Touch device and communication method thereof

Abstract

The application provides a touch device and a communication method thereof. The touch device includes a display panel and a controller. The controller controls the display panel to perform a display driving operation and a touch sensing operation. The controller can transmit a first wireless signal to another master communication device through the display panel during the touch sensing operation. The controller can receive a second wireless signal from the other master communication device through the display panel during the touch sensing operation. When the touch device serves as one of the master communication devices, a time length of the touch sensing operation is a first time length. When the touch device serves as the other of the master communication devices, the time length of the touch sensing operation is a second time length which is greater than the first time length.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to a touch device and its communication method. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless communication can occur between different electronic devices. Generally, these devices require wireless communication components / circuits such as radio frequency (RF) circuits and antennas. For some simple communication applications, RF circuits, antennas, and other wireless communication components are expensive and bulky. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a touch device and its communication method for communicating using a display panel.

[0004] In an embodiment of the present invention, the touch device includes a first display panel and a controller. The controller is coupled to the first display panel. The controller controls the first display panel to perform display driving operations during a display frame and to perform touch sensing operations during a first touch sensing period overlaid on the display frame. When the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as a primary communication device, the controller transmits a first wireless signal through the first display panel to a second display panel of another secondary communication device during the first touch sensing period. When the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as a secondary communication device, the controller receives a second wireless signal emitted by a third display panel of another primary communication device through the first display panel during the first touch sensing period. When the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as either a primary or secondary communication device, the duration of the first touch sensing period is a first duration. When the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as either a primary or secondary communication device, the duration of the first touch sensing period is a second duration greater than the first duration.

[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described communication method includes: a controller of the touch device controlling a first display panel of the touch device to perform display driving operations during a display frame and touch sensing operations during a first touch sensing period overlaid on the display frame; when the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as a primary communication device, the controller transmits a first wireless signal through the first display panel to a second display panel of another secondary communication device during the first touch sensing period; and when the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as a secondary communication device, the controller receives a second wireless signal emitted by a third display panel of another primary communication device through the first display panel during the first touch sensing period. Wherein, when the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as either a primary or secondary communication device, the duration of the first touch sensing period is a first duration; and when the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as either a primary or secondary communication device, the duration of the first touch sensing period is a second duration greater than the first duration.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the touch device includes a first display panel and a controller. The controller is coupled to the first display panel. The controller controls the first display panel to perform display driving operations during a first display frame and to perform touch sensing operations during a first touch sensing period overlaid on the first display frame. When the touch device operates during the synchronization period of the communication mode, the controller receives a synchronization phase signal emitted by a second display panel of another touch device through the first display panel during the first touch sensing period. The synchronization phase signal represents a first time interval between the current time point of the synchronization phase signal in the second display frame period of the other touch device and the end time point of the second display frame period. The time interval between the current time point of the first touch sensing period and the original end time point of the first display frame period is a second time interval. The controller calculates a delay time interval based on the first and second time intervals. The controller delays the end time point of the first display frame period based on the delay time interval to synchronize the display frame timing of the touch device with the display frame timing of the other touch devices.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described communication method includes: a controller of a touch device controlling a first display panel of a touch device to perform a display driving operation during a first display frame; the controller controlling the first display panel to perform a touch sensing operation during a first touch sensing period overlaid on the display frame; when the touch device operates during a synchronization period of a communication mode, the controller receiving a synchronization phase signal emitted by a second display panel of another touch device through the first display panel during the first touch sensing period, wherein the synchronization phase signal is used to represent a first time length between the current time point of the synchronization phase signal in the second display frame period of the other touch device and the end time point of the second display frame period, and a second time length between the current time point of the first touch sensing period and the original end time point of the first display frame period; the controller calculating a delay time length based on the first time length and the second time length; and the controller delaying the end time point of the first display frame period based on the delay time length, so that the display frame timing of the touch device is synchronized with the display frame timing of the other touch device.

[0008] Based on the above, the touch transmitting electrode of the display panel of the touch device described in the embodiments of the present invention can emit a frequency signal during the first touch sensing period to perform a touch sensing operation. The frequency signal emitted by the touch transmitting electrode can serve as a wireless signal for communication. The touch receiving electrode of the display panel can sense the frequency signal to perform a touch sensing operation. Accordingly, the touch receiving electrode can serve as a receiving antenna for communication. Therefore, the touch device can utilize the display panel for communication. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario in which two display panels of different touch devices communicate with each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a timing diagram illustrating the communication between two display panels of different touch devices.

[0011] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the operation timing of two display panels on different touch devices.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method of a touch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels of different touch devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels of different touch devices according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels of different touch devices according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels of different touch devices according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels of different touch devices according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels of different touch devices according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 11 This is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The diagram shows a circuit block diagram of the controller for the display panel.

[0020] Figure 12 This is a timing diagram illustrating the communication between two display panels of different touch devices.

[0021] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method of a touch device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels of different touch devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels of different touch devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels of different touch devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication timing of two display panels of different touch devices after the communication initialization operation is completed, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication timing of two display panels of different touch devices after the communication initialization operation is completed, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0028] 10, 20: Touchscreen device

[0029] 11, 21: Display panel

[0030] 12, 22: Controller

[0031] 1110: TSVD / TSHD Generator

[0032] 1120: TX / RX generator

[0033] CTP141: Current time point

[0034] DP: Display driver period

[0035] ETP141: Original End Time

[0036] ETP142: New End Time Point

[0037] F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10: Frequency signals

[0038] F31, F32, F51, F62, F71, F81, F91, F101-1, F101-2, F101-3, F101-4, F101-5, F101-6, F101-7, F101-8, F101-9, F101-10, F102-1, F102-2, F102-3, F102-4, F102-5, F102-6, F102-7, F102-8, F102-9, F102-10, F141, F142, F171, F181: Display frame period

[0039] RX: Touch receiver electrode

[0040] S410~S470, S1310~S1375: Steps

[0041] T1: First time is long

[0042] T2: Second longest time

[0043] T3: Third time is long

[0044] TP, TP7, TP81, TP82, TP83, TP9, TP18: Touch sensing period

[0045] TSHD, TSVD: Control signals

[0046] TX: Touch transmission electrode

[0047] Vporch7, Vporch8, Vporch9, Vporch18: Vertical Corridor

[0048] Vsync: Vertical synchronization signal

[0049] WLS: Wireless signal

[0050] ΔT: Long delay time Detailed Implementation

[0051] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element symbols are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0052] The term "coupled (or connected)" as used throughout this specification (including the claims) may refer to any direct or indirect means of connection. For example, if the text describes a first device coupled (or connected) to a second device, it should be interpreted as the first device being directly connected to the second device, or the first device being indirectly connected to the second device through other devices or some means of connection. The terms "first," "second," etc., used throughout this specification (including the claims) are used to name components or distinguish different embodiments or scopes, and are not intended to limit the upper or lower limit of the number of components, nor to limit the order of components. Furthermore, wherever possible, components / components / steps using the same reference numerals in the drawings and embodiments represent the same or similar parts. Components / components / steps using the same reference numerals or the same terms in different embodiments may be referred to mutually in the relevant descriptions.

