Touch system

Abstract

The invention discloses a touch system. The touch system may include: a touch array including touch electrodes; a touch driver configured to apply touch driving signals including different codes to the touch electrodes, respectively, to transmit an uplink signal to an object adjacent to the touch array; at least one sub-host connected to at least one object among the objects through the communication channel, and configured to receive location information corresponding to the at least one object from the at least one object through the communication channel; and a master host configured to receive location information corresponding to the at least one object through the at least one sub-host.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0102987, filed on August 7, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic device supporting a touch function, and more particularly, to a display device and a touch system using a touch device configured to sense a user's touch or an object. Background Art

[0004] Electronic devices including touch panels having the ability to indicate a position by touch have been widely used. In particular, with the proliferation of mobile electronic devices such as smart phones and tablet computers, touch panels have been widely used. Recently, there is an increasing demand for technology that can recognize touches on touch panels not only with fingers but also with other tools such as active pens.

[0005] However, there are many difficulties for electronic devices to effectively support both touch from a finger or the like and touch from an active pen while still providing basic display functions. In particular, with the trend toward larger and faster displays in electronic devices, there is a risk of degradation in the sensing performance of touch recognition on a touch panel, resulting in reduced operational reliability of the touch device, display device, and electronic device.

[0006] The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0007] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a touch system and a display device capable of recognizing a touch with improved reliability.

[0008] An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a touch system, comprising: a touch array comprising a plurality of touch electrodes; a touch driver configured to apply touch drive signals comprising different codes to the touch electrodes, respectively, so as to transmit uplink signals to a plurality of objects adjacent to the touch array through the touch electrodes; at least one sub-host connected to at least one object among the plurality of objects through a communication channel, and configured to receive position information corresponding to the at least one object from the at least one object through the communication channel; and a main host configured to receive position information corresponding to the at least one object among the plurality of objects through the at least one sub-host.

[0009] The at least one sub-host may include a first sub-host configured to receive first location information from a first object among the plurality of objects and a second sub-host configured to receive second location information from a second object among the plurality of objects.

[0010] The first sub-host may further receive third location information from a third object among the plurality of objects.

[0011] The main host may receive first location information from the first sub-host and second location information from the second sub-host.

[0012] The communication channel may include a radio communication channel based on Bluetooth communication.

[0013] The at least one sub-host may be connected to the main host through an additional communication channel, and transmit location information corresponding to the at least one object to the main host through the additional communication channel.

[0014] Each of the plurality of objects may be configured to calculate position information corresponding to the object based on an uplink signal received from a touch electrode adjacent to the object among the touch electrodes.

[0015] The uplink signal may include digital components representing different codes, and include analog components depending on capacitors generated between the touch electrodes and the plurality of objects.

[0016] The touch driver may transmit an uplink signal in a first period. The at least one sub-host may receive position information corresponding to the at least one object in a second period after the first period.

[0017] The touch driver may receive downlink signals from remaining objects other than the at least one object among the plurality of objects through at least some of the touch electrodes, and the master host may acquire position information corresponding to the remaining objects based on the downlink signals.

[0018] The touch electrodes may include driving electrodes extending in a first direction and sensing electrodes extending in a second direction crossing the first direction. An uplink signal may be transmitted through the driving electrodes and the sensing electrodes.

[0019] The at least one child host may further receive object status information from the at least one object and transmit the object status information to the main host.

[0020] The touch system may further include: a display panel including a plurality of pixels; and a display driver configured to drive the plurality of pixels.

[0021] The master host may generate image information based on position information corresponding to the at least one object and provide the image information to the display driver.

[0022] The main host may receive first location information from the first sub-host and second location information from the second sub-host. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a touch system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 2 The diagram shows Figure 1 A block diagram of an embodiment of a touch system.

[0025] Figure 3 The diagram shows Figure 2 A block diagram of an embodiment of a display module.

[0026] Figure 4 The diagram shows Figure 1 A block diagram of an embodiment of a touch module.

[0027] Figure 5 Is used to describe Figure 1 A diagram of an uplink signal received by an object.

[0028] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a timing diagram of an example of a touch drive signal for each drive electrode.

[0029] Figure 7 The diagram shows Figure 1 A block diagram of an embodiment of an object.

[0030] Figure 8 is a timing diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process of transmitting an uplink signal and receiving location information.

[0031] Fig. 9 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of an uplink signal transmitted from a touch array and a downlink signal transmitted from any one of the objects.

[0032] Fig.10 The diagram shows Figure 2 A block diagram of an embodiment of a touch system.

[0033] Fig.11 The diagram shows Figure 2 A block diagram of an embodiment of a touch system.

[0034] Fig.12 The diagram shows Figure 2 A block diagram of an embodiment of a touch system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description embodiments, features and components useful for understanding the operation according to the present disclosure are described, but the description of other features or components may be omitted to avoid making the present disclosure unclear. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but may be embodied in other ways. Accordingly, a description of a specific embodiment is provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the technical spirit of the present disclosure will be conveyed to those skilled in the art.

[0036] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another element, the element may be directly coupled or connected to the other element, or indirectly coupled or connected to the other element, with an intervening element being located therebetween. The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing a particular embodiment, and are not intended to be limited. In this specification, when an element is referred to as "comprising" or "including" a component, it does not exclude another component, but may further include other components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. "At least one of X, Y, and Z" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z" may be interpreted as any combination of only X, only Y, only Z, or two or more of X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XY, YZ, and XZ). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0037] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. can be used in this article to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element. Therefore, the first element discussed below can be referred to as the second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a touch system TS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] refer to Figure 1 , the touch system TS may include a touch module 100 , an object 300 , and a host 400 .

