Touch controller, touch sensing system, and touch display device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a touch controller, a touch sensing system, and a touch display device. In a data communication period between the touch controller and a touch driving circuit, a level of a communication control signal is changed twice or more times during a data communication period included in a period in which a system clock signal is not output, thereby allowing the touch driving circuit to identify an address start point of time. Accordingly, power consumption of the touch sensing system can be reduced by reducing a period in which the system clock signal is output, and efficiency of data communication of the touch sensing system can be improved by implementing normal data communication in a period in which the system clock signal is not output.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to touch controllers, touch sensing systems, and touch display devices. Background Technology

[0002] To provide users with more diverse functions, display devices can provide the ability to detect user touches on the display panel and process input based on the detected touches.

[0003] The display device may include a plurality of touch electrodes disposed in the display panel and a touch sensing system configured to detect touch by driving the plurality of touch electrodes.

[0004] For example, a touch sensing system may include a touch driving circuit that outputs touch driving signals to touch electrodes and receives touch sensing signals from touch electrodes, and a touch controller that controls the touch driving circuit.

[0005] The touch controller can receive sensing data from the touch driver circuit to perform touch sensing, and can also send control data to the touch driver circuit to control it. When data communication between the touch controller and the touch driver circuit fails, the touch sensing system may malfunction or its performance may be degraded. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure provides a method for reducing power consumption in a touch sensing system and improving the efficiency of data communication between touch driving circuitry and touch controller included in the touch sensing system.

[0007] In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a touch display device comprising: a plurality of touch electrodes disposed in a display panel; a touch driving circuit configured to drive the plurality of touch electrodes; and a touch controller configured to control the touch driving circuit.

[0008] During at least one of a plurality of data communication periods in which the touch controller sends data to the touch driver circuit, the level of the communication control signal output by the touch controller and input to the touch driver circuit may be changed two or more times.

[0009] In another aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a touch sensing system comprising: a touch driving circuit configured to drive a plurality of touch electrodes; and a touch controller configured to control the touch driving circuit.

[0010] The touch controller can be configured to output a system clock signal after a specific time has elapsed following the output of a touch synchronization signal corresponding to the touch mode; a first data communication period and a second data communication period may exist before the output of the system clock signal; and during at least one of the first data communication period and the second data communication period, the level of the communication control signal output by the touch controller and input to the touch driving circuit may be changed two or more times.

[0011] In another aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a touch controller that transmits data during two or more communication periods after outputting a touch synchronization signal corresponding to a touch mode and before outputting a system clock signal, and changes the level of a communication control signal during at least one of the two or more data communication periods.

[0012] According to embodiments of this disclosure, since the touch driver circuit can identify the data transmission time by changing the level of the communication control signal during the period when data communication is performed between the touch controller and the touch driver circuit, data communication between the touch controller and the touch driver circuit can be performed normally even during periods when the system clock signal is not output. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a touch display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a touch sensing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for sending or receiving data between a touch driving circuit and a touch controller included in a touch sensing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 4 A diagram illustrating an example of signals transmitted and received by driving a touch sensing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 5 It is shown in Figure 4 A diagram illustrating an example of how the touch controller sends control data in scenario B.

[0019] Figure 6 The illustration shows Figure 4 A diagram showing another example of how the touch controller sends control data in scenario B;

[0020] Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 6 A diagram illustrating an example of the specific method by which the touch controller sends control data in Example 1 is shown; and

[0021] Figures 8 to 10 It is shown in Figure 6 The diagram shows an example of the specific method by which the touch controller sends control data in Example 2. Detailed Implementation

[0022] In the following description of examples or embodiments of this disclosure, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific examples or embodiments that can be implemented, and in which the same reference numerals and symbols can be used to denote the same or similar components, even when these components are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in the following description of examples or embodiments of this disclosure, a detailed description of well-known functions and components incorporated herein will be omitted where it is determined that such detailed description might obscure the subject matter of some embodiments of this disclosure. Terms such as “comprising,” “having,” “including,” “constituting,” “made of,” and “formed by” as used herein are generally intended to allow for the addition of additional components, unless these terms are used in conjunction with the term “only.” When used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0023] Terms such as “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” “(A),” or “(B)” may be used herein to describe elements of this disclosure. Each of these terms is not intended to define the nature, order, sequence, or number of elements, but is only used to distinguish the corresponding element from other elements.

[0024] When referring to the first element and the second element as "connected or joined," "in contact or overlapping," etc., it should be interpreted as meaning that not only can the first element be "directly connected or joined" or "directly in contact or overlapping" with the second element, but also that a third element can be "inserted" between the first and second elements, or that the first and second elements can be "connected or joined," "in contact or overlapping," etc., with each other via a fourth element. Here, the second element can be included in at least one of two or more elements that are "connected or joined," "in contact or overlapping," etc., with each other.

