Electronic device

Abstract

The invention provides an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a touch panel and a control circuit. The touch panel comprises a plurality of induction lines and a plurality of induction electrodes. The sensing electrodes are coupled to the corresponding sensing lines. The control circuit is coupled to the touch panel through the sensing line. The control circuit includes a first switching circuit. The first switch circuit is used for controlling whether at least two induction lines of the plurality of induction lines are electrically connected or not. In the first mode, the first switching circuit enables the at least two induction lines to be electrically connected. In the second mode, the first switching circuit enables the at least two induction lines to be electrically disconnected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular to a touch device. Background Art

[0002] Electronic devices with touch functions can bring convenience to users. However, traditional electronic devices do not change their touch scanning timing according to the operation mode. Therefore, regardless of whether a touch event occurs, all electronic devices use the same frequency or vibration drive signal to drive the sensing electrode to perform touch sensing operations. However, this driving method will make the electromagnetic interference (EMI) energy of the electronic device too high and increase the power consumption of the electronic device. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention provides an electronic device which can reduce power consumption by changing its touch sensing mode.

[0004] The electronic device of the present invention includes a touch panel and a control circuit. The touch panel includes a plurality of sensing lines and a plurality of sensing electrodes. The sensing electrodes are coupled to corresponding sensing lines. The control circuit is coupled to the touch panel through the sensing lines. The control circuit includes a first switch circuit. The first switch circuit is used to control whether at least two sensing lines of the plurality of sensing lines are electrically connected. In a first mode, the first switch circuit electrically connects the at least two sensing lines. In a second mode, the first switch circuit electrically disconnects the at least two sensing lines.

[0005] In order to make the foregoing content more understandable, several embodiments are described in detail below with accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0007] Figure 2A Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a touch panel of an embodiment;

[0008] Figure 2B Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a control circuit of an embodiment;

[0009] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the operation of the touch panel in the standby mode according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the operation of the touch panel in a normal mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 5A schematic diagram showing a touch panel operating in a standby mode according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing waveforms of various signals of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing waveforms of various signals of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing a waveform of a driving signal of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram showing a waveform of a driving signal of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Fig.10 A flowchart showing the steps of combining an electronic device with a vehicle host according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present disclosure can be understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in order to make it easier for readers to understand and for the simplicity of the drawings, the multiple drawings in the present disclosure only depict a portion of the electronic device, and the specific components in the drawings are not drawn according to the actual scale. In addition, the number and size of each component in the figure are only for illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] In the following description and claims, the words “including” and “comprising” are open-ended words and thus should be interpreted as meaning “including but not limited to…”.

[0019] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, ... can be used to describe a variety of components, the components are not limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish a single component from other components in the specification. The same terms may not be used in the claims, but may be replaced by first, second, third, ... according to the order of the components declared in the claims. Therefore, in the following description, the first component may be the second component in the claims.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, terms related to joining and connection, such as "connection", "interconnection", etc., unless otherwise defined, may refer to two structures being in direct contact, or may also refer to two structures not being in direct contact, wherein other structures are disposed between the two structures. And such terms related to joining and connection may also include situations where both structures are movable, or where both structures are fixed. In addition, the term "coupling" includes any direct and indirect electrical connection means. In the case of direct electrical connection, the endpoints of components on the two circuits are directly connected or interconnected by a conductor segment, and in the case of indirect electrical connection, there are switches, diodes, capacitors, inductors, resistors, other suitable components, or combinations of the above components between the endpoints of the components on the two circuits, but not limited thereto.

[0021] The electronic device disclosed herein may include a display device, an antenna device, a sensing device, a light-emitting device, or a splicing device, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device may include a bendable or flexible electronic device. The electronic device may include an electronic component. The electronic device may include, for example, a liquid crystal layer or a light emitting diode (LED). The electronic component may include passive components and active components, such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, variable capacitors, filters, diodes, transistors, sensors, micro-electromechanical system components (MEMS), liquid crystal chips, controllers, etc., but are not limited thereto. The diode may include a light-emitting diode or a photodiode. The light-emitting diode may include, for example, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a sub-millimeter light-emitting diode (miniLED), a micro light-emitting diode (micro LED), a quantum dot light-emitting diode (quantum dot LED), fluorescence, phosphorescence, or other suitable materials, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The sensor may include, for example, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a fingerprint sensor (FPS), a touch sensor, an antenna, or a pen sensor, etc., but is not limited thereto. The controller may include, for example, a timing controller, etc., but is not limited thereto. The following text will use a display touch device as an electronic device to illustrate the content of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a touch panel according to an embodiment. Figure 2B Show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the control circuit of the embodiment. Figure 1 , Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the electronic device 100 includes a touch panel 110 and a control circuit 120. The control circuit 120 is used to drive the touch panel 110 to perform a touch sensing operation.

