Palm suppression method for active pen and touch screen device

Abstract

The invention relates to a palm suppression method for an active pen and a touch screen device. A method of operating a touch screen panel includes initiating communication between the panel and an active pen and determining a touch area of the panel. The touch area includes a communication channel operated by a touch when bidirectional communication occurs between the panel and the active pen. A communication channel within the touch region is disabled, and communication between the panel and the active pen may occur when the communication channel within the touch region is disabled. When it is determined that communication between the panel and the active pen has stopped, the communication channel continues to be prohibited within a set time delay while communication between the panel and the active pen does not occur. After the set delay time, a communication channel within the touch region is enabled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to touch screen devices and, in particular embodiments, to methods of palm rejection for active pens and touch screen panels. Background Art

[0002] Electronic devices designed for user interaction have historically utilized external input devices such as keyboards, keypads, and / or mice to capture user input. In recent years, more traditional methods have been pushed aside as consumers prefer the convenience of portable devices that can support a more flexible lifestyle. To this end, smaller portable handheld electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, gaming systems, etc. have increased. This has led to the popularity of touch screens and touch screen displays as systems for capturing user input. They not only provide the functionality of traditional electronic devices, but touch screens provide additional features.

[0003] With the development of smart phones and tablet computers, application software such as drawing software requires a higher precision touch. Such applications have led to the use of pens (stylus electronic pens) becoming more common and requiring higher performance of the pens.

[0004] The pen can be divided into active pen and passive capacitive pen. The function of passive capacitive pen is similar to the touch of a finger to touch screen device. The coordinates of the pen are determined according to the change of capacitance at the touch point. In active pen, the touch IC sends an uplink signal to the pen for pairing. The pen sends a downlink signal when pairing. The touch IC of the touch screen receives the downlink signal and calculates the coordinates of the pen.

[0005] The active pen allows the user to touch the touch screen with improved precision. For example, given the appropriate software, the user can utilize the active pen for precise sketching, drawing, and handwriting. The performance of the active pen depends on the signal quality between the active pen and the touch screen, and interference with the signal quality may affect the performance of the pen. Summary of the invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide a new palm suppression method to improve the performance of an active pen. As described below, the embodiments relate to a touch screen device and an active pen combined with the touch screen device.

[0007] One general aspect includes a method of operating a touch screen panel with an active pen. The method includes initiating communication between the panel and the active pen and determining a touch area of ​​the panel. The touch area includes a communication channel that is operated by touch when two-way communication occurs between the panel and the active pen. The method also includes: disabling the communication channel within the touch area; performing communication between the panel and the active pen when the communication channel within the touch area is disabled; determining that the communication between the panel and the active pen has stopped; when no communication occurs between the panel and the active pen, continuing to disable the communication channel within the touch area within a set time delay; and enabling the communication channel within the touch area after the set time delay.

[0008] Another general aspect includes a matrix panel including a plurality of touch sensors arranged in columns and rows. The touch screen device also includes a controller configured to detect an active pen, transmit a signal to the active pen, receive a signal generated by the active pen, determine a user touch coordinate on the matrix panel, disable a touch sensor associated with the user touch coordinate, determine whether the coordinates of the active pen are on the matrix panel when the touch sensor associated with the user touch coordinate is enabled or disabled, determine when the coordinates are disabled, determine that the active pen is no longer detected, set a timer to run a set delay time, in response to detecting the active pen before the set delay time, while the touch sensor associated with the user's touch coordinate remains disabled, again determine the coordinates of the active pen on the matrix panel, and enable the touch sensor associated with the user's touch coordinate in response to the expiration of the set delay time without detecting the active pen.

[0009] Another general aspect provides a method for operating a touch screen panel with an active pen. The method includes pairing an active pen with the touch screen panel, enabling all channels of the touch screen panel, detecting a touch when the active pen is paired with the touch screen panel, determining a touch zone in response to determining the touch, disabling channels in the touch zone, determining an active pen position based on communication between the active pen and the touch screen panel, determining that the active pen is no longer communicating with the touch screen panel, setting a timer in response to determining that the active pen is no longer communicating with the touch screen panel, attempting to detect the pen within at least a set delay time after setting the timer, determining an active pen position based on communication between the active pen and the touch screen panel, enabling the channels in the touch zone in response to detecting the active pen before the set delay time expires, and enabling the channels in the touch zone in response to not detecting the active pen after the set delay time expires.