[0025] When time-related terms such as “after,” “follow,” “next,” “before,” etc., are used to describe the process or operation of an element or configuration, or the flow or steps in an operating method, processing method, or manufacturing method, these terms may be used to describe a discontinuous or non-sequential process or operation, unless used with the terms “directly” or “immediately.”

[0026] Furthermore, when referring to any size, relative size, etc., it should be assumed that the numerical value or corresponding information (e.g., grade, range, etc.) of a component or feature includes the range of tolerances or errors that may be caused by various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external shocks, noise, etc.), even if no relevant description is specified. Moreover, the term "may" fully encompasses all the meanings of the term "able to".

[0027] In the following, various embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 The touch display device 100 may include a display panel 110 and a gating drive circuit 120, a data drive circuit 130 and a controller 140 for driving the display panel 110.

[0030] The touch display device 100 may include a plurality of touch electrodes TE disposed in the display panel 110 for sensing touch. The touch display device 100 may include a touch sensing system 200 that drives the touch electrodes TE and performs touch sensing.

[0031] The display panel 110 may include a display area AA in which a plurality of sub-pixels SP are disposed, and a non-display area NA located outside the display area AA. Each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be disposed in an area corresponding to two or more sub-pixels SP. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, each of the plurality of touch electrodes TE may be disposed in an area corresponding to one sub-pixel SP or even a smaller area.

[0032] Multiple gate lines GL and multiple data lines DL can be arranged in the display panel 110, and the sub-pixel SP can be located in the area where the gate lines GL and data lines DL intersect. Multiple touch lines TL electrically connected to the touch electrodes TE can be arranged in the display panel 110.

[0033] When describing the configuration for display driving in the touch display device 100, the gating drive circuit 120 is controlled by the controller 140 and sequentially outputs scan signals to multiple gating lines GL disposed in the display panel 110 to control the driving timing of multiple sub-pixels SP.

[0034] The gating drive circuit 120 may include one or more gating drive integrated circuits (GDICs) and may be located on only one side or both sides of the display panel 110, depending on the driving method.

[0035] Each GDIC can be connected to the bonding pads of the display panel 110 in either a tape-on-board (TAB) type or a chip-on-glass (COG) type. Alternatively, each GDIC can be implemented as a panel-in-panel gate (GIP) type and directly disposed on the display panel 110. Alternatively, each GDIC can be integrated with and disposed on the display panel 110. Alternatively, each GDIC can be implemented as a chip-on-film (COF) type mounted on a film connected to the display panel 110.

[0036] The data driving circuit 130 receives image data from the controller 140 and converts the image data into analog data voltage. The data driving circuit 130 outputs data voltage to the data line DL according to the timing of the scan signal applied via the gate line GL, thereby allowing each sub-pixel SP to represent brightness according to the image data.

[0037] The data drive circuit 130 may include one or more source driver integrated circuits (SDICs).

[0038] Each SDIC may include a shift register, latch circuit, digital-to-analog converter, output buffer, etc.

[0039] Each SDIC can be connected to the bonding pads of the display panel 110 in either TAB or COG type. Alternatively, each SDIC can be directly disposed on the display panel 110. Alternatively, each SDIC can be integrated with and disposed on the display panel 110. Alternatively, each SDIC can be implemented as a COF type. In this case, each SDIC can be mounted on a film connected to the display panel 110 and can be electrically connected to the display panel 110 via lines on the film.

[0040] The controller 140 can provide various control signals to the gating drive circuit 120 and the data drive circuit 130, and can control the operation of the gating drive circuit 120 and the data drive circuit 130.

[0041] The controller 140 can be mounted on a printed circuit board, flexible printed circuit, etc., and can be electrically connected to the gating drive circuit 120 and the data drive circuit 130 through the printed circuit board, flexible printed circuit, etc.

[0042] The controller 140 allows the selector drive circuit 120 to output a scan signal according to the timing set in each frame. The controller 140 converts image data input from an external device into a data signal format suitable for use by the data drive circuit 130, and outputs the converted image data to the data drive circuit 130.

[0043] The controller 140 receives various timing signals, including vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, input data enable (DE) signal, and clock signal CLK, as well as image data from an external device (e.g., a host system).

[0044] The controller 140 can use various timing signals received from external devices to generate various control signals, and can output the generated control signals to the gating drive circuit 120 and the data drive circuit 130.

[0045] For example, to control the gating drive circuit 120, the controller 140 outputs various gating control signals (GCS) including a gating start pulse (GSP), a gating shift clock (GSC), and a gating output enable (GOE) signal. The GSP signal controls the start timing of operation of one or more GDICs constituting the gating drive circuit 120.

[0046] The GSC signal is a clock signal commonly input to one or more GDICs and controls the shift timing of the scan signal. The GOE signal specifies the timing information for one or more GDICs.

[0047] In addition, in order to control the data drive circuit 130, the controller 140 outputs various data control signals (DCS) including the source start pulse (SSP), the source sampling clock (SSC), and the source output enable (SOE) signal.

