference will be made below. Figure 10 Describe an example of operation S80.

[0064] Figure 8 This is a timing diagram of the operation of accessing a sensor group according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In some exemplary embodiments, with Figure 8 The operations corresponding to the timing diagram can be generated by Figure 1 The touch sensing device 10 performs this action. Figure 8 In the description, it is assumed Figure 1 The sensor array 11 is Figure 3 The sensor array 31, assuming Figure 1 The first switching circuit 12 is Figure 5 The first switching circuit 50, and will combine Figure 1 and Figure 3 To describe Figure 8 .

[0065] Reference Figure 8 The processing circuit 15 can access the sensor groups in the column cells of the sensor array 11. For example, as Figure 8 As shown, at time t81, the processing circuit 15 can generate an address signal ADR corresponding to the first column C1. The controller 16 can, in response to the address signal ADR corresponding to the first column C1, activate the first bit COL[1] of the column selection signal COL and activate all bits ROW[24:1] of the row selection signal ROW. Therefore, the first switching circuit 12 can connect the sensor group included in the first column C1 to the first channel CH1 and connect the sensor group included in the second column C2 to the 18th column C18 to the second channel CH2.

[0066] Similarly, at time t82, processing circuit 15 can generate an address signal ADR corresponding to the second column C2, and controller 16 can activate the second bit COL[2] of column selection signal COL in response to the address signal ADR corresponding to the second column C2, and activate all bits ROW[24:1] of row selection signal ROW. In addition, at time t84, processing circuit 15 can generate an address signal ADR corresponding to the last column (i.e., the 18th column C18), and controller 16 can activate the 18th bit COL

[18] of column selection signal COL, and activate all bits ROW[24:1] of row selection signal ROW.

[0067] like Figure 8 As shown, when the sensor group in the column cell is accessed, the processing circuit 15 can control the controller 16 to output an active (e.g., low-level) second control signal CTR2. The second switching circuit 13 can select the first channel CH1 in response to the active second control signal CTR2. (Refer to the above...) Figure 3The sensor groups included in a column can each have different addresses, and the sensors included in the corresponding sensor groups can each be connected to the signal lines included in the first channel CH1. Therefore, touch sensing can be performed simultaneously by the sensor groups included in a column.

[0068] In some example embodiments, when a touch is sensed from a selected column, a signal for touch sensing can also be provided to columns adjacent to the selected column. For example, when a touch on the second column C2 is sensed between time t82 and time t83, the same signal provided to the second column C2 can also be provided to the first column C1 and the third column C3. Therefore, the effect of capacitance formed between the selected column and adjacent columns can be removed or reduced, and the adjacent columns can act as an active shield.

[0069] In some example embodiments, the touch sensing device 10 can be configured as follows: Figure 8 The first operating mode shown is that the touch is sensed by using a sensor array, or as described below. Figures 10 to 12 The second operating mode is described, which senses touch by switching between a coarse sensing mode and a fine sensing mode. For example, the touch sensing device 10 can be configured in a second operating mode for sensing the touch of an active pen, as described below. In some example embodiments, the touch sensing device 10 may periodically attempt to detect an active pen, and when an active pen is detected, the touch sensing device 10 may switch from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. Additionally, in some example embodiments, the touch sensing device 10 may receive a signal from an external source indicating the use of an active pen, and switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on the received signal.

[0070] Figure 9 This is a timing diagram illustrating the communication between a touch sensing device and a stylus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 9 The timing diagram is an example of a protocol for an active pen and illustrates communication based on the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) pen protocol. In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be primarily referenced to the USI pen protocol; however, these exemplary embodiments can also be applied to other protocols, such as the Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP). The following will be combined with reference to... Figure 1 To describe Figure 9 .

[0071] In some example embodiments, Figure 1The sensor array 11 can communicate with the stylus. Unlike a regular stylus configured to provide touch to the touch sensing device 10, the stylus can receive information from the touch sensing device 10 and provide additional information to the touch sensing device 10 that is different from touch. For this purpose, the stylus may include various components, such as input buttons, transceivers, logic circuits, and memory. The signals provided from the touch sensing device 10 to the stylus can be referred to as uplink signals, and the signals provided from the stylus to the touch sensing device 10 can be referred to as downlink signals.

