Transmitter and method for transmitting signal values

Abstract

The present invention is a transmitter and method for transmitting signal values. The transmitter for transmitting signal values includes: a signal modulator for emitting an electrical signal through an electrode, wherein the electrical signal carries information representing the signal value; and a controller connected to the signal modulator for causing the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a first duty cycle during a reference signal period, and for causing the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during a modulation signal period, wherein a first ratio value of the second duty cycle to the first duty cycle corresponds to the signal value, wherein the reference signal period and the modulation signal period have the same length, and wherein the electrical signal has the same maximum amplitude during the reference signal period and the modulation signal period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a stylus, and more particularly to a method for modulating and demodulating electrical signals of a stylus. Background Art

[0002] A stylus typically emits an electrical signal through a tip electrode or an electrode near the tip and transmits the electrical signal to a touch panel or a screen. A touch processing device senses the electrical signal through a touch electrode on the touch panel or the screen. How to transmit the sensing information of the stylus to the touch processing device requires modulating the electrical signal on the stylus and demodulating the electrical signal on the touch processing device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present application, a transmitter for transmitting a signal value is provided. The transmitter includes: a signal modulator for emitting an electrical signal through an electrode, where the electrical signal carries information representing the signal value; and a controller connected to the signal modulator for causing the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a first duty cycle during a reference signal period, and for causing the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during a modulation signal period, where a first ratio value of the second duty cycle to the first duty cycle corresponds to the signal value, where the reference signal period and the modulation signal period have the same length, and where the maximum amplitude of the electrical signal is the same during the reference signal period and the modulation signal period.

[0004] Furthermore, to simplify the design of the transmitter and the touch processing device, the first duty cycle is a fixed value that is known in advance, and the controller modulates the electrical signal with the second duty cycle according to the signal value.

[0005] Furthermore, to transmit the signal value sensed by a sensor of the transmitter, the transmitter further includes: a sensor for measuring a physical phenomenon to generate the signal value, where the signal value falls within a numerical range that includes more than three numerical values.

[0006] Furthermore, to transmit the pressure value applied to the tip of the stylus during use, the transmitter is a stylus, the electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, the sensor is used to measure the pressure applied to the tip electrode, and the signal value is the pressure value generated by the sensor.

[0007] Further, in order to avoid the stylus from emitting electrical signals when it is far away from the touch panel or screen, thereby consuming power unnecessarily, the transmitter further includes: a beacon signal sensor connected to the controller, configured to notify the controller after detecting the beacon signal, wherein after receiving the notification from the beacon signal sensor, the controller causes the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a first duty cycle during the reference signal period, and causes the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during the modulation signal period.

[0008] Further, in order to synchronize the stylus with each period of the touch processing device by using the beacon signal, the transmitter is the stylus, the electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, and the beacon signal sensor detects the beacon signal emitted by the touch panel through the tip electrode.

[0009] Further, in order to use a second modulation method to transmit more signal value messages within the same time, the controller is further configured to cause the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a third duty cycle during another modulation signal period. The electrical signal emitted during the modulation signal period has a first wave number, and the electrical signal emitted during the another modulation signal period has a second wave number. Wherein the signal value corresponds to a function of the first proportional value, the second proportional value, the first wave number, and the second wave number, and the second proportional value is the ratio of the third duty cycle to the first duty cycle.

[0010] Further, in order to reduce the number of emitted waves to save power, the greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the value of Equation 1.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present application, a method for transmitting a signal value is provided. The method includes: during a reference signal period, emitting an electrical signal with a first duty cycle through an electrode, wherein the electrical signal carries information representing the signal value; and emitting the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during a modulation signal period, wherein the second duty cycle corresponds to a first proportional value of the first duty cycle and corresponds to the signal value. The length of the reference signal period is the same as that of the modulation signal period, and the maximum amplitude of the electrical signal during the reference signal period is the same as that during the modulation signal period.

[0012] Further, in order to simplify the design of the transmitter and the touch processing device, the first duty cycle is a fixed value that is known in advance, and the electrical signal with the second duty cycle is modulated according to the signal value.

[0013] Further, in order to transmit the signal value sensed by the sensor of the transmitter, the signal value is generated by the sensor measuring a physical phenomenon, and the signal value falls within a numerical range that includes more than three numerical values.

[0014] Furthermore, in order to transmit the pressure value received by the tip of the stylus during use, the electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, the sensor is used to measure the pressure received by the tip electrode, and the signal value is the pressure value generated by the sensor.

[0015] Furthermore, in order to avoid the stylus from emitting electrical signals and consuming power unnecessarily when it is far away from the touch panel or screen, the method further includes: detecting the beacon signal; and after detecting the beacon signal, transmitting an electrical signal with a first duty cycle during the reference signal period, and transmitting the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during the modulation signal period.

[0016] Furthermore, in order to synchronize each period of the stylus with the touch processing device by using the beacon signal, the electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, and the detecting step of the beacon signal is to detect the beacon signal emitted by the touch panel through the tip electrode.

[0017] Furthermore, in order to transmit more signal value information within the same time by using the second modulation method, the method further includes: transmitting the electrical signal with a third duty cycle during another modulation signal period, the electrical signal transmitted during the modulation signal period has a first wave number, the electrical signal transmitted during the another modulation signal period has a second wave number, wherein the signal value corresponds to a function of the first ratio value, the second ratio value, the first wave number and the second wave number, and the second ratio value is the ratio of the third duty cycle to the first duty cycle.

[0018] Furthermore, in order to reduce the number of transmitted waves to save power, the greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the value of Equation 1.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present application, a touch processing device for receiving signal values is provided. The touch processing device includes: a sensing circuit module for connecting multiple touch electrodes of a touch panel to detect an electrical signal emitted by a transmitter, wherein the electrical signal carries information representing a signal value; and a processor module connected to the sensing circuit module for executing instructions in a non-volatile memory to implement the following steps: enabling the sensing circuit module to sense a first characteristic value of the electrical signal during a reference signal period; enabling the sensing circuit module to sense a second characteristic value and a first wave number of the electrical signal during a first modulation signal period; enabling the sensing circuit module to sense a third characteristic value and a second wave number of the electrical signal during a second modulation signal period; calculating a first ratio value of the second characteristic value to the first characteristic value, and calculating a second ratio value of the third characteristic value to the first characteristic value; and calculating the signal value according to a function of the first ratio value, the second ratio value, the first wave number and the second wave number.

[0020] Further, in order to reduce the number of waves emitted to save power, the greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the value of Equation 1.

[0021] Further, for the convenience of processing by the touch processing device, the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue are respectively the signal intensities of the electrical signal in the reference signal period, the first modulation signal period, and the second modulation signal period.

[0022] Further, in order to restore the original modulation characteristics of the electrical signal emitted by the stylus, the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue are respectively the duty ratios of the electrical signal in the reference signal period, the first modulation signal period, and the second modulation signal period.

[0023] Further, to avoid the stylus from unnecessarily consuming power by emitting electrical signals when it is far from the touch panel or screen, the touch processing device further includes: a driving circuit module connected to the plurality of touch electrodes and the processor module, wherein the processor module is further configured to execute instructions in the non-volatile memory to implement the following steps: before sensing the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue, causing the driving circuit module to emit a beacon signal through the plurality of touch electrodes.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a touch system for receiving signal values. The touch system includes: a touch panel including a plurality of touch electrodes; and the aforementioned touch processing device.