[0053] Touch sensing functionality can be embedded in the display panel. Within the display panel, touch transmitting electrodes can send touch drive signals to touch receiving electrodes during touch sensing to perform the touch sensing operation. Utilizing the display panel of the touch device for communication would increase ease of use.

[0054] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario in which two display panels of different touch devices communicate with each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1The illustrated scenario includes touch device 10 and touch device 20. Touch device 10 includes a touch-enabled display panel 11 and a controller 12, while touch device 20 includes a touch-enabled display panel 21 and a controller 22. Controller 12 is coupled to display panel 11. Controller 12 can control display panel 11 to perform display driving operations during display frames and touch sensing operations during touch sensing overlays during display frames. Touch device 20, display panel 21, and controller 22 can be deduced by analogy with the related descriptions of touch device 10, display panel 11, and controller 12, and will not be described again. Touch device 10, display panel 11, and controller 12 can also be deduced by analogy with the related descriptions of touch device 20, display panel 21, and controller 22.

[0055] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated application scenario, touch device 10 can act as a master communication device, while touch device 20 can act as a slave communication device. When touch devices 10 and 20 are close to each other, they can operate in communication mode. When touch device 10 operates in communication mode and acts as the master communication device, its controller 12 can transmit a wireless signal WLS (touch drive signal) to the touch receiving electrode of the display panel 21 of touch device 20 (the slave communication device) via the touch transmitting electrode during touch sensing to perform communication operations. When touch device 20 operates in communication mode and acts as the slave communication device, its controller 22 can receive the wireless signal WLS emitted by the display panel 11 of touch device 10 (the master communication device) via the touch receiving electrode of the display panel 21 during touch sensing. Depending on the actual operating scenario, touch device 20 can also act as the master communication device, and touch device 10 can also act as the slave communication device.

[0056] Figure 2 This is a timing diagram illustrating the communication between the two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20. Figure 2 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 2 The upper part illustrates a driving period (transmission period) of the touch transmission electrode of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10. Figure 2The lower part illustrates a driving period (receiving period) of the touch receiving electrode of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20. The touch device 10 can act as the master device for communication operations, while the touch device 20 can act as the slave device for communication operations. Ideally, the timing of the receiving period of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can match the transmitting period of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10, so that the touch receiving electrode of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can sense the wireless signal WLS (frequency signal, such as a 100KHz signal) emitted by the touch transmitting electrode of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10.

[0057] Generally speaking, for display panels with embedded touch sensing functions, display driving operations and touch sensing operations are performed in a time-sharing multitasking manner to avoid mutual interference. Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the operation timing of two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20. These two touch devices 10 and 20 (which may be mobile phones, tablet computers, or other devices using touch display panels) can be referred to as the primary communication device and the secondary communication device. Figure 3 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 3 The upper part illustrates that the display panel of the main communication device (e.g., the display panel 11 of the touch device 10) performs display driving operation and touch sensing operation in a time-division multiplexing manner. The control signal TSHD of the display panel 11 can define the timing of the display driving period DP during the main communication device's display driving operation and the touch sensing period TP during the touch sensing operation. The vertical synchronization signal Vsync of the display panel 11 can define multiple display frame periods of the display panel 11 of the main communication device (e.g., ... Figure 3 The touch sensing operations within a single display frame period F31 are divided into multiple (e.g., five) segments, and these operations are distributed across different timing sequences (touch sensing periods TP) within the same display frame period F31, such as... Figure 3 As shown above. Based on the control signal TSHD of the display panel 11, the touch transmitting electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can send a touch driving signal to the touch receiving electrode of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 during touch sensing to perform touch sensing operation. In addition, the touch transmitting electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can also send a wireless signal WLS (touch driving signal) to the touch device 20 during touch sensing.

[0058] Figure 3The lower part illustrates that the display panel of the secondary communication device (e.g., display panel 21 of the touch device 20) performs display driving operation and touch sensing operation in a time-division multiplexing manner. The control signal TSHD of the display panel 21 can define the timing of the display driving period DP during the display driving operation and the touch sensing period TP during the touch sensing operation of the touch device 20. The vertical synchronization signal Vsync of the display panel 21 can define multiple display frame periods of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 (e.g., ... Figure 3 The touch sensing operations within a single display frame period F32 are divided into multiple (e.g., five) segments, and these operations are distributed across different timing sequences (touch sensing periods TP) within that period, as shown. Figure 3 As shown in the lower part. Based on the control signal TSHD of the display panel 21, the touch transmitting electrode of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can send a touch driving signal to the touch receiving electrode RX of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 at the touch sensing TP to perform touch sensing operation. In addition, the touch receiving electrode RX of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can also receive the touch driving signal (wireless signal WLS) from the touch device 10 at the TP during touch sensing.

[0059] However, according to Figure 3 The timing of TP during touch sensing shown may not match the timing of TP (RX operation) during touch sensing of the display panel 21 of touch device 20 (TX operation). That is, the display panel 21 of touch device 20 may have difficulty receiving the wireless signal WLS from the display panel 11 of touch device 10, potentially causing communication failure between the display panels 11 of touch device 10 and touch device 20.

[0060] The following will illustrate, with several embodiments, that the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 (or the display panel 21 of the touch device 20) can dynamically change the duration of touch sensing (TP) according to communication needs, thereby improving the success rate of wireless communication. For example, when the display panel 11 (or the display panel 21) operates in non-communication mode, the duration of TP (touch sensing period) can be a first duration; when the display panel 11 (or the display panel 21) operates in communication mode, the duration of TP (touch sensing period) is extended to a second duration (greater than the first duration). The first duration and the second duration can be determined according to the actual design. This technique of "dynamically changing the duration of touch sensing (TP) according to communication needs" can be applied to a main communication device or a secondary communication device. The following embodiments will illustrate that the technique is applied to a main communication device. According to the following descriptions of the embodiments, the technique can be applied to a secondary communication device.

[0061] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method between touch device 10 and / or touch device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The touch device 10 and / or touch device 20 shown can be referred to Figure 4 Related explanations. For ease of explanation, most of the content in this embodiment will use the touch device 10 as an example to illustrate the communication method, and the communication method of the touch device 20 can be deduced by referring to the relevant explanations of the touch device 10. In step S410, the touch device 10 can determine whether it is operating in communication mode. This embodiment does not limit the mechanism for determining the communication mode. According to actual design, in some embodiments, the user can control the touch device 10 through a human-machine interface so that the touch device 10 can selectively operate in communication mode, non-communication mode, or other operating modes. In other embodiments, the touch device 10 can detect whether the display panel of another device (e.g., the display panel 21 of the touch device 20) is close to the display panel 11, so the touch device 10 can selectively operate in communication mode, non-communication mode, or other operating modes according to the detection result.

[0062] When the touch device 10 is operating in non-communication mode (the determination result of step S410 is "No"), the touch device 10 can proceed to step S420. In step S420, the controller 12 of the touch device 10 can control the display panel 11 to perform display driving operation during the display driving period DP of the display frame F31 and touch sensing operation during the touch sensing period TP overlaid during the display frame F31. When the touch device 10 is operating in non-communication mode, the duration of each TP during the touch sensing period is a first duration. The first duration can be determined according to the actual design.

