Touch sensing device and driving method thereof

Abstract

A touch sensing device for preventing occurrence of electromagnetic interference (EMI) due to a clock includes a touch controller configured to operate in a write mode during a display period and operate in a read request mode or a read operation mode during a touch sensing period, and a touch driver configured to receive touch sensing data from a touch sensor during the touch sensing period and transmit the touch sensing data to the touch controller through a first bus and a second bus, wherein the first bus is used for clock transmission in the write mode and the read request mode and for data transmission in the read operation mode, and the second bus is used for data transmission in the write mode, the read request mode, and the read operation mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a touch sensing device and a driving method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] As display devices used to display images, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) that use liquid crystals and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays are typical examples of displays.

[0003] Recently, mobile devices have moved away from conventional input methods such as buttons, keyboards, and mice, and have become increasingly popular. These devices feature touchscreen panels capable of detecting touch input from a user's finger or stylus pen. Touchscreen devices include touch sensing devices.

[0004] A touch display driver for driving a touch display device includes: a display driver for driving the display device and a touch sensing device for detecting the presence or absence of a touch and touch coordinates (or touch position). Specifically, the touch sensing device detects touch sensing data by driving a touch sensor (or touch electrode), and uses the detected touch sensing data to detect touch information including the presence or absence of a touch or touch coordinates.

[0005] Specifically, the following problems exist: electromagnetic interference (EMI) increases due to the clock signal sent along with the touch sensing data when the touch sensing data is sent from the readout integrated circuit (IC) to the touch controller, and the lines occupy a large area because multiple readout ICs are connected to the touch controller. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, one technical objective of this disclosure is to provide a touch sensing device and a driving method thereof to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by clock and to reduce the line area between multiple readout integrated circuits (ICs) and the touch controller.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a touch sensing device is provided, comprising: a touch controller configured to operate in a write mode during a display period and in a read request mode or a read operation mode during a touch sensing period; and a touch driver configured to receive touch sensing data from a touch sensor during the touch sensing period and to transmit the touch sensing data to the touch controller via a first bus and a second bus, wherein the first bus is used for clock transmission in the write mode and the read request mode and for data transmission in the read operation mode, and the second bus is used for data transmission in the write mode, the read request mode, and the read operation mode.

[0008] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for driving a touch sensing device is provided, comprising: operating a touch controller in a write mode during a display period; and operating the touch controller in a read request mode during a touch sensing period, wherein a touch driver receives touch sensing data from a touch sensor via a first bus and a second bus, wherein the first bus is used for clock transmission in the write mode and the read request mode and for data transmission in the read operation mode, and the second bus is used for data transmission in the write mode, the read request mode, and the read operation mode. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a typical touch display device; Figure 2 This is a timing diagram illustrating the display period and touch sensing period in a frame of a typical touch display device; Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating a touch sensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the wire connection between a readout integrated circuit (IC) and a touch controller according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 5 This is a timing diagram illustrating the signals transmitted between the readout IC and the touch controller according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 6 This is a timing diagram illustrating the signals transmitted via the first bus to the third bus in write mode; Figure 7 It is a block diagram used to describe the signal transmission direction in write mode; Figure 8 This is a timing diagram illustrating the signals transmitted via the first bus to the third bus in read request mode and read operation mode; Figure 9 It is a block diagram used to describe the signal transmission direction in the read request mode; Figure 10 It is a block diagram used to describe the signal transmission direction in the read operation mode; Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between touch sensing data and ternary symbol touch sensing data according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 12This is a block diagram illustrating the wire connection between the readout IC and the touch controller according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 13 This is a block diagram illustrating the wired connection between the readout IC and the touch controller according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 14 This is a timing diagram illustrating the signals applied to the first to third buses in a read request mode and a read operation mode according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a touch sensing signal filter for a touch controller according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0010] In this specification, it should be noted that, where possible, similar reference numerals used for elements have been used to denote similar elements in other figures. In the following description, detailed descriptions of functions and configurations known to those skilled in the art that are not essential to the configuration of this disclosure will be omitted. The terminology described in this specification should be understood as follows.

[0011] The advantages and features of this disclosure, as well as its implementation methods, will be illustrated by the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, this disclosure is limited only by the scope of the claims.