[0048] The SSP signal controls the data sampling start timing of one or more SDICs constituting the data driver circuit 130. The SSC signal is a clock signal that controls the data sampling timing in each SDIC. The SOE signal controls the output timing of the data driver circuit 130.

[0049] The touch display device 100 may also include a power management integrated circuit that provides various voltages or currents to the display panel 110, the gating drive circuit 120, the data drive circuit 130, etc., or controls the various voltages or currents to be provided.

[0050] When describing the configuration for touch sensing in the touch display device 100, the touch sensing system 200 can drive a plurality of touch electrodes TE disposed in the display panel 110.

[0051] The touch sensing system 200 can provide touch drive signals to the touch electrode TE via the touch line TL, and can receive touch sensing signals from the touch electrode TE to detect the presence or absence of a touch and the touch coordinates.

[0052] The touch electrode TE can be located outside or inside the display panel 110.

[0053] When the touch electrode TE is located inside the display panel 110, the touch electrode TE can be an electrode separately disposed from the electrodes used for display driving. Alternatively, the touch electrode TE can be one of the electrodes used for display driving.

[0054] For example, the touch electrode TE can be an electrode configured by dividing a common electrode for display driving.

[0055] In this case, the touch electrode TE can perform the functions of an electrode for touch sensing and an electrode for display driving.

[0056] For example, the touch electrode TE can be driven as both a touch electrode TE and a common electrode during time-divided periods. Alternatively, the touch electrode TE can simultaneously perform the functions of both a touch electrode TE and a common electrode.

[0057] In this case, since the touch drive signal is applied to the touch electrode TE during the display drive period, a signal for display drive (e.g., data voltage or scan signal) can be provided in a modulated form based on the touch drive signal.

[0058] As described above, the touch sensing system 200 can perform touch sensing by providing a touch driving signal to the touch electrode TE during a display driving period or a period that is temporally separate from the display driving period.

[0059] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a touch sensing system 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Reference Figure 2 The touch sensing system 200 may include a touch driving circuit 210 and a touch controller 220.

[0061] The touch driving circuit 210 can be electrically connected to multiple touch lines TL. The touch driving circuit 210 can drive the touch electrodes TE disposed in the display panel 110 through the touch lines TL. The touch driving circuit 210 can send data to the touch controller 220 based on the touch sensing signals detected from the touch electrodes TE through the touch lines TL.

[0062] Depending on the size of the display panel 110, the touch sensing system 200 may include two or more touch driving circuits 210.

[0063] The touch driving circuit 210 can be disposed on a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit. For example, the touch driving circuit 210 can be mounted on a film and electrically connected to the display panel 110 through the film.

[0064] In some cases, the touch driver circuit 210 may be integrated with the data driver circuit 130. Alternatively, the touch driver circuit 210 may be separate from the data driver circuit 130.

[0065] The touch controller 220 can control the touch driving circuit 210 to receive touch sensing data from the touch driving circuit 210. The touch controller 220 can detect the presence or absence of a touch on the display panel 110 and the touch coordinates based on the data received from the touch driving circuit 210.

[0066] The touch controller 220 can control the touch driving circuit 210, and can send data to the touch driving circuit 210 for performing touch sensing or receive data from the touch driving circuit 210 for performing touch sensing.

[0067] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for sending or receiving data between a touch driving circuit 210 and a touch controller 220 included in a touch sensing system 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0068] Reference Figure 3 The touch controller 220 can send, for example, a system clock signal ECLK, a touch synchronization signal TSYNCN, a communication control signal SSN, and a data clock signal SCLK to the touch driver circuit 210.

[0069] The touch synchronization signal TSYNCN can be a signal that indicates a period of time corresponding to a touch mode. For example, a period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is low can correspond to a period of touch mode. A period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is high can correspond to a period of display mode.

[0070] The touch driving circuit 210 can identify the touch mode based on the level of the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN, and can drive the touch electrode TE to perform touch sensing in the touch mode.

[0071] The system clock signal ECLK can be a fundamental clock signal output by the touch controller 220 to drive the touch driver circuit 210. The system clock signal ECLK can also be a signal used to synchronize data sent from the touch controller 220 to the touch driver circuit 210. The system clock signal ECLK can be a clock signal used to identify and send / receive various signals or data (e.g., communication control signals or touch data) sent or received between the touch controller 220 and the touch driver circuit 210. The system clock signal ECLK can be output during the period when the touch controller 220 is being driven, and in some cases, it can be output only during a portion of the period. The system clock signal ECLK can also be a clock signal output during the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is low.

[0072] The communication control signal SSN can be a signal indicating the period during which the touch controller 220 communicates with the touch driver circuit 210. For example, the touch controller 220 can send data to the touch driver circuit 210 during a period when the communication control signal SSN is low. When the touch controller 220 controls multiple touch driver circuits 210, the touch driver circuit 210 to which the touch controller 220 sends data can be specified by the communication control signal SSN.