[0010] Other embodiments and variations are described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0013] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A diagram showing a communication channel on a touch screen according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0014] Figure 4 A flow chart showing a method for operating a touch screen panel and an active pen according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0015] Figure 5 A flow chart showing a method for connecting a touch screen panel to an active pen according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0016] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B shows the raw data of the downlink signal from the active pen;

[0017] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B shows the composite waveforms of uplink and downlink signals;

[0018] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing a method for operating an active pen on a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present application; and

[0019] Fig. 9 A flow chart of a method for processing connections on a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a touch screen panel that can send a detectable uplink signal to an active pen by eliminating a grounding condition caused by a user's palm or finger on the touch screen panel. Various embodiments of the present application disclose an apparatus and method for enhancing an uplink signal to an active pen.

[0021] In order to improve the user experience of the touch screen and the active pen, the touch screen and the active pen can communicate bidirectionally. In other words, the active pen can be configured to send a downlink signal to the touch screen and receive an uplink signal from the touch screen. The active pen can receive an uplink signal from the touch screen through capacitive coupling between the active end (tip) of the active pen and the touch screen. The active pen analyzes the uplink signal by measuring the potential change between the tip of the active pen and the ground potential.

[0022] A problem occurs when the user's hand (e.g., palm) contacts the touch screen while the active pen is operating. Since the user is holding the active pen, the active pen is grounded through the user's body. In other words, the active pen and the user share a common ground. When the user holds the touch screen chassis, the active pen, the touch screen, and the user share a common ground. However, because the touch screen ground is not designed to be the same as the user ground, the active pen may not correctly analyze the uplink signal.

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention can solve the problem that occurs when the touch screen cannot send a detectable uplink signal to the active pen when the user touches the touch screen (for example, the pen is poorly grounded). These solutions are superior to current technologies that combine stronger uplink signals, which may cause the OLED screen display to become unstable and flicker.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic representation of a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0025] The touch screen panel 100 may include a sensor 103, a sensor interface 107, a touch controller or touch IC 109, and a host 111. The touch screen panel 100 is compatible with an active pen 105. In various embodiments, the touch screen panel 100 may be incorporated into a tablet computer, a computer, a smart phone, a handheld gaming unit, or similar electronic devices.

[0026] The sensor 103 may include a plurality of touch sensors arranged in rows and columns on the touch screen panel 100. A touch sensor may be formed by electrically coupling the touch screen to rows and columns of capacitive electrodes that span the entire touch screen. The rows of capacitive electrodes may span the touch screen in the x direction. The columns of capacitive electrodes may span the touch screen in the y direction. The rows of capacitive electrodes and the columns of capacitive electrodes have a measurable mutual capacitance at their intersections. In addition, each row of capacitive electrodes and each column of capacitive electrodes may have a self-capacitance that can be measured relative to ground.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the active pen 105 and the touch controller 109 may establish communication through the sensor array 103 and the sensor interface 107. The touch controller 109 and the active pen 105 may communicate bidirectionally. The sensor 103 may be configured to receive signals generated from the active pen 105 and transmit signals generated from the touch controller 109. The sensor interface 107 may be configured to transmit signals received by the sensor 103 to the touch controller 109, and to transmit signals generated by the touch controller 109 to the sensor 103. The signal transmitted from the touch controller 109 to the active pen 105 through the sensor interface 107 and the sensor 103 may be defined as an uplink signal, and the signal transmitted from the active pen 105 to the sensor 103 to the touch controller 109 through the sensor interface 107 may be defined as a downlink signal.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the touch controller 109 may send an uplink signal to the active pen 105 for pairing. The uplink signal may be sent from the touch controller 109 to the active pen 105 via the sensor interface 107 and the sensor 103. When pairing is successful, the active pen 105 sends a downlink signal to the touch controller 109. The downlink signal may be sent from the active pen 105 to the touch controller 109 via the sensor 103 and the sensor interface 107. When the touch controller 109 does not receive a valid downlink signal, the touch controller 109 may time out and send an unpaired command to the pen via the uplink signal. Typically, due to signal strength, the active pen is more sensitive to the uplink signal than the touch controller is to the downlink signal.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, touch controller 109 can report pen coordinates to host 111. In addition to pen coordinates, host 111 can also receive touch coordinates of a user. Host 111 can include any processing hardware that executes software that utilizes user input obtained from a touch screen. In the embodiments discussed herein, this user input can be passive (e.g., by touching with a finger or a non-active pen or stylus) or active (e.g., with an active pen).

