Method for reducing the blank area of palm rejection in touchscreens

Abstract

A method and system for receiving touch intensity signals from a touch sensor (104) of a touch screen (102) is provided. Spatial patterns in the touch intensity signals can be indicative of a deformation profile in the touch screen. A palm touch region (110) is detected by comparing the magnitude of the touch intensity signals to a first touch detection threshold. A second touch detection threshold is assigned to a first perimeter region surrounding the palm touch region. The second touch detection threshold can be a constant value, or can vary over the first perimeter region of the touch screen. The second touch detection threshold can be determined by adjusting the first detection threshold. The second touch detection threshold can be based on the slope of the touch intensity signals. The second touch detection threshold provides a margin for reducing false touch signals near the palm touch region.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Low-cost in-cell touch display modules (TDMs) can have an LCD and touch sensing layer integrated into a single cell. These cells tend to have relatively large touch electrodes, which can result in high touch sensitivity. For example, deformation of the TDM can introduce noise into the touch detection signal, reducing the gap between the thin-film transistor (TFT) and the backlight backplane. When a strong hand is applied to the touchscreen, the TDM may deform, and the displaced touch electrodes may cause "false" signals or "ghost" touches to be detected around the palm area. Summary of the Invention

[0002] This disclosure is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, a selection of concepts also described in the detailed embodiments. This disclosure is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0003] A method and system are provided in a device having a touchscreen. A touch detector is configured to receive touch intensity signals from a two-dimensional (2D) spatial array of touch sensors of the touchscreen. The amplitude of the touch intensity signals corresponds at least to a three-dimensional (3D) deformable contour in the touchscreen. The touch detector is further configured to detect a touched area of ​​the touchscreen based on a comparison of the amplitude of the touch intensity signals with a first touch detection threshold. An unintentional touch area determiner is configured to determine that the touched area of ​​the touchscreen corresponds to an unintentionally touched area. A second touch detection threshold generator is configured to assign a second touch detection threshold to a first peripheral region of the touchscreen surrounding the touched area.

[0004] The following detailed description of further features and advantages of various embodiments, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments, is with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the methods and systems described are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the teachings contained herein. Attached Figure Description

[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the present application and, together with the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the embodiments and allow those skilled in the art to implement and use these embodiments.

[0006] Figure 1 This is an illustration of a touchscreen of a touchscreen display system according to an example embodiment, the touchscreen display system being configured to detect unintentional touch areas (e.g., palm touch) and generate a dynamic threshold area relative to the touchscreen surface.

[0007] Figure 2Aand 2B Each illustrates the detected touch sensor signal and its relative to the example embodiment. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the dynamic threshold region of the cross-section of the touchscreen shown.

[0008] Figure 3A and 3B Each includes the detected touch sensor signal according to the example embodiment and relative to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the dynamic threshold region of the cross-section of the touchscreen shown.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a system according to an example embodiment, which is configured to detect unintentionally touched areas on a touchscreen based on a first touch detection threshold and dynamically generate a second touch detection threshold for surrounding areas of the unintentionally touched areas.

[0010] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment, which is used to detect an unintentionally touched area of ​​a touchscreen based on a first touch detection threshold and dynamically generate a second touch detection threshold for surrounding an area of ​​the touched area.

[0011] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a method for dynamically generating a second touch detection threshold that varies among touch sensors on a touchscreen, according to an example embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a method, according to an example embodiment, for dynamically generating a second touch detection threshold that varies among touch sensors on a touchscreen by adjusting a first touch detection threshold.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method for specifying a touch rejection area on a touchscreen, according to an example embodiment.

[0014] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of a method for externally assigning a touch detection threshold to a first peripheral area on a touchscreen, according to an example embodiment.

[0015] Figure 10 This is a block diagram of an example processor-based computer system that can be used to implement the various embodiments.

[0016] The features and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numerals identify corresponding elements. In the drawings, the same reference numerals generally indicate equivalent, functionally similar, and / or structurally similar elements. The first appearance of an element in a drawing is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) of the corresponding reference numeral(s). Detailed Implementation

[0017] I. Introduction

[0018] This specification and accompanying drawings disclose one or more embodiments including features of the disclosed embodiments. The scope of the embodiments is not limited to the aspects disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the intended scope, and modifications of the disclosed embodiments are also covered. The embodiments are defined by the appended claims.

[0019] References to "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," "an exemplary embodiment," etc., in the specification indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic; however, each embodiment need not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, whether explicitly described or not, implementing that feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments is considered to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0020] Furthermore, it should be understood that the spatial descriptions used in this document (e.g., “above,” “below,” “up,” “left,” “right,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc.) are for illustrative purposes only, and the actual implementation of the structures described herein can be arranged in space in any orientation or manner.

[0021] In this discussion, unless otherwise stated, adjectives such as “substantially” and “approximately” used to describe conditions or relational characteristics that modify one or more features of embodiments of this disclosure should be understood to mean that the condition or characteristic is limited to a tolerance of operation of the embodiment that is acceptable for the application to which the embodiment is intended.

[0022] Several exemplary embodiments are described below. It should be noted that any section / subsection headings provided herein are not intended to be limiting. Various embodiments are described in this document, and embodiments of any type may be included under any section / subsection. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in any section / subsection may be combined in any way with any other embodiments described in the same section / subsection and / or different sections / subsections.

[0023] II. Example Implementation

[0024] 1. Overview

[0025] Many of today's personal computing devices feature touchscreen displays, allowing users to input information using their fingers or a stylus (i.e., a pen). For example, a user can write on a laptop computer's touchscreen with a stylus or touch the screen with their finger to select graphic elements on a webpage. Similar to writing with a pen and paper, a user writing on a touchscreen with a stylus may place the palm of their hand on the screen while writing, which can be detected by the touchscreen software (e.g., touch controller software). By analyzing the characteristics of the detected touch signals, the computing device can determine which touch signals are discarded (or rejected) as unintentional touches (e.g., palm touches) and which signals are processed as intentional input from the user to the software application. Typically, to reduce the detection of spurious touch signals around the area where palm touches are detected, a large touch rejection region (i.e., a blanking area) is created around the detected palm touch. Within the touch rejection region, any detected touch signals are ignored. However, having such a large touch rejection region can unnecessarily reduce the screen area available for detecting intentional touch input, thus impairing the touchscreen's performance.

[0026] A touchscreen display may include an array of touch sensors distributed along the length and width of the screen. When viewed in cross-section, a touchscreen display may have a stack of various hardware layers that operate to display images on the screen and detect touch input. In one example, the lowest layer of this stack may include a ground plane. Above the ground plane, the stack may in particular include a backlight, followed by a polarizer, and then a matrix of thin-film transistors (TFTs) deposited on a glass substrate with pixel electrodes. Layers above the TFT layers may include liquid crystal, a color filter, another polarizer, and a cover glass. When no power is applied to the screen, the liquid crystal can be twisted to align with the aforementioned polarizer, and light from the backlight can illuminate the screen. As the applied power increases, the liquid crystal aligns with an electric field perpendicular to the polarizer, thereby allowing less and less light from the backlight to pass through the aforementioned polarizer, causing the screen to darken.

[0027] The touch sensor array can be located within or near the TFT layer and can be spatially distributed in a grid pattern across the entire length and width of the display. The touch sensors can generate touch signals in response to conductive screen touches (e.g., finger touches, stylus touches, palm touches, etc.) located at the touch sensor's location. For example, a conductive screen touch can be determined by variations in capacitance (different amplitudes or intensities) at the touch sensor relative to a baseline level. A touch is detected at the location of a touch sensor activated by a physical touch on the screen when the amplitude of the received signal intensity from one or more of the touch sensors exceeds a threshold level. Touch sensing software can be configured to analyze the detected touch signals and identify palm touches (e.g., relative to finger or stylus touches) based on the shape and / or size of the detected touch signals. When a screen touch is applied with greater force, the TDM may deform. This deformation may add "noise" to the received touch signal and may amplify the detected touch area on the screen. For example, for a heavy touch (e.g., a strong palm and / or arm touch), the screen may deform downwards into the stack. This deformation alters the proximity of the touch sensor to the backlight ground plane (i.e., moves the sensor closer to the ground plane), resulting in an increase in the signal level across the deformed area and the detection of a false touch. The increased signal level can be added to the conductive touch-related signal and can originate from the same or additional sensors surrounding the conductive touch.

[0028] Figure 1 This is an illustration of a system 100 including a touchscreen display according to an example embodiment. The system 100 is configured to detect unintentional touch areas (e.g., associated with palm touch) and generate a dynamic touch detection threshold area relative to the touchscreen surface. Figure 1 As shown, system 100 includes a touchscreen 102, a touch sensor 104, an unintentional touch area 110, a dynamic touch detection threshold area 112, a rejection area 114, and a first touch detection threshold area 116. These features of system 100 are further described in detail below.