[0073] The data clock signal SCLK can be a signal output during the data communication period when the touch controller 220 sends data to the touch driver circuit 210. The data clock signal SCLK can be output during the period when the touch controller 220 sends data (i.e., during the period when the communication control signal SSN is at a low level).

[0074] Touch controller 220 can send master-out-slave-in (MOSI) data to touch driver circuit 210. Although in Figure 3 Although not shown in the diagram, in some cases, the touch controller 220 may receive master-in-slave-out (MISO) data from the touch driver circuit 210.

[0075] The touch controller 220 can control the touch driver circuit 210 by sending MOSI data to the touch driver circuit 210 based on various signals such as the system clock signal ECLK.

[0076] Figure 4 A diagram illustrating an example of signals transmitted and received by driving a touch sensing system 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0077] Reference Figure 4The touch synchronization signal TSYNCN can be output by the touch controller 220. As an example, the touch controller 220 can output a low-level touch synchronization signal TSYNCN during a period corresponding to the touch mode, and can output a high-level touch synchronization signal TSYNCN during other periods.

[0078] The touch driving circuit 210 can perform touch sensing based on the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN input from the touch controller 220.

[0079] The touch controller 220 can output a system clock signal ECLK to the touch driver circuit 210.

[0080] The touch driving circuit 210 can perform touch sensing by providing a touch driving signal TDS to the touch electrode TE during a period corresponding to the touch mode. The touch driving signal TDS can be provided to the touch driving circuit 210, for example, by the touch controller 220, or in some cases by the touch power supply circuit.

[0081] The touch driving circuit 210 can send touch data Tdata to the touch controller 220 based on touch sensing.

[0082] The touch controller 220 can send control data Cdata to the touch driver circuit 210 for controlling the touch driver circuit 210.

[0083] In order to reduce power consumption, during the process of the touch controller 220 sending data to or receiving data from the touch driver circuit 210 and controlling the touch driver circuit 210, the touch controller 220 can control the period of the output system clock signal ECLK.

[0084] As an example, such as in Figure 4 As shown in Case A, the touch controller 220 can output the system clock signal ECLK regardless of the touch mode. The system clock signal ECLK can be output during periods when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is low and during periods when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is high.

[0085] As another example, such as in Figure 4 As shown in scenario B, the touch controller 220 can output the system clock signal ECLK only during the period corresponding to the touch mode. During the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is high, the system clock signal ECLK may not be output. The system clock signal ECLK may be output during the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is low.

[0086] The system clock signal ECLK can be output only during the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is low, thereby reducing the power consumption of the touch sensing system 200.

[0087] In this case, the touch controller 220 can output the system clock signal ECLK when it detects that the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN changes from high level to low level.

[0088] There may be a delay between the time when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN goes low and the time when the output system clock signal ECLK is released.

[0089] In some cases, the touch controller 220 may send control data Cdata immediately after the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN goes low and before the output system clock signal ECLK.

[0090] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a method in which the touch controller 220 can send control data Cdata to the touch driver circuit 210 even during a delay period in which the system clock signal ECLK is not immediately output immediately after the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN goes low.

[0091] Figure 5 It is shown in Figure 4 The diagram illustrates an example of how the touch controller 220 sends control data Cdata under scenario B. Control data Cdata can be sent during a period when the communication control signal SSN is low.

[0092] Reference Figure 5 During the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is at a high level, the touch controller 220 may not output the system clock signal ECLK.

[0093] When the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN goes low, the touch controller 220 can output the system clock signal ECLK.

[0094] Since the touch controller 220 detects the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN at a low level and outputs the system clock signal ECLK, as indicated in section 501, there may be periods during which the system clock signal ECLK is not output during the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is output at a low level.

[0095] After a delay period during which the system clock signal ECLK is not output, as indicated in section 502, the touch controller 220 may output a communication control signal SSN that is at a low level.

[0096] During the period following the delay period when the system clock signal ECLK is output, the touch controller 220 can change the level of the communication control signal SSN to a low level. While the communication control signal SSN remains low, the touch controller 220 can send control data Cdata to the touch driver circuit 210.

[0097] In this case, the power consumption of the touch sensing system 200 sending control data Cdata to the touch driving circuit 210 can be reduced, but the timing of sending the control data Cdata may be delayed due to the delay period indicated by 501.

[0098] Embodiments of this disclosure may provide a method in which the power consumption of the touch sensing system 200 is reduced by controlling the period during which the system clock signal ECLK is output, and during the period during which the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the touch controller 220 sends control data Cdata to the touch driving circuit 210.

[0099] Figure 6 The illustration shows Figure 4 The diagram shows another example of how the touch controller 220 sends control data Cdata under scenario B. Control data Cdata can be sent during a period when the communication control signal SSN is low.