[0072] Reference Figure 9 The touch sensing device 10 and the stylus can communicate in packets, and these packets can include uplink and downlink time periods. The touch sensing device 10 can send beacon signals to the stylus, and these beacon signals can include various information, such as downlink frequency and stylus configuration information. The stylus can typically receive the beacon signals, then send an ACK signal to the touch sensing device 10, and extract information from the beacon signals. Based on the extracted information, the stylus can send downlink signals to the touch sensing device 10. The touch sensing device 10 can receive the ACK signal from the stylus and then receive the downlink signals from the stylus.

[0073] like Figure 9 As shown, the uplink period (e.g., the period during which beacon signals are transmitted) can be 1.023 milliseconds (ms), and the downlink period can include N time slots TS1 to TS2. N Furthermore, a time slot can be 0.25 ms. Therefore, the touch sensing device 10 may need to sense the active pen at high speed. Additionally, a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) may be required to sense the small capacitance formed between the active pen and the sensor array 11, and a high SNR may necessitate repeated sensing. Furthermore, for time-multiplexed scanning, the signal received from the active pen may be lost. Consequently, simultaneous sensing of a specific area may be required to sense the active pen.

[0074] In some example embodiments, when the touch sensing device 10 sends an uplink signal (e.g., a beacon signal) to the active pen and then receives a signal from the active pen for the first time, the touch sensing device 10 can use a sensor portion comprising multiple sensor groups adjacent to each other to detect the position of the active pen. Therefore, the touch sensing device 10 can receive downlink signals through the sensor portion while simultaneously detecting the proximity of the active pen, and identify the coordinates of the active pen by using multiple sensor groups (e.g., sensor groups included in a region of interest) at the detected location. The touch sensing device 10 can support a coarse sensing mode using the sensor portion and a fine sensing mode using sensor groups included in the region of interest, as will be described below. Figures 10 to 12Examples of operation of the touch sensing device 10 according to coarse sensing mode and fine sensing mode are described.

[0075] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 10 The flowchart shows Figure 7 An example of operation S80. See above for reference. Figure 7 As mentioned above, in Figure 10 In operation S80', touch can be recognized based on the sensing signal SEN. For example... Figure 10 As shown, operation S80' may include multiple operations S81 to S89. In some example embodiments, operation S80' may be performed by... Figure 1 The processing circuit 15 executes, and in the following text, it will be referred to in conjunction with reference to Figure 1 To describe Figure 10 .

[0076] Reference Figure 10 In operation S81, it can be determined whether a touch has occurred. For example, processing circuit 15 can determine whether a touch has occurred based on the sensing signal SEN provided from AFE circuit 14. Figure 10 As shown, if no touch occurs, operation S82 can be executed; otherwise, if a touch occurs, operation S84 can be executed.

[0077] When no contact occurs, it can be determined in operation S82 whether a specific time has elapsed. For example, processing circuit 15 can determine whether the period of no contact exceeds a predefined reference time period, or optionally, a desired reference time period. Figure 10 As shown, when the period of no contact exceeds a predefined reference period, or optionally, a desired reference period, a coarse sensing mode can be set in operation S83; otherwise, when the period of no contact does not exceed the predefined reference period, or optionally, the desired reference period, operation S80' can end. In some example embodiments, the processing circuit 15 can provide the controller 16 with a mode signal MD indicating the coarse sensing mode.

[0078] When a touch occurs, it can be determined in operation S84 whether a coarse sensing mode is set. For example... Figure 10 As shown, when the coarse sensing mode is set, operations S85 and S86 can be executed next; otherwise, when the coarse sensing mode is not set, for example, when the fine sensing mode is set, operation S89 can be executed next.