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the active pen 105 can be held in the user's hand and used to input more precise handwriting, drawing, sketching, and other inputs into the touch screen panel 100 while touching the active end 104 of the active pen 105 to the sensor 103. The active pen 105 can be a USI-compatible pen.

[0031] In various embodiments, the active pen 105 may include an active tip 104 including an active electrode made of a conductive material, such as metal, conductive paint, conductive ink, or any other suitable conductive material. The active tip 104 may be configured to function as an antenna configured to receive an uplink signal from the sensor 103 and transmit a downlink signal back to the sensor 103. After the sensor 103 detects the active tip 104 via the downlink signal, the sensor 103 may be configured to transmit an uplink signal to the active tip 104.

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic representation of a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present application is shown and used to describe problems that may occur when a user's palm contacts the panel.

[0033] The touch screen panel 200 may include a touch screen 203 designed to operate with an active pen 205. When an uplink signal is transmitted from the device to the active pen, the touch screen 203 may be sensitive to the ground potential of the user's body. In a floating condition, when the active pen 205 is suspended on the touch screen 203 and the palm is on the touch screen, the uplink signal may be coupled to the ground with the user's body. The user's body coupled to the ground usually produces a low-quality uplink signal and prevents communication between the active pen 205 and the touch controller. An unstable uplink signal received by the active pen 205 may cause a decoding error. In addition, the active pen 205 may be stuck in a discovery mode and may not send a downlink signal to the touch controller. When this happens, the touch controller will not be able to detect the active pen. In one or more embodiments, the palm inhibition area 213 of the touch screen 203 may be disabled to prevent the user's palm from coupling to the ground.

[0034] Under ideal working conditions, the user only touches the touch screen 203 with the active pen 205. Therefore, the potential change sensed at the active end 204 can be compared with the reference potential (i.e., ground) and converted by the front-end analog circuit to correctly detect the uplink signal, for example, through a charge-to-voltage conversion circuit. The ground of this conversion circuit is provided by the user holding the active pen 205.

[0035] However, in reality, the user may contact the touch screen at multiple areas on the touch screen 203. The user may hold the active pen 205 with one hand (e.g., the right hand in the figure) and touch the touch screen 203 with the right palm. When a capacitive object such as the user's body or an active object such as the active pen 205 is brought close to the touch screen 203, they may be electrically coupled to the touch screen 203. Therefore, the user's right palm may be coupled to the touch screen 203.

[0036] As described above, the active pen 205 can be grounded to the user holding the active pen 205 via the user capacitance. In other words, the active pen 205 and the user's body share a common ground. In one or more embodiments, when the active end 204 receives the uplink signal, the active pen 205 can detect the uplink signal by comparing the potential at the active end 204 and the potential of the user's body. However, when the user touches the touch screen 203, the same uplink signal is also transmitted to the user, and this signal can cause the circuit ground to follow the same pulse of the uplink signal, which will offset the signal measured by the front-end circuit of the active pen 205.

[0037] As described further below, various embodiments avoid or eliminate the effects of parasitic coupling introduced by a user when using an active pen.

[0038] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A diagram showing communication channels on the touch screen panel 300 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] The touch screen panel 300 is configured to detect touches made on the touch screen panel 300. The touch screen panel 300 may include a display layer 301, a matrix sensor 303, and a plurality of communication channels arranged in rows and columns on the touch screen panel 300. The plurality of communication channels may include a transmit (TX) touch sensor 317 and a receive (RX) touch sensor 315. The TX touch sensor may also be referred to as a TX electrode or a TX channel. The RX touch sensor may also be referred to as an RX electrode or an RX channel. The TX touch sensor 317 and the RX touch sensor 315 may span the entirety of the touch screen panel 300 in a grid-like manner, which may be operated by a touch screen controller. In various embodiments, the TX touch sensor 317 may be formed as a row across the touch screen panel 300, and the RX touch sensor 315 may be formed as a column across the touch screen panel 300. In other embodiments, the RX touch sensor 315 may be formed in rows on the touch screen panel 300, and the TX touch sensor 317 may be formed in columns on the touch screen panel 300. In certain embodiments, the TX touch sensor 317 and the RX touch sensor 315 may overlap.