[0024] The touch panel 110 includes a plurality of sensing lines 112 and a plurality of sensing electrodes 114. The sensing electrodes 114 are coupled to the corresponding sensing lines 112. The control circuit 120 is coupled to the touch panel 110 through the sensing lines 112. The control circuit 120 includes a first switch circuit 121 and a second switch circuit 122. The first switch circuit 121 is used to control whether at least two sensing lines of the sensing lines 112 are electrically connected. The first switch circuit 121 includes first switch components SB1, SB2 to SB(n-1), where n is an integer greater than 2. For example, the first switch component SB1 is used to control whether the two sensing lines 112 connected thereto are electrically connected. The control circuit 120 is coupled to the sensing lines 112 through the second switch circuit 122. The second switch circuit 122 is used to control whether the sensing lines 112 are electrically connected to the control circuit 120. The second switch circuit 122 includes second switch components SA1, SA2 to SA(n). When the second switch elements SA1 , SA2 ˜ SA(n) are turned on, the control circuit 120 receives the sensing signal from the touch panel 110 .

[0025] Figure 2B The sensing circuit shown is an embodiment of the control circuit 120 for receiving the sensing signals output by the first column of sensing electrodes S11, S21-Sn1. The control circuit 120 may include a plurality of Figure 2B The sensing circuit shown is used to sense the sensing signals output by the sensing electrodes in other columns. Figure 2B The circuit marked as ADC is an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, which is used to convert analog sensing signals into digital sensing signals for the next-level circuit to perform touch sensing operations.

[0026] In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes a standby mode (first mode) and a normal mode (second mode). In the standby mode, the first switch circuit 121 electrically connects at least two sensing lines 112 to group the sensing electrodes 114 to perform a mutual-capacitive touch operation. In the normal mode, the first switch circuit 121 electrically disconnects at least two sensing lines 112 to perform a self-capacitive touch operation.

[0027] Specifically, Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the touch panel of an embodiment of the present invention operating in a standby mode, Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a touch panel operating in a normal mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 and Figure 4 ,exist Figure 3 In the embodiment, the touch panel 110 includes a first area 310 and a second area 320 adjacent to the first area 310. The second area 320 surrounds the first area 310. A portion of the sensing electrodes 114_1 is disposed in the first area 310, and another portion of the sensing electrodes 114_2 is disposed in the second area 320. In the standby mode, the control circuit 120 controls the first switch circuit 121 to electrically connect the sensing lines 112 corresponding to the sensing electrodes 114_1 disposed in the first area 310, and to electrically connect the sensing lines 112 corresponding to the sensing electrodes 114_2 disposed in the second area 320. Therefore, in the standby mode, the first switch circuit 121 is turned on, and the second switch circuit 122 is not turned on, so that the sensing electrodes 114 can be divided into a first group of sensing electrodes 114_1 disposed in the first area 310 and a second group of sensing electrodes 114_2 disposed in the second area 320. In this way, the touch panel 110 can perform a preliminary scan in the standby mode to determine whether an object (such as a user's finger or a touch pen) 400 approaches or touches the touch panel 110, so as to determine the area 410 that the object 400 approaches or touches. In the standby mode, the control circuit 120 can drive the touch panel 110 to perform a preliminary scan with a driving signal with a lower frequency or a lower amplitude, so as to reduce the power consumption of the electronic device 100 in the standby mode.

[0028] Next, after the control circuit 120 determines that the object 400 approaches or touches the area 410, the control circuit 120 controls the electronic device 100 to enter the normal mode. In the normal mode, the first switch circuit 121 is not turned on, and the second switch circuit 122 corresponding to the touch area 410 is turned on in sequence, so that the sensing line 112 corresponding to the touch area 410 can transmit the sensing signal to the control circuit 120. In this way, the touch panel 110 can perform a high-resolution scan of the object 400 in the normal mode to determine the touch point that the object 400 approaches or touches. In the standby mode, the control circuit 120 can, for example, drive the touch panel 110 with a driving signal with a higher frequency or a higher amplitude to perform a high-resolution scan. Since the control circuit 120 scans the touch area 410, the power consumption of the electronic device 100 in the normal mode can also be reduced.

[0029] In this embodiment, Figure 3 The second area 320 surrounds the first area 310 as an example for illustration, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the touch panel of the present invention operating in standby mode. Figure 5 ,exist Figure 5 In the embodiment, the first area 310 and the second area 320 are arranged alternately.