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the touch module 100 may include a touch array 110 and a touch driver 120. The touch driver 120 may transmit an uplink signal ULS to the object 300 through a touch electrode provided in the touch array 110. For example, the uplink signal ULS may be transmitted to the object 300 through a capacitor or capacitive coupling formed between the touch electrode of the touch array 110 and the object 300. In detail, the uplink signal ULS may be transmitted in a capacitive coupling scheme using an electric field.

[0041] The uplink signal ULS may include a signal that is connected to the touch array 110 and the display panel 210 (reference Figure 2 ) related information, protocol version information, and vertical synchronization signal Vsync (reference Figure 3 ) and other related signals. Specifically, the object 300 can obtain information related to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync from the uplink signal ULS, and can determine a time point for transmitting the downlink signal DLS. In addition, the object 300 can verify the information related to the touch array 110 and the display panel 210 or the version of the protocol from the uplink signal ULS.

[0042] although Figure 1 The figure shows that the object 300 is a single object, but the object 300 is not limited thereto. The object 300 may include various external devices including an active pen, a robot, various accessories, and a game card, etc. The object 300 may be directly connected to the host 400 through a communication channel. Alternatively, the object 300 may be connected to the host 400 through the touch module 100, and the touch module 100 may be connected to the host 400 through a communication channel.

[0043] The object 300 may generate a downlink signal DLS and transmit the downlink signal DLS to the touch module 100. Thereafter, the host 400 may acquire information related to the object 300 based on the downlink signal DLS. Here, the downlink signal DLS may include position information corresponding to the object 300, which the object 300 may calculate based on the transmitted uplink signal ULS, and state information of the object 300. In detail, in the case where the object 300 is an active pen, the object state information may include information related to the strength, pressure, and tilt, etc., of the active pen when the active pen contacts the touch array 110. The object state information may further include one or more additional information for the active pen, such as button information, battery information, and information related to error checking and correction, etc.

[0044] The touch module 100 may receive a downlink signal DLS through the touch array 110. The touch module 100 may decode the downlink signal DLS and extract position information, object state information, and various additional information corresponding to the object 300. The touch module 100 may transmit the extracted position information, object state information, and various additional information to the host 400. In some embodiments, the touch module 100 and the host 400 may be electrically connected and may perform wired communication between each other. In some embodiments, the touch driver 120 and the host 400 may perform radio communication between them.

[0045] Figure 1The figure shows an example in which the host 400 is a single component, but the host 400 may include a main host and a plurality of sub-hosts. In this case, the main host and the sub-hosts may be connected to each other via a communication channel. For example, the main host of the host 400 together with the touch module 100 may be implemented as a computing device such as a computer (e.g., a laptop computer), a smart phone, or a wearable device. On the other hand, each of the sub-hosts of the host 400 together with the object 300 may be implemented as a separate computing device such as a computer (e.g., a laptop computer), a smart phone, or a wearable device.

[0046] The host 400 may include an internal memory, one or more processors, and an interface. The host 400 may execute various software programs through the processor to perform various functions of the touch system TS, and may perform processing and control for data communication. In addition, the host 400 may communicate with various external devices and / or systems through various interfaces. For example, the touch system TS may perform communication between the touch module 100 and the object 300 through the host 400. For example, the host 400 may include a transmission device that may perform or adopt a wired communication method using a serial bus (I2C), a universal serial bus (USB), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), or RS-232 for direct connection, and a wireless or radio communication method using Bluetooth (Low Energy Bluetooth), WiFi Direct, IrDA LAN, and WAN for connection. The host 400 may perform communication through a transmission device.

[0047] In an embodiment, the touch system TS may transmit an uplink signal ULS from the touch module 100 to the object 300. The object 300 may receive the uplink signal ULS. The object 300 may use the uplink signal ULS to calculate the position information corresponding to the object 300. The object 300 may transmit the calculated position information corresponding to the object 300 to the touch module 100 through the downlink signal DLS or directly to the host 400 using, for example, the Bluetooth protocol.

[0048] Figure 2 The diagram shows Figure 1 A block diagram of an embodiment of a touch system TS. Specifically, Figure 2 The diagram shows Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a host 400 of a touch system TS and a display device DD. Figure 2 , the display device DD may include a touch module 100 and a display module 200. The touch module 100 may include a touch array 110 and a touch driver 120 configured to drive the touch array 110. The display module 200 may include a display panel 210 and a display driver 220 configured to drive the display panel 210.

[0049] In some embodiments, the touch array 110 and the display panel 210 may be manufactured separately from each other and may be coupled to each other to at least partially overlap each other. In some embodiments, the touch array 110 and the display panel 210 may be manufactured as a single body or integrated structure. In this case, the touch array 110 may be directly formed on at least one layer forming the display panel 210, for example, on an upper substrate, a thin film encapsulation layer, or an insulating layer of the display panel 210.

[0050] Figure 2 An example is shown in which the touch array 110 is disposed on or above the display panel 210 , but the touch array 110 is not limited thereto. For example, the touch array 110 may be disposed below the display panel 210 .