[0029] Figure 1This is a top surface view of touchscreen 102. Touchscreen 102 includes touch sensor 104. Touch sensor 104 may include a 2D array of touch sensors (e.g., touch electrodes, which may be resistive, capacitive, or other types), which may be spatially distributed in a grid pattern across the entire length and width of touchscreen 102. Touch sensor 104 may be referred to as touch electrode, or an array or grid of touch sensors or touch electrodes. As described above, the array of touch sensors, such as touch sensor 104, may be located within or near a TFT layer in a stack (not shown) of touchscreen 102. When a physical touch is applied to touchscreen 102 (e.g., finger touch, palm touch, stylus touch, etc.), touch sensing software of system 100 (described below) receives one or more touch detection signals via one or more corresponding touch sensors 104 located at the location where the physical touch is applied to touchscreen 104. A touch pattern corresponding to the touched area on the screen surface is detected.

[0030] A stronger force applied to the touchscreen 102 by a physical touch causes the touchscreen 102 to deform more extensively (e.g., wider) than a touch from a weaker force. This wider deformation area can extend beyond the detected surface area of ​​physical contact with the touchscreen 102 (e.g., beyond the physical contact between the palm and the touchscreen 102). This wider deformation can cause noise or dummy touches in the area surrounding the detected physical contact. For example, as touch pressure increases, the touchscreen 102 and touch electrodes 104 move closer to the ground plane (not shown) of the touchscreen 102, which can cause noise signals and thus dummy touch signals around the actual physical contact area of ​​the touchscreen.

[0031] In some embodiments, touch signals received from activated touch electrodes 104 may correspond to the positions of activated electrodes in the touchscreen 102. When the signal strength received from one or more touch electrodes 104 exceeds a touch detection threshold, a touch can be detected at the position of the activated electrode.

[0032] As described above, when the force applied to the touchscreen 102 increases, the screen deformation may become wider around the detected unintentional touch area 110 (e.g., palm touch 110). This wider screen deformation may lead to increased sensitivity and the detection of noise as "virtual" touches around the unintentional touch area 110. In the case of a strong palm touch, the surface area where the virtual touch occurs can extend far beyond the actual physical contact area between the user's palm and the touchscreen 102. This effect of expanding the effectively touched area may be more pronounced when using larger touch electrodes, such as those used in certain types of in-cell screen technologies.

[0033] The unintentional touch area 110 may include a surface area on the touchscreen 102 where a detected touch is made, such as a palm touch and / or arm touch (e.g., relative to a finger or stylus touch), and may be referred to as the palm touch area 110. In one embodiment, the touch sensing software of the system 100 (described in more detail below) may be configured to recognize the unintentional touch area 110 as a palm touch based on the size and / or shape of the touch area detected on the screen or characteristics of screen deformation (e.g., slope). For example, the contact area of ​​the palm touchscreen 102 may have a known range and / or a recognizable shape (e.g., elliptical or oval, approximately 4 cm by 2 cm, or other suitable dimensions). The touch sensing software of the system 100 may be configured to reject or ignore signals from the palm touch area 110, considering them unintentional touches or including input unrelated to the system 100. Although Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the 2D shape or boundary of an unintentional touch area 110 parallel to the surface of touchscreen 102. The amplitude of each touch intensity signal received via one or more of the touch sensors 114 can provide information indicating a three-dimensional (3D) form of the unintentional touch area 110, which extends to the depth of touchscreen 102 (see [link to diagram]). Figure 2A and 2B as well as Figure 3A and 3B The 3D form of the unintentional touch area 110 may correspond to, to some extent, the 3D form of a palm and / or arm that touches and deforms the touchscreen 102. The width of the 3D form may depend on the amount of force applied to the surface of the touchscreen 102 (i.e., palm force).

[0034] Generally, since the effective surface area for detected palm touch can vary depending on the amount of pressure applied to the touchscreen, touch sensing software can discard touch signals detected around the detected palm touch area, as these nearby touches may be caused solely by variations in palm pressure (i.e., spurious or false touches). For example, some systems can be configured to shield a shape of a predetermined increased size around the detected palm touch on the screen, designating the shielded shape as a rejection region (i.e., a dead zone). In one example, a 5cm extension can be added around the surface area of ​​the detected palm touch area as a rejection region. The touch sensing software will ignore or discard any touch detection signals received from the touch sensor within the rejection region. In such a system, the size of the rejection region can consume a large portion of the touchscreen and significantly reduce the surface area available for intentional touch input. If a user touches the screen within a large, extended rejection region intending to provide input to a software application, the touch sensing software will ignore that intentional input. Systems with larger touch electrodes can have increased sensitivity, and therefore, users (e.g., developers, administrators, etc.) can configure a predetermined size to be added around the detected palm touch on the screen to create a large touch rejection region.

[0035] This disclosure provides methods and systems for reducing or eliminating false or “virtual” touches around an excessively large touch area 110 detected in a touchscreen 102, while improving or increasing the sensitive area of ​​the touchscreen 102, in which the touch sensing software of the system 100 can detect and utilize intentional touches (e.g., instead of ignoring or discarding them in touch rejection areas). Reference Figure 1An unintentional touch area 110 is surrounded by a dynamic touch detection threshold area 112. The dynamic touch detection threshold area 112 is an area where the touch detection threshold level can be dynamically determined based on the characteristics of the shape or contour of the deformation of the touchscreen 102 caused by the force of an applied physical touch. The shape or contour of the screen deformation may correspond to the amplitude of a touch signal level (i.e., a touch intensity signal) received from one or more touch sensors 104 activated in a 2D spatial array by a physical touch of the screen 102. The shape or contour of the screen deformation may include a 3D form extending from the screen surface into or through the touchscreen 102. All or part of the received touch signal corresponding to the deformation of the touchscreen 102 may be used to determine a dynamic touch detection threshold for detecting a touch within the dynamic touch detection threshold area 112. The touch detection threshold level used within the dynamic touch detection threshold area 112 may be a constant value or may be variable within the dynamic touch detection threshold area 112. Outside the dynamic touch detection threshold area 112, in a first touch detection threshold area 116, another touch detection threshold may be used to detect a touch. For example, the touch detection threshold used to detect unintentional touch area 110 can also be used in the first touch detection threshold area 116. In other words, in some embodiments, there are two touch detection thresholds, one used in the dynamic touch detection threshold area 112 and the other used elsewhere on the touchscreen 102. Using the dynamic or variable touch detection threshold area 112 in the peripheral region surrounding the detected palm touch, rather than implementing a large blank area surrounding it, improves touch detection performance. For example, it allows for touch sensitivity over a larger area of ​​the touchscreen while mitigating false touch signals often detected around palm touches that exert screen deformation forces. In some embodiments, an optional fourth region (e.g., rejection region 114) can be defined on the touchscreen 102 between the unintentional touch area 110 and the dynamic touch detection threshold area 112. Figure 1 As shown, if an optional rejection region 114 is used, it is smaller than the dynamic touch detection region 112 and located inside the dynamic touch detection region 112. The rejection region 114 may include a rejection region of a specified size, wherein touch signals are rejected or ignored regardless of the value of the touch detection threshold. The dynamic touch detection region 112 may be referred to as the first peripheral region of the touchscreen 102, while the rejection region 114 may be referred to as the second peripheral region of the touchscreen 102.

[0036] While the unintentional touch area 110, the dynamic touch detection threshold area 112, and the rejection area 114 are each shown as having elliptical boundaries when viewed from above the touchscreen 102, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the unintentional touch area 110, the dynamic touch detection threshold area 112, and the rejection area 114 may each have any suitable regular or irregular 2D shape across the touchscreen 102, and each of these shapes may be the same or different. Furthermore, for example, the detected unintentional touch area 110 may include one or more shapes that, together, may be recognized by the touch sensing software of the system 100 as part of the user's palm and / or user's arm. However, this disclosure is not limited to unintentional touch areas recognized as palm touches, and other suitable shapes may be recognized as unintentional touch areas 110.

[0037] Implementations for generating dynamic touch detection threshold regions can be carried out in various ways. For example, Figure 2A and 2B Each includes the detected touch sensor signal according to the example embodiment and relative to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the dynamic touch detection threshold area of ​​the cross section of the touch screen of System 100.