[0100] Figure 7 It is shown in Figure 6 The diagram illustrates an example of the specific method by which the touch controller 220 sends control data Cdata in Example 1. Figures 8 to 10 It is shown in Figure 6 The diagram shows an example of the specific method by which the touch controller sends control data Cdata in Example 2.

[0101] Reference Figure 6 When a specific period of time has elapsed after the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN goes low, the system clock signal ECLK can be output.

[0102] During the period after the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is output at a low level and before the system clock signal ECLK is output, the touch controller 220 may send control data Cdata to the touch driver circuit 210.

[0103] As an example, such as in Figure 6 As shown in Example 1, during a period when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the touch controller 220 can send control data Cdata to the touch driver circuit 210 during a data communication period.

[0104] Alternative locations, such as in Figure 6As shown in Example 2, during periods when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the touch controller 220 can send control data Cdata to the touch driver circuit 210 during two or more data communication periods.

[0105] In Example 1 or Example 2, during the period when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the touch controller 220 can control the level of the communication control signal SSN to send control data Cdata to the touch driver circuit 210.

[0106] Reference Figure 7 During the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is high, the system clock signal ECLK may not be output. After the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN goes low, the system clock signal ECLK may be output. Figure 7 In this context, the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN, system clock signal ECLK, communication control signal SSN, data clock signal SCLK, or MOSI data can be signals or data sent from the touch controller 220 to the touch driver circuit 210. The portion shown below the MOSI data represents signals or data based on the internal operating state of the touch driver circuit 210.

[0107] After the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN goes low, the system clock signal ECLK can be withheld for a specific period of time.

[0108] During periods when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the communication control signal SSN can be low. The periods when the communication control signal SSN is low can be during data communication periods.

[0109] The data clock signal SCLK can be output during the period when the communication control signal SSN is low. The data clock signal SCLK can also be output during the data communication period when the communication control signal SSN is low.

[0110] Since the communication control signal SSN changes from high level to low level and outputs the data clock signal SCLK, the touch driver circuit 210 can use the data clock signal SCLK to identify the data communication period when the communication control signal SSN is at a low level.

[0111] Since the touch driver circuit 210 recognizes that the communication control signal SSN has gone low, the touch driver circuit 210 can recognize that the touch controller 220 has sent control data Cdata.

[0112] The touch controller 220 can send addresses, commands, and data sequentially.

[0113] The touch driver circuit 210 can identify the address start time point based on the level change of the communication control signal SSN.

[0114] The touch driver circuit 210 can identify the address start time point and decode data packets received from the touch controller 220. The touch driver circuit 210 can update the address and write data according to commands.

[0115] Because the data clock signal SCLK is output during the period when the communication control signal SSN is at a low level, the touch driver circuit 210 can normally recognize the control data Cdata output by the touch controller 220 even during the period when the system clock signal ECLK is not output.

[0116] Data communication between the touch controller 220 and the touch driver circuit 210 can be performed normally during the period before the output system clock signal ECLK.

[0117] In some cases, the touch controller 220 may send control data Cdata during two or more data communication periods prior to the output system clock signal ECLK.

[0118] In this case, by adjusting the level of the communication control signal SSN during the data communication period, the touch driver circuit 210 can correctly identify the address start time point and process the data packets received from the touch controller 220.

[0119] Reference Figure 8 When a specific time period has elapsed after the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN changes from high to low, the system clock signal ECLK can be output.

[0120] During the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is low and the system clock signal ECLK is not output, there may be two or more data communication periods. Figure 8 This illustrates an example where there are two data communication periods preceding the output system clock signal ECLK. A data communication period can be the period when the communication control signal SSN is low and the output data clock signal SCLK is active.

[0121] During each of the two data communication periods, a low-level communication control signal SSN can be output. A data clock signal SCLK can also be output during each of the two data communication periods. Different data communication periods can be separated by periods in which the data clock signal is not output and the level of the communication control signal SSN changes.

[0122] During the data communication period, the level of the communication control signal SSN can be changed two or more times.

[0123] As an example, as indicated in the 801 specification, the communication control signal SSN can go low at the start of a data communication period and then go high. The communication control signal SSN can go high and then go low again.

[0124] The data clock signal SCLK can be output during the period when the communication control signal SSN changes from low to high. That is, as indicated in section 801, the data clock signal SCLK can be output during the period when the communication control signal SSN remains high. The touch driver circuit 210 can use the data clock signal SCLK to recognize the level change of the communication control signal SSN.

[0125] The touch driver circuit 210 can identify the address start time point based on the period of level change of the communication control signal SSN. The touch driver circuit 210 can use the data clock signal SCLK to identify the level change of the communication control signal SSN.

[0126] During the second data communication period of two data communication periods, as indicated in section 802, the level of the communication control signal SSN may be changed two or more times.

[0127] The communication control signal SSN can go low and then go high again.

[0128] By utilizing the change of the communication control signal SSN from low to high level, the touch drive circuit 210 can identify the address start time point of the control data Cdata sent during the second data communication period.