[0051] The touch array 110 may include a sensing area SA capable of sensing a touch and a non-sensing area NSA formed around the sensing area SA. The sensing area SA may at least partially overlap with the display area DA of the display panel 210. The display device DD may not only display an image through the sensing area SA, but may also sense a touch input made on the display surface or sense light incident in front of the display surface. Although the non-sensing area NSA may surround the sensing area SA, the above example is for illustrative purposes only, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0052] The touch array 110 may include a substrate and drive electrodes TX and sensing electrodes RX formed on the substrate. The drive electrodes TX and the sensing electrodes RX may be disposed in the sensing area SA on the substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate of the touch array 110 may be a rigid substrate including a material such as glass (e.g., tempered glass). In some embodiments, the substrate of the touch array 110 may be a flexible substrate including a material such as plastic or metal. In some embodiments, at least one layer forming the display panel 210 may be used as a substrate of the touch array 110.

[0053] The display panel 210 may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The display area DA may display an image, and the non-display area NDA may be provided around the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may at least partially surround or surround the display area DA. The display panel 210 may include pixels PX formed on a substrate in the display area DA. In some embodiments, the substrate of the display panel 210 may be a rigid substrate including a material such as glass (e.g., tempered glass). In some embodiments, the substrate of the display panel 210 may be a flexible substrate including a material such as plastic or metal.

[0054] The pixel PX may be connected to the scan line SL and the data line DL. The pixel PX may be selected using a driving signal supplied through the scan line SL and may receive a data signal through the data line DL. Therefore, the pixel PX may emit light having a brightness corresponding to the data signal, so that an image may be displayed in the display area DA.

[0055] Lines and / or circuits connected to the pixels PX may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. For example, an additional scan driver may be disposed in the non-display area NDA.

[0056] In some embodiments, the display panel 210 may include an organic light emitting diode, an inorganic light emitting diode, or a quantum dot / well light emitting diode as a light emitting element in the pixel PX. In an embodiment, the display panel 210 may be implemented as a liquid crystal display panel. In this case, an additional light source such as a backlight unit may be provided.

[0057] In some embodiments, the touch driver 120 and the display driver 220 may be formed in separate integrated chips (ICs). In some embodiments, the touch driver 120 and the display driver 220 may be integrated in a single IC.

[0058] The touch driver 120 may operate under the control of the host 400. The touch driver 120 may be connected to the touch array 110 to drive the touch array 110. Figure 4 Detailed description is provided below to provide further information regarding embodiments of the touch array 110 and the touch driver 120 .

[0059] The display driver 220 may operate under the control of the host 400. The display driver 220 may be electrically connected to the display panel 210 to drive the pixels PX. Figure 3 To provide further information about embodiments of the display driver 220 and the display panel 210 .

[0060] The host 400 may be connected to the touch driver 120 and the display driver 220. The host 400 may be configured to control the overall operation of the touch driver 120 and the display driver 220. In some embodiments, the touch driver 120 may receive a downlink signal DLS from the object 300 and transmit the downlink signal DLS to the host 400. The host 400 may obtain the position information of the object 300 on the touch array 110 from the downlink signal DLS. In some embodiments, the host 400 may be connected to the object 300 through a communication channel. The host 400 may receive the position information of the object 300 on the touch array 110 from the object 300 through the communication channel.

[0061] The display device DD can be used in electronic devices, such as computers (e.g., laptop computers), cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), digital televisions, digital cameras, portable game consoles, navigation devices, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, e-books, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, navigation devices for vehicles, video phones, monitoring systems, autofocus systems, tracking systems, and motion sensor systems.

[0062] Figure 3 The diagram shows Figure 2 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a display module 200 .

[0063] refer to Figure 3 , the display module 200 may include a display panel 210 and a display driver 220 . The display driver 220 may include a timing controller 221 , a data driver 222 , and a scan driver 223 .

[0064] The host 400 may provide image data (also referred to as first image data) DATA1 to the display module 200. In some embodiments, the host 400 may include an application processor and a central processing unit (CPU), etc. to control the display module 200. In some embodiments, the host 400 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) to control the display module 200. In addition, the host 400 may include at least one of various devices configured to provide the image data DATA1 to the display module 200. The host 400 may receive position information of the object 300 on the touch array 110, and may perform various operations using the received position information.

[0065] The timing controller 221 may generate a control signal to control the data driver 222 and the scan driver 223 using an external input signal received from the host 400. For example, the generated control signal may include a scan driver control signal SCS for controlling the scan driver 223 and a data driver control signal DCS for controlling the data driver 222. In addition to the signal indicating the position information of the object 300 on the touch array 110, the external input signal input from the host 400 may also include signals such as a data enable signal and a vertical synchronization signal Vsync. In particular, the vertical synchronization signal Vsync may be a signal for synchronizing image data, and may be a signal for distinguishing frames input in a frame cycle. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above example. For example, the vertical synchronization signal Vsync may be generated from the inside of the timing controller 221. For example, the timing controller 221 may include a logic circuit configured to generate a vertical synchronization signal Vsync based on a signal such as a data enable signal received from the host 400.

[0066] In some embodiments, the vertical synchronization signal Vsync may be provided to Figure 2 The touch driver 120 may generate an uplink signal ULS (reference signal) in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal Vsync. Figure 1 ).

[0067] The timing controller 221 may supply a scan driver control signal SCS to the scan driver 223, and a data driver control signal DCS to the data driver 222. The timing controller 221 may convert first image data DATA1 received from an external device (e.g., the host 400) into second image data DATA2 corresponding to the specification of the data driver 222, and then supply the second image data DATA2 to the data driver 222.