[0025] Further, to maintain the integrity and compatibility of the touch system, the touch system further includes the transmitter that emits the electrical signal.

[0026] According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a touch processing method for receiving signal values. The touch processing method includes: in a reference signal period, sensing a first eigenvalue of an electrical signal emitted by a transmitter through a plurality of touch electrodes of a touch panel; in a first modulation signal period, sensing a second eigenvalue and a first wave number of the electrical signal; in a second modulation signal period, sensing a third eigenvalue and a second wave number of the electrical signal; calculating a first ratio value of the second eigenvalue to the first eigenvalue, and calculating a second ratio value of the third eigenvalue to the first eigenvalue; and calculating the signal value according to a function of the first ratio value, the second ratio value, the first wave number, and the second wave number.

[0027] Further, in order to reduce the number of waves emitted to save power, the greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the value of Equation 1.

[0028] Further, for the convenience of the processing of the touch processing device, the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue are respectively the signal intensities of the electrical signal in the reference signal period, the first modulation signal period, and the second modulation signal period.

[0029] Further, for restoring the original modulation characteristics of the electrical signal emitted by the stylus, the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue are respectively the duty ratios of the electrical signal in the reference signal period, the first modulation signal period, and the second modulation signal period.

[0030] Further, to avoid the unnecessary power consumption of the electrical signal emitted by the stylus when it is far from the touch panel or the screen, the touch processing method further includes: before sensing the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue, making the beacon signal emitted through the plurality of touch electrodes.

[0031] According to the touch processing method, device, and touch system provided by the present application, the sensed signal values on the stylus can be transmitted to the touch processing device through the electrical signals in more than two periods. Since the electrical signal in the reference signal period is used as a reference, the ratio values of the signal intensity or the duty ratio obtained will not change due to the touch electrode density at the position where the stylus is located. In addition, modulation can be performed in two ways simultaneously in the electrical signal to transmit more information in the same time. Description of the Drawings

[0032] Figure 1 It is a block diagram of a touch system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 2 It is a block diagram of a stylus 130 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 3A It is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0035] Figure 3B It is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 3C It is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Figure 4A It is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 4B It is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Figure 4CA timing schematic diagram of electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Figure 4D A timing schematic diagram of electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] Figure 5A A timing schematic diagram of electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] Figure 5B A timing schematic diagram of electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0043] Figure 5C A timing schematic diagram of electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Figure 6A A timing schematic diagram of electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0045] Figure 6B A timing schematic diagram of electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Figure 6C A timing schematic diagram of electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] Figure 7 A timing schematic diagram of electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] Figure 8 A flowchart of a method for transmitting signal values according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Figure 9 A flowchart of a method for transmitting signal values according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0050] Figure 10 A flowchart of a touch processing method for receiving signal values according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] Figure 11 A flowchart of a touch processing method for receiving signal values according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0052]

Description of Main Element Symbols

[0053] 100: Touch system 110: Touch processing device

[0054] 111: Interconnection Network module

[0055] 112: Driving circuit module 113: Sensing circuit module

[0056] 114: Processor module 115: Interface module

[0057] 120: Touch screen or panel 121, 121A - C: First electrode

[0058] 122, 122A - H: Second electrode 130: Stylus

[0059] 135: Touchpad wipe 140: Host computer

[0060] 141: Input / output interface module 142: Central processing unit module

[0061] 143: Graphics processing unit module 144: Memory module

[0062] 145: Network interface module 146: Storage module

[0063] 210: Controller 220: Pressure sensor

[0064] 230: Signal modulator 240: Nib

[0065] 250: Beacon signal sensor 300: Electrical signal transmission timing

[0066] 310: Signal transmission period 312, 312D: Reference signal period

[0067] 314, 314A - 314F: Modulated signal period 500: Electrical signal transmission timing

[0068] 510: Signal transmission period 520: First modulated signal period

[0069] 530: Second modulated signal period 600: Electrical signal transmission timing

[0070] 610: Signal transmission period 800: Method for transmitting signal values

[0071] 810 - 840: Steps 900: Method for transmitting signal values

[0072] 940 - 950: Steps 1000: Touch processing method for receiving signal values

[0073] 1010 - 1040: Steps 1100: Touch processing method for receiving signal values

[0074] 1130 - 1150: Steps Detailed implementation manners

[0075] Please refer to Figure 1As shown, it is a block diagram of a touch system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The touch system 100 can be a common desktop, laptop, tablet personal computer, industrial control computer, smart phone or other form of computer system with touch function.

[0076] The touch system 100 can include a touch processing device 110, a touch panel or screen 120 connected to the touch processing device, and a host 140 connected to the touch processing device. The touch system 100 can further include one or more styluses 130 and / or touchpad wipes 135. Hereinafter in this application, the touch panel or screen 120 can be generally referred to as the touch screen 120. However, in embodiments lacking a display function, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that the touch screen referred to in this application is a touch panel.

[0077] The touch screen 120 includes a plurality of first electrodes 121 parallel to a first axis and a plurality of second electrodes 122 parallel to a second axis. The first electrodes 121 can be interleaved with the plurality of second electrodes 122 to form a plurality of sensing points or sensing regions. Similarly, the second electrodes 122 can be interleaved with the plurality of first electrodes 121 to form a plurality of sensing points or sensing regions. In some embodiments, the first electrodes 121 in this application can be referred to as first touch electrodes 121, and the second electrodes 122 can also be referred to as second touch electrodes 122. This application also collectively refers to the first electrodes 121 and the second electrodes 122 as touch electrodes. In some embodiments of the touch screen 120, the first electrodes 121 and the second electrodes 122 are made of a transparent material. The first electrodes 121 and the second electrodes 122 can be in the same electrode layer, and the plurality of conductive sheets of each first electrode 121 or second electrode 122 are connected in a bridging manner. The first electrodes 121 and the second electrodes 122 can also be in different stacked electrode layers. Unless otherwise specified, this application can generally be applied to embodiments of a single layer or multiple electrode layers. The first axis and the second axis are usually perpendicular to each other, but this application does not limit that the first axis must be perpendicular to the second axis. In one embodiment, the first axis can be a horizontal axis or the update axis of the touch screen 120.

[0078] The touch processing device 110 may include the following hardware circuit modules: an Interconnection Network module 111, a driving circuit module 112, a sensing circuit module 113, a processor module 114, and an interface module 115. The touch processing device 110 may be implemented within a single integrated circuit, and one or more chips may be included in the integrated circuit. The touch processing device 110 may also be implemented using multiple integrated circuits and an interconnection circuit board carrying the multiple integrated circuits. The touch processing device 110 may also be implemented in the same integrated circuit as the above-mentioned host 140, or may be implemented in the same chip as the above-mentioned host 140. In other words, the implementation manner of the touch processing device 110 is not limited in this application.

[0079] The connection network module 111 is used to connect multiple first electrodes 121 and / or multiple second electrodes 122 of the above-mentioned touch screen 120 respectively. The connection network module 111 may receive control commands from the processor module 114, be used to connect the driving circuit module 112 to any one or more touch electrodes, and also be used to connect the sensing circuit module 113 to any one or more touch electrodes. The connection network module 111 may include a combination of one or more multiplexers (MUX) to implement the above functions.