[0038] like Figure 2A and 2B As shown, the system 100 includes an unintentional touch area 110 (e.g., a palm touch area), a dynamic touch detection threshold area 112, a rejection area 114, a first touch detection threshold area 116, and a first touch detection area 204. Figure 2A It also includes a touch intensity signal 202A, a second touch detection threshold 206, and a touch intensity signal slope 220A. Figure 2B This includes a touch intensity signal 202B, a second touch detection threshold 208, and a touch intensity signal slope 220B. Figure 2B It also shows including Figure 2B A magnified section "A" showing the details.

[0039] As a preliminary note, for reference Figure 2A and 2B Each of them (and those described below) Figure 3A and 3B The side view (i.e., cross-sectional view) of the touchscreen 102 shows the unintentional touch area 110, the dynamic touch detection threshold area 112, the rejection area 114, and the first touch detection threshold area 116 (as opposed to those shown from the top view, as...). Figure 1(As shown). Furthermore, each of touch intensity signals 202A and 202B (and 302A and 302B) includes a plot of signals received via multiple touch sensors 104 (e.g., lines or rows of touch sensors 104 in any direction on the touchscreen 102). Variations in the amplitude of the touch intensity signals can indicate the signal level caused by a conductive touch on the touchscreen. Furthermore, variations in the amplitude of touch intensity signals 202A and 202B (and 302A and 302B) can indicate a cross-sectional view of deformation in the touchscreen 102 caused by a forceful touch (such as a palm and / or arm touch) on the touchscreen 102. The signal amplitude caused by the deformation of the touchscreen can be added to the conductive touch-related signal and can originate from the same or additional sensors surrounding the conductive touch. Touch intensity signals 202A and 202B (and 302A and 302B) each include a plot of the amplitude of the received signal intensity from the multiple touch sensors 104. Points along the lines of the touch intensity signals can be mapped to locations on the surface of the touchscreen 102. Although touch intensity signals 202A and 202B (and 302A and 302B) are plotted in 2D, 3D plotting can be generated using touch intensity signals from areas of the touch sensor 104 of the touchscreen 102. The touch sensing software of the system 100 (described below) can be configured to detect unintentional touch areas 110 (e.g., palm touch 110) based on the amplitude of the touch intensity signals compared to a first touch detection threshold 204 and the shape and / or size of the detected touch intensity signals.

[0040] refer to Figure 2A and 2B The magnitude of the signal strength from the lines or rows (in any direction) of the touch sensor 104 can be plotted to obtain touch intensity signals 202A or 202B. Furthermore, the spatial pattern of the plotted amplitude of the touch detection signals (e.g., touch intensity signals 202A, 202B, 302A, or 302B) can indicate the deformation of the touchscreen 102 at the location of the touch sensor 104 that contributes to the touch intensity signal. It can be seen that the screen deformation indicated by touch intensity signal 202A is narrower than the screen deformation indicated by touch intensity signal 202B. The width of the screen deformation (i.e., the spatial pattern) can depend on the strength of the force applied to the touchscreen 102 by a palm touch. Since the screen deformation indicated by touch intensity signal 202A has a steeper slope 220A than the screen deformation indicated by touch intensity signal 202B, which has a smaller (less steep) slope 220B, touch intensity signal 202A can be caused by a lighter or weaker palm touch than touch intensity signal 202B. As indicated by touch intensity signal 202B, a stronger touch may have caused deformation of the touchscreen 102 to extend over a wider area with a gradual slope toward the undeformed area of ​​the touchscreen. While in Figure 2A and2B Only a single slope measurement 220A of the touch intensity signal 202A and a single slope measurement 220B of the touch intensity signal 202B are shown to characterize the deformation of the touch screen 102. The touch sensing software of the system 100 (described below) can be configured to utilize multiple slope and / or form measurements, which can be performed at any appropriate location of the touch intensity signal to characterize the form of the touch intensity signal received from the touch sensor 104 and thus characterize the deformation in the touch screen 102.

[0041] The touch sensing software of system 100 can be configured to detect physical touches applied to touchscreen 102 and determine unintentional touch areas using a first touch detection threshold 204. 110. For example, touch intensity signals from one or more touch sensors 104 can be compared with the first touch detection threshold 204. When the amplitude of the touch intensity signal exceeds the first touch detection threshold 204, the touch sensing software of system 100 can be configured to determine that a physical touch was detected at the location of a specific touch sensor 104 on touchscreen 102 where a signal exceeding the first touch detection threshold 204 was detected. Although in Figure 2A and 2B In China (and in Figure 3A and 3B The touch intensity signal is shown as increasing in the negative direction to exceed the first touch detection threshold 204. However, in some embodiments, the touch intensity signal may have the opposite polarity and increase in the positive direction to exceed the first touch detection threshold 204. In other words, depending on the design of system 100, touch intensity signals 202A and 202B (and 302A and 302B) represent signal amplitude and may exceed the first touch detection threshold in either the positive or negative direction to indicate that a physical touch has occurred.

[0042] Although touch intensity signals 202A and 202B (as well as 302A and 302B) are shown as smooth lines, but including Figure 2B The enlarged detail of section "A" shows that the touch intensity signal (as represented by touch intensity signal 202 in section A) may actually carry noise. Among other types of noise, noise in the touch intensity signal may be caused by deformation of the touchscreen 102, where a portion of the touch sensor 104 may be pushed too close to the ground plane in the stack of the touchscreen 102 (not shown). Figure 2BAs seen in Part A, noise on the touch intensity signal, such as the signal near the unintentional touch area 110, may exceed the first touch detection threshold 204 multiple times. This can trigger false touch detection signals (i.e., dummy touches) outside the physical contact area with the touchscreen 102 (e.g., outside the unintentional touch area 110). When a touch with greater force is applied to the touchscreen 102, resulting in a wide deformed area with a shallow slope, as indicated by the gradient slope 220B and / or wide shape of the touch intensity signal 202B, these false touch detection signals may be more prevalent and cover a wider area around the unintentional touch area 110. In contrast, a touch intensity signal 202A with a steeper slope 220A can be caused by a lighter touch. The false touch area around the unintentional touch area 110 corresponding to the touch intensity signal 202A can be much narrower than the false touch area around the unintentional touch area 110 caused by a more forceful touch indicated by the touch intensity signal 202B. When a lighter physical touch (e.g., a finger touch, stylus touch, or palm touch) is applied to screen 102, the touch sensing software of system 100 can detect a strong signal exceeding a first touch detection threshold 204 and identify the user's input to the software application. However, a lighter screen touch may not cause screen 102 to deform, and a lighter touch may not introduce a virtual touch.

[0043] In other words, touchscreen 102 deforms when a screen touch (e.g., an unintentional touch of 110 or any contact with the screen) is applied forcefully enough to cause the glass of touchscreen 102 (e.g., the touch display module) to bend. If a touch is applied lightly, there may be no bending, and the edges of the detected touch area may not be affected by a false touch signal. Touchscreen deformation occurs when sufficient pressure is applied to touchscreen 102 to bring one or more touch sensors 104 close to the ground plane (not shown) and thus induce a false touch signal. The difference between a pure touch (no pressure) and screen deformation is indicated by the bending of the deformable glass, which occurs in a spatial pattern radiating from the point of force application and may cause a thin trailing signal around the point of force application. On the other hand, a screen touch with light pressure will have a fairly sharp signal cutoff around the contact area of ​​the applied touch. The difference between a signal having a spatial pattern including a long, thin trail and a signal having a spatial pattern including a sharper cutoff allows system 100 to distinguish between touch signals caused by conductive contact with touchscreen 102 (e.g., human touch) and signal amplitudes (or oscillations) caused by deformation of touchscreen 102 and touch sensors being pushed close to the ground plane.

[0044] To mitigate false touch detection signals in the touchscreen 102 surrounding a physical touch applied with sufficiently high force to deform the screen 102, the touch sensing software of the system 100 can be configured to dynamically determine, for example... Figure 2A The second touch detection threshold 206 shown or as Figure 2B The first touch detection threshold 208 is shown. A second touch detection threshold can be assigned to a dynamic touch detection threshold region 112 in the touchscreen 102, which can be located in a first peripheral region surrounding the unintentional touch region 110. To trigger a detected touch within the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112, the touch intensity signal 202A or 202B must exceed the second touch detection threshold 206 or 208, respectively. Figure 2A and 2B As shown, both the constant second touch detection thresholds 206 and 208 are lower than the first touch detection threshold 204, or more generally, far from a reference level such as a zero-amplitude touch detection signal. In this way, shifting the touch detection thresholds away from zero amplitude provides a signal margin such that noise peaks in the touch intensity signals 202A and 202B must have a larger amplitude to exceed the second touch detection thresholds 206 and 208, respectively, and are therefore less likely to trigger false touch detection signals. However, a genuine physical touch (e.g., even a light touch) in the dynamic touch detection area 112 can trigger a touch detection signal strong enough to exceed the second touch detection thresholds. Therefore, the constant values ​​of the second touch detection thresholds 206 and 208 used in the first peripheral region (e.g., the dynamic touch detection area 112) surrounding the unintentional touch area 110 (e.g., the palm touch area) mitigate false touches while allowing the detection of intentional touches by the user within the same first peripheral region. Thus, a large rejection area (i.e., a blank area) surrounding a palm touch is not required. In some embodiments, the width of the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112 may extend from the periphery of the unintentional touch region 110 to the outer periphery of the screen deformation in the touchscreen 102, as indicated by the amplitude of a touch detection signal that moves close to a reference level (e.g., zero amplitude touch detection signal level).