[0063] When touch devices 10 and 20 are close to each other, touch devices 10 and 20 can operate in communication mode (the judgment result of step S410 is "yes"), and touch devices 10 and 20 can proceed to step S430. In step S430, touch devices 10 and 20 can determine whether to act as the primary communication device. This embodiment does not limit the mechanism for determining the communication role. According to actual design, in some embodiments, the user can control touch devices 10 and 20 through a human-machine interface to selectively act as the primary communication device, the secondary communication device, or other communication roles. In other embodiments, touch devices 10 and 20 can mutually agree to determine whether touch devices 10 and 20 act as the primary communication device, the secondary communication device, or other communication roles.

[0064] When the touch device (e.g., touch device 10) is used as the main communication device (the determination result of step S430 is "yes"), the touch device can perform steps S440 and S450. In step S440, the controller 12 of the touch device 10 can control the display panel 11 to perform display driving operation during the display driving period DP of the display frame F31. In step S450, the controller 12 can control the display panel 11 to perform touch sensing operation during the touch sensing period TP overlaid during the display frame F31, and the controller 12 transmits the wireless signal WLS through the display panel 11 to the display panel of the secondary communication device (e.g., the display panel 21 of the touch device 20) during the touch sensing period.

[0065] When the touch device (e.g., touch device 20) is used as a secondary communication device (the determination result of step S430 is "No"), the touch device can perform steps S460 and S470. In step S460, the controller 22 of the touch device 20 can control the display panel 21 to perform display driving operation during the display driving period DP of the display frame F32. In step S470, the controller 22 can control the display panel 21 to perform touch sensing operation during the touch sensing period TP overlaid during the display frame F32, and the controller 22 receives the wireless signal WLS emitted by the display panel of the primary communication device (e.g., the display panel 11 of the touch device 10) through the display panel 21 during the touch sensing period.

[0066] It should be noted that when the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as either a primary or secondary communication device, the duration of touch sensing (TP) can be the first duration; and when the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as either a primary or secondary communication device, the duration of touch sensing (TP) can be a second duration greater than the first duration. Figure 1For example, when the touch device 10, operating in communication mode, is used as the main communication device, the duration of the touch sensing period TP of the touch device 10 can be extended from a first duration to a second duration. When the touch device 20, operating in communication mode, is used as the secondary communication device, the duration of the touch sensing period TP of the touch device 20 can be maintained at the first duration.

[0067] In summary, in this embodiment, the touch transmitting electrode of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can emit a frequency signal during touch sensing (TP) to perform touch sensing operations. The frequency signal emitted by the touch transmitting electrode can serve as a wireless signal (WLS) for communication. The touch receiving electrode of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can sense the frequency signal to perform touch sensing operations. Accordingly, the touch receiving electrode of the display panel 21 can serve as a receiving antenna for communication to receive the wireless signal (WLS) from the display panel 11. Therefore, the touch devices 10 and 20 can communicate using the display panels 11 and 21. Because the duration of TP during the touch sensing period of the touch device 10 is extended from a first duration to a second duration, the success rate of wireless communication between the touch devices 10 and 20 can be effectively improved.

[0068] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 The horizontal axis represents time. These two touch devices 10 and 20 (which could be mobile phones, tablets, or other touch-enabled devices) can be referred to as the master and slave devices. Here, it is assumed that touch device 10 is the master communication device, and touch device 20 is the slave communication device. When there is no communication transmission required between touch devices 10 and 20, they can perform any display panel driving operation, such as... Figure 3 As shown, display driving and touch sensing operations are performed in a time-sharing multitasking manner. When communication transmission is required between touch devices 10 and 20, touch devices 10 and 20 can perform... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The display panel driver operation is shown.

[0069] like Figure 5 As shown in the lower part, the touch device 20 (servant communication device) can maintain the original timing configuration of display driving operation and touch sensing operation. When the touch device 20 operates in communication mode as a servant communication device, the duration of the touch sensing period TP of the touch device 20 can be maintained for a first duration. The display panel 21 of the touch device 20 performs display driving operation during display driving period DP and touch sensing operation during touch sensing period TP in a time-division multiplexing manner. Figure 5The operation sequence of the display panel 21 (sub-communication device) shown at the bottom can be referred to Figure 3 The operation timing of the display panel 21 (sub-communication device) shown at the bottom will not be described again.

[0070] like Figure 5 As shown in the upper part, the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of the touch device 10 can define multiple display frame periods of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10, such as display frame period F51. The control signal TSVD of the touch device 10 can define the timing of the display driving period DP and the touch sensing period TP of the touch device 10 (the touch sensing period TP follows the display driving period DP). The controller 12 can control the display panel 11 to perform display driving operation during the display driving period DP. According to the control signal TSVD of the touch device 10, the touch transmitting electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can send a touch driving signal to the touch receiving electrode of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 during the touch sensing period TP to perform touch sensing operation. In addition, the touch transmitting electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can also send a touch driving signal (wireless signal WLS) to the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 during the touch sensing period TP.

[0071] exist Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, when communication transmission is required between touch devices 10 and 20, the controller 12 of touch device 10 can dynamically increase the duration of touch sensing (TP) of display panel 11. When touch device 10, operating in communication mode, acts as the main communication device, the duration of touch sensing (TP) of touch device 10 can be extended from a first duration to a second duration. For example, the driving operation of display panel 11 of touch device 10 can be switched from Long-H mode to Long-V mode. In Long-H mode, the driving operation of display panel 11 of touch device 10 includes, in the same display frame, time-division multiplexing, performing display driving operation during display driving (DP) and touch sensing operation during touch sensing (TP) (see details). Figure 3 (Example shown above). In Long-V mode, the driving operation of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 includes that the touch sensing period TP (touch sensing operation) in the same display frame F51 is not segmented (see details). Figure 5 (Example from the upper part).

[0072] Therefore in Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, by increasing the duration of the touch sensing period TP of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10, the probability that the timing of the touch sensing period TP of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 matches the timing of the touch sensing period TP of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can be increased. That is, the success rate of wireless communication between the touch devices 10 and 20 can be effectively improved. Therefore, the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 is more likely to receive the wireless signal WLS of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10, enabling communication between the display panels 11 of the touch device 10 and the display panel 21 of the touch device 20.

[0073] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 The horizontal axis represents time. Here, it is assumed that touch device 10 is the master communication device, and touch device 20 is the slave communication device. When there is no need for communication transmission between touch devices 10 and 20, touch devices 10 and 20 can perform any display panel driving operation, such as... Figure 3 As shown, display driving and touch sensing operations are performed in a time-sharing multitasking manner. When communication transmission is required between touch devices 10 and 20, touch devices 10 and 20 can perform... Figure 4 and Figure 6 The display panel driver operation is shown.

[0074] When communication is required between touch devices 10 and 20, touch device 20 (the secondary communication device) can maintain the original timing configuration of DP during display driving and TP during touch sensing (e.g., ...). Figure 6 (As shown in the lower part), and the touch device 10 (main communication device) will increase the time of TP during touch sensing (e.g. Figure 6 (As shown above). Therefore, the probability that "the timing of TP during the touch sensing period of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 matches the timing of TP during the touch sensing period of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10" can be effectively increased.