[0129] The touch driver circuit 210 can identify the address start time point in the second data communication period and can normally decode and process the control data Cdata received from the touch controller 220.

[0130] Before the start of the second data communication period, as indicated in section 803, there may be a period in which the data clock signal SCLK is not output and the level of the communication control signal SSN changes.

[0131] Since the 803 indicates two separate data communication periods, the data clock signal SCLK does not need to be output. Furthermore, the system clock signal ECLK does not need to be output during the corresponding time period.

[0132] Therefore, as indicated in section 803, the touch drive circuit 210 may not recognize the level change of the communication control signal SSN.

[0133] Since the touch driver circuit 210 can identify the address start time point based on the level change of the communication control signal SSN as indicated in the part indicated in 802 during the second data communication period, the touch driver circuit 210 can perform normal data communication during the second data communication period even when the touch driver circuit 210 does not identify the communication control signal SSN in the part indicated in 803.

[0134] As described above, during the period when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the touch controller 220 can adjust the level of the communication control signal SSN and use the data clock signal SCLK to identify the address start time of the touch driver circuit 210.

[0135] Data communication between the touch controller 220 and the touch driver circuit 210 can be performed normally during the period after the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN goes low and before the output system clock signal ECLK, thereby reducing the power consumption of the touch sensing system 200 and improving the efficiency of data communication.

[0136] In addition, in some cases, the touch driver circuit 210 can use the communication control signal SSN, the data clock signal SCLK, and the MOSI data to identify the address start time point.

[0137] Reference Figure 9 During the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN goes low and the system clock signal ECLK is not output, there can be two data communication periods. Each of the two data communication periods can be a period when the communication control signal SSN is low and the data clock signal SCLK is output. The two data communication periods can be separated by a period in which the data clock signal SCLK is not output and the level of the communication control signal SSN changes.

[0138] The communication control signal SSN can be changed to a low level, which can initiate a data communication period. During the data communication period, the level of the communication control signal SSN can be changed two or more times.

[0139] The data clock signal SCLK can be output during the data communication period.

[0140] As indicated in section 901 or 902, MOSI data, including specific pattern data, can be transmitted during the period when the level of the communication control signal SSN changes from low to high and then back to low.

[0141] As an example, as indicated in sections 901 or 902, during the period when the level of the communication control signal SSN changes, when the communication control signal SSN is low, the touch controller 220 can send "AC" to the HEX, and when the communication control signal SSN is high, the touch controller 220 can send "CE" to the HEX.

[0142] As indicated in section 903, there may be a period between two communication periods during which the system clock signal ECLK and the data clock signal SCLK are not output and the level of the communication control signal SSN changes.

[0143] When pattern data is input during a period when the level of the communication control signal SSN changes during the data communication period, the touch driver circuit 210 can identify the pattern data as KEYDET logic. After the touch driver circuit 210 identifies the KEYDET logic, it can determine the time when the level of the communication control signal SSN goes low as the start time of data transmission.

[0144] The touch driver circuit 210 can identify the address start time point based on the KEY DET logic.

[0145] The touch driver circuit 210 can accurately identify the address start time point, decode the data packets received from the touch controller 220, and process the data normally.

[0146] As described above, during the period when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the touch driver circuit 210 can use the communication control signal SSN, the data clock signal SCLK, and the mode data to determine the address start time point.

[0147] Even when the touch driver circuit 210 does not recognize the communication control signal SSN shown in the part indicated by 903, the touch driver circuit 210 can still recognize the KEY DET logic shown in the part indicated by 902 to perform data communication with the touch controller 220 normally.

[0148] Therefore, the system clock signal ECLK can be output only during the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is at the level corresponding to the touch mode to reduce power consumption, and data communication between the touch controller 220 and the touch driver circuit 210 can be performed even during the period when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, thereby improving the efficiency of data communication.

[0149] Furthermore, in some cases, when there are two or more data communication periods during a period when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the level of the communication control signal SSN can be changed only during the data communication period after the second data communication period to allow the touch driver circuit 210 to recognize the address start time point.

[0150] Reference Figure 10 When the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is at a low level and the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the touch controller 220 can send data to the touch driver circuit 210.

[0151] As an example, there can be two data communication periods before the output system clock signal ECLK.

[0152] During the first data communication period, the communication control signal SSN can go low.

[0153] During the first data communication period, as indicated in section 1001, the level of the communication control signal SSN can be kept low without change.

[0154] During the second data communication period, the level of the communication control signal SSN can be changed two or more times.

[0155] As indicated in section 1002, the level of the communication control signal SSN can change from low to high. Afterward, the level of the communication control signal SSN can return to low.

[0156] As indicated in section 1002, a data clock signal SCLK can be output during the period when the communication control signal SSN changes from low to high and then from high to low again.

[0157] During the period when the level of the communication control signal SSN changes from low to high, the touch controller 220 can send mode data to the touch driver circuit 210.