[0040] When the matrix sensor 303 detects the user's touch, RX touch or disables RX touch channel 315 and TX touch channel 317. In one or more embodiments, the matrix sensor can transmit data from multiple communication channels to the touch controller, such as uplink signals. Data from the communication channels can be sent from the touch controller to the active pen. In various embodiments, data from the communication channels can be received by the touch controller from the active pen.

[0041] The touch controller may be coupled to the TX touch sensor 317 and the RX touch sensor 315. During a touch sensing operation or a touch scanning operation, the touch controller may send touch drive signals to the TX touch sensor 317 and receive touch sensing signals from the RX touch sensor 315. When a finger presses the intersection of one TX touch sensor 317 and one RX touch sensor 315, the mutual capacitance or self-capacitance of these sensors will change. Thus, the finger touch will be detected and the touch sensing signal will be changed. The touch controller may measure and analyze the touch sensing signal and report the touch coordinates to the host.

[0042] When the active pen is close to the touch screen panel 300, the TX touch sensor 317 and the RX touch sensor 315 can sense the active signal sent from the active pen to detect it and measure its coordinates. The signal from the active pen to the touch screen can be called a downlink signal. The uplink signal from the touch screen to the active pen can also be called a beacon.

[0043] The touch controller may trigger the touch screen panel 300 to transmit an uplink signal to the active pen and receive a downlink signal from the active pen. The uplink signal may be sent by the TX touch sensor 317, or the RX touch sensor 315, or both the TX touch sensor 317 and the RX touch sensor 315. Flicker may be caused on the display layer 301 by the uplink signal triggered by the touch controller to communicate with the active pen. Specifically, when the uplink signal is sent during the display update, interference with the display layer 301 may occur. This may cause the brightness of the display to be reduced, resulting in noticeable flicker on the display layer 301 for the user.

[0044] Figure 3A Default settings of communication channels on the touch screen panel 300 according to an embodiment of the present application are shown. In the default settings, when the user's touch is not in contact with the touch screen panel 300, both the RX touch channel 315 and the TX touch channel 317 are enabled to send uplink signals to the active pen. In this context, "all channels" refers to all channels used in the specific application implemented at the time.

[0045] Figure 3BThe palm suppression setting of the communication channels on the touch screen panel 300 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. In the palm suppression setting, the RX touch channel 315 and the TX touch channel 317 are disabled, where the palm of the user can be placed on the touch screen panel 300. For example, in one embodiment, the palm of the user can contact the touch screen panel 300 at the intersection of the RX touch channels RX5 and RX6 and the TX touch channels TX3, TX4 and TX5. In this example, channels TX3, TX4, TX5, RX5 and RX6 can be disabled from sending uplink signals, and uplink signals are sent from the enabled channels to the active pen.

[0046] Figure 4 A flowchart of a method for operating a touch screen panel and an active pen according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0047] The method 400 of operating a touch screen panel with an active pen includes a discovery mode 401, a pairing mode 405, and an operation mode 407. In the discovery mode 401, the touch screen panel and the active pen can initiate communication. The active pen searches for periodic beacons from the touch screen panel and confirms when the beacon is detected. When the beacon is detected, the active pen (step 403) can be explored and switched to pairing mode 405. When the active pen is not explored, the touch panel can operate in touch mode 410. The touch mode 410 can include a touch from a user's finger or a passive pen. In one or more embodiments, all TX and RX channels on the touch screen panel can be enabled in touch mode.

[0048] In pairing mode 405, the active pen can send downlink configuration data and active pen capabilities to the touch screen panel. The active pen will receive an uplink signal from the screen and then decode the signal to determine whether it is successful or there is an error. When the pairing is successful, communication is established and the pen will then send a downlink signal to the screen. At this point, the active pen can switch to operating mode 407. Figure 5 Further description of embodiments of pairing is provided.

[0049] In operation mode 407, the active pen sends active pen data and optional position packets to the touch screen panel. The active pen can then receive and process beacons for commands.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, in operation mode 407, all TX and RX channels are enabled on the touch screen panel (step 409) to allow communication with an active pen or a user's touch. Figure 3AWhen the TX and RX channels are enabled, the touch screen panel can detect a touch by the user's palm (or other body part) (step 411). If no touch is detected, the pen will operate in pen mode, as shown in step 417.