[0075] Figure 6 The lower part illustrates that the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 (sub-communication device) performs display driving operation during display driving and touch sensing operation during touch sensing in a time-division multiplexing mode. Figure 6 The operation sequence of the touch device 20 shown below can be referred to Figure 3 The operation timing of the display panel 21 (sub-communication device) shown at the bottom is explained in detail here, so it will not be repeated. Figure 6As shown in the lower part, the touch device 20 can maintain the original timing configuration of the display driving operation and the touch sensing operation. When the touch device 20 operates in communication mode as a secondary communication device, the duration of the touch sensing period TP of the touch device 20 can be maintained at a first duration.

[0076] like Figure 6 As illustrated above, the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of the touch device 10 can define multiple display frame periods, such as display frame period F61, of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10. The display frame period F61 includes multiple display driving periods DP and touch sensing periods TP. The control signal TSHD of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can define the timing of the display driving periods DP and touch sensing periods TP of the touch device 10, such that each touch sensing period TP occurs between two display driving periods DP. The controller 12 can control the display panel 11 to perform display driving operations during the display driving periods DP. Based on the control signal TSHD of the touch device 10, the touch transmitting electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can send a touch driving signal to the touch receiving electrode of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 during the touch sensing periods TP to perform touch sensing operations. In addition, the touch transmission electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can also send a touch drive signal (wireless signal WLS) to the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 during touch sensing.

[0077] exist Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, when communication transmission is required between touch devices 10 and 20, the controller 12 of touch device 10 can dynamically increase the duration of touch sensing (TP) of display panel 11. When touch device 10, operating in communication mode, acts as the main communication device, the duration of touch sensing (TP) of touch device 10 can be extended from a first duration to a second duration. For example, the driving operation of display panel 11 of touch device 10 can remain in Long-H mode, but the duration of touch sensing (TP) of display panel 11 is increased.

[0078] Compared to Figure 3 As can be seen from the above embodiment, in Figure 6 In the embodiment shown above, the touch sensing period TP in a display frame F61 is divided into three, and Figure 6 The duration of TP (second duration) during each touch sensing period shown in the upper part is greater than Figure 3The duration of touch sensing TP during each touch sensing period shown in the upper part is longer (first longer duration). Because the duration of touch sensing TP during the display panel 11 of touch device 10 is longer than that during the touch sensing TP during the display panel 21 of touch device 20, the probability that "the timing of touch sensing TP during the display panel 21 of touch device 20 matches the timing of touch sensing TP during the display panel 11 of touch device 10" can be effectively increased. That is, the display panel 21 of touch device 20 is more likely to receive signals from the display panel 11 of touch device 10, so that communication between the display panels 11 of touch device 10 and the display panel 21 of touch device 20 can be realized.

[0079] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The horizontal axis represents time. Here, it is assumed that touch device 10 is the master communication device, and touch device 20 is the slave communication device. When there is no need for communication transmission between touch devices 10 and 20, touch devices 10 and 20 can perform any display panel driving operation, such as... Figure 3 As shown, display driving and touch sensing operations are performed in a time-sharing multitasking manner. When communication transmission is required between touch devices 10 and 20, touch devices 10 and 20 can perform... Figure 4 and Figure 7 The display panel driver operation is shown.

[0080] When communication is required between touch devices 10 and 20, that is, when touch devices 10 and 20 are operating in communication mode, touch device 20 (the secondary communication device) can maintain the original timing configuration of DP during display driving and TP during touch sensing (e.g., Figure 7 (As shown in the lower part), the touch device 10 (main communication device) extends the duration of the vertical time corridor Vporch7 in the display frame period F71, wherein the extended vertical time corridor Vporch7 overlaps with the touch sensing period TP7 having a second duration. The touch device 20 can perform touch sensing operations during the touch sensing period TP7. Therefore, the probability that "the timing of the touch sensing period TP of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 matches the timing of the touch sensing period TP of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10" can be effectively improved.

[0081] Figure 7 The lower part illustrates that the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 (sub-communication device) performs display driving operation during display driving and touch sensing operation during touch sensing in a time-division multiplexing mode. Figure 7 The operation sequence of the touch device 20 shown below can be referred to Figure 3The operation timing of the display panel 21 (sub-communication device) shown at the bottom is explained in detail here, so it will not be repeated. Figure 7 As shown in the lower part, when the touch device 20 is operated in communication mode as a secondary communication device, the touch sensing period TP of the touch device 20 can be maintained for a first duration.

[0082] like Figure 7 As illustrated above, the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of the touch device 10 can define multiple display frame periods, such as display frame period F71, for the display panel 11 of the touch device 10. The display frame period F71 includes multiple display driving periods DP, multiple touch sensing periods TP, and a vertical time corridor Vporch7. Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, during the display frame period F71, the touch sensing periods TP and TP7 are superimposed; the vertical time corridor Vporch7 superimposed on the touch sensing period TP7; and the touch sensing period TP is outside the extended vertical time corridor Vporch7. Figure 7 Each touch sensing period TP shown has a first duration, while the vertical time corridor Vporch7 is superimposed with a touch sensing period TP7 having a second duration. The control signal TSHD of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can define the timing of the display driving period DP, the touch sensing period TP, and the touch sensing period TP7 of the display panel 11, such as... Figure 7 As shown. The controller 12 can control the display panel 11 to perform display driving operation during display driving. According to the control signal TSHD of the touch device 10, the touch transmission electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can send touch driving signals to the touch receiving electrode of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 during touch sensing via TP and TP7 to perform touch sensing operation.

[0083] Furthermore, the touch transmission electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can also send a touch drive signal (wireless signal WLS) to the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 during the enhanced touch sensing period via TP7. Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, the touch transmission electrode TX of the display panel 11 can transmit a single-frequency signal (wireless signal WLS) to the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 during touch sensing via TP7. Figure 7 It can be seen that even if the display frame period of the touch device 20 is not synchronized with the display frame period of the touch device 10, the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can easily receive the wireless signal WLS emitted by the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 during the enhanced touch sensing period TP7, so that communication between the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 and the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can be realized.

[0084] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 The horizontal axis represents time. When touch devices 10 and 20 operate in communication mode, touch device 20 (the secondary communication device) can maintain the original timing configuration for DP during display driving and TP during touch sensing (e.g., ...). Figure 8 (as shown in the lower part), and the touch device 10 (main communication device) will extend the time of the vertical time corridor Vporch8 in the display frame F81. Figure 8 The illustrated embodiment can be referred to Figure 7 The relevant explanations can be inferred by analogy, so they will not be repeated here.

[0085] Unlike Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment is characterized in that, Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the extended vertical time corridor Vporch8 overlaps the touch sensing period, and this touch sensing period includes multiple sub-periods (e.g., Figure 8 During the touch sensing periods (TP81, TP82, and TP83), the touch transmitting electrode TX of the display panel 11 can transmit different frequency signals (wireless signals WLS) to the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 during the touch sensing periods (TP81, TP82, and TP83), and different frequencies can represent different meanings. For example, the touch transmitting electrode TX of the display panel 11 can transmit a wireless signal WLS with a frequency of F1 during the touch sensing period (TP81), a wireless signal WLS with a frequency of F2 during the touch sensing period (TP82), and a wireless signal WLS with a frequency of F3 during the touch sensing period (TP83). The frequencies F1, F2, and F3 can be determined according to the actual design.