[0045] In some embodiments, the second touch detection threshold 206 and / or the second touch detection threshold 208 may each be a constant value on the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112. However, in some embodiments, the second touch detection threshold 206 and / or the second touch detection threshold 208 may each vary on the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112 (as described below). Figure 3A and 3B By applying the second touch detection threshold in this way (e.g., instead of preventing any screen touch from being detected in an area of ​​a large specified width around a palm touch), the blank area can be reduced proportionally to the area and intensity of interference to the touch sensor 104 caused by a higher-force touch (e.g., a strong palm touch).

[0046] Outside of the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112, for example in the first touch detection region 116, the touch sensing software of the system 100 can be configured to detect physical touches in the touchscreen 102 by exceeding a first touch detection threshold 204 (or another specified threshold level). In some embodiments, the first touch detection threshold region 116 may correspond to an area of ​​the touchscreen 102 that is not deformed by a touch that triggers the detection of an unintentional touch region 110. The first touch detection threshold region 116 may also be relative to... Figure 3A and 3B To apply.

[0047] In some embodiments, a second peripheral region located between the unintentional touch region 110 and the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112 may be designated as a touch rejection region 114. The touch rejection region 114 may include a specified width in which any level of touch intensity signal 202A or 202B is ignored. The touch rejection region 114 may also be relative to... Figure 3A and 3B To apply.

[0048] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the touch sensing software of system 100 can be configured to determine the untouched state at one or more of the touch sensors 104 using a hysteresis threshold level (not shown) after a touched state has been determined. The hysteresis threshold level can be closer to a reference level (e.g., closer to a zero-amplitude touch signal) than one or both of a first touch detection threshold 204 and a second touch detection threshold (e.g., second touch detection thresholds 206, 208, 306, or 310). For example, once the amplitude of the touch intensity signal increases and exceeds the first touch detection threshold 204, it triggers a “touched” state. The amplitude of the touch intensity signal must decrease below the hysteresis threshold level before the “touched” state is removed from the corresponding touch sensor 104. Sometimes, additional dynamic noise may be introduced into the touch intensity signal. By implementing hysteresis, robustness is added to retain intentional touches and builds a margin to reject noise from recently removed intentional touches. The hysteresis threshold can also be relative to... Figure 3A and 3B To apply.

[0049] Implementations for generating dynamic touch detection thresholds can be implemented in various ways. For example, Figure 3A and 3B Each includes the detected touch sensor signal according to the example embodiment and relative to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the dynamic touch detection threshold area of ​​the cross section of the touch screen of System 100.

[0050] like Figure 3A and 3BAs shown, the system 100 includes an unintentional touch area 110, a dynamic touch detection threshold area 112, a rejection area 114, a first touch detection threshold area 116, and a first touch detection area 204. Figure 3A It also includes touch intensity signal 302A, threshold offset 304, second touch detection threshold 306, and touch intensity signal slope 320A. Figure 3B It includes touch intensity signal 302B, threshold offset 308, second touch detection threshold 310, and touch intensity signal slope 320B.

[0051] As described above, a side view or cross-sectional view of the touchscreen 102 shows an unintentional touch area 110, a dynamic touch detection threshold area 112, a rejection area 114, and a first touch detection threshold area 116. Furthermore, each of the touch intensity signals 302A and 302B can be received via one or more touch sensors 104 (e.g., lines or rows of touch sensors 104 in any direction within the touchscreen 102). Additionally, each of the touch intensity signals 302A and 302B (i.e., the amplitude of one or more touch detection signals) can indicate the signal level caused by a conductive touch on the touchscreen and the signal level caused by deformation of the touchscreen 102, which may be caused by a forceful palm and / or arm touch on the touchscreen 102. In this respect, deformation of the touchscreen 102 can cause the touch sensors to move closer to the ground plane (not shown). The signal amplitude caused by the deformation of the touchscreen can be increased to the conductive touch-related signal amplitude and can originate from the same or additional sensors relative to those sensors that detected the conductive touch.

[0052] refer to Figure 3A As described above, the touch intensity signal 302A includes a 2D plot of the amplitude of the received signal intensity from the plurality of touch sensors 104. Points along the lines of the touch intensity signal 302A can be mapped to locations on the surface of the touchscreen 102 corresponding to the locations of the underlying touch sensors 104 that detected the touch intensity signals. Although touch intensity signals 302A and 302B are shown in 2D plot, a 3D plot can be generated using touch intensity signals from touch sensors 104 located in a region of the touchscreen 102.

[0053] The touch sensing software of system 100 can be configured to detect unintentional touch area 110 (e.g., palm touch 110) based on touch intensity signal 302A and a first touch detection threshold 204. For example, a touched area in which touch sensor 104 detects a touch intensity signal exceeding the first touch detection threshold 204 can be defined. The touched area can be designated as unintentional touch area 110 based on its size, shape, and / or slope. The touch sensing software of system 100 can be configured to dynamically assign a second touch detection threshold 306 value to a first peripheral region surrounding the unintentional touch area 110 (e.g., dynamic touch detection threshold region 112). Figure 3A As shown, the value of the second touch detection threshold 306 can vary over the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112. The value of the touch detection threshold for a particular touch sensor 104 can depend on the position of the touch sensor within the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112. The value of the second touch detection threshold 306 can be based on characteristics of the touch intensity signal 302A (e.g., 2D or 3D contour characteristics) and / or the deformation of the touchscreen 102, as indicated by the touch intensity signal 302A. For example, the touch sensing software of the system 100 can be configured to determine the value of the second touch detection threshold 306 using slope 320A, or multiple slope measurements or other types of measurements or calculations performed at any appropriate location of the touch intensity signal 302A (i.e., at any point of deformation of the touchscreen 102). Figure 3A As shown, the second touch detection threshold 306 can follow the form of the touch intensity signal 302A. Since the amplitude of the second touch detection threshold 306 is further away from the reference value (e.g., zero amplitude) than the first touch detection threshold 204, the second touch detection threshold 306 provides a margin that noise on the touch intensity signal 302A might otherwise trigger a false detection of the touch signal (e.g., ...). Figure 2B (As shown in part A of the touch intensity signal 202B). However, intentional physical touches received within the dynamic threshold region 112 can cause a signal strength large enough to exceed the second touch detection threshold 306, allowing the touchscreen 102 to be used to receive intentional touch input for software applications in a larger area beyond the excessively large touch region 110.

[0054] In some embodiments, a second touch detection threshold 306 may be determined based on an adjustment to a first touch detection threshold 204, for example, by modifying the first touch detection threshold through one or more offsets 306. The offset 306 may be determined based on characteristics of the touch intensity signal 302A (e.g., 2D or 3D contours) and / or deformation of the touchscreen 102, as indicated by the touch intensity signal 302A. In some embodiments, the magnitude of the offset 306 may mirror the behavior of the touch intensity 302A; however, this relationship may not be linear and a sloping factor may be applied.