[0080] The driving circuit module 112 may include components such as a clock generator, a frequency divider, a frequency multiplier, a phase-locked loop, a power amplifier, a DC-DC voltage converter, a rectifier, and / or a filter, etc., and is used to provide a driving signal to any one or more touch electrodes through the above-mentioned connection network module 111 according to the control command of the processor module 114. Various analog signals or digital signals may be modulated for the above-mentioned driving signal to transmit certain messages. The above modulation methods include but are not limited to frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation, amplitude modulation (AM), double-sideband modulation (DSB), single-sideband modulation (SSB-AM), vestigial sideband modulation, amplitude shift keying (ASK), phase shift keying (PSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), frequency shift keying (FSK), continuous phase modulation (CPM), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), pulse width modulation (PWM), and other technologies. The driving signal may include one or more square waves, sine waves, or any modulated waveforms. The driving circuit module 112 may include one or more channels, and each channel may be connected to any one or more touch electrodes through the connection network module 111.

[0081] The sensing circuit module 113 may include components such as an integrator, a sampler, a clock generator, a frequency divider, a frequency multiplier, a phase-locked loop, a power amplifier, a multiplier, a DC-DC voltage converter, a rectifier, and / or a filter. It is used to sense any one or more touch electrodes according to the control commands of the processor module 114 through the above-mentioned connection network module 111. When the touch signal is sent through one of the above-mentioned touch electrodes, another touch electrode can sense the touch signal. The sensing circuit module 113 can cooperate with the modulation method executed by the above-mentioned driving circuit module 112 to perform corresponding demodulation on the driving signal sensed by the other touch electrode, so as to restore the information carried by the driving signal. The sensing circuit module 113 may include one or more channels, and each channel can be connected to any one or more touch electrodes through the connection network module 111. At the same time, each channel can perform sensing and demodulation simultaneously.

[0082] In one embodiment, the above-mentioned driving circuit module 112 and sensing circuit module 113 may include an analog front-end (AFE) circuit. In another embodiment, in addition to the analog front-end circuit, the above-mentioned driving circuit module 112 and sensing circuit module 113 may include a digital back-end (DBE) circuit. When the above-mentioned driving circuit module 112 and sensing circuit module 113 only include an analog front-end circuit, the digital back-end circuit can be implemented within the processor module 114.

[0083] The processor module 114 may include a digital signal processor, which is used to connect to the analog front-end circuits of the above-mentioned driving circuit module 112 and sensing circuit module 113 respectively, and can also be connected to the digital back-end circuits of the above-mentioned driving circuit module 112 and sensing circuit module 113 respectively. The processor module 114 may include an embedded processor, non-volatile memory, and volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can store a general operating system or a real-time operating system, as well as application programs executed under the operating system. The foregoing operating system and application programs include multiple instructions and data. After these instructions are executed by the processor (including the embedded processor and / or the digital signal processor), they can be used to control other modules of the touch processing device 110, including the connection network module 111, the driving circuit module 112, the sensing circuit module 113, and the interface module 115. For example, the processor module 114 may include commonly used 8051 series processors in the industry, i960 series processors of Intel, Cortex-M series processors of ARM, etc. This application does not limit the types and numbers of processors included in the processor module 114.

[0084] The above-mentioned multiple instructions and data can be used to implement the various steps mentioned in this application, as well as the processes and methods composed of these steps. Some instructions can operate independently within the processor module 114, such as arithmetic and logic operations. Other instructions can be used to control other modules of the touch processing device 110, and these instructions can include controlling other modules through the input / output interface of the processor module 114. Other modules can also provide messages to the operating system and / or application programs executed by the processor module 114 through the input / output interface of the processor module 114. Those of ordinary skill in the art should have the general knowledge of computer organization and architecture and can understand that the processes and methods mentioned in this application can be implemented by the above-mentioned modules and instructions.

[0085] The above-mentioned interface module 115 can include various serial or parallel buses, such as industrial standard input / output interfaces like Universal Serial Bus (USB), Inter-Integrated Circuit (I 2 C), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-Express), IEEE 1394, etc. The touch processing device 110 is connected to the host 140 through the interface module 115.

[0086] The touch system 100 can include one or more styluses 130 and / or touchpad erasers 135. The above-mentioned stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135 can be a transmitter that emits electrical signals, which can include an active transmitter that actively emits electrical signals, or a passive transmitter that emits electrical signals passively, or a reactive transmitter that emits electrical signals in response to external electrical signals. The above-mentioned stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135 can include one or more electrodes for synchronously or asynchronously receiving electrical signals from the touch screen 120, or emitting electrical signals to the touch screen 120 in a synchronous or asynchronous manner. These electrical signals can adopt one or more of the modulation methods described above.

[0087] The above-mentioned stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135 can be a conductor for conducting drive signals or grounding through the user's hand or body. The above-mentioned stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135 can be connected to the input / output interface module 141 of the host 140, or other modules under the input / output interface module 141 in a wired or wireless manner.

[0088] The touch processing device 110 can detect one or more external conductive objects through the touch screen 120, such as a human finger, palm, or passive stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135, and can also detect a stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135 that emits an electrical signal. The touch processing device 110 can use mutual-capacitance or self-capacitance methods to detect external conductive objects. The above-mentioned stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135 and the touch processing device 110 can use the above-mentioned signal modulation and corresponding signal demodulation methods to transmit messages using electrical signals. The touch processing device 110 can use electrical signals to detect one or more proximity positions where the stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135 approaches or touches the touch screen 120, the sensor status (such as a pressure sensor or button) on the stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135, the direction of the stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135, or the tilt angle of the stylus 130 or touchpad eraser 135 relative to the plane of the touch screen 120, etc.

[0089] The host 140 is the main device for controlling the touch system 110, and can include an input / output interface module 141 connected to the interface module 115, a central processing unit module 142, a graphics processing unit module 143, a memory module 144 connected to the central processing unit module 142, a network interface module 145 and a storage module 146 connected to the input / output interface module 141.

[0090] The storage module 146 includes non-volatile memory, common examples being a hard disk, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory, etc. The storage module 146 can store a general operating system and application programs executed under the operating system. The network interface module 145 can include a hardware network connection interface for wired connection and / or wireless connection. The network interface module 145 can follow common industrial standards, such as the IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network standard, the IEEE 802.3 wired local area network standard, 3G, 4G, and / or 5G wireless communication network standards, the Bluetooth wireless communication network standard, etc.

[0091] The central processing unit module 142 can be directly or indirectly connected to the above-mentioned input / output interface module 141, graphics processing unit module 143, memory module 144, network interface module 145, and storage module 146. The central processing unit module 142 can include one or more processors or processor cores. Common processors can include processors with x86 and x64 instruction sets from Intel, AMD, and VIA Technologies, or processors with ARM instruction sets from Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek. It can also include processors with other forms of complex instruction set computing (CISC) or reduced instruction set computing (RISC). The aforementioned operating systems and applications include multiple instructions and data corresponding to the above-mentioned instruction sets. After these instructions are executed by the central processing unit module 142, they can be used to control other modules of the touch system 100.

[0092] The optional graphics processing unit module 143 is generally used to process the computational part related to graphics output. The graphics processing unit module 143 can be connected to the above-mentioned touch screen 120 to control the output of the touch screen 120. In some applications, the host 140 may not require the dedicated processing of the graphics processing unit module 143, and can directly make the central processing unit module 142 execute the computational part related to graphics output.