[0086] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 The horizontal axis represents time. It is assumed here that when there is no communication required between touch devices 10 and 20, touch devices 10 and 20 can perform any display panel driving operation, such as... Figure 3 As shown, display driving operations and touch detection operations are performed in a time-sharing multitasking manner. When communication transmission is required between touch devices 10 and 20, touch device 20 (the secondary communication device) can maintain the original timing configuration of DP during display driving and TP during touch detection (e.g., ...). Figure 9 (as shown in the lower part), while the touch device 10 (main communication device) will increase the duration of TP during touch detection (for example, the drive operation of the display panel 11 can switch from Long-H mode to Long-V mode), and extend the duration of the vertical time corridor Vporch9 in the display frame F91.

[0087] exist Figure 9 In the illustrated embodiment, during the display frame period F91, the touch sensing periods TP and TP9 are overlaid; the vertical time corridor Vporch9 is overlaid with the touch sensing period TP9; and the touch sensing period TP is outside the extended vertical time corridor Vporch9. Figure 9 During the touch sensing period, TP9 has a second duration (greater than the first duration), while TP has a third duration (greater than the first duration). The touch transmission electrode TX of the display panel 11 can send the same or different frequency signals (wireless signals WLS) to the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 during the touch detection period. Figure 9 The TP during the touch detection period shown can be referenced. Figure 5 The relevant instructions for TP during the touch detection period shown can be extrapolated, and Figure 9 During the touch detection period shown, TP9 can be referenced. Figure 7 During the touch detection period shown, TP7 (or Figure 8 The relevant explanations for TP81, TP82 and TP83 during the touch detection period shown are analogous and will not be repeated here.

[0088] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 10 Each small square represents a different display frame period F101-1, F101-2, F101-3, F101-4, F101-5, F101-6, F101-7, F101-8, F101-9, and F101-10 of display panel 11, and a different display frame period F102-1, F102-2, F102-3, F102-4, F102-5, F102-6, F102-7, F102-8, F102-9, and F102-10 of display panel 21. Figure 10 During each display frame period F101-1 to F101-10 of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 shown above, the display driving operation and touch detection operation of the display panel 11 can be referred to Figure 5 For related explanations of the display driving period (DP) and touch detection period (TP) of the display panel 11 shown above, or refer to... Figure 6 For related explanations of the display driving period (DP) and touch detection period (TP) of the display panel 11 shown above, or refer to... Figure 7 (or Figure 8 For related instructions on the display panel 11 shown at the top, or refer to... Figure 9 A description of the display panel 11 shown at the top. Figure 10During each display frame period F102-1 to F102-10 of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 shown below, the display driving operation and touch detection operation of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can be referred to Figure 3 The following is a description of the display driving period (DP) and touch detection period (TP) of the display panel 21 shown at the bottom.

[0089] Figure 10 A simple example of the communication protocol between the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 and the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 is disclosed. Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, one bit of data can be transmitted during each display frame. It is assumed here that... Figure 10 The wireless signal WLS with frequency F1 is defined as logic value "0", the wireless signal WLS with frequency F2 is defined as logic value "1", and the wireless signal WLS with frequency F3 is defined as a start mark. Touch device 10 wants to transmit binary data "010" to touch device 20, and calculates the checksum value of "010" to be "1". Touch device 10 converts the start mark, the 3-bit data "010", and the checksum value "1" into frequency signals "F3, F1, F2, F1, F2". In the first transmission, the display panel 11 of touch device 10 transmits frequency signals F3, F1, F2, F1, and F2 to the display panel 21 of touch device 20 during five display frames F101-1 to F101-5, respectively, while the display panel 21 of touch device 20 performs receiving operations during five display frames F102-1 to F102-5. After obtaining the 3-bit data, the touch device 20 compares it with the checksum value. If the comparison result is inconsistent, the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can perform a second transmission during another 5 display frames F101-6 to F101-10, while the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 performs a receiving operation during another 5 display frames F102-6 to F102-10. This process continues until the comparison result is consistent.

[0090] Figure 11 This is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The circuit block diagram of the controller 12 of the display panel 11 shown is illustrated. Figure 1 The controller 22 of the display panel 21 shown can be referred to Figure 11 The description of the controller 12 on the display panel 11 shown is analogous and will not be repeated here. Figure 11 In the illustrated embodiment, controller 12 is coupled to display panel 11. Controller 12 has multiple timing tables, such as... Figure 11The timing tables shown are "Default Long H", "Extend Long H", "Long V", and "Extend Vporch". Depending on the control of the preceding circuitry, the TSVD / TSHD generator 1110 can select one of these timing tables. When the TSVD / TSHD generator 1110 selects to use the timing table "Default Long H", the TSVD / TSHD generator 1110 can generate... Figure 3 The upper part shows the waveform of the control signal TSHD on the display panel 11. When the TSVD / TSHD generator 1110 selects to use the timing table "Extend LongH", the TSVD / TSHD generator 1110 can generate... Figure 6 The upper part shows the waveform of the control signal TSHD on the display panel 11. When the TSVD / TSHD generator 1110 selects to use the timing table "Long V", the TSVD / TSHD generator 1110 can generate... Figure 5 The upper part shows the waveform of the control signal TSVD on the display panel 11. When the TSVD / TSHD generator 1110 selects to use the timing table "Extend Vporch", the TSVD / TSHD generator 1110 can generate... Figure 7 (or Figure 8 The waveform of the control signal TSHD on the upper part of the display panel 11 is shown.

[0091] Controller 12 also has multiple receive setting tables (RX setting tables), such as Figure 11 The received configuration tables shown are "Default Long H", "Extend Long H", "Long V", and "Extend Vporch". Depending on the control of the preceding circuitry, the TX / RX generator 1120 can select one of these received configuration tables. When the TX / RX generator 1120 selects to use the "Default Long H" received configuration table, the TX / RX generator 1120 can... Figure 3 During the touch detection period of the display panel 11 shown above, TP performs a touch detection operation. When the TX / RX generator 1120 selects to use the receive setting table "Extend Long H", the TX / RX generator 1120 can... Figure 6 During the touch detection period of the display panel 11 shown above, TP performs a touch detection operation. When the TX / RX generator 1120 selects to use the receive setting table "Long V", the TX / RX generator 1120 can... Figure 5During the touch detection period of the display panel 11 shown above, TP performs touch detection operation. When the TX / RX generator 1120 selects to use the receive setting table "Extend Vporch", the TX / RX generator 1120 can... Figure 7 During the touch detection period of the display panel 11 shown above, TP and TP7 (or Figure 8 During the touch detection period of the display panel 11 shown above, touch detection operations are performed on TP, TP81, TP82 and TP83.

[0092] The following embodiments illustrate how two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20 can perform a "synchronization operation" to enable synchronous communication between them. This synchronization operation can be applied to a master communication device and a slave communication device. After the synchronization operation is completed, the timing of the touch detection period TP of the slave communication device's display panel (e.g., display panel 21 of touch device 20) can match the timing of the touch detection period TP of the master communication device's display panel (e.g., display panel 11 of touch device 10).