[0051] When a user's palm touch is detected in step 411, the touch screen panel can determine the area by locating the position of the user's palm or finger touch (step 413). The palm touch area corresponds to the TX and RX communication channels of the panel that receive the finger-activated touch, such as Figure 3B As shown. When the determined area has been identified, in step 415, the corresponding TX and RX communication channels can be disabled in the determined area. The disabled communication channels of the determined area can prevent accidental contact by the user's palm or finger. When the determined area is disabled, the active pen can operate in the enabled TX and RX communication channels of the touch screen panel (step 417).

[0052] During the pen operation mode (step 417), the touch panel detects whether the active pen is still detected (step 419). When the active pen is detected, the touch panel determines whether the palm touch area has changed in step 421. When the palm touch area changes (step 421), the touch screen panel returns to step 409 to determine the current area of ​​the palm touch. When the palm touch area remains the same, the touch screen panel can continue to operate in pen mode.

[0053] In one embodiment, not all channels need to be enabled when the algorithm returns from step 421 to step 409. In some cases, a subset of channels may be enabled using inferred information about the palm position. In another embodiment, the palm region may be updated as the active pen approaches the palm touch region by assuming the region size remains constant and moving the region. For example, if the active pen is moved along the panel toward the palm touch region, it may be assumed that the user's hand is moving in a similar direction and the touch region may be updated accordingly.

[0054] When the active pen is no longer detected (step 419), the user may be pausing interaction or may have stopped using the active pen. To determine which of the above, the touch screen panel can calculate the length of time that has passed since the active pen was last detected. When the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined timeout setting (step 420), the touch screen panel switches to operating in touch mode 410. When the elapsed time does not exceed the predetermined timeout setting, the touch panel continues to operate in pen mode (step 417).

[0055] In one or more embodiments, when the active pen is not paired with the touch screen panel (step 403 ) or the active pen is not detected after a predetermined timeout setting (step 420 ), the active pen may return to the exploration mode 401 .

[0056] Figure 5 A flow chart of a method of connecting a touch screen panel to an active pen according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The flow chart shows a more detailed embodiment provided only as an example.

[0057] refer to Figure 5 , a process 500 of connecting a touch screen panel to an active pen. In one or more embodiments, the touch screen panel may start with an analog front end (AFE) frame scan 501 and request a scan sequence 503 to set up the AFE hardware registers including uplink initialization 505 and downlink initialization 507. The uplink initialization 505 may include setting uplink channels and configurations 508 according to the mode of the active pen. Corresponding to Figure 3A , in pairing mode, all channel columns and channel rows may be enabled by default.

[0058] However, in various embodiments of the present application, corresponding to Figure 3B , when the user's palm is in contact with the touch screen panel in pairing mode, the palm channel can be calculated using the touch island bitmap 519, and the calculated communication channel can be disabled 521. The AFE pen uplink configuration can then be set 523, and the pen uplink data can be encoded and written to the AFE hardware registers. Downlink initialization 507 can include setting the active pen downlink frequency 511.

[0059] When the AFE hardware register is completed, an AFE scan 527 may be performed. For uplink signals, the AFE scan may trigger a scan of the AFE pen uplink and send an uplink packet signal 529 to the active pen from all enabled TX and RX channels for pairing using the self-capacitance method. For downlink signals, the AFE scan may receive downlink signal data 531 from the active pen.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, a touch island bitmap may be calculated for palm detection by analyzing multiple islands of interaction intensity. Upon palm touch, mutual islands may accumulate along the X and Y directions, resulting in elongated touch areas. Palm detection may be confirmed when the intensity of the palm touch area exceeds a given limit (palm touch area > fgr_max_area). The area fgr_max_area is used to detect whether a palm is detected. Touch nodes exceeding a given threshold (e.g., a threshold of 100) may be marked on the TX and RX channel bitmaps. When mutual touch nodes form islands that accumulate along the X and Y axes, overlapping islands on the boundaries form elongated touch areas for the resulting touch island bitmap. Since different panels have different characteristics, it can be recognized that this detection method is only one possible example.

[0061] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B 1 and 2 show the raw data of the downlink signal from the active pen according to an embodiment of the present application. These figures show the palm touch area before being disabled ( Fig. 6A ) and after the palm touch area is disabled ( Figure 6B ) differences.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the touch controller receives the downlink signal from the active pen and decodes the signal to form raw data. When the user's palm is in contact with the touch screen, the active pen may be unpaired with the touch controller. Fig. 6A As shown in , when the user's palm contacts the touch screen, the raw data is garbled because the active pen is not paired with the touch controller. Figure 6B As shown, when the TX and RX channels are disabled in the palm inhibition area, the raw data indicates that the active pen can be paired with the touch controller when the user's palm is in contact with the touch screen.