[0093] The host 140 may also include other Figure 1 components or components not shown, such as audio input / output interfaces, keyboard input interfaces, mouse input interfaces, trackball input interfaces, and / or other hardware modules. Those of ordinary skill in the art should have general knowledge of computer structures and architectures, and can understand that the touch system 100 mentioned in this application is only for illustrative purposes. For the rest related to the inventive technical features provided in this application, reference should be made to the specification and the scope of the patent application.

[0094] Please refer to Figure 2 as shown, which is a block diagram of a stylus 130 according to an embodiment of the present application. The controller 210 is used to control the stylus 130. The controller 210 can be a logic circuit or can include a processor. The processor is used to execute instructions stored in non-volatile memory to control the stylus 130.

[0095] The stylus 130 includes a nib 240 and a pressure sensor 220 for measuring the force on the nib 240. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor 220 can be used to sense the force on non-nib 240. For example, the pressure sensor 220 can sense the pressure at a certain point on the pen shaft of the stylus 130. The user can adjust the holding force for control. The pressure sensor 220 can transmit the measured pressure value to the controller 210.

[0096] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that although the embodiment in Figure 2 uses the pressure sensor 220 as an example, the present application can be applied to other sensors. As long as these sensors transmit the measured values to the controller 210.

[0097] After the controller 210 receives the measured pressure value, it can cause the signal modulator 230 to modulate the electrical signal to be transmitted according to the pressure value. In one embodiment, the pen tip 240 is made of a conductor, and the signal modulator 230 can transmit the modulated electrical signal to the pen tip 240. When the pen tip 240 approaches or touches the touch panel or screen 120, the electrical signal can be conducted to the touch electrodes of the touch panel or screen 120 and then transmitted to the touch processing device 110. In another embodiment, the stylus 130 may include other electrodes near the pen tip 240, such as a ring electrode surrounding the pen tip 240. The signal modulator 230 can transmit the modulated electrical signal to other electrodes other than the pen tip 240. Similarly, when the electrode approaches the touch panel or screen 120, the electrical signal can be conducted to the touch electrodes of the touch panel or screen 120 and then transmitted to the touch processing device 110.

[0098] The stylus 130 may further include a beacon signal sensor 250, which is used to connect to the electrode of the pen tip 240 or the electrode near the pen tip 240, and is used to receive the beacon signal emitted from the touch electrodes of the touch panel or screen 120. After receiving the beacon signal, the beacon signal sensor 250 notifies the controller 210, and then the controller 210 causes the signal modulator 230 to start modulating. Since the stylus 130 may be away from the touch panel or screen 120 for most of the time, if the electrical signal is emitted only after receiving the beacon signal emitted from the touch panel or screen 120, the power of the stylus 130 can be saved and the working period of the stylus 130 can be extended.

[0099] One of the features of the present application is to use the ratio value of the duty cycles of two electrical signals to transmit the above-mentioned pressure value or any sensed value. These two electrical signals include a reference signal and a modulation signal. Since the more the duty cycle within a certain period of time, the greater the intensity of the electrical signal. The duty cycle of the reference signal can be set to a fixed value so that the intensity of the reference signal serves as a reference value. The touch processing device 110 can measure the ratio value of the intensities of these two electrical signals to calculate the above-mentioned pressure value or sensed value. Since the touch electrodes on the touch panel or screen 120 are not evenly distributed, if only the intensity of the modulation signal is used for demodulation without a reference signal as a comparison benchmark, it is difficult to control the error caused by the change in the contact position of the pen tip 240 on the unevenly distributed touch electrodes. In addition, even when the stylus 130 is suspended at the same position, the intensity of the modulation signal changes due to the distance between the stylus 130 and the touch panel or screen 120. Without a reference signal as a comparison benchmark, it is difficult to control the error caused by the change in the height of the proximity position of the pen tip 240.

[0100] According to the above principle, when the controller 210 receives the sensed value, it will cause the signal modulator 230 to emit a reference signal with a fixed duty cycle during the reference signal period, and cause the signal modulator 230 to emit a modulation signal with a variable duty cycle during the modulation signal period. The reference signal period and the modulation signal period can form a signal transmission period. In addition to emitting electrical signals during the signal transmission period, the controller 210 can also emit other electrical signals before or after the signal transmission period for other purposes. For example, emitting a preamble code can be used to identify and locate the stylus 130, or emitting other electrical signals to transmit other types of messages. The present invention does not limit the electrical signals transmitted by the controller 210 each time, as long as the sensed value is transmitted using the aforementioned signal transmission period.

[0101] Please refer to Figure 3A shown, which is a timing diagram of electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. The stylus 130 can continuously send multiple signal transmission periods 310 to transmit the aforementioned sensed values. Each signal transmission period 310 can carry different sensed values. In other words, a sensor such as the pressure sensor 220 can obtain a new sensed value during the transmission of each signal transmission period 310 and transmit it in the next signal transmission period 310.

[0102] Each signal transmission period 310 includes a reference signal period 312 and a modulation signal period 314. Although in Figure 3AAmong them, the reference signal period 312 is before the modulation signal period 314, but the present application does not limit the order of these two periods. In addition, although in Figure 3A there is no turnaround period between the reference signal period 312 and the modulation signal period 314, the present application does not limit that these two periods are directly adjacent or there can be other periods in between.

[0103] In one embodiment, for the convenience of calculation by the touch processing device 110, the amplitudes of the electrical signals in the reference signal period 312 and the modulation signal period 314 can be the same, but the present application does not limit that they must be the same. The first duty cycle DC1 of the reference signal period 312 is fixed, while the second duty cycle DC2 of the modulation signal period 314 varies according to the sensed value to be transmitted. The sensed value to be transmitted can correspond to the ratio value R of the first duty cycle DC1 to the second duty cycle DC2. The ratio value R can be one of the following: DC1 / DC2, DC2 / DC1, DC1 / (DC1 + DC2), DC2 / (DC1 + DC2), (DC1 - DC2) / DC2, (DC1 - DC2) / DC1, etc. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that the denominator of the ratio value is not zero and is not limited to the above-mentioned ratio calculation methods. Since the ratio value R corresponds to a known sensed value and the first duty cycle DC1 is also a fixed value known in advance, the controller 210 can calculate the second duty cycle DC2 according to the ratio value R and the first duty cycle DC1. Then, the controller 210 can instruct the signal modulator 230 to emit a modulation signal with the second duty cycle DC2.

[0104] Please refer to Figure 3B shown, which is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. And Figure 3A compared with Figure 3B , the multiple signal transmission periods 310 of

[0105] are not continuous. Other signal transmission periods, signal reception periods or blank periods with unfixed lengths may be arranged between two signal transmission periods 310.

[0105] Please refer to Figure 3C shown, which is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. And Figure 3B compared with Figure 3C , after the stylus 130 of

[0106] receives the beacon signal emitted by the touch panel or screen 120, it correspondingly arranges a signal transmission period 310 to emit an electrical signal.

[0106] Please refer to Figure 4A shown, which is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4AIt includes three timing diagrams. The top timing diagram is an example of the reference signal period 312. The reference signal period 312 includes four square waves, and the first duty cycle DC1 is 50%. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that although Figure 4A what is shown is a square wave, it can also be replaced with a sine wave. In addition, the first duty cycle DC1 can also be other ratios.