[0012] The shapes, dimensions, ratios, angles, and quantities disclosed in the accompanying drawings for describing embodiments of the present disclosure are merely examples, and therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the details shown. Similar reference numerals always denote similar elements. In the following description, detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations will be omitted where it is determined that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essential points of the present disclosure.

[0013] When using the terms "including," "having," and "comprising" as described in this specification, another component may be added unless "only" is used. Unless otherwise stated, singular terms may include plural forms.

[0014] When interpreting components, even if not explicitly described, the components are interpreted as including a range of error.

[0015] It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0016] The term "at least one" should be understood to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, "at least one of the first, second, and third items" means a combination of all items derived from two or more of the first, second, and third items, as well as the first, second, or third item.

[0017] As will be fully understood by those skilled in the art, the features of the various embodiments of this disclosure may be partially or wholly linked or combined with each other, and may interoperate with each other in various ways and be technically driven. The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented independently of each other, or may be implemented together in an interdependent relationship.

[0018] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 4 A detailed description of the display device according to this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a typical touch display device. Figure 2 This is a timing diagram illustrating the display period and touch sensing period in a frame of a typical touch display device. Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating a touch sensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the wire connection between a readout integrated circuit (IC) and a touch controller according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Reference Figure 1 According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a display device 1000 includes a display panel 100, a display driver 210, and a touch sensing device 220.

[0021] The display device 1000 performs display and touch sensing functions and can be implemented as a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the display panel 100 can operate during the display period DP and the touch sensing period TP. During the display period DP, the display panel 100 uses light emitted from the backlight unit to display an image, and during the touch sensing period TP, it functions as a touch panel for touch sensing.

[0023] The display panel 100 displays an image of a predetermined grayscale or receives touch. The display panel 100 may be an in-cell touch-type display panel using a capacitive solution. Alternatively, the display panel 100 may be an in-cell touch-type display panel using a self-capacitance solution or an in-cell touch-type display panel using a mutual capacitance solution.

[0024] The display panel 100 includes multiple gate lines G1 to Gm, multiple data lines D1 to Dn, multiple pixels P, multiple touch sensors TE, and multiple touch lines T1 to Tk.

[0025] During the display period DP, each of the multiple gate lines G1 to Gm receives a scan pulse. During the display period DP, each of the multiple data lines D1 to Dn receives a data signal. The multiple gate lines G1 to Gm and the multiple data lines D1 to Dn are located on the substrate and intersect each other to define multiple pixel regions. Each of the multiple pixels P may include a thin-film transistor (TFT) (not shown) connected to the adjacent gate line and the adjacent data line, a pixel electrode (not shown) connected to the TFT, and a storage capacitor (not shown) connected to the pixel electrode.

[0026] Each of the multiple touch sensors TE can be used as a touch electrode for sensing touch or as a common electrode for forming an electric field together with pixel electrodes to drive liquid crystal. That is, each of the multiple touch sensors TE can be used as a touch electrode during the touch sensing period TP and as a common electrode during the display period DP. Therefore, each of the multiple touch sensors TE can be made of a transparent conductive material.

[0027] Since each of the multiple touch sensors TE functions as a self-capacitance type touch sensor during the touch sensing period TP, each of the multiple touch sensors TE should have a size larger than the minimum contact size between the touched object and the display panel 100. Therefore, each of the multiple touch sensors TE may have a size corresponding to one or more pixels P. During the display period DP, each of the multiple touch lines T1 to Tk provides a common voltage to the corresponding touch sensor TE. The multiple touch lines T1 to Tk are connected to the multiple touch sensors TE.

[0028] During the display period DP, the display driver 210 provides data signals to a plurality of pixels P included in the display panel 100 to allow an image to be displayed through the display panel 100.

[0029] Display driver 210 includes a timing controller 211, a strobe driver 212, and a data driver 213.

[0030] The timing controller 211 receives various timing signals from an external system (not shown), including a vertical synchronization signal Vsync, a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, a data enable (DE) signal, and a clock signal CLK, and generates a gating control signal (GCS) for controlling the gating driver 212 and a data control signal (DCS) for controlling the data driver 213. Furthermore, the timing controller 211 receives an image signal RGB from the external system, converts the image signal RGB into an image signal RGB' that can be processed in the data driver 213, and outputs the image signal RGB'.