[0068] In an embodiment, the display panel 210 may include pixels PX, and data lines DL1 to DLj and scan lines SL1 to SLi connected to the pixels PX. Here, j and i are each a natural number greater than 1.

[0069] The data driver 222 may generate a data signal using the data driver control signal DCS and the second image data DATA2 received from the timing controller 221. The data driver 222 may supply the generated data signal to the data lines DL1 to DLj. In order to be connected to the data lines DL1 to DLj, the data driver 222 may be directly mounted on a substrate where the pixels PX are located, or may be connected to the substrate through a separate component such as a flexible circuit board.

[0070] The scan driver 223 may supply a scan signal to the scan lines SL1 to SLi in response to the scan driver control signal SCS. For example, the scan driver 223 may sequentially supply the scan signal to the scan lines SL1 to SLi or sequentially enable the scan signal to the scan lines SL1 to SLi. To be connected to the scan lines SL1 to SLi, the scan driver 223 may be directly mounted on a substrate where the pixels PX are located, or may be connected to the substrate through a separate component such as a flexible circuit board.

[0071] The scan signal can select which pixels PX emit light. For example, if the scan signal is supplied to one of the scan lines or the scan signal is enabled to one of the scan lines, the pixels PX connected to the scan line can receive data signals transmitted from the corresponding data lines DL1 to DLj, respectively. Therefore, these pixels PX can emit light with brightness corresponding to the received data signal.

[0072] Figure 3 The figure shows an example in which the timing controller 221 , the data driver 222 , and the scan driver 223 are separately provided, but at least some of the foregoing components may be integrated with each other as needed.

[0073] The electrodes to which the voltage and / or signal for driving the display panel 210 are supplied may be referred to as panel electrodes. The panel electrodes may be data lines DL1 to DLj, scan lines SL1 to SLi, a first power source ELVDD and a second power source ELVSS, etc. A driving voltage may be supplied to the panel electrodes. For example, each of the pixels PX may generate light corresponding to a data signal by a current flowing from the first power source ELVDD to the second power source ELVSS via a light emitting element in the pixel PX. The first power source ELVDD may have a high potential voltage, and the second power source ELVSS may have a low potential voltage.

[0074] Figure 4 The diagram shows Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a touch module 100 .

[0075] refer to Figure 4, the touch electrodes of the touch array 110 may include the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq and the first to pth sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp. The first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq may extend in the first direction DR1 and may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2. The first to pth sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp may extend in the second direction DR2 and may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction DR1. The first to pth sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp may be electrically separated from the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq while crossing the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq (on or under them), thereby forming mutual capacitance with the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq. Here, when the user touches the touch array 110, the mutual capacitance may change. For example, the touch on the touch array 110 may include at least one of various types of inputs that cause a change in mutual capacitance, such as a user physically contacting the touch array 110 or a user approaching above the touch array 110.

[0076] The first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq may be connected to the first to qth driving lines TXL1 to TXLq, respectively. The first to pth sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp may be connected to the first to pth sensing lines RXL1 to RXLp, respectively. In this case, the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq may be provided as Figure 2 The first to p-th sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp may be provided as Figure 2 The sensing electrode RX.

[0077] Each of the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq may include first cells CL1 arranged in the first direction DR1 and electrically connected to each other. Each of the first to pth sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp may include second cells CL2 arranged in the second direction DR2 and electrically connected to each other. Figure 4 , each of the first cell CL1 and the second cell CL2 is illustrated as having a rhombus shape. Here, the rhombus shape is merely illustrative, and at least one of various shapes such as a circle, a rectangle, a triangle, and a grid may be used. In addition, each of the first cell CL1 and the second cell CL2 may be formed as a single layer or multiple layers. As such, the shapes and arrangements of the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq and the first to pth sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp may be modified in various ways.

[0078] In some embodiments, the first cell CL1 and the second cell CL2 may include at least one of various conductive materials such as a metal material and a transparent conductive material, thereby ensuring conductivity. For example, the first cell CL1 and the second cell CL2 may include at least one of various metal materials such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), and platinum (Pt), or alloys thereof.

[0079] Figure 4 The touch array 110 can be used as Figure 2 A touch array 110 is provided.

[0080] The touch array 110 may further include input pads IPD connected to the first to qth driving lines TXL1 to TXLq. The touch driver 120 may be connected to the first to qth driving lines TXL1 to TXLq through the input pads IPD. The touch array 110 may further include output pads OPD connected to the first to pth sensing lines RXL1 to RXLp. The touch driver 120 may be connected to the first to pth sensing lines RXL1 to RXLp through the output pads OPD.

[0081] The touch driver 120 may generate a touch drive signal for representing different codes, and may apply the touch drive signal to the touch electrodes of the touch array 110, and thus transmit an uplink signal to the object 300 adjacent to the touch array 110. The touch driver 120 may apply the touch drive signal to the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq through the first to qth driving lines TXL1 to TXLq, thereby transmitting the uplink signal ULS to the object 300. The touch driver 120 may apply the touch drive signal to the first to pth sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp through the first to pth sensing lines RXL1 to RXLp, thereby transmitting the uplink signal ULS to the object 300.

[0082] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 , the touch module 100 may transmit and receive signals with the object 300 through the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq and the first to pth sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp. For example, the touch driver 120 may supply a touch driving signal to the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq and the first to pth sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp of the touch array 110, thereby transmitting the uplink signal ULS to the object 300.