[0158] As indicated in section 1003, before the second data communication period, there may be a period in which the system clock signal ECLK and the data clock signal SCLK are not output and the level of the communication control signal SSN changes.

[0159] During the first data communication period, since the communication control signal SSN changes to a low level and outputs the data clock signal SCLK, the touch driver circuit 210 can recognize the change in the level of the communication control signal SSN and can recognize the address start time of the control data Cdata sent by the touch controller 220.

[0160] Therefore, during the first data communication period, the touch drive circuit 210 can decode the data packets received from the touch controller 220 and process the data normally.

[0161] During the second data communication period, the touch driver circuit 210 can identify the KEY DET logic based on the communication control signal SSN, the data clock signal SCLK, and the mode data. The touch driver circuit 210 can use the KEY DET logic to identify the address start time point.

[0162] Alternatively, in some cases, pattern data may not be sent. The touch driver circuit 210 can identify the address start time based on the period during which the level of the communication control signal SSN changes during the second data communication period.

[0163] As described above, the touch driving circuit 210 identifies the time point when the communication control signal SSN changes from high level to low level as the address start time point, and can decode the data packets received from the touch controller 220.

[0164] Therefore, during the period when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the touch driver circuit 210 can normally process the control data Cdata received from the touch controller 220.

[0165] The embodiments described above in this disclosure will now be briefly described.

[0166] A touch display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a plurality of touch electrodes TE disposed in a display panel 110; a touch driving circuit 210 configured to drive the plurality of touch electrodes TE; and a touch controller 220 configured to control the touch driving circuit 210.

[0167] During at least one of a plurality of data communication periods in which the touch controller sends data to the touch driver circuit, the level of the communication control signal SSN, which is output by the touch controller 220 and input to the touch driver circuit 210, may be changed two or more times.

[0168] During data communication periods when the level of the communication control signal SSN changes two or more times, the touch controller 220 may not output the system clock signal ECLK.

[0169] During data communication periods when the level of the communication control signal SSN changes two or more times, the touch controller 220 may send a data clock signal SCLK to the touch driver circuit 210.

[0170] Before a data communication period in which the level of the communication control signal SSN changes two or more times, there may be a period in which the data clock signal SCLK is not output and the level of the communication control signal SSN changes two or more times.

[0171] During periods when the data clock signal SCLK is not output and the communication control signal SSN changes two or more times, the system clock signal ECLK may not be output.

[0172] After the level of the communication control signal SSN changes during the data communication period, the touch controller 220 can send control data Cdata to the touch driver circuit 210.

[0173] During data communication periods when the level of the communication control signal SSN changes two or more times, the touch controller 220 may send mode data to the touch driver circuit 210.

[0174] During a data communication period, if the level of the communication control signal SSN changes two or more times, pattern data can be transmitted.

[0175] The touch controller 220 can send control data Cdata to the touch driver circuit 210 after sending mode data.

[0176] The touch driver circuit 210 can identify the address start time point based on pattern data.

[0177] The data communication period may include two or more level changes of the communication control signal SSN during the time period after the touch controller 220 outputs the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN corresponding to the touch mode and before outputting the system clock signal ECLK.

[0178] The period after outputting the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN corresponding to the touch mode and before outputting the system clock signal CLK may include two or more data communication periods; and during the second data communication period of the two or more data communication periods, the level of the communication control signal SSN may be changed two or more times.

[0179] A touch sensing system 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a touch driving circuit 210 configured to drive a plurality of touch electrodes TE; and a touch controller 220 configured to control the touch driving circuit 210.

[0180] The touch controller 220 can output a system clock signal ECLK after a specific time has elapsed since the output of the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN corresponding to the touch mode; before the output of the system clock signal ECLK, there can be a first data communication period and a second data communication period; and during at least one of the first data communication period and the second data communication period, the level of the communication control signal SSN output by the touch controller 220 and input to the touch driver circuit 210 can be changed two or more times.

[0181] The touch controller 220 can send control data Cdata to the touch driver circuit 210 after the period of time when the level of the communication control signal SSN changes.

[0182] The touch controller 220 can send mode data to the touch driver circuit 210 during the period when the level of the communication control signal SSN changes.

[0183] The touch controller 220 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured to transmit data during two or more communication periods after outputting a touch synchronization signal TSYNCN corresponding to a touch mode and before outputting a system clock signal CLK, and to change the level of the communication control signal SSN during at least one of the two or more data communication periods.

[0184] According to the above embodiments of this disclosure, since the touch controller 220 does not output the system clock signal ECLK during the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is at a high level, and only outputs the system clock signal ECLK during the period when the touch synchronization signal TSYNCN is at a low level, the power consumption of the touch sensing system 200 can be reduced.

[0185] During the data communication period included in the period when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, the touch controller 220 changes the level of the communication control signal SSN two or more times, thereby allowing the touch driver circuit 210 to recognize the address start time point.