[0107] Figure 4A The middle timing diagram shows the maximum second duty cycle DC2 of the modulation signal period 314, and the bottom timing diagram shows the minimum second duty cycle DC2 of the modulation signal period 314. In Figure 4A the embodiment of, the ratio value R corresponding to the measured value can be DC2 / DC1. When the second duty cycle DC2 is the largest, that is, 50%. At this time, the ratio value R of DC2 / DC1 is 1, that is, 100%. When the second duty cycle DC2 is the smallest, that is, 0%. At this time, the ratio value R of DC2 / DC1 is 0, that is, 0%. When calculated to two decimal places, the ratio value R can correspond to the range of 0 to 100. When calculated to three decimal places, the ratio value R can correspond to the range of 0 to 1000.

[0108] In an embodiment, the touch processing device 110 may not need to measure the second duty cycle DC2 of the modulation signal period 314. Instead, by measuring the signal intensities of the reference signal period 312 and the modulation signal period 314, the above-mentioned ratio value R can also be obtained. For example, when the sensing circuit 113 measures the signal intensity of the reference signal period 312, a first signal intensity value can be obtained. The signal intensity value can correspond to the total area on the line. When the sensing circuit 113 measures Figure 4A the maximum signal intensity of the middle modulation signal period 314A, a maximum second signal intensity value can be obtained. Since the ratio value r of the second signal intensity value / the first signal intensity value is equal to 1, it is equivalent to the ratio value R of the aforementioned DC2 / DC1. When the sensing circuit 113 measures Figure 4A the minimum signal intensity of the modulation signal period 314B shown below, the minimum second signal intensity value obtained is 0. Since the ratio value r of the second signal intensity value / the first signal intensity value is equal to 0, it is equivalent to the ratio value R of the aforementioned DC2 / DC1. When calculated to two decimal places, the ratio value r can correspond to the range of 0 to 100. When calculated to three decimal places, the ratio value r can correspond to the range of 0 to 1000. Since the ratio value r of the signal intensity can be equivalent to the ratio value R of the duty cycle, the present application does not limit which ratio value the touch processing device measures.

[0109] Please refer to Figure 4BAs shown, it is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to another embodiment of the present application. And Figure 4A Similar to the embodiment shown, Figure 4B It includes three timing diagrams. The top timing diagram is an example of the reference signal period 312. The middle timing diagram is the signal timing diagram of the maximum second duty cycle of the modulation signal period 314C. The bottom timing diagram is still the signal timing diagram of the minimum second duty cycle of the modulation signal period 314B. Compared with Figure 4A the modulation signal period 314A shown, Figure 4B the square wave of the modulation signal period 314C shown is phase-delayed by 180 degrees. However, the signal intensities of the modulation signal periods 314A and 314C are the same. Even though the phase angle has changed, the touch processing device 130 can still measure the same maximum second signal intensity value during the modulation signal period 314C.

[0110] Please refer to Figure 4C As shown, it is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to another embodiment of the present application. And Figure 4A Similar to the embodiment shown, Figure 4C It includes three timing diagrams. The top timing diagram is an example of the reference signal period 312. The middle timing diagram is the signal timing diagram of the maximum second duty cycle of the modulation signal period 314D. The bottom timing diagram is the signal timing diagram of the minimum second duty cycle of the modulation signal period 314E. The maximum second duty cycle of the modulation signal period 314D reaches 75%, and the minimum second duty cycle of the modulation signal period 314E is also 25%. In other words, the maximum value of the signal intensity ratio value r of the two periods is 75% / 50%, and the minimum value is 25% / 50%. The ratio value r ranges between 1.5 and 0.5. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that the above ratio value r can be transformed into a ratio value R through a linear conversion function, so that its upper and lower limits correspond to between 0% and 100%. For example, R = r - 0.5.

[0111] Please refer to Figure 4D As shown, it is a timing diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to another embodiment of the present application. And Figure 4A Similar to the embodiment shown, Figure 4DThere are three timing diagrams. The top timing diagram is an example of the reference signal period 312D. The middle timing diagram is the signal timing diagram of the maximum second duty cycle of the modulation signal period 314F. The bottom timing diagram is the signal timing diagram of the minimum second duty cycle of the modulation signal period 314B. In the reference signal period 312, there are four square waves, and the first duty cycle of each square wave is 50%. In the reference signal period 312D, there is only a single square wave, and its first duty cycle is 50%. Whether it is four square waves or a single square wave, since their duty cycles are the same, the signal intensities of the reference signal periods 312 and 312D should be the same. Similarly, the second duty cycle of the single square wave in the modulation signal period 314F is the same as the second duty cycle of the four square waves in the modulation signal periods 314A and 314B. Therefore, the signal intensities of the modulation signal periods 314A, 314B, and 314F should be the same. When calculating the signal intensity ratio value r of the two periods, Figure 4D The illustrated embodiment and ​ and ​ are the same.

[0112] From ​ the embodiment, it can be known that in addition to the ratio value R of the duty cycle, the signal modulator 230 of the stylus 130 can control the number of waves in the reference signal period 312 or the modulation signal period 314 to transmit more information. Please refer to ​ shown, which is a timing schematic diagram of the electrical signal transmission according to another embodiment of the present application. ​ The signal transmission period 510 of the illustrated embodiment only includes two periods, while ​ the signal transmission period 510 of

[0113] In one embodiment, the duty cycles of the first modulation signal period 520 and the second modulation signal period 530 can be modulated, and the wave numbers of the first modulation signal period 520 and the second modulation signal period 530 can be modulated to transmit the sensed value. In this way, the resolution of modulating the duty cycle can be reduced. When transmitting a three-digit sensed value, the aforementioned duty cycle can be modulated to transmit two of the digits, and then the sensed value can be transmitted by modulating the wave number. For example, if the value 243 is to be transmitted, the first two values 24 and the last value 3 can be transmitted separately. First, by adjusting the duty cycle, the ratio value r1 of the signal intensity of the first modulation signal period 520 to the signal intensity of the first reference signal period 312 represents the integer value 24. Then, by adjusting the duty cycle, the ratio value r2 of the signal intensity of the second modulation signal period 530 to the signal intensity of the second reference signal period 312, where r2 will be r1 + 1. In this example, r2 will be 25. Then, the wave number w2 emitted by the second modulation signal period 530 is set to 3 to represent the last value. Then, the wave number w1 emitted by the first modulation signal period 520 is set to 10 - 3, which is 7.

[0114] When the touch processing device 130 receives the electrical signal in the signal transmission period 510, the aforementioned ratio values r1 and r2, which are 24 and 25 respectively, can be detected. The wave number w1 can also be detected as 7, and the wave number w2 as 3. Then, by substituting the wave number w1 emitted by the first modulation signal period 520, the wave number w2 emitted by the second modulation signal period 530, and the ratio values r1 and r2 into the following Equation 1, the value r of 24.3 can be obtained. The decimal part of r is the third value 3, and the integer part is the first two values 24.

[0115]

[0116] If more digits of the sensed value are to be transmitted, the same method can be used. In another embodiment, assuming the value 2433 is to be transmitted, the ratio values r1 and r2 can be set to 24 and 25 respectively. And the wave number w1 is 2, and the wave number w2 is 1. After substituting into Equation 1, the value r of 24.33 can be obtained, where the decimal part of r is the third and fourth values 33, and the integer part is the first two values 24.

[0117] The stylus can use methods such as looking up a table or other means to determine the aforementioned wave numbers w1 and w2. For example, when transmitting a one-digit value, the sum of w1 and w2 can be 10. The wave numbers w1 and w2 can be relatively prime numbers, that is, the greatest common divisor of the two is 1. If w1 and w2 are not relatively prime, they can be divided by the greatest common divisor respectively to obtain new relatively prime w1 and w2. In another example, when transmitting a two-digit value, the sum of w1 and w2 can be 100. And so on.