[0083] When the object 300 is in contact with or close to the touch array 110, the object 300 may receive the uplink signal ULS through at least some of the first to qth driving electrodes TX1 to TXq and the first to pth sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp. The object 300 may decode the received uplink signal ULS to calculate position information corresponding to the object 300 and indicating the position of the object 300 relative to the touch array 110.

[0084] The touch driver 120 may receive external input signals including various control signals from the host 400. The touch driver 120 may receive a downlink signal DLS through the touch array 110. The downlink signal DLS may include position information corresponding to the object 300. The touch driver 120 may extract the position information corresponding to the object 300 from the downlink signal DLS and transmit the extracted position information to the host 400. Alternatively, the touch driver 120 may transmit the downlink signal DLS to the host 400, and the host 400 may extract the position information corresponding to the object 300 based on the signal from the touch driver 120.

[0085] Figure 5 Is used to describe Figure 1 A diagram of an uplink signal received by an object 300.

[0086] refer to Figure 5 , an operation in which the object 300 receives an uplink signal through a capacitor or capacitive coupling formed between the object 300 and an adjacent touch electrode may be described. Figure 5 It is illustrated that the object 300 is an active pen, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0087] like Figure 5 As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the touch driver 120 may apply respective touch drive signals TDS1 to TDS9 including different codes to the first to ninth drive electrodes TX1 to TX9 of the touch array 110. If the object 300 is adjacent to the touch array 110, the object 300 may receive an uplink signal through capacitive coupling or capacitors 111 to 115 generated between the object 300 and the third to seventh drive electrodes TX3 to TX7, which are drive electrodes adjacent to or closest to the object 300.

[0088] The uplink signal may include a digital component indicating a different code and an analog component depending on a capacitor or capacitive coupling generated between the touch electrode and the object 300. For example, each of the uplink signals transmitted from the third to seventh driving electrodes TX3 to TX7 may include a digital component corresponding to a related touch driving signal and an analog component corresponding to a related capacitor or capacitive coupling 111 to 115.

[0089] The object 300 can calculate the position information corresponding to the object 300 based on the uplink signal received from the third to seventh driving electrodes TX3 to TX7. For example, the object 300 can identify or distinguish the uplink signals from different driving electrodes TX3 to TX7, and can determine the weight for the corresponding uplink signal based on the analog components corresponding to the capacitors 111 to 115. The object 300 can apply the determined weight to the corresponding uplink signal. The object 300 can calculate the position information corresponding to the object 300 by decoding the uplink signal using the applied weight and / or the digital component of the uplink signal. Here, a decoding process can be applied to decode the uplink signal and / or its digital component. In this way, the object 300 can determine the position information of the object 300 based on the uplink signal received from at least one touch electrode adjacent to the object 300.

[0090] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment, the first to ninth driving electrodes TX1 to TX9 may be Figure 4 Some components of the touch array 110, and for the sake of clarity of illustration and description, Figure 5 However, the above embodiments are merely examples, and the same description may also be applied to the case where an uplink signal is transmitted through other touch electrodes (eg, sensing electrodes RX).

[0091] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a timing diagram of an example of a touch driving signal for each driving electrode TX3 to TX7 .

[0092] refer to Figure 6 , the touch drive signals TDS3 to TDS7 shown in the figure can be applied to Figure 5 The touch drive signal may be a signal generated by encoding based on different codes and modulation based on the encoding. Therefore, the touch drive signal may include a digital component. The touch drive signal may be generated as a signal having various waveforms such as a pulse, a sine wave, and a triangle wave.

[0093] In an embodiment, the touch drive signal may be a pulse signal of different forms, including an amplitude level of 1 or 0 in a plurality of bit columns or time windows. For example, the touch drive signal TDS3 applied to the third drive electrode TX3 may be a signal including a digital component of 101010101, which may be represented by a high level in the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth bit columns or time windows and a low level in the second, fourth, sixth and eighth bit columns or time windows. The touch drive signal TDS4 applied to the fourth drive electrode TX4 may be a signal including a digital component of 001001100. The touch drive signal TDS5 applied to the fifth drive electrode TX5 may be a signal including a digital component of 010101010. The touch drive signal TDS6 applied to the sixth drive electrode TX6 may be a signal including a digital component of 001100110. The touch drive signal TDS7 applied to the seventh drive electrode TX7 may be a signal including a digital component of 110011001. However, it should be noted that the above description of the touch driving signals including different codes is only for exemplary purposes, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0094] Figure 7 The diagram shows Figure 1 A block diagram of an embodiment of an object 300 is provided.

[0095] refer to Figure 7 , the object 300 may include a processor 301 , a position sensor 302 , a functional block 303 , a communication interface 304 , and a receiving electrode 305 .

[0096] In some embodiments, the object 300 may be an external device such as an active pen, a robot, various accessories, and a game card.

[0097] The processor 301 may be configured to control the overall operation of the object 300. For example, the processor 301 may control the position sensor 302. The processor 301 may transmit a position sensor control signal to the position sensor 302 to control the operation of the position sensor 302. The position sensor 302 may decode the uplink signal received from the communication interface 304 to calculate the position information corresponding to the object 300.

[0098] The processor 301 may receive position information from the position sensor 302 and transmit the received position information to the function block 303. The function block 303 may use the received position information to perform various functions. For example, the function block 303 may include a motor for moving the object 300 in a specific direction. In this case, the function block 303 may drive the motor according to the received position information to move the object 300.