[0031] Furthermore, the timing controller 211 can compress the external data enable signal sent from the external host system into a preset display period DP, thereby generating an internal data enable signal iDE. The timing controller 211 can generate a touch synchronization signal Tsync based on the timing of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync and the internal data enable signal iDE, used to divide a frame period into a display period DP and a touch sensing period TP. The timing controller 211 can send the touch synchronization signal Tsync to the strobe driver 212, the data driver 213, the touch driver 221, and the touch controller 222.

[0032] The host system converts the digital image data RGB into a format suitable for display on the display panel 100. The host system sends a timing signal along with the digital image data RGB to the timing controller 211. The host system can be implemented as any of a television system, set-top box, navigation system, digital multi-disc (DVD) player, Blu-ray player, personal computer (PC), home theater system, and telephone system, and receives input images.

[0033] In addition, the host system can receive touch input coordinates from the touch controller 222 and execute the application by combining the received touch input coordinates.

[0034] During the display period DP, the gating driver 212 receives a gating control signal GCS from the timing controller 211. The gating control signal GCS may include a gating start pulse GSP, a gating shift clock GSC, and a gating output enable signal. The gating driver 212 generates gating pulses (or scan pulses) synchronized with the data signal via the received gating control signal GCS, shifts the generated gating pulses, and sequentially provides the shifted gating pulses to gating lines G1 to Gm. For this purpose, the gating driver 212 may include multiple gating driver ICs (not shown). During the display period DP, under the control of the timing controller 211, the gating driver ICs sequentially provide gating pulses synchronized with the data signal to gating lines G1 to Gm to select the data lines where data signals are written. The gating pulses oscillate between gating high voltage and gating low voltage.

[0035] During the touch sensing period TP, the gating driver 212 can provide a low gating voltage VGL to the gating lines G1 to Gm without generating a gating pulse. Therefore, the gating lines G1 to Gm provide gating pulses to the TFT of each pixel to sequentially select the data lines whose data signals are to be written into the display panel 100 during the display period DP and maintain the low gating voltage VGL during the touch sensing period TP to prevent changes in the output of the touch sensor TE.

[0036] During the display period DP, the data driver 213 receives a data control signal DCS and an image signal RGB' from the timing controller 211. The data control signal DCS may include a source start pulse SSP, a source sampling clock SSC, and a source output enable signal SOE. The source start pulse SSP controls the data sampling start timing of the n source driver ICs (not shown) constituting the data driver 213. The source sampling clock SSC is a clock signal that controls the sampling timing of the data in each of the n source driver ICs. The source output enable signal SOE controls the output timing of each of the n source driver ICs.

[0037] In addition, the data driver 213 converts the received image signal RGB' into an analog data signal and provides the analog data signal to the pixel P through multiple data lines D1 to Dn.

[0038] During the touch sensing period TP, the touch sensing device 220 senses touch via the touch sensor TE. Specifically, the touch sensing device 220 provides a touch drive signal to the touch sensor TE to drive the touch sensor TE and senses the capacitance change generated when the touch sensor TE is touched.

[0039] When the display panel 100 is implemented as a mutual capacitance display panel, the readout IC ROIC may include: a driving circuit for generating a touch driving signal for driving the touch sensor TE and providing the touch driving signal to the touch sensor TE through touch lines T1 to Tk; and a sensing circuit for detecting the capacitance change of the touch sensor TE through touch lines T1 to Tk to generate touch sensing data.

[0040] Alternatively, when the display panel 100 is implemented as a self-capacitance type display panel, the readout IC ROIC can use a single circuit to provide touch drive signals to the touch sensor TE and obtain touch sensing data from the touch sensor TE.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The touch sensing device 220 includes a touch driver 221 and a touch controller 222.

[0042] During the touch sensing period TP, the touch driver 221 drives the touch sensor TE to acquire touch sensing data from the touch sensor TE. According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the touch driver 221 converts the received binary symbol touch sensing data into ternary symbol touch sensing data and sends the ternary symbol touch sensing data to the touch controller 222.