[0063] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The composite waveforms of uplink and downlink signals according to an embodiment of the present application are shown.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the signal sent from the touch controller of the touch screen panel to the active pen can be defined as an uplink signal, and the signal sent by the active pen to the touch controller can be defined as a downlink signal. In an embodiment, the normal uplink signal waveform is periodic, and its amplitude is between 2V and 10V, such as 6V.

[0065] Fig. 7A A waveform of an uplink signal with all TX and RX channels enabled when the user's palm is in contact with the touch screen panel is shown. The uplink signal may encounter a decoding error, and the active pen may not be able to send a downlink signal from the active pen to the touch controller. For example, the detected uplink signal may be aperiodic with a predetermined amplitude (e.g., 1.563mv in one specific example), and the downlink signal may not be detected.

[0066] Figure 7B The waveforms of the uplink signal and the downlink signal with the TX and RX channels disabled in the case of the user's palm contacting the touch screen panel are shown. When the TX and RX channels are disabled in the case of the user's palm contact, the uplink signal can be successfully decoded. For example, the resulting waveform detects a periodic uplink signal with a 6V amplitude with an intermittent downlink signal in each pen frame.

[0067] Figure 8A schematic representation of a method of operating an active pen on a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. Fig. 9 1 and 2 show a flow chart of a method for processing connections on a touch screen panel according to an embodiment of the present application. These figures provide a more detailed appearance, such as Figure 4 Steps 411 to 420.

[0068] Figure 8 The situation where the pen is operating (step 801), is moved away from the touch screen (step 803), and then operated again (step 805) is shown. When the pen moves off the touch screen in step 803, the system determines whether to maintain the current touch area or start again because the pen has moved to a different area of ​​the screen or the user wants to operate in touch mode rather than active pen mode.

[0069] Referring to step 801, when the active pen is in operational mode and in contact with the touch screen, pen coordinates may be reported to the host to provide continuous and smooth strokes. Referring to step 803, when the active pen is no longer in contact with the touch screen, the active pen may return to exploration mode and may report touch coordinates from the user's palm to the host. The reported touch coordinates may be disabled to prevent interference between the active pen and the touch screen. In one or more embodiments, the touch coordinates may change as the user's palm moves across the touch screen. Referring to step 805, when the active pen is paired and enters operational mode again, the pen coordinates will be reported to the host normally.

[0070] The method 900 of handling connections on a touch screen panel may be implemented to prevent reporting of touch coordinates from a user touch when the active pen is not in contact with the touch screen.

[0071] In the case of step 803, the active pen is no longer in contact with the touch screen, for example, the touch screen loses communication with the pen, and the system can perform the operation of step 901. In this mode, a scan timeout event can be processed 903. When the scan timeout event has been processed, a scan cycle can be set 905. The scan cycle can include a touch frame rate 907 and a pen frame rate 909. When the scan cycle is set, the AFE scan begins 911. The AFE scan can collect AFE control request parameters for the touch 915 and the pen 917. The AFE control request parameters for the pen 917 can include collecting the current frame pen scan mode 931.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, when collecting AFE control request parameters, the touch screen panel may request scanning 919, perform scanning 921, and end scanning 923. When the scanning is completed, the touch screen panel may be ready to process touch frames 925 and process pen frames 927. When processing pen frames ready, the touch screen panel may receive pen processing 929. When processing touch frames ready, the touch screen panel may determine whether to maintain the pen state 933 based on the change of the pen scanning mode 931. When changing the pen scanning mode, the pen state may be maintained and a predetermined frame count 935 may be maintained. During the maintenance of the pen state, the palm area limitation may change the set delay time 937. When the set delay time has passed, the touch panel may receive touch processing 939. In some embodiments, the delay may be 0 to 10 seconds, and in other embodiments, 2 to 5 seconds.

[0073] As discussed herein, embodiments of the present invention can improve the performance of uplink signals for pairing. Examples can provide a way to optimize or at least improve a process flow for resolving coordinate disorder. For example, uplink signal quality can be improved by obtaining a touch channel based on a touch island bitmap and disabling the touch channel in an uplink transmission to reduce uplink side effects. Coordinate disorder can also be resolved by maintaining a pen state and a palm state by connecting a pen process to a touch process, maintaining the pen state for a certain frame count, and setting other parameters for blocking reporting touch coordinates when in a pen state.