[0099] In some embodiments, the processor 301 may control the position sensor 302 and the communication interface 304 to transmit a downlink signal indicating position information to the touch module 100. In this case, the position sensor 302 may encode the position information corresponding to the object 300 and provide the encoded position information to the communication interface 304. The communication interface 304 may transmit a downlink signal including a data signal having the encoded position information to the touch array 110 through the receiving electrode 305.

[0100] The receiving electrode 305 of the object 300 can be connected to the communication interface 304. When the receiving electrode 305 is adjacent to the touch array 110, a relatively low capacitor or capacitive coupling can be generated between the receiving electrode 305 and at least some of the drive electrodes TX and the sense electrodes RX. In this case, the object 300 can communicate uplink signals and / or downlink signals with the corresponding drive electrodes and / or sense electrodes through the relatively low capacitor or capacitive coupling.

[0101] The communication interface 304 may amplify the received signal. For example, the communication interface 304 may amplify the signal received by the receiving electrode 305 during the process of receiving the uplink signal. The communication interface 304 may also amplify the signal received from the position sensor 302 during the process of transmitting the downlink signal.

[0102] The communication interface 304 may be configured to convert analog signals into digital signals and convert digital signals into analog signals. For example, the communication interface 304 may convert an uplink signal received by the receiving electrode 305 into a digital signal and provide the digital signal to the position sensor 302. For example, the communication interface 304 may convert a digital signal received from the position sensor 302 into a downlink signal and output the downlink signal through the receiving electrode 305.

[0103] The touch module 100 may receive a downlink signal through a touch electrode adjacent to the reception electrode 305 among the driving electrode TX and the sensing electrode RX.

[0104] Figure 8 is a timing diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process of transmitting an uplink signal and receiving location information. Figure 8 In particular, two frame periods FR1 and FR2 in a series of frame periods are shown. Figure 2 and Figure 8 , each frame period may include a transmission period for transmitting an uplink signal and a reception period for receiving a downlink signal.

[0105] The display device DD (for example, Figure 2) can be operated in units of frame periods, which are divided from each other by a vertical synchronization signal Vsync. The vertical synchronization signal Vsync can be switched in a specific cycle. The cycle of the vertical synchronization signal Vsync can correspond to the cycle of the frame period, which can also be used for video display. For example, the first time point t1 can be the time point when the vertical synchronization signal Vsync changes to a high level, and can correspond to the time point when the first frame period FR1 starts. The second time point t2 can be the time point when the vertical synchronization signal Vsync changes to a high level again, and can correspond to the time point when the second frame period FR2 starts.

[0106] In an embodiment, the first frame period FR1 may include a first period P1 for transmitting an uplink signal and a second period P2 for receiving a downlink signal. The second frame period FR2 may include a third period P3 for transmitting an uplink signal and a fourth period P4 for receiving a downlink signal. In addition, the first period P1 for transmitting an uplink signal may be a sensing period before a display period, but is not limited thereto.

[0107] The touch driver 120 may receive a vertical synchronization signal Vsync. The touch driver 120 may transmit an uplink signal in each frame period in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync. Alternatively, the host 400 may control the touch driver 120 to allow the touch driver 120 to transmit an uplink signal in response to the vertical synchronization signal Vsync.

[0108] In some embodiments, in the first frame cycle FR1, the host 400 may transmit a first uplink signal ULS1 from the touch array 110 through the touch driver 120 during the first period P1. Any object sufficiently close to the touch array 110 may receive the first uplink signal ULS1, and Figure 8 An example including a plurality of objects is shown. In particular, each of the first object 310 and the second object 320 may receive the first uplink signal ULS1 from the touch array 110. Each of the first object 310 and the second object 320 may calculate its corresponding position information using the received first uplink signal ULS1.

[0109] During a second period P2 after the first period P1, the host 400 may receive a first downlink signal DLS1 from the first object 310 and a second downlink signal DLS2 from the second object 320 through the touch array 110. Here, the first downlink signal DLS1 may include position information and object status information corresponding to the first object 310 during the first frame period FR1. Here, the second downlink signal DLS2 may include position information and object status information corresponding to the second object 320 during the first frame period FR1.

[0110] In the second frame period FR2, the host 400 may transmit a second uplink signal ULS2 from the touch array 110 through the touch driver 120 during the third period P3. Each of the first object 310 and the second object 320 may receive the second uplink signal ULS2 from the touch array 110. Each of the first object 310 and the second object 320 may calculate its corresponding position information using the received second uplink signal ULS2. Here, the second uplink signal ULS2 may be a signal that is the same as the first uplink signal ULS1 but transmitted at a different time, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0111] During a fourth period P4 after the third period P3, the host 400 may receive a third downlink signal DLS3 from the first object 310 and a fourth downlink signal DLS4 from the second object 320 through the touch array 110. Here, the third downlink signal DLS3 may include position information and object status information corresponding to the first object 310 during the second frame period FR2. Here, the fourth downlink signal DLS4 may include position information and object status information corresponding to the second object 320 during the second frame period FR2.

[0112] Fig. 9 is a timing diagram illustrating an example of an uplink signal transmitted from a touch array and a downlink signal transmitted from an object.

[0113] refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the communication between the touch module 100 and the object 300 may be performed on a frame period basis. Each frame period may include a first period P1 for an uplink signal and a second period P2 for a downlink signal.

[0114] exist Fig. 9 In the example, Figure 8However, the foregoing example is illustrative, and other uplink signals (eg, ULS2) and other downlink signals (eg, DLS3) may also be configured in the same manner.