[0055] refer to Figure 3B As shown by the shape of the touch intensity signal 302B, the corresponding deformation in the touchscreen 102 may include irregular or asymmetrical 2D and / or 3D contours. The second touch detection threshold 310 applied within the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112 can be determined in a manner similar to or substantially the same as the method described above for determining the second touch detection threshold 306. For example, once the unintentional touch region 110 is determined based on the size, shape, and / or slope of the first touch threshold 204 and the touch intensity signal 302B, the touch sensing software of the system 100 can be configured to dynamically assign the second touch detection threshold 310 to a first peripheral region (e.g., the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112) surrounding the unintentional touch region 110. Figure 3B As shown, the second touch detection threshold 310 can vary over the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112. The value of the second touch detection threshold 310 can be based on characteristics of the touch intensity signal 302B and / or deformation of the touchscreen 102, as indicated by the touch intensity signal 302B. For example, the touch sensing software of system 100 can be configured to determine the value of the second touch detection threshold 310 using slope 320B, or multiple slope and / or gradient measurements, or other types of measurements or calculations performed at any appropriate location on the touch intensity signal 302B (i.e., at any point of deformation of the touchscreen 102). Figure 3B As shown, the second touch detection threshold 310 can follow an irregular form of the touch intensity signal 302B, thereby providing a margin that noise on the touch intensity signal 302 might otherwise trigger a false detected touch signal (e.g., Figure 2B (As shown in part A of the touch intensity signal 202B). However, intentional physical touches received within the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112 can cause a signal strength large enough to exceed the second touch detection threshold 310, allowing the touchscreen 102 to detect intentional touch input to the software application in a larger area beyond the excessively touched area 110. By modifying the second touch detection thresholds 306 and 308 according to the slope of the touch intensity signal and / or the deformed profile of the touchscreen 102 (as indicated by the touch intensity signal), the margin created by the offset at any point along the second threshold line can provide sufficient room to mitigate the detection of false signals while increasing the likelihood of detecting intentional signals.

[0056] In some embodiments, the second touch detection threshold 310 may be determined based on an adjustment to the first touch detection threshold 204, for example by modifying the first touch detection threshold 204 through one or more offsets 308. The offset 308 may be determined based on the characteristics of the irregularly shaped touch intensity signal 302B (e.g., 2D or 3D contour characteristics) and / or the irregular deformation of the touch screen 102, as shown by the touch intensity signal 302B.

[0057] Implementations for generating dynamic touch detection thresholds can be implemented in various ways. For example, Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a system 100 according to an example embodiment, which is configured to detect unintentionally touched areas in a touchscreen based on a first touch detection threshold and dynamically generate a second touch detection threshold for surrounding areas of the unintentionally touched areas.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, the system 100 includes a touch screen 102, a touch sensor 104, a touch intensity signal 402, a computing device 410, a touch detector 404, a first touch detection threshold 204, an unintentional touch area determiner 406, a second touch detection threshold generator 408, a second touch detection threshold 416, a first touch detection threshold area determiner 412, and a touch rejection area determiner 414.

[0059] refer to Figure 4 The computing device 410 may be communicatively coupled to the touchscreen 102 and the touch sensor 104, and / or may be integrated within the computing device 410. The computing device 410 may include any suitable computing device, such as a fixed computing device (e.g., a desktop computer or personal computer), a mobile computing device (e.g., ... Devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, notebook computers, such as the Apple iPad TM Tablet computers, netbooks, etc.), mobile phones (e.g., cellular phones, smartphones such as the Apple iPhone, etc.) Android TM Operating system telephone, Microsoft Telephones, etc.), wearable computing devices (e.g., head-mounted devices, including...) Glass TM Smart glasses, Oculus VR Ltd.'s Oculus etc.), game consoles / systems (e.g., Nintendo) (etc.), electrical appliances, set-top boxes, etc.

[0060] The computing device 410 may include touch sensing software (e.g., touch controller software) of the system 100, which includes one or more of the following: touch detector 404, unintentional touch area determiner 406, second touch detection threshold generator 408, first touch detection threshold area determiner 412, and touch rejection area determiner 414.

[0061] Touch intensity signal 402 may include any one of touch intensity signals 202A, 202B, 302A, or 302B, and the second touch detection threshold 416 may include a corresponding second touch detection threshold 206, 208, 306, or 310, as described above. Figure 2A , 2B As described in 3A and 3B, the touch intensity signal 402 may include signals from one or more of the touch sensors 104. As described above, points on the plot of the touch intensity signal 402 are mapped to the locations of the corresponding touch sensors 104 on the touchscreen 102 that detected the touch intensity signal. The amplitude of the touch intensity signal 402 (e.g., ...) Figure 2A , 2B The touch intensity signals 202A, 202B, 302A or 302B (as shown in 3A and 3B) can indicate the unintentional touch area and deformation depth of the touch screen 102 at the location of the touch sensor 104.

[0062] Touch detector 404 can be configured to receive touch intensity signal 402 from one or more touch sensors 104 of touchscreen 102. Touch intensity signal 402 can indicate the amplitude of touch signals from one or more touch sensors 104 caused by conductive touch and / or deformation of touchscreen 102. Touch intensity signal 402 can also indicate characteristics of deformation in touchscreen 102, including deformation depth, and can provide 2D and / or 3D information about the characteristics of deformation. Touch detector 404 can be configured to detect a touched area of ​​touchscreen 102 by comparing the amplitude of touch intensity signal 402 with a first touch detection threshold 204. The touched area can be located in an area of ​​touchscreen 102 where one or more of the touch sensors 104 detect a touch intensity signal 402 having an amplitude exceeding the first touch detection threshold 204.

[0063] The unintentional touch area determiner 406 can be configured to analyze the touch intensity signal 402 to determine the spatial characteristics (e.g., shape and / or size) of the touched area of ​​the touchscreen 102 and determine whether the touched area is an unintentional touch area 110. For example, the unintentional touch area determiner 406 can be configured to identify the unintentional touch area 110 based on spatial characteristics indicating a physical palm and / or arm touch on the touchscreen 102. In some embodiments, the spatial pattern of the amplitude of the touch intensity signal 402 can indicate 3D deformation of the touchscreen 102. The unintentional touch area determiner 406 can be configured to analyze the length, width, depth, and / or slope (e.g., 2D and / or 3D aspects) at one or more locations along a curve of the touch intensity signal 402 (e.g., a curve indicating a deformed profile of the touchscreen 102) to determine that the touchscreen 102 has been deformed, which may result in a false touch around the unintentional touch area 110. By determining that the spatial pattern of the amplitude of the touch intensity signal corresponds to the 3D deformed profile and conductive touch signal in the touchscreen 102, a second touch detection threshold can be determined to mitigate false touches within the deformed area.

[0064] The second touch detection threshold generator 408 can be configured to assign a second touch detection threshold 416 (e.g., one of second touch detection thresholds 206, 208, 306, or 310) to a first peripheral region of the touchscreen 102 (e.g., a dynamic touch detection threshold region 112), the first peripheral region surrounding a touched area (e.g., an unintentionally touched area 110). The second touch detection threshold 416 can be closer to a reference level, such as zero amplitude of the touch intensity signal 402, than the first touch detection threshold 204. As described above, the second touch detection threshold 416 can include a constant value, or the threshold can vary with touch intensity signals 402 applied from different touch sensors 104. In some embodiments, the value of the second touch detection threshold 416 can vary proportionally within the first peripheral region (e.g., within the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112) to the slope of the touch intensity signal 402 or a corresponding variation in the touchscreen 102. By varying the value of the second touch detection threshold 416 in this way, the margin created by the threshold offset at any point on the second touch detection threshold 416 provides sufficient room to mitigate the detection of spurious signals, because the variable second touch detection threshold 416 moves closer to a reference (e.g., closer to a zero-amplitude touch intensity signal) and adjusts more precisely where the deformation of the touchscreen 102 decreases. Furthermore, compared to systems that apply large rejection (or blank) areas to avoid spurious touch signals, the use of the second touch detection threshold 416 increases the size of the screen area available for detecting intentional signals from the user. Even when the second touch detection threshold 416 is a constant value, spurious signal mitigation and an increase in the area available for detecting intentional signals are also achieved.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second touch detection threshold generator 408 is configured to dynamically adjust the first touch detection threshold 204 by one or more offset values ​​(e.g., as in offset 304 or offset 308), which can be determined based on the slope of the touch intensity signal 402 (e.g., the touch intensity signal slope 320A or slope 320B of touch intensity signals 302A or 302B). The one or more offset values ​​can also be determined based on the corresponding contour of the touch intensity signal 402 in a first peripheral region of the touchscreen 102 (e.g., the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112) to achieve a second touch detection threshold 416.

[0066] In some embodiments, the first touch detection threshold region determiner 412 may be configured to determine a touchscreen region 112 outside the unintentional touch region 110 and a first peripheral region (e.g., outside the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112), such as a first touch detection region 116, wherein the touch detector 404 may be configured to detect a physical touch by exceeding a first touch detection threshold 204 (or another specified touch detection threshold). The first touch detection threshold region 116 may correspond to an area of ​​the touchscreen 102 that is not deformed by a touch that triggers the detection of the unintentional touch region 110. In this way, the original touch sensitivity of the touchscreen 102 can be maintained outside the deformed area of ​​the touchscreen 102.

[0067] In some embodiments, the touch rejection region determiner 414 may be configured to determine a second peripheral region (e.g., touch rejection region 114) located between the unintentional touch region 110 and the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112. The touch rejection region 114 may include a specified width in which touch intensity signals 402 of any touch intensity level are ignored. The touch rejection region 114 is optional and, if used, may be smaller than the dynamic touch detection threshold region 112.