[0030] In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 further includes a display panel (not shown), and the display panel and the touch panel 110 are integrated into a TID (Touch in Display) embedded touch display panel, that is, the touch panel 110 is disposed in the display panel. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the display panel and the touch panel 110 are integrated into a TOD (Touch Panel On Display) embedded touch display panel, that is, the touch panel 110 is disposed on the display panel.

[0031] Figure 6 Schematic diagram showing waveforms of various signals of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 6 VS is a vertical synchronization signal, and its high level period is the frame period. Figure 6 1, 2, and 3 are shown in FIG. 1 . Signal S1 shows the display timing, and the electronic device performs display operation during its high level period. Signal S2 is a touch drive signal output by the control circuit 120 to the touch panel 110 to drive the touch panel 110 to perform touch operation. Signal S3 is a touch sensing signal output by the touch panel 110 to the control circuit 120.

[0032] In the standby mode, the control circuit 120 outputs the first driving signal S21 to drive the sensing electrode 114 to perform a preliminary scan to determine whether an object 400 approaches or touches the touch panel 110, so as to determine the touch area 410. Next, in the standby mode, the control circuit 120 receives the first sensing signal S31. When the signal strength of the first sensing signal S31 is greater than the threshold, the control circuit 120 switches the electronic device 100 from the standby mode to the normal mode. For example, at time T1, the object 400 approaches or touches the touch panel 110, and the signal strength of the first sensing signal S31 is greater than the threshold, so the control circuit 120 switches the electronic device 100 from the standby mode to the normal mode.

[0033] In normal mode, the control circuit 120 outputs a second driving signal S22 to drive the sensing electrode 114 to perform a high-resolution scan of the touch area 410. Next, in normal mode, the control circuit 120 receives a second sensing signal S32 to determine the touch point that the object 400 approaches or touches. In this embodiment, the second sensing signal S32 is distributed during the first frame period and the second frame period adjacent to the first frame period, and overlaps with the falling edge or rising edge of the frame period in time. As shown by reference numeral 600, the second sensing signal S32 overlaps with the falling edge of the first frame period and the rising edge of the second frame period at times T2 and T3, respectively. This distribution of sensing signals does not affect the touch operation and / or display operation of the electronic device 100.

[0034] In an embodiment, the second sensing signal S32 may also be distributed only during the first frame period. Figure 7 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing waveforms of various signals of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 ,exist Figure 7 In the embodiment, the second sensing signal S32 is distributed in the first frame period, and the second sensing signal S32 does not overlap with the falling edge of the first frame period and the rising edge of the second frame period in time. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first sensing signal S31 and the second sensing signal S32 are distributed in the same frame period, that is, the first frame period.

[0035] Figure 8 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a waveform of a driving signal of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 8 The signal S4 is used to indicate the operation mode of the electronic device 100. The signal S5 is a driving signal output by the control circuit 120 to the touch area 410 of the touch panel 110. The signal S6 is a driving signal output by the control circuit 120 to the non-touch area on the touch panel 110 other than the touch area 410.

[0036] In the standby mode P1, the control circuit 120 outputs the first driving signals S51 and S61 to drive the sensing electrodes 114 to perform preliminary scanning. In the normal mode P2, the control circuit 120 outputs the second driving signal S52 to drive the sensing electrodes 114 corresponding to the touch area 410. In this embodiment, the amplitudes of the first driving signals S51 and S61 are lower than the amplitude of the second driving signal S52 to reduce the power consumption of the electronic device 100 in the standby mode P1. In addition, in this embodiment, in the normal mode P2, the control circuit 120 does not output the driving signal to the sensing electrodes 114 corresponding to the non-touch area, as shown by reference numeral 800, to reduce the power consumption of the electronic device 100 in the normal mode P2.

[0037] Fig. 9 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a waveform of a driving signal of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 In the present embodiment, the frequencies of the first driving signals S51 and S61 are lower than the frequency of the second driving signal S52 , so as to reduce the power consumption of the electronic device 100 in the standby mode P1 .

[0038] The following describes an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention combined with a vehicle host in different usage modes. The vehicle host can intelligently and dynamically control the touch operation of the electronic device to achieve the purpose of energy saving and carbon reduction.

[0039] Fig.10 A flowchart showing the steps of combining the electronic device with the vehicle host according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 In step S100, the vehicle host is started. In step S110, the vehicle host periodically and automatically detects the driver's behavior. The driver's behavior detected by the vehicle host includes but is not limited to the driver preparing to open the car door for a short time, the driver preparing to reverse, and the driver stopping driving and parking for a short rest.