[0043] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the touch driver 221 includes multiple readout ICs ROIC.

[0044] During the display period DP, the readout IC ROIC provides a common voltage to the touch sensor TE through touch lines T1 to Tk. Therefore, the touch sensor TE serves as the common electrode during the display period DP.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, although the source driver IC SGIC and the readout IC ROIC have been illustrated as being implemented as separate components, the source driver IC SGIC and the readout IC ROIC can be implemented as being integrated into a single chip.

[0046] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the read IC ROIC includes: a receiver 221a for receiving binary symbolic touch sensing data TSS from a touch sensor TE during a touch sensing period TP; a first converter 221b for converting the binary symbolic touch sensing data TSS into ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS; and a transmitter 221c for transmitting the converted ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS. Specifically, the first converter 221b can convert the binary symbolic touch sensing data TSS into first ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS1 and second ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS2. Therefore, the transmitter 221c transmits the first ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS1 via a first bus B1 and transmits the second ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS2 via a second bus B2. However, reference will be made below. Figures 7 to 10 The process of converting binary symbolic touch sensing data (TSS) into ternary symbolic touch sensing data (TTSS) is described in detail.

[0047] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the touch controller 222 includes a second converter 222a for converting ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS received from the readout ICROIC of the touch driver 221 into binary symbolic touch sensing data. In this case, the second converter 222a may be a ternary decoder.

[0048] The touch controller 222 can use a preset touch recognition algorithm to analyze the binary symbol touch sensing data converted by the second converter 222a to calculate the coordinate value of the touch input position. The coordinate information of the touch input position output from the touch controller 222 is sent to an external host system.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the touch controller 222 communicates with multiple readout ICs ROIC using the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) protocol, and the touch controller 222 operates as a master device, while the readout ICs ROIC operate as slave devices.

[0050] According to this disclosure, the readout ICs ROIC share at least one of the first to third buses B1, B2, and B3. Therefore, multiple readout ICs ROIC can be connected to the touch controller 222 via at least one bus having a multi-drop structure or a multi-point connection (multi-drop) structure.

[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the first bus B1 connects the clock terminals SCD of multiple readout ICs ROIC1 and ROIC2 to different clock terminals SCD1 and SCD2 of the touch controller 222. For example, one first bus B1 connects the clock terminal SCD of the first readout IC ROIC1 to the first clock terminal SCD1 of the touch controller 222, and another first bus B1 connects the clock terminal SCD of the second readout IC ROIC2 to the second clock terminal SCD2 of the touch controller 222.

[0052] Furthermore, the second bus B2 connects the data terminals SDD of multiple readout ICs ROIC1 and ROIC2 to different data terminals SDD1 and SDD2 of the touch controller 222. For example, one second bus B2 connects the data terminal SDD of the first readout IC ROIC1 to the first data terminal SDD1 of the touch controller 222, and another second bus B2 connects the data terminal SDD of the second readout IC ROIC2 to the second data terminal SDD2 of the touch controller 222.

[0053] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, multiple readout ICs ROIC1 and ROIC2 share a third bus B3. That is, the multiple readout ICs ROIC1 and ROIC2 are connected to the touch controller 222 via a multi-point bus structure. For example, the third bus B3 connects the first chip select terminal SCN1 of the touch controller 222 to the chip select terminal SCN of the first readout IC ROIC1 and the chip select terminal SCN of the second readout IC ROIC2.

[0054] Therefore, the number of lines between the touch controller 222 and the multiple readout ICs ROIC1 and ROIC2 is reduced, and thus the area of ​​the touch controller 222 and the multiple readout ICs ROIC1 and ROIC2 can be reduced.

[0055] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 5 to 11 A method for driving a touch sensing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail.

[0056] Figure 5 This is a timing diagram illustrating the signals transmitted between the readout IC and the touch controller according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 This is a timing diagram illustrating the signals applied to the first to third buses in write mode, and Figure 7 It is a block diagram used to describe the signal transmission direction in write mode. Figure 8 This is a timing diagram illustrating the signals applied to the first to third buses in read request mode and read operation mode. Figure 9 It is a block diagram used to describe the signal transmission direction in the read request mode, and Figure 10 It is a block diagram used to describe the signal transmission direction in the read operation mode. Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between binary symbol touch sensing data and ternary symbol touch sensing data according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] As mentioned above, refer to Figure 5 The touch synchronization signal Tsync divides a frame period into a display period DP and a touch sensing period TP.