[0093] For example, Figure 12 This is a timing diagram illustrating the communication between the two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20. Figure 12 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 12 The upper part illustrates three touch detection periods TP (transmission periods) of the touch transmission electrodes of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10. During these touch detection periods TP, the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can transmit different frequency signals, such as 100kHz, 50kHz, or other frequencies. Depending on the actual design, different frequencies can be assigned different meanings. For example, 100kHz can represent a bit with a logic value of "0", while 50kHz can represent a bit with a logic value of "1". Based on this, in Figure 12 In the example, during touch detection, the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 transmits binary data "010" to the touch device 20. Figure 12 The lower part illustrates multiple touch detection periods TP (receive periods) of the touch receiving electrodes of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20. The display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can sample the same touch detection period TP of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 multiple times to improve the accuracy of received data and achieve meaningful wireless packet transmission.

[0094] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method between touch device 10 and / or touch device 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The touch device 10 and / or touch device 20 shown can be referred to Figure 13 Related explanations. For ease of explanation, most of the content in this embodiment will use the touch device 20 as an example to illustrate the communication method, and the communication method of the touch device 10 can be deduced by referring to the relevant explanations of the touch device 20. In step S1310, the touch device 20 can determine whether it is operating in communication mode. This embodiment does not limit the mechanism for determining the communication mode. Figure 13 Step S1310 shown can be referred to Figure 4 The relevant explanations for step S410 shown can be deduced by analogy, so they will not be repeated here.

[0095] When the touch device 20 is operating in non-communication mode (the determination result of step S1310 is "No"), the touch device 20 can proceed to step S1320. In step S420, the controller 22 of the touch device 20 can control the display panel 21 to perform display driving operation during the display driving period DP of the display frame F31 and touch sensing operation during the touch sensing period TP overlaid on the display frame F31. Figure 13 Step S1320 shown can be referred to Figure 4 The relevant explanations for step S420 shown can be deduced by analogy, so they will not be repeated here.

[0096] When touch device 10 and touch device 20 are close to each other, touch device 10 and 20 can operate in communication mode (the judgment result of step S1310 is "yes"), and touch device 10 and 20 can perform step S1330. Figure 13 Step S1330 shown can be referred to Figure 4 The relevant explanations for step S430 shown can be deduced by analogy, so they will not be repeated here.

[0097] When a touch device (e.g., touch device 10) acts as the primary communication device (the determination result of step S1330 is "yes"), the touch device can perform steps S1340, S1345, and S1350. In step S1340, the controller 12 of touch device 10 can enter a synchronization period to control the display panel 11 to send multiple synchronization phase signals to the display panels of other communication devices (e.g., the display panel 21 of touch device 20). After the synchronization period ends, touch device 10 can perform a communication initialization operation to other touch devices (step S1345, detailed later). After the communication initialization operation ends, the display panel 11 of touch device 10 can send multiple data signals to the display panels of other touch devices (e.g., the display panel 21 of touch device 20) during touch sensing (step S1350).

[0098] When the touch device (e.g., touch device 20) acts as a secondary communication device (the determination result of step S1330 is "No"), the touch device can perform steps S1355, S1360, S1365, S1370, and S1375. In step S1355, the controller 22 of the touch device 20 can enter a synchronization period. During the current touch sensing period of the display panel 21, the controller 22 can receive synchronization phase signals emitted by the display panels of other touch devices (e.g., the display panel 11 of the touch device 10) through the display panel 21. The synchronization phase signal can represent the length of time between the current time point of the synchronization phase signal during the current display frame period (second display frame period) of the display panel 11 and the end time point of the current display frame period of the display panel 11 (hereinafter referred to as the first time length). Here, "second duration" is defined as the duration between the current time point of the current touch sensing period TP of the display panel 21 and the original end time point of the current display frame period (first display frame period) of the display panel 21.

[0099] In step S1360, the controller 22 calculates the "delay time" based on the first time length corresponding to the synchronization phase signal and the second time length corresponding to the current time point. In step S1365, the controller 22 delays the end time of the current display frame of the display panel 21 based on the delay time, so that the display frame timing of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 is synchronized with the display frame timing of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10. After the synchronization period ends, the touch device 20 can perform a communication initialization operation with other touch devices (e.g., touch device 10) (step S1370, detailed later). After the communication initialization operation ends, the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can receive multiple data signals emitted by the display panels of other touch devices (e.g., display panel 11 of touch device 10) during touch sensing (step S1375).

[0100] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed here that touch device 10 is the master communication device and touch device 20 is the slave communication device. When there is no need for communication transmission between touch devices 10 and 20, touch devices 10 and 20 can perform any display panel driving operation, for example... Figure 3 As shown, display driving operations and touch detection operations are performed in a time-sharing multitasking manner. When communication transmission is required between touch devices 10 and 20, touch devices 10 and 20 can perform... Figure 13 and Figure 14 The display panel driver operation is shown.

[0101] Figure 14The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 14 The lower part illustrates that the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 (sub-communication device) performs display driving operation during display driving and touch detection operation during touch sensing in a time-division multiplexing mode. Figure 14 The operation sequence of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 shown below can be referred to Figure 3 The operation timing of the display panel 21 shown below will not be repeated here. Figure 14 As shown in the lower part, when the touch device 20 is operated in communication mode as a secondary communication device, the touch sensing period TP of the touch device 20 can be maintained for a first duration.

[0102] When data needs to be transmitted between touch devices 10 and 20, the touch sensing operation of the display panel 11 of touch device 10 can be switched from Long-H mode to Long-V mode. Figure 14 The upper part illustrates that when data transmission is required between touch devices 10 and 20, the display panel 11 of touch device 10 performs touch detection in Long-V mode. During the touch detection period TP of display panel 11, the touch transmission electrodes of display panel 11 of touch device 10 can send multiple synchronous phase signals to display panel 21 of touch device 20. According to the actual design, these synchronous phase signals can be touch drive signals of different frequencies, for example... Figure 14 The frequencies shown are F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, and F10 (wireless signals). Touch devices 10 and 20 can predefine the phase of these frequency signals F1 to F10 within a display frame F141. For example, Figure 14 The frequency signal F1 shown indicates that the distance from the time position (phase) of frequency signal F1 to the end time of the current display frame period F141 is 14 time units, where the time unit is, for example, the horizontal line count value H-cnt. Similarly, the distance from the time position of frequency signal F10 to the end time of the current display frame period F141 is 5 time units. Figure 14 In the illustrated embodiment, the time unit of the touch device 10 can match the time unit of the touch device 20.

[0103] When touch devices 10 and 20 are operating in a synchronized communication mode, the controller 22 of touch device 20 can receive one of a plurality of synchronization phase signals emitted by the display panel 11 of touch device 10 via the display panel 21 during touch sensing. For example, in Figure 14In the illustrated embodiment, the display panel 21 can receive the frequency signal F8 (one of a plurality of synchronization phase signals) emitted by the display panel 11 at the current time point CTP141 (touch sensing period TP). Based on the communication protocol specifications of this embodiment (predefined), the frequency signal F8 (synchronization phase signal) can represent the duration of time (here referred to as the first duration T1) between the current time point CTP141 of the frequency signal F8 and the end time point of the display frame period F141 of the touch device 10, which is 7 time units. Hereinafter, the duration between the current time point CTP141 of the touch sensing period TP of the display panel 21 and the original end time point ETP141 of the display frame period F142 is defined as the second duration T2. ​​For the controller 22 of the touch device 20, the second duration T2 is known.