[0040] In step S120, if the vehicle host detects that the driver has the above-mentioned behavior and the electronic device 100 is currently in normal mode, the method flow will enter step S130. In step S130, the vehicle host will determine whether to enter the standby mode from the normal mode. If the vehicle host determines that it is to enter the standby mode, it will notify the electronic device 100, so that the control circuit 120 controls the electronic device 100 to enter the standby mode (step S150). If the vehicle host determines that it does not want to enter the standby mode, it will notify the electronic device 100, so that the control circuit 120 controls the electronic device 100 to maintain in the normal mode (step S160).

[0041] In step S120, if the vehicle host does not detect the above-mentioned behavior of the driver and the electronic device 100 is currently in standby mode, the method flow will enter step S140. In step S140, the vehicle host determines whether to return from standby mode to normal mode. If the vehicle host determines to return to normal mode, it will notify the electronic device 100 so that the control circuit 120 controls the electronic device 100 to return to normal mode (step S160). If the vehicle host determines not to return to normal mode, it will notify the electronic device 100 so that the control circuit 120 controls the electronic device 100 to remain in standby mode (step S150).

[0042] In the application of the electronic device 100 combined with a car host, since the noise inside the car is low and the signal-to-noise ratio is high, the debounce operation time can be eliminated to speed up the operation of the electronic device 100.

[0043] In summary, in an embodiment of the present invention, in standby mode, the electronic device can save energy and quickly respond to whether an object is approaching or touching, and switch to normal mode. In areas where no object is touching, the electronic device reduces the frequency or amplitude of the driving signal to reduce electromagnetic interference energy and power consumption. In areas where an object is touching, the electronic device uses the same frequency or amplitude as the original driving signal to maintain performance. In addition, in the application of the electronic device in combination with a vehicle host, the vehicle host detects the driver's behavior to determine the operating state of the electronic device, which can reduce the power consumption of the electronic device. Therefore, in the context of different usage modes, the vehicle host can intelligently and dynamically control the touch operation of the electronic device to achieve the purpose of energy saving and carbon reduction.

[0044] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: A touch panel comprising a plurality of sensing lines and a plurality of sensing electrodes, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes are coupled to the corresponding plurality of sensing lines; as well as A control circuit is coupled to the touch panel through the plurality of sensing lines, and the control circuit includes a first switch circuit, The first switch circuit is used to control whether at least two of the plurality of sensing lines are electrically connected, and in a first mode, the first switch circuit electrically connects the at least two sensing lines, and in a second mode, the first switch circuit electrically disconnects the at least two sensing lines.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit further comprises a second switch circuit, wherein the control circuit further comprises a second switch circuit, and the control circuit is coupled to the plurality of sensing lines through the second switch circuit, and the second switch circuit is used to control whether the plurality of sensing lines are electrically connected to the control circuit.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein In the first mode, the first switch circuit is conducting and the second switch circuit is not conducting; and In the second mode, the first switch circuits are not turned on, and the second switch circuits are turned on in sequence. 4 . The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a display panel, wherein the touch panel is provided in the display panel. The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a display panel, wherein the touch panel is disposed on the display panel.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein The touch panel includes a first area and a second area adjacent to the first area, a portion of the plurality of sensing electrodes is disposed in the first area, and another portion of the plurality of sensing electrodes is disposed in the second area; and In the first mode, the plurality of sensing lines corresponding to the portion of sensing electrodes disposed in the first area are electrically connected to each other, and the plurality of sensing lines corresponding to the other portion of sensing electrodes disposed in the second area are electrically connected to each other. The electronic device according to claim 6 , wherein the second area surrounds the first area. The electronic device according to claim 6 , wherein the first area and the second area are alternately arranged.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein In the first mode, the control circuit receives a first sensing signal, and in the second mode, the control circuit receives a second sensing signal, When the signal strength of the first sensing signal is greater than a threshold, the control circuit switches from the first mode to the second mode. 10 . The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the second sensing signal is distributed in a first frame period and a second frame period adjacent to the first frame period. The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the second sensing signal is distributed during a first frame period. 12 . The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal are distributed in the same frame period.

13. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein In the first mode, the control circuit outputs a first driving signal to drive the plurality of sensing electrodes, and in the second mode, the control circuit outputs a second driving signal to drive the plurality of sensing electrodes; and The amplitude of the first driving signal is lower than the amplitude of the second driving signal.

14. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein In the first mode, the control circuit outputs a first driving signal to drive the plurality of sensing electrodes, and in the second mode, the control circuit outputs a second driving signal to drive the plurality of sensing electrodes; and The frequency of the first driving signal is lower than the frequency of the second driving signal.

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