[0058] According to this disclosure, the touch controller 222 operates in write mode W via SPI communication during the display period DP and in read mode RR during the touch sensing period TP. In this case, since the touch controller 222 operates in read mode RR relative to each of the plurality of readout ICs ROIC1 and ROIC2, the touch controller 222 can operate in read mode RR several times during the touch sensing period TP.

[0059] Reference Figures 6 to 10In write mode W and read mode RR, the touch controller 222 sends communication activation data CAD via the third bus B3 to activate communication between the first read IC ROIC1 and the second read IC ROIC2 and the read IC. For example, the touch controller 222 sends communication activation data CAD to activate communication with the first read IC ROIC1 in write mode W and read mode RR. In this case, when the touch controller 222 is not operating in write mode W and read mode RR, the touch controller 222 sends communication deactivation data CID via the third bus B3.

[0060] Read mode (RR) is divided into read request mode and read operation mode.

[0061] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 During the write mode W activated during the display period DP, the touch controller 222 can set the state of the first read IC ROIC1. Specifically, the touch controller 222 sends a clock CS to the first read IC ROIC1 via the first bus B1, and sends touch driver setting data TDSS to the first read IC ROIC1 via the second bus B2. In this case, the touch driver setting data TDSS may include the address ADDR, the write command CMD_W, and the setting data DATA.

[0062] Reference Figures 8 to 10 The read mode RR activated during the touch sensing period TP includes a read request mode in which the touch controller 222 requests the first ternary symbol touch sensing data TTSS1 and the second ternary symbol touch sensing data TTSS2 from the touch driver 221, and a read operation mode in which the touch driver 221 sends the first ternary symbol touch sensing data TTSS1 and the second ternary symbol touch sensing data TTSS2 to the touch controller 222.

[0063] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 9 In read request mode, touch controller 222 sends a clock signal to the first read IC ROIC1 of touch driver 221 via the first bus B1, and sends read request data RRS to the first read IC ROIC1 via the second bus B2. Therefore, the first read IC ROIC1 of touch driver 221 receives a clock signal from touch controller 222 via the first bus B1 and receives read request data RRS from touch controller 222 via the second bus B2. In this case, read request data RRS may include address ADDR and read command CMD_R.

[0064] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 10In the read operation mode, the touch driver 221 converts the binary symbolic touch sensing data TSS received from the touch sensor TE into ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS, and sends the converted ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS to the touch controller 222 via the first bus B1 and the second bus B2. In this case, the converted ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS includes first ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS1 and second ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS2, and both TTSS1 and TTSS2 are sent to the touch controller 222 via the first bus B1 and the second bus B2.

[0065] Specifically, such as Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, according to the present disclosure, the first readout IC ROIC1 of the touch driver 221 sends ternary symbol first touch sensing data TTSS1 and ternary symbol second touch sensing data TTSS2, converted from the binary symbol touch sensing data BTSS generated by the self-touch sensor TE, to the touch controller 222 via the first bus B1 and the second bus B2.

[0066] Reference Figure 11 According to Table 1, the binary symbol touch sensing data 100001010010101010 is divided into (100), (001), (010), (010), (101), and (010). Each of the divided binary symbol touch sensing data is converted into ternary symbols (11), (01), (02), (02), (12), and (02). Therefore, the first ternary symbol touch sensing data TTSS1 and the second ternary symbol touch sensing data TTSS2 become 0000010101 and 1101000010, respectively. The first ternary symbol touch sensing data TTSS1 and the second ternary symbol touch sensing data TTSS2 are simultaneously sent to the touch controller 222 via the first bus B1 and the second bus B2, respectively.