[0115] like Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown in the figure, the touch driver 120 may transmit the uplink signal ULS1 in the first period P1, and after the first period P1, receive the downlink signal DLS1 in the second period P2. For example, the touch driver 120 may transmit the uplink signal ULS1 to the object 300 through the touch array 110 in the first period P1. Specifically, the uplink signal ULS1 in the first period P1 may include uplink signals ULS_TX1, ULS_TX2, ULS_TX3, ... and ULS_TXq transmitted by the first to q-th driving electrodes TX1 to TXq and uplink signals ULS_RX1, ULS_RX2, ULS_RX3, ... and ULS_RXp transmitted by the first to p-th sensing electrodes RX1 to RXp. After the first period P1, the object 300 may transmit the downlink signal DLS1, and the touch module 100 may receive the downlink signal DLS1 through the touch array 110 during the second period P2.

[0116] The uplink signal ULS1 may include a beacon signal Beacon. The beacon signal Beacon may be understood as a control signal for notifying the object 300 of the start of transmission of the uplink signal ULS1. For example, the beacon signal Beacon may include a signal having a specific data pattern. In an embodiment, the beacon signal Beacon may further include identifier data corresponding to the touch module 100. Depending on the embodiment, the beacon signal Beacon may be modified or omitted in various ways.

[0117] The downlink signal DLS1 may include object state information 501 of the object 300 and position data 502 of the object 300. For example, when the object 300 communicates with the touch array 110, the object state information 501 may indicate state information of the object 300 and various additional information about the object 300. In addition, the position data 502 may indicate information calculated by the object 300 using the uplink signal ULS1.

[0118] The object 300 may transmit the object state information 501 and the location data 502 to the host 400 using the Bluetooth protocol or the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. Specifically, the object 300 may transmit the object state information 501 and the location data 502 to the host 400 via the Bluetooth protocol during the second period P2 after the first period P1.

[0119] Fig.10 The diagram shows Figure 2 A block diagram of an embodiment of a touch system TS.

[0120] refer to Fig.10 The touch system TS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a touch array 110, a touch driver 120, and a main host 410 to control a plurality of objects 310 to 330. In this case, Figure 1 The host 400 is used as the main host 410. The display panel 210 and the display driver 220 may include Figure 2 The touch array 110 and the touch driver 120 may be included in the display module 200. Figure 2 The touch module 100 and the display module 200 may form a touch system TS together with a main host 410 and a plurality of objects 310 to 330.

[0121] In some embodiments, the main host 410 may control the operation of the display panel 210 through the display driver 220. For example, the main host 410 may input the image data DATA1 to the display driver 220. The display driver 220 may synchronize the received image data DATA1 with the control signal and supply the data to the display panel 210. Thus, the display panel 210 may display an image corresponding to the image data DATA1.

[0122] The main host 410 may control the touch driver 120 to apply touch driving signals including different codes to the touch electrodes of the touch array 110 , thereby allowing the touch driver 120 to output a plurality of uplink signals.

[0123] The host 410 may be connected to each of the objects 310 to 330 through a corresponding communication channel. The host 410 may receive location information corresponding to the corresponding objects 310 to 330 through the corresponding communication channels for the objects 310 to 330. Each of these communication channels may be a radio communication channel based on Bluetooth communication. However, the types of communication channels are not limited to the above examples.

[0124] In an embodiment, the host 410 may receive the first location information PD1 from the first object 310 via Bluetooth communication. The host 410 may receive the second location information PD2 from the second object 320 via Bluetooth communication. The host 410 may receive the third location information PD3 from the third object 330 via Bluetooth communication. Fig.10 The figure shows three objects 310, 320 and 330, but the number of objects can be increased as needed.

[0125] The main host 410 may control the touch driver 120 and the display driver 220 based on the received position information corresponding to the corresponding objects 310 to 330. For example, the main host 410 may control the touch driver 120 to apply the touch drive signal only to some touch electrodes with a high detection probability based on the first position information PD1, the second position information PD2, and the third position information PD3. For example, the main host 410 may control the display driver 220 to combine the data representing the first position information PD1, the second position information PD2, and the third position information PD3 with the image data DATA1, and display the combined data.

[0126] The main host 410 may control the objects 310 to 330 based on the received position information corresponding to the corresponding objects 310 to 330. For example, the main host 410 may acquire movement information including the moving distance and the moving direction of each of the first to third objects 310 to 330 based on the first to third position information PD1 to PD3. In particular, in the case where each of the first to third objects 310 to 330 includes a motor to move in a specific direction, the main host 410 may monitor the movement of the first to third objects 310 to 330 based on the first to third position information PD1 to PD3, and may control the operation of the first to third objects 310 to 330 as needed. For example, the main host 410 may compare the first to third position information PD1 to PD3 received from the first to third objects 310 to 330, respectively, with the existing position information, determine whether to update the existing position information, and then update the existing position information as needed. Each piece of position information updated by the main host 410 and stored in the main host 410 may be used for various functions.

[0127] Fig.11 The diagram shows Figure 2 A block diagram of an embodiment of a touch system.

[0128] refer to Fig.11 , the touch system TS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a touch array 110 , a touch driver 120 , a main host 410 , and a plurality of sub hosts 421 to 422 .

[0129] The first sub-host 421 may receive the first position information PD1 from the first object 310, and may transmit the received first position information PD1 to the main host 410. The first sub-host 421 may be connected to the first object 310 via a radio communication channel such as Bluetooth. The first sub-host 421 may be connected to the main host 410 via a radio communication channel such as Bluetooth. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above example. The first sub-host 421 may be connected to each of the first object 310 and the main host 410 via various communication channels. In addition, the first sub-host 421 may be further connected to another object among the plurality of objects adjacent to the touch array 110, and receive another position information from the other object.