[0186] Therefore, even during periods when the system clock signal ECLK is not output, data communication between the touch controller 220 and the touch driver circuit 210 can be performed normally, thereby reducing the power consumption of the touch sensing system 200 and improving the data communication efficiency.

[0187] The foregoing description has been presented to enable any person skilled in the art to implement and use the technical concepts of this disclosure, and has been provided in the context of specific applications and their requirements. Various modifications, additions, and substitutions to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The foregoing description and drawings are provided as examples of the technical concepts of this disclosure for illustrative purposes only. That is, the disclosed embodiments are intended to illustrate the scope of the technical concepts of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but is consistent with the widest scope as described in the claims. The scope of this disclosure should be interpreted based on the appended claims, and all technical concepts within the scope of their equivalents should be construed as being included within the scope of this disclosure.

[0188] Cross-reference to related applications

[0189] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0168367, filed on November 30, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as fully set forth herein.

Claims

1. A touch display device, the touch display device comprising: Multiple touch electrodes are disposed in the display panel; A touch driving circuit configured to drive the plurality of touch electrodes; as well as A touch controller configured to control the touch driving circuitry. During at least one of a plurality of data communication periods in which the touch controller sends data to the touch driving circuit, the level of the communication control signal output by the touch controller and input to the touch driving circuit changes two or more times. During at least one data communication period in which the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times, the touch controller is configured to send a data clock signal to the touch driving circuit when the communication control signal is at a low level, and to send the data clock signal to the touch driving circuit when the communication control signal is at a high level.

2. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, During data communication periods when the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times, the touch controller is configured not to output a system clock signal.

3. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, Before the data communication period in which the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times, there is a period in which the data clock signal is not output; and During the period when the data clock signal is not output, the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times.

4. The touch display device according to claim 3, wherein, During periods when the data clock signal is not output and the communication control signal changes two or more times, the system clock signal is not output.

5. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, After the period in which the level of the communication control signal changes during the data communication period, the touch controller is configured to send control data to the touch driving circuit.

6. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, During data communication periods in which the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times, the touch controller is configured to send pattern data to the touch driving circuit.

7. The touch display device according to claim 6, wherein, The pattern data is transmitted during a period in which the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times during the data communication period.

8. The touch display device according to claim 6, wherein, The touch controller is configured to send control data to the touch driver circuit after sending the mode data.

9. The touch display device according to claim 6, wherein, The touch driving circuit is configured to identify the address start time point based on the pattern data.

10. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, The data communication period in which the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times is included in the period before the touch controller outputs the system clock signal and after the touch synchronization signal corresponding to the touch mode is output.

11. The touch display device according to claim 10, wherein, The period after the output of the touch synchronization signal corresponding to the touch mode and before the output of the system clock signal includes two or more data communication periods; and During the second data communication period of the two or more data communication periods, the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times.

12. The touch display device according to claim 10, wherein, The touch controller outputs the system clock signal in response to the touch synchronization signal changing from high to low. The delay period is between the time when the touch synchronization signal goes low and the time when the system clock signal is output.

13. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, The touch controller is configured to sequentially send an address, a command, and data to the touch driver circuit during the at least one data communication period.

14. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein, During the at least one data communication period, the level of the communication control signal changes to a low level, then to a high level, and then to a low level again.

15. A touch sensing system, the touch sensing system comprising: A touch driving circuit configured to drive a plurality of touch electrodes; as well as A touch controller configured to control the touch driving circuitry. in, The touch controller is configured to output a system clock signal in response to a specific time elapsed after outputting a touch synchronization signal corresponding to the touch mode; Before the system clock signal is output, a first data communication period and a second data communication period occur; and During at least one of the first data communication period and the second data communication period, the level of the communication control signal output by the touch controller and input to the touch driving circuit changes two or more times. During at least one of the first data communication period and the second data communication period, during which the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times, the touch controller is configured to send a data clock signal to the touch driving circuit when the communication control signal is at a low level, and to send the data clock signal to the touch driving circuit when the communication control signal is at a high level.

16. The touch sensing system according to claim 15, wherein, The touch controller is configured to send control data to the touch driving circuit after a period of time in which the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times.

17. The touch sensing system according to claim 15, wherein, The touch controller is configured to send pattern data to the touch driving circuit during a period in which the level of the communication control signal changes two or more times.

18. The touch sensing system according to claim 17, wherein, The touch controller is configured to send control data to the touch driver circuit after sending the mode data.

19. A touch controller that transmits data during two or more data communication periods after outputting a touch synchronization signal corresponding to a touch mode and before outputting a system clock signal, and changes the level of a communication control signal during at least one of the two or more data communication periods. in, During at least one of the two or more data communication periods in which the level of the communication control signal changes, the touch controller is configured to send a data clock signal to the touch driver circuit when the communication control signal is low, and to send the data clock signal to the touch driver circuit when the communication control signal is high.

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