[0067] [Table 1]

[0068] According to this disclosure, checksum bits, parity bits, and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits used to detect the occurrence of communication errors can be added to the binary symbolic touch sensing data BTSS received from the touch sensor TE, and these error detection bits, together with the binary symbolic touch sensing data BTSS, can be converted into ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS. As described above, according to the embodiments of this disclosure, since the first ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS1 and the second ternary symbolic touch sensing data TTSS2 are transmitted simultaneously, the data transmission speed can be improved.

[0069] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 12 A display device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail.

[0070] Figure 12 This is a block diagram illustrating the wired connection between a readout IC and a touch controller according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] like Figure 12 As shown, according to another embodiment of this disclosure, multiple readout ICs ROIC1 and ROIC2 share a first bus B1 and a second bus B2. That is, the first bus B1 and the second bus B2 use a multi-point bus structure to connect the multiple readout ICs ROIC1 and ROIC2 to the touch controller 222. For example, the first bus B1 connects the first clock terminal SCD1 of the touch controller 222 to the clock terminal SCD of the first readout IC ROIC1 and the clock terminal SCD of the second readout IC ROIC2. Furthermore, the second bus B2 connects the first data terminal SDD1 of the touch controller 222 to the data terminal SDD of the first readout IC ROIC1 and the data terminal SDD of the second readout IC ROIC2.

[0072] Furthermore, the third bus B3 connects the chip select terminals CSN of multiple readout ICs ROIC1 and ROIC2 to multiple chip select terminals CSN of the touch controller 222. For example, one third bus B3 connects the first chip select terminal CSN1 of the touch controller 222 to the chip select terminal CSN of the first readout IC ROIC1, and another third bus B3 connects the second chip select terminal CSN2 of the touch controller 222 to the chip select terminal CSN of the second readout IC ROIC2.

[0073] By specifying a bit in the high-order bits of address ADDR, the first read IC ROIC1 sets the corresponding bit to "0", and the second read IC ROIC2 sets the corresponding bit to "1", so that the first read IC ROIC1 and the second read IC ROIC2 can be individually controlled for write and read drives by setting the corresponding bit in address ADDR.

[0074] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, the first read IC ROIC1 and the second read IC ROIC2 can be controlled based on any of the high bits of the address ADDR of the touch driver setting data TDSS sent via the second bus B2 in the write mode W or read request mode of the touch controller 222. For example, when any of the high bits of the address ADDR of the touch driver setting data TDSS is referred to as the read IC select bit, the touch controller 222 sends the read IC select bit "0" to the first read IC ROIC1 and sends the read IC select bit "1" to the second read IC ROIC2. In this case, the read IC select bit "0" can activate the communication between the touch controller 222 and the read IC, and the read IC select bit "1" can deactivate the communication between the touch controller 222 and the read IC. Alternatively, the read IC select bit "0" can deactivate the communication between the touch controller 222 and the read IC, and the read IC select bit "1" can activate the communication between the touch controller 222 and the read IC. Therefore, the touch controller 222 can activate communication with either the first readout IC ROIC1 or the second readout IC ROIC2, and deactivate communication with the other of the first readout IC ROIC1 and the second readout IC ROIC2. In other words, the readout IC selection bit can be used in the same way as the communication activation data CAD described above.

[0075] Therefore, since the number of lines between the touch controller 222 and the touch driver 221, which includes multiple first readout ICs ROIC1 and second readout ICs ROIC2, is reduced, the area between the touch driver 221 and the touch controller 222 can be reduced.

[0076] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 13 A display device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail.

[0077] Figure 13 This is a block diagram illustrating the wired connection between the readout IC and the touch controller according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] like Figure 13As shown, according to another embodiment of this disclosure, a plurality of first readout ICs ROIC1 and second readout ICs ROIC2 share a first bus B1, a second bus B2, and a third bus B3. That is, the first bus to the third bus B1, B2, and B3 use a multi-point bus structure to connect the plurality of first readout ICs ROIC1 and second readout ICs ROIC2 to the touch controller 222.

[0079] The first bus B1 connects different clock terminals SCD of multiple first read ICs ROIC1 and second read ICs ROIC2 to a single clock terminal SCD of the touch controller 222. For example, the first bus B1 connects the first clock terminal SCD1 of the touch controller 222 to the clock terminal SCD of the first read IC ROIC1 and the clock terminal SCD of the second read IC ROIC2.