[0104] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 15 The lower part illustrates that the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 (sub-communication device) performs display driving operation and touch detection operation in a time-division multiplexing mode (see details). Figure 3 (Explanation of the operation timing of the display panel 21 shown below). Figure 15 The upper part illustrates that when a transmission is required between the touch devices 10 and 20, the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 (main communication device) performs a touch detection operation in Long-V mode. Figure 15 Can be regarded as Figure 14 A simplified version, therefore Figure 15 You can refer to Figure 14 Related explanations.

[0105] Please refer to Figure 14 and Figure 15 The touch receiving electrode RX of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can sense the frequency signal (synchronization phase signal) of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10. Based on the sensed frequency signal, the touch device 20 can determine that the distance from the current time point CTP141 to the end time point of the current display frame period F141 of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 is a first time duration T1. For example, assuming that the touch receiving electrode RX of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 senses that the synchronization phase signal of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 is the frequency signal F8, then the touch device 20 can determine, according to a predefined definition, that the first time duration T1 from the current time point CTP141 to the end time point of the current display frame period F141 of the display panel 11 is 7 time units. Figure 14 As shown.

[0106] The distance from the current time point CTP141 to the original end time point ETP141 of the current display frame period F142 of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 is the second time length T2. The controller 22 of the touch device 20 can calculate the delay time length ΔT based on the first time length T1, the second time length T2, and the third time length T3. The controller 22 can delay the end time point of the display frame period F142 based on the delay time length ΔT, so that the display frame timing of the touch device 20 is synchronized with the display frame timing of the touch device 10.

[0107] Here, it is assumed that the duration of the display frame period (e.g., display frame period F141) of touch device 10 and the duration of the display frame period (e.g., display frame period F142) of touch device 20 are both a third duration T3. Based on a prior definition, the third duration T3 is a known value. Therefore, the controller 22 of touch device 20 can calculate a delay duration based on the first duration T1, the second duration T2, and the third duration T3. For example, the controller 22 can calculate ΔT = T1 + T3 - T2 to determine the phase difference (delay duration ΔT) between the display frame period F141 of the display panel 11 of touch device 10 and the display frame period F142 of the display panel 21 of touch device 20, such as... Figure 15 As shown. Therefore, the controller 22 of the touch device 20 can extend the duration of the display frame period F142 from the third duration T3 to the sum of the third duration T3 and the delay duration ΔT. That is, the controller 22 can delay the end time of the current display frame period F142 of the display panel 21 from the original end time ETP141 to the new end time ETP142 according to the delay duration ΔT, so that the display frame period of the touch device 20 can be synchronized with the display frame period of the touch device 10. After completing Figure 14 and Figure 15 After the synchronization operation shown, the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can communicate with the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 (e.g., Figure 12 (The communication operation shown or other communication operations).

[0108] During synchronization ( Figure 14 and Figure 15 During the next display frame after the synchronization operation ends, the controller 22 of the touch device 20 can perform a communication initialization operation with the touch device 10 through the display panel 21 to ensure that the timing of both devices matches. For example, Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation timing of two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 The horizontal axis represents time. (After completion) Figure 14 and Figure 15After the synchronization operation shown, the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 and the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 can perform... Figure 16 The communication initialization operation shown is to enable both parties to confirm their needs and to confirm that their timings match.

[0109] During communication initialization, the touch sensing operation of display panel 11 and display panel 21 can switch from Long-H mode to Long-V mode, and then signal transmission operation begins. After the touch sensing operation of display panel 11 of touch device 10 switches to Long-V mode, the touch transmission electrode TX of display panel 11 of touch device 10 can transmit a standardized header packet (such as...). Figure 16 The frequency signal sequence shown is given to the display panel 21 of the touch device 20, and then the display panel 11 receives the response signal ACK from the display panel 21.

[0110] During the touch sensing period TP in the display frame period F161, the controller 22 of the touch device 20 can receive the header packet sent by the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 via the touch receiving electrode RX of the display panel 21. The controller 22 can check whether the received header packet conforms to a certain specification sequence. If the received header packet conforms to the specification sequence (the expected frequency signal sequence), the controller 22 can send a response signal ACK back to the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 via the display panel 21 during the touch sensing period TP of the display frame period F161.

[0111] The controller 22 of the touch device 20 can calculate the time difference (phase difference between the display frame period of the touch device 10 and the display frame period of the touch device 20) between the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of the display panel 11 and the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of the display panel 21 based on the frequency signal of the received initiation packet, and report this time difference to the host circuit of the previous stage. The host circuit (not shown) can reduce the display frame rate (lengthen the pulse interval of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync) to align the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of the touch device 20 with the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of the touch device 10. Then, the touch sensing operation of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can switch back from Long-V mode to Long-H mode. From this point on, the timing of the touch detection period TP of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can match the timing of the touch detection period TP of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10. Therefore, the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can communicate with the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 (e.g., Figure 12 (The communication operation shown or other communication operations).

[0112] After touch devices 10 and 20 complete the synchronization of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, touch device 20 can further fine-tune the vertical synchronization signal Vsync according to the packet receiving status. For example, assuming that touch device 20 detects that the received starting packet is one time unit late (e.g., the horizontal line count value H-cnt), touch device 20 can calculate the time difference between its vertical synchronization signal Vsync and that of touch device 10 based on the start time of the sensed signal packet. Touch device 20 can then further fine-tune the timing of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync based on this time difference, for example, by slightly lengthening the vertical corridor (Vporch) during the current display frame, so that the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of touch device 20 can be aligned with the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of touch device 10.

[0113] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication timing of the two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20 after the communication initialization operation is completed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 The horizontal axis represents time. After the communication initialization operation is completed, the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of touch devices 10 and 20 has been successfully aligned. From this point onward, the drive operation of the display panels of the master and slave devices can be switched back from Long-V mode to Long-H mode for data transmission. Figure 17 As shown, during the display frame period F171 after the communication initialization operation is completed, the controller 22 of the touch device 20 can receive multiple data signals (frequency signals) emitted by the touch transmission electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 through the touch receiving electrode RX of the display panel 21 during multiple touch sensing periods TP in the display frame period F171.

[0114] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication timing of the two display panels 11 and 21 of different touch devices 10 and 20 after the communication initialization operation is completed, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 The horizontal axis represents time. After completing the communication initialization operation, the vertical synchronization signal Vsync of touch devices 10 and 20 has been successfully aligned. From this point onward, the touch sensing operation of the display panels of touch devices 10 and 20 can switch back from Long-V mode to Long-H mode, as shown below. Figure 18 As shown.

[0115] The controller 12 of the touch device 10 and the controller 22 of the touch device 20 can extend the vertical time corridor (e.g., the vertical time corridor Vporch18 of the display frame period F181) after the communication initialization operation ends. The extended vertical time corridor Vporch18 overlaps with the touch sensing period TP18. During the extended vertical time corridor Vporch18 (touch sensing period TP18), the controller 12 transmits data signals (frequency signals) via the touch transmission electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10, while the controller 22 receives the data signals transmitted by the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 via the touch receiving electrode RX of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 during the extended vertical time corridor Vporch18 (touch sensing period TP18).