[0068] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the touch detector 404 may be configured to determine an untouched state at one or more of the touch sensors 104 using a hysteresis threshold level (not shown) after a touched state has been determined. The hysteresis threshold level may be closer to a reference level (e.g., closer to the zero-amplitude touch intensity signal 402) than the first touch detection threshold 204 and / or the second touch detection threshold 416. For example, once the amplitude of the touch intensity signal 402 increases beyond the first touch detection threshold 204 and / or the second touch detection threshold 416 and activates a “touched” state in one or more touch sensors 104, the amplitude of the touch intensity signal 402 must decrease below the hysteresis threshold level before the “touched” state is removed from the respective touch sensor 104.

[0069] In various embodiments, system 100 can operate in various ways to perform its functions. For example, Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment, which is used to detect an unintentionally touched area of ​​a touchscreen based on a first touch detection threshold and dynamically generate a second touch detection threshold for surrounding an area of ​​the touched area.

[0070] Flowchart 500 can be executed by computing device 410. For illustrative purposes, see reference [link / reference]. Figure 1 , 2A -2B, 3A-3B and 4 descriptions Figure 5 Flowchart 500. Figure 5 Flowchart 500 begins with step 502. In step 502, a touch intensity signal from a two-dimensional (2D) spatial array of touch sensors of the touchscreen can be received, the spatial pattern of the amplitude of the touch intensity signal corresponding to a three-dimensional (3D) deformable contour in the touchscreen. For example, touch intensity signal 402 can be received by touch detector 404 from touch sensor 104 of touchscreen 102. The spatial pattern of the amplitude of touch intensity signal 402 can correspond to a 3D deformable contour in touchscreen 102.

[0071] In step 504, the touched area of ​​the touchscreen is detected based on a comparison of the amplitude of the touch intensity signal with a first touch detection threshold. For example, the touch detector 404 can detect the touched area of ​​the touchscreen 102 based on a comparison of the amplitude of the touch intensity signal 402 with a first touch detection threshold 204.

[0072] In step 506, it can be determined that the touched area of ​​the touchscreen corresponds to an unintentional touch area. For example, the unintentional touch area determiner 406 can determine that the detected touch area of ​​the touchscreen 102 corresponds to the unintentional touch area 110. In some embodiments, the unintentional touch area 110 may include a palm touch area 110.

[0073] In step 508, a second touch detection threshold may be assigned to a first peripheral region of the touchscreen that surrounds the touched area of ​​the touchscreen. For example, the second touch detection threshold generator 408 may assign a second touch detection threshold 416 to a first peripheral region that includes a dynamic touch threshold region 112 of the touchscreen 102, wherein the first peripheral region surrounds the detected touch area (e.g., unintentional touch area 110).

[0074] In various embodiments, system 100 can operate in various ways to perform its functions. For example, Figure 6 This is a flowchart 600 of a method for dynamically generating a second touch detection threshold that varies among touch sensors on a touchscreen, according to an example embodiment.

[0075] Flowchart 600 can be executed by computing device 410. For illustrative purposes, see reference [link / reference]. Figure 1 , 2A -2B, 3A-3B and 4 descriptions Figure 6 Flowchart 600. Figure 6 Flowchart 600 includes step 602. In step 602, the second touch detection threshold varies proportionally to the slope of the 3D deformable profile in the touchscreen in the first peripheral region. For example, the second touch detection threshold 416 can vary in the first peripheral region (e.g., dynamic touch detection threshold region 112) according to the slope of the 3D deformable profile of the touchscreen 102. The 3D deformable profile can be indicated by the spatial pattern of the touch intensity signal 402 (e.g., the spatial pattern of one of touch intensity signals 202A, 202B, 302A, or 302B), and the slope can include, for example, one of the touch intensity signal slopes 220A, 220B, 320A, and 320B corresponding to touch intensity signals 202A, 202B, 302A, or 302B respectively.

[0076] In various embodiments, system 100 can operate in various ways to perform its functions. For example, Figure 7 This is a flowchart 700 of an example embodiment of a method for dynamically generating a second touch detection threshold that varies among touch sensors on a touchscreen by adjusting a first touch detection threshold.

[0077] Flowchart 700 can be executed by computing device 410. For illustrative purposes, see reference [link / reference]. Figure 1 , 2A -2B, 3A-3B and 4 descriptions Figure 7 Flowchart 700. Figure 7Flowchart 700 includes step 702. In step 702, a first touch detection threshold is dynamically adjusted by an offset determined based on the slope of the 3D deformed contour to achieve a second touch detection threshold. For example, the second touch detection threshold generator 408 can generate a second touch detection threshold 416 that varies among the touch sensors 104 of the touchscreen 102 by adjusting the first touch detection threshold 204. In some embodiments, the second touch detection threshold generator 408 can dynamically adjust the first touch detection threshold 204 by an offset, which can be determined based on the slope of the touch intensity signal 402 or a corresponding deformed contour in a first peripheral region of the touchscreen 102 to achieve the second touch detection threshold 416. In some embodiments, the second touch detection threshold generator 408 can dynamically adjust the first touch detection threshold 204 by an offset 304 or an offset 308, which can be determined based on the touch intensity signal slope 320A of the touch intensity signal 302A or the touch intensity signal slope 320B of the touch intensity signal 302B, respectively. The offset can also be determined based on the corresponding deformed contour in the first peripheral area of ​​the touchscreen 102 (e.g., the dynamic touch detection area 112) to achieve the second touch detection threshold 416.

[0078] In various embodiments, system 100 can operate in various ways to perform its functions. For example, Figure 8 This is a flowchart 800 of a method for specifying a touch rejection area on a touchscreen according to an example embodiment.

[0079] Flowchart 800 can be executed by computing device 410. For illustrative purposes, see reference [link / reference]. Figure 1 , 2A -2B, 3A-3B and 4 descriptions Figure 8 Flowchart 800. Figure 8 Flowchart 800 includes step 802. In step 802, a second peripheral region located between the touched area and the first peripheral region of the touchscreen can be designated as a touch rejection region. For example, touch rejection region determiner 414 can designate a second peripheral region (e.g., touch rejection region 114) located between the touched area (e.g., unintentional touch area 110) and the first peripheral region (e.g., dynamic touch detection threshold area 112) of the touchscreen 102 as a touch rejection region. Rejection region 114 may include an optional fourth region on the touchscreen 102 and may include a rejection region of a specified size, wherein touch signals are rejected or ignored regardless of the value of the touch detection threshold. Rejection region 114 may be optional and, if used, may be smaller than the dynamic touch detection threshold area 112.

[0080] In various embodiments, system 100 can operate in various ways to perform its functions. For example, Figure 9 This is a flowchart 900 of a method for specifying a touch rejection area on a touchscreen according to an example embodiment.

[0081] Flowchart 900 can be executed by computing device 410. For illustrative purposes, see reference [link / reference]. Figure 1 , 2A -2B, 3A-3B and 4 descriptions Figure 9 Flowchart 900. Figure 9 Flowchart 900 includes step 902. In step 902, a first touch detection threshold may be assigned to a region extending from a first peripheral region to the perimeter of the touchscreen. For example, a first touch detection threshold region determiner 412 may assign a first touch detection threshold 204 (or another touch detection threshold) to a region 116 of the touchscreen 102 that extends outward from the first peripheral region (e.g., dynamic touch detection threshold region 112) to the perimeter of the touchscreen 102.

[0082] III. Example Computer System Implementation

[0083] The embodiments described herein can be implemented in hardware or in combination with software and / or firmware. For example, the embodiments described herein can be implemented as computer program code / instructions configured to execute in one or more processors and stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, the embodiments described herein can be implemented as hardware logic / circuit systems.

[0084] As described herein, the embodiments include, but are not limited to, Figure 1 , Figure 2A-2B , Figures 3A-3B and Figure 4 System 100 and any of its components and / or subcomponents, as well as any operation and portion of the flowcharts / flowcharts described herein and / or other examples described herein, may be implemented in hardware or hardware with any combination of software and / or firmware, including computer program code implemented as being configured to execute in one or more processors and stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or implemented as a hardware logic / circuit system, such as in a system-on-a-chip (SoC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), trusted platform module (TPM), timing controller (TCON), etc. An SoC may include an integrated circuit chip comprising one or more of the following: a processor (such as a microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), etc.), memory, one or more communication interfaces, and / or further circuitry and / or embedded firmware for performing its functions.