[0118] Please refer to ​ as shown, which is a timing diagram of the transmission of an electrical signal according to another embodiment of the present application. And ​ compared with the embodiment shown ​ a blank period or other electrical signals may be included between the two signal transmission periods 510 shown. The present application is not limited to the signal transmission period 510 being continuous.

[0119] Please refer to ​ as shown, which is a timing diagram of the transmission of an electrical signal according to another embodiment of the present application. And ​ compared with the embodiment shown ​ the signal transmission period 510 shown is after detecting the beacon signal emitted by the touch panel or the screen 120, so as to save the power of the stylus 130 from emitting invalid electrical signals when it is away from the touch panel or the screen 120.

[0120] Please refer to ​ as shown, which is a timing diagram of the transmission of an electrical signal according to an embodiment of the present application. And ​ compared with the embodiment shown ​ only one reference signal period 312 is included in the signal transmission period 610 shown. Therefore, the aforementioned ratio value r1 is the ratio of the signal intensity of the first modulation signal period 520 to the signal intensity of the reference signal period 312, and the ratio value r2 is the ratio of the signal intensity of the second modulation signal period 530 to the signal intensity of the reference signal period 312.

[0121] Please refer to ​ as shown, which is a timing diagram of the transmission of an electrical signal according to another embodiment of the present application. And ​ compared with the embodiment shown ​ a blank period or other electrical signals may be included between the two signal transmission periods 610 shown. The present application is not limited to the signal transmission period 610 being continuous.

[0122] Please refer to ​ as shown, which is a timing diagram of the transmission of an electrical signal according to another embodiment of the present application. And ​ compared with the embodiment shown ​ the signal transmission period 610 shown is after detecting the beacon signal emitted by the touch panel or the screen 120, so as to save the power of the stylus 130 from emitting invalid electrical signals when it is away from the touch panel or the screen 120.

[0123] Please refer to ​ as shown, which is a timing diagram of the transmission of an electrical signal according to an embodiment of the present application. ​ ​Three time periods are shown. The upper one is the reference signal time period 312D, the middle one is the first modulation signal time period 520, and the lower one is the second modulation signal time period 530. In ​ In the embodiment of, the stylus 130 emits seven waves during the first modulation signal time period 520. The ratio value R1 of the duty cycle of each wave to the duty cycle of the reference signal time period 312D is 24%. The stylus 130 emits three waves during the second modulation signal time period 530. The ratio value R2 of the duty cycle of each wave to the duty cycle of the reference signal time period 312D is 25%. Therefore, r1 is set to 24, r2 is set to 25, the number of waves w1 is set to 7, and the number of waves w2 is set to 3. According to the above equation 1, r is calculated to be 24.3. The touch processing device 110 can know that the three-digit value to be transmitted by the stylus 130 is 243.

[0124] Please refer to ​ shown, which is a flowchart of a method 800 for transmitting a signal value according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 800 can be applied to ​ and ​ the stylus 130 shown. In one embodiment, the method 800 starts with an optional step 810. In another embodiment, the method 800 starts with step 820.

[0125] Optional step 810: Detect the beacon signal. For example, through the electrode of the tip 240 of the stylus 130, the beacon signal detector 250 can detect the beacon signal from the touch panel or the screen 120. Then, the process proceeds to step 820. However, the present application does not limit the execution order of steps 810 and 820. Steps 810 and 820 can be executed in any order or simultaneously. In one embodiment, the method 800 must first detect the beacon signal in step 810, and the process will continue to execute steps 830 and 840.

[0126] Step 820: Receive the signal value. The signal value is generated by the sensor measuring the physical phenomenon, and the signal value falls within a numerical range that includes more than three values. For example, in ​ the embodiment of, after the pressure sensor 220 measures the pressure received by the tip 240, it transmits the sensed pressure signal value to the controller 210. The numerical range of the sensed signal value can be 1 to 1024, 1 to 256, or 1 to 16, etc. Then, the process proceeds to step 830. However, the present application does not limit the execution order of steps 830 and 840.

[0127] Step 830: In the reference signal time period, emit an electrical signal with a first duty cycle. The electrical signal carries the message representing the signal value.

[0128] Step 840: During the first modulation signal period, emit an electrical signal having a second duty cycle.

[0129] This second duty cycle corresponds to the signal value with a first ratio value of this second duty cycle to the first duty cycle. The first duty cycle is a fixed value known in advance, and the electrical signal of the second duty cycle is modulated according to the signal value. In one embodiment, the length of the reference signal period is the same as that of the modulation signal period, and the maximum amplitude of the electrical signal in the reference signal period and the modulation signal period is the same. However, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that the lengths of the reference signal period and the modulation signal period can be different, and the maximum amplitudes of the electrical signal in the reference signal period and the modulation signal period can also be different. After steps 830 and 840 are executed, the process can return to step 810 or 820.

[0130] Please refer to ​ as shown, which is a schematic flowchart of a method 900 for transmitting a signal value according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 900 can be applied to ​ and ​ the stylus 130 shown. In one embodiment, the method 900 starts with the optional step 810. In one embodiment, the method 800 must first detect the beacon signal in step 810 before the process continues to execute steps 830, 940, and 950. In another embodiment, the method 900 starts with step 820. After steps 810 and 820 are executed, the process can execute step 830. However, the present application does not limit the execution order of steps 830, 940, and 950.

[0131] Step 940: During the first modulation signal period, emit an electrical signal having a second duty cycle and a first wave number.

[0132] Step 950: During the second modulation signal period, emit an electrical signal having a third duty cycle and a second wave number.

[0133] The signal value corresponds to a function of the first ratio value, the second ratio value, the first wave number, and the second wave number, and the second ratio value is the ratio value of the third duty cycle to the first duty cycle. In one embodiment, the greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the value calculated by Equation 1.

[0134] Please refer to ​ which is a schematic flowchart of a touch processing method 1000 for receiving a signal value according to an embodiment of the present application. The touch processing method 1000 is applicable to ​The touch processing device 110 shown. The processor module 114 can execute instructions stored in the non-volatile memory to implement the touch processing method 1000. The touch processing method 1000 starts executing from the optional step 1010, or can also start from step 1020.

[0135] Step 1010: Emit a beacon signal. The beacon signal can be emitted through multiple touch electrodes of the touch panel or the screen 120, or can also be emitted through other antennas or electrodes. Then, the process can proceed to step 1020 or 1030. The present application does not limit the execution order of steps 1020 and 1030.

[0136] Step 1020: During the reference signal period, sense the first eigenvalue of the electrical signal emitted by the transmitter through multiple touch electrodes of the touch panel or the screen 120. The first eigenvalue can be the duty cycle, or can also be the sum of the signal intensities.

[0137] Step 1030: During the first modulation signal period, sense the second eigenvalue of the electrical signal through the multiple touch electrodes. When the first eigenvalue is the duty cycle, the second eigenvalue is also the duty cycle. When the first eigenvalue is the sum of the signal intensities, the second eigenvalue is also the sum of the signal intensities.

[0138] Step 1040: Calculate the signal value carried by the electrical signal according to the ratio value of the second eigenvalue to the first eigenvalue. Then, the method 1000 can return to the optional step 1010, or step 1020 or 1030.