[0079] When it is determined in operation S84 that the coarse sensing mode is set, touch coordinates can be identified throughout the entire sensor array 11 in operation S85. (Refer to the above) Figure 9The touch in coarse sensing mode can be sensed using sensor portions comprising groups of sensors adjacent to each other. Processing circuitry 15 can identify touch coordinates throughout sensor array 11 based on a sensing signal SEN generated using a 9x12 sensor portion included in sensor array 11. The identified touch coordinates can have a 9x12 resolution and indicate the approximate location of the touch. In operation S86, a fine sensing mode can be set. For example, when a touch is sensed in coarse sensing mode, processing circuitry 15 can switch the sensing mode to fine sensing mode. In some example embodiments, processing circuitry 15 can provide a mode signal MD indicating the fine sensing mode to controller 16.

[0080] When it is determined in operation S84 that a fine sensing mode has been set, touch coordinates can be identified from the region of interest in operation S89. (See above for reference.) Figure 9 As described above, touch in a fine sensing mode can be sensed using a sensor array. The region of interest may include areas corresponding to those described above. Figure 3 The 12x12 sensors at different addresses are used, and the processing circuit 15 can identify touch coordinates from the region of interest by using the sensing signals SEN generated by the 12x12 sensors that are adjacent to each other. The identified touch coordinates can have a resolution of 12x12, and the processing circuit 15 can ultimately identify touch coordinates with a resolution of 54x72 based on the coordinates of the region of interest.

[0081] In operation S87, a region of interest (ROI) can be identified. For example, processing circuitry 15 can identify the ROI based on touch coordinates identified in coarse sensing mode (e.g., touch coordinates identified in operation S84) or based on touch coordinates identified in fine sensing mode (e.g., touch coordinates identified in operation S89). In some example embodiments, processing circuitry 15 can identify the ROI as a radial region surrounding the identified touch coordinates.

[0082] In operation S88, an address signal ADR corresponding to the region of interest can be generated. For example, processing circuit 15 can generate an address signal ADR for accessing 12x12 sensors to sense touch by using the 12x12 sensors included in the region of interest. Controller 16 can generate a first control signal CTR1 based on the address signal ADR, and accordingly, the 12x12 sensors included in the region of interest can be connected to AFE circuit 14 via first switching circuit 12.

[0083] Figure 11 This illustrates a touch sensing operation according to an example embodiment of a concept based on the present invention. Specifically, Figure 11The left side shows the operation of sensing touch in coarse sensing mode. Figure 11 The right side illustrates the operation of sensing touch in fine sensing mode. The following will be explained in conjunction with reference... Figure 1 To describe Figure 11 .

[0084] Reference Figure 11 On the left side, touch can be sensed using multiple sensor portions included in sensor array 11 in coarse sensing mode. When the touch portion includes, as referenced above... Figure 3 When there are 2x2 adjacent sensor groups, the sensor array 110 may include, for example, Figure 11 The diagram shows a 9x12 sensor section. In coarse sensing mode, the touch of the active pen AP can be sensed using this 9x12 sensor section, and the coordinates of the touch can have a 9x12 resolution. For example, as shown... Figure 11 As shown, the touch of the active pen AP can be sensed from the 30th sensor section.

[0085] In some example embodiments, the region of interest (ROI) can be determined based on the maximum speed of the active pen AP and the sensing frequency. That is, the ROI can be defined based on the maximum speed at which the user can move the active pen AP. For example, when the user can move the active pen AP at a maximum speed of 10 m / s, the maximum distance the active pen AP can move at a sensing frequency of 240 Hz is approximately 42 mm (0.042 ≈ 10 / 240). Therefore, the ROI can be defined as having a horizontal length of 42 mm or greater, and when a sensor has a horizontal length of 4 mm, the ROI can be defined as including 12x12 sensors (or a 4x4 sensor group) (4 mm × 12 = 48 mm). Therefore, even if the user moves the active pen AP at a speed of 11.5 m / s, the touch sensing device 10 can track the active pen AP.

[0086] In coarse sensing mode, when a touch from the active pen AP is detected, a radial region of interest (ROI) can be identified around the sensor portion that detected the touch. For example, as Figure 11 As shown on the left, when a touch from the active pen AP is sensed from the 30th sensor portion, the region of interest (ROI) can be identified as the area including portions of adjacent sensor portions of the 30th sensor portion. Specifically, refer to... Figure 11 On the right side, the region of interest (ROI) may include the four sensor groups included in the 30th sensor section, for example, four sensor groups with addresses 11, 12, 7 and 8 respectively, and may also include 10 sensor groups adjacent to the four sensor groups.