[0085] The embodiments described herein can be implemented in one or more computing devices, similar to the mobile systems and / or computing devices in the stationary or mobile computer embodiments, including one or more features of the mobile systems and / or computing devices described herein, as well as alternative features. The description of the computing devices provided herein is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting. Embodiments can also be implemented in other types of computer systems known to those skilled in the art.

[0086] Figure 10 This is a block diagram of an example processor-based computer system 1000 that can be used to implement the various embodiments. Computing device 410 may include any type of computing device, whether mobile or fixed, such as a desktop computer, server, video game console, etc. For example, computing device 410 may be any type of mobile computing device (e.g., Devices, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Laptops, Notebooks, Tablets (such as Apple iPads) TM Netbooks, etc.), mobile phones (e.g., cellular phones, smartphones, such as Microsoft...) Phone, Apple accomplish Android TM Operating systems for mobile phones, etc.), wearable computing devices (e.g., including smart glasses, such as...) Glass TM Oculus VR company's Oculus Headsets (such as those for desktop computers or PCs), fixed computing devices (such as desktop computers or PCs), game consoles / systems (such as Microsoft consoles) Sony Nintendo or (etc.) etc.

[0087] The computing device 410, touchscreen 102, and touch sensor 104 may each be implemented in one or more computing devices that include features similar to and / or alternative features to those features of the computing device 1000 in the fixed or mobile computer embodiments. The description of the computing device 1000 provided herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. Embodiments may also be implemented in other types of computer systems known to those skilled in the art.

[0088] like Figure 10As shown, computing device 1000 includes one or more processors (referred to as processor circuitry 1002), system memory 1004, and a bus 1006 coupling various system components, including system memory 1004, to processor circuitry 1002. Processor circuitry 1002 is implemented as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, microprocessor, and / or other physical hardware processor circuitry using one or more physical hardware electronic circuitry device elements and / or integrated circuit devices (semiconductor material chips or dies). Processor circuitry 1002 can execute program code stored in a computer-readable medium, such as program code for operating system 1030, application program 1032, other programs 1034, etc. Bus 1006 represents one or more of several types of bus architectures, including memory bus or memory controller, peripheral bus, accelerated graphics port, and processor or local bus using any of various bus architectures. System memory 1004 includes read-only memory (ROM) 1008 and random access memory (RAM) 1010. The Basic Input / Output System 1012 (BIOS) is stored in ROM 1008.

[0089] The computing device 1000 also includes one or more of the following drives: a hard disk drive 1014 for reading and writing to a hard disk, a disk drive 1016 for reading or writing to a removable disk 1018, and an optical disc drive 1020 for reading or writing to a removable optical disc 1022 such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media. The hard disk drive 1014, disk drive 1016, and optical disc drive 1020 are connected to the bus 1006 via a hard disk drive interface 1024, a disk drive interface 1026, and an optical disc drive interface 1028, respectively. These drives and their associated computer-readable media provide the computer with non-volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data. While hard disks, removable disks, and removable optical discs have been described, other types of hardware-based computer-readable storage media, such as flash memory cards, digital video discs, RAM, ROM, and other hardware storage media, may also be used to store data.

[0090] Several program modules may be stored on a hard disk, magnetic disk, optical disk, ROM, or RAM. These programs include an operating system 1030, one or more application programs 1032, other programs 1034, and program data 1036. Application programs 1032 or other programs 1034 may include, for example, computer program logic (e.g., computer program code or instructions) for implementing computing device 410, touch screen 102, touch sensor 104, touch detector 404, unintentional touch area determiner 406, second touch detection threshold generator 408, first touch detection threshold area determiner 412, touch rejection area determiner 414, flowcharts 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and / or other embodiments described herein. Program data 1036 may include unintentional touch area 110, dynamic touch detection threshold area 112, first touch detection threshold area 116, rejection area 114, first touch detection threshold 204, touch intensity signal 202A, second touch detection threshold 206, touch intensity signal slope 220A, touch intensity information 202B, second touch detection threshold 208, touch intensity signal slope 220B, touch intensity signal 302A, threshold offset 304, second touch detection threshold 306, touch intensity data slope 320A, touch intensity signal 302B, threshold offset 308, second touch detection threshold 310, touch intensity signal slope 320B, and / or other embodiments described herein.

[0091] Users can input commands and information into computing device 1000 using input devices such as keyboard 1038 and pointing device 1040. Other input devices (not shown) may include microphones, joysticks, game controllers, satellite dish antennas, scanners, touchscreens and / or touch tablets, voice recognition systems for receiving voice input, gesture recognition systems for receiving gesture input, and so on. These and other input devices are typically connected to processor circuitry 1002 via serial port interface 1042 coupled to bus 1006, but may also be connected via other interfaces such as parallel ports, game ports, or Universal Serial Bus (USB).

[0092] Display screen 1044 is also connected to bus 1006 via an interface (such as video adapter 1046). Display screen 1044 may be external to or incorporated into computing device 1000. Display screen 1044 may display information and serve as a user interface for receiving user commands and / or other information (e.g., via touch, finger gestures, virtual keyboard, etc.). In addition to display screen 1044, computing device 1000 may also include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers and printers.

[0093] Computing device 1000 connects to network 1048 (e.g., the Internet) via an adapter or network interface 1050, modem 1052, or other means for establishing communication over the network. The modem 1052, which may be built-in or external, can be connected to bus 1006 via serial port interface 1042, such as... Figure 10 As shown, alternatively, another interface type, including a parallel interface, can be used to connect to bus 1006.

[0094] As used herein, the terms “computer program medium,” “computer-readable medium,” and “computer-readable storage medium” are used to refer to physical hardware media, such as a hard disk associated with hard disk drive 1014, removable disk drive 1018, removable optical disk drive 1022, other physical hardware media (such as RAM, ROM), flash memory cards, digital video disks, zip disks, MEM, nanometer-based storage devices, and other types of physical / tangible hardware storage media. Such computer-readable storage media are distinct from and do not overlap with communication media (excluding communication media). Communication media carry computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in modulated data signals such as carrier waves. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal in which one or more characteristics of the signal are set or altered by encoding information in the signal. By way of example and not limitation, communication media include wireless media (such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media) and wired media. The embodiments also relate to such communication media that are separate from and do not overlap with embodiments relating to computer-readable storage media.

[0095] As noted above, computer programs and modules (including application program 1032 and other programs 1034) may be stored on a hard disk, magnetic disk, optical disk, ROM, RAM, or other hardware storage medium. Such computer programs may also be received via network interface 1050, serial port interface 1042, or any other interface type. These computer programs, when executed or loaded by an application, enable computer 1000 to implement the features of the various embodiments discussed herein. Accordingly, such computer programs represent the controller of computing system 1000.

[0096] The embodiments also relate to computer program products that include computer code or instructions stored on any computer-readable medium. Such computer program products include hard disk drives, optical disk drives, memory device packages, memory sticks, memory cards, and other types of physical storage hardware.

[0097] IV. Additional Examples and Advantages

[0098] In one embodiment, a method in a device having a touchscreen includes receiving touch intensity signals from a two-dimensional (2D) spatial array of touch sensors of the touchscreen, the spatial pattern of the amplitude of the touch intensity signals corresponding at least to a three-dimensional (3D) deformable contour in the touchscreen. A touched area of ​​the touchscreen is detected based on a comparison of the amplitude of the touch intensity signals with a first touch detection threshold. The touched area of ​​the touchscreen is determined to correspond to an unintentionally touched area, and a second touch detection threshold is assigned to a first peripheral region of the touchscreen surrounding the touched area.

[0099] In one embodiment of the aforementioned method, the spatial pattern of the amplitude of the touch intensity signal corresponding to the 3D deformable contour in the touch screen is determined based on the analysis of at least the slope of the touch intensity signal.

[0100] In one embodiment of the aforementioned method, the unintentionally touched area corresponds to a detected palm touch.

[0101] In one embodiment of the aforementioned method, the second touch detection threshold is a constant value.

[0102] In one embodiment of the aforementioned method, the second touch detection threshold is variable in the first peripheral area of ​​the touchscreen.

[0103] In one embodiment of the aforementioned method, the second touch detection threshold varies proportionally in the first peripheral region with the slope of the touch intensity signal from the first peripheral region of the touchscreen.

[0104] In one embodiment of the aforementioned method, the method further includes dynamically adjusting a first touch detection threshold to achieve a second touch detection threshold by an offset determined based on the slope of a touch intensity signal from a first peripheral region of the touchscreen.

[0105] In one embodiment of the aforementioned method, the method further includes designating a second peripheral region between the touched area of ​​the touchscreen and the first peripheral region as a touch rejection region.