[0139] Please refer to ​ , which is a flowchart of a touch processing method 1100 for receiving a signal value according to an embodiment of the present application. The touch processing method 1100 is applicable to ​ the touch processing device 110 shown. The processor module 114 can execute instructions stored in the non-volatile memory to implement the touch processing method 1100. The touch processing method 1000 starts executing from the optional step 1010, or can also start from step 1020. The present application does not limit the sequence of steps 1020, 1130 and 1140.

[0140] Step 1130: During the first modulation signal period, sense the second eigenvalue and the first wave number of the electrical signal through the multiple touch electrodes. When the first eigenvalue is the duty cycle, the second eigenvalue is also the duty cycle. When the first eigenvalue is the sum of the signal intensities, the second eigenvalue is also the sum of the signal intensities.

[0141] Step 1140: During the second modulation signal period, sense a third eigenvalue and a second wave number of the electrical signal through the plurality of touch electrodes. When the first eigenvalue is the duty cycle, the third eigenvalue is also the duty cycle. When the first eigenvalue is the sum of signal intensities, the third eigenvalue is also the sum of signal intensities.

[0142] Step 1150: Calculate the signal value according to a first ratio value of the second eigenvalue to the first eigenvalue, a second ratio value of the third eigenvalue to the first eigenvalue, and a function of the first wave number and the second wave number. In an embodiment, the greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the value of Equation 1.

[0143] According to an aspect of the present application, a transmitter for transmitting a signal value is provided. The transmitter includes: a signal modulator for emitting an electrical signal through an electrode, wherein the electrical signal carries information representing the signal value; and a controller connected to the signal modulator for causing the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a first duty cycle during a reference signal period, and for causing the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during a modulation signal period, wherein a first ratio value of the second duty cycle to the first duty cycle corresponds to the signal value, wherein the reference signal period and the modulation signal period have the same length, and wherein the maximum amplitude of the electrical signal is the same during the reference signal period and the modulation signal period.

[0144] Furthermore, in order to simplify the design of the transmitter and the touch processing device, the first duty cycle is a fixed value that is known in advance, and the controller modulates the electrical signal with the second duty cycle according to the signal value.

[0145] Furthermore, in order to transmit the signal value sensed by a sensor of the transmitter, the transmitter further includes: a sensor for measuring a physical phenomenon to generate the signal value, wherein the signal value falls within a numerical range that includes more than three numerical values.

[0146] Furthermore, in order to transmit the pressure value received by the tip of a stylus during use, the transmitter is the stylus, the electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, the sensor is used to measure the pressure received by the tip electrode, and the signal value is the pressure value generated by the sensor.

[0147] Furthermore, to avoid the stylus from emitting electrical signals when it is far away from the touch panel or screen, thus consuming power unnecessarily, the transmitter further includes: a beacon signal sensor connected to the controller, for notifying the controller after detecting the beacon signal, wherein after receiving the notification from the beacon signal sensor, the controller causes the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a first duty cycle during the reference signal period, and causes the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during the modulation signal period.

[0148] Furthermore, to synchronize the stylus with each period of the touch processing device using the beacon signal, the transmitter is the stylus, the electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, and the beacon signal sensor detects the beacon signal emitted by the touch panel through the tip electrode.

[0149] Furthermore, to use a second modulation method to transmit more signal value messages within the same time, the controller is further configured to cause the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a third duty cycle during another modulation signal period, the electrical signal emitted during the modulation signal period has a first wave number, the electrical signal emitted during the another modulation signal period has a second wave number, wherein the signal value corresponds to a function of the first proportional value, the second proportional value, the first wave number, and the second wave number, and the second proportional value is the ratio of the third duty cycle to the first duty cycle.

[0150] Furthermore, to reduce the number of emitted waves to save power, the greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the numerical value of Equation 1.

[0151] According to one aspect of the present application, a method for transmitting a signal value is provided. The method includes: during a reference signal period, emitting an electrical signal with a first duty cycle through an electrode, wherein the electrical signal carries information representing the signal value; and emitting the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during a modulation signal period, wherein the second duty cycle corresponds to a first proportional value of the first duty cycle and corresponds to the signal value, wherein the lengths of the reference signal period and the modulation signal period are the same, and the maximum amplitude of the electrical signal during the reference signal period and the modulation signal period is the same.

[0152] Furthermore, to simplify the design of the transmitter and the touch processing device, the first duty cycle is a fixed value that is known in advance, and the electrical signal with the second duty cycle is modulated according to the signal value.

[0153] Furthermore, to transmit the signal value sensed by the sensor of the transmitter, the signal value is generated by the sensor measuring a physical phenomenon, wherein the signal value falls within a numerical range, and the numerical range includes more than three numerical values.

[0154] Furthermore, in order to transmit the pressure value received by the tip of the stylus during use, the electrode is the tip electrode of a stylus, the sensor is used to measure the pressure received by the tip electrode, and the signal value is the pressure value generated by the sensor.

[0155] Furthermore, in order to avoid the stylus from emitting electrical signals and consuming power unnecessarily when it is away from the touch panel or screen, the method further includes: detecting a beacon signal; and after detecting the beacon signal, emitting an electrical signal with a first duty cycle during the reference signal period and emitting the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during the modulation signal period.

[0156] Furthermore, in order to synchronize the stylus with each period of the touch processing device using the beacon signal, the electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, and the step of detecting the beacon signal is to detect the beacon signal emitted by the touch panel through the tip electrode.

[0157] Furthermore, in order to use a second modulation method to transmit more signal value messages within the same time, the method further includes: emitting the electrical signal with a third duty cycle during another modulation signal period, the electrical signal emitted during the modulation signal period has a first wave number, and the electrical signal emitted during the another modulation signal period has a second wave number, wherein the signal value corresponds to a function of the first proportional value, the second proportional value, the first wave number, and the second wave number, and the second proportional value is the ratio of the third duty cycle to the first duty cycle.

[0158] Furthermore, in order to reduce the number of emitted waves to save power, the greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the value of Equation 1.

[0159] According to an aspect of the present application, a touch processing device for receiving signal values is provided. The touch processing device includes: a sensing circuit module for connecting multiple touch electrodes of a touch panel to detect an electrical signal emitted by a transmitter, wherein the electrical signal carries information representing a signal value; and a processor module connected to the sensing circuit module for executing instructions in a non-volatile memory to implement the following steps: causing the sensing circuit module to sense a first characteristic value of the electrical signal during a reference signal period; causing the sensing circuit module to sense a second characteristic value and a first wave number of the electrical signal during a first modulation signal period; causing the sensing circuit module to sense a third characteristic value and a second wave number of the electrical signal during a second modulation signal period; calculating a first proportional value of the second characteristic value to the first characteristic value, and calculating a second proportional value of the third characteristic value to the first characteristic value; and calculating the signal value according to a function of the first proportional value, the second proportional value, the first wave number, and the second wave number.

[0160] Further, in order to reduce the number of waves emitted to save power, the greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the value of Equation 1.

[0161] Further, for the convenience of processing by the touch processing device, the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue are respectively the signal intensities of the electrical signal in the reference signal period, the first modulation signal period, and the second modulation signal period.

[0162] Further, in order to restore the original modulation characteristics of the electrical signal emitted by the stylus, the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue are respectively the duty cycles of the electrical signal in the reference signal period, the first modulation signal period, and the second modulation signal period.