[0087] Reference Figure 11On the right, in fine sensing mode, the touch of the active pen AP can be sensed using a 4x4 sensor group included in the region of interest (ROI). (See above reference.) Figure 3 The address can be mapped to multiple sensor groups, such that the 4x4 sensor groups included in the region of interest (ROI) have different addresses, and accordingly, the touch of the active pen AP can be sensed simultaneously by the 4x4 sensor groups included in the ROI.

[0088] In fine sensing mode, the region of interest (ROI) can shift according to the movement of the active pen (AP). For example, Figure 11 As shown by the arrow on the right, the regions of interest (ROIs) ' and ROI'" that have shifted from the ROI can be identified sequentially along the path of the moving AP sensed within the ROI. Furthermore, each of the shifted ROIs ' and ROI' can include 12x12 sensors corresponding to different addresses.

[0089] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of a touch sensing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 12 The flowchart shows Figure 7 Examples of operations S20 and S40 are provided above. Figure 7 As described above, in operation S20', the sensor group can be connected to either the first channel CH1 or the second channel CH2, and in operation S40', one of the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2 can be selected. Figure 12 As shown, operation S20' may include operations S22 and S24, and operation S40' may include operations S42 and S44. In some example embodiments, operation S20' may be performed by... Figure 1 The first switching circuit 12 is executed, and operation S40' can be performed by... Figure 1 The second switching circuit 13 is executed. In the following text, references will be used... Figure 1 To describe Figure 12 .

[0090] In operation S10, the sensing mode can be identified. For example, the controller 16 can identify a coarse sensing mode or a fine sensing mode based on the mode signal MD provided from the processing circuit 15. Figure 12 As shown, when a coarse sensing mode is identified, operations S22 and S42 can be executed; otherwise, when a fine sensing mode is identified, operations S24 and S44 can be executed.

[0091] When a coarse sensing mode is identified in operation S10, multiple sensor groups can be connected to the second channel CH2 in operation S22. As described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the sensor portion can be used in the coarse sensing mode; therefore, the first switching circuit 12 can connect multiple sensor groups to the second channel CH2, such that sensors included in adjacent sensor groups operate as a single sensor. Subsequently, in operation S42, the second channel CH2 can be selected. For example, the second switching circuit 13 can select the second channel CH2 between the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2 based on the second control signal CTR2, such that the second channel CH2, to which the multiple sensor groups were connected by the first switching circuit 12 in operation S22, is connected to the AFE circuit 14.

[0092] When a fine sensing mode is identified in operation S10, at least one sensor group can be connected to the first channel CH1 in operation S24. As described above with reference to the figures, in fine sensing mode, sensor groups included in the region of interest can be used, and therefore, an address signal ADR for specifying the region of interest can be provided from the processing circuit 15 to the controller 16. The controller 16 can generate a first control signal CTR1 based on the address signal ADR, and the first switching circuit 12 can connect the sensor group included in the region of interest to the first channel CH1 based on the first control signal CTR1. In some example embodiments, the first switching circuit 12 can connect other sensor groups (e.g., sensor groups not included in the region of interest) to the second channel CH2. Subsequently, in operation S44, the first channel CH1 can be selected. For example, the second switching circuit 13 can select the first channel CH1 between the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2 based on the second control signal CTR2, such that the first channel CH1, to which the sensor group included in the region of interest is connected by the first switching circuit 12 in operation S24, is connected to the AFE circuit 14.

[0093] Figure 13A and Figure 13B This is a block diagram of a touch sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 13A and Figure 13B The block diagrams show touch sensing devices 130a and 130b, each including a touch panel TP and an integrated circuit IC. (The following will omit...) Figure 13A and Figure 13B Repeated description.