[0116] Depending on the design requirements, the controller 12 and / or controller 22 can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software (i.e., program), or a combination of these three. In hardware form, the controller 12 and / or controller 22 can be implemented as logic circuits on an integrated circuit. The functions of the controller 12 and / or controller 22 can be implemented as hardware using hardware description languages ​​(such as Verilog HDL or VHDL) or other suitable programming languages. For example, the functions of the controller 12 and / or controller 22 can be implemented in various logic blocks, modules, and circuits within one or more controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or other processing units.

[0117] In software and / or firmware form, the functions of controller 12 and / or controller 22 can be implemented as programming codes. For example, controller 12 and / or controller 22 can be implemented using common programming languages ​​(such as C, C++, or assembly language) or other suitable programming languages. The programming code can be recorded / stored on a non-transitory readable medium. In some embodiments, the non-transitory readable medium includes, for example, tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, programmable logic circuits, and / or storage devices. A central processing unit (CPU), controller, microcontroller, or microprocessor can read and execute the programming code from the non-transitory readable medium to implement the functions of controller 12 and / or controller 22.

[0118] In summary, the touch transmitting electrode TX of the display panel 11 of the touch device 10 described in the above embodiments can emit a frequency signal during touch sensing to perform touch sensing operations. The frequency signal emitted by the touch transmitting electrode TX can serve as a wireless signal (WLS) for communication. The touch receiving electrode RX of the display panel 21 of the touch device 20 can sense the frequency signal to perform touch sensing operations. Accordingly, the touch receiving electrode RX of the display panel 21 can serve as a receiving antenna for communication to receive the wireless signal (WLS) emitted by the touch transmitting electrode TX of the display panel 11. Therefore, the touch devices 10 and 20 can communicate using the display panels 11 and 21.

[0119] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A touch device, characterized in that, The touch device includes: First display panel; and A controller, coupled to the first display panel, is configured to control the first display panel to perform display driving operations during a display frame, and to control the first display panel to perform touch sensing operations during a first touch sensing period overlaid on the display frame, wherein... When the touch device is operating in communication mode and acts as the main communication device, the controller transmits a first wireless signal through the first display panel to the second display panel of other secondary communication devices during the first touch sensing period. When the touch device is operated in the communication mode and acts as a secondary communication device, the controller receives a second wireless signal emitted by the third display panel of another primary communication device through the first display panel during the first touch sensing period. When the touch device operates in the communication mode and is one of the primary communication device and the secondary communication device, the duration of the first touch sensing period is a first duration; and When the touch device operates in the communication mode and is one of the main communication device and the slave communication device, the duration of the first touch sensing period is a second duration that is longer than the first duration.

2. The touch device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the touch device is operating in non-communication mode, the duration of each of the first touch sensing periods is the first duration.

3. The touch device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display frame period includes a display driving period, during which the controller controls the first display panel to perform the display driving operation, and a first touch sensing period after the display driving period.

4. The touch device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display frame period includes multiple display driving periods, the controller controls the first display panel to perform the display driving operation during the multiple display driving periods, and the first touch sensing period is between two of the multiple display driving periods.

5. The touch device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The controller controls the first display panel to perform the touch sensing operation during the second touch sensing period, the display frame period overlapping the second touch sensing period, and the second touch sensing period between two of the plurality of display driving periods.

6. The touch device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the touch device operates in the communication mode, the vertical time corridor during the display frame is extended, and the extended vertical time corridor overlaps the first touch sensing period having the second time length.

7. The touch device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first touch sensing period includes multiple sub-periods, and the multiple sub-periods are used to transmit or receive different wireless signals.

8. The touch device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The controller controls the first display panel to perform the touch sensing operation during the second touch sensing period, the display frame period overlapping the second touch sensing period, the second touch sensing period being outside the extended vertical time corridor, and the duration of the second touch sensing period being the first duration.

9. The touch device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The controller controls the first display panel to perform the touch sensing operation during the second touch sensing period, the display frame period overlapping the second touch sensing period, the second touch sensing period being outside the extended vertical time corridor, and the duration of the second touch sensing period being a third duration greater than the first duration.

10. The touch device according to claim 9, characterized in that, When the touch device is operating in the communication mode and is acting as the primary communication device, the controller transmits a third wireless signal to the second display panel of the other secondary communication device via the first display panel during the second touch sensing period.

11. A communication method for a touch device, characterized in that, The communication method includes: The controller of the touch device controls the first display panel of the touch device to perform display driving operations during a display frame and touch sensing operations during a first touch sensing period overlaid on the display frame; When the touch device operates in communication mode and acts as the primary communication device, the controller transmits a first wireless signal via the first display panel to the second display panel of other secondary communication devices during the first touch sensing period; and When the touch device is operated in the communication mode and acts as a secondary communication device, the controller receives a second wireless signal emitted by the third display panel of another primary communication device through the first display panel during the first touch sensing period. When the touch device operates in the communication mode and is one of the main communication device and the slave communication device, the duration of the first touch sensing period is a first duration; and When the touch device operates in the communication mode and is one of the main communication device and the slave communication device, the duration of the first touch sensing period is a second duration that is longer than the first duration.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the touch device is operating in non-communication mode, the duration of each of the first touch sensing periods is the first duration.

13. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The display frame period includes the display driving period, and the communication method further includes: The controller controls the first display panel to perform the display driving operation during the display driving, wherein the first touch sensing occurs after the display driving.

14. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The display frame period includes multiple display driving periods, and the communication method further includes: The controller controls the first display panel to perform the display driving operation during the plurality of display driving periods, wherein the first touch sensing occurs between two of the plurality of display driving periods.

15. The communication method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The communication method further includes: The controller controls the first display panel to perform the touch sensing operation during a second touch sensing period, wherein the display frame period overlaps the second touch sensing period, and the second touch sensing period is between two of the plurality of display driving periods.

16. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The communication method further includes: When the touch device operates in the communication mode, the vertical time corridor during the display frame is extended, wherein the extended vertical time corridor overlaps the first touch sensing period having the second time length.

17. The communication method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first touch sensing period includes multiple sub-periods, and the multiple sub-periods are used to transmit or receive different wireless signals.

18. The communication method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The communication method further includes: The controller controls the first display panel to perform the touch sensing operation during a second touch sensing period, wherein the display frame period overlaps the second touch sensing period, the second touch sensing period is outside the extended vertical time corridor, and the duration of the second touch sensing period is the first duration.

19. The communication method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The communication method further includes: The controller controls the first display panel to perform the touch sensing operation during a second touch sensing period, wherein the display frame period overlaps the second touch sensing period, the second touch sensing period is outside the extended vertical time corridor, and the duration of the second touch sensing period is a third duration greater than the first duration.

20. The communication method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The communication method further includes: When the touch device is operating in the communication mode and is acting as the primary communication device, the controller transmits a third wireless signal through the first display panel to the second display panel of the other secondary communication device during the second touch sensing period.

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