[0106] In one embodiment of the aforementioned method, the method further includes assigning a first touch detection threshold to a region extending from a first peripheral region to the perimeter of the touchscreen.

[0107] In one embodiment, a system in a device having a touchscreen includes a touch detector configured to: receive touch intensity signals from a two-dimensional (2D) spatial array of touch sensors of the touchscreen, wherein the amplitude of the touch intensity signals corresponds at least to a three-dimensional (3D) deformable contour in the touchscreen; and detect a touched area of ​​the touchscreen based on a comparison of the amplitude of the touch intensity signals with a first touch detection threshold. An unintentional touch area determiner is configured to determine that the touched area of ​​the touchscreen corresponds to an unintentionally touched area. A second touch detection threshold generator is configured to assign a second touch detection threshold to a first peripheral region of the touchscreen surrounding the touched area of ​​the touchscreen.

[0108] In one embodiment of the aforementioned system, the unintentional touch area determiner is configured to determine, based on an analysis of at least the slope of the touch intensity signal, that the spatial pattern of the touch intensity signal's amplitude corresponds to a 3D deformable profile in the touchscreen.

[0109] In one embodiment of the aforementioned system, the unintentionally touched area corresponds to a detected palm touch.

[0110] In one embodiment of the aforementioned system, the second touch detection threshold is a constant value.

[0111] In one embodiment of the aforementioned system, the second touch detection threshold is variable in the first peripheral area of ​​the touchscreen.

[0112] In one embodiment of the aforementioned system, the second touch detection threshold varies proportionally in the first peripheral region with the slope of the touch intensity signal from the first peripheral region of the touchscreen.

[0113] In one embodiment of the aforementioned system, the second touch detection threshold generator is further configured to dynamically adjust the first touch detection threshold to achieve the second touch detection threshold by an offset determined based on the slope of a touch intensity signal from a first peripheral area of ​​the touchscreen.

[0114] In one embodiment of the aforementioned system, the system further includes a touch rejection region determiner configured to designate a second peripheral region between the touched area of ​​the touchscreen and the first peripheral region as a touch rejection region.

[0115] In one embodiment of the aforementioned system, the system further includes a first touch detection threshold region generator, which is configured to assign a first touch detection threshold to a region ranging from a first peripheral region to the perimeter of the touchscreen.

[0116] In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon causes the at least one processor, when executed, to perform a method. The method includes receiving touch intensity signals from a two-dimensional (2D) spatial array of touch sensors of a touchscreen, wherein the amplitude of the touch intensity signals at least corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) deformable contour in the touchscreen. Based on a comparison of the amplitude of the touch intensity signals with the first touch detection threshold, a touched area of ​​the touchscreen is detected. The touched area of ​​the touchscreen is determined to correspond to an unintentionally touched area, and a second touch detection threshold is assigned to a first peripheral region of the touchscreen surrounding the touched area.

[0117] In one embodiment of the aforementioned computer-readable medium, the method further includes dynamically adjusting a first touch detection threshold to achieve a second touch detection threshold by an offset determined based on the slope of a touch intensity signal from a first peripheral region of the touchscreen.

[0118] V. Conclusion

[0119] Although various embodiments of this application have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented as examples only and not as limitations. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this application as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of this application should not be limited to any of the exemplary embodiments described above, but should be defined only by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method in a device having a touchscreen, the method comprising: Receive a first touch intensity signal from a two-dimensional (2D) spatial array of touch sensors of the touch screen, wherein the spatial pattern of the amplitude of the first touch intensity signal corresponds at least to a three-dimensional (3D) deformable profile in the touch screen; The touched area of ​​the touch screen is detected by comparing the amplitude of the first touch intensity signal with the first touch detection threshold. In response to determining that the touched area of ​​the touchscreen corresponds to an unintentionally touched area; as well as A second touch detection threshold is assigned to a first peripheral region of the touchscreen that surrounds the unintentionally touched area, wherein the second touch detection threshold corresponds to a touch intensity signal with a greater amplitude than the touch intensity signal corresponding to the first touch detection threshold, and wherein the second touch intensity signal received in the first peripheral region can be detected based on the second touch detection threshold, and the first peripheral region surrounding the unintentionally touched area corresponds to a reduced touch sensitivity relative to the unintentionally touched area of ​​the touchscreen.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spatial pattern of the amplitude of the first touch intensity signal corresponding to the 3D deformable contour in the touch screen is determined at least based on the analysis of the slope of the touch intensity signal.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The unintentionally touched area corresponds to the detected palm touch.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second touch detection threshold is a constant value.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second touch detection threshold is variable over the first peripheral area of ​​the touchscreen.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second touch detection threshold varies proportionally in the first peripheral region with the slope of the first touch intensity signal from the first peripheral region of the touchscreen.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The first touch detection threshold is dynamically adjusted to achieve the second touch detection threshold by an offset determined based on the slope of the first touch intensity signal from the first peripheral area of ​​the touchscreen.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The second peripheral area between the unintentionally touched area of ​​the touchscreen and the first peripheral area is designated as the touch rejection area.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The first touch detection threshold is assigned to the area ranging from the first peripheral area to the perimeter of the touchscreen.

10. A system in a device having a touchscreen, the system comprising: Touch detector, the touch detector being configured to: Receive a first touch intensity signal from a two-dimensional (2D) spatial array of touch sensors on the touchscreen, the amplitude of the first touch intensity signal corresponding at least to a three-dimensional (3D) deformable contour in the touchscreen; and The touched area of ​​the touch screen is detected by comparing the amplitude of the first touch intensity signal with the first touch detection threshold. An unintentionally touched area determiner, the unintentionally touched area determiner being configured to: The touched area of ​​the touchscreen is determined to correspond to an unintentionally touched area; as well as A second touch detection threshold generator is configured to: In response to the touched area corresponding to the unintentionally touched area, a second touch detection threshold is assigned to a first peripheral area of ​​the touchscreen surrounding the unintentionally touched area, wherein the second touch detection threshold corresponds to a touch intensity signal with an amplitude greater than that of a touch intensity signal corresponding to the first touch detection threshold, and wherein the second touch intensity signal received in the first peripheral area can be detected based on the second touch detection threshold, and the first peripheral area surrounding the unintentionally touched area corresponds to a reduced touch sensitivity relative to the unintentionally touched area of ​​the touchscreen.

11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The unintentionally touched area determiner is configured to determine, based on an analysis of at least the slope of the first touch intensity signal, the spatial pattern of the amplitude of the first touch intensity signal corresponding to a 3D deformable contour in the touchscreen.

12. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The unintentionally touched area corresponds to the detected palm touch.

13. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second touch detection threshold is a constant value.

14. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second touch detection threshold is variable over the first peripheral area of ​​the touchscreen.

15. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second touch detection threshold varies proportionally in the first peripheral region with the slope of the first touch intensity signal from the first peripheral region of the touchscreen.

16. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second touch detection threshold generator is also configured to: The first touch detection threshold is dynamically adjusted to achieve the second touch detection threshold by an offset determined based on the slope of the first touch intensity signal from the first peripheral area of ​​the touchscreen.

17. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that, It also includes a touch rejection region determiner, which is configured to: The second peripheral area between the unintentionally touched area of ​​the touchscreen and the first peripheral area is designated as the touch rejection area.

18. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that, It also includes a first touch detection threshold region generator, which is configured to: The first touch detection threshold is assigned to the area ranging from the first peripheral area to the perimeter of the touchscreen.

19. A computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, the program code causing the at least one processor, when executed, to perform a method comprising: Receive a first touch intensity signal from a two-dimensional (2D) spatial array of touch sensors of a touch screen, the amplitude of the first touch intensity signal corresponding at least to a three-dimensional (3D) deformable contour in the touch screen; The touched area of ​​the touch screen is detected by comparing the amplitude of the first touch intensity signal with the first touch detection threshold. In response to determining that the touched area of ​​the touchscreen corresponds to an unintentionally touched area; as well as A second touch detection threshold is assigned to a first peripheral region of the touchscreen that surrounds the unintentionally touched area, wherein the second touch detection threshold corresponds to a touch intensity signal with a greater amplitude than the touch intensity signal corresponding to the first touch detection threshold, and wherein the second touch intensity signal received in the first peripheral region can be detected based on the second touch detection threshold, and the first peripheral region surrounding the unintentionally touched area corresponds to a reduced touch sensitivity relative to the unintentionally touched area of ​​the touchscreen.

20. The computer-readable medium according to claim 19, characterized in that, The method further includes dynamically adjusting the first touch detection threshold to achieve the second touch detection threshold by an offset determined based on the slope of the first touch intensity signal from the first peripheral region of the touchscreen.

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