[0094] Reference Figure 13AThe touch sensing device 130a may include a touch panel TP and an integrated circuit IC. The touch panel TP may include a sensor array 131a and a first switching circuit 132a interconnected via multiple sensor lines SL. The integrated circuit IC may include a second switching circuit 133a, an AFE circuit 134a, a processing circuit 135a, and a controller 136a. The touch panel TP may be exposed to the outside, allowing an object to touch it. In some example embodiments, the touch panel TP may be disposed on or integrally formed with a display panel. The integrated circuit IC may be manufactured using semiconductor processes and may be implemented as a single chip (or a single die) or in a package comprising two or more chips. In some example embodiments, the touch panel TP and the integrated circuit IC may be interconnected via cables such as flexible printed circuits (FPCs).

[0095] When the first switching circuit 132a is included in the touch panel TP, multiple sensor lines SL can be formed inside the touch panel TP. Additionally, the touch panel TP may include at least one first pin PIN1 connected to the controller 136a in the integrated circuit IC, and multiple second pin PIN2 connected to the second switching circuit 133a in the integrated circuit IC. For example, when the sensor array 131a corresponds to... Figure 3 When the sensor array 31 is used, the touch panel TP may include at least 324 second pins PIN2 for 324 signal lines included in the first channel CH1 and the second channel CH2. Therefore, the first switching circuit 132a can be connected to the controller 136a via at least one first pin PIN1, and to the second switching circuit 133a via a plurality of second pins PIN2. Similarly, the integrated circuit IC may include at least one third pin PIN3 connected to at least one first pin PIN1 in the touch panel TP, and a plurality of fourth pins PIN4 respectively connected to a plurality of second pins PIN2 in the touch panel TP.

[0096] Reference Figure 13B The touch sensing device 130b may include a touch panel TP and an integrated circuit IC. The touch panel TP may include a sensor array 131b, and the integrated circuit IC may include a first switching circuit 132b, a second switching circuit 133b, an AFE circuit 134b, a processing circuit 135b, and a controller 136b. Figure 13B As shown, the touch panel TP and the integrated circuit IC can be connected to each other via multiple sensor lines SL.

[0097] When the first switching circuit 132b is included in the integrated circuit IC, the touch panel TP may include a plurality of fifth pins PIN5 corresponding to a plurality of sensor lines SL, and the integrated circuit IC may also include a plurality of sixth pins PIN6 corresponding to a plurality of sensor lines SL. For example, when the sensor array 131b corresponds to Figure 3 When the sensor array 31 is used, the touch panel TP may include 3888 fifth pins PIN5 corresponding to 3888 sensor lines SL, and the integrated circuit IC may also include 3888 sixth pins PIN6 corresponding to 3888 sensor lines SL (3888 = 3 × 18 × 3 × 24). That is to say, Figure 13B The touch panel TP can include more than Figure 13A The TP touch panel has more pins.

[0098] Figure 14 This is a block diagram of a system 140 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 As shown, system 140 may include a central processing unit (CPU) 141, a memory 142, a network interface 143, a touch panel 144, a display panel 145, and a touch display driver IC (DDI) 146. In some example embodiments, with Figure 14 Unlike the diagram, CPU 141 and other components in system 140 can be connected to each other via a bus and communicate with each other via the bus.

[0099] CPU 141 can control the general operation of system 140 by executing instructions stored in memory 142 or memory included in CPU 141. For example, CPU 141 can provide image data to touch DDI 146, recognize external input based on the image output to display panel 145 and detected touch, and perform at least one predefined function, or alternatively, a desired function, in response to the external input. In some example embodiments, CPU 141 may be a system-on-a-chip (SoC) including a processor, bus, and function blocks, and may be referred to as an application processor (AP).

[0100] The memory 142 can be accessed by the CPU 141 and can include, for example, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, phase-change random access memory (PRAM), resistive random access memory (RRAM), nanofloating gate memory (NFGM), polymer random access memory (PoRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) as non-volatile memory, or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), mobile DRAM, dual data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR-SDRAM), low power DDR (LPDDR) SDRAM, graphics DDR (GDDR) SDRAM, Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM) as volatile memory.

[0101] Network interface 143 can provide CPU 141 with an interface to a network outside system 140. For example, network interface 143 can access a wired or wireless network and transmit signals received from the network to CPU 141 or transmit signals received from CPU 141 to the network.