[0080] The second bus B2 connects different data terminals SDD of multiple first read ICs ROIC1 and second read ICs ROIC2 to a single data terminal SDD of the touch controller 222. For example, the second bus B2 connects the first data terminal SDD1 of the touch controller 222 to the data terminal SDD of the first read IC ROIC1 and the data terminal SDD of the second read IC ROIC2.

[0081] The third bus B3 connects different chip select terminals CSN of multiple first read ICs ROIC1 and second read ICs ROIC2 to a single chip select terminal CSN of the touch controller 222. For example, the third bus B3 connects the first chip select terminal CSN1 of the touch controller 222 to the chip select terminal CSN of the first read IC ROIC1 and the chip select terminal CSN of the second read IC ROIC2.

[0082] The first read IC ROIC1 and the second read IC ROIC2 can be individually controlled by specifying the high bit of the address ADDR, matching the specified high bit with the identifier ID of the first read IC ROIC1 and the second read IC ROIC2, and setting the corresponding bit of the address ADDR used for writing and reading drivers.

[0083] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, a plurality of first read ICs ROIC1 and second read ICs ROIC2 may have terminals to which an identification number ID is input, distinguishing them from other read ICs. The first read ICs ROIC1 and second read ICs ROIC2 can be controlled based on any of the high bits of the address ADDR of the touch drive setting data TDSS sent via the second bus B2 in either write mode W or read request mode of the touch controller 222. For example, when any of the high bits of the address ADDR of the touch drive setting data TDSS is referred to as the read IC select bit, the touch controller 222 sends a read IC select bit "0" to the first read ICs ROIC1 and second read ICs ROIC2. In this case, the touch controller 222 can activate communication with the first read IC ROIC1 receiving identification number ID "0" and deactivate communication with the second read IC ROIC2 receiving identification number ID "1". That is, the touch controller 222 can communicate with the read IC by sending the identification number ID of the read IC via the read IC select bit.

[0084] Therefore, since the number of lines between the touch controller 222 and the touch driver 221, which includes multiple first readout ICs ROIC1 and second readout ICs ROIC2, is reduced, the area between the touch driver 221 and the touch controller 222 can be reduced.

[0085] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 14 A detailed description of a data ready signal according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0086] Figure 14 This is a timing diagram illustrating the signals applied to the first bus to the third bus in a read request mode and a read operation mode according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] like Figure 14As shown, according to another embodiment of this disclosure, when communication deactivation data CID is applied to the third bus B3 and transfer ready data TRD is applied to the second bus B2, the touch controller 222 operates in read request mode. Specifically, when communication deactivation data CID is applied to the third bus B3 and the touch controller 222 does not operate in write mode, read request mode, or read operation mode, at least one of the first read IC ROIC1 and the second read IC ROIC2 of the touch driver 221 sends the transfer ready data TRD via the second bus B2. In this case, the transfer ready data TRD signifies that the read IC is ready to send touch sensing data TTSS to the touch controller 222. Therefore, the touch controller 222 operates in read request mode to send a clock to the read IC ROIC, which sends the transfer ready data TRD via the first bus B1 and the read request data via the second bus B2.

[0088] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 15 A touch sensing signal filter for a touch controller according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail.

[0089] Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a touch sensing signal filter for a touch controller according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0090] like Figure 15 As shown, a delay occurs between the data received via the first bus B1 and the data received via its second bus B2 of the touch controller 222, thus phase error and noise can occur. Although not shown in the figures, to eliminate phase error and noise, the touch controller 222 may further include filters for obtaining stable signals TTSS1_FLT and TTSS2_FLT by allowing the received first touch sensing data TTSS1 and second touch sensing data TTSS2 to maintain the same value for a certain period of time. That is, the filter of the touch controller 222 allows the first touch sensing data TTSS1 and second touch sensing data TTSS2, which maintain the same value for a certain period of time, to pass through, thereby preventing phase error and noise in the first touch sensing data TTSS1 and second touch sensing data TTSS2.