[0074] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are summarized here. Other embodiments may also be understood from the entirety of the specification and claims submitted here. It is understood that the various embodiments described herein may be combined.

[0075] Embodiment 1. A first example includes a method of operating a touch screen panel. The method includes initiating communication between the panel and an active pen and determining a touch area of ​​the panel. The touch area includes a communication channel operated by touch when two-way communication occurs between the panel and the active pen. The method also includes: disabling the communication channel within the touch area; performing communication between the panel and the active pen when the communication channel within the touch area is disabled; determining that the communication between the panel and the active pen has stopped; when no communication occurs between the panel and the active pen, continuing to disable the communication channel within the touch area within a set time delay; and enabling the communication channel within the touch area after the set time delay.

[0076] Example 2. The method of Example 1 may further include providing pen position information to a host in response to performing communication between the panel and the active pen simultaneously over the communication channel.

[0077] Example 3. In the above example, the touch area may include using a touch island bitmap to calculate multiple palm channels.

[0078] Example 4. In the above example, disabling the communication channel may include disabling the calculated palm channel.

[0079] Example 5. The method of any of the above examples may further include: may include determining that communication between the panel and the active pen has been reinitiated before expiration of a set time delay, and restoring communication between the panel and the active pen while continuing to disable the communication channel within the touch area.

[0080] Example 6. The method of any of the above examples may further include receiving a touch process within the touch area after enabling a communication channel within the touch area.

[0081] Example 7. In the above example, the setting time delay can be 1 to 10 seconds.

[0082] Example 8 In the above example, the communication between the panel and the active pen includes an uplink signal sent from the panel to the active pen and a downlink signal sent from the active pen to the panel.

[0083] Example 9. In other examples, a touch screen device includes a matrix panel including a plurality of touch sensors arranged in columns and rows. The touch screen device also includes a controller configured to detect an active pen, send a signal to the active pen, receive a signal generated by the active pen, determine a user touch coordinate on the matrix panel, disable a touch sensor associated with the user's touch coordinate, determine whether the coordinates of the active pen are on the matrix panel when the touch sensor associated with the user's touch coordinate is enabled or disabled, determine when the coordinates are disabled that the active pen is no longer detected, set a timer to run a set delay time, in response to detecting the active pen before the set delay time, while the touch sensor associated with the user's touch coordinate remains disabled, determine the coordinates of the active pen on the matrix panel again, and enable the touch sensor associated with the user's touch coordinate in response to the expiration of the set delay time without detecting the active pen.

[0084] Example 10. The device of Example 9 may further include a host coupled to the controller, the host including processing hardware configured to execute software that utilizes user input obtained from the determined coordinates of the active pen.

[0085] Example 11. In Examples 9 and 10, the touch sensor may include a capacitive electrode.

[0086] Example 12. In Examples 9 to 11, the signal transmitted to the active pen may be an uplink signal, and the signal transmitted from the active pen to the panel may be a downlink signal.

[0087] Example 13 In Examples 9 to 12, the controller may be configured to disable the plurality of touch sensors based on the touch coordinates of the user.

[0088] Example 14. In Examples 9 to 13, the setting time delay may be 1 to 10 seconds.

[0089] Example 15. In Examples 9 to 14, the controller may use the touch island bitmap to determine the touch coordinates of the user.

[0090] Example 16. Another general aspect provides a method for operating an active pen with a touch screen panel. The method includes: pairing an active pen with a touch screen panel, enabling all channels of the touch screen panel, detecting a touch when the active pen is paired with the touch screen panel, determining a touch zone in response to determining the touch, disabling channels in the touch zone, determining an active pen position based on communication between the active pen and the touch screen panel, determining that the active pen is no longer communicating with the touch screen panel, setting a timer in response to determining that the active pen is no longer communicating with the touch screen panel, after setting the timer, attempting to detect the active pen for at least a set delay time, in response to the active pen being detected before the set delay time expires, while the channels in the touch zone remain disabled, determining an active pen position based on communication between the active pen and the touch screen panel, and enabling the channels in the touch zone in response to the set delay time expiring without detecting the active pen.

[0091] Example 17. The method of Example 16 may further include determining the touch location based on capacitive sensing at the touch screen panel after enabling the channel in the touch area.

[0092] Example 18. In Examples 16 and 17, the setting time delay may be 1 to 10 seconds.