[0130] The second sub-host 422 can receive the second position information PD2 from the second object 320, and can transmit the received second position information PD2 to the main host 410. The second sub-host 422 can be connected to the second object 320 through a radio communication channel such as Bluetooth. The second sub-host 422 can be connected to the main host 410 through a radio communication channel such as Bluetooth. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above example. The second sub-host 422 can be connected to each of the second object 320 and the main host 410 through various communication channels.

[0131] The main host 410 may receive the third position information PD3 from the third object 330. The main host 410 may be connected to the third object 330 via a radio communication channel such as Bluetooth. Alternatively, the main host 410 may receive a downlink signal DLS including the third position information PD3 through the touch array 110. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above example. As described above, the main host 410 may receive the first position information PD1 from the first sub-host 421, and may receive the second position information PD2 from the second sub-host 422.

[0132] The main host 410 may perform various operations based on the first to third position information PD1 to PD3. For example, the main host 410 may control the display driver 220 to display an image on the display panel 210 according to the first to third position information PD1 to PD3. For example, the main host 410 may control the operation of the first to third objects 310 to 330 according to the first to third position information PD1 to PD3.

[0133] Fig.12 The diagram shows Figure 2 A block diagram of an embodiment of a touch system.

[0134] refer to Fig.12 , the touch system TS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a touch array 110 , a touch driver 120 , a main host 410 , and a sub host 420 .

[0135] The sub-host 420 may receive the first location information PD1 from the first object 310, and may receive the second location information PD2 from the second object 320. The sub-host 420 may be connected to the first object 310 and the second object 320 via a radio communication channel such as Bluetooth. The sub-host 420 may be connected to the main host 410 via a radio communication channel such as Bluetooth. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above example. The sub-host 420 may be connected to each of the first object 310, the second object 320 and the main host 410 via various communication channels.

[0136] The main host 410 may receive the third position information PD3 from the third object 330, and may receive the fourth position information PD4 from the fourth object 340. The main host 410 may be connected to the third object 330 and the fourth object 340 via a radio communication channel such as Bluetooth. Alternatively, the main host 410 may receive a downlink signal DLS including the third position information PD3 and / or the fourth position information PD4 through the touch array 110. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above example. As described above, the main host 410 may receive the first position information PD1 and the second position information PD2 from the sub-host 420.

[0137] The main host 410 may perform various operations based on the first to fourth position information PD1 to PD4. For example, the main host 410 may control the display driver 220 to display an image on the display panel 210 according to the first to fourth position information PD1 to PD4. For example, the main host 410 may control the operation of the first to fourth objects 310 to 340 according to the first to fourth position information PD1 to PD4.

[0138] As described above, in the touch system TS according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an uplink signal can be transmitted to multiple objects through a single touch driver, and each of the objects can calculate corresponding position information, so that the touch system TS can detect touches more quickly and simultaneously. In addition, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the touch system TS can be connected to multiple objects through one or more hosts, there is no limit on the number of objects, which makes it advantageous in terms of scalability of the number of objects.

[0139] Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a touch system and a display device capable of recognizing a touch with improved reliability.

[0140] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the foregoing, and other various effects are expected herein.

[0141] Although specific embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from the foregoing description. Accordingly, the concept of the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, but to the broader scope of the claims set forth and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A touch system, comprising: A touch array, comprising a plurality of touch electrodes; a touch driver configured to apply touch driving signals including different codes to the touch electrodes, respectively, so as to transmit uplink signals to a plurality of objects adjacent to the touch array through the touch electrodes; at least one sub-host connected to at least one object among the plurality of objects through a communication channel and configured to receive location information corresponding to the at least one object from the at least one object through the communication channel; as well as The main host is configured to receive the location information corresponding to the at least one object among the plurality of objects through the at least one sub-host.

2. The touch system according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one sub-host includes a first sub-host and a second sub-host, the first sub-host is configured to receive first location information from a first object among the plurality of objects, the second sub-host is configured to receive second location information from a second object among the plurality of objects, and The first sub-host further receives third location information from a third object among the multiple objects.

3. The touch system according to claim 1, wherein: The communication channel comprises a radio communication channel based on Bluetooth communication.

4. The touch system according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one sub-host is connected to the main host through an additional communication channel, and transmits the location information corresponding to the at least one object to the main host through the additional communication channel.

5. The touch system according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of objects is configured to calculate the position information corresponding to the object based on the uplink signal received from a touch electrode adjacent to the object among the touch electrodes.

6. The touch system according to claim 1, wherein: The uplink signal includes a digital component representing the different codes, and includes an analog component depending on capacitors generated between the touch electrodes and the plurality of objects.

7. The touch system according to claim 1, wherein: The touch driver transmits the uplink signal in a first period, and The at least one sub-host receives the location information corresponding to the at least one object in a second time period after the first time period.

8. The touch system according to claim 1, wherein: The touch driver receives downlink signals from remaining objects excluding the at least one object among the plurality of objects through at least some of the touch electrodes, and The master host obtains location information corresponding to the remaining objects based on the downlink signal.

9. The touch system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The at least one child host further receives object status information from the at least one object and transmits the object status information to the master host.

10. The touch system according to claim 1, further comprising: A display panel including a plurality of pixels; and The display driver is configured to drive the plurality of pixels.

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