[0102] The touch DDI 146 can be implemented by at least one chip, for example, a single chip formed on the same substrate. Figure 14 As shown, the touch DDI 146 may include a touch controller 146_1 as a component configured to control a touch panel 144, and an output driver 146_2 and a display controller 146_3 as components configured to control a display panel 145. The touch panel 144 may be disposed on the display panel 145 and transmit light emitted from the display panel 145; the touch panel 144 and the display panel 145 are generally referred to as touchscreens. The touch panel 144 may include a sensor array (e.g., Figure 11 (11).

[0103] The touch controller 146_1 may include at least some of the components of the touch sensing device described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. In some example embodiments, the touch controller 146_1 may include Figure 1 The first switching circuit 12, the second switching circuit 13, the AFE circuit 14, the processing circuit 15, and the controller 16 are included. Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments, the touch controller 146_1 may include... Figure 1 The second switching circuit 13, AFE circuit 14, processing circuit 15, and controller 16, and Figure 1The first switching circuit 12 may be included in the touch panel 144. As described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the touch controller 146_1 can sense a touch based on the signal TX sent to the touch panel 144 via a multi-channel signal / the signal RX received from the touch panel 144, and provide the CPU 141 with a signal including information about the touch.

[0104] Display controller 146_3 can convert image data provided by CPU 141 into signals for displaying images on display panel 145, and output driver 146_2 can output display output signal DIS_OUT under the control of display controller 146_3. Figure 14 As shown, the display controller 146_3 can communicate with the touch controller 146_1. For example, the display controller 146_3 can provide the touch controller 146_1 with signals including information about display timing, and the touch controller 146_1 can provide the display controller 146_3 with signals about the operating mode, such as information about whether to enter standby mode.

[0105] In some exemplary embodiments, the CPU 141 may provide signals to the touch controller 146_1 for setting the operating mode of the touch controller 146_1. For example, the system 140 may have an active pen, and when the user removes the active pen from the system 140, the CPU 141 may provide signals to the touch controller 146_1 for switching the operating mode of the touch controller 146_1.

[0106] In some exemplary embodiments, the touch DDI 146 may include memory accessed by the touch controller 146_1 and / or the display controller 146_3, and also includes power supply circuitry configured to provide power to the touch controller 146_1, the output driver 146_2, and / or the display controller 146_3. Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments, with... Figure 14 Unlike the example shown, the touch controller 146_1 and the display controller 146_3 can communicate independently with the CPU 141 via separate interfaces (e.g., Low Speed ​​Serial Interface (LoSSI), Internal Integrated Circuit (I2C), etc.).

[0107] One or more of the elements disclosed above (e.g., switching circuit 12, switching circuit 2 13, AFE circuit 14, processing circuit 15, controller 16, touch controller 146_1, etc.) may be individually or collectively included or implemented in the processing circuit, such as hardware including logic circuitry; hardware / software combinations (such as a processor executing software); or combinations thereof. For example, the processing circuitry may more specifically include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system-on-a-chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.