[0093] Example 19. The method of any of Examples 16 to 18 may further include providing the active pen position to a host and executing a software application that utilizes the active pen position.

[0094] Example 20. The method of any of Examples 16 to 19 may further include determining an updated touch region, enabling channels in the touch region that are not in the updated touch region, and disabling channels in the updated touch region that are not in the touch region.

[0095] Although the present invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be interpreted in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, based on the reference specification. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover any such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. A method for operating a touch screen panel, the method comprising: initiating communication between the panel and the active pen; determining a touch area of ​​the panel, the touch area including a communication channel operated by touch when two-way communication occurs between the panel and the active pen; disabling a communication channel within the touch area; performing communication between the panel and the active pen when the communication channel within the touch area is disabled; determining that the communication between the panel and the active pen has stopped; when no communication occurs between the panel and the active pen, continuing to disable the communication channel within the touch area for a set time delay; as well as The communication channel within the touch area is enabled after the set time delay.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: In response to the communication being performed between the panel and the active pen over the communication channel, pen position information is provided to a host.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the touch area comprises: Use the touch island bitmap to calculate multiple palm channels.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein disabling the communication channel comprises: Disables the calculated palm channel.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining that communication between the panel and the active pen has been re-initiated before expiration of the set time delay; as well as Communications between the panel and the active pen are restored while continuing to disable the communication channel within the touch area.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: After enabling the communication channel within the touch area, a touch transaction is received within the touch area. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the setting time delay is 1 to 10 seconds.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication between the panel and the active pen comprises: an uplink signal transmitted from the panel to the active pen; as well as A downlink signal is transmitted from the active pen to the panel.

9. A touch screen device, comprising: a matrix panel including a plurality of touch sensors arranged in columns and rows; The controller is configured as: Detect active pen; transmitting a signal to the active pen; receiving a signal generated by the active pen; Determining the touch coordinates of the user on the matrix panel; disabling a touch sensor associated with the user's touch coordinates; determining whether coordinates of the active pen are on the matrix panel when the touch sensor associated with the user's touch coordinates is enabled or disabled; determining that the active pen is no longer detected when the coordinates are disabled; Set the timer to run for the set delay time; In response to detecting the active pen before the set delay time, again determining the coordinates of the active pen on the matrix panel while the touch sensor associated with the user's touch coordinates remains disabled; and In response to the set delay time expiring without detecting the active pen, the touch sensor associated with the touch coordinates of the user is enabled.

10. The touch screen device according to claim 9, further comprising: A host coupled to the controller includes processing hardware configured to execute software that utilizes user input obtained from the determined coordinates of the active pen. The touch screen device of claim 9 , wherein the touch sensor comprises a capacitive electrode. 12 . The touch screen device of claim 9 , wherein the signal transmitted to the active pen is an uplink signal, and the signal transmitted from the active pen to the touch screen device is a downlink signal. 13 . The touch screen device of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to disable the plurality of touch sensors based on touch coordinates of the user. The touch screen device according to claim 9 , wherein the set time delay is 1 to 10 seconds. 15 . The touch screen device of claim 9 , wherein the controller uses a touch island bitmap to determine the touch coordinates of the user.

16. A method for operating a touch screen panel and an active pen, the method comprising: pairing the active pen with the touch screen panel; enabling all channels of the touch screen panel; detecting a touch when the active pen is paired with the touch screen panel; determining a touch area in response to determining the touch, the touch area including a channel when the touch is detected; disabling the channel in the touch area; determining an active pen position based on communication between the active pen and the touch screen panel; determining that the active pen is no longer in communication with the touch screen panel; setting a timer in response to determining that the active pen is no longer in communication with the touch screen panel; After setting the timer, attempting to detect the active pen for at least a set delay time; In response to the active pen being detected before the set delay time expires, determining an active pen position based on communications between the active pen and the touch screen panel while the channel in the touch area remains disabled; as well as In response to expiration of the set delay time without detecting the active pen, enabling the channel in the touch area.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: After enabling the channels in the touch region, a touch location is determined based on capacitive sensing at the touch screen panel.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The setting time delay is 1 to 10 seconds.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: providing the active pen position to a host; as well as A software application utilizing the active pen position is executed.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: Determine the updated touch area; enabling channels in the touch area that are not in the updated touch area; as well as Channels in the updated touch region that are not in the touch region are disabled.

Images