[0091] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0092] Furthermore, at least a portion of the methods described herein can be implemented using one or more computer programs or components. These components may be provided as a series of computer instructions via a computer-readable or machine-readable medium including volatile and non-volatile memory. The instructions may be provided as software or firmware and may be implemented wholly or partially in hardware configurations such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other similar devices. The instructions may be configured to be executed by one or more processors or other hardware components, and when one or more processors or other hardware components execute the series of computer instructions, one or more processors or other hardware components may perform the methods and programs disclosed herein, wholly or partially.

[0093] According to this disclosure, since the readout integrated circuit (IC) uses a bus to which a clock is applied to transmit data, the number of buses required to transmit and receive data is reduced, and thus the area of ​​the bus between the readout IC and the touch driver can be reduced.

[0094] Furthermore, since the clock is not applied to the bus that is applied in write mode and read request mode, electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise caused by the clock can be prevented.

[0095] Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not limiting, but rather illustrative in all respects. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the specific embodiments, and it should be understood that all substitutions or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0096] Cross-reference to related applications

[0097] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application 10-2020-0113551, filed on September 7, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.

Claims

1. A touch sensing device, the touch sensing device comprising: A touch controller configured to operate in write mode during a display period and in read request mode or read operation mode during a touch sensing period; as well as A touch driver configured to receive touch sensing data from a touch sensor during the touch sensing period and transmit the touch sensing data to the touch controller via a first bus and a second bus. The first bus is used for clock transmission in the write mode and the read request mode, and for data transmission in the read operation mode. The second bus is used for data transmission in the write mode, the read request mode, and the read operation mode. In the write mode, the touch controller is configured to send a clock signal to the touch driver via the first bus and to send touch driver setting data to the touch driver via the second bus. In the read request mode, the touch controller is configured to send a clock signal to the touch driver via the first bus and send read request data to the touch driver via the second bus. In the read operation mode, the touch driver is configured to send the touch sensing data to the touch controller via the first bus and the second bus.

2. A touch sensing device, the touch sensing device comprising: A touch controller configured to operate in write mode during a display period and in read request mode or read operation mode during a touch sensing period; as well as A touch driver configured to receive touch sensing data from a touch sensor during the touch sensing period and transmit the touch sensing data to the touch controller via a first bus and a second bus. The first bus is used for clock transmission in the write mode and the read request mode, and for data transmission in the read operation mode. The second bus is used for data transmission in the write mode, the read request mode, and the read operation mode. The touch driver includes: A receiver configured to receive touch sensing data in binary symbols from the touch sensor during the touch sensing period; A first converter, configured to convert the touch sensing data of the binary symbols into ternary symbol touch sensing data; and A transmitter configured to transmit the ternary symbol touch sensing data. In the read operation mode, the touch driver sends the ternary symbol touch sensing data to the touch controller via the first bus and the second bus.

3. The touch sensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In the write mode, the touch controller sends a clock to the touch driver via the first bus and sends touch driver setting data to the touch driver via the second bus.

4. The touch sensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In the read request mode, the touch controller sends a clock to the touch driver via the first bus and sends read request data to the touch driver via the second bus.

5. The touch sensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The touch controller includes a second converter configured to convert ternary symbolic touch sensing data received from the touch driver into binary symbolic touch sensing data.

6. The touch sensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The touch sensing data is converted by the touch driver into first touch sensing data and second touch sensing data in ternary notation; The first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data are sent to the touch controller via the first bus and the second bus; and The touch controller includes a filter configured to allow the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data to pass through when the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data remain at the same value for a certain period of time in the read operation mode.

7. The touch sensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The touch driver adds any one of the checksum bit, parity bit, and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bit to the touch sensing data received from the touch sensor.

8. The touch sensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The touch driver includes a first readout integrated circuit IC and a second readout IC; Each of the first readout IC and the second readout IC is connected to the touch controller via the first bus, the second bus, and the third bus; and The first readout IC and the second readout IC share at least one of the first bus, the second bus, and the third bus.

9. The touch sensing device according to claim 8, wherein, The touch controller sends communication activation data via the third bus in the write mode, the read request mode, and the read operation mode.

10. The touch sensing device according to claim 8, wherein, When transmission-ready data is applied to the second bus during the period when communication is applied to deactivate data via the third bus, the touch controller operates in the read request mode.

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