[0108] Although the concept of the invention has been specifically shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it should be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for sensing touch, the device comprising: A sensor array, comprising multiple sensor groups, each of which includes sensors that are adjacent to each other; A first switching circuit is configured to connect each of a plurality of sensor groups to a first channel or a second channel according to a first control signal. as well as The second switching circuit is configured to select one of the first channel and the second channel according to the second control signal. The first channel includes first signal lines connected via a first switching circuit to each corresponding sensor in a first sensor group of a plurality of sensor groups, and The second channel includes a second signal line that is connected to each of the sensors included in the first sensor group via a first switching circuit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The first signal line is connected to the corresponding sensor in the second sensor group of the plurality of sensor groups via a first switching circuit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The first channel also includes a third signal line for a corresponding sensor in a third sensor group among a plurality of sensor groups connected via a first switching circuit to the first sensor group and the second sensor group.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The first and second sensor groups are included in different columns of the multiple sensor groups.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: The analog front-end circuit is configured to simultaneously process signals received from sensors included in the region of interest within the sensor array when the second switching circuit selects the first channel. The first sensor group and the second sensor group are included in different regions of interest.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The first control signal includes: Row selection signal, used to select rows of sensor groups; and The column selection signal is used to select the column of the sensor group.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The first switching circuit is further configured to connect the first sensor group to the first channel when both the first row selection signal and the first column selection signal are activated, and to connect the first sensor group to the second channel when at least one of the first row selection signal and the first column selection signal is deactivated.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The second signal line is connected via the first switching circuit to the sensors included in the fourth sensor group, which is one of the multiple sensor groups adjacent to the first sensor group.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to generate a second control signal such that the second switching circuit selects a second channel in a coarse sensing mode and selects a first channel in a fine sensing mode.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, The controller is also configured to generate a first control signal based on an address signal, such that multiple sensor groups are connected to a second channel in a coarse sensing mode, and at least one of the multiple sensor groups is connected to the first channel in a fine sensing mode.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: The analog front-end circuit is configured to generate a sensing signal based on a signal provided from the second switching circuit; as well as The processing circuit is configured to identify a region of interest (ROI) based on a sensing signal in a coarse sensing mode, including a sensor group among multiple sensor groups that senses a touch, and to generate an address signal in a fine sensing mode such that the sensor group among the multiple sensor groups included in the ROI is connected to a first channel.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The processing circuitry is also configured to periodically detect active pens and identify regions of interest based on the detection of active pens.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The region of interest is defined based on the maximum speed of the active pen and the sensing frequency.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The sensor array and the first switching circuit are included in the touch panel, and The touch panel includes multiple pins for a first control signal, a first channel, and a second channel.

15. A device for sensing touch, the device comprising: A sensor array, comprising multiple sensor groups, each of which includes sensors that are adjacent to each other; A first switching circuit is connected to each sensor included in multiple sensor groups; The second switching circuit is connected to the first switching circuit through the first channel and the second channel; The analog front-end circuit is configured to generate a sensing signal based on a signal provided from the second switching circuit; as well as The controller is configured to control a first switching circuit such that each of the plurality of sensor groups is connected to a first channel or a second channel, and to control a second switching circuit to select one of the first channel and the second channel. The first channel includes first signal lines connected via a first switching circuit to each corresponding sensor in a first sensor group of a plurality of sensor groups, and The second channel includes a second signal line that is connected to each of the sensors included in the first sensor group via a first switching circuit.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein, The first switching circuit includes a switching unit array, the switching unit array comprising multiple switching units corresponding to corresponding sensor groups of multiple sensor groups, and The controller is also configured to provide a first selection signal to the first switching circuit, the first selection signal including a row selection signal for selecting a switching unit corresponding to a row of a sensor group in the plurality of sensor groups and a column selection signal for selecting a switching unit corresponding to a column of a sensor group in the plurality of sensor groups.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, The switching unit array includes a first switching unit corresponding to a first sensor group in a plurality of sensor groups, and The first switching unit is configured to connect the sensors of the first sensor group to the first signal line included in the first channel respectively in response to the activated first row selection signal and the activated first column selection signal, and to connect the sensors of the first sensor group to the second signal line included in the second channel in response to the deactivated first row selection signal or the deactivated first column selection signal.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, The switching unit array includes a second switching unit corresponding to a second sensor group in a plurality of sensor groups, and The second switching unit is configured to connect the sensors of the second sensor group to the first signal line respectively in response to the activated second row selection signal and the activated second column selection signal.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, The switching unit array includes a fourth switching unit corresponding to the fourth sensor group among a plurality of sensor groups adjacent to the first sensor group, and The fourth switching unit is configured to connect the sensors of the fourth sensor group to the third signal line included in the first channel respectively in response to the activated fourth row selection signal and the activated fourth column selection signal, and to connect the sensors of the fourth sensor group to the second signal line together in response to the deactivated fourth row selection signal or the deactivated fourth column selection signal.

20. A method for sensing touch using a plurality of sensor groups, each of the plurality of sensor groups including sensors adjacent to each other, the method comprising: Connect each of the multiple sensor groups to the first or second channel; Select one of the first channel and the second channel; Generate a sensing signal from the signal received through the selected channel; as well as Touch recognition based on sensor signals The first channel includes signal lines corresponding to each corresponding sensor in a sensor group included in a plurality of sensor groups, and The second channel includes signal lines that collectively correspond to each of the sensors included in the sensor group.

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