[0163] Further, in order to prevent the stylus from emitting electrical signals to consume power unnecessarily when it is far from the touch panel or screen, the touch processing device further includes: a driving circuit module connected to the plurality of touch electrodes and the processor module, wherein the processor module is further configured to execute instructions in the non-volatile memory to implement the following steps: before sensing the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue, causing the driving circuit module to emit a beacon signal through the plurality of touch electrodes.

[0164] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a touch system for receiving signal values. The touch system includes: a touch panel including a plurality of touch electrodes; and the aforementioned touch processing device.

[0165] Further, in order to maintain the integrity and compatibility of the touch system, the touch system further includes the transmitter that emits the electrical signal.

[0166] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a touch processing method for receiving signal values. The touch processing method includes: in a reference signal period, sensing a first eigenvalue of an electrical signal emitted by a transmitter through a plurality of touch electrodes of a touch panel; in a first modulation signal period, sensing a second eigenvalue and a first wave number of the electrical signal; in a second modulation signal period, sensing a third eigenvalue and a second wave number of the electrical signal; calculating a first ratio value of the second eigenvalue to the first eigenvalue, and calculating a second ratio value of the third eigenvalue to the first eigenvalue; and calculating the signal value according to a function of the first ratio value, the second ratio value, the first wave number, and the second wave number.

[0167] Further, in order to reduce the number of waves emitted to save power, the greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the value of Equation 1.

[0168] Further, for the convenience of the processing of the touch processing device, the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue are respectively the signal intensities of the electrical signal in the reference signal period, the first modulation signal period, and the second modulation signal period.

[0169] Further, for restoring the original modulation characteristics of the electrical signal emitted by the stylus, the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue are respectively the duty cycles of the electrical signal in the reference signal period, the first modulation signal period, and the second modulation signal period.

[0170] Further, to avoid the unnecessary power consumption of the electrical signal emitted by the stylus when it is far from the touch panel or the screen, the touch processing method further includes: before sensing the first eigenvalue, the second eigenvalue, and the third eigenvalue, making a beacon signal be emitted through the plurality of touch electrodes.

[0171] According to the touch processing method, device, and touch system provided by the present application, the sensed signal values on the stylus can be transmitted to the touch processing device through the electrical signals in more than two periods. Since the electrical signal in the reference signal period is used as a reference, the ratio values of the signal intensity or the duty cycle obtained will not vary due to the touch electrode density at the position where the stylus is located. In addition, modulation can be performed in two ways simultaneously in the electrical signal so as to transmit more information within the same time.

[0172] The embodiments of the specification of the present application do not limit the scope of the patent application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make various changes or improvements to the embodiments. It is also possible to apply the technical features described in one embodiment to other embodiments on the premise that there is no technical contradiction. For elements or steps with the same name but corresponding to different reference signs between embodiments, they may also have the same technical features. As long as there is no causal relationship between the operating mechanisms of the various elements or the steps of the process flow in the patent application scope, the specification, or the drawings, they can be implemented in any time sequence. The various parts shown in the drawings may not be drawn according to their relative sizes. To highlight some parts, the scale of this part may be different from that of other parts. And the irrelevant detailed parts may not be fully drawn in order to keep the drawings clean.

Claims

1. A transmitter for transmitting signal values, characterized in that, Comprising: A signal modulator for emitting an electrical signal through an electrode, wherein the electrical signal carries information representing a signal value; And A controller connected to the signal modulator for causing the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a first duty cycle during a reference signal period, and for causing the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during a modulation signal period, wherein a first ratio value of the second duty cycle to the first duty cycle corresponds to the signal value, wherein the reference signal period and the modulation signal period have the same length, wherein the electrical signal has the same maximum amplitude during the reference signal period and the modulation signal period, wherein the reference signal period and the modulation signal period constitute a signal transmission period, and each signal transmission period includes a reference signal period and a modulation signal period.

2. The transmitter for transmitting signal values according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first duty cycle is a fixed value known in advance, and the controller modulates the electrical signal with the second duty cycle according to the signal value.

3. The transmitter for transmitting a signal value according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising: A sensor for measuring a physical phenomenon to generate the signal value, wherein the signal value falls within a numerical range.

4. The transmitter for transmitting a signal value according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmitter is a stylus, the electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, the sensor is used to measure the pressure received by the tip electrode, and the signal value is the pressure value generated by the sensor.

5. The transmitter for transmitting a signal value according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising: A beacon signal sensor connected to the controller for notifying the controller after detecting a beacon signal, wherein after receiving the notification from the beacon signal sensor, the controller causes the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a first duty cycle during the reference signal period, and causes the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during the modulation signal period.

6. The transmitter for transmitting a signal value according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transmitter is a stylus, the electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, and the beacon signal sensor detects the beacon signal emitted by the touch panel through the tip electrode.

7. The transmitter for transmitting a signal value according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is further configured to cause the signal modulator to emit the electrical signal with a third duty cycle during another modulation signal period, the electrical signal emitted during the modulation signal period has a first wave number, and the electrical signal emitted during the another modulation signal period has a second wave number, wherein the signal value corresponds to a function of the first ratio value, the second ratio value, the first wave number and the second wave number, and the second ratio value is the ratio value of the third duty cycle to the first duty cycle.

8. The transmitter for transmitting a signal value according to claim 7, characterized in that, The greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the following values:

9. A method for transmitting signal values, characterized in that, Comprising: During a reference signal period, emitting an electrical signal with a first duty cycle through an electrode, wherein the electrical signal carries information representing a signal value; and Emitting the electrical signal with a second duty cycle during a modulation signal period, wherein a first ratio value of the second duty cycle to the first duty cycle corresponds to the signal value, wherein the reference signal period and the modulation signal period have the same length, wherein the electrical signal has the same maximum amplitude during the reference signal period and the modulation signal period, wherein the reference signal period and the modulation signal period constitute a signal transmission period, and each signal transmission period includes a reference signal period and a modulation signal period.

10. The method for transmitting a signal value according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first working ratio is a fixed value known in advance, and the electrical signal of the second working ratio is modulated according to the signal value.

11. The method for transmitting signal values according to claim 9, characterized in that, The signal value is generated by a sensor measuring a physical phenomenon, where the signal value falls within a numerical range.

12. The method for transmitting a signal value according to claim 11, wherein The electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, the sensor is used to measure the pressure received by the tip electrode, and the signal value is the pressure value generated by the sensor.

13. The method for transmitting a signal value according to claim 9, wherein, Further comprising: Detecting a beacon signal; and After detecting the beacon signal, an electrical signal with a first working ratio is emitted in the reference signal period, and the electrical signal with a second working ratio is emitted in the modulation signal period.

14. The method for transmitting a signal value according to claim 13, characterized in that, The electrode is the tip electrode of the stylus, and the detecting step of the beacon signal is to detect the beacon signal emitted by the touch panel through the tip electrode.

15. The method for transmitting a signal value according to claim 9, characterized in that, Further comprising: An electrical signal with a third working ratio is emitted in another modulation signal period. The electrical signal emitted in the modulation signal period has a first wave number, and the electrical signal emitted in the another modulation signal period has a second wave number. The signal value corresponds to a function of the first ratio value, the second ratio value, the first wave number, and the second wave number. The second ratio value is the ratio of the third working ratio to the first working ratio.

16. The method for transmitting signal values according to claim 15, wherein, The greatest common divisor of the first wave number and the second wave number is 1, and the function is related to the following values:

Images